Arnold K. Garr is a professor emeritus of Church history and doctrine at Brigham Young University. He received a BA from Weber State College and an MA from Utah State University, both in history. He also earned a PhD in American history with a minor in LDS Church history from BYU. He is editor of the Encyclopedia of Latter-day Saint History. He is also the author of the books Joseph Smith: Presidential Candidate and Christopher Columbus: A Latter-day Saint Perspective. Garr served for eight years on the LDS Church Correlation Committee, Materials Evaluation Division. He has also served as a stake president’s counselor, high councilor, bishop, and branch president. As a young man, he served a mission in Finland. He is married to the former Cherie Burns, from Ogden, Utah, and they are the parents of five children.