This category explores how religious authority, continuing revelation, and prophetic leadership have shaped the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Articles in this section examine prophetic claims, true and false revelation, and the historical foundations of prophetic authority, especially in the ministry of Joseph Smith and early Church leaders. Through historical analysis and doctrinal discussion, this category addresses how revelation functions within the restored Church.
Introduction Across the history of the Restoration, countless events—some dramatic, others subtle—have illustrated a divine pattern: God prepares solutions long before His children recognize their need for them. This episode explores how miracles often unfold quietly, through timing, circumstances, and the faithfulness of individuals who may not understand why their contributions matter. From Joseph Smith’s … Read more
Faithfulness and Apostasy in Early Church History Throughout the early decades of the Restoration, many Saints faced profound spiritual and emotional challenges as friends, family members, and even respected leaders left the Church. The episode recalls several stories illustrating how difficult such departures could be. Thomas B. Marsh—one of the original Twelve Apostles—left the Church … Read more
The Lectures on Faith in Early Latter-day Saint Scripture When the Doctrine and Covenants first appeared in 1835, it contained two major parts: the “Doctrine,” which consisted of the Lectures on Faith, and the “Covenants,” a collection of revelations to Joseph Smith. The volume’s title page explained that its contents were “carefully selected from the … Read more
Introduction This episode turns to a set of historical and theological questions that arise from Joseph Smith’s revelations, especially those surrounding the angels named in Doctrine and Covenants 128. Among the angels Joseph lists are Michael and Gabriel, both explicitly identified by Joseph as Adam and Noah, respectively. But the third figure, Raphael, is mentioned … Read more
Introduction This episode turns again to the early years of the Restoration, tracing Joseph Smith’s travels, the revelations connected to those journeys, the attitudes of various communities toward the Saints, and the appearance of angelic beings who declared their dispensations and priesthood keys. By examining historical accounts, including Joseph Smith’s own writings, the Doctrine and … Read more
Latter-day Saint Doctrine of Angels in Historical Context Latter-day Saint doctrine teaches that angels are not a separate class of beings but human beings at different stages of eternal progression—either resurrected or awaiting resurrection. From Moroni’s visit in 1823 to Doctrine and Covenants 129, Joseph Smith clarified that angels are “resurrected personages” or “spirits of … Read more
Getting “Bogged” Down By Alleged Prophecy – Part 1 Joseph Smith Background: Governor Lilburn W. Boggs and the Missouri Conflict The discussion begins with an overview of early Latter-day Saint persecution, particularly the actions of Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs and the claims surrounding a prophecy attributed to Joseph Smith regarding Boggs’ death. Lilburn W. … Read more
Revelation 11: Summary of the Prophecy Revelation 11 describes two special witnesses who will appear in Jerusalem in the last days: The city is under hostile control for 42 months (three and a half years). Two prophets prophesy there for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth. They demonstrate power reminiscent of ancient prophets: Calling down fire, … Read more
Overview of Postmaster General Amos Kendall Amos Kendall and Political Power in the Postal System Amos Kendall served as Postmaster General under President Andrew Jackson. During the 19th century, the Postmaster General held vast national power because the postal system was one of the few large federal structures. Kendall became widely known for using the … Read more
Early Uncanonized Revelations of Joseph Smith (1830–1843): Historical Overview Early Latter-day Saints understood that more revelations existed than those published in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants. Church members knew Joseph Smith received numerous revelations recorded in journals, letters, manuscript books, and loose documents kept by scribes. These uncanonized revelations were treated as genuine, publicly read, … Read more