The Encyclopedia of Mormonism, the most comprehensive reference work published on the Church, is scheduled to be off the presses about mid-November.

Writing of the encyclopedia was undertaken by Brigham Young University, with Macmillan Publishing Company as the publisher. The joint effort between BYU and Macmillan began in 1987 when Daniel H. Ludlow, then director of correlation review for the Church, was appointed editor-in-chief. A 13-member board of editors was eventually organized to help select topics to be included in the encyclopedia. Elder Neal A. Maxwell and Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Council of the Twelve, who are members of BYU's Board of Trustees, served as advisers to the project.In the encyclopedia's preface, Brother Ludlow noted that discussion of possible titles for the encyclopedia concluded that the work should be called The Encyclopedia of Mormonism since that is the term by which the Church is most widely known. "Actually `Mormonism' is a misnomer given early to the Church," Brother Ludlow explained. "The subtitle more accurately identifies the subject of the work: the history, scripture, doctrine, practice, and procedure of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."

The encyclopedia has four volumes and includes pictures, maps, charts, appendices, indices, and a glossary.

A fifth volume, which is essentially the triple combination of the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price, is also available. "It soon became apparent that references to what the Church calls the standard works - the King James Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price - were going to be so common that readers who did not have ready access to those works would be at a serious disadvantage in using the Encyclopedia," Brother Ludlow explained. "A fifth volume was decided upon to include all the LDS standard works except the Bible, which is readily available everywhere."

By contract, BYU is the author and is responsible for the contents of the encyclopedia, Brother Ludlow explained. "However, Macmillan was entitled to do style editing, so there are some phrases or expressions that may not reflect LDS writing styles. For example, we wanted to use the word `proselyting' but Macmillan's style is to use `proselytizing.' We deferred to Macmillan on changes to conform to the publisher's style but not on the contents of the articles themselves."

The completed work contains more than 1,100 articles by about 740 authors , who were invited to write articles for the encyclopedia. Several scholars from other faiths were also invited to write articles for the encyclopedia. Articles pertaining to the doctrines of the Church were assigned to LDS writers.

The encyclopedia covers a wide variety of subjects.

Six major articles are written on the history of the Church: the background and founding period in New York; the Ohio, Missouri, and Illinois period ending with the martyrdom of Joseph Smith; the exodus west and the early pioneer period under Brigham Young; the late pioneer Utah period ending at the turn of the century and statehood; a transitional period during the early 20th century; and the post-World War II period of international growth.

Nearly 250 articles explain the doctrines of the Church, with special emphasis on basic principles and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Twenty-four articles are clustered under the title "Jesus Christ," and another 16 include His name in the title or relate directly to His divine mission and atonement.

More than 150 articles relate the details on such topics as the First Vision, Zion's Camp, handcart companies, plural marriage, the Salt Lake Temple, Temple Square, and the Church throughout the world. Biographies cover men and women contemporary in the life of Joseph Smith, presidents of the Church, and auxiliary founders and past presidents. The only biography of a person living at the time the encyclopedia was written is on President Ezra Taft Benson.

The encyclopedia also contains more than 100 articles primarily concerned with how Latter-day Saints relate to their families, the Church, and to society in general. "It is said there is a `Mormon Culture,' and several articles explore Mormon lifestyle, folklore, folk art, artists, literature, and other facets that distinguish Latter-day Saints," Brother Ludlow noted.

He said the effort for publishing an encyclopedia on the Church began with Macmillan Publishing Company after one of its executives realized "more people were asking questions about the Mormon Church than any other church, and that it is growing more rapidly."

Brother Ludlow said The Encyclopedia of Mormonism will give the Church an opportunity to have information in the major libraries of the English-speaking world. The encyclopedia, he explained, was written at the educational level of high school graduate or beginning college students. The readers for which it was written are primarily those who are interested in learning more about the Church.

"No familiarity was assumed with Church language, culture, history or doctrine, but needed background has been provided within the entries themselves," Brother Ludlow explained.

"In addition, the encyclopedia should be of special help to new members in adopting the heritage and perspectives of the Church of which they are now a part. Established members will also be well served by the concise presentations of history, scriptures, doctrine and practice that are at the heart of the encyclopedia."

Brother Ludlow emphasized that although The Encyclopedia of Mormonism is a thorough and definitive work, it is not intended as a substitute for the scriptures, other official publications of the Church or doctrines as taught by the apostles and prophets.

"Lest the role of the encyclopedia be given more weight than it deserves, the editors would like to make it clear that those who have written and edited have only tried to explain their understanding of Church history, doctrines and procedures; their statements and opinions remain their own," Brother Ludlow noted. "In no sense does the encyclopedia have the force and authority of scripture."

Inquiries concerning the purchase of the encyclopedia may be directed to The Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 117 HRCB, BYU, Provo, Utah 84601; telephone (801) 378-4882, or (801) 378-5757.