Item Detail
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12679
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3
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0
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English
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Cultures in Conflict : Congregationalism, Mormonism and Schooling in Utah, 1880-1893
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University of Utah
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Ph.D. diss.
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"Late nineteenth-century America presented a scene of lively cultural pluralism dominated by a Victorian ideology consisting of Protestant and republican beliefs and values. Members of the dominant culture considered Utah Mormons (members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) un-American because of their unorthodox religious beliefs and practices, theo-democratic political system and cooperative economic practices. Congregational school teachers working for the New West Education Commission took up the task of "Americanizing" Utah's Mormons by providing "Christian" schooling for children living in Utah Territory. The Commission operated primary schools and academies in Utah from 1880 through 1893. New West personnel experienced two types of conflict incident to the operation of their schools in Utah. External conflict occurred as some Mormon leaders and laity resisted efforts of Congregational educators to provide schooling for Mormon children. Minor conflicts with non-Congregational Protestants also fit in this category. Internal conflicts arose within the Congregational community itself as educators, ministers and financial supporters of the Commission developed divergent views regarding the aims of Congregational schools in Utah. Changing social conditions in Utah in the early 1890s combined with the internal and external conflicts of the Commission to cause a redefinition of the purpose of Congregational schools in Utah. After 1890, Congregationalists began viewing their schools primarily as means of evangelizing rather than educating Mormons. Since New West schools were not successful in converting Mormons to Congregationalism, this changing view of schooling: (1) weakened the resolve of the Church to continue operating New West schools, (2) motivated the consolidation of the New West Education Commission with the American College and Education Society, and (3) contributed to the eventual closing of Congregational schools in Utah. Sources of information for this study include the "Microfilm Edition of the Records of the New West Education Commission, 1880-1893," contemporary Utah newspapers, published speeches of Mormon leaders, biennial reports of the Territorial Superintendent and Territorial Commissioner of Utah schools and other relevant journals, histories and indexes." [Author's abstract]