The interview discusses the tensions between Mormon historians and church leadership in the 1970s, focusing on the publication of a pamphlet responding to a critical book by the Tanners. Initially rejected by Mormon leadership for publishing due to their discomfort with the real history revealed in it, the pamphlet is instead published privately under the pseudonym, A Latter-day Saint Historian, or, as the Tanners dubbed him, “Mr. Clandestine.”
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Show Notes:
Mormon Stories Content
- 1693: Book Club – Jerald & Sandra Tanner – Despised and Beloved Critics of Mormonism
- 1703: Transgressions of Four Mormon Church Leaders | Gary James Bergera
- 267: Michael Quinn, History and the Mormon World View
- 285-287: D. Michael Quinn – 21st Century Mormon Enigma
- 812-814: Wealth and Corporate Power – D. Michael Quinn
Other Sources
- Mormonism—Shadow or Reality?
- U of U Thesis: The New Mormon History
- Quinn’s Yale Thesis: The Mormon Hierarchy
- Lighthouse: Jerald and Sandra Tanner, Despised and Beloved Critics of Mormonism
- Vengeance Is Mine: The Mountain Meadows Massacre and Its Aftermath
- Confessions of a Mormon Historian: The Diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971–1997 (3 book series)
- The Mountain Meadows Massacre
- Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith
- Chosen Path: A Memoir by D. Michael Quinn
10 Responses
I listen to your podcast and was listening to another podcast- he is a former Mormon and I think he would be a good guest for your show- thought I would share the link for you to listen- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-is-actually-happening/id497227384?i=1000602023747
Richard Stephen Marshall’s Paper
RIchard Stephen Marshall’s New Mormon History
https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s67118s1
How could I get a copy of the pamphlet unveiling Dr. Clandestine”
I would love to read it.
If you mean the pamphlet Quinn wrote, they have copies of it at Signature Books!
Hi,
Where can we read his doctoral dissertation ?
Thanks
Apologies! I thought I had that in the shownotes. It’s there now, but you can click here: https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s67118s1
Quinn’s Yale dissertation is available here: https://mormonpolygamydocuments.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/JS0761.pdf
Thanks for the back story. I found and bought Quinn’s pamphlet at Sam Weller’s bookstore in 1979. I still have my copy. I read Quinn’s pamphlet first which prompted me to read Tanner’s book. I remember the Tanner book was in the Controlled section of the USU library so you couldn’t check it out to take home so I had to read it in the library. At this time the USU LDS Institute library carried Sunstone magazine. So I remember 1979 as a time to feast on Tanner’s book, Quinn’s pamphlet, Sunstone magazine and Dialogue Journal.
Excellent excellent episode! Thank you for another gem of Mormon history. I feel terrible that both Mormon historians had to lie to protect the good name of the church. Thank goodness for the forthrightness of the Tanners. I’d love to hear more about the Packer & Petersen hardball Mormon scholars had to deal with.