Session 301 (8:30 a.m., Saturday, September 20) W. Cleon Skousen and Hugh B. Brown: Polar Opposites, Or—A view from the Right and Left in LDS Politics

Title: “W. Cleon Skousen: His Life as a Public Intellectual and Influencer” by Jo Ann Skousen

Abstract: W. Cleon Skousen (1913-2006) was a leader in the anti-communist movement and a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These two belief systems guided his teachings and imbued him with a strong sense of mission to protect and maintain the system of American politics as designed in the Constitution. Mormon theology convinced him that the U.S. Constitution is a divinely inspired document, referred to in LDS Doctrine and Covenants 101:77 as “the laws and constitution of the people, which I [the Lord] have suffered to be established, and should be maintained for the rights and protection of all flesh, according to just and holy principles.” 

Skousen considered himself one of the elders of Israel called to protect and preserve the principles vouchsafed in the Constitution when it would metaphorically “hang by a thread.” He worked diligently to create similar constitutions for other nations worldwide. His literal interpretation of the Bible led him to expect the Second Coming of the Messiah to occur shortly after the turning of the second Millennium, which gave him a sense of urgency to help people prepare for the wars and tribulations associated with the prophecies of the Last Days. Moreover, his study of the “Gadianton robbers” in the Book of Mormon convinced him that corrupt government leaders in the twentieth century were among the “secret combinations” (conspiratorial organizations) prophesied to “rise up” in the last days and thwart the plan of salvation designed by God.

Skousen’s study of scriptures also convinced him that dictatorial communism was a belief system endorsed by Satan and that it stood in direct opposition to God’s plan (Moses 4:1-4). Skousen gave over 10,000 speeches in his lifetime, including a massive anti-communism rally at the Hollywood Bowl that was broadcast nationwide. He met frequently with senators, congresspeople, and non-profit leaders to teach them what he considered “correct principles” of political leadership. His Constitutional seminars were embraced by conservative and Christian groups around the country and contributed to a spirit of ecumenical cooperation that was unusual for that time.

As co-editor of There Were Giants in the Land: Episodes in the Life of W. Cleon Skousen, I will draw from stories included in that book, which is written in Cleon’s own words gleaned directly from his journals and other writings. It recounts his careers as a special agent to J. Edgar Hoover in the FBI, chief of police in Salt Lake City, department administrator and professor of religion at BYU, author of over three dozen books on religion, history, politics, and a travel guide to the Holy Land; and founder of the Freemen Institute, a premier organization that promoted Constitutional seminars around the country and the world. The book reveals the private man as well as the public figure, demonstrating how his religious beliefs informed his public life as a speaker and political influencer.

Biographical Sketch: Jo Ann Skousen is an accomplished educator and author, with extensive teaching experience at Rollins College, Mercy College, Chapman University, and Sing Sing Correctional Facility. She holds a BA in American Literature from Rollins and an MA from the University of Florida. For twenty years, she served as a seminary and gospel doctrine teacher, while also teaching Mythology and Bible Literature in Honors English courses, gaining deep insights into biblical characters and stories, especially those of the women of the Bible.

A devoted student of her husband’s uncle, W. Cleon Skousen, Jo Ann traveled to the Holy Land with him and served as editor of his book Days of the Living Christ. She co-edited There Were Giants in the Land, compiling Cleon’s journals. Her book, Matriarchs of the Messiah (2016), focuses on twelve women in Jesus’ maternal lineage, highlighting their bravery and faith.

Jo Ann is also the entertainment editor of Liberty Magazine, founding director of the Anthem Libertarian Film Festival, and associate editor of Forecasts & Strategies. She frequently speaks at conferences worldwide and enjoys leading groups through the Mediterranean, sharing stories tied to mythology and scripture. Married to economist Mark Skousen, they have five children and many cherished grandchildren.

Title: “W. Cleon Skousen and Hugh B. Brown: Polar Opposites, Or—A view from the Right and Left in LDS Politics” by Matthew L. Harris

Abstract: Based on Hugh B. Brown’s private papers, which include his diaries, letters, and First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Meeting Minutes, Harris will discuss Brown’s liberal politics and how they presented a stark alternative to the right-wing movement that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints found itself drifting towards after the Second World War. Specifically, Brown had sharp differences with popular speaker Cleon Skousen, as well as Skousen’s close friend, LDS Apostle Ezra Taft Benson. Their views about government and civil rights—and Hugh Brown’s vigorous opposition to them—placed the church at a crossroads: whether to follow national trends and drift Right or follow the post-WWII consensus when liberal politics reigned supreme.

Biographical Sketch: Matthew L. Harris is a professor of history at Colorado State University-Pueblo and director of the legal studies program. He is the author of numerous books and articles, including Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality (Oxford University Press, 2024) and Watchman on the Tower: Ezra Taft Benson and the Making of the Mormon Right (University of Utah Press, 2020). He is currently at work on a biography titled Hugh: The Life and Times of Hugh B. Brown—A Progressive Mormon Apostle. Harris is the President-Elect of the John Whitmer Historical Association. 

Session 302 (8:30 a.m., Saturday, September 20) Women at the Edges of Mormonism

Title: “Fanny W. Custer: A Case Study of Method and Margins” by David Golding

Abstract: The life of Fanny W. Custer (née Alger) has been written in connection to late allegations about her and Joseph Smith. She spent her entire adult life in Dublin, Indiana, and experienced significant civic transformations during periods of civil war, interreligious conflict, women’s rights movements, and industrialization. Tuning our historical method toward minor figures in larger narratives provides insights into profound social change and everyday evidence of broader effects. This presentation will discuss historical methods: how we as researchers identify, collect, recover, and interpret scarce sources relative to actively marginalized and misrepresented women, Custer offering a case study in both shortcomings and opportunities.

Biographical Sketch: David Golding is a historian in the Church History Department, where he has contributed to the Church History Topics and global histories series and a forthcoming history of Latter-day Saint missionary encounter. He co-edited Missionary Interests: Protestant and Mormon Missions in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries with Christopher Cannon Jones and serves as a general editor of the Restoration Scripture Critical Editions Project.

Title: “The Name and Blood of His Chosen Ones’: Ina Coolbrith and the Smith Family?”  by Amanda Hendrix-Komoto

Abstract: Amanda Hendrix-Komoto will explore the work of Ina Coolbrith, California’s first poet laureate and the niece of Joseph Smith. Coolbrith initially believed that her poetic gifts were the result of her prophetic lineage. Los Angeles knew her as the “Mormon poetess.” After a disastrous marriage and divorce, Coolbrith distanced herself from the Restoration, embracing the Romantic movement and its insistence that God could be found in the natural world. Her life highlights the gendered nature of authority within early Mormonism, which constrained her opportunities within the church even as she adopted poetry as a form of female prophecy. Her experiences also suggest that family defined who was Mormon as much as belief or practice for the children of the church’s first and second generations.

Biographical Sketch: Amanda Hendrix-Komoto is an Associate Professor of History and Philosophy at Montana State University. The University of Nebraska Press published her first book Imperial Zions: Religion, Race, and the Family in the American West in 2022. She is currently writing a biography of Ina Coolbrith.

Title: “Helen Foster Snow at the Edges of Mormonism” by Spencer Stewart

Abstract: This panel explores the lives of four women who experienced shifting relationships with Mormonism as they wove in and out of various Restoration traditions. Recent publications in the University of Illinois Press’ “Introduction to Mormon Thought” series have broadened our sense of who qualifies as a Mormon thinker, reimagining Mormon history through the lens of other, less “orthodox” figures such as Joseph White Musser, Vardis Fisher, and Sonia Johnson. Yet, this expansion also raises questions about how we, as scholars, research, interpret, and represent the complex lives of individuals who either experienced marginalization within their faith communities or chose to leave those traditions behind. My presentation will examine the life of Helen Foster Snow, who was raised LDS in Cedar City, Utah, left the faith in her twenties, and traveled to China in the 1930s to interview communist revolutionaries, including Mao Zedong, and promote industrial cooperatives. Snow forces us to reflect on how Mormonism shaped her social convictions even while cautioning against colonizing her complex life as a part of a broader Mormon tradition.

Biographical Sketch: Spencer Stewart is an Assistant Professor of Digital Humanities at Purdue University. His research interests include commodity histories, agricultural missionary work, text analysis for historical research, and the impact of digital platforms on our understanding of the past.

Title: Title: “Susan Stryker: The RLDS Upbringing of a Transgender Historian” by Makoto Hunter (Scholarship Recipient)

Abstract: Few know that Susan Stryker, the pioneering transgender historian of transgender history, grew up in the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with an RLDS mother; she even wrote her 1992 dissertation, “Making Mormonism,” about the early Restoration. Stryker’s childhood entanglement with the Reorganization and her adulthood departure from it highlight the intersectional complexities of RLDS existence in a non-Mormon world to transgender experience in a (then) heteronormative religion. Growing up on the borders of the Reorganization, for Stryker “Mormonism” was both a tradition that couldn’t square with her trans existence as well as a resource to give language to that very transness.

Biographical Sketch: Makoto Hunter is a graduate student in history at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She researches the overlap of antipolygamy and antiprostitution in Progressive Era policy and culture.

Session 303 (8:30 a.m., Saturday, September 20) Political Legacies and Restoration Visions

Title: “Of Prophets and Presidents: Harry S. Truman and the Smiths” by Mark A. Scherer

Abstract: Harry S. Truman never shied away from religious issues during his presidential and post-presidential years. This presentation will explore the role of the 33rd president’s commitment to religious denominationalism, and specifically the Latter Day Saint tradition, during his years in Washington, D.C., and after in Independence, Missouri. Truman’s Baptist upbringing shaped his ecumenical worldview as he comfortably interacted with RLDS and LDS church presidents and other church members. More than simply reading a scholarly paper, this presentation will display historical documents, visual imaging, audiovisual clips, and other resources housed in the Harry S. Truman Archives. One focus will be on the important speeches President Truman gave in the historic venues of the Salt Lake City Tabernacle in 1948, and the Independence RLDS Auditorium during his two homecomings in 1945 and 1953.

Biographical Sketch: Mark A. Scherer was born and raised in Independence, Missouri, and attended Van Hom High School, graduating in May 1968. He attended Graceland College from 1968 to 1972 and graduated with a  Baccalaureate degree in history and earned teacher certification in Social Studies. He finished his twenty-three-year secondary instructional career at Truman High School, in Independence. During his teaching career Scherer received graduate professor of history adjunct appointments with Baker University, Park University, and Ottawa University. On May 21, 2008, Scherer officially resigned his position with the World Church to accept installation as Associate Professor of History assigned to the Graceland Seminary. 

In 1977, he took a Master’s Degree in American history from the University of Missouri at Kansas City and completed a Doctor of Philosophy degree in interdisciplinary studies (history and education) in 1998. An academic at heart, Scherer enthusiastically pursued his career either sitting at a desk as a student, researching in the field, or standing in front of a class of students.

In May 1995, Scherer became the World Church Historian for the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, later renamed as Community of Christ, headquartered in Independence, Missouri. In his institutional capacity, he traveled extensively in North America, Central America, Europe, the Pacific Islands, and Australia.

During his two-decade tenure as Church Historian Scherer authored three books that provided the definitive history of the Community of Christ faith tradition. Titled Journey of a People, all three separate volumes won Best Book Awards from the John Whitmer Historical Association. Scherer’s writings appear in many scholarly journals and guest lectures internationally.

Scherer’s pastime interest is in American presidential history. His highlight was teaching a graduate-level course through Baker University titled “Truman at the Crossroad: The Presidency of Harry S. Truman” at the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri. He is a member of the Harry S. Truman Institute, and currently serves on the City of Independence Harry S. Truman Public Service Award committee, and was appointed to chair the Heritage Commission for the City of Independence. Currently Scherer is retired but still enjoys reading, exploring, and making sense of the past.

Title: “The Politics of Restoration: Redeeming America through the Martyred Visions of Joseph Smith Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy Sr.” by Derek R. Sainsbury and Katie Harrington Dunn

Abstract: Joseph Smith Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy Sr. remain the only assassinated presidential candidates in U.S. history. Their diverse backgrounds and contexts forged distinct yet overlapping commitments to justice, community, and moral leadership. They shared a yearning to “restore” an idealized, earlier politics aligned with higher ideals. Smith’s life of hardship, divine calling, and communal leadership birthed a campaign to restore a theocratic politics of equity and moral order, reflecting his struggle against a hostile world. Smith’s “Politics of Restoration” was a blend of biblical theocracy and an idealized early American republic—a utopian past he believed could be resurrected to redeem a fractured nation. Kennedy’s journey through privilege, tragedy, and political evolution drove a campaign to revive a democratic politics of unity and justice, mirroring his shift from power to purpose. RFK’s “Politics of Restoration” was a secular nostalgia for the mid-20th century’s progressive optimism—a time when government and citizens, he believed, were united in purpose and decency. Their experiences—Smith’s as a persecuted prophet, Kennedy’s as a grieving reformer—crafted values and campaigns that, while distinct in expression, shared a core impulse to redeem a nation they saw as straying from its truest self. This paper explores the contours of Smith’s and Kennedy’s lives and campaigns and how the Restoration religions might leverage the martyrs’ visions to lead out in healing our own polarized and fractured politics to build “a more perfect union.” 

Biographical Sketches: 

Derek R. Sainsbury is an associate professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University. He specializes in the intersection of politics and Latter-day Saint history. He is the author of Storming the Nation: The Unknown Contributions of Joseph Smith’s Political Missionaries, the groundbreaking first monograph on Joseph Smith’s presidential campaign. He has widely presented and published on Latter-day Saint politics and religious liberty. He is currently researching and writing a dual biography of Joseph Smith Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy.

Katie Harrington Dunn studies environmental science and sustainability at BYU with minors in logic and philosophy. She plans to attend law school in the fall of ‘26. Currently, she works as Executive Coordinator of the non-profit Grow the Flow, focused on restoring the Great Salt Lake through community advocacy, business engagement, and ecologically sound legislation.

Session 304 (8:30 a.m., Saturday, September 20) Restoration on Trial: Legal Battles over Office and Ownership

Title: “‘Jurors and Witnesses who do not Blush to Declare’: County Government in Antebellum Missouri” by Sherilyn Farnes

Abstract: When mobs attacked members of the Church of Christ in Missouri in July 1833 and demanded that they leave Jackson County, they detailed their concerns in a statement. It included fear that these newly arrived religious fanatics might overrun the county government. Their document read in part, “it requires no gift of prophecy to tell that the day is not far distant when the civil government of the county will be in their hands. When the Sheriff, the Justices, and the County Judges will be Mormons, or persons wishing to court their favor from motives of Interest or ambition.” Even the possibility of Latter-day Saints filling positions on juries worried the county residents, as they fretted, “What would be the fate of our lives and property, in the hands of Jurors and witnesses, who do not blush to declare . . . that they have wrought miracles, and have been the subjects of miraculous and supernatural cures; have converse with God and his angels.” This paper will explore the nature of county government in western Missouri in the Jacksonian Era and why members of the Church of Christ “didn’t fit the mold” of those acceptable for county office.

Biographical Sketch: Sherilyn Farnes earned her BA and MA from Brigham Young University and her PhD from Texas Christian University in U.S. history. Her scholarly publications and presentations have focused on Latter-day Saint, women’s, and early American religious history. She has worked on multiple public history projects, including as Managing Editor of the Wilford Woodruff Papers Project and as a member of the writing team for Saints: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days. Her dissertation analyzed the interactions of Shawnee, Delaware, Osage, Latter-day Saints, French fur traders, missionaries, and other settlers in the western Missouri borderlands during the Jacksonian Era. She is an assistant professor in Church History & Doctrine at Brigham Young University.

Title: “The Temple Lot Case: Rightful Owner vs. Rightful Successor” by Mark Tensmeyer

Abstract: The RLDS Church had a dubious argument for the legal title of the Temple Lot when it sued the Church of Christ for possession of it in the 1890s. Over the course of litigation, both churches reframed the case on the competing succession claims of the RLDS and LDS Church. This worked in the favor of the RLDS Church at the trial level, but the appellate court rightly refocused on the title issue when they ruled in favor of the Church of Christ. Since then, most discussion of the Temple Lot case focuses on succession as if it were the only issue and perceive legal technicality as the reason for the RLDS Church’s loss. This presentation is about correcting that perspective. I will briefly explain the applicable law and chains of title for the Temple Lot. I will then explain how what should have been an easy win for the Church of Christ on the basis of the title issue lost its focus as both churches got caught up in an ultimately irrelevant theological debate.

Biographical Sketch: Mark Tensmeyer is a graduate of BYU-Idaho and Florida State University School of Law. He is an attorney living in San Antonio, Texas, with his wife and two daughters. This is his second time presenting at JWHA. Other Restoration history credits include contributing a chapter to Secret Covenants: New Insights on Early Mormon Polygamy, edited by Cheryl Bruno, and several book reviews for the JWHA journal and Association for Mormon Letters. 

Session 311 (10:15 a.m., Saturday, September 20) Honoring Heritage and Fostering Transformation: Exploring Values, Identity, and Evolving Pedagogies in Restorationist Traditions

Title: “Evolving Pedagogies and Historical Consciousness in Restorationist Traditions: A Case Study of the Reorganized Church (Community of Christ)” by Roger Allen Rose

Abstract: Roger Rose will present research from his study, “The Impact of Social Change: A Study of the Community of Christ,” emphasizing the decline in historical consciousness within the Community of Christ and advocating for curricular investment in teaching the church’s history on a broad scale. The presentation will examine the competing pedagogical influences of John Dewey’s constructivist pragmatism, E.D. Hirsch’s advocacy for cultural literacy, as well as the potential for integrating these two philosophies into a spiral curriculum influenced by Jerome Bruner. Dewey’s focus on experience, inquiry, and democratic dialogue, Hirsch’s call for a shared knowledge base, and Bruner’s emphasis on scaffolding and revisiting essential questions each raise inquiries about continuity, identity, and coherence in the teachings of the RLDS/Community of Christ.

Biographical Sketch: Roger Rose is director of hospitality and guest ministries at the Community of Christ Temple in Independence, Missouri. He has served as the site director at the Kirtland Temple historic site. Roger was a high school psychology instructor and department chair for over twenty years and acted as the leader of several curriculum projects during his 35-year career. Roger holds a master’s degree in social science education, a specialist degree in curriculum and instruction, and a doctorate in curriculum and diversity studies.

Title: “Fractal Patterns of Values: Reimagining Restoration Curriculum Through History, Theology, and Identity” by Ken R.Mulliken

Abstract: Ken Mulliken will explore curriculum through the lens of values within the Restoration Movement, emphasizing not just what is taught, but why and how. His presentation introduces a fractal approach to historical analysis, examining repeating patterns and self-similar structures in Restoration history, theology, and institutional behavior. By viewing Restoration curriculum as an iterative expression of underlying values such as agency, Zion, and continuing revelation, Mulliken reframes educational content as a reflection of evolving identity.

Together, this presentation integrates theory and theology, classroom and congregation, history and hope. It invites discussion around how the Reorganization has taught, and might still teach, in ways that honor both heritage and transformation.

Biographical Sketch: Ken R. Mulliken spent his career in higher education as a Professor, Department Chair, Global Studies Institute Director, and Honors College Director. He served as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Education and Institution Effectiveness at the University of Illinois-Springfield and then as the Academic Vice President at Marian University. Mulliken is now an Artificial Intelligence Content Analyst and Project Editor for GlobalLogic (a division of Hitachi) and Editor of the John Whitmer Historical Association Journal. 

Session 312 (10:15 a.m., Saturday, September 20) Latter Day Saints and Local Politics: Free Labor and the Free Press in the Early Restoration

Title: “Saints and Slaves; Patchwork Evidence of Abolitionists Among the Early Mormons” by Paul DeBarthe

Abstract: Early Mormons had strong affinities for the Abolitionist movement. This can be seen from Pallmyra to Missouri to Nauvoo and especially in the Smith family. Archaeological evidence from Nauvoo confirms the use of hiding places, some most probably used  in violation of the Fugitive slave laws. Personal associations and the fact that the Mississippi River provided a primary route on the underground railroad add to the patchwork of information, enough perhaps to construct an historic comforter for those believing in the church and human rights.

Biographical Sketch: In 1971, Paul began archaeology at Nauvoo with Robert T. Bray excavating the Bee House under which Joseph and Hyrum Smith had been buried until 1928. After a quarter century at Nauvoo, the change of stewardship has him at the Joseph Smith III Liberty Hall in Lamoni, Iowa where he also serves as President of the Lamoni Historic Association. He hosts the Book of Mormon Perspectives Forum on Mondays at 8 pm central time on Zoom and anticipates the Bicentennial of the Book of Mormon at Lamoni in March, 2030. Tuesday through Saturday finds him at the Joseph Smith III home and weekends with family in Shawnee Mission, Kansas.

Title: “The Saints and Local Politics in 1830s Kirtland” by Seth L. Bryant

Abstract: In 1835 and 1836, during the height of the Saints’ activities in Kirtland, they published a political newspaper, The Northern Times, from the printshop behind the temple. This caused pushback from the larger community captured in The Painesville Telegraph and elsewhere. The Saints responded by asserting their rights to political involvement through the canonization of a revelation on government in August 1835 (now D&C 112 [CofC]/D&C 134 [LDS]).

The purpose of this paper is to understand this better and other intersections between the Saints’ faith, political activity and coalitions, and responses by non-Mormons. My method will involve an exploration of primary source documents—township trustee minutes, local election results, and the broader economic and religious context—to gain a deeper understanding of local politics in Kirtland Township and Geauga County, Ohio, during the 1830s. 

Biographical Sketch: Seth L. Bryant lives in Kirtland, Ohio. He is the former director of the Kirtland Temple Historic Site for the Community of Christ. Seth holds master’s degrees in religion and religious studies from the University of Florida and Vanderbilt University, with a specialization in American religious history. The former editor of Restorations Studies, Seth is the current manager for John Whitmer Books. 

Session 313 (10:15 a.m., Saturday, September 20) Evolutions in Latter-day Saint Religious Education

Title: “Evolving Understandings: The Impact of Changing Definitions of ‘Doctrine’ on Religious Education in the LDS Church” by T. Kendall Buchmiller

Abstract: This paper explores the evolving concept of “doctrine” within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its impact on religious education. Over the past 40 years, shifting definitions and criteria for what constitutes official doctrine have created uncertainty for educators seeking to teach with clarity and authority.

Through historical analysis, selected case studies, and educator testimonies, this study highlights how changing doctrinal boundaries complicate classroom instruction and influence perceptions of what is essential to faith. A topical approach illustrates how specific teachings have changed over time, drawing on general conference addresses and other correlated materials. Some topics of study will be esoteric, such as the nature of exaltation. Other topics will be more pragmatic, such as temporal preparedness and food storage.

Ultimately, this research argues that the fluidity of doctrine reshapes the boundaries between essential and non-essential teachings. It concludes by proposing that the principle “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity” can serve as a constructive framework for navigating doctrinal ambiguity in both teaching and belief.

Biographical Sketch: T. Kendall Buchmiller is a researcher and religious educator specializing in Latter-day Saint theology, religious instruction, and practical theology. He currently serves as a full-time seminary teacher and has extensive experience training educators and conducting research within a faith context. His research focuses on the religious meaning-making process, spiritual trauma, and faith transitions.

Kendall holds a BS in Biomedical Engineering and an MA in Theological Studies and is pursuing a PhD in psychology with a concentration in theology. As both a scholar and educator, Kendall is passionate about helping teachers navigate complex topics with clarity and confidence. His work advocates for a balanced approach to religious instruction—one that acknowledges theological development while fostering unity, faith, and inclusivity.

Title: “Navigating Doubt: Four Decades of Evolving Approaches in LDS Religious Education” by Jared M. Halverson

Abstract: This paper examines the transformation of strategies for addressing student doubt within LDS religious education. By analyzing historical shifts in approaches, the study highlights how educational leaders and instructors have adapted their methods to better support students grappling with questions of faith. Through a review of curriculum changes, educator training, and case studies of student and teacher experiences, the paper emphasizes the movement towards fostering open dialogue, building spiritual resilience, and pursuing a proactive approach to student inoculation. The findings ultimately underscore the importance of responsive educational frameworks that validate student concerns while promoting spiritual growth.

Biographical Sketch: Jared M. Halverson is an associate professor of Ancient Scripture at BYU, joining the faculty there after 24 years of serving in the Church Educational System. Raised in Texas and Southern California, he came to BYU originally as a Presidential Scholar and wide receiver on the football team, leaving to serve a mission in Puerto Rico and returning to teach at the Missionary Training Center. He earned a BA in History and an MA in Religious Education from Brigham Young University (BYU) and an MA and PhD in American Religious History from Vanderbilt University, focusing on secularization, faith loss, and anti-religious rhetoric. He is frequently involved in interfaith dialogue, has been a featured speaker in both devotional and academic settings across the country, and hosts a popular YouTube channel and podcast called “Unshaken.” He also works one-on-one with individuals around the world who are experiencing faith crises.

Title: “Evolving Attitudes Toward Gender, Marriage, and Family in the LDS Seminary Program” by Iliana Christensen and Eric Paul Rogers

Abstract: This study builds on a body of scholarship addressing gender, marriage, and family in Latter-day Saint history, as well as broader studies of women’s roles within religious institutions. While prior research has explored women’s ecclesiastical contributions and cultural narratives, few studies have examined how doctrinally rooted gender expectations operate within Church-run employment systems. Additionally, institutional histories fail to address how expectations related to gender, marriage, and family have impacted Church employees and their students. This article seeks to extend that scholarship by documenting the lived institutional effects of evolving theological norms within the Church’s professional educational arm for youth and young adults, known as Seminaries and Institutes of Religion (S&I).

Biographical Sketches: 

Iliana Christensen earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Brigham Young University and a Master’s Degree from Utah State University in Human Development and Family Studies. She worked with Spencer James on the Global Families Project and wrote a thesis entitled: “Do Older Siblings Differentiate From Their Younger Siblings? Predictors and Longitudinal Correlates Predictors and Longitudinal Correlates.” Iliana is an institutional researcher with LDS Seminaries & Institutes of Religion.

Eric Paul Rogers is a Board Member of the John Whitmer Historical Association and an independent researcher who spent nearly forty years as a teacher and administrator in Latter-day Saint religious education. He holds a PhD in Instructional Psychology and Technology and MA and BA degrees in Germanic Studies and Foreign Language Education. He has studied organizations within the Restoration Movement, particularly The Church of the Firstborn (Morrisite), Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), and the Apostolic United Brethren (Allred Group). His research has been published in several books and journals, including Curriculum and Teaching, Educating about Religious Diversity and Interfaith Engagement: A Handbook for Student Affairs, Doctrine and Covenants Reference Companion, Journal of Mormon History, The Persistence of Polygamy: Fundamentalist Mormon Polygamy from 1890 to the Present, Religious Educator, and the John Whitmer Historical Association Journal. 

Session 314 (10:15 a.m., Saturday, September 20) The Reorganized Church and Race

Title: “The RLDS Church and Race: From Prophetic Principles to Respectability” by William D. Russell

Abstract: This presentation explores the complex history of the RLDS Church’s stance on race, focusing on its evolving theological and social approaches from the 19th century to the modern era. Analyzing key doctrinal writings and leadership decisions, it highlights the shifts from early liberalism and prophetic ideals toward a more cautious, respectability-driven posture aligned with mainstream society’s racial norms. The talk examines how the church’s wave of reform during the Civil Rights movement contrasts with earlier policies of segregation and racial exclusion, emphasizing the tension between prophetic advocacy and social conformity within the church’s race relations trajectory.

Biographical Sketch: William D. Russell is a founder of the John Whitmer Historical Association. He is a former President of the John Whitmer Historical Association and of the Mormon History Association. He is the author of many articles and book reviews in the John Whitmer Association, The Journal of Mormon History, Dialogue, Sunstone, and other publications.

Title: “Black Americans in Community of Christ: A Journey of Hope” by Gwendolyn Hawks-Blue

Abstract: This presentation provides a review of historical experiences of a few Black members in the RLDS/Community of Christ faith community during periods of time when segregation prevailed in the law of the land and later impacted societal trends both inside and outside the church. Thoughts shared and actions taken by those focused on herald their convictions and courageousness and create a platform for analyzing the impact of the church on them and their impact on the church. Questions are raised for reflection on how this past has informed and formed the church of today.

Biographical Sketch: Gwendolyn Hawks-Blue serves on the Community of Christ Standing High Council and is Co-chair of the World Church Diversity and Inclusion Team. After attending Graceland College for two years, she earned a BA in Psychology and an MA in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Kansas and University of Missouri, respectively. Gwendolyn worked for over twenty-five years in the field of social services and then fifteen years as a contract trainer for a seminar company teaching business related classes across the USA and internationally. Continuing years of community affiliations, Gwendolyn now engages with interfaith groups, serves as a Board Member of Graceland University Board of Trustees, Vice Chair of Board of Directors of the Drumm Farm Center for Children, Community of Christ Historical Sites Foundation Board member, and is the Secretary of the Greater Kansas City Black History Study Group. 

Tours (12:00 p.m., Saturday, September 20)

Title: WWI Museum, Guide: Kenneth L. Alford

Abstract: Don’t miss this opportunity to visit the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri. A premier destination for history enthusiasts and scholars alike, this esteemed institution offers a profound and immersive exploration of the Great War, featuring an extensive collection of artifacts, interactive exhibits, and compelling narratives that bring the global conflict to life. As you walk through the museum, you’ll encounter meticulously curated displays that highlight the experiences of soldiers and civilians, the technological advancements of the era, and the profound and lasting impact of the war on the world.

Join us for an unforgettable journey through history at the National World War I Museum and Memorial. This visit promises to enrich your understanding of World War I and provide valuable insights. Whether you are a seasoned historian or a curious learner, the museum’s comprehensive exhibits and engaging presentations will leave you inspired and informed. We hope you’ll join us!

This tour will be led by Dr. Ken Alford, professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University and retired US Army Colonel. He is the author of numerous publications on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and military history.

Biographical Sketch: Kenneth L. Alford is a professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University and a retired Colonel in the U.S. Army. Prior to teaching at BYU, he served as a professor of computer science at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York and as a department chair and professor of strategic leadership and organizational behavior at the National Defense University in Washington, DC. Ken served in numerous assignments during almost 30 years on active duty in the Army—including the Pentagon, supporting Pershing nuclear missile units in West Germany, and managing over $5 billion in government information technology contracts. He has published and presented on a wide variety of subjects—authoring or editing a dozen books and over 200 articles. Ken will be leading the tour of the World War I Museum in Kansas City, Missouri.

Title:  Brown vs. Board of Education, Guide: Matthew L. Harris

Abstract: Come join us for a tour of the historic Brown v. the Board of Education National Historic Park in Topeka, Kansas! We’ll see—and meet—many of the characters behind this pivotal Supreme Court decision that desegregated the nation’s schools. We’ll learn why the Court made this momentous change and we’ll learn about the “boots on the ground” who brought the case to them. Most importantly, we’ll learn about the Brown family and how they participated in this historic case at great personal risk to them. And we’ll learn how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Community of Christ, and other Restoration churches grappled with the legacy of civil rights and segregation.

The tour will be led by Dr. Matt Harris, professor of history at Colorado State University-Pueblo and author of the recently published book Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality. Matt also recently published “A Tale of Two Religions: RLDS and LDS Responses to the Civil Rights Movement” in the John Whitmer Historical Association Journal.

Biographical Sketch: Matthew L. Harris is a professor of History and Director of the Legal Studies program at Colorado State University-Pueblo and the president-elect of the John Whitmer Historical Association. He is the author of numerous books and articles on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Second-Class Saints: Black Mormons and the Struggle for Racial Equality (Oxford University Press, 2024), The Mormon Church and Blacks: A Documentary History (University of Illinois Press, 2015), “A Tale of Two Religions: RLDS and LDS Reponses to the Civil Rights Movement,” The John Whitmer Historical Society Journal 43, no. 1 (Spring/Summer 2023), and “The Last State to Honor MLK: Utah and the Quest for Racial Justice,” Utah Historical Quarterly 88, no. 1 (Winter 2020). An award-winning teacher and scholar at Colorado State, Harris teaches and writes on Civil Rights, Religion, and African American history. Matt will be leading the tour of the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka, Kansas.

Presidential Address 321 (6:30 p.m., Saturday, September 20)

Title: Visions of Peace in the Church of Christ: John Whitmer’s Family of Conscientious Objectors and Their Pre-1830 Religions by Mark L. Staker, PhD

Abstract: John Whitmer (1802 – 1878) went by Johannes Witmer in local church records before Joseph Smith moved into his parent’s home in 1829. His family spoke differently, dressed differently, and ate differently than did New England Smith and his other associates. In addition to his external differences, his cultural background and his family’s worldview drew on pacifist roots. John’s ancestors fled Switzerland for the German-speaking Palatine (Pfalz) along the Rhine River to avoid participating in war. They fled to America to avoid joining in a war again. In America they ended up in court because of opposition to war. Staker will explore the religious background and beliefs of the Whitmer family to shed light on their pacifism and show how their cultural and religious background impacted their New England associates. He will also look at their background in light of their response to later experiences in Kirtland and Missouri. The Whitmer family and their German-speaking neighbors in the original Church of Christ are a significant model of a cultural minority finding its place within a community that has worldwide aspirations.

Biographical Sketch: Mark L. Staker received his PhD from the University of Florida in Medical Anthropology. He published on healing strategies in Haitian Vodún, and he did his doctoral research on pregnancy and childbirth issues addressed in the similar Winti religion practiced by the descendants of African slaves in the Republic of Suriname. After finishing his research, he was hired by the Museum of Church History and Art in Salt Lake City to address 20th – 21st century international Church history. He worked as a museum curator by day and taught in adjunct positions at universities by night while waiting for a permanent position to open up. When he realized how fun doing Church history is, he quit waiting for a university position and spent his nights also doing history. Around the year 2000 he was asked to help with the restoration of Historic Kirtland Village and worked on historic sites restorations fulltime. He joined the John Whitmer Historical Association shortly after that and has had a great time associating with like-minded scholars. In January 2025 he stepped down from his role as a historic sites curator and now does full-time historical research.  

Hymn Fest (9:00 a.m., Sunday, September 21)

Title: Stories and Songs for Social Justice with Prophet-President Stassi Cramm, her counselors, and members of the Council of Twelve Apostles

Abstract: Come be blessed by the Spirit as we close our gathering with a worship of story, song, and shared purpose. Held in the sacred space of the Community of Christ Temple—dedicated to the pursuit of peace—this Sunday morning worship will send us back into the world energized for the work of social justice. Through stirring hymns and honest reflection, we will embody creative resistance to injustice and division.

Together, we will sing songs from Community of Christ Sings—songs that ground us in our shared heritage and propel us forward as “a people of justice, by God’s love inspired” (Andrew Bolton and Randall Pratt, The Spirit of God like a Fire Is Burning).

Experience the reflections of Community of Christ President Stassi Cramm, her counselors, and members of the Council of Twelve Apostles, woven into a song service that calls us to courage, compassion, and collective action. Come ready to be moved. Come ready to sing. Come ready to be sent forth to seek justice.

Hymns for the service include: 

• “The Spirit of God like a Fire is Burning”
• “We Shall Overcome”
• “A Prophet-Woman Broke a Jar”
• “Canticle of the Turning”
• “For Everyone Born”

Biographical Sketch: Stassi D. Cramm serves as Prophet-President of Community of Christ. She has served as a member of the First Presidency and counselor to the president of the church. Additional past assignments include serving as presiding bishop of the Presiding Bishopric, a member of the Presiding Bishopric as a counselor to the presiding bishop, a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles, and the Southwest Pacific Region administrator and stewardship commissioner.

Stassi received a Bachelor of Science in general engineering from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, and a Master of Arts in organizational management from the University of Phoenix. She received a Master of Arts in religion from Graceland University and a PhD in organization and management from Capella University. Previous to full-time ministry for Community of Christ, Stassi was employed as a flight test engineer for the United States Air Force.