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Updated 23 Feb

4 Aug

216 - 3-Term Senator Elbert Thomas, GI Bill Hero I Religion & Politics I Church History Matters

For decades, Utah's Elbert D. Thomas represented Latter-day Saints on the national stage as one of the most influential members of Congress you've probably never heard of. In this episode of Church History Matters, Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths explore the remarkable life and political career of the faithful Latter-day Saint, educator, missionary, and U.S. Senator who served during some of the most pivotal years in American history. After serving a five-year mission in Japan, Thomas brought a global perspective to Washington, D.C., where he became a leading advocate for workers' rights, public education, scientific research, and social welfare during the Great Depression. Scott and Casey examine his strong support of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs, his efforts to strengthen labor protections, expand educational opportunities, and help establish institutions such as the National Science Foundation. They also discuss his role in promoting the Civilian Conservation Corps, support for veterans' education, and his work toward greater federal investment in education and public welfare. The conversation also highlights Thomas's international vision. Long before the end of World War II, he warned about the persecution of European Jews, advocated for Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi oppression, and later became a vocal supporter of the newly formed United Nations and America's leadership in building a more peaceful postwar world. His experiences as an LDS missionary in Japan shaped his lifelong commitment to diplomacy, religious understanding, and international cooperation. How did a devoted Latter-day Saint become one of the Senate's most progressive voices? Why did his impressive political career end amid the political tensions of the early Cold War? Join Scott and Casey as they uncover the fascinating story of Elbert D. Thomas and explore how his faith, education, and public service intersected during one of America's most consequential eras.
28 Jul

215 - U.S. Attempt to Expel Utah Senator Reed Smoot I Religion & Politics I Church History Matters

In this episode of Church History Matters, Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths explore one of the most controversial political battles in Latter-day Saint history: the election and confirmation of Senator Reed Smoot. Although Smoot was not a practicing polygamist, his position as an Apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints led critics to question his loyalty to the United States and accuse the Church of continuing to wield improper political influence. Join Scott and Casey as they examine the famous Reed Smoot hearings, the national debate over religion and politics, and how this pivotal moment shaped the Church's relationship with the American government in the early twentieth century.
2 Jun

207 - How the Word of Wisdom Became a Temple Standard I Church History Matters I Word of Wisdom Series

Join hosts Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths for a fascinating deep dive into the evolution of the Word of Wisdom from the era of Brigham Young to Heber J. Grant. Discover how early Church leaders viewed the revelation as inspired counsel rather than a strict commandment, why enforcement varied across generations, and how attitudes toward tea, coffee, alcohol, and tobacco gradually changed over time. The episode also explores John Taylor and the intriguing “lost revelation” theory connected to the Word of Wisdom during his administration. Finally, Scott and Casey examine the pivotal moment under Heber J. Grant when full adherence to the Word of Wisdom became a requirement for temple attendance, forever shaping modern Latter-day Saint culture and identity.
18 Jun

New Research: Why People Leave The Church — And Why Others Stay | Justin Dyer E0058

For years, many Latter-day Saints have looked at declining activity rates and wondered the same thing: Is the Church failing? In this episode, I sit down with BYU Studies Editor-in-Chief Justin Dyer to examine what the data actually says about retention, religiosity, mental health, and why people leave faith. What we found surprised me. While religious participation has declined dramatically across the United States, the data reveals that Latter-day Saints continue to retain active members at higher rates than nearly every other Christian denomination. The question may not be, “What’s going wrong with the Church?” but rather, “What is happening to religion, community, and identity as a whole?” We discuss the four major groups of people who leave the Church, why many never completely close the door on returning, how politics increasingly shapes religious belief, and what predicts whether someone stays connected to faith over time. We also explore a striking idea found in Doctrine and Covenants Section 1: that God foresaw the challenges of our day and provided guidance for navigating them. According to Justin’s research, the strongest predictor of whether someone remains connected to their faith isn’t simply church attendance or religious habits. It’s whether they consistently experience God in their lives. Whether you are a parent worried about a child who has left the Church, someone wrestling with questions about faith, or simply trying to understand what is happening in our culture, this conversation offers both data and hope.
23 Jun

210 - New Details on Joseph Smith's Run for President I Religion & Politics I Church History Matters

What happens when faith and politics collide? In this episode of Church History Matters, Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths explore one of the most fascinating and controversial chapters in Latter-day Saint history: Joseph Smith’s views on religion, government, and the United States Constitution. What happened when Joseph Smith met with President Martin VanBuren? What concerns did he have about the protection of religious liberty in America? And what led him to launch an unexpected campaign for President of the United States in 1844? Join Scott and Casey as they examine the political and religious climate of Joseph Smith’s day, the persecution that shaped his views on government, and the reforms he proposed in his presidential platform. Along the way, they discuss Joseph’s teachings about constitutional principles, the role of religion in public life, and why his candidacy became a significant moment in both American and Latter-day Saint history. Whether you're interested in Church history, American history, or the ongoing relationship between faith and politics, this episode provides important context and thoughtful insights into Joseph Smith’s vision for the nation and his enduring reverence for the Constitution. #ChurchHistoryMatters #JosephSmith #Constitution #LDSHistory #ChurchHistory #AmericanHistory #ReligiousFreedom #PresidentialCampaign #LatterdaySaints #ScottWoodward #CaseyGriffiths
16 Jun

209 - Does Science Conflict With the Word of Wisdom? I Church History Matters I Word of Wisdom Series

This final episode in the Church History Matters series on the Word of Wisdom untangles the difference between revelation, policy, science, folklore, and culture, showing how modern-day science on health matches up against a revelation on health from 1833. Through historical sources, prophetic statements, and changing scientific principles over time, we explore the Word of Wisdom verse by verse and compare it to modern day medical knowledge. Whether you’ve wondered about meat in the Word of Wisdom, the Church’s history with caffeinated drinks, or how certain cultural assumptions developed among Latter-day Saints, this episode provides important context, clarity, and nuance for one of the most discussed revelations in Church history.
16 Jul

Emma Smith: Untold Stories That Will Change How You See Joseph Smith | Don Bradley E0059

The woman who knew Joseph Smith better than anyone never stopped testifying that he was a prophet. So why has history remembered her almost entirely through controversy? In this episode of Let’s Get Real, historian Don Bradley takes a fresh look at Emma Smith, separating the historical record from the assumptions that have shaped her legacy for generations. Together, we explore some of the biggest questions surrounding Emma’s life: • Why didn’t Emma Smith go west with the Saints? • What did she really believe about Joseph Smith and the Restoration? • How did she navigate the challenge of plural marriage? • Why did she continue to bear a powerful testimony of the Book of Mormon? • What can Emma’s life teach us about faith when we don’t have perfect answers? Rather than reducing Emma to a symbol in modern debates, this conversation reveals a faithful, intelligent, courageous disciple whose story is far more compelling than many realize. Whether you’re wrestling with questions about Church history or simply want to better understand one of the most important women of the Restoration, this conversation offers historical context, empathy, and hope.
12 May

204 - Did Joseph Smith Drink Alcohol? I Church History Matters I Word of Wisdom Series

In this episode, we explore how Joseph Smith personally kept the Word of Wisdom as a divine principle of health, spiritual strength, and wise living—not just a list of restrictions. Revealed in 1833 and recorded in Doctrine and Covenants Section 89, the Word of Wisdom was originally given as “a principle with promise,” offering guidance on caring for the body and drawing closer to God. Join us as we trace the history of the Word of Wisdom in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from its early introduction during Joseph Smith’s lifetime to its development as a defining standard of faith and discipleship. Discover how this revelation shaped Latter-day Saint identity and why it remains one of the most discussed and important teachings in the Church today.
19 May

205 - Did Brigham Young Enjoy Tobacco? I Church History Matters I Word of Wisdom Series

What did the Word of Wisdom actually look like in the days of Brigham Young? In this fascinating episode of Church History Matters, Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths explore how early Latter-day Saints understood, practiced, and sometimes struggled to live the Word of Wisdom during the pioneer era. From frontier medicine and tobacco use to coffee, tea, and homemade alcohol, Brigham Young’s generation approached the revelation in ways that may surprise modern members of the Church. Scott and Casey examine Brigham Young’s teachings, personal example, and efforts to gradually encourage the Saints toward greater obedience while building Zion in the American West. Along the way, they uncover stories about pioneer culture, the economic push to produce local goods instead of importing “Gentile” products, and the slow evolution of the Word of Wisdom from inspired counsel into a temple worthiness standard. This episode provides important historical context for one of the most recognizable practices in Latter-day Saint life today.
30 Jun

211 - Joseph Smith's Political Platform for President I Religion & Politics I Church History Matters

What happens when a prophet runs for President of the United States? In this fascinating episode of Church History Matters, hosts Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths are joined by historian and author Derek Sainsbury to explore the remarkable 1844 presidential campaign of Joseph Smith. Together they examine why Joseph Smith entered the race for the nation's highest office, the political and religious circumstances that motivated his candidacy, and the bold reforms outlined in his campaign platform. The discussion explores Joseph Smith’s proposals for the gradual abolition of slavery through compensated emancipation, prison reform focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment, reducing the size and cost of the federal government, and providing stronger protections for religious minorities whose rights were often ignored on the American frontier. The episode also investigates one of the most unique aspects of Joseph Smith’s campaign—his use of Latter-day Saint missionaries as political representatives to spread awareness of his platform across the United States. Was Joseph Smith’s campaign a serious bid for the presidency, a protest against government failures, or a visionary attempt to address some of the nation’s most pressing problems? Join Scott, Casey, and Derek as they uncover the historical context, political ideas, and lasting significance of one of the most unusual presidential campaigns in American history.

We build enduring faith in Jesus Christ by helping people find Him at the intersection of the scriptures, faithful scholarship, and the teachings of prophets.

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