Joseph Smith Papers - Season 1

The papers provide insights from Joseph through his correspondence, journals, and discourses.

Historians set the stage for Joseph Smith Jr.'s early years in New Hampshire and Vermont.

Review the remarkable parallels between a young nation and its newest religion.

Palmyra is where young Joseph Smith and his family found themselves scraping to buy a farm.

Hear the four versions of the First Vision given by the Prophet.

Study Joseph's four accounts of the First Vision and the context that helps clarify the variations.

Review the remarkable relationship between Joseph and the angel Moroni.

Explore the ambitious efforts made to compile, transcribe, and edit the Joseph Smith Papers.

Review the remarkable events surrounding the restoration of the priesthood.

Meet five of the scholars whose work is central to compiling a documentary of Joseph Smith.

Survey the complete process of gathering, scrutinizing, and organizing documents for publication.

Explore the ambitious efforts made to compile, transcribe, and edit the Joseph Smith Papers.

Review the time-consuming process of typesetting a 600-page book with nineteenth-century equipment.

Examine the origin of "The History of the Prophet Joseph Smith" by Lucy Mack Smith.

Dean Jesse discusses Joseph's anxiety over keeping the history of a work.

Explore the Prophet's personal journals.

Study the life of Oliver Cowdery.

Enjoy vibrant descriptions from those who met the Prophet.

Learn how Joseph lived within a few miles of the only man alive who could have saved his life.

Learn the history of Joseph's new translation of the Bible.

Learn what Joseph did to restore the "plain and precious" meanings of the Bible.

Church history scholars review the papers that may have meant more to Joseph than any others.

The Prophet's claim to direct revelation was extremely radical.

Learn about the events surrounding the organization of the Church.

Scholars discuss the years in Kirtland that were filled with miracles.

Revisit the night when Joseph was tarred and feathered.

Examine the few yet remarkable days in Kirtland that culminated with the appearance of the Savior.

Examine the idea of Zion and the role mobs and Mormons alike played in its failure.

Explore the ambitious efforts made to compile, transcribe, and edit the Joseph Smith Papers.

Recount the dark days of Kirtland: financial failure, a riot in the temple, betrayal, and mutiny.