There is excellent advice on studying history at this page.
Original in blue, my comments in red.
Consult Reliable Sources
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught, “Never in the history of the world have we had easier access to more information—some of it true, some of it false, and much of it partially true.” In this environment of uncertainty, the Church urges members to “seek out and share only credible, reliable, and factual sources of information.” We should avoid sources that are founded on rumor or that promote contention or anger.
Learning to assess the quality of our sources of information involves both spiritual and intellectual work. Here are some tips for evaluating information:
Evaluate the reliability of sources. Not all sources are of equal value on all topics. The best sources will have direct knowledge of a topic instead of relying on hearsay, rumor, or innuendo. They will speak from a position of direct knowledge or expertise. They will refer to other reputable sources so you can check their claims. Reliable sources will not always affirm what you already think. They may challenge your views. If you have questions about official Church teachings, look first at what current Church leaders have and have not said. This will help you evaluate other, earlier statements.
Learn to recognize bias. Almost all sources have some bias. This does not automatically make them unreliable, but it is important to take the source creator’s perspective into account. Examine your source’s motives and background. Be wary of sources that claim to be unbiased or that express views in inflammatory ways.
Corroborate what you learn. It is significant when multiple reliable sources agree or speak with clarity on a topic. This is especially true when studying sources discussing Church history and teachings. Though it is not always possible to find this kind of agreement among sources, it is helpful to compare information from different sources so you can better assess their quality.
Distinguish facts from interpretation. Some pieces of information are facts. But much of what we encounter on the internet and in other publications consists of someone’s interpretation of the facts. The best interpretations try to account for all the facts. They consider specific details or facts in broader context and give them proper weight. They don’t simply dismiss information that doesn’t agree with a particular point of view. Check the sources used to make a particular interpretation to ensure they support the claims being made and are not taken out of context.
Become familiar with Church resources. In matters of doctrine and Church policy, the best sources are the scriptures, the teachings of the living prophets, and the General Handbook. The Church has also published additional resources to help you better understand some of the most common questions Latter-day Saints have about Church history and culture. You may find these to be useful starting points as you investigate your questions.
Seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost. New information can sometimes feel disorienting. That feeling doesn’t necessarily mean the information isn’t true. Along with the skills mentioned above, seek the influence of the Holy Ghost. He can help you discern truth. He will “enlighten your mind” and help you reorient your perspective in light of new truths. Pray for help. Live in such a way that the Spirit can speak to you. Be open to spiritual promptings as you work to resolve your concerns.
Key scriptures: 2 Timothy 3:14–16; Jacob 4:13; Doctrine and Covenants 19:38
Work to Understand the Past
Studying Church history can help us see God’s hand in the lives of His children. It is rich with stories of the faith, courage, and goodness of Latter-day Saints of the past. At times, it also reveals their human weaknesses and reflects the difficulties we all face as we strive to follow Jesus Christ. Encountering the complexities of Church history or learning about things in the past that don’t match our expectations can challenge our faith.
Each of us responds to new information about history differently. Questions that upset one person might energize another. We all bring different assumptions, expectations, life experience, and knowledge to our quest for understanding.
This is another aspect of the FAITH model that distinguishes between Facts, which everyone agrees upon, and the various Assumptions, Inferences and Theories that are driven by our individual worldviews.
Applying the following principles as we study history can help us see the past more clearly and constructively:
Recognize the limits of our knowledge. Histories are interpretations of the past based on the limited sources that remain. There are many things we can say with confidence about the past. But there are many things we just don’t know. And the information we have almost always allows for more than one interpretation. When we remain humble about what we think we know, we will be more open to new explanations as additional sources emerge. Remember that sometimes we have to live with some ambiguity or uncertainty, even on questions that seem important.
Expect change. When we study the past, we sometimes find that practices, teachings, and ideas we thought were unchanging have actually changed quite a bit. Core principles of the gospel are eternal, but the ways they are understood and expressed over time reflect the line upon line nature of revelation and the constant change of human culture. The principle of continuing revelation helps us navigate these changes. You might find that learning more about the many things that have changed makes it easier to discern the things that are enduring.
Place things in context. Someone once said, “The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there.” People in the past had different assumptions about the world than we do. They used different imagery and words to describe their experience. If we want to better understand the words and actions of those in the past, we also need to understand the culture and context in which they occurred. That doesn’t mean we can’t reject things about past cultures. In fact, there are some things from the past the gospel calls upon us to reject. But understanding historical context helps to keep us from imposing our present views on people of the past in a way that prevents understanding.
Remember that humans make mistakes. When we tell stories from Church history, we tend to focus on heroic actions and happy endings. It is good to remember people when they were at their best. But we sometimes forget that Latter-day Saints of the past, including early Church leaders, were human beings. Human beings have weaknesses. They make mistakes. They sin. Remember that God uses imperfect people to accomplish His work. We can learn from both their contributions and their mistakes. And while it is good to look squarely at the challenging aspects of Church history, don’t focus on them in a way that causes you to lose sight of the good and the beautiful.
Watch for suspect interpretations. Not all interpretations of past events are equally valid. People make many claims about Church history, both favorable and antagonistic, that fail to meet standards for accuracy, reliability, and fairness. This is especially true in an age when anyone can publish their views with the click of a button. The Lord directed us to seek wisdom “out of the best books.” As a student of Church history, you can use both the tools of scholarship and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Key scriptures: 1 Nephi 11:17; Doctrine and Covenants 88:118
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