Latter-day Eloquence

About the Book

Latter-day Eloquence: Two Centuries of Mormon Oratory is an anthology of significant speeches from the Latter-day Saint tradition. These speeches were delivered between 1820 and 2020 by a diverse array of figures connected or belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or other sects within the larger Mormon movement. It aims to transcend the traditional focus on formal sermons by Church leaders, offering instead a broad perspective on the role of public speaking in shaping Mormonism’s identity and history. Each speech is accompanied by a brief commentary from a qualified scholar, providing historical context and highlighting the speech’s significance as an artifact of Latter-day Saint rhetoric.? This collection highlights the multifaceted nature of the Latter-day Saint movement as a great story that encompasses elements of faith, culture, tension, and identity. By presenting speeches from a wide range of individuals—each with unique experiences and perspectives—this anthology challenges any notion of a monolithic Latter-day Saint voice. It invites readers to engage with the “many selves” of Mormonism. We hope this approach will help to foster a dialogue that reflects the movement’s rich diversity.? By offering insights into the ways in which public speaking has been utilized to express, negotiate, and redefine Latter-day Saint and Mormon identity for two hundred years, this volume serves as a foundational scholarly reference for the study of Mormon rhetoric and oratory. As such, it contributes not only to Mormon studies specifically, but also to the larger fields of rhetoric, oratory, and American religious history.