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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20th Century Latter-day Saint History

Is D. Michael Quinn a Reliable Scholar?

A photograph of Michael Quinn, the scholar of Mormon history.
Photo credit: Hugh Hamilton

D. Michael Quinn played a key role in the foundation of “New Mormon History.” He was entrenched in the church archives during the “Camelot” years, taught at BYU, and published many ideas that represent positions held by the church today. Quinn was also part of the September Six, (in association with his 1993 excommunication), wrote about controversial issues, and provoked many love-hate relationships with his voluminous footnotes. In this interview, Patrick Mason explains some of Quinn’s contributions to Latter-day Saint history.

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Founding Fathers Latter-day Saint History

What Was Wilford Woodruff’s Vision of the Founding Fathers?

A painting of the Founding Fathers, many of whom Wilford Woodruff described seeing in vision.

Wilford Woodruff’s vision of the Founding Fathers played a role in the development of temple doctrine. While serving as president of the St. George temple, Woodruff said that early American figures like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson asked him for temple ordinances. The Apostle didn’t describe these encounters with as much detail as his daily journal, but there are three key sources where he recounts what happened. In this interview, Jennifer Mackley explains what we know about Wilford Woodruff’s vision.

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20th Century Latter-day Saint History Theology

What Was the Latter-day Saint Chicago Experiment?

A painting of Latter-day Saint students part of the Chicago Experiment in the 1930s.

In the 1930s, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent teachers to learn theology at the University of Chicago. In some cases, the Latter-day Saints returned with academic tools to supplement their faith. But, in others, they experienced faith crises and set aside critical components of the Restoration like miracles and angels. In this interview, Casey Griffiths explains more about the Chicago Experiment and why issues of faith and intellect are still relevant.

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20th Century Book excerpts Brigham Young

American Moses: The Story of Leonard Arrington’s Brigham Young Biography

A zoomed-in shot from the cover of Leonard Arrington's biography of Brigham Young.

Brigham Young is arguably the second-most important figure in Mormon history; but until the 1970s, he had not been the subject of a definitive biography [until the publication of Leonard Arrington’s Brigham Young: American Moses].

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Joseph Smith Quotes

“The Grand Fundamental Principles of Mormonism”: Joseph Smith Quotes

It can be challenging to find Joseph Smith quotes drawn from reliable historical sources. Our quotes page gives you access to his teachings about topics like love, trials, and the Holy Ghost. What makes them especially unique is that every quote is taken from dependable scholarly research such as the Joseph Smith Papers Project.

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20th Century 21st Century Theology

Is Bruce R. McConkie Treated Unfairly?

A photograph of Bruce R. McConkie speaking with a student at a BYU-Idaho devotation in Idaho.

Perhaps no one has influenced Latter-day Saint scriptural literacy more than Bruce R. McConkie. His writings were both prolific and authoritarian. Consequently, 20th-century intellectuals sought an alternative voice, paving the way for a New Mormon History which may have intentionally downplayed the Apostle’s influence. In this interview, Joseph Spencer examines Elder McConkie’s influence and suggests that it may be time to set aside unfair narratives and reexamine his legacy.

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21st Century Book excerpts Latter-day Saint History

How Was Henry B. Eyring Called to the First Presidency?

A photograph of Gordon B. Hinckley jokingly "knighting" Henry B. Eyring as a member of the First Presidency.
Credit: Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

At the time, a few thoughtful observers saw Henry B. Eyring‘s assignment to speak at Mountain Meadows as a portent that he would be called to fill the vacancy in the First Presidency created in early August of that year by the death of President James E. Faust. Hal (President Eyring), though, was not among them. He had no such inkling, and certainly not a feeling strong enough to overcome the illogic of the idea.

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Joseph Smith Latter-day Saint History

What’s in Joseph Smith’s Uncanonized Revelations?

A primary source in pioneer handwriting showing one of Joseph Smith's uncanonized revelations.

In the historical memory of Latter-day Saints, Joseph Smith is the Prophet of the Restoration who pronounced hundreds of revelations and prophecies, most of them canonized today in the Doctrine and Covenants. However, what many Saints may be surprised to learn is that a number of Joseph Smith’s revelations have, for various reasons, remained uncanonized even after their pronouncement.

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19th Century Book excerpts Theology

How Did Early Latter-day Saints React to D&C 76?

An AI image of early Latter-day Saints in Kirtland, Ohio discussing Section 76, also known as "the Vision."

Joseph Smith recognized that preparation to receive an expansive view of the afterlife as presented in the Vision in the Doctrine and Covenants was still limited. Later, he acknowledged: “I could explain a hundred fold more than I ever have of the glories of the kingdoms manifested to me in the vision, were I permitted, and were the people prepared to receive them.”

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Book excerpts Latter-day Saint History

Did Lucy Harris Steal the 116 Pages?

An AI-generated image showing Lucy Harris contemplated stealing the 116 pages from the Book of Mormon.

Although the scholars that Martin Harris had encountered in eastern New York had not been able to supply him with a translation of the transcript of the characters he carried, he was content that the Lord had indeed endowed Joseph Smith with “spectacles for to read the Book.” As for his spouse, there were few options left to Lucy Harris in 1828 short of either embracing Joseph Smith’s talk of gold plates or continuing her strenuous efforts to undermine Martin’s relationship with him.

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