Author’s time is limited. We would like to proceed exactly on schedule so we ask that you be in your seats at 8:15. Jason will make several interesting announcements and briefly review the schedule for the event.

Dennis Horne attended both BYU and Weber State University. He has a B.S. in Communications and currently works for the Church. His best-selling biography, Bruce R. McConkie; Highlights From His Life & Teachings, has been in print now for seven years. His second book is entitled Called of God by Prophecy: Spiritual Experience, Doctrine, and Testimony from Church Leaders Reveal How God Chooses His Servants. He then edited An Apostle’s Record: The Journals of Abraham H. Cannon. His fourth book, a compilation of exceptional statements from Church leaders and scholars, is titled Determining Doctrine, A Reference Guide for Evaluating Doctrinal Truth. Chapter One, about "Church Books" is by itself quite interesting for LDS book collectors.

Jones received his B.S., M.A., and Ph.D from BYU. He attended graduate school at the University of Iowa and the University of Minnesota. He has published in the Instructor, the Ensign, the Improvement Era, and in other professional journals and books. He was an Institute director at Stanford, Yale, UC-Berkeley and the University of Wyoming. He is the author of Animals and the Gospel and the expanded Animals and the Church. His book shows that Mormonism is one of the few religions that teach animals have souls. The book also documents statements by leaders of the Church regarding our attitude toward animals, the manner in which they should be treated, and their status in the kingdom of God.

Baker is the author of Murder of the Mormon Prophet, Political Prelude to the Death of Joseph Smith and Joseph and Moroni, the Seven Principles Moroni Taught Joseph Smith. His book on the death of Joseph Smith shows that Joseph’s bid for President of the United States was more significant than many have supposed; that the charges of treason against the Prophet were erroneous; the violation of freedom of the press was not an issue at the time; and that the murder of Joseph Smith had been planned for a long time. The Deseret News said the book is "a detailed survey of the months and weeks leading up to the murders of Joseph and Hyrum" and that the book is "a scholarly, comprehensive and compelling addition to understanding the Nauvoo story." Richard L. Anderson said, "Over sixty full news stories on the death of Joseph Smith in the final chapter are well worth the price of this volume." Baker graduated from BYU and then received his Masters and Ph.D from the University of Wisconsin. He taught American History and retired from BYU after serving as Curator of the Wells Freedom Archives. He is currently working on his third book.

Murdock is a descendant of John Murdock who gave up his son, Joseph, and daughter, Julia, to Joseph and Emma Smith after their own twins died. Young Joseph passed away but Julia was raised by Joseph and Emma. His biography Joseph and Emma’s Julia–The Other Twin, sold out quickly. Murdock also authored John Murdock: His Life and His Legacy and The Murdock Brothers’ Pioneer Trilogy, which is a biography on each of the three sons of John Murdock. S. Reed Murdock retired from the Ogden Air Logistics Center where he was a senior civilian attorney. He is currently researching a biography on W. W. Phelps.

Michael K. Winder holds both Master and Honors Bachelor Degrees from the University of Utah, where he graduated magna cum laud and was given the Hans Morrow Award for the most outstanding history student. He is currently on the Utah Board of State History, the Vice-President of Winder Farms and the West Valley City Council. He is author of five books: John R. Winder by Horizon Publishers and Utah in 2050, Counselors to the Prophets, Presiding Bishops, and Christmas Animals, by Eborn Books. His upcoming book by Covenant is entitled Presidents and Prophets: The Story of America’s Presidents and the LDS Church. Brother Winder will share the making of his upcoming title, where his research led to attending church with Presidents George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter.

One of the truly significant events in early Church history was the missionary work done in the small town of Mendon, New York. Many prominent LDS families came from that episode; i.e., the Kimballs and the Youngs. Schwendiman has compiled a four volume set detailing the history of the event and family biographies on each person who converted there. Virtually the entire membership of the Mendon Branch of the church moved to Kirtland and Missouri after being converted. Heber C. Kimball had established an early link to Brigham even before becoming his Counselor in the Utah Territory. Schwendiman is Assistant Attorney General in the State of Utah and an avid book collector and researcher. The four-volume work will begin releasing this year—one volume every six months. They will be about 500 pages each and will be limited to 500 copies each.

Schwendiman was born and raised in northern Illinois. He obtained a BA from Brigham Young University in Political Science in 1972. He graduated from the University of Utah Law School with a JD in 1975. He served a mission for the Church in the South German Mission during the years 1968-1970. He is currently president of a private foundation called the South German Mission Foundation which is presently translating the Encyclopedia of Mormonismilability of the German speaking Saints. He has been an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Utah since graduation from law school, currently working in Natural Resource law. He has spent many years researching the Mendon Saints.

Since the death of the Prophet Joseph Smith millions have wondered which portrait represents him the best. Today there are literally hundreds of portraits of the Prophet that range to all ends of the human spectrum. Amidst all of these portraits, they ask? "Which of all of these portraits are right? or are they all wrong together?" They believe that they all have a form of Joseph and draw near to him but they deny his true image.

Shannon and Patrick will deliver a unique examination of the image of the Prophet Joseph Smith and examine a daguerreotype that may indeed contain the Prophet’s image. They will then present a new painting of Joseph Smith based on this research. This is a fascinating visual presentation you won’t want to miss, and will be published soon under the title "Millions Shall Know Brother Joseph Again."

Patrick A. Bishop received his Bachelors of Science degree from Montana State University in Health and Human Development with an emphasis in Family and Consumer Science Extension and Education. He then completed his Masters of Science in Human Development from Utah State University. He is currently the CES Coordinator for the Casper Stake in Wyoming, and the Institute Director for the Casper College Institute of Religion. His most recent contribution to Church Studies is his recent identification of an original photograph of Oliver Cowdery (recently featured in BYU Studies).

Shannon M. Tracy served a mission to the Kentucky Louisville/Tennessee Nashville Mission. He joined the Air Force and worked in the ICBM Missile Systems. He received a degree from the College of the Air Force in Electronics. Tracy has authored or co-authored a few books. His first was In Search Of Joseph, from which this lecture is based. He is currently working on three new titles---one about Church artifacts where his contribution will be on the Nauvoo Temple Bell. Tracy’s passion is using technology to improve research into Church History. He has his own computer consulting company in Mesa, Arizona.

This will be the first annual "Mormon Hall of Fame" Dinner. The "Mormon Hall of Fame" Board will explain the creation and operation of the "Mormon Hall of Fame" and the "Who’s Who of Mormonism." At this dinner the first 25 members of the Hall of Fame will be unveiled. Details will be shared about how to become involved in the voting and nominating process.