Category Archives: Mormon History

Martin Harris: A Sincere Book of Mormon Witness

Posted on September 30, 2013 by Sharon Lindbloom

Mormon defender Daniel Peterson recently published an article about Book of Mormon witness Martin Harris. Appearing in the LDS-owned Deseret News, Dr. Peterson’s article, “Defending the Faith: Martin Harris: ‘Native honesty’ and life-long testimony,” is summarized: “A recently republished document … Continue reading →

Posted in Book of Mormon, Mormon History | Tagged , , , , | 69 Comments

Joseph Smith and Honesty

Posted on August 22, 2013 by Sharon Lindbloom

In the July 2013 issue of Ensign magazine, young Mormons are taught about the importance of “Honesty and Integrity.” One suggestion given for use in teaching the youth the principles of honesty and integrity is a 2005 General Conference address … Continue reading →

Posted in Joseph Smith, Mormon History | Tagged , , , , , , , | 23 Comments

Joseph Smith Fooled by the Devil?

Posted on July 29, 2013 by Sharon Lindbloom

In late 1829 or early 1830 insufficient funding held up the first printing of the Book of Mormon. Martin Harris was trying to sell his farm to raise the needed capital, but was not having immediate success. At the urging … Continue reading →

Posted in Book of Mormon, Early Mormonism, Joseph Smith, Mormon History, Truth, Honesty, Prayer, and Inquiry | Tagged , , , , | 30 Comments

The “Prime Cause” of 1838 Mormon Troubles in Missouri

Posted on July 4, 2013 by Sharon Lindbloom

Listen to this edition of Viewpoint on Mormonism as Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson discuss a lesser-known event from Mormon history: Sidney Rigdon’s 1838 July 4th speech. Brigham Young claimed this speech “was the prime cause of [Mormon] troubles in … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Mormonism, Mormon History | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Still no formal repudiation. Let June 8th be a day of shame.

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Sharon Lindbloom

In honor of the 35th anniversary of Mormon President Spencer W. Kimball’s announcement of the end of the priesthood ban against black Mormons (D&C Declaration 2), we are reposting Aaron Shafovaloff’s 30th anniversary article, “Shame, Shame, Shame: Thirty Years Later … Continue reading →

Posted in LDS Church, Mormon Culture, Mormon History, Priesthood | Tagged , , , , | 66 Comments

An Event from Mormon Church History — in Context

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Sharon Lindbloom

With the June 2013 New Era article “Balancing Church History” in mind, heeding the advice of Church Historian Steven Snow to examine Mormon Church history in context, I offer this new video by award-winning author Dan Vogel. The video provides … Continue reading →

Posted in Joseph Smith, Mormon History | Tagged , , , | 89 Comments

The Delicate Balance of Mormon Church History

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Sharon Lindbloom

The June 2013 issue of New Era magazine (for Mormon youth) includes an article by LDS Seventy Steven E. Snow, “Balancing Church History.” The focus of the article is on warning Mormon young people about faith-challenging historical information they may … Continue reading →

Posted in Mormon Culture, Mormon History, Truth, Honesty, Prayer, and Inquiry | Tagged , , , , , | 98 Comments

Finding Emma

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Sharon Lindbloom

Last week Jana Riess (Flunking Sainthood) wrote about “The Mormon Reinvention of Emma Smith.” Recapping a recent lecture by Emma Smith’s biographer Linda King Newell (co-author with Valeen Tippets Avery, Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith, 1984), Ms. Riess noted that … Continue reading →

Posted in Joseph Smith, Mormon History, Polygamy | Tagged , , , | 61 Comments

The Importance of Joseph Smith’s First Vision

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Sharon Lindbloom

At the October 1961 general conference of the Mormon Church Gordon B. Hinckley said, “I would like to say that this cause is either true or false. Either this is the kingdom of God, or it is a sham and … Continue reading →

Posted in Joseph Smith, Mormon History | Tagged , , | 36 Comments

Methodists and Mormons

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Sharon Lindbloom

Christopher Jones writes at the Peculiar People blog about the prevalence of early Mormon converts who came from a Methodist background. It is suggested that this was because they (and others) believed about Mormonism, “It’s like Methodism, only more.” Indeed, … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Mormonism, Mormon History, Nauvoo | Tagged , , , , , | 87 Comments