Whitmer Cast

Jason Smith talks with Bill Russell, one of the founders of the John Whitmer Historical Association, about his career studying the Restoration Movement -particularly about his research into RLDS fundamentalist groups.

Magen Edvalson interviews Christine Blythe and Christopher James Blythe about their shared interest in Mormon folklore as well as the Blythes new podcast, Angels and Seerstones.  Christine is the Executive Director of the Mormon History Association and Chris is an Assistant Professor of English at Brigham Young University in Provo, UT.

Host Makoto Hunter interviews Dr. Benjamin E. Park, Associate Professor of History at Sam Houston University, about his upcoming book American Zion: A New History of Mormonism (forthcoming from Liveright).  Park discusses the spread of Mormonism from its very American beginnings as well as its impact on American history and culture.

Host Jason R. Smith interviews Community of Christ World Church Historian David J. Howlett about his recent article "The RLDS Church, Global Denominations, and Globalization: Why the Study of Denominations Still Matters" from the Journal of Mormon History (2022), his contribution to the World Religions and Spirituality Project website, and much more. 

Paul DeBarthe shares his expertise and life experiences with host Jason Smith. Special focus is given to Paul’s work with I Dig Nauvoo, a nonprofit archaeological group dedicated to the discovery and dissemination of the history of Nauvoo, Illinois. Paul also discusses his upcoming book with Michael Riggs about the 2001-2005 archaeological work at Hawn’s Mill. Finally, he focuses on the weekly edu...

Katherine Hill interviews historians Nancy Ross and David Howlett about women's ordination movements in Community of Christ and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Community of Christ women participated in feminist groups and networks before the passing of CofC D&C 156 in 1984. For Latter-day Saint feminists, the topic of women's ordination has become less taboo in recent years as...

Jason R. Smith interviews author Ronald V. Huggins and biography star Sandra Tanner about  Lighthouse: Jerald & Sandra Tanner, Despised and Loved Critics of Mormonism  (2022, Signature Books). Jason asks Ron about the genesis of the book, challenges and opportunities of writing about the Tanners, interesting details left out of the book after editing, and what makes the&nbs...

Casey Paul Griffiths, Conference Chair, and Scott Esplin, Board Member, preview the 50th Anniversary Conference happening September 15-18, 2022. The hosts discuss: the two keynote speakers for the conference, the interfaith panel for the forthcoming book Restoration(s): Scholars in Dialogue from Community of Christ and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , the...

Jason R. Smith interviews Steven L. Shields about his latest book Divergent Paths of the Restoration: An Encyclopedia of the Smith-Rigdon Movement, 5th Edition  (2021, Signature Books). Jason asks Steve about his experience writing the Divergent Paths of the Restoration  encyclopedias over the last 40 years and making friends with people in different expressions of the Restoration. With...

Katherine Pollock interviews Kyle Beshears about his doctoral dissertation "Wingfield Watson and His Struggle to Preserve the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite) After the Death of Its Founder". James J. Strang was one of several leaders who claimed succession to Joseph Smith after Smith's death in 1844 and gathered converts in Voree, Wisconsin and on Beaver Island. After Stran...

Jill Brim interviews Melvin C. Johnson detailing Lyman Wight’s fierce commitment to protecting the early frontier saints as he served in the Adam-ondi-Ahman stake presidency and as an apostle. Wight’s unique calling to the Wisconsin pineries would lead to his letter to Joseph Smith, proposing that representatives be sent to Texas, scouting possible areas for church relocation. Lyman Wight later to...

Katherine Pollock interviews Casey Paul Griffiths regarding his new book Truth Seeker: The Life of Joseph F. Merrill, Scientist, Educator, Apostle. Joseph F. Merrill (1868 - 1952) lived during the transitional period of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into the American mainstream. Griffiths discusses Merrill’s early life in a polygamous family, his contributions to the University o...

Colby Townsend interviews Mark Staker regarding his new book, Joseph and Lucy Smith’s Tunbridge Farm published by JWHA. Staker discusses his process of archaeological discovery around the farm, what he gleaned in surveying this priceless plot of land. Artifacts uncovered inform much about the day-to-day life of the early Smith family and the surrounding area. You can find Mark Staker’s newest book...

An introduction to the Whitmer Cast. What you can expect every episode. Introduction to our hosts. Who we are. Brief History of John Whitmer Historical Association. Website: https://www.jwha.info/whitmercast/