The experience of becoming/being a Latter-day Saint outside of the continental United States is one that requires constant boundary maintenance to define what it means to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sometimes this process can create a disconnect between a perceived culture being broadcast from America and the culture of the church’s international communities. International Latter-day Saints thus are uniquely positioned to observe the ways in which an “American” culture both helps and hinders the growth of the global church. In a similar vein, those of other faiths also bring a valuable perspective from which they can bring to light aspects of the church which may be difficult for its own members to recognise. In both cases, “outsiders” bring an invaluable diversity of observations that enrich the academic study of the church and help build bridges between different academic, cultural, and faith communities.

The Global Mormon Studies 2020 conference committee seeks papers that examine the ways in which those on the “outside”–both those outside of North America and those outside of Mormon faith traditions–perceive the institutional church and the process that enculturation plays in the church’s development internationally. In what ways has this American-grown religion thrived in international settings? How have the church’s American cultural roots impeded its growth in other countries? How does the church’s globalization compare to the globalization of other religious traditions? What are the similarities and differences in the ways those of other faiths view the church in different countries? What are the ways in which international church members have intentionally adapted or repurposed the church’s more culturally-influenced institutional practices to meet local needs?

This Global Mormon Studies Conference is the ideal setting for scholars of varying disciplines and belief systems to present current research regarding the relationship between Mormon faith traditions and other organisations, whether they be religious, political, or economic. The committee seeks proposals that examine interfaith activities, minority engagement, partnerships, representation and advocacy, and bridge-building.