Podcast appearances and mentions of russell stevenson

Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2018 79:23

The Interview: In this episode of LDS Perspectives Podcast, Laura Harris Hales interviews Russell Stevenson, author of For the Cause of Righteousness: A Global History of Blacks and Mormonism. Stevenson’s book details the relationship between African and Afro-diasporic peoples and the Mormon tradition, particularly regarding the temple and priesthood restrictions. Latter-day Saints are often aware of the priesthood/temple restrictions but feel ill-prepared to discuss it. Stevenson provides some points of entry for Latter-day Saints who hope to acquire to information necessary to speak about Mormonism and racism in a way that is faithful to the documentary record. Stevenson emphasizes the centrality of the contemporary documentary record in assessing the history of blacks and Mormonism; these records provide a check against projecting current values onto past events (a fallacy historians call “presentism”). Stevenson situates racism within the LDS community not merely as a “product of the times,” but as a societal sin reflective of broader systems excluding black Americans from American life. Racial exclusion was not distinctive to Mormonism, neither was it uniform across American society. He analogizes the era of Mormon racism to the wandering of the children of Israel in the wilderness for the embrace of foreign gods: while the Israelites accepted an Egyptian deity in the form of a golden calf, the Mormon people embraced the American deity of “Whiteness.” He engages the origins of the restriction, guiding readers through the full extent of the documentary trail: what documents are known and what documents are not. He highlights Joseph Smith’s mixed record on slavery, his support for the ordination of Elijah Able, the ordination of several other black men to priesthood office. Stevenson illustrates how many of these Mormon racial discussions were inflamed through local circumstances, such as William McCary’s attempt to establish interracial polygamy in Winter Quarters. Further, he traces Brigham Young’s transition from supporting black ordination in March 1847 to prohibiting it in February 1849, detailing how prevailing fears of miscegenation (e.g. Enoch Lewis, a black Latter-day Saint in Massachusetts’, having a biracial child with his legally-wed Caucasian wife) and prevailing Biblical theories shaped Latter-day Saint scriptural exegesis, such as “the curse of Cain” and “the curse of Ham.” Additionally, Latter-day Saints injected their own views about the pre-mortal existence of the human soul into race discussions. For the first time, Stevenson engages how Mormonism resonated in West Africa and followed the networks of colonial influence in Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa. Stevenson details the experiences of William P. Daniels, the only known black branch president who did not hold priesthood office and Anthony Obinna. Stevenson illustrates the many kinds of Mormonism within the African diaspora. He highlights how the LDS Church’s genealogical arms were used to ensure that only those without black African ancestry received priesthood office and temple blessings. Stevenson also discusses the circumstances under which the temple/priesthood restrictions were lifted. Dismantling the restriction required a multiplicity of influences: domestic, global, political, and cultural. A variety of “turning points” influenced the timing of its lifting, such as the Wyoming and Stanford protests, Hugh B. Brown’s efforts to lift the restriction, the rise of Mormonism in Brazil, the rise of self-identified Mormon groups in West Africa, and the publication of Lester Bush’s 1973 article, “Mormonism’s Negro Doctrine.” Each event re-shaped Mormon cultural identity, from the bottom-up. Engaging Mormonism and race is not an issue confined to the past; it is of immediate relevance to Mormon engagements in African and African diaspora communities throughout the world: from Bahia, Brazil to Durban, South Africa, to Aba, Nigeria.

Episode 83: A Global History of Blacks and Mormonism – Russell W. Stevenson

Latter-day Saint MissionCast

Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2018 79:23

In this episode of LDS Perspectives Podcast, Laura Harris Hales interviews Russell Stevenson, author of For the Cause of Righteousness: A Global History of Blacks and Mormonism. Stevenson’s book details the relationship between African and Afro-diasporic peoples and the Mormon tradition, particularly regarding the temple and priesthood restrictions. Latter-day Saints are often aware of the priesthood/temple restrictions but feel ill-prepared to discuss it. Stevenson provides some points of entry for Latter-day Saints who hope to acquire to information necessary to speak about Mormonism and racism in a way that is faithful to the documentary record. Stevenson emphasizes the centrality of the contemporary documentary record in assessing the history of blacks and Mormonism; these records provide a check against projecting current values onto past events (a fallacy historians call “presentism”). Stevenson situates racism within the LDS community not merely as a “product of the times,” but as a societal sin reflective of broader systems excluding black Americans from American life. Racial exclusion was not distinctive to Mormonism, neither was it uniform across American society. He analogizes the era of Mormon racism to the wandering of the children of Israel in the wilderness for the embrace of foreign gods: while the Israelites accepted an Egyptian deity in the form of a golden calf, the Mormon people embraced the American deity of “Whiteness.” He engages the origins of the restriction, guiding readers through the full extent of the documentary trail: what documents are known and what documents are not. He highlights Joseph Smith’s mixed record on slavery, his support for the ordination of Elijah Able, the ordination of several other black men to priesthood office. Stevenson illustrates how many of these Mormon racial discussions were inflamed through local circumstances, such as William McCary’s attempt to establish interracial polygamy in Winter Quarters. Further, he traces Brigham Young’s transition from supporting black ordination in March 1847 to prohibiting it in February 1849, detailing how prevailing fears of miscegenation (e.g. Enoch Lewis, a black Latter-day Saint in Massachusetts’, having a biracial child with his legally-wed Caucasian wife) and prevailing Biblical theories shaped Latter-day Saint scriptural exegesis, such as “the curse of Cain” and “the curse of Ham.” Additionally, Latter-day Saints injected their own views about the pre-mortal existence of the human soul into race discussions. For the first time, Stevenson engages how Mormonism resonated in West Africa and followed the networks of colonial influence in Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa. Stevenson details the experiences of William P. Daniels, the only known black branch president who did not hold priesthood office and Anthony Obinna. Stevenson illustrates the many kinds of Mormonism within the African diaspora. He highlights how the LDS Church’s genealogical arms were used to ensure that only those without black African ancestry received priesthood office and temple blessings. Stevenson also discusses the circumstances under which the temple/priesthood restrictions were lifted. Dismantling the restriction required a multiplicity of influences: domestic, global, political, and cultural. A variety of “turning points” influenced the timing of its lifting, such as the Wyoming and Stanford protests, Hugh B. Brown’s efforts to lift the restriction, the rise of Mormonism in Brazil, the rise of self-identified Mormon groups in West Africa, and the publication of Lester Bush’s 1973 article, “Mormonism’s Negro Doctrine.” Each event re-shaped Mormon cultural identity, from the bottom-up. Engaging Mormonism and race is not an issue confined to the past; it is of immediate relevance to Mormon engagements in African and African diaspora communities throughout the world: from Bahia, Brazil to Durban, South Africa, to Aba, Nigeria.

Race and the Mormon Church – What do we know, and how do we teach it? Interview with Russell Stevenson

Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2018 52:13

Russell Stevenson - Author of "For The Cause of Righteousness: A Global History of Blacks and Mormonism, 1830-2013 Welcome to the LDS MissionCast a podcast to educate and inspire in the great cause of Missionary Work. This episode is all about Race and the Mormon Church. Some of the episodes of the LDS MissionCast feature content for those preparing to serve a full-time mission, some episodes are directed towards those that have returned home, or are wanting to be more inspired in member-missionary work. Episodes like this one are unique in that we occasionally need to take the time to learn the gospel, to learn our history better, so that we can better members of the church, better ministers to those around us. On June 1st, 2018 there will be a celebration in the conference center in Salt Lake City, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1978 revelation on the Priesthood, or Official Declaration #2. This could rightly be called the restoration of the opportunity for priesthood ordination to all worthy males, and the opportunity for all people to receive all temple blessings regardless of race or color. It is common for people to feel marginalized or to hold issue with a past policy of the church that was in place, and this is certainly an issue that missionaries in the field face on a semi-regular basis. In an effort to explain or even justify this policy, it is also common for members of the church to say things about this issue that are either wrong, possibly hurtful, incorrect, you name it. So we will spend some time in this episode learning the history, and coming to some understanding of this often controversial topic. I know in the south on my mission this issue of race and the LDS Church came up on a regular basis and was something I had to face almost every week. The information that will be shared by our guest today is vitally important in our society, if we are going to be successful in building bridges and bringing souls unto Christ and His church. Our guest, Russell Stevenson, has dedicated years of his life to the study and understanding of the issues surrounding Race and the Mormon Church. He talks about how his mission experience inspired this work, and informs much of what he does in his academic studies. Other sources for this episode: Race and the Priesthood Essay @ LDS.org Black Mormon: The Story of Elijah Ables by Russell Stevenson LDS MissionCast Questions and Answers: Are Mormons Racist? Are there Black Mormons? Latter-day Lives Segment features Shawn Rapier who interviews Brittany Whiscombe, the director and producer of the upcoming "In Emma's Footsteps" movie. She tells are great story of how not all missionary stories go the storybook way. Shawn Rapier and Brittany Whiscombe in Emmas Footsteps

jesus christ race teach salt lake city blacks priesthood footsteps mormonism mormon church lds church missionary work russell stevenson for the cause elijah ables

The Past That Has Not Passed

Mettle Brain

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2018 21:56

This interview is with historian and author Russell Stevenson. We discussed community, trauma, and self doubt. Russell Stevenson is a gifted orator and a phenomenal podcaster in his own right.Support the show (http://www.mettlebrain.com/contact-1)

passed russell stevenson

LDS Church in Africa #BlackHistoryMonth

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2018 13:35

It's Black History Month at Gospel Tangents. This is our final conversation with Russell Stevenson and we'll talk the LDS Church in Africa. Did you know that Nigerians in the 1960s and even in the 1950s I learned have asked for LDS missionaries to come teach the gospel to them. It's pretty surprising that they did this without any LDS presence in Nigeria. Russell Stevenson will talk more about this in our next conversation. https://youtu.be/QG4Oab2VMDI Russell: Throughout the 1950s, a number of church leaders are getting letters from various Nigerians across the river in Igboland, elsewhere begging for missionaries, asking for some kind of missionary presence. The initial response by David O. McKay and others was some level of skepticism. Maybe they are just looking for an opportunity to make money. They are just looking for white people to give them business, maybe looking for a new source of patronage now that the British influence was beginning to recede. By 1960 it was officially turned over to Nigerians. In 1960 David O. McKay and the First Presidency, they send Glen Fisher, who has once been a mission president in South Africa to see what's happening on the ground. Are these potential converts legitimate? Do they in fact want to join the LDS Church, or are they just looking for some kind of business opportunity? Glen Fisher returned with a report that was gushing by saying these people are the real deal. They crave Mormonism. They crave the LDS Church. ... So they go there and they come away with the same conclusion that Glen Fisher had come away with, that these people are the real deal. They are legitimate. They in fact crave Mormonism. In fact Lamar Williams went further. He said, “Ultimately we cannot keep the priesthood from these people.” Essentially it's only a matter of time. GT: What year is this? Russell: This is in 1961. GT chuckles: '61. That's pretty prophetic! Russell: Yes. I should note too, this isn't the very first time you have Nigerians communicating this kind of thing to missionaries. We have evidence all the way back to 1950 of a Nigerian reverend approaching missionaries in New York City asking for a missionary presence. This is all throughout the post-war period. I'm only talking about the period in which the activity is most sustained. Find out more about what happened with the LDS Church in Africa! I hope enjoyed our previous conversations with Russell on Elijah Ables, his mission, the temple/priesthood ban, and his attempts to get his endowment. Check out all of these episodes for #BlackHistoryMonth!…..

new york city british africa south africa nigeria black history month nigerians gt mormonism lds lds church first presidency david o mckay russell stevenson igboland elijah ables

Elijah Ables' Attempt for Temple Blessings #BlackHistoryMonth

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2018 14:26

We're continuing our discussion of Black History Month with Russell Stevenson. He's the biographer of Elijah Ables, and we'll talk about the end of Elijah's life. Did Elijah Ables affiliate with any other groups like James Strang, William Smith, or Sidney Rigdon? https://youtu.be/cGWc6FD_YBE Russell: Going with that, we can maybe conclude that Elijah was certainly diplomatic and kind and charitable. If you really want to go further out on a limb, more than the evidence that we have suggests, you can say that he affiliated with William Smith, the movement. I'm not inclined to say that we have evidence to suggest that. We'll also talk about how Elijah worked on the Salt Lake Temple, but was never allowed to get his endowment. Did he continue to try through the end of his life? Now in 1879, he does petition to receive his temple endowment. By this point his wife has passed away. We do have some evidence that he petitioned Brigham Young at some point, but again that's pretty late and we don't have any contemporary documentation to back that up. Check out our conversation….. (Don't forget to check out our previous conversations about Elijah Abel's early life, his mission to Canada, and his troubles in Cincinnati.) You also might want to check out what Paul Reeve said on this topic! Photo from dedication of the Salt Lake Temple dedication in 1892 [paypal-donation]

canada temple blessings cincinnati black history month brigham young william smith salt lake temple sidney rigdon james strang paul reeve russell stevenson elijah ables

Why Brigham Changed His Mind on Black Ordination

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2018 22:46

Brigham Young is often seen as the person responsible for instituting the ban on black members from LDS temples and from the priesthood for male members. It turns out that the story is a little more complicated than that. Russell Stevenson, biographer of Elijah Ables, talks about a few incidences with some other early contemporaries of Elijah Ables, in which Brigham praised black ordination, specifically a faithful black elder in Massachusetts. https://youtu.be/60BHIZD8GMU Russell: When Brigham Young is addressing William McCary, he mentions explicitly the example of Walker Lewis in Massachusetts, and [Brigham] says [Walker] is one of the best elders that we have. This is in the context that William McCary is talking about how unwelcome he is feeling within the Latter-day Saint community. All of these different people are using the n-word to describe him. They say, “There goes that old {n-word} and his white wife,” referring to Lucy Stanton who was the daughter of a former stake president. Now the fact that Brigham Young would invoke the example of Walker Lewis as a way of assuring and maybe trying to make William McCary feel better about being within the Latter-day Saint community, that tells you that Brigham Young saw William McCary and Walker Lewis as being more or less equivalent in some regard or another, and certainly within the realm of holding the priesthood. We will talk more about this man, named Walker Lewis, as well as a few other black people, and talk about why the ban was instituted in the first place. This is a really important conversation and I hope you check it out….. (Don't forget to check out our previous conversations about Elijah Abel's early life, his mission to Canada, and his troubles in Cincinnati.) [paypal-donation]

canada black massachusetts cincinnati ordination lds brigham brigham young russell stevenson elijah ables

Trouble in Cincinnati: Ables' Time in Ohio #BlackHistoryMonth

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2018 12:56

Following Elijah Ables' Canadian mission, he returned for a short time to Nauvoo where he helped Joseph Smith escape from a mob from Missouri. Then he went to Ohio and encountered more Trouble in Cincinnati! Russell Stevenson continues our focus on #BlackHistoryMonth, and discusses some of the race riots and other difficulties Elijah Ables encountered in Ohio. https://youtu.be/UKPYgDJnKNo Russell: In about 1842, or it might have even been the fall of 1841, there had been a massive race riot break out in Cincinnati between local white workers and the African-American community. It was quite violent. Many prominent abolitionists found themselves under fire. Their homes, their offices, their businesses were all targeted for mob attack, and it's reasonable to suppose that Rees E. Price would have found under attack as well. So the fact that Elijah could navigate these white spaces, it tells you he had the skill to be in both worlds. And yet, in spite of this ability, in spite of this comfortability with white spaces, we know that in 1843, I speculate due to some of these heightened tensions that had developed due to this race riot, that locally, three apostles: Heber C. Kimball, Lorenzo Snow, and Orson Pratt, they banned Elijah from preaching to people not of African ancestry. GT: Ok, so approximately what year was that? Russell: Not approximately, it was 1843. GT: 1843, so he had some restrictions placed on him. Russell: Yes. I can't emphasize enough, though, it was not a priesthood restriction. They had the opportunity. If they wanted to take the priesthood from Elijah at that time, they could have. That was the perfect opportunity to do so. They did not. In the minutes that tell us about this episode, he is explicitly identified as a Seventy and there is no comment made about him losing priesthood, and two years later, there is a newspaper article again referring to Elijah's workings in that branch where he is also referred to as a Seventy. Russell also talks about speculation Elijah may have helped with the Underground Railroad to free blacks from slavery! Russell: Now did that lead to some sort of collaboration in helping with the Underground Railroad? That's a very interesting speculation. It also goes beyond the evidence. Trust me, I would love to know that Elijah played an active role in assisting with the Underground Railroad. We just don't know that. Don't forget to learn more about Elijah's Canadian mission, and his work on the Kirtland Temple. Check out our conversation….. [paypal-donation]

trust canadian ohio price african americans african missouri cincinnati black history month trouble seventy gt underground railroad joseph smith nauvoo kirtland temple orson pratt lorenzo snow russell stevenson heber c kimball elijah ables

Ables' Canadian Mission & Escape from the Mob #BlackHistoryMonth

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2018 16:11

February is Black History Month and we're continuing our conversation with Russell Stevenson. He's the biographer of Elijah Ables and in this next episode, we'll talk about Ables' Canadian mission. Did you know that he had to escape from a mob? https://youtu.be/Z4ilCkk84kM Russell: I don't think it's a coincidence that at approximately the same time, Elijah is being chased by a tar and feather mob. He runs to the home of Sarah Beckstead. Who is it that ends up defending Elijah's life? It isn't the man of the house, but it is Sarah Beckstead, who comes out with a rifle in hand and opens fire on the mob and they quickly disperse. GT: Oh wow. Russell: Sarah Beckstead saved Elijah's life that night. GT: Wow, that's crazy. I'm trying to remember, but I believe that there was a charge of murder against Elijah Ables. Is that right? Russell: Yes, yes that is correct. There were rumors being spread that he had committed several murders in fact. It's likely that played a role in his persecution as well. Here's a couple of other noteworthy moments from Able's Canadian mission. Russell: We know that he played a role in ordaining another man to the priesthood, William McIntire. That is again clear from very good contemporary evidence. GT: So this is a black man ordaining a white man to the priesthood? Russell: Yes. GT: Wow, that's pretty cool. Russell: Yes. We know that Elijah had success in converting a woman by the name of Eunice Kinney. Eunice Kinney was a woman living in Madrid, New York and she said as she heard Elijah speak, even though he didn't have the same ability to read and to engage written texts as others did, she felt the spirit so powerfully when he preached. She wanted badly to affiliate with the saints and to become acquainted with the saints, based on his testimony alone. Don't forget to learn more about Elijah's Ohio conversion and work on the Kirtland Temple. Check out our conversation….. [paypal-donation]

new york mission canadian ohio escape madrid black history month kirtland temple russell stevenson elijah ables

Early Life of Elijah Ables #BlackHistoryMonth

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2018 18:25

February is #BlackHistoryMonth and we're starting off with Russell Stevenson, a Ph.D. candidate at Michigan State University in African-American studies. He has written a biography of Elijah Ables, and we're going to learn more about the first documented black man to hold the priesthood. I'll ask if Elijah Ables was born a slave, and we'll learn as much as we can about his life before he joined the LDS Church. https://youtu.be/JwiuLUSa4aY Russell: We do not have a lot of hard data on Elijah's upbringing. We know something about where he's from. We know that he was born in western Maryland. There are a number of potential counties according to different documents where he could have been born in some say Frederick, others say Washington, others say Hancock. We know that he was born at some point between 1808-1812. As far as his religious upbringing, we know basically nothing about that. We don't even know with certainty that he was a slave. Statistically speaking that part of Maryland, the free African-American versus the slave African-American ratio, it broke in favor of slaves. Statistically speaking he was probably a slave at some point, but beyond that speculation we don't know with certainty. Really the first hard documentation we have of Elijah's life comes through a photograph that we have, George A. Smith family photograph collection and it identifies his baptism year as being 1832. Thanks to that photo, we have some sense of how old he was, which is again, somewhere between 20-24 years old, but the documentation is pretty limited. Was he light enough to pass for white? What was his occupation? Russell answers these questions! Check out our conversation….. Don't forget to check out our interviews with Margaret Young, Dr. Paul Reeve, Dr. Mark Staker, and Dr. Darron Smith as part of your studies of #BlackHistoryMonth! [paypal-donation]

washington african americans maryland black history month michigan state university hancock statistically early life lds church paul reeve russell stevenson darron smith george a smith elijah ables

Episode 69: Introduction to Higher Biblical Criticism – Philip Barlow

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2017 46:47

Philip L. Barlow is the Arrington Chair of Mormon History and Culture at Utah State University. He earned a PhD in 1988, with an emphasis on Religion and American Culture and on the History of Christianity from Harvard University. At Utah State he has taught courses in Religious Studies, Mormonism, and American religion. His books include The Oxford Handbook to Mormonism (co-edited with Terryl Givens) and Mormons and the Bible: The Place of Latter-day Saints in American Religion. He is also the author of “Adam and Eve in the Twenty-First Century: Navigating Conflicting Commandments in DLS Faith and Biblical Scholarship,” which appeared in the most recent issue of Studies in the Bible and Antiquity. On this episode, he discusses with Russell Stevenson factors in the nineteenth century that changed how scholars interpreted the Bible, including the introduction of historical criticism. Extra Resources: Episode 69 Transcript Mormons and the Bible: the Place of Latter-Day Saints in American Religion

american history culture bible phd religion christianity saints studies harvard university mormon mormonism religious studies barlow latter day saints american culture antiquity utah state university oxford handbook american religion mormon history biblical criticism terryl givens russell stevenson arrington chair philip barlow

Episode 69: Introduction to Higher Biblical Criticism – Philip Barlow

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2017 46:47

Photo via Faith Matters Philip L. Barlow is the Arrington Chair of Mormon History and Culture at Utah State University. He earned a PhD in 1988, with an emphasis on Religion and American Culture and on the History of Christianity from Harvard University. At Utah State he has taught courses in Religious Studies, Mormonism, and American religion. His books include The Oxford Handbook to Mormonism (co-edited with Terryl Givens) and Mormons and the Bible: The Place of Latter-day Saints in American Religion. He is also the author of “Adam and Eve in the Twenty-First Century: Navigating Conflicting Commandments in DLS Faith and Biblical Scholarship,” which appeared in the most recent issue of Studies in the Bible and Antiquity. On this episode, he discusses with Russell Stevenson factors in the nineteenth century that changed how scholars interpreted the Bible, including the introduction of historical criticism. Download Transcript

american history culture bible phd religion christianity saints studies harvard university mormon mormonism religious studies barlow american culture antiquity utah state university oxford handbook american religion mormon history biblical criticism terryl givens download transcript russell stevenson arrington chair philip barlow

Episode 64: Religious and Financial Panic in Kirtland – Elizabeth Kuehn

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2017 42:19

On this episode of the LDS Perspectives Podcast, Russell Stevenson interviews Elizabeth Kuehn, a Joseph Smith Papers historian and documentary editor, about one of the lasting blemishes on the Mormon Kirtland experience – the failure of the Kirtland Safety Society Bank. Most agree that the Panic of 1837 was the proximate cause of the failure of the bank, but many have long speculated about Joseph Smith’s culpability in the episode and how the practical fallout from the collapse led to the falling away of some of Joseph’s closest associates. When we talk about bank panics, it is natural to visualize It’s a Wonderful Life. George Bailey has a savings and loan company and all these people run into the bank, and they want to withdraw their money. He says, “Well, you know, your money’s in this person’s home, and your money’s in that person’s home.” But this is not at all like it was within Kirtland. The Kirtland Safety Society was not a deposit bank, so it doesn’t have that It’s a Wonderful Life connection. It’s funded by shareholders who are slowly paying for their stock, and that’s the funding for the bank. The bank exists because John Johnson and Oliver Cowdery and Emma Smith had all paid a portion for their stock. The establishment and failure of the Kirtland Safety Society is a rather complicated issue – one that deals with specie, 1830s finance laws, bank vetoes, and practices foreign to modern financial practices. Kuehn deftly walks Stevenson and listeners through the ins and outs of how the bank is established, its short life and demise, and the fallout. Sometimes the Kirtland Safety Society is presented as this weird or reckless endeavor when actually, it was born out of ambition, and it made a lot of sense for the Kirtland community to try and jump start the economy. Even their detractors noted that it made sense. Joseph tried it, and it failed. He was disappointed by this, but it didn’t consume him. He was able to move on. Many others were able to move on. Kuehn shares a spectrum of examples of how members reacted to the failure. There is Parley P. Pratt who came out strong and angry, then became one of the most repentant. Next you have the quiet acceptance of Wilford Woodruff and the staunch acceptance of Brigham Young, who realizes some of Joseph Smith’s shortcomings but is able to move forward. You also get some poignant descriptions in the letters of Vilate Kimball, where she recognized what the dissenters are feeling and experiencing. They feel betrayed; they feel this sense of being unheard; they’re not being part of the decision making process that they want to be part of. She says, “You know what? I feel a lot of sympathy and pity for them, but the Lord requires His people to be chastened.” That’s kind of where she ends it, with this expectation of, “You have to get in line with the Prophet if you’re going to continue with the Saints.” Later in Utah Joseph Young called this a stumbling block for the Saints — a moment where they have to decide whether or not Joseph is a prophet and whether or not they will follow him. For Kuehn, that’s the larger take away. This question of “What are the expectations of a prophet?” and looking closely at this period of dissent, this period of faith crisis, and these questions of “Where do you draw your lines? How do you voice your disagreement?” Tune in to hear Elizabeth Kuehn discuss religious and financial crisis during the Kirtland years. To read more from the Joseph Smith Papers on the topic, check out Documents, Volume 5: October 1835-January 1838. Extra Resources: Episode 64 Transcript Documents, Volume 5: October 1835-January 1838

lord financial saints panic prophet religious documents wonderful life stevenson pratt joseph smith george bailey brigham young john johnson emma smith kirtland kuehn oliver cowdery joseph smith papers wilford woodruff parley p russell stevenson kirtland safety society

Episode 64: Religious and Financial Panic in Kirtland – Elizabeth Kuehn

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2017 42:19

On this episode of the LDS Perspectives Podcast, Russell Stevenson interviews Elizabeth Kuehn, a Joseph Smith Papers historian and documentary editor, about one of the lasting blemishes on the Mormon Kirtland experience – the failure of the Kirtland Safety Society Bank. Most agree that the Panic of 1837 was the proximate cause of the failure of the bank, but many have long speculated about Joseph Smith’s culpability in the episode and how the practical fallout from the collapse led to the falling away of some of Joseph’s closest associates. When we talk about bank panics, it is natural to visualize It’s a Wonderful Life. George Bailey has a savings and loan company and all these people run into the bank, and they want to withdraw their money. He says, “Well, you know, your money’s in this person’s home, and your money’s in that person’s home.” But this is not at all like it was within Kirtland. The Kirtland Safety Society was not a deposit bank, so it doesn’t have that It’s a Wonderful Life connection. It’s funded by shareholders who are slowly paying for their stock, and that’s the funding for the bank. The bank exists because John Johnson and Oliver Cowdery and Emma Smith had all paid a portion for their stock. The establishment and failure of the Kirtland Safety Society is a rather complicated issue – one that deals with specie, 1830s finance laws, bank vetoes, and practices foreign to modern financial practices. Kuehn deftly walks Stevenson and listeners through the ins and outs of how the bank is established, its short life and demise, and the fallout. Sometimes the Kirtland Safety Society is presented as this weird or reckless endeavor when actually, it was born out of ambition, and it made a lot of sense for the Kirtland community to try and jump start the economy. Even their detractors noted that it made sense. Joseph tried it, and it failed. He was disappointed by this, but it didn’t consume him. He was able to move on. Many others were able to move on. Kuehn shares a spectrum of examples of how members reacted to the failure. There is Parley P. Pratt who came out strong and angry, then became one of the most repentant. Next you have the quiet acceptance of Wilford Woodruff and the staunch acceptance of Brigham Young, who realizes some of Joseph Smith’s shortcomings but is able to move forward. You also get some poignant descriptions in the letters of Vilate Kimball, where she recognized what the dissenters are feeling and experiencing. They feel betrayed; they feel this sense of being unheard; they’re not being part of the decision making process that they want to be part of. She says, “You know what? I feel a lot of sympathy and pity for them, but the Lord requires His people to be chastened.” That’s kind of where she ends it, with this expectation of, “You have to get in line with the Prophet if you’re going to continue with the Saints.” Later in Utah Joseph Young called this a stumbling block for the Saints — a moment where they have to decide whether or not Joseph is a prophet and whether or not they will follow him. For Kuehn, that’s the larger take away. This question of “What are the expectations of a prophet?” and looking closely at this period of dissent, this period of faith crisis, and these questions of “Where do you draw your lines? How do you voice your disagreement?” Tune in to hear Elizabeth Kuehn discuss religious and financial crisis during the Kirtland years. To read more from the Joseph Smith Papers on the topic, check out Documents, Volume 5: October 1835-January 1838. Download Transcript

lord financial saints panic prophet religious documents wonderful life stevenson pratt joseph smith george bailey brigham young john johnson emma smith kirtland kuehn oliver cowdery joseph smith papers wilford woodruff download transcript russell stevenson kirtland safety society

Episode 58: The Martin Luther that Mormons Don’t Know – Craig Harline

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2017 38:10

Some Mormons regard Martin Luther as a kind of hero. Maybe for various reasons that could be true, but many of the things that Luther was against, Mormons would be for. In fact, Mormons have a lot more in common with Catholics than they do with Protestants. Though he has been credited for laying groundwork for the Restoration, Martin Luther actually shared few religious views in common with those of the Mormon faith, at least in regard to the subjects he cared about most. Russell Stevenson of LDS Perspectives Podcast interviewed Luther biographer Craig Harline about Luther’s motivations for questioning the Catholic Church. Popular legend has it that on October 31, 1517, he defiantly nailed a copy of his 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle church. As if being finally fed up, Luther acted in public defiance by finally writing down his frustrations. As it turns out, Harline clarifies, the nailing of these was a routine act for professors such as Luther, and Luther was interested in debate and discussion more than open defiance. What Luther most cared about was grace. Every theologian pretty much agreed that man was saved by grace, but then there was always a qualifier: grace through what? It wasn’t just a question of whether salvation came through works or grace; it was a question of how grace went together with works. The current orthodoxy taught basically to do the best you could, and Jesus would do the rest. But that just didn’t satisfy Luther, because a really sensitive soul like his could always find something else wrong inside himself. He questioned, “How do I know that I’m doing all that I can? The question tormented him. Harline says that Luther suffered from what the monks called overscrupulousness or “the bath of hell.” The clergy understood this was an occupational hazard; if your job is to look inside yourself most of the day for sins, you were going to find them. You could be so worried because you could always find something else you could do better. Through his struggles, Luther came to believe that the answer to the question of how he was saved was simple — it was through faith alone. And by faith, he simply meant just assenting to letting God save you. According to Harline, Luther was of the attitude that men should: “Just give it up and realize that they are saved by Jesus. Do everything you want; you’ll still be saved by Jesus, and if you accept that, you’ll be a lot happier.” Later Luther became increasingly uncomfortable with other tenets of Catholicism, especially the authority of the pope, which was what really got him in trouble — much more than his views on grace. As his position became more perilous, he became more excessive and desperate in what he said. By 1520, he was saying all kinds of angry things against the Pope — that’s what made him really popular in Germany especially, but in other parts of Europe as well. Harline finds it amazing that Luther survived considering how precarious his situation. Others had been executed for less. As an educator, Harline tries to teach Luther on Luther's own terms instead of trying to fit him into a Mormon paradigm. Years of teaching the Reformation to college students have shown him that most Mormons don’t know much about this period and what they do know is distorted. His students really like to learn what it was like, so he tries to teach it as accurately as possible. “We want others to study us as we would recognize ourselves,” says Harline, “so why wouldn’t we study others in a way that they would recognize themselves as well?” On this episode of the LDS Perspectives Podcast, tune in to hear more about a sensitive soul’s desire to help himself and others find peace even if it meant questioning everything he had ever been taught. Craig Harline is the author of A World Ablaze: The Rise of Martin Luther and the Birth of the Reformation, written in celebration of 500 years since Martin Luther famously nailed 95 theses to the church door in W...

god jesus christ europe germany birth restoration popular pope mormon catholic church reformation catholics catholicism luther martin luther protestants harline russell stevenson craig harline

Episode 58: The Martin Luther that Mormons Don’t Know – Craig Harline

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2017 38:10

Some Mormons regard Martin Luther as a kind of hero. Maybe for various reasons that could be true, but many of the things that Luther was against, Mormons would be for. In fact, Mormons have a lot more in common with Catholics than they do with Protestants. Though he has been credited for laying groundwork for the Restoration, Martin Luther actually shared few religious views in common with those of the Mormon faith, at least in regard to the subjects he cared about most. Russell Stevenson of LDS Perspectives Podcast interviewed Luther biographer Craig Harline about Luther’s motivations for questioning the Catholic Church. Popular legend has it that on October 31, 1517, he defiantly nailed a copy of his 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle church. As if being finally fed up, Luther acted in public defiance by finally writing down his frustrations. As it turns out, Harline clarifies, the nailing of these was a routine act for professors such as Luther, and Luther was interested in debate and discussion more than open defiance. What Luther most cared about was grace. Every theologian pretty much agreed that man was saved by grace, but then there was always a qualifier: grace through what? It wasn’t just a question of whether salvation came through works or grace; it was a question of how grace went together with works. The current orthodoxy taught basically to do the best you could, and Jesus would do the rest. But that just didn’t satisfy Luther, because a really sensitive soul like his could always find something else wrong inside himself. He questioned, “How do I know that I’m doing all that I can? The question tormented him. Harline says that Luther suffered from what the monks called overscrupulousness or “the bath of hell.” The clergy understood this was an occupational hazard; if your job is to look inside yourself most of the day for sins, you were going to find them. You could be so worried because you could always find something else you could do better. Through his struggles, Luther came to believe that the answer to the question of how he was saved was simple — it was through faith alone. And by faith, he simply meant just assenting to letting God save you. According to Harline, Luther was of the attitude that men should: “Just give it up and realize that they are saved by Jesus. Do everything you want; you’ll still be saved by Jesus, and if you accept that, you’ll be a lot happier.” Later Luther became increasingly uncomfortable with other tenets of Catholicism, especially the authority of the pope, which was what really got him in trouble — much more than his views on grace. As his position became more perilous, he became more excessive and desperate in what he said. By 1520, he was saying all kinds of angry things against the Pope — that’s what made him really popular in Germany especially, but in other parts of Europe as well. Harline finds it amazing that Luther survived considering how precarious his situation. Others had been executed for less. As an educator, Harline tries to teach Luther on Luther's own terms instead of trying to fit him into a Mormon paradigm. Years of teaching the Reformation to college students have shown him that most Mormons don’t know much about this period and what they do know is distorted. His students really like to learn what it was like, so he tries to teach it as accurately as possible. “We want others to study us as we would recognize ourselves,” says Harline, “so why wouldn’t we study others in a way that they would recognize themselves as well?” On this episode of the LDS Perspectives Podcast, tune in to hear more about a sensitive soul’s desire to help himself and others find peace even if it meant questioning everything he had ever been taught. Craig Harline is the author of A World Ablaze: The Rise of Martin Luther and the Birth of the Reformation, written in celebration of 500 years since Martin Luther famously nailed 95 theses to the church door in W...

god jesus christ europe germany birth restoration popular pope mormon catholic church reformation catholics catholicism luther martin luther protestants harline russell stevenson craig harline

Episode 35: A Heavenly Mother – Rachel Steenblik and Caitlin Connolly

Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2017 23:01

Last summer Russell Stevenson sat down with Rachel Steenblik and Caitlin Connolly, two women who have studied the concept of a divine feminine--or Heavenly Mother. Rachel was the primary researcher on a BYU Studies article that identified known references to a Heavenly Mother in the Mormon historical record. Caitlin was commission to paint Heavenly Mother by Deseret Book. Though it is assumed that we have a Heavenly Mother, she is rarely mentionioned in LDS Church discourse, with a preference to referring to Heavenly Father or Heavenly Parents. Steenblick notes that most members are aware of the reference to a Heavenly Mother by Eliza R. Snow in "O My Father." However, her song was not the first reference. W. W. Phelps wrote two pieces--one a few months before the Prophet Joseph Smith's death and one a few months after. And in the nineteenth-century Church, a Heavenly Mother was not unfrequently referenced. Three prophets of the twentieth century, Spencer W. Kimball, Joseph Fielding Smith, and Harold B. Lee, stated that women were created in Heavenly Mother's image. Contemporary Old Testament scholars see the divine feminine, or a Heavenly Mother, in scripture, though it is difficult for the lay person to identify those references. Both women feel discussions of a divine feminine are important because they help to answer the question for women: “Where do I belong in the eternities?” The Church's gospel topic essay "Mother in Heaven," the BYU Studies article, and a new book published by Deseret Book can help encourage dialogue on this important topic.

church mother snow mormon heavenly father phelps connolly kimball lds church heavenly mother deseret book prophet joseph smith heavenly parents joseph fielding smith byu studies harold b eliza r snow russell stevenson

Episode 35: A Heavenly Mother – Rachel Steenblik and Caitlin Connolly

Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2017 23:01

Last summer Russell Stevenson sat down with Rachel Steenblik and Caitlin Connolly, two women who have studied the concept of a divine feminine--or Heavenly Mother. Rachel was the primary researcher on a BYU Studies article that identified known references to a Heavenly Mother in the Mormon historical record. Caitlin was commission to paint Heavenly Mother by Deseret Book. Though it is assumed that we have a Heavenly Mother, she is rarely mentionioned in LDS Church discourse, with a preference to referring to Heavenly Father or Heavenly Parents. Steenblick notes that most members are aware of the reference to a Heavenly Mother by Eliza R. Snow in "O My Father." However, her song was not the first reference. W. W. Phelps wrote two pieces--one a few months before the Prophet Joseph Smith's death and one a few months after. And in the nineteenth-century Church, a Heavenly Mother was not unfrequently referenced. Three prophets of the twentieth century, Spencer W. Kimball, Joseph Fielding Smith, and Harold B. Lee, stated that women were created in Heavenly Mother's image. Contemporary Old Testament scholars see the divine feminine, or a Heavenly Mother, in scripture, though it is difficult for the lay person to identify those references. Both women feel discussions of a divine feminine are important because they help to answer the question for women: “Where do I belong in the eternities?” The Church's gospel topic essay "Mother in Heaven," the BYU Studies article, and a new book published by Deseret Book can help encourage dialogue on this important topic. Extra Resources: "A Mother There": a Survey of Historical Teachings about Mother in Heaven (Free) Mother in Heaven (Free) Our Heavenly Family, Our Earthly Families

church mother snow survey mormon heavenly father phelps connolly kimball lds church heavenly mother deseret book prophet joseph smith heavenly parents joseph fielding smith byu studies harold b eliza r snow russell stevenson

Episode 22: In Brigham Young’s Words – Gerrit Dirkmaat and LaJean Carruth

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2017 64:51

Download Transcript In our first doubleheader, we present an episode covering the discrepancies between the shorthand versions of speeches of early LDS Church leaders in Utah and their published versions. First, Russell Stevenson interviews Gerrit Dirkmaat about the research he and LaJean Carruth did comparing the shorthand notes of George Watt to some of the speeches in the Journal of Discourses. In their research, they examined hundreds of sermons, and sometimes the sermons and original transcriptions varied by hundreds of words. Dirkmaat points out that when one is talking about doctrine, words matter. While the essence of these speeches are similar in the shorthand and published versions, the words used vary greatly. The Journal of Discourses have historical and religious value, but Dirkmaat urges members to be careful quoting specific passages and to realize that in most cases, there is no way to know the specific words used. LaJean Purcell Carruth has an unusual skill: she can read the shorthand of George Watt, the transcriber of the speeches contained in the Journal of Discourses, his private printing venture. Over the past thirty years, she has learned his distinctive style--the unique upturns and curves he made in his notations. As she transcribed his notes, she noticed that they varied -- sometimes greatly -- from the printed versions of the same speeches. She wrote a poem about what she noticed: There was a man named George Watt, Who could improve Brigham Young, so he thought. So he took out words here, And he added words there, And his accuracy was not what it ought. LaJean Purcell Carruth© LaJean expounds on what she has learned about the speaking styles of early religious leaders. They spoke extemporaneously and without notes and were more prone to engage in speculative theology than current leaders. She emphasizes that Brigham Young was a powerful speaker. He cared about the people, and they knew that he cared about them. When George Watt changed Brigham Young's words, he changed what Brigham Young said about himself. She feels the real Brigham Young has been lost to us as we view him through his discourses printed in the Journal of Discourses. In her research, she discovered that the "one drop" phrase attributed to Brigham Young by Wilford Woodruff did not exist in the original shorthand transcription of George Watt on a speech relating to the priesthood and temple ban. LaJean shares with Laura Harris Hales what she has learned about Brigham Young from the words left out of the Journal of Discourses and other important speeches. Check out A Reason for Faith: Navigating LDS Doctrine and Church History. Enhance your study of LDS doctrine, history, and culture in this easy-to-read volume covering the seventeen most often discussed controversies. Now Available in Audio Format LDS Perspectives Podcast Episode 22: “In Brigham Young’s Words,” Part 1, with Gerrit Dirkmatt Russell Stevenson: Recording church history does not happen on its own. It demands a process, a technique, and real and diligent labor. Today we have historian Gerrit Dirkmaat to discuss with us the famous, and at times infamous Journal of Discourses , a widely cited compilation of speeches by early church leaders. What did the prophets say? How did they say it? What does it mean for our understanding of the 19th century church? Thanks for being here. Gerrit Dirkmaat: It’s good to be here. Russell Stevenson: For those of us who have not had the opportunity to learn about this thing that we call the Journal of Discourses , give us a little bit of background about dictionary level, what is it? Gerrit Dirkmaat: The Journal of Discourses is a huge source. Actually, it’s hard to wrap your hands around what all of it is, but on the most basic level, this is a 26-volume set that was produced throughout the mid- to late 19th-century of sermons that were recorded. Most of these sermons being given by prophets and apostles...

utah journal recording enhance lds gerrit lds church brigham young discourses carruth wilford woodruff russell stevenson

Episode 22: In Brigham Young’s Words – Gerrit Dirkmaat and LaJean Carruth

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2017 64:51

In our first doubleheader, we present an episode covering the discrepancies between the shorthand versions of speeches of early LDS Church leaders in Utah and their published versions. First, Russell Stevenson interviews Gerrit Dirkmaat about the research he and LaJean Carruth did comparing the shorthand notes of George Watt to some of the speeches in the Journal of Discourses. In their research, they examined hundreds of sermons, and sometimes the sermons and original transcriptions varied by hundreds of words. Dirkmaat points out that when one is talking about doctrine, words matter. While the essence of these speeches are similar in the shorthand and published versions, the words used vary greatly. The Journal of Discourses have historical and religious value, but Dirkmaat urges members to be careful quoting specific passages and to realize that in most cases, there is no way to know the specific words used. LaJean Purcell Carruth has an unusual skill: she can read the shorthand of George Watt, the transcriber of the speeches contained in the Journal of Discourses, his private printing venture. Over the past thirty years, she has learned his distinctive style--the unique upturns and curves he made in his notations. As she transcribed his notes, she noticed that they varied -- sometimes greatly -- from the printed versions of the same speeches. She wrote a poem about what she noticed: There was a man named George Watt, Who could improve Brigham Young, so he thought. So he took out words here, And he added words there, And his accuracy was not what it ought. LaJean Purcell Carruth© LaJean expounds on what she has learned about the speaking styles of early religious leaders. They spoke extemporaneously and without notes and were more prone to engage in speculative theology than current leaders. She emphasizes that Brigham Young was a powerful speaker. He cared about the people, and they knew that he cared about them. When George Watt changed Brigham Young's words, he changed what Brigham Young said about himself. She feels the real Brigham Young has been lost to us as we view him through his discourses printed in the Journal of Discourses. In her research, she discovered that the "one drop" phrase attributed to Brigham Young by Wilford Woodruff did not exist in the original shorthand transcription of George Watt on a speech relating to the priesthood and temple ban. LaJean shares with Laura Harris Hales what she has learned about Brigham Young from the words left out of the Journal of Discourses and other important speeches. Download Transcript Extra Resources: Episode 22 Transcript Slavery, Servitude, and Race (Entire Presentation for Free) Speech by Brigham Young February 5, 1852 (FREE) “The Prophets Have Spoken, But What Did They Say" Examining the Differences Between George D. Watt's Original Shorthand Notes And The Sermons Published In The Journal Of Discourses” LDS Perspectives Podcast Episode 22: “In Brigham Young’s Words,” Part 1, with Gerrit Dirkmatt Russell Stevenson: Recording church history does not happen on its own. It demands a process, a technique, and real and diligent labor. Today we have historian Gerrit Dirkmaat to discuss with us the famous, and at times infamous Journal of Discourses , a widely cited compilation of speeches by early church leaders. What did the prophets say? How did they say it? What does it mean for our understanding of the 19th century church? Thanks for being here. Gerrit Dirkmaat: It’s good to be here. Russell Stevenson: For those of us who have not had the opportunity to learn about this thing that we call the Journal of Discourses , give us a little bit of background about dictionary level, what is it? Gerrit Dirkmaat: The Journal of Discourses is a huge source. Actually, it’s hard to wrap your hands around what all of it is, but on the most basic level, this is a 26-volume set that was produced throughout the mid- to late 19th-century of sermo...

utah journal recording examining free speech watt gerrit servitude lds church brigham young discourses carruth wilford woodruff russell stevenson

Episode 14: Curriculum and Correlation – David B. Marsh

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2016 49:42

Russell Stevenson interviews David Marsh, who has worked developing curriculum for the LDS Church for decades. Together they discuss the nitty-gritty details of taking a teaching concept from its inception stage to the classroom. Who hasn't found their mind wandering during a Sunday School lesson or wondering why the manuals repeatedly emphasize the same basic principles? And who writes these manuals? Are they scholars, professional teachers, or members who are called to the task? What is Correlation? The answers to these questions may surprise you. Dr. Marsh walks us through the process of curriculum creation, which includes the following steps: Concept Development Text Prototype Manuscript Creation Feedback Revision Full Prototype with Images Translation Publicity Printing Manuals are reviewed by hundreds of people before they are distributed, including the managers and directors of curriculum development, executive directors, the Priesthood and Executive Committees, the General Auxiliary Presidencies (YW, YM, RS, SS, and Primary), and sometimes the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency. From his years teaching and writing curriculum, David Marsh dispenses wisdom about how to approach our Sunday experience in order to minimize frustration. He speaks to the echo chamber of academia and our responsibility to seek out for ourselves the deeper doctrines of the gospel and become self-reliant learners. Extra Resources: LDS Gospel Study Blog (Free) Doubt Not, But Be Believing: Supporting Loved Ones Through Their Trials of Faith

primary curriculum marsh sunday school ss rs correlation lds church quorum david b twelve apostles ym first presidency david marsh russell stevenson

Episode 14: Curriculum and Correlation – David B. Marsh

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2016 49:42

Russell Stevenson interviews David Marsh, who has worked developing curriculum for the LDS Church for decades. Together they discuss the nitty gritty details of taking a teaching concept from its inception stage to the classroom. Who hasn't found their mind wandering during a Sunday School lesson or wondering why the manuals repeatedly emphasize the same basic principles? And who writes these manuals? Are they scholars, professional teachers, or members who are called to the task? What is Correlation? The answers to these questions may surprise you. Dr. Marsh walks us through the process of curriculum creation, which includes the following steps: Concept Development Text Prototype Manuscript Creation Feedback Revision Full Prototype with Images Translation Publicity Printing Manuals are reviewed by hundreds of people before they are distributed, including the managers and directors of curriculum development, executive directors, the Priesthood and Executive Committees, the General Auxiliary Presidencies (YW, YM, RS, SS, and Primary), and sometimes the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency. From his years teaching and writing curriculum, David Marsh dispenses wisdom about how to approach our Sunday experience in order to minimize frustration. He speaks to the echo chamber of academia and our responsibility to seek out for ourselves the deeper doctrines of the gospel and become self-reliant learners.

primary curriculum marsh sunday school ss rs correlation lds church quorum david b twelve apostles ym first presidency david marsh russell stevenson

Joseph's Seer Stones with Michael Hubbard MacKay

Book of Mormon Central

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2016 38:41

In this podcast, Russell Stevenson interviews Dr. Michael Mackay about the use of seer stones in the Book of Mormon translation process. Dr. Mackay claims the seer stones were not simply a tool to give Joseph confidence to translate; they represent something much more significant.

stones mormon book of mormon mackay seer russell stevenson michael hubbard

Episode 9: Joseph’s Seer Stones – Michael Hubbard MacKay

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2016 38:41

Russell Stevenson interviews Dr. Michael Mackay about the use of seer stones in the Book of Mormon translation process. Some may not realize that Joseph continued to use seer stones after the Book of Mormon was translated. He used them while translating the Bible, when dictating revelations, and even when giving patriarchal blessings. After his death, Joseph's stones were passed down to succeeding presidents of the church and looked upon as sacred relics. Dr. Mackay discusses how the seer stones were not simply a tool to give Joseph confidence to translate; they represent something much more significant. Download Transcript Extra Resources: Episode 9 Transcript Michael MacKay on Changing Views that Seemed Set in Stone (Free) Joseph Smith's Seer Stones From Darkness into Light: Joseph Smith's Translation and Publication of the Book of Mormon “Git Them Translated”

bible stones translation publication book of mormon mackay seer russell stevenson michael hubbard michael mackay

Episode 9: Joseph’s Seer Stones – Michael Hubbard MacKay

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2016 38:41

Russell Stevenson interviews Dr. Michael Mackay about the use of seer stones in the Book of Mormon translation process. Some may not realize that Joseph continued to use seer stones after the Book of Mormon was translated. He used them while translating the Bible, when dictating revelations, and even when giving patriarchal blessings. After his death, Joseph's stones were passed down to succeeding presidents of the church and looked upon as sacred relics. Dr. Mackay discusses how the seer stones were not simply a tool to give Joseph confidence to translate; they represent something much more significant. Download Transcript

bible stones mormon book of mormon mackay seer download transcript russell stevenson michael hubbard

Episode 6: DNA Detective Work – Ugo Perego

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2016 41:46

Download Transcript Last summer Russell Stevenson sat down with Dr. Ugo Perego to discuss his use of DNA research in historical studies. Early in his career, Ugo used genetic studies in genealogical research. Lately he has expanded his studies to shed light on historical mysteries. In this episode, Dr. Perego shares his findings on three topics: Joseph Smith's posterity, DNA of North American peoples, and victims of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. Ugo's youngest son thinks he gets invited to lecture because of his really cool accent. We agree his accent is cool, but his insights are what keep us hanging onto every word. LDS Perspectives Podcast Episode 6: DNA Detective Work with Ugo Perego Russell Stevenson: This is Russell Stevenson, and today we have Dr. Ugo A. Perego, a population geneticist, who will be discussing with us the meaning and significance of genetic studies for Latter-day Saint history. Thanks so much for joining us, Ugo. Ugo Perego: It’s good to be here. Russell Stevenson: Let’s talk generally about the significance of genetics research for the study of Latter-day Saint history. You know, from a bird’s eye view we typically haven’t asked these kinds of questions. How has your field of study generally changed the way we look at Latter-day Saint history? Ugo Perego: I don’t think we are really changing anything, but we are bringing in something. I think that over time technology, and not just with genetics, but you would agree with any kind of field, you know, computer and digital imaging, and other ways. We’ve been able to bring in some tools that will allow us to take a different look or bringing in some new data that complements what we might have had before just using traditional methods. Like the archives and so on. And then what we can do is that we can bring this data and look at it within the context of what we already knew and see if we are shedding more light, or maybe we are confirming that we really cannot answer a particular question. Maybe before it was a suspicion, now we are confirming it using this genetic data. Russell Stevenson: One of your major projects is studying the family of Joseph Smith, specifically within the context of polygamy. So tell us a little bit more about your work there. Ugo Perego: Well, I started to actually look at the opposite direction, which was a number of years ago when I started working for Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation in Salt Lake City, and I was a graduate student. One of the questions that was asked was, “Isn’t it interesting we are building this project to help people do the family history, their genealogy, and fulfill to some degree the Latter-day Saint’s commandment to trace your ancestry back as far as you can. And yet, the founder of Mormonism, Joseph Smith, up to that point, that was something that was brought to me, there was uncertainty about where he came from in England. Genealogically the Smith family, and the genealogists that were interested in the Smith family, were unable to accurately trace back Joseph Smith ancestry all the way to the first Smith in America. Russell Stevenson: For those people who are not well versed in genetic studies, they’re not aware of how you actually carry out this sort of research, break down for us the logistics of how you trace somebody’s ancestry genetically. What is it that you do step by step? Ugo Perego: Okay, so everyone carries DNA. We all have DNA. We have it in the cells of our body. And the DNA is not created from nothing. It’s inherited from those that came before us. So the simple math when it comes to DNA is that we all get 50% of our DNA from each of our parents. Fifty from Mom, 50% from Dad. Then on average we have about 25% of that DNA from each of our grandparents, and then we halve every generation. So, as I go back, I only get half on average from the individual on that particular generation.

america england dna dad mom north american salt lake city fifty mormonism joseph smith ugo detective work mountain meadows massacre russell stevenson

Episode 6: DNA Detective Work – Ugo Perego

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2016 41:46

Last summer Russell Stevenson sat down with Dr. Ugo Perego to discuss his use of DNA research in historical studies. Early in his career, Ugo used genetic studies in genealogical research. Lately he has expanded his studies to shed light on historical mysteries. In this episode, Dr. Perego shares his findings on three topics: Joseph Smith's posterity, DNA of North American peoples, and victims of the Mountain Meadows Massacre. Ugo's youngest son thinks he gets invited to lecture because of his really cool accent. We agree his accent is cool, but his insights are what keep us hanging onto every word. Download Transcript Extra Resources: Episode 6 Transcript Joseph Smith's DNA Research All Abraham's Children: A Genetic Perspective Finding Lehi in America Through DNA Analysis Gospel Topics Essay: Book of Mormon and DNA Studies Book of Mormon and DNA Studies The Mountain Meadows Massacre: A Scientific Approach LDS Perspectives Podcast Episode 6: DNA Detective Work with Ugo Perego Russell Stevenson: This is Russell Stevenson, and today we have Dr. Ugo A. Perego, a population geneticist, who will be discussing with us the meaning and significance of genetic studies for Latter-day Saint history. Thanks so much for joining us, Ugo. Ugo Perego: It’s good to be here. Russell Stevenson: Let’s talk generally about the significance of genetics research for the study of Latter-day Saint history. You know, from a bird’s eye view we typically haven’t asked these kinds of questions. How has your field of study generally changed the way we look at Latter-day Saint history? Ugo Perego: I don’t think we are really changing anything, but we are bringing in something. I think that over time technology, and not just with genetics, but you would agree with any kind of field, you know, computer and digital imaging, and other ways. We’ve been able to bring in some tools that will allow us to take a different look or bringing in some new data that complements what we might have had before just using traditional methods. Like the archives and so on. And then what we can do is that we can bring this data and look at it within the context of what we already knew and see if we are shedding more light, or maybe we are confirming that we really cannot answer a particular question. Maybe before it was a suspicion, now we are confirming it using this genetic data. Russell Stevenson: One of your major projects is studying the family of Joseph Smith, specifically within the context of polygamy. So tell us a little bit more about your work there. Ugo Perego: Well, I started to actually look at the opposite direction, which was a number of years ago when I started working for Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation in Salt Lake City, and I was a graduate student. One of the questions that was asked was, “Isn’t it interesting we are building this project to help people do the family history, their genealogy, and fulfill to some degree the Latter-day Saint’s commandment to trace your ancestry back as far as you can. And yet, the founder of Mormonism, Joseph Smith, up to that point, that was something that was brought to me, there was uncertainty about where he came from in England. Genealogically the Smith family, and the genealogists that were interested in the Smith family, were unable to accurately trace back Joseph Smith ancestry all the way to the first Smith in America. Russell Stevenson: For those people who are not well versed in genetic studies, they’re not aware of how you actually carry out this sort of research, break down for us the logistics of how you trace somebody’s ancestry genetically. What is it that you do step by step? Ugo Perego: Okay, so everyone carries DNA. We all have DNA. We have it in the cells of our body. And the DNA is not created from nothing. It’s inherited from those that came before us. So the simple math when it comes to DNA is that we ...

america england dna north american salt lake city mormonism joseph smith ugo detective work mountain meadows massacre perego russell stevenson

Book of Mormon DNA Detective Work with Ugo Perego | LDS Perspectives

Book of Mormon Central

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2016 12:07

Last summer Russell Stevenson sat down with Dr. Ugo Perego to discuss his use of DNA research in historical studies. Early in his career, Ugo used genetic studies in genealogical research. Lately he has expanded his studies to shed light on historical mysteries. In this episode, Dr. Perego shares his findings on the DNA of North American peoples. Ugo’s youngest son thinks he gets invited to lecture because of his really cool accent. We agree his accent is cool, but his insights are what keep us hanging onto every word.

dna perspectives north american book of mormon ugo detective work russell stevenson

Episode 3: LDS Artwork Revisited – Anthony Sweat

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2016 29:33

In this fascinating discussion, Russell Stevenson interviews Dr. Anthony Sweat, who is an artist, BYU religion professor, and illustrator of the recent publications From Darkness into Light and Joseph Smith's Seer Stones. In recent years, LDS artwork found in church curriculum and magazines has been criticized because it does not portray the Book of Mormon translation process historically accurate. Dr. Sweat shares that the first place his students often learn that Joseph Smith put stones into a hat when translating is through the television show South Park. He seeks to provide artwork that not only portrays the process more accurately but also respectfully. Russell Stevenson and Anthony Sweat discuss how artists — from Arnold Friberg to the creators of South Park — have helped shape perceptions of LDS scriptures and historical events over the past seventy years. Extra Resources: “The Role of Art in Teaching Latter-day Saint History and Doctrine” From Darkness into Light: Joseph Smith's Translation and Publication of the Book of Mormon Joseph Smith's Seer Stones “Insight into Arnold Friberg's Book of Mormon Paintings”

art sweat translation artwork south park publication book of mormon lds joseph smith from darkness anthony sweat russell stevenson

Episode 3: LDS Artwork Revisited – Anthony Sweat

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2016 29:33

In this fascinating discussion, Russell Stevenson interviews Dr. Anthony Sweat, who is an artist, BYU religion professor, and illustrator of the recent publications From Darkness into Light and Joseph Smith's Seer Stones. In recent years, LDS artwork found in church curriculum and magazines has been criticized because it does not portray the Book of Mormon translation process historically accurate. Dr. Sweat shares that the first place his students often learn that Joseph Smith put stones into a hat when translating is through the television show South Park. He seeks to provide artwork that not only portrays the process more accurately but also respectfully. Russell Stevenson and Anthony Sweat discuss how artists — from Arnold Friberg to the creators of South Park — have helped shape perceptions of LDS scriptures and historical events over the past seventy years. The featured cover art is "By the Gift and Power of God" by Anthony Sweat. Used by permission of Anthony Sweat.

god power gift mormon sweat artwork south park book of mormon lds joseph smith from darkness anthony sweat russell stevenson

Episode #315 – It’s Gonna Be Yuge

This Week in Mormons

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2016 60:07

Ordain Women sets a new, moderate tone; Russell Stevenson on income inequality; Mormon conspiracy theories on Antonin Scalia; making church music better.

mormon antonin scalia yuge ordain women russell stevenson

Dialogue Lectures #25 w/Russell Stevenson

Dialogue Journal Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2015

In the 25th Dialogue podcast, Russell Stevenson looks at Nigeria and the Africanization of Mormon Identity. From the Miller Eccles website: The Nigerian Mormon story enjoys a fascinating cachet in Mormon thought. Often cast as “a people prepared” and “Saints without baptism,” standard Mormon narratives cast Nigerian Mormonism as an expression of racial dispensationalism in the grand arc of the Church in the latter days. But when understood on its own terms, Nigerian Mormonism defies such easy categorizations. Contrary to the narratives of racial dispensationalism, Nigerian Mormonism enjoys legitimacy independent of its attachment to the institutional Mormon community.

church saints nigeria profile mormon dialogue contrary lectures russell stevenson

Podcast #15: Of One Heart and One Mind Fireside

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2015 143:20

On March 8, Russell Stevenson, along with Blacks in the Scriptures and Northstar, sponsored a special event devoted to discussing how the LGBT/SSA/transgender and African-American communities have endeavored to uphold their faith in the face of systemic marginalization. Participants included Nick Gregory, an active transgender Latter-day Saint, Rod Olson, an active gay Mormon living in […] The post Podcast #15: Of One Heart and One Mind Fireside appeared first on Mormon History Guy.

race african americans gender scriptures mormon blacks north star fireside one heart one mind russell stevenson nick gregory

RiseUp Podcast – Having conversations about the history of Blacks and the LDS Church

RiseUp Archives - FAIR

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2015 17:12

Race issues in the LDS Church can be difficult to understand and even more difficult to talk about. The church released an official statement regarding some history on this subject, but there are those who still have questions. Russell Stevenson has dedicated a good portion of his adult life to studying this history, and has […] The post RiseUp Podcast – Having conversations about the history of Blacks and the LDS Church appeared first on FAIR.

history conversations race youth mormon rise up blacks lds lds church fairmormon russell stevenson

RiseUp Podcast – Having conversations about the history of Blacks and the LDS Church

Mormon FAIR-Cast

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2015 17:12

Race issues in the LDS Church can be difficult to understand and even more difficult to talk about. The church released an official statement regarding some history on this subject, but there are those who still have questions. Russell Stevenson has dedicated a good portion of his adult life to studying this history, and has […] The post RiseUp Podcast – Having conversations about the history of Blacks and the LDS Church appeared first on FairMormon.

history conversations race rise up blacks lds church fairmormon russell stevenson

Podcast #13: An Interview with J.B. Haws

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2014 101:05

For generations, Mormons have navigated the tumultuous waters of public opinion. Whether defending themselves against charges of racism or making charming advertisements about the importance of family, Mormons have sought to be conscious about how the outside world sees them. Russell Stevenson sits down with Dr. J.B. Haws, an assistant professor of religion at Brigham Young […] The post Podcast #13: An Interview with J.B. Haws appeared first on Mormon History Guy.

history community interview mormon stevenson lds brigham young haws russell stevenson

Articles of Faith 13: Russell Stevenson FairMormon Conference Follow Up – Coming to Grips With Brigham Young and Race

Mormon FAIR-Cast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2014 26:42

Written by Russell Stevenson That Brigham Young struggled with and eventually succumbed to racial insensitivities is an undisputed matter of the historical record. From the perspective of not a few nineteenth-century Americans, not to mention most anyone born in the last 50 years, Brigham Young peddled in racial rhetoric and promoted policies that bode poorly […] The post Articles of Faith 13: Russell Stevenson FairMormon Conference Follow Up – Coming to Grips With Brigham Young and Race appeared first on FairMormon.

americans race conference grips brigham young fairmormon russell stevenson

Articles of Faith 13: Russell Stevenson FairMormon Conference Follow Up – Coming to Grips With Brigham Young and Race

FairMormon

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2014 26:42

Written by Russell Stevenson That Brigham Young struggled with and eventually succumbed to racial insensitivities is an undisputed matter of the historical record. From the perspective of not a few nineteenth-century Americans, not to mention most anyone born in the last 50 years, Brigham Young peddled in racial rhetoric and promoted policies that bode poorly […] The post Articles of Faith 13: Russell Stevenson FairMormon Conference Follow Up – Coming to Grips With Brigham Young and Race appeared first on FairMormon.

americans race conference grips brigham young fairmormon russell stevenson

Podcast #12: Women of Faith–An Interview with Church Historian Brittany Chapman

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2014 54:25

In this timely interview, Russell Stevenson discusses the newest volume of the Deseret Book-published series, Women of Faith. As an edited volume of short biographies about LDS women from the nineteenth-century, this book provides readers a fast-paced tour what Mormon women experienced, whether in territorial Utah or New Zealand. Brittany Chapman discusses how Mormon women viewed […] The post Podcast #12: Women of Faith–An Interview with Church Historian Brittany Chapman appeared first on Mormon History Guy.

women church interview new zealand utah feminism mormon historians chapman lds women of faith deseret book russell stevenson

Podcast #11: Joseph Smith and Polygamy: An Interview with Brian Hales

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2014 58:36

In this important episode, Russell Stevenson sits down with historian Brian Hales, author of the three-volume series, Joseph Smith and Polygamy. We talk about the concept of “dynastic marriage,” sexuality in Joseph Smith’s plural marriages, and the Women Who Told Joseph Smith “No.” Hales offers his own feelings and concerns about polygamy and helps Saints navigate their way […] The post Podcast #11: Joseph Smith and Polygamy: An Interview with Brian Hales appeared first on Mormon History Guy.

history community interview saints mormon stevenson polygamy lds joseph smith hales brian hales russell stevenson

451: A Discussion of the New Race and the Priesthood Web Page (RadioWest)

Mormon Stories - LDS

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2014 52:28

In this episode, Doug Fabrizio of RadioWest interviews Margaret Young, Marvin Perkins, Russell Stevenson, and John Dehlin about the LDS church's new web page entitled "Race and the Priesthood."

race racism mormon priesthood lds webpage john dehlin radiowest russell stevenson doug fabrizio

437: Elijah Abel - Early Black Mormon Priesthood Holder Pt. 2

Mormon Stories - LDS

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2014 79:43

As an independent historian, Russell Stevenson has been studying Mormon history for nearly two decades. His first book, Black Mormon: The Story of Elijah Ables, tells the vexing story of race in nineteenth-century Mormonism through experiences of Elijah Ables, a biracial man ordained to the priesthood during Joseph Smith’s lifetime. Drawing on documents unused in other treatments, Black Mormon is the first effort to understand Elijah Ables in all of his identities: black, male, Mormon, and priesthood holder.

race racism drawing mormon blacks priesthood holder mormonism lds joseph smith black mormon russell stevenson elijah ables

Episode 35: Interracial Polygamy and Lamanite Marriages

Year of Polygamy Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2014 47:07

Join Lindsay as she interviews historian Russell Stevenson about Interracial marriage in Winter Quarters and the rumored “Lamanite Marriages.” They also talk about the ordained “Lamanite Prophet” William McCary. Links mentioned in the podcast: Buy the reading guide here.

marriage polygamy interracial lamanite winter quarter russell stevenson

Podcast #10: An Interview with Alex Beam, Author of American Crucifixion

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2014 44:04

In this special Mormon History Guy/Rational Faiths joint podcast, Russell Stevenson interviews Alex Beam, the non-Latter-day Saint author of American Crucifixion: The Murder of Joseph Smith and the Fate of the Mormon Church. We discuss polygamy, Joseph Smith’s strength of character, and distinctions between traditional Mormon narratives about Joseph Smith and Alex Beam’s interpretation. Come […] The post Podcast #10: An Interview with Alex Beam, Author of American Crucifixion appeared first on Mormon History Guy.

american history community interview fate mormon crucifixion stevenson lds joseph smith mormon church russell stevenson alex beam

Podcast #9: Ordain Women in Mormon History-An Interview with Chelsea Shields Strayer

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2014 62:47

In this exciting episode, Russell Stevenson interviews Chelsea Shields Strayer, a member of Ordain Women’s Executive Board. We discuss the history of the Ordain Women movement in the broader context of Mormon history and explore the contours of the relationship between Ordain Women and the institutional Church. The discussion that arises is rich, provocative, and […] The post Podcast #9: Ordain Women in Mormon History-An Interview with Chelsea Shields Strayer appeared first on Mormon History Guy.

history community church interview mormon stevenson lds executive board strayer mormon history ordain women russell stevenson chelsea shields

Podcast #6: Mormonism and the Single Saint

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2014 0:01

In this podcast–recorded live at the Salt Lake City Public Library–Russell Stevenson hosts a panel discussion in which he along with three single Latter-day Saints (Ryan Fleming, Kylee Shields, and Lisa Benson) discuss not only the history of Mormon single identity but also struggles and benefits of being a single Latter-day Saint today. Given the […] The post Podcast #6: Mormonism and the Single Saint appeared first on Mormon History Guy.

history culture single bachelor divorce mormon singleness mormonism lds lisa benson russell stevenson

Podcast #5 -The History of Homosexuality and Mormonism

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2014 68:31

In this special episode, Russell Stevenson and Brittney Nielson delve into one of the most controversial topics of our times: homosexuality. During the first half, they discuss the history of homosexuality in the Mormon tradition and homosexuals’ struggles to find a place within it. The second half is an interview with two of Mormonism’s most […] The post Podcast #5 -The History of Homosexuality and Mormonism appeared first on Mormon History Guy.

history narrative mormon homosexuality mormonism russell stevenson

Podcast #4: Mormons and the Environment

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2014 55:59

In this episode, Russell Stevenson and Kate Harline explore Mormonism’s fascinating interactions with the environment and environmentalist thought. Unlike many Christian denominations, Mormonism has a mixed and complicated message, as it has endeavored to uphold its principles of stewardship over the material world while still navigating the American and world economy as a minority religious […] The post Podcast #4: Mormons and the Environment appeared first on Mormon History Guy.

american history community interview environment mormon stevenson mormonism lds russell stevenson

Podcast #3 – History of Mormon Dance

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2013 56:01

In this podcast, Russell Stevenson and Kate Harline discuss an aspect of Mormon cultural art that is easy to overlook: dancing. Though seemingly recreational, Mormon dance in fact highlights deeper issues in the development of Mormon identity: theologically, sexually, and even racially. They analyze how Mormon dance has served as a cultural “contact zone” […] The post Podcast #3 – History of Mormon Dance appeared first on Mormon History Guy.

history dance modern mormon byu samba ballroom rhumba russell stevenson

Podcast #2: Race and the Priesthood

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2013 67:41

In this podcast, Kate Kelly Harline takes on the role of interviewer and discusses Russell Stevenson (author of Black Mormon: The Story of Elijah Ables and author of the forthcoming, For the Cause of Righteousness: A Documentary History of Blacks and Mormonism, 1830-2013). We discuss the meaning and ramifications of the LDS Church’s new statement on “Race and the […] The post Podcast #2: Race and the Priesthood appeared first on Mormon History Guy.

history church young race official doctrine blacks priesthood mormonism brigham declarations lds church russell stevenson elijah ables

War – Mormon History Guy Show – Episode 1