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Let's Talk About Faith and History
The doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is intertwined with its history. Our history shapes our collective identity as members of the Lord’s restored Church. It gives us examples of past disciples that can inspire us to move forward with faith, even in difficult times. Yet many Church members sometimes feel wary of talking about the past, worried that studying history will somehow lead to a faith crisis. These worries usually center on challenging subjects such as plural marriage or the racial priesthood and temple restriction.
In this book, Matthew J. Grow, historian and managing director of the Church History Department, draws on his expertise and personal experiences to address these concerns and explore the close relationship between faith and history. He first addresses the sacred purposes of history and then presents nine principles that can help Latter-day Saints more wisely and faithfully study the past, particularly difficult topics. After providing these insights, Grow then presents some stories from the past that highlight how history is not something to fear but to embrace—something that can teach us of God’s love and how to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Grow writes, “Working closely with Church history has built my faith in Jesus Christ, that He restored His Church and that He continues to lead His work on the earth.” The hope of this book is that Latter-day Saints can have the same experience— that we will become more confident in studying Church history and have a greater desire to look to our sacred past to bolster our faith and enhance our discipleship of Jesus Christ.
In this book, Matthew J. Grow, historian and managing director of the Church History Department, draws on his expertise and personal experiences to address these concerns and explore the close relationship between faith and history. He first addresses the sacred purposes of history and then presents nine principles that can help Latter-day Saints more wisely and faithfully study the past, particularly difficult topics. After providing these insights, Grow then presents some stories from the past that highlight how history is not something to fear but to embrace—something that can teach us of God’s love and how to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Grow writes, “Working closely with Church history has built my faith in Jesus Christ, that He restored His Church and that He continues to lead His work on the earth.” The hope of this book is that Latter-day Saints can have the same experience— that we will become more confident in studying Church history and have a greater desire to look to our sacred past to bolster our faith and enhance our discipleship of Jesus Christ.
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Published June 23, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 26, 2025
Appreciated the comment to not visit the past as an ugly tourist. Had suggestions on how to recognize gold standard research useful for all historical events and discoverable ways to ask questions about the past.
November 16, 2025
I appreciated how the author provided general principles for approaching and reconciling church history.
March 23, 2026
This is an excellent book with wonderful reminders about the importance of Church history and faith and truth. Truth is about the past, present, and future. We seek truth through faith and primary sources. We don't need to be afraid of difficult things in history. Remember the past is a "foreign country" and ask questions and learn. Then, don't let the difficult thing cloud the way of the essential things. We should work to remember and record our own spiritual experiences and look for Jesus Christ and His influence in our lives and the lives of those in the past. Here are some quotes I liked:
"Our history is intertwined with our doctrine. Our history shapes our collective identity. Our history gives us examples of past disciples of Jesus Christ who moved ahead with faith during times of societal or personal tumult (p. 1)."
"History is not a danger to be guarded against (p. 2)."
"For Latter-day Saints, 'seeing visions' in a modern age is not a cause of consternation but a cause for celebration that God continues to speak to His children (p. 4)."
"After the Lord's instructions on April 6, 1830, that the Saints should keep records, Joseph appointed historians and clerks to assist him in making copies of letters, keeping a journal, and ensuring that his revelations were preserved and published (p. 4)."
"Church leaders want the Saints to be informed and inspired by history (p. 5)."
"We should learn about challenging topics within the household of faith (p. 6)."
"The climate of opposition and persecution, both real and perceived, made earlier generations of Latter-day Saints, like Josehp Feilding Smith, sensitive to anything that could be used to criticize the Church. As a result, some challenging historical topics were not widely discussed and access to some early Church records in the Church archives was restricted (p. 6)."
"As the Church rapidly expanded across the globe... Church leaders implemented changes in curriculum so that lessons... focused on the core doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ... The mission of the Church of Jesus Christ is to foster faith in Jesus Christ so that individuals throughout the world can make covenants with Him through saving ordinances (p. 7)."
"Over the past few decades, the Church has made great efforts to make its history available to the world, with context and accurate information on challenging historical topics (p. 8)."
"I know how it feels to be surprised or disappointed or confused by events in our past and the actions of our forebears... Working closely with Church history has built my faith in Jesus Christ, that He restored His Church and that He continues to lead His work on the earth... I have seen the hand of the Lord both in the lives of His Saints and in guiding Church leaders today (p. 10)."
"Prophets have long understood that remembering what God has done for us in the past can strengthen us for the future (p. 13)."
"'That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty' (Joshua 4:19-24). 'That, ultimately, is the purpose for all of the historic sites, all of the artifacts, all of the documents that we preserve... so that all the people of the earth, including the people in this Church, might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty' (Kyle S. McKay, p. 14)."
"Sacred history also gives us perspective (p. 15)."
"Sacred history can also enlarge our collective memory, inform us of our errors, and teach us about God so that we can be saved (p. 15)."
"Sacred history enlarges our memory--not just our individual memories but our collective memory (p. 16)."
"History would be for the 'good of the church' and would especially bless the 'rising generation' (p. 17)."
"Truth would not be complete if we focused only on the past or only on the present or only on the future. To understand God's truth, we must study the past, understand our present world, and have a vision of the future. We must understand the links between the past, the present, and the future (p. 18)."
"'Lessons from the past help us cope with our present and give us hope for the future' (Marlin K. Jensen, p. 18)."
"God occasionally gives us experiences that allow us to glimpse eternity, to feel the Spirit of the Lord and the reality that there is more than this life (p. 19)."
"How can we guard against the inevitable effects of memory on our spiritual experiences?... 'Those who keep a personal journal are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily lives' (Spencer W. Kimball, p. 20)."
"President Kimball consistently wrote down the names of people he ministered to, even putting their addresses in his journal so he could communicate with them later. He spoke of God rescuing him from his own health challenges, such as heart surgery and throat cancer (p. 21)."
"'I'm not giving you these experiences for yourself. Write them down... More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew. I became even more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers' (Henry B. Eyring, p. 21)."
"You might consider writing your life story, an autobiography that allows you to look back on your life and see how you have been blessed and led and directed, how you have been challenged and tried, and how you have been delivered from your challenges (p. 22)."
"We can draw great strength from remembering how the Lord has blessed our family over the generations, in knowing the sacred history of our family. Learning and sharing the stories of those who have gone before can strengthen us (p. 23)."
"There are many ways to pass on stories of family, stories that will help reinforce our own faith and determination in life. And they don't need to be stories of distant ancestors... They don't need to be stories that are uniformly positive. We resonate with stories that are true. The Spirit of God can testify only of truth... Family stories... bind families together, give individuals self-confidence, and help parents raise resilient children (p. 24)."
"Collectively, the scriptures are a record of how the Lord has extended mercy to His people and led them to the promised land... Our study of sacred history can thus give us perspective and hope, help us understand God's truth, and make us better disciples of Jesus Christ (p. 25)."
"I believe our history is a sacred story of God leading His people and His people's devotion, sacrifice, and faith in Jesus Christ (p. 27)."
"People throughout the world grapple with history (p. 27)."
"'The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there' (L.P. Hartley, p. 28)."
"As the world changes, the Church must adapt... The Restoration is ongoing... God 'will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God' (p. 28)."
"When visiting the past, it's important to remember we are a tourist, a visitor, in a foreign land that is very different than our own (p. 28)."
"If we want to understand a different culture, we try the local cuisine, ask sincere questions, listen more than we talk, and refrain from judging the culture by our own standards (p. 29)."
"Latter-day Saints loved Brigham because he was one of them (p. 33)."
"Not much of the negative historical information is new. Most of the attacks have been regurgitated and recycled decade after decade after decade (p. 34)."
"God expects us to seek the Spirit, exercise faith, and choose to follow Jesus Christ and His restored gospel (p. 34)."
"Joseph Smith was told at the beginning of his call as a prophet that he would be misunderstood and misrepresented (p. 36)."
"'I felt God's Spirit help me... I have never known so much about God and His personality' (John Widstoe, p. 37)."
"When you encounter challenging information about the Church's history or doctrine, you are part of a great and ongoing tradition of Latter-day Saints who have had to think deeply about their faith and seek resolution both through study and also through the Spirit. You are empowered to choose how to respond to the information you encounter and working through your questions may be a process... You're not alone. Keep going (p. 38)."
"This same principle of understanding context--social, cultural, economic, and religious--can help us as we study Church history (p. 41)."
"Taken in its large, sacred sweep, Church history is compelling and beautiful. But there are challenging threads, ugly threads. If we focus on those threads, we will lose the big picture (p. 41)."
"'I had a shelf of things I didn't understand, but as I've grown older and studied and prayed and thought about each problem, one by one I've been able to better understand them' (Camilla Kimball, p. 42)."
"Inquiry, study, and prayer were all essential parts... There are things about God's plan for us that I simply can't know in this life (p. 42)."
"Our perseverance in seeking God and being patient for answers is not unintelligent weakness (p. 43)."
"When studying the gospel and Church history, we should not focus on only challenging topics (p. 44)."
"Please do all the inquiry into difficult topics that you need to do, but don't stop studying the scriptures, praying, or drawing close to the Savior Jesus Christ (p. 45)."
"On plural marriage, I think it is essential to listen to the voices of those involved in the practice (p. 45)."
"They left testimonies that they received inspiration that this was the path for them in this life (p. 46)."
"Monogamy is God's standard for marriage and plural marriage is an exception that only takes place when God specifically commands (p. 47)."
"Researchers found that about 20 percent of living Church members descend from those who practiced plural marriage (p. 48)."
"I invite you to read their stories, consider their challenges, listen to their spiritual experiences, and feel of their faith in the gospel (p. 49)."
"'While some honestly pursue truth and real understanding, others are intent on finding or creating doubts' (D. Todd Christofferson, p. 50)."
"We need to ask questions of the sources, compare them to other sources, and analyze them carefully to gauge how much we should trust them (p. 50)."
"While historical scholarship generally rests on analysis of evidence, all authors have their own viewpoints, allegiances, and biases (p. 51)."
"When deciding what sources to trust or use as we study the past, we need to ask important questions: Where did this source come from? Who authored it? Who found it? Does the source match what other authorities have already confirmed as authentic? What is the source's tone toward its subject? We must interrogate the sources and then listen carefully to the answers (p. 52)."
"In recent years, the Church has made tremendous efforts to make available good primary and secondary sources on its history (p. 52)."
"In my experience, Church leaders and historians want to tell an honest story because only the truth is good enough for the Lord's Church (p. 53)."
"Recognize that the Lord has given us all that we need to move forward in faith (p. 53)."
"Keep in mind how hard it is to capture a sacred experience in language (p. 55)."
"Human history is complex. It's messy. That's because people are complex and messy. To understand history, we should expect complexity and messiness (p. 55)."
"A religion can exist in the messiness of history--meaning that some lights can be dim or totally out--but still be divine (p. 56)."
"It's much more interesting that prophets are able, because of their callings and with inspiration from God, to see beyond culture, to see around corners, to warn us of dangers, and ultimately to point us to greater faith and devotion in Jesus Christ (p. 58)."
"The compilers of scripture have readily acknowledged both the virtues and the flaws of past prophets and apostles (p. 58)."
"God told Joseph, the fact that he had received revelations in the past did not assure his future righteousness... But Joseph chose to include the revelations that rebuked him (p. 59)."
"While Joseph readily acknowledged his own failings, he defended his prophetic calling and his ability to receive the word of God (p. 60)."
"'Be kind regarding human frailty--your own as well as those who serve with you in the Church led by volunteer, mortal men and women. Except in the case of His Only Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we' (Jeffrey R. Holland, p. 60)."
"We cannot leave Brigham in 1845, in one of the darkest moments in the history of the Church, in the shadow of Joseph's death, as he wondered how he could possibly lead the Saints and preserve their lives and their religion (p. 61)."
"We need to allow room for prophets to grow and learn and mature (p. 61)."
"We want forgiveness and grace from God, and He requires we give it to everyone else, including our leaders (p. 63)."
"The tendency to see conspiracies where they don't exist can hinder our search for truth (p. 63)."
"When faced with questions about Church history or doctrine, it is essential to remember and trust your past spiritual experiences (p. 65)."
"While the theory of history won't move or motivate us, specific stories of individuals following Jesus Christ in their lives can inform and inspire us (p. 67)."
"'When others focused on what they could not accept, the Apotles chose to focus on what they did believe and know, and, as a result, they remained with Christ' (p. 68)."
"Most Saints were awaiting the temple's dedication to be endowed and to be sealed together (p. 78)."
"'I inquired of the Lord whether we should stay here and finish the temple. The answer was we should' (Brigham Young, p. 78)."
"The Saints enthusiastically participated in the temple ordinances... The Saints felt that for their sacrifices of time and safety, they had been given additional knowledge and increased spiritual power and had been able to make sacred covenants and be sealed together with the promises of eternity if they lived righteously (p. 80)."
"No one, certainly not the Lord's prophets and apostles, is immune from the pains of mortality (p. 85)."
"Your list of stories that inspire you will be different than mine (p. 92)."
"The Kirtland Temple is largely unchanged since Easter Sunday, April 3, 1836, when Jesus Christ came and accepted it as His house. Because so much has not changed at this site, it is easier for us to envision in our minds and to feel in our hearts where He stood. We know the place (p. 94)."
"I believe Joseph would have wanted the Saints then and now to do two things. First, he would encourage us to 'go forward and not backward, to have the 'courage' to face what we fear in our history and grow from it... Second... the most important thing he would want Latter-day Saints and others to hear today would be his testimony of Jesus Christ (p. 95)."
"'The fundamental principles of our religion is the testimony of the apostles and prophets concerning Jesus Christ, that he died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended up into heaven; and all other things are only appendages to these, which pertain to our religion' (Joseph Smith, p. 96)."
"As we study Church history, we should look for the voice and actions of Jesus Christ. Because, ultimately, we don't need faith in Church history. We need faith in Jesus Christ (p. 96)."
"I'd like to recommend some specific sources of trusted information... 'Topics and Questions'... Saints... Gospel Topics Essays... Church History Topics... The Joseph Smith Papers... Global Histories (p. 97)."
"Our history is intertwined with our doctrine. Our history shapes our collective identity. Our history gives us examples of past disciples of Jesus Christ who moved ahead with faith during times of societal or personal tumult (p. 1)."
"History is not a danger to be guarded against (p. 2)."
"For Latter-day Saints, 'seeing visions' in a modern age is not a cause of consternation but a cause for celebration that God continues to speak to His children (p. 4)."
"After the Lord's instructions on April 6, 1830, that the Saints should keep records, Joseph appointed historians and clerks to assist him in making copies of letters, keeping a journal, and ensuring that his revelations were preserved and published (p. 4)."
"Church leaders want the Saints to be informed and inspired by history (p. 5)."
"We should learn about challenging topics within the household of faith (p. 6)."
"The climate of opposition and persecution, both real and perceived, made earlier generations of Latter-day Saints, like Josehp Feilding Smith, sensitive to anything that could be used to criticize the Church. As a result, some challenging historical topics were not widely discussed and access to some early Church records in the Church archives was restricted (p. 6)."
"As the Church rapidly expanded across the globe... Church leaders implemented changes in curriculum so that lessons... focused on the core doctrines of the gospel of Jesus Christ... The mission of the Church of Jesus Christ is to foster faith in Jesus Christ so that individuals throughout the world can make covenants with Him through saving ordinances (p. 7)."
"Over the past few decades, the Church has made great efforts to make its history available to the world, with context and accurate information on challenging historical topics (p. 8)."
"I know how it feels to be surprised or disappointed or confused by events in our past and the actions of our forebears... Working closely with Church history has built my faith in Jesus Christ, that He restored His Church and that He continues to lead His work on the earth... I have seen the hand of the Lord both in the lives of His Saints and in guiding Church leaders today (p. 10)."
"Prophets have long understood that remembering what God has done for us in the past can strengthen us for the future (p. 13)."
"'That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty' (Joshua 4:19-24). 'That, ultimately, is the purpose for all of the historic sites, all of the artifacts, all of the documents that we preserve... so that all the people of the earth, including the people in this Church, might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty' (Kyle S. McKay, p. 14)."
"Sacred history also gives us perspective (p. 15)."
"Sacred history can also enlarge our collective memory, inform us of our errors, and teach us about God so that we can be saved (p. 15)."
"Sacred history enlarges our memory--not just our individual memories but our collective memory (p. 16)."
"History would be for the 'good of the church' and would especially bless the 'rising generation' (p. 17)."
"Truth would not be complete if we focused only on the past or only on the present or only on the future. To understand God's truth, we must study the past, understand our present world, and have a vision of the future. We must understand the links between the past, the present, and the future (p. 18)."
"'Lessons from the past help us cope with our present and give us hope for the future' (Marlin K. Jensen, p. 18)."
"God occasionally gives us experiences that allow us to glimpse eternity, to feel the Spirit of the Lord and the reality that there is more than this life (p. 19)."
"How can we guard against the inevitable effects of memory on our spiritual experiences?... 'Those who keep a personal journal are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily lives' (Spencer W. Kimball, p. 20)."
"President Kimball consistently wrote down the names of people he ministered to, even putting their addresses in his journal so he could communicate with them later. He spoke of God rescuing him from his own health challenges, such as heart surgery and throat cancer (p. 21)."
"'I'm not giving you these experiences for yourself. Write them down... More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew. I became even more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers' (Henry B. Eyring, p. 21)."
"You might consider writing your life story, an autobiography that allows you to look back on your life and see how you have been blessed and led and directed, how you have been challenged and tried, and how you have been delivered from your challenges (p. 22)."
"We can draw great strength from remembering how the Lord has blessed our family over the generations, in knowing the sacred history of our family. Learning and sharing the stories of those who have gone before can strengthen us (p. 23)."
"There are many ways to pass on stories of family, stories that will help reinforce our own faith and determination in life. And they don't need to be stories of distant ancestors... They don't need to be stories that are uniformly positive. We resonate with stories that are true. The Spirit of God can testify only of truth... Family stories... bind families together, give individuals self-confidence, and help parents raise resilient children (p. 24)."
"Collectively, the scriptures are a record of how the Lord has extended mercy to His people and led them to the promised land... Our study of sacred history can thus give us perspective and hope, help us understand God's truth, and make us better disciples of Jesus Christ (p. 25)."
"I believe our history is a sacred story of God leading His people and His people's devotion, sacrifice, and faith in Jesus Christ (p. 27)."
"People throughout the world grapple with history (p. 27)."
"'The past is a foreign country. They do things differently there' (L.P. Hartley, p. 28)."
"As the world changes, the Church must adapt... The Restoration is ongoing... God 'will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God' (p. 28)."
"When visiting the past, it's important to remember we are a tourist, a visitor, in a foreign land that is very different than our own (p. 28)."
"If we want to understand a different culture, we try the local cuisine, ask sincere questions, listen more than we talk, and refrain from judging the culture by our own standards (p. 29)."
"Latter-day Saints loved Brigham because he was one of them (p. 33)."
"Not much of the negative historical information is new. Most of the attacks have been regurgitated and recycled decade after decade after decade (p. 34)."
"God expects us to seek the Spirit, exercise faith, and choose to follow Jesus Christ and His restored gospel (p. 34)."
"Joseph Smith was told at the beginning of his call as a prophet that he would be misunderstood and misrepresented (p. 36)."
"'I felt God's Spirit help me... I have never known so much about God and His personality' (John Widstoe, p. 37)."
"When you encounter challenging information about the Church's history or doctrine, you are part of a great and ongoing tradition of Latter-day Saints who have had to think deeply about their faith and seek resolution both through study and also through the Spirit. You are empowered to choose how to respond to the information you encounter and working through your questions may be a process... You're not alone. Keep going (p. 38)."
"This same principle of understanding context--social, cultural, economic, and religious--can help us as we study Church history (p. 41)."
"Taken in its large, sacred sweep, Church history is compelling and beautiful. But there are challenging threads, ugly threads. If we focus on those threads, we will lose the big picture (p. 41)."
"'I had a shelf of things I didn't understand, but as I've grown older and studied and prayed and thought about each problem, one by one I've been able to better understand them' (Camilla Kimball, p. 42)."
"Inquiry, study, and prayer were all essential parts... There are things about God's plan for us that I simply can't know in this life (p. 42)."
"Our perseverance in seeking God and being patient for answers is not unintelligent weakness (p. 43)."
"When studying the gospel and Church history, we should not focus on only challenging topics (p. 44)."
"Please do all the inquiry into difficult topics that you need to do, but don't stop studying the scriptures, praying, or drawing close to the Savior Jesus Christ (p. 45)."
"On plural marriage, I think it is essential to listen to the voices of those involved in the practice (p. 45)."
"They left testimonies that they received inspiration that this was the path for them in this life (p. 46)."
"Monogamy is God's standard for marriage and plural marriage is an exception that only takes place when God specifically commands (p. 47)."
"Researchers found that about 20 percent of living Church members descend from those who practiced plural marriage (p. 48)."
"I invite you to read their stories, consider their challenges, listen to their spiritual experiences, and feel of their faith in the gospel (p. 49)."
"'While some honestly pursue truth and real understanding, others are intent on finding or creating doubts' (D. Todd Christofferson, p. 50)."
"We need to ask questions of the sources, compare them to other sources, and analyze them carefully to gauge how much we should trust them (p. 50)."
"While historical scholarship generally rests on analysis of evidence, all authors have their own viewpoints, allegiances, and biases (p. 51)."
"When deciding what sources to trust or use as we study the past, we need to ask important questions: Where did this source come from? Who authored it? Who found it? Does the source match what other authorities have already confirmed as authentic? What is the source's tone toward its subject? We must interrogate the sources and then listen carefully to the answers (p. 52)."
"In recent years, the Church has made tremendous efforts to make available good primary and secondary sources on its history (p. 52)."
"In my experience, Church leaders and historians want to tell an honest story because only the truth is good enough for the Lord's Church (p. 53)."
"Recognize that the Lord has given us all that we need to move forward in faith (p. 53)."
"Keep in mind how hard it is to capture a sacred experience in language (p. 55)."
"Human history is complex. It's messy. That's because people are complex and messy. To understand history, we should expect complexity and messiness (p. 55)."
"A religion can exist in the messiness of history--meaning that some lights can be dim or totally out--but still be divine (p. 56)."
"It's much more interesting that prophets are able, because of their callings and with inspiration from God, to see beyond culture, to see around corners, to warn us of dangers, and ultimately to point us to greater faith and devotion in Jesus Christ (p. 58)."
"The compilers of scripture have readily acknowledged both the virtues and the flaws of past prophets and apostles (p. 58)."
"God told Joseph, the fact that he had received revelations in the past did not assure his future righteousness... But Joseph chose to include the revelations that rebuked him (p. 59)."
"While Joseph readily acknowledged his own failings, he defended his prophetic calling and his ability to receive the word of God (p. 60)."
"'Be kind regarding human frailty--your own as well as those who serve with you in the Church led by volunteer, mortal men and women. Except in the case of His Only Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we' (Jeffrey R. Holland, p. 60)."
"We cannot leave Brigham in 1845, in one of the darkest moments in the history of the Church, in the shadow of Joseph's death, as he wondered how he could possibly lead the Saints and preserve their lives and their religion (p. 61)."
"We need to allow room for prophets to grow and learn and mature (p. 61)."
"We want forgiveness and grace from God, and He requires we give it to everyone else, including our leaders (p. 63)."
"The tendency to see conspiracies where they don't exist can hinder our search for truth (p. 63)."
"When faced with questions about Church history or doctrine, it is essential to remember and trust your past spiritual experiences (p. 65)."
"While the theory of history won't move or motivate us, specific stories of individuals following Jesus Christ in their lives can inform and inspire us (p. 67)."
"'When others focused on what they could not accept, the Apotles chose to focus on what they did believe and know, and, as a result, they remained with Christ' (p. 68)."
"Most Saints were awaiting the temple's dedication to be endowed and to be sealed together (p. 78)."
"'I inquired of the Lord whether we should stay here and finish the temple. The answer was we should' (Brigham Young, p. 78)."
"The Saints enthusiastically participated in the temple ordinances... The Saints felt that for their sacrifices of time and safety, they had been given additional knowledge and increased spiritual power and had been able to make sacred covenants and be sealed together with the promises of eternity if they lived righteously (p. 80)."
"No one, certainly not the Lord's prophets and apostles, is immune from the pains of mortality (p. 85)."
"Your list of stories that inspire you will be different than mine (p. 92)."
"The Kirtland Temple is largely unchanged since Easter Sunday, April 3, 1836, when Jesus Christ came and accepted it as His house. Because so much has not changed at this site, it is easier for us to envision in our minds and to feel in our hearts where He stood. We know the place (p. 94)."
"I believe Joseph would have wanted the Saints then and now to do two things. First, he would encourage us to 'go forward and not backward, to have the 'courage' to face what we fear in our history and grow from it... Second... the most important thing he would want Latter-day Saints and others to hear today would be his testimony of Jesus Christ (p. 95)."
"'The fundamental principles of our religion is the testimony of the apostles and prophets concerning Jesus Christ, that he died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended up into heaven; and all other things are only appendages to these, which pertain to our religion' (Joseph Smith, p. 96)."
"As we study Church history, we should look for the voice and actions of Jesus Christ. Because, ultimately, we don't need faith in Church history. We need faith in Jesus Christ (p. 96)."
"I'd like to recommend some specific sources of trusted information... 'Topics and Questions'... Saints... Gospel Topics Essays... Church History Topics... The Joseph Smith Papers... Global Histories (p. 97)."
August 1, 2025
The principles for understanding history he provides in chapter two are fine (read history in its own context, don’t impose presentist ideas and morals onto the past, etc) but it’s clear he is an apologist, and I’m not sure apology and critical historiography are compatible in any way whatsoever.
Well, to be clear, he does disavow critical historiography on page two. “In the hands of modern historical criticism, the founding stories of (religious traditions) have all been robbed of their miraculous elements.” This is simply not true and shows that he pits apology and critical thinking against each other. The joy, and struggle, of being a historian of religion in this post-modern age is considering new meanings or theories for where the divine is located within the world.
Whereas he could have engaged with critical theory more, he simply advocates for believing the words of those who have lived before and placing emphasis on faith and not doubt. He recalls McConkie’s call to “[get] in line and [believe] in a living, modern prophet” rather than raise questions over why changes occur (62). Yes, submission to prophetic authority is necessary for LDS members, but McConkie’s line was used in place of an apology for getting the priesthood ban wrong. How can one have faith in the leaders who got something so critical to salvation so incredibly wrong? Apparently just submit yourself and get in line!
Furthermore, he recalls Elder Holland’s plea to “hold fast to what knowledge you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes” but what about when that additional knowledge contradicts what you think you know? (65) That contradiction is, after all, why such a book as this needed to be written but rather than address “new knowledge” he argues we should basically only heed the “new knowledge” inasmuch as it aligns with old knowledge. Apologetics 101.
I only recommend if someone has never picked up a history book because the principles in chapter two are fine principles, but his arguments are often disappointing. I also recognize that I am coming from the background of being a scholar of religion, which is not the case for all.
Well, to be clear, he does disavow critical historiography on page two. “In the hands of modern historical criticism, the founding stories of (religious traditions) have all been robbed of their miraculous elements.” This is simply not true and shows that he pits apology and critical thinking against each other. The joy, and struggle, of being a historian of religion in this post-modern age is considering new meanings or theories for where the divine is located within the world.
Whereas he could have engaged with critical theory more, he simply advocates for believing the words of those who have lived before and placing emphasis on faith and not doubt. He recalls McConkie’s call to “[get] in line and [believe] in a living, modern prophet” rather than raise questions over why changes occur (62). Yes, submission to prophetic authority is necessary for LDS members, but McConkie’s line was used in place of an apology for getting the priesthood ban wrong. How can one have faith in the leaders who got something so critical to salvation so incredibly wrong? Apparently just submit yourself and get in line!
Furthermore, he recalls Elder Holland’s plea to “hold fast to what knowledge you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes” but what about when that additional knowledge contradicts what you think you know? (65) That contradiction is, after all, why such a book as this needed to be written but rather than address “new knowledge” he argues we should basically only heed the “new knowledge” inasmuch as it aligns with old knowledge. Apologetics 101.
I only recommend if someone has never picked up a history book because the principles in chapter two are fine principles, but his arguments are often disappointing. I also recognize that I am coming from the background of being a scholar of religion, which is not the case for all.
July 7, 2025
I love the Let's Talk series, and this may have been my favorite one. History is such an important part of being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and reconciling faith with it is something that I've spent considerable time pondering. This book gave me wonderful insights, perspectives and suggestions. I highly recommend this read.
September 8, 2025
This book does not set out to answer all the question we might have about the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, it teaches some general principles about how we can look at our history (and all history) more realistically and still compassionately. Some of the insights I had already considered, some were new.
June 29, 2025
Loved it. A great discussion of how to navigate complicated history with patience and faith.
August 6, 2025
Another great addition to the series.
November 24, 2025
While the theory of history won’t move or motivate us, specific stories of individuals following Jesus Christ in their lives can inform and inspire us.
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