"American Zion: A New History of Mormonism" by Benjamin E. Park

Above: "American Zion: A New History of Mormonism" - Benjaman E. Park. 418 Pages. I completed reading this book today. Full disclosure: My review is Grok3 assisted.

But I was fascinated by the vivid character-driven storytelling that brings to life lesser-known voices, particularly women, such as Juanita Brooks, Amy Brown Lyman, and Emmaline B. Wells. One of the byproducts of polygamy, interestingly, is that some women were freed from family-oriented responsibilities to pursue intellectual pursuits. These LDS women worked with the likes of Susan B. Anthony to advance women's causes.

"American Zion: A New History of Mormonism" by Benjamin E. Park is a comprehensive exploration of the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), published in January 2024 by Liveright. This work is the first major history of Mormonism in a decade, drawing on newly available archival sources to offer a fresh perspective on the religion’s evolution and its complex relationship with American culture. Park, an associate professor of history at Sam Houston State University and a respected scholar of American religion, delivers a readable, scholarly narrative.

The book is divided into ten chapters each covering a time period from Joseph Smith's childhood to the present. Here is a chapter-by-chapter synopsis.

Prologue: Zion in America
The prologue sets the stage by framing Mormonism as a distinctly American faith, born in the 1830s in New York’s “burned-over district,” a hotbed of religious fervor. It introduces Joseph Smith’s vision and the church’s early struggles, highlighting how Mormonism’s radical theology and communal aspirations mirrored America’s democratic ideals while clashing with its social norms, setting up the book’s central thesis: the Mormon story reflects and influences the broader American narrative.

Chapter 1: A Pedigree of Zion, 1775–1820
This chapter explores the pre-Mormon context, focusing on the religious and cultural milieu of Joseph Smith’s family, particularly through the lens of his mother, Lucy Mack Smith. It traces the roots of Mormonism in the Second Great Awakening, detailing how revivalism, folk religion, and economic instability shaped the Smiths’ world, laying the groundwork for Joseph’s prophetic claims and the church’s eventual founding.

Chapter 2: A Marvelous Work, 1820–1830
Covering the church’s formative years, this chapter details Joseph Smith’s First Vision, the Book of Mormon’s publication, and the establishment of the Church of Christ in 1830. It examines early converts, the role of charismatic experiences, and the church’s initial communal experiments, emphasizing tensions with surrounding communities due to its bold claims and unconventional practices, which foreshadowed future conflicts.

Chapter 3: A New Jerusalem, 1831–1838
This chapter chronicles the church’s early migrations to Ohio and Missouri, where attempts to build a literal Zion led to communal settlements and escalating conflicts with neighbors. It highlights the introduction of polygamy, the Kirtland Safety Society’s collapse, and violent expulsions, particularly the 1838 Missouri War, illustrating Mormonism’s struggle to balance theocratic ambitions with American pluralism.

Chapter 4: A House of Faith, 1839–1847
Focusing on the Nauvoo period, this chapter examines the church’s establishment of a semi-autonomous city-state in Illinois, marked by temple-building, polygamy’s expansion, and Joseph Smith’s political aspirations. It covers Smith’s 1844 martyrdom and the leadership crisis that followed, culminating in Brigham Young’s rise and the decision to migrate west, underscoring Mormonism’s resilience amid persecution.

Chapter 5: Saints in the Desert, 1847–1877
This chapter details the Mormon exodus to Utah and the establishment of a theocratic society under Brigham Young. It explores the challenges of settlement, conflicts with Native Americans, the Utah War, the Mountain Meadows Massacre, and the entrenchment of polygamy, showing how the church’s isolation in the Great Basin allowed it to flourish as a distinct community while drawing federal scrutiny.

Chapter 6: Polygamy and Its Discontents, 1878–1898
This chapter covers the federal government’s crackdown on polygamy, including the Edmunds-Tucker Act and the church’s 1890 manifesto renouncing the practice. It examines internal debates over plural marriage, the push for Utah statehood, and the church’s gradual assimilation into American society, marking a pivotal shift from separatism to integration.

Chapter 7: A Progressive Zion, 1899–1930
This chapter explores Mormonism’s early 20th-century transformation, as leaders like J. Reuben Clark navigated modernization and political alignment with the Republican Party. It discusses progressive reforms, women’s roles in the Relief Society, and the church’s efforts to shed its outsider status, while internal tensions over theology and intellectualism began to emerge.

Chapter 8: Fault Lines, 1931–1970
Focusing on mid-20th-century developments, this chapter examines Mormonism’s alignment with conservative politics, particularly under leaders like Ezra Taft Benson, and its racial policies, including the priesthood ban until 1978. It highlights intellectual debates, with figures like Sterling McMurrin and Hugh Nibley, and the church’s growing global presence amid internal schisms over progressivism and orthodoxy.

Chapter 9: The Mormon Moment, 1971–1995
This chapter covers the church’s rise to national prominence, with events like the Equal Rights Amendment opposition and the emergence of feminist voices, such as the Exponent II newspaper. It discusses the 1978 priesthood revelation, the church’s alliance with the Religious Right, and cultural milestones like the “Mormon moment” tied to Mitt Romney’s candidacy, reflecting Mormonism’s mainstreaming.

Chapter 10: Zion Redivivus, 1996–2023
The final chapter analyzes contemporary Mormonism, addressing its global growth, internal debates over gender and sexuality, and political shifts, including support for Donald Trump among some members. It critiques the church’s conservative entrenchment, arguing that its assimilation into a powerful cultural bloc may hinder progressive change, while noting ongoing struggles for inclusion by marginalized groups.

Epilogue: Zion’s Paradox
The short epilogue reflects on Mormonism’s dual identity as both a global faith and a quintessentially American religion. It reiterates the book’s thesis that Mormonism’s history mirrors America’s, with persistent tensions over race, gender, and authority, and considers its future trajectory in a rapidly changing cultural landscape, emphasizing its enduring influence and internal diversity.

SDT Personal Notes
The story of the lives of LDS leaders like Joseph Smith and Brigham Young are well known to me. But I was fascinated by the vivid character-driven storytelling that brings to life lesser-known voices, particularly women, such as Juanita Brooks, Amy Brown Lyman, and Emmaline B. Wells. One of the byproducts of polygamy, interestingly, is that some women were freed from family-oriented responsibilities to pursue intellectual pursuits. These LDS women worked with the likes of Susan B. Anthony to advance women's causes. It may sound contradictory, but these early LDS women intellectuals retained respect for and belief in the Church's patriarchal order.

"American Zion" emphasizes the Church's internal divisions and the experiences of marginalized groups. In addition to women, Park dedicates significant attention to racial minorities, and LGBTQ+ members, exploring their struggles for inclusion within a faith historically dominated by elderly white male leadership. For instance, he traces the church’s racial policies (including the priesthood ban on Black members until 1978), and contemporary debates over gender and sexuality.

Park, a Mormon himself, strikes a balance between critical analysis and respect for the faith. He addresses contentious issues—polygamy, racial bias, misogyny, and the church’s alignment with conservative politics—without sensationalism.

The book benefits from recently opened LDS Church archives, enabling Park to incorporate fresh primary sources, such as the journals of 19th-century leaders like George Q. Cannon. I hadn't heard a lot about Cannon and his critical role in running the Church until reading this book.

The book has a significant focus on Mormon intellectualism, with figures like historians Juanita Brooks, Leonard Arrington, Claudia Bushman, Richard Bushman (my LDS Bishop in Boston in 1970), D. Michael Quinn receiving prominent attention.

I would have like to have seen more in the book about the Church's growth. The Church now claims over sixteen million members with over half of those members outside of the United States with fast growing membership concentrations in Africa and Latin America. How has this growth influenced Church policy which for so many years faced off primarily against social and cultural issues in the United States?

The author could have, but didn't, write a chapter on the LDS Church's financial position and how that impacts Church decision making. By some estimates the Church owns assets valued at over $200 billion. The LDS Church has significant agricultural holdings in the US. John Deere's largest customer is the LDS Church. There is a book to be written on the Church's finances.

Recommendation
American Zion is a must-read for anyone interested in Mormonism, American religious history, or the interplay of faith and culture. It is particularly suited for readers who appreciate scholarly, nuanced histories that challenge simplistic narratives. For LDS members, it offers a thought-provoking complement to faith-based histories like "Saints," while non-members will find it an insightful introduction to a uniquely American religion. Its few limitations—such as its U.S.-centric focus, absence of discussion of Church's finances, and rushed contemporary sections—do not detract from its status as a definitive work in Mormon studies.