From the Desk

What Did Brigham Young Write About in His Journal?

Post author By Kurt Manwaring
Post date December 5, 2023
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Brigham Young's April 1832 journal entry documenting his baptism.

The first volume of the Brigham Young Journals begins with the prophet’s baptism and ends with his marathon efforts to endow the Nauvoo saints before their westward exodus. As the first installment in a four-part series, the book offers readers an intimate portrayal of Brigham Young, featuring elements such as his phonetic spelling, missionary labors, and devotion to his family. In this interview, Ronald K. Esplin explains what he and historian Brent M. Rogers find most fascinating about the journals.

20th Century Latter-day Saint History

George Q. Cannon As Politician, Publisher, and Apostle of Polygamy

Post author By Jerry Winder
Post date November 27, 2023
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Ken Cannon’s biography of George Q. Cannon is the latest in scholarly publishing about the early Latter-day Saint apostle. The work focuses on Cannon’s role as “politician, publisher, and apostle of polygamy.” It includes his role as a confidante to Brigham Young, counselor in four First Presidencies, and father to nearly forty children.

Bible

Why Do Latter-day Saints Use the King James Version?

Post author By Chad Nielsen
Post date November 21, 2023
1 Comment on Why Do Latter-day Saints Use the King James Version?

The King James Version (KJV) of the Bible has been used by English-speaking Latter-day Saints since the time of Joseph Smith. However, our commitment to the 400-year-old translation places us in a minority within the United States—and even differs from how the Church translates the Bible in other languages. In this interview, New Testament scholar Thomas Wayment explains why U.S. Latter-day Saints use the King James Version and what might be involved in publishing a new translation.

Quotes

Latter-day Saint Quotes on Gratitude

Post author By Kurt Manwaring
Post date November 16, 2023
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Latter-day Saints have been preaching the need for gratitude since the days of Joseph Smith. Whether it’s used as a measure of discipleship, a mark of holiness, or a fruit of forgiveness, the benefits of gratitude are legion. These inspiring Latter-day Saint quotes on gratitude from general conferences and BYU devotionals help make everyday a day of “thanksgiving.”

Book of Abraham Pearl of Great Price

The Foreordination of Abraham

Post author By Kurt Manwaring
Post date November 9, 2023
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A depiction of Abraham's foreordination as a noble and great ruler in a heavenly council. — An artificially-generated depiction of Abraham being foreordained as a noble and great ruler.

The Book of Abraham includes an account of the foreordination of Abraham as one of God’s noble and great ones. Latter-day Saints often interpret these verses as a reference to rulers in God’s earthly church, but there are also other potential meanings. For instance, the verses may refer to divine members of God’s heavenly council. In this interview, Stephen Smoot discusses the history, theology, and ancient Egyptian context of Abraham’s foreordination.

Latter-day Saint History

How Do These Churches View the First Vision Differently?

Post author By Chad Nielsen
Post date November 4, 2023
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"The First Vision." Joni Susanto (1961– ) | Indonesia. Batik, cotton textile, 1990. Image courtesy ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

The First Vision of Joseph Smith is an important part of the story of both The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Community of Christ. The two communities, however, have had nearly 200 years of divergence of opinions on the subject. This interview with Dr. Keith J. Wilson discusses the Latter-day Saint and Community of Christ perspectives on the First Vision.

Book of Abraham

The Pure Language Project and the Book of Abraham

Post author By Kerry Muhlestein
Post date October 31, 2023
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The Egyptian Language Documents (ELD) might not have been intended to aid Joseph Smith in translating the Book of Abraham. Instead, two BYU professors argue that the Egyptian Alphabet, Grammar and Alphabet, and Book of Abraham Manuscripts are associated with a “pure language project” initiated by the Prophet in 1832. In this interview, Michael MacKay and Daniel Belnap explain more and delve into the implications of their new article in the Journal of Mormon History titled “The Pure Language Project.”

Joseph Smith

The First Vision of Joseph Smith

Post author By Kurt Manwaring
Post date October 23, 2023
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An illustration of Joseph Smith's First Vision by Anthony Sweat. — An illustration of Joseph Smith's first vision by Anthony Sweat.

Joseph Smith’s First Vision is a compelling entry point into a captivating exploration of history and theology. There are nine known accounts of the profound moment when Joseph Smith encountered Jesus Christ and God the Father, including one in the Prophet’s own handwriting. This article provides a snapshot of scholarly research and devotional statements about Joseph’s experience in the Sacred Grove.

Latter-day Saint History Theology

The King Follett Sermon: A Biography

Post author By Chad Nielsen
Post date October 18, 2023
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Two pages displaying the written text of Joseph Smith's King Follett Sermon.

The King Follett Sermon is one of Joseph Smith’s best-recorded and most controversial sermons. Records and memories of the sermon shaped many of the doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but have also been partly rejected within the Church. This interview with William V. Smith discusses the King Follett Sermon and its history.

Joseph Smith Latter-day Saint History Quotes

Quotes From the Council of Fifty Minutes

Post author By Kurt Manwaring
Post date October 12, 2023
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Joseph Smith established the Council of Fifty in 1844 to address several issues, including the potential relocation of the Latter-day Saints outside the United States. This article includes a sample of interesting Council of Fifty quotes from Part One of the administrative records, including new teachings from the Prophet Joseph and an account of his martyrdom.