Brandon Sanderson is one of today’s most popular fiction writers. Books like Mistborn and Way of Kings have captured the hearts of millions—and some of Sanderson’s fans have asked if his Latter-day Saint faith influences their favorite storylines. In this interview, BYU’s Nick Frederick ponders a fun hypothetical: What if Nephites from the Book of Mormon had found an inspiring record like The Way of Kings?
Jesus Christ stressed the importance of Isaiah’s writings when He appeared in the Americas after His resurrection. As recorded in 3 Nephi, the Savior said: “A commandment I give unto you, that ye ought to search these things . . . for great are the words of Isaiah.” In this interview, Ann Madsen explains how Isaiah has helped her become a better disciple, and discusses his teachings about Jehovah and the temple.
The Work and the Glory is a nine-volume historical fiction series about Joseph Smith and the beginnings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The successful books also led to three Work and the Glory movies. In this interview, author Gerald Lund looks back on the series more than 30 years laterbo—and reveals that it almost never got written.
Henry B. Eyring often receives compliments for his books and General Conference talks. But the Latter-day Saint leader’s desire has always been for Church members to look beyond him and see the Savior. Biographer Robert Eaton shows how President Eyring’s life, like that of the Prophet Joseph Smith, is a pattern for coming unto Christ.
M. Russell Ballard, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has lived a life of entrepreneurship, leadership, and prominence—even if he considers himself ordinary. In this interview, biographer Dr. Susan Easton Black says that the real theme of his life has not been innovation or business, but devotion to Jesus Christ.
The LDS Living All In podcast hosted by Morgan Pearson (formerly Morgan Jones) has a simple premise: What does it mean to be all in the gospel of Jesus Christ? It’s a relevant question in the internet age where questions about Joseph Smith swirl and religious values increasingly conflict with social norms.
Rev. Andrew Teal’s relationship with Jeffrey R. Holland led him to Utah as a Visiting Scholar at the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Studies. He intended to study the life of Joseph Smith, but plans changed when he severely burned his feet. The Oxford scholar discusses his background, his friendship with Elder Holland, and the way suffering has refined his relationship with the Savior.
Anthony Sweat is an Associate Professor of Church History and Doctrine at BYU and the author of Repicturing the Restoration: New Art to Expand Our Understanding. His art is informed by asking how we know Joseph Smith and Church history through the Joseph Smith Papers.
Joseph Smith’s First Vision occurred in the Sacred Grove in New York in the spring of 1820. Prophets and apostles of subsequent generations have had intimate experiences when visiting the sacred site. The stories of Spencer W. Kimball, Gordon B. Hinckley, George Albert Smith, Stephen L. Richards, and Orson F. Whitney are shared here courtesy of Dennis B. Horne.
Truman G. Madsen is one of the most influential Latter-day Saints of the last 100 years. The grandson of Latter-day Saint prophet Heber J. Grant, Madsen is know for publications such as Eternal Man and Twenty Questions. In this interview, Barnard Madsen takes readers behind the scenes of his Truman Madsen biography.