Manuscripts

The Book of Mormon and plural marriage :

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Description: A facsimile of Tanner's paper asserting that the Book of Mormon has always condemned plural marriage and that Mormon leaders in various periods believed that if Joseph Smith's revelation concerning polygamy were false, the entire Mormon religion would be false. The manuscript is a compliation of annonated citations from numerous religious publications (including the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, History of the Church, and the Bible) and from the writings, speeches, and testimony of several important figures in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Senate hearings on the election of Reed Smoote, a Mormon apostle, to Congress (1904-1907).
Type: Manuscripts(Opens in new tab)
Production date: 1961.
Call number: mssHM 69947
Creator: Tanner, Jerald (1938-2006)

Martin Harris : One of the three witnesses of the Book of Mormon

Manuscripts

Typescript of a brief biographical account of Martin Harris and his involvement with the translation of the Book of Mormon and organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Describes the arrival of a teenaged Joseph Smith in Palmyra, New York, in 1816, and his finding of the tablets later used to write the Book of Mormon; Harris' taking of a transcript of the tablets to Columbia University; his assistance to Smith in translating the tablets; and his inclusion as one of three witnesses (along with Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer) who were permitted to view the tablets. Also briefly recounts Harris' involvement with selecting the Twelve Apostles of the Mormon Church and helping Joseph Smith find holy ground in Missouri, as well as Harris' disillusionment with the Mormon Church following Smith's death. Includes a transcript of a portion of Martin Harris' sworn testimony taken at the time of his death in 1845, in which he describes witnessing the angel Moroni and hearing the voice of God.

mssHM 72353

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The Book of Mormon and modern science

Manuscripts

Term paper for an anthropology class at the University of California, Berkeley. In it, Stewart compares references to the material culture of early inhabitants of North America in the Book of Mormon and several scientific publications, focusing on what he deems to be anachronistic references to agriculture, cattle and horses, and the wheel in the Book of Mormon. Stewart concludes that the Book of Mormon is "a story book...[and] not true as a history."

mssHM 72844

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Mormon theory of church and state : a dissertation

Manuscripts

Typewritten dissertation for Jensen's Ph.D. degree in philosophy from the University of Chicago. The dissertation describes the separation of church and state in Mormon theology and philosophy, with an emphasis on the theological underpinnings of Mormon political practices. Includes a descriptions of Mormon links to Islamic practices (including a comparison of Mohammed and Joseph Smith and the Mormon "jihad"); the "theocratic era" in Illinois from 1839 to 1840 and the 1846-1849 theocracy in Iowa and Utah; the creation of government for the State of Deseret and Nauvoo, Illinois; the western expansion of the Mormon church; the establishment of Mormon ecclesiastical courts; conflicts between Mormon and non-Mormon factions; and speculations on the future of the Mormon church. Also covers church and political history centered around Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. Includes a table of contents and bibliography.

mssHM 72273

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Mormon file

Manuscripts

The Mormon file consists of diaries, letters, autobiographies, biographies, genealogies, business records, and other manuscripts - including originals, facsimiles, and microfilm - encompassing every aspect of Mormon history, beginning with the founding of the Church and continuing through the exoduses from Nauvoo and Kirtland, the migration to Utah, and the settlement of the inter-mountain west. Also included are extensive records relating to Mormon missionary work in the United States and abroad, and a variety of 20th century biographies, essays, and theses discussing and debating Mormon historical and theological topics.

mssMormon file

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Theodore Schroeder "Mormonism and Intoxicants"

Manuscripts

The collection contains 58 pieces, including correspondence, diaries, documents, ephemera, essays, journals, legal documents, manuscripts, and reports, which were collected by O'Neil while working for the Works Progress Administration. The great majority of these materials are typescript copies. This collection focuses on Mormon history, from its earliest days through the 1930s. Every aspect of Mormon religion, daily life and cultural expression is explored, including pieces of Mormon poetry and items on the history of Mormon theater. Of particular interest are those items that portray the relationship Mormon settlers had with their Native American neighbors. Subjects addressed within the collection include the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Federal Writers Project, the Historical Records Survey, Native Americans in Utah, the Mormon Church, Mormon pioneers, Mormon poetry, Mormon social life and customs, Mormon theater, the history of Ogden (Utah), the Works Progress Administration, Utah history, Jedediah Strong Smith (1799-1831), Joseph Smith (1805-1844), Charles L. Walker (1832-1904), and Brigham Young (1801-1877). Also included are typescript copies of works by John Alexander Devan (1851-1935), Esias Edwards (1812-1897), Emma Seegmiller Higbee, Maurice L. (Maurice Langdon) Howe, George Miller (1794-1856), and Theodore Albert Schroeder (1864-1953).

mssONeil

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Utah history and Mormon culture

Manuscripts

mssONeil

The Book of Mormon and plural marriage :

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Martin Harris : One of the three witnesses of the Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon and modern science

Mormon theory of church and state : a dissertation

Mormon file

Theodore Schroeder "Mormonism and Intoxicants"

Utah history and Mormon culture