Category Archives: Mormon History

We Thank Thee, O God, for…

Once-official LDS history and doctrine is undergoing some hefty rewrites via the new Gospel Topics essays at LDS.org. As previously little-known information about Mormon history and doctrine has become available online, many Latter-day Saints are experiencing crises of faith when … Continue reading

Posted in Early Mormonism, Mormon Culture, Mormon History, Mormon Leaders, Prophets | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 97 Comments

Passing the Torch of Mormonism’s Historical Racisim

[In honor of Black History Month 2014, each Monday in February Mormon Coffee’s blog post has addressed a topic related to racism in Mormon history. Today is the final post in the series.] Institutionalized racism in the Mormon Church spanned … Continue reading

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

If the Foundation is Rotten, All that Joseph Smith Built Tumbles

[In honor of Black History Month 2014, each Monday in February Mormon Coffee’s blog post will address a topic related to racism in Mormon history. Today guest blogger Lynn Wilder presents Part 3, the final installment of the series she … Continue reading

Posted in Early Mormonism, Joseph Smith, Mormon History, Mormon Leaders | Tagged , , , , | 182 Comments

Joseph Smith Founder of LDS Racist Scriptures and Teachings: Part 2

[In honor of Black History Month 2014, each Monday in February Mormon Coffee’s blog post will address a topic related to racism in Mormon history. Today guest blogger Lynn Wilder presents Part 2 of the series she began last week.] … Continue reading

Posted in Early Mormonism, Joseph Smith, Mormon History, Mormon Leaders, Mormon Scripture | Tagged , , , , , | 49 Comments

Glenn Beck Perpetuates Mormon Myths

Back in September of 2012 Blaze TV aired a special program wherein Glenn Beck sought to dispel the ‘biggest Mormon myths.” I watched the first segment on YouTube where Mr. Beck answered the viewer-submitted question, “We often hear the word … Continue reading

Posted in Early Mormonism, Misconceptions, Mormon History, Polygamy | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Mormon Historian Responds to Tough Questions

On December 16, 2013 the reddit exmormon forum held an AMA (Ask Me Anything) Q&A with highly respected Mormon historian Richard Bushman. Following are a few forum-member questions, along with Dr. Bushman’s answers (in no particular order). You will also … Continue reading

Posted in Book of Abraham, Book of Mormon, Early Mormonism, Joseph Smith, Mormon History, Mormon Scripture, Pearl of Great Price | Tagged , , , , , , , | 37 Comments

Early Mormon Prophet Led the Church Astray

The Mormon Church very recently posted a new statement on “Race and the Priesthood” at LDS.org in which the blame for the Church’s historic racism is laid squarely at the feet of Brigham Young. According to the statement, the idea … Continue reading

Posted in Authority and Doctrine, Book of Abraham, Brigham Young, Early Mormonism, LDS Church, Mormon History, Mormon Leaders, Mormon Scripture, Mormon Temple, Pearl of Great Price, Prophets | Tagged , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

Troubled by Joseph Smith’s Polygamy

In this video, a returned Mormon missionary explains how personal revelation helped him on his mission. It seems an investigator was struggling with accepting the LDS Church due to troubling historical information she had learned about Joseph Smith and polygamy. … Continue reading

Posted in Joseph Smith, Mormon Missionaries, Nauvoo, Polygamy | Tagged , , , , | 25 Comments

Horrific Tragedy in Mormon History

In two days, on October 30, 2013, the 175th anniversary of a very dark day in American history will pass mostly unnoticed. On this date in 1838, 18 men and boys were murdered at Haun’s Mill on the western Missouri … Continue reading

Posted in Early Mormonism, Mormon History | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Where Did Mormon Leaders Go Wrong?

Apart from excitement over the fly that plagued Mormon Seventy Terence M. Vinson during his General Conference talk on Sunday (October 13, 2013), much of the Conference buzz on the world wide web (sorry – I couldn’t resist) is focused … Continue reading

Posted in Authority and Doctrine, General Conference, LDS Church, Mormon History, Mormon Leaders | Tagged , , , , , , , | 24 Comments