Tag Archives: Brigham Young

Idea that righteous parents can save wayward children a consistent doctrine in Mormon history

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Doug Gibson

Although doctrines and decrees change in the LDS Church — think polygamy and blacks — one consistent teaching from the time of Joseph Smith to today is that the righteousness of parents can provide salvation to wayward (read: unrighteous) children. … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Boyd K. Packer, Brigham Young, Doctrines of Salvation, Exaltation, James E. Faust, Joseph Fielding Smith, Joseph Smith, Orson F. Whitney, Righteous parents, Salvation, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Wayward children | 5 Comments

Elijah Ables, a black Mormon priesthood holder in the 19th century

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Doug Gibson

(To see Cal Grondahl’s cartoon that goes with this post, click here). Elijah Ables is no stranger to Mormon history, although he’s virtually unknown to anyone who relies exclusively on LDS correlation. Ables was a black man who was ordained … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Brigham Young, Elijah Ables, Joseph Smith, Journal of Mormon History, LDS Church policy on blacks, Missionary Work, Priesthood authority, Racism, Russell W. Stevenson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | 27 Comments

The first John D. Lee trial was waged in the court of public opinion

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Doug Gibson

(To see Cal Grondahl’s cartoon that goes with this post, click here) In the Winter 2013 “Journal of Mormon History,” there’s an interesting article from Robert H. Briggs, a lawyer and historian from California. “A Seething Cauldron of Controversy: The First … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Beaver, Brigham Young, First Mountain Meadows Massacre Trial, John D. Lee, John D. Lee Trial, Journal of Mormon History, Media sensation, Mountain Meadows Massacre, Public relations, Robert Baskin, Robert H. Briggs, Utah, William C. Carey | 1 Comment

The three most significant changes within the LDS Church

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Doug Gibson

It was a big year for Mormonism; it started with Mitt Romney moving away from the pack toward getting the GOP nomination for U.S. president and ended with some women wearing pants to Sunday church services to draw attention to … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Brigham Young, Gay rights, LDS scholarship, Lowering of Missionary ages, Parley P. Pratt, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Younf adults and LDS Church activity | 29 Comments

Brigham Young biography portrays a great leader and an unpleasant man

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Doug Gibson

(To see Cal Grondahl’s cartoon that goes with this post, click here.) Closing the book after reading, “Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet,” the new biography by George Mason University religious studies professor John G. Turner, published by Belknap Press of Harvard … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged "Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet", Book review, Brigham Young, Grizzly bear truth, Harvard University Press, John G. Turner, Joseph Smith, Mormon history, Mormon migration to Utah | 18 Comments

Polygamy opponents were swept aside in Nauvoo turmoil after Joseph Smith’s death

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Doug Gibson

(To see Cal Grondahl’s cartoon that goes with this post click here) The months in Nauvoo following the murder of the LDS Church founder Joseph Smith were not surprisingly, filled with turmoil and political intrigue. The recent publication of “The … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Brigham Young, Excommunication, Joseph Smith, Leonard Soby, Mormon history, Nauvoo High Council, Polygamy, Sidney Rigdon, Signature Books, The Nauvoo City and High Council Minutes, William Marks | 16 Comments

Despite protests over the Pratt murder, Utah also allowed cuckolds to kill seducers

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Doug Gibson

(To see Cal Grondahl’s cartoon that goes with this post, click here) The murder of Mormon apostle Parley P. Pratt, slain by the husband of a woman Pratt had taken as a plural wife, was national news in 1857. Most … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged 1850s Mormonism, 19th century Utah, Brigham Young, Cuckoldry, Eleanor McComb Pratt, George A. Smith, Hector McLean, Howard Egan, Kenneth L. Cannon II, Mountain common law, Murder of Parley P. Pratt, Parley P. Pratt, Parley P. Pratt and the Making of Mormonism, Patrick Q. Mason, Utah Historical Quarterly | 11 Comments

A weekly bath was part of the spiritual cleansing of 1856 Utah

Posted on November 22, 2011 by Doug Gibson

There’s no Currents this week, but I wanted to share this list of questions that Mormon Church leaders — in the middle of the Mormon Reformation — asked Utah members. The information comes from historian David Bigley’s invaluable book, “Forgotten … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged Brigham Young, David L. Bigler, Forgotten Kingdom: The Mormon Theocracy in the American West: 1847-1896, Jedediah Grant, Mormon Reformation, Worthiness questions | 7 Comments

Lincoln used skilled diplomacy to charm the once-hostile Mormons

Posted on November 15, 2011 by Doug Gibson

The crude, casual racism of a long-ago era is striking in this Nov. 28, 1860 Deseret News advertisement from merchant George Goddard. It reads, “Abe Lincoln, Republican, elected by a large majority!!!, immense excitement!, Democrats all but crazy!!!, Niggers rejoicing … Read More

Posted in The Political Surf | Tagged 19th century Utah, Brigham Young, Civil War, Diplomacy, Emancipation Proclamation, George U. Hubbard, President Abraham Lincoln, Racism, Utah Historical Quarterly, Utah Mormons, Utah territory | 15 Comments

Martin Harris: The Chief Wiggum of Mormon history

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Doug Gibson

(To see Cal Grondahl’s cartoon that goes with this post, click here) I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for Martin Harris, one of two of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon to die a member … Read More