Early Church History

Speaking in Tongues in the Early Church

by
Early Latter-day Saints speaking in tongues

Introduction: The Question of Speaking in Tongues in Early Latter-day Saint History This episode responds to a listener’s inquiry about the practice of speaking in tongues in the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The listener encountered another podcast that claimed early Saints—including Joseph Smith and Brigham Young—spoke in tongues in a manner … Read more

Women and the Sacrament

by
Women and the Sacrament Early Priesthood Organization in the 19th-Century Church In the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, priesthood offices were not assigned according to age as they are today. Throughout the 1830s–1850s, men were often ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood—sometimes even as deacons or teachers—regardless of whether they were adults. Priesthood assignment was based on congregational needs rather than age progression. With the introduction of temple ordinances in Nauvoo, most adult men were ordained elders to ensure they could participate in temple worship. However, this did not prevent those same men from serving in Aaronic Priesthood roles. It was entirely possible for an ordained elder to preside over a deacons quorum or to fulfill duties normally associated today with younger priesthood holders. By the late 19th century, the Church gradually formalized age-based priesthood offices, eventually creating the youth progression system known today for boys aged 11–18. Historical Practice of Administering and Passing the Sacrament In scripture and early Church usage, “administering” the sacrament referred specifically to blessing it—an action requiring the office of priest or higher. Passing the sacrament, by contrast, has always been a duty assigned by Church policy and organization, not a doctrinal mandate tied to priesthood power itself. During much of the 19th century, many congregations were small and lacked established youth quorums. As a result, adult priesthood holders frequently passed the sacrament. There are no known historical documents—journals, sermons, or administrative records—from the early Church that describe women or girls participating in passing the sacrament. The practice was consistently performed by male priesthood holders, with adult men commonly assisting when youth were unavailable. Revelation Authority in Early Latter-day Saint History The early years of the Church included moments when individuals claimed revelations or visions directing the Church. This prompted clear revelations establishing how prophetic authority functions. Doctrine & Covenants 28: Revelation Through the Prophet Alone In 1830, Oliver Cowdery believed he had received revelation for the Church. Doctrine and Covenants 28 clarified that: Only Joseph Smith held the authority to receive revelation for the entire Church. Others could receive revelation for their own guidance but not for the Church as a whole. This principle ensured unity and prevented competing claims to doctrinal authority. Doctrine & Covenants 43: Succession and Prophetic Appointment Doctrine and Covenants 43 reiterated that: Only the appointed prophet may receive commandments and revelations for the Church. If the prophet were to fall, he would retain one final right: the authority to appoint his successor. No individual may assume prophetic authority unless designated through the established prophetic line. This revelation formally established the boundary between personal revelation and revelation directing the Church. Joseph Smith’s Teachings on Revelation and Order Joseph Smith taught that the Church is not required to accept revelations claimed by any person who is not: legally constituted in authority ordained to receive revelation for the Church He also clarified that any angelic or visionary communication received by individuals is for personal instruction only and cannot be used to establish doctrine or governance. Transmission of the Keys of the Kingdom The governing authority of the Church—referred to as the “keys of the kingdom”—was passed from Joseph Smith to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles before his death in 1844. These keys authorize the Twelve to lead the Church and oversee its global administration. Schisms and Claims of Unauthorized Revelation Throughout the 19th century, several individuals claimed new revelations or asserted that Joseph Smith had privately designated them as successors. These claims produced various schismatic movements. Such groups typically argued that: the main body of the Church had become corrupt their leader received a new or superior revelation prophetic authority was no longer held by the First Presidency or the Twelve This pattern resembles earlier Christian schisms, where individuals appealed to personal revelation to challenge existing ecclesiastical authority. Brigham Young’s Observations on False Revelations Brigham Young frequently commented that people throughout Church history were led astray by those claiming unauthorized prophetic authority. He emphasized that revelation contradicting the established prophet or priesthood keys is not from God and cannot guide the Church.

Early Priesthood Organization in the 19th-Century Church In the early Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, priesthood offices were not assigned according to age as they are today. Throughout the 1830s–1850s, men were often ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood—sometimes even as deacons or teachers—regardless of whether they were adults. Priesthood assignment was based on … Read more

Continuing Revelation, Prophets, and False Revelation

by
Continuing revelation and prophetic authority in early Latter-day Saint history, examining true and false claims of revelation.

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

Baptism: Of Adultery and Baptism

by
Adultery and Baptism: How Early Latter-day Saints

Introduction In the early years of the Restoration, doctrines and practices unfolded line upon line, including the wording used in sacred ordinances. This episode follows the historical journey of the baptismal prayer from the Book of Mormon text used in 1829 to the standardized wording adopted in the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants. Alongside this development … Read more

The Church Acquires the Kirtland Temple and Nauvoo Properties (Book of Abraham)

by
Three Witnesses vision and Book of Abraham

Three Witnesses, Book of Abraham The episode opens by drawing together several complex historical threads: surviving characters copied from the gold plates, early discussions surrounding the Book of Abraham, and the events that led to the formal calling of the Three Witnesses. The hosts explore what documentation survives, what has been lost, and how Joseph … Read more

Joseph Smith: Getting “Bogged” Down By Alleged Prophecy – Part 1 and 2

by
Joseph Smith, Lilburn Boggs, and the Alleged Prophecy

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

Thoughts on Following the Prophet After Conference

by
Joseph Smith

Introduction This bonus episode draws on a revealing moment in early Church history: a letter Joseph Smith wrote in 1833 addressing members who rejected or disputed revealed doctrine—particularly the revelation now known as Doctrine and Covenants 76. By examining how early Saints reacted to prophetic teachings, the episode highlights enduring patterns seen again in the … Read more