Exploring how media changed the church

As Latter-day Saints examine their use of new media, it is important to learn from the past about how developments in media and technology have changed the history, culture and perceptions of truth about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. With that in mind, Dr. Sherry Baker, an associate professor in BYU's Department of Communication, has lead the effort to construct the "Mormon Media History Timeline, 1827-2007" (link opens up a 113-page pdf document).  She writes in the most recent issue of BYU Studies:

"It begins with the events leading up to the printing of the Book of Mormon on a mechanical handpress and ends with the launch of BYU Television International by satellite in 2007. As with most timelines and chronologies the emphasis is on firsts, lasts, important events and developments, and major historical figures."

The timeline focuses on technological and organizational developments rather than on what is written or broadcast in the media. It charts the church's adoption of new technologies including telegraph, film, radio, television and Internet. It also looks at the introduction of church-produced media such as Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcasts, Web sites like FamilySearch and the beginnings and endings of church newspapers and magazines. She also notes major events that received extensive coverage by non-Mormon media.

It is interesting to note that from its very beginning the church was using the media tools of the day to help spread its message. First, it was a book, The Book of Mormon, which was distributed by missionaries and proved to be key conversion tool for many early Saints. Of course, that book remains an important part of church "media." She points out how church-operated newspapers in Great Britain help facilitate the "gathering to Zion" and proclaiming and organizing church doctrine. In another example, Baker explains out how the telegraph opening in 1867, stretching from Salt Lake City to St. George and to Franklin, Idaho, helped change the organization and communication of the church.

"Only time will tell if the availability and use of international broadcasting and new media technologies will have for the church a transformative (ecological) effect, as did the printing press in Europe in the 1500s and the telegraph in the Mormon territory in the 1860s. All past history suggests that it will," she writes.

Of interest to both the history buff and scholar, the timeline is a fascinating work in progress which is searchable, updatable and available worldwide. Baker invites additions, corrections and expansions of citation references. In particular, she leaves to others additions of references about church press and media involvement outside of the United States.

The timeline also marks an attempt organize a distinct Mormon media studies branch of the broader Mormon Studies discipline. Baker anticipates the day when this branch of study might include an academic journal as a forum for LDS media scholarship. In the meantime, the timeline will serve as a basic reference, help to facilitate scholarship and be a backbone for Mormon media studies. Baker has also organized a group of scholars who participate in an Internet discussion group. For more information contact Baker at sherry_baker@byu.edu.