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21st Century Devotional

Elder Maxwell’s Journey of Discipleship: An Interview with Bruce C. Hafen

Elder Neal A. Maxwell standing next to his biographer, Elder Bruce C. Hafen.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell’s name is synonymous with discipleship (similar to Latter-day Saints like Truman G. Madsen and Henry B. Eyring). But the term meant different things to him at different times. Initially, it was a designation for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But over time, it evolved to include a wholehearted devotion to the Savior—especially during times of adversity. In this interview, biographer Bruce C. Hafen explains why Elder Maxwell is so closely associated with discipleship.

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International

How did the Church Start in Micronesia and Guam?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has had a presence in the islands of the Pacific Ocean since the time of Joseph Smith, but it was only during the decades following WWII that it experienced extensive growth in areas like Micronesia, the Philippines, and eastern Asia. This includes the modern states of Micronesia, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, and Palau, along with the U.S. territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands (all of which are referenced as Micronesia and Guam in this interview). These countries have some of the highest per capita memberships in the Church in the world. This interview with R. Devan Jensen discusses the history of the Church in Micronesia and Guam as part of the story of Mormonism around the world.

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Book of Abraham Pearl of Great Price

The Ancient Owners of the Joseph Smith Papyri

An illustration of an ancient Egyptian priest who could have been one of the original owners of the Joseph Smith papyri.
An AI-generated image depicting an ancient Egyptian priest who may have originally owned some of the Joseph Smith Papyri.

It might seem unlikely that we can know anything about the ancient owners of the Joseph Smith Papyri. However, the Book of Abraham scrolls included names and genealogies indicating that the owners were ancient Egyptian priests. In this interview, Kerry Muhlestein explains what we know about these ancient Egyptians—and how their circumstances may have made them uniquely aware of extra-biblical Abrahamic traditions.

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Latter-day Saint History

What Have Prophets Taught About the Law of the Gospel?

Black and white pioneer photos of the Nauvoo and SLC temples, setting the tone for a discussion about how definitions of the Law of the Gospel have evolved over time.

The law of the gospel is one of several covenants made in the Latter-day Saint endowment ceremony. Interestingly, definitions used by church leaders have shifted since the days of Joseph Smith. For example, David O. McKay taught that it included scripture study, and Bruce R. McConkie referred to it as the “celestial law.” In this interview, independent scholar Samuel R. Weber explains the history of the law of the gospel, culminating in a definition included in the General Handbook.

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Latter-day Saint History Scriptures

How Do Scriptures Used by Community of Christ and Latter-day Saints Compare?

The Community of Christ and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints share the same roots, including Restoration scriptures like the Book of Mormon. Yet these faith communities have over 170 years of divergent history and evolution, including how they approach the scriptures. This interview with Kat Goheen and Joshua Sears discusses scripture in Community of Christ and in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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Vast Early America

What Did Thomas Jefferson Believe About Jesus and the Bible?

A portrait of Thomas Jefferson, the Founding Father who believed in the morality of Jesus but doubted his divinity and the veracity of scripture.

Thomas Jefferson was a Christian in the sense that he believed in Jesus as a great moral teacher, but not as the Son of God. He even created a “Jefferson Bible” in which he reconstructed the book without references to miracles and divinity. In this interview, biographer Thomas S. Kidd places Jefferson’s beliefs and actions in the context of the Founding Fathers and the Bible.

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Categories
New Testament

Who Were the Women in the Lineage of Jesus?

An artificially-generated image showing four women in the genealogy of Jesus found in Matthew.
An AI-generated image depicting women in the genealogy of Jesus.

The genealogy of Jesus in the New Testament includes several women with a hint of sexual scandal. When combined with the wicked men in the Savior’s ancestry, it teaches several subtle lessons—including how Matthew may have prepared his audience for the virgin birth. In this interview, Camille Fronk Olson explains what we can learn from the women in the lineage of Jesus.

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Latter-day Saint History

How Did Joseph F. Smith Become the Prophet?

A painting of Joseph F. Smith, the sixth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Joseph F. Smith became the sixth president of the Church in 1901. However, his succession to the presidency took an unusual route. For example, Brigham Young Jr. was ordained an apostle before Joseph F.—and George Q. Cannon missed out on becoming prophet by only six months. In this interview, Dennis B. Horne discusses the life and prophet succession of Joseph F. Smith.

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Joseph Smith Latter-day Saint History

What Led to Joseph Smith’s Death at Carthage?

Joseph Smith‘s death in Carthage, Illinois was traumatic for the Latter-day Saints. His assassination was the culmination in a series of events that had consequences for the community of Saints—particularly those living in Nauvoo. In this interview, historian Spencer W. McBride discusses the events surrounding the Prophet’s death as shared in Road to Carthage: A Joseph Smith Papers Podcast.

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Categories
Doctrine and Covenants Latter-day Saint History

What’s in the New Joseph F. Smith Biography?

A side profile photo of the Latter-day Saint prophet, Joseph F. Smith.

Joseph F. Smith is known for many things. He was the son of Hyrum Smith and nephew of the Prophet Joseph. He served a legendary mission to Hawaii. And he received the vision of the redemption of the dead (D&C 138). The prophet’s life was also filled with lesser-known complexities that make him an especially fascinating figure. In this interview, Stephen C. Taysom elaborates on his new biography of Joseph F. Smith.

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