Restoration history is not a static record of the past — it is a living dialogue that shapes identity, values, and vision for the future. One of the great strengths of the John Whitmer Historical Association has always been its willingness to foster open, honest, and responsible scholarship, even when the stories are complex or challenging. Our community recognizes that history is more than facts on a page; it is memory, meaning, and the ongoing process of interpretation.
In his recent newsletter message, JWHA President Mark Staker reminded us of the “glorious insights of history.” Those insights are not always comfortable, but they are always illuminating. They teach us to see patterns of faith, courage, and human struggle with greater empathy. They also invite us to acknowledge mistakes, wrestle with ambiguities, and discern the values that continue to guide Restoration communities today.
The fall conference in Independence gave us another opportunity to live out that calling. The theme, Politics and Religion: The Impact of Governance and Government on the Restoration Movements from 1830 to the Present, could not be timelier. Across the Restoration traditions, politics and religion have always been intertwined — sometimes productively, and sometimes contentiously. In 2025, when questions of governance, authority, and identity dominate both church life and the wider culture, reflecting on this history together is especially valuable.
In today’s polarized world, where public trust in institutions is strained and narratives often fracture along cultural or political lines, the work of JWHA matters more than ever. We model how to engage with history carefully, respectfully, and empathetically. We create space for many voices and perspectives, demonstrating that dialogue and integrity can coexist with deep conviction. Our conferences and publications remind us that scholarship is not just about preserving the past, but rather about informing the present and shaping a hopeful future.
That is why JWHA scholarship matters now: because history, approached with courage and humility, becomes a tool for reconciliation, understanding, and community. I am grateful to be part of an association that takes this calling seriously, and I invite you to continue supporting, participating in, and sharing the good work of JWHA in the months ahead. Invite your colleagues, friends, and family to take another look at the JWHA Journal, as a bridge between the past and the future.
—Ken Mulliken, Editor, JWHA Journal
