Elder L. Tom Perry: Builder of Souls

Picture of L. Tom Perry on a background with a sunset

Elder L. Tom Perry lived a life of service to his fellow men as a builder of churches and souls. On May 30, 2015, L. Tom Perry—a man with a big smile and an even bigger heart—passed away. Elder Perry (1922–2015) lived a long life of service. As a young man,… Continue reading

The Unprinted Pages in the Original Book of Commandments

pages on a printing press

Scholars at the Joseph Smith Papers propose what might have been included in the Book of Commandments if the printing office had not been destroyed by a mob. In July 1833, vigilantes razed William Phelps’s home where he was printing copies of Joseph Smith’s revelations that were then known as… Continue reading

The King Follett Sermon: One Speech, Four Contemporary Accounts

galaxy

Learn about this landmark address by Joseph Smith on the nature of God. The nature of God and man has been one of the most hotly contested religious doctrines throughout the ages. The question “Who am I?” is as universal to the human condition as is “What should I have… Continue reading

Mummies and Mormons—Ancient Egyptian Artifacts and the Early LDS Church

Discover which book in the Pearl of Great Price was translated from ancient papyri found in Thebes, Egypt. Discovering Mummies In the late eighteenth century, Napoleon Bonaparte’s escapades sparked new interest in the exploration of Egyptian antiquities. Italian explorer Antonio Lebolo uncovered a large cache of mummies and papyri near Thebes,… Continue reading

Remembering Elder L. Tom Perry: Share the Gospel and Tell It Like It Is

Two women sitting on steps talking

Hesitant to share your beliefs? Elder Perry emphasizes that “in speaking about the Church, we do not try to make it sound better than it is.” Members of the Church often aren’t aware that there is “a wide difference––a gulf of understanding” between the perception of the Church from the… Continue reading

Joseph Smith: Just Another Treasure Seeker?

landscape with river

Why would Joseph Smith have hunted for Spanish treasure? What did he find as a result? Have you ever found yourself prompted to do something that you normally wouldn’t do? Perhaps you’ve accepted a job that takes you out of your comfort zone. Or maybe you’ve felt like you should… Continue reading

Prisoner of War Finds Hope in the Gospel

barn through a fence

During the turmoil of World War II, prisoner Hermann Mössner found strength through the scriptures and church meetings. When German soldier Hermann Mössner was captured as a prisoner of war in World War II, he did not let the chaos of war bring him down. An article titled “Out of… Continue reading

Did Joseph Smith Write about Your Ancestors?

Joseph Smith Papers

Are your ancestors mentioned in the pages of Church history during Joseph Smith’s day? Find out through a quick and easy—and free—search. One day, after venturing onto the Joseph Smith Papers website, I discovered the search engine designed specifically for finding individuals’ names in the site’s collection of documents. The… Continue reading

Trusting the Lord’s Health Code

muddy shoes

Ever have doubts about the Word of Wisdom? The original document of this 1833 revelation gives another reason to trust its divinity. Stories of famous stars using drugs show up on Buzzfeed and HuffPost. Peer pressure to drink and smoke blows up your newsfeed. People taunt, “Why can’t you drink… Continue reading

A New Look at an Old Text: Viewing the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants Online

three young men on a tablet, smiling and looking at things

Flip through an original copy of an 1835 version of the Doctrine and Covenants online and find amazing history in its pages. Looking for a new way to study the Doctrine and Covenants? The Joseph Smith Papers Project has made available a free online version of the 1835 Doctrine and… Continue reading