Events
Events
Join the Mormon History Association for upcoming events and explore the dynamic, evolving field of Mormon history
The 2026 Annual Conference
June 4–7, 2026
The Mormon History Association’s 2026 annual conference, “Mirages and Specters,” invites participants to Las Vegas, Nevada, June 4–7, to explore the shifting boundaries between permanence and transience in the Mormon past. This year’s theme reflects on the mirages and specters of history—the expectations, perceptions, and lingering remainders that continue to shape how the Mormon experience is remembered, imagined, and understood
Quick Facts
- Proposal Deadline: November 1, 2025
- Notifications: January 17, 2026
- Venue: Tuscany Suites & Casino, Las Vegas, NV
Connecting Scholars Across MHA
Looking for co-panelists or collaborators?
Add your name and topic to our shared spreadsheet:
Panel Finder →
Submit a Proposal
Preference will be given to full panels, though individual papers are also welcome.
Submit Your Proposal →
Call for Papers (CFP)
Situated in the Mojave Desert, Las Vegas is both a bustling resort city, entertaining millions of people from all over the world annually, and a home to over half a million people, most of whom live away from the lights and sounds of the Strip. The area has long been a location of residence and respite, including for the Southern Paiutes (Nuwuvi) and, more recently, European explorers. In 1829, while traveling from Nuevo México to Alta California, a group of merchants paused for water from bubbling springs near a meadow of grasses and trees. They referred to the fertile area as “las vegas.”
A few decades later, a group of Latter-day Saints answered Brigham Young’s call to colonize Las Vegas. The missionaries hoped to preach to local American Indian tribes, mine for ore, and establish a fort. Their hopeful expectations proved to be a mirage, as the fort was abandoned in less than two years. But remnants of the fort endured, a reminder of what had been and a harbinger of what was to come. Latter-day Saints continued to settle in the area in succeeding decades and, beginning in the mid-twentieth century, developed a permanent and influential presence. During the same decades in which mobsters funded the emergence of a thriving casino industry, the Saints established the first Las Vegas stakes. “Sin City,” it turns out, was a capacious space where things aren’t always what they seem.
Permanence and transience have long intermingled in this region. While Las Vegas is a place to live for many, including about one-hundred thousand Latter-day Saints, many more people associate it with fleeting stopovers to engage in various forms of entertainment, including attractions for different audiences. There is something both ephemeral and spectral about the Strip. The region’s present and past past encourages reflections on the mirages and spectres of history. Mormon history is also full of expectations, perceptions, and remainders that haunt in myriad ways. We invite proposals that examine the rich varieties of the Mormon historical experience, resurrecting its surprising and overlooked presences (human and otherwise), uncovering its untold stories and unexpected developments, and attending to its lingering influences (both apparent and opaque).
The deadline for proposals is November 1, 2025. Submit your proposal to the program co-chairs through the Google form accessible via the MHA homepage. Preference will be given to full panels, though individual papers may also be accepted. And while proposals related to the conference theme are appreciated, all topics will be considered.
Questions? Contact the program co-chairs at mhalasvegas2026@mormonhistoryassociation.org
Hotel & Venue
Book through MHA’s official room block for low rates, no resort fees, free parking, and on-site dining in a peaceful setting just off the Strip. MHA selected this venue for its central yet quiet location, offering easy access to the Strip for those interested in exploring it, while the property’s layout keeps the casino tucked away at the back—allowing guests to enjoy a comfortable, distraction-free environment if they prefer.
Book Your Stay at Tuscany Suites →
Vendors & Exhibitors
We invite publishers, archives, booksellers, non-profit organizations, and allied groups to exhibit at MHA’s 61st Annual Conference. The exhibit hall is congenitally located in the halls bordering session & plenary rooms to ensure steady foot traffic and visibility.
Benefits included:
- Premium exhibit space and on-site exposure
- Recognition in the program and on the website
- Complimentary registrations for 2 exhibitors
- Discounted advertisement opportunities
Vendor tiers and pricing will be announced soon.
To be notified when registration opens, email christine@mormonhistoryassociation.org with the subject “Exhibitor Interest – MHA 2026.” Vendors will be accepted based on the relevance of their materials, the order in which applications are received, and available space.
FAQ & Contact
Who can submit to the Annual Conference?
The conference welcomes proposals from anyone interested in Mormon history—including scholars, students, independent researchers, and community members. All submissions will be peer reviewed by the program committee. Due to limited space, acceptance is not guaranteed and will be determined based on the quality of proposals, their alignment with the conference theme, and the overall balance of the program.
Do I need a full panel to submit?
No. Individual papers are welcome, though complete panels receive priority consideration. Looking for co-panelists or collaborators? Add your name and topic to our shared spreadsheet:
Panel Finder →
What if I cannot attend the conference in person?
Selected conference sessions will be recorded and live streamed. If you are unable to attend in-person, digital conferencing options will be made available for purchase.
Accessibility & Accommodations
Please contact us with any special needs at christine@mormonhistoryassociation.org
Latter Day Histories Lectures
Sponsored by Kofford Books, Latter Day Saint Histories is a monthly lecture series showcasing the work of award-winning scholars across the field. All lectures are virtual, free, and open to the public. This year’s series includes presentations on biography, polygamy, politics, race, gender, and more.
Upcoming Lectures
October 9, 7 PM MDT
State of the Field on Biography: A Roundtable Discussion
Chair: Matt Bowman | Featuring: Ignacio Garcia, Newell Bringhurst, Christine Talbot, Lisa Tait, John Turner
November 13, 7 PM MDT
An Exploration of Nauvoo Polygamy Documents
Featuring: Robin Jensen
December 4, 7 PM MDT
Mormon Constitutional Making and the Council of Fifty
Featuring: Nate Oman
January 22, 7 PM MDT
State of the Field on Gender: A Roundtable Discussion
Chair: Taylor Petrey | Featuring: Caroline Kline, Amanda Hendrix-Komoto, Janan Graham Russell, Nathan Kitchen
March 16, 7 PM MDT
State of the Field on Race: A Roundtable Discussion
Chair: Christopher Jones | Featuring: Bri Romanello, Dwain Coleman, Farina King, Matt Harris
Date Change: April 9, 2026, 7 PM MDT Revisiting The History of Lucy Smith Mother of the Prophet as a Prototypical Victorian Woman’s History with Sharalyn Howcroft
Past Lectures & Recordings
An on-demand archive of recorded sessions and materials will be available on the MHA event’s page.