Abstract
Mormon studies in China began in the early 1990s and can be divided into three phases between the years of 2004 and 2017. The first Master’s and Doctoral theses on Mormonism were both published in 2004, and journal articles have also been increasing in frequency since then. The year of 2012 saw a peak, partly because Mormon Mitt Romney won the Republican nomination for the 2012 US presidential election. In 2017, a national-level project, Mormonism and its Bearings on Current Sino-US Relations, funded by the Chinese government, was launched. However, Mormon studies in China is thus far still in its infancy, with few institutions and a small number of scholars. Academic works are limited in number, and high-level achievements are very few. Among the published works, the study of the external factors of Mormonism is far more prevalent than research on its internal factors. Historical, sociological, and political approaches far exceed those of philosophy, theology, and history of thoughts. To Mormon studies, Chinese scholars can and should be making unique contributions, but the potential remains to be tapped.
Highlights
China is far still in its infancy, with few institutions and a small number of scholars
The research on the external factors of Mormonism surpasses both in number and in quality the research on its internal factors
This paper presents three aspects of the general state of Mormon studies in China: (1) key background information, including China’s religious policy, the general situation of religious studies in China and the presence of Mormons in China; (2) the status of Chinese Mormon studies, especially the understandings of and comments on Mormonism by significant scholars; and (3) analysis of why the field is so small and what potential there exists for significant contributions, as well as advice on promoting communication and cooperation between Chinese and foreign scholars going forward
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. A review of Mormon studies in China will help Chinese scholars understand the foundation and direction of further research, and help to strengthen the communication and cooperation between Chinese and foreign scholars in this field. Mormon studies in China is still in its infancy, with few research institutions and a very small number of scholars. (1) key background information, including China’s religious policy, the general situation of religious studies in China and the presence of Mormons in China; (2) the status of Chinese Mormon studies, especially the understandings of and comments on Mormonism by significant scholars; and (3) analysis of why the field is so small and what potential there exists for significant contributions, as well as advice on promoting communication and cooperation between Chinese and foreign scholars going forward
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