Eugene England: A Mormon Liberal

Eugene England championed an optimistic Mormon faith open to liberalizing ideas from American culture while remaining devoted to a conservative Mormonism that he saw as a vehicle for progress. He influenced a generation of thinkers and cofounded Dialogue, a Mormon academic and literary journal acclaimed for its broad range of thought.

Format: Hardback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 14 December 2021
Publisher: University of Illinois Press

Eugene England, a prominent figure in Mormonism, embraced an optimistic and liberal perspective, while also maintaining a conservative allegiance to the faith. He believed that conservative Mormonism could serve as a vehicle for progress while simultaneously narrowing the range of acceptable beliefs.

Kristine L. Haglund delves into the complexities of England's writing, exploring the tensions arising from his often-opposed intellectual and spiritual commitments. Despite being labeled a liberal, England had a traditional Latter-day Saint background and consistently sought to address fundamental Mormon questions. His intellectually adventurous essays occasionally led to conflicts with Church authorities and fellow believers. However, he also exerted a significant influence on a generation of thinkers and co-founded Dialogue, a Mormon academic and literary journal renowned for its broad and diverse range of thought.

This captivating portrayal of Eugene England offers a profound insight into the life and times of a Mormon intellectual who emerged from the lived experiences of his faith to engage with the transformative forces shaping Mormonism in the twentieth century. England's journey reflects the ongoing dialogue within Mormonism, where individuals navigate the challenges of modernity while seeking to uphold their religious traditions and beliefs.

Weight: 368g
Dimension: 157 x 236 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780252043932