Scholars & Saints
Scholars & Saints is the official podcast of the University of Virginia’s Mormon Studies program, housed in the Department of Religious Studies. Scholars & Saints is a venue of public scholarship that promotes respectful dialogue about Latter Day Saint traditions among laypersons and academics.
Scholars & Saints
The Secret Life of John Milton Bernhisel, Mormon Diplomat (feat. Bruce Worthen)
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Bruce Worthen about his recent book Mormon Envoy: The Diplomatic Legacy of Dr. John Milton Bernhisel (U. of Illinois Press). Worthen unfolds the little known contributions of Bernhisel, who as historian Matt Grow aptly quipped, seems to "have his fingerprints all over Mormon history during this period." We chat about the 1857 Utah War, Bernhisel’s rags-to-riches education at the University of Pennsylvania and in New York City, his status as confidant to Joseph Smith, Emma Smith, Brigham Young, and Joseph Smith III, and much more. Join us to learn about the enigmatic man you've never heard of behind some of the most memorable events in early Mormon history.