Saints Podcast

Emily Utt is a conservation specialist with the Historic Sites Division of the Church History Department. In today’s episode Emily helps us understand all that was involved in finishing the Salt Lake temple.

Jake Olmstead is a curator with the Historic Sites Division of the Church History Department. In this week’s episode Jake explores how plural families lived after the Manifesto.

R. Eric Smith is the editorial manager for Church History Department publications. Eric is also a general editor of the Joseph Smith Papers. In this week’s episode Eric discusses how Joseph F. Smith struggled to uphold the law.

Jed Woodworth is the managing historian for the Saints project. In this week’s episode Jed explains the aftermath of the issuing of the Manifesto. We learn there was confusion about what it meant for plural families.

Scott Hales is the lead writer and literary editor of Saints, Volume 2. In this week’s episode Scott discusses Jane Manning James’s desire to participate in temple work and receive a recommend to perform temple baptisms.

Angela Hallstrom is a writer and editor of Saints, Volume 2. In this week’s episode Angela explores the effects of living on the underground for plural families. We also explore the Idaho test oath.

Keith Erekson is the director of the Library Division of the Church History Department. In this episode Keith explains a conflict between members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Angela Hallstrom is a writer and editor of Saints, Volume 2. In this week’s episode we discuss the passing of John Taylor and Eliza R. Snow and their impact on the Church.

Elder Kyle S. McKay is a General Authority Seventy and assistant executive director of the Church History Department. In this episode Elder McKay explains the aftermath of the passage of the Edmunds-Tucker Act in 1887.

Lisa Olsen Tait is a historian and writer for the Saints project. In this episode, Lisa helps us understand what the historical record reveals about plural marriage in Nauvoo.

Brian Warburton is a collection care specialist at the Church History Library. In this episode Brian discusses the early missionary efforts and successes with the Māori in New Zealand. We also learn about John Taylor’s court trial.

Kate Holbrook is a historian and leads the women’s history team in the Church History Department. In this week’s episode we learn about the 50-year jubilee celebrations since the founding of the restored Church.

Matt Geilman is a global history specialist in the Church History Department. In this episode we explore the first efforts to take the restored gospel to Mexico. Matt discusses the ups and downs of the missionary effort.

30: A Steady, Onward Movement

Justin Bray is a research specialist with the Church History Department. In this week’s episode Justin explains how the priesthood organization was updated near the end of Brigham Young’s life. We also learn about Jane Richards.

Jeff Anderson is a global history specialist in the Church History Department. In this episode we explore how the temple site in Manti, Utah, was selected. We also learn about Samuel Chambers, who joined the Church as an enslaved person.

In this episode we learn about the tragedy of the Bear River Massacre. Chairman Parry also recounts the miraculous conversion story of the Northern Band of the Shoshone tribe.

In this week’s episode Lisa explains the context of Brigham Young’s federal trial in 1871, which the judge referred to as a battle of “federal authority versus polygamic theocracy.”

In this episode we also explore the events leading up to the Great Indignation Meeting that protested anti-polygamy legislation.

In this week’s episode we explore the cooperative movement of the Church. We also learn about a visit by Joseph Smith III to Utah Territory.

In this episode we also explore the Black Hawk War, the arrival of the transcontinental railroad, the re-establishment of Relief Society, and the founding of the Sunday School Union.

In this week’s episode we learn about the corruption of Walter Gibson in Hawaii. Clint explains how Gibson used his ecclesiastical position to defraud the local Hawaiian saints.

In this week’s episode we learn about the construction of a theater in Salt Lake City and how entertainment fit into the lives of the early Saints.

In this week’s episode Chad helps us understand the Church’s efforts to improve its image in U.S. newspapers. We also discuss Joseph Smith’s prophecy of civil war in the United States.

We discuss the conditions leading up to the so-called Utah War, the political climate of the day, and the aftermath.

Matt Grow is a historian and the managing director of the Church History Department. In this week’s episode Matt helps us better understand the Mountain Meadows Massacre. We discuss what we can learn from this terrible tragedy.

In this week’s episode we explore the events that led some Church members to instigate this horrific crime and helps us understand more about the immigrants who were the victims.

In this week’s episode we learn more about the effort to rescue the stranded handcart pioneers.

In today's episode we discuss the often-misunderstood timeline of the Willie and Martin companies and their rescuers.

In this week’s episode we explore the experiences of Jacob and Ann Eliza Secrist.

In this week’s episode we learn about what later became known as the Walker War. Chelsea Henrie explains how deceit led to open conflict.

In this week’s episode we discuss missionary work in South Africa and the priesthood and temple restrictions for people of African descent.

In this week’s episode we discuss the harrowing story of Johan Dorius, a missionary serving in Norway, and his soul-stirring defense in front of a skeptical judge.

In this week’s episode Tyson Thorpe from the Church History Department joins us to talk about the first petition for Utah statehood.

In this episode Chad Orton explores what it meant to be called as a California gold missionary in 1849.

In this week’s episode Nathan Waite discusses Oliver Cowdery’s return to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his journey west to join the Saints.

In this week’s episode Jennifer Lund explores the desperate circumstances that faced the early Saints after crop failures, frost, and infestation by so-called “Mormon Crickets."

In today’s episode Emily Crumpton explains when and where the First Presidency was reorganized after the martyrdom of Joseph Smith.

In today’s episode Mark Staker helps illuminate the history of early African-American members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In this episode Jake Olmstead reviews the first few days when the vanguard company arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. Jake helps disambiguate between lore and the historical record.

In today’s episode Eric Smith helps explain the covenant that the early saints made to ensure that all, including the very poor, could make.

Brandon Metcalf is a researcher and writer with the Church History Department. In today’s episode Brandon explains why Brigham Young and other Church leaders were concerned about the early saints going back and forth from the trail to Nauvoo.

Jed Woodworth is the Managing Historian for the Saints project. In today’s episode Jed explains how the migration from Nauvoo began with saints heading west and east.

Ben Godfrey, Sarah Eyring and Scott Hales, the Senior Story Editor for the Saints Project, talk about their favorite parts of Saints Volume 1. What did we learn? Who are the favorite people we met along the way?

The Nauvoo Charter is repealed leaving the saints with no official government or police force. Sydney Rigdon is excommunicated. Faced with uncertainty the Lord gives direction through Brigham Young, “Stay and finish the Temple.”

The Prophet Joseph Smith and his Brother Hyrum are killed while imprisoned in Carthage, Illinois. Several individuals offer themselves up as leaders for the Church.

William Law and others conspire to kill Joseph Smith. Joseph reveals new doctrine about the potential of humankind in a funeral sermon for King Follett.

Joseph Smith announces his candidacy for the Presidency of the United States under a platform of religious liberty for all.

Plural Marriage in Nauvoo tests the faith of Church members and leaders including Joseph Smith’s wife Emma Hale Smith and his brother Hyrum.

Joseph is taken to Springfield, Illinois for trial. His appearance fascinates its citizens, including one Mary Todd Lincoln

The founding of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo - Margaret Cook’s desire to contribute to the effort of building the Nauvoo Temple leads to the organization of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo.

In England, newlywed Mary Davis loses her husband to mob violence but courageously sets sail for Nauvoo on her own.

Joseph Smith speaks at the funeral of Seymour Brunson and introduces proxy baptism for the dead.

The Saints move to Commerce, Illinois. Sickness envelops the settlers. Joseph travels to Washington, D.C. seeking restitution from President Martin Van Buren for the losses in Missouri.

Joseph Smith is imprisoned in Liberty Jail, accused of treason. In this low point in his life and in the lives of the faithful Saints, the Lord shares a personal yet universal message of comfort.

Missouri Militia General refuses to kill innocent Latter-day Saint Men. Joseph Smith rebukes the vile guards in the Richmond Prison. Amanda Barnes Smith sees her son miraculously healed from the wound he received at Hawn’s Mill.

Tensions between the citizens of Missouri and the newly located Saints reach tragic conclusions at the Battle of Crooked River and Hawn’s Mill.

While Joseph Smith reveals the place in Missouri where Adam gathered his posterity, Heber C. Kimball and others preach in Britain. A British convert, Janetta Richards meets Willard Richards who proposes marriage.

Church members organize the Kirtland Safety Society bank which ultimately fails. Mary Fielding joins the Church in Canada and moves to Kirtland where she marries Hyrum Smith. Missionaries are sent to England and find great success.

After much work and sacrifice the Kirtland Temple is dedicated. The Saints are endowed with power not shared since the days of God’s ancient prophets.

The Saints sacrifice to build the Kirtland Temple. The first Twelve Apostles of the Restoration are chosen by the three witnesses. Joseph Smith and his brother William resolve a difficult personal conflict.

The residents of Missouri become anxious as the church grows both in numbers and in strength. Two teenage girls, Mary Elizabeth and Caroline Rollings, risk their lives to save pages of the newly printed Book of Commandments.

Joseph Smith and Brigham Young meet for the first time. Joseph prophecies of the Civil War. The School of the Prophets is organized. The revelation known as the Word of Wisdom is received.

Insights regarding “The Vision” given to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon. Early Saints had questions about this new and unfamiliar doctrine. Their seeking for understanding is an example of how to address questions today.

Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery, and William McLellin attempt to write a preface to The Book of Commandments. Their unsuccessful efforts, along with the subsequent revelation the Lord gives Joseph Smith are discussed.

From the steadfast faithfulness of Edward Partridge to the skepticism of Ezra Booth; the events discussed in this chapter detail the challenges of establishing the Church in a backwater trading post known as Independence, Missouri.

Joseph Smith teaches the Saints the proper use of spiritual gifts. Lucy Mack Smith uses her faith to lead 80 Saints along the Erie Canal from New York to Ohio.

The gathering begins. Missionaries arrive in Ohio and introduce Isaac Morely, Sydney Rigdon and Edward Partridge to the restored gospel.

Emma Smith is baptized. Joseph Smith miraculously heals Newel Knight. Oliver Cowdery brings the message of the Book of Mormon to the American Indians.

The Book of Mormon is published and the Church is officially organized. These monumental events put into historical perspective by Women’s History Specialist Brittany Chapman Nash of the Church History Library.

Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery pray to learn about baptism. In answer to their prayer, John the Baptist appears and restores the Aaronic priesthood.

What did the translation process of the Book of Mormon look like? In this episode of “Saints” story editor Angela Hallstrom explains what we know about how the Book of Mormon was translated.

Emma and Joseph lose their first child. 116 pages of the Book of Mormon are lost. In this episode, “Saints" writers Scott Hales and Angela Hallstrom share the background on these sorrowful events.

20-year old Joseph Smith meets Emma Hale. The story of how they meet and their courtship is just one of the events discussed.

The visit of the Angel Moroni, the discovery of the Gold Plates, the meaning and usage of seer stones - These are just three topics Scott A. Hales discusses in this episode.

In this episode, Historian Steven C. Harper discusses several of the accounts Joseph left throughout his lifetime of the event that ushered in the beginning of the Restoration.

Saints begins with the 1815 explosion of the volcano Mt. Tambora in faraway Indonesia. With this fiery beginning, Historian Lisa Olsen Tait discusses how an eruption, half-way around the world, plays an important part in the restoration.

Historian Steven C. Harper shares an insider’s peek into the groundbreaking new series, Saints. Steve is the managing historian of Saints. His rare perspective brings fascinating insights to the telling of this remarkable story.

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In this season finale, Jed Woodworth, managing historian of the Saints project, Scott Hales, the literary editor of the volume, and Lisa Olsen Tait, a general editor for this volume, join us to take a look back over volume 3 and to reflect on its production. We discuss the challenges of researching and writing this volume during COVID 19.

Today we are joined by Ray Kuehne, a historian of German Church History, and Christian Fingerle, the Europe Area Church History Manager, to discuss the significance of the Swiss temple and the improving situation that the Church found itself in Europe ten years after the Second World War.

As Latter-day Saints prepare for a temple in Europe there are practical considerations that Church leaders have to deal with. In today's episode we have Virginia Pearce Cowley, an author and former member of the Young Women General Presidency, and Christian Euvrard, a sociologist and historian of European Church History, joining us to discuss the state of the Church in Europe and Gordon B. Hinckley's efforts to start operations in the Swiss Temple.

In the early 1950s, German Latter-day Saint Henry Burkhardt has to navigate numerous pressures as he interacts with the German Democratic Republic as a Church leader. Joining us today is Matt Heiss, a manager in the Church History Department, and Tobias Burkhardt, the son of Henry Burkhardt. We discuss Henry's efforts to keep the Church going and the complicated topic of how he related to the government.

This week we are joined by Alan Parrish, an emeritus professor of religious education at Brigham Young University, and Melissa Inouye, an historian in the Church History Department. First we discuss Clemencia Pivaral's journey to the Mesa Arizona Temple from her native home in Guatemala and the significance of such a journey. We then talk about John A. Widtsoe, a prominent recurring character in the book and his role in facilitating a temple for Europe.

James Miller, a Church History Specialist in the Church History Department, joins us today to discuss the rising tensions in Central and Eastern Europe especially in Czechoslovakia. We also have Laura Paulsen-Howe, the Art Curator over global acquisitions in the Church History Museum, who shares additional insights into the Book of Mormon art created by Arnold Friberg.

Angela Hallstrom, a writer and former member of the Saints team, and Melissa Inouye, a historian in the Church History Department, join us to discuss the lives of two Latter-day Saint women in the years after the Second World War. We also discuss the different ways that Saints is used by readers and why we need a history such as this.

In today's episode we cover the restrictions on religious freedom in Czechoslovakia after the war and the implications these restrictions had on the Church and its members. Matt Grow, Managing Director of the Church History Department, joins us to discuss the efforts European Latter-day Saints went to as they sought to maintain their faith. We also take some time to talk about George Albert Smith and his mental health struggles.

Matt McBride, Director of Publications in the Church History Department, joins us this week to provide some further details about Pieter Vlam's involvement in the Dutch Potatoes project and Elder Ezra Taft Benson's mission to Europe to provide relief.

Europe was devastated after years of fighting. In today's episode we explore what the Church did to relieve the suffering of Latter-day Saints and others. Richard E. Turley Jr. a historian and founder of the Saints project joins us to share extra insights into the challenges facing the Church in the years after the war.

The final stages of the Second World War saw fierce fighting across the world. Cory Maxwell, a son of Neal A. Maxwell, and Bob Freeman, a Professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University, join us in this episode to discuss the conditions and circumstances of the war and to share extra insights into the experiences of Latter-day Saints who were caught up in the fighting.

The Second World War changed the Church and the lives of Latter-day Saints across the world. Nathan Waite, the Editorial Manager of the Saints project, joins us to discuss the role of language in the Church in Brazil and the ways Latter-day Saints adapted to life during the war.

Matt Heiss, a manager in the Church History Department, joins us this week to discuss the efforts of Dutch Latter-day Saint Pieter Vlam to share the gospel after he is taken prisoner during the Second World War. We are also fortunate to have Donna Ikegami, a daughter of David Ikegami, who joins us to share extra insights into her father's story as a Japanese-American member of the Church living in Hawaii.

Ryan Saltzgiver, a historian in the Church History Department, joins us to discuss the story of Helmuth Hübener and his friends in Nazi Germany as they sought to resist Nazi propaganda. We also talk about the Church's attitude towards the war and how to deal with the fact that there were Latter-day Saints on both sides.

Joining us this week is Petra Javadi-Evans, an Assistant Editor for the Saints project, and James Miller, a Church History Specialist, both from the Church History Department. In today's episode we address the Second World War and some of the different experiences of European Latter-day Saints.

Angela Hallstrom, a writer and former member of the Saints project who is also a General Editor of volume 3, talks to us about Emmy Cziep and her escape from Czechoslovakia as World War 2 began. Angela shares insights into the researching and writing of Saints as we also discuss President J. Reuben Clark and his efforts to improve religious education in the Church.

Tensions were high amongst Mexican Saints in the 1930s and 1/3 of the membership left the Church. James Goldberg, a writer and historian and Elisa Pulido, a Visiting Scholar at Claremont Graduate University, joins us to talk about the state of the Church in Mexico and what caused the split.

Harold B. Lee saw himself as an "inexperienced farm boy from a small town in Idaho." In this episode Brian Cannon, a professor of history at Brigham Young University, and Jeff Anderson, an archivist in the Church History Department, join us to share their insights into Harold and the birth of the welfare program.

Tarienne Mitchell, a professional archivist, and Scott Hales, the lead writer and a General Editor of Saints Volume three, join us in this episode to discuss marginalized Latter-day Saints and the ways in which they lived the gospel. We talk about how Latter-day Saints in different areas of the world maintain their faith despite the hardships they faced.

In this episode we discuss William and Clara Daniels who found a way to serve in the Church while Black Latter-day Saints experienced prejudice and were restricted from holding the Priesthood. Matt McBride and Ben Spackman join us to talk about the Daniels' and a major debate regarding evolution and science between prominent church leaders Joseph Fielding Smith and B. H. Roberts.