Sunstone Mormon History Podcast

Today we are talking about Council Bluffs and how Mormons ended up there. The episode with Lindsay and Bryan discusses the controversial land trade Mormons made with the federal government to be able to settle “Winter Quarters” and the tragic consequences of the deal. SHOWNOTES: A typewritten copy of a manuscript titled “Camp of the …

We kick off a new season leaving Nauvoo and heading into the great unknown. Join Lindsay and Bryan for a fascinating look at the Mormon journey into Iowa, known as Winter Quarters.

The Season of Nauvoo is (finally) in the books. Join Bryan and Lindsay as they discuss the year and the new season ahead.

As we wrap up the Nauvoo era of Mormon history, we focus in on a lesser known figure that had a big impact on Mormonism: Vilate Kimball

In the beginning, Sam Brannan might have been a loyal Mormon leader, but the glitter of gold and the allurements of the world are about to test his mettle. Join Lindsay and Bryan as they talk about the rise and fall of Brigham Young’s biggest colonizing competitor, Sam Brannan.

In this episode, Lindsay and Bryan discuss the Mormons’ first venture heading west: Samuel Brannan’s expedition to the so-called, “Upper California.” Special thanks to Matt Riley for the cameo on this episode. Music mentioned and used in this episode: Mormon Symphony & Mormon Youth Chorus – The Upper California

After the death of Joseph Smith, things got even wilder in Nauvoo. Bryan and Lindsay talk about the crazy chaos and sit down with historian Dr. Benjamin Park to unpack it all.

Remember when Brigham Young disbanded the Relief Society shortly after Joseph Smith’s death? We do. Or do we…? In this long-awaited and teased BONUS episode, Bryan and Lindsay sit down with historian Katie Ludlow Rich to discuss her research and paper, The Shadow Succession Crisis: Challenging the Claim that Brigham Young Disbanded the Relief Society …

In this special bonus episode, historian Christopher C. Smith interviews Joseph West about a paper he coauthored with Eric W. Schoon, titled, “From Prophecy to Practice: Mutual Selection Cycles in the Routinization of Charismatic Authority.” We dig into the “death of a founder syndrome” and how schismatic movements form. Shownotes: Link to the paper: From Prophecy …

It’s finally here; the story of how Brigham Young took over the church after Joseph Smith’s death. We’ve shown you the candidates, and now it’s time for the Succession Crisis showdown.

Alpheus Cutler broke with Brigham Young but his timing couldn’t have been worse. Join Bryan and Lindsay as they discuss Cutler’s role in the succession crisis in Mormonism and the Cutlerite movement.

In the final part of the James Strang saga, Bryan and Lindsay discuss the rise and downfall of the growing Mormon congregation on Beaver island known as the Strangite movement.

The James Strang has left the station and things keep getting… stranger. In this episode, Bryan and Lindsay discuss how James Strang’s Mormon movement takes off and moves to Beaver Island, causing all sorts of problems.

Join Bryan and Lindsay as they dive back into the Mormon history timeline and the contenders for the Nauvoo succession crisis. Today’s candidate? None other than James Jesse Strang.

In this episode, Bryan, Lindsay and Cristina Rosetti discuss Netflix’s new series Keep Sweet which tells the story of two sisters and their upbringing in the FLDS. This episode covers the historical context and stories featured in the rest of the mini series.

In this episode, Bryan, Lindsay and Cristina Rosetti discuss Netflix’s new series Keep Sweet which tells the story of two sisters and their upbringing in the FLDS. This episode covers the historical context and stories featured in the first episode in the series.

In this episode, Bryan, Lindsay and Cristina Rosetti discuss Netflix’s new series Keep Sweet which tells the story of two sisters and their upbringing in the Flds. We go into the background of Mormon Fundamentalism and how it started to explain to listeners how stories like those featured in Keep Sweet, could have possibly happened.

Join consultant for the series Lindsay Hansen Park as she discusses the portrayals in the show, along with co-host Bryan Buchanan. In this final episode discussing the series, Bryan and Lindsay discuss what is happening in episode six and seven of Under the Banner of Heaven and sort fact from fiction. Shownotes: Robert Crossfield/Onias statement on …

Join consultant for the series Lindsay Hansen Park as she interviews Mormon Fundamentalist Moroni Jessop about the Peacemaker, the document that informed Dan Lafferty’s doctrine.

Join consultant for the series Lindsay Hansen Park as she discusses the portrayals in the show, along with co-host Bryan Buchanan. In this episode Bryan and Lindsay discuss what is happening in episode four and five of Under the Banner of Heaven and sort fact from fiction.

Join consultant for the series Lindsay Hansen Park as she discusses the timeline of the murder of Brenda and Erica Lafferty. Following the details, Bryan Buchanan interviews Creight Horton, the attorney who worked on Ron’s retrial. Warning: this episode contains discussions of graphic violence and misogyny.  Show notes: Court Decision: State vs. Lafferty Creight Horton’s …

Join consultant for the series Lindsay Hansen Park as she discusses the portrayals in the show, along with co-host Bryan Buchanan. In this episode Bryan and Lindsay discuss what is happening in episode three of Under the Banner of Heaven and sort fact from fiction.

Join consultant for the series Lindsay Hansen Park as she discusses the portrayals in the show, along with co-host Bryan Buchanan. In this episode Bryan and Lindsay discuss what is happening in episode two of Under the Banner of Heaven and sort fact from fiction.

Join consultant for the series Lindsay Hansen Park as she discusses the portrayals in the show, along with co-host Bryan Buchanan. In this episode Bryan and Lindsay discuss what is happening in episode one of Under the Banner of Heaven and sort fact from fiction.

We’re putting a pin in the Succession Crisis history to discuss the accuracy of Hulu’s new limited series, Under the Banner of Heaven! Join consultant for the series Lindsay Hansen Park as she discusses the portrayals in the show, along with co-host Bryan Buchanan. In this episode, Bryan interviews fundamentalist scholar Cristina Rosetti about prophet …