Christian Nephi Anderson (1865–1923) was a prominent American novelist and a defining figure in the "Home Literature" movement of Latter-day Saint (LDS) fiction. Born in Utah, Anderson dedicated his creative life to writing and serving his church, producing a diverse body of work that aimed to instruct, inspire, and entertain his fellow Latter-day Saints. His literary contributions helped shape the early cultural identity of the region.\n\nOver his career, Anderson published ten novels, alongside numerous short stories, poems, essays, and historical texts. His most famous work, the bestselling novel Added Upon (1898), explored LDS theology regarding the premortal existence, mortal life, and the afterlife, establishing a template for LDS doctrinal fiction. In addition to his creative prose, he authored a history of the LDS Church tailored for young readers, reflecting his lifelong commitment to religious education and youth outreach.\n\nAnderson's writing is characterized by its focus on faith, moral uprightness, and the unique cultural and theological landscape of early Utah. As a leading voice of the Home Literature era, his work sought to provide wholesome, faith-promoting alternatives to secular popular fiction of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, leaving a lasting legacy in Mormon literature.
