Did the LDS Church Cover Up Its True History? An Investigation

LDS Perspective

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has consistently emphasized the importance of accurate historical record-keeping and transparency regarding its history. Since its founding, the Church has maintained a commitment to documenting important events, teachings, and revelations. From its early days under the direction of Joseph Smith, record-keeping was prioritized. In 1831, John Whitmer was appointed Church Historian to document Joseph Smith's prophetic ministry, and this tradition of meticulous record preservation continues to this day with extensive efforts by the Church History Department (Source 3). The Church has also made extensive efforts to make its historical documents accessible. For example, the Church has initiated projects like the Joseph Smith Papers Project, which

Historical Perspective

The question of whether the LDS Church has historically "covered up" its history is a point of discussion and debate among scholars, researchers, and critics. In recent years, increased efforts for transparency have highlighted past practices regarding the Church's historical narratives. Historically, some aspects of LDS history were not emphasized in Church teachings, either due to their controversial nature or because they challenged established Church narratives. For instance, the Church's historical connection to polygamy and the reasons behind practices such as the priesthood ban for Black members were topics managed with sensitivity and, at times, omission in mainstream Church publications. The advent of the internet and greater access to historical documents have pressured the Chur