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4d ago

228 - Why the St. George Temple Was Built First I Salt Lake Temple I Church History Matters

How did the development of temples in Utah shape the doctrines and practices of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? In this episode of Church History Matters, Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths explore how the Saints’ move west created new opportunities to expand temple worship, refine sacred ordinances, and deepen their understanding of eternal covenants.Discover how the construction of the St. George Utah Temple became a turning point in Latter-day Saint history. As the first temple completed in Utah, St. George provided a place where the Saints could perform endowments, seal families together, and carry out proxy ordinances for the dead on a much larger scale. The standardization of the endowment under Brigham Young and the experiences gained through temple worship helped establish patterns that would influence the Church’s future temples and contribute to the continuing development of Latter-day Saint temple doctrine.Join Scott and Casey as they explore the challenges, revelations, and sacred experiences that shaped temple worship in Utah—and discover how the early Saints’ efforts laid the foundation for the temple-centered faith practiced by Latter-day Saints today.Email newsletter: https://scripture-central.kit.com/church-history-matters#ChurchHistoryMatters #WilfordWoodruff #LDSHistory #TempleHistory #FamilyHistory #Genealogy #LDSChurchHistory #TempleWork #WilfordWoodruffFoundation
Oct 20

227 - Why the Saints Built A Temple in Utah I Salt Lake Temple I Church History Matters

When the Latter-day Saints left Nauvoo and made their way west to the Salt Lake Valley, they carried with them more than their belongings and their faith. They carried a profound desire to build temples where they could make sacred covenants, receive their endowments, and bind themselves to God and to one another through the ordinances of the restored gospel. In this episode of Church History Matters, Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths explore how that vision shaped the early years of the Church in Utah and led to one of the most ambitious building projects in Latter-day Saint history: the Salt Lake Temple.The story of the Salt Lake Temple is filled with extraordinary determination, remarkable successes, and daunting challenges. From the arrival of Johnston’s army and the resulting disruptions to the discovery of cracks in the temple’s foundation, the Saints repeatedly faced obstacles that threatened to delay their sacred work. Keeping a capable architect, securing the stone from the quarry, and overcoming the transportation challenges of building in the developing West—including the coming of the railroad—required ingenuity, resources, and years of sacrifice. Through it all, Brigham Young remained committed to creating a place where the Saints could participate in temple ordinances and strengthen their covenant relationship with God.But Brigham Young also knew that the Salt Lake Temple would take many years to complete. With a desire to see a temple dedicated and functioning during his lifetime, he directed attention to the construction of the St. George Utah Temple, which became the first temple completed in Utah and was dedicated in 1877, the year of his death. Its completion allowed the Saints to participate in temple ordinances while work continued on the great temple in Salt Lake City.Join Scott and Casey as they explore the faith, practical ingenuity, sacrifices, and setbacks behind the building of Utah’s early temples. Discover why temple building was about far more than stone walls and towering spires—and how the Saints’ determination to receive sacred ordinances helped shape their communities, their faith, and their enduring commitment to one another through covenants.#ChurchHistoryMatters #LDSHistory #SaltLakeTemple #StGeorgeTemple #BrighamYoung #LatterDaySaints #LDSChurchHistory #TempleCovenants #ChurchHistory #Restoration
Oct 13

226 - History of LDS Temple Worship I Salt Lake Temple I Church History Matters

What is the story behind the history of Latter-day Saints and temple worship? In this episode of Church History Matters, Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths trace the remarkable history of Latter-day Saint temples from the earliest days of the Restoration to the iconic temple in Salt Lake City. The story begins in Kirtland, where the first temple of this dispensation was built, and continues to Nauvoo, where Joseph Smith introduced additional temple ordinances and teachings that would shape the future of temple worship.After the Saints arrived in Utah, the story took another important turn with the construction of the St. George Utah Temple, the first temple completed in the West. The experiences there—especially under President Wilford Woodruff—helped establish and refine important details of temple worship and temple work. Woodruff's leadership and efforts in St. George played a significant role in creating a foundation for the temple practices that would continue as the Salt Lake Temple rose from the ground.From Kirtland and Nauvoo to St. George and finally Salt Lake City, Scott and Casey explore the people, revelations, challenges, and turning points that shaped one of the most recognizable temples in the world. Why was the Salt Lake Temple designed the way it was? What did earlier temples teach the Saints? And how did Wilford Woodruff help establish the details of temple worship that would influence generations to come?Join Scott and Casey for a fascinating journey through the history of Latter-day Saint temples and discover how the story of the Salt Lake Temple is really part of a much larger story of Restoration, revelation, and covenant worship.#ChurchHistoryMatters #SaltLakeTemple #LDS #TempleHistory #KirtlandTemple #NauvooTemple #StGeorgeTemple #WilfordWoodruff #LDSHistory #ChurchHistory #restoration Email newsletter: https://scripture-central.kit.com/church-history-matters
Oct 6

225 - Is the Joseph Smith Daguerreotype Real? Latest Research I Joseph Smith I Church History Matters EP01

Is this really Joseph Smith? A recently discovered daguerreotype has sparked intense debate among historians, researchers, and Latter-day Saints. Could this remarkable photograph actually be an authentic image of Joseph Smith the Prophet?In this episode of Church History Matters, Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths sit down with independent researcher Patrick A. Bishop and classical and forensic artist Joseph F. Brickey to explore the evidence behind the controversial daguerreotype. Patrick and Joseph share their research, discoveries, and insights—including the story behind their new film, Brother Joseph Again.What can forensic analysis, historical records, photographic technology, and Joseph Smith's known appearance tell us? Is the man in this daguerreotype really Joseph Smith—or is the evidence pointing to someone else? Scott and Casey dig into the arguments, examine the evidence, and ask the central question: Could we actually be looking at a photograph of the Prophet Joseph Smith?Watch this fascinating investigation and decide for yourself.What do you think? Is the daguerreotype really Joseph Smith? Let us know in the comments!#JosephSmith #ChurchHistory #LDS #LatterDaySaints #MormonHistory #JosephSmithDaguerreotype #ChurchHistoryMatters #BrotherJosephAgain #LDSHistory #Restoration
Sep 29

224- The Man BEHIND the Legend I Porter Rockwell I Church History Matters

Few figures in early Latter-day Saint history have a reputation as colorful—and as misunderstood—as Orrin Porter Rockwell. Known in popular memory as a fearless frontier scout, bodyguard, and legendary defender of Joseph Smith, Porter has often been portrayed as a rough-and-tumble gunman whose reputation sometimes overshadowed the real person. But who was Porter Rockwell when the legends were stripped away?In this episode of Church History Matters, Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths take a closer look at the man behind the myth. What was Porter Rockwell actually like when people met him? Why did friends and Church leaders describe such loyalty, courage, humor, generosity, and devotion in him? From his lifelong friendship with Joseph Smith to his relationships with ordinary Latter-day Saints, Porter’s story reveals a man whose personality could be as memorable as his reputation. Those who encountered him often remembered his kindness, hospitality, quick wit, unwavering loyalty, and willingness to stand by his friends through extraordinary circumstances.Scott and Casey explore the stories and firsthand impressions that help paint a fuller picture of Porter Rockwell—not simply as the legendary “Mormon Danite” of popular folklore, but as a complex human being whose faith, friendships, personality, and devotion shaped the way others remembered him. Who was Porter Rockwell really? And what can the testimony of those who knew him tell us about the man behind one of the most enduring legends of Latter-day Saint history?#Porterrockwell #Churchhistorymatters #caseygriffiths #scottwoodward
Sep 22

223- What Stories are Actually True? I Porter Rockwell I Church History Matters

Porter was more than a legendary frontiersman and lawman. He was a close friend of Joseph Smith, a protector of the Prophet, and a man whose life was deeply shaped by the events surrounding Joseph’s death. In June 1844, Porter helped Joseph and Hyrum cross the Mississippi River as they sought to avoid arrest. When Joseph decided to return to Nauvoo and face the authorities, Porter accompanied him part of the way toward Carthage. Joseph ultimately asked him to return to Nauvoo, concerned for his safety. It was the last time Porter saw Joseph alive.Porter's battle cry was, "Wheat! Wheat! Wheat!"The episode also examines one of the most striking and controversial events in Porter’s life: the shooting of Franklin A. Worrell on September 16, 1845, in Hancock County, Illinois. Worrell had been a lieutenant in the Carthage Greys and had previously guarded the jail where Joseph and Hyrum were killed. Porter was serving as a deputy under Sheriff Jacob Backenstos when he shot Worrell during a confrontation involving the sheriff. The circumstances, competing accounts, and questions surrounding the shooting make this a fascinating moment in the aftermath of the martyrdom. We’ll also explore Porter’s famous statement about Joseph: “When they killed Joseph, they killed the only friend I ever had.” What did Joseph mean to Porter? How did the martyrdom shape his life? And what can we learn about the man behind the legend?Join Scott and Casey as they explore the loyalty, courage, controversy, and enduring legacy of Porter Rockwell.Watch, like, and subscribe to Church History Matters for more stories from the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.#PorterRockwell #JosephSmith #ChurchHistoryMatters #LDSHistory #CarthageJail #MormonHistory
Oct 15

This Temple Pattern Is Hiding in Plain Sight Throughout Scripture | Dr. John Thompson | EP63

This Temple Pattern Is Hiding in Plain Sight Throughout Scripture | Dr. John Thompson | EP63Most Latter-day Saints have seen the Plan of Salvation drawn as circles and lines.Egyptologist Dr. John Thompson argues this may be why we’ve missed something much bigger.In this episode, he reveals a temple pattern that appears again and again throughout scripture—from Exodus and Isaiah to the teachings of Jesus—and explains why the Plan of Salvation may be less about a diagram of where we go after death and more about the Christ-centered journey God is taking us through right now.But there’s an obvious objection:Are we really discovering a pattern in scripture, or simply reading one into the text?John puts the idea to the test.We explore the Exodus from Egypt, Mount Sinai, the Promised Land, Isaiah, the Sermon on the Mount, the Book of Mormon, and the temple, and ask whether these seemingly different stories actually repeat the same journey back into God's presence.And eventually the conversation becomes much more personal:Where am I on that journey?What is God asking me to do next?If you’ve ever struggled to understand Isaiah, wondered how the temple connects to scripture, or wanted your scripture study to feel less fragmented and more meaningful, this episode may change the way you read.Watch the full conversation and test the pattern for yourself.
Sep 15

222-Did Porter Rockwell Try to Kill Governor Boggs? I Porter Rockwell I Church History Matters

Few stories in early Latter-day Saint history are as legendary—or as controversial—as the accusation that Porter Rockwell attempted to assassinate Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs.In this episode of Church History Matters, Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths take a closer look at the evidence surrounding one of the most famous allegations against the legendary “Destroying Angel.”Did Porter Rockwell really travel to Missouri with orders to kill Governor Boggs? Or did the story grow over time through accusations, rumors, and competing narratives?There is no hard evidence proving that Porter Rockwell was the man who shot Boggs, but there are plenty of claims on both sides. Scott and Casey examine the accusations made by John C. Bennett, the historical circumstances surrounding the shooting, and the case for and against Rockwell's involvement.And then there is the famous statement attributed to Porter Rockwell himself. When questioned about the shooting, Rockwell reportedly responded that if he had done the shooting, Boggs would have been dead.Was that a confession? A denial? A threat? Or simply classic Porter Rockwell?Join Scott and Casey as they separate documented history from legend, examine the competing claims, and ask whether one of the most notorious stories about Porter Rockwell can actually be proven.Was Porter Rockwell an attempted assassin—or was he the victim of a historical accusation that became legend?#ChurchHistoryMatters #PorterRockwell #JosephSmith #LDSHistory #MormonHistory #LilburnBoggs #MissouriMormonHistory #ChurchHistory
Aug 25

219 - White Horse Prophecy In Depth I Religion & Politics I Church History Matters

Did Joseph Smith really predict that the Constitution of the United States would one day “hang by a thread” and that the Latter-day Saints would step forward to save it? And what about the mysterious and controversial White Horse Prophecy—a dramatic account involving the future of the United States, the Constitution, and the destiny of the Latter-day Saints? In this episode of Church History Matters, Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths take a careful look at one of the most debated statements in Latter-day Saint history. The White Horse Prophecy has been repeated, quoted, expanded, and sometimes used to interpret modern politics for generations. But how much of it can actually be traced back to Joseph Smith? Scott and Casey examine the weaknesses in the prophecy's claim to authenticity, including the late recollection on which much of the account depends, the absence of a contemporary record, and questions about how the story changed and developed over time. The result is a fascinating example of why historians have to distinguish between what may have been remembered, what can be documented, and what later generations may have added to the story. But that does not mean every idea associated with the White Horse Prophecy should be dismissed. The famous concept that the Constitution of the United States would one day “hang by a thread” has a stronger historical foundation. Multiple sources attribute statements to Joseph Smith expressing concern for the future of the Constitution and describing a time when it would face grave danger. Scott and Casey explore those sources, their strengths and limitations, and what Joseph Smith may actually have meant. Join us as we separate prophecy from folklore, documentation from tradition, and historical evidence from later interpretation. What can we responsibly say Joseph Smith taught about the future of the Constitution? What parts of the White Horse Prophecy are difficult to substantiate? And why has this controversial story continued to capture the imagination of Latter-day Saints for more than a century?
Sep 1

220 - The Rise of Mitt Romney & The Mormon Moment I Religion & Politics I Church History Matters

In this episode of Church History Matters, Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths explore the remarkable political rise of Mitt Romney—from his family’s political legacy and his career in business and Massachusetts politics to his campaigns for the presidency in 2008 and 2012. Romney’s candidacy brought unprecedented national attention to his Latter-day Saint faith. He ultimately became the first Latter-day Saint nominated for president by a major U.S. political party. But Romney’s campaigns were about much more than politics. His candidacy helped usher in what became known as the “Mormon Moment,” a period when American media, popular culture, and the broader public took an extraordinary interest in the history, beliefs, practices, and people of the Church. From questions about Mormonism and the presidency to his famous “Faith in America” speech, Romney found himself at the center of a national conversation about religion and American public life. Scott and Casey examine what Mitt Romney represented to Latter-day Saints who watched one of their own come closer than any previous Latter-day Saint to occupying the White House. They also explore the challenges he faced—including religious prejudice, questions about whether a Latter-day Saint president could separate church loyalty from constitutional responsibility, and the tension between Romney’s desire to define himself as a political candidate rather than simply as “the Mormon candidate.” Most importantly, what did the Mitt Romney moment mean for Latter-day Saints? Did his campaign change how Americans viewed the Church? Did it help normalize Latter-day Saint participation in American public life? And how did the experience shape the Church’s visibility and identity in the years that followed? Join Scott and Casey as they explore Mitt Romney, presidential politics, religious identity, and the “Mormon Moment”—and why this chapter in American political and Latter-day Saint history still matters today. #ChurchHistoryMatters #MittRomney #LatterDaySaints #MormonMoment #LDSHistory #MormonHistory #ReligionAndPolitics #AmericanHistory #ScottWoodward #CaseyGriffiths

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