Ardis E. Parshall Pioneer of Latter-day Saint Public History

Ardis E. Parshall (March 10, 1959 – February 22, 2026) was a distinguished American independent historian specializing in the history of the Latter-day Saint movement. Known for her meticulous research and ability to uncover forgotten narratives, Parshall became a pivotal figure in the field of Mormon Studies, bridging the gap between academic scholarship and public history.

Research and Methodology

Parshall was highly regarded by her peers for her "dogged" approach to research. W. Paul Reeve, a prominent scholar, noted that she possessed a unique ability to recognize small fragments of history and connect them to broader contexts, effectively recovering the stories of individuals who had otherwise been forgotten by time.

Keepapitchinin

One of Parshall's most significant contributions to the field was her blog, Keepapitchinin. Described by author Gary James Bergera as a platform for some of the most provocative discussions in Mormon history, the blog served as a digital archive of her research and expert commentary. Professor Jared Farmer praised the site as a "box of treasures."

The blog received widespread acclaim, winning numerous awards from the Association for Mormon Letters and the Bloggernacle awards, including "Best New Blog" (2008) and multiple "Best Solo Blog" awards (2008, 2009, 2012, 2013), as well as awards for the best historical and doctrinal posts.

The Century of Black Mormons Project

Parshall also contributed her expertise to the Century of Black Mormons project, a digital history initiative by the University of Utah. As a contributing scholar and member of the advisory council, she helped recover the identities and stories of Black Latter-day Saints who lived between 1830 and 1930.

Literary Works and Publications

Parshall's bibliography includes several influential works that explored the intersection of faith, culture, and history:

• Mormonism: A Historical Encyclopedia (2010): Co-edited with W. Paul Reeve, this comprehensive volume provides a detailed overview of the eras, events, people, and issues of the Latter-day Saint movement.
• Dime Novel Mormons (2017): Co-edited with Michael Austin, this work examines how dime novels from 1870 to 1903 shaped the public image of Mormons.
• The Corianton Saga (2022): A book exploring the narrative of Corianton from the Book of Mormon and how it was interpreted and presented in various media for earlier generations of Latter-day Saints.

Recognitions and Legacy

The Mormon History Association (MHA) recognized Parshall as a pioneer in public history. In 2021, the MHA established the Ardis E. Parshall Public History Award, which is given to individuals who make rigorous contributions to public history. Parshall herself was the first recipient of this award.

Her research has been an invaluable resource for many other scholars, including Steven C. Harper, Nathan Oman, W. Paul Reeve, and Matthew Grow, who have integrated her findings into their academic articles and books.

Professional Career

Beyond her independent research, Parshall worked as a historical writer for the Salt Lake Tribune from 2005 to 2011, contributing her expertise to the local community and the general public.