Frontier religion : the Mormon-American contest for the meaning of America, 1857-1907 /
Konden R. Smith.
- Salt Lake City : The University of Utah Press, (c)2019.
- 1 online resource
Includes bibliographical references.
Frontier religion and the American kingdom of God -- Frontier expansion and the Utah War, 1857-1858 -- Anti-polygamy and the closing of the frontier, 1870s-1890 -- Closing the "frontier line" and the exclusion of Mormonism from the parliament of religions, 1893 -- The inclusion of Mormonism at the Chicago World's Fair, 1893 -- Embracing the closed frontier : the Reed Smoot hearings, 1904-1907 -- Conclusion : re-opening the frontier.
"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.
9781607816898
2018049740
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--History. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--Public relations--History.--West (U.S.)
Mormon Church--History.--United States Mormon Church--Public relations--History.--West (U.S.) Religion and culture--West (U.S.)