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.
Matt Godfrey is the managing historian and general editor of the Joseph Smith Papers. The scholar has frequently written about the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith, including the Church founder’s relationship with Brigham Young. Additionally, Godfrey has contributed to research about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the early 20th century.
Daniel Peterson is one of today’s most prominent Latter-day Saint apologists. As the President of the Interpreter Foundation, Peterson has overseen publications such as an 800-page volume of Hugh Nibley stories, and a weekly academic journal called Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship. In this interview, the prolific Patheos blogger gives readers a glimpse of his history, explains apologetics, and discusses Krister Stendahl’s concept of “holy envy.” Daniel Peterson also shares a list of some of today’s prominent Latter-day Saint apologists.
The Prophet Joseph Smith organized a small group called the Council of Fifty (there were about 50 members) shortly before he died. The council discussed issues relevant to forming a “kingdom of God” in preparation for the return of Jesus Christ. The Joseph Smith Papers recently published the Council of Fifty minutes for the first time.
The Council of Fifty was a secret organization founded by the Prophet Joseph Smith in 1844. The previously inaccessible records — or minutes — kept by the group remained a source of much speculation until they were made public in 2016.
The life of Parley P. Pratt is inextricably linked with the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While it’s true that he left a detailed description of Joseph Smith’s appearance, there’s much more to his story.
Seer stones have long been a part of religious history but are largely absent from religious discussions today. Nonetheless, seer stones are currently undergoing something of a renaissance, especially as they relate to Joseph Smith and the translation of the Book of Mormon.
After receiving interview responses from R. Eric Smith and Matthew J. Grow for an interview, it occurred to me I may have forgotten an important question.
Experts are often asked the same questions over and over. Yet are there questions they wish someone would ask?
As it relates to the Council of Fifty minutes, I asked R. Eric Smith this very question in an addendum to the “10 questions” interview.
“The Council of Fifty: What the Records Reveal About Mormon History,” is a timely book published by BYU’s Religious Studies Center. While the minutes of the council were published in their totality via the Joseph Smith Papers in 2016, they still remain somewhat inaccessible to general readers. “The Council of Fifty” contains 15 essays by leading scholars about relevant topics of interest.
The Council of Fifty minutes include a fascinating quote on “perfect revelation,” or whether a revelation requires perfect wording to be the word of God.
“AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF ABRAHAM,” by John Gee, BYU Religious Studies Center and Deseret Book, $19.99, 195 pages (nf)
“An Introduction to the Book of Abraham,” the latest book by BYU professor John Gee, explores common questions and overarching themes of the Book of Abraham.