Church History

100: Breathe Life into Your Life Story with Dawn and Morris Thurston

November 27, 2007

100: Breathe Life into Your Life Story with Dawn and Morris Thurston

While Church leaders have counseled us to adopt the spirit of Elijah and write our life stories and family histories, they haven’t given us any instruction about how to do it. The truth is, many family histories we’ve inherited from well-meaning relatives could use a little help. Some aren’t particularly interesting because they’re primarily a collection of names and dates arranged into sentences that tell readers what their subjects did, but not who they were. Others suffer from an over-concern about painting family members in a favorable light. Everyone is a model of saintliness we’re supposed to revere and emulate.…

098-099: Joseph Smith’s Legal Battles During the Nauvoo Period

November 27, 2007

Morris Thurston is both a Harvard trained lawyer and a legal editor for the Joseph Smith Papers project. He is also one of the world’s leading scholars regarding Joseph Smith’s legal troubles during the Nauvoo era.

097: The Joseph Smith Papers Project with Morris Thurston

November 27, 2007

While much has been written about Mormonism’s founding prophet, there has never been a comprehensive edition of the first-hand documents produced by Joseph Smith Jr. (1805–1844), or for him by his scribes. With this in mind, the Historian’s Office of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has enlisted a team of scholars to locate, annotate and publish The Joseph Smith Papers. The project, which is funded by Larry H. Miller, has received the endorsement of The National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). The managing editor of the project is Ronald K. Esplin and general editors are Esplin,…

077-083: “Understanding the September Six” — Paul Toscano Parts 1 – 7

October 31, 2007

When the history of 20th century Mormonism is written, Paul Toscano will likely go down as one of the most controversial and divisive figures of that era. Paul is the husband of Margaret Toscano, and was excommunicated (along with 4 others and 1 disfellowshipment) during the infamous “September Six” incident in September of 1993. This is Paul’s story — as told in his own words. Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 I feel that interviews like this are essential within Mormonism for at least a few reasons: For those interested in Mormon…

076: Spirituality of the Rising LDS Generation Pt. 8 — “Kingdom of God”: An interview with University of Utah student Ann Whittaker

October 31, 2007

In part 8 of our series on spirituality and the rising LDS generation, we interview University of Utah student Ann Whittaker. In this interview Ann discusses many aspects of her faith, including her exploration of church history and feminism issues within Mormonism.

073: Spirituality of the Rising LDS Generation Pt. 5 — “Re-evaluation”: An interview with BYU student David Lassetter

October 22, 2007

In part 5 of our series we interview BYU student David Lassetter. David was raised in a home very well-versed in Mormon Studies (Dialogue and Sunstones abounding), and seems to have benefited tremendously therefrom. In this interview, David discusses some of his views on the atonement, evolution, church doctrine, and membership awareness of history and doctrine.

066: Women in the LDS Church Part 10 – The LDS Church’s Opposition to the Equal Rights Ammendment

August 22, 2007

In this episode, Martha Sontagg Bradley, author of Pedestals and Podiums: Utah Women, Religious Authority, and Equal Rights — discusses her research into the LDS church’s opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment. Most LDS historians and feminists credit this amazing series of events as the major impetus for the Mormon feminist activism that emerged in the 1980s and early 1990s. This presentation was first delivered during the 2005 Northwest Sunstone Symposium in Molly Bennion’s home–and we hope you enjoy Martha’s version of the story. Also, if you enjoy this presentation, please check out Sunstone’s MP3 collection for more great presentations…

051: Richard Bushman Part 5 — Final Thoughts (For now)

February 7, 2007

In the 5th and final part of this multi-part interview with Dr. Richard Bushman, the world’s foremost scholar on Joseph Smith and early Mormonism and author of Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling, John Dehlin offers some final thoughts on his time with Brother Bushman, and Dr. Bushman himself provides some final musings on the challenges of dealing with tough Mormon issues. He then concludes with his testimony of Joseph Smith. To access this interview, subscribe via iTunes, or click here to listen to the audio directly. To provide direct feedback to me or to Dr. Bushman about this episode, please…

050: Richard Bushman Part 4 — Book of Mormon Historicity and the 3 and 8 Witnesses

February 4, 2007

In part 4 of this multi-part interview with Dr. Richard Bushman, the world’s foremost scholar on Joseph Smith and early Mormonism and author of Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling, Brother Bushman discusses the historicity of the Book of Mormon, and the credibility of the 3 and 8 witnesses to the Book of Mormon. To access this interview, subscribe via iTunes, or click here to listen to the audio directly.

049: Richard Bushman Part 3 — Joseph Smith and the Translation of the Book of Mormon

February 1, 2007

In part 3 of this multi-part interview with Dr. Richard Bushman, the world’s foremost scholar on Joseph Smith and early Mormonism and author of Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling, Brother Bushman discusses Joseph Smith’s bringing to light of the Book of Mormon, from angel Moroni’s visit, to the obtaining of the plates, to the actual mechanics of the translation process. He also discusses the process of receiving revelation within Mormonism, as a Patriarch in the LDS Church. To access this interview, subscribe via iTunes, or click here to listen to the audio directly.

048: Richard Bushman Part 2 — The Art of History, Joseph Smith’s First Vision Stories, and Joseph’s Participation in Folk Magic and Treasure Digging

January 25, 2007

In part 2 of this multi-part interview with Dr. Richard Bushman, the world’s foremost scholar on Joseph Smith and early Mormonism and author of Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling, we tackle 4 main topics. First, brother Bushman provides a high level review of the major Joseph Smith biographies that preceded Rough Stone Rolling, including Fawn Brodie’s “No man knows my history.” Next, brother Bushman discusses the art of writing history, and the challenges involved in trying to arrive at “the facts” and “the truth” for both historians, and readers of history. Finally, we discuss in depth the first 2 of…

047: Richard Bushman Part 1 — Experiences as a Mormon Historian

January 22, 2007

047: Richard Bushman Part 1 — Experiences as a Mormon Historian

In part 1 of this multi-part interview, Dr. Richard Bushman, the world’s foremost scholar on Joseph Smith and early Mormonism and the author of Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling, discusses his years as a Mormon historian–including his struggle with faith as a Harvard undergraduate, his decision to get a PhD in history, and his experiences with Leonard Arrington, Dialogue and Sunstone. He also discusses the role of candid, honest history within the modern LDS Church. To access this interview, subscribe via iTunes, or click here to listen to the audio directly. =================== As a side note, I’m simultaneously elated and…

046: Understanding Mormon Fundamentalist Polygamy Part 5: Anne’s Beliefs and Testimony

January 21, 2007

To keep this podcast alive, please consider donating to Mormon Stories by clicking on the “Make a Donation” button at the top right of this blog. =================== In the final portion of our 5 part interview with Anne Wilde (Mormon Fundamentalist and Polygamist), Anne shares with us her views on a plethora of topics, including the Adam God Theory, Blood Atonement, Blacks and the Priesthood, feminism, and homosexuality. She also discusses her view of the future–both for Mormon Fundamentalism, and the world. And in my favorite part of the entire series, Anne concludes by sharing with us her testimony.Your story,…

045: Understanding Mormon Fundamentalist Polygamy Part 4: Modern Polygamy Gone Wrong and Right

January 19, 2007

To keep this podcast alive, please consider donating to Mormon Stories by clicking on the “Make a Donation” button at the top right of this blog. =================== When many of us, as Mormons, think about 21st century polygamy, we often associate it with what we see on TV, or read in the paper: 60 year old men taking 13 year old child brides. Incest. Wifes being reassigned to other husbands. Welfare fraud. Basically, we think about the most egregious examples to come from the isolated, closed communities of the Fundamentalist LDS Church, led by Warren Jeffs. And while this ugly…

044: Understanding Mormon Fundamentalist Polygamy Part 3: Anne’s Story

January 17, 2007

In part 3 of this 5 part series, Anne B. Wilde (Independent Mormon Fundamentalist and polygamist) discusses her story–recounting how she went from being a traditional member of the LDS Church: BYU graduate, married in the temple, and mother of 3 children–to becoming a practicing Mormon Fundamentalist and polygamist–all while remaining active in the LDS church, and raising her children in her Salt Lake City ward.

042-043: Understanding Mormon Fundamentalist Polygamy Parts 1 & 2: Polygamy in the Early LDS Church and the Rise of Mormon Fundamentalism

January 16, 2007

In part 1 of this 5 part interview, Anne B. Wilde (Independent Mormon Fundamentalist, polygamist, and founder of Principle Voices) discusses the early practice of polygamy within the LDS Church. In part 2, Anne discusses the rise of Mormon Fundamentalism after the LDS Church decided to stop teaching plural marriage as an official church doctrine. She also discusses the schism within Mormon Fundamentalism, resulting in the various sects that exist today, in the 21st century.

040-041: Deseret Book’s Acquisition of Seagull and Covenant–Adventures of a Mormon Book Author–Christopher Bigelow

January 8, 2007

(To keep this podcast alive, please consider donating to Mormon Stories by clicking on the “Make a Donation” button at the top right of this blog).What’s it like to actually try to publish a Mormon-themed book? As an author, how many copies are you likely to sell, and how much money do you stand to make? And how do Mormon authors view the implications of the recent acquisition of Seagull Book and Tapes and Covenant communications by Deseret Book? As we continue part 3 in our series on this acquisition, we interview Christopher Bigelow, president of Zarahemlabooks.com, and author of…

039: Lowell Bennion–Mormon educator and humanitarian–through the eyes of Mary Lythgoe Bradford (An interview by Stirling Adams)

January 4, 2007

To keep this podcast alive, please consider donating to Mormon Stories by clicking on the “Make a Donation” button at the top right of this blog. Lowell Bennion is without a doubt one of the most important Mormon figures in the 20th century. Along with T. Edgar Lyon, Lowell Bennion founded the University of Utah LDS Institute, and taught and inspired many of the great Mormon minds of the 20th century, including Eugene England, and many of the founders of Dialogue and Sunstone. Lowell Bennion was also commissioned to author several Sunday school and priesthood manuals for the church in…

037-038: Deseret Book’s Acquisition of Seagull and Covenant–A Conversation with Kent Larsen

January 2, 2007

To keep this podcast alive, please consider donating to Mormon Stories by clicking on the “Make a Donation” button at the top right of this blog. Well, it’s been a long time coming, but I’m finally ready to bring back Mormon Stories Podcast. Thanks for your patience. As many of you know, Deseret Book recently decided to acquire Seagull Book and Tape and Covenant Communications — 2 of Deseret Book’s top competitors in the LDS book publishing and retail market. In parts 1 and 2 of a series on this topic, LDS book publisher Kent Larsen of http://www.mormonpavillion.com and http://www.motleyvision.org…

030-033: An Insider’s View of Mormon Origins — An Interview with Grant Palmer

May 15, 2006

In this episode of Mormon Stories, we interview Grant Palmer–author of the book entitled “An Insider’s View of Mormon Origins. During this episode we cover Joseph Smith’s treasure seeking and usage of peep stones, the actual mechanics of the Book of Mormon translation process, the recorded accounts of the witnesses to the Book of Mormon, the multiple versions of Joseph Smith’s First Vision story, and the evolution of the LDS Priesthood accounts over time. In episode 4, Grant discusses the early reactions to his book, his trial with the LDS Church for apostacy (which ultimately led to disfellowship), his thoughts…

026: Blacks and the LDS Priesthood–An Interview with Darius Gray and Margaret Young

April 12, 2006

026: Blacks and the LDS Priesthood–An Interview with Darius Gray and Margaret Young

Recently, Brigham Young University invited Darius Gray–one of the founders of the LDS Genesis Group, and a black Mormon for over 30 years–to deliver a presentation entitled, “Blacks and the LDS Priesthood.” An audio-based PowerPoint presentation of this podcast can be found here. In this podcast, Darius re-delivers this presentation, along with Margaret Young. Darius and Margaret are co-authors of a trilogy dealing with black Mormon history entitled: Standing on the Promises. 2 of the links mentioned in the podcast are: http://mormonstories.org/top10toughissues/blacks.html and http://www.ldsgenesisgroup.org/howtoreach.html Finally–Darius, Margaret, and Richard Dutcher are collaborating on a documentary about blacks and the Mormon church…and…

013-014: An Introduction to Mormon Polygamy with Todd Compton Parts 2 & 3

January 19, 2006

Parts 2 and 3 of my interview with Todd Compton entitled “An Introduction to Mormon Polygamy” have now been posted to the Mormon Stories podcast. To comment on this podcast, please proceed to the LDS Liberation Front post for this podcast. To launch the podcasts directly from this blog: Click here for Part 2 Click here for Part 3 We hope you enjoy, and look forward to your thoughts and feedback!!! John Dehlin

012: An Introduction to Mormon Polygamy with Todd Compton Part 1

January 17, 2006

In part 1 of a 3 part series, we interview Todd Compton about the basics of polygamy in the Mormon church. Todd Compton is the author of the book In Sacred Loneliness: The Plural Wives of Joseph Smith. To launch the podcast directly from the blog, please click here. To comment on this podcast, please post comments directly to the corresponding post at the Latter-day Saint Liberation Front.

005: Masonry and Mormonism, an Interview with Greg Kearney

September 14, 2005

Last night I recorded a super duper interesting podcast with Greg Kearney–a lifelong, multi-generational Mormon and Master Mason. In this podcast he discusses the history of Masonry, how it became associated with the LDS Church, and why he feels like this association is a positive, and not a negative one. We go into surprising depth not just on the respective temple ceremonies (without being disrespectful, or violating covenants of course), but also on Joseph Smith’s involvement during the Nauvoo years. You will be amazed at his knowledge on these topics. ————————– More info on Greg: Greg Kearney was born and…

004: Gregory Prince, David O. McKay and the Blacks/Priesthood Issue

September 4, 2005

In this podcast, we interview Gregory Prince, author of “David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism”, as he discusses President McKay’s involvement in the Blacks/Priesthood issue.

002: Gregory Prince and David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism

September 4, 2005

David O. McKay presented a dramatic contrast to his predecessors: an athletic, movie-star-handsome, clean-shaven figure who often wore a white double-breasted suit; contrasted to the dark-suited, bearded polygamists (or, in the case of George Albert Smith, son of a polygamist) who preceded him as Church President ever since Joseph Smith. In an age prior to professional image-makers, he instinctively grasped the importance of appearance, and coupled it to the substance of a professional educator to become an icon of Mormonism whose persona did much to change the negative image of the Church in much of the world. Link to podcast

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