Church History Matters

September 21: Moroni Day — The Angel, the Prophet, and the Beginning of the Book of MormonWhat happened on the night of September 21, 1823? In this special episode of Church History Matters, Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths are joined by Scripture Central founder Jack Welch to explore one of the most important dates in Latter-day Saint history: Moroni Day.According to Joseph Smith’s accounts, it was on the night of September 21 that the angel Moroni appeared to him and delivered a remarkable message about an ancient record buried in the earth—a record that would eventually become the Book of Mormon.Why did Moroni appear to Joseph Smith? What did Moroni tell him? What can we learn by comparing Joseph Smith’s accounts of these events? And why has September 21 become a meaningful day for remembering Moroni and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon?Scott, Casey, and Jack Welch dive into the historical accounts, the significance of Moroni’s message, and the remarkable connection between an ancient prophet and the Restoration of the gospel in the latter days.From the Hill Cumorah to the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, this episode explores the story behind one of the foundational events of the Restoration—and why September 21 deserves to be remembered as Moroni Day.Join Scott Woodward, Casey Griffiths, and Jack Welch for this special celebration of Moroni Day and the story of how an ancient record became a modern witness of Jesus Christ.What does Moroni’s appearance mean to you? Let us know in the comments!#MoroniDay #September21 #BookOfMormon #Moroni #JosephSmith #ChurchHistory #LatterDaySaints #Restoration #ScriptureCentral #ChurchHistoryMatters

In this episode of Church History Matters, Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths explore the remarkable political rise of Mitt Romney—from his family’s political legacy and his career in business and Massachusetts politics to his campaigns for the presidency in 2008 and 2012. Romney’s candidacy brought unprecedented national attention to his Latter-day Saint faith. He ultimately became the first Latter-day Saint nominated for president by a major U.S. political party.
But Romney’s campaigns were about much more than politics. His candidacy helped usher in what became known as the “Mormon Moment,” a period when American media, popular culture, and the broader public took an extraordinary interest in the history, beliefs, practices, and people of the Church. From questions about Mormonism and the presidency to his famous “Faith in America” speech, Romney found himself at the center of a national conversation about religion and American public life. Scott and Casey examine what Mitt Romney represented to Latter-day Saints who watched one of their own come closer than any previous Latter-day Saint to occupying the White House.
They also explore the challenges he faced—including religious prejudice, questions about whether a Latter-day Saint president could separate church loyalty from constitutional responsibility, and the tension between Romney’s desire to define himself as a political candidate rather than simply as “the Mormon candidate.” Most importantly, what did the Mitt Romney moment mean for Latter-day Saints? Did his campaign change how Americans viewed the Church? Did it help normalize Latter-day Saint participation in American public life? And how did the experience shape the Church’s visibility and identity in the years that followed? Join Scott and Casey as they explore Mitt Romney, presidential politics, religious identity, and the “Mormon Moment”—and why this chapter in American political and Latter-day Saint history still matters today.
#ChurchHistoryMatters #MittRomney #LatterDaySaints #MormonMoment #LDSHistory #MormonHistory #ReligionAndPolitics #AmericanHistory #ScottWoodward #CaseyGriffiths

After serving as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ezra Taft Benson returned to full-time service as an Apostle and became one of the most influential—and sometimes controversial—leaders in modern Latter-day Saint history. In this episode of Church History Matters, Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths examine Elder Benson's post-Washington years, including his outspoken warnings about communism during the Cold War, his strong advocacy for constitutional principles and free-market economics, his criticism of government welfare programs, and the debates surrounding his association with conservative political movements such as the John Birch Society. They explore how his political views were received both inside and outside the Church and how Church leaders worked to keep the Church politically neutral despite the personal convictions of individual Apostles. The episode also traces the remarkable transformation of Ezra Taft Benson's public ministry after he became the 13th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Rather than emphasizing politics, President Benson focused the Church on what he believed mattered most: becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ through daily scripture study and repentance. His landmark call for members to flood the earth with the Book of Mormon renewed worldwide interest in the keystone scripture of the Restoration, while his unforgettable teachings on pride, humility, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ continue to influence Latter-day Saints around the world. Join Scott and Casey as they separate history from myth, examine the historical context surrounding President Benson's political legacy, and discover how his prophetic ministry ultimately centered on Christ, the Book of Mormon, and the invitation for every disciple to come unto Him. Topics covered in this episode: Ezra Taft Benson after leaving Washington, D.C. Cold War fears and anti-communism The John Birch Society and political controversy Government welfare, self-reliance, and constitutional principles Republican politics and Church neutrality Becoming President of the Church Flooding the earth with the Book of Mormon "Beware of Pride" and the call to humility President Benson's lasting prophetic legacy #ChurchHistoryMatters #EzraTaftBenson #BookofMormon #LDSHistory #ChurchHistory #Restoration #JesusChrist #ScriptureStudy #Pride #Humility #ScottWoodward #CaseyGriffiths

Did Joseph Smith really predict that the Constitution of the United States would one day “hang by a thread” and that the Latter-day Saints would step forward to save it? And what about the mysterious and controversial White Horse Prophecy—a dramatic account involving the future of the United States, the Constitution, and the destiny of the Latter-day Saints? In this episode of Church History Matters, Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths take a careful look at one of the most debated statements in Latter-day Saint history. The White Horse Prophecy has been repeated, quoted, expanded, and sometimes used to interpret modern politics for generations. But how much of it can actually be traced back to Joseph Smith? Scott and Casey examine the weaknesses in the prophecy's claim to authenticity, including the late recollection on which much of the account depends, the absence of a contemporary record, and questions about how the story changed and developed over time. The result is a fascinating example of why historians have to distinguish between what may have been remembered, what can be documented, and what later generations may have added to the story. But that does not mean every idea associated with the White Horse Prophecy should be dismissed. The famous concept that the Constitution of the United States would one day “hang by a thread” has a stronger historical foundation. Multiple sources attribute statements to Joseph Smith expressing concern for the future of the Constitution and describing a time when it would face grave danger. Scott and Casey explore those sources, their strengths and limitations, and what Joseph Smith may actually have meant. Join us as we separate prophecy from folklore, documentation from tradition, and historical evidence from later interpretation. What can we responsibly say Joseph Smith taught about the future of the Constitution? What parts of the White Horse Prophecy are difficult to substantiate? And why has this controversial story continued to capture the imagination of Latter-day Saints for more than a century?

After serving as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ezra Taft Benson returned to full-time service as an Apostle and became one of the most influential—and sometimes controversial—leaders in modern Latter-day Saint history. In this episode of Church History Matters, Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths examine Elder Benson's post-Washington years, including his outspoken warnings about communism during the Cold War, his strong advocacy for constitutional principles and free-market economics, his criticism of government welfare programs, and the debates surrounding his association with conservative political movements such as the John Birch Society. They explore how his political views were received both inside and outside the Church and how Church leaders worked to keep the Church politically neutral despite the personal convictions of individual Apostles. The episode also traces the remarkable transformation of Ezra Taft Benson's public ministry after he became the 13th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Rather than emphasizing politics, President Benson focused the Church on what he believed mattered most: becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ through daily scripture study and repentance. His landmark call for members to flood the earth with the Book of Mormon renewed worldwide interest in the keystone scripture of the Restoration, while his unforgettable teachings on pride, humility, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ continue to influence Latter-day Saints around the world. Join Scott and Casey as they separate history from myth, examine the historical context surrounding President Benson's political legacy, and discover how his prophetic ministry ultimately centered on Christ, the Book of Mormon, and the invitation for every disciple to come unto Him. Topics covered in this episode: Ezra Taft Benson after leaving Washington, D.C. Cold War fears and anti-communism The John Birch Society and political controversy Government welfare, self-reliance, and constitutional principles Republican politics and Church neutrality Becoming President of the Church Flooding the earth with the Book of Mormon "Beware of Pride" and the call to humility President Benson's lasting prophetic legacy #ChurchHistoryMatters #EzraTaftBenson #BookofMormon #LDSHistory #ChurchHistory #Restoration #JesusChrist #ScriptureStudy #Pride #Humility #ScottWoodward #CaseyGriffiths