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Mormon literature is generally considered to have begun with the March 1830 publication of the Book of Mormon.[1][2] It has since grown to include LDS Poetry, LDS fiction, LDS scripture, LDS hymns, works by various LDS historians, biography, drama, and other forms.
Early Mormon Literature, 1830-1930
[edit]The Book of Mormon, published 1830, was the first major publication in Mormon literature.[1][2] Within the following 100 years, a variety of works were written, most of which are currently in the public domain in the United States[3] and many of which are available online. During this period, much LDS literature was directed towards missionary work; many important works were written as missionary pamphlets, which could be published in large numbers inexpensively, in preference to expensive full-length books. Eugene England writes that during a "Foundations" period from 1830-1880 there was "an initial outpouring ... of largely unsophisticated writing, expressive of the new converts' dramatic symbolic as well as literal journeys to Zion and their fierce rejection of Babylon, and often intended to meet the immediate and practical needs of the church for hymns, sermons, and tracts."[1] In the following fifty years (the "Home Literature" period), didactic fiction and poetry became increasingly common[4] and "Mormon theological and historical writing, especially in James E. Talmage and B. H. Roberts, [were refined] into excellent and lasting forms."[1]
Works published during this period include:
Year | Title | Author | Availability | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|
1830 | The Book of Mormon | Joseph Smith | E-book | The foundational scripture of Mormonism |
1842 | The Wentworth Letter | Joseph Smith | E-book | An early summary of LDS beliefs |
1844 | General Smith's Views of the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States | Joseph Smith | E-book | A political pamphlet from Joseph Smith's presidential campaign |
1837 | A Voice of Warning | Parley P. Pratt | E-book | Considered the most important missionary pamphlet of the first century of the Church |
1855 | Key to the Science of Theology | Parley P. Pratt | E-book | Parley P. Pratt's greatest theological pamphlet |
1873 | The Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt | Parley P. Pratt | E-book | Recounts his involvement in much of early Church history |
1840 | An Interesting Account of Several Remarkable Visions | Orson Pratt | E-book | The earliest published account of Joseph Smith's First Vision |
1849 | Absurdities of Immaterialism | Orson Pratt | E-book | A pamphlet defending philosophical materialism as preached by Joseph Smith |
1882 | An Examination into and an Elucidation of the Great Principle of the Mediation and Atonement of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ | John Taylor | E-book | A compilation of relevant scriptures interspersed with Taylor's commentary |
1903 | The Mormon Doctrine of Deity | B. H. Roberts | E-book | |
1892 | The Life of John Taylor | B. H. Roberts | E-book | |
1912 | The House of the Lord: A Study of Holy Sanctuaries, Ancient and Modern | James E. Talmage | E-book Audiobook | |
1922 | Essentials in Church History | Joseph Fielding Smith | E-book | |
1921 | William Clayton's Journal | William Clayton | E-book | |
1882 | My first mission | George Q. Cannon | E-book | |
1874 | The Autobiography of Parley P. Pratt | Parley P. Pratt | E-book | |
1852 | The Government of God | John Taylor | E-book | |
1915 | A Rational Theology | John A. Widtsoe | E-book | |
1889 | A Young Folks’ History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | Nephi Anderson | E-book | |
1898 | Added Upon | Nephi Anderson | E-book | |
1902 | Corianton: A Nephite story | B. H. Roberts | E-book | |
1921 | Dorian | Nephi Anderson | E-book | |
1914 | Elias: an epic of the ages | Orson F. Whitney | E-book | |
1915 | Jesus the Christ | James E. Talmage | E-book | |
1908 | Joseph Smith as Scientist | John A. Widtsoe | E-book | |
1908 | Joseph Smith the Prophet-teacher | B. H. Roberts | E-book | |
1913 | Story of Chester Lawrence | Nephi Anderson | E-book | |
1894 | Succession in the Presidency | B. H. Roberts | E-book | |
1901 | The Articles of Faith | James E. Talmage | E-book | |
1909 | The Great Apostasy | James E. Talmage | E-book | |
1888 | The Life of Heber C. Kimball | Orson F. Whitney | E-book | |
1919 | The Mormon Battalion | B. H. Roberts | E-book | |
1905 | The Mormons and the Theatre | John S. Lindsay | E-book | |
1914 | The Story of "Mormonism" and The Philosophy of "Mormonism" | James E. Talmage | E-book | |
1889 | Hephzibah | Emmeline B. Wells | E-book | |
1881 | The Plan of Salvation | John Morgan | Scans | |
1892 | The Bible and Polygamy | Orson Pratt | Scans | |
1882 | Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel | Franklin D. Richards, James A. Little | Scans | |
1917 | The strength of the "Mormon" position | Orson F. Whitney | Scans | |
1895 | New Witnesses for God Volume II | B. H. Roberts | Scans | |
1888 | The Gospel: An Exposition of Its First Principles | B. H. Roberts | Scans | |
1919 | The Vitality of Mormonism: Brief Essays | James E. Talmage | Scans | |
1917 | The Vitality of Mormonism: An Address | James E. Talmage | Scans | |
1881 | Items on the Priesthood | John Taylor | Scans | |
1848 | Divine Authority or the Question, Was Joseph Smith Sent of God? | Orson Pratt | Scans | |
1904 | Rays of Living Light (12 pamphlets) | Charles W. Penrose | Scans | |
1884 | Biography and Family Record of Lorenzo Snow | Eliza R. Snow | Scans | |
1907 | Defense of the Faith and the Saints (2 vols.) | B. H. Roberts | ||
1919 | Gospel Doctrine: Selections from the Sermons and Writings of Joseph F. Smith | Joseph F. Smith, Ed. John A. Widtsoe | Scans | |
1902 | Cowley's Talks on Doctrine | Matthias F. Cowley | Scans | |
1909 | Wilford Woodruff: History of His Life | Matthias F. Cowley | Scans | |
1909 | New Witnesses for God (3 vols.) | B. H. Roberts | Scans | |
1903 | History of the Church (7 vols.) | B. H. Roberts | ||
1890 | Forty Years Among the Indians | Daniel Webster Jones | Scans | |
1835 | Lectures on Faith | Joseph Smith | ||
1882 | Leaves From My Journal | Wilford Woodruff | Scans | |
1848 | Spencer's Letters | Orson Spencer | Scans | |
1902 | History of Joseph Smith by his Mother | Lucy Mack Smith | Scans |
Second Century Mormon Literature, 1930-Present
[edit]The increasing volume of Mormon literature during this period includes the work of writers as diverse as Hugh Nibley, Orson Scott Card, and Bruce R. McConkie. Many writers in the "Lost Generation" period, 1930-1970, gained national recognition for their work while rejecting or criticizing much of the Mormon experience. During the "Faithful Realism" period, 1960-present, Mormon literature expanded dramatically as many writers struck various balances between faith, academic endeavor, and commercial success (both within expanding Mormon markets and nationally).[1]
This period also witnessed the rise of Mormon periodicals such as Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought and the Journal of Mormon History.
Organizations and Awards
[edit]Various groups have worked to make early Mormon literature available. The Joseph Smith Papers Project, a major academic initiative, has digitized many early documents related to Joseph Smith, including manuscripts, pamphlets, and books written by or about him.[5] The Mormon Texts Project, a distributed volunteer effort, works to make early Mormon literature available on Project Gutenberg.[6]
The Association for Mormon Letters (AML) has promoted quality writing "by, for, and about Mormons"[7] since 1976 and has issued the AML Awards annually since 1977. The Whitney Awards have also recognized achievement in Mormon Literature since 2007.
See also
[edit]- A Believing People
- A Motley Vision
- Association for Mormon Letters
- Bloggernacle
- Richard H. Cracroft
- Eugene England
- LDS cinema
- LDS fiction
- LDS poetry
- List of films of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- List of pageants of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Mormon art
- Mormon folk music
- Mormon music
- Whitney Awards
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e England, Eugene. "Mormon Literature: Progress and Prospects" in David J. Whittaker, ed., Mormon Americana: A Guide to Sources and Collections in the United States. (Provo, Utah: BYU Studies, 1995)
- ^ a b http://mldb.byu.edu/mulder.htm
- ^ http://bencrowder.net/blog/2011/01/inside-the-mormon-texts-project/
- ^ http://www.motleyvision.org/2010/mormon-publishing-home-literature/
- ^ http://josephsmithpapers.org/
- ^ http://mormontextsproject.org/
- ^ "Passionate about Mormon Fiction, Drama, and Film? Discover the Association for Mormon Letters" by Gae Lyn Henderson
External links
[edit]- Mormon Literature and Creative Arts Database
- Mormon Literature Website by Gideon Burton at Brigham Young University