In this insightful conversation, Lisa Olsen Tait and Scott Hales, historians and general editors of the Church's Saints series, explore the challenges of chronicling the Church's history from 1955 to 2020. They discuss the importance of transparency and the courageous stories of members navigating pivotal moments, including the priesthood ban and women’s evolving roles. The duo emphasizes storytelling's power in fostering community and how each individual's faith journey is part of a larger, rich history.
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Joseph Fielding Smith's Influence
Joseph Fielding Smith's approach to church history was shaped by his upbringing during anti-polygamy prosecutions.
His worldview was influenced by a sense of opposition and a need to defend the church against perceived enemies.
insights INSIGHT
Smith's Approach to History
Joseph Fielding Smith prioritized scripture and revelation over academic study.
He viewed church history as a fulfillment of scriptural prophecies, shaping his writing.
insights INSIGHT
Reasons for Correlation
Church correlation was partly driven by the need to streamline overlapping programs and resources of various church entities.
It aimed to create greater harmony and efficiency.
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This week, we’re thrilled to share a conversation with Lisa Olsen Tait and Scott Hales, two of the historians and general editors behind Saints, the Church’s official history series. With the release of Volume 4 which covers the years of 1955 to 2020, this monumental task of recounting the Church’s story from its founding to the present day is now complete.
And in this candid discussion, Lisa and Scott reflect on the Church’s evolving approach to its own history through the years. They both share a deep commitment to transparency and accuracy and discuss how this volume takes deliberate steps to address challenging topics—including the priesthood and temple ban, the Church’s rapid global growth and subsequent correlation efforts of the 1960s, and how those changes shaped women’s roles and autonomy within the community.
They share powerful stories of ordinary members navigating these pivotal moments. From Black Latter-day Saints who held onto hope during the painful years before 1978 to those who quietly and actively worked for change, these stories offer a vision of discipleship that embraced courage, resilience, creativity, and deep faith—a model that feels especially relevant today.
This conversation was a beautiful reminder that each of us is part of a rich, unfolding history—a history that connects us to generations of Saints who faced their own challenges and whose courage and faithfulness have blessed us today. We hope it inspires you to see your own place in this story. And with that, here’s our conversation with Lisa and Scott.
We’re so excited to tell you about a new Faith Matters initiative called Organized Intelligence, supported by the Future of Life Institute.
Our first gathering will take place November 4-5 in Salt Lake City, where you'll hear from scholars, creatives, technologists, and religious leaders.
This gathering is for curious minds, and we would love to see you there! Go to organizedintelligence.ai to RSVP.
Faith Matters