Greg Kofford Books

06/01/2026

"Nathan Oman’s ‘Welding Another Link’ is a wonderful contribution to the body of Latter-day Saint intellectual thought. It is the work of a man who is clearly convinced of the core claims of the restoration while remaining unafraid to examine its mechanics. Whether he is discussing ‘Jewish whiskey’ or constitutional theology, Oman writes with a clarity and respect that helps to further the intellectual life of Latter-day Saints." – Chad Nielsen for Times and Seasons

It could be said that the hallmark of a mature religious tradition is a robust, centuries-old internal philosophy. In his latest collection of essays, Welding Another Link: Latter-day Saint Essays on Faith and Intellect (Greg Kofford Books, available April 14, 2026), Nathan B. Oman argues that while...

05/30/2026

Probably one of our books… People just can’t put them down. ☺️

05/29/2026

Poets Scott Hales and Kevin Klein read from their new poetry collections recently at Ken Sanders Rare Books. Here's a video of the full event.

(Be sure to check out their books: https://gregkofford.com/collections/personal-essay/poetry)

05/28/2026

TONIGHT! Benchmark Books! 5:30 PM!
LISTEN as Chad Nielsen talks about his new biography of Zerah Pulsipher, "A Barn Full of Angels."
WATCH as Chad signs copies for those in attendance.
BRACE YOURSELVES as he answers any and all questions put to him.
DON'T MISS OUT! 3269 S Main St, Ste 250, South Salt Lake, UT, United States, Utah 84115

Event info: https://www.facebook.com/events/978675447886275/
Book info: https://gregkofford.com/products/a-barn-full-of-angels

05/27/2026

Blogger “jsmff” notes in a recent post at By Common Consent that former General Relief Society President Belle Spafford strongly reminded all the bishops in the Church of the importance of their local Relief Society Presidents in a 1947 address.

https://bycommonconsent.com/2026/05/24/that-time-belle-spafford-slapped-down-3500-bishops/

(Be sure to check out our book about magnifying women’s local impact: https://gregkofford.com/products/women-at-church)

Belle Spafford had been president of the recently renamed Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for just 18 months when the reports began to come in. Despite clear instructions in the Welfare Handbook, bishops were not calling on Relief Society Presidents to do in home ne...

05/26/2026

"A significant contribution to the life studies of 19th-century biographical literature of early Mormonism. The writer controls the narrative rigorously, delivering both a sympathetic interpretation of a self-portrait and analytical detachment....

"‘A Barn Full of Angels’ is a success. As a biography, it endows an agency and complexity to a person often relegated to the margins. As social history opens at a ground‑level perspective of ordinary Saints constructing, sustaining, and at times resisting the edges of a new religious movement. As a study of lived religious charisma, it illustrates the permeable barrier between the natural and supernatural of early Mormon thought.

"Nielsen’s prose moves, often, with grace. He writes with empathy but without over-romanticizing, within a space of critical distance but without cynicism." — Melvin C. Johnson for the Association for Mormon Letters

Review ——– Title: A Barn Full of Angels: The Spiritual World and Pioneer Journey...

05/22/2026

The perfect read for Memorial Day.

These essays reveal how the scriptures, prophetic teachings, history, culture, rituals, and traditions of Mormonism have been, are, and can be used as warrants for a wide range of activities and attitudes—from radical pacifism to legitimation of the United States’ use of preemptive force against its enemies.

As a relatively young religion that for much of its early history was simply struggling for survival, Mormonism has not yet fully grappled with some of the pressing questions of war and peace, with all of the attendant theological, social, and political ramifications.

Given the LDS Church’s relative stability and measure of prominence and influence in the early twenty-first century, the time is ripe to examine the historical, spiritual, and cultural resources within the tradition that provide a foundation for constructive dialogue about how individual Latter-day Saints and the institutional Church orient themselves in a world of violence.

While recognizing the important contributions of previous scholars who had offered analysis and reflection on the topic, these essays offer a more sustained and collaborative examination of Mormon perspectives on war and peace, drawing on both historical-social scientific research as well as more normative (theological and ethical) arguments.

Order: https://gregkofford.com/products/war-and-peace-in-our-time

05/20/2026

"'Unlocking the Chinese Realm' is a rigorous and engaging study. It provides the specific historical scaffolding that a general biography cannot, making it a valuable companion for anyone seeking to understand the details of the Church’s entry into East Asia.

"Reid Neilson’s decades of research have resulted in a work that is both intellectually satisfying and an enjoyable read for those interested in the unfolding of the international Church." — Chad Nielsen for TimesandSeasons.org.

Order: https://gregkofford.com/products/unlocking-the-chinese-realm

05/19/2026

NOW AVAILABLE! "A Barn Full of Angels: The Spiritual World and Pioneer Journey of Zerah Pulsipher" by Chad L. Nielsen has been released in paperback and as an ebook.

"This is one of the most important Mormon biographies of the decade." – Kurt Manwaring

"In Nielsen’s skillful retelling, readers will delight in the front row seat they are offered into a cosmic contest that played out somewhere between heaven and earth." – W. Paul Reeve

"A compelling narrative. . . . Pulsipher’s story is full of contradictions, hard-won life lessons, and doggedly devoted discipleship." – Kristy Wheelwright Taylor

ORDER: https://gregkofford.com/products/a-barn-full-of-angels

Preview: https://gregkofford.com/blogs/news/preview-a-barn-full-of-angels