Host Martin Tanner shares the narrative of the birth of Jesus, in modern English, from the Good News Translation of the Bible, with explanations of seeming contradictions, such as:  When Joseph found out Mary was expecting, why would he need to divorce her?  They weren't married yet.  Who were the Wise men?  Why are they part of the Gospel story of Jesus's birth?

In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner looks at the Atonement, and answers questions, including:  (1) Does every world have a savior, or is Jesus the Savior of all worlds? (2) What does and word Atonement mean?  How or in what way or sense did Jesus take upon himself the sins of the world? (3) Does the Atonement cover more than sins, including losses, sicknesses, physical and mental defects, etc.? and, (4) How can a person know if the Atonement works for her or him? 

The Gospel of Mark can be read in about an hour and a half.  The show's host, Martin Tanner, suggests that during the Christmas season everyone should read the Gospel of Mark. It is the earliest Gospel, and in effect, the Gospel of Peter, because John Mark, the author was writing Peter's description of what Jesus said and did.  The Gospel of Mark is a marvelous testimony of Jesus as the Messiah promised by God, to save his chosen people.  This is what people are celebrating at Christmastime.

As a follow-up to last week's show, in which host Martin Tanner described his text debate with uninformed, evangelical, anti-Mormon critic Iain Sharp, Host, Martin Tanner suggests two books for listeners interested in more information comparing and contrasting Latter-day Saint Christian beliefs with those of Evangelical Christians:  "Are Mormons Christians?" and "How Wide the Divide."  BYU Professor Stephen Robinson authored both books.

Next, Martin gives a brief sketch of early Christian beliefs about Christmas, including, when Jesus was born, information about about Mary and Joseph, and, Jesus's vocation as a Tekton (craftsman). Martin discusses Jesus's earthly family, and then traces the belief in a Second Coming of Jesus to Acts 1:11 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.  The "Son of Man" described in Daniel chapter 7, was the annointed one, or Messiah, to early Christians.  Jesus most used phrase to describe himself was "Son of Man," 30 times in Matthew, 14 times in Mark, 25 times in Luke, and 12 times in John.  

In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner shares the highlights of his debate by text with self-contradictory, anti-Mormon critic, Iain Sharp from Scotland, on:  (1) Sola Scriptura, which means only the 66 books in the Bible are scripture, (2) Trinitarian concept of God, which means that God, Jesus and the Holy Ghost are one undivided substance.  Martin points out that neither Sola Scriptura nor the Trinitarian concept of God is found in the Bible, which means that Evangelicals who adhere to them, are self-contradictory. Martin also discusses the idea found in many places in the scriptures, including Hebrews 1:1-5, which say Jesus and God look almost exactly like each other.

In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner describes the little known details of the restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood, on Sunday, May 24, 1829, nine days after the restoration of the Aaronic Priesthood, on Friday, May 15, 1829.  Peter, James and John appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery, at the crack of dawn, the day after they had been acquitted after a two day trial, of all charges, including "deception" which be the same as a "fraud" charge today.  A mob, angry over the acquittal, waited for Joseph and Oliver to exit the courtroom at Colesville Tavern (a lodging place, post office and courthouse, not a liquor store or drinking establishment).  Instead of exiting out the front door, Oliver and Joseph jumped out a rear window of the Coles Tavern, and walked all night on their 27 mile journey home through the wilderness.  After traveling about 17 miles, Oliver, exhausted, was ready to give out. Just then, at early dawn, Peter, James and John appeared and conferred the Melchizedek Priesthood on Joseph and Oliver  

Host Martin Tanner gives an overview of the Garden of Eden, Noah's Ark, the Tower of Babel and the story of Sodom and Gomorrah.  He gives the background and meaning of each of these narratives, and demonstrates the meaning behind each is punishment for wickedness, or in other words disobeying God, always has consequences.  Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden, a "stepped" location on a hillside, for breaking God's command.  All mankind were drowned except Noah and his family, due to wickedness.  Martin explains why Noah and the Ark was likely a localized event, not a worldwide flood. The Tower of Babel was real.  It was a ziggurat, or stepped pyramid. God confounded the languages due to their wickedness in building the ziggurat.  The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were utterly destroyed by God due to their wickedness.  The Bible says those cities were located where the southern end of the Dead Sea is now found.  They are under the waters of the Dead Sea.

Martin Tanner, the host of Religion Today, shares eight compelling near-death experiences, from people he knows:  (1) neuro-surgeon Eben Alexander, MD, from atheist to believer; (2) Stanford, from afraid of death to wanting to go to the other side; (3) Charlotte, who saw her two grandaughters who were waiting to be born; (4) Erica Mckenzie, who died from an eathing disorder, and learned we are all given gifts from God; (5) Ted Whiting, who met on the other side his father, who had been murdered; (6) Liz Clark, who died from a drug over-dose; (7) David Chevalier, who saw the beginning of the Second Coming of Jesus; and (8) Howie Jensen, who went from a drug dealer who committed suicide, to a believer in Jesus.

In this episode of Religion Today, host Martin Tanner explains how many items in the Book of Mormon would be counter-intuitive for a fake, or a forger to place there, but nonetheless turn out to be true.  In other words, many oddities in the Book of Mormon are now proven true by science, archeology and anthropology.  

Martin Tanner explains that the Jewish sect that wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls was called the "Latter-day Saints" and were led by a "Teacher of RIghteousness" and a counsel of 10 to 12 men.  The Dead Sea Scrolls confirm many truths from the Book of Mormon, that there were ancient Jewish prophets not mentioned in the Bible, like Zenock and Zenos in the Book of Mormon, and Zadock in the Dead Sea Scrolls. They confirm pre-Christian Jews practiced baptism by immersion.  They believed their Messiah would be pierced and die.  The Nag Hammadi Library is noteworthy because it has authentic words of Jesus, not in the Bible, its Gospel of Philip implies Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene, and it speaks of a Heavenly Mother.  The Secret Gospel of Mark says Jesus taught Lazarus, after bringing him back from the dead, about the "mysteries of the Kingdom of God" in a which which appears to be very much like the LDS Temple Endowment.  

Martin Tanner discusses the purpose and meaning of Temple Garments.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has sacred clothing, which is not unique. Sacred garments are mentioned in Genesis 3:21 says God made clothing for Adam and Eve. Joseph, who was sold into Egypt, was given a coat of "many priesthood powers" (not many colors). Nuns, priests, ministers and Jewish Rabbis all wear sacred clothing, with meanings, similar to Temple Garments.  When Elijah was taken into heaven, he left his "Mantle" or sacred cloak/coat, which was a symbol of his power as a prophet, to his successor Elsha.