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Ardis E. Parshall

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Ardis E. Parshall (born 1959[1]) is an "independent historian" who researches Latter-day Saint history.[2][3][4][5] Parshall has published her research on her blog, Keepapitchinin.[5] In addition to her research work, Parshall worked for the Salt Lake Tribune as a historical writer from 2005 to 2011.[4][5] She also published a book entitled, The Corianton Saga.[5] Parshall has co-edited books including Mormonism: A Historical Encyclopedia[6] and Dime Novel Mormons.[7]

Research

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According to W. Paul Reeve, Parshall conducts research that highlights individuals whose stories are largely unknown. In a Salt Lake Tribune article, Reeve expressed that "Ardis [E. Parshall] is one of the most dogged researchers working in the Mormon past" and that "[s]he recognizes...little scraps of history, and their connections to bigger contexts, and is a pro at discovering people who otherwise have been forgotten.[4]

According to a Salt Lake Tribune article, Parshall's research has been used by others "without attribution" on "several" occasions. The Tribune article stated that this "[lack of] attribution" occurs "frequently" in the realm of religious research. Quoting media ethics analyst Kelly McBride, the Tribune article noted that "publishers want to attract [religious] audience[s] 'without the elbow grease you should do and without crediting those who did.'"[4]

Keepapitchinin

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Keepapitchinin is a Latter-day Saint history blog created by Parshall.[5] Author and editor Gary James Bergera highlighted Keepapitchinin as a blog that "feature[s] some of the most provocative Mormon-related discussions taking place today."[8] Professor Jared Farmer[9] called Keepapitchinin "a box of treasures," praising Parshall's "expert historical commentary" included on Keepapitchinin.[9]

In 2010, Parshall made a blog post entitled, "The Best Beards in Mormon History: Results Show."[10] This post won a blogging award from the Association for Mormon Letters.[11] In addition to the Association for Mormon Letters blogging award, Parshall's Keepapitchinin won several Bloggernacle awards, published on a blogging website: Wheat and Tares.[12] In 2008, Keepapitchinin won a Bloggernacle award for "Best New Blog." In 2008, 2009, 2012, and 2013, Parshall's blog won a Bloggernacle award entitled, "Best Solo Blog."Parshall's Keepapitchinin also won Bloggernacle awards for the "Best Historical Post" in 2008 and the "Best Doctrinal Post" in 2010.[13]

The Century of Black Mormons project

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According to W. Paul Reeve, the Century of Black Mormons project is a "digital history project" that "recover[s]...the identities of Black Latter-day Saints" who lived between 1830 and 1930.[14] Parshall contributes to the University of Utah's Century of Black Mormons project as a "contributing scholar."[15] Additionally, Parshall works as a member of the project's advisory council, with Reeve also being a member of the advisory council.[4]

Recognitions

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John Whitmer Historical Association

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In 2018, Parshall received an award from the John Whitmer Historical Association alongside Michael Austin. Together, Parshall and Austin won the Association's "Best Anthology" award for their work on Dime Novel Mormons.[16][17]

Mormon History Association

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As noted by JSTOR, the Mormon History Association (MHA) is "an independent non-profit...organization devoted to all aspects of the scholarly study of the Mormon past."[18] In 2024, the MHA awarded individuals for their work related to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and Community of Christ.[19] MHA identified Parshall as "a pioneer in Mormon Studies public history" who has made "major contributions" to Latter-day Saint public history. MHA named an award after Parshall entitled the Ardis E. Parshall Public History Award. This award is given to individuals who "rigorous[ly]" contribute to public history.[2][3] The award was first distributed in 2021 to Parshall, herself, for her blog, Keepapitchinin.[19]

Contributions to other scholars

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Parshall's research has been used by many Latter-day Saint scholars. Among these are Steven C. Harper (referenced Parshall's research in his work entitled First Vision: Memory and Mormon Origins),[20] Nathan Oman (received "research notes" from Parshall when writing an academic article entitled, "The Blessing That's Anticipated Here Will Be Realized in the Next Life"),[21] W. Paul Reeve (referenced Parshall's research in his book entitled, Religion of a Different Color: Race and the Mormon Struggle for Whiteness),[22] and Matthew Grow (mentioned Parshall's research in his academic article entitled, "Biography in Mormon Studies").[23]

Selected literary works

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The Corianton Saga

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In 2022, Parshall wrote The Corianton Saga, which provides insight into the life of Corianton, a man referenced in the Book of Mormon.[24] Although briefly mentioned in the Book of Mormon, Parshall stated that Corianton's story was "arguably the most popular and well-known narrative from the Book of Mormon" for "earlier generations of Latter-day Saints."[25] In The Corianton Saga, Parshall supports this claim by exposing readers to various forms of media that highlighted Corianton's story.[24]

Dime Novel Mormons

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This work was co-edited by Parshall and Michael Austin in 2017. Dime Novel Mormons highlights four examples of dime novels that "represent[ed] different aspects of the Mormon image." The four novels highlighted in Dime Novel Mormons were published between the years 1870 and 1903.[7]

Mormonism: A Historical Encyclopedia

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Parshall co-edited Mormonism: A Historical Encyclopedia alongside W. Paul Reeve. The Encyclopedia was published in 2010. Mormonism: A Historical Encyclopedia includes discussions about various topics related to the LDS Church and its history. More specifically, the book highlights various "[e]ras" in Latter-day Saint history. It also discusses "[e]vents," "[p]eople," and "[i]ssues" related to its history.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Women as Temple Witnesses within Living Memory: What I Know, and What I Don't Know | Keepapitchinin, the Mormon History blog". keepapitchinin.org. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  2. ^ a b "MHA Announces New Public History Award | Mormon History Association". Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  3. ^ a b "Awards | Mormon History Association". Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Book 'stole' Mormon historian's work, but publisher offers a settlement to 'make it right'". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Parshall, Ardis E. | BYU Library - Special Collections". archives.lib.byu.edu. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  6. ^ a b Reeve, W. Paul; Parshall, Ardis E., eds. (2010). Mormonism: a historical encyclopedia. Santa Barbara, Calif: ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1-59884-107-7.
  7. ^ a b Austin, Michael; Parshall, Ardis E.; Aiken, Albert W.; Powell, David Franklin; Standish, Burt L.; Doughty, Francis Worcester, eds. (2017). Dime novel Mormons: Eagle Plume, the white avenger: a tale of the Mormon Trail (1870) ; The Doomed dozen, or, Dolores, the Danite's daughter (1881); Frank Merriwell among the Mormons, or, the lost tribe of Israel (1897); The Bradys among the Mormons, or, secret work in Salt Lake City (1903). The Mormon image in literature. Salt Lake City, Utah: Greg Kofford Books. ISBN 978-1-58958-517-1. OCLC 974315496.
  8. ^ Bergera, Gary James (September 24, 2011). "LDS intellectualism is no joke". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  9. ^ a b "Scholarly Inquiry: Jared Farmer". Juvenile Instructor. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  10. ^ "The Best Beards in Mormon History: Results Show | Keepapitchinin, the Mormon History blog". keepapitchinin.org. Retrieved 2024-12-03.
  11. ^ Langford, Jonathan (2011-03-31). "2010 AML Awards". Dawning of a Brighter Day. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  12. ^ "About". Wheat & Tares. 2010-09-30. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  13. ^ "Wheaties/Tareific Results". Wheat & Tares. 2014-01-27. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  14. ^ Reeve, W. Paul (2019). "Century of Black Mormons: A Preliminary Interpretation of the Data". Current Research in Digital History. 2. doi:10.31835/crdh.2019.03. ISSN 2637-5923.
  15. ^ "Century of Black Mormons · Credits · J. Willard Marriott Library Exhibits". exhibits.lib.utah.edu. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  16. ^ "Dime Novel Mormons awarded Best Anthology at JWHA". gregkofford.com. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  17. ^ "JWHA 2018 Award Winners | JWHA.info". www.jwha.info. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  18. ^ "Mormon History Association on JSTOR". www.jstor.org. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  19. ^ a b Stuart, J (June 15, 2024). "Mormon History Association Awards 2024". Juvenile Instructor. Retrieved 2024-12-02.
  20. ^ Harper, Steven Craig (2019). First vision: memory and Mormon origins. New York (N.Y.): Oxford university press. pp. IX, 167. ISBN 978-0-19-932947-2.
  21. ^ Oman, Nathan B. (2023-07-01). ""The Blessing That's Anticipated Here Will Be Realized in the Next Life": The Development of Modern Latter-day Saint Marital Sealing Rules". Journal of Mormon History. 49 (3): 103. doi:10.5406/24736031.49.3.04. ISSN 0094-7342.
  22. ^ Reeve, W. Paul (2015). Religion of a different color: race and the Mormon struggle for whiteness. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. ix, 299, 307, 310, 315. ISBN 978-0-19-975407-6.
  23. ^ Grow, Matthew J. (2015). "Biography in Mormon Studies". Journal of Mormon History. 41 (1): 193 – via JSTOR.
  24. ^ a b Parshall, Ardis E. (August 28, 2022). The Corianton Saga. By Common Consent Press. ISBN 978-1948218528.
  25. ^ Parshall, Ardis E. (August 28, 2022). The Corianton Saga. By Common Consent Press. pp. VII–VIII. ISBN 978-1948218528.
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