What I learned when the Spirit took me on a detour
As a writer, I’ve learned that some stories must be told. I’ve also learned that some stories are maddeningly difficult to tell. The story of Katherine Love Paxman was, for me, both. I’d spent the better part of a day in the Church History Library reading room shuffling through archives in an effort to root […]
The problem that canceled general conference twice
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from around the world are looking forward to general conference. The semiannual event will be held this weekend, just as it has every six months since 1848. That is, every six months with two exceptions. Both times, the delay or cancellation was caused by the same thing. […]
A century and counting: How girls camp has (and hasn’t) changed since 1912
The first Young Women camp was held during the summer of 1912 when the Liberty Stake in Salt Lake City took the girls in the Young Ladies Mutual Improvement Association (the forerunner to today’s Young Women organization) to the mountains beyond Murray for a weeklong camping excursion. Today, young women all around the world participate in a […]
5 notable Church history journals you can read online
Like family history records, Church history records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were once found mostly in large libraries and were difficult to locate. But also like family history records, the internet has made accessing these important records simple for all Church members. Several valuable Church history records are available online, but […]
Why early LDS women gave blessings of healing (and why we don’t today)
In the time since The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in 1830, revelation has come to prophets and apostles a piece at a time. The Church has experienced steady progression as more revelation has been given to prophets little by little. Because revelation often comes gradually, practices in the Church also evolve […]
20 crazy church history facts that seem impossible but aren’t
When President Monson was born in Salt Lake City in 1927, some of the original Mormon pioneers were still living there. In fact, when Gary E. Stevenson — the youngest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles — was born in Utah in 1955, at least one was still living. Hilda Erickson, who came to Utah […]
10 successful Church programs that were discontinued (or changed)
On July 27, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that its “century-long association with Scouting will need to be examined” following the Boy Scouts of America’s decision to admit openly gay leaders in the program. Whether the Church severs ties with BSA or remains in partnership with the organization, this is not the first […]
8 fun facts about the LDS Church in Ireland
In March, more than at any other time of year, Ireland basks in the spotlight. St. Patrick’s Day is time to keep a green shirt handy, dust off the green food coloring for festive treats, and maybe learn a thing or two about the Church’s history in the largely Catholic country. Here are a few things you […]
For the Strength of Youth: 1965 to today
The 1965 edition of For the Strength of Youth has become the stuff of legends for its dated, prescriptive guidelines, especially concerning dress and grooming. The widely accepted American view in 1965 that women should never wear pants in public made its way onto those pages — the pages that were the forerunner of today’s important reference for youth […]
Permanently closed sliding rock is one man’s church history site
People all over are lamenting the loss of a beloved Alpine recreation spot — sliding rock. A waterfall that runs over smooth rock emptying into a pool below, sliding rock has always been on private property. And now a revived subdivision in the area means no more public access, and the developer may destroy it […]
1984 to 2014: Evolution of the Christmas Devotional
The First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional, held last Sunday, is the most recent installment in a decades-long tradition in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The devotional began as a way for Church leadership to celebrate the season with Church employees and has evolved into the worldwide broadcast. This year’s event drew thousands of viewers from […]
Act fast: 5 can’t-miss LDS Church history artifacts to see this week
After nearly 30 years, 7 million visitors and more than 108 different exhibits, it’s time for a renovation of the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City. The museum will be open through Sunday, Oct. 5 and close the next day for major interior renovations. It will remain closed for one year, with an aim to finish before […]