Church historian Matt Grow encourages peacemaking amid historical misrepresentation
Jan 29, 2025
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Matt Grow, managing director of the Church History Department, dives into the often-misunderstood history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He sheds light on Brigham Young's commitment to peace and addresses the historical portrayal of the church in popular media, particularly in a recent Netflix series. The discussion highlights the challenges of early Latter-day Saints' interactions with Native Americans and emphasizes the importance of reconciliation and accurate historical narratives in fostering understanding and peacemaking.
Brigham Young's leadership exemplified a commitment to peace, prioritizing restraint and understanding in conflicts with indigenous peoples and settlers.
The misrepresentation of Latter-day Saints' history, as seen in American Primeval, underscores the need for accurate narratives and peacemaking efforts.
Deep dives
Understanding Brigham Young's Leadership
Brigham Young's deep commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ shaped his leadership style and decisions during the early years of the Latter-day Saints. Unlike portrayals of him as merely a practical leader, Young embraced his role as a spiritual leader, inspired by a vision of creating a peaceful community. Critical moments in his leadership, such as leading the exodus from Missouri and choosing to move the saints to avoid conflict with the federal government, illustrate his inclination towards peace over violence. Young repeatedly emphasized the importance of suffering wrong rather than inflicting wrong on others, reinforcing his belief in the need for disciples to navigate a world often marked by contention.
Challenges Faced by Early Latter-day Saints
The initial years following the arrival of the Latter-day Saints in Utah were fraught with difficulties, including crop failures, starvation threats, and immense pressure due to a lack of governance. Brigham Young was appointed as both governor and superintendent of Indian Affairs, tasked with navigating relationships between settlers and Native American groups. Complexities arose from cultural misunderstandings between Latter-day Saints and indigenous peoples, often leading to clashes over land use and property. Young's attempts to cultivate peaceful relations were evident in his ongoing encouragement for restraint among his followers amid growing tensions.
Misleading Portrayals of Indigenous Relationships
The representation of indigenous groups in the Netflix series American Primeval has been criticized for oversimplifying and inaccurately depicting their relationships with Latter-day Saints. Contrary to the portrayal of violent conflict, real historical accounts show that leaders like Sagwitch of the Shoshone sought peaceful coexistence with the settlers. Many indigenous individuals later embraced the gospel, finding common ground and spiritually uniting with Latter-day Saints. This historical partnership belies the narrative of antagonism, contrasting sharply with the violent events depicted in the series and demonstrating genuine interaction and mutual respect.
Reflections on Historical Misunderstandings
The ongoing misunderstanding and misrepresentation of Latter-day Saints' history are highlighted in the discussion about American Primeval, sparking deep concern about its impact on public perception. The series inaccurately correlates religion with violence, neglecting the substantial role faith has played in fostering peace throughout history. This distortion mirrors the historical challenges faced by Latter-day Saints, who have experienced widespread misrepresentation since their inception. To combat these misunderstandings, there is an emphasis on sharing accurate information and fostering dialogue about the true nature of the Latter-day Saints and their commitment to peace.
Since the founding of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 6, 1830, those outside the Church have shared erroneous or misleading accounts of events involving Church leaders and members. In this episode of the Church News podcast, Matt Grow, managing director of the Church History Department, discusses a recent example of a depiction from the Church’s past that contributes to misunderstandings of the Church and its members today. Former Church News editor and current Deseret News editor Sarah Jane Weaver serves as the guest host for this episode on encouraging peacemaking amid threatening rhetoric and historical misrepresentation.
The Church News Podcast is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe. Host Jon Ryan Jensen, editor of The Church News, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, “What do I know now?” because of the experience. Produced by KellieAnn Halvorsen.
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