Encyclopedia of Mormonism

The Encyclopedia of Mormonism, published in 1992, stands as a comprehensive reference work covering topics related to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The five-volume collection spans over 1,850 pages and contains nearly 1,500 articles, combining text, maps, charts, and images. More than 730 contributors participated in creating this encyclopedia, including scholars, historians, and religious leaders from both Mormon and non-Mormon backgrounds. The majority of authors were academics from Brigham Young University, with each contributor typically writing one to four articles for the collection. Under the editorship of Daniel H. Ludlow, the encyclopedia maintains an academic approach to its subject matter, with most articles authored by PhDs in their respective fields. The work is now freely accessible in digital format through the Harold B. Lee Library's website, making it a widely available resource for research and reference. The Encyclopedia of Mormonism represents an intersection between academic scholarship and religious documentation, offering perspectives on theological, historical, and cultural aspects of Mormonism while maintaining scholarly standards.

Readers appreciate the Encyclopedia of Mormonism as a reference work offering detailed explanations of Mormon doctrine, history, and culture. Multiple reviewers note its value for both members and non-members seeking to understand LDS beliefs. Liked: - Comprehensive coverage of topics - Academic tone and scholarly citations - Multiple viewpoints represented on complex issues - Clear organization and cross-referencing system Disliked: - Some entries seen as too brief or surface-level - Perceived bias in treatment of controversial topics - High price point for print editions - Technical language can be difficult for casual readers Ratings: Amazon: 4.6/5 (29 reviews) Goodreads: 4.1/5 (21 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Excellent scholarly resource though it avoids some harder historical issues" - Amazon reviewer "Good first stop for research but needs to be supplemented" - Goodreads user "More objective than expected but still shows institutional perspective" - LibraryThing review

Historical Dictionary of Mormonism by Davis Bitton This reference work covers Mormon history, culture, and theology through alphabetized entries with primary source citations.

Mormon America: The Power and the Promise by Richard N. Ostling, Joan K. Ostling The book presents research on Mormon institutions, beliefs, culture, and growth from a journalistic perspective with statistical data and historical documentation.

The Mormon People: The Making of an American Faith by Matthew Bowman This single-volume history traces the development of the Mormon church from its founding through modern times with focus on social and cultural evolution.

Mormonism: A Historical Encyclopedia by W. Paul Reeve This reference book provides entries on Mormon history, doctrine, and culture with contributions from multiple scholars and researchers.

The Oxford Handbook of Mormonism by The Oxford Handbook of Mormonism was edited by Terryl L. Givens, Philip L. Barlow The volume contains academic essays examining Mormon theology, history, and culture from various scholarly perspectives with extensive citations.

• Published by Macmillan in 1992, this five-volume reference work was commissioned by Brigham Young University as the definitive scholarly resource on Mormon doctrine and history. • Editor Daniel Ludlow recruited over 730 contributors worldwide, including non-Mormon scholars, making it unusually ecumenical for a religious encyclopedia of its era. • The encyclopedia sparked controversy within the LDS Church hierarchy, with some entries on polygamy and church history deemed too candid by conservative leaders. • Translated into multiple languages including Spanish and Portuguese, it became the primary reference tool for Mormon studies programs at major universities globally. • Despite its academic acclaim, the Church discontinued official endorsement in the 2000s, preferring more doctrinally controlled online resources.