Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith & the “Resignation” Rumor Introduction A listener asked about a story taught by a political philosophy professor claiming that Joseph Smith became frustrated with the institutionalization of the Church, wished to step down as prophet, and wanted Hyrum Smith to replace him so Joseph could “simply be a priest.” This section … Read more
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
Old Testament Background: Suffering and Divine Punishment In the Old Testament, suffering is frequently framed as a consequence of wickedness: The Kingdom of Israel (the Ten Tribes) was destroyed because of its wickedness. The Kingdom of Judah fell and was carried into Babylonian captivity for the same reason. This creates a simple worldview: God directly … Read more
Context of the Revelation Doctrine & Covenants 91 was received on March 9, 1833, one day after Joseph Smith received Doctrine & Covenants 90. Doctrine & Covenants 90 commanded Joseph Smith to finish the translation of the Bible, preside over the Church and the School of the Prophets, and receive further revelation that would “unfold … Read more
The Revelation (Doctrine and Covenants 87) Doctrine and Covenants 87 is a revelation given to Joseph Smith on December 25, 1832, while the church was in Kirtland, Ohio. This was shortly after previous revelations identifying Jackson County, Missouri, as the location of Zion. The revelation prophesies: Wars would shortly come to pass, beginning at the … Read more