Categories
Come Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants

Doctrine and Covenants: Joseph Smith, Theology, Polygamy, and More

The Doctrine and Covenants is considered part of the Latter-day Saint scriptural canon. The compilation of revelations given mainly to the Prophet Joseph Smith includes administrative guidelines, radical theology, and emotional letters. In this collection of scholarly and devotional insights, we provide context behind influential revelations such as D&C 6, D&C 76, D&C 88, D&C 89, D&C 93, D&C 121, and D&C 132.

Categories
Devotional

The Bells at Temple Square: The Tabernacle Choir’s World-Class Handbell Ensemble

The Bells at Temple Square is a premier handbell ensemble in Salt Lake City that performs intricate music with hundreds of handbells and handchimes as part of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. Since its founding in 2005, the ensemble has inspired audiences through its musical skill and spiritual purpose, performing in semiannual concerts, at national events, and in broadcasts such as Music and the Spoken Word. In this interview, Conductor Geoff Anderson explains what the group is, recounts how he got involved, and discusses the evolving legacy of the Bells at Temple Square.

Categories
Theology

Why Did Eerdmans Publish a Book on Latter-day Saint Theology?

Eerdmans published Latter-day Saint Theology Among Christian Theologies by Grant Underwood as part of its long-standing commitment to showcase varied and responsible viewpoints that play a role in larger ongoing conversations. The book offers a structured comparison of Latter-day Saint beliefs with traditional Christian doctrines, written by a respected scholar within the Latter-day Saint faith tradition. In this interview, Editor-in-Chief James Ernest explains what it does—and doesn’t—mean when Eerdmans engages with Latter-day Saint theology.

Categories
Devotional Theology

How Do I Receive and Recognize the Holy Ghost?

Learning to recognize the Spirit can take a lifetime to master. Latter-day Saints “receive the Holy Ghost” after baptism, but it can be a difficult charge to follow. While the Standard Works counsel seeking gifts of the Spirit, church members may feel guilty about not feeling a “burning in the bosom” or wonder whether they’ve done something to prevent the “constant companionship” of the Spirit. In this interview, Latter-day Saint scholar and teacher Robert L. Millet teaches how to receive the Holy Ghost, explains how it differs from the Light of Christ, and offers practical tips for recognizing the Spirit.

This is Part 2 of a two-part series about the Holy Ghost in Latter-day Saint theology. In Part 1, Charles Harrell discusses the Development of the Holy Ghost in Latter-day Saint Theology.

Categories
Book of Mormon Come Follow Me Doctrine and Covenants Joseph Smith

How Did the Joseph Smith Papers Project Influence the 2025 Scripture Updates?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made several updates to its scriptures in 2025. Roughly half of the changes approved by the Scriptures Committee provide additional historical context, while the other half make minor factual adjustments to details like dates and places. This includes updates to “Study Helps” such as Doctrine and Covenants section headers and Book of Mormon chapter introductions. In this interview, scholar Matthew Godfrey introduces the scripture updates and illustrates how many of them were made possible by the Joseph Smith Papers Project.

Categories
19th Century Book excerpts Theology

Who Was the Early Mormon Jesus?

Christology—literally the “study of Christ”—was not one of the points of contention between early Mormons and their many antagonists. When Joseph Smith and his few followers founded a church in 1830, they drafted a set of Articles and Covenants that explained the church’s organization. In the tradition of creeds, they also listed a few core beliefs.

Categories
Doctrine and Covenants Theology

Redeeming the Dead: Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants

Redeeming the dead is central to Joseph Smith’s vision of uniting all humanity in a heavenly kinship. In Latter-day Saint practice, this doctrine is enacted through proxy ordinances—performed in temples—through which Christ’s gift of salvation is offered to every soul by linking the living with the departed. From Malachi’s prophecy in the Old Testament to Joseph F. Smith’s 1918 vision, scripture underscores that human connection is the heart of redemption. In this interview, Dr. Amy Harris shares insights from her contribution to the Maxwell Institute’s Themes in the Doctrine and Covenants book series.

Categories
Devotional Quotes

D. Todd Christofferson Quotes You’ll Use Again and Again

If you’ve felt steadied by President D. Todd Christofferson’s voice, you’ll recognize the pattern: Christ at the center, covenants as the path, Zion as the aim, and family sealed by priesthood power. Now Second Counselor to Dallin H. Oaks in the First Presidency, he has offered 40+ General Conference messages over more than 30 years of service as a Seventy and Apostle. This page includes quotes from his conference talks organized by theme so you can find the right words quickly—whether you’re preparing a lesson, drafting a talk, or studying at home.

Categories
New Testament

What Language Did Jesus Speak? Aramaic and the Historical Jesus

Jesus spoke Aramaic, the common language of Galilee in the first century. The Gospels preserve traces of this in words like Abba and ṭalîta’ qûmî, even though they were written in Greek. But the real significance goes beyond vocabulary: Aramaic-speaking circles that contributed to the accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John remembered Jesus in distinct ways. For example, Peter’s circle emphasized forgiveness, that of Mary Magdalene focused on purity, and so on. Together, they form overlapping but distinct “streams of tradition” in the Gospels, revealing that no single community preserved the whole picture of Jesus. In this interview, Bruce Chilton discusses his book Aramaic Jesus and what it reveals about the language Jesus spoke, memory, and the earliest church.

Categories
Come Follow Me Devotional Latter-day Saint History

In the Hands of the Lord: The Life of Dallin H. Oaks

Dallin H. Oaks is expected to become the 18th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints following the passing of Russell M. Nelson. Oaks taught at the University of Chicago, became president of Brigham Young University, and served on the State of Utah Supreme Court prior to being called as an Apostle. In this interview, biographer Richard E. Turley discusses the life and personality of the 93-year-old President Oaks.