Feb 21, 2012
July 7, 1847, President Young and the Pioneer Company arrived at Fort Bridger in western Wyoming. They had come 397 miles across Wyoming. Back along the Trail, they had met and conversed with Moses Black Harris, Jim Bridger, and Sam Brannan. Notwithstanding counsel to the contrary, they were eager to push on and reach the Valley of the Great Salt Lake. Ahead of them was the most difficult part of the journey and the most rewarding. This episode features the scholarship of Ronald Barney, Richard Bennett, Ronald Walker, and Ronald Esplin.
Feb 13, 2012
It was on the afternoon of June 30, 1847 while President Young and the Vanguard Company were ferrying across the Green River in Wyoming when a company of men came into camp. These men were Latter-day Saints coming from the West. Among them was 28 year-old Samuel Brannan. A man on the cusp of history, destined to make a mark. This episode features the scholarship of William Hartley, Ronald Walker, Richard Bennett, and Richard Bullock.
Feb 6, 2012
On June 21 1847, President Young and the Vanguard Company camped at Devils Gate Wyoming. They climbed to the top of that 370 foot gorge and stared down. The roar of the Sweetwater River below was deafening. From June 1 to July 13 the Pioneers journeyed across the rugged high country plains of Wyoming bound for their new home. In this episode of History of the Saints we bring you the first of two shows telling you of this crossing—the crossing of Wyoming. This episode features the scholarship of Ronald Barney, Richard Bennett, Mel Bashore, and Ronald Walker.
January 30, 2012
The Mormon Battalion was mustered into service in June of 1846 and began their march to California. Along the course of that march a significant number became sick and unable to travel further. They were sent to Pueblo. In this episode of History of the Saints we will tell you their story from beginning to end. The scholarship of Larry Porter and David Boone is featured.
January 23, 2012
Fort Laramie was situated at the confluence of the North Platte and Laramie Rivers in Wyoming. It was the stopping point for virtually all emigrants headed west. It was the first and only civilization in hundreds of miles. There emigrants rested, resupplied, and prepared for their climb over the Rockies. The Vanguard Company arrived there June 2, 1847. It was considered the halfway point, and its significance on the Oregon Trail was critical. This episode features the scholarship of William Slaughter, Fred Gowans, and Michael Landon
January 16, 2012
The Pioneer Trail is a cherished legacy for the Latter-day Saints. Many saints trace their ancestry to the trail. Generation after generation loves and tells pioneer stories to their children, passing on the legacy. In this episode of History of the Saints we tell the story of those who wrote the story—the Trail Diarists. The 1847 Vanguard Company was one of the most documented events in LDS and western history. Why, because someone took the time to write it down. This episode features the scholarship of James Allen, Richard Bennett, and Ronald Barney.
January 9, 2012
In our last show we traveled with the Pioneers from Winter Quarters along the Platte River to about Fort Kearney. And now we continue. The trail is beginning the climb to Wyoming. Within a short time the Pioneers would reach the edge of the American frontier—the Great American Desert as it was called, and would come in sight of one of the great wonders of the Plains—the buffalo. This episode features the scholarship of Ronald Barney, Mel Bashore, Richard Bennett, and Brian Hill.
January 2, 2012
From April 7 to May 30 of 1847 the Pioneer Company of the Latter-day Saints traveled across nearly 500 miles of Nebraska. Along the way they would marvel at the fertile plains, see some of the most beautiful vistas they had ever seen, ride among the vast herds of buffalo, interact with Plains Indians, and go forward in the faith of their God—their eyes toward the West. No matter how we today envision this epic journey in hindsight, it is imperative that we see it as they saw it. This episode features the scholarship of Ronald Barney, Richard Bennett, Mel Bashore, Brian Hill, and Lawrence Coates.
December 26, 2011
At Winter Quarters Nebraska, spring could not come soon enough for Brigham Young and the Latter-day Saints. They were eager to leave the Missouri and find their new home, or “stick the stake” as they phrased it. However, the question was not so much where they were going, but how they were going to get there. Not all could go in the first company. Therefore, who would go and what would become of those remaining behind? This episode of History of the Saints tells that story, and features the scholarship of Richard Bennett, Kenneth Godfrey, Mel Bashore, William Hartley, Susan Black, and Jennie Lund.
December 19, 2011
The Donner Party reached the Salt Lake Valley in August of 1846. They had lost precious time crossing the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, and they yet had hundreds of miles to travel before they reached California. They journeyed on and even while ascending the mountains, just before the summit, the snow came. Many would never make it. This episode features the scholarship of Jay Buckley, William Hartley, and Fred Gowans.
December 12, 2011
In 1846, one year before the Mormons, the Donner\Reed Party struggled to blaze a new trail in 1846. Bound for California, they became trapped in deep snow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Nearly half of 81 men women and children died of exposure and starvation, and some among the survivors resorted to cannibalism. Theirs is one of the most enduring stories of the West. In this episode of History of the Saints we tell their story and of the four instances when the experiences of the Donner Party impacted the Latter-day Saints. This episode features the scholarship of William Hartley, Jay Buckley, and Fred Gowans
December 5, 2011
In this episode of History of the Saints we talk about the shaping of the great American West; the fur traders, mountain men, and explorers who first mapped and explored these valleys of the mountains. When the Latter-day Saints went west they were not the first and would not be the last. They did not blaze the trail. They were a part of a much larger story. In order to better understand the Mormon migration to the West we look first at those who came first. This episode features the scholarship of Jay Buckley, and Fred Gowans.
Noveber 28, 2011From that moment when the Battalion crossed the Colorado River into California they began the most difficult part of their journey heretofore. This episode tells their story from that crossing, until finally, emaciated and in rags, they stood and looked out over the mighty Pacific Ocean. This episode features the scholarship of Greg Christofferson, Sherman Fleek, and Michael Landon.
Noveber 21, 2011
In this episode of History of the Saints we pick up the story of the Mormon Battalion and their march from Fort Leavenworth to the borders of California. The story of their march is one of incredible suffering and sacrifice; of noble efforts to save a brother. This episode features the scholarship of Sherman Fleek, Michael Landon, Susan Black, and Greg Christofferson.
Noveber 14, 2011
Joseph Smith was killed June 27, 1844. Shortly thereafter, the general membership of the Church at Nauvoo voted to sustain and follow the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. While most members of the Church did follow the Twelve there were those who broke away and sought to gain a following. This episode tells the story of the dissenters and features the scholarship of Richard Bennett, Ronald Esplin, and Robin Jensen.
Noveber 7, 2011
In the winter of 1846-47, most of the Latter-day Saints were settled in temporary winter quarters across Iowa and along the Missouri. We’ve talked about Garden Grove, Mt. Pisgah, and Winter Quarters, but as we have said there were saints elsewhere. Among those was a group of intrepid pioneers, some of Brigham Young’s best scouts. Theirs is a story little known and seldom told. They are the Ponca Saints. The episode features the scholarship of William Hartley, and Richard Bennett.
October 31, 2011
By the late Fall of 1846, most of the LDS were digging in for the winter in settlements along the Missouri River. Winter Quarters on the west bank was literally a wilderness refugee camp filled with thousands. As winter deepened, survival became of paramount concern. Thanks to the journals of those who were there, a rich history of Winter Quarters has survived giving us a glimpse of what life was like in the winter of 1846-47. This episode features the scholarship of Richard Bennett, William Hartley, Maurine Ward, Jennie Lund, Shauna Anderson.
October 24, 2011
In the late summer of 1846 Brigham Young and his people were camped at the Missouri River on the edge of Indian Territory. The rest of the Saints were scattered across Iowa all the way to Nauvoo. 500 men had just departed in the Mormon Battalion. Now, short on manpower, supplies, and time, it was too late for the Saints to reach the Rocky Mountains that season. Plans would have to change. What were they to do—and where would they go? This episode of History of the Saints begins the story of Winter Quarters, and features the scholarship of Richard Bennett, Susan Black, and Jennie Lund.
October 17, 2011
In 1846, when it seemed the Latter-day Saints had few friends outside their own ranks, there came a stranger from the east into their camps on the Missouri River. His name was Thomas L. Kane. During his time with them he became convinced that they were a mistreated and a suffering people, worthy of his help. And thus began a powerful friendship that would span nearly four decades. The episode features the scholarship of Matthew Grow, David Whittaker, and Richard Bennett.
October 10, 2011
While the main story of Church history focused on Winter Quarters and the Mormon Battalion in 1846; there was another story, another drama not often told, but very powerful. In this episode we tell you the story of the poor camp—those Saints forced out of Nauvoo in September of 1846. The episode features the scholarship of Richard Bennett, William Hartley, Susan Black, Jill Crandell, and Matthew Grow.
October 3, 2011
As difficult as times were for the Church in 1846, they were equally trying for the United States. On May 13, 1846, the United States declared war on Mexico. Interestingly, with all that concerned U.S. president James K. Polk at that time, he manifested a particular concern regarding the Mormons; a small band of exiles struggling for existence on the banks of the Missouri River? This episode begins the story of the Mormon Battalion and features the scholarship of Colonel Sherman Fleek, Michael Landon, Susan Black, William Hartley, Richard Bennett, and Jill Crandell
September 26, 2011
While President Young and most the Twelve had left Nauvoo in February 1846, the great majority of the Saints were supposed to, and did, leave Nauvoo in the Spring. They made much better time across Iowa and caught up with the Camp of Israel near the Pisgah settlement. This episode of History of the Saints is the story of the Spring Exodus of Nauvoo. The scholarship of William Hartley, Carol Madsen, and Richard Bennett are featured.
September 19, 2011
What Joseph Smith started Brigham Young saved. He has been called one of the “Twin Pillars of the Restoration.” This episode tells the story of Brigham Young as he assumes leadership and leads the saints west. The scholarship of Ronald Walker, Ronald Esplin, and Richard Bennett is featured.
September 12, 2011
March 1, 1846, with the Camp of Israel now reorganized, Brigham Young set out to the West with the intent of crossing the mountains that year, but there were immediate and unexpected problems. They were moving too slow, the weather was awful, and too many were ill supplied. This episode describes the Saints arduous journey across Iowa, and features the scholarship of Carol Madsen, Richard Bennett, William Hartley, Ronald Walker, and Jill Crandell.
September 5, 2011
The Latter-day Saints were driven out of Nauvoo, but they also left by willing choice. They understood that they had a new home somewhere beyond the Rocky Mountains. They left at different times and under different circumstances—some not so pleasant. This is the story of the Winter Exodus in February 1846. The episode features the scholarship of William Hartley, Richard Bennett, Don Colvin, Carol Madsen, and Susan Black.
August 29, 2011
Far from being an accidental or sudden idea, the exodus of the Latter-day Saints to the West was an informed and planned decision. It was not an idea that originated with Brigham Young, but rather with Joseph Smith who spoke of it as early as the 1830’s. When the Saints went west, it was not the migration of random peoples looking for gold, game, or fur—it was the movement of a displaced people—an entire culture—looking for a home. This episode tells that story and features the scholarship of Richard Bennett, Fred Gowans, Alex Baugh, Fred Woods, William Hartley, and Glen Leonard.
August 22, 2011
As with the ancients, the Latter-day Saints are a temple building people. First there was the House of the Lord in Kirtland, Ohio where the Lord revealed himself. Then others were planned in Independence and Far West Missouri that the Saints were unable to complete. Then in October of 1840, the Prophet Joseph Smith announced they would build another Temple; this one in Nauvoo, Illinois. This episode tells the story of the Nauvoo Temple. It features the scholarship of Don Colvin, Susan Black, William Hartley, Richard Bennett, and Richard Cowan.
August 15, 2011
By the summer of 1845 the time of Latter-day Saints in Nauvoo, Illinois was coming to a close. Persecution and public opinion were mounting against them. They would have to leave. Where would they go and by what miracle would they get there? This episode tells the story of the last days of Nauvoo. It features the scholarship of Richard Bennett, Susan Black, William Hartley, Susan Rugh, Glen Leonard, Fred Woods, and Ronald Esplin
August 8, 2011
This episode tells the story of the momentous days and weeks immediately after the Martyrdom of Joseph Smith. Critical decisions were made and dramas played out that set the course of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for generations to come. Richard Bennett, William Hartley, Glen Leonard, Ronald Esplin, Susan Black, and Susan Rugh contibute.
August 1, 2011
This episode chronicles the aftermath of the Martyrdom and how the event devastated the Latter-day Saints for generations to come. It features to scholarship of Dean Jessee, Ken Godfrey, and Jeff Walker.
July 25, 2011
This episode tells the tragic story of the Martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith in Carthage Jail in June of 1844. It features the scholarship of Ken Godfrey and Jeff Walker