What are your topics of interest in LDS history?

[Suzie]

I was wondering how many members here are into LDS history? (study, research, etc) The following topics are just some I feel more passionate about (but there are many more):

1. Blacks and the Priesthood ban

2. Post Manifesto Polygamy

3. Early days Temple ceremony

4. Mountain Meadows Massacre

5. Calling and election made sure

6. Joseph Smith and Emma Smith

What about you guys?

[pam]

I LOVE church history.

For me, after seeing 17 Miracles, I now have a great interest in the handcart companies that crossed the plains. I now want to go to some of the places in Wyoming etc that are historic sites for this.

[rameumptom]

I have a degree in history, and so do enjoy history. That said, I feel that many of the things on your list are one-offs. They are issues or often moments in Church history, but they often are just the shocking issues and moments, and do not define what a lot of Church history actually is.

It is like studying Egyptian archaeology by only studying the Pharaohs. Yes, it is history, but it neglects the bigger history of the average person, free or slave. Pharaohs did not build the pyramids. Slaves and regular folk built the pyramids. And we often miss major issues in history by only looking at the one-offs.

[Suzie]

I have a degree in history, and so do enjoy history. That said, I feel that many of the things on your list are one-offs. They are issues or often moments in Church history, but they often are just the shocking issues and moments, and do not define what a lot of Church history actually is.

It is like studying Egyptian archaeology by only studying the Pharaohs. Yes, it is history, but it neglects the bigger history of the average person, free or slave. Pharaohs did not build the pyramids. Slaves and regular folk built the pyramids. And we often miss major issues in history by only looking at the one-offs.

Well, I said those are some of the topics I like to study and research. Of course, they don't define Church history but I wasn't pretending to make a full list of all topics I am interested in but merely get feedback at what some posters may also be interested in. Thanks for replying. :)

[annewandering]

I am interested in most of it. What ever strikes my fancy at the moment. :)

[NeuroTypical]

I would love to see something like the "Work and the Glory" series covering the first few decades of life in the West.

From what I can tell, you can make a pretty good case for the early gains in women's sufferage, as a result of people trying to end polygamy in Utah.

[Mamas_Girl]

Hmm... well, I love studying early religions (Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, etc.). I've been using the original church doctrine books of the 1860s and before, many that can be found online. Gaining an understanding of other religions of the time help us to understand the circumstances into which the church was born.

I also love studying the entire Church history. I can't pinpoint any one point, though the absolute earliest 1820-1840 era is probably one of my absolute favorites. Though Kirkland, Nauvoo, Illinois, the Missouri War, the Utah War, the persecution of Joseph Smith and the early Saints, tar and feathering, the trek west, perpetual emigration fund and it's results, Saints arrival in SLC, the settlement of SLC, the spreading into all the world of the gospel. I think you get the point, I LOVE church history.

[HiJolly]

Hmm... well, I love studying early religions (Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, etc.). I've been using the original church doctrine books of the 1860s and before, many that can be found online. Gaining an understanding of other religions of the time help us to understand the circumstances into which the church was born.

I also love studying the entire Church history. I can't pinpoint any one point, though the absolute earliest 1820-1840 era is probably one of my absolute favorites. Though Kirkland, Nauvoo, Illinois, the Missouri War, the Utah War, the persecution of Joseph Smith and the early Saints, tar and feathering, the trek west, perpetual emigration fund and it's results, Saints arrival in SLC, the settlement of SLC, the spreading into all the world of the gospel. I think you get the point, I LOVE church history.

Better check your history books on that one...

(sorry, I couldn't resist)

HiJolly

[pam]

*whispers to Mamas_Girl* It's Kirtland, not Kirkland. :)

[LeKook]

My landlord actually bought me the entire "History of the Church" set. I've been reading it for about a week and am still on the Introduction in Volume 1, LOL!!!

[annewandering]

Some can be a bit daunting!

[LeKook]

Some can be a bit daunting!

I'll have the entire set completed by, oh, 2039 or so. LOL!!!!

[Spartan117]

I was wondering how many members here are into LDS history?

I am fascinated with the step-by-step process of the restoration. The keys, the offices, the ordinances, they all came line upon line. I wonder what it was like to have gone through that process. What did Joseph, or any of the early saints think when things like the endowment were restored? What was it like to hear first hand from Joseph what the 3 degrees of glory were like? "Guess what? Heaven and hell are not the end, there are 3 Kingdoms that everyone will earn spots in!" What went through people's minds when the order came down to start building temples? These are things I'm super interested in.

[Jenamarie]

I have ancestors who were members of the Mormon Battalion, so what happened to those men when it disbanded has always intrested me. One of my ancestors was at Sutter's Mill when gold was discovered, as he was earning money to take back to his family who had reached the Salt Lake Valley.

[mtman318]

I'll separate these into specific events or time periods, and patterns/topics in history. Each group will be presented in no particular order of importance. Also, these are my interests, not necessarily areas of expertise:

Time periods and places:

-Anything after the Joseph Smith period. Now, I like that first period, but it's simply been done (and being done, with the Joseph Smith Papers), and in my opinion it has been covered disproportionately with the rest of Church History. If you don't believe me, look at the institute manual (or any Church History manual/booklet).

-Regional studies, particularly after the 19th century. Especially the Philippines, since I served my mission there.

-Brigham Young's presidency. I know it falls under the first one, but it holds particular interest to me.

-The Apostolic Fathers. I know this isn't part of our dispensation (or probably any dispensation), but I think it serves as an important link between us and the New Testament times/teachings.

Patterns/topics:

-Scriptural history, including apocryphal and pseudopigraphical writings, versions and editions of scriptures, etc. Also, important works of the latter-days that aren't necessarily scriptural (Lectures on Faith--though that technically used to be scripture--, Voice of Warning, etc).

-Biography of prophets and apostles, and perhaps important scholars.

-Missionary work/programs.

[MichaelPAGuy]

My favorite part in church history is anyhting having to do with the building of temples and the Kirtland period.

[Guest Doctrine]

the jst of the bible love it and thankful to brother matthews (RIP) for bringing it to light once again for us LDS.

[andresjsalazar]

For me it's always been the Folk-magic.

The peep stones, treasure hunting all of the mystical energy that seems to be around at the time. Whether it was just rumors or stories or not, it seems fascinating, Hence the reason why my writing goes to those areas often.

I just wrote a TV pilot that was converted to a graphic novel about folk-magic in the 1850s, called Pariah, Missouri. It's on Kickstarter now.

I love church history.

[Palerider]

I love Church History....I really get into the Nauvoo period. I have read several books and always looking for more to read. I go to Nauvoo about 5-6 times a year.

[andresjsalazar]

I've been to all the Missouri sites but not yet Nauvoo, I SO want to go there.

[skalenfehl]

1. Nephite/Lamanite/Jaradite Mayan/Olmec cultural history.

2. Early church history, especially restoration, temple building and the trek westward

3. Calling and Election, parting the veil and those who did it and showed us how (1st & 2nd Nephi, Moroni 7, D&C, Lectures on Faith, etc),

4. Second Comforter (Holy Ghost introduces us to Christ, Christ introduces us to Father)

5. Jesus Christ's mortal life and ministry.

6. Moses' life and ministry

7. Enoch, City of Enoch

8. Joseph Smith as a modern Moses and the early Saints as Israelites in the wilderness, same pitfalls...

9. History/revelations in Isaiah, Book of Revelations, BoM, D&C about the last days (impending desolating scourge and cleansing of the church and America, Jacob flourishing as the rose, building of New Jerusalem and establishing Zion to prepare for Christ's return).

[rayhale]

I was listening to a podcast, the host pointed out that there is a lot of books covering the early church 1830-1899, and a lot of books covering the modern church 1950-present, yet there are hardly any books covering 1900-1949. A detailed book(s) about those years would be interesting.

[X33ad]

Since according to other threads the great apostasy occurred at the death of the last apostle (John 95ad). Or was it later since according to acts 1 mathias took the place of

Judas and continued apostolic sussesion

During my research from agnostic to evangelical and finally to roman catholic I found only

Catholic beliefs in the first century and so on and then some

Gnostic beliefs at the earliest in the third century but they where very limited

[BrendaM]

I love church history as well!! Very exciting.

I've always wanted to know more about Porter Rockwell and his great love for the Prophet Joseph Smith. So much so that he was his bodyguard. Would love to hear his testimony!

[BrendaM]

Since according to other threads the great apostasy occurred at the death of the last apostle (John 95ad). Or was it later since according to acts 1 mathias took the place of

Judas and continued apostolic sussesion

During my research from agnostic to evangelical and finally to roman catholic I found only

Catholic beliefs in the first century and so on and then some

Gnostic beliefs at the earliest in the third century but they where very limited

So this comment is in this thread because??