On Being a Mormon Historian

On Being a Mormon Historian examines the complex relationship between faith and scholarship through Davis Bitton's personal experiences as both a believing Mormon and professional historian. The book presents Bitton's reflections from his decades working as Assistant Church Historian for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The text addresses key challenges faced by Mormon historians, including questions of objectivity, access to sources, and navigating institutional expectations. Bitton shares specific examples from his career and discusses how he maintained both academic integrity and religious conviction while studying controversial aspects of Mormon history. Through essays and personal accounts, Bitton explores the methodology of Mormon historical research and the evolution of the field over time. He details the practices, constraints, and opportunities that defined his work with the LDS Church History Department from 1972 to 1982. The book offers insights into the broader tensions between religious faith and historical scholarship, raising fundamental questions about truth-seeking, institutional loyalty, and intellectual honesty. These themes resonate beyond Mormon studies into wider discussions about the role of belief in academic pursuit.

Readers appreciate Bitton's personal and honest discussion of the challenges Mormon historians face in balancing faith with historical scholarship. Multiple reviewers note his helpful insights about maintaining religious conviction while conducting rigorous academic research. Positive comments highlight: - Clear writing style and accessibility - Thoughtful exploration of faith vs. critical analysis - Value for both Mormon and non-Mormon scholars Critical comments mention: - Brief length at only 95 pages - Limited scope focused mainly on personal reflections - Some dated references from its 1988 publication Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: No ratings available From a Goodreads review: "Bitton provides a candid look at navigating the tensions between believing scholarship and critical history. His perspective as both an insider and academic is illuminating." Note: Limited reviews available online for this academic publication.

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🔹 Davis Bitton served as Assistant Church Historian of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1972 to 1982, working alongside Leonard J. Arrington during a pivotal era of Mormon historical scholarship. 🔹 The book addresses the complex challenge of balancing faith with historical objectivity, drawing from Bitton's personal experiences as both a believing Mormon and a professional historian. 🔹 Published in 1994, this work emerged during a period of significant tension between Mormon scholars and church leadership regarding the presentation of church history. 🔹 Bitton held a Ph.D. from Princeton University and taught history at the University of Utah for over three decades, helping establish Mormon Studies as a legitimate academic field. 🔹 The book's themes remain highly relevant today, as it explores issues still debated in Mormon scholarship: the role of faithful criticism, the balance between institutional loyalty and academic integrity, and the challenges of writing about sacred history.