Greetings fellow history nerds,

I've been thinking a lot lately about intellectual evolutions. It's the nature of my craft, after all--historians aim to trace change over time.

But such a concept can be difficult within the Mormon world, where claims for eternal truth and unchanging doctrines can conflict with historical realities. But the key reasons the LDS tradition has been so successful has been its ability to adapt to changing circumstances while simultaneously appealing to eternal principles. Several of my videos these last couple weeks deal with evolving doctrines and policies, whether they be something as grand as the godhead or as mundane as Sunday school schedules.

But as I'm writing this, I'm also finishing the new Netflix series, Trust Me, about a small polygamous sect in Short Creek. It's deeply troubling and not for the faint of heart. (And don't worry: I'll be recording a video on it soon, including interviews with credible scholars and members of the fundamentalist community.) But at the heart of the story is a question of cultural change, theological fundamentals, and social adaptations. Fundamentalist movements are, at their heart and despite claims otherwise, modern creations that are based on fictional understandings of the past. It's the job of historians to contextualize their origin myths and trace their development.

In happier news, this last week I reached a major milestone on my current book project. I completed a full manuscript of a book I'm currently calling, "A Higher Law: Theodore Parker, The Religious Battle Against Slavery, and the Coming of the Civil War." It explores the life and thought of a major abolitionist minister during the 1840s and 1850s as a way to understand religion's role in the abolitionist movement. I've sent it off to Princeton University Press, who will be publishing it, but it will first go through one final round of reviews by scholars in the field. It's a long process but I'm excited to see it develop. I'll keep you all updated.

NEWS/NOTES/ANNOUNCEMENTS

• I was privileged to have an essay in the Salt Lake Tribune's General Conference issue, which featured essays from a half-dozen other scholars on various relevant topics. My essay surveyed a common argument found among some LDS leaders, most notably the new apostle Elder Clark Gilbert, that American universities had lost their religious core. I provide a general background for how higher education has evolved since Harvard's origins in the 1630s, and argue that Mormons have actually been among the greatest beneficiaries of academic secularization. You can find the essay at this link.
• If you missed my Live discussion on April 1 concerning the fights over Mormon history in the late-20th century, you can watch it at this link. It was a fun and free-wheeling conversation. I always enjoy these chats. Make sure to mark your calendar for our next live discussion on May 6 at 7pm MST.
• We're less than two months away from the Mormon History Association conference, which will be June 3-6 in Las Vegas, Nevada. It's going to be an amazing event and I encourage as many to attend as possible. You can find more information and the registration material at this link.

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

• ​The Denver Snuffer Movement Explained in 20 Minutes (4/13; available for channel members now): This video explores the rise of Denver Snuffer and the Remnant Movement—one of the most fascinating modern schisms within the Mormon tradition. From his early writings to his excommunication and the formation of a decentralized religious movement, I break down the beliefs, structure, and controversies that define this growing group. I try to place the movement within both the broader Mormon tradition as well as the contemporary context.
• ​The Public Lives of Secret mormon Wives (4/10): What if the “modern, monogamous” Mormon women of the early 20th century weren’t exactly what they seemed? This video details the groundbreaking research by Dr. Andrea Radke-Moss revealing how prominent LDS women publicly represented monogamy while privately maintaining connections to plural marriage through secret sealings. Based on scholarship in the latest Journal of Mormon History issue, this story challenges long-held assumptions about the transition away from polygamy and exposes a fascinating tension between public image and private belief.
• ​LDS Sunday School, Then vs. Now (4/8): LDS Sunday School has undergone dramatic changes over the past two centuries—and the latest update may be one of the most significant yet. In this video, I break down the full history of Sunday School in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from its humble beginnings in 1849 to today’s streamlined, 25-minute format. By understanding how structure, curriculum, and teaching methods have evolved, you’ll gain deeper insight into why these changes are happening now.
• ​Why Joseph Smith Remained a Fugitive From the Law Until His Death (4/6): Joseph Smith faced multiple extradition attempts—but each time, he walked free. How? In this deep dive, we unpack the controversial use of habeas corpus in Nauvoo and how it became a powerful legal shield against Missouri authorities. From treason charges to assassination accusations, this story reveals how legal technicalities, political alliances, and frontier justice collided in one of the most dramatic chapters of American religious history.
• ​What Early mormons Believed About God (4/3): Did Joseph Smith’s understanding of God stay consistent—or did it radically evolve over time? This video breaks down one of the most debated topics in Mormon history, exploring how early teachings about the Godhead compare to later doctrines. Using historical context, primary sources, and scholarly frameworks, you’ll learn how interpretations of God shifted—or didn’t—throughout Joseph Smith’s life.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

• Will the LDS Church Change Its Policies on Word of Wisdom, Gay Marriage, and Women's Ordination? TikTok/Instagram​
• Unlocking the Recent Perspective Shift on LDS Missionaries Marrying People From Their Missions: TikTok/Instagram​
• The New Film on Benjamin Franklin and George Whitefield: TikTok/Instagram​
• 5 Commandments for Interpreting the Development of Mormon Theology: TikTok/Instagram​
• Assessing the Common LDS Belief that "Doctrine" Never Changes: TikTok/Instagram​

I think that's more than enough from me. I hope everyone's enjoying Spring weather!

Benjamin Park, historian and nerd