Joseph Smith Papers

The Joseph Smith Papers grants listeners a window into the life and personality of the prophet, Joseph Smith. His journal writings include doctrinal teachings and revelations as well as accounts of daily encounters and significant spiritual experiences, such as the First Vision and the Kirtland Temple dedication.

This episode offers an in-depth look at the family history that helped shape Joseph Smith-from the pilgrims of Mayflower to the Revolutionary War soldiers to the regular farmers—including his parents and grandparents.

This episode explores the historical context of the United States in 1805, when Joseph Smith was born.

Joseph Smith grew up in the small town of Palmyra, New York; this episode provides a window into the lives of his family during their time there.

This episode sets the stage for the first event in what would become the Restoration of the gospel: the appearance of God the Father and Jesus Christ to the fourteen-year-old Joseph Smith.

Joseph Smith's 1820 vision of God and Jesus Christ is examined, and his different accounts compared in this episode.

Examines the story of the records from which Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon—how he obtained them and how he set about translating them.

Discusses the significance of Harmony, Pennsylvania and the events that took place there. Including meeting his wife, the birth and death of his first child, also the translation of a significant portion of the Book of Mormon.

Examines how, when, where, and by whom the Priesthood was restored to the earth.

A roundtable discussion, chaired by Ronald K. Esplin, managing editor of The Joseph Smith Papers, features members of the Papers staff explaining why this project has significance to people both in and out of the LDS Church.

In the second roundtable, members of the Joseph Smith Papers Project staff describe the day-to-day work of producing the Papers-from acquisition of documents to transcription to editorial policies-and share things they've learned.

Scholars present textual evidence that helps give an idea of what the actual process of translating the Book of Mormon may have been like.

Scholars discuss the publication of the first edition of the Book of Mormon, including the process of printing and the local reaction to the book's publication.

Discusses the biography of Joseph Smith written by Lucy Mack Smith, begun in 1844 after his death.

Scholar's discuss the early instruction to Joseph Smith that he should keep a record of the Church, and his effort to obey that command.

Discussion of the journals of Joseph Smith, what they reveal, and the human side of Joseph Smith.

Oliver Cowdery was at the center of the early Church, from his beginnings as a scribe for the Book of Mormon translation to his role as second elder of the Church until his disaffection, excommunication, and re-baptism. In this episode, scholars discuss Cowdery, his relationship to Joseph Smith, and his place in church history.

This episode offers descriptions of Joseph Smith from his contemporaries-within the Church and without-as well as perspectives on his influence from several modern scholars.

Doctor Nathan Smith was perhaps the only doctor in the United States who could have saved young Joseph Smith's leg when he contracted Osteomyelitis (bone infection) in 1813. This episode explores Joseph's childhood illness and the remarkable physician who treated it.

In July 1833, Joseph Smith completed his inspired revision of the Bible. That text, which was never published in his lifetime, was lost to the Church for more than a century. In this episode, Robert J. Matthews discusses the Joseph Smith Translation and his role in bringing it to light

Joseph Smith's Translation of the Bible was one of the most significant endeavors of his life. This episode explores the divine instruction to revise the Bible, the process of translation, and the storied history of the JST Translation.

Joseph and Emma Smith spent much of their seventeen-year marriage apart, writing letters to each other while Joseph was traveling or imprisoned. This episode delves into the surviving letters of this couple.

The belief in continuing revelation espoused by Joseph Smith set him apart from other Christians in his day, and it continues to distinguish the Church he founded. This episode discusses these divine communications and how they came to be in their present form in the Doctrine and Covenants.

The Church of Christ was officially organized in a meeting on April 6, 1830. This episode revisits that meeting, which provided the organizational foundation upon which the Church has built ever since.