Home >> About JWHA >> Past and Present Leaders of JWHA   Past and Present Leaders of JWHA   On 18 September 1972, fourteen people met in Richard Howard's home in Independence, Missouri, and organized the John Whitmer Historical Assocition. Those in attendance voted to be independent from the RLDS Church. During a debate on the name for the new group, Warren Jennings suggested John Whitmer, the first historian of the Latter Day Saint movement. Many found it amusing at first, but after several other suggestions were rejected, the group settled on John Whitmer. A steering committee of Mark McKiernan, chair and Paul Edwards, Robert Flanders, Barbara Higdon, and Richard Howard developed the framework of the new association. The first Board of Directors meeting was held 6 January 1973. A constitution was drafted in 1974.   The founding members were: Alma Blair, Paul Edwards, Robert Flanders, Barbara Higdon, Richard Howard, Larry Hunt, Warren Jennings, Gerald Kruse, Mark McKiernan, Grant McMurray, Gordon Mesley, William Russell, Geoffrey Spencer, and W.B. "Pat" Spillman. Many thanks to these visionary people who started a movement!   Presidents of the organization have been:   Robert Flanders 1973-74 Alma Blair 1975 Kenneth Stobaugh 1976 Bill Russell 1977 Barbara Higdon 1978 Paul Edwards 1979 Clare Vlahos 1980 Grant McMurray 1981 Tom Morain 1982 Norma Hiles 1983 Paul Edwards 1984 Richard Howard 1985 Wayne Ham 1986 Robert Mesle 1987 Linda Newell 1988 Maurice Draper 1989-90 Roger Launius 1991-92 Lee Pement 1993-94 Jessie Embry 1995-96 Danny Jorgensen 1996-97 Ron Romig 1997-98 Barbara Bernauer 1998-99 Ed Warner 1999-2000 Alma Blair 2000-01 Mike Riggs 2001-02 Billie Young 2002-03 Mark Scherer 2003-04 Jan Shipps 2004-05 Newell Bringhurst 2005-06 Alex Baugh 2006-07 Barbara Walden 2007-08 Bill Shepard 2008-09 Jeanne Murphey 2009-10 John Hamer 2010-11 * President-elect   In addition to the presidents, many people have served on the Board of Directors, edited the Journal, and helped on committees.   Thanks also to past officers and executive directors.   JWHA has come a long way since. William D. Russell expressed this hope in a 1972 Courage article, "The organization of such a society has been sought by a number of people interested in Latter Day Saint history for a long time. Let's hope that the dream is about to be realized." The current state of JWHA shows that the dream is coming true.   All contents copyright ©2003-2012 by John Whitmer Historical Association