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Latter-day Saint History

What Did Spencer W. Kimball Write About in His Journal?

The journal of Spencer W. Kimball include his account of the 1978 priesthood revelation.

The Spencer W. Kimball journals offer a rare, daily look into the life of a prophet who presided over a transformative era of global Church growth. Far from being strictly formal records, these diaries function as personal scrapbooks where handwritten accounts of the 1978 priesthood revelation sit alongside pressed flowers, travel brochures, and newspaper clippings from remote mission tours. They reveal a man who meticulously documented his own health struggles and human frustrations with the same care he gave to high-level administrative decisions. In this interview, Church History Library archivists Jeffrey Anderson and Brandon Metcalf discuss the unique “everyman” quality of these newly released records.

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Latter-day Saint History

Who Was J. Golden Kimball?

J. Golden Kimball was a beloved and unconventional leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, known for his humor, candor, and tireless devotion to missionary work. From his early struggles after the death of his father to his challenging Southern States missions, Golden balanced deep faith with a famously fiery temperament, earning the nickname “the cussing apostle.” He navigated family tensions, financial hardship, and church controversies while leaving a lasting mark through anecdotes, sermons, and personal insights. In this interview, Andrew Kimball explores the life, personality, and legacy of J. Golden Kimball.

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19th Century Latter-day Saint History Temples

Who Built the Salt Lake Temple?

A 19th-century style oil painting of Brigham Young overlooking the gritty construction of the Salt Lake Temple. The scene shows immigrant laborers carving granite blocks, oxen pulling heavy wagons through deep mud, and a wooden derrick hoisting stone toward rising walls under a hazy, golden-hour sky.

The Salt Lake Temple was built by leaders like Brigham Young, emigrant craftsmen, and local members—through detailed planning, expert masonry, and even the donations of little children. Beginning in 1843, stone was cut from a Utah mountain and transported by wagon and later rail to the Temple Block in Salt Lake City. There, it was refined and raised into place according to the intricate designs of Truman O. Angell. The First Presidency also managed a constant labor shortage caused by the simultaneous work on public projects like the Social Hall and Tabernacle, filling the gap with a wide variety of workers and volunteers. In this interview, Scott D. Marianno shares the fascinating stories of those who built the temple.

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19th Century International Latter-day Saint History

Ports to Posts: Latter-day Saint Gathering in the 19th Century

C. C. A. Christensen painting of the ship Westmoreland carrying Latter-day Saint emigrants during the 19th-century voyage.

Latter-day Saint emigration in the 19th century was a carefully organized journey of faith, notwithstanding disasters like the 1856 handcart tragedy. Tens of thousands relied on systems like the Perpetual Emigrating Fund, the guidance of trusted allies such as George Ramsden of the Guion Line, and meticulous planning to navigate both stormy seas and the hardships of overland travel. In this interview, historian Fred E. Woods explores the logistical, spiritual, and human dimensions of this migration, revealing how faith and practical organization shaped pioneer emigration.

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Joseph Smith Old Testament Pearl of Great Price

What Does Genesis Really Say About Creation?

At its core, Genesis offers not one but two distinct creation accounts, each highlighting different aspects of humanity’s relationship with God. Far from being the straightforward words of Moses, the book reflects centuries of redaction and compilation—much like the Book of Mormon—woven from multiple voices and contexts. Along the way, readers encounter surprising details: skies imagined as a solid dome, humans formed from dirt, and Joseph Smith’s bold emendations of the Old Testament Hebrew text. In this interview, Avram R. Shannon explains how ancient context reshapes our understanding of Genesis, creation, and the faith-science conversation.

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Devotional

Jeffrey R. Holland Talks, Books, and Devotionals

An upper-body shot of Elder Holland, the apostle known for his Jeffrey R. Holland talks.

Jeffrey R. Holland was one of the most popular speakers in modern Latter-day Saint history. Before passing away in 2025, President Holland had given nearly 70 talks in general conference, including “An High Priest of Good Things to Come” and “Broken Things to Mend.” Holland was also noteworthy for passionate BYU devotionals such as “Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence,” as well as his testimony of Christ shared in numerous books, firesides, and devotionals. Similar to our Dallin H. Oaks Quotes page, this article provides easy access to some of President Holland’s most notable teachings.

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American History Ancient history Latter-day Saint History Theology

The Best of From the Desk: 2025 Year in Review

Illustrated scholar’s desk with an open annotated book, stacked manuscripts, and parchment sketches, with “2025” engraved on the wooden surface, symbolizing a year-in-review of historical and theological scholarship.

Another year is in the books—and it’s resulted in some thought-provoking scholarship. We’ve put together a list of 2025’s most influential interviews, along with fan favorites, and identified recently published pieces that are already trending. Plus, we’ve cut through the stats to highlight this year’s hidden gems. From Bruce Chilton’s groundbreaking work on the Aramaic Jesus to Jonathan Stapley’s unprecedented history of Latter-day Saint temple worship, these are 2025’s most noteworthy interviews in history, religion, and theology.

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Quotes

The Best David A. Bednar Quotes: 2026 Edition

A David A. Bednar quote about circumstances.

David A. Bednar has been a member of the Quorum of the Twelve in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 2004, when he was called to fill the vacancy created by the death of Neal A. Maxwell. Prior to that time, he was the president of Brigham Young University–Idaho. He is known for talking about the Holy Ghost, the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and the role of ordinances and covenants in the lives of Church members. Similar to our Dallin H. Oaks Quotes feature, this page covers a variety of apostolic teachings, including Elder Bednar’s October 2025 General Conference talk, “They Are Their Own Judges.”

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Quotes

Elder Gérald Caussé: Inspiring Quotes From a New Apostle

Elder Gérald Caussé quote: "My testimony is very simple. It is that Jesus is the Christ."

As the first native French-speaking Apostle in modern history, Elder Gérald Caussé brings a distinct global perspective to his witness of Jesus Christ. A classically trained pianist and former executive, he spent a decade as Presiding Bishop deconstructing corporate culture, insisting the Church “is not a business” because it is “all about people.” His teachings uniquely blend the temporal and spiritual, urging environmental stewardship as a sacred duty and promising “compensating blessings” to those facing life’s unfair limitations. Similar to our Dallin H. Oaks Quotes page, this article provides inspiring excerpts from the teachings of a Latter-day Saint leader.

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20th Century International

When Did Latter-day Saints Establish the Church in South America?

Melvin J. Ballard’s tombstone in Salt Lake City referencing his 1925 dedicatory prayer for the LDS Church in South America, marking the establishment of the South American Mission.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints firmly established itself in South America in 1925, when three General Authorities arrived in Buenos Aires to open the South American Mission. The continent was dedicated for the preaching of the gospel by Elder Melvin J. Ballard on Christmas Day in 1925. Early subsequent efforts focused on German immigrants, but missionaries soon discovered that Spanish- and Italian-speaking communities were more receptive. Visionary leaders like David O. McKay and Reinhold Stoof laid the foundations that would later support thriving congregations in Argentina and Brazil. In this interview, historian Mark Grover explores the challenges and milestones in South America that have contributed to today’s global Mormonism.

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