Church History

To our Latter-day Saint readers: As we explore the evidence that America was founded as a Christian nation, we recognize the unique perspective your faith brings to this topic. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teaches that America’s founding was divinely inspired, aligning with our discussion of the nation’s Christian roots. As you read about the historical and …

The Cross in Latter-day Saint Culture: A Complex History and Evolving Perspective. The use of the cross as a symbol has been a topic of discussion and sometimes debate among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. While the Church itself does not use the cross as an official symbol, individual members’ attitudes toward wearing or displaying …

The Historical Jesus The overwhelming consensus among scholars, both religious and secular, is that Jesus was indeed a real historical figure who lived in early first-century Israel and founded Christianity. It’s frankly astounding that in the face of such strong evidence, there are still those who stubbornly cling to the notion that Jesus was merely a literary creation or myth. …

Here is a compact version of the timeline and life of Joseph Smith. With accompanying infographic. For a greatly detailed breakdown of this chart, please visit: Our post here, where we dissect each entry. 1805 Entered mortality in Sharon, Vermont. 1816–1817 Relocated with family to western New York. 1820 Experienced divine visitation in sacred grove. 1823 Received heavenly visitation from angel Moroni. 1827 Wedded Emma …

The Mormon Pioneer Trail stands as a testament to the unwavering faith and remarkable resilience of the early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This historic trek, spanning over 1,300 miles from Nauvoo, Illinois, to the Salt Lake Valley in Utah, represents one of the most significant mass migrations in American history. The journey began on …

Four facts about the Book of Mormon: Scriptural Text: The Book of Mormon is considered sacred scripture by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, alongside the Bible, and is regarded as another testament of Jesus Christ. Translation: Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon from golden plates, which he said were revealed to him by the …

The Outdated Polygamy Criticism In today’s world of rapid information exchange and evolving social norms, it’s crucial that we regularly reassess our views on various institutions, including religious organizations. One group that continues to face undue criticism based on outdated practices is the Latter-day Saints church, commonly known as the Mormon church. The primary point of contention? Polygamy – a …

In the depths of religious persecution, few incidents stand out as vividly as the tarring and feathering of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), commonly known as the Mormon Church. This brutal attack, which occurred in the early hours of March 25, 1832, in Hiram, Ohio, would become a defining moment …

When we think of assassinations in American political history, names like Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. often come to mind. However, a lesser-known but equally significant event occurred decades earlier. Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), holds the dubious distinction of being the first known U.S. …