Saints: Volume 2

Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter-days, Volume 2: No Unhallowed Hand, 1846-1893
Each week the Saints podcast features interviews with historians, General Authorities, writers, researchers, and others involved with the new history of the Church, Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days. Listen in for great conversations and fresh insights on the history of the Restoration.

Dec 14, 2022

Gather Up a Company

Jed Woodworth is the Managing Historian for the Saints project. In today’s episode Jed explains how the migration from Nauvoo began with saints heading west and east. He also provides insight on the complicated relationships between the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and some members of Joseph Smith’s family after the martyrdom.
A sunrise over a field

Dec 14, 2022

Season 2: No Unhallowed Hand

Welcome to Season 2 of the Saints podcast. We are excited to be back! In our inaugural episode we talk with Church Historian and Recorder, Elder LeGrand R. Curtis Jr. about the reception of Saints volume 1 and what to expect in volume 2. Elder Curtis also explains why the Church is writing a new narrative history.
Saints, volume 2, rests on a white background: No Unhallowed Hand.

Dec 14, 2022

Glory Enough

Brandon Metcalf is a researcher and writer with the Church History Department. In today’s episode Brandon explains why Brigham Young and other Church leaders were concerned about the early saints going back and forth from the trail to Nauvoo. He also explores what life was really like for the early saints who were fleeing Nauvoo. The “Mormon Battalion” is formed and provides needed finances to support the migration.
A sign that say trail on it

Dec 14, 2022

Word and Will of the Lord

R. Eric Smith is the Editorial Manager for the Saints project. Eric is also a general editor of the Joseph Smith Papers. In today’s episode Eric helps explain the covenant that the early saints made to ensure that all, including the very poor, could make the trip west. Eric also tells us the surprise felt when the Brooklyn arrives at Yerba Buena (later San Francisco) and sees an American flag flying.
Abandoned Farm House.

Dec 14, 2022

An Ensign to the Nations

Jake Olmstead is a Curator with the Historic Sites division of the Church History Department. In this episode Jake reviews the first few days when the vanguard company arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. Jake helps disambiguate between lore and the historical record, and explains how the early saints set about to fulfill an ancient biblical prophecy.
Exterior shot of the Salt Lake Temple. The trees are in bloom.

Sep 17, 2023

Bowed Down to the Grave

Mark Staker is a Master Curator with the Historic Sites Division of the Church History Department. In today’s episode Mark helps illuminate the history of early African-American members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He introduces us to Green Flake, Hark Lay, Oscar Crosby and other African Americans who were part of the founding era of the Church
Old Rail Road Car Hinge

Dec 14, 2022

Seven Thunders Rolling

Emily Crumpton is a Church History Consultant and the Content Manager for the Pioneer Database with the Church History Department. In today’s episode Emily explains when and where the First Presidency was reorganized after the martyrdom of Joseph Smith. We explore why forming of the First Presidency took more time that we might be used to in more recent times.
Dark storm clouds with a lightning bolt

Dec 14, 2022

Keep Up Good Courage

Jennifer Lund is the director of the Historic Sites Division for the Church History Department. In this week’s episode Jenny explores the desperate circumstances that faced the early Saints after crop failures, frost, and infestation by so-called “Mormon crickets.” We learn how the problems arose over time and how the early ’Saints’ prayers were answered.
Teepee's at the Grand Canyon

Dec 14, 2022

As the Spirit Dictates

Chad Orton is a curator with the Historic Sites Division of the Church History Department. Chad is also the author of several books, including The Journals of George Q. Cannon: Hawaiian Mission, 1850–1854. In this episode Chad explores what it meant to be called as a California gold missionary in 1849 and how George Q. Cannon ended up in Hawaii in what would become one of the most fruitful missionary efforts in the history of the restored Church.
Sunset on a beach in Maui

Dec 14, 2022

This Time of Scarcity

Nathan Waite is an editor of Saints, Volume 2 and is also an editor with the Joseph Smith Papers. In this week’s episode Nathan discusses Oliver Cowdery’s return to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his journey west to join the main body of the Saints. Nathan also explains Brigham Young’s greatest fear for the Saints.
A man riding a horse at night holding a lantern

Dec 14, 2022

Truth and Righteousness

In this week’s episode Tyson Thorpe from the Church History Department joins us to talk about the first petition for Utah statehood. Tyson also helps us understand the aftermath of a controversial speech by newly appointed federal judge Perry Brocchus and Brigham Young’s rebuttal.
Opened books pinned to a board

Dec 14, 2022

A Glorious Privilege

Carrie Snow is manager of collection care at the Church History Museum. In this week’s episode we discuss the harrowing story of Johan Dorius, a missionary serving in Norway, and his soul-stirring defense in front of a skeptical judge. Carrie also explains what conditions were like on the pioneer trail for immigrants coming from Europe.
Houses on a canal

Dec 14, 2022

Their Faces Are Zionward

Jed Woodworth is the managing historian for the Saints project. In this week’s episode we discuss missionary work in South Africa and the priesthood and temple restrictions for people of African descent. Jed helps explain the Church policies and racial prejudices at the time.
Payson Utah Temple.

Dec 14, 2022

Hard to Be Separated

Curt Dahl is the producer of the Saints podcast. Curt’s creative work has received numerous awards, including the Bronze Lion from the Cannes Film Festival. In this week’s episode we explore the experiences of Jacob and Ann Eliza Secrist and learn about Curt’s surprising connection to their story.
Abandoned rural house

Dec 14, 2022

By Every Possible Means

Chelsea Henrie is an Archivist with the Church History Library. In this week’s episode we learn about what later became known as the Walker War. Chelsea explains how deceit led to open conflict. We also discuss the concept of slavery and indentured servitude among Native peoples and the early pioneers.
A cannon outside of a stone wall

Dec 14, 2022

Not Doubting nor Despairing

Chad Orton is a curator with the Historic Sites Division of the Church History Department. In this week’s episode we learn more about the effort to rescue the stranded handcart pioneers. Chad also explains the preparations that were made in the Salt Lake Valley and how the immigrants were cared for after they arrived there.
Pioneer Handcart

Dec 14, 2022

In Storms and in Calms

Andrew D. Olsen is the author of several books, including The Price We Paid: The Extraordinary Story of the Willie and Martin Handcart Pioneers. Andrew helps us better understand this heroic and tragic episode in the history of the Church. We discuss the often-misunderstood timeline of the Willie and Martin companies and their rescuers.
Waves crashing on a beach in Iceland.

Dec 14, 2022

The Folks Are Reforming

Rick Turley served for eight years as Assistant Church Historian and Recorder. Rick is also the coauthor of Massacre at Mountain Meadows and several other books documenting the tragedy. In this week’s episode we explore the events that led some Church members to instigate this horrific crime and helps us understand more about the immigrants who were the victims.
Sun shinning on grass in a field.

Dec 14, 2022

Too Late, Too Late

Matt Grow is a historian and the managing director of the Church History Department. In this week’s episode Matt helps us better understand the Mountain Meadows Massacre. We discuss what we can learn from this terrible tragedy.
Flowers in a mountain field. There are mountains in the background

Dec 14, 2022

The Chambers of the Lord

Robin Jensen is a historian and archivist with the Joseph Smith Papers. Robin discusses the conditions leading up to the so-called Utah War, the political climate of the day, and the aftermath. We explore the Saints’ preparations to burn Salt Lake City to the ground before federal troops could occupy the city.
A camp fire with flames and spraks

Sep 17, 2023

Handwriting on the Wall

Chad Orton is a curator with the Historic Sites Division of the Church History Department. Chad is also the co-author of The Journals of George Q. Cannon: Hawaiian Mission, 1850-1854. In this week’s episode Chad helps us understand the Church’s efforts to improve its image in U.S. newspapers. We also discuss Joseph Smith’s prophecy of civil war in the United States.
A collection of old newspapers

Dec 14, 2022

The Same Great Work

Scott Hales is the lead writer and literary editor of Saints, Volume 2. In this week’s episode we learn about the construction of a theater in Salt Lake City and how entertainment fit into the lives of the early Saints. Scott also discusses George Q. Cannon’s visit with U.S. president Abraham Lincoln in the midst of the Civil War.
Portrait of Abraham Lincoln.

Dec 14, 2022

Like Coals of Living Fire

Clint Christensen is a global acquisitions specialist in the Church History Department. In this week’s episode we learn about the corruption of Walter Gibson in Hawaii. Clint explains how Gibson used his ecclesiastical position to defraud the local Hawaiian Saints of funds and land.
Hot Lava

Dec 14, 2022

One Harmonious Whole

Jay Burton is a curator at the Church History Library. Jay introduces us to Susie Young (Susa Young Gates), who plays an important role in the rest of Saints, Volume 2. We also explore the Black Hawk War, the arrival of the transcontinental railroad, the re-establishment of Relief Society, and the founding of the Sunday School Union.
Railroad through the forest