From the Desk: Learning by Study and Faith is an online epicenter of history and religion. While the site has increasingly become devoted to the history of Joseph Smith and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it also provides extensive coverage of wider historical and religious topics, such as Jim Bridger, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the siege of Masada.
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We publish new articles each week—and they’re all free. No ads. No fluff. We’ll keep writing as long as you keep reading.
Who reads From the Desk?
Millions of people from over 100 countries have read From the Desk content. While more than 100,000 users visit From the Desk directly each year, much of our readership stems from media outlets that use our content for their stories.
For example, you can see From the Desk covered in more than 600 publications, including:
- The New York Times
- Wikipedia
- USA Today
- The Church News
- LDS Living
- Patheos
- Bustle
- Salt Lake Tribune
- Deseret News
- Heavy
- Slate
What are From the Desk’s most popular articles?
Our Top 20 articles run the gamut from biographies of Latter-day Saints like Henry B. Eyring and Bruce R. McConkie to historical coverage of mysteries like the Dead Sea Scrolls and Siege of Masada:
- Come Follow Me 2023: New Testament Resources (From the Desk)
- Has a Joseph Smith Photograph Finally Been Found? (Lachlan Mackay)
- The Many Legacies of Bruce R. McConkie (Dennis B. Horne)
- What is the Relationship Between Freemasonry and the Temple Endowment? (Jeffrey M. Bradshaw)
- Behind the Scenes of the All In Podcast with Morgan Pearson (Morgan Jones Pearson)
- How Did Freemasonry Influence Joseph Smith? (Cheryl Bruno)
- Emma Smith: What Is Her Legacy? (Jenny Reeder)
- Who Was Joseph Smith and What Did He Do? (From the Desk)
- What Did It Mean to “Shake Off the Dust of Thy Feet”? (Samuel Weber)
- How Well Do You Know Brigham Young? (From the Desk)
- The Life of Henry B. Eyring (Robert Eaton)
- Jim Bridger vs. Brigham Young (Jerry Enzler)
- When Was Jesus Born? (Jeffrey R. Chadwick)
- What Happened at the Siege of Masada? (Jodi Magness)
- Have You Seen This Anthony Sweat Art? (Anthony Sweat)
- What Have Scholars Learned about the Book of Mormon? (From the Desk)
- These Scholars Will Make You Think about Polygamy (Brian Hales and Laura Harris Hales)
- Secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls (Jean-Pierre Isbouts)
- Are There 3 Degrees of Glory Within the Celestial Kingdom? (Bryan Buchanan)
- Know Brother Joseph: Q&A with the Editors (R. Eric Smith, Matthew C. Godfrey, and Matthew J. Grow)
What about hidden gems?
Good question. We have many articles that fall into a “diamond in the rough” category. These interviews don’t get mainstream traffic, but they’re filled with interesting nuggets:
- Reverend Dr. Andrew Teal on Finding Christ Through Suffering
- N. T. Wright on the New Testament in Its World
- Read George D. Watt’s 1851 Journal from Liverpool to Chimney Rock for the First Time
- Joseph and Lucy Mack Smith’s Tunbridge Farm
- Did Joseph Smith Run for President?
- Did the Kinderhook Plates Fool Joseph Smith?
- Finding Christ in 3rd Nephi and 4th Nephi
- Saladin, Richard the Lionheart, and the Third Crusade
- Gary Boatright Traces the Origins of the Latter-day Saint Wagon Box Prophecy
- How Many Accounts of the First Vision Are There?
- George Washington and the Newburgh Conspiracy
- Jonah in the Bible: A Commentary by Rabbi Steven Bob
- The Forgotten Louie B. Felt
- Virtual Tour of the Salt Lake City Cemetery
- History of the Saints: Zion’s Camp
- The Life and Thoughts of Philip Barlow
How often does From the Desk publish new content?
From the Desk typically publishes weekly. We believe in quality over quantity—and won’t ever publish clickbait.
Do you have cornerstone content?
From the Desk has six pieces of cornerstone content (with more on the way). These articles are updated frequently and include fascinating scholarly research about religious history:
Does From the Desk have an agenda?
Yes and no. From the Desk covers interesting historical and religious topics from the perspective of believers who understand that history contains both inspiring strengths and heartbreaking weaknesses. We don’t seek out troubling issues from the past, but we cover them when they pop up. We employ a faithful “warts and all” approach that lies in between hagiography and warts-only.
We shy away from speculation, don’t cover ad hominem content, and generally avoid scholars who receive poor reports in academic peer reviews.
Who writes for From the Desk?
Kurt Manwaring is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of From the Desk. Other contributors include Jerry Winder, Chad Nielsen, and Benjamin Pacini. We’re also looking for new writers with a passion for history, a skill for writing, and a commitment to kindness.
Is From the Desk affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
No.
What is From the Desk‘s relationship with BYU Studies?
BYU Studies sponsors From the Desk as part of its mission to publish scholarship informed by the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. The views expressed by interview participants do not necessarily represent those of BYU Studies or From the Desk.
Does From the Desk have inside info on forthcoming scholarship?
Yes. We frequently communicate behind the scenes with today’s leading scholars, presses, authors, historians, and administrators. You’d probably pay big bucks to see our Slack channel.
What is the featured image on About From the Desk?
The featured image on our About page is a digital copy of an Al Rounds painting entitled “South Temple 1892,” and is used by permission. The work conveys the emotion intended in much of our content, namely the beauty of the unfinished state. You can learn more about Al Rounds and his artwork at AlRounds.com.