Mormon studies

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Mormon studies is the interdisciplinary academic study of the beliefs, practices, history and culture of those known by the term Mormon and denominations belonging to the Latter Day Saint movement whose members do not generally go by the term "Mormon". The Latter Day Saint movement includes not only The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) but also the Community of Christ (CoC) and other groups, as well as those falling under the umbrella of Fundamentalist Mormonism.

Selected sub-disciplines

Apologetics and counter-apologetics

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Academic works within Mormon studies don't typically take positions for or against faith claims, although the author's personal standpoint of belief might influence their study.[1] Nonetheless, some scholars' studies of Mormonism are primarily apologetic, either pro- or counter- LDS faith claims.

Since 2012, the principal academic journal of pro-Mormon apologetics has been Interpreter; prior to 2012, it had been FARMS Review under the same editorial leadership.[2] Counter-Mormon apologetics of a particular faith community are generally classed with that communities' apologetics; scholarly criticisms of a more secular nature—at least those not veering into anti-Mormonism—nonetheless are often classed within Mormon studies.

International Mormon studies

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Mormon studies is predominantly historical and a branch of American studies—yet, because of growth trends, more than half of the movement's adherents live outside the U.S., making it a subset of Latin American studies, Pacific studies, Canadian studies, and European studies, as well. In addition to general historians, scholars with expertise in such fields as social anthropology and women's studies contribute or concentrate in Mormon studies as well. Mormon studies academics often present their researches not only at standard academic forums but at more broadly popular gatherings—whether devotional, socially activist, or of some other nature. Likewise, some who are not trained academically in history or another social science, conduct and present Mormon-studies research of note.

Also there are 19th-century converts to Mormonism from outside the U.S. who did not emigrate to the gathering place of the Mormon corridor. (A 2010 work, Mormonism: A Historical Encyclopedia, terms this group the Ungathered.)

The primary journals for international Mormon studies are Dialogue journal[3] and, since 2008, the IJMS.

Awards

Awards for writing or service in the field of Mormon studies are presented annually by scholarly societies. The Mormon History Association (MHA) and the John Whitmer Historical Association (JWHA) each present annual awards for various categories within Mormon history, such as books, biographies, documentary history, journal articles, and lifetime achievement.[4][5] The MHA also gives awards for theses and student papers.[4] The Utah State Historical Society (USHS), which frequently engages Mormon history, also presents awards for books, articles, and student papers.[6] Literary awards are presented by the Association for Mormon Letters, often awarding Mormon publications in biography, criticism, and special categories. Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought honors the best contributions to its journal[7] and Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture awards the best article submitted by a woman.[8]

Universities also present awards. The University of Utah gives the Juanita Brooks Prize in Mormon Studies[9][10] and offers a Mormon Studies Fellowship.[11] Utah State University's Evans Biography Awards focus on biographies significant to "Mormon Country".[12] Student writing competitions are held by Utah State University,[13] the MHA,[4] and the JWHA.[14] BYU Religious Education presents annual awards to its faculty for teaching, research, and service, as well as books in the categories of Church History or Ancient Scripture.[15][16]

Academic programs

Independent

Denominationally affiliated

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Other institutions

Print resources

Multi-volume document compilations

Brief reference works

Journals

Publishers

The following primarily publish books on Mormon studies:

Several publishers within the devotional religious market also occasionally publish in Mormon studies, including the LDS publishers Cedar Fort, Inc., Covenant Communications, and Deseret Book (which is owned by the LDS Church), as well as Herald House (which is owned by the Community of Christ).

In addition, certain general book publishers or university presses have also published significant Mormon studies. These include:

Selected list of past scholars

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Individuals from a variety of cultural or philosophical standpoints produced prolific Mormon-themed research, scholarship, or their popularization, in an era now past. Then, beginning in the decade of the 2000s, Mormon studies finally came into its own as an independent field of study when the sub-discipline became featured by then at a few academic institutions in the Western United States.

Some of the individuals with recognized expertise in the field are listed below. In consideration of space, members of Latter Day Saint movement denominations' overall leadership are not included. (Dallin H. Oaks is listed for work he published prior his becoming a member of the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve.)

19th-century compilers of Mormon histories or essays

Opening "modern," 20th-century field

Selected list of current scholars

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Of preeminence

By interdisciplines

International Mormonism

English professors, successful local or national authors, journalists

Trained historians

Specialists in women's studies

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Other specialists

See also

References

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Further reading

News articles
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Journal articles
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Books
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Other studies
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Online journals
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External links

Programs, organizations, and events
On-line resources