W. Cleon Skousen Insights

Revelation Date: March 7, 1831

Revelation Place: Kirtland, Ohio

Section 45 - Historical Background: The Lord was well aware of the perils that were pouring out upon the Saints. Joseph lamented, “Many false reports, lies, and foolish stories were published and circulated in every direction, to prevent people from investigating the work.” During these times of slander and abuse, the Lord provided revelations of comfort and peace, inc...

Revelation Dates: February 1831

Revelation Place: Kirtland, Ohio

Section 41 - Historical Background: Arriving in Kirtland Ohio, Joseph found many of the saints practicing “strange notions” brought with the new converts from their previous church backgrounds. As these false precepts and traditions were creeping in among the church, Joseph asked the Lord what to do.

• Recap: Blessed are they who follow God’s commandments and curse...

Revelation Dates: December 1830-January 1831

Revelation Place: Fayette, New York

Section 37 - Historical Background: Sidney Rigdon had been told earlier that new scriptures would be coming. As Joseph’s scribe, they received the book of Moses. The Lord then interrupts the translation and commands that the headquarters of the church be moved from Fayette, New York to Ohio.

• Recap: Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon are interrupted du...

Written by W. Cleon Skousen and narrated by Francis Urry, this professionally dramatized story of Easter was produced by KSL radio in Salt Lake City and was widely broadcast on radio stations during the 1960's and 1970's.

Journey through the Easter events beginning with the burial of Jesus Christ and concluding with His ascension. In the stillness of pre-dawn Jerusalem, a group of devoted women, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the m...

Section 30 - Historical Background: Following the second conference of the Church at Fayette, the Lord provided revelations to several new converts who were anxious to know what God would have them do. This revelation was to three of the Whitmer brothers, David, Peter Jr. and John.

Recap: David Whitmer, one of the three witnesses, is admonished for fearing man more than God and for not giving heed to the Spirit. Therefore he is to ...

In one of the most exhaustive, scripture based presentations on the Atonement, respected gospel scholar W. Cleon Skousen opens our understanding of the majesty and breadth of Jesus' sacrifice and how we can apply the principles of the Atonement in our lives.

As stated by Elder Bruce R. McConkie, "The doctrine of the Atonement embraces, sustains, supports, and gives life and force to all other gospel doctrines. It is the foundation ...

Section 29 - Historical Background:  After Joseph and Emma arrived in Fayette from Harmony, the saints were anxious for the upcoming second conference of the church. Many of the new members had questions. Six elders were in the presence of Joseph when he received this new magnificent revelation. This was not a revelation of simple concepts like received in previous revelations, but was instead a complex, layer upon layer, doctrinal...

Section 27 - Historical Background: It had been four months since the organization of the church and the saints had been partaking of the sacrament using bread and wine. After the baptism of Emma Smith along with others, a meeting was held for the confirmation to take place followed by the partaking of the sacrament. However, there was no wine available for the sacrament so Joseph set out to obtain some. He had not gone far when he...

Section 23 - Historical Background: Shortly after the organization of the church, probably between April 6 to 11, 1830, Joseph was approached by five faithful men desiring to know their respective duties in the new church. These five individuals included Joseph’s father, Joseph Smith Sr, two brothers, Hyrum and Samuel Smith, Oliver Cowdery and Joseph Knight, Sr. Joseph inquired of the Lord and received this revelation.

• Recap: ...

Section 20 - Historical Background: Following the first vision to the young boy Joseph Smith, God gradually proceeded to work towards the establishment of his church. The angel Moroni was sent to Joseph, then to the hidden gold plates to be translated and published as the Book of Mormon; the Aaronic Priesthood was restored followed by the Melchizedek priesthood. This section lays the foundation for the setting up of the governing l...

Communism is one of the most fantastically, persuasive philosophies you will find outside of the truth.

Many people are astonished that well educated, loyal Americans would become patrons of this cult called Communism. A person only needs to get close to this alluring ideology, and unless you have a thorough understanding of sound governing principles, communism may prove to be a very seductive and impressive philosophy.

In this fr...

Section 19 - Historical Background: After the completion of the translation of the gold plates, Joseph returned to Palmyra to hire a publisher to print the manuscript, but was rejected by publishers in both Palmyra and Rochester. However, in August, 1829, Martin Harris was able to convince Grandin to publish the book but only after Martin securred the printing with one of his farms. Joseph instructed Oliver Cowdery to make 2 copies...

Section 18 - Historical Setting: Having witnessed the Gold Plates and the angel Moroni, Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer were anxious to establish and build the kingdom of God. The Lord gives some preparatory direction, but the fulness of the gospel contained in the Book of Mormon had not yet been published. It will be 9 months before another revelation is received, during which time the primary focus is to get the Lord's scripture...

Join us in this compelling episode featuring Dr. Skousen, the renowned author of "The Naked Communist" and "The Naked Capitalist," and the founder of the Freeman Institute. Dr. Skousen shares his profound insights on the origins of the United States, the founding fathers, and the enduring principles that have shaped the nation.

Dr. Skousen takes us on a journey through the life of George Washington, illuminating his unwavering fait...

Section 12 - Historical Background: Joseph Knight, a successful farmer living in Fayette, New York, was a loyal friend and former employer of Joseph Smith. Knowing Joseph Smith was translating the gold plates while in Harmony, Pennsylvania, Knight brought down a wagon of supplies to help Joseph and Emma. While there, he asked for a personal revelation, probably through the Urim and Thummim.

• Recap: The Lord confirms His divinity...

Section 10: Historical background: (Note: Chronologically, this section should follow section 3) Because of the lost manuscript of the Book of Lehi, Moroni had taken from Joseph the Gold Plates and the Urim and Thummim in July, 1828. Finally, in September, 1828, they were returned to Joseph after nearly 3 months of sorrow and repentance.

• Recap: Joseph is reprimanded by Moroni for allowing these sacred records to come into the ...

After completing the biography of "The Real Thomas Jefferson" with Andy Allison, W. Cleon Skousen gives a beautiful recap of the book and the life of this remarkable Founder. He portrays not only the life and legacy of Thomas Jefferson, but also the spirit of Thomas Jefferson, truly one of America's foremost founding fathers.

Jefferson's unyielding commitment to personal integrity, principles of liberty and self-determination launc...

Section 6 - Historical Background: In the winter of 1828-1829, Joseph Smith faced deep anxiety as he struggled to translate the golden plates without a scribe. With Martin Harris back in Palmyra and his wife Emma busy with household chores, Joseph awaited divine intervention. The Lord answered his prayers with the arrival of Oliver Cowdery, a young schoolteacher boarding in the Smith's home in Palmyra. After his own personal confir...

Historical Background:

After the translation of 116 foolscap pages of the Gold Plates (known as the Book of Lehi), Martin Harris pleads with Joseph to allow him to take the manuscript to Palmyra to convince his family of the genuineness of this divine project. After tireless pleadings from Martin and through Joseph, the Lord finally consents, but Harris was reckless with the document and it was lost. Immediately, in July, 1828, Mor...