History of the Saints

The weather across Iowa in the winter of 1846 was terrible. It ranged from terrible snowstorms to subzero temperatures and rain and mud. All of this making travel for the Saints in search of a new home slow and difficult. It was during this time that William Clayton wrote the famous anthem, "Come, Come Ye Saints."

Season 1 Show 7 The Winter Exodus of Nauvoo.Beginning of February of 1846 the Latter-day Saints were driven from their homes in Nauvoo, Illinois. Mobs and armies threatened them if they did not leave. Following Brigham Young they turned their faces west and went in search of new home somewhere beyond the Rocky Mountains in Upper California. This is the story of the first wave of refugees to leave Nauvoo.

This podcast is the story of the Latter-day Saints and their long awaited migration to the western United States. It was an idea that began as early as 1830-31 with Joseph Smith. Joseph had seen the Rocky Mountains in vision and understood that his people were to go there. He did not live long enought to see that come to pass. This is the story of the Saints and their longing gaze to the west.

The Nauvoo Temple was announced by Joseph Smith and completed by the Latter-day Saints in 1846. They were able to receive ordinances in that House only for a short time before they were driven from the city. They expended monumental effort and resources for its completion and dedication only to walk away and leave it to be destroyed by fire. This is the story of the first building of the Nauvoo Temple.

Season 1, Show 4 This podcast tells the story of the last days of Nauvoo. The Saints had wanted to maintain a presence at Nauvoo while they searched for a new home in the Rocky Mountains, but their enemies in Hancock County, Illinois were determined that the Saints would leave or die. But--where would they go and when would they leave?

Following the death of Joseph Smith there were several who sought to lead the Latter-day Saints. The Quorum of the Twelve led by Brigham Young returned to Nauvoo and when Brother Brigham stood to address the Saints in August 1844, the Saints knew who was to lead them. This podcast features the scholarship of Richard Bennett, William Hartley, Glen Leonard, Susan Rugh, and Susan Black.

Season 1, Show 2 This podcast chronicles the aftermath of the martyrdom of Joseph Smith. The shock and grief that overwhelmed the saints is presented in their own words. Tens of thousands lined up to pay their last respects to the fallen heroes. William W. Phelps would preach the funeral sermon revealing a new poem written for the occasion--Praise to the Man. And at the burial in the Nauvoo Cemetery, the families were mindful that a bounty yet remained on Joseph and Hyrum, thus the bodies were buried in secret. This podcast features the scholarship of Dean Jesse, Kenneth Godfrey, and Jeff Walker.

This podcast is the story of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. They were killed by a mob of anti-Mormons at Carthage Jail, in Hancock County, Illinois on June 27, 1844. Troubles began for Joseph Smith when dissenters from the faith started a vitriolic newspaper called the Nauvoo Expositor. When the Nauvoo City Council voted to destroy that press as a public nuisance it brought down a firestorm of difficulty upon the Saints. Joseph appealed for help from the Governor but assistance was denied. Joseph considered going away to the Rocky Mountains but in the end chose to surrender himself to the law at Carthage. "I am going like a lamb to the slaughter," he would declare as he rode toward Carthage. When it was over Joseph and Hyrum Smith lay dead, martyrs to the cause of Christ. John Taylor was wounded, and Willard Richards lived to declare his witness of the events of that terrible day. This episode features the scholarship of Ken Godfrey and Jeff Walker. 

The Joseph Smith Papers was a landmark series that told the story of Joseph Smith's life and ministry. Now comes a new series, a sequel called History of the Saints. This first podcast episode chronicles where we have been and where we are going.