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Devotional Theology

Julian of Norwich: Mystic and Rescuer of Souls

An AI-generated image of Julian of Norwich in renaissance style.

Very little is known about the personal life of this extraordinary woman. Both her given name and her surname have been lost to time. She acquired the forename Julian because that was the name of the small Benedictine church to which she was attached. Her surname, Norwich, is the name of the city in Norfolk located in the region of East Anglia where she resided her entire life. Hence, she is known as Julian of Norwich. Based on her writings it is believed that she was born in the year 1342 or 1343.

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Ancient history New Testament

Did Herod the Great Claim to Be the Messiah?

While Herod the Great is portrayed as an anti-Jesus in the Gospels, archaeologists think that the ancient king claimed to be a Messiah.

Herod the Great is perhaps best known for the massacre of the innocents portrayed in the Gospel of Matthew. Interestingly, many scholars believe that Herod claimed to be a messiah, and Ehud Netzer’s discovery of King Herod’s tomb at Herodium led to additional evidence. In this interview, biblical archaeologist and Masada expert Jodi Magness expounds on her related article in the Journal of Ancient Judaism.

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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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Categories
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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Book excerpts Doctrine and Covenants

A Modern Interpretation of D&C 1

A cropped book cover of "Restoration" by Patrick Mason, in which he provides an "urgent paraphrase" of Section 1 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

On November 1, 1831, Joseph Smith received a revelation at a church conference held in Hiram, Ohio, in which the elders were discussing the preparation of a Book of Commandments—a compendium of teachings and revelations to the prophet Joseph Smith. The Lord sent a message through Joseph and designated that it should be placed at the opening of the book as its “preface.” The revelation was published as Chapter 1 of the Book of Commandments and has appeared as Section 1 in every succeeding edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.1

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Ancient history New Testament

Who Was the Virgin Mary in Early Christianity?

A composite painting of the Virgin Mary generated by AI to represent the nuanced way she was viewed in early Christianity.

The Virgin Mary is best known today as the Mother of God. Ancient Christians held the same belief, but it’s unclear what else they knew about her. The New Testament, apocryphal writings, and biblical archaeology shed light on certain aspects of her life, such as her likely age was when Jesus was born. Mary also serves as a lens through which we can view the history of Christian theology and the nature of Jesus. In this interview, biblical scholar Mary Joan Leith discusses the role of Mary in early Christianity.

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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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