"Fun Facts Saturday" "Here we shall build a temple to our God" When the Saints trickled into the Salt Lake Valley, they were a small band of poor refugees. Everything they owned was carried in their wagon box or handcart. In the midst of this deprivation and desolation, within days of their arrived, on 28 … Continue reading Brigham Young Wanted the Salt Lake Temple Built out of Adobe and Pebbles
Background and Context: Persecution and Redress The saints in Jackson County, Missouri, experienced severe persecution in 1833. They were driven from their homes and forced across the river into Clay County. Many families were forced to flee 30 miles, leaving their possessions behind. The mobs also confiscated all the saints' weapons. The saints … Continue reading Zion’s Camp – “A Failure?”
"Fun Facts Saturday" The story is told of the billionaire who suddenly died. Someone asked his accountant what the billionaire left behind. The accountant replied, “All of it.” Brannan's conversion The Brooklyn Samuel Brannan was born in Maine in 1819. As a teenager, his family moved to Ohio, where Brannan became a printer. There, he joined The … Continue reading Brigham Young vs. Sam Brannan – Zion vs. Babylon
"Great Quotes) "Fortunately, the words spoken in a healing blessing are not essential to its healing effect. If faith is sufficient and if the Lord wills it, the afflicted person will be healed or blessed whether the officiator speaks those words or not. Conversely, if the officiator yields to personal desire or inexperience and gives … Continue reading Healing blessings depend on the person’s faith and the Lord’s will, not the words spoken – Dallin H. Oaks
"Fun Facts Saturday" Edwin Wooley, 27 years as Bishop of the Prophet's ward In 1854, Edwin Wooley was chosen as Bishop of the Salt Lake Thirteenth Ward. He served in that calling for 27 years. His name is familiar because his descendant was Spencer Wooley Kimball. Bishop Wooley was frank and outspoken. Upon his death, … Continue reading “Demanding” Brigham Young vs. His “Difficult” Bishop
Orrin Porter Rockwell (1813-1878) Porter Rockwell is one of the most colorful characters in Utah and LDS Church history. He is memorialized in biographies, novels, articles, ballads, and monuments. Childhood protector, lifelong friend, and bodyguard of Joseph SmithBaptized June 9, 1830, just 2 months after church organizedTried and exonerated for attempted assassination of Gov. Boggs“No … Continue reading Porter Rockwell and the Utah Mormon War
"Great Quotes" Booker T. Washington (1856-1915) is an American hero and role model. Raised in slavery, he became the leading advocate for former slaves and their descendants. He devoted his life to fighting Jim Crow discrimination and championing civil rights. Washington worked in the brutal coal mines and salt furnaces in West Virginia in … Continue reading Booker T. Washington: Truth and right are not determined by a majority – Booker T. Washington
"Sunday Sermon" After the murder of Joseph Smith, several men claimed they should be the next president of the church. Sidney Rigdon made the most vocal claim. He was First Counselor Presidency. He returned from Pittsburgh, where he had gone into self-imposed exile contrary to the counsel and revelation of Joseph Smith. (Sidney seemed to … Continue reading Brigham Young -“Transfiguration” and Succession to Lead the Church
Orrin Porter Rockwell (1813-1878) is one of the most colorful characters in LDS Church history. He is memorialized in biographies, novels, articles, ballads, and monuments. Childhood protector, lifelong friend, and bodyguard of Joseph Smith Imprisoned for the attempted assassination of Gov. Boggs “No bullet or blade can harm thee.” (Joseph Smith prophecy) Rowed the boat … Continue reading Porter Rockwell and the Prophet
"Great Quotes" “Occasionally we find some who become so energetic in their Church service that their lives become unbalanced. They start believing that the programs they administer are more important than the people they serve. They complicate their service with needless frills and embellishments that occupy too much time, cost too much money, and sap … Continue reading It’s all about People, not Programs – M. Russell Ballard
The London Edition 