Dates

• Existence: 1980 - 1999

Administrative History

The Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Church History was a research institute at Brigham Young University established to encourage the study and publishing of Mormon historical material.

The Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Church History (JFSI) was created in 1980 upon the closure of the Historical Division of the Historical Department of the Church and subsequent transfer of its director and staff to Brigham Young University. In 1982 the institute was physically relocated from Salt Lake City, Utah to the Brigham Young University campus, and was under the direction of the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences. The staff of the institute worked to write and publish for a professional and church audience, teach courses in history, and facilitate research networks. Directors included Leonard J. Arrington (1980-1986) and Ronald K. Esplin (1986-1999). In 1999 the institute was reorganized as the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History.

Citation:

BYU organizational history project, Mar. 8, 2012: Joseph Fielding Smith Institute of Church History (existed 1980-1999; under College of FHSS; study and publishing of LDS material; est. following closure of Historical Division; relocated to BYU, 1982; write and publish, teach history, facilitate research; directors, Leonard J. Arrington (1980-1986), Ronald K. Esplin (1986-1999); 1999 reorganized as Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Latter-day Saint History)

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