Ardis E. Parshall (born 1959 [1] ) is an "independent historian" who researches Latter-day Saint history. [2] [3] [4] [5] Parshall has published her research on her blog, Keepapitchinin . [5] In addition to her research work, Parshall worked for the Salt Lake Tribune as a historical writer from 2005 to 2011. [4] [5] She also published a book entitled, The Corianton Saga. [5] Parshall has co-edited books including Mormonism: A Historical Encyclopedia [6] and Dime Novel Mormons. [7]
According to W. Paul Reeve, Parshall conducts research that highlights individuals whose stories are largely unknown. In a Salt Lake Tribune article, Reeve expressed that "Ardis [E. Parshall] is one of the most dogged researchers working in the Mormon past" and that "[s]he recognizes...little scraps of history, and their connections to bigger contexts, and is a pro at discovering people who otherwise have been forgotten. [4]
According to a Salt Lake Tribune article, Parshall's research has been used by others "without attribution" on "several" occasions. The Tribune article stated that this "[lack of] attribution" occurs "frequently" in the realm of religious research. Quoting media ethics analyst Kelly McBride, the Tribune article noted that "publishers want to attract [religious] audience[s] 'without the elbow grease you should do and without crediting those who did.'" [4]
Keepapitchinin is a Latter-day Saint history blog created by Parshall. [5] Author and editor Gary James Bergera highlighted Keepapitchinin as a blog that "feature[s] some of the most provocative Mormon-related discussions taking place today." [8] Professor Jared Farmer [9] called Keepapitchinin "a box of treasures," praising Parshall's "expert historical commentary" included on Keepapitchinin. [9]
In 2010, Parshall made a blog post entitled, "The Best Beards in Mormon History: Results Show." [10] This post won a blogging award from the Association for Mormon Letters. [11] In addition to the Association for Mormon Letters blogging award, Parshall's Keepapitchinin won several Bloggernacle awards, published on a blogging website: Wheat and Tares. [12] In 2008, Keepapitchinin won a Bloggernacle award for "Best New Blog." In 2008, 2009, 2012, and 2013, Parshall's blog won a Bloggernacle award entitled, "Best Solo Blog."Parshall's Keepapitchinin also won Bloggernacle awards for the "Best Historical Post" in 2008 and the "Best Doctrinal Post" in 2010. [13]
According to W. Paul Reeve, the Century of Black Mormons project is a "digital history project" that "recover[s]...the identities of Black Latter-day Saints" who lived between 1830 and 1930. [14] Parshall contributes to the University of Utah's Century of Black Mormons project as a "contributing scholar." [15] Additionally, Parshall works as a member of the project's advisory council, with Reeve also being a member of the advisory council. [4]
In 2018, Parshall received an award from the John Whitmer Historical Association alongside Michael Austin. Together, Parshall and Austin won the Association's "Best Anthology" award for their work on Dime Novel Mormons. [16] [17]
As noted by JSTOR, the Mormon History Association (MHA) is "an independent non-profit...organization devoted to all aspects of the scholarly study of the Mormon past." [18] In 2024, the MHA awarded individuals for their work related to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and Community of Christ. [19] MHA identified Parshall as "a pioneer in Mormon Studies public history" who has made "major contributions" to Latter-day Saint public history. MHA named an award after Parshall entitled the Ardis E. Parshall Public History Award. This award is given to individuals who "rigorous[ly]" contribute to public history. [2] [3] The award was first distributed in 2021 to Parshall, herself, for her blog, Keepapitchinin. [19]
Parshall's research has been used by many Latter-day Saint scholars. Among these are Steven C. Harper (referenced Parshall's research in his work entitled First Vision: Memory and Mormon Origins), [20] Nathan Oman (received "research notes" from Parshall when writing an academic article entitled, "The Blessing That's Anticipated Here Will Be Realized in the Next Life"), [21] W. Paul Reeve (referenced Parshall's research in his book entitled, Religion of a Different Color: Race and the Mormon Struggle for Whiteness), [22] and Matthew Grow (mentioned Parshall's research in his academic article entitled, "Biography in Mormon Studies"). [23]
In 2022, Parshall wrote The Corianton Saga, which provides insight into the life of Corianton, a man referenced in the Book of Mormon . [24] Although briefly mentioned in the Book of Mormon, Parshall stated that Corianton's story was "arguably the most popular and well-known narrative from the Book of Mormon" for "earlier generations of Latter-day Saints." [25] In The Corianton Saga, Parshall supports this claim by exposing readers to various forms of media that highlighted Corianton's story. [24]
This work was co-edited by Parshall and Michael Austin in 2017. Dime Novel Mormons highlights four examples of dime novels that "represent[ed] different aspects of the Mormon image." The four novels highlighted in Dime Novel Mormons were published between the years 1870 and 1903. [7]
Parshall co-edited Mormonism: A Historical Encyclopedia alongside W. Paul Reeve. The Encyclopedia was published in 2010. Mormonism: A Historical Encyclopedia includes discussions about various topics related to the LDS Church and its history. More specifically, the book highlights various "[e]ras" in Latter-day Saint history. It also discusses "[e]vents," "[p]eople," and "[i]ssues" related to its history. [6]