Mormon History

Mormon History traces the origins and development of Mormon historical writing from the early days of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through the late 20th century. The authors examine key writers, historical works, and methodological approaches that shaped the field over nearly two centuries. The book analyzes major shifts in Mormon historiography, including the transition from devotional to academic scholarship and the emergence of the New Mormon History movement. Through case studies of prominent historians and their works, it documents how Mormon historical writing evolved alongside changes in the broader discipline of American history. The text covers institutional developments like the creation of church archives, historical societies, and academic programs dedicated to Mormon studies. It also addresses controversies and debates about historical interpretation within Mormon scholarship. This comprehensive survey demonstrates how Mormon historiography reflects wider questions about religious identity, objectivity in historical writing, and the relationship between faith and scholarship. The authors present Mormon historical writing as a lens for understanding how religious communities document and interpret their own histories.

Readers describe this book as a comprehensive bibliography and guide to Mormon historical research, though some note it focuses more on gathering sources than analysis. Readers appreciate: - The thorough cataloging of Mormon history sources - Clear organization by topic and time period - Inclusion of both traditional and revisionist perspectives - Detailed annotations for major works Common critiques: - Dense academic writing style - Limited discussion of controversial topics - Publication date (1990s) means newer research not included - Focus on institutional rather than social/cultural history Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (22 ratings) WorldCat: No ratings found Amazon: No ratings found Notable reader comment: "Invaluable resource for serious researchers but not engaging for casual readers. Would benefit from an updated edition." - Goodreads reviewer The book appears most useful for academic researchers and Mormon history scholars rather than general audiences.

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The Mormon Experience by Leonard J. Arrington The book traces Mormon history from its founding through its development into a global religion while focusing on social, cultural, and institutional changes.

Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling by Richard L. Bushman This biography examines Joseph Smith's life through primary sources and places Mormon origins within the context of nineteenth-century American religious movements.

The New Mormon History: Revisionist Essays on the Past by D. Michael Quinn The essays in this collection apply academic historical methods to analyze Mormon history topics from multiple perspectives.

Great Basin Kingdom by Leonard J. Arrington This economic history chronicles the Mormon settlement of the American West and the development of their cooperative economic institutions.

🔹 The three authors of "Mormon History" were all senior historians at Brigham Young University and collectively had over 100 years of experience studying Mormon history when they wrote this comprehensive historiographical work. 🔹 The book traces how Mormon historical writing evolved from simple 19th-century chronicles to sophisticated modern scholarship, showing how the field became increasingly professional and academic over time. 🔹 Ronald W. Walker, one of the authors, worked as a research historian for the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History and was president of the Mormon History Association. 🔹 The book explores how Mormon historical writing was influenced by both internal church dynamics and external factors like the rise of "New Mormon History" in the 1960s, which brought more objective and critical approaches to studying the faith's past. 🔹 This work serves as both a guide to Mormon historiography and a bibliography, listing over 2,000 important books, articles, and manuscripts related to Mormon history.