Church
History
"I think that for the Church to remain strong it has to reconstruct its narrative. The dominant narrative is not true; it can't be sustained. The Church has to absorb all this new information or it will be on very shaky grounds and that's what it is trying to do and it will be a strain for a lot of people, older people especially. But I think it has to change."
-Richard Bushman, Mormon Historian
There is so much that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has meticulously kept out of their official and unofficial church history books. Even the most comprehensive of the Church Histories written by B. H. Roberts is missing a great deal of documented history. How important are these missing pieces?
Perhaps the biggest thing that sets the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints apart from all others is its claim to priesthood power. The Church claims that Peter, James, and John and John the Baptist appeared to Joseph Smith and gave him the power to act in God's name. What is the evidence for this?
The Church holds sacred the testimonies of the Three Witnesses and the Eight Witnesses. Did these men ever deny their testimony of the golden plates from which the Book of Mormon came? What was their experience? Did anyone else see the plates?
When did Joseph first claim to have seen an angel? Why did the angel's name change? Why did others describe Moroni differently?
What was the Kirtland Safety Society Bank? Why was this illegal? What assets did the Church have to start this bank? Why did it fail?
Sometime between 1829 and 1830, Joseph Smith received a revelation through his seer stone that they should sell the copyright to the Book of Mormon in Canada so that they could earn money. How did this turn out? What does it teach us about revelations?
Nauvoo City Charter
What was the Nauvoo City Charter? When was it written and who wrote it? In what ways did the Charter give the saints and their leaders power?
Mountain Meadows Massacre
What was the Mountain Meadows Massacre? Does the death of over 100 individuals have anything to do with the Mormon Temple ceremonies? Was Brigham Young involved?
Mummies & Scrolls
from Michael Chandler
In July of 1835, Joseph Smith came into the possession of four mummies and two or more scrolls. Who did Joseph say wrote those scrolls? Who did he identify the mummies as? What happened to those mummies and scrolls?
Official Name of the Church
What is the Church's official name? Why has the name changed since it was organized? What is the significance of the name?
The Handcart Scheme
The "handcart scheme" began in 1856 and carried on through 1860. Why did Brigham Young authorize this "divine plan"? How were these handcarts built? How many died on the journey to Zion?
Factions
Since the beginning of the Church in 1830 there have been many break-offs from the mainstream church. Who are they and what do they believe? Is the Book of Mormon the keystone of their religion also?
The Danites
The Danites were a fraternal organization founded by the Church in 1838. What did they do? How involved was the prophet of God in this organization?
John C. Bennett
Who was John C. Bennett? Did he influence Joseph Smith's spiritual wifery?
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