Saints Podcast

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.

Welcome to Season 2 of the Saints podcast. We are excited to be back! In our inaugural episode we talk with Church Historian and Recorder, Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr. about the reception of Saints volume 1 and what to expect in volume 2.

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The Nauvoo Charter is repealed leaving the saints with no official government or police force.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.