Category Archives: Mormon History

Nauvoo Women: An Overlooked History of the Mormon Relief Society

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Sharon Lindbloom

This year (2011) Mormon ladies have been learning about the history of the Church’s Relief Society, said to be “the Lord’s organization for woman.” Julie B. Beck, the Relief Society general president wrote that “understanding our history is not only … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Mormonism, Joseph Smith, Mormon History, Nauvoo, Polygamy | Tagged , , , , | 59 Comments

Why are non-Mormons uncomfortable with Mormonism?

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Sharon Lindbloom

On October 10 (2011) LDS blogger Joanna Brooks posted an interview with Patrick Mason, author of The Mormon Menace: Violence and Anti-Mormonism in the Postbellum South (Oxford University Press, 2011). The topic of the interview: “Why Do Southerners Call Mormonism … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Mormonism, Mormon History | Tagged , , , , , | 63 Comments

Murder Among Mormons

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Sharon Lindbloom

“On October 15, 1985, a pipe bomb wrapped with nails exploded in the hands of Steve Christensen, a young Salt Lake City businessman. Two hours later, a similar bomb shattered the calm of a quiet cul-de-sac in one of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Gordon B. Hinckley, Mormon Culture, Mormon History | Tagged , | 42 Comments

Mormons believe A Study in Scarlet is inaccurate

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Sharon Lindbloom

Following the complaint of a student’s mother, the Sherlock Holmes story, A Study in Scarlet, has been reviewed and removed from a Virginia school district’s sixth-grade reading list as age-inappropriate. It isn’t because the archaic writing style may prove difficult … Continue reading →

Posted in Brigham Young, Early Mormonism, Mormon History | Tagged , , , , , , | 82 Comments

Courage to View the Gold Plates

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Sharon Lindbloom

Pomeroy Tucker was a contemporary of Joseph Smith. Living in Palmyra, New York, he knew the Smith family, counted Martin Harris among his friends, and was actively engaged in the 1830 printing process of the Book of Mormon. In 1867 … Continue reading →

Posted in Book of Mormon, Mormon History | Tagged , , , | 74 Comments

Where did the Mormon doctrine of polygamy come from?
Emma knew.

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Sharon Lindbloom

On July 12, 1843 Joseph Smith recorded what Mormons believe was a revelation from God “relating to the new and everlasting covenant, including the eternity of the marriage covenant, as also plurality of wives” (Introduction to D&C 132). In this … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Mormonism, Nauvoo, Polygamy | Tagged , , | 150 Comments

Rebecca Swain Williams: More To Her Story

Posted on April 14, 2011 by Sharon Lindbloom

The April 2011 edition of Ensign magazine includes an article about early Latter-day Saint Rebecca Swain Williams. As the article notes, Rebecca and her husband, Fredrick G. Williams, converted to the LDS Church in late 1830 while living in Kirtland, … Continue reading →

Posted in Mormon History, Polygamy | Tagged , , , | 62 Comments

How Well Do You Know Mormon Church Leaders of the Past?

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Sharon Lindbloom

Last month (March 2011) Ensign magazine included a challenge titled “How Well Do You Know Our Church Leaders?” It consisted of 15 details from the lives of the 15 current Prophets, Seers and Revelators of the LDS Church. Readers were … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Mormonism, Mormon History, Mormon Leaders | Tagged , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

Lying for the Lord

Posted on January 31, 2011 by Eric Johnson

In his apologetic book Shaken Faith Syndrome: Strengthening One’s Testimony in the Face of Criticism and Doubt (The Foundation for Apologetic Information and Research), Michael R. Ash hopes to calm those Mormons who are thinking about leaving the Mormon Church … Continue reading →

Posted in D&C and Pearl of Great Price, Mormon History, Polygamy | Tagged , , , | 80 Comments

Mormon and Jewish Parallels

Posted on January 27, 2011 by Sharon Lindbloom

The Salt Lake Tribune recently reported on a lecture given in Salt Lake City’s Jewish Community Center by LDS speaker Mark Paredes. A blogger for the online Jewish Journal, Mr. Paredes believes “Mormons have much more to say to Jews … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Mormonism, Mormon History | Tagged , , , , | 60 Comments