Program Chair Jeanne Murphey and cosponsors

Transcription

1 JWHA Newsletter The John Whitmer Historical Association No. 82 1st Quarter 2008 Restoration Studies Symposium Program Wallace B. Smith, Jan Shipps, to Give Plenary Addresses in First Annual Theology, Cultural and Religious Studies Event Program Chair Jeanne Murphey and cosponsors Don Compier of the Community of Christ Seminary and Dan Wotherspoon of the Sunstone Education Foundation are pleased to announce the program for the first annual Restoration Studies / Sunstone Midwest Symposium. The symposium will be held this April on the Independence, Missouri campus of Graceland University. Even though this is the first time we have held this event, the committee was flooded with proposals, many of which had to be turned away due to lack of available time slots. The committee believes that this is a sign that the interest is high and they think you will agree that this enthusiasm allowed them to assemble an exciting program. Friday, April 11 (1) 5:30 pm Pre-Conference Screening of the new documentary film, A Mormon President This film by producer/director Adam Christing explores the earliest precedent for Mitt Romney s failed 2008 run: Joseph Smith s own third-party bid for the US presidency in Christing interviewed a number of historians including Roger Launius, Newell Bringhurst, Michael Quinn, Susan Easton Black, Richard & Claudia Bushman, Michael Riggs, Klaus Hansen and Todd Compton. The film includes historical re-enactments at actual historical sites including the Carthage Jail and the Red Brick Store and Mansion House in Nauvoo. While exploring the impact of Joseph Smith s politics and teachings today, A Mormon President explores residual anti-mormon feelings that linger in America today. (2) 8:00 pm Plenary Address by President Emeritus Wallace B. Smith of the Community of Christ President Smith will officially open the first annual Restoration Studies Symposium with his personal reflections on the path the Community of Christ has taken in his lifetime, along with his thoughts for the future. Wallace B. Smith is a greatgrandson of Joseph Smith Jr. and was Prophet-President of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints from His tenure included the first ordinations of women to the priesthood and the construction of the church s temple in Independence. Since his retirement, Wallace B. Smith he has been the church s emeritus president and has only rarely given public addresses. (3) 9:30 pm Opening Reception You are invited to attend an opening reception with refreshments, sponsored by Herald House and John Whitmer Books. Herald House will be debuting two new history titles this year: (1) Volume 1 of church historian Mark Scherer s The Journey of a People: The Period of Restoration, , and (2) Zion the Beautiful Beckons Us On: A continued on page 4

2 Page The John Whitmer Historical Association Newsletter No. 82 Last Call for Papers for Voree! Please send in your proposals for papers and panels for our 36th annual fall conference, which will be held this September near Burlington, Wisconsin and the site of Voree. Voree is the headquarters of Strangite Mormonism and the conference will offer tours of the historic sites: the Hill of Promise, the remaining Mormon era homes, the pioneer cemetery and the church which houses the last active congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangite). The conference theme this year is : A Time of Transition, and we encourage scholars and students to submit proposals for papers and panels relating to this pivotal moment in the history of the Latter Day Saint movement. As always, we also are interested in all proposals relating to the history of the movement and to Mormonism in general Program Committee: Bill Shepard, Chair Robin Jensen John Quist Ron Romig Bill Russell Vickie Speek Barb Walden Program Chair Bill Shepard has announced that this year s Stirling M. McMurrin Lecturer will be Roger D. Launius, curator of the National Air and Space Museum and celebrated historian of the Latter Day Saint movement. The deadline for submissions is February 29, Send your proposals along with a brief vita via today to: proposals@jwha.info

3 Newsletter No. 82 The John Whitmer Historical Association Page European Mormon Studies Conference The European Mormon Studies Association (EMSA) was formed a little over two years ago as an independent scholarly organization that promotes the academic study of Mormonism in Europe. The association includes European scholars interested in studying Mormonism in general from various perspectives and any scholars interested in studying the European manifestation of Mormonism in particular. EMSA, in conjunction with the Department of Comparative Religion at Åbo Akademi University in Turku, Finland, has issued a call for papers for its second annual conference, which will be held in Finland this August 21-22, on the topic of Mormonism and the Christian Tradition. EMSA s program committee writes that the relationship of Mormonism and the Christian tradition is hotly contested, especially in religious circles. Whatever the precise nature of that relationship is, it provides rich opportunities for scholarly probing in domains such as sociology, history, theology, anthropology and religious studies. The conference s keynote address will be given by theologian Heikki Räisänen, who will speak concerning Mormonism s founder Joseph Smith and the relationship of the Bible and the Book of Mormon two of the faith s central texts. The committee suggests that other potential topics abound. Europe s religious landscape with its national churches presents Mormonism with a very different situation than does the United States, the movement s homeland. How has this shaped Mormonism s European manifestations? How has the relationship of Mormonism and the Christian tradition, with the attendant processes of boundary negotiation, played out in Europe historically? Who are Europe s Mormons? What are Mormonism s contributions to the wider range of Christian thought? Those wishing to present a paper at the conference are requested to send a 200-word abstract to Kim Östman at kim.ostman@abo.fi. The abstract deadline is April 15, If accepted, a notification will be given by May 15, You can learn more about EMSA on its website, EuroMormonStudies.com. Divergent Paths Conference at UVSC Utah Valley State College (UVSC) in Orem, Utah, will hold a Mormon Studies conference this April 1. The conference will explore the topic: Restoration Christianity: Commonality and Divergence in Latter Day Saint Movements. Conference participants will compare and contrast the diverse experiences of different Latter Day Saint groups, including churches who trace their lineage through James J. Strang, Granville Hedrick, Lyman Wight, Brigham Young, and Joseph Smith III. According to the tentative program, Session 1 will include presentations by John Hamer, Grant Underwood and Steven Shields. Session 2 will involve those presenters along with Sally Barringer-Gordon in a panel discussion. Session 3 will include presentations by Jean Addams, Vickie Speek and Michael Van Wagenen. Session 4 will be a panel discussion between the second group of presenters. The conference is sponsored by UVSC s Religious Studies Program and its Interfaith Student Association. For more information, please contact conference organizer Boyd Peterson: PetersBo@uvsc.edu. JWHA Newsletter The JWHA Newsletter is published quarterly by and for the benefit of the members of the John Whitmer Historical Association 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.

4 Page The John Whitmer Historical Association Newsletter No. 82 Spring Program continued from page 1 Story of Community of Christ. John Whitmer Books has a number of new titles including Homosexual Saints: The Community of Christ Experience, edited by William D. Russell, The Mormon Quest for the Presidency by Newell G. Bringhurst and Craig L. Foster, and House of the Lord: The Story of Kirtland Temple by Barbara Walden and Lachlan Mackay. Saturday, April 12 (4) 8:00 am Plenary Panel The Future Status and Use of the Book of Mormon in the Community of Christ Chair: Don Compier, Panelists: Mark A. Scherer, Dale Luffman, Sue McLaughlin, and John Glaser Don Compier is Dean of the Community of Christ Seminary. He will chair the discussion and talk about the reception of the canonical status of the Book of Mormon in the contemporary ecumenical community. Mark A. Scherer is church historian of the Community of Christ and Professor of History, Community of Christ Seminary. He will present issues raised by his critical study of the life and work of Joseph Smith Jr. Dale E. Luffman of the Community of Christ s Council of Twelve is an instructor of practical theology at the seminary. He will offer an appreciation of the scriptural authority of the Book of Mormon, which presupposes its emergence from and in a nineteenth century US context. Sue McLaughlin is Associate Dean of the Community of Christ Seminary and Professor of Christian Education. She will offer a feminist perspective on the Book of Mormon. John Glaser is director of the Community of Christ s Hispanic Leadership Project. He will discuss the ways that the use of the Book of Mormon has been harmful to the Hispanic and Native American Mission in the church. (5A) 10:00 am Concurrent Session Does Beelzebub Have a Body? The Corporeal Nature of Satan in Early Mormon Experience and Thought, Presenter: Alonzo L. Gaskill. Behold I Have Dreamed A Dream : Dreams as Spiritual Gifts as Restored by Joseph Smith Jr., Presenter: Mary Jane Woodger. Co-presenters: Megan Perkins, Craig Manscill and Kurt Laird. Alonzo L. Gaskill is Assistant Professor of Church History and Doctrine at BYU and is the author of several books including, The Savior and the Serpent: Unlocking the Doctrine of the Fall. Although most Latter Day Saint traditions today envision Satan as a spirit, early Mormons like Joseph Smith, Newell Knight, Sidney Rigdon and Harvey Whitlock reported physical contact and attacks from the devil and other demons. The presentation will examine the implications these reports have for the understanding of the nature of Satan in Restoration theology. Mary Jane Woodger is Assistant Professor of Church History and Doctrine at BYU and is the author or editor of a number of books, including, Heart Petals: The Personal Correspondence of David Oman McKay to Emma Ray McKay. Megan Perkins, Craig Manscill and Kurt Laird are graduate students. These researchers have completed a systematic collection and study of dreams recorded in the life and teachings of Joseph Smith. Their presentation will examine how these exemplars have influenced LDS church members understanding and use of dreams ever since. (5B) 10:00 am Concurrent Panel The Spirituality of the Rising Generation Chair: Jana Reiss, Panelists: to be announced The life worlds of today s teenagers and young adults are vastly different than those of just a generation ago. They are deeply immersed in new technologies that give them unprecedented access to information and communication from across the globe. Exposed to a greater diversity of beliefs and postmodern sensibilities that question the very the idea of finding Truth, young people today have greater freedom to explore, tinker, and come of age much later in

5 Newsletter No. 82 The John Whitmer Historical Association Page life than was possible in their parents and grandparents generations. All these trends have naturally caused today s young people to engage religion and faith in new and different ways, leaving traditional faith communities to struggle to adapt and to remain relevant. This panel will explore the tensions and the opportunities presented by today s changing social circumstances and religious trends. How seriously should traditional churches take developments such as the emerging church movement? How can churches relate better to the rising generation while still maintaining their core identities and connections with traditional members? Jana Reiss is religion book editor of Publishers Weekly and the author of What Would Buffy Do? The Vampire Slayer as Spiritual Guide. (5C) 10:00 am Concurrent Session The Rhetorics of Space(s), Place(s), and Time(s), Presenter: Graham Stott Utopian Vision and Prophetic Imagination: Reading the Book of Mormon in a 19 th Century Context, Presenter: Andrew Bolton Graham Stott is Associate Professor of English at Arab American University in Jenin and holds a PhD from BYU. Looking at the Book of Mormon, Graham explores how we can conceive and talk of sacred space when the location of the religious experience is unknown. Andrew Bolton of the Community of Christ s Council of Twelve holds a PhD from the University of Wales and has written a number of books and articles on peace and justice issues. His presentation will draw upon parallels from Thomas More s Utopia and other utopian literature to argue that the utopias and dystopias described in the Book of Mormon are firmly grounded in this tradition. Andrew contends that the Book of Mormon, when as an example of prophetically inspired utopian literature, has something profoundly important to say to those pursuing peace, justice and the cause of Zion today. (6) 12:00 noon Lunch Plenary Panel The Mormon Quest for the Presidency Chair: John C. Hamer, Panelists: Newell G. Bringhurst, Craig L. Foster, William D. Russell Newell G. Bringhurst is Emeritus Professor of History at the College of the Sequoias in Visalia, California and co-author of new book, The Mormon Quest for the Presidency. Newell will briefly outline the bids of nine Mormons who ran for president prior to Mitt Romney, beginning with Joseph Smith. Craig L. Foster is a researcher at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah and co-author of The Mormon Quest for the Presidency. Craig will summarize Mitt Romney s candidacy and will offer a conservative Mormon Republican perspective on why it failed. William D. Russell is Emeritus Professor of History at Graceland University and has long been an active participant in the Iowa Democratic Caucuses. Bill will offer his assessment of Romney s bid from a liberal Community of Christ Democrat s perspective. (7A) 2:00 pm Concurrent Session Unfulfilled Prophecy: Comparing the Experiences of John Nelson Darby and Joseph Smith Jr., Presenter: Michael Oiler. The Prophet and the Papyrus, Presenter: William D. Morain Michael Oiler will explore the early nineteenthcentury interest in unfulfilled prophecy and will consider John Nelson Darby s creative solution in its European context. The presentation will contrast the contextual differences between Darby and Joseph Smith, and consider what circumstances appear to have given Smith greater freedom to innovate. William D. Morain is the author of The Sword of Laban: Joseph Smith and the Disassociated Mind. Bill will argue that Joseph Smith s reconstruction of the fragmentary pictures on the papyrus that became the Book of Abraham amount to taking the Thematic Apperception Test. For example, Smith s reconstruction of Facsimile 1 added a fearsome, sword-like amputation knife in a clear replication of the leg surgery he experienced as a seven-year-old. continued on page 6

6 Page The John Whitmer Historical Association Newsletter No. 82 Spring Program Michael S. Riggs is a graduate student at the University of Missouri, Kansas City and a past president of JWHA. Mike will reexamine the contentions of scholars including Maxine Hanks and D. Michael Quinn, who asserted that Joseph Smith s Nauvoocontinued from page 5 (7B) 2:00 pm Concurrent Panel The Diversity of Restoration Theology in the Centerplace Chair: Jason R. Smith, Panelists: David Howlett, Steven L. Shields, TBA Jason R. Smith is a graduate student and the author of numerous articles on various expressions of the Latter Day Saint movement. Jason will talk about the theology of the Church of Christ (Temple Lot), the Churches of Christ with the Elijah Message and other related groups. David J. Howlett is a graduate student at the University of Iowa and a member of the Community of Christ who was raised Restorationist. David will talk about some of the historical tensions between the Restorationists and the Community of Christ. Steven L. Shields is the author of Divergent Paths of the Restoration. He is a full-time minister for Community of Christ who was raised LDS. Steve will talk about the theology of the Cutlerites and other groups in the Independence area. A final panelist, to be announced, will bring an LDS perspective to the discussion. (7C) 2:00 pm Concurrent Session Courage: A Liberal Journal Foreshadows RLDS Doctrinal Shifts, Presenter: William D. Russell The Developing Ecumenical Impulses in the Community of Christ since the Presidency of W. Wallace Smith, Presenter: Dale E. Luffman William D. Russell is Emeritus Professor of History at Graceland University and was one of the founders of Courage. Bill will talk about the history of Courage and will examine the journal s place in the theological shifts that transformed the RLDS church in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Dale E. Luffman of the Community of Christ s Council of Twelve is an instructor of practical theology at the seminary. Dale will trace the initiatives of leaders who encouraged the church toward more intentional involvement in ecumenical endeavor. The presentation will consider the resistance these initiatives have faced and examine the results and future prospects. (8A) 4:00 pm Concurrent Panel Faith Development and the Restoration Panelists: To be announced The model of faith development presented by James W. Fowler in his classic study, The Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for Meaning, has helped many people from a wide variety of religious traditions better understand their own faith journey. It has been embraced especially by many who feel they have lost their faith or are struggling with changing understanding about their tradition s sacred texts, teachings, leadership, and wider community. Panelists in this session will discuss aspects of faith development and how they might be applied in Restoration-tradition settings in a way to create a more comfortable place for people at all stages of their faith journeys. (8B) 4:00 pm Concurrent Session The Book of Mormon s Origin: The Hill Cumorah or Dartmouth College? Presenters: Ronald Dawbarn and Margie Miller Joseph Smith s Conferrence of Priesthood on Women: A Re-Appraisal, Presenter: Michael S. Riggs Ronald Dawbarn and Margie Miller are independent researchers who are both long-time pastors of Community of Christ congregations. They are collaborating together on a book and a CD-ROM which explores the origins and contents of the Book of Mormon. Their presentation will give a summary of their findings and will specifically examine connections people involved in the Book of Mormon s production had with Dartmouth College.

7 Newsletter No. 82 The John Whitmer Historical Association Page era practices amounted to priesthood ordination for women. The presentation will argue that rather than operating with egalitarian motives, Smith was effectively widening priesthood blessings as a means to keep the practice of plural marriage secret. (8C) 4:00 pm Concurrent Book Panel Homosexual Saints: The Community of Christ Experience, Panelists: William D. Russell and contributors to the new book William D. Russell is Emeritus Professor of History at Graceland University and is the editor of a new collection of personal stories about the LGBT experience within the Community of Christ. The other panelists will include a number of authors who contributed essays to the book. The panel will debut the book s contents and engage the audience in a discussion about the topic of homosexuality and the church. (9) 7:30 pm Concluding Plenary Address Critical Episodes in the History of the Prairie Saints since World War II, Presenter: Jan Shipps Jan Shipps is Emeritus Professor of Religious Studies at IUPUI and the author of numerous books on Mormonism, including Sojourner in the Promised Land: Forty Years among the Mormons. Her upcoming book Being Mormon: Latter-day Saints since World War II will discuss the big changes in both the LDS and RLDS churches in the later twentieth century. In the concluding plenary address of the Symposium, Jan will discuss the transformation of the Community of Christ within the broader context of religion in the post-war world. Sunday, April 13 (10) 9:00 am Post Conference Tour A post-conference tour will explore the Community of Christ Temple Complex, including insider tours of the Auditorium and Temple. The tour will conclude in the Community of Christ Library-Archives, where church archivist Ronald E. Romig will open the vaults to show guests important historical artifacts, including the famous Caractors transcript and the seer stones owned by Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer. Communal Societies Journal of the Communal Studies Association COMMUNAL STUDIES ASSOCIATION Make checks Communal Studies Assoc. A biennial interdisciplinary payable in US P.O. Box 122 journal presenting original funds only to: Amana, IA research and analysis of historic and current communal groups. Name EDITOR: Rod Janzen Fresno Pacific University rajanzen@fresno.edu Subscribe to Communal Societies: Institution Street City, State, Zip Telephone / Send me CSA membership information Institutional subscriptions are 30 per year. Journal issued twice per year. Sample and back issues available upon request. ISBN

8 Page 8 The John Whitmer Historical Association Newsletter No. 82 WILLIAM D. RUSSELL, EDITOR Homosexual Saints The Community of Christ Experience Members of Community of Christ (formerly the RLDS church) have polarized opinions concerning the status of their fellow members who are homosexual. The two major issues are priesthood ordination (in a predominantly lay church) and whether the church will perform same-sex weddings or blessings. Homosexual Saints explores these issues with twenty-four narratives that explain the experience of gay and lesbian members of Community of Christ, as well as the experiences of their family members and supporters. The volume includes a detailed history of the status of homosexuals in the church since 1954 and a preface by celebrated Mormon historian D. MICHAEL QUINN. 264 pages paperback NOW AVAILABLE! WILLIAM D. RUSSELL is professor emeritus of history, Graceland University. Russell is a long-time social activist, advocating civil rights for all. He was a cofounder of the John Whitmer Historical Association (JWHA) and of Courage: A Journal of History, Thought and Action. NEWELL G. BRINGHURST and CRAIG L. FOSTER The Mormon Quest for the Presidency 10 Mormons Who Ran for President...and Why They Lost With Mitt Romney s defeat in the 2008 primaries, the question lingers: did he lose because he was Mormon? As it happens, Romney is only the latest in a long series of would-be Mormon presidential candidates stretching back more than 150 years. In the 20th century, eight other Mormons have run for the presidency, including George Romney in 1968, Morris Mo Udall in 1976, and Orrin Hatch in The first Mormon candidate was Joseph Smith who set out to capture the White House in Smith made history by being the first clergyman to run for president, as well as the first candidate to be assassinated during his campaign. In this ground-breaking volume, Newell G. Bringhurst and Craig L. Foster tell the stories of the Mormons who have sought the presidency and explore how their religion has shaped their political ambitions. 330 pages paperback Forthcoming NEWELL G. BRINGHURST is professor emeritus of history at the College of the Sequoias in Visalia, California. CRAIG L. FOSTER is a researcher at the LDS Church Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

9 Newsletter No. 82 The John Whitmer Historical Association Page John Whitmer Books Order Form John Whitmer Books Check each box to indicate the books you would like to order and total the cost: The following titles are currently on hand, allow two weeks for shipping. Apostle of the Poor (18) Emma s Nauvoo (13) Homosexual Saints (23) Martin Harris s Kirtland (13) Scattering of the Saints (28) Books Subtotal: PRE-ORDER from these titles and we will ship them to you the moment they are printed. House of the Lord (13) Illustrated History of Nauvoo (23) Let Contention Cease (23) The Mormon Quest for the Presidency (28) (Listed prices already include tax and shipping.) JohnWhitmerBooks.com 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) Vol. 26 (25) Vol. 27 (25) Journal Subtotal: (Listed prices already include tax and shipping.) 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. (8) #3: Richard Howard, The Quest for Traces of a Peace Gene in Restoration History. (8) #4: Barbara Bernauer, Gathering the Remnants: Establishing the RLDS Church in Southwest Iowa. (8) #5: Lavina Fielding Anderson, Mormonism s First Mother Lucy Mack Smith. (8) #8: Paul Edwards, Beating Plowshares into Swords: The Community of Christ and War. (8) #9: Alma Blair, The Faithful Historian: Odysseys of Mind and Spirit. (8) Cassette Subtotal: Total Enclosed: Make checks payable to JWHA and send them to: John Whitmer Historical Association 1710 South Blvd. Ann Arbor, MI (Listed prices already include tax and shipping.) Name Address City, State, Zip Phone #11: Phillip Barlow, Transformation in Context: Mormonism, the Community of Christ, and Religion in America. (8) #12: Robert Flanders, Nauvoo on My Mind. (8) #13: Robert Remini, A Non-Mormon s Interpretation of Joseph Smith. (8) #15: Michael Quinn, To Whom Shall We Go?: Historical Patterns of Restoration Believers With Serious Doubts. (8) #16: Biloine Young, Religion s Shifting Sand and Mormonism s Unsteady Footing. (8) #17: Thomas Murphy, Sin, Skin, and Seed: Mistakes of Men in the Book of Mormon. (8)

10 Page 10 The John Whitmer Historical Association Newsletter No. 82 JWHA Membership Renewal Form If a notice to renew your membership appears above your name and mailing address of this newsletter (see page 12), please take this opportunity to renew your membership in the John Whitmer Historical Association and also your membership in the Mormon History Association. Name Address City, State, Zip Phone Spouse (List if your spouse is registering for a Spouse Membership) Membership Levels JWHA s Bylaws provide for Sustaining, Patron and Lifetime Memberships for members who wish to make an additional tax-deductable contribution to the association. Regular Membership Full Membership in the organization with a subscription to the quarterly newsletter and annual journal and full voting rights at the annual meeting. Spouse Membership Same as above except that the spouse shares the subscriptions. Student Membership Full Membership is offered at a reduced rate to encourage students to join the association. Sustaining Membership Sustaining Members are full members who provide an extra donation to help sustain the association s important initiatives and programs. Patron Membership Patron Members are helping JWHA with its long-term goals of growth and increased professionalism. Lifetime Membership Through a one-time-only generous donation, a Lifetime Member s name is permanently updated on JWHA s membership rolls. JWHA thanks you for supporting the association through the gift of an upgraded membership! 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: Regular 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 Membership Total Total amount enclosed Renewing Member: , Renewing Member: Make checks payable to JWHA and send them to: John Whitmer Historical Association 1710 South Blvd. Ann Arbor, MI

11 Newsletter No. 82 The John Whitmer Historical Association Page 11 In Memoriam: Jerry Gorden Jerry Gorden looked every inch the retired military man he was, but, in reality, he was made of much softer stuff true goodness of the mind and spirit. He was one of the most benevolent people I have ever known. A High Priest in the Community of Christ church, Jerry truly believed in Jesus Christ and quietly demonstrated that belief in everything he said and did. Although his heart belonged to his wife and his grandson, Jerry showed a tremendous concern for the welfare of his fellowman. He participated on the committee for International World Church Peace and Justice, and served as the State Emergency Operations Military Commander during the flood of 1993 in Des Moines, Iowa. Jerry was proud of his ancestors, early members of the Latter Day Saint movement, who, after the death of Joseph Smith, sought truth with James Strang, Sidney Rigdon, and the RLDS church. He was especially proud of his great-grandfather, Warren Post, a well-respected Strangite apostle, and was devastated when Warren s precious family diary, held by one of Jerry s cousins, was sold to a private collector instead of going to an institution where it could be shared with the public. An Army veteran, Jerry was awarded the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Humanitarian Service Medal, Iowa Distinguished Service Medal, National Guard Bureau Distinguished Service and various other medals and ribbons. Vickie Speek I have had the great pleasure of being a friend to this fine man. Jerry lived at Johnston, Iowa, near Des Moines and over the years we became great friends. Although he was a retired Brigadier General in the Iowa National Guard, his conversation generally was about his wife Nancy and his grandson David who lived with them. He took great pride in both and was very proud of his wife s holding the Melchizedek Priesthood. His great-grandfather, Warren Post, was an Apostle under James J. Strang and resided at Beaver Island in Lake Michigan when the Strangites were banished from the island. Although he was a High Priest in the Community of Christ, he was respectful of the Strangites as well as different groups within the RLDS tradition and the broader Latter Day Saint tradition. My cherished memories of Jerry include the time we got caught in the dreadful traffic at Mentor, Ohio and later that evening enjoying wonderful conversation with him, Dan Vogel, John Quist, Mike Marquardt and a diverse group of attendees at the MHA Conference. Another fond memory is the time he drove to Lamoni to join me, Kay and Alma Blair, and Lois and Bill Russell for a meal and fellowship. I will always remember him meeting my family at the Iowa State Historical society where he showed me the records of Warren Post. He was a credit to his church, his heritage, his family, and his many friends. He is sorely missed. Bill Shepard

12 Page 12 The John Whitmer Historical Association Newsletter No. 82 Big Changes at the Mormon History Assoc. Our sister association, MHA, will hold its next annual conference in Sacramento, California, May 22-25, The topic is Growth and Gateways: Mormonism in a Wider World. MHA President Paul Anderson invites JWHA members to attend what promises to be an exciting conference. Long-time MHA executive directors Larry and Alene King will retire this year, leaving behind a legacy of increased professionalism and growth for the association. Patricia Lyn Scott and Linda Thatcher have already begun a transitional period as their successors. MHA headquarters has now moved into a permanent office at 10 West 100 South, Suite 610 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The association s new phone numbers are and toll free: Their website is MHAhome.org. The Journal of Mormon History will now be published on a quarterly basis, fulfilling the goal of long-time editor Lavina Fielding Anderson. Anderson will also retire this year, although her successor has not yet been announced. Mark your calendars for the April Symposium and the September Conference John Whitmer Historical Association c/o John Hamer 1710 South Blvd. Ann Arbor, MI