List of The Joseph Smith Papers episodes
The Joseph Smith Papers, a documentary television series produced by Ronald O. Barney and the Larry H. Miller Communications Corporation, premiered on KJZZ-TV in the Salt Lake City market. The series consists of a total of 94 episodes produced in two seasons; the episodes are approximately 30 minutes long each (with the exception of the 55 minute pilot). The first season consists of 51 episodes, plus the pilot, while the second season has 42 episodes.
The series pilot aired November 5, 2007,[1] but the first season did not begin airing until early in 2008; it concluded on February 22, 2009.[2] The second season began airing soon after the first season's finale in 2009; it ended later that same year. Following the completion of each season, the episodes were rebroadcast on BYU-TV (to receive exposure outside the Salt Lake City market).[2] Both seasons were later released on region-all DVD.
Series overview
Season | Episodes | Originally aired | DVD Release | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season premiere | Season finale | Region All | Discs | |||
1 | 52 | 2008 | February 22, 2009 | October 2009[3] | 7 | |
2 | 42 | 2009[4] | 2009 | August 2010[5] | 6 |
Episode list
- The first column refers to the episode's number in the overall series.
- The second column refers to the episode's number in that particular season.
Season 1: 2008–2009
# | # | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 0 (Pilot) | "The Joseph Smith Papers: A Television Forward [sic; should read "Foreword"]" | TBA | Dean Paynter | November 5, 2007 |
This episode introduces Joseph Smith, gives an overview of the Joseph Smith Papers Project, and provides perspectives from prominent scholars on the historical influence of the Prophet and the importance of publishing his papers. | |||||
2 | 1 | "The Joseph Smith Papers" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | 2008 |
This episode describes in more depth the organization and significance of The Joseph Smith Papers. Ronald K. Esplin, managing editor of the Papers, discusses the different types of documents-journals, histories, revelations, and administrative and legal documents—that will be included in the project. | |||||
3 | 2 | "Joseph Smith's New England Beginnings" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
This episode offers an in-depth look at the family history that helped shape Joseph Smith-from the pilgrims of Mayflower to the Revolutionary War soldiers to the regular farmers—including his parents and grandparents. | |||||
4 | 3 | "Joseph Smith's America" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
This episode explores the historical context of the United States in 1805, when Joseph Smith was born. | |||||
5 | 4 | "Joseph Smith's Palmyra" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Joseph Smith grew up in the small town of Palmyra, New York; this episode provides a window into the lives of his family during their time there. | |||||
6 | 5 | "The Setting of the First Vision" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
This episode sets the stage for the first event in what would become the Restoration of the gospel: the appearance of God the Father and Jesus Christ to the fourteen-year-old Joseph Smith. | |||||
7 | 6 | "The First Vision" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Joseph Smith's 1820 vision of God and Jesus Christ is examined, and his different accounts compared in this episode. | |||||
8 | 7 | "The Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Examines the story of the records from which Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon—how he obtained them and how he set about translating them. | |||||
9 | 8 | "Harmony, Pennsylvania" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Discusses the significance of Harmony, Pennsylvania and the events that took place there. Including meeting his wife, the birth and death of his first child, also the translation of a significant portion of the Book of Mormon. | |||||
10 | 9 | "Restoration of the Priesthoods" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Examines how, when, where, and by whom the Priesthood was restored to the earth. | |||||
11 | 10 | "The Joseph Smith Papers-Roundtable 1" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
A roundtable discussion, chaired by Ronald K. Esplin, managing editor of The Joseph Smith Papers, features members of the Papers staff explaining why this project has significance to people both in and out of the LDS Church. | |||||
12 | 11 | "The Joseph Smith Papers-Roundtable 2" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
In the second roundtable, members of the Joseph Smith Papers Project staff describe the day-to-day work of producing the Papers-from acquisition of documents to transcription to editorial policies-and share things they've learned. | |||||
13 | 12 | "The Book of Mormon Translation" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Scholars present textual evidence that helps give an idea of what the actual process of translating the Book of Mormon may have been like. | |||||
14 | 13 | "Book of Mormon Printing and Editions" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Scholars discuss the publication of the first edition of the Book of Mormon, including the process of printing and the local reaction to the book's publication. | |||||
15 | 14 | "Lucy Mack Smith, Joseph Smith's First Biographer" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Discusses the biography of Joseph Smith written by Lucy Mack Smith, begun in 1844 after his death. | |||||
16 | 15 | "Joseph Smith and the History of the Church" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Scholar's discuss the early instruction to Joseph Smith that he should keep a record of the Church, and his effort to obey that command. | |||||
17 | 16 | "The Journals of Joseph Smith" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Discussion of the journals of Joseph Smith, what they reveal, and the human side of Joseph Smith. | |||||
18 | 17 | "Oliver Cowdery, the Second Elder" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Oliver Cowdery was at the center of the early Church, from his beginnings as a scribe for the Book of Mormon translation to his role as second elder of the Church until his disaffection, excommunication, and re-baptism. In this episode, scholars discuss Cowdery, his relationship to Joseph Smith, and his place in church history. | |||||
19 | 18 | "Contemporaries of Joseph Smith" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
This episode offers descriptions of Joseph Smith from his contemporaries-within the Church and without-as well as perspectives on his influence from several modern scholars. | |||||
20 | 19 | "Joseph Smith's Leg Operation" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Doctor Nathan Smith was perhaps the only doctor in the United States who could have saved young Joseph Smith's leg when he contracted Osteomyelitis (bone infection) in 1813. This episode explores Joseph's childhood illness and the remarkable physician who treated it. | |||||
21 | 20 | "The Joseph Smith Translation (JST), Part 1" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
In July 1833, Joseph Smith completed his inspired revision of the Bible. That text, which was never published in his lifetime, was lost to the Church for more than a century. In this episode, Robert J. Matthews discusses the Joseph Smith Translation and his role in bringing it to light. | |||||
22 | 21 | "The Joseph Smith Translation (JST), Part 2" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Joseph Smith's Translation of the Bible was one of the most significant endeavors of his life. This episode explores the divine instruction to revise the Bible, the process of translation, and the storied history of the JST Translation. | |||||
23 | 22 | "The Letters of Joseph and Emma Smith" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Joseph and Emma Smith spent much of their seventeen-year marriage apart, writing letters to each other while Joseph was traveling or imprisoned. This episode delves into the surviving letters of this couple. | |||||
24 | 23 | "The Revelations of Joseph Smith" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
The belief in continuing revelation espoused by Joseph Smith set him apart from other Christians in his day, and it continues to distinguish the Church he founded. This episode discusses these divine communications and how they came to be in their present form in the Doctrine and Covenants. | |||||
25 | 24 | "The Organization of the Church" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
The Church of Christ was officially organized in a meeting on April 6, 1830. This episode revisits that meeting, which provided the organizational foundation upon which the Church has built ever since. | |||||
26 | 25 | "Kirtland Beginnings" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Kirtland, Ohio, was the first designated gathering place for members of the fledgling Church of Christ. This episode focuses on Kirtland-its history, its problems, and its importance in Church history. | |||||
27 | 26 | "Kirtland and the Kirtland Temple, the House of the Lord" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
The Kirtland Temple, the first temple constructed in this dispensation, was built through the sacrifices of countless Church members. This episode explores some of the hardships of the Kirtland period, as well as the purpose of and plans of the House of the Lord. | |||||
28 | 27 | "The Kirtland Temple: Endowment of Power and Solemn Assembly." | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
The site of remarkable sermons, visions, and pentecostal experiences, the Kirtland Temple was the focal point of the Church through much of the 1830s. This episode looks at the events that took place in the temple and how those events shaped the Church. | |||||
29 | 28 | "The Building of Zion" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Jackson County, Missouri, was on the edge of the American frontier when Joseph Smith arrived there in 1831, and received a revelation that it was to be the location of Zion, the New Jerusalem. This episode focuses on Zion, both as a concept and as a physical place. | |||||
30 | 29 | "Zion's Camp" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
After the Latter-day Saints were expelled from Jackson County, Missouri, in the winter of 1833, Joseph Smith gathered a band of men to restore the Jackson County Saints to their lands. This episode focuses on that expeditionary force, later known as Zion's Camp. | |||||
31 | 30 | "The Kirtland Crisis" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Between building the Kirtland Temple, providing lands for immigrant Saints, and many other endeavors, the Church was deeply in debt by 1837. This episode discusses how economic woes and the failure of the Kirtland Safety Society helped precipitate a crisis in Kirtland. | |||||
32 | 31 | "Joseph Smith and the Law: Part 1, New York and Ohio" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Joseph Smith once wrote that he believed in "obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law." During his lifetime, however, numerous lawsuits were brought against him. This episode discusses a few of those encounters with the law, focusing on the Prophet's time in New York and Ohio. | |||||
33 | 32 | "The Mormons in Far West and Northern Missouri" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
After their expulsion from Jackson County, Missouri, the Latter-day Saints found themselves unwelcome in other Missouri counties as well. Eventually, they were given exclusive permission to settle in Caldwell County where they built the city of Far West. This episode discusses the experiences of the Saints in northern Missouri. | |||||
34 | 33 | "The Mormon War" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Tensions between the Latter-day Saints and the other citizens of Missouri were already mounting in 1838. After conflicts and aggression from both sides, Governor Lilburn W. Boggs issued the infamous Extermination Order, directing that the Saints be "exterminated or driven from the state." This episode looks at the causes and the events of what became known as the Mormon War. | |||||
35 | 34 | "Liberty Jail" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Arrested and charged with treason, Joseph Smith was incarcerated in a series of Missouri jails to await trial. This episode explores Joseph's experience in Liberty Jail-why he was there, what he endured, and how the experience changed him. | |||||
36 | 35 | "The Mormon Exodus from Missouri" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
In late 1838, members of the Missouri state militia arrived in Far West to execute the Extermination Order. They drove the Saints from their homes and the state. This episode examines the Saints' winter exodus and their arrival in Quincy, Illinois. | |||||
37 | 36 | "The Mission of the Twelve to England" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles arrived in England in 1840 to preach the gospel to the people of that country. This episode discusses that mission, which not only increased Church membership, but also refined the leadership of the Twelve. | |||||
38 | 37 | "Joseph Smith and the Law: Part 2, Missouri" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
In addition to intimidation and armed conflicts, Joseph Smith and the Saints faced significant legal challenges during their time in Missouri. This episode examines those challenges. | |||||
39 | 38 | "Nauvoo Beginnings" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
After taking temporary refuge in Quincy, Illinois, Church leaders authorized the purchase of land in Commerce, Illinois, which would serve as a new gathering place and later be renamed Nauvoo. This episode examines how the swampy land of Commerce was transformed into the City Beautiful. | |||||
40 | 39 | "Joseph Smith Goes to Washington" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Believing that the constitutional rights of the Latter-day Saints had been violated when they were driven from their lands in Missouri, Joseph Smith traveled to the nation's capital to seek redress from the federal government. This episode focuses on that effort and on Smith's experience with Martin Van Buren, president of the United States. | |||||
41 | 40 | "The Sermons of Joseph Smith" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Unlike many Christian ministers of his day, Joseph Smith delivered his sermons extemporaneously, not from prepared texts. Partly as a result of that, few records of Smith's public sermons exist today. This episode discusses some of the few extant accounts of sermons, as well as other reasons for the scarcity of such texts. | |||||
42 | 41 | "The Nauvoo Temple and Nauvoo House" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
In 1840 and 1841, Joseph Smith gave direction that the Saints should build a temple in Nauvoo. But he also mandated that a second building—the Nauvoo House—be built. This episode explores the purpose and construction of those two buildings. | |||||
43 | 42 | "The Book of Abraham" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Having heard of Joseph Smith as a man rumored to be able to translate ancient texts, Michael Chandler arrived in Kirtland in 1835 with four mummies and some Egyptian papyri for display and sale. Joseph purchased Chandler's wares and translated the text of the Book of Abraham from the papyri. This episode discusses the processes of acquisition, translation, and publication of the book. | |||||
44 | 43 | "Developments in Nauvoo" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
For many reasons, the Nauvoo period was crucial to the development of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as it is known today. This episode explores the evolution of doctrines, beliefs, revelations, and ordinances in Nauvoo. | |||||
45 | 44 | "Foundations of the Women's Relief Society" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
What began as a women's sewing society to provide clothing for the men working on the Nauvoo Temple became a multifaceted organization. This episode explores the foundation and early history of the Relief Society. | |||||
46 | 45 | "Joseph Smith and the Law: Part 3, Illinois and Extradition" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
The charge of treason that had been brought against Joseph Smith in Missouri was officially dismissed in August 1840. Despite this Governor Boggs and his successor, Thomas Reynolds, petitioned the states of Illinois for the extradition of Joseph Smith to Missouri. This episode explores the ensuing legal battle. | |||||
47 | 46 | "The Beginnings of International Mormonism" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
From early on, Joseph Smith envisioned the preaching of the gospel as an international endeavor. This episode looks at the first efforts to create an international church. | |||||
48 | 47 | "The Climax of Nauvoo, Part 1" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
Joseph Smith's continued legal troubles and the introduction of the doctrine of plural marriage bred dissent inside the church in Nauvoo. This episode explores the mounting tension surrounding these issues, with emphasis on the reaction to plural marriage. | |||||
49 | 48 | "The Climax of Nauvoo, Part 2" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
In the months prior to his death, Joseph Smith sent a missionary force throughout the United States to promote him as a candidate for president of the United States. In Nauvoo, he gave final instructions on priesthood organization and temple ordinances. This episode discusses the last months of the Prophet's life-the capstone of his ministry. | |||||
50 | 49 | "The Martyrdom of Joseph Smith and Hyrum Smith" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
On June 27, 1844, Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum were shot and killed in an attack on the jailhouse at Carthage, Illinois. This episode discusses the martyrdom and the events leading up to it, including the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor. | |||||
51 | 50 | "The Martyrdom: Aftermath" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | TBA |
The death of Joseph Smith was met by the Saints with confusion, disbelief, and profound grief. The loss of their founder and leader precipitated a crisis of leadership among the Saints, with several parties claiming the right and authority to lead the Church. This episode discusses the unfolding of this crisis in the days, weeks, and months after the martyrdom. | |||||
52 | 51 | "The Last Days of Nauvoo" | TBA | Glenn Rawson | February 22, 2009 |
In August 1844, most of the Latter-day Saints voted for the Quorum of the Twelve apostles, led by Brigham Young, to take over leadership of the Church. This final episode of the season explores the crisis of succession after the death of Joseph Smith and the eventual exodus from Nauvoo. |
Notes
- ↑ Elaine Jarvik (4 November 2007). "TV show to preview Smith Papers Project". Deseret News. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
- 1 2 R. Scott Lloyd (25 February 2009). "Scholars field questions about Joseph Smith Papers project". Church News. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
- ↑ Aaron Shil (15 October 2009). "What's new: The Joseph Smith Papers, Season 1 DVD". Mormon Times. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
- ↑ Lynn Arave (21 February 2009). "Joseph Smith Papers speak for themselves". Mormon Times. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
- ↑ "The second season of The Joseph Smith Papers on DVD". Daily Herald. 12 August 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2010.