Making Space for Mormon Thought and Culture

This intimate collection brings together a broad array of tributes to Eugene England, a leading Latter-day Saint scholar–teacher of the late twentieth century. It includes the voices of those who knew Gene and his work—family, friends, students, and colleagues—to illuminate the profound impact of one of Mormonism’s most influential thinkers. Through personal narratives and thoughtful reflections, these essays reveal Gene not just as a brilliant theologian and beloved professor, but as a compassionate mentor, faithful questioner, and dedicated disciple.

England’s influence on Latter-day Saint thought, culture, and religion was not only indelible but lasting. His legacy as a founding figure in modern Mormon intellectual life emerges through stories of his classroom teachings, his founding of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, and his courageous exploration of difficult questions within a framework of faith. Contributors share how England modeled a life devoted to both unflinching inquiry and deep spiritual commitment—demonstrating that devotion and intellectualism could strengthen rather than threaten one another.

These personal accounts paint a portrait of a man whose theological insights and generous spirit continue to influence Mormon studies and whose example inspires those seeking to harmonize faith with intellectual honesty. For both those who knew England and those discovering him for the first time, this collection offers a window into the heart and mind of a remarkable Mormon thinker and his enduring influence.