The end of the semester typically means a dearth of posts here at JI, as many of us are busy with exams, term papers, and other end-of-the-year activities. However, there is, as usual, no dearth of Mormon studies news, so consider this a catch-all of recent updates that deserve attention. And please feel free to add more in the comments.

1. The Mormon History Association’s annual conference is only two months away. Many details are becoming available, including the preliminary program which shows a jam-packed schedule of fantastic presentations. But, of course, the best part of the conference is the camaraderie, and since the conference is in Utah I’m sure the attendance will be larger than usual—despite the scorching weather!
2. The most recent MHA newsletter was recently put online, with more information to get you excited about the conference. But also included in the newsletter is the first CFP for next year’s conference:?Mormonism In Its Expanding Gobal Context: Invitations to New Interpretations and Understanding,” to take place in exotic Calgary, Alberta, in June 2012 (note that it is one month later than usual). Heading the conference committee is Richard Bennett and JI’s good friend Rachel Cope, and the committee includes JI’s recent addition Kris Wright and JI frequenter Amanda Hendrix-Komoto—the conference is definitely in good hands! The topic of the conference, global perspectives, is an especially needed field to be further explored within Mormon studies.
3. Happy news from the Church Office Building: approval has finally been announced to rebuild the historic site of Harmony, Pennsylvania, a location of vast importance in Mormon history. This is especially a great development for JI, as several bloggers and former bloggers (myself included) worked on the research dimension of this proposed site as research interns over the last five years or so. Perhaps I’ll write more on it later.
4. A few great books that deal with Mormon history have been released. (Including this, this, this, and this.) And there are a lot of fantastic books that, as the release date approaches, can now be pre-ordered. (See this, this, this, this, this, and this.)
5. There was a fun roundtable on “American Scriptures” in the recent issue of Religion and American Culture, which included a contribution form Phil Barlow and is of obvious interest to Mormon history folk. I’ve been meaning to do a write-up on it, but just haven’t found the time.

Any thoughts on these developments? Any updates, events, or notices that I missed?