I’ve been working my “intellectual biography of Joseph Smith” for a long time now (hope to finish before too long), or an attempt to traced where Smith got his ideas. By “intellectual biography” I mean the focus on his ideas. Framing the project in this way is Inherently controversial from within the faith as his revelatory claims believed by followers are that the ideas came from God or from lost scriptures also with God as the ultimate source.
I’ve been at this a while, but one part of my claim is that JS, it looks to me, would have had access to all the ideas he taught, to Mormonism, including the Book of Mormon, from particular sources. Yes, Mormonism was/is quite different than the prevailing Protestantism, so he wasn’t drawing on orthodox Protestantism for the distinctly Mormon stuff, but those idea were still out there.
No doubt such claims can prompt a lot of debate and can be taken as an attack on the faith. I’ve been at this a while, am still a practicing Mormon, and I recently finished serving as bishop of my ward having been released this last May.
Please be sure to fill out the registration form if you plan to attend the Juanita Brooks Conference! It helps us plan the conference more effectively and make the most of our resources.
The Mormon Studies Unit welcomes papers and/or panels on a variety of themes and topics relating to the Mormon tradition, broadly defined. The proposals should analyze the material in terms of the academic study of religion. For the 2024 conference, we propose a few themes:
Mormonism and Activism-We seek proposals that explore the history and practices of various social, political and religious activism in Mormon contexts.
Mormonism and Sexuality-We seek proposals that examine Mormonism and sexuality from a historical, ethnographic, or sociological lens.
Mormonism and Borderlands-In recognition of being near the US/Mexico border for the San Diego conference, we seek proposals and examine Mormonism’s role in borderlands, physical and metaphorical.
Open Call: Other papers or panels dealing with aspects of Mormonism not mentioned in the previous call will also be considered. Papers may be selected for their relevance to themes which emerge among other submissions.
Date: 23-25th May 2024 Location: Mexico City, Mexico – National Autonomous University of Mexico
“Go thy way unto thy brother, and be first reconciled with thy brother, and then come to me with a full purpose of heart, and I will receive you.” 3 Nephi 12:24
Change, adaptability, and peacemaking are characteristics of Mormonism’s presence as a global religion and cultural movement. Mormonism has also been a source of historical conflict, trauma, violence, and contradiction. The theme “Go Thy Way,” acknowledges the multidimensional reality of what Mormonism’s global presence has meant to various communities and individuals. How can these layered and nuanced experiences be seen, represented, and interpreted? Can they be reconciled towards a sense of greater belonging?
Conference registration is FREE for both presenters and regular attendees.
The Mormon History Association has allocated funds to enable members to participate in the annual conference. Financial assistance of $400 is available for up to five student or independent scholars living in the United States who will be presenting at the annual conference.
From friend-of-JI Katherine Pollock. Thanks, Katherine!
The John Whitmer Historical Association has several student conference scholarships available for Undergraduate and Graduate students for it’s St. George, Utah Conference on September 12-15, 2024. Below are details about the scholarship and how to apply.
JWHA Conference Scholarship includes:
Money Award (amount can vary) – received during conference
Conference registration fees waived
Free Presidential Banquet ticket
Free membership (including JWHA journals) for the following year
What you need to apply:
Your 100-to-200-word paper proposal submitted
Title of your paper proposal
A short biographical statement
Ability to attend the conference from Thursday – Saturday
Your contact and school Information
List of your scholarly interests
Willingness to help at conference
The scholarship application page can be found HERE. The scholarship application should be submitted before the Call for Papers deadline on April 6, 2024.
Steve Fleming on Study and Faith, 5:: “The burden of proof is on the claim of there BEING Nephites. From a scholarly point of view, the burden of proof is on the…”
Eric on Study and Faith, 5:: “But that's not what I was saying about the nature of evidence of an unknown civilization. I am talking about linguistics, not ruins. …”
Steve Fleming on Study and Faith, 5:: “Large civilizations leave behind evidence of their existence. For instance, I just read that scholars estimate the kingdom of Judah to have been around 110,000…”
Eric on Study and Faith, 5:: “I have always understood the key to issues with Nephite archeology to be language. Besides the fact that there is vastly more to Mesoamerican…”
Steven Borup on In Memoriam: James B.: “Bro Allen was the lead coordinator in 1980 for the BYU Washington, DC Seminar and added valuable insights into American history as we also toured…”
David G. on In Memoriam: James B.: “Jim was a legend who impacted so many through his scholarship and kind mentoring. He'll be missed.”
Recent Comments
Steve Fleming on Study and Faith, 5:: “The burden of proof is on the claim of there BEING Nephites. From a scholarly point of view, the burden of proof is on the…”
Eric on Study and Faith, 5:: “But that's not what I was saying about the nature of evidence of an unknown civilization. I am talking about linguistics, not ruins. …”
Steve Fleming on Study and Faith, 5:: “Large civilizations leave behind evidence of their existence. For instance, I just read that scholars estimate the kingdom of Judah to have been around 110,000…”
Eric on Study and Faith, 5:: “I have always understood the key to issues with Nephite archeology to be language. Besides the fact that there is vastly more to Mesoamerican…”
Steven Borup on In Memoriam: James B.: “Bro Allen was the lead coordinator in 1980 for the BYU Washington, DC Seminar and added valuable insights into American history as we also toured…”
David G. on In Memoriam: James B.: “Jim was a legend who impacted so many through his scholarship and kind mentoring. He'll be missed.”