Nearly every social movement of any permanent consequence in American history traces its roots to the first half of the 19th century in “The Burned Over District” of western New York State. They often verbalize their intent to be “…On the Right Hand of God”; hence, the cacophony of confusion they all reference. “ISMs” of all types found root in that frontier along both sides of The Erie Canal. This Session provides a birds-eye view of the birthing sequence of today’s extremisms plus a clarifying lens through which to discuss WHY there are so many “Mormon-ISMs”.

Russ Osmond