Sunstone Mormon History Podcast

By Sunstone

Education History Religion & Spirituality Christianity

What's Sunstone Mormon History Podcast about?

There’s the Mormon history you do know … and the Mormon history you don’t. Join Lindsay Hansen Park (Year of Polygamy) and historian Bryan Buchanan as they dig into all aspects of Mormonism’s astonishing 200-year past—uncovering the little-known stories that chronicle how a six-person church grew into a multi-billion-dollar religion.

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Sunstone Mormon History Podcast episodes:

04.17.2024
Episode 122: Ownership of the Kirtland Temple, a History
The sale of the Kirtland Temple from the Community of Christ to the LDS church has made headlines lately. Join Bryan and Lindsay as they discuss the long and storied history of the Kirtland Temple ownership. SHOWNOTES: Become a recurring donor...
04.04.2024
Episode 121: Youtube and Historical Sources Discussion
Join Lindsay and Bryan as they talk about the state of Mormon historical source material. Does the LDS church hide its history? What sources are available? How do you check our work? We also discuss our new move to Youtube...
03.21.2024
Episode 120: San Bernardino Mormons
Who were the real Mormons? We mean, the top-shelf kind? According to Brigham Young, any of the California Mormons couldn't pass muster. Join Lindsay and Bryan as they talk about the history of how California Mormons came to be. SHOWNOTES: Become...
03.06.2024
Episode 119: History of Mormon Sunday School
Petty jokes about his name aside, who was Richard Ballantyne? Bryan and Lindsay dive into Brother Ballantyne and his history with the history of Sunday School in the Mormon church. Shownotes: DONATE TO SUNSTONE Richard Ballantyne founded the first sunday school...
02.23.2024
Episode 118: Believers and Skeptics panel
Join Bryan and Lindsay for a special bonus episode! We were honored to talk with professors (and students) from Montana State (and several other universities ) about how we do responsible Mormon history. The panel, Believers and Skeptics in Mormon...
02.07.2024
Episode 117: The Gunnison Expedition and Massacre
In this episode, Lindsay and Bryan discuss several expeditions, including the Stansbury Expedition and the Gunnison Expedition and Massacre. Each of these events had a profound effect on early Mormonism. SHOWNOTES: Howard Stansbury’s Expedition around the Great Salt Lake: An Examination...
01.25.2024
Episode 116: Before They Were Famous: Emmeline B. Wells
Join Bryan and Lindsay for another episode of BEFORE THEY WERE FAMOUS, as they talk about an important (feminist) Mormon pioneer foremother, Emmeline B. Wells. SHOWNOTES: The Diaries of Emmeline B. Wells Emmeline B. Wells: An Intimate History by Carol Cornwall...
01.12.2024
Episode 115: BONUS EPISODE: History of the LeBaron Family
If you watched the recent Hulu hit, ABC's Daughters of the Cult about the complicated LeBaron family legacy, check out today's SMHP episode. In this special bonus episode, Bryan Buchanan and historian Cristina Rosetti dive into the early history of...
12.27.2023
Episode 114: The PEF (Perpetual Emigration Fund)
Want to come to Zion? Don't have the cold, hard cash? No worries! Bryan and Lindsay will walk you through how to get there through the 1850's Perpetual Emigration Fund. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a...
12.13.2023
Episode 113: Mormon Thieves
Some historians claim that whenever Mormons moved into town, the crime rate went up. Is it true? Did Mormonism make some prolific thieves and robbers? Join Lindsay and Bryan as they dive into the seedy story. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and...
11.30.2023
Episode 112: Wasters and Destroyers
In the early days of the Utah territory, Mormon leaders decided to exterminate anything that got in the way of their plans to build their Kingdom of God. This episode delves into the ghastly execution of the Timpanogos tribe that...
11.15.2023
Episode 111: Before They Were Famous: Daniel H. Wells
It's time for another episode of Before They Were Famous. This time we focus on the leader of the Nauvoo Legion, Daniel H. Wells and his role in many massacres against indigenous tribes. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast...
11.02.2023
Episode 110: The State of Deseret
In 1849 the Mormons in Utah territory had big, big plans. Too-big-for-their-britches kinds of plans. They called it the State of Deseret and it didn't last long, at least in name. Join Bryan and Lindsay as they discuss this turbulent...
10.11.2023
Episode 109: Gulls and the Crickets
It's the worst war in Mormon history: The Cricket War of 1849. Or is it 1851? (Wait, was it grasshoppers?) Lindsay and Bryan discuss the myth behind the famous lore of the Seagull and the Crickets. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and...
09.28.2023
Episode 108: The First Year in the GSL
Alright kids, the pioneers have arrived in Zion. Now what? Lindsay and Bryan talk about their first year in the Great Salt Lake valley. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section to...
09.08.2023
E107: Brigham vs. Orson in a Quest for Power
In this episode, Bryan and Lindsay discuss Orson Pratt and the reorganization of the First Presidency. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section to say hi!) Buy the book! Conflict in the...
08.24.2023
E106: The Vanguard Comes West
Well, that took forever... But Bryan and Lindsay finally brought the podcast to Zion! This episode covers the story of Brigham Young's vanguard wagon company as they arrive in the Great Salt Lake Valley. Now the fun can really begin! Shownotes: ...
08.10.2023
E105: Playing the Mormon Trail
Ever played the old PC game The Mormon Trail? Your ancestors played it in real life and this episode discusses what it was like for them. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section...
07.27.2023
E104: Daily Life in the WQ
What was life like if you were stuck in Winter Quarters? Bryan and Lindsay dig into some of the stories of the women who lived there and what their day-to-day life was like. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave...
07.14.2023
E103: The Donner Party and the Mormons
Many people don't realize just how many Mormons were part of the fated Donner/Reed tragedy. In this episode, Lindsay and Bryan discuss the horrible tale of travel gone awry. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note...
06.30.2023
E102: Ladies of the Battalion
Women were an integral part of the Mormon Battalion story and Lindsay and Bryan share their histories, including the story of a rogue group of women that braved the wild to avoid practicing polygamy. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History...
06.16.2023
E101: Mormon Battalion Boys
In this episode, Lindsay and Bryan discuss the history of the only United States military regiment ever mustered specifically from a religious group: The Mormon Battalion. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment...
06.02.2023
E100: Mormonism and Race, part three
The third in a three-part miniseries where Bryan and Lindsay discuss the development of race in Mormon theology through a historical lens. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section to say hi!) Register...
05.19.2023
E99: Mormonism and Race, part two
In this three-part miniseries, Bryan and Lindsay discuss the development of race in Mormon theology through a historical lens. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section to say hi!) Register for the Sunstone...
05.05.2023
E98: Mormonism and Race, Part One
In this three-part miniseries, Bryan and Lindsay discuss the development of race in Mormon theology through a historical lens. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section to say hi!) Register for the Sunstone...
04.21.2023
E97: Cold Hearts and Polygamy in Winter Quarters
What was Mormon polygamy like on the trail? Not great. Come listen to the heartbreaking stories of polygamy in Winter Quarters. Shownotes: Donate to Sunstone and the History Podcast (leave us a note in the comment section to say hi!) Register...
04.07.2023
E96: The Scandal at Garden Grove
Garden Grove is known as one of the way-stations for Latter-day Saints who were fleeing Nauvoo in 1846-47. But this Winter Quarters encampment was full of tawdry secrets, crime and even a... brothel? Join Lindsay and Bryan as they discuss...
03.24.2023
E95: Bandits in Blue
Winter Quarters wasn't just snow, cabins and adorable oxen: there was plenty of drama as well! And by drama, we mean liquor, beatings, cheatings and so many naughty farm animals. Join Lindsay and Bryan as they dive into law and order...
03.10.2023
E94: Good Boy, Thomas Kane
He was a friend to Mormons, sure. But was he a Mormon? Who was Thomas Kane and why does he matter? Bryan and Lindsay dive into these important questions about a good, good boy in Mormon history, Brother, er, Mister...
02.24.2023
E93: Wight out and Liquid Scripture
Finally, we've arrived at the story of Lyman Wight and his break-off group of Texas Mormons. Join Lindsay and Bryan as they explore the story of Brigham Young's troublesome apostle, Elder "fistacuffs," the Wild Ram himself, Brother Lyman Wight. Shownotes: Purchase the...
02.10.2023
E92: Getting Freaky on the Frontier: The Story of Mormon Renegade James Emmett
Join Lindsay and Bryan as they discuss the insane story of James Emmett, the Council of 50 member who started his own frontier break-off-get-back-together sect during the Mormon exodus. Show Notes: Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844–January 1846; Volume 1, 10 March...
01.27.2023
E91: A Diamond in the Bluff
Today we are talking about Council Bluffs and how Mormons ended up there. The episode with Lindsay and Bryan discusses the controversial land trade Mormons made with the federal government to be able to settle "Winter Quarters" and the tragic...
01.13.2023
E90: Winter (Quarters) is Coming
We kick off a new season leaving Nauvoo and heading into the great unknown. Join Lindsay and Bryan for a fascinating look at the Mormon journey into Iowa, known as Winter Quarters.
12.30.2022
E89: Year in Review
The Season of Nauvoo is (finally) in the books. Join Bryan and Lindsay as they discuss the year and the new season ahead.
12.17.2022
Episode 88: Vilate Kimball and the Nauvoo Temple Mysteries
As we wrap up the Nauvoo era of Mormon history, we focus in on a lesser known figure that had a big impact on Mormonism: Vilate Kimball
12.02.2022
E87: Sam Goes Brannanas
In the beginning, Sam Brannan might have been a loyal Mormon leader, but the glitter of gold and the allurements of the world are about to test his mettle. Join Lindsay and Bryan as they talk about the rise and...
11.18.2022
E86: The Upper California
In this episode, Lindsay and Bryan discuss the Mormons' first venture heading west: Samuel Brannan's expedition to the so-called, "Upper California." Special thanks to Matt Riley for the cameo on this episode. Music mentioned and used in this episode: Mormon Symphony &...
11.04.2022
E85: The Quincy Convention
After the death of Joseph Smith, things got even wilder in Nauvoo. Bryan and Lindsay talk about the crazy chaos and sit down with historian Dr. Benjamin Park to unpack it all.
11.01.2022
E84: BONUS EPISODE: Shadow Succession Crisis
Remember when Brigham Young disbanded the Relief Society shortly after Joseph Smith's death? We do. Or do we...? In this long-awaited and teased BONUS episode, Bryan and Lindsay sit down with historian Katie Ludlow Rich to discuss her research and paper,...
10.26.2022
E83: BONUS EPISODE: Death of a Founder
In this special bonus episode, historian Christopher C. Smith interviews Joseph West about a paper he coauthored with Eric W. Schoon, titled, "From Prophecy to Practice: Mutual Selection Cycles in the Routinization of Charismatic Authority." We dig into the "death of...
10.21.2022
E82: Succession Crisis Showdown
It's finally here; the story of how Brigham Young took over the church after Joseph Smith's death. We've shown you the candidates, and now it's time for the Succession Crisis showdown.
10.07.2022
E81: The True Mission of Captain Cutler
Alpheus Cutler broke with Brigham Young but his timing couldn't have been worse. Join Bryan and Lindsay as they discuss Cutler's role in the succession crisis in Mormonism and the Cutlerite movement.
09.23.2022
E80: Tinseltown and the Curse of Beaver Island
In the final part of the James Strang saga, Bryan and Lindsay discuss the rise and downfall of the growing Mormon congregation on Beaver island known as the Strangite movement.
09.09.2022
E79: Something Strang in the Neighborhood
The James Strang has left the station and things keep getting... stranger. In this episode, Bryan and Lindsay discuss how James Strang's Mormon movement takes off and moves to Beaver Island, causing all sorts of problems.
08.26.2022
E78: I’ve Got a Strang Feeling About This…
Join Bryan and Lindsay as they dive back into the Mormon history timeline and the contenders for the Nauvoo succession crisis. Today's candidate? None other than James Jesse Strang.
08.12.2022
E77: Keep Sweet: The Final Episodes
In this episode, Bryan, Lindsay and Cristina Rosetti discuss Netflix's new series Keep Sweet which tells the story of two sisters and their upbringing in the FLDS. This episode covers the historical context and stories featured in the rest of...
08.05.2022
E76: Keep Sweet: Covering Episode One
In this episode, Bryan, Lindsay and Cristina Rosetti discuss Netflix's new series Keep Sweet which tells the story of two sisters and their upbringing in the FLDS. This episode covers the historical context and stories featured in the first episode...
07.22.2022
E75: Keep Sweet: Introduction to Mormon Fundamentalism
In this episode, Bryan, Lindsay and Cristina Rosetti discuss Netflix's new series Keep Sweet which tells the story of two sisters and their upbringing in the Flds. We go into the background of Mormon Fundamentalism and how it started to...
07.15.2022
E74: UTBOH Fact, Fiction and Episodes Six and Seven
Join consultant for the series Lindsay Hansen Park as she discusses the portrayals in the show, along with co-host Bryan Buchanan. In this final episode discussing the series, Bryan and Lindsay discuss what is happening in episode six and seven of...
07.08.2022
E73: UTBOH Fact, Fiction and The Peacemaker
Join consultant for the series Lindsay Hansen Park as she interviews Mormon Fundamentalist Moroni Jessop about the Peacemaker, the document that informed Dan Lafferty's doctrine.

What's Sunstone Mormon History Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Sunstone Mormon History Podcast episodes:

Episode 122: Ownership of the Kirtland Temple, a History

Episode 121: Youtube and Historical Sources Discussion

Episode 120: San Bernardino Mormons

Episode 119: History of Mormon Sunday School

Episode 118: Believers and Skeptics panel

Episode 117: The Gunnison Expedition and Massacre

Episode 116: Before They Were Famous: Emmeline B. Wells

Episode 115: BONUS EPISODE: History of the LeBaron Family

Episode 114: The PEF (Perpetual Emigration Fund)

Episode 113: Mormon Thieves

Episode 112: Wasters and Destroyers

Episode 111: Before They Were Famous: Daniel H. Wells

Episode 110: The State of Deseret

Episode 109: Gulls and the Crickets

Episode 108: The First Year in the GSL

E107: Brigham vs. Orson in a Quest for Power

E106: The Vanguard Comes West

E105: Playing the Mormon Trail

E104: Daily Life in the WQ

E103: The Donner Party and the Mormons

E102: Ladies of the Battalion

E101: Mormon Battalion Boys

E100: Mormonism and Race, part three

E99: Mormonism and Race, part two

E98: Mormonism and Race, Part One

E97: Cold Hearts and Polygamy in Winter Quarters

E96: The Scandal at Garden Grove

E95: Bandits in Blue

E94: Good Boy, Thomas Kane

E93: Wight out and Liquid Scripture

E92: Getting Freaky on the Frontier: The Story of Mormon Renegade James Emmett

E91: A Diamond in the Bluff

E90: Winter (Quarters) is Coming

E89: Year in Review

Episode 88: Vilate Kimball and the Nauvoo Temple Mysteries

E87: Sam Goes Brannanas

E86: The Upper California

E85: The Quincy Convention

E84: BONUS EPISODE: Shadow Succession Crisis

E83: BONUS EPISODE: Death of a Founder

E82: Succession Crisis Showdown

E81: The True Mission of Captain Cutler

E80: Tinseltown and the Curse of Beaver Island

E79: Something Strang in the Neighborhood

E78: I’ve Got a Strang Feeling About This…

E77: Keep Sweet: The Final Episodes

E76: Keep Sweet: Covering Episode One

E75: Keep Sweet: Introduction to Mormon Fundamentalism

E74: UTBOH Fact, Fiction and Episodes Six and Seven

E73: UTBOH Fact, Fiction and The Peacemaker