J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections
LaMar Petersen papers
Petersen, LaMar, 1910-2005
MS 0524
11.25 linear feet
1829-2005
The LaMar Petersen papers (1829-2005) consist of book reviews, correspondence, publications, and an interview concerning Petersen and his controversial research regarding the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
English
.
LaMar Petersen (1910-2005) was born 23 December 1910, the ninth child of Adam and Anna Petersen, postmaster and postmistress at Eden, in Weber County, Utah. He grew up in Salt Lake City, where he cultivated his talents as a pianist. He was the director of the Mozart School of Music for twenty years, and was on the faculty of the McCune School of Music and Art at the University of Utah. Petersen's interest in researching discrepancies in the doctrine of the LDS Church, and in the life of Joseph Smith, led to his excommunication from the church in 1969. His first publication on the subject, a pamphlet called "Problems in Mormon Text," in 1957, began the controversy which led to the excommunication of him and his family. Petersen became active in a discussion group led by Angus Woodbury, which continued the research of controversial Mormon documents. His book,
Hearts Made Glad: The Changes of Intemperance against Joseph Smith the Mormon Prophet, about the lifestyle of Joseph Smith, was published in 1975. Petersen died on 16 September 2005.
The LaMar Petersen papers (1829-2005) consist of book reviews by Petersen, correspondence concerning his research in Mormon history and ideology, his publication, "Problems in Mormon Text," his book,
Hearts Made Glad: The Changes of Intemperance against Joseph Smith the Mormon Prophet, and personal papers and articles. There are also two bound volumes of materials entitled "Memoirs of LaMar Petersen: Controversies in Mormonism," and "Correspondence on Mormon History," which further document Petersen's 1950-1980 research. The first part of "Memoirs" contains an edited transcript of three interviews recorded at the home of LaMar Petersen with Kent and Mischel Walgren during 1978. In these, Petersen recounts his association and discussion with various individuals regarding Mormonism. The bulk of the volume contains a typed photocopied manuscript of Petersen's "Controversies in Mormonism." The second volume, "Correspondence," contains photocopies of his correspondence and a few articles dating 1969-1978. Also included in the collection are various articles that Petersen collected that concern Mormonism and related subjects as well as several subject files which Petersen collected for his research.
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.
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.
Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.
Box 1 was donated by LaMar Petersen in 1981.
Box 2 was donated by Kent Walgren in 1987.
Boxes 3-18 (7.75 linear feet) were purchased in 1997.
Five tapes were removed to the Special Collections Multimedia Division collection (A0295).
Processed by Jennifer Breaden in 1990.
Addendum processed by Jonathan D. Hepworth in 2008.
Addendum (box 19, folder 1) processed by Betsey Welland in 2013.
Addendum (box 20) processed by Betsey Welland in 2018.
Petersen, LaMar, 1910-2005--Interviews
Latter Day Saint churches--Controversial literature
Mormonism (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
Criticism
Correspondence
Articles
Interviews
Book Reviews, Articles, and Personal Papers
Book Reviews and Letters
1
1
Book Reviews and Articles
1
2
"Problems in Mormon Text" and "History of Eden"
1957-1987
1
3
"The History of Eden," is an autobiography of Petersen's childhood.
Lists of Christian Groups Working with Mormons
1
4
Mozart School of Music Papers
1
5
Personal Papers
1
6
Included in this folder is Sonia Johnson's article "In Defense of Equal Rights."
Correspondence
General Correspondence
1975
2
1
Memoirs of LaMar Petersen, Controversies in Mormonism
1978
2
2
This is a transcribed interview with Petersen, by Kent Walgren. The bulk of this volume contains the manuscript regarding controversies in Mormonism.
Correspondence on Mormon History
1950-1979
2
3
Writing and Research
Petersen Writings and Related Documents
1958-1987
3
1
Correspondence Concerning Problems in Mormon Text
1957-1958
3
2
Petersen Writings Publicity
3
3
Book Reviews and Letters
1954-1982
3
4
Petersen Papers for Utah State Historical Society
1955-1981
3
5
Papers on Mormonism Reviewed by Petersen
Papers Reviewed by Petersen and Correspondence
1977-1985
4
1-3
45 Abstracts on Mormon History Subjects
4
4
Articles on Early Mormon History
1932-1983
4
5
Thayne I. Andersen, Intoxicants in the Book of Mormon
1988
4
6
Richard Andrews, Mormonism, A Monumental Lie
1981
4
7-8
Articles on Mormonism and Related Subjects
Book Review: Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon
1977
5
1
Bostonia Magazine, "Mormonism, Nearly a Nation"
1976
5
2
James E. Chapman, Dissent in the Church
5
3
James R. Clark, Article on Early Mormon Kingdom
1958
5
4
Clayton W. Cook, Why Should They Become White and Delightsome?
5
5
Lee Descombes and Pat Boone, Revelations
1982
5
6
A. Chris Eccel, The Role of the Mormon Apologist
5
7
Rulon R. Fairbanks Correspondence
1983-1984
5
8
Edwin B. Firmage On Priesthood for Women
1989-1990
5
9
Audrey Godfrey, "Housewives, Hussies, and Heroines"
1986
5
10
Bob Gottlieb and Peter Wiley, "Static In Zion"
1979
5
11
Gordon Hackney, LDS Church vs. The Sabbath
5
12
Heber Q. Hale, A Heavenly Manifestation
5
13
Marvin S. Hill, "Joseph Smith and the 1826 Trial"
1972-1974
5
14
Two Articles by Marvin S. Hill
1982-1984
5
15
Sonia Johnson, Patriarchal Panic
1979
5
16
Stanley S. Ivins, Polygamy Notes and Moses Thatcher Case
1956
5
17
Jeffrey Kaye, "An Invisible Empire: Mormon Money in California"
1978
5
18
Eugene Kovalenko, The Reincarnation of Joseph Smith
1978
5
19
A. C. Lambert, Correspondence and Writings
1971-1981
5
20
Stan Larson, Articles
1976-1990
5
21
Irene S. Leland, Research and Writings
1967-1991
5
22-23
Los Angeles Times Magazine, "White Salamander Murders"
1987
6
1
Brigham Madsen Articles
1987-1992
6
2
H. Michael Marquardt, Articles
1979-1980
6
3
Masonry and Mormonism Compared
6
4
Sterling McMurrin, Correspondence and Articles
1960-1991
6
5
Dee Jay Nelson Materials
1976-1977
6
6
Oui Magazine, Latter-Day Intrigues of the Mormon Church
6
7
Clarence F. Packard Essays
1976
6
8
Michael Parrish, Mountain Meadows
1990
6
9
Michael Parrish, "The Saints Among Us"
6
10
Mark E. Petersen, Race Problems As They Affect the Church
1954
6
11
Waldemer P. Read, What Freedom in Local Culture?
1962
6
12
William D. Russell Articles
1977-1982
6
13
Don Simpson, The Golden Myth of Mormonism
1980
6
14
George D. Smith Articles
1984-1991
6
15
Robert F. Smith, Oracles and Talismans
1987
6
16
Edwina Jo Snow, William Chandless Article
1986
6
17
A. D. Sorenson, Russell Against the Book of Mormon
1984
6
18
R. Jan Stout, Spectrum of Religious Beliefs in Mormon Community
1983
6
19
Samuel W. Taylor, Articles, Correspondence, and Speeches
1977-1989
6
20-21
Kent L. Walgren, James Adams Article and Sentimental Thoughts
1982
7
1
Douglas K. Walker, Review of Since Cumorah
1968
7
2
Wesley P. Walters, Joseph Smith Family's New York Moves
7
3
Wesley P. Walters Materials
1965-1986
7
4
Watchman Expositor
7
5
Disfellowshipment of Robert D. Bagley
1976
7
6
William Clayton, Journal Excerpts
1842-1846
7
7
Correspondence with Ernest Cook
1964-1979
7
8
Mark Hofmann Materials
1985-1987
7
9
LDS Church Discipline
1989
7
10
Helen Radkey (Olmstead) Excommunication
1978-1987
7
11
George Arlen Petereit Correspondence, Papers, and Documents
1960-1986
7
12-13
Articles and Topical Files
Morris L. Reynolds Correspondence
1966
8
1
Lucy Mack Smith to Mary Pierce
1829-1982
8
2
Jerald and Sandra Tanner Materials
1968-1992
8
3
John Phillip Walker Materials
1979-1989
8
4
John Whitmer, History of the Latter-day Saints, Last 3 Chapters
8
5
Woodbury Group Meetings
1957-1965
8
6
Topical Files, A
8
7
Includes: Book of Abraham, archaeology, anti-Mormon, authority, atheists, apostles.
Topical Files, B
8
8
Includes: Book of Mormon, Blood Atonement, Brigham Young University, Ezra Taft Benson, John Birch Society, John Beck, Bible,
Topical Files, C
8
9
Includes: Church, Carthage Jail, Carl Carmer, Conformity, Conference, Communism, Civil Rights, Book of Commandments, Centennial Free Press, Censorship
Topical Files, D
8
10
Includes: Deseret News, Doubt, Devils, Danites, Doctrine and Covenants, Dialogue, Dissent, Bernard DeVoto.
Topical Files, E-F
8
11
Includes: Nauvoo Expositor, Easter Island, Excommunication, Education, Evolution, Albert Einstein, First Vision, Peggy Fletcher, John W. Fitzgerald
Correspondence: between Petersen and Allen Fifield; between Rulon R. Fairbanks and LDS Church Authorities;
Topical Files
Topical Files, G-J
9
1
Includes materials on: God, nature of God, Geography and the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith and LDS Church History, writings by G. T. Harrison, Utah Heritage Foundation, Hate Groups, Indians, Salt Lake Institute of Religion, Jews.
Topical Files, K-M
9
2
Subjects/items include: Kinderhook Plates, Language, John D. Lee, , Joseph Lewis, Liquor, Lost Ten Tribes, William Mulder, David O. McKay, H. Michael Marquardt, Mormon culture.
Correspondence: Petersen correspondence with Carlyle B. Lambert, A. C. Lambert, Stan Larson, Macmillan Company, Librarian of Masonic Temple; Mrs. Rex F. Larsen letter to Richard L. Evans; O. Boyd Mathias to John Fitzgerald, Monroe H. Fleming, A. R. Mortensen, LaMar Petersen.
Topical Files, N
9
3
Subjects include: New York Public Library, Blacks and Mormonism, Hugh Nibley
Topical Files, O-Q
9
4
Subjects include: priesthood, prayer, prophecy, polygamy
Correspondence: between Petersen and individuals concerning Problems in Mormon Text, Thomas F. Preshaw, Bruce Owens, Pat Pendse.
Topical Files, R-S
9
5
Topics include: religion, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Community of Christ Church), racial predjudice, Dead Sea Scrolls, Sunday School, sex
Correspondence: between Petersen and Hartman Rector Jr; Joseph Fielding Smith to Christine Sweet, Mont Woolley; between J. Raymond Cope and George Albert Smith.
Topical Files, T-Z
9
6
Subjects include: truth, telephone, temple, tithing, tongues, lost Ten Tribes, translation of Book of Mormon, Unitarianism, David Whitmer, Brigham Young
Correspondence: Petersen to Jerald Tanner, Bill Timmins; L. Gerald Burrus to John W. Fitzgerald; between James D. Wardle and Charles A. Davies, Israel A. Smith, Lloyd Treadgold, Richard P. Howard, Dialogue Editors; Wilford C. Wood to Edmoad C. Gruss
Tracts, Booklets, and Other Mormon Literature
LDS Booklets and Newsletters
1934-1980
10
1-2
LDS Church General Handbook of Instructions
1960-1963
10
3
Mormon and Anti-Mormon Tracts
10
4
Mormon Symposiums
1982-1989
10
5
Newsclippings on Mormonism
10
6
RLDS (Community of Christ) Church Booklets
1966-1981
10
7
Utah, Related Subjects and General Documents
General Correspondence, Articles, and Documents
11
1-2
Mixed Religious Booklets and Newsletters
11
3
In Memoriam Eulogies
11
4
Justin C. Stewart, History of Sundance, Utah
1987
11
5
Sunstone Foundation, Sesquicentennial Mormon History Calendar
1980
11
6
The Ten Commandments (Movie) Booklet
11
7
Tourist Pamphlets and Maps
11
8
Utah Sites, Events, and Language Booklets
11
9
John M. Bourne, Utah State Historical Society Assessment
1979
11
10
Utah State University, Heber C. Snell Papers Register
1976
11
11
Brigham Young University, Speeches of the Year
1959
12
Note Cards and Research Materials
Note Cards for Hearts Made Glad
13
Subjects include: Introduction, Chapter I, Palmyra, Manifestations, Word of Wisdom, Missouri, Nauvoo, Epilogue, Reference, Bibliography
Large Subject Note Cards
14
Subjects include: Abraham, Archaeology, Blood Atonement, Caracters, Cowdery, Cursings/Cut-off/Damnation/Vengeance, Danites, Devils, Doctrine and Covenants, Ethnology, First Vision, Geography, God, Language, Manifestations, Masonry, Mormons, Money Digging, Blacks, Plates, Polygamy, Priesthood, Prophecy.
Large and Small Subject Note Cards
15
Subjects for the Large Note Cards are: Revelation, Joseph Smith, Stone, Temple, Translation, Visions, Witnesses, Zion, Intemperance. Subjects for the Small Note Cards are: Blood Atonement, Book of Commandments, Cowdery, Cursings/Cut-off/Damnation/Vengeance, Danites, Devil, First Vision, Bible in Book of Mormon, Book of Mormon, Changes, Chronology, Destruction of Nephites, Geography, Confession, Cumorah, Vast or limited? [Book of Mormon Georgraphy], Landing and Narrow Neck of land [Book of Mormon Geography].
Small Subject Note Cards
16
Subjects include: God, [numbered] 3-10, Inspired Revision, Intemperance, Jesus, Manifestations, Polygamy, Priesthood in Book of Mormon, Priesthood in Bible, Rebaptism, Revelations, Salvation, Conditions for Salvation, Definition, Endless torment, Resurrection, Sin, Joseph Smith, Temple, Tongues, Visions, Brigham Young, Zion.
Small Subject Note Cards
17
Subjects include: [no subject], Miracles, Money Digging, Prophecy, Stone, Translation, Wars, Witnesses, Plates in Book of Mormon, Population, Language (Philology), Literary, Tantology, Verbs, Ungrammatical, Merit, Logic, Anachronisms, Whitmer.
General Materials
Tourist Pamphlets and Maps for Intermountain West
18
Memories of Our Father and Grandfather: LaMar Petersen, 1910-2005
2005
19
1
General Materials
1979-1991
20
This box contains news clippings and other materials regarding the Mormon Church.