JLHPROF Posted October 6, 2014 Posted October 6, 2014 Does anyone have any recommendations about any scholarly organizations to follow or join?MHA, John Whitmer Assoc, Utah Historical Society, Association for Mormon letters, Publications worth subscribing to? Sunstone, Dialogue, Interpreter, others? I think I've pretty much read every book out there, but I have friends who attend annual conferences, lectures, panels etc and like to keep up on the latest scholarship (like many here). I've even considered taking a university class or two on Mormon History.I've also started looking into doing some independent research on topics that interest me personally through the Church History Library/Archives now that so many things are available to the public. Just wondering if there are any recommendations for a starting point. Reading all the latest books and the occasional article is fun, but I'd like to start participating in the discussion.
teddyaware Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 (edited) Does anyone have any recommendations about any scholarly organizations to follow or join? MHA, John Whitmer Assoc, Utah Historical Society, Association for Mormon letters, Publications worth subscribing to? Sunstone, Dialogue, Interpreter, others? I think I've pretty much read every book out there, but I have friends who attend annual conferences, lectures, panels etc and like to keep up on the latest scholarship (like many here). I've even considered taking a university class or two on Mormon History. I've also started looking into doing some independent research on topics that interest me personally through the Church History Library/Archives now that so many things are available to the public. Just wondering if there are any recommendations for a starting point. Reading all the latest books and the occasional article is fun, but I'd like to start participating in the discussion. How about the Mormon Dialogue and Discussion Board? There are many folks who participate there who may be of help, especially a particular new member of the Church who, most remarkably, knows everything there is to know about Mormonism. He even knows more than the most seasoned and venerable General Authority. Edited October 7, 2014 by teddyaware
JLHPROF Posted October 7, 2014 Author Posted October 7, 2014 How about the Mormon Dialogue and Discussion Board? There are many folks who participate there who may be of help, especially a particular new member of the Church who, most remarkably, knows everything there is to know about Mormonism. He even knows more than the most seasoned and venerable General Authority. I hope that's not me...And I was hoping for more advice...
teddyaware Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 I hope that's not me... And I was hoping for more advice... It's not you. II thought it went without saying who the "new" Church member actually is.
Stargazer Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 It's not you. II thought it went without saying who the "new" Church member actually is. Yeah, I guess I know who you're talking about. lol. I wonder if he will recognize himself...
Duncan Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 Journal of Mormon History is good, but read the general history first to get the background and then start into the specifics 1
Generational Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 Take a roadtrip from Joseph Smiths farmhouse to Salt Lake City. No book will paint the picture like walking the Sacred Grove will. Don't forget to take pics and write it down in your journal. There would only be a boring timeline if not for the inspiring stories along the way. Dont rob the next generation. ;-)
Nevo Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 (edited) For someone just getting into Mormon history, I'd suggest they start building a library, read the major journals (e.g., Journal of Mormon History, JWHA Journal, BYU Studies Quarterly, Mormon Historical Studies, Dialogue), and attend some conferences (e.g., MHA, JWHA, BYU History Symposium). A lot of stuff is online now, so being a Mormon history nerd is a lot cheaper than it used to be. Signature Books has a lot of their catalog online at no cost. Back issues of the Journal of Mormon History, BYU Studies, Dialogue, and Mormon Historical Studies are freely available. Published proceedings of past BYU Church History symposiums are online as well. To keep up on the latest academic publications in the field of Mormon history, the easiest thing to do is just read the Juvenile Instructor blog (especially their book and article reviews and yearly recaps of noteworthy books and articles). The annual lists of MHA award recipients are worth checking out too. If you're looking for a specific author or topic, this search engine is helpful. The Church History Library has lots of good stuff online, including the Joseph Smith Collection, Brigham Young's correspondence, general church minutes, Willard Richards's journals, and so on. Edited October 7, 2014 by Nevo 1
Deborah Posted October 7, 2014 Posted October 7, 2014 The LDS church history site has a lot of good things now to get started. I've been finding a lot of good information there. https://history.lds.org/?lang=eng Also if you have access to the BYU channel they have a program on Sundays called History of the Saints. I've learned a lot from that as so much information is coming forth. Also on is The Joseph Smith Papers project. They go into the background of the documents being released.
JLHPROF Posted October 7, 2014 Author Posted October 7, 2014 (edited) For someone just getting into Mormon history, I'd suggest they start building a library, read the major journals (e.g., Journal of Mormon History, JWHA Journal, BYU Studies Quarterly, Mormon Historical Studies, Dialogue), and attend some conferences (e.g., MHA, JWHA, BYU History Symposium). A lot of stuff is online now, so being a Mormon history nerd is a lot cheaper than it used to be. Signature Books has a lot of their catalog online at no cost. Back issues of the Journal of Mormon History, BYU Studies, Dialogue, and Mormon Historical Studies are freely available. Published proceedings of past BYU Church History symposiums are online as well. To keep up on the latest academic publications in the field of Mormon history, the easiest thing to do is just read the Juvenile Instructor blog (especially their book and article reviews and yearly recaps of noteworthy books and articles). The annual lists of MHA award recipients are worth checking out too. If you're looking for a specific author or topic, this search engine is helpful. The Church History Library has lots of good stuff online, including the Joseph Smith Collection, Brigham Young's correspondence, general church minutes, Willard Richards's journals, and so on. Thank you. That's a good place to start. I wouldn't say I was "just getting in" to Mormon history. I have a sizable library and a very strong foundation. But I'm no academic. There's a difference between random reading of major published books and digging deeper. You kind of reach a point where you've read the vast majority of published biographies and history books and it's time to look at current scholarship, papers, and findings. I am VERY interested in attending some conferences. As I said, I have some friends who attend them (and these guys read EVERYTHING, put me to shame). And it's good to know that some periodicals are now available online. I paid a visit to the Church History library today, had a little look through (lots of great out of print books to read) and registered to be able to view the archival material (when I have time). Edited October 7, 2014 by JLHPROF
Nevo Posted October 8, 2014 Posted October 8, 2014 I wouldn't say I was "just getting in" to Mormon history. No, I should say not if you've "pretty much read every book out there" What specific area(s) are you interested in?
JLHPROF Posted October 8, 2014 Author Posted October 8, 2014 No, I should say not if you've "pretty much read every book out there" What specific area(s) are you interested in? The Nauvoo period fascinates me because it represented the culmination of Joseph's doctrinal vision and restoration. The evolution of the Church and the rapid restoration of doctrine after Joseph was released from Liberty Jail I also find the 1850's reformation and the following underground period interesting, both doctrinally and historically. I also especially like to study the evolution of Mormon theology over the course of history. (Anyone who thinks LDS doctrine hasn't changed isn't paying attention).
Nevo Posted October 8, 2014 Posted October 8, 2014 (edited) The Nauvoo period fascinates me because it represented the culmination of Joseph's doctrinal vision and restoration. The evolution of the Church and the rapid restoration of doctrine after Joseph was released from Liberty Jail I also find the 1850's reformation and the following underground period interesting, both doctrinally and historically. I also especially like to study the evolution of Mormon theology over the course of history. (Anyone who thinks LDS doctrine hasn't changed isn't paying attention). One of my favorite articles of all time—maybe you already know it—is Ronald Esplin's JMH article, "The Significance of Nauvoo for Latter-day Saints." It's the best explanation of the rapid restoration of doctrine after Liberty Jail that I've seen. Esplin was Arrington's successor at the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History and is an outstanding historian. He wrote his dissertation on Brigham Young and the emergence of the Twelve to leadership (which Deseret Book is selling as an e-book). A good overview of the historiography on Nauvoo (up to 2002) is Kenneth Godfrey's article "Telling the Nauvoo Story." Like you, I also find the "Mormon Reformation" a fascinating era. The late Paul Peterson is probably still the preeminent authority on this subject. Gene Sessions has a book on Jedediah Grant (Mormon Thunder) but I haven't read it. I know nothing at all about the underground period. But you'll want to look out for Sarah Barringer Gordon and Kathryn Daynes's forthcoming book, Convictions: Mormon Polygamy and Criminal Law Enforcement in Nineteenth-Century Utah. They previewed some of it at last year's MHA conference and it sounded quite interesting. Edited October 8, 2014 by Nevo 2
JLHPROF Posted October 8, 2014 Author Posted October 8, 2014 One of my favorite articles of all time—maybe you already know it—is Ronald Esplin's JMH article, "The Significance of Nauvoo for Latter-day Saints." It's the best explanation of the rapid restoration of doctrine after Liberty Jail that I've seen. Esplin was Arrington's successor at the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History and is an outstanding historian. He wrote his dissertation on Brigham Young and the emergence of the Twelve to leadership (which Deseret Book is selling as an e-book). A good overview of the historiography on Nauvoo (up to 2002) is Kenneth Godfrey's article "Telling the Nauvoo Story." Like you, I also find the "Mormon Reformation" a fascinating era. The late Paul Peterson is probably still the preeminent authority on this subject. Gene Sessions has a book on Jedediah Grant (Mormon Thunder) but I haven't read it. I know nothing at all about the underground period. But you'll want to look out for Sarah Barringer Gordon and Kathryn Daynes's forthcoming book, Convictions: Mormon Polygamy and Criminal Law Enforcement in Nineteenth-Century Utah. They previewed some of it at last year's MHA conference and it sounded quite interesting. Thank you. That's exactly the kind of direction I was hoping for.
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