| Encyclopedia Of Mormonism |
Article Index for Encyclopedia Of |
Shopping Mormonism |
Website Links For Encyclopedia |
Information AboutEncyclopedia Of Mormonism |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MORMONISM | |
| encyclopedias on religion | |
|
The ''Encyclopedia of Mormonism'' is a well-known semi-official Encyclopedia for topics relevant to the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-day Saints (the LDS Church; see also " Mormon "). 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 which initiated the project. There were over 730 contributors from a wide variety of fields. However, most contributors 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 ''Encyclopedia of Mormonism'' As would be expected, the ''Encyclopedia'' 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 , Sport s, 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 Scripture s that are heavily cited in the encyclopedia. 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. 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. 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). Content in the ''Encyclopedia'' is thought to express a faith-promoting view of the church. 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. No article of so-called Mormon Historical Revisionism is found in the ''Encyclopedia'', which is unsurprising because after the ''Encyclopedia'' 's publication, several such scholars were excommunicated including some members of the 1993 " September Six ". Critics 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, such articles do not dwell on the obvious 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 Young even though it recounts at length on his life otherwise. Plural Marriage is also thought to receive insufficient coverage. However, the ''Encyclopedia'' was designed to serve as a general reference, not as a primer of LDS Polemic s. Thus, the ''Encyclopedia of Mormonism'' remains a useful resource as the first and only encyclopedia on its subject. REFERENCE
|
|
|