Deseret Book Company
LDS Church) | |
Status | Active |
---|---|
Founded | 1866 |
Founder | George Q. Cannon |
Country of origin | United States |
Headquarters location | Salt Lake City, Utah |
Key people | Sheri L. Dew, CEO |
Publication types | Books, art, teaching aids |
Nonfiction topics | Mormonism "Values-based" subjects |
Imprints | Deseret Book Bookcraft Eagle Gate Shadow Mountain Covenant Communications |
No. of employees | 150 (headquarters) 800–900 (overall) [1] |
Official website | DeseretBook.com |
Deseret Book (
History
The Deseret Book Company was created in 1919 from a merger of the Deseret News Bookstore and the Deseret Sunday School Union Bookstore.
George Q. Cannon & Sons
Some books distributed by Cannon & Sons:
|
George Q. Cannon published the first issue of
It is not known how many books Cannon & Sons actually published itself. In that era, authors commonly self-published their books, which were then distributed by others. However, Cannon & Sons distributed several important books through their stores and mail order (see table).
The company had extensive ties to the LDS Church-owned newspaper, the
Deseret News Bookstore
Notable books distributed by the Deseret News Bookstore:
|
By 1906, Deseret News press had a Linotype machine and dedicated book press. Many significant volumes were published and distributed through the Deseret News Bookstore. Of these, the most successful was James E. Talmage's Jesus the Christ. Published in 1915, the book quickly went through numerous printings as the LDS Church's First Presidency authorized its use in its Sunday School program.
Meanwhile, the Deseret Sunday School Union, still publishing the money-losing Juvenile Instructor, struggled to maintain its distribution center, the Deseret Sunday School Union Bookstore. Aimed at church supply, the Sunday School Bookstore sold textbooks, minutes ledgers, sacrament trays, as well as popular books. Since 1891, the non-profit Union asked for yearly five-cent contributions from Sunday school pupils on "Nickel Sunday." Facing over $12,000 in debt in 1914, requested donations increased to ten cents, and 1919 a committee formed to study the organizations solvency. Led by Talmage, the committee recommended consolidation of the Sunday School Bookstore with the Deseret News Bookstore.
Deseret Book
Notable books distributed and/or published by Deseret Book:
|
By 1920, both antecedent bookstores were closed and a single new Deseret Book Company building was constructed in
Through the 1930s, the bookstore focused mostly on Sunday school needs such as lesson manuals. Though the bookstore introduced relatively few new authors, several important works were published in this period. Notably,
Deseret Book expanded into
Preceding modern
In the 1950s, Brigham Young University (BYU) established a motion picture department which attracted Frank Wise. Deseret Film Productions was gradually disbanded. Soon, KSL-TV began covering general conferences.
Deseret Book's downtown location remained the only store until 1959 when site for an Ogden, Utah branch was donated. Stores in
In the late 1970s, Deseret Book coordinated publication of new editions of the
Deseret Book began publishing
In 2002, Sheri L. Dew became the first female CEO and president of Deseret Book.[4]
Deseret Book established new corporate offices and downtown Salt Lake City retail space during the redevelopment of the Crossroads Plaza Mall into the City Creek Center. In 2007, the corporate headquarters, with around 160 employees, moved into the top seven floors of the Utah Woolen Mills Clothiers building across the street from Temple Square.[5] In April 2010 Deseret Book opened its "Flagship" store in the City Creek Center. This new store sits almost exactly on the same location as the first Deseret Book Location.
Acquisitions
Bookcraft
In early 1999,
Excel Entertainment Group
On November 15, 2004, Deseret Book announced that it had acquired Excel Entertainment Group, a 10-year-old company based in Salt Lake City which was known for its LDS cinema productions as well as its record labels, including Highway Records, Joyspring Records, and Embryo Records (later renamed to Lumen Records). Jeff Simpson, the founder and president of Excel, became the new executive vice president of the merged company.[7][8] Both companies are privately held, so terms of the deal were not publicly released. Although some Excel employees were relocated to Shadow Mountain music at Deseret Book headquarters, most remained at the separate Excel headquarters in Salt Lake City.[9]
List of feature releases
- God's Army (2000)
- Brigham City (2001)
- The Other Side of Heaven (2001)
- Charly (2002)
- Pride and Prejudice: A Latter-Day Comedy(2003)
- Saints and Soldiers (2003)
- The Work and The Glory(2004)
- American Mormon (2005)
- The Work and The Glory II: American Zion(2005)
- Down and Derby (2005)
- The Work and The Glory III: A House Divided (2006)
- Outlaw Trail: The Treasure of Butch Cassidy (2006)
- Stalking Santa (2006)
- American Mormon in Europe (2006)
- Return with Honor: A Missionary Homecoming (2007)
- Anxiously Engaged: A Piccadilly Romance (2008)
- Only a Stonecutter (2008)
- Forever Strong (2008)
- The Errand of Angels (2008)
- Scout Camp (2009)
- Unitards (2010)
- Midway to Heaven (2011)
- Boys of Bonneville (2011)
- 17 Miracles (2011)
- The Making of Jimmer: The Story of Jimmer Fredette's Journey from the Playground to the Pros (2012)
- Saints and Soldiers: Airborne Creed (2012)
- Ephraim's Rescue (2013)
- Us and Them (2013)
- Saints and Soldiers: The Void (2014)
- Meet the Mormons (2014)
- The Christmas Dragon (2014)
- Once I Was a Beehive (2015)
- Freetown (2015)
- The Cokeville Miracle (2015)
- Just Let Go (2015)
- The Last Descent(2016)
- Love, Kennedy (2017)
- Trek: The Movie (2018)
- Jane and Emma (2018)
- The Other Side of Heaven 2: Fire of Faith (2019)
- The Santa Box (2020)
- Once I Was Engaged (2021)
Subsidiaries
- Lumen Records (formerly Embryo Records)
- Joyspring Records
- Highway Records (formerly Lightwave Records)
- Little Stream Records
- Excel Motion Picture Distribution
- Excel Retail Distribution
Seagull Book and Covenant Communications
In July 2006, Deseret Book threatened to discontinue sales with another LDS bookstore chain,
Deseret Book imprints
After Deseret Book acquired Bookcraft in 1999, it divided its publishing into four differently marketed imprints: Deseret Book for history and doctrine; Bookcraft for self-help, family, children, women's interests, and LDS fiction;[13] Eagle Gate for art, niche markets, library editions, and teaching aides; and Shadow Mountain for "values-based" publications for a national audience. A decade later, the only imprints that remained in use were Deseret Book and Shadow Mountain.[14] In 2012, the Ensign Peak imprint was created for LDS religious writings for a national audience.[15][16]
After acquiring Covenant Communications in 2006, Deseret Book Company did not make it an additional imprint, but continued its independent operations as a publisher alongside Deseret Book Publishing.[14]
Shadow Mountain Records
The Shadow Mountain Records label, owned by Deseret Books, releases music aimed at LDS audiences and reflecting LDS themes.[17] Releases by Shadow Mountain Records have ranked in top spots on the Billboard charts, including violinist Jenny Oaks Baker,[18][19][20][21] and pianist Josh Wright.[22]
Artists
The following artists have released albums on Shadow Mountain Records:
- Julie de Azevedo [23]
- Jenny Oaks Baker[24]
- Dallyn Vail Bayles [25]
- Kurt Bestor[26]
- Alex Boye[27]
- Paul Cardall[28]
- Kenneth Cope[29]
- Eclipse 6[30]
- Gladys Knight
- Jericho Road[31]
- Michael McLean[32]
- Mercy River[33]
- David Osmond[34]
- Jenny Phillips[35]
- Hilary Weeks[36]
- Josh Wright[37][38]
Other business
Deseret Book operates further business units in addition to its publishing and retail activities. Under the name Zion's Mercantile it produces home decor and religious art and holds events such as women's conferences in the United States and Canada. LDS Living is an LDS lifestyle magazine in print and online. Deseret Book Direct sells publications through catalogs, e-mail, and the DeseretBook.com website.[39] From 2000 to 2009 it also operated an auctions website for LDS books.[40] Crafts and other handmade items are sold under the name of Mormon Handicraft (a brand purchased from the LDS Church's Relief Society in 1986) and food is sold through The Lion House Pantry brand. It also provides the texts of many of its books online with paid subscriptions at GospeLink.com.
In 2009 selected Deseret Book locations partnered with the LDS Church Distribution Center and began selling official LDS Church items, such as Temple garments, which had originally been available only in LDS Church Distribution Centers.[41] That working relationship has expanded and now half of Deseret Book's 39 stores have been "integrated" and are half Deseret Book and half Distribution Centers.[citation needed]
References
- ^ Leong, Grace (December 28, 2006). "Deseret Book buys Seagull Book & Tape". Daily Herald. Provo, Utah. Retrieved February 2, 2010.
- IPA-ified from «dĕz-a-rĕt´»
- ^ a b "About - Deseret Book". Deseret Book. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- ^ "Deseret Book appoints new president". Church News. LDS Church. March 2, 2002. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
- ^ Jenifer K. Nii (November 6, 2006). "Deseret Book makes plans to relocate". Deseret News. LDS Church. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
- ^ "Deseret Management seeking to acquire Bookcraft". Church News. Deseret News. February 13, 1999.
- KSL.com. April 19, 2010. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
- BYU. November 15, 2004. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ^ Brice Wallace (October 16, 2004). "Merger may help Deseret Book 'Excel' with films". Deseret News. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
- ^ a b The Associated Press (July 12, 2006). "Seagull Book No Longer Allowed to Sell Deseret Book Products". KSL-TV. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
- ^ KSL TV (July 14, 2006). "Talks Continue Between Deseret Book and Seagull Book & Tape". KSL-TV. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
- ^ KSL News (December 28, 2006). "Deseret Book Buys Seagull and Covenant Communications". KSL-TV. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
- Deseret Morning News. December 29, 2006.
- ^ a b "Deseret News". Deseret Media Companies. Archived from the original on February 20, 2010. Retrieved February 16, 2010.
- ^ "ENSIGN PEAK Trademark of Deseret Book Company - Registration Number 4483343 - Serial Number 85620027". Justia Trademarks. February 18, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ^ "Deseret Book". Deseret Management Corporation. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved August 25, 2014.
- ^ "LDS Music - Shadow Mountain Records - The #1 Source for LDS Music - The Premier Record Label of Deseret Book Company". www.shadowmountainrecords.com. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ^ "Jenny Oaks Baker, No.1 Billboard Violinist, Opens for Carrie Underwood". LDS Living. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013.
- ^ "Josh Wright Piano | Biography". Archived from the original on February 6, 2013.
- ^ "Billboard - Classical Charts". Billboard. Retrieved April 7, 2018.[dead link]
- ^ "'Josh Wright' hits No. 1 on Billboard's Classical Traditional chart - KSL.com". ksl.com. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ^ "Dr. Julie Hanks". juliehanks.com. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ^ "America's Violinist". Jenny Oaks Baker. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ^ "Dallyn Vail Bayles - Official Website". www.dallynvailbayles.com. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ^ "Home". Kurt Bestor. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
- ^ "Alex Boye – Official Website". alexboye.com. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ^ "Paul Cardall - Songwriter, Pianist, Christian". www.paulcardall.com. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ^ "Kenneth Cope - Proclaiming the Gospel through the Arts". www.kennethcope.com. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ^ "Store - Eclipse". eclipsesingers.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2011. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ^ "Jericho Road". Retrieved February 18, 2013.
- ^ "Michael McLean Music - Welcome to MichaelMcLeanMusic.com, the official website of Michael McLean". www.michaelmcleanmusic.com. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ^ "Home". Mercy River. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ^ "David Osmond". www.davidosmond.com. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ^ "Jenny Phillips". Jenny Phillips. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ^ "Hilary Weeks - LDS Music - Shadow Mountain Records - The #1 Source for LDS Music". www.shadowmountainrecords.com. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ^ "Josh Wright Piano". Josh Wright Piano. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ^ https://www.billboard.com/artist/hilary-weeks[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Deseret Book". Deseret Media Companies. Archived from the original on April 24, 2010. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
- ^ "Deseret Book adds online auction site". Deseret News. March 18, 2000. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
- ^ Mormon Times (July 16, 2009). "Six Deseret Book stores will offer Distribution materials, clothing". Deseret News. Retrieved December 30, 2009.
Further reading
- Knowles, Eleanor (1991). Deseret Book Company: 125 Years of Inspiration, Information, and Ideas. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book. ISBN 9780875795423.
- Salt Lake Tribune article on Excel
External links
- DeseretBook.com
- GospeLink - Deseret Book's online publication library
- Deseret Book's profile from its parent company, Deseret Management Corporation Archived August 26, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
- Knowles, Eleanor (1992). "Deseret Book Company". Encyclopedia of Mormonism. Brigham Young University. Retrieved July 2, 2015.
- Excel Entertainment Official website
- LDSfilm.com corporate bio
- Merger may help Deseret Book 'Excel' with films—Deseret Morning News