Mormon Literature Group Springs Back to Life

On Wednesday, September 24,  Theric Jepson, LDS author and critic, penned an open plea to the Association of Mormon Letters (AML), on the Dawning of a Brighter Day blog :

If I want to help or I want to complain or I want to be part of the solution or I just want any sense of anything, where do I go?

AML began in 1976 as a non-profit committed to promote quality writing by, for, and about Mormons. But the organization has struggled transitioning to the digital age.  AML’s literary journal, Irreantum, ceased production last year, and Jepson estimates, “That with the demise of Irreantum, membership in the Association for Mormon Letters is at a low, low ebb.”

Jepson’s post however, has revitalized a passion for the organization. The discussion turned into a free wheeling brainstorm about how to reinvigorate the organization.

The conversation reached all the way to current AML president, and BYU-Hawaii professor Joe Plicka who penned a lengthy apology:

I wish I was a better, more qualified AML president/leader/cheerleader. But at this point, I am really glad Theric had the energy and gumption to kick the proverbial hornets nest. Let’s see who flies out to have their say.

Among the most popular ideas are restarting the journal as an online magazine, featuring the blog more prominently on AML’s website, including more historical information, and moving toward an international board.

The conversation has drawn interest from many prominent figures in the Mormon literary community including Garden of Enid author, Scott Hales, Mormonism for Dummies author, Christopher Bigelow, and noted LDS scholars Margaret Blair Young, and Tyler Chadwick.

To contribute to the conversation head over to Dawning of a Brighter Day. And let us know in the comments, what role do you think literature should play in LDS culture? How could AML help facilitate that role?