Glen M. Leonard

Glen M. Leonard is a Mormon historian and author known for his extensive research and writings on the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, particularly in Utah and the American West. His most prominent work is "Nauvoo: A Place of Peace, A People of Promise" (2002), which examines the Mormon settlement of Nauvoo, Illinois in the 1840s. Leonard served as director of the Museum of Church History and Art in Salt Lake City from 1979 to 2007. Throughout his career, Leonard has contributed significantly to Mormon historiography through his collaborative works, including "The Story of the Latter-day Saints" (1976, revised 1992), co-authored with James B. Allen. His research focuses on Mormon colonization, community development, and social history in the nineteenth century. Leonard's academic background includes degrees from the University of Utah, where he later taught as an adjunct professor of history. He has held editorial positions with the Utah Historical Quarterly and served on various historical associations and advisory boards related to Mormon and Western American history.

Readers value Leonard's thorough research and academic approach to Mormon history. His work "Nauvoo: A Place of Peace" receives praise for its detailed documentation and balanced treatment of controversial topics. What readers liked: - Comprehensive source citations and footnotes - Clear writing style that remains accessible to non-academics - Inclusion of multiple historical perspectives - Integration of social and cultural context What readers disliked: - Dense academic prose can be challenging for casual readers - Some feel his institutional ties to the LDS Church affect objectivity - Limited coverage of controversial topics - High price point of academic publications Ratings: Goodreads: - "Nauvoo": 4.17/5 (89 ratings) - "Story of the Latter-day Saints": 3.95/5 (63 ratings) Amazon: - "Nauvoo": 4.6/5 (32 reviews) One reader noted: "Leonard provides excellent historical context while maintaining academic rigor." Another mentioned: "Sometimes gets bogged down in minutiae but remains the definitive work on Nauvoo."

Massacre at Mountain Meadows (2008) A historical examination of the 1857 attack on a wagon train in southern Utah, co-authored with Ronald W. Walker and Richard E. Turley Jr., based on extensive archival research and primary sources.

Nauvoo: A Place of Peace, A People of Promise (2002) A comprehensive history of the Mormon settlement in Nauvoo, Illinois during the 1840s, exploring its development, social structures, and eventual abandonment.

The Story of the Latter-day Saints (1976, revised 1992) A collaborative work with James B. Allen presenting a detailed institutional history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from its founding through the late 20th century.

A History of Davis County (1999) A county history examining the development and growth of Davis County, Utah from its early settlement through the modern era.

Nauvoo Ward Membership Records (1974) A compilation and analysis of early Mormon congregation records from Nauvoo, Illinois, providing demographic and social insights into the community.

Richard Lyman Bushman examines early Mormon history with a focus on Joseph Smith and the founding period of the LDS Church. His work "Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling" provides detailed analysis of primary sources and cultural context similar to Leonard's approach.

Thomas G. Alexander specializes in Utah Territory and Mormon integration into American society during the late 19th century. His research on the transition period of Mormonism parallels Leonard's focus on institutional and social development.

Laurel Thatcher Ulrich focuses on Mormon women's history and daily life in early Mormon communities. Her methodological approach to social history and use of primary documents aligns with Leonard's attention to community-level Mormon experiences.

D. Michael Quinn examines institutional and social aspects of Mormon history with extensive archival research. His work on Mormon hierarchy and power structures provides institutional context similar to Leonard's organizational studies.

Ronald W. Walker specialized in Mormon biography and Utah territorial history. His research on Mormon settlements and community development shares Leonard's interest in the physical and social geography of Mormon expansion.