Autumn Lecture Series
Online Weekly Lectures: November 6 - December 4, 2025
Online Weekly Lectures: November 6 - December 4, 2025
Journey with us this fall as we explore a number of fascinating individuals and topics from Community of Christ's past. This season we will hear the story behind Apostle Cecil Ettinger's journey to Nigeria in 1963, learn about the political challenges faced in 1830s Kirtland, gain an understanding of the German influence within the Whitmer family and among early church members, and hear Andrew Bolton share his story as our fourth storyteller in the "Your Story is Church History" series. It's a series you don't want to miss!
Preserving the Historic Sites, One Lecture at a Time
Although the online lectures are free and open to the public, donations received from the lecture series go to support the development and expansion of new educational resources, student internships, and historic site preservation. Please consider contributing a $15 donation per lecture. Click "Donate" at the top of the page to learn more about how you can support the mission of the Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation. Thank you for helping preserve Community of Christ heritage!
Although the online lectures are free and open to the public, donations received from the lecture series go to support the development and expansion of new educational resources, student internships, and historic site preservation. Please consider contributing a $15 donation per lecture. Click "Donate" at the top of the page to learn more about how you can support the mission of the Community of Christ Historic Sites Foundation. Thank you for helping preserve Community of Christ heritage!
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November 6 Lecture
"Nauvoo Polygamy and the RLDS Church" with Lachlan Mackay Explore the diverse perspectives and challenges behind understanding the origins of Nauvoo polygamy within RLDS history. This lecture was the first of the series and well worth a watch. Click the blue button below to view a recording of the Nov. 6 lecture with Lachlan Mackay. |
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November 13 Lecture
"A Peculiar People, Politically: The Saints and Politics in 1830s Ohio" with Seth Bryant Dive into 1830s Kirtland political history with Seth Bryant to learn why Latter Day Saint males were shut out of local politics. Disenfranchisement was a function of township government in Ohio and was used to "protect" funds and politics from those who were seen as unfit by local leaders. In Kirtland, the Saint's peculiar religion and differing political views were the major reasons why they were denied residency and its subsequent rights. Eventually, the Saints made inroads into township politics, and even voted their own into office, but not without challenges and negotiation. Click the button below to view a recording of the Nov. 13 lecture. |
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November 20 Lecture @ 1 pm (Central USA)
"From War and Poverty to Questing for Peaceable Zion: Andrew Bolton Shares His Story" Spend time with Andrew Bolton as he shares his life story with us as the fourth speaker in our "Your Story is Church History" series. Hear about his unique journey from English Catholic altar boy to Community of Christ apostle. Learn about his upbringing in England and how his father's experience as a soldier in World War II influenced Andrew's passion for Zion. Click the button below to view a recording of the November 20 program. |
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Tuesday December 2 Lecture:
"The Peter and Mary Whitmer Family and Diversity in the 1830s Church of Christ" with Mark Staker Join Mark Staker as he shares a fresh perspective on members of the Whitmer family, a significant group of individuals that contributed to the founding and formation of our faith community. When the newly organized Church of Christ began in 1830, somewhere between one-quarter and one-half of the members of the community spoke German as their first language. They ate differently, the dressed differently, and they thought differently than did their English-speaking coreligionists. Pacifism had particularly been an important driving force in their community for two centuries. Mark Staker will discuss some of the family’s history and background that made them an important voice in the newly organized community and how understanding it influences our interpretation of some early historical events. Click the button below to register for an evening of Whitmer family history and insight. Program begins Tuesday, December 2 at 7 PM (Central). |
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December 4 Lecture:
"Cecil Ettinger's Journey to Nigeria" with David Ettinger Join David Ettinger, son of Apostle Cecil Ettinger, as he shares the story behind his father’s journey to Nigeria and the beginnings of Community of Christ in Nigeria. The evening lecture will feature original movie clips from Ettinger’s visits in 1963 and 1964. This lecture is the final program in the Autumn 2025 Lecture Series. Click the button below to save your online seat. Program begins at 7 PM (Central). |