Robert G. Vernon papers, 1839-2012

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Vernon, Robert G., 1935-2007
Title
Robert G. Vernon papers
Dates
1839-2012 (inclusive)
Quantity
21.5 linear feet
Collection Number
ACCN 2219
Summary
The Robert G. Vernon papers (1839-2012) contain correspondence, family biographical materials, diaries, scrapbooks, certificates, articles, books, newsletters, news clippings, legal documents, financial documents, LDS Church research, and local church histories and records. Vernon was a Utah lawyer and avid LDS Church historian.
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, German

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Robert Gerard Vernon (1935-2007) was born on July 9, 1935 to Adelaide Neilson McAllister and Weston Vernon Jr. in New York City, New York. After attending Columbia University for two years, Vernon moved to Utah and finished his Political Science B.A. at the University of Utah. After serving a mission in West Germany, Vernon went on to receive his J.D. from Columbia Law School and received the E. B. Convers Prize for excellence in legal research. He returned to Utah, worked with the Skyline Oil Company and married and later divorced Kathryn Barnes Vernon Luke. Vernon was involved in the formation of the Sunstone Foundation, had an extensive interest in the history of the LDS Church, and was a member of the Sons of the Utah Pioneers. An avid family researcher, Vernon was also a member of the Utah State Bar, American Bar Association, Utah Landman Association, and Certified Professional Landman Association. He died in Utah in 2007.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Robert G. Vernon papers (1839-2012) contain correspondence, family biographical materials, diaries, scrapbooks, certificates, articles, books, newsletters, news clippings, legal documents, financial documents, LDS Church research, and local church histories and records.

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

Gift of Robert G. Vernon in 2005.

Gift of David Vernon, Richard Vernon, Linda Vernon Scholl in 2007.

Processing Note

Processed by Sawaiba Khan in 2007.

Addendum processed by Roger V. Paxton in 2009 and 2016.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Personal and BiographicalReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1-2
Educational Records and Research
1955-1973
1 3
College Fraternity and Sorority Records
1955-1957
1 4
School Newsclippings
1954-1964
1 5
LDS Church Groups
1936-1975
1 6-7
Robert G. Vernon and Weston Vernon Church Talks
1940s-1950s
1 8
Second Elders' Quorum Correspondence
1959-1962
1 9-10
Second Elders' Quorum, Newsletters and Misc. Documents
1960-1961
1 11
Religious Items
1 12
Humor
1982-1984
1 13
Notes
1978-1982

CorrespondenceReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 1-6
Correspondence
1924-1988
2 7-9
Correspondence, Grand Canyon Letters
1953-1955
2 10
Correspondence, Grand Canyon Reunion/SOCOTWA
1980-2004
2 11-12
SOCOTWA Research/ Grand Canyon Material
1954-2006

Scrapbook and Assorted MaterialsReturn to Top

Includes obituaries of Weston Vernon Sr. and Frances Maughan Vernon.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
3 1
Weston Vernon Jr.'s Scrapbook and Certificates
1923-1977
3 2
Obituaries of Weston Vernon Sr. and Frances Maughan Vernon
1940-1941
3 3
Materials re the Family of Richard J. Maughan
1839-1971
3 4
Materials re Robert G. Vernon and His Family
1947-1997
3 5
"Vernon Vignettes"
Newsletters of the Vernon Family Association of America.
1969-1977
3 6
Aldyth Vernon Morris's Peabody Award Winning Play "Damien"
1978-1980

Keaton Family Records, Vision Reports and Brigham Young MaterialsReturn to Top

Includes nineteenth century letters and documents re the life and activities of George Dennis Keaton (1828-1890), Keaton's correspondence with Brigham Young, reports of the visions of Stephen M. Farnsworth and Sarah S. Wheeler and an announcement concerning the public sale of Brigham Young's property linked with the suit of Ann Eliza Young.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
4 1
George Dennis Keaton's Letters and Documents
Includes a consecration document bequeathing George D. Keaton's property and possessions to Brigham Young in 1863, a letter of 1868 to Brigham Young concerning the practice of "ticket scratching" during the elections of 1862, 1866 and 1868 and a 1869 certificate of the ordination of George D. Keaton as one of the "Seventy Elders" in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
1849-1890
4 2
Song Book and Prayer Book
George D. Keaton's possessions.
18??
4 3
Keaton Family Genealogical Materials
1874-1906
4 4
Keaton Family Correspondence
1917-1931
4 5
Report of Stephen M. Farnsworth's Vision
1844
4 6
Report of Sarah S. Wheeler's Vision
1852
4 7
Public Sale Announcement of Brigham Young's Property
Connected with the suit of Ann Eliza Young.
1876

Adelaide Neilson Vernon and Weston Vernon Jr. MaterialsReturn to Top

Letters to Weston Vernon Jr. and Diaries.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
5 1
Adelaide Neilson to Weston Vernon Jr. Correspondence
1922-1924
5 2
Adelaide Neilson to Weston Vernon Jr. Correspondence
1924
5 3
Adelaide Neilson to Weston Vernon Jr. Correspondence
1925
5 4
Adelaide Neilson to Weston Vernon Jr. Correspondence
1925-1926
5 5
Adelaide N. Vernon to Weston Vernon Jr. Correspondence
1928-1946
5 6
Adelaide N. Vernon's Diaries and Letters
1942-1943
6 1
Weston Vernon Jr. Biographical Materials
Robert G. Vernon prepared these materials.
1923-1976
6 2
Utah Agricultural College's Buzzer
1923
6 3
Weston Vernon Jr.'s Affidavits and papers
1937-1938
6 4
Weston Vernon Jr., Newsclippings
1952
6 5
Weston Vernon Jr.'s Obituaries
1977
6 6-7
Condolences
1977

West German LDS MissionReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
7 1-4
Correspondence
Also contains correspondence in German.
1948-1969
7 5
Mission Call, Farewell, and Homecoming Documents
1956-1959
7 6
Datebook and Notes
1957-1958
7 7
Notebooks
1957
7 8
Policies and Procedures
1956-1958
7 9
Religious Materials in German
7 10
Language Class Notes
1957-1958
7 11
Secretary Information
7 12
Missionary Proselyting Hours
1956-1958
8 1
Sunday School and Primary School Documents
1958
8 2
Fussen Conference Documents
1956-1958
8 3
Various Conference Documents
1956-1958
8 4
The Salt Lake Mormoniers
1956-1957
8 5
"Deutschland Land und Leute"
1956
8 6
Zundkerzen
8 7
Circulars
8 8
Info Dienst
8 9
GFV Kalender
1958-1959
8 10
Newsclippings and Articles
1957-1969
8 11-12
English and German Documents and Currency
1955-1958
9 1-2
West German Mission Memories
1998
9 3
West German Mission Memories, Research Notes
1998
9 4-5
Reunion Correspondence
1959-1999
10 1
Reunion Forms
1958-1968
10 2
Address Information
1966-1968
10 3
Research Notes, Financial Documents, and Misc.
1964-1970
10 4
West German Mission Reunion Book
2000
10 5
West German Mission Reunion Book Research Notes and Articles
1977-2000
10 6
West German Mission Reunion, French Mission Reunion
1967-1974

Subject FilesReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
11 1-2
Priest Quorum B Inormation, Monument Park 8th Ward
1967-1972
11 3-4
6th Elders Quorum Notes, Monument Park 8th Ward
1973-1975
11 5
8th South Elders Quorum Notes, Monument Park 8th Ward
1975-1976
11 6
Logan Sixth Ward History, Notes and Correspondence
1907-1977
11 7
Funeral Services and Misc. Church/Ward Documents
1977-2003
12 1
Folk Song Lyrics, Newsclippings, Articles, and Notes on Music
1960-1984
12 2
"The Prophet," An Opera by Douglas Isaacson
1970
12 3-4
Church and State Separation Issues, Research Notes
1983-1993
12 5
Notes on Torture, Politics and Religion
2006
12 6-7
Blacks and the LDS Priesthood
1967-1978
13 1-2
LDS Church History Notes
1930-2004
13 3
Articles regarding Mormon History
1966-1984
13 4
Nauvoo Expositor
1965
13 5
Association for Mormon Letters
1978-1979
13 6-7
Mormon Letters Annual
1983-1987
14 1
Book of Mormon Translations and Biblical Ties
14 2
Religion, Prominent People, and Misc. Doctrinal Matters
1944-1990
14 3
B. H. Roberts, Archaeology, Geography, and Science
1973-1983
14 4
Science and Religion Guide for Institute and Seminary Teachers
15 1-2
The Book of Abraham Papyri Controversy
1962-1985
15 3
The Mother-God and Adam-God Doctrines
1980-1982
15 4
White Salamander Letter
1980-1987
16 1
Polygamous Groups Research Notes
2001-2002
16 2-3
Polygamy
1957-2002
16 4
Articles and Newsclippings on Prominent Polygamists
1977-1993
17 1
The LDS Religion
1974-1985
17 2
LDS Speech Transcripts
1977-1990
17 3
LDS Magazines, Notes, and Correspondence
1972-1981
17 4
Various Church Booklets, Pamphlets, and Documents
17 5
Paul H. Dunn Scandal
1984-1991
17 6
Various Church Scandals
1943-2005
17 7
Saints Alive Organization
1983-1985
17 8
LDS Church related items
1972-1989
18 1
Church News Newsclippings
1975-1990
18 2-3
Newsclippings regarding the LDS Religion and Church
1963-1993
18 4
LDS and Non-LDS Relations
1982-1993
19 1
Various Denominations
1972-1989
19 2
Newsclippings on Various Faiths
1971-1992
19 3
Singles, Courtship, and Engagement
1960-1993
19 4-5
Marriage Articles
1964-1993
19 6
Intimacy and Communication
1985-1991
19 7
Infidelity and Adultery
1969-1992
19 8
Divorce
1966-1993
20 1
Parent Effectiveness Training (P.E.T.) Notes
1964-1977
20 2
Family, Children, and Mothers
1951-1990
20 3-5
Family
1956-1993
20 6
Abuse
1971-1993
21 1-2
Psychology and Neuroses
1978-1993
21 3
Psychological Temperament Tests
1985-1993
21 4
Diet, Exercise, Health, and Aging
1972-1991
21 5
Anger and Stress
1982-1991
21 6
Depression
1979-1989
21 7
Grief, Depression, and Suicide
1978-1993
22 1-5
Sexuality
1960-1992
22 6
Dress Standards, Dancing, and Sexual Therapy
22 7
Sexual Education
1965-1992
22 8-11
Chastity
1949-1989
23 1
Teen Pregnancy and Planned Parenthood
1971-1991
23 2-3
Birth Control
1965-1993
23 4
Articles and Newsclippings on Abortion
1970-1993
23 5
Pro-Abortion Organization Solicitations
1978-1990
23 6
Homosexuality and "Affirmation/Gay and Lesbian Mormons"
1971-1986
23 7
Dan Wilcox and Homosexuality
1976-1987
23 8
Homosexuality
1973-1993
24 1
Sexual Health
1966-1996
24 2
Sexual Abuse
1984-1993
24 3
Rape and Prostitution
1971-1993
24 4-5
Pornography
1965-1993
24 6-8
Women's Rights and the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)
1970-1993
25 1-2
Evolution
1933-1984
25 3
Business Fraud
1982-1985
25 4
Law
1955-1983
25 5
Ron and Dan Lafferty Murders and other Murders
1984-1991
25 6
Miss America, Sharlene Wells
1984-1985
25 7
General Materials
1983-1984
25 8
Ron DeWaal's Journal
2002-2003

Oversized MaterialReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box object
26 1
Poster, "The Pirates of Penzance"
1981
26 2
Poster, Sunstone Theological Symposium
1983
26 3
Poster, "The Sound of Music", Starring Marie Osmond
1995

Vernon and McAllister Family Correspondence, Divorce Materials and WillsReturn to Top

Includes Weston Vernon Jr.'s correspondence to Adelaide (1931-1952), a biography of G. Stanley McAllister, obituaries of Adelaide N. V. McAllister and materials re the Logan Sixth Ward.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
27
Weston Vernon Jr.'s Correspondence
1923-1930
Folder
28 1
Weston Vernon Jr. to Adelaide N. Vernon Correspondence
1931-1934
28 2
Weston Vernon Jr. to Adelaide N. Vernon Correspondence
1935-1936
28 3
Weston Vernon Jr. to Adelaide N. Vernon/McAllister Correspondence
1937-1952
28 4
Weston Vernon Jr.'s Correspondence with His Sons
1943-1952
28 5
Weston Vernon Jr. and Adelaide N. Vernon's Divorce Materials
Includes correspondence, Adelaide's affadavit, the 1946 marriage certificate of Weston Vernon Jr. and Maude Belle Congdon, the divorce agreement and the court's divorce decision.
1948-1949
28 6
Weston Vernon Jr. and Adelaide N. V. McAllister's Divorce Agreement Amendment Materials
Includes correspondence, Adelaide McAllister's affadavit and the divorce agreement amendment.
1951-1955
28 7
Assorted Materials re Adelaide Neilson Vernon McAllister McAllister
Includes Hyrum G. Smith's blessing, newspaper announcement of Adelaide and Weston's wedding and correspondence related to Adelaide's application for a teaching position in Washington, D.C.
1923-1959
28 8
Biography of G. Stanley McAllister
Robert G. Vernon composed this biography.
1997-2005
28 9
Materials Related to the Death of Adelaide N. V. McAllister
Includes obituaries, death certificate and a letter of condolence from the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
1998
28 10
Weston Vernon Jr. and Adelaide McAllister's Wills, Property Appraisal and Sale
Includes Adelaide's jewelry appraisal, correspondence re the sale of Adelaide's rare books and a family discussion of the disposal of Adelaide's Logan home.
1947-2005
28 11
Materials regarding the Logan Sixth Ward
1881-1978

Personal and Family MaterialsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
29 1
Biographical Materials: Robert G. Vernon
29 2
Browning School for Boys
1943-2002
29 3
Article: "Faith and Family: The Ties That Bind"
29 4
Certificates
1955-1989
29 5
Professional Materials
1963-1990
29 6
Correspondence: Vernon's Views on the Mormon Church
2003
29 7
Last Will and Testament
1986
29 8
Obituary and Funeral Materials
2007
29 9
Robert G. Vernon Estate Papers
2007
29 10-12
Vernon Family History Materials
30 1-5
"Vernon Vignettes"
1972-1985
30 6
"The Vernon Family Heritage Book"
31 1-4
Diaries
1951-1988

Correspondence and Assorted MaterialsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
32 1-5
Correspondence: Robert G. Vernon and Parents
1955-1967
33 1-2
Correspondence: Robert G. Vernon and Parents
1938-2012
33 3-4
Greeting Cards
33 5
Assorted Materials
33 6
Arnold K. Garr: "A History of Brigham Young College, Logan, Utah"
1973
33 7
Frances Vernon Fagerlund: "Mind's Quiet Ponds"
2000
34 1
Correspondence: Robert G. Vernon and Joseph Fielding Smith
1956
34 2
Robert G. Vernon's Church Talks
1959-1994
34 3
Vernon's Comments re the "Solemn Assembly"
1976
34 4
Robert G. Vernon: "Problems in Church History and Doctrine"
1981
34 5
Robert G. Vernon: "Curent Mormon Problems"
1982
34 6
Correspondence and Papers: George D. Smith
1981-1986
34 7
Correspondence: Unknown Correspondent
The correspondent was a Mormon missionary traveling throughout parts of England in the mid-nineteenth century.

Correspondence, Publications, and PapersReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
35 1
Assorted Publications
1851-1976
35 2
Correspondence: President George A. Smith and Fawn Brodie's Book on Joseph Smith
1946
35 3
Leonard J. Arrington: "The Settlement of the Brigham Young Estate, 1877-1879"
1952
35 4
Bruce R. McConkie: "Mormon Doctrine"
1958-1966
35 5
Marion G. Romney's Report to David O. McKay: McConkie's "Mormon Doctrine"
1959
35 6
Lyle O. Wright: "Origins and Development of the Church of the First Born of the Fulness of Time"
1963
35 7
Blacks and the Issue of the Mormon Priesthood
1947-1982
35 8
David L. Brewer: "Utah Elites and the Utah Racial Norms":
1966
35 9
Frank H. Jonas: "The Story of A Political Hoax"
1966
35 10
"An Examination of B. H. Roberts' Secret Manuscript"
1979
35 11
Truman G. Madsen and John W. Welch: "Did B. H. Roberts Lose Faith in the Book of Mormon?"
1985
35 12
Jack Adamson: "The Treasure of the Widow's Son"
1980
35 13
Reed C. Durham: "Is There No Help for the Widow's Son?"
1980
35 14
Mark Peterson and Ogden Kraut: "Adam, The Archangel" and "Adam; He Is God!"
1980
35 15
Correspondence: Boyd Kirkland and Bruce McConkie"
1982
35 16
D. Michael Quinn: "LDS Authority and New Plural Marriages, 1890-1904"
1985

Assorted Religious MaterialsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
36 1-6
Assorted Religious Materials
1945-2006
37 1-4
Religious Materials

Correspondence and Assorted MaterialsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
38 1
L.D.S. Church Materials: Adelaide Neilson McAllister
1902-1998
38 2
Press Clippings
1950-1970
38 3
Outdoor Cleanliness Association Materials
1952-1964
38 4
Haarlem Philharmonic Society Materials
1955-1972
38 5
American Mothers Committee Materials
1964-1990
38 6
Utah Symphony Board Materials
1971
38 7
Adelaide N. McAllister's Reminiscences
1984
38 8
Robert G. Vernon: "Adelaide N. McCallister Biography"
1997
38 9
Obituary, Last Will and Testament, And Assorted Materials
1971-2001
38 10
Assorted Materials
1934-1980
38 11-12
Correspondence
1925-1959
39 1-2
Correspondence
1960-1994
40 1-6
Correspondence
1945-1957
40 7
Assorted Materials
1949-2011

McAlister and Neilson Family MaterialsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
41 1
Vernon and McAllister Family Genealogical Materials
41 2
Assorted Materials
1951-2004
41 3
Robert G. Vernon: "G. Stanley McAllister Biography"
1997
41 4
Robert G. Vernon's Reminiscences
1999
41 5
Robert G. Vernon: "G. Stanley McAllister and Mormon Public Relations"
2001
41 6
Kenneth F. McAllister and Maridon M. Morrison: "The Life of Our Parents G. Stanley and Donnette McAllister"
2012
41 7-9
Neilson Family Materials
1892-2001

Fullmer Family MaterialsReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
42 1-3
Fullmer Family Materials
1843-1995
42 4
Peter Fullmer Family Organization Materials
43 1-2
Peter Fullmer and Susannah Zerfass: Their Ancestry and Their Posterity
Vols. 1 and 2.
43 3
"John Solomon Fullmer----The Man and His Writings"
2003

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Personal Names

  • McAllister, G. Stanley, 1900-1970
  • Vernon, Robert G., 1935-2007--Archives

Form or Genre Terms

  • Certificates
  • Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.)
  • Correspondence