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Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints records, 1905-1950

Overview of the Collection

Title
Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints records
Dates
1905-1950 (inclusive)
Quantity
1 box, (0.25 linear feet)
Collection Number
UUS_COLL MSS 369
Summary
This collection contains various typed and handwritten manuscripts ostensibly originating from members of the RLDS church in Missouri (Apfelbaum described these materials as a "Mormons in Missouri" archive).
Repository
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu
Access Restrictions

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-daay Saints (RLDS) emerged in Illinois in the late 1850s from a conglomeration of groups that broke from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Originally known as the New Organization, the group opposed the ascendancy of Brigham Young to the head of the LDS church, believing instead that Joseph Smith's son, Joseph Smith III, was the true heir to his father's position. They also disagreed with the continuing practice of polygamy in the LDS church. Throughout the 19th century, the RLDS church sent missionaries to Utah in an effort to convert members of the LDS church into their congregation. Despite some initial success, proselytizing slowed when the LDS church banned polygamy in 1890, thus removing the most easily discernable difference between the two groups.

In 1920, Smith's son, Frederick M. Smith, established the headquarters of the RLDS church at Independence, Missouri, where it remains today. Under the leadership of Church President-Prophet W. Grant McMurray, the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints changed its name to Community of Christ in 2001. Today, led by Stephen M. Veazey, the church boasts approximately 250,000 members in 50 nations.

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Content Description

This collection contains various typed and handwritten manuscripts ostensibly originating from members of the RLDS church in Missouri (Apfelbaum described these materials as a "Mormons in Missouri" archive). Documents include histories, sermons, stories, poems, aphorisms, articles, and notes that mostly originate from around the turn of the 20th century, though some date from as late as 1950.

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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 Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints records must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archives manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections and Archives department head.

Preferred Citation

Initial Citation: Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints records USU_COLL MSS 369, Box [ ]. Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.

Following Citations: USU_COLL MSS 369, USUSCA.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Arranged by document type.

Processing Note

Processed in March of 2012.

Acquisition Information

The material was purchased by USU Special Collections and Archives in 2007 from Charles Apfelbaum.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Form or Genre Terms

  • Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.).
  • Religious literature.
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