Category Archives: Mormon History

This is a Test: Joseph Smith and Deuteronomy 13

It had been a long forty years of wandering in the wilderness. God’s people Israel were finally nearing their Promised Land. Moses’ life was drawing to a close and the people were about to enter a new way of life … Continue reading

Posted in Authority and Doctrine, Early Mormonism, General Conference, God the Father, Joseph Smith, King Follett Discourse, LDS Church, Mormon History, Mormon Leaders, Nature of God, Nature of Man, Nauvoo, Prophets | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 26 Comments

I looked out the window and what did I see?

Two months ago I had the amazing opportunity to visit Switzerland. What an inspiring display of God’s creativity! Deep blue water, soaring snow-topped peaks, brilliant green-carpeted valleys…and, of course, happy cows everywhere. One morning I watched out the window of … Continue reading

Posted in LDS Church, Mormon History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

Mormonism and Blood Sacrifice

A local TV station in Indianapolis ran a story earlier this month (16 October 2015) headlined, “Suspect harrassing Mormon Church elder allegedly had goal of blood sacrifice.” Journalist Derrik Thomas explained, “A prominent local attorney, who is an elder in … Continue reading

Posted in Early Mormonism, Mormon History, Mormon Temple | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Joseph Smith’s Powerful Influence

It’s Throwback Thursday! Last week (15 October 2015) Deseret News announced the recent discovery of Emma Smith’s 1841 Book of Mormon. Apparently, Joseph Smith gave the book to John Quincy Adams’s grandson, Charles Francis Adams, when Charles visited the Prophet in … Continue reading

Posted in Joseph Smith, Nauvoo | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Early Mormonism in Missouri

In 1838 the headquarters of the Mormon Church was located in western Missouri. Mormons began arriving in this state in the early 1830s settling in Jackson County, around the city of Independence. However, trouble erupted between the Mormons and the … Continue reading

Posted in Early Mormonism, Mormon History | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Nauvoo’s Bloody Autumn of 1845

Nauvoo, Illinois, the city the Mormons built, was thriving and growing in the 1840s. The population was such that Nauvoo rivaled Chicago for “biggest city in Illinois.” Most visitors to today’s restoration of historic Nauvoo will learn that fact, perhaps … Continue reading

Posted in Early Mormonism, Mormon History, Nauvoo | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Sexual Morality in Old Mormon Nauvoo

Sexual morality in early 1840s Nauvoo, Illinois, the City of Joseph [Smith], was enough to make most people blush. John C. Bennett, who had for 18 months been a member of Joseph Smith’s inner circle and close confidante, left the … Continue reading

Posted in Early Mormonism, Joseph Smith, Mormon History, Nauvoo | Tagged , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Mormonism hurts.

The topic of the Mormon Church and race has been in the news again this summer. The June anniversary of the Church’s 1978 lifting of the priesthood ban passed mostly unnoticed, but a week and a half later, when the … Continue reading

Posted in LDS Church, Mormon Culture, Mormon History, Priesthood | Tagged , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Joseph Smith’s Gold Plates

Joseph Smith, the first Mormon Prophet, claimed he was divinely guided to a set of gold plates that were buried near his home in the state of New York. After taking possession of these plates, according to the official LDS … Continue reading

Posted in Book of Mormon, Early Mormonism, Joseph Smith, Mormon History | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Mormon Pioneers and Little Lambs

It’s Throwback Thursday! The following blog article originally posted at Mormon Coffee on July 24, 2006. —— Today [tomorrow] is Pioneer Day in Utah. Each July 24th the residents of Utah celebrate the “Days of ’47” commemorating Brigham Young’s 1847 … Continue reading

Posted in Mormon History | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments