Encyclopedia of Mormonism
OCLC 24502140 | | |
| Website | https://lib.byu.edu/collections/encyclopedia-of-mormonism | |
|---|---|---|
The Encyclopedia of Mormonism is a semi-official
Background
Published in 1992, the Encyclopedia contains nearly 1,500
There were over 730 contributors from a wide variety of fields, most of whom had LDS and
The editor of the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Daniel H. Ludlow, states that he strove to make the volume as professional as possible. Most articles are written by PhDs in their respective fields. LDS Church general authorities wrote little of the Encyclopedia; indeed, most contributors from church hierarchy were only tapped to write articles on the publications or institutions they directly administered or led. For impartiality and perspective, several non-Mormons were asked to write important articles. For example, Shipps wrote on the outsider's interpretation of Mormonism, and Richard P. Howard, a historian of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (now the Community of Christ), wrote on his branch of the Latter Day Saint movement.
Subjects addressed
The Encyclopedia of Mormonism includes lengthy articles on core LDS subjects like
Ludlow also sought to make the encyclopedia accessible to non-Mormons: an optional fifth volume was printed, containing the "
Role of encyclopedia relative to the LDS Church
Although the LDS Church cooperated in the production of the book, particularly by setting aside BYU resources, the Encyclopedia was meant to be independent and unofficial in the church. Ludlow highlights that in his concluding preface remarks:
- Lest the role of the Encyclopedia be given more weight than it deserves, the editors make it clear that those who have written and edited have only tried to explain their understanding of Church history, doctrines, and procedures; their statement and opinions remain their own. The Encyclopedia of Mormonism is a joint product of Brigham Young University and Macmillan Publishing Company, and its contents do not necessarily represent the official position of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The LDS Church also noted the position in official publications.[1]
Views of contents
In addition to established scholars like Nibley, many other LDS scholars who were then less known also contributed, including
Critics had mixed reviews.
See also
Notes
- ^ a b "A Conversation about the Encyclopedia of Mormonism", Ensign, December 1990
- ^ McMurrin 1993
- ^ Smith 1993
- ^ "Evaluating the Encyclopedia of Mormonism: Introduction" (PDF). Sunstone (92): 31. November 1993. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-08-15.
References
- OCLC 24502140.
- McMurrin, Sterling M (1993), "'Toward Intellectual Anarchy,' review of Encyclopedia of Mormonism", JSTOR 45228605, archived from the originalon 2014-02-21, retrieved 2014-02-03.
- The FARMS Review, 16 (1), Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, retrieved 2014-02-03.
- Smith, George D (November 1993), "Orthodoxy and Encyclopedia: The Book of Mormon in the Encyclopedia" (PDF), Sunstone (92): 48–53, archived from the original(PDF) on 2014-08-15.
External links
- Encyclopedia of Mormonism - post-printing updates to the articles from the original authors, in a private wiki format, hosted by BYU