2002 JWHA AWARDS
The winner of the Best Article award goes to our author who wrote on a much needed subject—Mark Forscult. Mark Forscult had a long career as an important RLDS member, including involvement in editing the Inspired Version manuscript, and significant contributions in church music. Many don’t know, however, that he had an earlier career as a Mormon missionary and as a Morrisite apostle, a Utah schism that ended in violence. The author I am referring to is Eric Rogers, whose article, "Mark Hill Forscutt: Mormon Missionary, Morrisite Apostle, RLDS Minister."
was published in last year’s John Whitmer Historical Association Journal, volume 21.
Eric received a check for $100.00 for this award.
Lifetime Achievement Award
This year the John Whitmer Historical Association instituted a new award- our annual Lifetime Achievement Award- given to a person who has epitomized the qualities we most value:-One who has made a significant contribution to the field through a large body of work, characterized by sound scholarship,
-A person whose interests and research are not confined to a narrow field,
-One who has encouraged others to engage in historical research, and
-A person who has shared his or her information and sources unselfishly.
We have not limited this award to the living. That being the case, it will surprise no one that we are giving this first annual award to Leonard J. Arrington.
Leonard J. Arrington
The quality and quantity of Leonard's research and uniting in Mormon history has been unequalled. Practically all of us have been encouraged by Leonard. He also provoked stimulation, ideas, and sources. He provided me with coca-cola and Paul Edwards with coffee when we were surrounded by Mormons and isolated from our addictions. Jan Shipps has been the Den Mother of Mormon History; Leonard Arrington was The Father of Mormon History. Indeed, Leonard's Great Basin Kingdom is something seen as the beginning of the New Mormon History.
I last saw him at the Salt Lake Sunestone Symposium prior to his death. He was still soldiering on, full of enthusiasm. He was still Leonard.
A true Christian loves people and loves truth more than he or she loves an institution. Leonard was that kind of person. I always felt unconditionally loved by Leonard. To draw upon chapter 2 of Ephesians, in our historical association-LDS, RLDS, Strangite, etc-Christ has broken down the wall that has divided the mountain Mormons from the prairie Mormons, and other Mormons. Leonard Arrington embodied that spirit more than any way. He built bridges.
Leonard was our dear brother. We loved him. And we miss him terribly.
I have asked Dick Bushman to receive this award and get it to Harriett in Salt Lake City.
Glen M. Leonard, 2002 JWHA Best Book Award Recipient
Best Book Award
The Smith-Pettit Foundation is a private foundation dedicated, through its activities, to supporting scholarly Mormon studies. Gary Bergera, a member of JWHA since 1987 is the new managing director of the foundation. JWHA is grateful for the kind and generous offer making this award possible.
The John Whitmer Historical Association is proud to announce that a new cooperative effort has been reached enhancing and enriching the Best Book Award presented annually. Through the generosity of the Smith-Pettit Foundation of Salt Lake City, a grant of $1,000 will be given to the author of the book judged to be the best book written and published during the current year. This began with the 2001 award.
JWHA Best Book Award - 2002
In both the best article and best book award there was at least one significant competition for the prize. Our award for best book goes to Glen Leonard for his Nauvoo: A Place of Peace, A Place of Promise. With nearly 700 pages of text, and massive documentation, Glen has given thorough treatment to most of the developments and issues related to the Nauvoo experience of Mormonism. It probably does not replace Flander’s Nauvoo with regard to the social, political and economic aspects of Nauvoo Mormonism. But Flanders consciously focused on these “secular” aspects of Nauvoo. Leonard’s contribution lies in its much more thorough treatment of the religious aspects of Nauvoo. Thus I see Leonard and Flanders are complementary treatments. Both should have a long life ahead of them. I suspect Leonard will be the book LDS people will read on Nauvoo for many years to come. For the Community of Christ- and I am saying this as a complement to Glen- his book will help us understand why the RLDS Church ultimately rejected the innovations of the Nauvoo period.
RETURN TO JWHA.INFO As a result of the generosity of the Smith Petit Foundation, the annual award for the Best Book in Latter Day Saint history now carries an award of $1,000.00 (You should have unwritten a book, Eric)
Glen and Karen Leonard are Utah natives with pioneer roots to Nauvoo, New England, and the British Isles. They have a deep love, knowledge and extraordinary background in Church history.
Glen is the director of the Museum of Church History and Art and is a well known Church historian and author. He has published several articles and books about Church history and co-authored The Story of the Later Day Saints (1992). His latest work, scheduled for publication by Deseret Book just for the Nauvoo Open House, is titled Nauvoo: A Place of Peace, A People of Promise. It covers the history of the church from the Missouri period through Nauvoo to Winter Quarters.
Glen graduated from the University of Utah, with an emphasis in history and journalism and went on to earn a Ph.D. in history. He has worked as a newsman for UPI, a publications editor for the Utah State Historical Society, and a research historian for the Church Historical Department and has enjoyed his current position as director of the Museum of Church History and Art and a historic sites adviser since 1979.
Residents of Farmington the past 23 years, Glen and Karen share interests in Church history, travel, music, and their family. They have traveled widely in the United States, Canada, and England, where they take in the cityscape, museums, and historic sites. 
John
Whitmer- JWHA's Namesake