Categories
Old Testament

What Is the Meaning of Hesed in the Bible?

Two human hands pulling in opposite directions while gripping the same rope, symbolizing hesed as a shared bond of covenant loyalty under strain.

In the Bible, ḥesed signifies a bond of steadfast loyalty and kindness that defines a relationship’s enduring commitment. While the word is often rendered as “mercy” in the King James Version, it more accurately describes a “pact” requiring mutual fidelity between Israel and God. This bilateral bond is especially exemplified in the Book of Ruth and the Psalms, where human devotion mirrors the unbreakable nature of God’s covenant: even in moments of exile or despair, ḥesed offers a reassuring promise of God’s empathetic concern. In this interview, translator Robert Alter discusses the nuanced meanings of ḥesed in the Hebrew Bible.

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Categories
Quotes

The Best Joseph F. Smith Quotes

Joseph F. Smith (remember the “F”) was not only the son of Hyrum Smith, but an important leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his own right, whose quotes are important, even today. He was known for his focus on Church organization and the cosmology of the afterlife and the resurrection, as well as for laying the foundations for the systematic theology that would later be expressed through his son (Joseph Fielding Smith) and his grandson-in-law (Bruce R. McConkie). Much like the Dallin H. Oaks Quotes page, this page is a curated collection of quotes dealing with topics ranging from advice to the priesthood, the scriptures, and more.

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Categories
Devotional

The Bells at Temple Square: The Tabernacle Choir’s World-Class Handbell Ensemble

Members of the Bells at Temple Square performing in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, showcasing the handbell choir’s synchronized technique and musical precision.

The Bells at Temple Square is a premier handbell ensemble in Salt Lake City that performs intricate music with hundreds of handbells and handchimes as part of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. Since its founding in 2005, the ensemble has inspired audiences through its musical skill and spiritual purpose, performing in semiannual concerts, at national events, and in broadcasts such as Music and the Spoken Word. In this interview, Conductor Geoff Anderson explains what the group is, recounts how he got involved, and discusses the evolving legacy of the Bells at Temple Square.

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Categories
19th Century

What Music Did Utah Pioneers Perform?

The Salt Lake Theatre Orchestra in 1880, which performed 19th-century Utah pioneer music.

Utah pioneer music was a sophisticated and cosmopolitan blend of European tradition and local ingenuity that went far beyond simple folk tunes or choral hymns. While early settlers are often associated with rustic campfire songs, archival discoveries demonstrate a thriving culture of brass bands, theatrical orchestras, and virtuosic instrumental performances. From the recovery of a lost march once thought to be buried in the Salt Lake Temple capstone to the complex arrangements used in the Salt Lake Theatre, these scores demonstrate the high technical standards maintained in Latter-day Saint settlements. In this interview, BYU trumpet professor Randy Lee explains how he is reviving these forgotten 19th-century manuscripts through his Legends of Deseret project.

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Categories
Vast Early America

What Role Did Genealogy Play in the Founding of America?

An image of George Washington writing his genealogy, associated with Karin Wulf's Lineage: Genealogy and the Power of Connection in Early America

Genealogy in early America functioned as a vital legal and political infrastructure rather than a simple personal hobby. While Revolutionary leaders publicly rejected inherited political power, they still relied heavily on family trees to dictate property rights, establish social credit, and enforce the laws of coverture and slavery. From George Washington tracking inheritances on a two-sided chart to everyday citizens recording lineages in almanac margins and on stitch samplers, ancestry acted as an inescapable cultural currency. In this interview, historian Karin Wulf explores how tracing these deeply embedded family connections reshapes our understanding of the nation’s founding.

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Categories
Theology

What Do Evangelical Christians Think About Latter-day Saints?

An Evangelical Christian and a Latter-day Saint engaging in interfaith dialogue across a deep chasm, symbolizing the theological divide and neighborly love between Mormons and Evangelicals.

Evangelical Christians typically view Latter-day Saints as moral neighbors while holding that their distinct doctrines on the Godhead and salvation remain outside historic Christian orthodoxy. This theological divide creates a “Different Jesus” paradox where shared devotion to Christ’s life often masks fundamental disagreements over his nature and humanity’s eternal potential. Truly loving one’s neighbor requires navigating these boundaries—from the “prophet puzzle” of Joseph Smith to the restored authority of the priesthood—with clarity rather than caricature. In this interview, Baptist pastor Kyle Beshears discusses the research and conviction behind his book, 40 Questions About Mormonism.

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Categories
Latter-day Saint History

Who Was Zerah Pulsipher?

An image of Zerah Pulsipher baptizing Wilford Woodruff in the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"I did not feel the cold," by Sam Day. Used with permission from the Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation

Zerah Pulsipher, a member of the First Seven Presidents of the Seventy who is mentioned in Section 124 of the Doctrine and Covenants, is best remembered as the man who baptized Wilford Woodruff and helped guide early Latter-day Saint communities through some of their most challenging migrations. From organizing the Kirtland Camp to supporting the spiritual and practical needs of ordinary Saints, Pulsipher’s life reflects both devotion and complexity, including a later disciplinary trial over plural-sealing practices. In this interview, Chad L. Nielsen explores Pulsipher’s leadership, faith, and enduring influence, drawing on historical records and personal insights to bring his story vividly to life.

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Categories
19th Century American West Latter-day Saint History

What Was the Juvenile Instructor Office?

An illustrated cover of a 1910 edition of the Juvenile Instructor, featuring the imprint and an illustration of young children playing.

The Juvenile Instructor Office was a printing press established by George Q. Cannon in 1866. At the time, the Apostle and private secretary to Brigham Young was concerned that Utah Territory was being flooded with “Gentile” materials from the East that didn’t align with Latter-day Saint values. To address the issue, he created the press to produce “home literature” specifically for children and emigrant converts. Cannon funded the venture on his own, publishing works such as the Faith Promoting Series, the Juvenile Instructor, and the biography, “Life of Joseph Smith.” The printing office heightened Cannon’s influence, broke the Deseret News‘s monopoly, and was ultimately purchased by the Church, paving the way for pioneer faith-promoting publications and the modern Deseret Book Company.

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Categories
19th Century Latter-day Saint History Temples

Who Was Wilford Woodruff?

Portrait of Wilford Woodruff circa 1888, fourth President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and author of the 1890 Manifesto and daily journals.

Wilford Woodruff served as the fourth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, navigating the faith through its most turbulent transitions. Best known for issuing the 1890 Manifesto that ended the public practice of plural marriage, Woodruff’s legacy extends far beyond his complex family life and wives. He was a remarkably successful missionary, an avid outdoorsman who survived twenty-seven life-threatening accidents, and a temple pioneer who recorded a profound vision of the Founding Fathers. Today, his meticulously kept sixty-year daily journal—complete with a unique visual “emoji” indexing system—remains the most vital primary source for understanding nineteenth-century Latter-day Saint history.

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Categories
Quotes

Dieter F. Uchtdorf Quotes: Inspiring Teachings on Faith, Hope, and Discipleship

A sketch of Dieter F. Uchtdorf next to the text of one of his quotes about adversity.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s quotes emphasize that the gospel is “beautifully simple” and best lived through small, daily efforts rather than grand gestures. Using aviation metaphors from his career as a pilot, President Uchtdorf illustrates how a mere two-degree course correction prevents a spiritual crash and why “forward thrust” is required to maintain spiritual lift. He describes the Church not as a showroom for the perfect, but as a service center for those seeking the transformative power of grace. Similar to our Dallin H. Oaks Quotes page, this inspiring quote collection features teachings from Dieter F. Uchtdorf that explore how centering our lives on the Savior turns the pursuit of holiness into a pursuit of happiness.

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