Church History

The history of the Church is briefly outlined and divided into six major periods.

This video tells the story of young Wilford Woodruff's search for the true Church and explains the Apostasy and the need for the Restoration.

This is the original video dramatization of the events that led Joseph Smith to pray in the Sacred Grove, where he received the First Vision. This video can be used to teach the importance of obtaining and sharing a testimony of the First Vision.

This is a newer presentation of the events that led Joseph Smith to pray in the Sacred Grove, where he received the First Vision. This video can be used to teach the importance of the First Vision and the Restoration of the gospel.

Martin Harris tells a young man the story about the Book of Mormon manuscript pages that were lost. This video emphasizes that the works, designs, and purposes of God cannot be frustrated.

David Whitmer relates his account of seeing the gold plates with Martin Harris and Oliver Cowdery. This video also depicts how the three men remained true to their testimonies.

This presentation traces the history of the Doctrine and Covenants and shows how some key revelations were received.

The story of the restoration of the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthoods to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery is depicted. President Boyd K. Packer speaks about the need for the restoration of the priesthood.

The events surrounding the organization of the Church on April 6, 1830, are dramatized. President Spencer W. Kimball speaks from the Peter Whitmer Sr. home in Fayette, New York.

Parley P. Pratt relates his experience in finding and reading the Book of Mormon. President Ezra Taft Benson challenges Church members to read the Book of Mormon.

President Brigham Young tells how the testimony of a humble teacher helped him become converted to the restored gospel.

The early experiences of Oliver Cowdery serve as an example to help us understand principles of personal revelation.

Elizabeth Whitney describes life in Kirtland. She shares the events that led to her conversion and that of her husband Newel K. Whitney.

During the Kirtland period, some members of the Church apostatized and suffered the consequences of their actions.

Several events from Zion's Camp show how the march fulfilled the purposes of God.

Elder Heber C. Kimball and his family show their willingness to serve the Lord as Elder Kimball leaves first from Kirtland and then from Nauvoo to preach the gospel in England.

This review of the Prophet Joseph Smith's ministry shows how he “has done more, save Jesus only, for the salvation of men in this world” (D&C 135:3).

The years between our day and the time of the Prophet Joseph Smith are effectively spanned as Lethe Tatge recounts to a group of children what her great-grandfather told her of his firsthand experiences with the Prophet.

This video includes dramatizations of actual accounts of people who settled and lived in Nauvoo.

This video recounts events in the history of the original Nauvoo Temple and depicts the interior and exterior beauty of the rebuilt temple.

President Brigham Young speaks of the Saints receiving temple ordinances before leaving Nauvoo. President Howard W. Hunter and others speak of the blessing of participating in temple ordinances.

The Mormon Battalion journeyed west to fight in the war with Mexico but instead became a significant force in the settlement and prosperity of California.

Presidents Gordon B. Hinckley, Thomas S. Monson, and James E. Faust recount the Latter-day Saint pioneers' journey from the banks of the Mississippi River to the Salt Lake Valley.

President Gordon B. Hinckley tells of three young men who rescued the suffering pioneers in the Martin and Willie Handcart Companies.

This video is a dramatization of President Lorenzo Snow teaching the Lord's law of tithing and his promise to the Saints if they paid their tithing.

This rare black and white video includes motion picture footage of Church leaders from the first half of the 20th century.

President Gordon B. Hinckley speaks about events surrounding the June 1978 revelation on the priesthood.

This video documents highlights of Church history from the years 1981 to 1985.

This video depicts the fulfillment of Joseph Smith's miraculous prophecy that the Church would grow to fill the world.