Encyclopedia of Mormonism

The "Encyclopedia of Mormonism" is a semi-official encyclopedia for topics relevant to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the LDS Church; see also "Mormon"). A free on-line version is available [http://www.lib.byu.edu/Macmillan/ here]

Background

Published in 1992, the "Encyclopedia" contains nearly 1500 articles including several short un-attributed entries (the equivalent of ) in four volumes. The text is approximately one million words, and over 1850 pages including pictures, maps, charts, index, and appendices. The title for the "Encyclopedia of Mormonism" was chosen by Macmillan, the secular publisher that initiated the project.

There were over 730 contributors from a wide variety of fields, most of whom had LDS and academic backgrounds. A large number were professors at Brigham Young University, the flagship LDS Church-owned university. Most individuals contributed only one article and few submitted more than three or four. Notable contributors include Mormon historians Leonard J. Arrington, and Thomas G. Alexander, former Salt Lake City mayor Ted Wilson, noted non-Mormon LDS historian Jan Shipps, authors Steven R. Covey, Gerald N. Lund, and Richard Eyre, respected scholar and apologist Hugh Nibley, and a few members of LDS hierarchy like Paul Evans, H. David Burton, and Jeffery R. Holland.

The editor of the "Encyclopedia of Mormonism", Daniel H. Ludlow, states that he strove to make the volume as professional as possible. Most of the articles are written by Ph.D.s in their respective fields. LDS General Authorities (the spiritual leaders of the church) 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, Jan Shipps wrote on the outsider's interpretation of Mormonism, and Richard P. Howard, 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.

ubjects addressed

The "Encyclopedia of Mormonism" includes lengthy articles on core LDS subjects like LDS Church history and doctrine, but the work also includes many topics that are only generally related to Mormonism. For example, articles on Constitutional law, Sports, Science, and Freedom discuss LDS perspectives and contributions to various fields.

Ludlow also sought to make the encyclopedia accessible to non-Mormons. To this end an optional fifth volume was printed containing the "Standard Works," LDS scriptures that are heavily cited in the encyclopedia.

Role of the encyclopedia relative to the church

Although the LDS Church cooperated in the production of the book, particularly by setting aside Brigham Young University (BYU) resources, the "Encyclopedia" was meant to be independent and unofficial in the church. Ludlow highlights this 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. – "Encyclopedia of Mormonism", p. lxii.

The official web-site of the LDS church also noted this position. [ [http://www.lds.org] retrieved July 27 2008]

In spite of these comments and the non-Mormon publisher, the "Encyclopedia" is referred to as an official or at least semi-official publication by many outsiders of the Church.Fact|date=February 2007 This view has credence because LDS Church-owned BYU was contractual author of the work. Furthermore, six general authorities, though not credited editors, worked on the project including Dallin H. Oaks, Neal A. Maxwell, and Jeffrey R. Holland (president of BYU when the project began). ["Brother Ludlow ... worked closely with ... Elders Neal A. Maxwell and Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve" --,"Encyclopedia of Mormonism Released,” Ensign, Mar. 1992, 79]

Views of the encyclopedia's contents

Content in the "Encyclopedia" is thought to express a faith-promoting view of the church.Fact|date=February 2007 In addition to established LDS apologists like Hugh Nibley, many other LDS apologists contributed including John Gee, William Hamblin, Louis C. Midgley, Daniel C. Peterson, Noel B. Reynolds, Stephen D. Ricks, John L. Sorenson, Melvin J. Thorne, and John W. Welch.

Critics such as Sterling McMurrin and George D. Smith charge that the "Encyclopedia of Mormonism" glosses over difficult but important subjects to be faith-promoting. Although issues like Blacks and the priesthood are covered, some state that such articles do not dwell in sufficient detail on the controversies involved. The historical entries are likewise thought to skip over uncomfortable subjects. For example, the entry on revered pioneer-era Apostle Orson Pratt doesn't mention his famous doctrinal disagreements with Brigham YoungFact|date=February 2007 even though it recounts at length on his life otherwise. Plural marriage is also thought to receive insufficient coverage.Fact|date=February 2007

No article of so-called Mormon historical revisionism is found in the "Encyclopedia". It has been noted that after the "Encyclopedia" 's publication, several LDS scholars were excommunicated, including some members of the 1993 "September Six". [http://www.pbs.org/mormons/faqs/controversies.html The Mormons . Frequently Asked Questions . Dissent/Excommunication/Controversies | PBS ] ] Some have criticized the Encyclopedia because it "does not offer revisionist explanations of the Book of Mormon." [Harvnb|Midgley|2004] One such claim was made by George D. Smith, who stated that the Encyclopedia “is not the promised comprehensive treatment of Book of Mormon scholarship; it is a statement of LDS orthodoxy.” [Harvnb|Smith|1993|p=48-53]

However, the "Encyclopedia" was designed to serve as a general reference, not as a primer of LDS polemics. Thus, the "Encyclopedia of Mormonism" remains a useful resource as the first and only encyclopedia on its subject.

Notes

References

*Harvard reference
last=Ludlow
first=Daniel H (ed)
authorlink=Daniel H. Ludlow
title=Encyclopedia of Mormonism
location=New York
publisher=Macmillan Publishing
year=1992
id=ISBN 0-02-879602-0. Free on-line version [http://www.lib.byu.edu/Macmillan/ here] .
*Harvard reference
last=McMurrin
first=Sterling M
title='Toward Intellectual Anarchy,' review of Encyclopedia of Mormonism
journal=
volume=26
issue=2
year=1993.
*Harvard reference
last=Midgley
first=Louis
authorlink=Louis C. Midgley
title=The Signature Books Saga
journal=The FARMS Review
volume=6
issue=1
year=2004
publisher=Maxwell Institute
location=Provo, Utah
url=http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/pdf.php?filename=Mjg1MjUxNjc0LTE2LTEucGRm&type=cmV2aWV3
accessdate=2007-03-08.
*Harvard reference
last=Smith
first=George D
title=Orthodoxy and Encyclopedia: The Book of Mormon in the Encyclopedia
journal=Sunstone
date=November 1993
year=1993.

External links

* [http://encyclopediaofmormonism.byu.edu Encyclopedia of Mormonism] (BYU)