LaMar Petersen papers,

Transcription

1 Overview of the Collection Creator Petersen, LaMar, Title LaMar Petersen papers Dates (inclusive) Quantity linear feet Collection Number Ms0524 Summary The LaMar Petersen papers ( ) consist of book reviews, correspondence, publications, and an interview concerning Petersen and his controversial research regarding the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Repository University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library University of Utah 295 South 1500 East Salt Lake City, UT Telephone: Access Restrictions Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law. Languages English Historical Note LaMar Petersen ( ) was born 23 December 1910, the ninth child of Adam and Anna Petersen, postmaster and postmistress at Eden, in Weber County, Utah. He grew up in Salt Lake City, where he cultivated his talents as a pianist. He was the director of the Mozart School of Music for twenty years, and was on the faculty of the McCune School of Music and Art at the University of Utah. Petersen's interest in researching discrepancies in the doctrine of the LDS Church, and in the life of Joseph Smith, led to his excommunication from the church in His first publication on the subject, a pamphlet called "Problems in Mormon Text," in 1957, began the controversy which led to the excommunication of him and his family. Petersen became active in a discussion group led by Angus Woodbury, which continued the research of controversial Mormon documents. His book, Hearts Made Glad: The Changes of Intemperance against Joseph Smith the Mormon Prophet, about the lifestyle of Joseph Smith, was published in Petersen died on 16 September Content Description The LaMar Petersen papers ( ) consist of book reviews by Petersen, correspondence concerning his research in Mormon history and ideology, his publication, "Problems in Mormon Text," his book, Hearts Made Glad: The Changes of Intemperance against Joseph Smith the Mormon 1

2 Prophet, and personal papers and articles. There are also two bound volumes of materials entitled " Memoirs of LaMar Petersen: Controversies in Mormonism," and " Correspondence on Mormon History," which further document Petersen's research. The first part of " Memoirs" contains an edited transcript of three interviews recorded at the home of LaMar Petersen with Kent and Mischel Walgren during In these, Petersen recounts his association and discussion with various individuals regarding Mormonism. The bulk of the volume contains a typed photocopied manuscript of Petersen's " Controversies in Mormonism." The second volume, " Correspondence," contains photocopies of his correspondence and a few articles dating Also included in the collection are various articles that Petersen collected that concern Mormonism and related subjects as well as several subject files which Petersen collected for his research. Use of the Collection Restrictions on Use It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the LaMar Petersen papers must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator. Preferred Citation Initial Citation: LaMar Petersen papers, Ms 524, [ ]. Special Collections and Archives. University of Utah, J. Willard Marriott. Salt Lake City, Utah. Following Citations:Ms 524. Administrative Information Acquisition Information 1 was donated by LaMar Petersen in was donated by Kent Walgren in es 3-18 (7.75 linear feet) were purchased in Separated Materials Five tapes were removed to the Special Collections Multimedia Division collection (A0295). Processing Note Processed by Jennifer Breaden in Addendum processed by Jonathan D. Hepworth in Addendum (box 19, folder 1) processed by Betsey Welland in Addendum (box 20) processed by Betsey Welland in

3 Detailed Description of the Collection Book Reviews, Articles, and Personal Papers, Book Reviews and Letters 2 Book Reviews and Articles 3 "Problems in Mormon Text" and "History of Eden" "The History of Eden," is an autobiography of Petersen's childhood Lists of Christian Groups Working with Mormons 5 Mozart School of Music Papers 6 Personal Papers Included in this folder is Sonia Johnson's article "In Defense of Equal Rights." Correspondence, General Correspondence

4 Volume 2 Memoirs of LaMar Petersen, Controversies in Mormonism This is a transcribed interview with Petersen, by Kent Walgren. The bulk of this volume contains the manuscript regarding controversies in Mormonism Correspondence on Mormon History Writing and Research, Petersen Writings and Related Documents Correspondence Concerning Problems in Mormon Text Petersen Writings Publicity 4 Book Reviews and Letters Petersen Papers for Utah State Historical Society Papers on Mormonism Reviewed by Petersen,

5 1-3 Papers Reviewed by Petersen and Correspondence Abstracts on Mormon History Subjects 5 Articles on Early Mormon History Thayne I. Andersen, Intoxicants in the Book of Mormon Richard Andrews, Mormonism, A Monumental Lie 1981 Articles on Mormonism and Related Subjects, Book Review: Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon Bostonia Magazine, "Mormonism, Nearly a Nation" James E. Chapman, Dissent in the Church 4 James R. Clark, Article on Early Mormon Kingdom Clayton W. Cook, Why Should They Become White and Delightsome? 6 Lee Descombes and Pat Boone, Revelations A. Chris Eccel, The Role of the Mormon Apologist 8 Rulon R. Fairbanks Correspondence Edwin B. Firmage On Priesthood for Women Audrey Godfrey, "Housewives, Hussies, and Heroines"

6 11 Bob Gottlieb and Peter Wiley, "Static In Zion" Gordon Hackney, LDS Church vs. The Sabbath 13 Heber Q. Hale, A Heavenly Manifestation 14 Marvin S. Hill, "Joseph Smith and the 1826 Trial" Two Articles by Marvin S. Hill Sonia Johnson, Patriarchal Panic Stanley S. Ivins, Polygamy Notes and Moses Thatcher Case Jeffrey Kaye, "An Invisible Empire: Mormon Money in California" Eugene Kovalenko, The Reincarnation of Joseph Smith A. C. Lambert, Correspondence and Writings Stan Larson, Articles Irene S. Leland, Research and Writings Articles on Mormonism and Related Subjects, Los Angeles Times Magazine, "White Salamander Murders" Brigham Madsen Articles H. Michael Marquardt, Articles

7 4 Masonry and Mormonism Compared 5 Sterling McMurrin, Correspondence and Articles Dee Jay Nelson Materials Oui Magazine, Latter-Day Intrigues of the Mormon Church 8 Clarence F. Packard Essays Michael Parrish, Mountain Meadows Michael Parrish, "The Saints Among Us" 11 Mark E. Petersen, Race Problems As They Affect the Church Waldemer P. Read, What Freedom in Local Culture? William D. Russell Articles Don Simpson, The Golden Myth of Mormonism George D. Smith Articles Robert F. Smith, Oracles and Talismans Edwina Jo Snow, William Chandless Article A. D. Sorenson, Russell Against the Book of Mormon R. Jan Stout, Spectrum of Religious Beliefs in Mormon Community Samuel W. Taylor, Articles, Correspondence, and Speeches Articles on Mormonism and Related Subjects,

8 7 1 Kent L. Walgren, James Adams Article and Sentimental Thoughts Douglas K. Walker, Review of Since Cumorah Wesley P. Walters, Joseph Smith Family's New York Moves 4 Wesley P. Walters Materials Watchman Expositor 6 Disfellowshipment of Robert D. Bagley William Clayton, Journal Excerpts Correspondence with Ernest Cook Mark Hofmann Materials LDS Church Discipline Helen Radkey (Olmstead) Excommunication George Arlen Petereit Correspondence, Papers, and Documents Articles and Topical Files,

9 1 Morris L. Reynolds Correspondence Lucy Mack Smith to Mary Pierce Jerald and Sandra Tanner Materials John Phillip Walker Materials John Whitmer, History of the Latter-day Saints, Last 3 Chapters 6 Woodbury Group Meetings Topical Files, A Includes: Book of Abraham, archaeology, anti-mormon, authority, atheists, apostles. 8 Topical Files, B Includes: Book of Mormon, Blood Atonement, Brigham Young University, Ezra Taft Benson, John Birch Society, John Beck, Bible, 9 Topical Files, C Includes: Church, Carthage Jail, Carl Carmer, Conformity, Conference, Communism, Civil Rights, Book of Commandments, Centennial Free Press, Censorship 10 Topical Files, D Includes: Deseret News, Doubt, Devils, Danites, Doctrine and Covenants, Dialogue, Dissent, Bernard DeVoto. 11 Topical Files, E-F Includes: Nauvoo Expositor, Easter Island, Excommunication, Education, Evolution, Albert Einstein, First Vision, Peggy Fletcher, John W. FitzgeraldCorrespondence: between Petersen and Allen Fifield; between Rulon R. Fairbanks and LDS Church Authorities; Topical Files 9 Container(s) Description 9

10 Container(s) Description 9 1 Topical Files, G-J Includes materials on: God, nature of God, Geography and the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith and LDS Church History, writings by G. T. Harrison, Utah Heritage Foundation, Hate Groups, Indians, Salt Lake Institute of Religion, Jews. 2 Topical Files, K-M Subjects/items include: Kinderhook Plates, Language, John D. Lee,, Joseph Lewis, Liquor, Lost Ten Tribes, William Mulder, David O. McKay, H. Michael Marquardt, Mormon culture.correspondence: Petersen correspondence with Carlyle B. Lambert, A. C. Lambert, Stan Larson, Macmillan Company, Librarian of Masonic Temple; Mrs. Rex F. Larsen letter to Richard L. Evans; O. Boyd Mathias to John Fitzgerald, Monroe H. Fleming, A. R. Mortensen, LaMar Petersen. 3 Topical Files, N Subjects include: New York Public Library, Negroes and Mormonism, Hugh Nibley 4 Topical Files, O-Q Subjects include: priesthood, prayer, prophecy, polygamycorrespondence: between Petersen and individuals concerning Problems in Mormon Text, Thomas F. Preshaw, Bruce Owens, Pat Pendse. 5 Topical Files, R-S Topics include: religion, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Community of Christ Church), racial predjudice, Dead Sea Scrolls, Sunday School, sexcorrespondence: between Petersen and Hartman Rector Jr; Joseph Fielding Smith to Christine Sweet, Mont Woolley; between J. Raymond Cope and George Albert Smith. 6 Topical Files, T-Z Subjects include: truth, telephone, temple, tithing, tongues, lost Ten Tribes, translation of Book of Mormon, Unitarianism, David Whitmer, Brigham YoungCorrespondence: Petersen to Jerald Tanner, Bill Timmins; L. Gerald Burrus to John W. Fitzgerald; between James D. Wardle and Charles A. Davies, Israel A. Smith, Lloyd Treadgold, Richard P. Howard, Dialogue Editors; Wilford C. Wood to Edmoad C. Gruss Tracts, Booklets, and Other Mormon Literature,

11 LDS Booklets and Newsletters LDS Church General Handbook of Instructions Mormon and Anti-Mormon Tracts 5 Mormon Symposiums Newsclippings on Mormonism 7 RLDS (Community of Christ) Church Booklets Utah, Related Subjects and General Documents, General Correspondence, Articles, and Documents 3 Mixed Religious Booklets and Newsletters 4 In Memoriam Eulogies 5 Justin C. Stewart, History of Sundance, Utah Sunstone Foundation, Sesquicentennial Mormon History Calendar

12 7 The Ten Commandments (Movie) Booklet 8 Tourist Pamphlets and Maps 9 Utah Sites, Events, and Language Booklets 10 John M. Bourne, Utah State Historical Society Assessment Utah State University, Heber C. Snell Papers Register 1976 Brigham Young University, Speeches of the Year, Note Cards for Hearts Made Glad 13 Subjects include: Introduction, Chapter I, Palmyra, Manifestations, Word of Wisdom, Missouri, Nauvoo, Epilogue, Reference, Bibliography Large Subject Note Cards 14 Subjects include: Abraham, Archaeology, Blood Atonement, Caracters, Cowdery, Cursings/Cut-off/ Damnation/Vengeance, Danites, Devils, Doctrine and Covenants, Ethnology, First Vision, Geography, God, Language, Manifestations, Masonry, Mormons, Money Digging, Negroes, Plates, Polygamy, Priesthood, Prophecy. Large and Small Subject Note Cards 15 Subjects for the Large Note Cards are: Revelation, Joseph Smith, Stone, Temple, Translation, Visions, Witnesses, Zion, Intemperance. Subjects for the Small Note Cards are: Blood Atonement, Book of Commandments, Cowdery, Cursings/Cut-off/Damnation/Vengeance, Danites, Devil, First Vision, Bible in Book of Mormon, Book of Mormon, Changes, Chronology, Destruction of Nephites, Geography, Confession, Cumorah, Vast or limited? [Book of Mormon Georgraphy], Landing and Narrow Neck of land [Book of Mormon Geography]. Small Subject Note Cards 16 Subjects include: God, [numbered] 3-10, Inspired Revision, Intemperance, Jesus, Manifestations, Polygamy, Priesthood in Book of Mormon, Priesthood in Bible, Rebaptism, Revelations, Salvation, 12

13 Conditions for Salvation, Definition, Endless torment, Resurrection, Sin, Joseph Smith, Temple, Tongues, Visions, Brigham Young, Zion. Small Subject Note Cards 17 Subjects include: [no subject], Miracles, Money Digging, Prophecy, Stone, Translation, Wars, Witnesses, Plates in Book of Mormon, Population, Language (Philology), Literary, Tantology, Verbs, Ungrammatical, Merit, Logic, Anachronisms, Whitmer. Tourist Pamphlets and Maps for Intermountain West 18 General Materials, " Memories of Our Father and Grandfather: LaMar Petersen, " 2005 General Materials, This box contains news clippings and other materials regarding the Mormon Church. Names and Subjects Subject Terms : Mormon Church--Controversial literature Personal Names : Petersen, LaMar, Interviews Form or Genre Terms : Articles Correspondence Criticism Interviews Finding aid created by Jennifer Breaden and Jonathan D. Hepworth 2008 (updated: 2018) 13

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