Bright Lights in the Desert: The Latter-day Saints of Las Vegas

by Fred E Woods

Overview

Bright Lights in the Desert explores the history of how members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Las Vegas have improved the regions’ neighborhoods, inspired educational institutions, brought integrity to the marketplace, and provided wholesome entertainment and cultural refinement. The LDS influence has helped shape the metropolitan city because of its members’ focus on family values and community service.

Woods discusses how, through their beliefs and work ethics, they have impacted the growth of the area from the time of their first efforts to establish a mission in 1855 through the present day. Bright Lights in the Desert reveals Las Vegas as more than just a tourist destination and shows the LDS community’s commitment to making it a place of deep religious faith and devotion to family.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781647790714
Publisher:	University of Nevada Press
Publication date:	02/14/2023
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	282
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	15 - 18 Years

About the Author

Fred E. Woods earned his PhD in Middle East Studies: Hebrew Bible from the University of Utah and has been a professor of religious education at Brigham Young University since 1998. He held a prestigious BYU Richard L. Evans professorship of Religious Understanding from 2005-2010. Woods is a prolific author and has produced several documentaries highlighting the LDS influence on peoples of various faiths and cultures. Not being raised in the LDS tradition, Woods, now a Latter-day Saint, concentrates on community bridge building.  

Table of Contents

Foreword Michael S. Green ix

Preface xiii

Acknowledgments xv

Chapter 1 The Latter-day Saint Corridor and the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort 3

Chapter 2 Post-Old Mormon Fort Early Settlement to Las Vegas Stakes (1857-1960) 26

Chapter 3 Ignorance, Education, and Cultural Refinement 50

Chapter 4 Business and Entertainment 74

Chapter 5 Latter-day Saints in Elected Office and Community Service 99

Chapter 6 Ecclesiastical Community Service to a Local Congregation in Need 125

Chapter 7 The Story of the Las Vegas Temple 140

Appendix A Nevada Mothers of the Year 173

Appendix B Clark County Schools Named After Latter-day Saints 175

Appendix C Select List of Elected or Appointed Officials in the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area 176

Appendix D Las Vegas Temple Dedicatory Prayer, Given December 16, 1989 177

Appendix E Latter-day Saint Las Vegas Regional Timeline 179

Notes 181

Bibliography 245

Index 249

About the Author 264

Editorial Reviews

I recommend this book for those who are interested in learning more about the many LDS connections to Las Vegas and its history. . . . These oral histories are an excellent addition to both LDS and Nevada history scholarship.”
—David Bolingbroke, Nevada Historical Society Q

“Woods’s book will be very popular with members of the LDS community, and with nonmembers who want to know more about the area and region’s history. We have long needed a solid, thorough history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in southern Nevada and this book deserves that description.”
—Michael S. Green, associate professor of history, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, author of Nevada: A History of the Silver State
 
“Woods addresses an important part of Las Vegas history that has not received adequate attention. The book contributes to our understanding of the city’s development.”
—Jonathan Foster, professor of history, Great Basin College, and author of Stigma Cities: The Reputation and History of Birmingham, San Francisco, and Las Vegas 
 

From the Publisher