Mormon Studies Scholars and Mormon Fundamentalists Discuss John Taylor's 1886 Revelation on Polygamy

The long-suppressed 1886 revelation of John Taylor, the third president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has finally been released by the Church — and it’s reigniting old debates about polygamy, prophetic authority, and Mormon history. In this in-depth video, historian Benjamin Park breaks down the revelation’s origins, the Church’s evolving position, and the latest scholarly interpretations from the Journal of Mormon History’s roundtable discussion.

Featuring exclusive insights from Dr. Christopher Jones of BYU and Moroni Jessup from the Mormon fundamentalist community, this video explores how the 1886 revelation reshapes our understanding of post-manifesto Mormonism. Learn how scholars interpret the text, how the LDS Church’s quiet release changes the narrative, and why this historical flashpoint still matters today. Perfect for those fascinated by LDS history, religion, and the evolution of modern Mormon thought.

Newsletter link for giveaway: https://benjaminpark.kit.com/e8e78e2331

Books:
American Zion: https://amzn.to/4j8Ms16
Kingdom of Nauvoo: https://amzn.to/4cmigxw

Link to Journal of Mormon History roundtable (available for journal subscribers): https://scholarlypublishingcollective...

John Taylor’s 1886 revelation: ​​https://catalog.churchofjesuschrist.o...

My previous video on the revelation:    • Why the LDS Church Buried This 1886 John T...  

1933 First Presidency Statement (“Third Manifesto”): https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/detai...

Mormon History Association: https://mormonhistoryassociation.org/

Cristina Gagliano’s biography of Joseph Musser: https://amzn.to/3Ls9HIr

Martha Bradley Evans’s book on fundamentalist Short Creek: https://amzn.to/4sF4vkX

Video Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:18 The Revelation Resurfaces
03:18 Historical Context
05:04 What Taylor Really Meant
06:57 Church Denial & Fallout
08:47 Scholarly Reactions
10:24 Journal Roundtable Overview
12:16 Interview: Dr. Christopher Jones
20:48 Academic Insights
23:46 What Else Is in the Journal
26:47 Jay Reuben Clark’s Memo
29:53 Fundamentalist Response
31:24 Interview: Moroni Jessup
35:16 Reflections on Faith & History
36:11 The Value of Scholarship
37:08 Mormon History Association Pitch
38:55 Book Giveaway & Final Thoughts

#MormonHistory #JohnTaylor #LDSRevelation #PolygamyDebate

About This Channel:
Welcome to the channel! I’m Dr. Benjamin Park—historian, author, professor, and unapologetic history geek. If you're tired of hearing that everything is unprecedented or nothing like this has ever happened before, you're in the right place. This channel dives into the complex (and fascinating) intersections of American religion, politics, and culture. I bring history out of the ivory tower and into real-world conversations—making it relevant, accessible, and even a little fun. Expect weekly deep dives, quick takes on current events, book recommendations, and sharp insights from the past to help us understand our present. From Mormon history to the abolitionist movement and beyond, let’s unpack how we got here—and where we might be going. Subscribe and geek out with me on the power of the past.

This channel participants in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

Views expressed on this channel are those of the presenter and not his employer.