Mormon studies

Mormon studies is an interdisciplinary academic field dedicated to the critical examination of Mormonism and its related movements, cultures, and histories. It employs methodologies from religious studies, history, sociology, and cultural studies to analyze the tradition originating with Joseph Smith in the early 19th century. The field encompasses the study of multiple denominations, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Community of Christ, and various fundamentalist groups. Its practitioners seek to produce scholarly, non-devotional work that situates Mormonism within broader American religious history and global contexts.

Definition and scope

The field is defined by its focus on the religious tradition that emerged from the revelations of Joseph Smith in Upstate New York during the Second Great Awakening. Its scope includes the historical development, theology, sociology, and cultural production of the Latter Day Saint movement, from its origins to the present day. This encompasses major institutions like The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints based in Salt Lake City, the Community of Christ headquartered in Independence, Missouri, and smaller groups such as the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Scholars also examine the tradition's global expansion, interactions with broader societies, and its evolving cosmology and priesthood structures.

Historical development

The academic study of Mormonism began in earnest in the mid-20th century, moving beyond earlier polemical or apologetic works. Pioneering historians like Juanita Brooks, who published The Mountain Meadows Massacre, and Leonard J. Arrington, the first Church Historian with professional training, were instrumental in establishing a more objective historical approach. The founding of the Mormon History Association in 1965 provided a crucial professional forum, while the establishment of journals like Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought and Journal of Mormon History created dedicated venues for scholarship. The late 20th century saw the field's expansion into university settings, influenced by the broader growth of religious studies departments and the cultural turn in the humanities.

Methodological approaches

Scholars employ a diverse array of methodological approaches, drawing from established academic disciplines. Historical methods are used to analyze primary sources like the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and extensive archival collections at institutions such as the Church History Library. Sociological and anthropological methods, exemplified by the work of Thomas F. O'Dea in The Mormons, examine community structure, demographics, and assimilation. Textual and literary criticism is applied to scriptural texts and literary output, while gender studies frameworks interrogate topics like Mormon feminism and polygamy. Legal and political studies analyze conflicts such as the Utah War and court cases like Reynolds v. United States.

Major themes and topics

Recurring themes include the formation of Mormon identity and distinctiveness within American culture, often explored through the lens of the Mormon corridor and settlement of the Intermountain West. The theological development of concepts like pre-mortal existence, temple worship, and priesthood authority are central topics. Significant historical events, such as the westward exodus to Utah, the Mormon Reformation, and the official end of polygamy via the 1890 Manifesto, are extensively studied. Contemporary research often focuses on globalization, missionary work, race and priesthood, LGBTQ+ Mormon issues, and the tradition's engagement with modern science and apologetics.

Academic institutions and resources

Several universities host significant research programs and archival collections. Brigham Young University houses the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship and extensive holdings in its Harold B. Lee Library. The University of Utah is home to the J. Willard Marriott Library's special collections, while the University of Virginia has been a center for scholarly projects through its Religious Movements Project. Key independent research institutions include the Smithsonian Institution and the American Academy of Religion, which features a Mormon Studies Group. Essential archival resources are found at the Church History Library in Salt Lake City, the Community of Christ Library and Archives in Independence, Missouri, and the New York Public Library.

Notable scholars and works

Influential early scholars include Leonard J. Arrington, author of Great Basin Kingdom, and Jan Shipps, a non-Mormon historian who wrote Mormonism: The Story of a New Religious Tradition. Contemporary historians like Richard Lyman Bushman (Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling) and Terryl L. Givens (The Viper on the Hearth) have produced seminal works. Sociologists such as Armand L. Mauss (The Angel and the Beehive) and Kathryn M. Daynes have made significant contributions. Important works from scholars outside the tradition include John L. Brooke's The Refiner's Fire and Sarah Barringer Gordon's legal history, The Mormon Question. The field continues to expand with new voices examining global Mormonism and interdisciplinary perspectives.