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H. Grant Ivins papers, 1897-1973

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Ivins, H. Grant (Heber Grant), 1889-1974
Title
H. Grant Ivins papers
Dates
1897-1973 (inclusive)
Quantity
3.5 linear feet, (7 boxes)
Collection Number
MS 0362
Summary
The H. Grant Ivins papers (1897-1973) contain diaries, correspondence, memoirs, unpublished manuscripts, and articles on subjects relating to religion and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). This collection documents one man's transition from a devout believer in the divine authority of the members of the LDS Church hierarchy to an outspoken critic of those he later described to Heber Holt as "mere men who make mistakes and who should be willing to admit these mistakes."
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
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Historical Note

H. Grant Ivins was born 2 September 1889, in St. George, Utah, to Anthony W. Ivins and Elizabeth Snow. In 1895, he moved with his family to Colonia Dublan, Mexico. In 1908, Ivins graduated from Juarez Academy and returned with his family to the United States, where Anthony W. Ivins was appointed a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. H. Grant Ivins attended the University of Utah and the Utah State Agricultural College, where he graduated with a B.S. in 1917. Ivins served an LDS mission to Japan and married Bertha Hamblin. He served in various capacities in the LDS Church until around 1945. H. Grant Ivins died of cancer on 18 February 1974 in Salt Lake City.

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Content Description

The H. Grant Ivins papers (1897-1973) contain diaries, correspondence, memoirs, unpublished manuscripts, and articles on subjects relating to religion and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). This collection documents one man's transition from a devout believer in the divine authority of the members of the LDS Church hierarchy to an outspoken critic of those he later described to Heber Holt as "mere men who make mistakes and who should be willing to admit these mistakes." The bulk of this collection is associated with Ivins' writings on polygamy and other matters relative to LDS Church doctrine.

Click here to view digitized materials from the collection or visit ArchivesSpace for a container level list of digitized materials.

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Use of the Collection

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.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Organized in two series: 1. Personal Material; 2. Writings.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Harold Bentley in 1974.

Gift of Guy Ivins, Virginia Ivins, and Sterling McMurrin in 1995 and 1996.

Separated Materials

See also the Grant Ivins family photograph collection (P0018) in the Multimedia Division of Special Collections.

Processing Note

Processed by Robert Charles Walker and Karen Carver in 1997.

Click here to read a statement on harmful language in library records.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

  • 1: Personal Materials

    The bulk of the material in this section deals with Ivins' religious beliefs and his attempt to develop his personal philosophy within the context of the official teachings of the LDS Church. Box 1 contains his diaries, which deal primarily with his missionary experience in Japan. While in the mission field, Ivins typically wrote daily entries. After his return to the United States, the entries become more and more sporadic and his marriage to Bertha Hamblin in 1918 is the final recorded event. Boxes 2 and 3 contain Ivins' correspondence beginning with the final months of his missionary experience and ending a few weeks prior to his death in 1974. Most of the correspondence in the collection is with Ivins' friends and former colleagues at BYU and contains his thoughts on Mormon doctrine and the LDS Church hierarchy. His missionary correspondence is arranged alphabetically by correspondent, while his general correspondence is arranged chronologically. Other correspondence is organized by correspondent and chronologically within folders. The correspondence files often contain miscellaneous items such as news clippings, articles, and poetry. Also included in this section are Ivins' subject files on David O. McKay, Anthony W. Ivins, African Americans and the LDS Church, the Hatchers and Breeders Association, and race horse gambling.

    • Diaries

      • Description: Diary No. 1

        This diary describes Ivins' missionary farewell, the voyage of the Kamakura (including a storm at sea), the arrival at Yokohama, life in the mission home, Japanese life and customs, the birth of Chiyo Thomas, the departure of Elder Fairbourne, and a New Years celebration. Included are prayers, blessings and tracting statements in Japanese.

        Dates: October 1910-February 1911
        Container: Box 1, Folder 1
      • Description: Diary No. 2

        Contains information on Ivins' experience as a missionary including tracting and study, a visit by the "Messenger From The Desert," Sister Kogi's farewell, Bible class, the Tokyo Americans baseball team, an imperial coronation parade, and Ivins' account of money spent from November 1910 to November 1913.

        Dates: February 1911-July 1911
        Container: Box 1, Folder 2
      • Description: Diary No. 3

        Description of Brother Satow's baptism, the illness of Elder Marriott, a journey to Morioka, the Mt. Fuji climb, the closing of the Morioka branch, a journey to Matsushima (Pine Islands), the departure of Elders Sowcroft, Miller and Emmett to open the Osaka branch, and a journey to Iwabuchi.

        Dates: July 1911-November 1911
        Container: Box 1, Folder 3
      • Description: Diary No. 4

        An account of the mission reorganization, the departure of Elder Jensen to take charge of Osaka, the death of President John Henry Smith, Mr. Kim's dream, Ivins' experience studying and teaching, the funeral of Archbishop Nicoli, a Buddhist hot water ceremony, the baptism of Miss Fujimoto, baseball games, and Elder Anderson's departure.

        Dates: November 1911-July 1912
        Container: Box 1, Folder 4
      • Description: Diary No. 5

        Ivins describes the departure of Elder Stimpson, a tour of the battleship California, the police investigation of Ivins and Mr. Kim, the death of Emperor Mutsuhito, Mr. Kommagamine's request for baptism, Ivins' appointment as mission president, a trip to Kofu, President Thomas' farewell and departure, the arrival of Elders Cutler, Allen and Crowther, a trip to Osaka and Kyoto, the Kofu lawsuit, Ivins' glimpse of the Crown Prince, the departure of Elders Emmett and Jensen, and a trip to Sapporo.

        Dates: July 1912-February 1913
        Container: Box 1, Folder 5
      • Description: Diary No. 6

        This diary recounts Ivins' studies with Brother Satow, the departure of Elder Barton, the excommunication of Brother Nasa, mission administration and President Thomas' advice, the arrival of Elders Stringham, Bennion and Clark, a visit to Brother Satow's country home, writing articles for the Era, the Emperor's birthday celebration, a conversation on polygamy, tracting in the hinterlands, Brother Satow's apostasy, and the arrival of Elders Adams and Turner.

        Dates: February 1913-December 1913
        Container: Box 1, Folder 6
      • Description: Diary No. 7

        Contains an account of the conflict at the Kofu branch, a scandal at the Japanese Mission, the departure of Elders Bennion, Miller, Chipman, Harrington and Stringham, the arrival of Elders Amott and Kingsford, Elder Scowcroft's operation, Ivins' work on an English Life of Christ, the funeral of the Dowager Empress, the illness of Elder Hatch, work on a Japanese songbook, the departure of Elders Scowcroft and Hatch and a visit to the "New Prophet."

        Dates: December 1913-September 1914
        Container: Box 1, Folder 7
      • Description: Diary No. 8

        Ivins continues his description of the visit to the "New Prophet," and contemplates the year's trials. The diary also recounts the translation of Talmage's Articles of Faith, teaching and study in the mission home, Brother Satow leaving the church, Ivins' offer to remain in Japan, advice from Anthony W. Ivins, and the arrival of Elder and Mrs. Stimpson. Ivins goes on to report his visit to a poorhouse, the illness and departure of Elder Cutler, the homeward journey on the Nippon Maru, a warm welcome in Hawaii, the ship's arrival in San Francisco and a reunion with family and friends. The diary also briefly summarizes Ivins' post-mission life, including his short-lived engagement to Marguerite Cannon, student life at Utah State Agricultural College, the declaration of war with Germany, a trip to Nevada with Anthony W. Ivins and the formation of the Washington County Committee of Safety.

        Dates: September 1914-January 1918
        Container: Box 1, Folder 8
      • Description: Diary No. 9

        This diary describes the funeral of Patriarch Lyman Woods, the acquisition of the Holt ranch, and Ivins' marriage to Bertha Hamblin.

        Dates: January 1918-April 1918
        Container: Box 1, Folder 9
      • Description: Diary of Trip East

        Trip to New York and surrounding area to visit family and attend the World's Fair.

        Dates: August 1939
        Container: Box 1, Folder 10
    • Correspondence

      • Description: H. Grant Ivins

        Photocopies of typed correspondence from Ivins to various family members, friends, former missionaries, and church authorities written during the last seven months of his mission. These letters, photocopied from a bound volume put together by Ivins, are arranged alphabetically according to recipient.

        Dates: January 1915-July 1915
        Container: Box 2, Folder 1-11
      • Description: H. Grant Ivins

        General correspondence arranged chronologically.

        Dates: December 1917-June 1973
        Container: Box 2, Folder 12-18
      • Description: H. Grant Ivins and Anthony W. Ivins

        Letters concerning the management of the Ivins family property near Enterprise, Utah.

        Dates: January 1922-November 1932
        Container: Box 2, Folder 19-23
      • Description: H. Grant Ivins and Lowry Nelson

        Ivins and Nelson, a sociology professor, met at the Utah State Agricultural College and taught together at BYU. This correspondence centers around the role of the church hierarchy in the affairs of BYU in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including the "spy ring" and the so-called "Negro question."

        Dates: November 1939-February 1974
        Container: Box 2, Folder 24-29
      • Description: H. Grant Ivins and Seth T. Shaw

        In addition to personal communication, Ivins and Shaw, a former colleague at BYU, exchange opinions on national politics, Vietnam, and the role of the LDS Church in Utah politics.

        Dates: December 1962-November 1973
        Container: Box 2, Folder 30-31
      • Description: H. Grant Ivins and Heber M. Holt

        As a young man in Southern Utah, Ivins served as a mentor to Holt. These letters contain Ivins' criticism of the official Joseph Smith story, his thoughts on the origin and authenticity on the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, the Word of Wisdom and his opinion on various LDS Church doctrines and on religion in general. Ivins considered this correspondence the most complete expression of his changing view of the LDS Church.

        Dates: November 1967-April 1968
        Container: Box 2, Folder 32-33
      • Description: H. Grant Ivins and A. C. Lambert

        Lambert was associated with Ivins at BYU. The correspondence contains discussion of LDS Church doctrine as well as personal communication.

        Dates: August 1967-February 1973
        Container: Box 3, Folder 1-3
      • Description: H. Grant Ivins and John W. Fitzgerald

        Correspondence centers around the conflict with LDS Church authorities which resulted in Fitzgerald's excommunication. In addition to correspondence, these folders contain news clippings, Fitzgerald's poetry, documents relating to Fitzgerald's trial before the High Council of Holladay Stake in December 1972 (including Ivins' letter in support of Fitzgerald), and a talk given by Fitzgerald at the First Baptist Church.

        Dates: February 1969-July 1973
        Container: Box 3, Folder 4-6
      • Description: H. Grant Ivins and Dallin H. Oaks

        Correspondence between Ivins and BYU president Dallin Oaks on academic freedom, religion-science conflicts, and racism within the church.

        Dates: October 1971-November 1971
        Container: Box 3, Folder 7
    • Personal Writings

      • Description: Salt Lake Tribune Public Forum

        Ivins' letters to the editor regarding racism at BYU and in Mormon theology, the role of the LDS Church in politics, and prophetic infallibility.

        Dates: March 1966-September 1973
        Container: Box 3, Folder 8-10
      • Description: African Americans and the LDS Church

        Personal correspondence, letters to the editor and newspaper clippings regarding the controversy surrounding the status of African Americans within the LDS Church. Contains Ivins' thoughts on the theological and cultural roots of Mormon racism.

        Dates: 1966-1972
        Container: Box 3, Folder 11-14
      • Description: "Response to Duane Stanfield"

        Contains two versions of a paper submitted to Dialogue with Ivins' thoughts on Stanfield's letter in which Stanfield describes himself as an "apostate Mormon." Also contains related correspondence.

        Dates: 1969
        Container: Box 3, Folder 15
      • Description: Correspondence, B. H. Roberts' Comparison, Book of Mormon and View of the Hebrews
        Dates: 1973-1974
        Container: Box 3, Folder 16
      • Description: B. H. Roberts' Comparison, Book of Mormon and View of the Hebrews

        Contains an undated carbon copy, originally in the possession of Antoine R. Ivins, of the Roberts comparison.

        Container: Box 3, Folder 17
      • Description: Grant Ivins' Notes on B. H. Roberts' "A Book of Mormon Study"

        Contains a ledger with 36 pages of handwritten notes. This document is Ivins' chapter-by-chapter summary and analysis of the Roberts comparison. This ledger also contains an inventory of 18 boxes of books.

        Dates: 1973
        Container: Box 3, Folder 18
      • Description: Anthony W. Ivins

        Photocopies of documents created by Anthony W. Ivins on polygamy, including a list of marriages performed between 1897 and 1904, numbers and ages of marriages, letters to Isaac Russell (1911) and Mrs. R. C. Allred (1934). Also included are two letters to Anthony W. Ivins from George Q. Cannon in 1897 and 1898.

        Dates: 1897-1934
        Container: Box 3, Folder 19
      • Description: David O. McKay

        Two letters from David O. McKay to First Presidency in 1929, a paper supporting the stand of the Mormon church against polygamy in response to a pamphlet called "Celestial Marriage," and three 1970 clippings concerning David O. McKay.

        Dates: 1929-1970
        Container: Box 3, Folder 20
      • Description: Joel Martineau to Harold W. Bentley

        Two letters from Martineau to Bentley regarding photographs and biographical sketches of prominent men in Colonia Juarez.

        Dates: 1951
        Container: Box 3, Folder 21
      • Description: Miscellaneous Writings

        Contains a paper written at Utah State Agricultural College and an article on Japanese Christianity.

        Dates: 1913-1917
        Container: Box 3, Folder 22
      • Description: Monument Dedication Services, Dixie Junior College

        Anthony W. Ivins and Edward H. Snow were honored as founders of Dixie.

        Dates: 1936
        Container: Box 3, Folder 23
      • Description: "Sketch of the Life of Lavina Christensen Fugal"
        Dates: ca. 1955
        Container: Box 3, Folder 24
      • Description: Prayers and Eulogies
        Dates: 1961-1970
        Container: Box 3, Folder 25
      • Description: Hatchers and Breeders Association
        Container: Box 3, Folder 26
      • Description: Race Horse Gambling
        Container: Box 3, Folder 27
      • Description: Miscellaneous

        News clippings, articles, and letter fragments. Also contains Ivins' photo identification from the Office of Price Administration.

        Container: Box 3, Folder 28
  • 2: Writings

    This series contains writings which Ivins intended to publish. At the urging of friends and family members, Ivins set out to document his personal experience with the practice of polygamy. He began a series of sketches and reminiscences that served as the basis for three works. "Stories of My Life in Mexico," a compilation of boyhood reminiscences, was completed by the Ivins family after the death of H. Grant Ivins in 1974. This document is in box 4, folders 12-17. The second manuscript to emerge from this material, a typescript entitled "Autobiography of H. Grant Ivins, Sr.," centers on the Ivins ancestry, the lives of H. Grant Ivins' grandfathers, Erastus Snow and Israel Ivins, and the life of his father, Anthony W. Ivins through the 1897 move of the family from St. George, Utah, to Colonia Juarez, Mexico. Two versions of this manuscript are located in box 4, folders 18-21. The third manuscript, developed from personal reminiscences, is in box 4, folders 22-28. This manuscript, edited by Sterling McMurrin, describes (in the context of Ivins' experience) the nature and extent of plural marriages occurring among Mormons in Mexico between the 1890 Woodruff Manifesto proscribing any marriages not in accordance with the "law of the land" and the 1904 Smith Manifesto declaring the proscription in force throughout the church. Boxes 5 and 6 contain the unfinished manuscript of Ivins' memoirs. This manuscript relies heavily on the diaries found in box 1 and on Ivins' personal correspondence. The remainder of the material in this section concerns H. Grant Ivins' views on religion. Box 7 contains Ivins' lecture notes on the subject of religion in general and the Mormon and Eastern religions in particular. Folders 12-15 contain a fragment of an unfinished Ivins text concerning religion, entitled "Application of Life to Religion." Also included are articles written by others on subjects related to religion.