“What brings me back each year?”

Each May, for three out of the past four years, I have attended the annual conference of the Mormon History Association. It is the only academic conference that I regularly attend and has earned a permanent place on my calendar. It has been an occasion when I have made some wonderful friendships and gained fascinating insights into Mormon history. My friends and family are bemused by this as I am a Catholic priest and a Franciscan friar. Not only that, but I generally teach Russian, not Mormon, history. What brings me back each year? I so enjoy the conference because I can truly put myself into the shoes of others and, at the same time, share my own perspectives as one who is actively involved in a faith tradition. The MHA conference is a place to develop both empathetic and critical skills.

This year I went on the post-conference tour; which was a great opportunity to build friendships and share at a deeper level. While looking at the sight of Custer’s “Last Stand,” on the banks of the Little Bighorn, I thought about how unlikely it was that I would have come to Wyoming or Montana on my own. The chance to visit places I would not otherwise go adds to the fun of MHA. The timing of the conference has suited my academic schedule and I have always received a warm and respectful welcome. I am already preparing a talk for presentation in Salt Lake City and next year I hope to bring a friend to experience the hospitality of the membership and the intellectual excitement of Mormon history.

Father Daniel P. Dwyer, O.F.M., Loudanville, New York

“. . .rib tickling reminiscences”

Our time at MHA was great from start to finish. We began with the pre-conference tour for our first experience with the trail from Casper to Martin’s Cove. Each stop offered a digital Kodak moment, and we discovered that the Plains aren’t just flatland! How did our ancestors, including some in the Ellsworth handcart company, make it through that challenging terrain? Their diaries came alive with a sense of place.

Presenters in the conference sessions opened new vistas and motivated us to keep learning. Of special note for us were the papers by Samuel Brown and Jeff Johnson and the exuberant celebration of Richard Bushman’s new book by Martha Bradley-Evans. The session on the “Mormon Built Environment” delighted us. We’ll not forget Sunday’s devotional, with Lee Groberg’s personal reflections on filmmaking and our experience with the fitting message of the music. Eating together allowed us to renew old friendships and make new ones. As always, we scanned new books in the exhibit room.

We’ve been attending MHA since the Salt Lake conference in 1973. The rib-tickling reminiscences of Jan Shipps, Jim Allen, Armand Mauss, and Bob Flanders on MHA’s 40 years were worth this year’s price of admission. Phil Barlow’s eloquent and thought-provoking presidential address sent us on our way anxious for another place, another time. We’ll see you in SLC in ‘07.

Glen and Karen Leonard, Farmington, Utah

Leonard Arrington Student Social

For me, the MHA at Casper was a great mixture of scholarly presentations, time out on the pioneer trail, talking with old friends, and making new ones. We had a good turnout at the Leonard J. Arrington Student Social this year. Paul Reeve (USU), Kathy Daynes (BYU), and Quincy Newell (WSU) came to talk about the programs at their institutions, and Patrick Mason and Jed Woodworth spoke about their experiences at the University of Notre Dame and at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. We have had a number of students at a variety of good institutions working on Mormon topics or on topics including or relating to Mormon history.

MHA President Phil Barlow and President Elect Ron Esplin dropped by and joined us in a discussion with Richard Bushman about building a better community of student members. If you are interested in organizing another student event as part of or in addition to the annual conference, or if you are interested in spearheading an electronic solution to community building, share your ideas with MHA executive director Larry King through the MHA website.

Hope to see you next year on one or more occasions as we support each other in continuing the growth and professionalization of Mormon scholarship.

Mark Ashurst-McGee,
Graduate Student, Arizona State University

Dear MHA Student scholarship supporters,

Thank you for your generous support of MHA’s student scholarships, Your gift made the 2006 conference much more affordable for me. As a graduate student who lives on a very small teaching stipend, I was very grateful to receive a student scholarship.

Very few historical associations grant the support that MHA provides student scholars. In addition, MHA graduate students are welcome participants that are mentored by more senior scholars. Few conferences treat students so well. I am blessed by this grace-given generosity.

Grace and peace in Christ,

David Howlett
PhD Student, Religious Studies
University of Iowa

“. . .to see some history up close”

At the close of our tour I didn’t really take the time to thank you for the GREAT conference and tour. I enjoyed the variety of sessions and other activities at the conference and I especially enjoyed the tour. It gave me the opportunity to see some history up close that I was not familiar with. It also gave me an opportunity to get to know other people that I might never have had the opportunity to meet otherwise.

With great appreciation

Sherman Feher