The John Whitmer Historical Association is pleased to announce that its 2026 Annual Conference will be held September 24–26 in Council Bluffs, Iowa at the Mid America Center. This year’s theme, “Crossroads of Identity, Community, and Technology,” invites participants to explore the dynamic intersections that have shaped—and continue to shape—Restoration traditions.
We are especially looking forward to presentations by JWHA President Matthew L. Harris, whose presidential address will challenge the organization to confront its assumptions, reconsider its boundaries, and imagine more expansive and inclusive futures for the study of the Restoration, alongside a wide range of scholars and lay participants whose work reflects the depth and diversity of the field.
A highlight of the conference will be the Richard P. Howard Lecture, delivered by Matthew Bolton. An internationally recognized scholar of the United Nations, peacebuilding, and the humanitarian and environmental consequences of weapons, Bolton brings a rare combination of academic rigor and real-world impact. As a contributor to the nuclear disarmament advocacy campaign awarded the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize, his work stands at the intersection of scholarship and global moral urgency. His lecture promises to situate questions of faith, ethics, and community within the broader challenges of violence, technological change, and the pursuit of peace in the modern world.
The program will also feature a panel of well-known scholars exploring disaffiliation within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, examining the historical, cultural, and personal dimensions of religious departure in contemporary and comparative perspective.
In addition to traditional panels and presentations, the conference will include a special celebration of Restoration music, highlighting the rich musical traditions of the movement. Attendees will also have the opportunity to engage with a newly published title from John Whitmer Books, underscoring the association’s ongoing commitment to advancing scholarship in Restoration history.
The conference will include excellent food, engaging panels, awards presentations, guided tours, and informal opportunities for conversation in a location of deep historical significance within the Restoration.
Important deadlines:
Proposals for presentations, nominations for awards, and applications for scholarships are all due April 6, 2026. We encourage early submission and broad participation.
Registration will open soon and we encourage attendees to register early. Participants are also invited to reserve accommodations at the Hilton Garden Inn Omaha East/Council Bluffs, where a discounted room rate has been secured for conference guests. Staying onsite will enhance opportunities for informal conversation and engagement throughout the event.
We look forward to gathering at this historic crossroads to share research, build community, and reflect on the evolving intersections of identity, faith, and scholarship.
