Something wonderful with long-lasting effect on Mormonism began in 1966 with the publication of the inaugural issue of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. Beginning as a dream brought into reality by five friends at Stanford University, Dialogue went on to become in the days before the Internet “the” go-to source for the best thinking on Mormonism, especially for LDS students and intellectuals who wanted so much to bring their scholarship into conversation with their faith. During its storied career, Dialogue has published many pivotal articles that have helped shape Mormonism, along with providing an early outlet for great writing and art of all sorts, including personal essays, sermons, fiction, poetry, drama, and celebrations of the visual arts.

In this episode, the first of two parts, one of Dialogue’s founders, Frances Lee Menlove, an early Dialogue editor, Robert Rees, and the author of an award-winning series of histories of the journal, Devery Anderson, join Mormon Matters host Dan Wotherspoon to explore Dialogue’s history and impact, its aspirations and how they have and have not been met, some of the key moments in its history and wrestles it faced, as well as assessments of its importance within the LDS community. Dialogue is, in many ways, the foundation upon which today’s podcasting and flourishing online discussions about Mormonism are built. It’s history is compelling, with many ups and downs involving the interplay between church leaders and the journal’s decision makers, as well as its finances and reputation. Ultimately, it is a triumphant story--one we are pleased to begin to share with you in this episode.

Following this episode, we will focus in Part 2 on Dialogue’s present and future.