Mormonism: A Historical Encyclopedia

(Hardback)

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Description

Covering its historic development, important individuals, and central ideas and issues, this encyclopedia offers broad historical coverage of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mormonism: A Historical Encyclopedia helps readers explore a church that has gone from being an object of ridicule and sometimes violent persecution to a worldwide religion, counting prominent businesspeople and political leaders among its members (including former Massachusetts governor and recent presidential candidate Mitt Romney). The encyclopedia begins with an overview of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintssix essays cover the church's history from Joseph Smith's first vision in 1820 to its current global status. This provides a context for subsequent sections of alphabetically organized entries on key events and key figures in Mormon history. A final section looks at important issues such as the church's organization and government, its teachings on family, Mormonism and blacks, Mormonism and women, and Mormonism and Native Americans. Together, these essays and entries, along with revealing primary sources, portray the Mormon experience like no other available reference work.

Reviews

Designed mainly for libraries and research institutions Mormonism: A Historical Encyclopedia is a formidable resource to have at one's fingertips, particularly for those previously unfamiliar with Mormonism. Mormonism: A Historical Encyclopedia is certainly a valuable resource, both for the unfamiliar scholar and the longtime Mormon. . . . MHE represents an excellent distillation of some of the best up and coming scholarship as well as traditional analyses from trusted scholars. * Association of Mormon Letters *
Overall, the volume is tailor-made for those wanting information on the most prominent figures, the most influential moments, and the hottest topics. . . . A very nice addition for libraries with little need for a multivolume set on Mormonism. * Booklist *
A useful resource. * School Library Journal *
A useful chronology, selected bibliography, and index are also included. . . . this is a very useful addition to undergraduate collections. * Choice *

Author Bio

W. Paul Reeve, PhD, is assistant professor of history and associate chair of the Department of History at The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT. Ardis E. Parshall is an independent researcher and historian living in Salt Lake City, UT.