Description

It has been 50 years since the seminal work, The Story of the Latter-day Saints was initially published. The book was researched and developed by a small group of individuals and eventually written and ascribed to James B. Allen (1927–2024) and Glen M. Leonard (born 1938). It was seen by many as a modern, more transparent telling of the history of the LDS Church. It was written as a replacement for the 1922 Essentials in Church History, by Joseph Fielding Smith. While many praised this new history for its openness and historical scholarship, others, including some top Church leaders, felt it not faith-promoting enough and believed it would damage the faith of younger members of the Church. James Brown Allen was a pivotal figure in modern Latter-day Saint historiography, known for his dedication as a husband, father, and educator. His career seamlessly integrated faith and scholarship. After serving in the Navy and spending two years as a missionary, largely without purse or scrip, he worked as a seminary and institute teacher and director. From there he joined Brigham Young University’s faculty, where he eventually served six years as department chair and held the Lemuel Hardison Redd, Jr. Endowed Chair in Western American History. His 28-year tenure was characterized by rigorous research, intellectual openness, and mentoring new scholars. James was a co-founder and later president of the Mormon History Association. From 1972 to 1979, he served as Assistant Church Historian for the LDS Church and played a key role in expanding access to historical resources and promoting transparency in Church historical writing. His extensive body of work—including multiple books, hundreds of reviews, articles, and papers—combined analytical depth with pastoral sensitivity. This session will discuss the long-term impact of Story of the Latter-day Saints and honor Allen’s life and enduring influence as a teacher, scholar, and bridge-builder.

Trace Rogers was serving as an elders quorum president 20 years ago when within 2 days of study went from fully believing to an atheist. He has navigated back to a semi-belief in God and a heavily nuanced belief in the church. Trace has four amazing children and continues to attend church and actively participates with his beautiful wife of 32 years. He works hard to love and support everyone within his influence. Trace strives to see everyone, including leaders, as imperfect humans, striving for good, who regularly make mistakes, sometimes to dire consequence.