Saints: Volume 1

Historian Steven C. Harper shares an insider’s peek into the groundbreaking new series, Saints. Steve is the managing historian of Saints. His rare perspective brings fascinating insights to the telling of this remarkable story.

Saints begins with the 1815 explosion of the volcano Mt. Tambora in faraway Indonesia. With this fiery beginning, Historian Lisa Olsen Tait discusses how an eruption, half-way around the world, plays an important part in the restoration.

Much has been discussed about Joseph Smith’s different accounts of the first vision. In this episode, Historian Steven C. Harper discusses several of the accounts Joseph left throughout his lifetime of the event that ushered in the beginning of the Restoration.

The visit of the Angel Moroni, the discovery of the Gold Plates, the meaning and usage of seer stones - These are just three topics Scott A. Hales discusses in this episode. As the lead writer and story editor of Saints, Scott shares intriguing background information of the incidents highlighted in this history of the Church.

20-year old Joseph Smith meets Emma Hale. The story of how they meet and their courtship is just one of the events discussed with guest, Mason Allred, an historian with the Joseph Smith Papers.

Emma and Joseph lose their first child. 116 pages of the Book of Mormon are lost. In this episode, “Saints" writers Scott Hales and Angela Hallstrom share the background on these sorrowful events.

What did the translation process of the Book of Mormon look like? In this episode of “Saints” story editor Angela Hallstrom explains what we know about how the Book of Mormon was translated.

Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery pray to learn about baptism. In answer to their prayer, John the Baptist appears and restores the Aaronic priesthood. Spencer McBride, a Ph.D. historian with the Joseph Smith Papers explains the context surrounding this event.

The Book of Mormon is published and the Church is officially organized. These monumental events put into historical perspective by Women’s History Specialist Brittany Chapman Nash of the Church History Library.

Emma Smith is baptized. Joseph Smith miraculously heals Newel Knight. Oliver Cowdery brings the message of the Book of Mormon to the American Indians. Join author and historian, Scott R. Christensen, as he shares the background of these early events of the restoration.

The gathering begins. Missionaries arrive in the Ohio and introduce Isaac Morely, Sydney Rigdon and Edward Partridge to the restored gospel. Maryanne Andrus, Manager of exhibits and programs at the Church History Museum brings her knowledge of the gathering to this episode.

Joseph Smith teaches the Saints the proper use of spiritual gifts. Lucy Mack Smith uses her faith to lead 80 Saints along the Erie Canal from New York to Ohio. Ph.D. Historian, Jenny Reeder, from the Church History Department, gives background to these and many other events as the Saints continue to gather in Kirtland.

From the steadfast faithfulness of Edward Partridge to the skepticism of Ezra Booth; the events discussed in this chapter detail the challenges of establishing the Church in a backwater trading post known as Independence, Missouri. Church History Archivist, Brandon Metcalf, brings insights to these familiar names in Church History.

Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery, and William McLellin attempt to write a preface to The Book of Commandments. Their unsuccessful efforts, along with the subsequent revelation the Lord gives Joseph Smith are discussed with Matthew Geilman, a manager of Global Support and Acquisitions for the Church History Department.

Elder J. Devn Cornish of the Seventy and Assistant Executive Director of the Church History Department shares insights regarding “The Vision” given to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon (D&C Section 76). Early Saints had questions about this new and unfamiliar doctrine. Their seeking for understanding is an example of how to address questions today.

Joseph Smith and Brigham Young meet for the first time. Joseph prophecies of the Civil War. The School of the Prophets is organized. The revelation known as the Word of Wisdom is received. These and many other events are discussed in depth with Jed Woodworth, a Ph.D. Historian and writer with the Church History Department.

The residents of Missouri become anxious as the church grows both in numbers and in strength. Two teenage girls, Mary Elizabeth and Caroline Rollings, risk their lives to save pages of the newly printed Book of Commandments. The challenges of Zion’s Camp are discussed in detail by Matthew C. Godfrey, Managing historian and general Editor of the Joseph Smith Papers.

The Saints sacrifice to build the Kirtland Temple. The first Twelve Apostles of the Restoration are chosen by the three witnesses. Joseph Smith and his brother William resolve a difficult personal conflict. Keith Erekson, Ph.D. Historian and Director of the Church History Library, shares his insights on these important events.

After much work and sacrifice the Kirtland Temple is dedicated. The Saints are endowed with power not shared since the days of God’s ancient prophets. The events and miracles surrounding this dedication are discussed with Emily Utt a Curator with the Historic Sites Division in the Church History Department.

Facing financial difficulties, Church members organize the Kirtland Safety Society bank which ultimately fails. Mary Fielding joins the Church in Canada and moves to Kirtland where she marries Hyrum Smith. Missionaries are sent to England and find great success. Kate Holbrook a Ph.D. historian in the Church History Department specializing in Women’s History brings her thoughts and perspectives to these events.

While Joseph Smith reveals the place in Missouri where Adam gathered his posterity, Heber C. Kimball and others preach in Britain. A British convert, Janetta Richards meets Willard Richards who proposes marriage. The so-called “Danites” work to intimidate Church dissenters. Jennifer Lund, Director of Historic Sites for the Church History Department, brings her understanding to the conversation.

Tensions between the citizens of Missouri and the newly located Saints reach tragic conclusions at the Battle of Crooked River and Hawn’s Mill. These events and those leading up to them are discussed with Jennifer Lund, Director of Historic Sites for the Church History Department.

Missouri Militia General Alexander Doniphan refuses kill innocent Latter-day Saint Men. Joseph Smith rebukes the vile guards in the Richmond Prison. Amanda Barnes Smith sees her son miraculously healed from the wound he received at Hawn’s Mill. Riley Lorimer, Associate Editorial Manager of the Church Historian Press shares her thoughts on these chapters.

Joseph Smith is imprisoned in Liberty Jail, accused of treason. In this low point in his life and in the lives of the faithful Saints, the Lord shares a personal yet universal message of comfort. Historian, Steve Harper, shares background and insights that bring a better understanding to the experience in Liberty Jail.