From the early days of the Restoration, Latter-day Saints learned firsthand that politics could impact the practice of their faith. Frustrated with politicians, in 1844 Joseph Smith launched his own U.S. Presidency campaign. Many don’t know that Joseph ran for President, or why. In this episode, Dr. Derek Sainsbury shares insights from his groundbreaking publication on Joseph Smith’s campaign, helping us understand why appropriate participation in politics is often related to building the kingdom of God.

Publications:

Storming the Nation: The Unknown Contributions of Joseph Smith’s Political Missionaries (Religious Studies Center/Deseret book, 2020)

See more at www.stormingthenation.com

Click here to read General Smith’s Views of the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States

In the summer of 1838, Missouri Latter-day Saints drew a line. Following several years of persecution, they chose to take up arms to defend themselves and their religious liberties. An oath-bound paramilitary society, known as the “Danites,” formed to warn out undesirable people from their community and defend the Church and its leaders. In this episode, Alex Baugh shares insights from his research that gives valuable context to why the Danites organized, and lessons learned from their actions.

Publications:

“‘We have a Company of Danites in these Times’: The Danites, Joseph Smith, and the 1838 Missouri-Mormon Conflict” (Journal of Mormon History, vol. 45, no. 3, 2019).

Click here to learn more about Professor Alex Baugh.

Most Latter-day Saints are familiar with the First Vision account in Joseph Smith-History. Many, however, are not as familiar with the numerous other contemporary sources of the event. In this episode, Dr. Kerry Muhlestein discusses powerful insights from his publication, I Saw the Lord, harmonizing nine historical accounts of the First Vision.  When we study the available accounts collectively, fascinating new perspectives can be gained from this foundational event that otherwise may be missed.

Publications:

I Saw the Lord (Deseret Book, 2020)

Click here to read each of the nine contemporary First Vision sources

In 1939, Adolf Hitler’s army invaded Czechoslovakia. Although the Church was fragile in the area, the saints were strengthened by a man who is known today as the Moses of the Czech Republic. In this episode, Professor Mary Jane Woodger shares insights from her book, Mission President or Spy, The True Story of Wallace F. Toronto, the Czech Mission, and World War II, showing how faith can survive in challenging circumstances through the influence of fearless and faithful saints. 

Publications:

Mission President or Spy, The True Story of Wallace F. Toronto, the Czech Mission, and World War II (Religious Studies Center/Deseret Book, 2019).

To read some free sample content (thank you to the RSC/Deseret Book), click here to read the preface, click here to read a chapter, and click here to see a timeline.  

Just recently, prophets have made notable changes to temple practices of the Church. This, however, is not a new phenomenon.  In this powerful episode, Professor Richard Bennett discusses his decades of research on how temple practices of the Church have divinely developed, the pivotal people and events that precipitated these events, and why temple work has always been and will be at the very soul of the Restoration.

Publications:

Temples Rising (Deseret Book, 2019).

“Wilford Woodruff and the Rise of Temple Consciousness among the Latter-day Saints, 1877-84,” (in Banner of the Gospel: Wilford Woodruff, Religious Studies Center/Deseret Book, 2010).

“'I Mean to be Baptized for Scores more': Baptisms for the Dead among the Latter-day Saints, 1846–67,” (in An Eye of Faith: Essays in Honor of Richard O. Cowan, Religious Studies Center, 2015).

The Latter-day Saint dietary revelation known as the Word of Wisdom is a well-known tenet of our faith.  It teaches to abstain from alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea.  There is also, however, counsel on animal wildlife. We may think we understand what the Word of Wisdom is teaching here, but perhaps it’s worth a closer look. In this episode, Dr. Andrew Hedges shares his fascinating research contextualizing and applying the terms “fowls of the air” and “wild animals” in the revelatory text.

Publications:

“’A Forbearance of Restraint:’ American Wildlife and the Word of Wisdom,” Mormon Historical Studies, vol. 19, no. 2, 2018.

How do finite minds grasp something infinite, like the Atonement of Jesus Christ? To help, we often use mortal analogies. In Alma 42, Alma utilizes a legalistic model of Atonement to teach his errant son, Corianton. In this episode, Professor Mark Ellison discusses why Alma may have used this approach, explaining it as one among many scriptural models to more richly understand and apply the Atonement of the Lord. 

Publications:

“Beyond Justice: Reading Alma 42 in the Context of Atonement Theories” (Give Ear to My Words: Text and Context of Alma 36-42, RSC/Deseret Book, 2019) 

The Rome Temple Visitor’s Center features a masterful 20-foot-wide by 7-foot-tall stained-glass window that symbolically depicts the life, parables, and miracles of Jesus in one cohesive scene. Three BYU Religion professors acted as scholarly consultants for the project and published a book describing each event the window portrays. In this episode, one of those authors, Dr. Tyler Griffin, gives fascinating insights and applicable lessons from this marvelous art glass window.

Publications:

Come unto Me: Illuminating the Savior's Life, Mission, Parables, and Miracles (Deseret Book, 2019)

Click here to see a high-resolution image of the stained glass window discussed in this episode.

In all dispensations, peace-loving saints have been compelled to go to war. Professor Ken Alford from BYU Religious Education has documented the inspiring stories of many Latter-day Saint service members who have fought in the ongoing war on terror in his book Saints at War: The Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq. These fascinating true stories help show the tender mercies of the Lord upon those saints who fight for freedom, and why their sacrifices deserve our honor, respect, and gratitude.  

Publications:

Saints at War: The Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq (BYU Religious Studies Center/Deseret Book, 2020)

Carthage Jail, where Joseph and Hyrum Smith were killed, is visited by thousands of people annually as Church missionaries guide them through the building, reviewing the heartrending event. How did the Church acquire this tragic site—and why? In this episode, BYU professor and Nauvoo historian Dr. Scott Esplin shares his fascinating research on this history, discussing why visiting and memorializing sites where tragedy and suffering have occurred, such as Carthage Jail, can lead to understanding and healing.

Publications:

“Dark Tourism: Healing at Historic Carthage Jail” (Journal of Mormon History, vol. 46, no. 1, 2020)