Welcome to another episode of LDS Discussions! We are joined again by Bryan Buchanan to discuss the William Clayton Diaries. The William Clayton Diaries are among the most important firsthand records from Joseph Smith’s final years in Nauvoo. Few individuals stood closer to Joseph Smith than William Clayton, who served as clerk, confidant, and participant in many of the most controversial events of Mormon history.  In this episode, we dive directly into the diaries themselves. We examine what Clayton recorded, what historians can learn from his daily entries, and why these journals have become central to discussions about Joseph Smith’s plural marriages, the Council of Fifty, the Quorum of the Anointed, the Kinderhook Plates, Nauvoo politics, and the final months leading up to Joseph Smith’s death.  Along the way, we explore the lives of Joseph and Emma Smith, Margaret Moon, Sarah Whitney, Lucy Walker, Flora Woodworth, Eliza R. Snow, and many of the other figures who appear throughout these remarkable journals.  We also address modern claims that the diaries were altered, fabricated, or created after the fact, and compare those claims to the evidence available to historians who have studied the original manuscript.  Topics include William Clayton’s relationship with Joseph Smith, evidence for Joseph Smith’s polygamy, Emma’s reactions and resistance to the “P” or “priesthood,” the Moon sister’s involvement in polygamy, the strengths and limitations of Clayton as a source and why historians consider these diaries indispensable.  The William Clayton journals offer an unparalleled window into the inner workings of Nauvoo Mormonism. Whether you are a believer, skeptic, historian, or simply curious about early Mormon history, these records provide some of the most revealing evidence available from the period.  Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here: https://www.mormonstories.org/explosive-history-in-the-william-clayton-diaries-w-bryan-buchanan/ Timecodes: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:03:04 - Edits to the journals 00:07:05 - No original revelations 00:11:20 - Married to Margaret Moon 00:15:05 - Kinderhook plate outline 00:17:43 - Jane Charnock and Flora Woodworth 00:21:49 - Elaborate scheme? 00:32:55 - Love triangle 00:34:44 - Emma laid a snare 00:41:03 - Revelation on polygamy 00:46:47 - Margaret and Aaron Farr 00:50:03 - Covenant revoked 00:54:00 - Trouble with Mother-in-law 00:57:37 - Emma resisted the “P” 01:03:12 - Margaret was suicidal 01:09:40 - Faith is resilient 01:12:28 - The gold watch 01:18:33 - Three in the same bed 01:21:36 - Joseph and Flora 01:24:31 - Revelation about marrying sisters 01:31:40 - Quorum of the Anointed 01:34:11 - Margaret gives birth to a son 01:38:37 - Joseph Smith’s death 01:42:07 - Fallout with Emma 01:55:09 - Lucy Smith’s revelation 01:57:04 - Sheriff Backenstos 02:03:44 - Newly released information 02:10:35 - Why didn’t this take the church down? 02:16:10 - Closing remarks ___________________ At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals. Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology 2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis 3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions 🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today One-time or recurring donations: https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories Paypal: https://paypal.me/mormonstories Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6OgmoqJbOVRq-Lv1P7SzA/join Our Platforms: 🌐Mormon Stories Blog: https://www.mormonstories.org/episodes 🎙️Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories ✳️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404&nd=1 🍎Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772 🖼️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormstories 📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast 🎮Discord: https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF Contact us: 📧 MormonStories@gmail.com 📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117