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A collection of RadioWest conversations about LDS history, faith, and culture.

Pioneer Prophet

When historian John Turner decided to write a book about Mormonism, it didn't take him long to settle on Brigham Young as his object of study. Turner says that the LDS Church's second leader was a colossal figure not just in American religion, but also in the history of politics and westward expansion.  His new biography reveals a complicated man: blunt, aggressive and sometimes profane, but also charismatic and a fierce protector of his people. Thursday, Turner joins us to talk about the "Pioneer Prophet."

On Saturday, October 20th, John Turner will be in Salt Lake City as part of the Utah Humanities Book Festival. He's part of a panel discussion on Brigham Young. It will be moderated by Floyd O'Neil, Director Emeritus of the University of Utah's American West Center. Other panelists include Craig L. Foster

of the Family History Library, former state archivistJeff Johnson. It's at 12:30 at the Salt Lake City Public Library [map]. For details on that and other Book Festival events, click here.

John G. Turner is Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at George Mason University. His book is called Brigham Young: Pioneer Prophet.He's also the author of Bill Bright and Campus Crusade for Christ.

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Doug Fabrizio has been reporting for KUER News since 1987, and became News Director in 1993. In 2001, he became host and executive producer of KUER's RadioWest, a one hour conversation/call-in show on KUER 90.1 in Salt Lake City. He has gained a reputation for his thoughtful style. He has interviewed everyone from Isabel Allende to the Dalai Lama, and from Madeleine Albright to Desmond Tutu. His interview skills landed him a spot as a guest host of the national NPR program, "Talk of the Nation." He has won numerous awards for his reporting and for his work with RadioWest and KUED's Utah NOW from such organizations as the Society of Professional Journalists, the Utah Broadcasters Association, the Public Radio News Directors Association and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.