Sunstone Mormon History Podcast

Want to come to Zion? Don’t have the cold, hard cash? No worries! Bryan and Lindsay will walk you through how to get there through the 1850’s Perpetual Emigration Fund. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section to say hi!) Bound for Zion: The Ten-and Thirteen- …

Some historians claim that whenever Mormons moved into town, the crime rate went up. Is it true? Did Mormonism make some prolific thieves and robbers? Join Lindsay and Bryan as they dive into the seedy story. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section to say hi!) …

In the early days of the Utah territory, Mormon leaders decided to exterminate anything that got in the way of their plans to build their Kingdom of God. This episode delves into the ghastly execution of the Timpanogos tribe that occupied lands Mormons invaded. It also tells the story of the “Wasters & Destroyers” contest …

It’s time for another episode of Before They Were Famous. This time we focus on the leader of the Nauvoo Legion, Daniel H. Wells and his role in many massacres against indigenous tribes. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section to say hi!) Daniel Hanmer Wells …

In 1849 the Mormons in Utah territory had big, big plans. Too-big-for-their-britches kinds of plans. They called it the State of Deseret and it didn’t last long, at least in name. Join Bryan and Lindsay as they discuss this turbulent history and the secret shadow government that still continues in Utah today. Shownotes: Donate to …

  It’s the worst war in Mormon history: The Cricket War of 1849. Or is it 1851? (Wait, was it grasshoppers?) Lindsay and Bryan discuss the myth behind the famous lore of the Seagull and the Crickets. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section to say …

Alright kids, the pioneers have arrived in Zion. Now what? Lindsay and Bryan talk about their first year in the Great Salt Lake valley. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section to say hi!) A Banner is Unfurled by Ron Walker Sagwitch Bio Open Hand and …

In this episode, Bryan and Lindsay discuss Orson Pratt and the reorganization of the First Presidency. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section to say hi!) Buy the book! Conflict in the Quorum: Orson Pratt, Brigham Young, Joseph Smith by Gary Bergera

Well, that took forever… But Bryan and Lindsay finally brought the podcast to Zion! This episode covers the story of Brigham Young’s vanguard wagon company as they arrive in the Great Salt Lake Valley. Now the fun can really begin! Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment …

Ever played the old PC game The Mormon Trail? Your ancestors played it in real life and this episode discusses what it was like for them. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section to say hi!) Historic Resource Study: Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail by Stanley Kimball …

What was life like if you were stuck in Winter Quarters? Bryan and Lindsay dig into some of the stories of the women who lived there and what their day-to-day life was like. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section to say hi!) George Q. Cannon: Politician, …

Many people don’t realize just how many Mormons were part of the fated Donner/Reed tragedy. In this episode, Lindsay and Bryan discuss the horrible tale of travel gone awry. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section to say hi!) Register for the Sunstone Summer Symposium The …

Women were an integral part of the Mormon Battalion story and Lindsay and Bryan share their histories, including the story of a rogue group of women that braved the wild to avoid practicing polygamy. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section to say hi!) Register for …

In this episode, Lindsay and Bryan discuss the history of the only United States military regiment ever mustered specifically from a religious group: The Mormon Battalion. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section to say hi!) Register for the Sunstone Summer Symposium Charisma Under Pressure: Joseph …

The third in a three-part miniseries where Bryan and Lindsay discuss the development of race in Mormon theology through a historical lens. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section to say hi!) Register for the Sunstone Summer Symposium Charisma Under Pressure: Joseph Smith, American Prophet, 1831–1839 (Dan Vogel). …

In this three-part miniseries, Bryan and Lindsay discuss the development of race in Mormon theology through a historical lens. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section to say hi!) Register for the Sunstone Summer Symposium (Use coupon code HistoryPod for 30% off full or one day registration …

In this three-part miniseries, Bryan and Lindsay discuss the development of race in Mormon theology through a historical lens. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section to say hi!) Register for the Sunstone Summer Symposium (Use coupon code HistoryPod for 30% off full or one day registration …

What was Mormon polygamy like on the trail? Not great. Come listen to the heartbreaking stories of polygamy in Winter Quarters. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section to say hi!) Register for the Sunstone Summer Symposium (Use coupon code HistoryPod for 30% off full or …

Garden Grove is known as one of the way-stations for Latter-day Saints who were fleeing Nauvoo in 1846-47. But this Winter Quarters encampment was full of tawdry secrets, crime and even a… brothel? Join Lindsay and Bryan as they discuss the Garden Grove branch, bawdy houses, counterfeiting and more. Winter Quarters just got a whole …

Winter Quarters wasn’t just snow, cabins and adorable oxen: there was plenty of drama as well! And by drama, we mean liquor, beatings, cheatings and so many naughty farm animals. Join Lindsay and Bryan as they dive into law and order in Winter Quarters. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note …

He was a friend to Mormons, sure. But was he a Mormon? Who was Thomas Kane and why does he matter? Bryan and Lindsay dive into these important questions about a good, good boy in Mormon history, Brother, er, Mister Thomas Kane. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in …

Finally, we’ve arrived at the story of Lyman Wight and his break-off group of Texas Mormons. Join Lindsay and Bryan as they explore the story of Brigham Young’s troublesome apostle, Elder “fistacuffs,” the Wild Ram himself, Brother Lyman Wight. Shownotes: Purchase the book: An Abundant Life: The Memoirs of Hugh B. Brown edited by Edwin B. Firmage …

Join Lindsay and Bryan as they discuss the insane story of James Emmett, the Council of 50 member who started his own frontier break-off-get-back-together sect during the Mormon exodus. Show Notes: Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844–January 1846; Volume 1, 10 March 1844–1 March 1845-

Today we are talking about Council Bluffs and how Mormons ended up there. The episode with Lindsay and Bryan discusses the controversial land trade Mormons made with the federal government to be able to settle “Winter Quarters” and the tragic consequences of the deal. SHOWNOTES: A typewritten copy of a manuscript titled “Camp of the …

We kick off a new season leaving Nauvoo and heading into the great unknown. Join Lindsay and Bryan for a fascinating look at the Mormon journey into Iowa, known as Winter Quarters.

The Season of Nauvoo is (finally) in the books. Join Bryan and Lindsay as they discuss the year and the new season ahead.

As we wrap up the Nauvoo era of Mormon history, we focus in on a lesser known figure that had a big impact on Mormonism: Vilate Kimball

In the beginning, Sam Brannan might have been a loyal Mormon leader, but the glitter of gold and the allurements of the world are about to test his mettle. Join Lindsay and Bryan as they talk about the rise and fall of Brigham Young’s biggest colonizing competitor, Sam Brannan.

In this episode, Lindsay and Bryan discuss the Mormons’ first venture heading west: Samuel Brannan’s expedition to the so-called, “Upper California.” Special thanks to Matt Riley for the cameo on this episode. Music mentioned and used in this episode: Mormon Symphony & Mormon Youth Chorus – The Upper California

After the death of Joseph Smith, things got even wilder in Nauvoo. Bryan and Lindsay talk about the crazy chaos and sit down with historian Dr. Benjamin Park to unpack it all.

Remember when Brigham Young disbanded the Relief Society shortly after Joseph Smith’s death? We do. Or do we…? In this long-awaited and teased BONUS episode, Bryan and Lindsay sit down with historian Katie Ludlow Rich to discuss her research and paper, The Shadow Succession Crisis: Challenging the Claim that Brigham Young Disbanded the Relief Society …

In this special bonus episode, historian Christopher C. Smith interviews Joseph West about a paper he coauthored with Eric W. Schoon, titled, “From Prophecy to Practice: Mutual Selection Cycles in the Routinization of Charismatic Authority.” We dig into the “death of a founder syndrome” and how schismatic movements form. Shownotes: Link to the paper: From Prophecy …

It’s finally here; the story of how Brigham Young took over the church after Joseph Smith’s death. We’ve shown you the candidates, and now it’s time for the Succession Crisis showdown.

Alpheus Cutler broke with Brigham Young but his timing couldn’t have been worse. Join Bryan and Lindsay as they discuss Cutler’s role in the succession crisis in Mormonism and the Cutlerite movement.

In the final part of the James Strang saga, Bryan and Lindsay discuss the rise and downfall of the growing Mormon congregation on Beaver island known as the Strangite movement.

The James Strang has left the station and things keep getting… stranger. In this episode, Bryan and Lindsay discuss how James Strang’s Mormon movement takes off and moves to Beaver Island, causing all sorts of problems.

Join Bryan and Lindsay as they dive back into the Mormon history timeline and the contenders for the Nauvoo succession crisis. Today’s candidate? None other than James Jesse Strang.

In this episode, Bryan, Lindsay and Cristina Rosetti discuss Netflix’s new series Keep Sweet which tells the story of two sisters and their upbringing in the FLDS. This episode covers the historical context and stories featured in the rest of the mini series.

In this episode, Bryan, Lindsay and Cristina Rosetti discuss Netflix’s new series Keep Sweet which tells the story of two sisters and their upbringing in the FLDS. This episode covers the historical context and stories featured in the first episode in the series.

In this episode, Bryan, Lindsay and Cristina Rosetti discuss Netflix’s new series Keep Sweet which tells the story of two sisters and their upbringing in the Flds. We go into the background of Mormon Fundamentalism and how it started to explain to listeners how stories like those featured in Keep Sweet, could have possibly happened.

Join consultant for the series Lindsay Hansen Park as she discusses the portrayals in the show, along with co-host Bryan Buchanan. In this final episode discussing the series, Bryan and Lindsay discuss what is happening in episode six and seven of Under the Banner of Heaven and sort fact from fiction. Shownotes: Robert Crossfield/Onias statement on …

Join consultant for the series Lindsay Hansen Park as she interviews Mormon Fundamentalist Moroni Jessop about the Peacemaker, the document that informed Dan Lafferty’s doctrine.

Join consultant for the series Lindsay Hansen Park as she discusses the portrayals in the show, along with co-host Bryan Buchanan. In this episode Bryan and Lindsay discuss what is happening in episode four and five of Under the Banner of Heaven and sort fact from fiction.

Join consultant for the series Lindsay Hansen Park as she discusses the timeline of the murder of Brenda and Erica Lafferty. Following the details, Bryan Buchanan interviews Creight Horton, the attorney who worked on Ron’s retrial. Warning: this episode contains discussions of graphic violence and misogyny. Show notes: Court Decision: State vs. Lafferty Creight Horton’s …

Join consultant for the series Lindsay Hansen Park as she discusses the portrayals in the show, along with co-host Bryan Buchanan. In this episode Bryan and Lindsay discuss what is happening in episode three of Under the Banner of Heaven and sort fact from fiction.

Join consultant for the series Lindsay Hansen Park as she discusses the portrayals in the show, along with co-host Bryan Buchanan. In this episode Bryan and Lindsay discuss what is happening in episode two of Under the Banner of Heaven and sort fact from fiction.

Join consultant for the series Lindsay Hansen Park as she discusses the portrayals in the show, along with co-host Bryan Buchanan. In this episode Bryan and Lindsay discuss what is happening in episode one of Under the Banner of Heaven and sort fact from fiction.

We’re putting a pin in the Succession Crisis history to discuss the accuracy of Hulu’s new limited series, Under the Banner of Heaven! Join consultant for the series Lindsay Hansen Park as she discusses the portrayals in the show, along with co-host Bryan Buchanan. In this episode, Bryan interviews fundamentalist scholar Cristina Rosetti about prophet …

In part one, we gave you the origin story of Sidney Rigdon. In this episode Lindsay and Bryan will discuss Rigdon’s transformation into early Mormon leader and contender for prophet, seer and revelator after Joseph Smith’s death. Show notes: Richard S. Van Wagoner’s 1996 Sunstone presentation of Sidney Rigdon and female ordination.

As we continue our journey through Mormon succession contenders, Bryan and Lindsay offer up Sidney Rigdon for your consideration.