Join co-hosts Brian Whitney (Greg Kofford Books) and Brandt Malone (Mormon News Report) along with guest Stephen Smoot (Book of Mormon Central) in this lively look at the latest happenings in the field of Mormon studies, including news, blogs, new book releases, and events! “It's like Car Talk for Mormon studies!” - Someone online somewhere, probably Subscribe to the Mormon News Report. Check out Book of Mormon Central See Stephen Smoot's segment on the Conan O'Brien Show In the News Sherman Fleek received the Secretary of Army Award for Valor Check out Sherman L. Fleek's book, Saints of Valor James Talmage's diaries digitized On the Blogs Brother Guy Consolmagno's keynote at 2016 Science & Mormonism Symposium “Was Joseph Smith Ever Convicted of a Crime?” by John Dinger “A rare contradiction in terms”: Mormonism Racism and the Utah Jazz by Christopher “Early Mormons and Mass Poisoning" by Christopher Smith Digitizania! by Tod R. “On doing Mormon theology as a non-Mormon” by Bridget Jack Jeffries “A Reaction to the New Leonard Arrington Book” by Julie Smith “Reassassing Robert Flanders’s NAUVOO: KINGDOM ON THE MISSISSIPPI, Fifty Years Later” by Ben P. “Free Book, or What I learned at MHA” by Meg Stout  “The Ammonites Were Not Pacifists” by Duane Boyce “Mormon founder turned over priesthood keys to women, says Deseret Book author” by Jana Reiss Check out Fiona Given's article, “The Perfect Union of Man and Woman” in Dialogue. Latest Book Releases Reid L. Neilson and Mark Mellville, eds., A Historian in Zion: The Autobiography of Andrew Jenson, Assistant Church Historian Jack Harrell, Writing Ourselves: Essays on Creativity, Craft, and Mormonism Thomas F. Rogers, Let Your Hearts and Minds Expand: Reflections on Faith, Reason, Charity, and Beauty Read Stephen Smoot's full review Martha Bradley Evans, Glorious in Persecution: Joseph Smith, American Prophet, 1839-1844 (Also mentioned in previous episode) Recent and Upcoming Events MHA 2016 session highlights: Race discussion panel Sexual violence in Missouri panel Council of Fifty Minutes panel Josephine Lyon DNA panel MHA 2016 Awards: Leonard J. Arrington Award given to Michael Quinn Best Book Paul Reeve, Religion of a Different Color: Race and the Mormon Struggle for Whiteness (University of Utah Press) Honorable Mention: Thomas Carter, Building Zion: The Material World of Mormon Settlement (University of Minnesota Press) Best Biography Ronald Romig, Eighth Witness: The Biography of John Whitmer (John Whitmer Books). Honorable Mention: Michael Hicks, The Mormon Tabernacle Choir: A Biography (University of Illinois Press) Best Documentary Editing Royal Skousen and Robin Scott Jensen, eds. Revelations and Translations, Volume 3: Printer’s Manuscript of the Book of Mormon (Church Historian’s Press) Best First Book David Hall, A Faded Legacy: Amy Brown Lyman and Mormon Women’s Activism, 1872-1959 (University of Utah Press) For a complete list of Awards, click here. 2016 Mormon Theology Seminar Conference Richard Bushman Colloquium Check out J Stuart's write-up in Juvenile Instructor Greg Prince’s author event at Benchmark Books now on YouTube Looking ahead: Julie Smith at Writ & Vision July 21st for two forthcoming releases: Apocalypse: Reading Revelation 21–22 and As Iron Sharpens Iron: Listening to the Various Voices of Scripture. 2016 Sunstone Summer Symposium July 27-30 at the University of Utah.   If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

This Month in Mormon Studies is a new series co-hosted by Brian Whitney (Greg Kofford Books) and Brandt Malone (Mormon News Report). In this engaging and lighthearted series, Brian and Brandt will be discussing the latest going's-on in the field of Mormon studies. From news and blog highlights to new book releases and upcoming events, this monthly series is not to be missed. Subscribe today! See the links below for more information about topics discussed in the episode: Subscribe to the Mormon News Report. In the News Spencer Fluhman named director of Maxwell Institute Historian Ronald Walker passed away at age 76 George D. Smith receives honorary Doctorate from University of Utah First edition of Book of Mormon to be part of Library of Congress On the Blogs Juvenile Instructor Book Club for Summer 2016 - Mormon Enigma Harmonized First Vision accounts in CES broadcast (times & Seasons) Matthew Grow’s touching tribute to Ronald Walker @ BCC Re-examining and re-evaluating the Gospel Topics essays by Mary-Ann at W&T Steve Taysom interviewed by Matt Bowman on craft of biography writing Latest Book Releases Adam Miller, Future Mormon: Essays in Mormon Theology Kate Holbrook and Matthew Bowman, eds., Women and Mormonism: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives Gregory A. Prince, Leonard Arrington and the Writing of Mormon History Matthew C. Godfrey, et al., eds., Joseph Smith Papers: Documents, Vol. 4: April 1834 - September 1835 Martha Bradley-Evans, Glorious in Persecution: Joseph Smith, American Prophet, 1839-1844 Patrick Q. Mason, ed., Directions for Mormon Studies in the Twenty-First Century Laura Hales, ed., A Reason for Faith: Navigating LDS Doctrine & Church History Read Brandt Malone's interview with Laura Hales on the Cultural Hall Podcast. Upcoming Events UVU professor Brian Birch to teach new class at University of Utah - “The Intellectual Life of Mormonism.” Mormonism in Religious Studies workshop at University of Utah Mormon History Association 2016 Conference in Snowbird, UT Mormon Women's History Initiative Team (MWHIT) sponsoring a fundraising bazaar at MHA. Greg Prince author event at Benchmark Books, June 8 Greg Prince author event at Writ & Vision, June 9 Adam Miller author event at Writ & Vision, June 14 Jack Harrell author event at Writ & Vision, June 28 Matthew Godfrey speaking on Zion's Camp at Temple Square Assembly Hall, June 23   If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

Jack Harrell reads “Making Meaning as a Mormon Writer” from Writing Ourselves: Essays on Creativity, Craft, and Mormonism. Part candid memoir, part critical theory and philosophy, and part writing advice, Writing Ourselves: Essays on Creativity, Craft, and Mormonism, by Jack Harrell offers a refreshing look at the creative process and authenticity. Eric Samuelsen, well-known Utah playwright, said about the book, “Jack Harrell’s essays on writing and Mormonism and life reflect a life spent in the service of thoughtful and compassionate humanism.” “Embrace your weirdness!” wrote Margaret Blair Young, creative writing faculty at Brigham Young University, who called the book “a gift . . . to LDS writers and artists who are forever self-censoring.” Preview Writing Ourselves. Read a Q&A with the author. Listen to our AuthorCast interview with Jack Harrell. Meet the author on Tuesday, June 28th at 7:00 p.m. at Writ & Vision in Provo, UT, for a special panel discussion on creativity and critical theory in Mormonism. Panelists will include: Jack Harrell, Creative Writing instructor at BYU-Idaho and author of Writing Ourselves Boyd Jay Peterson - English professor at UVU and editor of Dialogue Darlene Young - English professor at BYU-Provo Eric Samuelsen - Playwright and emeritus professor of theatre at BYU-Provo The event is free and Jack will be available for questions and book signing. Writ & Vision 274 W Center Street Provo, UT, 84601   If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

Adam S. Miller reads “A Manifesto for the Future of Mormon Thinking” from Future Mormon: Essays in Mormon Theology. Future Mormon by Adam S. Miller presents a hypothetical future generation of Latter-day Saints and their relationship with Mormonism. If current religiosity trends continue, then future generations will face unique challenges in staying connected with their faith tradition in an increasingly non-affiliated society. Future Mormon is, in a sense, a time-capsule. A collection of thoughts and ideas that Adam styles “para-academic” in the sense that he uses academic tools but filters them through a pastoral and exegetical lens. He terms his approach “future-tense apologetics,” and although his volume defends Mormon thought, it is far from defensive. Future Mormon is grounded in the idea that every generation has to find its own connection with faith; and that every generation must re-think the faith tradition from the ground up. In these essays, Adam explores theological and philosophical possibilities: he writes extensively on grace and its role in Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement; he explores the concept of perfectibility in premortal and postmortal worlds; he challenges Platonism in Christianity; and wrestles with the “radical materialism” of Mormonism.  This is only a sample of the ideas Future Mormon works through. “Represents some of the most careful, creative, and charitable work going on in Mormon theology today.” — Association for Mormon Letters Preview Future Mormon here. Read a Q&A with the author. Listen to our AuthorCast interview with Adam Miller.   If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

An interview with Jack Harrell, author of Writing Ourselves: Essays on Creativity, Craft, and Mormonism. Continuing a conversation as old as Mormonism itself, Jack Harrell explores the relationship between Mormonism and the writer. Mormons see the universe in mythic proportions. Their God is a creator, their devil a destroyer. This makes meaningful conflict fundamental to their worldview, and begs the terms for religious redemption, as well as the redemptive power of art. Harrell urges writers to be authentic as they embrace the difficulties inherent in the creative process. His essays blend faithful intellectual inquiry, personal narrative, research, and application to offer insights for anyone who cares about writing, creativity, and the human condition. “A thought-provoking, inspiring, and beautifully written book.” — Margaret Blair Young, creative writing faculty at Brigham Young University, and co-author of the Standing on the Promises series “If you care about Mormonism and good writing and the moral implications of fiction, you need to add this book to your library.” — Eric Samuelsen, playwright and former president of the Association for Mormon Letters Preview the volume here. Read a Q&A with the author. **Join us for a special panel event at Writ & Vision on Tuesday, June 28 at 7:00 p.m. with Jack Harrell, Boyd Peterson, Darlene Young, and Eric Samuelsen discussing creativity, expresion, and a "Mormon literary theory." The event is free and light refreshments will be served.**   If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

An interview with Joseph Spencer, author of For Zion: A Mormon Theology of Hope. What is hope? What is Zion? And what does it mean to hope for Zion? In this insightful book, Joseph Spencer explores these questions through the scriptures of two continents separated by nearly two millennia. In the first half, Spencer engages in a rich study of Paul's letter to the Roman to better understand how the apostle understood hope and what it means to have it. In the second half of the book, Spencer jumps to the early years of the Restoration and the various revelations on consecration to understand how Latter-day Saints are expected to strive for Zion. Between these halves is an interlude examining the hoped-for Zion that both thrived in the Book of Mormon and was hoped to be established again. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts   Preview the volume here. Read a Q&A with the author.

An interview with Adam S. Miller, author of Future Mormon: Essays in Mormon Theology. Every generation must start again. Every generation must work out their own salvation. Every generation must live its own lives and think its own thoughts and receive its own revelations. And, if Mormonism continues to matter, it will be because they, rather than leaving, were willing to be Mormon all over again. Like our grandparents, like our parents, and like us, they will have to rethink the whole tradition, from top to bottom, right from the beginning, and make it their own in order to embody Christ anew in this passing world. If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts   Preview the volume here. Read a Q&A with the author. Read Adam Miller's "Letter to a CES Student" Join us June 14, 2016 for a special author event with Adam Miller at Writ & Vision fine art gallery and books in Provo, UT: Writ & Vision 274 Center Stret Provo, UT 84601

In our latest episode, author Mark Lyman Staker reads the prologue to Hearken, O Ye People: The Historical Setting of Joseph Smith's Ohio Revelations.    If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts

In our latest episode, author Richard Davis reads the introduction to The Liberal Soul.    If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts   Preview The Liberal Soul here.

In our latest episode, we welcome Michael Austin back to discuss his exciting new series, The Mormon Image in Literature, co-edited by himself and Ardis E. Parshall. We discuss the cultural importance of literature, the "dime novel" genre, and the first release in the series, The Mormoness; Or, The Trials of Mary Maverick: A Narrative of Real Events, available January 26, 2016.    If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Download Subscribe in Pocket Casts   Preview The Mormoness, Or, The Trials of Mary Maverick here. Learn more about The Mormon Image in Literature series here.