Legion are the stories of those who were there and who suffered almost unto death and who carried all of their lives the scars of that dreadful experience. It was a tragedy without parallel in the western migration of our people. When all is said and done, no one canContinue Reading

Joseph F. Smith shares his thoughts on why so many of the handcart pioneers stayed true to the faith – April 4, 1897 In conversation last evening with some brethren, some remarks were made respecting those who came in early days to this country pulling and pushing the handcart, andContinue Reading

Joseph Smith’s mother is confronted by a pastor, and predicts members of his congregation will join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Lucy Mack Smith recorded the following encounter: In a few days subsequent to this, we all set out to visit Mrs. Stanly, who was also myContinue Reading

Jane Manning James Walks 800 Miles Barefoot To Nauvoo Jane tells Joseph Smith about prejudice, trials and miracles as she took her family from Connecticut to Illinois. Jane Elizabeth Manning James, the daughter of Isaac and Eliza Manning, was born a free black woman in Wilton, Connecticut, sometime between 1810Continue Reading

The Transfiguration of Brigham Young On 8 August 1844 Brigham Young addressed the Saints on the topic of who should succeed Joseph Smith. While he spoke he was transfigured in the eyes of many and took on the voice, the gestures, and, to some, the features of Joseph Smith. TheContinue Reading

Elizabeth and Newell Whitney Meet Joseph Smith Elizabeth Whitney writes of when she and her husband met Joseph Smith, and how that meeting fulfilled a revelation the Whitneys received while praying. “One night, it was midnight—my husband and I were in our house at Kirtland, praying to the Father toContinue Reading

Dating the Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood By Larry C. Porter Accessed from LDS.org on 11.13.16 Authors’ original spelling has been retained, following standard historical practice. See reasons for spelling variations in “Nineteenth-Century Spelling,” Ensign, Aug. 1975—including uncertain spelling conventions and spelling as an expression of personality. When Oliver CowderyContinue Reading

Robert Mason tells Wilford he will find the truth   Wilford Woodruff: At an early age my mind began to be exercised upon religious subjects, but I never made a profession of religion until 1830 when I was twenty-three years of age. I did not then join any church for theContinue Reading

The following story comes from Parley P. Pratt: Captain Lawn and his troops had marched about twelve miles towards home when the news reached them of the martyrdom! At this he exclaimed: “O that I had known of this massacre, so soon to transpire! I would have remained, and, whenContinue Reading