Overview of the Collection Creator Petersen, LaMar, 1910- Title LaMar Petersen papers Dates 1829-2005 (inclusive) 1829 2005 Quantity 11.25 linear feet Collection Number Ms0524 Summary The LaMar Petersen papers (1829-2005) 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 84112-0860 Telephone: 801-581-8863 SPCreference@lists.utah.edu 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 (1910-2005) 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 1969. 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 1975. Petersen died on 16 September 2005. Content Description The LaMar Petersen papers (1829-2005) 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 http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv73721 1
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 1950-1980 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 1978. 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 1969-1978. 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 1981. 2 was donated by Kent Walgren in 1987. es 3-18 (7.75 linear feet) were purchased in 1997. Separated Materials Five tapes were removed to the Special Collections Multimedia Division collection (A0295). Processing Note Processed by Jennifer Breaden in 1990. Addendum processed by Jonathan D. Hepworth in 2008. Addendum (box 19, folder 1) processed by Betsey Welland in 2013. Addendum (box 20) processed by Betsey Welland in 2018. http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv73721 2
Detailed Description of the Collection Book Reviews, Articles, and Personal Papers, 1957-1987 1 1 1 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. 1957-1987 4 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, 1950-1979 2 2 1 General Correspondence 1975 http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv73721 3
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. 1978 3 Correspondence on Mormon History 1950-1979 Writing and Research, 1954-1987 3 3 1 Petersen Writings and Related Documents 1958-1987 2 Correspondence Concerning Problems in Mormon Text 1957-1958 3 Petersen Writings Publicity 4 Book Reviews and Letters 1954-1982 5 Petersen Papers for Utah State Historical Society 1955-1981 Papers on Mormonism Reviewed by Petersen, 1932-1988 4 4 http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv73721 4
1-3 Papers Reviewed by Petersen and Correspondence 1977-1985 4 45 Abstracts on Mormon History Subjects 5 Articles on Early Mormon History 1932-1983 6 Thayne I. Andersen, Intoxicants in the Book of Mormon 1988 7-8 Richard Andrews, Mormonism, A Monumental Lie 1981 Articles on Mormonism and Related Subjects, 1956-1991 5 5 1 Book Review: Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon 1977 2 Bostonia Magazine, "Mormonism, Nearly a Nation" 1976 3 James E. Chapman, Dissent in the Church 4 James R. Clark, Article on Early Mormon Kingdom 1958 5 Clayton W. Cook, Why Should They Become White and Delightsome? 6 Lee Descombes and Pat Boone, Revelations 1982 7 A. Chris Eccel, The Role of the Mormon Apologist 8 Rulon R. Fairbanks Correspondence 1983-1984 9 Edwin B. Firmage On Priesthood for Women 1989-1990 10 Audrey Godfrey, "Housewives, Hussies, and Heroines" 1986 http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv73721 5
11 Bob Gottlieb and Peter Wiley, "Static In Zion" 1979 12 Gordon Hackney, LDS Church vs. The Sabbath 13 Heber Q. Hale, A Heavenly Manifestation 14 Marvin S. Hill, "Joseph Smith and the 1826 Trial" 1972-1974 15 Two Articles by Marvin S. Hill 1982-1984 16 Sonia Johnson, Patriarchal Panic 1979 17 Stanley S. Ivins, Polygamy Notes and Moses Thatcher Case 1956 18 Jeffrey Kaye, "An Invisible Empire: Mormon Money in California" 1978 19 Eugene Kovalenko, The Reincarnation of Joseph Smith 1978 20 A. C. Lambert, Correspondence and Writings 1971-1981 21 Stan Larson, Articles 1976-1990 22-23 Irene S. Leland, Research and Writings 1967-1991 Articles on Mormonism and Related Subjects, 1954-1991 6 6 1 Los Angeles Times Magazine, "White Salamander Murders" 1987 2 Brigham Madsen Articles 1987-1992 3 H. Michael Marquardt, Articles 1979-1980 http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv73721 6
4 Masonry and Mormonism Compared 5 Sterling McMurrin, Correspondence and Articles 1960-1991 6 Dee Jay Nelson Materials 1976-1977 7 Oui Magazine, Latter-Day Intrigues of the Mormon Church 8 Clarence F. Packard Essays 1976 9 Michael Parrish, Mountain Meadows 1990 10 Michael Parrish, "The Saints Among Us" 11 Mark E. Petersen, Race Problems As They Affect the Church 1954 12 Waldemer P. Read, What Freedom in Local Culture? 1962 13 William D. Russell Articles 1977-1982 14 Don Simpson, The Golden Myth of Mormonism 1980 15 George D. Smith Articles 1984-1991 16 Robert F. Smith, Oracles and Talismans 1987 17 Edwina Jo Snow, William Chandless Article 1986 18 A. D. Sorenson, Russell Against the Book of Mormon 1984 19 R. Jan Stout, Spectrum of Religious Beliefs in Mormon Community 1983 20-21 Samuel W. Taylor, Articles, Correspondence, and Speeches 1977-1989 Articles on Mormonism and Related Subjects, 1842-1989 7 http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv73721 7
7 1 Kent L. Walgren, James Adams Article and Sentimental Thoughts 1982 2 Douglas K. Walker, Review of Since Cumorah 1968 3 Wesley P. Walters, Joseph Smith Family's New York Moves 4 Wesley P. Walters Materials 1965-1986 5 Watchman Expositor 6 Disfellowshipment of Robert D. Bagley 1976 7 William Clayton, Journal Excerpts 1842-1846 8 Correspondence with Ernest Cook 1964-1979 9 Mark Hofmann Materials 1985-1987 10 LDS Church Discipline 1989 11 Helen Radkey (Olmstead) Excommunication 1978-1987 12-13 George Arlen Petereit Correspondence, Papers, and Documents 1960-1986 Articles and Topical Files, 1829-1992 8 8 http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv73721 8
1 Morris L. Reynolds Correspondence 1966 2 Lucy Mack Smith to Mary Pierce 1829-1982 3 Jerald and Sandra Tanner Materials 1968-1992 4 John Phillip Walker Materials 1979-1989 5 John Whitmer, History of the Latter-day Saints, Last 3 Chapters 6 Woodbury Group Meetings 1957-1965 7 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 http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv73721 9
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, 1934-1989 http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv73721 10
10 10 1-2 LDS Booklets and Newsletters 1934-1980 3 LDS Church General Handbook of Instructions 1960-1963 4 Mormon and Anti-Mormon Tracts 5 Mormon Symposiums 1982-1989 6 Newsclippings on Mormonism 7 RLDS (Community of Christ) Church Booklets 1966-1981 Utah, Related Subjects and General Documents, 1976-1987 11 11 1-2 General Correspondence, Articles, and Documents 3 Mixed Religious Booklets and Newsletters 4 In Memoriam Eulogies 5 Justin C. Stewart, History of Sundance, Utah 1987 6 Sunstone Foundation, Sesquicentennial Mormon History Calendar 1980 http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv73721 11
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 1979 11 Utah State University, Heber C. Snell Papers Register 1976 Brigham Young University, Speeches of the Year, 1959 12 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, http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv73721 12
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, 2005 19 19 1 " Memories of Our Father and Grandfather: LaMar Petersen, 1910-2005" 2005 General Materials, 1979-1991 20 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, 1910- --Interviews Form or Genre Terms : Articles Correspondence Criticism Interviews Finding aid created by Jennifer Breaden and Jonathan D. Hepworth 2008 (updated: 2018) http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv73721 13
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