Sunstone Mormon History Podcast

In part one, we gave you the origin story of Sidney Rigdon. In this episode Lindsay and Bryan will discuss Rigdon’s transformation into early Mormon leader and contender for prophet, seer and revelator after Joseph Smith’s death. Show notes: Richard S. Van Wagoner’s 1996 Sunstone presentation of Sidney Rigdon and female ordination.

As we continue our journey through Mormon succession contenders, Bryan and Lindsay offer up Sidney Rigdon for your consideration.

For a time, he was THE Stake President and the biggest game in town… but not for long, especially after the death of Joseph Smith. Come learn about the rise and fall of Brother William Marks, another contender in the Mormon succession crisis.

As the podcast begins to gear up for the Mormon succession crisis, Bryan and Lindsay review the major players. One of the unlikely contenders to take over the church after Joseph Smith’s murder was his younger brother Sam. But Sam wouldn’t survive long himself and his cause of death remains a mystery.

The first time Mormonism encountered the Pacific Islands was in the 1840’s. Unfortunately for native Hawaiians, the Gospel wasn’t the only thing Mormons brought to the Islands. Bryan and Lindsay discuss the first mission to the Sandwich Islands, as well as the Smallpox epidemic. Show notes: John Hammond’s Sunstone speech on the Smallpox epidemic

Come hear the diverging duet of two cousins, Joseph F. Smith and Joseph Smith III and how their paths mirrored and shaped two dominant Mormon sects.

Joseph and Hyrum are shot dead in Carthage. Now what? Join Lindsay and Bryan as they discuss the aftermath of the events at Carthage.

We are kicking off Season Three of the Sunstone Mormon History podcast. But before we do, Bryan and Lindsay discuss the state of the podcast: where it’s been and where it’s heading.

Join Lindsay and Bryan for the final episode in season two of the Sunstone Mormon History podcast as they discuss the murder of Joseph Smith in Carthage.

Listen. Do you want to know a secret? Do you promise not to tell? Oh you’re going to love this episode on Joseph Smith’s secret Council of Fifty. It’s full of sacred, secret things and big plans for the entire world. In this episode, Bryan and Lindsay discuss the history of the Nauvoo Council of …

Remember when Joseph Smith ran for president of the United States? We sure do. Join Bryan and Lindsay as they discuss the period of 1844 where Mormon prophet Joseph Smith threw his name in the ring and tried to attain the highest office of power in the world.

Merry Smithmas everyone! As part of a special bonus episode for the holidays (and Joseph Smith’s birthday), Bryan and Lindsay sat down with graphic artist Mark Elwood to discuss his newest book, The Glass Looker which covers Joseph Smith’s earliest years using magic and treasure digging. Buy The Glass Looker and see more of Mark’s …

Part two of the history of the Mormon Expositor destruction is finally here! Join Lindsay and Bryan as they dig into the murky history of the newspaper that changed Mormonism forever.

One of the most fiery controversies during the Nauvoo period for Joseph Smith involved the newspaper, The Nauvoo Expositor. In this episode, Lindsay and Bryan explore the people behind the infamous paper.

Counterfeiting in Nauvoo is a controversial topic, not without its scandals. Bryan and Lindsay discuss the bogus counterfeiting scheme among the Saints and interview Mary Ann Clements, an expert on the subject.

There were a lot of shenanigans afoot when it came to the law in Nauvoo. In this episode, Lindsay and Bryan talk with Nauvoo legal historian John Dinger about the legal charges levied against Joseph Smith.

While the Mormons were building a Kingdom of God in the United States, they began to branch out across the pond. Join Lindsay and Bryan as they discuss the early history of Mormonism in the UK and the English mission.

As promised, join Bryan and Lindsay for their special session at the 2021 Sunstone Summer Symposium. They discuss some of their adventures digging up the history for the podcast and much more!

How did Joseph Smith Jr.’s parents and their upbringings influence Mormonism? Join Lindsay and Bryan as they discuss the early cultures and ideas in New England that made an impact on the Smith family and Mormonism at large.

He was the murderous, rough-and-tumble police chief in Nauvoo, but Hosea Stout was also a lot more than that. Join Lindsay and Bryan as they talk about the history of early Mormon leader Hosea Stout.

A great majority of Latter-day Saints can trace their roots to immigrants who were part of the “Great gathering of Israel.” Immigration to Nauvoo was just the beginning, bringing thousands of Saints from all over Europe. They came by boat, wagon and steam. Join Lindsay and Bryan for a discussion of Nauvoo immigration and Joseph …

While Mormonism was steamboats and celestial sealings over in Nauvoo, something else was afoot in old B-town. Bryan and Lindsay describe some of the lesser known Mormon settlements, including the Boston Mormons of the 1840s.

Mormonism has a long and interesting history with Masonry. The beginnings of those connections are as fascinating as the history itself. In this episode, Lindsay and Bryan discuss the complicated origins of Mormonism’s relationship to the masons.

Two famed Mormon pioneers, Jacob and Jane helped shape Mormonism in a big way. But how much do you know about them? Join Lindsay and Bryan as they discuss what life was like for these two in Nauvoo. Featuring a bonus cameo by historian Christopher C. Smith who discusses another pioneer man that never got …

Understanding the legal system of early Nauvoo helps give context for the tumultuous events facing Mormons in the 1840s. Lindsay and Bryan bring on legal expert John Dinger to sort out how the Mormons ran the Nauvoo municipal system and what that says about Mormon power.