78: Explosive History in the William Clayton Diaries w/ Bryan Buchanan

78: Explosive History in the William Clayton Diaries w/ Bryan Buchanan

Author: Mormon Stories Podcast July 1, 2026 Duration: 2:19:36

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

YouTube


Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!

Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:


Our Platforms:


Contact us:
MormonStories@gmail.com
PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117


Social Media:


Hosted by the Mormon Stories Podcast, LDS Discussions-Mormon Truth Claims Examined offers a dedicated space for deep, methodical exploration of foundational narratives and historical doctrines within the Latter-day Saint tradition. This isn't about quick takes or surface-level debate. Instead, each episode commits to a slow, careful examination of specific truth claims, prioritizing a thoughtful and objective analysis over polemics. You'll hear detailed discussions that delve into historical documents, theological evolution, and the complex interplay between faith and history, all approached with a sincere intent to understand. The conversations within this podcast are built on research and a genuine desire for clarity, providing listeners with a comprehensive perspective often absent from simpler narratives. If you're someone, whether inside, outside, or simply curious about the LDS faith, who values nuance and evidence-based dialogue, this series serves as a unique resource. It fosters an environment where challenging questions are met with serious consideration, making it a distinctly substantive entry in the landscape of religion and spirituality podcasts. The aim is to equip you with context and depth, allowing for more informed personal reflection on matters that are deeply significant to many.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

LDS Discussions - Mormon Truth Claims Examined
Podcast Episodes
71: What Happened to Joseph Smith’s Stone Box? | Ep. 2126 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:06:42
In his official 1838 history, Joseph Smith described discovering the golden plates inside a carefully constructed stone box in the Hill Cumorah. According to his account, the box contained the plates, the Urim and Thummi…
70: Where Did Joseph Smith Get the Idea for Ancient Plates? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:49:30
Welcome to Episode 70 of our LDS Discussions series!In this episode, our panel takes a deep dive into one of the most debated questions surrounding the Book of Mormon: were ancient metal plates a known concept in Joseph…
69: The Other Isaiah Problem w/ Kolby Reddish [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:16:00
Join Kolby, Nemo, Julia, and Dr. John Dehlin for one of our most in-depth LDS Discussions episodes yet as we unpack “The Other Isaiah Problem” and what it means for the historicity of the Book of Mormon.In this episode,…
68: Could Joseph Smith write or dictate a well-worded letter? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:17:20
Welcome to another epsiode of our LDS Discussions series! In this episode, we take a detailed, evidence-based look at one of the most repeated claims in Latter-day Saint apologetics: that Joseph Smith was incapable of pr…
67: Nahom – The Strongest Evidence for the Book of Mormon? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:45
Is Nahom really the strongest evidence for the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon? In this episode, we take a deep dive into one of the most cited archaeological “proofs” of the Book of Mormon -the discovery of altars in…
66: Was Joseph Smith Credible? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:11:29
Sandra Tanner is back with us on LDS Discussions to conclude our conversation on three new church essays recently published by the LDS Church. In this episode, we’ll finish our coverage of the essay on polygamy and move…
65: New Church Essay on Translation and Polygamy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:53:04
We are thrilled to have Sandra Tanner as a guest on our LDS Discussions series this week! Along with John, Julia, and Nemo, Sandra is here to offer commentary on three new essays recently released by the LDS Church, addr…
64: CES Letter v. The Book of Mormon Pt. 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:44:29
We are back today for part two of our examination of the CES Letter vs. the Book of Mormon. The CES Letter is perhaps one of the most influential documents in Mormon studies, and for years the LDS Church has criticized i…
63: CES Letter vs. The Book of Mormon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:05:30
In this episode, we dive deep into the attacks on the CES Letter and its author, Jeremy Runnells, unpacking why apologetic responses—no matter how weak—are often accepted by believing members. This is the first in a mult…
62: Did Joseph Smith Have Sex With His Plural Wives? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:19:28
Many have asked the question: Did Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith have sex with his polygamous wives? During his lifetime, Joseph Smith engaged in polygamy (which was illegal in the state of Illinois) and his wives consisted…