We’re pleased to announce that we’ve added another bright, young historian to our ranks, J Stuart. Here’s how he describes himself: 

I graduated with a BA in American Studies from BYU in December 2012. I have worked as a research assistant in the Ancient Scripture, Church History and Doctrine, and History Departments for several professors over the past 3 years.

I have been fortunate enough to have several independent research opportunities, including Mormons and the Civil War (I have a chapter in Ken Alford’s Civil War Saints, and was deeply involved with the list of LDS Civil War veterans found in one of the book’s appendices), the spirit world in Mormon thought, 20th century LDS discourse, and James Talmage’s contributions to Mormon theology. My most extensive research has been on the decline of polygamy and the social and theological implications of the 1890 Woodruff Manifesto.

I am currently working further with Talmage’s contributions to LDS Christology, and co-editing the journals associated with the 1862 Lot Smith Company, Utah’s single military contribution to the Civil War.

I’m anxiously awaiting decisions from graduate programs in US History and Religious Studies, where I’d like to explore conservative religion and the Civil Rights Movement, particularly the impact of leaders such as Billy Graham and Ezra Taft Benson.

I have been married to my lovely and vivacious wife Meghan for nearly 5 months; we currently live in Northern Virginia while Meghan works for a large accounting firm.

Please join us in welcoming J Stuart!