USU Honors Biographies of Joseph Smith and May Swenson with 2026 Evans Awards
Utah State University's Mountain West Center for Regional Studies has awarded the 2026 Evans Biography Award to John G. Turner for his book 'Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet.' The biography explores the life of Joseph Smith Jr., the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, using newly available diaries and church records. Additionally, Margaret A. Brucia received the 2026 Evans Handcart Award for her biography 'The Key to Everything: May Swenson, A Writer's Life,' which chronicles the life of the Logan-born poet. 
