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20th Century Latter-day Saint History

What Were Baseball Baptisms?

An AI-generated image of Latter-day Saint missionaries preparing to conduct baseball baptisms.

For a short period of time beginning in the late 1950s, Latter-day Saint missionaries in certain parts of the world required youth to be baptized as a prerequisite for learning how to play baseball. Missionaries had initially used baseball as a tool to befriend the community, but overzealous mission leaders soon took the initiative in a new direction. For a time, it also received the support of general authorities like Alvin R. Dyer and Henry D. Moyle before President David O. McKay dispatched Marion D. Hanks to “clean up the mess.” In this interview, Greg Prince explains the history of baseball baptisms.

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Categories
Book of Mormon Come Follow Me Theology

Finding Christ in 3rd Nephi and 4th Nephi

A painting of Jesus Christ appearing to Nephites in the Americas after His resurrection

Jesus Christ’s visit to the Americas is one the Book of Mormon‘s crowning event. The account that begins in 3rd Nephi includes fascinating details about the Savior’s post-resurrection life, including a follow-up discourse to the Sermon on the Mount. Daniel Becerra shares insights from his new book, 3rd, 4th Nephi: A Brief Theological Introduction.

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Book excerpts Book of Mormon Theology

How Does the Book of Ether Contribute to Book of Mormon Theology?

An AI-generated image depicted the ancient Jaredites leaved the Tower of Babel in barges.

The book of Ether goes over like a lead balloon. It’s freighted with the history of two millennia, mired with lurid violence. The story is heavy—ill-suited, perhaps, to show the “great things” of God’s deliverance, as the title page of the Book of Mormon promises. Surely, it is too earthbound for greatness. The book lifts off, nonetheless.

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Categories
Devotional Intellectualism Joseph Smith Latter-day Saint History Theology

Who Was Truman G. Madsen?

Truman G. Madsen is known for his Joseph Smith tapes, his intellectuality, and his testimony of Jesus Christ.

Truman Madsen is perhaps best known for his Joseph Smith lectures. The BYU professor thought of the Prophet as a window through which he could see Jesus Christ. But his contributions extend far beyond lectures given at Brigham Young University. Those who knew him best, like his wife, Ann Madsen, say there was much more to Truman G. Madsen than meets the eye.

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Book excerpts Devotional

Truman Madsen’s Twenty Questions

A photograph of Truman Madsen, author of "Twenty Questions," pondering alone.

Some years ago on my return from the East, just after finishing my PhD, I had a phone call. A voice I hadn’t heard before said, “Is your name Truman Madsen?”

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Latter-day Saint History

Did Moroni Dedicate the Manti Temple Site?

Moroni standing near the Manti Temple site in ancient America.

We don’t know if the angel Moroni dedicated the Manti temple site during his mortal ministry. However, based on the current historical record, there isn’t enough evidence to justify the claim. Warren S. Snow asserted that Brigham Young shared the story in a private meeting, but the prophet didn’t trust Snow, and the fourth hand claim never appears in any other contemporary source. In this interview, Latter-day Saint folklorist Christopher Blythe explains what we do and don’t know about the popular myth.

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Categories
Come Follow Me Latter-day Saint History

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Angel Moroni

A statue of the angel Moroni holding a trumpet on top of a Latter-day Saint temple.

The angel Moroni is a Book of Mormon prophet who appeared to Joseph Smith as a resurrected being. His influence goes far beyond the Hill Cumorah in New York. For example, pioneers spoke about Moroni more often than the First Vision. And today, there are dozens of angel Moroni statues atop Latter-day Saint temples throughout the world.

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Categories
Latter-day Saint History

Why Did Wilford Woodruff Use Symbols in His Journal?

A photograph of Wilford Woodruff's pioneer journal.

Wilford Woodruff used symbols in his journal to make it easier to review his prolific writings each year. His journal uniquely combines ecclesiastical and personal issues, and his detailed system of symbols made it easier to comb through nearly 7,000 pages of documentation. The methodical approach not only preserves historical events related to Church history, but also emphasizes his personal reflections and broader interests. As a result, his journal is an invaluable resource for understanding the early Church. In this interview, Joshua Matson discusses the symbols used in Wilford Woodruff‘s journals.

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Categories
Book of Abraham Cornerstone Pearl of Great Price

Book of Abraham: What Have Scholars Learned?

The prophet Abraham writing the Book of Abraham in front of a wall plastered with Egyptian papyrus.

The Book of Abraham is a volume of holy scripture translated by Joseph Smith. The text is unique because we possess some of the Egyptian papyri the Prophet may have used during his translation. However, the text on extant fragments doesn’t align with what’s found in the book—and that’s led to many debates. Ultimately, the Church says that the book’s power lies in study, prayer, and personal revelation. This article walks you through some of the latest research findings, including exclusive From the Desk interviews.

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Categories
Latter-day Saint History

What Is the Latter-day Saint Temple Endowment?

A cropped image of Anthony Sweat's painting depicted the Salt Lake City Temple.
"House of Light" by Anthony Sweat.

The Latter-Day Saint endowment ceremony is a temple ritual that symbolically takes participants on an upward journey that concludes in a celestial room. Participation in the ceremony brings individuals into a closer covenant relationship with God, and includes temple garments and covenants or laws such as the Law of the Gospel and Law of Consecration. In this interview, Anthony Sweat explains more about the history and purpose of the temple endowment.

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