James D. Still Mormon history collection,

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1 James D. Still Mormon history collection, Overview of the Collection Collector Still, James D. Title James D. Still Mormon history collection Dates (inclusive) Quantity 2.75 linear feet Collection Number Accn1591 Summary The James D. Still Mormon history collection ( ) contains articles, clippings, correspondence, an index, and other research materials on Mormon history, particularly Oliver Cowdery, the writing of the Book of Mormon and the Book of Abraham, and the relationship between Masonry and the 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 Still was born in Completely deaf, Still entered the South Dakota School for Deaf in Sioux Falls in 1947, where he remained until completing high school. In 1960, Still enrolled in Gallaudet College in Washington, DC, where he stayed for a year and a half. After a stint as a printer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he attended Northwest Technical Institute to take draftsman courses. While there, Still met missionaries from the LDS Church and was baptized into that church. After sixteen years of membership, his research into LDS Church history (The Book of Abraham in particular) lead him to give up his belief in the LDS Church. After writing and distributing an essay, "Why I Left the Mormon Church," Still was excommunicated on April 17, Still's interest in LDS Church history, however, did not waiver, and the files in the collection are the result of that interest. Content Description The James D. Still Mormon history collection ( ) contains Still's research files on Mormon history, Oliver Cowdery in particular. The collection consists of Still's files acquired over his years of 1

2 research. A large portion of his research concerns Oliver Cowdery, a leading figure in the early years of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). The articles, news clippings, correspondence, index and other research material pertaining specifically to Cowdery, his role as one of three witnesses to the Book of Mormon, and his disassociation and later reassociation with the church are housed in box 1. Still also collected articles and news clippings on other notable LDS and RLDS (Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) individuals, particularly those connected with the founding of these churches and associates of Cowdery, which are contained in box 2. Subject files housed in box 3 concern issues such as the writing of the Book of Mormon, The Book of Abraham, and the relationship between Masonry and the LDS Church. Along with the clippings and articles contained in the name and subject files, Still collected publications and books on LDS History. Full length publications and books (many of them photocopied) are in box 4, while shorter articles and essays are in box 5. Still also corresponded with and kept files on other writers of LDS Church history which are kept in box 6. 7 contains reference materials on libraries, historical sites and theses. 8 contains a series of articles written by Still titled, " In Search of the Hollow Earth." 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 James D. Still Mormon history collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator. Preferred Citation Initial Citation: James D. Still Mormon history collection, Accn 1591, [ ]. Special Collections and Archives. University of Utah, J. Willard Marriott. Salt Lake City, Utah. Following Citations: Accn Administrative Information Acquisition Information es 1-7 were donated in of 7 was donated in was donated by James D. Still in Processing Note Processed by Tad Davies in Addendum processed by Sam Passey in Addendum processed by Betsey Welland in Separated Materials 2

3 Photographs were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections (P0685). Detailed Description of the Collection Oliver Cowdery, Letters of Oliver Cowdery from Messenger and Advocate Letters of Oliver Cowdery from The Saints' Advocate Oliver Cowdery, Annie Lyman, and Polygamy Transcript of letters. 4 Oliver Cowdery Letters Article and transcript of letters Oliver Cowdery, "Early Scenes and Incidents in the Church" "Oliver Cowdery's Renunciation of Mormonism and His 'Defense' for so Doing" Heman Smith, "Oliver Cowdery" Leonard J. Arrington, "Oliver Cowdery's Kirtland, Ohio, 'Sketch Book,'" C. M. Nielsen, "Oliver Cowdery for the Defense" Vida Elizabeth Smith, "The First Church Romance in Independence" 11 John W. Welch and David J. Whittaker, "'We Believe...' Development of the Articles of Faith"

4 12 The Return of Oliver Cowdery to the LDS Church "The Salt Lake Messenger" on Oliver Cowdery Oliver Cowdery History of the Church Oliver Cowdery Monument and Life Oliver Cowdery Monument,Obituary, Sunday School Lessons Oliver Cowdery News Clippings and Notes Oliver Cowdery Genealogy Oliver Cowdery Pedigree Index for Oliver Cowdery 1992 Name Files, Emma Smith Bidamon's Letter Martin Harris Howard W. Hunter Parley P. Pratt Sidney Rigdon John Sexsmith

5 7 Alvin Smith Joseph Smith: Egyptians, Book of Mormon, etc Joseph Smith, III Hosea Stout's Diary David Whitmer's Works David Whitmer John Whitmer Peter Whitmer Subject Files, Aaronic Priesthood Restoration Book of Abraham Historical Book of Mormon The Writing of the Book of Mormon Church Historians Cumorah-Land Ensign of Liberty

6 8 Historical Church Illusion Palmyra Notes Free Masonry Mervin B. Hogan and Free Masonry Asael C. Lambert Collection Register 14 Asael Lambert, Free Masonry Articles 15 Mountain Meadows Massacre Pamphlets This folder contains "How to Witness to Mormons," by John L. Smith, and "Mormonism has Another Jesus." 17 Quakers and the Ten Tribes of Israel Joseph Smith Vision of Moroni or Nephi The Testimony of Three Witnesses 20 Three Witnesses Urim and Thummim or "Seer Stone" Periodicals and Books, BYU Studies

7 2 "The Case Against Mormonism, Vol. 2" 3-4 The Evangel Historical Record Excerpts from Journal of Discourses William E. Berrelt, The Kingdom of God Restored 8 Carter Eldredge Grant The Kingdom of God Restored 9 Millennial Star 10 B.H. Roberts, New Witnesses for God 11 The Saints' Herald Articles and Essays, Heman C. Smith, "Book of Mormon Witnesses" Jerald and Sandra Tanner, "A Critical Look" Lucy Smith, "History of Joseph Smith by His Mother"

8 4 Kimball Young, "Isn't One Wife Enough" David O. McKay, "Joseph Smith: Prophet, Seer, and Revelator" James D. Still, "My Destiny" John Zimmerman Brown, "Nauvoo Today" Lester E. Bush, Jr., "The Spalding Theory Then and Now" "The Temple Lot Case" Ernest H. Taves, "Trouble Enough: Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon" "Why Mormonism is a Cult" 1985 Mormon History Writers Files, Richard L. Anderson Wayne L. Cowdery Thomas S. Ferguson Mark Hofmann Linda Newell and Valeen Avery Jerald and Sandra Tanner Samuel W. Taylor

9 Reference Material, Addresses for Libraries 2 Acknowledgments 3 Excerpts from Church Almanac Excerpts from LDS Biographical Encyclopedia Melvin R. Brooks, Excerpts from LDS Reference Encyclopedia Missouri State Archives Near Death Experiences and Aliens M. Wilford Poulson Collection, Brigham Young University 9 Ray County, Missouri Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Richmond Cemetery, Missouri 13 Theses at the University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and Utah State University 14 Oliver Cowdery Research Notes 2005 Articles, contains an article titled, " Why I Left the Mormon Church." Also included in this box is a series of articles titled, " In Search of the Hollow Earth." 9

10 Names and Subjects Subject Terms : Freemasonry--Religious aspects--mormon Church Mormon Church--History Personal Names : Cowdery, Oliver, Form or Genre Terms : Articles Clippings Correspondence Indexes Titles within the Collection : Book of Abraham--Authorship Book of Mormon--Authorship Finding aid created by Tad Davies About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West: