John Whitmer Historical Association - Annual Meetings

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2005 Conference Report

This year's conference of the John Whitmer Historical Association (JWHA) commemorated the bicentennial of Joseph Smith's birth. 130 scholars and enthusiasts traveled to Springfield, Illinois, to participate in what all agreed was an extremely successful program.

The conference began with a welcome from the state historian of Illinois, Thomas F. Schwartz. Additional highlights included Sterling McMurrin lecturer Ronald L. Numbers' comparison of the life and career of Joseph Smith with that of American prophetesses Ellen G. White and Mary Baker Eddy. In addition to drawing important parallels and contrasts in the lives of these religious leaders, several JWHA members were struck by shared parallels between Dr. Numbers' background as a scholar coming out of the Adventist tradition with their own individual backgrounds in Latter Day Saint traditions.

Richard L. Bushman answered a panel of scholarly critics reviewing his recent biography, A Rough Stone Rolling, and he also presented a paper comparing the lives of Joseph Smith with contemporary (and long-time Springfield resident) Abraham Lincoln. Bryon Andreasen of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library presented a paper describing the numerous connections between early Mormons and Springfield — including the sensational events of Joseph Smith's 1842 trial. Members were later able to tour sights around historic Springfield which Andreasen identified.

Celebrated film-maker Richard Dutcher (director of God's Army and Brigham City) gave a presentation about Joseph Smith in film which included a report about his own efforts to produce a film about Smith's life and ended with a candid assessment of the contempory state of Mormon cinema.

At the Presidential Banquet, JWHA President Jan Shipps was introduced by Mormon History Association President Phil Barlow. Shipps' presidential address: "Prophet and Prophecy in the Mormon Tradition(s)" gave new insights into the explanation of how prophecy — as opposed to traditional explanations such as charisma — set the prophet apart in the early history of the movement. Many listeners commented that the address drew important and striking contrasts between the way the LDS church and the Community of Christ have built upon the traditions of prophecy and the prophetic office.

JWHA's Smith-Petit Best Book Award was presented to Robert S. Wicks and Fred R. Foister for their intriguing new work, Junius and Joseph: Presidential Politics and the Assassination of the First Mormon Prophet. The Best Article Award was bestowed posthumously to Kim L. Loving for his thorough, honest and open article, "Ownership of the Kirtland Temple: Legends, Lies, and Misunderstandings."

Also at the Banquet, Newell G. Bringhurst was installed as JWHA's new President and Alexander Baugh was elected as President-Elect. JWHA's Executive Secretary, Kenneth Mulliken retired and was enthusiastically thanked for all of his service to the organization. JWHA's new Executive Secretary team will consist of John Hamer and Michael Karpowicz.

Alexander Baugh announced that JWHA's Sept. 28-Oct. 1, 2006 Conference would be held at Camp Doniphon in the vicinity of Kansas City, Missouri and that the theme would be: "Scattering of the Saints: Diverse Expressions of the Restoration Movement." The goal will be to encourage the study of alternate expressions of the Restoration — from the earliest schisms to the most recent. Baugh invited all interested scholars, students and enthusiasts to send 1-page paper proposals with CVs to Proposals@JWHA.info between now and Feb. 28, 2006.

Finally, members of the association were thrilled to hear that the Sterling McMurrin Lecturer for 2006 will be W. Grant McMurray, former Prophet-President of the Community of Christ.