Church History

On October 1, 1995, during the General Relief Society Meeting, President Gordon B. Hinckley delivered what would become one of the most significant declarations in modern Latter-day Saint history: “The Family: A Proclamation to the World.” This pivotal moment, which occurred amidst shifting cultural attitudes toward family and gender, established a clear doctrinal foundation that continues to guide families and …

The Miracle at Gapyeong: How Faith Protected 240 Latter-day Saint Soldiers in Korea “And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all—they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.” (Alma 53:20) A Forgotten Miracle in a Forgotten …

In 1970, Neal A. Maxwell delivered a profound address about the Church Educational System that remains remarkably relevant today. As I revisited his words, I was struck by how prescient his vision was and how applicable his counsel remains in our rapidly changing world. You can view the speech in its entirety, with transcript on screen, here: A Global Perspective …

Imagine marching over 2,000 miles through harsh, unfamiliar terrain—facing hunger, thirst, illness, and uncertainty—with nothing but faith, courage, and trust in God guiding your every step. Picture yourself trekking across scorching deserts, climbing rugged mountain ranges, and enduring freezing nights without adequate shelter or supplies. This was the incredible journey of the Mormon Battalion during the Mexican-American War (1846–1847), one …

In the realm of media portrayal, particularly when it delves into historical narratives, there’s an ongoing dialogue between entertainment and accuracy, especially when sensitive topics like religion and historical events are involved. The Netflix miniseries “American Primeval” has sparked this conversation within the Latter-day Saint community, prompting a closer examination of its historical fidelity. Critiques from Within One of the …

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 …