Exhibiting Mormonism

The Latter-day Saints and the 1893 Chicago World's Fair

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity, Denominations, Mormonism, History, Americas, United States, 19th Century
Cover of the book Exhibiting Mormonism by Reid Neilson, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Reid Neilson ISBN: 9780199913282
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: December 9, 2011
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Reid Neilson
ISBN: 9780199913282
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: December 9, 2011
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

The 1893 Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair, presented the Latter-day Saints with their first opportunity to exhibit the best of Mormonism for a national and an international audience after the abolishment of polygamy in 1890. The Columbian Exposition also marked the dramatic reengagement of the LDS Church with the non-Mormon world after decades of seclusion in the Great Basin. Between May and October 1893, over seven thousand Latter-day Saints from Utah attended the international spectacle popularly described as the ''White City.'' While many traveled as tourists, oblivious to the opportunities to ''exhibit'' Mormonism, others actively participated to improve their church's public image. Hundreds of congregants helped create, manage, and staff their territory's impressive exhibit hall; most believed their besieged religion would benefit from Utah's increased national profile. Moreover, a good number of Latter-day Saint women represented the female interests and achievements of both Utah and its dominant religion. These women hoped to use the Chicago World's Fair as a platform to improve the social status of their gender and their religion. Additionally, two hundred and fifty of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's best singers competed in a Welsh eiseddfodd, a musical competition held in conjunction with the Chicago World's Fair, and Mormon apologist Brigham H. Roberts sought to gain LDS representation at the affiliated Parliament of Religions. In the first study ever written of Mormon participation at the Chicago World's Fair, Reid L. Neilson explores how Latter-day Saints attempted to ''exhibit'' themselves to the outside world before, during, and after the Columbian Exposition, arguing that their participation in the Exposition was a crucial moment in the Mormon migration to the American mainstream and its leadership's discovery of public relations efforts. After 1893, Mormon leaders sought to exhibit their faith rather than be exhibited by others.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The 1893 Columbian Exposition, also known as the Chicago World's Fair, presented the Latter-day Saints with their first opportunity to exhibit the best of Mormonism for a national and an international audience after the abolishment of polygamy in 1890. The Columbian Exposition also marked the dramatic reengagement of the LDS Church with the non-Mormon world after decades of seclusion in the Great Basin. Between May and October 1893, over seven thousand Latter-day Saints from Utah attended the international spectacle popularly described as the ''White City.'' While many traveled as tourists, oblivious to the opportunities to ''exhibit'' Mormonism, others actively participated to improve their church's public image. Hundreds of congregants helped create, manage, and staff their territory's impressive exhibit hall; most believed their besieged religion would benefit from Utah's increased national profile. Moreover, a good number of Latter-day Saint women represented the female interests and achievements of both Utah and its dominant religion. These women hoped to use the Chicago World's Fair as a platform to improve the social status of their gender and their religion. Additionally, two hundred and fifty of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's best singers competed in a Welsh eiseddfodd, a musical competition held in conjunction with the Chicago World's Fair, and Mormon apologist Brigham H. Roberts sought to gain LDS representation at the affiliated Parliament of Religions. In the first study ever written of Mormon participation at the Chicago World's Fair, Reid L. Neilson explores how Latter-day Saints attempted to ''exhibit'' themselves to the outside world before, during, and after the Columbian Exposition, arguing that their participation in the Exposition was a crucial moment in the Mormon migration to the American mainstream and its leadership's discovery of public relations efforts. After 1893, Mormon leaders sought to exhibit their faith rather than be exhibited by others.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book The Virtuous Psychiatrist by Reid Neilson
Cover of the book Flight from Monticello: Thomas Jefferson at War by Reid Neilson
Cover of the book The Divine Comedy of Dante Alighieri: Volume 2: Purgatorio by Reid Neilson
Cover of the book The U.S. Congress: A Very Short Introduction by Reid Neilson
Cover of the book A Dictionary of Buddhism by Reid Neilson
Cover of the book Hidden Gospels by Reid Neilson
Cover of the book Mutiny on the Amistad by Reid Neilson
Cover of the book Achieving College Dreams by Reid Neilson
Cover of the book Muslim Women in America by Reid Neilson
Cover of the book A Most Ingenious Paradox by Reid Neilson
Cover of the book Clinical Applications of Evidence-Based Family Interventions by Reid Neilson
Cover of the book The Stars of Heaven by Reid Neilson
Cover of the book Marx, Capital, and the Madness of Economic Reason by Reid Neilson
Cover of the book Raphael by Reid Neilson
Cover of the book Gender and the Great War by Reid Neilson
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy