Church History Matters - podcast cover

Church History Matters

The Church History Matters Podcast features in-depth conversations between Scott and Casey where they dive deep into both the challenges and beauty of Latter-day Saint Church History
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Episodes

194 - How are Women Connected to the Priesthood? | Church History Matters I Women & Priesthood Series

This week on Church History Matters, hosts Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths kick off an important new series exploring women and the priesthood, joined by cohost Lisa Olsen Tait, a respected scholar of Latter-day Saint women’s history. In this opening episode, the team lays a thoughtful historical foundation—examining how women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have understood, accessed, and spoken about priesthood power from the 19th century to today. Drawing on original docu...

Mar 03, 20261 hrEp. 196

193 - Latest Research: Science & Scripture w/Ben Spackman | Church History Matters I Science & Religion Series

In this final episode of the Church History Matters Science and Religion series, hosts Casey Griffiths and Scott Woodward sit down with BYU religion professor Ben Spackman, whose groundbreaking dissertation explores the historical relationship between science, the Bible, evolution, and Latter-day Saint thought. Together they trace how interpretations of Genesis, debates over Darwinian evolution, and shifting cultural pressures shaped conversations among members and leaders of The Church of Jesus...

Feb 24, 20261 hr 27 minEp. 195

192 - Does the Church Contradict Science? | Church History Matters I Science Religion Series

In this episode of the Church History Matters podcast, we explore the long-standing tension many Latter-day Saints have felt between scientific discovery and religious belief. From the rise of evolutionary theory to advances in geology and biology, new ideas have sometimes seemed to challenge traditional readings of scripture. Historically, some Church leaders spoke strongly against evolution and certain scientific claims, reflecting the concerns of their times and a desire to protect faith. Thi...

Feb 17, 20261 hr 30 minEp. 194

191 - Where is Truth: Theology or Science? | Church History Matters I Science & Religion Series

Explore the ongoing debate between science and religion through the lens of fundamentalism versus modernism, a conversation that has shaped religious thought for over a century. Scott and Casey dive into the historical roots of the conflict—highlighting modern scientific thought and modern Latter-day Saint thinking. Learn how cultural shifts led some believers to defend scripture strictly while others sought harmony between revelation and reason. Viewers will gain context for how these two appro...

Feb 12, 20261 hr 27 minEp. 193

190 - Do Church Leaders Support Scripture or Science? | Church History Matters I Science & Religion Series

In this episode, Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths explore one of the most enduring questions in the science-and-faith conversation: how should religious believers approach evolution? Using the famous Scopes “Monkey” Trial as a historical touchpoint, they unpack how the early 20th-century clash between fundamentalist and modernist perspectives shaped the broader American debate over science and the Bible. They explain what those two models mean—fundamentalism emphasizing strict, literal reading...

Feb 03, 20261 hr 24 minEp. 192

189 - Is Evolution a Threat to Faith? | Church History Matters I Science & Religion Series

How should Latter-day Saints think about evolution—and has that thinking changed over time? In this episode, hosts Casey Griffith and Scott Woodward explore why members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are uniquely positioned to engage the conversation between evolution and Christian faith without fear or false dichotomies. Drawing on LDS scripture, prophetic teachings, and historical context, Casey and Scott trace how Latter-day Saint perspectives on creation, science, and rev...

Jan 27, 20261 hr 25 minEp. 191

188 - BYU Biologist Talks Faith & Science | Church History Matters I Science & Religion Series

In this episode, hosts Casey Griffiths and Scott Woodward sit down with BYU biology professor Jamie Jensen to explore how science and religion can work together rather than compete. Drawing on her experience in the classroom, Professor Jensen shares how today’s students wrestle with big questions about faith, evolution, scripture, and evidence—and how honest inquiry can actually strengthen belief rather than undermine it. She explains how a scientific worldview, when properly understood, invites...

Jan 20, 20261 hr 1 minEp. 190

187 - Should Science Affect Our Understanding of Scripture? | Church History Matters I Science & Religion Series

How does modern science influence the way we read and understand scripture—without diminishing faith? In this episode, hosts Scott Woodward and Casey Griffiths explore how scientific discovery can deepen, rather than threaten, a religious worldview. They discuss how scripture is primarily concerned with teaching eternal truths about God, humanity, and purpose—the “why” of existence—while science excels at uncovering the “how” of the natural world. When each is allowed to operate within its prope...

Jan 13, 20261 hr 4 minEp. 189

186 - Should the Scriptures Be Taken Literally? | Church History Matters I Science & Religion Series

The holy scriptures are sacred records written by real people—prophets shaped by their culture, language, and historical moment—yet inspired by the Holy Spirit. In this video, we explore how God works through imperfect humans to communicate eternal truths, and why the scriptures were never meant to function as scientific textbooks or literal play-by-play histories in every detail. Instead, the scriptures are primarily concerned with why we exist: our relationship with God, our divine identity as...

Jan 06, 202658 minEp. 188

185 - Can Science and Religion Coexist? | Church History Matters I Science & Religion Series

In this kickoff episode of a new Church History Matters series, hosts Casey Griffiths and Scott Woodward explore one of the most important conversations of our time: the relationship between science and religion—through the lens of Latter-day Saint theology. Drawing on history, philosophy, and faith, Casey and Scott examine two contrasting scientific worldviews represented by figures such as Richard Dawkins, who argues for a strictly material universe, and Albert Einstein, who saw room for awe, ...

Dec 30, 202557 minEp. 187

182 - The Articles of Faith CFM - Intro to Latter-day Saint Beliefs - E50C December 8-14

Welcome to Church History Matters Come Follow Me Edition where we are systematically diving into every section of the Doctrine and Covenants throughout the year 2025! In this episode Scott and Casey cover the Articles of Faith, while covering the context, content, controversies and consequences of this important history.

Dec 04, 20251 hr 37 minEp. 184

181 - Official Declaration 2 CFM - Race Controversies in the Church - E50B December 8-14

Welcome to Church History Matters Come Follow Me Edition where we are systematically diving into every section of the Doctrine and Covenants throughout the year 2025! In this episode Scott and Casey cover Official Declaration 2, while covering the context, content, controversies and consequences of this important history.

Dec 03, 20251 hr 13 minEp. 183

179 - D&C 138 CFM - The Impact of Temple Work For The Dead - E49B December 1-7

Welcome to Church History Matters Come Follow Me Edition where we are systematically diving into every section of the Doctrine and Covenants throughout the year 2025! In this episode Scott and Casey cover Doctrine & Covenants 138, while covering the context, content, controversies and consequences of this important history.

Nov 26, 20251 hr 6 minEp. 181

178 - D&C 137 CFM - This Revelation Saves Most of Mankind - E49 December 1-7

Welcome to Church History Matters Come Follow Me Edition where we are systematically diving into every section of the Doctrine and Covenants throughout the year 2025! In this episode Scott and Casey cover Doctrine & Covenants 137, while covering the context, content, controversies and consequences of this important history.

Nov 25, 202538 minEp. 180

176 - D&C 135 CFM - The Tragedy of Joseph & Hyrum Smiths Martyrdom - E48 November 24-30

Welcome to Church History Matters Come Follow Me Edition where we are systematically diving into every section of the Doctrine and Covenants throughout the year 2025! In this episode Scott and Casey cover Doctrine & Covenants 135, while covering the context, content, controversies and consequences of this important history.

Nov 18, 20251 hr 7 minEp. 178

175 - D&C 134 CFM - Latter-day Saint View on Government - E47B November 17-23

Welcome to Church History Matters Come Follow Me Edition where we are systematically diving into every section of the Doctrine and Covenants throughout the year 2025! In this episode Scott and Casey cover Doctrine & Covenants 134, while covering the context, content, controversies and consequences of this important history.

Nov 12, 202547 minEp. 177

174 - D&C 133 CFM - Our Warning Before the Second Coming - E47 November 17-23

Welcome to Church History Matters Come Follow Me Edition where we are systematically diving into every section of the Doctrine and Covenants throughout the year 2025! In this episode Scott and Casey cover Doctrine & Covenants 133, while covering the context, content, controversies and consequences of this important history.

Nov 11, 20251 hr 10 minEp. 176

173 - D&C 132 CFM - The Revelation That Shook The Church - E46B November 10-15

Welcome to Church History Matters Come Follow Me Edition where we are systematically diving into every section of the Doctrine and Covenants throughout the year 2025! In this episode Scott and Casey cover Doctrine & Covenants 132, while covering the context, content, controversies and consequences of this important history.

Nov 05, 20251 hr 48 minEp. 175

172 - D&C 129-131 CFM - Spiritual Beings Are More Than You Think - E46 November 10-15

Welcome to Church History Matters Come Follow Me Edition where we are systematically diving into every section of the Doctrine and Covenants throughout the year 2025! In this episode Scott and Casey cover Doctrine & Covenants 129-131, while covering the context, content, controversies and consequences of this important history.

Nov 04, 20252 hr 4 minEp. 174

170 - D&C 128 CFM - A New Doctrine Connecting the Living and Dead - E45B November 3-9

Welcome to Church History Matters Come Follow Me Edition where we are systematically diving into every section of the Doctrine and Covenants throughout the year 2025! In this episode Scott and Casey cover Doctrine & Covenants 128, while covering the context, content, controversies and consequences of this important history.

Oct 29, 20251 hr 7 minEp. 172

169 - D&C 125-127 CFM - Temple Work and Redeeming the Dead - E45 November 3-9

Welcome to Church History Matters Come Follow Me Edition where we are systematically diving into every section of the Doctrine and Covenants throughout the year 2025! In this episode Scott and Casey cover Doctrine & Covenants 125-127, while covering the context, content, controversies and consequences of this important history.

Oct 28, 20251 hr 5 minEp. 171

167 - D&C 124 CFM - Why God Told The Saints To Start Over - E44 Oct 27 - Nov 2

Welcome to Church History Matters Come Follow Me Edition where we are systematically diving into every section of the Doctrine and Covenants throughout the year 2025! In this episode Scott and Casey cover Doctrine & Covenants 124, while covering the context, content, controversies and consequences of this important history.

Oct 21, 20251 hr 17 minEp. 169

165 - D&C 122-123 CFM - Lessons From Liberty Jail - E43B October 20-26

Welcome to Church History Matters Come Follow Me Edition where we are systematically diving into every section of the Doctrine and Covenants throughout the year 2025! In this episode Scott and Casey cover Doctrine & Covenants 122-123, while covering the context, content, controversies and consequences of this important history.

Oct 15, 202547 minEp. 167
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