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New Testament

How Did the Twelve Apostles Die?

Artistic depiction of the 12 apostles walking at dusk, evoking the mystery and tradition surrounding their deaths.

The New Testament offers only a few details about how Jesus’s apostles died. Most of what we “know” comes from early Christian writings and later legends—some historically grounded, others clearly mythical. Unlike the Old Testament’s detailed treatment of prophetic deaths, these stories reflect the theology and historical uncertainty of early Christianity. Here’s a concise summary of each apostle’s traditional fate, noting where it occurred, what’s historically probable, and how we know.

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American West Brigham Young Latter-day Saint History

Who Was Brigham Young? Life, Wives, Teachings, and Legacy

Brigham Young has been called an "American Moses" who led a mass exodus of Latter-day Saints from Nauvoo to the Salt Lake Valley

Brigham Young is one of the most influential figures in the history of the American West. As the prophetic successor to Joseph Smith, Young engineered a westward exodus of tens of thousands of pioneer Latter-day Saints, earning the nickname “American Moses.” His subsequent leadership in Utah evoked both praise and scorn. Young founded 350+ settlements, built the Salt Lake Temple, and testified of Christ. He also said polygamy was a requirement for heaven, taught that Black people were cursed descendants of Cain, and used violent rhetoric that sparked the Mountain Meadows Massacre. In the end, he was a complex man who could inspire both love and fear. This article highlights the life, teachings, and legacy of the “Lion of the Lord.”

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Categories
Latter-day Saint History

What Revelations Did John Taylor Receive?

Sepia-toned historical composite of Mormon Prophet John Taylor featuring a manuscript of the John Taylor Revelations, the Gardo House, and his Carthage pocket watch.

John Taylor received at least nine recorded revelations as president, ranging from administrative instructions regarding Brigham Young’s estate to doctrinal declarations on plural marriage. Occasionally called “John the Revelator,” Taylor favored a first-person style of dictation that echoed the “Thus saith the Lord” language of Joseph Smith. While his 1882 and 1883 revelations formally called new apostles, other documents—like the disputed 1886 revelation on plural marriage—remain the subject of debates. In this article, Chad Nielsen explores the documentary history and debunked visions associated with the Church’s third president.

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Quotes

The Ultimate Collection of Spencer W. Kimball Quotes: Repentance, Revelation, and More

A painting of Spencer W. Kimball alongside his famous quote about how it is often through serving each other that God helps us.

Spencer W. Kimball’s quotes are still relevant decades after his passing. In addition to authoring books such as The Miracle of Forgiveness, President Kimball also gave many general conference addresses and BYU devotionals. He is remembered for receiving the revelation that ended the Priesthood and Temple Ban against individuals of Black African descent, for overseeing a new edition of the English scriptures, and for his mottos “lengthen your stride” and “do it.” Similar to our Dallin H. Oaks Quotes page, this post features quotes from Spencer W. Kimball on a variety of topics, including repentance, revelation, families, and more. Please leave a comment if there’s a quote you’d like considered for inclusion.

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Categories
20th Century International

How Did David O. McKay Transform the Church Into a Global Faith?

A historical illustration in a 1920s photographic style, showing David O. McKay and his travel companion, Hugh J. Cannon, on the deck of a steamship. Both men wear suits and fedora hats as they lean over a table, intently examining a large map labeled "PACIFIC OCEAN." McKay points to a group of islands on the map. Vintage leather luggage and a folding camera sit beside them, with a busy port city visible in the background.

David O. McKay’s missionary experiences, apostolic assignments, and prophetic initiatives helped transform the Latter-day Saint faith into a global religion. Known for his warmth, charisma, and attentiveness to people, McKay combined personal ministry with a visionary approach to leadership. He traveled the world as an Apostle to meet members, assess local needs, and expand missionary work. As the prophet, President McKay also created new missions, adapted racial policies in response to local conditions, and established the first temples outside the United States and Canada. In this interview, biographer Brian Q. Cannon traces the lasting impact of David O. McKay on the international Church.

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Categories
Polygamy

Mormon Polygamy: A Comprehensive Guide

A depiction of Joseph and Emma Smith discussing polygamy, by Latter-day Saint artist Anthony Sweat.

Mormon polygamy (or “plural marriage”) was a 19th-century religious practice introduced by Joseph Smith and further embraced by leaders like Brigham Young. It played an important role in shaping the history and culture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While the Church officially ended the practice through the 1890 Manifesto (and polygamy is strictly prohibited today), it took years to bring it to a complete stop, and the topic remains controversial today. This guide provides an overview of Latter-day Saint polygamy, including answers to common questions and resources for further reading.

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Categories
Ancient history Book excerpts Old Testament

How Does the JPS Torah Commentary Introduce the Book of Exodus?

Artistic rendering of Mount Sinai at sunrise, evoking the sacred and ancient setting of the Book of Exodus as described in the JPS Torah Commentary.

Present-day editions divide the Book of Exodus into 40 chapters. This practice is not rooted in Jewish tradition but was borrowed from Christian Bibles. In the late Middle Ages, the Church forced Jews to engage in disputations, which usually focused upon the interpretation of scriptural passages. This necessitated a common, standardized system of reference, and so the Christian chapter and verse numberings were introduced into the Hebrew manuscript Bibles by Rabbi Solomon ben Ishmael (ca. 1330).1

Editorial Note: This is an authorized excerpt from “The JPS Torah Commentary: Exodus” published by the Jewish Publication Society.

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Categories
New Testament

Who Were the Pharisees? A Historical and Biblical Guide

A screenshot of a Pharisee from "The Chosen" creating a mixed feeling that depicts modern stigmas that the Pharisees were bad people.

The Pharisees were a group of people at the time of Christ with a set of beliefs recognizable by outsiders. However, exactly what those beliefs were remains a hotly debated question. Scholars have begun to agree upon several common characteristics of Pharisees, can clearly distinguish them from Sadducees, and often note that the sect receives unfair treatment in the gospels. In this interview, New Testament scholar Thomas Wayment discusses what scholars currently think about who the Pharisees were.

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Categories
Latter-day Saint History

Who Was Joseph W. Musser?

Conceptual oil painting of Joseph White Musser, the "Father of Mormon Fundamentalism," seated at a study desk. He is holding papers, surrounded by historical items including a framed 1886 Revelation quote behind his head, stacked Journal of Discourses volumes, a plural family photograph, and a celestial chart representing fundamentalist doctrine.

Joseph White Musser was the intellectual architect of Mormon Fundamentalism, who sought to preserve 19th-century traditions, such as plural marriage, as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints moved toward modernization. Following his 1921 excommunication, Musser became a prolific pamphleteer, meticulously compiling early teachings on the Adam-God doctrine and the 1886 Revelation to argue that priesthood authority remained with those who kept the “fundamentals.” His writings provided the theological glue for a displaced people, demonstrating that religious identity is often most sharply defined in conflict with the mainstream. In this interview, historian Cristina Rosetti explores Musser’s enduring influence on the fundamentalist movement.

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Categories
Quotes

Dieter F. Uchtdorf Quotes: Inspiring Teachings on Faith, Hope, and Discipleship

A sketch of Dieter F. Uchtdorf next to the text of one of his quotes about adversity.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s quotes emphasize that the gospel is “beautifully simple” and best lived through small, daily efforts rather than grand gestures. Using aviation metaphors from his career as a pilot, President Uchtdorf illustrates how a mere two-degree course correction prevents a spiritual crash and why “forward thrust” is required to maintain spiritual lift. He describes the Church not as a showroom for the perfect, but as a service center for those seeking the transformative power of grace. Similar to our Dallin H. Oaks Quotes page, this inspiring quote collection features teachings from Dieter F. Uchtdorf that explore how centering our lives on the Savior turns the pursuit of holiness into a pursuit of happiness.

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