Milagre 
The “Never Friends” Story and Its Origin A later family-based tradition claims that Brigham Young and John Taylor were essentially “never friends.” One version, printed in an appendix titled “Never Friends: Brigham Young and John Taylor” in The John Taylor Papers (by Samuel W. Taylor and Raymond W. Taylor, descendants of John Taylor), relates the … Read more
Mormon Battalion – Part 1 Early Latter-day Saint Migration Context The calling of the Mormon Battalion is inseparable from the national and international tensions of the 1840s. Before Joseph Smith’s death, the Saints were already exploring options to leave the United States. Under Joseph’s direction, the Council of Fifty evaluated potential settlement locations outside U.S. … Read more
Dead and in Hell (Mormon Battalion) Part 1, 2 and 3 provides a comprehensive examination of the experiences faced by the Mormon Battalion during their arduous journey. The narrative delves into the challenges encountered by these individuals, highlighting their resilience and determination amidst adversity. Through meticulous research, the document sheds light on the historical significance … Read more
The Latter-day Saint Exodus and Fear of Federal Intervention (1846) As the Latter-day Saints moved west in early 1846, they did so believing federal intervention was imminent. Members had repeatedly been warned that an army was coming to stop their migration. Many viewed the United States government as hostile because it had failed to protect … Read more
Early Historical Sources and the Study of Church Origins Season 5, Episode 9 turns again to the earliest historical sources of the Restoration and immerses the reader in the world of Joseph Smith, the apostles who followed him, and the doctrinal tensions that emerged as the Church grew. The podcast uses original journals and records—especially … Read more
Crisis on the Plains: October 1856 In the early days of October 1856, word reached Salt Lake City—during General Conference itself—that hundreds of emigrants were stranded on the high plains of Wyoming. The Martin and Willie Handcart Companies, together with several wagon companies, had been overtaken by early winter storms. Between 500 and 600 Saints … Read more
Introduction The episode continues answering listener questions related to Church authority, specifically how leadership titles functioned in early Latter-day Saint history and how these roles evolved after Joseph Smith’s death. Several emails revisited earlier discussions on the meaning of “general authorities,” the structure of the First Presidency during the Prophet’s lifetime, and how succession unfolded … Read more
A World Standing at the Edge of Conflict In the years following the devastation of the Second World War, global anxiety remained a constant companion to daily life. Nations were rebuilding, the memory of atomic destruction was still fresh, and a new geopolitical rivalry was beginning to cast its shadow across the earth. As the … Read more
Introduction Many Latter-day Saints today are curious about the relationship between Abraham Lincoln and the early Latter-day Saint movement, as well as how Church members viewed Lincoln. Because the Restoration emerged within the United States, some American Saints blend religious and national history, creating a desire to understand how major figures—such as Lincoln—interacted with or … Read more
Anti-Mormonism in Colorado and Its Territorial Origins Much of what is now Colorado was originally part of Utah Territory. When non-LDS settlers sought to create Colorado Territory, political leaders used anti-Mormon rhetoric to justify separating the region from Utah. This produced a regional political culture in which anti-Mormon sentiment became normalized and persisted into the … Read more