Marlin K. Jensen: Difference between revisions
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===Church Historian=== |
===Church Historian=== |
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Jensen has been [[Church Historian and Recorder]] since 2005,<ref name=CN2005/> and executive director of the church's history department since 2004.<ref name=RelEd/> In these roles and as a church official, |
Jensen has been [[Church Historian and Recorder]] since 2005,<ref name=CN2005/> and executive director of the church's history department since 2004.<ref name=RelEd/> In these roles and as a church official, Jensen has spoken at [[General Conference (LDS Church)|General Conference]], [[BYU]] Women's Conference (1998), [[BYU]] Family History and Genealogy Conference (2006), Northern Utah Family History Conference (2006), [[Yale Divinity School|Yale's]] [[American Society of Church History]] (2007), and the [[Mormon History Association]] Conference (2005 and 2007). Jensen has also notably attended various conferences, including the [[Library of Congress]]' ''Worlds of Joseph Smith'' Symposium (2005) and [[Utah Valley University|UVSC]]'s Mormon Studies Conference (2008). |
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Not a trained historian or academic, Jensen brought a passion to his work; reading widely, gathering scholars, and implementing changes. Observers reported that his contributions "helped transform the Utah-based faith's approach to its history," and saw the church's history department "truly come of age."<ref name=changing/><ref name=seriously>{{cite news | author=Maurine Proctor | title=A Church that Takes Its History Seriously | date=July 3, 2012 | work=Meridian Magazine | url=http://www.ldsmag.com/lds-church-history/article/1/11068 | accessdate=2014-05-22}}}</ref> Terryl Givens said of his legacy, "Marlin Jensen has done more to further the cause of Mormon history than any person of the current generation."<ref name=changing/> |
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*'''[[Joseph Smith Papers Project]]:''' In 2001, the [[LDS Church]] and [[BYU]] created the Joseph Smith Papers Project, intended to revise and expand on the longtime work of [[Dean C. Jessee]] to collect and publish all known writings of [[Joseph Smith, Jr.]] Under Jensen, the project expanded into a 30-some volume, multi-year effort endorsed by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission of the [[National Archives and Records Administration|National Archives]]. In 2005, Jensen said this was "the single most significant historical project of our generation".<ref name=JSPPhist>{{cite web|author=Justin|title=History of the Joseph Smith Papers Project|publisher=Mormon Wasp|date=March 5, 2008|url=http://mormonwasp.wordpress.com/2006/11/29/the-latest-on-the-joseph-smith-papers/|accessdate=2008-06-06 }}</ref> |
*'''[[Joseph Smith Papers Project]]:''' In 2001, the [[LDS Church]] and [[BYU]] created the Joseph Smith Papers Project, intended to revise and expand on the longtime work of [[Dean C. Jessee]] to collect and publish all known writings of [[Joseph Smith, Jr.]] Under Jensen, the project expanded into a 30-some volume, multi-year effort endorsed by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission of the [[National Archives and Records Administration|National Archives]]. In 2005, Jensen said this was "the single most significant historical project of our generation".<ref name=JSPPhist>{{cite web|author=Justin|title=History of the Joseph Smith Papers Project|publisher=Mormon Wasp|date=March 5, 2008|url=http://mormonwasp.wordpress.com/2006/11/29/the-latest-on-the-joseph-smith-papers/|accessdate=2008-06-06 }}</ref> |
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*'''[[Church History Library]]:''' Plans were finalized in 2005 to build a new {{convert|250000|sqft|m2|adj=on}}, 5 floor building near [[Temple Square]] to house the church archives and history department staff.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Church History Library to Be Constructed|work=Newsroom|publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|date=April 20, 2005|url=http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/new-church-history-library-to-be-constructed|accessdate=2008-06-05 }}</ref> It was opened to the general public in June 2009.<ref>{{cite news | author=Lloyd, R. Scott | title='A record kept' among His people | work=[[Church News]] | publisher=[[Deseret News]] | date=June 25, 2009 | url=http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/57528/A-record-kept-among-His-people.html | accessdate=2009-06-29}}</ref> |
*'''[[Church History Library]]:''' Plans were finalized in 2005 to build a new {{convert|250000|sqft|m2|adj=on}}, 5 floor building near [[Temple Square]] to house the church archives and history department staff.<ref>{{cite news|title=New Church History Library to Be Constructed|work=Newsroom|publisher=The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|date=April 20, 2005|url=http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/new-church-history-library-to-be-constructed|accessdate=2008-06-05 }}</ref> It was opened to the general public in June 2009.<ref>{{cite news | author=Lloyd, R. Scott | title='A record kept' among His people | work=[[Church News]] | publisher=[[Deseret News]] | date=June 25, 2009 | url=http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/57528/A-record-kept-among-His-people.html | accessdate=2009-06-29}}</ref> |
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*'''Researchers return to archives:''' From 1980–1982, the church moved the History Division of the Historical Department to [[Provo, Utah]], to become the [[Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Church History]] at [[BYU]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Dr. Arrington Demoted|publisher=Salt Lake City Messenger|date=March 1982|url=http://www.utlm.org/newsletters/no47.htm|accessdate=2008-06-06 }}</ref> In late 2004, discussions began about returning researchers to the LDS Archives to increase pace and reduce costs in the [[Joseph Smith Papers Project]]. In June 2005, the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute was closed and the staff moved back to the [[Church Office Building]], and in 2009 relocated again to the new [[Church History Library]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Moore|first=Carrie A.|title=Scholars moving to S.L.|publisher=[[Deseret Morning News]]|date=June 21, 2005|url=http://deseretnews.com/article/content/mobile/0,5223,600143054,00.html|accessdate=2008-06-06 }}</ref> |
*'''Researchers return to archives:''' From 1980–1982, the church moved the History Division of the Historical Department to [[Provo, Utah]], to become the [[Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Church History]] at [[BYU]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Dr. Arrington Demoted|publisher=Salt Lake City Messenger|date=March 1982|url=http://www.utlm.org/newsletters/no47.htm|accessdate=2008-06-06 }}</ref> In late 2004, discussions began about returning researchers to the LDS Archives to increase pace and reduce costs in the [[Joseph Smith Papers Project]]. In June 2005, the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute was closed and the staff moved back to the [[Church Office Building]], and in 2009 relocated again to the new [[Church History Library]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Moore|first=Carrie A.|title=Scholars moving to S.L.|publisher=[[Deseret Morning News]]|date=June 21, 2005|url=http://deseretnews.com/article/content/mobile/0,5223,600143054,00.html|accessdate=2008-06-06 }}</ref> |
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*'''[[Church Historian's Press]]:''' On February 25, 2008, a new imprint called the Church Historian's Press was announced as the long awaited publisher for the [[Joseph Smith Papers]]. Jensen mentioned the press could be used to publish [[George Q. Cannon]]'s journals or other documentary works, and perhaps someday narrative histories and biographies that make use of |
*'''[[Church Historian's Press]]:''' On February 25, 2008, a new imprint called the Church Historian's Press was announced as the long awaited publisher for the [[Joseph Smith Papers]]. Jensen mentioned the press could be used to publish [[George Q. Cannon]]'s journals or other documentary works, and perhaps someday narrative histories and biographies that make use of he Church Archives.<ref name=JSPPhist/> |
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*''' |
*'''Separate department:''' On March 12, 2008, the Family and Church History Department was divided into the Family History Department and the Church History Department.<ref name=JI>{{cite web|author=Jared T|title=Breaking News: Changes in Family and Church History Department Organization|publisher=Juvenile Instructor|date=March 12, 2008|url=http://www.juvenileinstructor.org/breaking-news-changes-in-church-history-department-organization/|accessdate=2008-06-06 }}</ref> |
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*'''New Assistant Church Historian called:''' On March 12, 2008, when the Church History Department was formed, [[Richard Turley]] was called as the first [[Assistant Church Historian]] since [[Davis Bitton]] was released in 1982.<ref name=JI/> |
*'''New Assistant Church Historian called:''' On March 12, 2008, when the Church History Department was formed, [[Richard Turley]] was called as the first [[Assistant Church Historian]] since [[Davis Bitton]] was released in 1982.<ref name=JI/> |
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*'''Mountain Meadows |
*'''Mountain Meadows:''' At the 2007 sesquicentennial of the [[Mountain Meadows massacre]], descendants of the victims petitioned the LDS Church to secure [[landmark]] status for its holdings at the Mountain Meadows site.<ref>{{cite news | author=Moore, Carrie A. | title=Groups want church to back historic landmark status | date=September 12, 2007 | work=[[Deseret Morning News]] | url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695209167,00.html | accessdate=2008-12-03}}</ref> On March 28, 2008, Jensen addressed these families and said the LDS Church would seek [[National Historic Landmark]] designation for these properties,<ref>{{cite news | author=Moore, Carrie A. | title=Mountain Meadows landmark plan aims to heal, unite | date=March 29, 2008 | work=[[Deseret News]] | url=http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695265671,00.html | accessdate=2008-12-03}}</ref> which was granted in 2011.<ref>{{cite news | author=Joseph Walker | title=Mountain Meadows officially becomes National Historic Landmark | work=Deseret News | date=September 11, 2011 | url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700178370/Mountain-Meadows-officially-becomes-National-Historic-Landmark.html?pg=all | accessdate=2014-05-22}}</ref> He worked to strengthen relationships with the victims' descendants<ref name=farewell/> and encouraged publication of a new "no-holds-barred" history, coauthored by Jensen's Assistant, Richard Turley.<ref name=record/> |
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* '''Technological modernization:''' Thousands of the LDS Church's historical documents were mass digitized and made freely available online, including the Joseph Smith Papers. Historian [[Jan Shipps]] called this "a change that is so epochal it would be very hard to turn it back."<ref name=changing/> In addition to developing a new church-wide system for digitally collecting and managing records, the Church History Library's searchable catalog was made available online.<ref name=farewell/><ref name=record>{{cite news | author=R. Scott Lloyd | title=Church Historian: 'A record of His Church and its people' | work=Church News | date=June 25, 2012 | url=http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/62475/Church-Historian-A-record-of-His-Church-and-its-people.html | accessdate=2014-05-22}}</ref> A five year plan was developed for using technology to preserve and share LDS history.<ref name=seriously/> |
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* '''International history:''' The Church History Department decentralized its collecting of international church history. Church Historians were called for individual Areas and countries, and oral histories were to be gathered from mission presidents and area presidents when they were released. Before this time, little had been done to gather international church history.<ref name=seriously/> Jensen saw this project as "one of the significant accomplishments in this period of time."<ref name=record/> |
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In January 2012, it was announced that, after a transition period, [[Steven E. Snow]] would replace Jensen as the Church Historian and Recorder later in the year. Snow succeeded Jensen on August 1, 2012. |
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* '''Historical professionalism:''' Jensen worked to make the Church History Department authoritative and trusted within the LDS Church, as well as by "historians who write from different points of view". Jensen strained to make materials more publicly available and to emphasize "unflinching honesty" to "set the tone for a whole new generation of LDS academics." He attended academic conferences and was the first LDS general authority to attend the [[Mormon History Association]] annual meeting.<ref name=record/><ref name=changing/><ref name=farewell/> |
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In January 2012, it was announced that, after a transition period, [[Steven E. Snow]] would replace Jensen as the Church Historian and Recorder later in the year.<ref name=changing>{{cite news | author=Peggy Fletcher Stack | title=Changing of the guard in Mormon history | date=January 19, 2012 | work=Salt Lake Tribune | url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/53288275-78/church-jensen-mormon-historian.html.csp | accessdate=2014-05-22}}</ref> Snow succeeded Jensen on August 1, 2012.<ref name=emeritus>{{cite news | author=Joseph Walker | title=Emeritus general authorities welcome the chance to practice what they've preached | work=Deseret News | date=October 2, 2012 | url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865563554/Emeritus-general-authorities-welcome-the-chance-to-practice-what-theyve-preached.html?pg=all | accessdate=2014-05-22}}</ref> On October 6, 2012, Jensen was then released from the First Quorum of the Seventy and designated as an emeritus general authority at the LDS Church's semi-annual general conference. LDS Church practice is to release Seventies from service following their 70th birthdays, which Jensen had observed in May of that year.<ref name=farewell/><ref name=emeritus/> |
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On October 6, 2012, Jensen was released from the First Quorum of the Seventy and designated as an emeritus general authority at the LDS Church's semi-annual general conference. |
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== Major statements == |
== Major statements == |
Revision as of 20:55, 22 May 2014
Marlin K. Jensen | |
---|---|
First Quorum of the Seventy | |
April 1, 1989 | – October 6, 2012|
End reason | Designated an emeritus general authority |
Presidency of the Seventy | |
August 15, 1998 | – August 15, 2001|
End reason | Honorably released |
Emeritus General Authority | |
October 6, 2012 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Marlin Keith Jensen May 18, 1942 Huntsville, Utah, United States |
Spouse(s) | Kathleen Bushnell |
Children | 8 |
Marlin Keith Jensen (born May 18, 1942) has been a general authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) since 1989. He served as the official Church Historian and Recorder of the church from 2005 to 2012. He was the 19th man to hold that calling since it was established in 1830.[1] Jensen was made an emeritus general authority in the October 2012 general conference.
Biographical background
Jensen was born in Huntsville, Utah. As a 19-year-old, he served as a missionary for the LDS Church in West Germany until 1964.[2] He graduated from BYU with a B.S. in German.[3] He obtained a Juris Doctor[3] degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1970,[4] graduating first in his class.[2] At the relatively young age of 28, he served as bishop of his ward in Huntsville, as had both his father and grandfather.[2] He later served as president of the Huntsville Utah Stake.[2] In 1987 he became a regional representative for the Kaysville Utah and Layton Utah regions.[5]
Jensen married Kathleen Bushnell on June 9, 1967 in the Salt Lake Temple. They are the parents of eight children.[2]
Professionally, Jensen was an attorney in private practice in Ogden, Utah, specializing in business and estate planning.[3] This supported his real passion of living a farming lifestyle.[2] His family operates a ranching enterprise called Jensens' Middle Fork Ranch, in which he is a partner.[6]
In August 2012, Utah Governor Gary Herbert nominated Jensen to serve on the Utah State Board of Regents, which oversees the state's colleges and universities.[7]
General authority
In 1989, Jensen became a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy at the age of 46.[8] In 1993, he was made assistant executive director of the church's Priesthood Department,[9] later becoming executive director until 2001.[10] From 1993 to 1995, while a general authority, Jensen served as president of the church's New York Rochester Mission. In 1995, Jensen became a member of the church's Public Affairs Committee.[11] From 1996 to 1998 he was executive director of the Church Historical Department.[12] He served in the First Quorum of the Seventy until 1998, when he became a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, and in 2000 he also became the general president of the church's Sunday School. Jensen served in these positions until 2001. In 2004, he replaced D. Todd Christofferson as executive director of the Family and Church History Department,[13] a position he held previously when it was just the Historical Department. In 2005, he became the first Church Historian and Recorder to serve since 1997.[1] He served in this capacity until 2012 and was designated an emeritus general authority in October 2012.
Jensen is one of the few general authorities of the LDS Church who self-identifies as a member of the Democratic Party.[14]
Area Presidencies
Jensen has served in various area presidency positions. As a new Seventy in 1989, he was counselor to John K. Carmack, president of the Utah Central Area.[15] From 1990 to 1992, Jensen served as president of the Utah North Area. He later served first as a counselor, then as president, of the North America Northeast Area. He was president of the Europe Central Area from 2001 to 2003.
Church Historian
Jensen has been Church Historian and Recorder since 2005,[1] and executive director of the church's history department since 2004.[13] In these roles and as a church official, Jensen has spoken at General Conference, BYU Women's Conference (1998), BYU Family History and Genealogy Conference (2006), Northern Utah Family History Conference (2006), Yale's American Society of Church History (2007), and the Mormon History Association Conference (2005 and 2007). Jensen has also notably attended various conferences, including the Library of Congress' Worlds of Joseph Smith Symposium (2005) and UVSC's Mormon Studies Conference (2008).
Not a trained historian or academic, Jensen brought a passion to his work; reading widely, gathering scholars, and implementing changes. Observers reported that his contributions "helped transform the Utah-based faith's approach to its history," and saw the church's history department "truly come of age."[16][17] Terryl Givens said of his legacy, "Marlin Jensen has done more to further the cause of Mormon history than any person of the current generation."[16]
Several major developments occurred during Jensen's leadership over the church's history department.
- Joseph Smith Papers Project: In 2001, the LDS Church and BYU created the Joseph Smith Papers Project, intended to revise and expand on the longtime work of Dean C. Jessee to collect and publish all known writings of Joseph Smith, Jr. Under Jensen, the project expanded into a 30-some volume, multi-year effort endorsed by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission of the National Archives. In 2005, Jensen said this was "the single most significant historical project of our generation".[18]
- Church History Library: Plans were finalized in 2005 to build a new 250,000-square-foot (23,000 m2), 5 floor building near Temple Square to house the church archives and history department staff.[19] It was opened to the general public in June 2009.[20]
- Researchers return to archives: From 1980–1982, the church moved the History Division of the Historical Department to Provo, Utah, to become the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Church History at BYU.[21] In late 2004, discussions began about returning researchers to the LDS Archives to increase pace and reduce costs in the Joseph Smith Papers Project. In June 2005, the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute was closed and the staff moved back to the Church Office Building, and in 2009 relocated again to the new Church History Library.[22]
- Church Historian's Press: On February 25, 2008, a new imprint called the Church Historian's Press was announced as the long awaited publisher for the Joseph Smith Papers. Jensen mentioned the press could be used to publish George Q. Cannon's journals or other documentary works, and perhaps someday narrative histories and biographies that make use of he Church Archives.[18]
- Separate department: On March 12, 2008, the Family and Church History Department was divided into the Family History Department and the Church History Department.[23]
- New Assistant Church Historian called: On March 12, 2008, when the Church History Department was formed, Richard Turley was called as the first Assistant Church Historian since Davis Bitton was released in 1982.[23]
- Mountain Meadows: At the 2007 sesquicentennial of the Mountain Meadows massacre, descendants of the victims petitioned the LDS Church to secure landmark status for its holdings at the Mountain Meadows site.[24] On March 28, 2008, Jensen addressed these families and said the LDS Church would seek National Historic Landmark designation for these properties,[25] which was granted in 2011.[26] He worked to strengthen relationships with the victims' descendants[27] and encouraged publication of a new "no-holds-barred" history, coauthored by Jensen's Assistant, Richard Turley.[28]
- Technological modernization: Thousands of the LDS Church's historical documents were mass digitized and made freely available online, including the Joseph Smith Papers. Historian Jan Shipps called this "a change that is so epochal it would be very hard to turn it back."[16] In addition to developing a new church-wide system for digitally collecting and managing records, the Church History Library's searchable catalog was made available online.[27][28] A five year plan was developed for using technology to preserve and share LDS history.[17]
- International history: The Church History Department decentralized its collecting of international church history. Church Historians were called for individual Areas and countries, and oral histories were to be gathered from mission presidents and area presidents when they were released. Before this time, little had been done to gather international church history.[17] Jensen saw this project as "one of the significant accomplishments in this period of time."[28]
- Historical professionalism: Jensen worked to make the Church History Department authoritative and trusted within the LDS Church, as well as by "historians who write from different points of view". Jensen strained to make materials more publicly available and to emphasize "unflinching honesty" to "set the tone for a whole new generation of LDS academics." He attended academic conferences and was the first LDS general authority to attend the Mormon History Association annual meeting.[28][16][27]
In January 2012, it was announced that, after a transition period, Steven E. Snow would replace Jensen as the Church Historian and Recorder later in the year.[16] Snow succeeded Jensen on August 1, 2012.[29] On October 6, 2012, Jensen was then released from the First Quorum of the Seventy and designated as an emeritus general authority at the LDS Church's semi-annual general conference. LDS Church practice is to release Seventies from service following their 70th birthdays, which Jensen had observed in May of that year.[27][29]
Major statements
Jensen at times addressed the press or public as a church representative. He often acted as a peacemaker, attempting to bring understanding or empathy to divisive issues. While not always official church positions, his statements illustrated his candid views as a leader within the LDS Church. [27]
Political parties
On April 22, 1998, Jensen was sent by the First Presidency to give an interview with the Salt Lake Tribune in reaction to a 1998 First Presidency statement[30] and to explicitly state that someone could be a devout Mormon and a member of the Democratic Party.[11] He lamented the decline of the Utah Democratic Party, and regretted that the Republican Party might be seen as the "church party". He felt that good Latter-day Saints will have conflicts with either party's platform, from which they must selectively pick and choose.[11]
Coming from a church official on assignment from the First Presidency, the comments surprised many prominent Utah politicians and Latter-day Saints.[31][27]
The Mormons (PBS)
Jensen featured prominently in the 2007 PBS documentary The Mormons. His March 7, 2006 interview probed a variety of subjects, including some controversial topics.[32]
- Doubt: Jensen described questioning his religion while in philosophy classes where he had to "test [his] belief against ... other theories." This led him to reinforce his faith through deeper study.
- Correlation: "We are really trying to take account of cultural differences and to not feel that this Utah influence or even the American influence has to be worldwide."
- Folklore of the priesthood ban: Jensen recalled his attempts to have the church repudiate the rationale some use to explain the priesthood ban.[33]
- Historical truth claims: "I think we take it very literally. We don't deconstruct and feel that what we have is the figment of language or our imagination, or that there is some middle ground. I know that is very polarizing. In a sense, I think the hardest public relations sell we have to make is that this is the only true church."
- Homosexuality: Jensen said the gospel allows either heterosexuality or celibacy. He empathized with celibate gay members, since the church cannot offer them hope of eventually finding love in this life as it can with single heterosexuals.
- Faith-promoting history: Jensen questioned whether the Church Historian should only focus on reinforcing faith, or if he should also focus on "objective" histories.
- Excommunicable doctrines: Jensen mentioned that members may receive disciplinary action in supporting gay marriage or opposing Book of Mormon divinity, if they are "openly vocal" and "malign the leadership in the church for not adopting that position."
Illegal immigrants
On February 13, 2008, Jensen urged the Utah State Legislature to show compassion in considering laws that would affect undocumented immigrants.[34] Several bills were under debate to block undocumented access to jobs and public benefits, such as in-state tuition and driving privilege cards.[35] On behalf of the First Presidency[36] at Westminster College's Interfaith Dialogue on Immigration, Jensen said lawmakers should "take a step back" since this "deal[s] with God's children" and "a more humane approach is warranted".[34]
Historical openness
In a February 25, 2008 press release about the new Church Historian's Press publishing the Joseph Smith Papers, Jensen offered instruction on how to approach church history. He asked for LDS historians to "not be in an apologetic mode, but to be as open, candid and fair about our own history as we can". They should foster a culture of mutual openness with the general historical community. Jensen observed "greater dialogue coming about, less suspicion and a greater openness that is coming to pass".[37]
FLDS polygamy
On May 5, 2008, Jensen officially responded to Timothy Egan's New York Times op-ed piece which claimed that FLDS polygamy "is a look back at some of the behavior of Mormonism's founding fathers".[38] Jensen strongly disagreed and pointed out that by 19th-century norms a 15-year-old bride was not unusual nor considered abused and the "common-law marriage age for women was 12". Plural marriages were "not controlled by the authority of one individual" and "the consent of individual women was always honored in any marriage proposal". In addition, many 19th-century polygamous wives were well-educated, politically active professionals.[39]
Gay marriage
On September 19, 2010, members of the Oakland, California stake were invited to share with Jensen their experiences and troubles over the LDS Church's involvement in the Proposition 8 campaign to ban gay marriage in California. After several recounted their painful experiences, Jensen responded with empathy and a personal apology, saying, “To the full extent of my capacity, I say that I am sorry .... I know that many very good people have been deeply hurt, and I know that the Lord expects better of us.”[40][27]
Modern apostasy
At the invitation of Utah State University professor Philip Barlow, Jensen held a "Q&A" with a Mormon Studies student group on November 11, 2011. Jensen was asked if church leaders were aware that members were discovering problems with LDS Church history through the internet, and what is to be done for those who may be affected or "who are already leaving in droves". Jensen responded that top church leaders "realize that, maybe, since Kirtland we've never had a period of, I'll call it apostasy, like we're having right now, largely over these issues." He said a new church initiative would give answers to troubling questions, and such issues should be discussed more openly with the new internet-savvy generation. These remarks were recorded by a student and circulated online, and were picked up in a Reuters "Special Report". Jensen later clarified that critics were overstating his remarks, saying "To say we are experiencing some Titanic-like wave of apostasy is inaccurate."[41][42][43][44]
Publications
Articles
- Jensen, Marlin K.; Sandra Stallings Jenkins (June 1990). "Friend to Friend". The Friend: 6.
- —— (November 18, 1990). "Follow the Gospel Plan". Provo, Utah: J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University.
{{cite book}}
:|author=
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(help) - —— (1993). "Loving with the Spirit and with the Understanding". Devotional and Fireside Speeches, 1992-93. pp. 91–99.
{{cite conference}}
:|author=
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suggested) (help) - —— (October 1994). "A Union of Love and Understanding". Ensign: 46–51.
{{cite journal}}
:|author=
has numeric name (help) - —— (1996). "Living After the Manner of Happiness". Speeches (Brigham Young University) 1995-96. pp. 29–37.
{{cite conference}}
:|author=
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suggested) (help) - —— (1997). "Martin Harris". Heroes of the Restoration. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft. ISBN 1-57008-291-X.
{{cite book}}
:|author=
has numeric name (help) - —— (Fall 1997). "Where Art Thou?: Answering God's Interrogatories" (PDF). Clark Memorandum. Provo, Utah: J. Reuben Clark Law Society: 2–7.
{{cite journal}}
:|author=
has numeric name (help) - —— (1998). "Gospel Doctrines—Anchors to Our Souls". BYU Women's Conference.
{{cite web}}
:|author=
has numeric name (help) - —— (1999). "Upon These We Bestow More Abundant Honor". In Ronald W. Walker, Doris R. Dant (ed.). Nearly Everything Imaginable: The Everyday Life of Utah's Mormon Pioneers. Provo: BYU Studies, Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History. pp. 3–26.
{{cite book}}
:|author=
has numeric name (help) - —— (August 1999). "How to Be Happy". New Era: 4–7.
{{cite journal}}
:|author=
has numeric name (help) - —— (2000). "May the Kingdom of God Go Forth". 29th Sperry Symposium: Out of Obscurity. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book. pp. 1–15.
{{cite conference}}
:|author=
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ignored (|book-title=
suggested) (help) - —— (June 2001). "Making a Mighty Change". New Era: 4–7.
{{cite journal}}
:|author=
has numeric name (help) - —— (June 2006). "Friend to Friend: My Brother Gary". The Friend: 8–9.
{{cite journal}}
:|author=
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ignored (|author=
suggested) (help) - —— (Spring 2008). "Church History: Past, Present and Future". Journal of Mormon History. 34 (2). Mormon History Association: 20–42.
{{cite journal}}
:|author=
has numeric name (help) - —— (October 2008). "Gospel Doctrines: Anchors to Our Souls". Ensign: 58–61.
{{cite journal}}
:|author=
has numeric name (help) - —— (July 2009). "The Joseph Smith Papers: The Manuscript Revelation Books". Ensign: 46–51.
{{cite journal}}
:|author=
has numeric name (help) - —— (2009). "Those Who Are Different". Religious Educator. 10 (2). Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University: 15–18.
{{cite journal}}
:|author=
has numeric name (help) - —— (2010). "Making a Case for Church History". In Steven C. Harper, Richard E. Turley, Jr. (ed.). Preserving the History of the Latter-day Saints. Provo: Religious Studies Center, BYU. pp. 1–18.
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has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link) - —— (Fall 2011). "The Rest of the Story: Latter-day Saint Relations with Utah's Native Americans" (PDF). Mormon Historical Studies. 12 (2): 17–25.
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:|author=
has numeric name (help) - —— (Spring 2013). "Minding the House of Church History: Reflections of a Church Historian at the End of His Time". Journal of Mormon History. 39 (2): 78–90.
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General Conference addresses
- —— (November 1989). "'An Eye Single to the Glory of God'". Ensign: 27–28.
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:|author=
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:|author=
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Interviews
- Jensen, Marlin K. (May 1993). "A Conversation on Preparing Ourselves for the Temple". Ensign.
- —— (June 1997). "Conversation: Church Museum Strengthens Members and Visitors". Ensign: 77–78.
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suggested) (help) - —— (August 13, 2005). "Historian from Huntsville". Ogden Standard-Examiner: 4E–5E.
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suggested) (help) - —— (2007). "A Historian by Yearning: A Conversation with Elder Marlin K. Jensen". Religious Educator. 8 (3). Religious Studies Center: 1–13.
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has numeric name (help) - —— (December 24, 2012). "Conversations: Elder Marlin K. Jensen". Mormon Channel.
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Notes
- ^ a b c Lloyd, R. Scott (May 28, 2005). "Historian by yearning' collects, preserves: Elder Marlin K. Jensen is historian/recorder". Church News. Retrieved 2008-12-02.
- ^ a b c d e f "Elder Marlin K. Jensen of the First Quorum of the Seventy". Ensign. May 1989. p. 91. Retrieved 2008-05-28.
- ^ a b c "Marlin K. Jensen". Contributor Bios. The Joseph Smith Papers Project. Retrieved 2008-05-28.
- ^ "Donor Report" (PDF). Res Gestae. 29. Salt Lake City: University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law: 35. Autumn 2005. Retrieved 2008-05-28.
- ^ "Appointments". Ensign. June 1987. p. 79. Retrieved 2008-05-28.
- ^ "Elder Marlin K. Jensen". Keynote Speakers and Frequent Presenters. Evergreen International. Retrieved 2008-05-28.
- ^ http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865560066/Former-LDS-Church-leaders-tabbed-for-Utah-higher-education-boards.html
- ^ "Called to Serve: An Historic Event—159th Annual General Conference". New Era. July 1989. p. 16. Retrieved 2008-05-28..
- ^ "A Conversation on Preparing Ourselves for the Temple". Ensign. May 1993. p. 103. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
- ^ "Changes in Presidency of Seventy". Ensign. August 2001. p. 75. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
- ^ a b c "Transcript of Marlin Jensen Interview". Latter-day Reference. Kevin Ashworth. April 22, 1998. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
- ^ Turley, Richard E., Jr. (2000). "Historian, Church". In Garr, Arnold K.; Cannon, Donald Q.; Cowan, Richard O. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book. pp. 494–5.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b Christofferson, Ryan P. (2005). "Family History: A Conversation with Elder D. Todd Christofferson". Religious Educator. 6 (2). Retrieved 2008-06-12. [dead link]
- ^ Ayres, Jr., B. Drummon (May 22, 1998). "Political Briefing; A Democratic Mormon Offers Hope in Utah". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-19.
- ^ "Area Presidency Assignments". Ensign. November 1989. p. 105. Retrieved 2008-05-28.
- ^ a b c d e Peggy Fletcher Stack (January 19, 2012). "Changing of the guard in Mormon history". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
- ^ a b c Maurine Proctor (July 3, 2012). "A Church that Takes Its History Seriously". Meridian Magazine. Retrieved 2014-05-22.}
- ^ a b Justin (March 5, 2008). "History of the Joseph Smith Papers Project". Mormon Wasp. Retrieved 2008-06-06.
- ^ "New Church History Library to Be Constructed". Newsroom. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. April 20, 2005. Retrieved 2008-06-05.
- ^ Lloyd, R. Scott (June 25, 2009). "'A record kept' among His people". Church News. Deseret News. Retrieved 2009-06-29.
- ^ "Dr. Arrington Demoted". Salt Lake City Messenger. March 1982. Retrieved 2008-06-06.
- ^ Moore, Carrie A. (June 21, 2005). "Scholars moving to S.L." Deseret Morning News. Retrieved 2008-06-06.
- ^ a b Jared T (March 12, 2008). "Breaking News: Changes in Family and Church History Department Organization". Juvenile Instructor. Retrieved 2008-06-06.
- ^ Moore, Carrie A. (September 12, 2007). "Groups want church to back historic landmark status". Deseret Morning News. Retrieved 2008-12-03.
- ^ Moore, Carrie A. (March 29, 2008). "Mountain Meadows landmark plan aims to heal, unite". Deseret News. Retrieved 2008-12-03.
- ^ Joseph Walker (September 11, 2011). "Mountain Meadows officially becomes National Historic Landmark". Deseret News. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
- ^ a b c d e f g Peggy Fletcher Stack (October 8, 2012). "Mormon leadership bids farewell to peacemaking progressive". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
- ^ a b c d R. Scott Lloyd (June 25, 2012). "Church Historian: 'A record of His Church and its people'". Church News. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
- ^ a b Joseph Walker (October 2, 2012). "Emeritus general authorities welcome the chance to practice what they've preached". Deseret News. Retrieved 2014-05-22.
- ^ "First Presidency Urges Citizen Participation". Ensign. April 1998. p. 77. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
- ^ Harrie, Dan (May 3, 1998). "GOP Dominance Troubles Church". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
- ^ "Marlin Jensen". The Mormons: Interviews. PBS. March 7, 2006. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
- ^ According to this 1998 Los Angeles Times article, Jensen was asked by some LDS members in 1996 to address this problem.
- ^ a b Bulkeley, Deborah (February 15, 2008). "Have compassion for immigrants, lawmakers urged". Deseret Morning News. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
- ^ Romboy, Dennis (February 15, 2008). "Debate resumes over illegal immigrants' status in LDS Church". Deseret Morning News. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
- ^ Bulkeley, Deborah (February 15, 2008). "Compassion call could affect immigration bills". Deseret Morning News. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
- ^ "Elder Marlin K. Jensen discusses transparency, openness and dialogue within the context of Mormon scholarship". New Publishing Imprint Set to Boost Mormon Scholarship. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. February 25, 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
- ^ Egan, Timothy (April 23, 2008). "Faith of Our Fathers". Outposts. The New York Times Blog. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
- ^ "Polygamy Then and Now", lds.org, accessed 2008-05-30.
- ^ Joanna Brooks, "Mormon Leader: ‘I’m Sorry’ For Hurtful Legacy of Prop. 8", Religion Dispatches, 2010-09-28.
- ^ Peter Henderson (January 30, 2012). "Special report-Mormonism besieged by the modern age". Reuters. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|coauthor=
ignored (|author=
suggested) (help) - ^ Peggy Fletcher Stack (February 3, 2012). "Mormons tackling tough questions in their history". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
- ^ "Discussion of Mormon apostasy spreads". Mormon Chronicles. February 1, 2012. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
- ^ Stephen Smoot (January 15, 2013). "Reports of the Death of the Church are Greatly Exaggerated". FairMormon Blog. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
External links
- "General Authorities: Elder Marlin K. Jensen", lds.org
- PBS Interview with Marlin K. Jensen
- Grampa Bill's G.A. Pages: Marlin K. Jensen
- Biography at Joseph Smith Papers Project website (accessed May 4, 2012)
- 1942 births
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