Dr. Kenneth L. Alford is a professor of Church history and doctrine and Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired).
Background: After serving almost thirty years on active duty in the United States Army, he retired as a colonel in 2008. While on active military duty, Ken served in numerous assignments, including the Pentagon, eight years teaching computer science and information systems engineering at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and four years as a professor of behavioral science and department chair at the National Defense University in Washington, DC. After serving in the England Bristol Mission, he earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Brigham Young University, a master of arts in international relations from the University of Southern California, a master of computer science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a Ph.D. in computer science from George Mason University. He has published and presented on a wide variety of American and Church history, scriptural, pedagogical, computer science, information systems engineering, military science, organizational behavior, and strategic leadership subjects during his career. Ken and his late wife, Sherilee, have four wonderful children and twenty delightful grandchildren.
BYU Courses Taught: Foundations of the Restoration (REL C 225) -- blended and online (co-authored the REL C 225 BYU Online course), Research and Methodology (REL E 595), Doctrine and Covenants (REL C 324 and REL C 325), Pearl of Great Price (REL A 327), Introduction to Family History (REL C 261), Church History Travel Study, Academic Internship (History 199R), and Directed Readings in Church History and Doctrine (Religion C 695R).
BYU Awards and Recognition: Ephraim Hatch Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellowship (2020-2023), Honorary Life Member, Utah State Historical Society (2019—life), Dean's Award for Innovative Teaching (2019), South Carolina Historical Association Biennial Daniel Hollis Prize (2017), Religious Education Teaching Fellowship (2015-2017), Richard Lloyd Anderson Research Award (2015), Mentored Education Research Grant recipient (2013), Harvey B. and Susan Easton Black Outstanding Publication Award (2013), George Q. Cannon Honoree (2010).
Selected books:
[Forthcoming] William P. MacKinnon and Kenneth L. Alford, On the Overland Trails with William Clark: A Teamster’s Utah War, 1857–1858 (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2025).
[Forthcoming] Kenneth L. Alford, Mary Jane Woodger, and Mark A. Mathews, Doctrine & Covenants Insights: Capstone of Doctrinal Understanding (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center and Deseret Book, 2024).
Kenneth L. Alford, Krystal V. L. Pierce, and Mary Jane Woodger, ed., Book of Mormon Insights: Letting God Prevail in Your Life (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center and Deseret Book, 2023).
William P. MacKinnon and Kenneth L. Alford, Fact, Fiction and Polygamy—A Tale of Utah War Intrigue: A.G. Browne’s ‘Ward of the Three Guardians’ (Salt Lake City: University of Utah Tanner Trust Imprint Series, 2022)
Kenneth L. Alford, Gaye Strathearn, and Mary Jane Woodger, eds., Old Testament Insights: The Sacrifice of a Broken Heart and Contrite Spirit (American Fork, UT: Covenant Communications, 2021)
Kenneth L. Alford, Lloyd D. Newell, and Alexander L. Baugh, eds. Latter-day Saints in Washington, DC—History, People, and Places (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center and Deseret Book, 2021)
Kenneth L. Alford, ed., Saints at War: The Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq (Provo, Utah: BYU Religious Studies Center and Deseret Book, 2020)
Mary Jane Woodger, Kenneth L. Alford, and Craig K. Manscill, eds., Dreams as Revelation (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 2019)
Vance Theodore, Kenneth L. Alford, Blake Boatright, and Roger Keller, eds., Out of Obscurity and into the Light—Latter-day Saint Military Chaplains: Development, History, and Ministry (Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press, 2019)
Kenneth L. Alford, ed. Utah and the American Civil War: The Written Record (Norman, Oklahoma: Arthur H. Clark Company, an imprint of University of Oklahoma Press, 2017)
Kenneth L. Alford and Richard E. Bennett, eds. An Eye of Faith: Essays in Honor of Richard O. Cowan (Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center and Deseret Book, 2015).
Kenneth L. Alford, ed. Civil War Saints (Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center and Deseret Book, 2012).
Scott C. Esplin and Kenneth L. Alford, eds. Salt Lake City: The Place Which God Prepared (Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center and Deseret Book, 2011).
Areas of Expertise: Latter-day Saint participation in military conflicts, the American Civil War, the Utah War, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Hyrum Smith Papers, pedagogy, and strategic leadership
Research Interests
Latter-day Saint participation and service in military conflicts; the Utah War; the Civil War; pedagogy.
Teaching Interests
Foundations of the Restoration,Doctrine and Covenants, Church History, The Pearl of Great Price, Family History
Honors and Awards
Honorary Life Member, Utah State Historical Society
(2019 - Present)
H. Ephraim Hatch Teaching and Learning Faculty Fellowship, Brigham Young University
(2020 - 2023)
South Carolina Historical Association Daniel Hollis Prize (2016-2017), South Carolina Historical Association
(2016 - 2017)
Teaching Fellowship, Religious Education, Brigham Young University
(2015 - 2017)
Richard Lloyd Anderson Research Award, Religious Education, Brigham Young University
(2015 - 2015)
Harvey B. and Susan Easton Black Outstanding Publication Award, Religious Education, BYU
(2013 - 2013)
Past Chair, 2012 Teaching Professor Conference, Teaching Professor Conference
(2012 - 2013)
Chair, 2012 Teaching Professor Conference, Teaching Professor Conference
(2011 - 2012)
George Q. Cannon Honoree, Brigham Young University, Office of the President
(2010 - 2010)
Defense Superior Service Medal, U.S. Department of Defense
(2008 - 2008)
Faculty Research Award, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University, Washington, DC
(2008 - 2008)
Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, United States Army
(2008 - 2008)
Meritorious Service Medal, with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters (1986-2004), United States Army
(1985 - 2004)
Superintendent's Service Recognition Award, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY
(1989 - 2003)
Computer Innovators Award, Government Computer News, Washington, DC
(1993 - 1993)
Army Achievement Medal, United States Army
(1991 - 1991)
Freedom Foundation Award, Valley Forge Freedom Foundation
(1981 - 1982)
Army Commendation Medal, United States Army
(1981 - 1981)
Distinguished Military Graduate, United States Army ROTC
(1979 - 1979)
Honors Program Highest Honors, Brigham Young University
(1979 - 1979)
University Scholar, Brigham Young University
(1979 - 1979)
Valedictorian, College of Social Sciences, BYU
(1979 - 1979)