Mormon History Association -- CFP

Mormon History Association
2010 Independence Missouri Conference
Call for Papers
The Home and the Homeland:
Families in Diverse Mormon Traditions

The forty-fifth annual conference of the Mormon History Association will be held May 27-30, 2010, at the Kansas City Sports Complex Hotel in Kansas City, MO. It has been twenty-five years since the last MHA conference was held in Missouri. The 2010 theme, “The Home and the Homeland: Families in Diverse Mormon Traditions” recognizes the family as a central social and religious institution within Mormon traditions. Tanner Lecturer Catherine Brekus of the University of Chicago will address the topic of “Women in Early Mormonism.” Mormon traditions (also called Restoration traditions) have historically recognized the family and home as the spatial, social, and emotional place where men, women, and children become religious and moral people. Fatherhood and motherhood have been interpreted as religious, as well as biological and social roles. Papers and panels on all aspects of the history and practice of family life in all Restoration traditions are welcomed. Since Independence, Missouri, serves as the “homeland” to dozens of Restoration traditions, we especially encourage papers that examine or compare lesser studied groups. Of special note, 2010 marks the sesquicentennial of Joseph Smith III’s ordination as leader of the Community of Christ and the twenty-fifth anniversary of its first priesthood ordinations of women. Both events sparked controversy and caused the reexamination of how family roles shaped religious practices. Presenters could explore religious interpretation of the family, gender roles within the family, the Mormon religious experience within families, children and childhood, Mormon domestic architecture, or Mormon material culture.

MHA invites and actively seeks proposals for complete sessions, panels, and other presentations. While we encourage presentations related to the theme, we also welcome other proposals. While the Program Committee will give preference to complete two or three paper session proposals, individual paper proposals will be considered. Please send an abstract of the paper (no more than 300 words) that outlines your argument and the sources that will be used plus a short CV (no longer than two pages) for each speaker. Previously published papers will not be considered.

The deadline for proposals is October 1, 2009. Proposals should be sent by email to: mhameeting2010@gmail.com. Hard copies of proposals can also be sent to: Susanna Morrill, Lewis & Clark College, MSC 45, 0615 SW Palatine Hill Rd., Portland, OR 97219 or David Howlett, 222 E. Market St. Apt. 32, Iowa City, IA 52245. Notification for acceptance or rejection will be made by January 1, 2010. Additional instructions will be available on the MHA website at http://mhahome.org.