Davis Bitton

Davis Bitton (1930-2007) was a Mormon historian and scholar who served as Assistant Church Historian for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1972 to 1982. He authored or co-authored numerous books on Mormon history and was a professor of history at the University of Utah for over three decades. Bitton specialized in French history and Mormon studies, producing influential works including "The Mormon Experience: A History of the Latter-day Saints" (co-authored with Leonard Arrington) and "George Q. Cannon: A Biography." His scholarship helped establish more rigorous academic standards in Mormon historical studies during the 1970s and 1980s. As part of Leonard Arrington's team of professional historians at the Church Historical Department, Bitton contributed to what became known as the "New Mormon History" movement, which emphasized scholarly methodology and objective analysis of Mormon history. His work "Guide to Mormon Diaries and Autobiographies" remains a valuable reference tool for researchers. Bitton was a founding member of the Mormon History Association and served as its president from 1971-72. After his retirement from teaching, he continued to write and publish on historical topics until his death in 2007.

Readers appreciate Bitton's balanced approach to Mormon history, combining academic rigor with respect for faith traditions. His co-authored work "The Mormon Experience" receives praise for its accessible writing and comprehensive coverage of LDS history. What readers liked: - Clear presentation of complex historical topics - Thorough research and documentation - Ability to bridge academic and faithful perspectives - Detailed biographical work, especially in "George Q. Cannon: A Biography" What readers disliked: - Some find his academic tone dry - Occasional criticism of dense footnoting - Limited availability of some works Ratings: - "The Mormon Experience" averages 4.1/5 on Goodreads (87 ratings) - "George Q. Cannon: A Biography" - 4.3/5 on Amazon (12 ratings) - "Guide to Mormon Diaries and Autobiographies" - Used primarily by researchers, few public reviews Overall, readers value Bitton's contributions to Mormon historiography, with particular emphasis on his methodological rigor and careful treatment of primary sources.

Guide to Mormon Diaries and Autobiographies - A comprehensive reference listing of personal narratives written by members of the Mormon faith between 1830-1900.

The Mormon Experience: A History of the Latter-day Saints - A historical overview of the Mormon church co-authored with Leonard J. Arrington, covering its founding through the modern era.

George Q. Cannon: A Biography - A biographical study of the influential 19th-century Mormon leader and politician who served as counselor to four LDS Church presidents.

Les Mormons - A French-language examination of Mormon history and culture written for a European audience.

Mormons and Their Historians - An analysis of how Mormon historians have interpreted and written about their religious tradition over time.

Historical Atlas of Mormonism - A collection of maps and geographical data depicting Mormon migration patterns and settlement locations.

Images of the Prophet Joseph Smith - A compilation examining various historical portrayals and descriptions of Mormonism's founding prophet.

The Ritualization of Mormon History and Other Essays - A collection of academic papers analyzing how Mormon historical events have been commemorated and remembered.

Richard Bushman writes about Mormon history with a focus on Joseph Smith and early church developments. His academic approach and archival research methods parallel Bitton's work in examining primary sources.

Leonard Arrington served as LDS Church Historian and wrote extensively about Mormon economic and social history. His methodological rigor and institutional focus align with Bitton's scholarly examination of church history.

Laurel Thatcher Ulrich analyzes Mormon women's history and daily life in historical communities. Her social history approach matches Bitton's interest in examining ordinary Mormon experiences rather than just leadership narratives.

D. Michael Quinn produces detailed historical research about Mormon power structures and institutional development. His work on Mormon hierarchy and authority systems covers similar territory to Bitton's institutional analyses.

Jan Shipps examines Mormon history from an outside academic perspective as a non-Mormon scholar. Her analysis of Mormon culture and identity formation connects with Bitton's work on Mormon self-definition and community building.