Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History

In 2000 the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Church History was renamed the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History. Institute directors included Ronald K. Esplin (2000-2003) and Jill Mulvay Derr (2003-2005). In 2005 most of the scholars employed by the institute were transfered to the LDS Church Headquarters in Salt Lake City to continue work on the Joseph Smith Papers Project Project. With their departure, the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History was abolished.

Variant names

Brigham Young University. College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences. Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History

Brigham Young University. Smith Institute

Description

Established: 2000

Abolished: 2005

Location: Provo, Utah (2000-2005)

Functions

The purpose of the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History was to pursue the scholarly study of the history, people, institutions, and culture of the Latter-day Saints. As a research organization its mission is to use the materials of history and the tools of scholarship to research, write, and publish works about the Latter-day Saint past that will be of significance to other scholars and to Latter-day Saints generally. Faculty teach courses in history, LDS Church history, and other disciplines related to their fields of expertise and advise student whose major papers, theses, and dissertations address Mormon history topics. The institute also provided limited support for research and publication to faculty. The Joseph Smith Papers Project was among the many research ventures undertaken by this institute.

Assets and Administrative Structure

The institute was administered by the institute director, under the direction of the college dean.

Associated Units

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences (2000-2005)

Earlier unit: Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Church History (1980-2000)

Associated Archival Materials

Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History Records, 1880-2005 (UA 1214)

Sources

Brigham Young University Undergraduate Catalog, 2000-2001: 59 (Ronald K. Esplin, director (2000-2001); functions)

Brigham Young University Undergraduate Catalog, 2003-2004: 73 (Jill Mulvay Derr, director (2003-2004))

Deseret News June 21, 2005, via WWW, Nov. 3, 2010: (most of the scholars involved in the institute were transfered to LDS Church Headquarters and the institute was closed)

Maintenance Information

Record ID: EAC-2009-00608

LCCN: nr 00008945

Creator: RSP