In fact, the founders and the majority of those who have since edited Dialogue or served as board members have been active Latter-day Saints, most of them studying at prestigious graduate schools. England was particularly interested in theology, and Johnson was a historian looking at how LDS society was changing over time. They incorporated both into the new journal, and over time it grew to include poetry and artwork produced by Latter-day Saints.

Concerned that some might form negative impressions without actually seeing their product, the two sent copies of the first several issues to all the LDS general authorities at the time. "We talked to several who cautioned us that it might be delicate, and others who suggested it might be useful. We never received, at any time, an order that we cease and desist. We had counsel but we never had anyone threaten us." It was a bold enough move at the time that both Time magazine and The New York Times did stories about the venture. "The publicity did help us but we never sought it out. They came to us." The journal was founded on a classic academic, peer-review format because "we wanted it in all the libraries across the country," and many subscribed early on — including some of the nation's most prestigious university libraries.

Molly Bennion, former board president and board member, said the journal has always been committed to "the search for truth ... very wide-ranging in the nature of what we are willing to publish as long as it is responsible."

As a convert to the church, she found it on the shelves of the Harvard Library and "it was one of the reasons I joined. I believed if there were people like me who wanted to search responsibly for truth anywhere, it could be a comfortable place for me." She's been involved ever since, "and my church leaders have always known that. There were some who looked askance, but many more who have been supportive of what I'm doing — some of them subscribers." Bennion routinely offers copies to those who are skeptical, and most often they return to tell her how much they like it. She sees the journal's influence growing among scholars, outside the faith in particular, now that they can find it online. While there are 1,800 to 2,000 active subscribers to the print edition, she hopes to see it become more widely distributed.

"I think the Internet will be the key. There are young scholars out there, and we knew we had to get online for them to see us, and it's happening."

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E-mail: carrie@desnews.com