Benson Young Parkinson (born 1960) is a Latter-day Saint novelist, literary critic, and biographer. He has published two novels concerning fictional LDS missionaries, entitled The MTC: Set Apart and Into the Field, as well as a biography of S. Dilworth Young, an LDS general authority. In the mid-1990s he became involved in the Association for Mormon Letters (AML), primarily by creating an email forum for the discussion of LDS literature called AML-List, for which he was awarded the 2000 AML Award for Criticism. Parkinson then co-founded the literary journal Irreantum and served as co-editor for a year. His criticism of LDS literature has been featured in multiple publications. He is a graduate of Brigham Young University.
Parkinson's novel The MTC: Set Apart was published by Aspen Books in 1995.[4] It follows four new LDS missionaries as they enter the Missionary Training Center. Robert M. Hogge praised the "rich language, symbolism, ... and allusion" present in The MTC,[5] but writer Brian Evensen called the novel's characters stereotypical and the dialogue "hackneyed and predictable."[4] Parkinson continued the missionaries' story with 2000's Into the Field, which follows the four young men as they travel to France. In a review in Irreantum, Neal Kramer commended the realistic nature of the novel, saying: "I wondered whether I was reading a novel or a memoir. I had to shake myself a little to remember I was reading LDS fiction."[6] Parkinson has also published a biography of his grandfather S. Dilworth Young, a member of the Quorum of the Seventy, entitled S. Dilworth Young: General Authority, Scouter, Poet.[3] The author presented this work at the AML's symposium that year.[7] In a review for the Journal of Mormon History, Gary Huxford called the biography "a good read that deserves a wide audience," citing Parkinson's inexperience as a biographer as both a strength and a weakness to the work overall.[8] In 1996, Parkinson hosted a session at the Fourth Annual LDS Writers Conference entitled "How to Sell Your LDS Novel."[9]
In addition to full-length books, Parkinson has written reviews and articles about Latter-day Saint fiction, many of which have been published in issues of Irreantum.[10][11] The 1998 edition of AML Annual featured his essay "Electric Talk: Twenty Months of AML-List."[12] "The Deseret School and the Missionary School," Parkinson's take on the different approaches to LDS writing, was published in the first volume of Irreantum in 1999.[10] In addition to publishing such essays, Parkinson worked as an editor for the Church Educational System in the early 2000s.[3]
The Association for Mormon Letters
Beginning in the mid-1990s, Parkinson was an active participant in the Association for Mormon Letters (AML). In 1995, he created AML-List, an email forum for the discussion of LDS literature sponsored by the association.[13] He also served as moderator[14] until the year 2000.[15] The forum received an average of 30 posts per day,[16] which included reviews of various LDS films and books. Over time, AML-List received more than 1000 entries from users.[17] Parkinson wanted to facilitate an energetic environment that would allow people with different interests to share their opinions. During this time, he also worked on AML-List Magazine, which showcased authors' works online.[2] Parkinson won the 2000 AML Award for Criticism for his work on AML-List: including establishing the forum, moderating it, editing thousands of posts, and creating regular columns of literary news and reviews.[18]
Then, in 1999,[19] he co-founded the literary magazine Irreantum with Chris Bigelow. The publication featured some content first produced on AML-List[20] as well as "original fiction, poetry, essays, reviews, interviews, and literary news."[2] Parkinson and Bigelow were Irreantum's first co-editors, with Parkinson serving as the first reader of submissions and collaborator with the editing staff. Similar to his goal of inclusivity for AML-List, Parkinson wanted the magazine "to give broad coverage and support to every sort of Mormon literature and to promote all kinds."[2] During this time he also served as an ex officio board member of the AML.[11] He ended his time as co-editor after the Summer 2000 issue.[21]
"Wesley's Carol" in Once Upon a Christmastime: Short Stories for the Season (1997)[22]
Biographies
S. Dilworth Young: General Authority, Scouter, Poet (1994)
Criticism
"Toward an LDS Aesthetic of the Novel: A Report from the Front Lines" (1997)[23]
"Three Kinds of Appropriateness" in Irreantum, vol. 2 (2000)[24]
"The Deseret School and the Missionary School" in Irreantum, vol. 1 (1999)[25]
References
^ ab"Benson Y. Parkinson | Mormon Literature & Creative Arts Database | HBLL". mormonarts.lib.byu.edu. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
^ abcdHall, Andrew (2017-11-13). "The Founding and Early Years of Irreantum". Dawning of a Brighter Day. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
^ abcParkinson, Benson Y. (2001). "S. Dilworth Young of the First Quorum of Seventy". Journal of Mormon History. University of Illinois Press. 27 (1): 215–251. JSTOR 23288627.
^ abEvensen, Brian (1997). "The MTC: Set Apart" (PDF). Sunstone. p. 70. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
^Hogge, Robert M. (1996). "Review, The MTC: Set Apart". Brigham Young University Studies. Brigham Young University. 36 (2): 263. JSTOR 43042010.
^Kramer, Neal (2000). "For Without Me Ye Can Do Nothing: A Review of Benson Parkinson's Into the Field". Irreantum. 2 (2): 50–52.
^Huxford, Gary (1994). "Review, S. Dilworth Young: General Authority, Scouter, Poet". Journal of Mormon History. University of Illinois Press. 20 (2): 186–188. JSTOR 23286606.
^"LDS Readers, Writers and Reciters Plan Conference Oct. 12 at UVSC". Deseret News. 1996-09-29. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
^ abParkinson, Benson (1999). "The Deseret School and the Missionary School". Irreantum. 1 (1): 13–14.
^ ab"Ex officio board members". Irreantum. 2 (1): 2. 2000.
^Hall, Andrew (2017-11-08). "Irreantum, Issue #1, March 1999. Magazine of the Association for Mormon Letters". Dawning of a Brighter Day. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
^Burton, Gideon; Kramer, Neal (1999). "The State of Mormon Literature and Criticism". Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought. University of Illinois Press. 32 (3): 11. JSTOR 45226606.
^"AML Awards 2000-2001". Dawning of a Brighter Day. Retrieved 2020-08-18.
^Hunter, J. Michael (2012). Mormons and Popular Culture: The Global Influence of an American Phenomenon. ABC-CLIO. ISBN978-0313391682.
^"Founders hope Irreantum has long life among LDS magazines". Deseret News. 2000-04-22. Retrieved 2020-06-08.
^"Irreantum". Dawning of a Brighter Day. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
^"Wesley's Carol | Mormon Literature & Creative Arts Database | HBLL". mormonarts.lib.byu.edu. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
^"Toward an LDS Aesthetic of the Novel | Mormon Literature & Creative Arts Database | HBLL". mormonarts.lib.byu.edu. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
^"Three Kinds of Appropriateness | Mormon Literature & Creative Arts Database | HBLL". mormonarts.lib.byu.edu. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
^"The Deseret School and the Missionary School | Mormon Literature & Creative Arts Database | HBLL". mormonarts.lib.byu.edu. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
April 21, 2023
benson, parkinson, benson, young, parkinson, born, 1960, latter, saint, novelist, literary, critic, biographer, published, novels, concerning, fictional, missionaries, entitled, apart, into, field, well, biography, dilworth, young, general, authority, 1990s, b. Benson Young Parkinson born 1960 is a Latter day Saint novelist literary critic and biographer He has published two novels concerning fictional LDS missionaries entitled The MTC Set Apart and Into the Field as well as a biography of S Dilworth Young an LDS general authority In the mid 1990s he became involved in the Association for Mormon Letters AML primarily by creating an email forum for the discussion of LDS literature called AML List for which he was awarded the 2000 AML Award for Criticism Parkinson then co founded the literary journal Irreantum and served as co editor for a year His criticism of LDS literature has been featured in multiple publications He is a graduate of Brigham Young University Benson Y ParkinsonBorn1960Provo UtahNationalityAmericanEducationB A in Comparative Literature from Brigham Young University 1985Occupation s Writer editorYears active1994 OrganizationThe Association for Mormon LettersNotable workThe MTC Set Apart Into the Field S Dilworth Young General Authority Scouter PoetSpouseRobin ParkinsonChildren5Awards2000 AML Award for CriticismContents 1 Personal life 2 Career 2 1 Writing 2 2 The Association for Mormon Letters 3 Bibliography 3 1 Novels 3 2 Short Stories 3 3 Biographies 3 4 Criticism 4 ReferencesPersonal life EditParkinson was born in Provo Utah He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints in France In 1985 he graduated from Brigham Young University 1 with a degree in Comparative Literature 2 He and his wife Robin are the parents of five children and live in Ogden Utah 3 Career EditWriting Edit Parkinson s novel The MTC Set Apart was published by Aspen Books in 1995 4 It follows four new LDS missionaries as they enter the Missionary Training Center Robert M Hogge praised the rich language symbolism and allusion present in The MTC 5 but writer Brian Evensen called the novel s characters stereotypical and the dialogue hackneyed and predictable 4 Parkinson continued the missionaries story with 2000 s Into the Field which follows the four young men as they travel to France In a review in Irreantum Neal Kramer commended the realistic nature of the novel saying I wondered whether I was reading a novel or a memoir I had to shake myself a little to remember I was reading LDS fiction 6 Parkinson has also published a biography of his grandfather S Dilworth Young a member of the Quorum of the Seventy entitled S Dilworth Young General Authority Scouter Poet 3 The author presented this work at the AML s symposium that year 7 In a review for the Journal of Mormon History Gary Huxford called the biography a good read that deserves a wide audience citing Parkinson s inexperience as a biographer as both a strength and a weakness to the work overall 8 In 1996 Parkinson hosted a session at the Fourth Annual LDS Writers Conference entitled How to Sell Your LDS Novel 9 In addition to full length books Parkinson has written reviews and articles about Latter day Saint fiction many of which have been published in issues of Irreantum 10 11 The 1998 edition of AML Annual featured his essay Electric Talk Twenty Months of AML List 12 The Deseret School and the Missionary School Parkinson s take on the different approaches to LDS writing was published in the first volume of Irreantum in 1999 10 In addition to publishing such essays Parkinson worked as an editor for the Church Educational System in the early 2000s 3 The Association for Mormon Letters Edit Beginning in the mid 1990s Parkinson was an active participant in the Association for Mormon Letters AML In 1995 he created AML List an email forum for the discussion of LDS literature sponsored by the association 13 He also served as moderator 14 until the year 2000 15 The forum received an average of 30 posts per day 16 which included reviews of various LDS films and books Over time AML List received more than 1000 entries from users 17 Parkinson wanted to facilitate an energetic environment that would allow people with different interests to share their opinions During this time he also worked on AML List Magazine which showcased authors works online 2 Parkinson won the 2000 AML Award for Criticism for his work on AML List including establishing the forum moderating it editing thousands of posts and creating regular columns of literary news and reviews 18 Then in 1999 19 he co founded the literary magazine Irreantum with Chris Bigelow The publication featured some content first produced on AML List 20 as well as original fiction poetry essays reviews interviews and literary news 2 Parkinson and Bigelow were Irreantum s first co editors with Parkinson serving as the first reader of submissions and collaborator with the editing staff Similar to his goal of inclusivity for AML List Parkinson wanted the magazine to give broad coverage and support to every sort of Mormon literature and to promote all kinds 2 During this time he also served as an ex officio board member of the AML 11 He ended his time as co editor after the Summer 2000 issue 21 Bibliography EditNovels Edit The MTC Set Apart 1995 Into the Field 2000 1 Short Stories Edit Wesley s Carol in Once Upon a Christmastime Short Stories for the Season 1997 22 Biographies Edit S Dilworth Young General Authority Scouter Poet 1994 Criticism Edit Toward an LDS Aesthetic of the Novel A Report from the Front Lines 1997 23 Three Kinds of Appropriateness in Irreantum vol 2 2000 24 The Deseret School and the Missionary School in Irreantum vol 1 1999 25 References Edit a b Benson Y Parkinson Mormon Literature amp Creative Arts Database HBLL mormonarts lib byu edu Retrieved 2020 08 17 a b c d Hall Andrew 2017 11 13 The Founding and Early Years of Irreantum Dawning of a Brighter Day Retrieved 2020 08 17 a b c Parkinson Benson Y 2001 S Dilworth Young of the First Quorum of Seventy Journal of Mormon History University of Illinois Press 27 1 215 251 JSTOR 23288627 a b Evensen Brian 1997 The MTC Set Apart PDF Sunstone p 70 Retrieved 2020 08 17 Hogge Robert M 1996 Review The MTC Set Apart Brigham Young University Studies Brigham Young University 36 2 263 JSTOR 43042010 Kramer Neal 2000 For Without Me Ye Can Do Nothing A Review of Benson Parkinson s Into the Field Irreantum 2 2 50 52 AML Conference Programs 1976 2002 associationmormonletters org Retrieved 2020 08 18 Huxford Gary 1994 Review S Dilworth Young General Authority Scouter Poet Journal of Mormon History University of Illinois Press 20 2 186 188 JSTOR 23286606 LDS Readers Writers and Reciters Plan Conference Oct 12 at UVSC Deseret News 1996 09 29 Retrieved 2020 08 17 a b Parkinson Benson 1999 The Deseret School and the Missionary School Irreantum 1 1 13 14 a b Ex officio board members Irreantum 2 1 2 2000 AML Annual 1998 associationmormonletters org Retrieved 2020 08 18 Hall Andrew 2017 11 08 Irreantum Issue 1 March 1999 Magazine of the Association for Mormon Letters Dawning of a Brighter Day Retrieved 2020 08 17 Burton Gideon Kramer Neal 1999 The State of Mormon Literature and Criticism Dialogue A Journal of Mormon Thought University of Illinois Press 32 3 11 JSTOR 45226606 Parkinson Benson 2000 Three Kinds of Appropriateness Irreantum 2 1 6 Anderson Lavina Fielding 2000 01 01 Little Mormon Magazines Sinking Swimming And Treading Water Podcast Sunstone Magazine Event occurs at 15 52 Retrieved 2020 06 12 Review Archive MormonLetters org Association for Mormon Letters archived from the original on 28 February 2009 The current review archive is http associationmormonletters org blog reviews AML Awards 2000 2001 Dawning of a Brighter Day Retrieved 2020 08 18 Hunter J Michael 2012 Mormons and Popular Culture The Global Influence of an American Phenomenon ABC CLIO ISBN 978 0313391682 Founders hope Irreantum has long life among LDS magazines Deseret News 2000 04 22 Retrieved 2020 06 08 Irreantum Dawning of a Brighter Day Retrieved 2020 08 17 Wesley s Carol Mormon Literature amp Creative Arts Database HBLL mormonarts lib byu edu Retrieved 2020 08 17 Toward an LDS Aesthetic of the Novel Mormon Literature amp Creative Arts Database HBLL mormonarts lib byu edu Retrieved 2020 08 17 Three Kinds of Appropriateness Mormon Literature amp Creative Arts Database HBLL mormonarts lib byu edu Retrieved 2020 08 17 The Deseret School and the Missionary School Mormon Literature amp Creative Arts Database HBLL mormonarts lib byu edu Retrieved 2020 08 17 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Benson Y Parkinson amp oldid 1124730909, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
