Frontier Religion Mormons and America, 1857-1907 / Konden R. Smith.

Salt Lake City : The University of Utah Press, [2019]

Baltimore, Md. : Project MUSE, 2021

©[2019]

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"A criticism of Mormon historiography that has been frequently made is that it has often seemed to be an insular pursuit that insufficiently engages with broader historical contexts. Mormon historians sometimes have seemed to be talking only to each other. Mormonism, in fact, played a significant role in American history, especially but not only on the frontier, and so there is much basis for contextualizing it and thereby speaking to a wider history audience. It was, to paraphrase Patty Limerick, a hole in a doughnut of western history writing since it was central but has been so often overlooked. The rise of study of Mormonism through the lens of religious studies has helped bring Mormonism to center stage in considerations of United States history. Religious studies itself has been a growing field. Patrick Mason in his introduction to another book proposed today notes the American Historical Association's report in 2009 that religious history had become the most frequently claimed specialization by its members. A revitalized recognition of the role religion has played in the history of America, as well as that of other parts of the world, no doubt has contributed to that attention. Konden Smith examines that importance over half a century and in doing so firmly positions Mormonism in relation to the dominant American Protestant tradition and to American cultural identity as shaped by religion"--Provided by publisher.

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January 14, 2021