Archives West Finding Aid

Jonas D. Stead was born on 1 January 1860 near Girard, Illinois. During his adult life, Stead was employed in several occupations. He worked in a machine and foundry business, sold produce, labored in a bicycle factory and on a farm, and was an employee in a novelty store. In 1890 Jonas joined the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and six years later Stead commenced to serve his church as a full-time missionary preacher, a position which he held for thirty years. At the church's 1900 general conference Jonas was ordained as a member of the Seventy. When he was released from his church duties in 1927, Jonas had preached in fifteen states (including Utah) and in three Canadian provinces. While residing in Alberta, Stead was appointed as district president. A highly respected and popular preacher, he established a reputation as an effective debater engaging in debates with Latter Day Saints and other denominations. Utilizing a library of some two hundred L.D.S. publications, Stead published a work entitled "Doctrine and Dogmas of Utah Mormonism Exposed".