Category: Latter-day Saint History

Learn more about the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including historical findings about Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and more.

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Latter-day Saint History

Did Moroni Dedicate the Manti Temple Site?

Moroni standing near the Manti Temple site in ancient America.

We don’t know if the angel Moroni dedicated the Manti temple site during his mortal ministry. However, based on the current historical record, there isn’t enough evidence to justify the claim. Warren S. Snow asserted that Brigham Young shared the story in a private meeting, but the prophet didn’t trust Snow, and the fourth hand claim never appears in any other contemporary source. In this interview, Latter-day Saint folklorist Christopher Blythe explains what we do and don’t know about the popular myth.

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Come Follow Me Latter-day Saint History

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Angel Moroni

A statue of the angel Moroni holding a trumpet on top of a Latter-day Saint temple.

The angel Moroni is a Book of Mormon prophet who appeared to Joseph Smith as a resurrected being. His influence goes far beyond the Hill Cumorah in New York. For example, pioneers spoke about Moroni more often than the First Vision. And today, there are dozens of angel Moroni statues atop Latter-day Saint temples throughout the world.

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Latter-day Saint History

Why Did Wilford Woodruff Use Symbols in His Journal?

A photograph of Wilford Woodruff's pioneer journal.

Wilford Woodruff used symbols in his journal to make it easier to review his prolific writings each year. His journal uniquely combines ecclesiastical and personal issues, and his detailed system of symbols made it easier to comb through nearly 7,000 pages of documentation. The methodical approach not only preserves historical events related to Church history, but also emphasizes his personal reflections and broader interests. As a result, his journal is an invaluable resource for understanding the early Church. In this interview, Joshua Matson discusses the symbols used in Wilford Woodruff‘s journals.

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Book of Abraham Cornerstone Pearl of Great Price

Book of Abraham: What Have Scholars Learned?

The prophet Abraham writing the Book of Abraham in front of a wall plastered with Egyptian papyrus.

The Book of Abraham is a volume of holy scripture translated by Joseph Smith. The text is unique because we possess some of the Egyptian papyri the Prophet may have used during his translation. However, the text on extant fragments doesn’t align with what’s found in the book—and that’s led to many debates. Ultimately, the Church says that the book’s power lies in study, prayer, and personal revelation. This article walks you through some of the latest research findings, including exclusive From the Desk interviews.

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Latter-day Saint History

What Is the Latter-day Saint Temple Endowment?

A cropped image of Anthony Sweat's painting depicted the Salt Lake City Temple.
"House of Light" by Anthony Sweat.

The Latter-Day Saint endowment ceremony is a temple ritual that symbolically takes participants on an upward journey that concludes in a celestial room. Participation in the ceremony brings individuals into a closer covenant relationship with God, and includes temple garments and covenants or laws such as the Law of the Gospel and Law of Consecration. In this interview, Anthony Sweat explains more about the history and purpose of the temple endowment.

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Book excerpts Joseph Smith

The Lonely Soul of Joseph Smith

An AI image of Joseph Smith experiencing deep loneliness.

Latter-day Saints think of Joseph Smith as a visionary, and rightly so. During his life, he received heavenly manifestations, including visions from God, Jesus Christ, and angels. He introduced translated records of humanity’s past and received visions of the afterlife. If improperly interpreted, however, these experiences can turn Joseph into a caricature of himself, a man who was constantly tuned into heaven. Although Joseph received striking visions and visitations, he was a lonely soul who struggled to understand how to fulfill God’s will. But this loneliness—his experience of the absence of God’s presence or directions—was formative.

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Latter-day Saint History

How Did Early Latter-day Saints Observe the Sabbath?

A painting of Joseph Smith preaching to Latter-day Saints on the Sabbath Day.

They ways in which Latter-day Saints observe the Sabbath and hold meetings have changed from time to time. Among the early Latter-day Saints, under Joseph Smith‘s leadership, flexibility was the norm. For example, pioneer church members attended worship services, used bread and water (instead of wine) for the sacrament, and visited the sick. In this interview, Richard E. Bennett discusses early observance of the Sabbath among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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Joseph Smith Latter-day Saint History

History of the Kirtland Temple

An Al Rounds painting of the historic Kirtland Temple.
"Kirtland Temple" by Al Rounds. Used by permission.

Joseph Smith dedicated the Kirtland Temple in 1836. He introduced temple ordinances prior to the dedication as a way to help prepare pioneers for a future endowment of power. The temple’s history includes visions of Jesus Christ and Old Testament prophets like Elijah, a two-hour Sidney Rigdon sermon, and a few myths. The latest news came in March 2024 when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased the Kirtland Ohio Temple from the Community of Christ. This article provides relevant insights from historians, pioneers, and more.

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19th Century Latter-day Saint History

What Was the Kirtland Endowment?

The Kirtland Temple Endowment took place in this building as painted by Al Rounds.

The Lord promised early Latter-day Saints an endowment of power that began at the Kirtland Temple in 1836. It was a time of great spiritual outpourings and the receipt of power from on high. However, the “Kirtland endowment” didn’t explicitly refer to rituals and ordinances. For example, it wasn’t until 1842 that Joseph Smith introduced “the endowment” that gave rise to the ceremony familiar to modern church members. Scott Woodward explains more about what the Kirtland endowment was in this interview.

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International Latter-day Saint History

Who Are the Japanese Latter-day Saints?

Unique But Not Different: Latter-day Saints in Japan

Joseph Smith once stated that the Gospel would go forth, “till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear.” The establishment of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Japan is one of the fulfillments of his statement about Mormonism around the world. Today, there are 268 congregations and four temples in Japan, representing the growth of the Church in that country. This interview with Shinji Takagi discusses Latter-day Saints in Japan.

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