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Doctrine and Covenants Joseph Smith

What Was Joseph Smith’s Civil War Prophecy?

Split painting showing Joseph Smith’s 1832 prophecy on the left, with a parchment and quill on a desk, and a Civil War battlefield with cannon smoke and divided flags on the right, symbolizing Doctrine and Covenants 87.

In 1832, Joseph Smith received a revelation now known as the Civil War Prophecy. Early Latter-day Saints saw it as evidence of his prophetic calling, while contemporary newspapers responded skeptically. Initial interpretations emphasized conflict between the Northern and Southern States. Over time, the prophecy was also applied to later wars, including World War I and the Cold War. Today, it’s call to “stand ye in holy places” is the most commonly cited application in General Conference. In this interview, historian Scott C. Esplin discusses the origin and evolving interpretations of Joseph Smith’s Civil War Prophecy.

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Latter-day Saint History

How Was the St. George Temple Built?

A photograph of the St. George Temple.

The St. George Temple was built in 1877 in Utah Territory during President Brigham Young’s administration. Precedents were set there for clothing, performing ordinances in behalf of those outside of family, endowments for the dead, and record keeping. In addition, the endowment ceremony was put in writing for the first time in association with the temple’s construction. It was also in the St. George Temple that Wilford Woodruff saw the Founding Fathers in vision. This post discusses the history and significance of the St. George, Utah Temple.

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American West Latter-day Saint History

William Clark’s Firsthand Account of the Utah War

Soldiers marching through a snowstorm during the Utah War, illustrating harsh winter conditions on the trail.

The Utah War is a pivotal episode in the history of the American West. For those crossing the overland trails in 1857, it meant cold camps, political suspicion, and constant fear of attack. One of the most vivid firsthand accounts comes from a civilian teamster named William Clark, whose memoir captures the uncertainty and danger as Johnston’s Army advanced toward Salt Lake City under mounting tension and disrupted supply lines. In this interview, historians William P. MacKinnon and Kenneth L. Alford explore Clark’s remarkable journey—and what it reveals about the Utah War.

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19th Century American West

What Was The Utah War?

Militia members of the Nauvoo Legion fortify Echo Canyon as U.S. troops advance during the Utah War.

The Utah War was an armed confrontation between the United States government and Latter-day Saint settlers in the West—yet almost no one fired a shot. Sparked by rumors of rebellion, political missteps, and religious distrust, the standoff saw President James Buchanan dispatch Johnston’s Army to replace Brigham Young as territorial governor. The conflict was ultimately resolved through diplomacy, with federal troops entering Utah peacefully and a new governor taking office without violence.

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Doctrine and Covenants New Testament

What Does D&C 77 Say About the Age of the Earth?

A split image featuring an hourglass contrasted with a view of the earth from space, illustrating the literal-symbolic tension about the age of the earth in D&C 77.

Section 77 of the Doctrine and Covenants contains statements indicating that the Earth will exist for 7,000 years. Some Latter-day Saints interpret this literally, while the revelation’s historical context also allows for scientific understandings of how old the Earth is. For instance, Joseph Smith’s focus in D&C 77 was the Book of Revelation, known for its symbolism. His later teachings also seem to challenge a strict 7,000-year timeline. In this interview, Nicholas Frederick examines the background of Doctrine and Covenants 77, emphasizing the central role of Jesus Christ.

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Categories
Latter-day Saint History Vast Early America

How Did Taxes Shape Mormonism?

Taxes shaped early Latter-day Saint history by enabling religious competition that framed the world in which Joseph Smith lived. For example, tax policy influenced the Second Great Awakening, exempted early preachers, and continues to shape how temples, tithing, and missionary work are treated under the law. In this interview, tax law scholar Samuel D. Brunson explores the intersection of finance, governance, and faith in Latter-day Saint history.

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Latter-day Saint History

What Can We Learn From Wilford Woodruff’s Mission Years?

A painting of Wilford Woodruff baptizing a woman while serving a mission in England
"The Dawning of a Brighter Day" by Julie Rogers. Credit: Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation.

Wilford Woodruff’s missionary years offer a powerful example of devotion and sacrifice. He served over half a dozen major missions, often at significant personal cost. On one occasion, he left his wife in an unfinished home. On another, he was away in the eastern United States when Joseph Smith was martyred. He even attempted to secure a copyright for the Doctrine and Covenants during a mission to England. In this interview, Kristy Wheelwright explores how Woodruff’s mission experiences deepen our understanding of his life and legacy.

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Doctrine and Covenants

Rosalynde Welch on 7 Visions of Christ in the Doctrine and Covenants

The Doctrine and Covenants reveals Jesus Christ through themes of glory, suffering, intimacy, and presence. A new book from Deseret Book portrays a Savior whose power comes through submission, whose bleeding body crosses porous boundaries, and whose nearness is both cosmic and personal. In this interview, Rosalynde Welch explains how writing Seven Visions: Images of Christ in the Doctrine and Covenants with co-author Adam Miller helped her recognize an invitation to see Christ—here and now.

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International

Who Was Andrés Carlos González?

A painting of Andrés Carlos González

Andrés Carlos González was among the first native Mexicans to be called as a missionary, as a mission presidency councilor, and as a patriarch. The grandfather of M. Russell Ballard also inquired about his ability to serve as a mission president. González wrote the lyrics to the popular hymn Placentero nos es trabajar (“Oh, How Great Is Our Joy”) and was a notable resident of the Latter-day Saint colonies in Mexico. This interview with John A. Gonzalez discusses Andrés Carlos González’s life and legacy as a notable figure in the history of Mormonism around the world.

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Categories
Devotional Theology

What I’ve Learned From 30 Years of Interfaith Dialogue

A group photo of Robert L. Millet, Richard Mow, and many other interfaith leaders.

Beginning in 1991, when I was appointed dean of Religious Education at BYU, and continuing well past my retirement from BYU in 2014, my interactions with men and women of various faiths have profoundly impacted me. They have broadened my horizons dramatically and reminded me—a sobering reminder we all need once in a while—that we are all sons and daughters of the same Eternal Father.

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