From the Desk: Learning by Study and Faith is an online epicenter of history and religion. We specialize in making scholarly research accessible to everyday readers, with a particular focus on Latter-day Saint history. For example, we frequently update articles about Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. Our content encompasses a diverse range of historical and religious topics, having been read by millions of readers in hundreds of publications worldwide.
Who reads From the Desk?
Millions of people from over 100 countries have read From the Desk content. You can see From the Desk covered in more than 600 publications, including:
- The New York Times
- Wikipedia
- NBC News
- Parade
- USA Today
- The Church News
- LDS Living
- Patheos
- Bustle
- Salt Lake Tribune
- Deseret News
- Heavy
- Slate
- Wayfare Magazine
What are From the Desk’s most popular articles?
Our Top 20 articles range from a pioneer showdown between Jim Bridger and Brigham Young to academic and devotional insights about the Book of Mormon.
- What Happened Between Jim Bridger and Brigham Young? (Jerry Enzler)
- Who Was Brigham Young? (From the Desk)
- Who Was Joseph Smith (From the Desk)
- How Did All the Apostles Die? (From the Desk)
- Has a Joseph Smith Photograph Finally Been Found? (Lachlan Mackay)
- The Story of Bruce R. McConkie’s Final Testimony (From the Desk)
- Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about the Angel Moroni (From the Desk)
- What Is the Dispensation of the Gospel of Abraham? (Robert L. Millet)
- Are There 3 Degrees of Glory Within the Celestial Kingdom? (Bryan Buchanan)
- How Did Freemasonry Influence Joseph Smith? (Cheryl Bruno)
- The Life of Henry B. Eyring (Robert Eaton)
- Emma Smith: What Is Her Legacy? (Jenny Reeder)
- Did Brigham Young Cover Up the Mountain Meadows Massacre? (Richard Turley and Barbara Jones Brown)
- What Have Prophets Taught About the Law of the Gospel? (Samuel R. Weber)
- What Did It Mean to “Shake Off the Dust of Thy Feet”? (Samuel R. Weber)
- Is Bruce R. McConkie Treated Unfairly? (Joseph Spencer)
- The Book of Mormon: Academic and Devotional Insights (From the Desk)
- What Was Wilford Woodruff’s Vision of the Founding Fathers? (Jennifer Mackley)
- Who Was the Real Billy the Kid? (Richard Etulain)
- Who Were Joseph Smith’s Wives? (Todd Compton)
What about hidden gems?
Good question. We have many articles that fall into a “diamond in the rough” category. These interviews don’t get mainstream traffic, but they’re filled with fascinating nuggets:
- Reverend Dr. Andrew Teal on Finding Christ Through Suffering
- Read George D. Watt’s 1851 Journal from Liverpool to Chimney Rock for the First Time
- Joseph and Lucy Mack Smith’s Tunbridge Farm
- Did Joseph Smith Run for President?
- Did the Kinderhook Plates Fool Joseph Smith?
- Finding Christ in 3rd Nephi and 4th Nephi
- Saladin, Richard the Lionheart, and the Third Crusade
- Gary Boatright Traces the Origins of the Latter-day Saint Wagon Box Prophecy
- How Many Accounts of the First Vision Are There?
- George Washington and the Newburgh Conspiracy
- Jonah in the Bible: A Commentary by Rabbi Steven Bob
- The Forgotten Louie B. Felt
- Virtual Tour of the Salt Lake City Cemetery
- History of the Saints: Zion’s Camp
- The Life and Thoughts of Philip Barlow
How often does From the Desk publish new content?
From the Desk typically publishes new content every Sunday.
Do you have cornerstone content?
From the Desk features eight cornerstone pieces of content (with more on the way). These articles are updated frequently and include fascinating scholarly research about religious history:
- Brigham Young
- Joseph Smith
- First Vision
- Book of Mormon
- Doctrine and Covenants
- Come Follow Me 2026
- New Testament
- Book of Abraham
Comment policy
We welcome thoughtful and respectful engagement. Please, no ad hominem or advertising.
Does From the Desk have an agenda?
Yes and no. From the Desk explores interesting historical and religious topics from the perspective of believers who recognize that history encompasses both inspiring strengths and heartbreaking weaknesses. We don’t seek out troubling issues from the past, but we address them when they arise. We employ an optimistic “warts and all” perspective that lies between hagiography and a warts-only approach.
We shy away from speculation, don’t cover ad hominem content, and generally avoid scholars who receive poor reports in academic peer reviews.
Who writes for From the Desk?
Kurt Manwaring is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of From the Desk. Other contributors include Jerry Winder, Chad Nielsen, and Benjamin Pacini. We’re also seeking new writers with a passion for history, a talent for writing, and a commitment to kindness.
Is From the Desk affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
No.
Does From the Desk have inside info on forthcoming scholarship?
Yes. We frequently communicate behind the scenes with today’s leading scholars, presses, authors, historians, and administrators. You’d probably pay big bucks to see our Slack channel.
What is the featured image on About From the Desk?
The featured image on our About page is a digital copy of an Al Rounds painting entitled “South Temple 1892,” and is used by permission. The work conveys the emotion intended in much of our content, namely, the beauty of the unfinished state. You can learn more about Al Rounds and his artwork at AlRounds.com.