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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Book excerpts Doctrine and Covenants Joseph Smith

A Brief History of the Doctrine & Covenants

A photograph of an original first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.

There has not always been a Doctrine and Covenants. It has a history and can best be understood by those who know that history. Robert Woodford, a great scholar of the Doctrine and Covenants, described how we tend to think of it as a “tidily defined book, quietly resting with the other scriptures.” But the story of how those revelations were written, prepared for publication, and moved through various states until they reached our present edition is the story of trying to keep up with a flood of revealed knowledge.

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Latter-day Saint History

What Is the History of the Church in Mexico?

Early Latter-day Saints in Mexico faced many struggles as they accepted their new religion as members of Mormonism around the world. They persevered with faith and overcame, showing resilience and strength in the process. Yet, conflicts led to the creation of a schismatic movement called the Third Convention during the 1930s. In this interview, Fernando R. Gomez discusses the early history of the Church in Mexico, the three conventions of the 1930s, and the reunification of the Third Convention with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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Latter-day Saint History

Keith Erekson Tackles Church History Myths and Rumors

The book cover of Real vs. Rumor: How to Dispel Latter-day Myths

Historian Keith Erekson’s book teaches Latter-day Saints how to separate fact from fiction regarding faith-promoting stories. For example, he gives readers the tools needed to assess the accuracy of a purported photograph of Joseph Smith—or identify the myth about Brigham Young miraculously leaving space in the Salt Lake Temple for future elevators. In this interview, he explains how Latter-day Saints can gauge the accuracy of church history stories.

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Book of Mormon Latter-day Saint History

How Was the Book of Mormon Translated Into Portuguese?

The Portuguese Book of Mormon surrounded by Christus statues.

Translation efforts for the first Portuguese Book of Mormon began in 1937. Concerns that the resulting volume incorporated Catholic doctrine were largely overblown, but the book nonetheless suffered from many translation errors and doctrinal simplifications. As a result, the First Presidency created the Church’s Translation Department and catalyzed the retranslation of the Book of Mormon into several other languages to serve Mormonism around the world. In this interview, Jeremy Talmage discusses the history of translating the Book of Mormon into Portuguese.

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American West Brigham Young

What Really Happened Between Jim Bridger and Brigham Young?

An AI painting of the mountain man Jim Bridger facing off against the prophet Brigham Young.

The relationship between Jim Bridger and Brigham Young makes up an interesting chapter in the story of the American West. The two men had a unique association that began on friendly terms but eventually soured. A low point for the mountain man saw him watching from a concealed position as Latter-day Saint pioneers took possession of Fort Bridger. In this interview, author Jerry Enzler shares what his Jim Bridger biography reveals about the prominent pioneers.

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Come Follow Me Cornerstone Joseph Smith

Joseph Smith: As Seen by Historians

A painting of Latter-day Saint prophet Joseph Smith preaching from the Book of Mormon.

Joseph Smith has been a fascinating figure since the day of his “First Vision” in 1820. Scholars and believers continue to ask questions about the Prophet’s character, his use of golden plates to translate the Book of Mormon, his relationship with Brigham Young and Emma Smith—and much more. This article presents snapshots of academic and devotional insights about the life and teachings of Joseph Smith Jr.

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American History Latter-day Saint History

Who Was Jacob Hamblin?

A photograph of Jacob Hamblin with John Wesley Powell and Paiute Indians.

Jacob Hamblin was a Latter-day Saint missionary to the indigenous peoples of the Southwestern United States, an explorer, and a negotiator in conflicts with Native Americans. His life was full of adventure and difficulties as he worked to carry out the callings that Brigham Young extended to him. In this interview, Todd Compton discusses Jacob Hamblin’s life and accomplishments.

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American West Latter-day Saint History

Mountain Meadows Massacre: Was There a Cover Up?

A sketch of a photograph depicting the execution of John D. Lee for his participation in the Mountain Meadows Massacre.

There was a coverup in the aftermath of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. It was perpetrated by local religious leaders and massacre participants, some of whom purposefully deceived Brigham Young about what happened. The cover-up set in motion a confusing series of events with consequences that can still be seen today. The tragic story of the massacre’s aftermath is now available in a new book by Rick Turley and Barbara Jones Brown, published by Oxford University Press. In this interview, they explain the complicated aftermath of the Mountain Meadows Massacre.

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Book excerpts Latter-day Saint History Theology

Approaching Zion: Is Hugh Nibley’s Vision Realistic?

The book cover of Approaching Zion by Hugh Nibley.

Central to Hugh Nibley’s religious convictions was a longing for Zion. He felt out of place in the late-20th-century American society, which he considered profoundly flawed and in need of fundamental rethinking. In fact, in light of Mormonism’s mandate to build Zion, Hugh Nibley believed that Mormons who bought into America’s standard economic liberalism were culpable for forgetting or ignoring this divine obligation.

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Latter-day Saint History

What’s in the Joseph Fielding Smith Biography by Matt Bowman?

Joseph Fielding Smith examining a manuscript in a library.

A new biography of Joseph Fielding Smith examines the prophet’s legacy and enriches understanding of his views on topics such as scriptures, progress, and orthodoxy. In Joseph Fielding Smith: A Mormon Theologian, readers are given insight into the forces that shaped Smith’s worldview and the influence he continues to have on the modern church. Biographer Matthew Bowman discusses the life and legacy of the grand-nephew of Joseph Smith, Jr in this interview.

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