Church History Matters
Scripture Central
The Church History Matters Podcast features in-depth conversations between Scott and Casey where they dive deep into both the challenges and beauty of Latter-day Saint Church History
Episodes
Mentioned books
9 snips
Mar 28, 2023 • 47min
004 How Do 2nd and 3rd Hand Accounts Add to Our Understanding of the First Vision?
Delve into the fascinating world of Joseph Smith's First Vision through various firsthand and secondhand accounts. Discover how these testimonies, recorded over time, add depth to our understanding of this pivotal event. A unique third-hand account reveals a detail never mentioned before, shedding new light on the experiences of those who witnessed this moment. Explore the motivations behind retellings and the implications for early church beliefs, all while inviting listeners to engage in a journey of faith and inquiry.
11 snips
Mar 21, 2023 • 45min
003 How Did Orson Pratt Influence Joseph Smith’s 1842 First Vision Narrative?
Orson Pratt, apostle and pamphlet writer, heavily influenced Joseph Smith's 1842 First Vision narrative. Pratt's language from a 1840 pamphlet used by Smith in 1842 Wentworth Letter. Also, influenced Orson Hyde's telling in Germany. Show explores evolution and personal nature of different First Vision accounts, highlighting Pratt's impact on Smith's retelling.
31 snips
Mar 14, 2023 • 1h 2min
002 What’s Unique About Joseph Smith’s 1835 and 1838 Accounts of His First Vision?
Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, delves into his two accounts of the First Vision, sharing his unique experiences with a Jewish visitor in 1835 and the official narrative penned in 1838. He explores how cultural influences shaped these accounts, particularly a controversial statement regarding Christian sects. Smith also reflects on the intense opposition faced during these revelations and the significance of personal testimony in navigating faith, truth, and divine guidance amid persecution.
21 snips
Mar 8, 2023 • 53min
001 Why Are There Different Accounts of the First Vision?
Joseph Smith’s First Vision is foundational to our narrative of the Restoration today, but it was not always so from the Church’s beginning. So how did the First Vision go from what began as a very personal experience of Joseph’s, to growing in institutional significance for the whole Church as it has today? Also, given that there are unique differences in Joseph Smith’s 4 separate accounts of his First Vision, what role does our personal “hermeneutic” play in how we make sense of these? And what might a letter Joseph wrote from Indiana to his wife Emma tell us about the context of his 1832 account of his vision?
