Greetings Fellow History Nerds,

To a great degree, Mormonism's historical consciousness was born in the 1970s. There were clear forerunners who came before--Juanita Brooks, Fawn Brodie, Dale Morgan, and several others--but the ascension of Leonard Arrington to the position of Church Historian, and the flowering of New Mormon History, prompted a reckoning with the faith's past within the LDS community.

It also provoked plenty of fights. Disputes over early Mormonism's relationship with cultural forces like magic and history, contested interpretations over the ideas of previous leaders, and even access to long-sequestered documents--these were the materials for vigorous debates. (Perhaps we could do a documentary titled "Heated Rivalry." Is that taken?) The discussions then took a deadly turn when Mark Hofmann, the most successful forger in American history, planted bombs that killed two innocent victims in order to hide his fraud.

All of these discussions took place amid a wider culture war in which history was just another tool in battling over the nation's meaning.

I've decided to cover a few case studies of this broader saga in a series of videos. Starting tomorrow, Monday (3/16), my Monday and Friday videos will all dig into one particular story. This includes a 1974 Mormon History Association presidential address so controversial that the presenter had to issue a public apology, fights over whether Mormonism's greatest apologist had lost faith in the Book of Mormon, the background to D. Michael Quinn's famous Early Mormonism and the Magic World View, the fallout from a feminist biography of Emma Smith, and, yes, an examination of Mark Hofmann's forgeries--the most frequently requested topic since I began my YouTube channel.

Make sure you're subscribed to my channel so you don't miss any. And if you want early access to the videos, or if you just want to help support my efforts, you can become a member of the channel. (Thanks for those of you who have made that commitment.) And participate in the discussion!

NEWS/NOTES/ANNOUNCEMENTS

• The next "State of Mormon History" roundtable discussion that I've put together for the Mormon History Association is Monday, 3/16, at 7pm MT. It will be on "Race and Ethnicity" and feature the brilliant voices Farina King, Matthew Harris, Dwain Coleman, and Bri Romanello, moderated by Journal of Mormon History editor Christopher Jones. It's free and not to be missed! You can find the registration link near the bottom of this page.
• I was privileged to join the great Mormons in Media podcast, which is sponsored by the Salt Lake Tribune. We discussed the long history of Mormonism's interactions with media and pop culture, ranging from the printing press in the 1830s to what I call the "Ex-Mormon Moment" in today's television. You can even hear my take on Secret Lives of Mormon Wives! You should subscribe to the podcast for all their episodes, but you can find mine at this link.
• This was a couple weeks ago, but I forgot to post about it in the latest newsletter: I joined the legendary RadioWest show to discuss the LDS Church's latest apostle, Clark Gilbert. We discussed Gilbert's background, what we can learn from his tenure as Commissioner of Education, and what his selection portends for the church's future. You can find the episode at this link.
• If you missed my LIVE discussion on March 4 with Leah Sottile on Mormon extremism, you can watch the entire recording at this link. It was a wonderful and vibrant conversation on a sobering topic.

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

• ​The Controversial Talk About Mormonism & Masonry From a CES Director (3/16; available for members now): this is the first video in my series on "The Mormon History Battles of the 1970s and 1980s." I discuss a MHA presidential address given in 1974 that proved so controversial that the individual who delivered it, a CES director, was forced to issue an apology and pull back from the scholarly world. Alas, it was the first major clash between academics and the LDS institution, an omen for what was to come.
• ​The Hidden Role of Mormons in American Religion (3/13): How has Mormonism fit within narratives of American religious history? After providing a general overview of the how Latter-day Saints have moved from the peripheries to the mainstream, I interview two authors of brand new books on American religion and how they integrate Mormonism.
• ​The Polarization of American Religion (3/11): How has American religion become so polarized? I discuss a new book about the stunning transformation of US religiosity, as many churches grow more conservative, non-religious communities more liberal, and very few bridges remain between them. I also interview Dr. Ryan Burge, the author of this important new volume.
• ​Did the Founding Fathers Visit a Mormon Prophet? (3/9): Many latter-day saints have heard the story of Wilford Woodruff being visited by the signers of the Declaration of Independence in the St. George Temple? But how did that story evolve, and what does it tell us about that particular historical moment? I dissect the documentary record and offer some contextual analysis.
• ​How Latino Culture is Transforming Mormonism for the Better (3/6): How have Latino/a Latter-day Saints carved out space in a predominantly White church? That's the topic of a brand new and brilliant book, which I introduce in this video as well as interview the author.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS

• Book of Mormon Geography, Part 1--Origins and Hemispheric Model: TikTok/Instagram​
• Book of Mormon Geography, Part 2--Apologetics and Mesoamerican Model: TikTok/Instagram​
• Book of Mormon Geography, Part 3--Rise of Heartland Model: TikTok/Instagram​
• Book of Mormon Geography, Part 4--Fringe Theories: TikTok/Instagram​
• Trevor Lee and Mormon View of Immigration: TikTok/Instagram​
• Praise of an Emma Smith Biography, Mormon Enigma: TikTok/Instagram​
• The Polarization of American Religion in Four Charts: TikTok/Instagram​
• The Recent Winners of the Bancroft Prize and Why They're Important for our Moment: TikTok/Instagram​

ODDS & ENDS

• I recently read and thoroughly enjoyed Chris Jennings's End of Days: Ruby Ridge, the Apocalypse, and the Unmaking of America, a new book on a tragic yet influential saga that remains a core memory in American extremism. I thought the author does a good job seriously engaging the religious and political views of these fringe groups.
• I'm making my way through my good friend Samira Mehta's new book, God Bless the Pill: The Surprising History of Contraception and Sexuality in American Religion. It's great so far, and I'll likely do a video on it sometime soon.
• In pop culture, I was underwhelmed with The Bride, quite enjoyed Wonder Man, and am counting down the days until the next season of Daredevil.

I think that's enough for this week. I hope you enjoy the "Battles of Mormon History" series!

Benjamin Park, historian and nerd