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- Today1h 8m
205 - Did Brigham Young Enjoy Tobacco? I Word of Wisdom I Church History Matters
What did the Word of Wisdom actually look like in the days of Brigham Young? In this fascinating episode of Church History Matters, Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths explore how early Latter-day Saints understood, practiced, and sometimes struggled to live the Word of Wisdom during the pioneer era. From frontier medicine and tobacco use to coffee, tea, and homemade alcohol, Brigham Young’s generation approached the revelation in ways that may surprise modern members of the Church. Scott and Casey examine Brigham Young’s teachings, personal example, and efforts to gradually encourage the Saints toward greater obedience while building Zion in the American West. Along the way, they uncover stories about pioneer culture, the economic push to produce local goods instead of importing “Gentile” products, and the slow evolution of the Word of Wisdom from inspired counsel into a temple worthiness standard. This episode provides important historical context for one of the most recognizable practices in Latter-day Saint life today.
- 1 weeks ago55 min
204 - Did Joseph Smith Drink Alcohol? I Church History Matters I Word of Wisdom Series
In this episode, we explore how Joseph Smith personally kept the Word of Wisdom as a divine principle of health, spiritual strength, and wise living—not just a list of restrictions. Revealed in 1833 and recorded in Doctrine and Covenants Section 89, the Word of Wisdom was originally given as “a principle with promise,” offering guidance on caring for the body and drawing closer to God. Join us as we trace the history of the Word of Wisdom in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from its early introduction during Joseph Smith’s lifetime to its development as a defining standard of faith and discipleship. Discover how this revelation shaped Latter-day Saint identity and why it remains one of the most discussed and important teachings in the Church today.
- 2 weeks ago50 min
203 - Word of Wisdom Command or Counsel? I Church History Matters I Word of Wisdom Series
In this exciting new series, hosts Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths dive into one of the most talked-about and most requested topics from listeners of the show: the Word of Wisdom. First revealed to Joseph Smith in 1833 as a revelation from the Lord (Doctrine and Covenants Section 89), the Word of Wisdom began as loving counsel for the Saints and has grown into a vital commandment and covenant marker for Church members around the world. Scott and Casey explore the origins of the revelation in Kirtland, the cultural context of health reform in early America, and the Lord’s counsel regarding strong drinks, tobacco, hot drinks, wholesome herbs, grains, and meat. They also trace how the Word of Wisdom gradually evolved from inspired advice into a standard for temple worthiness and full fellowship in the Church. Why do some things seem emphasized more today than others? How did early Church leaders and members understand and live this law? And what does the Word of Wisdom teach us about obedience, revelation, and caring for both body and spirit? Join Scott and Casey for a fascinating historical and doctrinal journey through one of the most recognizable and sometimes misunderstood principles of the restored gospel. Whether you’ve wondered about coffee, tea, health practices, or the deeper spiritual purpose behind this commandment, this episode offers context, clarity, and powerful insight.
- 3 weeks ago1h 15m
202 - Joseph Smith Promised Female Priests | Church History Matters I Women & Priesthood Series
In this episode, hosts Scott Woodward, Casey Griffiths and Lisa Tait explore the powerful and often overlooked theme of Joseph Smith’s vision of women as part of a “kingdom of priests.” From the earliest days of the Restoration in 1830, Joseph Smith taught expansive ideas about spiritual authority, inviting women into sacred spaces like the temple and organizing the Relief Society with language that echoed priesthood power, purpose, and covenant identity. Women in the early Church blessed the sick, participated in temple ordinances, and understood themselves as active contributors in building God’s kingdom—not just as supporters, but as partners in a divine work rooted in shared access to heavenly power. As the Church grew and developed through the 19th and 20th centuries, the way these teachings were interpreted and practiced shifted, leading to a more formal distinction between priesthood office and women’s roles. Yet the original vision of a covenant community—where women and men alike are endowed with spiritual power—continues to shape conversations today. This episode traces that journey from Joseph Smith’s Nauvoo teachings to the present, highlighting both the continuity and the tension in how Latter-day Saint women relate to priesthood authority, and inviting viewers to reconsider what it means to truly become a “kingdom of priests” in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.
- 4 weeks ago1h 26m
201 - History of Women's Service in the Temple | Church History Matters I Women & Priesthood Series
In this episode, hosts Scott Woodward, Casey Griffiths, and Lisa Olsen Tait explore the rich and often overlooked history of women’s interaction with temple worship in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Beginning in the era of Joseph Smith, they examine how women participated in sacred ordinances, contributed to temple preparation, and understood their relationship to priesthood power within these holy spaces. Tracing developments from the early days of the Church through the 20th century, the discussion highlights how women’s roles in temple work expanded and adapted over time. From the Nauvoo Temple to later temple practices, the hosts uncover key moments, teachings, and experiences that shaped women’s spiritual authority and participation. This episode offers thoughtful insight into how temple worship has been a central place for women to engage with covenant-making, service, and the power of God throughout LDS history.
- Apr 14, 20261h 39m
200 - Priesthood & Women During the 20th Century | Church History Matters I Women & Priesthood Series
In this episode, hosts Scott Woodward, Casey Griffiths and Lisa Tait explore the sweeping changes that reshaped The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the mid-20th century, focusing on the rise of the correlation movement under Harold B. Lee. As the Church experienced rapid global growth, leaders sought to simplify complex programs, unify curriculum, and create a structure that could function across cultures and languages. What began as an effort to streamline administration soon evolved into a broader theological and organizational shift—placing priesthood authority at the center of all Church functions. This transition helped the Church become a truly international faith, but it also redefined leadership dynamics, particularly for women, as long-standing auxiliary organizations were integrated into a more centralized, priesthood-led framework. The discussion highlights both the gains and the losses of this transformation for women in Church leadership. While correlation made programs more adaptable and scalable worldwide, it also reduced women’s institutional autonomy, limiting their control over budgets, publications, and decision-making processes. The episode thoughtfully examines how this era reinforced male headship structurally, even as it laid the groundwork for future collaboration and expanded influence for women in later decades. By wrestling with questions of authority, partnership, and global diversity, this conversation invites viewers to consider how evolving structures have shaped—and continue to shape—the relationship between women, priesthood, and leadership in a worldwide Church.
- Apr 7, 20261h 36m
199 - Priesthood & Women in the Early Church | Church History Matters I Women & Priesthood Series
In this episode, hosts Scott Woodward, Casey Griffiths, and Lisa Olsen Tait explore the vital ecclesiastical presence of women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and how their roles have developed alongside the history of the priesthood. Drawing on historical records and doctrinal context, they examine how women have actively participated in the work of the Church through leadership, service, and organization, even as priesthood offices have been held by men. A special focus of this episode is the development of the Relief Society and Young Women organization and its significance in shaping the spiritual lives and leadership opportunities of young women in the Church. From its 19th-century origins to its modern global influence, the hosts highlight how this organization reflects broader patterns of women’s involvement in ecclesiastical structures. Through insightful discussion, they illuminate how women’s contributions continue to be central to the growth and strength of the Church today.
- Mar 31, 20261h 10m
198 - Evolution of Women Doing Healing Rituals | Church History Matters I Women & Priesthood Series
In this episode, hosts Lisa Tait, Casey Griffiths and Scott Woodward explore a fascinating and often overlooked chapter in Latter-day Saint history: the role of women in performing healing rituals. Drawing on early Church records, personal journals, and historical accounts, they highlight how women in the 19th-century Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints exercised profound faith by administering to the sick, offering blessings, and participating in sacred acts of healing. Figures like Eliza R. Snow and other Relief Society leaders emerge as powerful examples of women who understood healing as a spiritual gift rooted in faith, compassion, and covenant relationships. As the discussion unfolds, Casey, Scott and Lisa examine how these practices developed over time and how Church leadership gradually clarified the relationship between healing rituals and priesthood authority. While modern practices differ from those of the early Church, the episode emphasizes continuity in the principle that faith in Jesus Christ brings healing and power into individuals’ lives. This thoughtful conversation invites viewers to better understand the historical context of women’s spiritual contributions and to appreciate the enduring influence of their faith within Latter-day Saint theology.
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About Church History Matters
The Church History Matters Podcast features in-depth conversations between Scott and Casey inviting you to dive deeper into both the challenges and beauty of Latter-day Saint Church History
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