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History Revisited

All you need to know about the newest volume in the Joseph Smith Papers series
By Trent Toone
The newest volume in the Joseph Smith Papers series, which covers February to November 1841, was a time of "hope and optimism" for the early Saints in Nauvoo, Illinois.
This 1845 painting, created after Joseph Smith's death, depicts the prophet with the Nauvoo Legion. It is considered the earliest known visual depiction of the Nauvoo Legion.
12 facts Latter-day Saints should know about the golden spike for its 150th anniversary
By Trent Toone
In honor of the golden spike's 150th anniversary, historians at the Church History Department share 12 unique facts about the golden spike and how it impacted Latter-day Saints at the time.
The joining of the rails at Promontory, Utah, is photographed May 10, 1869. The photo is taken from the original glass plate from the Oakland Museum.
Elder McConkie's sense of humor that you probably never knew about
By Gerry Avant
Elder Bruce R. McConkie was noted for his vast knowledge of and writings about the scriptures. He was also a man with a sense of humor.
1 General Authority's transformation from feeling inadequate to serving with confidence
By Gerry Avant
During an interview shortly after H. Burke Peterson was called to the First Quorum of the Seventy in 1985, he told of feelings of inadequacy he'd carried throughout his youth into his calling as a General Authority.
Elder H. Burke Peterson, a General Authority Seventy (1985-1993), and his wife, Sister Brookie Cardon Peterson.
Parking, protestors and other things that did (or didn't) exist in conference 100 years ago
By Trent Toone
How different was conference 100 years ago? Here's a taste of what it was like when Elder Heber J. Grant was called as president of the Church and conference sessions were held in the Tabernacle on Temple Square.
A view of the Salt Lake Temple in 1919.
An unforgettable tennis match and other little-known facts about President Benson's wife
By Gerry Avant
As a young woman, Flora Smith Amussen decided to marry a poor man, preferably a farmer, who was spiritually rich. Her desire was realized in 1926 when she married Ezra Taft Benson, a farmer who became the 13th president of the Church in 1985.
President Ezra Taft Benson and his wife, Sister Flora Smith Amussen Benson, posed for a photo on the 60th anniversary of their wedding. They were married on Sept. 10, 1926, in the Salt Lake Temple. She died Aug. 14, 1992; he died May 30, 1994.
Learn about the Utah pioneer marker the Church donated to Daughters of the Utah Pioneers
By Trent Toone
A historic Utah pioneer marker once almost forgotten is receiving attention again thanks to collaboration among the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, the Sons of the Utah Pioneers and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Fort Palmyra monument near Spanish Fork was recently donated back to Daughters of Utah Pioneers, the original owners.
How Sister Ida Romney came to know for certain that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God
By Gerry Avant
Sister Ida Jensen Romney, wife of President Marion G. Romney, drew upon personal knowledge and testimony to help others as she made gospel living a part of her life.
Sister Ida Jensen Romney, wife of President Marion G. Romney of the First Presidency, in 1974.
Sister Kimball's guide to happiness in life, love, marriage, education and the gospel
By Gerry Avant
I had many inspirational teachers during the nearly 45 years that I worked full-time at the Church News. Sister Camilla Eyring Kimball was one of them.
Elder Spencer W. Kimball and his wife, Sister Camilla Eyring Kimball, pose for a photo in their home in the 1960s, about 20 years after he was called to serve in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
Want to try a new — or old — pie recipe for Pi Day? Take a look at these pies from Church history
By Emmy Gardiner and Valerie Johnson
We thought we'd help people celebrate National Pie Day today by compiling a list of archived Church pie recipes — everything from a pioneer-era swiss apple pie to a butterscotch cheerio pie from a 1959 Relief Society Magazine. Bake away!
A screenshot from the September 1955 issue of The Improvement Era from archive.org, featuring Lena Glaus — Her Art and Profession by Allie Howe. The article includes a recipe for 15 lemon meringue pies.
Filled to overflowing: The lasting impact of seeing the Church bring fresh water to communities in need
By Gerry Avant
The scriptures tell of the Savior's promise of living water. I witnessed how water brought physical, as well as spiritual, blessings to people in a village about 40 miles from Accra, Ghana.
Before Ghana's village of Katapor had access to fresh well water, boys hauled polluted water from a nearby river. In many parts of Africa, women and children walk long distances to bring water to their homes.
What it was like finishing President Hinckley's Book of Mormon challenge at Joseph Smith's birthplace
By Gerry Avant
Elder Russell M. Ballard and I walked and talked near the granite shaft at Sharon, Vermont, near Joseph Smith's birthplace. It was Dec. 23, 2005, the 200th anniversary of the Prophet's birth.
President Gordon B. Hinckley, left, and Elder M. Russell Ballard speak to members of the media during a press conference at the birthplace of Joseph Smith near Sharon, Vermont, Thursday, December 22, 2005. In a satellite broadcast on Dec. 23 from the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial Visitors Center, President Hinckley and Elder Ballard delivered addresses carried throughout the Church.
President Monson died 1 year ago today. Here's how his 'legacy of love' lives on
It's been one year since President Thomas Spencer Monson, 16th President of the Church, died on January 2, 2018, in his home in Salt Lake City. Here are a few highlights from his life.
President Thomas S. Monson’s casket is draped with flowers before the start of his funeral at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018.
Here's a quick timeline of when young men have been ordained to the priesthood over the years
By Sarah Jane Weaver
Ages for ordaining young men to priesthood offices are not “doctrinally mandated” and have varied throughout Church history, according to materials released by the Church. Following is a historical list of ages for priesthood ordination.
The First Presidency announced changes Dec. 14 to the timeline children and youth in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will complete Primary, move from one class or quorum to the next and attend the temple for the first time. The changes, effective January 2019, also impact when young men may be ordained to priesthood offices.
Why Franciscans in Bethlehem wanted the Tabernacle Choir to sing in Bethlehem's Shepherds' Fields
By Gerry Avant
I once stood in Shepherds' Field near Bethlehem and heard an angelic chorus singing of the Savior Jesus Christ. It was in 1993. I was covering the Tabernacle Choir on its tour to the Holy Land.
The Tabernacle Choir prepares to sing in Shepherds' Field during the filming of a documentary in January 1993.
What historians, scholars and Church members are saying about the Joseph Smith Papers on its 10th anniversary
By Trent Toone
Here's a look at how the award-winning Joseph Smith Papers project has given scholars and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints greater access to original sources for Joseph Smith's life and his teachings.
Shannon Kelly Jorgensen is a lead editor for the Joseph Smith Papers. She was photographed in her office while working on a forthcoming volume of the Joseph Smith Papers.
Elder Uchtdorf shares message during Volkstrauertag: A German national day of remembrance
By Marianne Holman Prescott
Elder Uchtdorf speaks during the Volkstrauertag event at Fort Douglas Military Cemetary in Salt Lake City on Nov. 18. The gathering pays tribute to German prisoners of war — and others — who are buried there.
Gov. Gary Herbert , Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, General Adjutant General of the Utah National Guard Jefferson Burton and James Burton salute after placing a wreath during the German Day of Remembrance (Volkstrauertag) at Fort Douglas Military Cemetery in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018.
Elvis Presley's copy of the Book of Mormon ain't nothin' but a forgery, Church history experts say
A copy of the Book of Mormon preserved in the historical collections of the Church for 30 years that was believed to be signed by Elvis Presley is a forgery.
This 1972 file photo shows Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, during a performance. 
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