I am a secular Mormon.
I’m a former believer whose life and identity have been significantly shaped by Mormonism, and who continues to have a passionate engagement with it as a historian.
I have no animus against Mormonism or Mormons. Quite the contrary. Mormons and I speak the same language and share some of the same values and interests. My blog will therefore not be a screed against my former faith or its current adherents. Rather, this will be a place for me to share research and insights into Mormon history.
My present project is rather unambitious–it is simply to uncover the origins of Mormonism. This task I necessarily approach from a secular vantagepoint, viewing Joseph Smith as the faith’s creator. I want to understand why Mormonism exists, and why it is as it is. I’m particularly captivated with the narratives of the Book of Mormon, and want to understand how they were composed.
I’ll eventually be posting a good deal on this topic. In the meantime, I’ll be sharing findings and reflections on other aspects of early Mormonism.
But, to begin with, I’ll tell something about myself, my journey to where I now am, and my present perspective on Mormonism.
Cheers, and welcome to Mormon Origins!
Don Bradley
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The copyright to this and all posts on this blog are reserved to Don Bradley.
