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Church History Matters

Church History Matters

Scripture Central 211 Episodes Jun 16, 2026

The Church History Matters Podcast features in-depth conversations between Scott and Casey inviting you to dive deeper into both the challenges and beauty of Latter-day Saint Church History.

Episodes

209 - Does Science Conflict With the Word of Wisdom? I Church History Matters I Word of Wisdom Series Jun 16, 2026 3469 This final episode in the Church History Matters series on the Word of Wisdom untangles the difference between revelation, policy, science, folklore, and culture, showing how modern-day science on health matches up against a revelation on health from 1833. Through historical sources, prophetic statements, and changing scientific principles over time, we explore the Word of Wisdom verse by verse an
208 - Are Caffeine and Meat Against the Word of Wisdom? I Church History Matters I Word of Wisdom Series Jun 9, 2026 3123 In this episode of Church History Matters, we trace the fascinating and sometimes surprising history of the Word of Wisdom throughout the 1900s. How did a revelation originally framed as “not by commandment or constraint” become one of the defining markers of Latter-day Saint identity? Along the way, we explore the influence of Elder John A. Widtsoe and Leah Widtsoe’s influential book The Word of
207 - How the Word of Wisdom Became a Temple Standard I Church History Matters I Word of Wisdom Series Jun 2, 2026 4403 Join hosts Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths for a fascinating deep dive into the evolution of the Word of Wisdom from the era of Brigham Young to Heber J. Grant. Discover how early Church leaders viewed the revelation as inspired counsel rather than a strict commandment, why enforcement varied across generations, and how attitudes toward tea, coffee, alcohol, and tobacco gradually changed over t
206 - U.S. Constitution is Critical to Freedom Everywhere I Church History Matters I Religion & Politics May 26, 2026 4111 In this episode of Church History Matters, hosts Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths explore the Latter-day Saint perspective on the divinely inspired nature of the United States Constitution as taught in the Doctrine and Covenants. What did Joseph Smith and early Church leaders think about the Constitution? What does it mean that God “established” the Constitution? Why is it applicable to all nati
205 - Did Brigham Young Enjoy Tobacco? I Church History Matters I Word of Wisdom Series May 19, 2026 4081 What did the Word of Wisdom actually look like in the days of Brigham Young? In this fascinating episode of Church History Matters, Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths explore how early Latter-day Saints understood, practiced, and sometimes struggled to live the Word of Wisdom during the pioneer era. From frontier medicine and tobacco use to coffee, tea, and homemade alcohol, Brigham Young’s genera
204 - Did Joseph Smith Drink Alcohol? I Church History Matters I Word of Wisdom Series May 12, 2026 3317 In this episode, we explore how Joseph Smith personally kept the Word of Wisdom as a divine principle of health, spiritual strength, and wise living—not just a list of restrictions. Revealed in 1833 and recorded in Doctrine and Covenants Section 89, the Word of Wisdom was originally given as “a principle with promise,” offering guidance on caring for the body and drawing closer to God. Join us as
203 - Word of Wisdom Command or Counsel? I Church History Matters I Word of Wisdom Series May 5, 2026 3030 In this exciting new series, hosts Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths dive into one of the most talked-about and most requested topics from listeners of the show: the Word of Wisdom. First revealed to Joseph Smith in 1833 as a revelation from the Lord (Doctrine and Covenants Section 89), the Word of Wisdom began as loving counsel for the Saints and has grown into a vital commandment and covenant m
202 - Joseph Smith Promised Female Priests | Church History Matters I Women & Priesthood Series Apr 28, 2026 4517 In this episode, hosts Scott Woodward, Casey Griffiths and Lisa Tait explore the powerful and often overlooked theme of Joseph Smith’s vision of women as part of a “kingdom of priests.” From the earliest days of the Restoration in 1830, Joseph Smith taught expansive ideas about spiritual authority, inviting women into sacred spaces like the temple and organizing the Relief Society with language th
201 - History of Women's Service in the Temple | Church History Matters I Women & Priesthood Series Apr 21, 2026 5208 In this episode, hosts Scott Woodward, Casey Griffiths, and Lisa Olsen Tait explore the rich and often overlooked history of women’s interaction with temple worship in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Beginning in the era of Joseph Smith, they examine how women participated in sacred ordinances, contributed to temple preparation, and understood their relationship to priesthood powe
200 - Priesthood & Women During the 20th Century | Church History Matters I Women & Priesthood Series Apr 14, 2026 5961 In this episode, hosts Scott Woodward, Casey Griffiths and Lisa Tait explore the sweeping changes that reshaped The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the mid-20th century, focusing on the rise of the correlation movement under Harold B. Lee. As the Church experienced rapid global growth, leaders sought to simplify complex programs, unify curriculum, and create a structure that could f
199 - Priesthood & Women in the Early Church | Church History Matters I Women & Priesthood Series Apr 7, 2026 5793 In this episode, hosts Scott Woodward, Casey Griffiths, and Lisa Olsen Tait explore the vital ecclesiastical presence of women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and how their roles have developed alongside the history of the priesthood. Drawing on historical records and doctrinal context, they examine how women have actively participated in the work of the Church through leadershi
198 - Evolution of Women Doing Healing Rituals | Church History Matters I Women & Priesthood Series Mar 31, 2026 4208 In this episode, hosts Lisa Tait, Casey Griffiths and Scott Woodward explore a fascinating and often overlooked chapter in Latter-day Saint history: the role of women in performing healing rituals. Drawing on early Church records, personal journals, and historical accounts, they highlight how women in the 19th-century Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints exercised profound faith by administ

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