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.
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. 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. 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.
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 and, since 2008, the IJMS.
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. The MHA also gives awards for theses and student papers. The Utah State Historical Society (USHS), which frequently engages Mormon history, also presents awards for books, articles, and student papers. 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 and Interpreter: A Journal of Mormon Scripture awards the best article submitted by a woman.
Universities also present awards. The University of Utah gives the Juanita Brooks Prize in Mormon Studies and offers a Mormon Studies Fellowship. Utah State University's Evans Biography Awards focus on biographies significant to "Mormon Country". Student writing competitions are held by Utah State University, the MHA, and the JWHA. 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.
The Mormon Research Funding Database offers researchers the ability to search through all available funding options for LDS centric topics.
Utah State University's Program of Religious Studies, including the Arrington Chair of Mormon History and Culture, est. 2007Claremont Graduate University's School of Religion, including the Hunter Chair of Mormon Studies, est. 2008Utah Valley UniversityUniversity of Utah, Tanner Humanities Center's Mormon Studies Initiative, within the College of Humanities University of Virginia, including the Richard Lyman Bushman Chair of Mormon StudiesUniversity of WyomingUniversity of Southern California's School of Religion, including the John A. Widtsoe Chair of Mormon Studies, announced 2015Brigham Young University Religious Education (Provo, Utah; Rexburg, Idaho; Laie, Hawaii campuses; and also the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies) — For official LDS Church approved religious instruction.Advanced historical research is instead conducted at the LDS Church's Church History Library, while BYU's Harold B. Lee Library and the Huntington Library also hold historical materials important to Mormon studies.Fuller Theological Seminary's School of Intercultural Studies — Department at multi-denominational Protestant Christian seminary that has occasionally held seminars on Evangelical–Latter-day Saint dialogue and comparative theology Graceland University — Non-denominational university affiliated with the Community of Christ. Teaches religion classes and is connected with the denomination's seminary.LDS Church Institutes of Religion — Offers official LDS Church approved religious instruction, often at locations adjacent to institutions of higher learningAssociation for Mormon LettersChurch History Department of the LDS ChurchEuropean Mormon Studies AssociationFoundation for Apologetic Information & ResearchJohn Whitmer Historical AssociationMormon Historic Sites FoundationMormon History AssociationNeal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious ScholarshipSociety for Mormon Philosophy and TheologySunstone Education FoundationIndividuals 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.)
Thomas Bullock (1816–1885)William Clayton (1814–1879)Appleton Milo Harmon (1820–1877)Edward Tullidge (1829–1894)L. John Nuttall (1834–1905)Edward H. Anderson (1858–1928) — Journalist. Biographer of Brigham YoungNephi Anderson (1865–1923) — Mormon author of fiction and non-fictionAndrew Jenson (1850–1941) — Assistant Church Historian of the LDS ChurchB. H. Roberts (1857–1933) — Assistant Church Historian of the LDS Church 1902–1933. Made first attempts to shift from apologetics to a professional historical approach.John Henry Evans (1872–1947): Latter-day Saints University — Biographer, various early LDS leadersLeRoy R. Hafen (1893–1985): University of Denver; BYUBernard DeVoto (1897–1955): Northwestern; Harvard — Preeminent writer-historian of the American West sometimes writing on Mormon subjectsJuanita Brooks (1898–1989) — Independent. Also served as a dean at Dixie Junior CollegePaul Dayton Bailey (1906–1987) — Journalist. Author of histories of about Mormon pioneersSamuel W. Taylor (1907–1997) — Novelist and screenwriter who authored the Mormon-themed humorous novel Heaven Knows Why! in 1948Lowell L. Bennion (1908–1996): Salt Lake City's LDS Institute of Religion — Sociology of religion. Ecumenical outreach, practical philosophyWallace Stegner (1909–1993): University of Wisconsin; Harvard — Writer-historian called "The Dean of Western Writers," sometimes writing on Mormon topicsIvan J. Barrett (1910–1999): BYUHugh Nibley (1910–2005): BYU — Known as the father of LDS ApologeticsW. Cleon Skousen (1913–2006) — BYU religion professor, 1967–1978. Prolific popularizer among LDS of its theology. (Also an influential, conservative American Constitutionalist and faith-based political theorist)Brigham D. Madsen (1914–2010): University of Utah — HistorianDale Morgan (1914–1971) — Influential independent Utah historianFawn Brodie (1915–1981) — Critical, psychobiographer of Joseph Smith. Became UCLA professorLeonard J. Arrington (1917–1999): Utah State Agricultural College; BYU; LDS Church Historian, 1972–1982 — Economist, known as the "Dean of Mormon History" and "the Father of Mormon History."Richard D. Poll (1918–1994): BYU; Western Illinois UniversityPaul R. Cheesman (1921–1991): BYU — ArcheologistStanley B. Kimball (1926–2003): Southern Illinois University — Scholar of Eastern European history and also of Utah pioneer historyTruman G. Madsen (1926–2009): BYU — Homiletic biographer of Joseph Smith, Jr.Harold Schindler (1929–1998) — Utah journalist. Biographer of Orrin Porter RockwellCarlfred Broderick (1932–1999): University of Southern California — Psychologist, family therapist and popular author. Also wrote a handful of pieces in publications intended for an LDS audienceHelen B. Andelin (1932–2006): LDS Relief Society — Popular author. Studied home economics at BYU. Taught women's classes in her local LDS Church, expanding materials prepared for this purpose into Fascinating Womanhood (1963)Eugene England (1933–2001): BYU — Founder of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon ThoughtValeen Tippetts Avery (1936–2006): Northern Arizona University — Historian specializing in women's studies. Biographer of Emma Hale SmithJerald Tanner (1938–2006) — Independent, evangelical pamphleteer and provocateur who, with his wife Sandra (born 1941), documented such things as what he believed to be historical LDS doctrinal changesWilliam Robert Wright (1935-2012): Lawyer; biographer of David O. McKayStanford Cazier (1930-2013): California State University, Chico; Utah State UniversityMarvin S. Hill (1928-2016): BYU; YaleRobert V. Remini (1921-2013): University of Illinois at Chicago — Biographer of a number of notable Americans, including Joseph Smith, Jr.Thomas G. Alexander: BYU professor emeritus — Lemuel Hardison Redd, Jr. Professor of Western HistoryJames B. Allen: BYU professor emeritus; Assistant (LDS) Church Historian — Co-founder, Mormon History AssociationPhilip Barlow: Utah State UniversityRichard Bushman: Columbia professor emeritus; retired director of Mormon studies at Claremont Graduate UniversityRonald K. Esplin: BYU — former director of the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History; LDS Church History Library — Managing editor of the The Joseph Smith Papers projectKathleen Flake: University of Virginia — Richard L. Bushman Professor in Mormon Studies; Vanderbilt — Associate Professor or American Religious HistoryTerryl Givens: University of Richmond — Bostwick Professor of EnglishMarlin K. Jensen: previous LDS Church Historian/RecorderPatrick Q. Mason: Claremont Graduate UniversityArmand Mauss: Washington State University — professor emeritus; Claremont Graduate University — visiting scholarD. Michael Quinn: Former researcher in Church Historical Department; BYU; after 1988, independentJan Shipps: Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis — retired in 1995; Polis Center (Indiana University) — research associateRonald W. Walker: BYU professor emeritus; after 2012, independentR. Lanier Britsch: BYU — retired Historian of LDS missionary work, especially in the South PacificWill Bagley: Independent historian of Utah historyOrson Scott Card: Southern Virginia University — professor of writing and literature; popular author (science fiction, fantasy, and biblical historical fiction novels; non-fiction books on creating fictional characters; political commentary); Columnist at Mormon TimesJohn Dehlin: Author of blog and video blog popularizing Mormon studiesRichard Dutcher: Filmmaker on predominantly LDS topicsJohn C. Hamer: Independent historian — Journal editor; Co-author, books about Community of Christ history and about LDS movement schisms; BloggerRobert Kirby — Salt Lake City Tribune columnist who comments in a humorous vein often on LDS subjectsJon Krakauer: Popular non-fiction author; wrote Under the Banner of Heaven (2003)William P. MacKinnon: Independent historian — Businessman. Historian of the Utah WarAdam S. Miller: Collin College — Writer of religious criticism and interpretation and also of LDS lay theologyGrant H. Palmer: retired LDS high school level religious instructor; after 1988, ecumenical prison chaplainArdis E. Parshall: Independent historian — History blogger and Salt Lake City newspaper columnist; co-editor of Mormonism: A Historical Encyclopedia (2010)Boyd Jay Petersen: BYU — Biographer of Hugh Nibley; Utah Valley University — Literature of the Sacred and Mormon Literature professor; editor of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought starting 2016; past president of the Association for Mormon LettersLevi S. Peterson: Weber State University — English professor emeritus; novelist and memoirist; biographer of Juanita Brooks; editor of Dialogue (2004-2008)Gregory A. Prince: Independent historian — medical pathologist; biographer of David O. McKayRobert A. Rees: University of California, Los Angeles — retired professor; University of California at Santa Cruz — retired Fulbright professor; Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley — visiting professorJana Riess: Religion reporter and publishing house editorPeggy Fletcher Stack: Religion reporter at the Salt Lake Tribune since 1991Jonathan A. Stapley: Independent historian — chemist and businessmanTerry Tempest Williams: University of Utah — resigned; author of works with localized ecological and Mormon ethnological featuresMargaret Blair Young: BYU — Mormon African American historyBrady Udall: Novelist often using Latter Day Saint movement themesMark Ashurst-McGee: BYU; LDS Church History DepartmentAlexander L. Baugh: BYU — professor in Church History department; member of the Mormon History AssociationJohn L. Brooke: Ohio State University — director of the Center for Historical Research; author of The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844Richard O. Cowan: BYU — professor of Church history and doctrineReed C. Durham: LDS Institutes of ReligionJessie L. Embry: BYU — Associate director of the Charles Redd Center for Western Studies and associate research professor; oral historianScott H. Faulring: BYU — research historian with the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Church HistoryArnold K. Garr: BYU — professor emeritus of Church history and doctrine; lead editor, Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History (2000)Matthew J. Grow: Church History DepartmentGrant Hardy: University of North Carolina at Asheville — Professor of History and Religious studiesWilliam G. Hartley: LDS Church History Department; BYU — previous research historian for the Joseph Fielding Smith Institue for Church HistoryAndrew H. Hedges: BYU — co-editor of The Joseph Smith Papers and previous associate professor of Church history and doctrineDaniel Walker Howe: Oxford — Professor of America History Emeritus; University of California, Los Angeles — Professor of History Emeritus; author of What Hath God Wrought: the Transformation of America, 1815–1848 (2007)Richard L. Jensen: BYU; LDS Church History Department — 19th-century European Mormonism; LDS converts' immigration to U.S.Dean C. Jessee: LDS Church History Department; BYU — worked at the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History; general editor of The Joseph Smith PapersGlen M. Leonard: BYU; Utah State UniversityBenjamin E. Park: Sam Houston State UniversityL. Jackson Newell: University of Utah — Professor Emeritus of Educational Leadership and Policy; Deep Springs College — President EmeritusRichard E. Turley, Jr.: Assistant Church Historian of the LDS ChurchGrant Underwood: BYU — professor of historyDan Vogel: Independent historian — Biographer of Joseph Smith, Jr.David J. Whittaker: BYU — Joseph Smith Papers Project, professor of history, and curator of Western and Mormon history manuscripts; LDS Church History DepartmentLavina Fielding Anderson: Independent historian — Feminist. Among the September Six, scholars involved in a 1993 LDS controversyClaudia Bushman: Columbia — professor American Studies emerita; Claremont Graduate University — Mormon studies program from 2008-2011; HistorianKathryn M. Daynes: BYU — assistant professor in the Department of History; published on polygamyJill Mulvay Derr: retired senior research historian for the Church History Department.Kristine Haglund — Mormon-themed blogger. Editor of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought (2009-2015)Carol Cornwall Madsen: BYU — emerita research historian with the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Church history and associate director of Women's Research InstituteMargaret Merrill Toscano: University of Utah — Director of graduate studies, and associate professor of world languages and culturesLaurel Thatcher Ulrich: Harvard; Preeminent historian of early American women's history. Also, occasional essayist on the topic of LDS feminismDavid H. Bailey: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory — Mathematician. Editor, Science Meets Religion websiteRobert H. Briggs: Lawyer. Violence in pioneer UtahJohn E. Clark: BYU — Archaeologist. Book of Mormon studiesRobert S. Clark: Lawyer. Co-editor, Journal of the TrailTodd M. Compton: Independent historian — Trained classicistSteve Evans: Lawyer and specialist in new media. Mormon-themed blogger and essayistJames E. Faulconer: BYU — Department of Philosophy and holds BYU's Richard L. Evans Chair of Religious UnderstandingRussell Arben Fox: Friends University — Political scientist. Blogger and essayist on LDS-related themesAvraham Gileadi: BYU; after 1993, independent — Hebraist. LDS apologtics, theological researchDarius Gray: Independent historian — African-American studiesDanny Jorgensen: University of South Florida — Religious studiesBradley H. Kramer: LDS-themed blogger seeking socio-cultural anthropology doctoral degreeLouis C. Midgley: BYU — Professor Emeritus of Political Science. Active in LDS apologeticsDallin H. Oaks: University of Chicago; BYU (later, LDS Apostle) — Lawyer. American legal history pertaining to Joseph Smith, Jr.Nathan B. Oman: William & Mary — Law. Early LDS ecclesiastical jurisprudenceSteven L. Peck: BYU — Biologist. Author-essayist on various Mormon-themed subjectsDaniel C. Peterson: BYU — previous professor of Near Eastern studies. Book of Mormon studiesJulie Marie Smith: Austin, Texas LDS Institute of Religion — LDS-themed blogger; biblical theologianJohn W. Welch: BYU — Law. Editor since 1991 of BYU StudiesKaimipono D. Wenger: Thomas Jefferson School of Law — Law. LDS-themed blogger