Our History
Our history and useful online resources.
Visit our Beliefs page for study guides and theological works by LDS, Fundamentalists and non-Mormon authors.
1—Joseph Smith
"I don't blame any one for not believing my history. If I had not experienced what I have, I would not have believed it myself." Joseph Smith
Mormons in the mainstream Church (LDS) and Mormon Fundamentalists share the same origins and early history.
It all begins in the 1820s in upstate New York. Caught up in a religious 'Great Awakening', nominations compete against each another and itinerant ministers clash with one another and make converts in the process.
In his autobiography, a farm boy named Joseph Smith says he was struck by James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. "
Joseph decides to put the verse to the test and goes into the woods near the family farm to pray. Joseph wrote that the Father and the Son revealed themselves and commanded him to join none of the denominations as "all their creeds were an abomination in his sight."
Our History in a Nutshell
Upstate New York, 1824— Preachers clash and make converts and 14 year-old Joseph Smith retires to the woods to implore God. In his History, he claims he had a vision.
In 1830, Joseph publishes The Book of Mormon. Fabrication for some, it is a collection of sacred texts (written from 400 B.C.E. to 600 E.C. and compiled by a man named Mormon) for his followers soon nicknamed 'Mormonites', then 'Mormons'.
On April 6, 1830, Joseph officially restores the Church of Christ and her "plain and precious doctrines" lost over centuries of apostasy. The authority to act in God's name--the Priesthood—had already been restored.
The 'Saints' gather in Kirtland, Ohio and build a temple there while some go to Missouri to establish Zion. The influx of immigrants, errors on both sides and religious intolerance, create tensions leading to persecution and even to an Extermination Order in 1838.
The Mormons take refuge in Illinois. Nauvoo and her 12,000 inhabitants thrive.Yet polygamy and 'new' doctrines alarm some Saints while their gathering and commercial and political ambitions alarm their neighbors. On June 27, 1844, Joseph Smith is murdered. After a transitioning period, during which Mormon offshoots appeared, the Saints leave again.
On July 1847, the first pioneers arrive in the Salt Lake Valley. Salt Lake City is founded, along with other towns and settlements. Brigham Young, new President of the Church, becomes governor of the new State of Deseret. European missions swell the ranks of the Mormons and 60,000 members look to gather in the Valley. The economic and political systems (of the Law of Consecration, United Order and Kingdom of God) are tried out again and plural marriage goes public.
The U.S. government wants to put a brake on the Mormons' aspirations. Even though the Utah War of 1857 is aborted, Congress starts voting anti-polygamy laws in the 1860s. By the mid-1880s, John Taylor, third LDS President is forced to hide but refuses to compromise. In 1889, new LDS President Wilford Woodruff issues a Manifesto that outlaws Mormon polygamy in the U.S. The government satisfied, Utah obtains statehood in 1896, marking the end of an era and the beginning of Mormon Fundamentalism.
After a Second Manifesto is issued in 1904, the Church starts excommunicating those who practice or believe in 'the Principle' (of plural marriage) but those 'Fundamentalists' come together to live 'the fullness of the Gospel'.
Today the LDS Church is a worldwide operation that plays down its past and keeps making efforts to become a mainstream Christian denomination (with a twist). Fundamentalists are not members of the LDS Church. There would be about 100,000 of them worldwide, who belong to various groups or Churches or to none.
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2—The Book of Mormon
"We believe that the Bible is the word of God. We also believe that the Book of Mormon is the word of God." Joseph Smith
In March 1830, Joseph Smith publishes what he claims to be sacred writings—additional Scriptures: The Book of Mormon.
It consists of a collection of books by Israelites on the American continent between 400 B.C. and 600 A.D. describing their coming to a new land and their dealings with God and Jesus Christ's ministering for them after his resurrection.
Joseph Smith claims the collection was compiled on golden plates by a man named Mormon. He said he found the plates (which were buried) by divine revelation and then 'translated' them (with the help of scribes) by the power of God.
Many immediately see The Book of Mormon as a fraud but those who believe it is from God get nicknamed 'Mormonites' and soon after 'Mormons'.
Online Resources:
>Book of Mormon
>Book of Mormon: 1830 Edition
>Inside the Mind of Joseph Smith: Psychobiography and the Book of Mormon
>Joseph Smith's Response to Skepticism
>The Word of God: Essays on Mormon Scripture
>19th Century Publications about the Book of Mormon
Database of 580 books or articles published from 1829 to 1844.
>New Approaches to the Book of Mormon
>The Book of John Whitmer
"An eye-witness to the most important events of the Restoration, his unflagging honesty lends unusual significance to his work."
>Book of Mormon
>Book of Mormon: 1830 Edition
>Inside the Mind of Joseph Smith: Psychobiography and the Book of Mormon
>Joseph Smith's Response to Skepticism
>The Word of God: Essays on Mormon Scripture
>19th Century Publications about the Book of Mormon
Database of 580 books or articles published from 1829 to 1844.
>New Approaches to the Book of Mormon
>The Book of John Whitmer
"An eye-witness to the most important events of the Restoration, his unflagging honesty lends unusual significance to his work."
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3—The Mormon Church
"If the people of this generation harden not their hearts, I will work a reformation among them." Joseph Smith
On April 6, 1830, Joseph, whom the 'Mormons' call 'the Prophet', officially restores the Church of Christ, whose official name later becomes The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The term 'Saint' does not imply holiness. It is the word used in the New Testament to designate the followers of Christ.
Mormons do not see themselves as a new Church but as the true 'primitive' Church of Christ restored in the 'latter days' through the revelations and various additional Scriptures given through 'the Prophet' Joseph Smith during his ministry.
Mormons in the mainstream Church call themselves 'latter-day saints' or LDS but most Fundamentalists do not as they are not (usually) members of the organized Church.
Both LDS and Fundamentalists consider that during his ministry Joseph restored doctrines and practices corrupted or discarded over centuries of apostasy.
Similarly, all claim that the authority to act in the name of God--the Priesthood—had disappeared from the Earth after the death of the Apostles but was restored through Joseph Smith who was supposedly ordained by messengers of God.
Online Resources:
>Inspired Version of the Bible
Complete Joseph Smith Translation
>A Comparison of the Inspired Version Holy Scriptures to the King James Version of the Bible
>Doctrine & Covenants
>Book of Commandments
(1833) with D&C cross-reference
>Unpublished Revelations, Vol.1 & 2
>Pearl of Great Price
>Power From On High: The Development of Mormon Priesthood
Also available: Several related titles on our Beliefs page
>Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith
Also available: MP3 download
>The Joseph Smith Papers
Project aiming to publish all documents ever written, dictated or annotated by Joseph Smith. "Edited according to the highest professional standards, . . . the Joseph Smith papers represent a landmark in historical scholarship." Ohio History
>The Joseph Smith Revelations
The earliest manuscripts compared to the versions of the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants.
>The Essential Joseph Smith
50 unedited works spanning the Prophet's entire public life (1829-1844). "... with the contradictions, digressions or occasional earthiness remaining." New York History
>Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith
>Inspired Version of the Bible
Complete Joseph Smith Translation
>A Comparison of the Inspired Version Holy Scriptures to the King James Version of the Bible
>Doctrine & Covenants
>Book of Commandments
(1833) with D&C cross-reference
>Unpublished Revelations, Vol.1 & 2
>Pearl of Great Price
>Power From On High: The Development of Mormon Priesthood
Also available: Several related titles on our Beliefs page
>Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith
Also available: MP3 download
>The Joseph Smith Papers
Project aiming to publish all documents ever written, dictated or annotated by Joseph Smith. "Edited according to the highest professional standards, . . . the Joseph Smith papers represent a landmark in historical scholarship." Ohio History
>The Joseph Smith Revelations
The earliest manuscripts compared to the versions of the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants.
>The Essential Joseph Smith
50 unedited works spanning the Prophet's entire public life (1829-1844). "... with the contradictions, digressions or occasional earthiness remaining." New York History
>Discourses of the Prophet Joseph Smith
4—Expansion & Persecution
"We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may." Joseph Smith
The Church grows through the dissemination of The Book of Mormon and zealous missionary work. The Saints gather in Kirtland, Ohio, and the city expands. A temple to God is built while a large group settles in Missouri to establish Zion—the holy city promised by God in a revelation given through the Prophet.
The arrival of American, Canadian and European converts perturbs the old settlers. Errors made on both sides, as well as religious fears and intolerance, create tensions leading to persecution and violent confrontations. An 'Order of Extermination' issued in 1838 even allows executing any 'Mormons' found in Missouri.
The communities in Ohio and Missouri leave for Illinois where they found a new city along the Mississippi River. With its 12,000 inhabitants and new converts, Nauvoo soon rivals with Chicago in size. A new temple is dedicated to the God of Israel. The Mormons start to thrive.
Online Resources:
>The Evening and The Morning Star
First Mormon newspaper, published in Independence, MO, (06/1832-07/1833), and (after the Saints were expelled from Missouri) in Kirtland, OH, (1833- 09/1834).
>Messenger and Advocate
Successor to The Evening and The Morning Star, published in Kirtland, OH (10/1834 to 09/1837).
>Elder's Journal
Successor to the Messenger and Advocate, printed in 1837 in Kirtland, OH, before the Church relocated to Far West, MO where 2 more issues were printed before the 1838 Mormon War.
>William Clayton's Journal
A personal scribe to Joseph Smith
>The Evening and The Morning Star
First Mormon newspaper, published in Independence, MO, (06/1832-07/1833), and (after the Saints were expelled from Missouri) in Kirtland, OH, (1833- 09/1834).
>Messenger and Advocate
Successor to The Evening and The Morning Star, published in Kirtland, OH (10/1834 to 09/1837).
>Elder's Journal
Successor to the Messenger and Advocate, printed in 1837 in Kirtland, OH, before the Church relocated to Far West, MO where 2 more issues were printed before the 1838 Mormon War.
>William Clayton's Journal
A personal scribe to Joseph Smith
5—The Mormon Exodus
"I teach them correct principles and let them govern themselves." Joseph Smith
In Nauvoo, Joseph Smith continues to expand on his teachings and reveals 'new' radical doctrines that distance 'Mormonism' from Christianity even further.
The Mormons make the headlines. Rumors of polygamy confuse many Saints. Illinoisans are alarmed by the commercial aspirations and political ambitions of the Saints. Joseph is arrested after ordering the destruction of an anti-Mormon press and is murdered while waiting for trial in a Carthage jail on June 27, 1844.
During the transition period that follows, new self-appointed 'prophets' emerge and found new sects. Prominent figures, such as the 'Book of Mormon Witnesses', Joseph's counselors and family, leave the Church. Against all odds, a majority of Saints press forward under the Apostles' leadership.
In the winter of 1846, the Mormons are forced to leave again. Apostle Brigham Young turns out to be a remarkable leader during the (often fatal) long exodus, which gives the Mormons the notion of being a peculiar people—a new Israel seeking (and finding) their promised land.
Online Resources:
>(Documentary) History of the Church
7 volumes written between 1839 and 1856, composed of Joseph Smith's writings, his secretaries' comments & edited by Church historians.
>Comprehensive History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
6 volumes
>Times and Seasons
Successor to the Elders' Journal, printed in Nauvoo, IL, (11/1839-02/1846), it included The Wentworth Letter, the King Follett Discourse, the Book of Abraham, the history of the Prophet & the announcement of his assassination.
>(Documentary) History of the Church
7 volumes written between 1839 and 1856, composed of Joseph Smith's writings, his secretaries' comments & edited by Church historians.
>Comprehensive History of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
6 volumes
>Times and Seasons
Successor to the Elders' Journal, printed in Nauvoo, IL, (11/1839-02/1846), it included The Wentworth Letter, the King Follett Discourse, the Book of Abraham, the history of the Prophet & the announcement of his assassination.
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6—Brigham Young
"Let me have the privilege of correcting a sermon, and it is as good as Scripture." Brigham Young
In July 1847, the first convoy of Mormon pioneers arrives in the Great Salt Lake Valley, a desert outside the United States. The Saints irrigate the valley and found Salt Lake City and many towns and settlements far and wide.
Brigham Young (now the new President of the Church) becomes governor of the Territory (which includes modern-day Arizona, Nevada, California, Idaho and parts of Colorado and Wyoming).
In the 1850s, the European missions (especially British and Scandinavians) continue to bring Mormons across the plains. 60,000 members now gather in the State of Deseret, free to live their religion as they see fit, without any fears of threats or interference and hoping to find or build Zion.
Between the 1850s and the 1880s, the Mormons' isolation allows them to try out the Law of Consecration and their political system: Theodemocracy. They become bold in the expression of their faith. The 'Adam-God doctrine' is taught to the 'Saints' while 'celestial marriage' (polygamy) is publicly defended as "essential".
Mormonism has reached its peak. It is from that era that today's Fundamentalists derive their distinct beliefs and draw inspiration.
Online Resources:
>Journal of Discourses
26 volumes of 1,438 sermons given by Brigham Young, John Taylor, Orson Pratt, Heber C. Kimball & other brethren, published from 1854 to 1886 with the endorsement of the First Presidency (but now disavowed by the LDS Church).
"The Journal of Discourses deservedly ranks as one of the standard works of the Church." President George Q. Cannon
>The Essential Brigham Young
25 sermons, covering the personality of God, intelligence, the resurrection & the Kingdom of God.
>The Essential Orson Pratt
20 works, covering the origin of man, the pre-existence, Celestial Marriage, & the New Jerusalem.
>The Essential Parley P. Pratt
20 works (some only available in this collection) covering eternal matter & mysteries of the Godhead.
>Wit and Wisdom of Heber C. Kimball
16 sermons taken from the Journal of Discourses, covering the family, revelation, the Priesthood & Freedom.
>Sermons & Writings of the Restoration, Vol. 1
91 works taken from issues of the Millennial Star, Times and Seasons, Deseret News, journals and histories published or written from 1840 to 1854, covering revelations & testimonies.
>Sermons & Writings of the Restoration, Vol. 2
58 works published or written from 1851 to mid-1852, covering the last days, the seed of Cain & the endowment.
>Sermons & Writings of the Restoration, Vol. 3
44 works taken from issues of the Millennial Star, Deseret News & Wilford Woodruff Journals published or written from 1852 to 1853, covering sign-seeking, endurance, prayer & polygamy.
>Sermons & Writings of the Restoration, Vol. 4
38 works published from 1853 to 1854, covering dreams and visions, Adam & the doctrine of Celestial Marriage.
>Establishing Zion
(Eugene E. Campbell, 1988) "... a masterpiece of critical scholarship and ... one of the few attempts to objectively reveal the role of the Mormon church in the American West during the years 1847 to 1869." Fred Gowans
>The Gathering of Israel
(Ogden Kraut, 1974) History & doctrine of the Law of Gathering
>The United Order
(Ogden Kraut,1983) History & doctrine of the United Order
>The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball
One of the original 12 apostles, intimate confidant of both Joseph Smith & Brigham Young, and the first missionary to England.
>The Women of Mormondon
(Editor: Eliza R. Snow, 1877) The women of the Restoration, the divine feminine, the matriarchal order & the nature of our Heavenly Parents.
>The Millennial Star
Aimed at European converts, published in England from 05/1840 and continuously for 130 years before being replaced by the Ensign, edited by Apostles Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt & European Mission presidents.
>The Seer
Aimed at non-Mormons in defense of Mormon principles, especially plural marriage, printed from 1853 to 1854 by Apostle Orson Pratt in Washington, D.C.
>Sarah M. Kimball
(Jill Mulvay Derr, 1976) "Strong minded and warm hearted, she was a Relief Society president for forty years and a formidable advocate for women’s rights."
>Journal of Discourses
26 volumes of 1,438 sermons given by Brigham Young, John Taylor, Orson Pratt, Heber C. Kimball & other brethren, published from 1854 to 1886 with the endorsement of the First Presidency (but now disavowed by the LDS Church).
"The Journal of Discourses deservedly ranks as one of the standard works of the Church." President George Q. Cannon
>The Essential Brigham Young
25 sermons, covering the personality of God, intelligence, the resurrection & the Kingdom of God.
>The Essential Orson Pratt
20 works, covering the origin of man, the pre-existence, Celestial Marriage, & the New Jerusalem.
>The Essential Parley P. Pratt
20 works (some only available in this collection) covering eternal matter & mysteries of the Godhead.
>Wit and Wisdom of Heber C. Kimball
16 sermons taken from the Journal of Discourses, covering the family, revelation, the Priesthood & Freedom.
>Sermons & Writings of the Restoration, Vol. 1
91 works taken from issues of the Millennial Star, Times and Seasons, Deseret News, journals and histories published or written from 1840 to 1854, covering revelations & testimonies.
>Sermons & Writings of the Restoration, Vol. 2
58 works published or written from 1851 to mid-1852, covering the last days, the seed of Cain & the endowment.
>Sermons & Writings of the Restoration, Vol. 3
44 works taken from issues of the Millennial Star, Deseret News & Wilford Woodruff Journals published or written from 1852 to 1853, covering sign-seeking, endurance, prayer & polygamy.
>Sermons & Writings of the Restoration, Vol. 4
38 works published from 1853 to 1854, covering dreams and visions, Adam & the doctrine of Celestial Marriage.
>Establishing Zion
(Eugene E. Campbell, 1988) "... a masterpiece of critical scholarship and ... one of the few attempts to objectively reveal the role of the Mormon church in the American West during the years 1847 to 1869." Fred Gowans
>The Gathering of Israel
(Ogden Kraut, 1974) History & doctrine of the Law of Gathering
>The United Order
(Ogden Kraut,1983) History & doctrine of the United Order
>The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball
One of the original 12 apostles, intimate confidant of both Joseph Smith & Brigham Young, and the first missionary to England.
>The Women of Mormondon
(Editor: Eliza R. Snow, 1877) The women of the Restoration, the divine feminine, the matriarchal order & the nature of our Heavenly Parents.
>The Millennial Star
Aimed at European converts, published in England from 05/1840 and continuously for 130 years before being replaced by the Ensign, edited by Apostles Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt & European Mission presidents.
>The Seer
Aimed at non-Mormons in defense of Mormon principles, especially plural marriage, printed from 1853 to 1854 by Apostle Orson Pratt in Washington, D.C.
>Sarah M. Kimball
(Jill Mulvay Derr, 1976) "Strong minded and warm hearted, she was a Relief Society president for forty years and a formidable advocate for women’s rights."
7—Transitioning
"Eternal truth must remain unchanged, and those principles which God has revealed to his saints be unscathed amidst the warring elements, and remain as firm as the throne of Jehovah." John Taylor
In 1857, the U.S. Army marches towards the rebellious Deseret. Even though The Utah War is avoided as the army reaches Salt Lake City, the government removes Brigham Young as Governor and passes anti-polygamy laws that make Church leaders criminals in the 1860s.
After Brigham Young's death in 1877, the pressure continues to mount for John Taylor (3rd President of the Church), who is forced to live hidden from the authorities and the Saints but refuses to give in.
After Wilford Woodruff becomes 4th President in 1889 (after John Taylor's death), The U.S. government threatens to confiscate all Church property. President Woodruff consequently agrees to repudiate polygamy in a manifesto (known today as the 'Official Declaration') while continuing to authorize it in Canada and Mexico.
President Woodruff renounces the Saints' economic system (the United Order) as well as their political system (the Kingdom of God). The government is satisfied. Utah becomes the 45th American state in 1896.
This is the end of an era and the beginning of Mormon Fundamentalism.
Online Resources:
>The Most Holy Principle, Vol. 3. A History Problem, 1805-1970
(1970) Documents pertaining to plural marriage, including newspaper articles, letters & minutes of meetings
>Celestial Marriage
(Ogden Kraut, 1999) 6 articles published by B. H. Roberts in 1885 defending polygamy as a religious & constitutional right despite the 1882 Edmunds Act
>The Most Holy Principle, Vol. 2. The Horn Made War with the Saints & Prevailed, 1887-1898
(1970) Official decisions of the Supreme & lower courts together with other items concerning the action of the Government against the Church
>The Diaries of Rudger Clawson
The first polygamist to be imprisoned for violation of the Edmunds law, he was ordained an Apostle in 1898.
>Wilford Woodruff Journal Excerpts
>Woman's Exponent
Aimed at (and in defense of) Mormon women, printed from 1872 to 1914 in Salt Lake City, UT, edited from 1877 by President of the Relief Society Emmeline B. Wells, who campaigned for woman's suffrage and plural marriage.
>19th Century Mormon Article Newspaper Index
Database of nearly 5,800 articles about the Mormon religion
>The Most Holy Principle, Vol. 3. A History Problem, 1805-1970
(1970) Documents pertaining to plural marriage, including newspaper articles, letters & minutes of meetings
>Celestial Marriage
(Ogden Kraut, 1999) 6 articles published by B. H. Roberts in 1885 defending polygamy as a religious & constitutional right despite the 1882 Edmunds Act
>The Most Holy Principle, Vol. 2. The Horn Made War with the Saints & Prevailed, 1887-1898
(1970) Official decisions of the Supreme & lower courts together with other items concerning the action of the Government against the Church
>The Diaries of Rudger Clawson
The first polygamist to be imprisoned for violation of the Edmunds law, he was ordained an Apostle in 1898.
>Wilford Woodruff Journal Excerpts
>Woman's Exponent
Aimed at (and in defense of) Mormon women, printed from 1872 to 1914 in Salt Lake City, UT, edited from 1877 by President of the Relief Society Emmeline B. Wells, who campaigned for woman's suffrage and plural marriage.
>19th Century Mormon Article Newspaper Index
Database of nearly 5,800 articles about the Mormon religion
8—Mormon Fundamentalists
"The only question with us is whether we will cooperate with God, or whether we will individually work out our own salvation or not." John Taylor
The manifesto of Wilford Woodruff repudiating polygamy in 1889 is a shock to many (and a relief to many others). The practice continues regardless and leaders continue to celebrate (and to contract) plural marriages until the announcement of a second manifesto in 1904 by Joseph F. Smith, 6th President of the Church (himself a polygamist).
The Church abandons this principle once "essential" (and still in her Scriptures today: D&C 132). The leaders go as far as excommunicating all polygamists and any LDS members who defend this doctrine.
The men and women who can no longer belong to the Church without rejecting what they believe to be 'fundamental' teachings and practices come together to continue to live 'the fullness of the Gospel'.
In the decades that follow, 'fundamentalist' groups appear in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Church decides to work with the authorities to stop them. In 1954, the Short Creek raid sends men to jail and places children in state custody. A similar situation occurs in Texas in 2007.
Today the LDS Church is led by her 17th President, Russell Nelson. It is a worldwide operation that plays down its past and keeps making efforts to become a mainstream Christian denomination with a twist. There are about 16,220,000 members all across the world. Mormon Fundamentalists are not members of the LDS Church. There would be about 100,000 of them worldwide, who belong to various groups or Churches or to none.
Online Resources:
>Unpublished Revelations, Vol.1 & 2
>Revelations 1880-1890
>The New Mormon History: Revisionist Essays on the Mormon Past
(Editor: D. Michael Quinn) "... women’s issues, family dynamics, decision-making, business, worship, and details about food, dress, and pastime."
>Inventing Mormonism: Tradition and the Historical Record
(H. Michael Marquardt & Wesley Walters, 1994)
>Polygamy USA
National Geographic reality TV show set in Centennial Park.
>Sister Wives (U.S. & U.K.)
TLC reality TV show following a plural family from the AUB.
>The Mormons
PBS documentary produced in 2006
>Pro-polygamy.com
"Helping the Media & Information-gatherers by providing news, reports, and insights from the pro-polygamy view."
>Year of polygamy
Fundamentalist podcast "From the wives of Joseph Smith to contemporary strains of the practice today."
>Love Three Times
The Dargers' blog
>Merry Wives
Centennial Park blog
>Moroni & Family's TV Experience
Independent Fundamentalist blog
>Mormon(s) of another kind
Blog of a Fundamentalist convert in Europe
>The principle—politics r us
"Polygamy, mostly Mormon fundamentalists"
>Sister Wives Blog
Blog from the TV series 'Sister Wives' participants
>The Fall of Reynolds Independent Fundamentalist blog
>Unpublished Revelations, Vol.1 & 2
>Revelations 1880-1890
>The New Mormon History: Revisionist Essays on the Mormon Past
(Editor: D. Michael Quinn) "... women’s issues, family dynamics, decision-making, business, worship, and details about food, dress, and pastime."
>Inventing Mormonism: Tradition and the Historical Record
(H. Michael Marquardt & Wesley Walters, 1994)
>Polygamy USA
National Geographic reality TV show set in Centennial Park.
>Sister Wives (U.S. & U.K.)
TLC reality TV show following a plural family from the AUB.
>The Mormons
PBS documentary produced in 2006
>Pro-polygamy.com
"Helping the Media & Information-gatherers by providing news, reports, and insights from the pro-polygamy view."
>Year of polygamy
Fundamentalist podcast "From the wives of Joseph Smith to contemporary strains of the practice today."
>Love Three Times
The Dargers' blog
>Merry Wives
Centennial Park blog
>Moroni & Family's TV Experience
Independent Fundamentalist blog
>Mormon(s) of another kind
Blog of a Fundamentalist convert in Europe
>The principle—politics r us
"Polygamy, mostly Mormon fundamentalists"
>Sister Wives Blog
Blog from the TV series 'Sister Wives' participants
>The Fall of Reynolds Independent Fundamentalist blog
Fundamentalists Today
Between 75,000 and 100,000 Fundamentalist Mormons continues to defend, believe, and practice a whole set of doctrines and paretics, repudiated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They consider those essential because they were revealed by God through the Prophet Joseph Smith.
While some communities are reactionary, such as the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (often seen in the media), others, like the AUB, are more progressive, with members in North and South America, Australia, Australia, New Zealand and Europe.
As for the Independent Fundamentalists, they would be 15,000 in the world, affiliated with no group.