“O God, Where Art Thou?”: The Trials of Liberty Jail

icicles on a wooden beam

When everything seems to go wrong, has God left us to face our trials alone? On December 1, 1838, six men, including the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum, were wrongfully imprisoned in the dungeon of Liberty Jail in Clay County, Missouri. One of the other innocent captives charged with… Continue reading

Why You Should Care about the Fortieth Anniversary of BYU’s Religious Studies Center

pen in center of open book

The Religious Studies Center may be turning forty, but its resources put a modern spin on the wisdom of the ages. Read how you can benefit from its free online publications. The Religious Studies Center (RSC) was founded in 1975 under the direction of Jeffrey R. Holland while he was… Continue reading

What Did Reformed Egyptian Characters in the Book of Mormon Look Like?

Want to see copies of original characters from the gold plates up close? Thanks to The Joseph Smith Papers, you can. From the moment Joseph Smith received the gold plates in 1827, he constantly had to protect them. The angel Moroni gave him specific instructions to keep them safe—not only from… Continue reading

Porter Rockwell: Man of Faith or Murderer?

Loyalty to Joseph Smith earned Porter Rockwell protection from bullets and blade. That protection also led to his infamous reputation. Porter Rockwell was a lawman and a bodyguard to Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. In spite of his rough reputation, he was a faithful and devout man, as stated in… Continue reading

How Zina D. H. Young Influenced America

During the nineteenth century, Zina D. H. Young represented Mormon women in local and national medical, political, and religious circles. When we give all that the Lord asks of us, the bounds of our influence for good can be limitless. The life and service of Zina Diantha Huntington Young (1821–1901)… Continue reading

Emmeline B. Wells: Women’s Rights Pioneer

From her involvement in the suffrage movement to her triumph over personal tragedies, Emmeline B. Wells stands as a role model for young women. Women’s rights activist, suffrage leader, general president of the Relief Society, wife, mother—these are just a few of the titles that Emmeline B. Wells (1828–1921) acquired… Continue reading

Enduring with Cheer: Aurelia Spencer Rogers, Founder of the Primary

group of pioneer children

Through trials of faith and heartaches, Aurelia refused to give up, using her love heightened by loss to help the children of the Church. After her mother’s death, Aurelia Spencer Rogers (1834–1922) and her older sister cared for their four younger siblings for two years while their father was on… Continue reading

Face to Face with the Bednars

Elder and Sister Bednar tackle tough questions from young people worldwide about love, relationships, and what it means to be an Apostle today.   Have you ever wanted to sit down with someone who had the answers to all your questions and concerns? What would you ask an Apostle if… Continue reading

Sarah Granger Kimball: Teacher, Activist, Dedicated Leader

a circle of objects

This exceptional woman dedicated her life to serving and fighting for the women of the Church. Who was Sarah Granger Kimball? [Sarah Granger Kimball (1818–98) was a remarkable example of leadership and lifelong service. Throughout her life, she gracefully combined the three things she was most passionate about: education, women’s… Continue reading

Facing Discouragement with Faith: Susa Young Gates

Susa Young Gates

Despite divorce, mental health issues, and the burdens of family life, Gates used her talents to defend women’s achievements as well as her beliefs. Susa Young Gates’ motto “keep busy in the face of discouragement” proved to be a recurring theme throughout her life. Though she faced both physical and… Continue reading