Faith Crisis, Volume 2: Behind Closed Doors: Leonard Arrington and the Progressive Rewriting of Latter-day Saint History

L. Hannah Stoddard · James F. Stoddard

Oct 2020 · Faith Crisis Book 2 · Joseph Smith Foundation

About this ebook

During the 20th century, an organized objective to rewrite Latter-day Saint history from within, unbeknownst to the general Church membership, went head to head behind the scenes with traditional leaders of the Church. Meet the main players of this conflict: Leonard Arrington—progressive “Father of New Mormon History,” Ezra Taft Benson—traditionalist defender, and many other advocates of traditionalist and progressive Latter-day Saint history.

As traditionalists and progressives sparred during the 1970s-1980s, a covert cold war commenced in Salt Lake City, Utah, with the progressives spying on the traditionalists, and the traditionalists spying on the progressives. Secret informants, leaked documents, falsified reports, and even employed pseudonyms—all were part of this struggle to dominate Latter-day Saint history. But how did, and does, this secret conflict affect you? Progressives, working in the Church History Department and at Brigham Young University, claimed 40 years ago that it would take a generation to re-educate the Church. Where are we now in that re-education?

Ratings and reviews

I'm very grateful this things are being presented so that people know the truth. I highly recommend this book as well as volume 1.

About the author

L. Hannah Stoddard is the lead author of Faith Crisis, Volume 1: We Were NOT Betrayed!, Seer Stone v. Urim & Thummim: Book of Mormon Translation on Trial, and Faith Crisis, Volume 2: Behind Closed Doors. She is the executive director of the Joseph Smith Foundation, and producer or director of seven documentary feature films.

Nephites in Europe (Episodes 1 & 2, Quest for the Nephite Remnant) (2019)

Hidden Bloodlines: The Grail & the Lost Tribes in the Lands of the North (2017)

Unlocking the Mystery of the Two Prophets: Revelation 11 Part 1 (2017)

The Prophet Joseph: More than we know (2015)

Statesmen & Symbols: Prelude to the Restoration (2014)

For Our Day: Divinely Sanctioned Governments (2013)

For Our Day: Covenant on the Land (2013)

In addition to directing Joseph Smith Foundation projects for over a decade, she is often invited to speak on various radio and video programs. Hannah helped direct her first documentary film, beginning at age 16. She has worked as a history and literature teacher, graphic design artist, software developer, videographer, project manager, agriculturist and research assistant. Her work focuses on Church history and doctrine, answers to Latter-day Saint faith crisis questions, educational philosophy, culture, and defending the Prophet Joseph Smith. 

James F. Stoddard III is a film producer, author, entrepreneur, and father of 10 children. James is the executive strategist for the Joseph Smith Foundation. He is a direct descendant of Asael and Mary Duty Smith, the Prophet Joseph Smith’s grandparents, and other Latter-day Saint Church history figures. James is the co-author of Faith Crisis, Volume 1: We Were NOT Betrayed!, Seer Stone v. Urim & Thummim: Book of Mormon Translation on Trial, Faith Crisis, Volume 2: New Mormon History Exiled from Church Headquarters, and the producer or executive producer of eight documentary films:

Nephites in Europe (Episodes 1 & 2, Quest for the Nephite Remnant) (2019)

Hidden Bloodlines: The Grail & the Lost Tribes in the Lands of the North (2017)

Unlocking the Mystery of the Two Prophets: Revelation 11 Part 1 (2017)

The Prophet Joseph: More than we know (2015)

Statesmen & Symbols: Prelude to the Restoration (2014)

For Our Day: Divinely Sanctioned Governments (2013)

For Our Day: Covenant on the Land (2013)

Creation and Evolution: A Witness of Prophets (2007)

James has worked in private, public, religious, corporate and home education as well as engineering, videography, property development, and natural health. He has started and helps operate several family businesses and enjoys working with his kids. James spends any free moments working on Highland Cathedral Estate, a planned family retreat and learning facility with perennial gardens and walking trails specializing in experimental farming techniques and four-season food production. James has worked as a release time Seminary teacher and as an instructor at the Provo Missionary Training Center (MTC).