The Religious Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder

In 2016 a review of Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography, Laura Ingalls Wilder, edited by Pamela Smith Hill and published by the South Dakota Historical Society was posted on Presbyterians of the Past. The continued interest in Wilder’s books and abundant viewings of readily available reruns of Little House on the Prairie keeps her work before the public, and home school parents often include her books in their reading curriculum. Church was an aspect of Wilder’s life and Professor of History John J. Fry of Trinity Christian College has published A Prairie Faith: The Religious Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Eerdmans, 2024, to present his extensive research into the religious views of a popular but private person. Author of the foreword, Mark A. Noll, says that the book is, “An outstanding example of how detailed research can supplement, modify, or, in some cases, overthrow what everyone thought they knew about an author whose books are still much read and, by many, much loved.” The author’s expertise researching the rural American West primarily from period newspaper sources was essential for presenting his case since Wilder wrote for rural periodicals before composing her famous books. Readers may find Dr. Fry’s findings surprising. I think reading this book in conjunction with Pioneer Girl would provide a more thorough understanding of Wilder and her work.