In this fascinating interview, author and journalist Alex Beam joins Mormon Stories to discuss his new biography titled Wallace Stegner: Dean of Western Writers –published by Signature Books. Alex Beam is an acclaimed journalist and author known for his insightful historical biographies. Historian and executive director of Signature Books, Barbara Jones Brown is also joining us today! Beam explores the life, legacy, and complex relationships Stegner had with Mormonism, the American West, and figures like Joseph Smith and Gordon B. Hinckley. From Stegner’s friendship and literary achievements to his nuanced understanding of Mormon culture, this conversation dives into history, literature, and faith. Buy his new book from Signature books: https://www.signaturebooks.com/books/p/wallace-stegner Show notes can be found on the Mormon Stories blog here: https://www.mormonstories.org/wallace-stegners-mormon-story/ Timecodes: 00:00:00 Introductions 00:01:13 Who was Wallace Stegner? 00:04:25 Who is Alex Beam? 00:12:08 Who was Joseph Smith and his character? 00:17:37 Why did Signature publish this book? 00:20:10 Professor Vardis Fisher was a talent spotter 00:24:47 Mormon adjacent life of Wallace Stegner 00:34:07 Stegner had old fashioned values and dating Mormon women 00:37:47 His experience at the University of Utah 00:47:18 Stegner’s career and the main books he wrote 00:57:07 His mother and brother died in Salt Lake City 00:57:32 The picture of his mother’s gravestone 01:04:08 Stegner on polygamy 01:10:08 Stegner’s work on Bernard DeVoto 01:19:35 Stegner won the Pulitzer Prize for his book “The Year of Decisions 1846” 01:23:21 Four historians whom he has complete trust in (including Juanita Brooks) 01:30:06 Stegner wasn’t there to quarrel with the Mormon church 01:32:17 Closing remarks ___________________ At Mormon Stories we explore, celebrate, and challenge Mormon culture through in-depth stories told by members and former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as well as scholars, authors, LDS apologists, and other professionals. Our overall mission is to: 1. Facilitate informed consent amongst LDS Church members, investigators, and non-members regarding Mormon history, doctrine, and theology 2. Support Mormons (and members of other high-demand religions) who are experiencing a religious faith crisis 3. Promote healing, growth and community for those who choose to leave the LDS Church or other high demand religions 🤝Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today One-time or recurring donations: https://donorbox.org/mormon-stories?default_interval=m Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories Venmo: https://account.venmo.com/u/mormonstories Paypal: https://paypal.me/mormonstories Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx6OgmoqJbOVRq-Lv1P7SzA/join Our Platforms: 🌐Mormon Stories Blog: https://www.mormonstories.org/episodes 🎙️Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mormonstories ✳️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4sDzk7dRjODTSEqzZKZJzk?si=148b0efc1ccc4404&nd=1 🍎Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mormon-stories-lds/id312094772 🖼️Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mormstories 📱TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mormonstoriespodcast 🎮Discord: https://discord.com/invite/kuX5p6yyjF Contact us: 📧 MormonStories@gmail.com 📬PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117