Joseph Smith faces opposition as he tells others of his First Vision. Three years later, he has another vision, this time of an angel named Moroni, who begins to prepare him to translate the Book of Mormon.

Joseph went into the forest to pray and later described the glorious vision he had there. In this episode, we examine the vision and his accounts, along with those of his contemporaries. We also discuss the importance of the First Vision in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In the winter of 1816-1817, the Smiths arrived in New York, destitute and with few prospects. After working odd jobs, they saved up enough to contract a farm in Manchester, just south of Palmyra. In this episode, I describe their first three or so years in New York and discuss the themes of folk magic, treasure seeking, and the Second Great Awakening, leading up to Joseph's First Vision in 1820.

Michael and I talk about the context of the Restoration: the American Revolution and the Second Great Awakening. Check out his podcast, the American Revolution Podcast, at https://pod.amrevpodcast.com/ Thanks to Michael Troy for his time and insight!

As we wrap up the Great Apostasy in the main narrative, this episode shows some perspectives of prominent church leaders and authors concerning the Great Apostasy. We look at Carter E. Grant's Kingdom of God Restored and Tad R. Callister's The Inevitable Apostasy and the Promised Restoration. We also look at the definition of the Great Apostasy put out by the Church on one of its websites, mormon.org. Disclaimer: Neither Grant's nor Callister's lists are official church statements and may not reflect the position of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In this episode, we trace Joseph Smith's ancestry through his father's and mother's lines. Then, we look at the lives of Joseph's parents, Joseph Sr. and Lucy Mack. We end with a look at Joseph Smith Jr.'s childhood, including his illness, up to 1816.

We finish our look at the Great Apostasy in the Americas by setting the stage for the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ, and the life of Joseph Smith. This episode covers the American Revolution, the writing of the Constitution, and early American history into the Jacksonian era. There will be one more episode about historical events throughout the world in the early nineteenth century, but it will be released as a bonus episode so we can get through to the events of the Restoration quicker!

In today's episode, we continue our look at the Americas, this time focusing on the Thirteen British Colonies that would make up the United States of America. We look at New England and its formation, then the Middle Colonies and the Southern Colonies. We examine the First Great Awakening and the colonial wars including the French and Indian War (or Seven Years War). All of this would lead to a revolution in the British colonies and a Second Great Awakening, during which the Church of Jesus Christ would be organized.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from The History of the Church of Jesus Christ and from The Spiritual Thought! Have a wonderful day and know that you are loved! To watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional, click: https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/archive/christmas-devotional/2018/12?lang=eng&_r=1 For information on "Light the World", click: https://www.mormon.org/christmas/light-the-world

Part 1 of 2, we take a look at the conquest of the Americas by European explorers and settlers, including Columbus' voyages, Cortez' conquest of the Aztecs, Pizarro's conquest of the Incas, the Spanish colonies in South and Central America, the Portuguese colony of Brazil, the French and Dutch colonies, and the English colony of Jamestown, along with five major wars between the native peoples and the British colonists.

We (finally) wrap up the Great Apostasy in Europe, with the Age of Exploration, the Church during the Renaissance, the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, religious wars, the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, Romanticism, and finally, the political climate in Europe during and following the French Revolution. All of this serves to provide a European context for the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ.

Today, I outline the history of the publication of the Doctrine and Covenants. I also discuss the book's content, purpose, and importance to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We follow the history of the Catholic Church through the High Middle Ages into the Renaissance and set the stage for the Reformation in the 16th century. Among the things examined are the Great Schism, Avignon Papacy, the Mongol invasion and ensuing Black Death, the precursors to the Reformation and the fall of Constantinople. We also take a look at some important figures in the 14th through 15th centuries.

Today, we look at the Crusades in the Holy Land and briefly examine the Hundred Years War, War of the Roses, and Reconquista.

Today we look at the build-up to the Crusades as great conflicts rock Europe, including the Viking and Magyar invasions and the Battle of Manzikert.

In today's bonus episode, we look at the translations of the Bible, from the Tanakh, to the Septuagint, from the Vulgate to the King James Version. I discuss the use of the King James Version in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We finish our look at the Doctors of the Church by examining the lives and minsitries of Ambrose, Jerome, Augustine of Hippo, and Gregory the Great

Today's episode focuses on the lives and ministries of Athanasius of Alexandria, Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus, and John Chrysostom. This is the first part of a two-part look at the Eight Doctors of the Church.

A special annoucement about the name of the podcast.

In today's episode, we examine the efforts of Christian missionaries to spread the gospel throughout Europe. We also see the rise of the Carolingian Empire and the beginnings of the Holy Roman Empire.