Milagre 
Under the Banner of Heaven The FX/Hulu series Under the Banner of Heaven is based on Jon Krakauer’s book, whose subtitle, A Story of Violent Faith, signals the central argument that religious belief—specifically Latter-day Saint belief—contains elements that can lead to violent extremism. The Lafferty Murders (1984) Krakauer’s narrative centers on the 1984 murders of … Read more
Paying for the Book of Mormon was one of the most significant financial sacrifices in early Latter-day Saint history. The cost of publication required personal risk, legal agreements, and long-term uncertainty, shaping both the historical narrative and later interpretations of the Book of Mormon’s origins. The Sound of Music and Historical Adaptation The Broadway musical … Read more
This article examines continuing revelation in early church history through real conflicts among early Saints. Follow the Prophet part 1 Modern Disagreement vs. Early Church Disagreement Brady asked how the disagreement seen after modern General Conferences compares to disagreement in the early church. Members today often interpret prophetic teachings through the lens of political belief. … Read more
Continuing Revelation and Prophetic Authority in Early Latter-day Saint History Early Crises of Revelation (1830–1831) In the first year after the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (April 1830–April 1831), church leaders faced repeated crises over revelation and prophetic authority. This example demonstrates continuing revelation in early church history. One early … Read more
Polygamy, Kind of… That’s Part of It Overview of the 1861 Phelps Letter In August 1861, W. W. Phelps wrote to Brigham Young claiming that Joseph Smith had received a revelation on July 17, 1831, near the western border of Missouri, in proximity to Indian Territory. Phelps stated that seven elders—Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, Phelps, … Read more
Infographic Overview Infographic explaining how historians evaluate early Latter-day Saint sources. The infographic features multiple sections organized into clear categories, including Joseph Smith’s First Vision, Mary Whitmer’s angelic visitation, the 1833 School of the Prophets vision, and the criteria historians use to assess reliability. The design uses beige tones, structured text blocks, and bullet points … Read more
Formation of the New Testament: How Early Christian Debates Shaped the Biblical Canon The early centuries of Christianity were marked by intense theological debates and uncertainty about which writings carried true apostolic authority. As Christian communities expanded, so did the diversity of beliefs and texts—many of them claiming apostolic origin. This environment produced a long … Read more
Quorum of the Twelve The Historical Background of Doctrine and Covenants 76 Brigham Young frequently emphasized that the revelation known as “The Vision” (D&C 76), received in 1832, was among the greatest ever given through Joseph Smith. Its significance lay not merely in the introduction of multiple degrees of heavenly glory but in its transformation … Read more
Historical Narrative Extract – (BYA Football & a Misidentified Joseph Smith Letter) A Chaotic Christmas Football Match, 1897 In the closing years of the 19th century, American football was still forming its identity—rough, unregulated, and far removed from the structured collegiate sport known today. Brigham Young Academy, the educational precursor to Brigham Young University, fielded … Read more
Atheism part 1 (D&C 87–88) The Historical Setting of Doctrine and Covenants 84 Doctrine and Covenants 84 was received in Kirtland, Ohio in September 1832, a period marked by both spiritual outpouring and severe opposition. Joseph Smith had recently returned from Hiram, Ohio, where he experienced the vision recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 76, followed … Read more