Benjamin E. Park
Mormonism, as shaped by the culture wars
By Jana Riess — February 29, 2024
(RNS) — Debates over gender, race and sexuality have been part of Mormonism since Kirtland, says historian Benjamin Park.
Spencer W. Kimball diaries shine a light behind the scenes of modern Mormonism
By Jana Riess — February 17, 2023
(RNS) — This week’s release of the former LDS president’s diaries offers a peek behind the curtain of the 1978 priesthood/temple revelation and Kimball’s relations with Mormon leaders.
Blocklisting at Brigham Young University
By Jana Riess — September 10, 2021
(RNS) — The erasure of historian Benjamin Park's involvement from the Maxwell Institute's website reflects poorly on the institute and on BYU, particularly since he says he hasn't been told why it happened.
Can a forgotten Mormon leader teach us something about Donald Trump today?
By Jana Riess — July 28, 2020
In the 19th century, rival Mormon prophet James Strang manufactured public opinion, manipulated narratives, and offered his downtrodden followers a sense of purpose. Historian Benjamin Park says this sounds like someone we know today.
Polygamy, politics and frontier justice: Why Nauvoo still matters
By Jana Riess — February 24, 2020
(RNS) — A new history of the Mormons' brief residency in Illinois in the 1840s shows how democracy has been neither assured nor safe for minority groups in America.
Gay Mormons, reparative therapy, and the safe spaces of conservative religion
By Jana Riess — May 19, 2016
Historian Benjamin E. Park says the new memoir “Saving Alex” -- which chronicles a gay teen Mormon’s nightmare of conversion therapy -- is “a reminder of the lengths people are willing to go to in denying the authenticity of homosexual voices.”
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