Jeanne Kay

Mormon beliefs about land and natural resources, 1847–1877

This paper examines normative Mormon beliefs about land and resources during their first three decades in Utah. It focuses on the implications of their religious teachings for their landscape attitudes, allocation practices, and management, and discusses probable origins of these views. Identification with the ancient Israelites prompted much biblical imagery in Mormon views of the land. They also adopted from the Bible the idea that the landscape was a vehicle through which God rewarded or punished human behavior. They believed that their task was to improve raw wilderness in order to return the earth to an Edenic state. They attempted this restoration through cooperative economic activities and planned settlement programs. The Mormon pioneers believed that land ownership was divine, but that humans could hold stewardships over personal property and natural resources. They were expected to use their resources but not to waste them. The biblically inspired beliefs adopted by the Mormons actually produced a frontier conservation ethic in early Utah. Similarities of some Mormon attitudes towards resources with those of New England Puritans are apparent, although Mormon beliefs were also creative and syncretistic. Mormon conservation principles, however, did not prevent harmful land-use practices by pioneers settling an unfamiliar and fragile environment.

The tenure review process

Abstract This paper examines the tenure review process faced by geographers in American universities from the perspectives of successful and unsuccessful candidates, a department chair, and a member of a tenure review committee. It aims to assist candidates for tenure by commenting on both formal and informal aspects of the process.