Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
Leonard J. Arrington was historian of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1972 to 1982. The first professional historian and the first noncentral authority to occupy this position, Arrington opened archival resources and presided over an unprecedented era of enlightenment in Mormon scholarship.
Arrington's appointment came at a crucial point in LDS history -- as the institution was being transformed from a regional church whose ecclesiastical hierarchy presided directly over its congregants into a modern, worldwide church with an elaborate bureaucracy. Riveting chapters on the actions of the controversial Historical Department reveal details of his release and replacement as the old system gave way to the new.
Table of Contents
Introduction -- Standing at the gate -- How I got into Mormon history -- Counselor in Utah State University stake -- The fraternity of Mormon scholars -- Fhe founding of the LDS Church Historical Department -- Conferences with new leaders -- Our first publication: Brigham Young's letters to his sons -- Other early studies and publications -- Story of the Latter-Day Saints and building the city of God -- A new pharaoh and new directions -- The long-promised day -- The Mormon experience -- Brigham Young: American Moses -- Our move to BYU -- The ongoing process of writing Mormon and western history -- Writing Latter-Day Saint history: philosophy and testimony -- Sources -- Index.