Becoming Brigham— Episode 1: Who Killed Joseph Smith? Becoming Brigham 2026-01-26 | Most people are aware of Brigham Young as a pivotal figure in American religious and frontier history. But Brigham is also often misunderstood, seen as a larger-than-life caricature rather than as a man.Who actually was Brigham? As a man, as a father, as a husband—as a prophet?BECOMING BRIGHAM, a video web series, debunks fictions as well as providing sometimes surprising new insights into the real Brigham Young.In Episode 1, hosts John Wilson and Camrey Fox, along with Professor Dan Peterson, visit the Carthage Jail to discuss a theory by some that Brigham Young was behind the death of Joseph Smith.Becoming Brigham- Episode 1: Who Killed Joseph Smith?0:00 - Brigham Young series with Camery Fox & John Wilson 2:04 - Did Brigham kill Joseph? With Daniel Peterson 3:40 - Carthage Jail - The martyrdom 5:48 - Willard Richards’ Account9:10 - The conspiracy theory11:16 - Learning more about Brigham Young
TRAILER for Ep. 36—Brigham Young: Deeply Loved? Becoming Brigham 2026-09-24 | If the Saints would not leave without their endowment, how did Brigham try to both keep God’s promise and preserve their lives when Nauvoo was no longer safe?Why did so many Saints follow a blunt, sometimes offensive Brigham Young into the wilderness—and what does that fact say to modern people whose faith is shaken by that history?
TRAILER for Ep. 36—Brigham Young: Deeply Loved? Becoming Brigham 2026-09-24 | If the Saints would not leave without their endowment, how did Brigham try to both keep God’s promise and preserve their lives when Nauvoo was no longer safe?Why did so many Saints follow a blunt, sometimes offensive Brigham Young into the wilderness—and what does that fact say to modern people whose faith is shaken by that history?
WHY NOT SIDNEY RIGDON?—Episode 35 Becoming Brigham 2026-09-21 | What did Brigham’s letter to the daughter he left behind reveal about how he saw himself as a substitute “father” to the Church?Why did the unfinished Nauvoo Temple become the sharpest dividing line between Brigham Young and Sidney Rigdon?Did Sidney Rigdon believe that the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles held the priesthood keys? Our hosts discuss Brigham Young’s inner life with Church historian Brett Dowdle. Brigham left few intimate journals, but the hosts use two documents to open a window on his feelings: a letter written days after the August 1844 Grove Meeting during the succession crisis, in which he comforts a daughter he had to leave in Massachusetts and describes the Saints as “tired children without a father”; and his February 1847 dream of Joseph Smith, who told him the people must stay humble, heed the still small voice, and keep their hearts open to the Holy Ghost. Dowdle then walks through what actually happened in Nauvoo at that time. Contemporary records of the August 8 meeting are thinner than later testimonies, but enough accounts exist that historians take a spiritual manifestation seriously; Brigham himself emphasized the Spirit and the vote that sustained the Twelve. The episode closes by arguing that following the Twelve was what kept temple work alive.WHY NOT SIDNEY RIGDON?—Episode 35 0:00 Brigham’s letter to his daughter 2:50 Brigham’s letter about Joseph 5:55 Title Sequence 6:30 Brett Dowdle on Brigham’s succession 9:12 Meetings where Brigham is called 11:55 Brigham succession & Nauvoo temple 15:30 Sneak peek of next episode
TRAILER for Ep. 35—Why Not Sidney Rigdon? Becoming Brigham 2026-09-16 | Did Sidney Rigdon believe that the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles held the priesthood keys? Are there portions of our Church history that you don’t quite understand? Join hosts Camrey Bagley Fox, Daniel Peterson, and John Wilson in this coming episode on Brigham Young, the Quorum of the Twelve, and the leadership succession crisis, which is also the topic of the producers’ movie, Six Days in August.
TRAILER for Ep. 35—Why Not Sidney Rigdon? Becoming Brigham 2026-09-16 | Did Sidney Rigdon believe that the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles held the priesthood keys? Are there portions of our Church history that you don’t quite understand? Join hosts Camrey Bagley Fox, Daniel Peterson, and John Wilson in this coming episode on Brigham Young, the Quorum of the Twelve, and the leadership succession crisis, which is also the topic of the producers’ movie, Six Days in August.
FEED THEM, DON’T FIGHT THEM?—Episode 34 Becoming Brigham 2026-09-14 | Could the sentiments that “it’s cheaper to feed them than fight them” and “this is their home” exist at the same time in the same person who also called Native American life idle and refused to leave the lands in Utah?This episode explores Brigham Young’s Utah Indian policy after the first bloodshed. Historian John Peterson describes how Brigham tried raising a standard of peace, with more than a hundred cattle sent to a reservation in late 1865. But Ute raids kept emptying Mormon fields and herds. When peace offerings did not stop the war, the policy shifted: villages were to “fort up,” cattle would be defended, and Captain Moroni became the model. Brigham's stance toward the Native Americans was complicated. He would say the Utes had as much right to call the land theirs as anyone, that they had buried their dead there, and that the Saints had taken the hunting grounds—and in the same breath insist the Saints were not intruders but were led there by providence and would not leave. Lisa Olsen Tait’s counsel closes the moral frame: it is not the historian’s job to sort Brigham into good or evil, but to understand him in his own time and grant historical figures the charity we would all want from our own posterity.FEED THEM, DON'T FIGHT THEM?—Episode 340:00 Intro & Recap 1:02 Title Sequence1:34 Hosts discuss historic context 3:23 John Peterson on LDS/Native conflict 6:06 Hosts on Brigham’s statements 8:30 Teaching the Native Americans13:06 Forrest Cuch on LDS & Native relations 15:16 Hosts on improving relations 16:55 How do we judge Brigham?
TRAILER for Ep. 34—Feed Them, Don’t Fight Them? Becoming Brigham 2026-09-11 | This third episode on early relations with the Native Americans is going to be really important for understanding this interactive history. Have you ever wondered about portions of our Church history that you don’t quite understand? Join hosts Camrey Bagley Fox, Daniel Peterson, and John Wilson in this coming episode on Brigham Young, the LDS pioneers, and the Native Americans of the West.
TRAILER for Ep. 34—Feed Them, Don’t Fight Them? Becoming Brigham 2026-09-11 | This third episode on early relations with the Native Americans is going to be really important for understanding this interactive history. Have you ever wondered about portions of our Church history that you don’t quite understand? Join hosts Camrey Bagley Fox, Daniel Peterson, and John Wilson in this coming episode on Brigham Young, the LDS pioneers, and the Native Americans of the West.
FROM STOLEN SHIRT TO OPEN WAR?—Episode 33 Becoming Brigham 2026-09-07 | How did a stolen shirt turn a mission to the Native Americans into two decades of war?What would Utah history have looked like if the Saints and the Utes had treated sharing and consecration as a conversation instead of a one-way religious task?A relatively peaceful first two years in the Salt Lake Valley—which at the time was a buffer zone between Native American tribes—gave way to armed conflict as settlement pushed into Utah Valley. Fort Utah was built near the religious and economic heart of the Native lands. A clash over a stolen shirt ended with the killing of a Native American man. The Utes demanded the perpetrator be handed over. Brigham Young, unaware of the shirt incident, consulted non-Mormon officers from the Stansbury expedition and sent Daniel H. Wells and a few hundred Nauvoo Legion men south. He later said the Spirit had told him to be patient, but he yielded to a “show of force.” Historian John Peterson calls that decision nearly fatal to Mormon–Ute relations; serious fighting continued for about twenty years in Utah and longer across the West. Peterson quotes the John Turner line that Mormons paradoxically saw Indians as both religious kindred and savage enemies.FROM STOLEN SHIRT TO OPEN WAR?—Episode 330:00 Intro - Saints & Natives0:53 Title Sequence 1:23 Trio discusses Saints’ Expansion 3:49 Dr John Peterson discusses Battle Creek7:49 Saints & Native Conflicts 11:45 Trio - Saints Paradoxical View of Natives 14:00 Introduction of Forrest S. Cuch 16:52 Conclusion - Good in Both Groups
TRAILER for Ep. 33—From Stolen Shirt to Open War? Becoming Brigham 2026-09-03 | This second of three episodes on relations with the Native Americans is going to be critical for understanding this overall, nuanced and sometimes puzzling history. Have you ever wondered about portions of our Church history that you don’t quite understand? Join hosts Camrey Bagley Fox, Daniel Peterson, and John Wilson in this coming episode on Brigham Young, the LDS pioneers, and the Native Americans of the West.
TRAILER for Ep. 33—From Stolen Shirt to Open War? Becoming Brigham 2026-09-03 | This second of three episode on relations with the Native Americans is going to be critical for understanding this overall, nuanced and sometimes puzzling history. Have you ever wondered about portions of our Church history that you don’t quite understand? Join hosts Camrey Bagley Fox, Daniel Peterson, and John Wilson in this coming episode on Brigham Young, the LDS pioneers, and the Native Americans of the West.
RELIGIOUS KINDRED BUT SAVAGE ENEMIES?—Episode 32 Becoming Brigham 2026-08-31 | How did Brigham Young’s determination to never again be driven out of his home collide with Native peoples who were being pushed off the rivers and valleys of Utah?Why did a church that sent missionaries to Native Americans so early still end up building forts and fighting battles?Our hosts @BecomingBrigham visit an historic Cove Fort in Utah and use it as a doorway into the complicated relationship between early Latter-day Saints and Native peoples. They talk about why the Saints built forts, how those sites also served as way-stations on the north–south corridor, and how the arrival of Mormon settlers disrupted Native hunting, fishing, and gathering grounds. Historian John Peterson explains that the first contacts began the week the Saints entered the Salt Lake Valley in 1847, and Brigham Young saw living in “Indian country” as a chance to fulfill a Book of Mormon mission to the Lamanites. But daily survival—settlements, canals, cattle, and colonization—often pushed that ideal aside. The hosts emphasize that the history is gray rather than one-sided. Saints arrived as refugees fleeing persecution and quickly expanded to secure a lasting Zion, while Native groups took the pioneer cattle on their lands as a kind of tax after their food system was broken.
TRAILER for Ep. 32—Religious Kindred, but Savage Enemies? Becoming Brigham 2026-08-25 | As a friend or member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have you ever wondered about portions of our history that you don’t quite understand? Join hosts Camrey Bagley Fox, Daniel Peterson, and John Wilson in this coming episode on Brigham Young, the LDS pioneers, and the Native Americans of the West. These next three episodes are going to be critical for understanding this overall, yet detailed history.
TRAILER for Ep. 32—Religious Kindred? Savage Enemies? Becoming Brigham 2026-08-25 | Join hosts Camrey Bagley Fox, Daniel Peterson, and John Wilson in this coming episode on Brigham Young, LDS pioneers, and Native Americans of the West. As a friend or member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have you ever wondered about portions of our history that you don’t quite understand? These next three episodes are going to be critical for understanding this overall, yet detailed history.
LIVES OF THEIR OWN? THE WIVES & FAMILY LIFE OF BRIGHAM YOUNG—Episode 31 Becoming Brigham 2026-08-24 | How did Brigham Young’s rejection of his father’s harsh discipline shape daily life and family rituals in the Lion House?In what concrete ways did women such as Eliza R. Snow exercise leadership and autonomy under Brigham Young?Why do the historians argue that judging Brigham Young solely by modern standards risks missing both the complexity of his character and the reasons so many people willingly followed him?Drawing on his daughters’ recollections and the insights of historians Lisa Olson Tate and Brittany Chapman Nash, this episode of @becomingbrigham explores Brigham Young as a father and the inner life of his large household. Clarissa and Susa Young remembered him as an affectionate, tender, and ideal parent whom they adored and never feared—in contrast to Brigham's own childhood under a stern, disciplinarian father. Nightly family prayer in the Lion House created both closeness and a setting for meaningful discussion with gathered wives and children; some of those conversations, particularly with Eliza R. Snow, helped shape later organizations such as the Young Women. Brigham’s parenting philosophy favored kindness over the rod, teaching that loving actions bind children far more effectively than force, and he expected the same restraint from the mothers in his household. The episode also examines the practical balance between traditional gender expectations and real autonomy for women. Under Brigham Latter-day Saint women exercised significant leadership. The hosts and historians close their discussion by urging a more nuanced view of historical figures, noting that Brigham’s deepest aim was for people to flourish through the gospel and the building of Zion, and that Brigham is best understood through original sources that reveal his counsel and kindness.LIVES OF THEIR OWN? THE WIVES & FAMILY LIFE OF BRIGHAM YOUNG-Episode 310:00 Letters of love from Brigham’s daughters 2:20 Title Sequences 2:52 Lisa Olsen Tait & Brittany Chapman Nash discuss Brigham’s home life 6:45 Male & Female Leadership 9:59 Camrey, Jenessa & Dan on Eliza R Snow 12:30 Sis. Tait & Nash On How Brigham’s Viewed17:34 Camrey, Jenessa & Dan on Historic Context
TRAILER for Ep. 31—Lives of Their Own? The Wives of Brigham Young Becoming Brigham 2026-08-18 | Join hosts Camrey Bagley Fox, Daniel Peterson, and Jenessa Sheffield in their third episode together about Brigham Young and women. As a friend or member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have you ever wondered about portions of our history that you don’t quite understand? These faithful ancestors educated and progressive in rights of men and women than, perhaps, you and others may realize.
TRAILER for Ep. 31—Lives of Their Own? The Wives of Brigham Young Becoming Brigham 2026-08-18 | Join hosts Camrey Bagley Fox, Daniel Peterson, and Jenessa Sheffield in their third episode together about Brigham Young and women. As a friend or member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have you ever wondered about portions of our history that you don’t quite understand? These faithful ancestors educated and progressive in rights of men and women than, perhaps, you and others may realize.
DID BRIGHAM YOUNG BELIEVE IN EDUCATING WOMEN?—Episode 30 Becoming Brigham 2026-08-17 | How did the early revelation to Emma Smith and the organization of the Relief Society challenge the 19th-century cultural expectation of male leadership?What does Brigham Young’s journal language about his wife being “admitted to the priesthood,” combined with his lifelong focus on temple ordinances, reveal about how he understood women’s spiritual authority?This episode of @becomingbrigham examines the role of women in the 19th century Church and Brigham Young’s views on their place in building Zion. It begins with the 1830 revelation to Emma Smith in which she is called an “elect lady” and ordained to expound scripture, exhort the Saints, and compile a hymnbook, and how this early authorization, together with the 1842 organization of the Relief Society and the introduction of temple ordinances, marked a significant departure from prevailing cultural norms of male leadership, even while traditional expectations continued to shape daily life. The conversation then turns to Brigham’s practical expectations for women in the Utah settlements. He encouraged their education, and training in business skills, arithmetic, bookkeeping, and even the telegraph so they could staff offices and free able-bodied men for the intensive physical labor required to establish an agricultural society under constant missionary outflow and immigrant inflow. The episode closes by underscoring the unique nature of Latter-day Saint teachings on the eternal potential of women, including the doctrine of Heavenly Mother, and shows Brigham as an advocate who expanded women’s official roles.EDUCATE WOMEN? WHAT DID BRIGHAM YOUNG BELIEVE?-Episode 30 0:00 Title Sequence 0:52 Brittany Chapman Nash & Lisa Olsen Tait3:22 Camrey, Jenessa & Dan discuss D&C 25 9:44 Sis. Nash/Tait discuss early women’s roles 14:49 Education & the early Saints 20:00 Conclusion - Education & Episode 31 preview
TRAILER for Ep. 30—Did Brigham Young Believe in Educating Women? Becoming Brigham 2026-08-12 | As a friend or member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have you ever wondered about portions of our history that you don’t quite understand? Join hosts Camrey Bagley Fox, Daniel Peterson, and Jenessa Sheffield in their second episode on Brigham Young and women. These ancestors were more forward thinking, and faithful, than you and others may realize. @becomingbrigham
TRAILER for Ep. 30—Did Brigham Young Believe in Educating Women? Becoming Brigham 2026-08-12 | As a friend or member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have you ever wondered about portions of our history that you don’t quite understand? Join hosts Camrey Bagley Fox, Daniel Peterson, and Jenessa Sheffield in their second episode on Brigham Young and women. These ancestors were more forward thinking, and faithful, than you and others may realize.
INSIDE THE LION’S HOUSE—Brigham Young & Women—Episode 29 Becoming Brigham 2026-08-10 | How did living in a household full of wives and daughters reshape Brigham Young’s understanding of women’s capabilities, even while he held traditional views of male roles in society?In what ways did plural marriage paradoxically expand Utah women’s legal rights (property ownership, etc.) compared with the rest of the United States?Hosts Camrey Fox and Dan Peterson, joined by Jenessa Sheffield, visit the Daughters of Utah Pioneers museum to explore artifacts, letters, and documents from Brigham Young’s long presidency. The discussion highlights Brigham’s complex personality—forceful yet kind, practical yet philosophical, and described by visitors as industrious, sharp-eyed, and surprisingly jolly even in his sixties. The heart of the episode is an interview with Church History Department historians Brittany Chapman Nash and Lisa Olsen Tait about Brigham Young’s views on women. They place him firmly in the traditional 19th-century framework of male leadership, yet they also show how his views evolved. Living in a predominantly female household and managing the practical realities of plural marriage pushed women into greater responsibility for farms, households, and community life. This, in turn, contributed to expanded legal rights for women in Utah—property ownership and maternal custody after divorce—that were more progressive than many other parts of the United States at the time.INSIDE THE LION'S HOUSE—Brigham Young and Women—Episode 290:00 Intro - Six Days in August Clip 1:34 Title sequence 2:08 Jenessa Sheffield, Camery & Dan intro 3:40 Utah Pioneers Museum 6:15 Jenessa & Camrey read Brigham’s letters 8:51 Brittany Chapman Nash & Lisa Olsen Tait w/ Camrey12:06 Brigham’s household of females 14:40 Women’s rights & polygamy 18:08 Conclusion & Episode 30 Preview
TRAILER for Ep. 29—Inside the Lion’s House? Becoming Brigham 2026-08-05 | This coming episode #29 @becomingbrigham asks:How did living in a household full of wives and daughters reshape Brigham Young’s understanding of women’s capabilities, even while he held traditional views of male roles in society?In what ways did plural marriage paradoxically expand Utah women’s legal rights (property ownership, etc.) compared with the rest of the United States?
TRAILER for Ep. 29—Inside the Lion’s House? Becoming Brigham 2026-08-05 | This coming episode #29 @becomingbrigham asks:How did living in a household full of wives and daughters reshape Brigham Young’s understanding of women’s capabilities, even while he held traditional views of male roles in society?In what ways did plural marriage paradoxically expand Utah women’s legal rights (property ownership, etc.) compared with the rest of the United States?
DID BRIGHAM SEE GOD FACE TO FACE?—Episode 28 Becoming Brigham 2026-08-03 | How did the early apostles’ expectation that they must personally see the Savior shape their understanding of what it means to be a “special witness”?Why did the failure of the Kirtland Safety Society trigger such widespread doubt and apostasy, and how did Brigham Young’s response to the crisis reveal the difference between intellectual belief and deep spiritual conviction?What does recent research reveal about the private, softer side of Brigham Young that is often missing from his public image as a fiery frontier leader?Shortly after their calling in 1835, all twelve apostles undertook their first joint mission to the eastern United States. Oliver Cowdery challenged them to become special witnesses of Jesus Christ—urging them to never cease striving until they had seen God face to face, just as the original apostles had. Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball later reflected that some of the Twelve sought such manifestations with improper motives, treating them more as signs of personal status than as tools for testimony, which led to a lasting lesson in approaching sacred experiences with the right spirit. This episode also explores the turbulent mid-1830s, with the collapse of the Kirtland Safety Society amid the national Panic of 1837, the first major wave of apostasy (including some of the original apostles), and the intense opposition Joseph Smith faced from both outside lawsuits and internal dissent. Brigham’s unwavering loyalty stands out—he publicly defended Joseph even when others turned away, distinguishing between Joseph’s imperfect business judgment and his prophetic calling.@becomingbrighamTO SEE GOD FACE TO FACE—Episode 280:00 Title Sequence 1:24 Dr Godfrey discusses Apostles’ mission 6:29 3 Hosts discuss Brigham’s mission 9:15 The Kirtland Safety Society12:39 Dr Godfrey discusses Kirtland bank16:49 Imperfect Latter-day Saints 18:29 Dr Godfrey’s feelings on Brigham
TRAILER for Ep. 28—To See God Face to Face Becoming Brigham 2026-07-29 | This coming episode of @becomingbrigham addresses questions like these:How did the early apostles’ expectation that they must personally see the Savior shape their understanding of what it means to be a “special witness”?Why did the failure of the Kirtland Safety Society trigger such widespread doubt and apostasy, and how did Brigham Young’s response to the crisis reveal the difference between intellectual belief and deep spiritual conviction?What does recent research reveal about the private, softer side of Brigham Young that is often missing from his public image as a fiery frontier leader?
TRAILER for Ep. 28—To See God Face to Face Becoming Brigham 2026-07-29 | This coming episode of @becomingbrigham addresses questions like these:How did the early apostles’ expectation that they must personally see the Savior shape their understanding of what it means to be a “special witness”?Why did the failure of the Kirtland Safety Society trigger such widespread doubt and apostasy, and how did Brigham Young’s response to the crisis reveal the difference between intellectual belief and deep spiritual conviction?What does recent research reveal about the private, softer side of Brigham Young that is often missing from his public image as a fiery frontier leader?
THEY FOUND APOSTLES FROM WHERE?—Episode 27 Becoming Brigham 2026-07-27 | How did a failed military-style relief mission like Zion’s Camp become one of the most important spiritual training experiences in early Church history?What does Brigham Young’s witty courtroom defense during a lawsuit against Joseph Smith reveal about his character and his emerging role as a defender of the young prophet?How did the intense shared hardships of Zion’s Camp influence the selection and preparation of the original Twelve Apostles—and what parallels (and/or differences) exist with apostolic callings today?Zion’s Camp ultimately disbanded without armed conflict, but it served as a profound proving ground of faith, endurance, and leadership. Hosts Camrey Fox, John Wilson, and Dan Peterson highlight the physical hardships alongside the spiritual growth of this experience. The discussion then shifts to the calling of the original Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1835, shortly after Zion’s Camp. Historian Matthew Godfrey explains how the expedition allowed Joseph Smith to observe the character and reliability of the men under stress, leading to the selection of many veterans of Zion's Camp (including Brigham Young) as apostles.THEY FOUND APOSTLES FROM WHERE?- :Episode 270:00 Hosts discuss Zion’s Camp return trip 2:40 Joseph’s legal battles 4:44 Title Sequence 5:19 Dr Godfrey & John discuss early Apostleship 8:41 Hosts discuss Zion’s Camp sacrifices 11:12 Elder Caussé & Brigham Young 15:59 Sneak peek at next episode @becomingbrigham
TRAILER for Ep. 27—They Found Apostles From Where? Becoming Brigham 2026-07-22 | @becomingbrigham This coming episode discusses how a failed military-style relief mission, Zion’s Camp, became one of the most important spiritual training experiences in early Church history.
TRAILER for Ep. 27—They Found Apostles From Where? Becoming Brigham 2026-07-22 | @becomingbrigham This coming episode discusses how a failed military-style relief mission, Zion’s Camp, became one of the most important spiritual training experiences in early Church history.
A SPECIAL EPISODE—Episode 26 Becoming Brigham 2026-07-20 | As a treat for our audience, this episode of Becoming Brigham temporarily shifts focus to the Interpreter Foundation’s motion picture Witnesses, which dramatizes the experiences of the Three Witnesses with the golden plates (Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer, and Martin Harris). It includes behind-the-scenes footage from the filming of the movie, dramatic reenactments, and discussions on the reality of the events. Dan Peterson addresses common criticisms, noting that actor Paul Wuthrich actually carried replica plates during the filming of the movie, proving the feasibility of this part of the account. The episode also features interviews with cast and crew who highlight the human side of Joseph Smith and the witnesses—their imperfections, skepticism, and yet unwavering testimonies even after they left the Church.How realistic was it for Joseph Smith to run while carrying the golden plates?What does the story of Martin Harris losing the 116 pages teach us about human error, forgiveness, and continuing God’s work?Why did the Three Witnesses never deny their testimony despite later challenges and leaving the Church?A SPECIAL EPISODE-Episode 26 0:00 Title Sequence1:00 “Witnesses” scene: Joseph gets the plates 4:11 Dan & Camrey discuss Joseph running w/ plates 6:34 Scene: Martin Harris & lost 116 pages 11:48 Russell Richins on producing “Witnesses”13:28 Paul Wuthrich on playing Joseph 14:50 “Witnesses” actors discuss their roles 16:50 Conclusions: Power of “Witnesses”
TEASER for Ep. 26—A Special Episode Becoming Brigham 2026-07-16 | As a treat for our audience, this upcoming episode of Becoming Brigham temporarily shifts focus to the Interpreter Foundation’s motion picture Witnesses.
TRAILER for Ep. 26—A Special Episode Becoming Brigham 2026-07-15 | As a treat for our audience, this upcoming episode of Becoming Brigham temporarily shifts focus to the Interpreter Foundation’s motion picture Witnesses.
MOBS TO MERCIES?—Ep. 25 Becoming Brigham 2026-07-13 | How did Brigham Young’s leadership during the Missouri exodus demonstrate both practical organization and deep compassion?What does the kindness shown by the citizens of Quincy reveal about human goodness in times of crisis, and how did it impact the Saints’ faith?How did the experiences of the Saints fleeing Missouri shape the identity and resilience of the early Church?With Joseph Smith and the First Presidency imprisoned in Liberty Jail, Brigham Young emerged as a key leader as he organized the flight across the frozen Mississippi River to Quincy, Illinois. This episode highlights the extreme hardships—frozen rivers, lost belongings, starvation, and the trauma of being driven from their homes—while featuring personal stories, including Emma Smith’s harrowing journey. A major theme of this episode is the remarkable kindness shown by the people of Quincy. Local citizens passed resolutions to provide aid, shelter, and employment, turning Quincy into a “city of refuge.” Stories of divine promptings and community support underscore themes of compassion, faith, and God’s mercy amid persecution.MOBS TO MERCIES?-Ep. 250:00 Title Sequence0:46 Camrey & John discuss Emma’s Miss. Crossing2:32 Emma’s letter to Joseph4:37 Dan & John read the Quincy Resolution6:23 Shocking kindness of the Quincy people8:13 Dan & Historian Dowdle - Joseph & Brigham reunite10:11 Bro Dowdle’s testimony of Brigham11:37 Leaving Quincy & Ep 26 preview
TRAILER for Ep. 25—Mobs to Mercies? Becoming Brigham 2026-07-09 | How did Brigham Young’s leadership during the Missouri exodus demonstrate both practical organization and deep compassion?What does the kindness shown by the citizens of Quincy reveal about human goodness in times of crisis, and how did it impact the Saints’ faith?How did the experiences of the Saints fleeing Missouri shape the identity and resilience of the early Church?
WHO DIDN’T HATE THE ‘MORMONS’?—Ep. 24 Becoming Brigham 2026-07-06 | How did Brigham Young’s leadership during the Saints’ flight from Missouri reveal his character and prepare him for his later role as Church president?What does the kindness shown by the people of Quincy teach us about compassion in times of crisis, and how does it contrast with the persecution the Saints faced?With the First Presidency imprisoned and much of the Quorum of the Twelve unavailable, Brigham Young emerges as the senior Apostle and de facto leader of the Church. He organizes the flight of the Saints across Missouri to Quincy, Illinois, while emphasizing a sacred covenant: no righteous member would be left behind, especially the poor. The episode explores the harsh conditions the Saints faced—freezing weather, violence from the Missouri militia, and the trauma of being driven from their homes under Governor Lilburn Boggs’ extermination order—while highlighting Brigham’s practical and compassionate leadership.WHO DIDN’T HATE THE ‘MORMONS’—Ep. 240:00 Camrey & John in Quincy, Illinois 1:20 Title Sequence 1:50 The Mormons in Quincy Plaque 3:57 Persecution in Missouri 7:03 Bros Dowdle & Peterson discuss Missouri Expulsion10:24 Quincy History Museum w/ Dan & John13:26 Camrey & John on miracles in Quincy
TRAILER for Ep. 24: Who Didn’t Hate the ‘Mormons’? Becoming Brigham 2026-06-30 | How did Brigham Young’s leadership during the Saints’ flight from Missouri reveal his character and prepare him for his later role as Church president?What does the kindness shown by the people of Quincy teach us about compassion in times of crisis, and how does it contrast with the persecution the Saints faced?
BRIGHAM YOUNG WAS SENT AWAY FROM LEADERSHIP?—EP. 23 Becoming Brigham 2026-06-29 | Why is it significant that Brigham Young was already exercising authority to ordain Apostles and direct the Saints’ exodus before Joseph’s martyrdom—and what does that reveal about the foundation of Church leadership today?How did Joseph Smith’s experience in Liberty Jail transform him spiritually, and why do many historians call it both a prison and a temple?What specific leadership skills and experiences did Brigham Young gain while Joseph was in Liberty Jail that prepared him to lead the Church after the Prophet’s death?This episode centers on Liberty Jail in Missouri, one of the most somber and pivotal places in early Church history. Following the Battle of Crooked River and Governor Lilburn Boggs’s infamous extermination order, Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and others were imprisoned in Liberty Jail under horrific conditions. In this dark setting, Joseph poured out his heart in the famous plea, “O God, where art thou?” and received the powerful revelations now recorded in Doctrine and Covenants sections 121–123. The episode explores how Liberty Jail functioned not only as a prison but also as a kind of “temple,” where Joseph was spiritually tutored and refined through prolonged adversity. This also brought about Brigham Young’s emergence as a leader. The episode underscores how this difficult time prepared Brigham Young for his future role. Through personal reflection and historical context, our hosts explore how adversity refined both Joseph and Brigham.BRIGHAM YOUNG WAS SENT AWAY FROM LEADERSHIP?—EP. 230:00 Intro - Hosts discuss Liberty Jail1:35 Title Sequence 2:09 Brett D. Dowdle introduction w/ Bro Peterson3:16 Battle of Crooked River Surrounding Events5:46 Hosts at Liberty Jail “Temple”8:31 Brothers Dowdle & Peterson discuss Liberty Jail events11:15 Hosts - Brigham visits Joseph in Liberty 12:47 The Quorum of the 12 Apostles importance15:05 Brigham Young & Priesthood Line of Authority
HOW DID THEY SURVIVE AN ALMIGHTY HAIL?—Ep. 22 Becoming Brigham 2026-06-22 | How did God dramatically protect Zion's Camp from a violent mob?Why did the Lord call Zion’s Camp a success even though they didn’t redeem Zion or fight any battles?How did the hardships of Zion’s Camp transform Brigham Young and prepare him to lead the Saints westward?This episode concludes the story of Zion’s Camp, the 2,000-mile journey undertaken by Brigham Young, Joseph Smith, and roughly 200 others to aid the persecuted Saints in Missouri. Upon arrival, the group faced disappointment when Governor Dunklin refused to help restore their lands. As tensions rose and mobs threatened to attack, a sudden, violent storm with hail and flooding miraculously protected the camp. Despite the hardships and apparent failure to redeem Zion, the Lord revealed in Doctrine and Covenants Section 105 that their sacrifices were accepted. The episode explores the deeper spiritual purpose of the journey: it served as a refining experience and training ground for future Church leadership.HOW DID THEY SURVIVE AN ALMIGHTY HAIL?—Ep. 220:00 Title Sequence 1:05 Quotes about Zion’s Camp Miracle 4:04 Dr Godfrey on Zion’s camp scourge5:42 The trio discuss Joseph’s experience6:58 Dr Godfrey on the end of Zion’s Camp8:28 The trio on impact of Zion’s Camp 10:50 John’s parents conversion & sacrifice13:30 Brigham’s opinions on Zion’s Camp16:06 Conclusion - Zion’s Camp & LDS Trek
Trailer for Ep. 23—Brigham Young was Sent Away from Leadership? Becoming Brigham 2026-06-21 | Why is it significant that Brigham Young was already exercising authority to ordain Apostles and direct the Saints’ exodus before Joseph’s martyrdom—and what does that reveal about the foundation of Church leadership today?How did Joseph Smith’s experience in Liberty Jail transform him spiritually, and why do many historians call it both a prison and a temple?What specific leadership skills and experiences did Brigham Young gain while Joseph was in Liberty Jail that prepared him to lead the Church after the Prophet’s death?
SAINTS and COMPLAINERS?—EP. 21 Becoming Brigham 2026-06-15 | Why did ordinary men like Brigham Young leave everything behind to walk over 1,000 miles under brutal conditions to help the Saints in Missouri?How did Joseph Smith demonstrate remarkable leadership and patience while leading a group of exhausted, complaining men on Zion’s Camp?What can we learn from the extreme sacrifices of the early Saints—and the women left behind—when facing trials that don’t turn out as expected?This episode continues the story of the 1833–1834 Missouri persecutions. Joseph receives a revelation and calls for Zion’s Camp, an expedition of volunteers to aid the displaced Saints. Brigham Young is among the first to step forward, along with others like Wilford Woodruff. The episode vividly describes the immense challenges of Zion’s Camp: volunteers walking 30–40 miles a day for nearly 2,000 total miles, enduring extreme heat, mosquitoes, bad water, blistered and bleeding feet, minimal sleep, and scarce supplies. The discussion emphasizes the true purpose of the camp—a defensive and relief mission seeking legal redress and militia protection, not armed conquest—and the powerful leadership lessons Joseph Smith taught through patience and meekness.SAINTS and COMPLAINERS?—EP. 210:00 Saints decision after Missouri3:00 Title Sequence3:33 Why Saints had to leave Zion5:36 Matthew Godfrey discusses Zion’s Camp7:54 Brigham among first to join 9:55 Descriptions of the Zion’s Camp experience12:19 Bro Godfrey debunks misconceptions14:32 Joseph’s example to Brigham 16:34 Sneak peek at Episode 22
WHY ARE THE HEAVENS SILENT?—Ep. 20 Becoming Brigham 2026-06-08 | What does it reveal about Joseph Smith that even he sometimes didn’t get immediate answers from God during moments of crisis?How can the experiences of the Missouri persecutions help us better understand and empathize with refugees and displaced people in our world today?This episode explores the intense persecution and mob violence faced by early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Jackson County, Missouri, in 1833, including tar-and-feathering, the destruction of homes, the burning of property, and the eventual expulsion of the Saints from the area despite having legally purchased land. The hosts discuss the difficult agreement Church leaders made to leave the county to stop the violence, Joseph Smith’s distress at the suffering of his followers, and the guidance he received through revelation in Doctrine and Covenants Section 98. The conversation highlights Joseph Smith’s humanity as a leader: even he did not immediately receive full answers from the Lord when pleading for direction, receiving instead the counsel to “be still and know that I am God.”WHY ARE THE HEAVENS SILENT?—Ep. 200:00 Tarring & feathering video clip0:30 Title Sequence1:02 Bro Godfrey discusses The Missouri Expulsion1:58 The 3 Hosts discuss D&C 98 4:21 Bro Godfrey discusses legal details of Missouri 5:41 The 3 Hosts discuss Missouri violence 7:03 Bro Godfrey discusses God’s silence w/ Joseph’s8:37 Conclusion - E21 Sneak peek
TRAILER for Ep. 22—How did They Survive an Almighty Hail? Becoming Brigham 2026-06-07 | How did God dramatically protect Zion's Camp from a violent mob?Why did the Lord call Zion’s Camp a success even though they didn’t redeem Zion or fight any battles?How did the hardships of Zion’s Camp transform Brigham Young and prepare him to lead the Saints westward?
Another Birthday! 225 Years! Becoming Brigham 2026-06-01 | Why does Brigham Young’s complicated legacy—full of both remarkable achievements and difficult decisions—still inspire deep reflection and admiration 225 years later?In this special birthday episode of the documentary series, hosts Camrey Fox, John Wilson, and Professor Daniel Peterson gather at Brigham Young’s winter home in St. George, Utah, to celebrate his 225th birthday. The hosts highlight his profound devotion to building of the Kingdom of God, particularly through temple construction. They share stories that show the human Brigham: his temper and self-control as a father, his hands-on leadership style, his care for individual Saints, and his unexpected support for the arts and theater. This episode paints a nuanced portrait of Brigham Young—not as an infallible icon or harsh autocrat, but as a dedicated, practical, and very human figure whose legacy continues to shape the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 225 years after his birth.Another Birthday! 225 Years!0:00 Donuts at Brigham’s St. George home 1:37 Title Sequence 2:09 Hosts commemorate Brigham’s birthday 4:24 Stories humanizing Brigham 7:50 Humanity of Brigham & church leaders12:30 Brigham & the arts15:07 Brigham’s willingness to compromise18:28 Testimonies - Brigham’s pure heart
TRAILER for Ep. 21—Saints and Complainers? Becoming Brigham 2026-05-31 | Why did ordinary men like Brigham Young leave everything behind to walk over 1,000 miles under brutal conditions to help the Saints in Missouri?How did Joseph Smith demonstrate remarkable leadership and patience while leading a group of exhausted, complaining men on Zion’s Camp?What can we learn from the extreme sacrifices of the early Saints—and the women left behind—when facing trials that don’t turn out as expected?
TRAILER for Ep. 20—Why are the Heavens Silent? Becoming Brigham 2026-05-29 | What does it reveal about Joseph Smith that even he sometimes didn’t get immediate answers from God during moments of crisis?How can the experiences of the Missouri persecutions help us better understand and empathize with refugees and displaced people in our world today?
TRAILER for Ep.19—Another Birthday! Becoming Brigham 2026-05-28 | Why does Brigham Young’s complicated legacy—full of both remarkable achievements and difficult decisions—still inspire deep reflection and admiration 225 years later?
Was Persecution in Missouri Inevitable? Ep. 18 Becoming Brigham 2026-05-25 | How much was the expulsion of the Saints from Jackson County, Missouri their own fault?Could the early Latter-day Saints have built Zion peacefully, or was persecution inevitable once they claimed Missouri as their divine inheritance?When a peaceful people are threatened and driven from their homes, at what point does “turn the other cheek” end and self-defense begin?Our hosts travel to Independence, Missouri to examine the explosive early conflict over the establishment of Zion. The Saints, fresh from gathering to Ohio, poured into the frontier settlement with a sense of divine destiny, believing they were building the literal place where Christ would return. Historian Matt Godfrey explains how this rapid influx quickly created intense friction with the existing Missouri settlers. and explores the multiple causes of the growing hostility: the Saints’ belief that God had given them the land, their outspoken claims of divine favor, their different cultural and religious practices, and especially their northern, anti-slavery background.Was Persecution in Missouri Inevitable?Ep. 180:00 At Independence Missouri the trio discuss Zion 1:03 Title Sequence 1:35 What is Zion?3:20 John interviews Matt Godfrey about Zion5:52 Contention in Missouri7:26 Independence Visitor’s Center9:36 Brother Godfrey addresses Missouri hostility & slavery11:15 The trio discuss the Saint’s removal from Missouri12:18 Brother Godfrey discusses Missouri violence
Was ZION’S CAMP Formative or a Failure? Ep. 17 Becoming Brigham 2026-05-19 | Was Zion’s Camp a failure—or one of the most important experiences in Brigham Young’s life?When does a peaceful people have the right to fight back?Our hosts examine the tension between the Latter-day Saint commitment to peace and the violent realities of early American history. The discussion turns to Zion’s Camp, the 1834 expedition to Missouri that Brigham Young went through as a formative spiritual experience under the guidance of Joseph Smith. Though often viewed as a military failure, the discussion turns to how Joseph Smith deliberately chose a peaceful resolution over armed conflict after receiving a revelation that the camp should return home rather than fight.Timestamps:Was ZION'S CAMP Formative or a Failure? Ep. 170:00 Zion’s Camp success & failure discussion2:22 Title Sequence2:54 The American Revolution context6:16 Timeline of American Events9:31 Freedom & establishment of the Church12:34 Missouri the New Zion15:28 Slavery & contention in Missouri
Who was more loyal—Emma Smith or Brigham Young? Ep. 16 Becoming Brigham 2026-05-11 | How did Emma’s deeply personal, spousal view of Joseph differ from Brigham Young’s reverent, disciple-like view of the Prophet?In what ways did both Emma and Brigham remain deeply loyal to Joseph Smith, even though they expressed that loyalty very differently?Our hosts reflect on the contrasting ways Emma Smith and Brigham Young related to Joseph Smith and how those differences contributed to tension after his death. Camrey and Johnny discuss how Emma knew Joseph intimately as his young wife — seeing both his prophetic calling and his human weaknesses — while Brigham knew him primarily as a disciple knows a prophet, showing deep reverence and unwavering loyalty to every revelation Joseph taught. And yet, despite their differences, both Emma and Brigham died calling upon the name of Joseph, each cherishing the Restoration in their own way.Timestamps:Who was more loyal—Emma Smith or Brigham Young? Ep. 160:00 Contrasting Emma’s & Brigham’s relationships w/ Joseph2:15 Title Sequence2:56 Camrey interviews Bro Griffiths on Emma’s role6:04 Johnny interviews Bro Dirkmaat on Brigham’s leadership8:30 Brigham carried out Joseph’s work11:15 Outcomes of Emma remaining in Nauvoo 14:03 Legacies of Emma & Brigham - Trusting Joseph
