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In the January 12, 2025 episode of The Interpreter Radio Show, our hosts are Martin Tanner, Terry Hutchinson and Mark Johnson with special guest Barbara Jones Brown. They discuss NetFlix's American Primeval, Barbara's new book, Vengeance Is Mine: The Mountain Meadows Massacre and Its Aftermath by Richard E. Turley and Barbara Jones Brown; and […] The post Interpreter Radio Show — January 12, 2025 first appeared on The Interpreter Foundation.
On Sept. 9, 2024, President Russell M. Nelson, the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will turn 100 years old. In his six-plus-year tenure as Prophet and leader of the global faith, he has become the oldest President of The Church, reinforced the correct name of the Church, guided members through a worldwide pandemic, spearheaded a home-centered and Church-supported curriculum with the “Come, Follow Me” program, and announced168 temples worldwide while reminding members to “Keep on the covenant path.” To help put these and other historic events of President Nelson’s life into context, Church News welcomes back historian Richard E. Turley Jr., who has worked with and observed President Nelson for decades to talk about his decades of selfless service in the Church. The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Host Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of The Church News, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.
In this episode, President Dallin H. Oaks recounts his experiences and discoveries researching the legal history of the events surrounding the martyrdom. President Oaks and Richard E. Turley Jr. also reflect on the historical and spiritual legacy of Joseph Smith. Guests: President Dallin H. Oaks, Richard E. Turley Jr.
In September of 1857, one of the greatest atrocities in the history of Mormonism was carried out. Now known as the Mountain Meadows Massacre, a group of Latter-day Saints led a siege in Southern Utah against a wagon train of emigrants on their way from Arkansas to California. After the siege had dragged on for several days, and under the guise of a truce, leaders of the Mormon party lured the emigrants out of their protective circle of wagons and marched them a short distance across the valley before turning on them in surprise and slaughtering at least 120 unarmed men, women, and children.The details of this evil are difficult to talk about at all — much less dive deep on — but at the same time, historians Richard E. Turley and Barbara Jones Brown believe that it's important that we confront history, even its most difficult episodes, with as much honesty and depth as we can.Rick has served in many roles at the Church over many years, including as managing director of the Family and Church History Department, and managing director of the Public Affairs Department. Barbara is the director of Signature Books Publishing and former executive director of the Mormon History Association.Together they are the authors of a new book called Vengeance is Mine: The Mountain Meadows Massacre and its Aftermath, which is the second in a two-volume series of exhaustively researched masterworks on the subject. The first book, Massacre at Mountain Meadows, on which Rick was one of the authors and Barbara was a content editor, was published in 2008, and this second volume is the culmination of over 18 years of research, writing, and editing by countless contributors. Though brilliant historians have written about the Massacre before, these books include new research from documents and records that have never before been available.As we spoke with Barbara and Rick, we were struck by not just their comprehensive knowledge of these tragic events, but by the depth of their empathy for the victims, and insights about how knowledge of difficult history can be part of a larger story of healing and reconciliation. They and many others have been important in spearheading efforts in recent years to allow for that healing, including working with the Church itself and organizations of victims' descendants.In fact, Henry B. Eyring credited the work done on the first book in 2007 in an official statement given at the site of the massacre on its sesquicentennial. As part of that statement, he said, “What was done here long ago by members of our Church represents a terrible and inexcusable departure from Christian teaching and conduct. We cannot change what happened, but we can remember and honor those who were killed here…We express profound regret for the massacre carried out in this valley 150 years ago… and for the undue and untold suffering experienced by the victims then and by their relatives to the present time."What we hope for this episode is what we think Barbara and Rick hope for their book: that it can promote the same work of at-one-ment that is at the core of the Gospel by fully acknowledging the sins of the past, actively listening and working toward healing in the present, and looking forward to a future of deep relationship and connection.
My friends Richard Turley and Barbara Jones Brown, noted Latter-day Saint historians, join us to talk about their powerful new book about the Mountain Meadows Massacre of an Arkansas wagon train in 1857. Through their extensive research, they answer questions about why it happened, who was responsible, Bigham Young's understanding/involvement, descendants of victims stories/interactions, and reconciliation. I was deeply moved—sometimes to tears—learning about this tragic part of Latter-day Saint history. Understanding and owning our history is key to reconciliation and ensuring the same cycle of fear and extremism isn't repeated. I am so grateful for Rick and Barbara and their work to write this history, connect with the descendants of the victims, and help heal hearts. This book is both a thoughtful academic book and a powerful story of pain, heartache, tragedy, and reconciliation. I encourage everyone to read this book and listen to this podcast. Thank you Rick and Barbara for being on the podcast and your much-needed work in our community. Podcast links: Vengeance is Mine: The Mountain Meadows Massacre and Its Aftermath: www.amazon.com/dp/0195397851 Massacre at Mountain Meadows (earlier book): www.amazon.com/dp/0199747563 E-mail: mmmreconciliation@gmail.com
The infamous and inexcusable Mountain Meadows Massacre lives on as the bloodiest stain on the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The 2008 book “Massacre at Mountain Meadows” offered modern readers the most complete look to date at the atrocity, when, on Sept. 11, 1857, Mormon settlers deceived a wagon train of emigrants on their way to California through southern Utah and then slaughtered about a hundred men, women and children. Now comes the eagerly anticipated follow-up volume, titled “Vengeance Is Mine: The Mountain Meadows Massacre and Its Aftermath.” On this week's show, co-authors Richard E. Turley and Barbara Jones Brown explain how church leaders in southern Utah tried to cover up the crime, how investigations were thwarted, and how justice was delayed and denied. (In then end, only one perpetrator, John D. Lee, was executed.) They also explore a key Watergate-like question: What did church prophet-president Brigham Young know and when did he know it?
Date: July 7, 2022 (Season 5, Episode 7: 75 minutes long). For the entire show notes and additional resources for this episode, click here. Are you interested in other episodes of Speak Your Piece? Click here. The episode was co-produced by Brad Westwood and Chelsey Zamir, with sound engineering and post-production editing by Jason T. Powers, from the Utah State Library Recording Studio.This episode of Speak Your Piece is an interview with Barbara Jones Brown, director of Signature Books, and Richard E. Turley, Jr., former assistant Church Historian of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on their book Vengeance is Mine: The Mountain Meadows Massacre and Its Aftermath (Oxford University Press), to be released May 30, 2023, with SYP host Brad Westwood. This book is a sequel to the 2008 Massacre at Mountain Meadows (Walker, Leonard and Turley). In Vengeance is Mine, the authors exhaustively cover the motives that led to the massacre at Mountain Meadows of the 120-plus victims, followed by the complex aftermath that includes cover-up attempts with the entirety of the blame placed on the neighboring Paiutes, as well as governmental and political intrigue. Also detailed are the delayed, if not coordinated, efforts to obstruct justice in indicting the nine key individuals involved. For the speakers' bios, please click here for the full show notes plus additional resources and readings. Do you have a question? Write askahistorian@utah.gov.
As numbers of COVID-19 cases continue to rise globally, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has urged members to use face masks and be vaccinated. In this episode of the Church News podcast, historian Richard E. Turley reflects on the lessons of the past and provides historical context to the invitation from President Russell M. Nelson and his counselors, President Dallin H. Oaks and President Henry B. Eyring. “The COVID-19 pandemic is not the first epidemic that the Church faced...,” he said. “I think one of the most important lessons of history, when it comes to disease, is that we have learned over time how to prevent what before we could not prevent.” The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Host Sarah Jane Weaver, reporter and editor for The Church News for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This June marks 43 years since President Spencer W. Kimball announced the 1978 revelation extending the priesthood to all worthy male members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Historian Richard E. Turley and creative Mauli Junior Bonner join this episode of the Church News Podcast to talk about Black history as an important part of Church history. Mauli Junior Bonner is a Grammy award-winning musician, songwriter, and now a first-time film writer, director, and producer. His film, "His Name is Green Flake," explores the life and faith of an enslaved pioneer named Green Flake. Bonner's deep respect and connection with early African American pioneers inspired him to learn and share their stories. Today we talk about the inspirational early Black members of the Church and the lessons they can teach us. The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Host Sarah Jane Weaver, reporter and editor for The Church News for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Richard E. Turley Jr. was named as the new managing director of the Public Affairs Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 26, 2016. Prior to his appointment, he served for eight years as assistant Church historian and recorder. He also served for eight years as managing director of the Family and Church […] The post FAIR Voice Podcast #31: Murder Among the Mormons with Richard Turley appeared first on FAIR.
Richard E. Turley Jr. retired on March 31, 2020, after a long career in which he oversaw the Church History, Family History, Public Affairs, and Church Communication Departments of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has... The post Richard Turley Ep. 413 The Cultural Hall appeared first on The Cultural Hall Podcast.
Richard E. Turley Jr. retired recently after nearly 30 years working for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, most of that time in the History and Family History departments. He has co-written or penned several books, including the acclaimed “Massacre at Mountain Meadows: An American Tragedy” and “Victims: The LDS Church and the Mark Hofmann Case.” Most recently, he served as the managing director of the faith’s Public Affairs Department. He reflects this week on his career, the highs, the lows, the memories and the milestones.
Richard E. Turley Jr. is the Managing Director, Church Communication Department at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Prior to his appointment, he served for eight years as assistant Church historian and recorder. He also served for eight years as managing director of the Family and Church History Department, overseeing the Church Archives and Records Center, the Church History Library, and the Museum of Church History and Art, which collectively contain the world’s largest collection of resources for the study of Latter-day Saint history and one of the richest collections on the settlement of the western United States.
Richard E. Turley Jr. is the Managing Director, Church Communication Department at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Prior to his appointment, he served for eight years as assistant Church historian and recorder. He also served for eight years as managing director of the Family and Church History Department, overseeing the Church Archives and Records Center, the Church History Library, and the Museum of Church History and Art, which collectively contain the world’s largest collection of resources for the study of Latter-day Saint history and one of the richest collections on the settlement of the western United States.
Richard E. Turley, former Assistant Church Historian (and before this, Executive Director) of the Church History Department, describes his thirty-five year career in Mormon history. Among other works, Turley co-authored in 2008 Massacre at Mountain Meadows: An American Tragedy with Ronald W. Walker and Glen M. Leonard, and in 1992 Victims: The LDS Church and the Mark Hofmann Case. Turley discusses the creation and products of the Joseph Smith Papers Project, the formation of regional history centers across the globe, and the million of manuscripts, photographs and other historical records now offered free of charge, from the church's vast historical holdings.
Richard E. Turley, former Assistant Church Historian (and before this, Executive Director) of the Church History Department, describes his thirty-five year career in Mormon history. Among other works, Turley co-authored in 2008 Massacre at Mountain Meadows: An American Tragedy with Ronald W. Walker and Glen M. Leonard, and in 1992 Victims: The LDS Church and the Mark Hofmann Case. Turley discusses the creation and products of the Joseph Smith Papers Project, the formation of regional history centers across the globe, and the million of manuscripts, photographs and other historical records now offered free of charge, from the church's vast historical holdings.
In this Dialogue podcast William MacKinnon and Richard E. Turley discuss insights from their research on the Utah War and the Mountain Meadows Massacre. From the Miller Eccles website: Rick Turley was formerly Assistant Church Historian and is currently managing director of the Public Affairs Department of the Church. Bill MacKinnon is an independent, award winning historian of the American West, who was recently president of the Mormon History Association. THE TOPIC: Over the decades, Richard Turley and William MacKinnon have researched and written extensively about Utah’s long, contentious territorial period. They approach the subject from quite different religious, educational, military, professional, geographical, and even generational backgrounds. Despite (or perhaps because of) such differences, these two historians are close personal friends and respectful colleagues, whose work has been enriched by the informal and stimulating exchange of discoveries and ideas over more than twenty years. Rick and Bill have often shared a platform to discuss their findings and to learn from audiences in such varied settings as the LDS stake center in Norman, Oklahoma and annual conferences of the Mormon History Association in many parts of the country.
Richard E. Turley is the managing director of the Church Public Affairs Department. He was previously an assistant church historian, recorder, and the managing director of the Church History Department. He has written extensively on the Mountain Meadows Massacre including Massacre at Mountain Meadows with Glen Leonard and Ronald Walker and the recently released Mountain Meadows Massacre: Collected Legal Papers with co-editors Janiece Johnson and LaJean Carruth. In this episode, he discusses with Laura Harris Hales the aftermath of the terrible massacre at Mountain Meadows. Extra Resources: Episode 66 Transcript Mountain Meadows Massacre (Website) Peace and Violence among 19th Century Latter-Day Saints The Mountain Meadows Massacre Massacre at Mountain Meadows Mountain Meadows Massacre: Collected Legal Papers BYU Studies 47:3; Special Issue on the Mountain Meadows Massacre
Richard E. Turley is the managing director of the Church Public Affairs Department. He was previously an assistant church historian, recorder, and the managing director of the Church History Department. He has written extensively on the Mountain Meadows Massacre including Massacre at Mountain Meadows with Glen Leonard and Ronald Walker and the recently released Mountain Meadows Massacre: Collected Legal Papers with co-editors Janiece Johnson and LaJean Carruth. In this episode, he discusses with Laura Harris Hales the aftermath of the terrible massacre at Mountain Meadows. Download Transcript
En junio del 2015, el Élder Oaks, apóstol de la Iglesia SUD, y Richard E. Turley, asistente historiador de la iglesia, dieron un dircurso en una charla fogonera en Boise, Idaho para discutir cómo uno puede ser un seguidor de Cristo (pista: es siguiendo todo lo que los líderes mormones nos dicen) y cómo reconocer y evitar a los falsos profetas (pista: son los que nos dicen que los líderes mormones están equivocados). En este episodio Manuel, Yilmar, y Luther discuten sus ideas sobre este discurso. Puede bajar el discurso en PDF aquí.