Vermont group observing Joseph Smith's birthday

The Mormon History Association is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Joseph Smith, founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this weekend in Killington, Vt.

This conference began Thursday and continues through Sunday.

Awards were also given Friday night. The highlights were:

• Best book award: Kathleen Flake for "The Politics of American Religious Identity: The Seating of Senator Reed Smoot, Mormon Apostle."

• Best biography award: Dan Vogel for "Joseph Smith: The Making of a Prophet."

• Best documentary book award: John Sillito for "History's Apprentice: The Diaries of B.H. Roberts ."

• Best first book award: Van D. Rust for "Radical Origins: Early Mormon Converts and Their Colonial Ancestors."