Association for Mormon Letters

The Association for Mormon Letters (AML) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1976[1] to "foster scholarly and creative work in Mormon letters and to promote fellowship among scholars and writers of Mormon literature."[2] Other stated purposes have included promoting the "production and study of Mormon literature"[3] and the encouragement of quality writing "by, for, and about Mormons."[4] The broadness of this definition of LDS literature has led the AML to focus on a wide variety of work that has sometimes been neglected in the Mormon community.[3][5] It publishes criticism on such writing, hosts an annual conference, and offers awards to works of fiction, poetry, essay, criticism, drama, film, and other genres.[6] It published the literary journal Irreantum from 1999 to 2013 and currently publishes an online-only version of the journal, which began in 2018. The AML's blog, Dawning of a Brighter Day, launched in 2009.[7] As of 2012, the association also promotes LDS literature through the use of social media.[1] The AML has been described as an "influential proponent of Mormon literary fiction."[1]

  1. ^ a b c Hunter, J. Michael (2012). Mormons and Popular Culture: The Global Influence of an American Phenomenon. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-0313391682.
  2. ^ Ursenbach Beecher, Maureen (1978). "Proceedings of the Association for Mormon Letters" (PDF). Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. 11 (2): 11–14.
  3. ^ a b Bushman, Richard (2013). "The Commencement of Mormon Studies". In Newell, Quincy D.; Mason, Eric (eds.). New perspectives in Mormon studies creating and crossing boundaries. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. p. 208. ISBN 9780806189185.
  4. ^ "AML Conference Highlights Past and Present in Mormon Literature, Film and Studies". Meridian Magazine. 2006-02-09. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
  5. ^ Anderson, Lavina Fielding (2001). "Tending the Garden with Eugene England" (PDF). Irreantum. 3 (3). Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  6. ^ Alexander, Thomas G.; Bitton, Davis (2019). Historical Dictionary of the Latter-day Saints (4 ed.). Rowman & Littlefield. p. 21. ISBN 978-1538120729.
  7. ^ Austin, Michael (2015). "The Brief History and Perpetually Exciting Future of Mormon Literary Studies". Mormon Studies Review. 2: 49–50. doi:10.5406/mormstudrevi.2.2015.0049. S2CID 164943664.