Spring Lecture Series
Online Weekly Lectures: May 1 - 22, 2025
Online Weekly Lectures: May 1 - 22, 2025
Join us this May as we continue to explore Community of Christ's fascinating history from French Polynesia to Lamoni, Iowa.
Our spring series will kick off with the stories of father and son, Benjamin and Frank Grouard, in an evening that will leave you wanting to hear more. We will welcome Bunda Chibwe during the second week of the spring series and his unique story in the growing "Your Story is Church History" collection. While the third Thursday in May we will take a virtual stroll through Lamoni's Rose Hill Cemetery where guests will learn about the significant individuals buried at Rose Hill along with the complexities behind preserving a historic cemetery. Our final lecture will feature Tony Chvala-Smith, Community of Christ theologian, exploring the history and theological context behind William Law's Nauvoo Expositor. This spring's lecture series will leave any church history enthusiast wanting to learn more!
Our spring series will kick off with the stories of father and son, Benjamin and Frank Grouard, in an evening that will leave you wanting to hear more. We will welcome Bunda Chibwe during the second week of the spring series and his unique story in the growing "Your Story is Church History" collection. While the third Thursday in May we will take a virtual stroll through Lamoni's Rose Hill Cemetery where guests will learn about the significant individuals buried at Rose Hill along with the complexities behind preserving a historic cemetery. Our final lecture will feature Tony Chvala-Smith, Community of Christ theologian, exploring the history and theological context behind William Law's Nauvoo Expositor. This spring's lecture series will leave any church history enthusiast wanting to learn more!
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. Please consider contributing a $15 donation per lecture. Click "Donate" at the top of the page to make an online donation and to learn more about preserving Community of Christ heritage. Thank you for your generous support.
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. Please consider contributing a $15 donation per lecture. Click "Donate" at the top of the page to make an online donation and to learn more about preserving Community of Christ heritage. Thank you for your generous support.
Photographic print featuring Papeete Harbor, c. 1903. Image courtesy of Community of Christ Archives.
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May 1 Lecture:
"Benjamin Grouard and his Lakota Adopted Son" with Paul DeBarthe Spend the evening with Paul DeBarthe, site director at Joseph Smith III's Liberty Hall, and hear the fascinating connection between 1840s Nauvoo, Community of Christ's beginning in French Polynesia, and the Lakota Nation. The stories of Benjamin Grouard and his son, Frank, will sound like the storyline straight out of an old western movie. This evening lecture is one you don't want to miss! Click the button below to view a video recording of the May 1 program. |
Bunda Chibwe sharing a story while sitting outside the Community of Christ congregation located in Chingola, Zambia. Photo courtesy of Lachlan Mackay.
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May 8 Lecture:
"Your Story is Church History" with Bunda Chibwe Join us for an intimate evening with Community of Christ apostle Bunda Chibwe as he takes us on a personal journey through his life story. Learn about the formative places that impacted Bunda's life and hear how his personal story weaves into the story of the founding of Community of Christ in Zambia. Click the button below to view a recording of the May 8 program. |
Historic Rose Hill Cemetery at dusk in Lamoni, Iowa.
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May 15 Lecture:
Unearthing Truths: Unraveling Stories Through Cemetery Logs with Jim Jones If you haven't experienced Rose Hill and if you love church history, this is an evening lecture you do not want to miss! Join us online as we welcome Jim Jones, sexton at the historic cemetery in Lamoni. We'll explore what it takes to preserve and share stories behind those buried at Rose Hill.. Click the button below to register for the May 15th lecture with Jim Jones. |
Image of the "Nauvoo Expositor" courtesy of Community of Christ Library-Archives.
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May 22 Lecture:
The "Nauvoo Expositor" and the Origins of Reorganization Theology" with Tony Chvala-Smith Our spring series will draw to a close with Community of Christ theologian, Tony Chvala-Smith, exploring the historical context and theological significance of the first and only edition of the "Nauvoo Expositor." Click the blue button below to register for the May 22 lecture with Tony Chvala-Smith. |