Tag Archives: Mormon History

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

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

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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

The Transfiguration of Brigham Young

It’s Throwback Thursday! The following blog article originally posted at Mormon Coffee on August 8, 2011. —— When Joseph Smith died in June of 1844, the Mormon Church faced a succession crisis. Mormon historian Richard S. Van Wagoner explained, “Despite … Continue reading

Posted in Brigham Young, Mormon Leaders | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

The Wives of Joseph Smith Visit Manti

The annual Christian outreach at the Mormon Miracle Pageant in Manti, Utah concluded about 2 weeks ago. During this year’s outreach, 34 women, dressed in pioneer clothing, each took on the identity of a wife of Joseph Smith. This was … Continue reading

Posted in Early Mormonism, Joseph Smith, Mormon History, Polygamy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Why Mormon Art Sometimes Misrepresents Mormon History

Assistant BYU professor, author, and artist Anthony Sweat created the “feature image” for a new book (From Darkness Unto Light, by Michael Hubbard MacKay and Gerrit J. Dirkmaat) that depicts the translation of the Book of Mormon. His painting includes … Continue reading

Posted in Book of Mormon, Early Mormonism, Joseph Smith, LDS Church, Mormon History, Mormon Scripture | Tagged , , , , , , | 17 Comments

Beloved rescue story is a myth. Say it ain’t so.

During this time of year, many Mormon youth have the opportunity to spend 4 days pulling handcarts through rugged terrain. This “pioneer trek” is a type of reenactment of the early Mormon pioneer treks across the American plains to Utah … Continue reading

Posted in Early Mormonism, Mormon History, Truth, Honesty, Prayer, and Inquiry | Tagged , , , | 15 Comments

Joseph Smith “carried off my daughter”

Over the years, much has been written about the heartbreak caused by Mormon weddings. The oft-cited cause of this heartbreak is the sacred, exclusive LDS temple wedding that necessarily excludes “unworthy” friends and family from attending. According to Mormonism, marriages … Continue reading

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