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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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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20th Century Latter-day Saint History

What Was Bruce R. McConkie’s ‘Sound Doctrine’?

Bruce R. McConkie planned to release an abbreviated version of the Journal of Discourses in a series named Sound Doctrine. The volumes were to feature selected sermons that Elder McConkie felt best showcased Latter-day Saint doctrine, excluding controversial topics like Brigham Young’s Adam-God theory. However, the First Presidency advised against publishing it. Biographer Devery S. Anderson tells the story of Elder McConkie’s unpublished book in this interview.

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Joseph Smith Latter-day Saint History

‘The Greatest Mother in Israel’: The Life of Lucy Mack Smith

A painting of Lucy Mack Smith by Sutcliffe Maudsley.

Lucy Mack Smith, mother of the Prophet Joseph Smith, was an honored and venerated matriarchal figure among the Latter-day Saint community that affectionately called her “Mother Smith.” Born in Gilsum, New Hampshire in 1776 to Solomon Mack and Lydia Gates, she was the youngest of eight children.

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Brigham Young Quotes

Brigham Young Quotes with Historical Citations

A photo of the Lion of the Lord with a Brigham Young quote about the object of our existence.

Brigham Young is a towering influence in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and many of his quotes are relevant to this day. This page features quotes from Brigham Young on a variety of topics, including the Fall of Adam and Eve, salvation, self-sufficiency, and more. Please leave a comment if there’s a quote you’d like considered for inclusion.

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Book excerpts Latter-day Saint History

Did Parley P. Pratt Leave the Church?

An AI painting of Parley P. Pratt in Kirtland, Ohio deciding whether to leave the church.

The year 1837 marked both Parley P. Pratt’s greatest spiritual trial and his greatest theological contribution as a Latter-day Saint. During a few weeks, Pratt emerged as a powerful dissident, spurred by the collapse of the Kirtland Safety Society, a community bank with Joseph Smith as president, which caused Pratt to lose his home.

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Joseph Smith

Who Was Katharine Smith Salisbury?

An 1880 photograph of Joseph Smith's sister, Katharine Smith Salisbury.

Katharine Smith Salisbury was the seventh surviving child and second daughter in Joseph Smith’s family. She married Jenkins Salisbury in the year 1831, and they were the parents of eight children. They migrated with the Saints to Ohio, Missouri, and finally to Illinois. After the main body of the Saints migrated to the Salt Lake valley, she remained behind in Illinois, where she raised her family. She always maintained her faith in the Restoration and the prophetic calling of her brother Joseph, and ensured those beliefs were perpetuated to her posterity.

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20th Century Latter-day Saint History

How Did President Kimball Receive the 1978 Priesthood Revelation?

The Deseret News issue announcing the 1978 priesthood revelation, overlaid with profiles of Brigham Young, Joseph Fielding Smith, David O. McKay, Hugh B. Brown, and Spencer W. Kimball.

The 1978 priesthood revelation was the culmination of a decades-long process to reverse the priesthood ban. Most scholars today agree that the policy was initiated by Brigham Young and that racism played a role in its beginnings. What is less known is that the 1978 revelation wasn’t a singular event, but rather a laborious process that took a heavy toll on participants like Spencer W. Kimball, Joseph Fielding Smith, David O. McKay, Hugh B. Brown, and Bruce R. McConkie. In this interview, Matthew L. Harris explains more about the history of the revelation on the priesthood.

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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, Wilford 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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