Mormon Stories - LDS

Brother Bushman discusses Joseph Smith's bringing to light of the Book of Mormon, from angel Moroni's visit, to the obtaining of the plates, to the mechanics of the translation process. He also discusses the process of receiving revelation within Mormonism.

In this episode we tackle 4 main topics. First, brother Bushman provides a high level review of the major Joseph Smith biographies that preceded Rough Stone Rolling, including Fawn Brodie's"No man knows my history." Next, brother Bushman discusses the art of writing history, and the challenges involved in trying to arrive at"the facts" and"the truth" for both historians, and readers of history. Finally, we discuss in depth the first 2 of our top 10 tough Joseph Smith issues: 1) The multiple and somewhat varying accounts of Joseph Smith's first vision story, and 2) Joseph Smith's involvement in folk magic and treasure digging.

In part 1 of a multi-part series, Dr. Richard Bushman, the world's foremost scholar on Joseph Smith and early Mormonism and the author of Rough Stone Rolling, discusses his early years--including his struggle with faith as a Harvard undergraduate, his decision to get a PhD in history, and his experiences with Leonard Arrington, Dialogue and Sunstone. He also discusses the role of candid, honest history within the modern LDS Church.

In part 5 of a 5 part series, Anne B. Wilde (Independent Mormon Fundamentalist and polygamist) discusses her Mormon Fundamentalist beliefs in depth, talks abou the future of Mormon Fundamentalism, and concludes by sharing her testimony with us.

In part 4 of a 5 part series, Anne B. Wilde (Independent Mormon Fundamentalist and polygamist) discusses modern polygamy gone wrong and right.

In part 3 of a 5 part series, Anne B. Wilde (Independent Mormon Fundamentalist and polygamist) discusses her story--recounting how she went from being a traditional member of the LDS Church, BYU graduate, married in the temple, and mother of 3 children--to becoming a practicing Mormon Fundamentalist and polygamist--all while remaining active in the LDS church, and raising her children therein.

In part 2 of a 5 part series, Anne B. Wilde (Independent Mormon Fundamentalist and polygamist) discusses the rise of Mormon Fundamentalism after the LDS Church decided to stop teaching plural marriage as an official church doctrine. She also discusses the schism within Mormon Fundamentalism, resulting in the various sects that exist today, in the 21st century.

In part 1 of a 5 part series, Anne B. Wilde (Independent Mormon Fundamentalist and polygamist) discusses the early practice of polygamy within the LDS Church.

In this episode, Mormon author Christopher Bigelow discusses his early years--from his days as a teenage Dungeons and Dragons publisher, to his 6 years of service as a writer for the Ensign.

What's it like to actually try to publish a Mormon-themed book? As an author, how many copies are you likely to sell, and how much money do you stand to make? And how do Mormon authors view the implications of the recent acquisition of Seagull Book and Tapes and Covenant communications by Deseret Book? As we continue part 3 in our series on this acquisition, we interview Christopher Bigelow, president of Zarahemlabooks.com, and author of multiple Mormon themed books, including Mormonism For Dummies and The Mormon Tabernacle Inquirer. Also, while this episode covers Christopher's journey as an author of of Mormon themed books, check out the blog entry for this interview on Mormon Stories.org, for an extended discussion, including more on Christophers early years, and his time as a writer for Ensign magazine.

Lowell Bennion is without a doubt one of the most important Mormon figures in the 20th century. Along with T. Edgar Lyon, Lowell Bennion founded the University of Utah LDS Institute, and taught and inspired many of the great Mormon minds of the 20th century, including Eugene England, and many of the founders of Dialogue and Sunstone. Lowell Bennion was also commissioned to author several sunday school and priesthood manuals for the church in the 1950s. His ability to combine spirituality with intellect has been, in many ways, unsurpassed to this day. This interview was produced by Stirling Adams of Provo, UT--and centers around Mary Lythgoe Bradford--a close friend of Brother Bennion, as well as his biographer.

Deseret Book recently decided to acquire Seagull Book and Tape and Covenant Communications — 2 of Deseret Book’s top competitors in the LDS book publishing and retail market. In part 2 in a series on this topic, LDS book publisher Kent Larsen discusses the history of the LDS book industry, and his views on the implications of this acquisition.

Deseret Book recently decided to acquire Seagull Book and Tape and Covenant Communications — 2 of Deseret Book’s top competitors in the LDS book publishing and retail market. In part 1 of a series on this topic, LDS book publisher Kent Larsen discusses the history of the LDS book industry, and his views on the implications of this acquisition.

In episode 3 of a 3 part series, Jim Parkinson tells us the story of how he and his colleagues initiated a law suit on behalf of the Bataan Death March survivors, and took the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, and then to the U.S. Congress.

In episode 2 of a 3 part series, Jim tells us about Harold Poole--member of the LDS church, and survivor of the Bataan Death March. This episode discusses in detail how Mr. Poole survived one of the most infamous historical events of the 20th century.