Learn more about lesser-known and frequently misunderstood aspects of Church history.

In 1838, the governor of Missouri issued an order to drive Latter-day Saints from the state or exterminate them. What led up to the order—and what happened after it?

1838: The Year the Saints Were Driven Out of Missouri

Trailer for video shown at the Visitors' Center at the Peter Whitmer Log Home.

A Day for the Eternities

This film features the experiences of David Whitmer as Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery stay with his family in Fayette, New York, to finish the translation of the Book of Mormon.

Follow a donated historic journal through cataloging, conservation, and secure storage. This film is narrated by Church History Department historians, archivists, and conservation experts. Donations related to the Church and its history are welcome.

A Journal’s Journey through the Church History Library

A new four-volume narrative history tells the inspiring true story of the women and men who dedicated their lives to establishing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints across the globe.

A New History for the Church

After the Hawn's Mill Massacre, Amanda Barnes Smith prayed for inspiration to treat her 7-year-old son's wounds. Carrie Wrigley describes how this example helps her turn to the Lord for inspiration.

Amanda Barnes Smith Heals Her Son

 Darren Parry (Shoshone Nation) and Scott Christensen  (Church History) discuss how Indian groups in Utah were affected by the arrival of Latter-day Saint pioneers in the 1800s. 

American Indians and Latter-day Saint Pioneers 

Short film produced for the Church History Museum depicting Joseph Smith's First Vision, including details drawn from each of Joseph Smith's accounts.

Ask of God: Joseph Smith's First Vision

The Lord’s command to keep a record has resulted in an exhaustive effort to preserve a staggering number of historical journals, images, artifacts, and memorabilia in a state-of-the-art facility.

Behind the Scenes at the Church History Library

Christian Heimburger and Robin Scott Jensen discuss the process that gave us the Book of Abraham, giving background on Joseph Smith’s translation processes and his interest in ancient languages.

Book of Abraham Translation

What do historians who have studied Brigham Young have to say about his life and character? Matthew Grow and Jenny Lund discuss his complexity and core commitments.  

Brigham Young: the Prophet and the Man

After leaving Nauvoo, Latter-day Saints longed to have another temple. That dream was realized in St. George, where Saints built the oldest continuously operating temple in the Church. 

Building the St. George Temple

A documentary about the Church History Museum, its renovation, and the unveiling of the new main exhibit "The Heavens are Opened."

Church History Museum Documentary

The discovery of a Nauvoo temple daguerreotype was an invaluable resource for the building of the Nauvoo temple showing us that the Lord is in the details.

Church History Nauvoo Temple Daguerreotype: The Lord is in the Details

Witness Oliver Cowdery’s experience as Joseph Smith’s scribe during the translation of the Book of Mormon.

Days of Harmony

Trailer for video shown at the Visitors' Center at the Priesthood Restoration Site.

The state-of-the-art Church History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, preserves priceless treasures of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including ancient Egyptian papyrus fragments.

Egyptian Papyrus: Preserving History in the Church History Library

Many people think of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir when they hear the word “Mormon.” Learn how a revelation to Emma Smith led step by step to the first LDS hymnbook, published in 1836.

Emma Smith and the First Mormon Hymn Book

President Gordon B. Hinckley retells the experience of Eugene L. Roberts

Eugene L. Roberts Experience in the Provo Tabernacle

A short video showcasing a patron's journey and experience at the Church History Library.

Experience the Church History Library

The Foundations of Faith exhibit at the Church History Library features priceless artifacts from Church history. Visitors may view these treasures in person or online at ChurchHistoryLibrary.org.

Foundations of Faith Exhibit at the Church History Library

Joseph Smith's struggle with his brother Alvin's death led eventually to the introduction of baptisms for the dead. This new ordinance was embraced by saints in Nauvoo who did the first genealogical and family history research in Church history.

Glad Tidings: The History of Baptisms for the Dead

Members and guests of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered in Nauvoo, IL the morning of Saturday, May 29, 2021 for the dedication of the Historic Nauvoo Temple District site.

Historic Nauvoo Temple District Dedication Broadcast

Learn how and why the Young Woman's Organization was established in the Church. Featuring  Young Women General President Bonnie H. Cordon and historians Lisa Tait and Jenny Reeder. 

How the Latter-day Saint Young Women's Organization Began

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