Mormon History: Joseph Smith

Following expulsion from Jackson County, Missouri leaders created the Caldwell County compromise. Did it really limit Mormons to a single county? Is that constitutional?

Stephen LeSueur

Peace in Caldwell County Compromise (Part 2 of 9)

After Joseph Smith declared that the New Jerusalem would be built in Jackson County, Missouri, the saints were kicked out of the county. How much

RickB May 23, 2022

Steve LeSueur was part of a project mapping Mormon history in Missouri.

Stephen LeSueur

Mapping Mormon History in Missouri (Part 1 of 9)

I’m excited to introduce historian Steve LeSeuer. Back in 1987, Steve wrote an amazing book called The 1838 Mormon War in Missouri. It won the

RickB May 20, 2022

Brian Hales

Reviewing Polygamy Criticisms (Part 1 of 6 Brian Hales)

It was 8 years ago that Brian Hales published his 3-volume set on Joseph Smith’s Polygamy. How does he feel about polygamy criticisms of his

RickB October 14, 2021

Brian Hales

Did Hales Write the Gospel Topics Essays?

Yes & No. There are the three Gospel Topics essays on LDS.org that deal with the topic of polygamy. It probably won’t surprise you that

RickB July 9, 2017

Go ad-free, get written transcripts, and talk to Rick one-on-one!

Stop Seeing Ads

Rick Bennett, Host of Gospel Tangents

Rick Bennett is the friendly, independent historian at the heart of Gospel Tangents LDS Podcast: The Best Source for Mormon History, Science, and Theology. When he isn't interviewing Mormon scholars, prophets, and others, he is teaching math and statistics at Utah Valley University. He also freelances as a research biostatistician in the fields of Dermatology and Traumatic Brian Injuries, as well as in the network television/cable T.V. industries as a sports statistician. Rick holds a Master of Statistics Degree from the University of Utah.