Taylor Petrey’s Reflections on His Dialogue Editorship

Today, I submitted my final issue of Dialogue: a journal of Mormon thought, and I can’t help but reflect. This job has undoubtedly been one of the greatest highlights of my professional life, and I have a myriad of emotions swirling as this chapter concludes. I initially took on this role as a way to “give back” after completing my second book, but I’m certain that I’ve benefited far more than anyone else.

As editor-in-chief, I oversaw nearly six years of publication, resulting in 23 issues that collectively encompassed approximately 4,500 printed pages from around 300 individual contributors. These contributors included renowned scholars, first-time authors, independent researchers, fiction writers, poets, brilliant essayists, and even sermons. The art featured on the covers and interiors was truly remarkable and consistently left me in awe. I stand in awe of the strength of the scholarship, writing, and artistic contributions that we were fortunate enough to publish. My deepest gratitude goes to those who produce this work that stimulates our thoughts and evokes our emotions.

I couldn’t have accomplished anything without the incredible team at Dialogue. The subject area editors curated exceptional content, designed compelling calls for papers, and actively sought out new talent. Over the past years, I had the privilege of working with so many accomplished individuals in these roles, but I can’t name them all. However, please know how much I cherished our time together.

Behind the scenes, Emily W. Jensen is a force of nature, capable of handling multiple tasks with ease. Daniel Foster Smith dedicated years to our podcast and video products, resulting in some of the best-produced content in the field. Adam McLain deserves a special shout-out for wearing so many hats and contributing to the success of our team. We partnered with so many others from contractors to interns who actualized our vision and I cannot thank you all enough.

In addition, I am incredibly grateful to the board of directors who took a chance on me and supported us all as we embarked on numerous new initiatives, including podcasts, a website overhaul, streaming events, and new marketing ventures. Some of the most dedicated and passionate guardians of Mormon intellectual and artistic contributions volunteer their time and resources to make these endeavors possible, often going unnoticed in the public eye. Their contributions are truly remarkable.

One of the most valuable lessons I learned in my role overseeing the academic articles was the importance of having exceptional reviewers. Despite the anonymity they endure due to the peer review process, these reviewers play a crucial role in the entire enterprise. I believe I worked with hundreds of reviewers and developed a newfound appreciation for this process. I sincerely thank all of you and hope you understand the immense value of your insights.

Dialogue celebrates its 60th anniversary next year. One of the things I am most grateful for is the past, particularly the contributors and editors who have sustained this journal through challenging times. I spent a few years creating a podcast that delved into the history of the journal and explored its transformative impact on scholarship in specific areas. I can confidently say that it has become a significant archive and resource for independent thought. I want to express my gratitude to those who came before us and paved the way for our success.

Thanks so much also to the incredible subscribers and donors who support this work financially. Your generosity, vision, and care for the past and the future enables this great adventure.

I am delighted that I am succeeded by two incredibly talented co-editors, Caroline Kline and Margaret Olsen Hemming. They are brilliant, powerful, and bring fresh talents and perspectives to the role. I wish them the very best and pass the mantle to them.