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James D. Still Mormon history collection, 1834-2010
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Still, James D.
- Title
- James D. Still Mormon history collection
- Dates
- 1834-2010 (inclusive)18342010
- Quantity
- 2.75 linear feet
- Collection Number
- ACCN 1591
- Summary
- The James D. Still Mormon history collection (1834-2010) 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
84112-0860
Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.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 NoteReturn to Top
Still was born in 1940. 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, 1980. Still's interest in LDS Church history, however, did not waiver, and the files in the collection are the result of that interest.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The James D. Still Mormon history collection (1834-2010) contains Still's research files on Mormon history, Oliver Cowdery in particular. The collection consists of Still's files acquired over his years of 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. Box 7 contains reference materials on libraries, historical sites and theses. Box 8 contains a series of articles written by Still titled, "In Search of the Hollow Earth."
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library's Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.
Preferred Citation
Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Acquisition Information
Boxes 1-7 were donated in 1996. Folder 14 of Box 7 was donated in 2005.
Box 8 was donated by James D. Still in 2010.
Processing Note
Processed by Tad Davies in 1996.
Addendum processed by Sam Passey in 2005.
Addendum processed by Betsey Welland in 2013.
Separated Materials
Photographs were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections (P0685).
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Oliver CowderyReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 1 | Letters of Oliver Cowdery from Messenger and Advocate
|
1834-1835 |
| 1 | 2 | Letters of Oliver Cowdery from The Saints' Advocate
|
1879-1884 |
| 1 | 3 | Oliver Cowdery, Annie Lyman, and Polygamy
Transcript of letters.
|
1864-1872 |
| 1 | 4 | Oliver Cowdery Letters
Article and transcript of letters.
|
1846-1977 |
| 1 | 5 | Oliver Cowdery, "Early Scenes and Incidents in the Church" |
1899 |
| 1 | 6 | "Oliver Cowdery's Renunciation of Mormonism and His 'Defense' for so Doing" |
1937 |
| 1 | 7 | Heman Smith, "Oliver Cowdery" |
1910 |
| 1 | 8 | Leonard J. Arrington, "Oliver Cowdery's Kirtland, Ohio, 'Sketch Book,'" |
1972 |
| 1 | 9 | C. M. Nielsen, "Oliver Cowdery for the Defense" |
1943-1976 |
| 1 | 10 | Vida Elizabeth Smith, "The First Church Romance in Independence" |
1912 |
| 1 | 11 | John W. Welch and David J. Whittaker, "'We Believe....' Development of the Articles of Faith" |
1979 |
| 1 | 12 | The Return of Oliver Cowdery to the LDS Church |
1851-1989 |
| 1 | 13 | "The Salt Lake Messenger" on Oliver Cowdery |
1985-1992 |
| 1 | 14 | Oliver Cowdery History of the Church |
1986 |
| 1 | 15 | Oliver Cowdery Monument and Life |
1911-1914 |
| 1 | 16 | Oliver Cowdery Monument ,Obituary, Sunday School Lessons |
1911-1930 |
| 1 | 17 | Oliver Cowdery News Clippings and Notes |
1958-1993 |
| 1 | 18 | Oliver Cowdery Genealogy |
1911-1915 |
| 1 | 19 | Oliver Cowdery Pedigree |
1992 |
| 1 | 20 | Index for Oliver Cowdery |
1992 |
Name FilesReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 2 | 1 | Emma Smith Bidamon's Letter |
1876 |
| 2 | 2 | Martin Harris |
1859-1989 |
| 2 | 3 | Howard W. Hunter |
1990 |
| 2 | 4 | Parley P. Pratt |
1937-1990 |
| 2 | 5 | Sidney Rigdon |
1900-1970 |
| 2 | 6 | John Sexsmith |
1992 |
| 2 | 7 | Alvin Smith |
1985-1987 |
| 2 | 8 | Joseph Smith: Egyptians, Book of Mormon, etc. |
1957-1973 |
| 2 | 9 | Joseph Smith, III |
1988 |
| 2 | 10 | Hosea Stout's Diary |
1848 |
| 2 | 11 | David Whitmer's Works |
1887-1942 |
| 2 | 12 | David Whitmer |
1881-1981 |
| 2 | 13 | John Whitmer |
1888 |
| 2 | 14 | Peter Whitmer |
1926-1989 |
Subject FilesReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 3 | 1 | Aaronic Priesthood Restoration |
1936-1979 |
| 3 | 2 | Book of Abraham |
1967-1990 |
| 3 | 3 | Historical Book of Mormon |
1923-1989 |
| 3 | 4 | The Writing of the Book of Mormon |
1921-1941 |
| 3 | 5 | Church Historians |
1935 |
| 3 | 6 | Cumorah-Land |
1929-1941 |
| 3 | 7 |
Ensign of Liberty
|
1847-1849 |
| 3 | 8 | Historical Church |
1902-1990 |
| 3 | 9 | Illusion |
1982 |
| 3 | 10 | Palmyra Notes |
1990 |
| 3 | 11 | Free Masonry |
1992 |
| 3 | 12 | Mervin B. Hogan and Free Masonry |
1970 |
| 3 | 13 | Asael C. Lambert Collection Register |
|
| 3 | 14 | Asael Lambert, Free Masonry Articles |
|
| 3 | 15 | Mountain Meadows Massacre |
1990-1993 |
| 3 | 16 | Pamphlets
This folder contains "How to Witness to Mormons," by John L. Smith, and "Mormonism has Another Jesus."
|
|
| 3 | 17 | Quakers and the Ten Tribes of Israel |
1978 |
| 3 | 18 | Joseph Smith Vision of Moroni or Nephi |
1970-1992 |
| 3 | 19 | The Testimony of Three Witnesses |
|
| 3 | 20 | Three Witnesses |
1892-1971 |
| 3 | 21 | Urim and Thummim or "Seer Stone" |
1960-1966 |
Periodicals and BooksReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 4 | 1 |
BYU Studies
Photocopies.
|
1974-1982 |
| 4 | 2 | "The Case Against Mormonism, Vol. 2" |
|
| 4 | 3-4 |
The Evangel
|
1993-1994 |
| 4 | 5 |
Historical Record
Photocopies.
|
1888 |
| 4 | 6 | Excerpts from Journal of Discourses
|
1855-1859 |
| 4 | 7 | William E. Berrelt, The Kingdom of God Restored
Photocopies.
|
1965 |
| 4 | 8 | Carter Eldredge Grant The Kingdom of God Restored
Photocopies.
|
1955 |
| 4 | 9 |
Millennial Star
Photocopies.
|
1840-1890 |
| 4 | 10 | B.H. Roberts, New Witnesses for God
Photocopies.
|
1911 |
| 4 | 11 |
The Saints' Herald
Photocopies.
|
1884-1979 |
Articles and EssaysReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 5 | 1 | Heman C. Smith, "Book of Mormon Witnesses" |
1911 |
| 5 | 2 | Jerald and Sandra Tanner, "A Critical Look" |
1967 |
| 5 | 3 | Lucy Smith, "History of Joseph Smith by His Mother" |
1902 |
| 5 | 4 | Kimball Young, "Isn't One Wife Enough" |
1954 |
| 5 | 5 | David O. McKay, "Joseph Smith: Prophet, Seer, and Revelator" |
1942 |
| 5 | 6 | James D. Still, "My Destiny" |
1993 |
| 5 | 7 | John Zimmerman Brown, "Nauvoo Today" |
1909 |
| 5 | 8 | Lester E. Bush, Jr., "The Spalding Theory Then and Now" |
1977 |
| 5 | 9 | "The Temple Lot Case" |
1893 |
| 5 | 10 | Ernest H. Taves, "Trouble Enough: Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon" |
1984 |
| 5 | 11 | "Why Mormonism is a Cult" |
1985 |
Mormon History Writers FilesReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 6 | 1 | Richard L. Anderson |
1968-1992 |
| 6 | 2 | Wayne L. Cowdery |
1977-1993 |
| 6 | 3 | Thomas S. Ferguson |
1962-1985 |
| 6 | 4 | Mark Hofmann |
1980-1988 |
| 6 | 5 | Linda Newell and Valeen Avery |
1985-1992 |
| 6 | 6 | Jerald and Sandra Tanner |
1984-1993 |
| 6 | 7 | Samuel W. Taylor |
1983-1995 |
Reference MaterialReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 7 | 1 | Addresses for Libraries |
|
| 7 | 2 | Acknowledgments |
|
| 7 | 3 | Excerpts from Church Almanac
|
1991-1992 |
| 7 | 4 | Excerpts from LDS Biographical Encyclopedia
|
1901 |
| 7 | 5 | Melvin R. Brooks, Excerpts from LDS Reference Encyclopedia
|
1960 |
| 7 | 6 | Missouri State Archives |
1993 |
| 7 | 7 | Near Death Experiences and Aliens |
1987-1993 |
| 7 | 8 | M. Wilford Poulson Collection, Brigham Young University |
|
| 7 | 9 | Ray County, Missouri |
1984 |
| 7 | 10-11 | Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints |
1992-1994 |
| 7 | 12 | Richmond Cemetery, Missouri |
|
| 7 | 13 | Theses at the University of Utah, Brigham Young University, and Utah State University |
|
| 7 | 14 | Oliver Cowdery Research Notes |
2005 |
| 8 | Articles
Folder 1 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."
|
2001-2010 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Freemasonry--Religious aspects--Latter Day Saint churches
- Latter Day Saint churches--History
Personal Names
- Cowdery, Oliver
Form or Genre Terms
- Articles
- Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
- Correspondence
- Indexes (reference sources)
Finding aid created by Tad Davies.
1996 (last modified: 2019)
