JWHA Newsletter. Independence Conference Update Announcing our 2006 Program Our theme this year Diverse Expressions. Thursday, September 28, 2006

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1 JWHA Newsletter The John Whitmer Historical Association No. 77 2nd Quarter 2006 Independence Conference Update Announcing our 2006 Program Our theme this year Diverse Expressions of the Restoration has generated an extremely diverse and rich field of presentations. JWHA president-elect Alex Baugh, program committee co-chair Steve Shields, and the other members of this year s program committee have put together an exciting collection of sessions that you won t want to miss: Thursday, September 28, :00 PM 9:15 PM SESSION 1 (PLENARY) Sterling M. McMurrin Lecture CHAIR: Richard P. Howard, Historian Emeritus, Community of Christ, JWHA Past President 1985 SPEAKER: W. Grant McMurray, Independence, Missouri, JWHA Past President 1981 Reflecting on the Evolving Faith and Culture of the Community of Christ (Printed August 2006) 9:30 PM 10:15 PM Opening Reception Signature Books cordially invites you to a reception honoring Vickie Cleverley Speek, author of God Has Made Us a Kingdom : James Strang and the Midwest Mormons Friday, September 29, :00 AM 9:15 AM SESSION 2 (CONCURRENT) An Author Meets the Critics Melvin C. Johnson s Polygamy on the Pedernales: Lyman Wight s Mormon Villages in Continued on Page 2 Where: Truman Memorial Building, 416 W. Maple, Independence, Missouri When: September 28 October 1, 2006 Program Committee: Alex Baugh (Chair), Steve Shields (Co-Chair), John Hamer, Robin Jensen, Margaret Rastle, Bill Shepard and Jason Smith Hotels: Reserve rooms a the Independence Hilton Garden Inn: or the Crossland Economy Studios Independence:

2 Page 2 The John Whitmer Historical Association Independence Conference Update Continued from Page 1 Antebellum Texas, 1845 to 1858 CHAIR: Biloine Whiting Young, St. Paul, Minnesota, JWHA Past President PANELISTS: Richard E. Bennett, Brigham Young University Michael Van Wagenen, Brownsville, Texas Additional panelist TBA RESPONSE: Melvin C. Johnson, Angelina College 8:00 AM 9:15 AM SESSION 3 (CONCURRENT) The Remnant Church CHAIR: Steven L. Shields, Independence, Missouri SPEAKER: Frederick N. Larsen, President, Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Back to Basics SPEAKER: V. Lee Killpack, Apostle, Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints The Importance of Pattern 8:00 AM 9:15 AM SESSION 4 (CONCURRENT) Latter Day Saint Struggles in Missouri CHAIR: Stephen C. LeSueur, Washington, D.C. SPEAKER: R. Jean Addams, Woodinville, Washington Struggles of the Church of Christ (Temple Lot) SPEAKERS: Ronald E. Romig, Community of Christ Archivist, JWHA Past President Michael S. Riggs, Senior Historian, Burns & McDonnell, JWHA Past President Latter Day Saints in Missouri: From Conflict to Understanding RESPONSE: Jason R. Smith, Administrator, LDS- Groups (Yahoo Group) 9:30 AM 10:10 AM SESSION 5 (CONCURRENT/MINI) Early Latter Day Saints in SW Iowa CHAIR: Margie Miller, Coffeyville, Kansas SPEAKERS: Maurine Carr Ward, Hyrum, Utah Barbara J. Bernauer, JWHA Past President Tracking Early SW Iowa Saints: Who Stayed, Who Left, Who Came Back? 9:30 AM 10:10 AM SESSION 6 (CONCURRENT/MINI) Amasa Lyman and the RLDS Connection CHAIR: H. Michael Marquardt, Sandy, Utah SPEAKER: E. Leo Lyman, Emeritus, Victor Valley College Amasa Lyman s Offer to Join with the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Opposition to Brigham Young, :30 AM 10:10 AM SESSION 7 (CONCURRENT/MINI) Early Black Mormons and the LDS Priesthood Ban CHAIR: Michael A. Karpowicz, JWHA Executive Secretary SPEAKER: Connell H. O Donovan, Santa Cruz, California The Mormon Priesthood Ban and Elder Q. Walker Lewis: An Example for His More Whiter Brethren to Follow 10:30 AM 11:45 AM SESSION 9 (CONCURRENT) Mormon Fundamentalism CHAIR: William Shepard, Old Voree Strangite Properties SPEAKER: Anne Wilde, Principle Voices What Is a Fundamentalist Mormon? SPEAKER: Kenneth Driggs, Atlanta, Georgia This Will Someday Be the Head and Not the Tail of the Church: The Fundamentalist Position 10:30 AM 11:45 AM SESSION 11 (CONCURRENT) Cutlerites and Wightites CHAIR: TBA SPEAKER: Danny L. Jorgensen, University of

3 The John Whitmer Historical Association Page South Florida, JWHA Past President Back to Zion: The Cutlerites Return to Independence SPEAKER: Michael Van Wagenen, Brownsville, Texas Lyman Wight s Texas Commission RESPONSE: Kenneth R. Mulliken, University of St. Mary NOON 1:15 PM SESSION 12 (PLENARY LUNCH) Distinguished Guest Lecturer CHAIR: Alexander L. Baugh, Brigham Young University, JWHA President-Elect SPEAKER: Craig S. Campbell, Youngstown State University Images from the New Jerusalem: Latter Day Saint Faction Interpretations of Independence, Missouri 1:45 PM 3:00 PM SESSION 13 (CONCURRENT) Strangite History CHAIR: David August, Strangite Historian SPEAKER: Robin Jensen, Joseph Smith Papers Project In Search of Mormonism: Strangite Success, SPEAKER: Vickie Cleverley Speek, Minooka, Illinois Strangite Influences on the RLDS Church RESPONSE: John W. Quist, Shippensburg University 1:45 PM 3:00 PM SESSION 14 (CONCURRENT) RLDS Leadership Controversies CHAIR: Norma Derry Hiles, Lamoni, Iowa SPEAKER: Ron Smith R.C. Evans and the Toronto Schism SPEAKER: Richard F. Neill, Center Place Restoration School The Calling of Lynn Smith to Be Presiding Patriarch RESPONSE: W.B. Pat Spillman, Editor, JWHA Journal 1:45 PM 3:00 PM SESSION 15 (CONCURRENT) The Restoration and the Old Jerusalem CHAIR: George M. Woloch, Outremont, Quebec SPEAKER: Carol Freeman Braby, Franklin, North Carolina The RLDS Mission in Palestine, SPEAKER: Reed Holmes, Jaffa American Colony From Joseph to Jerusalem and Back RESPONSE: Edward Warner, Indiana State University, JWHA Past President :15 PM 4:15 PM SESSION 16 (CONCURRENT) Messengers to the Saints CHAIR: TBA SPEAKER: Kyle Walker, BYU Idaho William Smith s Quest for Ecclesiastical Station SPEAKER: Paul D. Savage, Apostle, The Church of Christ: The Church With The Elijah Message Otto Fetting, W.A. Draves and the Messenger of the Lord 3:15 PM 4:15 PM SESSION 17 (CONCURRENT) Youth and the Restoration CHAIR: Margaret Rastle, Kirtland Temple SPEAKER: David Howlett, University of Iowa Independence Must Be Zion: The Kingdom and the Future as Viewed by RLDS Children, 1927 SPEAKER: Jessie L. Embry, Brigham Young University, JWHA Past President Learning the Gospel by Playing: LDS and RLDS Youth Programs 3:15 PM 4:15 PM SESSION 18 (CONCURRENT) Church and Families CHAIR: TBA SPEAKER: James E. Elliott, Florissant, Missouri The Mormon Experience of the Elliott Family SPEAKER: Richard K. Behrens, Midway, Utah The Contributions of Joseph Smith Sr. s Spiritual Development to the Emergence of the Prophet Joseph Smith Continued on Page 4

4 Page The John Whitmer Historical Association Independence Conference Update Continued from Page 3 4:30 PM 5:45 PM SESSION 19 (CONCURRENT) An Author Meets the Critics Brian Hales Modern Polygamy and Mormon Fundamentalism: Generations after the Manifesto CHAIR: Newell G. Bringhurst, JWHA President PANELISTS: Kenneth Driggs, Atlanta, Georgia Anne Wilde, Principle Voices Additional panelists TBA RESPONSE: Brian C. Hales, MormonFundamentalism.com 4:30 PM 5:45 PM SESSION 20 (CONCURRENT) David Whitmer and the Whitmerites CHAIR: John J. Hammond, Kent State University SPEAKER: Erin B. Jennings, Jonesboro, Arkansas The Whitmer Family and the Church of Christ SPEAKER: H. Michael Marquardt, Sandy, Utah David Whitmer: His Changing Beliefs and Recollections RESPONSE: Ronald E. Romig, Community of Christ Archivist, JWHA Past President :30 PM 5:45 PM SESSION 21 (CONCURRENT) Restoration Expressions CHAIR: Jan Marshall, Independence, Missouri SPEAKER: Jason R. Smith, Administrator, LDS- Groups (Yahoo Group) Zion s Retreat: Schism in the Churches at Schell City SPEAKER: Rudy Leutzinger, Independence Restoration Branch The Independent Restoration Branch Movement RESPONSE: William D. Russell, Graceland University, JWHA Past President :30 PM 8:45 PM SESSION 22 (PLENARY) Senior Scholar Memorial: The Impact and Legacy of Val Avery CHAIR: Jan Shipps, Emeritus, IUPUI, JWHA Past President Distinguished Senior Scholar Lecture 2006: What Val Might Have Said MEMORIES AND TRIBUTES: Barbara J. Bernauer, JWHA Past President Paul M. Edwards, Emeritus, Community of Christ Temple School, JWHA Past President 1979, 1984 William D. Russell, Graceland University, JWHA Past President 1977 The audience Saturday, September 30, :00 AM 10:15 AM SESSION 23 (CONCURRENT) An Author Meets the Critics Matthew Bolton s Apostle of the Poor: The Life and Work of Missionary and Humanitarian Charles D. Neff CHAIR: Andrew Gallup, Greg Kofford Books PANELISTS: Patricia Gates, Independence, Missouri Additional panelists TBA RESPONSE: Matthew Bolton, Washington DC, London School of Economics and Political Science 9:00 AM 10:15 AM SESSION 24 (CONCURRENT) Morrisites and the One Mighty and Strong CHAIR: TBA SPEAKER: Eric Paul Rogers Morrisites and the Sociology of Religious Schism SPEAKER: William Shepard, Old Voree Strangite Properties To Set in Order the House of God: The Search for the Elusive One Mighty and Strong RESPONSE: Alma Blair, JWHA Past President 1975, :00 AM 10:15 AM SESSION 25 (CONCURRENT) Perspectives on Plural Marriage CHAIR: Kenneth E. Stobaugh, Independence, Missouri

5 The John Whitmer Historical Association Page SPEAKER: Craig L. Foster, LDS Family History Library The Life and Experiences of Barr White Musser SPEAKER: Gary C. Vitale, Springfield College Zenas H. Gurley, Jr., and His Fight against Polygamy and Mormon Zion RESPONSE: Mark A. Scherer, Community of Christ Historian, JWHA Past President :30 AM 11:45 AM SESSION 26 (CONCURRENT) An Author Meets the Critics Vickie Cleverley Speek s God Has Made Us a Kingdom : James Strang and the Midwest Mormons CHAIR: Robin Jensen, Joseph Smith Papers Project PANELISTS: Richard E. Bennett, Brigham Young University John W. Quist, Shippensburg University William Shepard, Old Voree Strangite Properties RESPONSE: Vickie Cleverley Speek, Minooka, Illinois 10:30 AM 11:45 AM SESSION 27 (CONCURRENT) Jeffrey Lundgren s Aftermath CHAIR: June Leslie, Mississauga, Ontario SPEAKER: Rebecca Passman, Graceland University The Case of Death Row Inmate Jeffrey Don Lundgren SPEAKER: William D. Russell, Graceland University, JWHA Past President 1977 Blaming the Victim: The Alice Lundgren Case, 1990 RESPONSE: Dale E. Luffman, Apostle, Community of Christ 10:30 AM 11:45 AM SESSION 28 (CONCURRENT) Teaching Latter Day Saintism CHAIR: Jan Shipps, Emeritus, IUPUI, JWHA Past President PANELISTS: Robert B. Flanders, Emeritus, Southwest Missouri State University, JWHA Past President Steven C. Harper, Brigham Young University George Wiley, Baker University Additional panelists TBA NOON 1:15 PM Business Meeting and Lunch 1:30 PM 2:45 PM SESSION 29 (PLENARY) An Introduction to The Church of Jesus Christ (Headquartered at Monongahela, Pennsylvania) CHAIR: John Hamer, JWHA Executive Secretary SPEAKERS: Paul J. Benyola, Apostle, The Church of Jesus Christ Paul N. Liberto, Apostle, The Church of Jesus Christ Larry Watson, Church Historian, The Church of Jesus Christ 3:00 PM 5:30 PM TOURS Temple Area Tours SITE: Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Headquarters Frederick N. Larsen, President, Remnant Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints SITE: The Church of Jesus Christ (Temple Lot) William A. Sheldon, Apostle, Church of Christ (Temple Lot) SITE: The Church of Jesus Christ (Alpheus Cutler) Stanley Whiting, President, The Church of Jesus Christ (Alpheus Cutler) SITE: The Archives of the Community of Christ Ronald E. Romig, Community of Christ Archivist, JWHA Past President GUIDES: John Hamer, JWHA Executive Secretary Steven L. Shields, Independence, Missouri Jason R. Smith, Administrator, LDSGroups (Yahoo Group) 7:00 PM 8:30 PM SESSION 30 (PLENARY) Presidential Banquet CHAIR: Alexander L. Baugh, Brigham Young Continued on Page 6

6 Page 6 The John Whitmer Historical Association Independence Conference Update Continued from Page 5 University, JWHA President-Elect AWARDS: TBA SPEAKER: Newell G. Bringhurst, JWHA President Gender, Race and Ethnicity as Dynamics for Schism within Mormonism following the Death of Joseph Smith Sunday, October 1, :30 AM 9:30 AM SESSION 31 (PLENARY) Conference Theme Lecturer CHAIR: Greg Kofford, Greg Kofford Books SPEAKER: Steven L. Shields, Independence, Missouri Continuing along the Divergent Paths of the Restoration 9:45 AM 10:45 AM SESSION 32 (PLENARY) Interdenominational Worship Service and Musical Program Call for Volunteers We d like to enlist the service of volunteers willing to help out with some of the operations of this year s conference. Specifically, we re looking for folks willing to staff the joint book table, to staff the registration table or to help collect tickets at mealtimes. We re also looking for individuals with digital cameras willing to take photos and share them with the organization, and for people with cars who would be willing to help others with transportation from one or the other hotels to the conference and back. If you re willing to help JWHA out by volunteering for any of these services, please contact Mike Karpowicz either by phone: , or by mkarpowicz@annuitech.com. JWHA Newsletter The JWHA Newsletter is published quarterly by and for the benefit of the members of the John Whitmer Historical Association. (This quarter s Newsletter was delayed.) 2006 by JWHA. All rights reserved. Visit us at John Hamer, Editor and Production Director Mike Karpowicz, Copy Editor Please send letters and notices to the editor: John Hamer, 1710 South Blvd., Ann Arbor, MI or by at JHamer@Annuitech.com. Please Make Your Reservations Today B ecause this newsletter was delayed, the time to register for the 2006 Diverse Paths of the Restoration Conference is already upon us. Please take the time to immediately fill out and mail in the registration form you will find on page 7. Also, please note that our holds on the blocks of rooms we ve reserved for the conference expires on Sept. 15. Our conference coincides with a NAS- CAR race weekend in Kansas City, so it may be difficult to find accomodations if you do not make your reservations before our holds expire. If you re planning to attend, please call now: Independence Hilton Garden Inn E Jackson Drive Independence, MO Conference rate: 89 per night Crossland Economy Studios Independence E. 42nd St. Independence, MO Conference rates: per night (1 queen), per night (2 doubles)

7 The John Whitmer Historical Association Page Conference Registration & Membership Renewal Form Please use this form to register for our Sept. 28 Oct. 1, 2006 Conference in Independence, MO and to renew your memberships in JWHA and MHA. Name Address City, State, Zip Phone Spouse (List if your spouse is registering as well) 2006 Independence Conference The price listed is the cost per individual. Write the amount on the lines provided. Multiply by two, if registering an additional person. Registration, Members Registration, Non-Members Registration, single day only* Meals: Friday Plenary Luncheon Craig Campbell, Views of the New Jerusalem, (Independence) Saturday Luncheon Business Meeting gratis for members 0.00 check box to indicate attendence JWHA Membership New Member: Regular Membership Spouse of Member Student Membership Sustaining Membership Patron Membership Lifetime Membership Please add postage for Foreign Membership MHA Membership New Member: Annual Membership Spouse of Member Student Membership Institutional Membership Sustaining Membership Patron Membership Donor Membership Please add postage for Foreign Membership JWHA Subtotal MHA Subtotal Less 5.00 for combined JWHA & MHA membership Renewing Member: , Renewing Member: Presidential Banquet Membership Total Conference Total * Please use only if you are planning to only attend a single event or day of the conference (such as the McMurrin Lecture). We have reserved blocks of rooms in two hotels: (1) The Independence Hilton Garden Inn (conference rate: 89 per night), call , and (2) The Independence Crossland Economy Studio (conference rate: 45/60 per night), call Total amount enclosed Make checks payable to JWHA and send them to: John Whitmer Historical Association c/o Mike Karpowicz 1710 South Blvd. Ann Arbor, MI 48104

8 Page 8 The John Whitmer Historical Association MHA 2007 Conference: Call for Papers The forty-first annual meeting of the Mormon History Association (MHA) will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah, May 24-27, The theme, Crossroads and Confrontations, reflects the location of the conference and marks the sesquicentennial of the first major clash between Mormon Utah and the United States. The Mormon Reformation was underway, highlighting the renewed fervor of a distinctive religious orthodoxy, when in 1857 President James Buchanan ordered the U.S. Army to march toward rebellious Utah Territory to enforce federal law. The horrific Mountain Meadows Massacre of that year was but one of many manifestations of the clash between the two cultures. While the scene has changed considerably over the following century and a half, the adherents of the varieties of Mormonism throughout the world continued to define their own identities in part through encounters between faiths and cultures, the sacred and the secular, and languages and ethnicities. Our theme invites us to consider what we learn from historic points of contact and interaction, violence, accommodation, and adaptation. MHA invites and is actively seeking proposals for papers for the conference. While encouraging presentations related to the theme of the confer- The Mormon History Association (MHA) held its annual conference this year in Casper, Wyoming. The conference was extremely well attended, with nearly 600 attendees. Among the wide array of sessions, the panel discussion of Richard Bushman s award-winning biography of Joseph Smith and the plenary lecture by Richard V. Francaviglia ( Mapmakers of New Zion: The Importance of Cartography to the Mormons, ) stood out as especially noteworthy. For the first time MHA accomplished the significant and incredibly useful feat of taping every one of the conference sessions. This will certainly be ence, MHA also welcomes other proposals. MHA s program committee will give preference to proposals for full panels of three papers and a discussant for ninety-minute sessions. However, proposals for single papers are also welcome. We also welcome and will seriously consider proposals for historically based creative presentations in other than the traditional panel format. A downloadable proposal form and instructions for submitting proposals is available at the MHA website, The deadline for all proposals is October 1, Notifications of acceptance or rejection will be mailed by January 15, MHA 2006 Casper Conference Report a valuable resource not only for scholars who missed the conference, but also for attendees who often had to pick between a wealth of offerings that ran 6 sessions deep. The tapes are available at MHA s website for 8.80 per session or 60 for the entire conference. In similarly exciting news, MHA announced that the entire Journal of Mormon History from is now available for purchase in electronic format for only 40 per DVD. The tapes and the DVDs set a new standard of excellence which JWHA will attempt to emulate. MHA s new president is Ronald K. Esplin and the new president-elect is Paul L. Anderson.

9 The John Whitmer Historical Association Page 9 John Whitmer Books Order Form John Whitmer Books Check each box to indicate book you would like to order and total the cost: Matthew Bolton, Apostle of the Poor: The Life and Work of Missionary and Humanitarian Charles D. Neff (18 including shipping) Quantity: Books Subtotal: JWHA Journal Check each box to indicate the Journals you would like to order and total the cost: Vol. 4 (15) Vol. 5 (15) Vol. 6 (15) Vol. 7 (10) Vol. 8 (10) Vol. 9 (10) Vol. 10 (10) Vol. 11 (10) Vol. 12 (10) Vol. 13 (10) Vol. 14 (10) Vol. 15 (10) Vol. 16 (10) Vol. 17 (10) Vol. 18 (10) Vol. 19 (10) Vol. 20 (10) Vol. 21 (15) Vol. 22 (20) Vol. 23 (25) Nauvoo (25) Vol. 24 (25) Vol. 25 (25) Journal Subtotal: JWHA Lecture Audio Cassettes Check each box to indicate the audio cassettes you would like to order and total the cost: #2: Grant McMurray, History and Mission in Tension: A View from Both Sides. (6) #3: Richard Howard, The Quest for Traces of a Peace Gene in Restoration History. (6) #4: Barbara Bernauer, Gathering the Remnants: Establishing the RLDS Church in Southwest Iowa. (6) #5: Lavina Fielding Anderson, Mormonism s First Mother Lucy Mack Smith. (6) #6: Edward Warner, Historiography: From Sacred Fudge to Christ Centered Boredom. (6) #7: Mario DePillis, Christ Comes to Jackson County: The Social Meaning of Mormon Millennialism. (6) #8: Paul Edwards, Beating Plowshares into Swords: The Community of Christ and War. (6) #9: Alma Blair, The Faithful Historian: Odysseys of Mind and Spirit. (6) #10: Steve LeSueur, Community of Christ and the Search for a Useable Past. (6) #11: Phillip Barlow, Transformation in Context: Mormonism, the Community of Christ, and Religion in America. (6) #12: Robert Flanders, Nauvoo on My Mind. (6) #13: Robert Remini, A Non-Mormon s Interpretation of Joseph Smith. (6) #14: Michael Riggs, Benign Voyeur: Twenty-four Years of Third Party Observations on the Ever-changing Community of Christ Church. (6) #15: Michael Quinn, To Whom Shall We Go?: Historical Patterns of Restoration Believers With Serious Doubts. (6) #16: Biloine Young, Religion s Shifting Sand and Mormonism s Unsteady Footing. (6) #17: Thomas Murphy, Sin, Skin, and Seed: Mistakes of Men in the Book of Mormon. (6) #18: Richard Hughes, Rethinking the Restoration Vision. (6) #19: Mark Scherer, As Neither Apologist nor Cynic: Filling the Gap and Keeping the Theologians Honest. (6) Cassette Subtotal: Total Enclosed: Make checks payable to JWHA and send them to: John Whitmer Historical Association c/o Mike Karpowicz 1710 South Blvd. Ann Arbor, MI Name Address City, State, Zip Phone

10 Page 10 The John Whitmer Historical Association Community of Christ HQ Redesign The Community of Christ has significantly restructured its headquarters this summer. HQ redesign was prompted by the new Presidency s desire to effect administrative adjustments in keeping with envisioned priorities, paired with the unfortunate reality of increasing institutional budget deficits. The changes instituted cuts of about 25 percent in personnel and services overall, including the church s Heritage Services. Community of Christ Historian, Mark A. Scherer, past JWHA president, has been declared an incumbent in the new headquarters redesign allowing Mark to continue working on his forthcoming publication of a new volume of church history, From Restoration to Community: The Journey of a People. The first volume containing early history of the Restoration Movement is scheduled to appear in time for the World Conference in Lachlan Mackay, Community of Christ Historic Sites Director, elected to transfer to Nauvoo, Illinois, (beginning in early 2007) and also assume the Joseph Smith Historic Site Director responsibilities. (The JS Historic Site Director position at Nauvoo became vacant when Joyce Shireman retired earlier this year. Sadly, Joyce has been experiencing health-related issues since her retirement.) Lach s assignment change permitted the retention of one additional executive position in the redesign. As a result, the Church Archivist position initially terminated (held by Ron Romig, past JWHA president), was declared to be an incumbent position. As a result, Ron will continue serving as Archivist. As of this printing, the status of the Assistant Archivist position remains uncertain. Barbara J. Bernauer past JWHA president and longtime pillar of the Latter Day Saint history community has served in this position with distinction for over a decade and a half. Other effects of redesign include the loss of Joy Goodwin, Community of Christ Artifacts Manager/HQ Museum Coordinator and Lori McCrossin, Heritage Team Staff Assistant. Related impacts include past JWHA president Lee Wehner (formerly Pement) who has served as the institution s Records Manager for many years. Meanwhile, the status of the Assistant Librarian position, (held by Beverly Spring) also remains uncertain. In the new redesign, Historic Sites staff, the former HQ Heritage Team, and HQ Guide Services are combined into a Visitor and Heritage Services Team with the Archives and artifact care under the direction of a Heritage Preservation Sub-Team. Vicki Cash, previous HQ Guide Coordinator, elected voluntary separation. This position has been filled by Cathy Loving (known to some JWHAers as the Emma Smith reenactor). The oversight of Heritage, Guides and Facilities Management will be coordinated by Carina Wilson, Enrichment Leader. Also of related interest to the JWHA community: The Community of Christ Theologian in Residence, split position in conjunction with Graceland University and the Community of Christ Seminary, (held by Tony and Charmain Chvala-Smith), has also been continued as an incumbant position in the redesign. The same is true of the Peace and Justice Coordinator position (held by Andrew Bolton). JWHA notes these changes with a feeling of great concern for the individuals affected and interest for the Community of Christ s ongoing commitment to its heritage and history.

11 The John Whitmer Historical Association Page 11 Strang Studies Conference Report The Society for Strang Studies (SSS) held a conference from June on Beaver Island in Lake Michigan in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of Great Lakes Mormon prophet James J. Strang s assassination and martyrdom. According to SSS Vice Chair, Vickie Cleverley JWHA s 2006 Election Slate Speek, The papers that were presented were all top notch and represented a great deal of original research. I really think they brought out topics for further research and study. In addition to the papers, an original play about Strang s life was presented and a student group reenacted the fateful shooting. Building on this year s success, SSS plans to hold a conference on Beaver Island in The 2006 Nominating Committee, consisting of Mark A. Scherer (Chair), Don Compier, David Howlett, Peter Judd and Dianne Shepard, has completed its slate for the consideration of the membership. For the position of President-Elect, the committee nominates Barbara B. Walden, Kirtland Temple Site Coordinator. Barbara is a very active member of JWHA, presenting papers at our conferences, publishing articles in the JWHA Journal and has served on several JWHA committees including her current tenure on the Board. Already serving as Local Arrangements Committee Chair for our 2007 Conference (which will be held in Kirtland), Barbara is the unanimous choice of the committee for next year s President-Elect and Program Chair. To fill one of the out-going Board Member positions, the committee nominates Bill Shepard to succeed himself. Bill has been an extremely active member of the Board and has been filling key roles on the Program and Awards Committees. The Board as presently constitued is: Newell Bringhurst, President Alex Baugh, President-Elect Jan Shipps, Immediate Past President Margie Miller ( ) Bill Shepard ( ) Barbara Walden ( ) Bill Russell ( ) Jeanne Murphey ( ) Mike Marquardt ( ) Greg Kofford ( ) John Hamer, Executive Secretary Mike Karpowicz, Executive Secretary Billie Young, Endowment Fund Treasurer Coincidence in Scotland! For the other open position on the Board, the committee nominates Erin Jennings. A relatively new face, Erin has now been an active member of JWHA for several years and has been a regular attendee and presenter at our conferences and MHA s. The election slate will be presented to the membership for debate and consideration at our annual business meeting, which will be held at noon on Saturday, September 30, in the Truman Memorial Building in Independence, Missouri. Additional nominations are welcome from all members. By complete chance, JWHA Executive Secretaries Mike Karpowicz (L) and John Hamer (R), ran into President- Elect Alex Baugh (C) on the streets of Edinburgh. Alex was touring historic sites with a BYU faculty group and Mike and John were attending John s brother s wedding.

12 Page 12 The John Whitmer Historical Association APOSTLE of the POOR The Life and Work of Missionary and Humanitarian CHARLES D. NEFF By Matthew Bolton From humble beginnings as a Midwestern American farmboy, Charles D. Neff went on to participate in the fundamental transformation of the Community of Christ, from a small provincial sect centered in the Midwestern plains, to a worldwide church spanning over 50 nations. His missionary work in Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, India, Nigeria, Liberia, and Kenya challenged him to rethink the church s theology opening it to the voices of other cultures and confronted him with the horrific realities of massive poverty. Deeply affected by the terrible conditions he saw in the developing world, he founded several humanitarian organizations, including Outreach International, and dedicated his life to bringing relief, release and dignity to the world s poor. John Whitmer Books Place your order today using the form on page 9 or visit JWHA.info This apostle was not merely an important church leader, he was an indefatigable humanitarian and campaigner for world peace I was blown away by the work. Jan Shipps, author of Sojourner in the Promised Land Plan to attend our Conference this Sept. 28 Oct. 1 in Independence, Missouri! John Whitmer Historical Association c/o John Hamer 1710 South Blvd. Ann Arbor, MI