The Sterling B. Talmage papers contain a variety of writings on theological and scientific issues, including correspondence, newspaper articles, and books. Many of the documents are photocopies. The primary author is Sterling B. Talmage, but other leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) are also represented. Also included are biographical documents regarding James E. Talmage, and apostle of the LDS Church until the 1930's. Sterling B. Talmage (1889-1956), son of James E. Talmage, was a teacher, geologist, and writer. He was a constant critic of what he considered to be theological dogmatism. As a geologist, Sterling B. Talmage was critical of the religious theory that the earth is seven thousand years old, and much of this collection deals with questions regarding the earth's age. Other subjects addressed in these writings include evolution and the reliability of science. Some writings by James E. Talmage are also included. The first box contains correspondence with three prominent leaders in the LDS Church: James E. Talmage, Joseph Fielding Smith, and John A. Widtsoe. Also included is general correspondence on a variety of issues. The second box contains articles authored by Sterling B. Talmage and others, including rough and final drafts of manuscripts on scientific and theological issues. Also included are some writings (1878-1933) by and about James E. Talmage including academic transcripts, newspaper articles, and an article published in the Improvement Era.
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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
Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.
Donated by Jeff Keller in 1982 and Betty Stokes in 1995.
Processed by Brett W. Myers in 1996.
Authored by Sterling B. Talmage and includes written notes, suggestions, and corrections by James E. Talmage. See June 1931 correspondence between Sterling B. Talmage and James E. Talmage for more information.
Also includes a related letter to the First Presidency of the LDS Church, Heber J. Grant and his Counselors.
Contains two letters on one piece of paper. The document is very fragile.
Newspaper article with notes and comments by Sterling B. Talmage.
Published in two parts in the Deseret News.
Written in response to Howard S. Bennion's article "Is the Earth Millions of Years Old?" Includes rough and final drafts as well as the published article as it appeared in the Deseret News.
Published in two parts in the Deseret News in response to Sterling B. Talmage's article, "Can We Dictate God's Times and Methods?"
Published in the Deseret News commenting on the discussion between Sterling B. Talmage and Howard S. Bennion.
Early drafts of a response to Sidney B. Sperry's article "Whom Shall We Then Believe?"
Includes several drafts. See 2 March 1936 letter to John A. Widtsoe for more information.
See 17 July 1934 letter from John A. Widtsoe for more information.
Notes by Sterling B. Talmage.
Unpublished manuscript divided into three parts. Possibly intended as a source for a series of study manuals for the LDS Church. See 23 March 1939 letter from John A. Widtsoe for more information.
Includes one Cumorah's Southern Messenger article and two Improvement Era articles.
Includes notes taken at Brigham Young Academy, 1878-1879, academic transcripts, 1933, and an Improvement Era article, "Prophecy as a Forerunner of Science--an Instance," 1904
Articles authored by and written about him. Includes the front page Deseret News announcement of his death.