History
Top 5 Mormon History topics
If someone were to create a documentary on a Mormon History topic, what would you like to learn most about? Here is a list of 20 topics, what would be your top 5? (If you have something not listed, feel free to add to the list?
Jeffersonian Religion
I just watched a documentary called Jefferson’s Secret Bible. (You can download it for free on iTunes or watch it at the Smithsonian website.) The documentary discusses the restoration and some of the theology behind Thomas Jefferson’s rewriting on the Bible. In his day, Jefferson was called an atheist by his detractors; he wasn’t really […]
Taxes, Spending, and Corn
I was late to church because I was finishing up on filing my taxes. This is the time of year when we get to look and see how much we’re sending to the government, and while many of us enjoy the tax refund, we neglect to see how much we’re sending to the government. Tea […]
Mormon Doctrine: Catholicism
I wanted to continue my series on the book Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce R. McConkie. With the election of Pope Francis this week, I thought that would be an interesting place to go. Elder McConkie didn’t have much good to say about Catholicism. Let’s compare the 2 revisions for Catholicism 1958 version – Catholicism Additions […]
Mormon Doctrine: Blacks
I wanted to start a new series on the book Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce R. McConkie. Some have referred to this book (no longer being published) as “Bruce’s Doctrine.” In Greg Prince’s biography of David O. McKay, Prince cited a study by some general authorities that the book had over 1000 errors. The first edition […]
Brian Hales and Don Bradley Discuss Polygamy
I was pleased to attend a book signing at Pioneer Book in Orem, Utah Saturday night. Brian Hales has put together a new comprehensive set of 3 volumes concerning the theology and history of polygamy in the early church. Initially the book was over 1000 pages, so the editors at Greg Kofford Books asked if […]
Pope Retires; How about Apostles?
Pope Benedict 16th stunned the world last week when he officially stepped down as pope due to “lack of strength of mind and body.” Geoff over at RationalFaiths modified the pope’s statement, writing if as if President Monson made a similar announcement, and then discussed the history of emeritus status in the LDS Church. Geoff […]
LDS Film Festival 2013
While the Sundance Film Festival gets all the press, Utah County is also home to the LDS Film Festival. Â I reviewed the schedule, and thought I would point out a few films that sound interesting at the Scera Theater in Orem, Utah. Wednesday – Opening night
The Trials and Deaths of John D. Lee and Brigham Young
I wanted to continue Ken Burns’ discussion of the aftermath of the Mountain Meadows as part of his series, The West (available on Netflix.) Â In Part 6, he discussed the trial of John D. Lee. Â At the beginning of part 6, he begins with this introduction. By 1874, Washington had launched still another assault on […]
Ken Burns on the Context of the MMM
I’ve been watching Ken Burns’ 1996 documentary series on The West. Â It’s a 9 part series, so it takes a bit of effort to get through. Â Of course Burns spends some time discussing the Mormons, and I found his treatment of Mormons within the context of the western United States very interesting. In Part 4: […]
