Dive into the chaotic and fascinating history of the Utah War with Lindsay and Bryan. They’ll unravel how political paranoia, religious zeal, and national stereotypes collided in the 1850s, leading to guerrilla warfare, fiery rhetoric from Brigham Young, and nearly one-third of the U.S. Army marching into Utah Territory. Was it truly a “bloodless war”? …
Tag: Mormon History
Episode 138: Mormon Castrations and Warren Snow
In this gripping episode, Bryan and Lindsay delve into the controversial rumors of punitive castrations carried out by Mormon elders, focusing on figures like Bishop Warren Snow. They examine the source materials, weighing the evidence and context behind these shocking claims. Was this zealotry, justice, or something else entirely? Join the discussion as they bring …
Episode 137: Mormon Reformation, part three
In Part Three of our series on the Mormon Reformation, we dive into the most harrowing chapter yet. This episode uncovers the brutal measures Mormons took against apostates and outsiders during this period of fiery zeal, exploring the violent and gory tactics used to enforce loyalty and obedience. We also delve into the dark side …
Episode 136: Mormon Reformation, part two
In part two of our deep dive into the Mormon Reformation, Lindsay and Bryan explore how the movement intensified under the leadership of Jedediah Morgan Grant, Brigham Young, and Heber C. Kimball. As the push for purity reached its peak, controversial doctrines like blood atonement and plural marriage took center stage, along with the surprising …
Episode 135: Mormon Reformation, part one
In this episode, Lindsay and Bryan wrap up the story of Jedediah Morgan Grant, the “Sledgehammer of Mormonism,” as they dive into the final chapter of his life. From his rise to prominence in Salt Lake City as mayor and Brigham Young’s right-hand man, to his fiery leadership in the intense spiritual revival known …
Episode 129: Dr. Matt Harris, Second Class Saints
The SMHP recently sat down with Dr. Matt Harris to discuss his hotly-awaited new book “Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality” (Oxford University Press). Harris’s book is full of fascinating new sources and fresh insights into the rise and fall of the temple and priesthood ban. Check out the conversation! …
Confessions of a Mormon Historian Coming Soon!!!
Signature Books has sent out the Advanced Reading copies of “Confessions of a Mormon Historian: The Diaries of Leonard Arrington 1971-1997”. This means that in less than a month you will be able to buy copies!!! So here is my Quickie Review (a more detailed one to come later): IF you are even the LEAST …
Sunstone 2013, 174: MYSTICISM, REVELATION AND LEADERSHIP IN MORMON HISTORY: TWO CASE STUDIES
From the 2013 Summer Symposium in Salt Lake City Panel MYSTICISM, REVELATION AND LEADERSHIP IN MORMON HISTORY: TWO CASE STUDIES Paper 1 J. DUNHAM LAMANITE: EARLY MORMON LEADER, MYSTIC, AND INDIAN AMBASSADOR Presenter: CHRISTOPHER C. SMITH is a PhD student in religions in North america at Claremont Graduate University. He’s writing a dissertation on Mormons and …
The New Western History and Mormon History
The leading historians of the “New Western History”—Patricia Limerick, Richard White, Don Worster and William Cronon—have dismantled Frederick Jackson Turner’s thesis that the American character was shaped by pioneers coming to virgin land. According to Limerick et al., pioneers came west to a land already occupied, by Indians, conquered them, then marginalized them. In this …
What’s so Funny about Mormon History?: Mirth and Myth
What’s so Funny about Mormon History?: Mirth and Myth Will Bagley looks at the lighter side of Mormon history and recounts some humorous incidents and anecdotes he’s encountered in doing Mormon history. He discusses how the official chronicles of Mormondom overlook Mormon humanity. William Grant Bagley