Authorcast #126: Oliver Olney, Nauvoo's Dissident Mormon Prophet June 12 2020


Show description: In this Kofford Lecture Series livestream event, we will be talking with Richard G. Moore about Oliver H. Olney, a little-known figure in Mormon history. Despite his falling out from the Church, and subsequent excommunication, Oliver remained part of the Nauvoo community, writing down the events he witnessed and publishing booklet criticisms against church leadership and "spiritual wifery." Additionally, Oliver claimed to receive his own visions, revelations, and other-worldly visitations. Oliver Olney's writings are not only entertaining (and bizarre), but also informative for historians of the Nauvoo period.

Richard G. Moore received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from BYU in American History and his doctorate in Education from the University of the Pacific. He retired after teaching thirty-eight years for the Church Educational System as a seminary teacher, institute instructor and director, and as an instructor for the Ancient Scripture Department at BYU. Dr. Moore is a Richard L. Evan’s Fellow, serving as a member of BYU’s Office of Religious Outreach. The author of four published books and more than a dozen articles, Richard presents often at BYU’s Education Week and the John Whitmer Historical Association Conference. Richard and his wife, Lani, live in Orem, Utah. They have three children and nine grandchildren.

The Writings of Oliver H. Olney: April 1842 to February 1843 — Nauvoo, Illinois
Edited by Richard G. Moore

“Such a rare collection of documents . . . is crucial to gain an understanding of Nauvoo during the time of Joseph Smith.” —Steven L. Shields

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