Explore Church History Together This Summer
Join us this summer as we read and discuss four books exploring the unique people and places found in Community of Christ history!
This online gathering is meant to be an open and engaging discussion among fellow church history enthusiasts. Online seating is limited ~ be sure to register to save your seat today! Click the blue button located below each of the book descriptions to register for the discussion of your choice. Feel free to register for all four of the discussions and enjoy a summer exploring church history with us! Information on where you can purchase all four of the books featured in the summer series appears below.
Each of the weekly discussions begin at 7:00 p.m. (Central Time)
This online gathering is meant to be an open and engaging discussion among fellow church history enthusiasts. Online seating is limited ~ be sure to register to save your seat today! Click the blue button located below each of the book descriptions to register for the discussion of your choice. Feel free to register for all four of the discussions and enjoy a summer exploring church history with us! Information on where you can purchase all four of the books featured in the summer series appears below.
Each of the weekly discussions begin at 7:00 p.m. (Central Time)
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June 17 Book Discussion (One Night Only)
Kingdom of Nauvoo with Benjamin Park The Kingdom of Nauvoo tells the story of Nauvoo’s rise and fall between 1839 and 1846. It draws from a broad collection of primary sources, most of them overlooked and some of them used for the first time, to narrate a moment of political and cultural crisis on the frontier. In doing so, this book offers a case study of the perils of democracy in antebellum America. How should a nation govern those religions that fall outside the boundaries of acceptability? What happens when a religious group transgresses the line between church and state? How can marginal groups react when the voice of the many infringes upon the rights of the few? These were important questions for a nation still exploring the potential pitfalls of democratic rule. |
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June 24 Book Discussion (One Night Only)
Joseph Smith for President with Spencer McBride Book Release Date: May 11 Joseph Smith's 1844 presidential campaign is often presented as a surprising historical factoid. And even those who are aware of Smith's entry into American politics are unsure of what motivated Smith and how seriously he took the campaign. Spencer McBride will explain why Joseph Smith ran for president, what made his campaign unique in the history of United States presidential politics, and what his campaign reveals about the political obstacles to universal religious freedom in nineteenth-century America--and today. |
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July 8 - 29 Book Discussion:
Kirtland Temple: The Biography of a Shared Mormon Sacred Space with David Howlett and Special Guests The Kirtland Temple is the only temple completed during Joseph Smith Jr's lifetime. Located in Kirtland, Ohio, the Kirtland Temple hosts 30,000 visitors each year. The site's religious significance and the space itself are contested by a variety of distinct Latter Day Saint denominations. This four-week discussion will explore the history of Kirtland's historic "House of the Lord" and how the interpretation of the past has been received as both inspirational and contentious depending on the listeners. Special guests include former Kirtland Temple site directors: Lachlan Mackay, Barbara Walden, Ron Romig, and Seth Bryant, in addition to Bill Russell and John Horner. It's a discussion you don't want to miss! This one-time registration will sign you up for all four weekly discussions. |
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August 12 - 19 Book Discussion:
Apostle of the Poor: The Life and Work of Missionary and Humanitarian Charles D. Neff with Matthew Bolton From humble beginnings as a Midwestern American farm boy, Charles Neff went on to participate in the fundamental transformation of the Community of Christ, from a small provincial sect centered in the Midwestern plains, to a worldwide church spanning over 50 nations. Join us this August as we explore Neff’s life story, his work around the world, the founding of a number of humanitarian organizations, and Neff’s commitment to bringing relief, release and dignity to the world’s poor. This one-time registration will sign you up for both weekly discussions (Aug. 12 & 19). |
Purchase Your Books Today!
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Need a book?
All four books featured in the summer discussion series are available for online purchase at the Red Brick Store! In addition to books exploring the latest in church history, the Red Brick Store is a one stop shop for historical reprints and gifts inspired by the 1840s Nauvoo community. It's not only a great online shop, your purchases from the Red Brick Store support, preserve and maintain Community of Christ historic sites! |
Help Support and Preserve the Historic Sites
Although the summer book series discussions are free and open to the public, donations received throughout the season will go to support the ongoing preservation and maintenance of Community of Christ historic sites. Follow the link below to make an online donation. Thank you for helping preserve the past!
Although the summer book series discussions are free and open to the public, donations received throughout the season will go to support the ongoing preservation and maintenance of Community of Christ historic sites. Follow the link below to make an online donation. Thank you for helping preserve the past!