Beginning in 1835, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began spreading information about their doctrine and practices through pamphlets. Through this medium, members proselytized, shaped public opinion, proved doctrine, made the case for the Church in society, and shaped Latter-day Saint thought—in short, pamphlets gave Latter-day Saints a voice.

Pamphlets also offered marginalized Latter-day Saints representation. Church members used pamphlets to publicize the suffering they endured during the Missouri persecutions of the 1830s. In 1844, Joseph Smith detailed his presidential platform in his “General Smith’s Views on the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States.” Mid-nineteenth century women had a unique opportunity to publicly defend their fervent beliefs as was the case with Sarah Stageman’s 1849 “Correspondence Between Rev. Abraham De Witt…and Miss Sarah Stageman.” But pamphlets were not just a nineteenth-century phenomenon. For instance, In the twentieth century, scientist and apostle John A. Widtsoe published his “Centennial Series,” a collection of twenty pamphlets laying out the principles of the Church. These are a small sample of the myriad pamphlets contained in the Church’s archives that offer a rich source for students of Latter-day Saint culture as seen through printed objects.

The Church History Library in Salt Lake City will hold an all-day workshop on Latter-day Saint thought through pamphlets—including their publication, circulation, and textual trajectory on Friday, October 18, 2024. Led by three scholars—Chase Kirkham, Brittany Chapman Nash, and Matthew McBride—participants will explore the trends, technology, and implications of pamphlets in LDS thought through hands-on analysis of materials spanning the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Participants will explore new ways of approaching and analyzing these sources.

Participation is limited to approximately fifteen individuals to ensure a quality workshop experience. Those interested in print history, including early and mid-tier scholars, students (both upper-division undergraduate and graduate), collectors, and other individuals wishing to expand their knowledge of the past are invited to apply. All applicants must submit a CV and a single-page letter of intent. Letters should include how this workshop might help their scholarship or further a project (academic or not) they are working on or planning to pursue. Though the workshop cannot cater to each individual’s projects, some sessions might be shaped based upon letters of intent. Submissions are due September 1, 2024, emailed to either of the co-organizers (email addresses below).

Any questions can be directed to the co-organizers.

Robin Scott Jensen (jensenrob@churchofjesuschrist.org)
Chase Kirkham (chkirk@churchofjesuschrist.org)
Church History Library
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The Church History Library is the repository for millions of printed items relating to the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Book History Program of the library seeks to raise awareness of the history of print culture of the Church and educate patrons of the Church History Library about the rich resources available. Do you have a topic you hope to see addressed? Let us know!