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The Silent Majority: Conservative Perception, Mobilization, And Rhetoric At The Utah State International Women's Year Conference, Jenny Lynn Mcgee Harris Mar 2005

The Silent Majority: Conservative Perception, Mobilization, And Rhetoric At The Utah State International Women's Year Conference, Jenny Lynn Mcgee Harris

Theses and Dissertations

Held in 1977, the Utah State International Women's Year (IWY) Conference became a battleground. Mobilized by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) and conservative groups, 14,000 women revolted against the state coordinating committee. Chaired by Jan Tyler, Utah's IWY committee tried to plan the conference to include both liberals and conservatives; however, they found themselves overwhelmed by the audience. The participants rejected all nationally formulated resolutions, voted against or reworded workshop sponsored resolutions, and elected to the National IWY Conference an overwhelmingly LDS, conservative slate of delegates. Mobilization of conservatives at Utah's meeting was complex. The LDS …


A Diabolical Disneyland In Zion: The Mormons And The Mx, Jacob W. Olmstead Jan 2005

A Diabolical Disneyland In Zion: The Mormons And The Mx, Jacob W. Olmstead

Theses and Dissertations

In September 1979 President Jimmy Carter publicly announced his decision to support the deployment of the MX missile and mobile basing scheme in Utah and Nevada. Despite local opposition and the close proximity of the proposed base to its headquarters, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) remained silent until 5 May 1981, when the First Presidency issued a statement opposing the MX plans. The purpose of this work is to narrate the history of the development of the Mormon position regarding the deployment of MX missile in the Great Basin and evaluate the response to the statement …


The "Unidentified Pioneers": An Analysis Of Staffordshire Mormons, 1837 To 1870, Stephen G. Arrowsmith Jan 2003

The "Unidentified Pioneers": An Analysis Of Staffordshire Mormons, 1837 To 1870, Stephen G. Arrowsmith

Theses and Dissertations

The evidence presented in this thesis advocates an increased level of scholarly interest in English working-class Mormon converts. To illustrate who these people were, and what their roles were as part of Mormon story, this regional study introduces and makes available over twelve hundred Staffordshire Mormons, and asks questions of the collected statistical information. The conservative Staffordshire Mormons clearly assisted the establishment, and continuation, off a Zion in the American West. Much of the data confirms previous scholarship; however, those with “differing visions” of Mormonism (for example, the RLDS Church) attracted Staffordshire converts in larger numbers than previously suggested. The …


History Of The Lds Southern States Mission, 1875-1898, Heather M. Seferovich Jan 1996

History Of The Lds Southern States Mission, 1875-1898, Heather M. Seferovich

Theses and Dissertations

This in-depth study of late nineteenth-century missionary work in the Southern States Mission examines the encounter of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with the American South. It highlights some of the region's varying conditions affecting missionary work and reports the elders' responses to new and different situations, peoples, and subcultures. Examining missionary work from the elders' viewpoint creates a better understanding of what the missionaries experienced and how they reacted to new situations outside the Mormon "corridor" of settlement in the American West. The statistical analysis of the 1,689 elders in the Mission reveals new details about …


A Naturalistic Study Of The History Of Mormon Quilts And Their Influence On Today's Quilters, Helen-Louise Hancey Jan 1996

A Naturalistic Study Of The History Of Mormon Quilts And Their Influence On Today's Quilters, Helen-Louise Hancey

Theses and Dissertations

This interpretive study investigated the "quilt" and its significance to Latter-day Saint Women. Mormon master quilters were chosen because of their knowledge of fabrics, patterns, and symbolism, their skill levels, and their intense interest in quilting. The researcher conducted interviews with the master quilters from July 1995 to April 1996. Field notes were taken and data concerning both observed actions and verbal comments regarding the importance of the quilt were collected, charted, coded, and analyzed.

Several dominant patterns and themes emerged from analyses of the data, including: quilting is an enjoyable and active art form among Mormon women, pattern selection …


Mormons And Germany, 1914-1933: A History Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints In Germany And Its Relationship With The German Governments From World War I To The Rise Of Hitler, Jeffery L. Anderson Jan 1991

Mormons And Germany, 1914-1933: A History Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints In Germany And Its Relationship With The German Governments From World War I To The Rise Of Hitler, Jeffery L. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

This paper focuses on the Church's struggle in establishing itself in Germany with cultural, social, political and religious problems. The cultural and social problems focus primarily on the interaction between Mormon-American missionaries and leaders who preached Mormonism in a society somewhat different from their own. The political problems concern historical events such as the first world war, the inflation of 1923 in Germany, and the rise of Hitler, while the religious problems focus on the Church's interaction with other faiths who generally opposed it and the struggle of missionaries to establish congregations.


Saints In The Secular City: A History Of The Los Angeles Stake, Chad M. Orton Jan 1989

Saints In The Secular City: A History Of The Los Angeles Stake, Chad M. Orton

Theses and Dissertations

Beginning in 1847 and continuing to the turn of the century, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) were encouraged to gather to Utah, where they formed communities seperated from the evils of the world around them. While Mormonism continues to be closely associated with Utah, in 1989 it is a world-wide church with nearly seven million members, most residing outside of Utah, and many of these in major urban areas. Nevertheless, few studies have been made of how the Church has developed outside of Utah.

When the Los Angeles Stake was organized in 1923, it …


Thomas Bullock: A Man Doing His Duty, Jerald F. Simon Jan 1988

Thomas Bullock: A Man Doing His Duty, Jerald F. Simon

Theses and Dissertations

Thomas Bullock was intimately associated with leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for more than twenty-five years. He served twenty-one years in the Church Historian's office and also clerked in many city, county, and territorial positions, acting as scribe, clerk, and personal secretary to Joseph Smith Jr., Brigham Young, Willard Richards, and the Twelve Apostles. During this time he was privy to important events of late Nauvoo and early Utah Mormon history. His was a critical role in not only recording the history, but also in the gathering and preservation of historical documents. As a clerk …


Mormons In Victorian England, Jan G. Harris Jan 1987

Mormons In Victorian England, Jan G. Harris

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is a study of the members of the Manchester Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1838 – 1860. It is a social examination of the converts and reveals that Manchester Mormons were prototypes of many members who joined the Church throughout England.

Most Mormons were young, and were baptized in their twenties or early thirties. Many were single. The Mormon congregation was representative of the working class citizenry of town. Almost all worked with their hands. Living conditions varied. Some members were affluent by working class standards and some barely survived. However, the …


Hiram Page: An Historical And Sociological Analysis Of An Early Mormon Prototype, Bruce G. Stewart Jan 1987

Hiram Page: An Historical And Sociological Analysis Of An Early Mormon Prototype, Bruce G. Stewart

Theses and Dissertations

Recent sociological studies propose a model for understanding early Mormonism in its cultural context. Such models, while experimental, suggest commonalities between Mormonism and contemporary millennial sects. Enthusiastic beginnings, early convert response to American millennialism, the containment of charisma through institutionalization, discomfiture of Mormon millenial expectation, and the process of apostasy within the church provide the parameters of this study.

The life of Hiram Page, an early convert, is used as a foil to this end. Page is prototypal of the original band of followers who were attracted to Joseph Smith. Drawn to Joseph for spiritual comfort, Page and his associates …


An Examination Of The Mormon Settlement Of Syracuse, Utah, J. Kent Tucker Jan 1987

An Examination Of The Mormon Settlement Of Syracuse, Utah, J. Kent Tucker

Theses and Dissertations

The history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commonly referred to as the "Mormon" church, has been well researched, yet little has been written about individual community histories. This work centers on the small Mormon community of Syracuse, Utah, located about twenty-five miles north of Salt Lake City on the eastern shore of the Great Salt Lake. From its inception in 1877 through 1987, the community of Syracuse continues to be dominated by the Latter-day Saint (Mormon) influence. This thesis examines the development of this LDS Church settlement, giving emphasis to the early history of the area, …


From Babylon To Zion: The Life Of William Mclachlan, A British Convert To The Mormon Church, Winifred Morse Mclachlan Jan 1986

From Babylon To Zion: The Life Of William Mclachlan, A British Convert To The Mormon Church, Winifred Morse Mclachlan

Theses and Dissertations

William McLachlan, a Scotsman, was converted to the L. D. S. Church, in Braintree, Essex, England in 1859. The motivating factor in his life was his faith that Joseph Smith was a prophet to whom the Lord had restored the precepts of the original Christian church. His journals, his letters, his speeches, his life, were oriented toward one ultimate goal, to build the Kingdom of God and to gain a place for himself and his family in that kingdom.
This thesis is a biography of his life and examines his emigration to Zion, his settlement and adjustment to the frontier, …


The Girl Scouts In Utah: An Administrative History, 1921-1985, Jennifer L. Lund Jan 1986

The Girl Scouts In Utah: An Administrative History, 1921-1985, Jennifer L. Lund

Theses and Dissertations

Girl Scouting began in Utah in 1921 out of a desire of several wealthy women to help build the character of young girls in Ogden. Exhibiting many elements of the "social gospel" aspect of progressivism, they adopted the Girl Scout program which emphasized preparation for practical living, appreciation of nature, and development of character.
Since the first troops were organized in Ogden, Girl Scouting slowly spread throughout the rest of the state, resulting in several Councils and Lone Troops. After responding to a call for consolidation from the National Girl Scout Council the Utah Scouts made a dramatic change in …


The Nonconformists Of Leeds In The Early Victorian Era: A Study In Social Composition, Susan L. Fales Jan 1984

The Nonconformists Of Leeds In The Early Victorian Era: A Study In Social Composition, Susan L. Fales

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examined the Nonconformist denominational membership in the Borough of Leeds during the early Victorian era to determine the social composition of its members. The chapel goers of Old Dissent, represented by the Unitarians, Baptists, Independents, and the Society of Friends, and New Dissent, represented by the Wesleyan Methodists, Methodist New Connexion, Primitive Methodists and the Mormons were the basis for this study. The results of the occupational, residential, family, and migration analysis revealed a surprisingly high percentage of working classes (72) represented among the Dissenters. This fact flys in the face of contemporary observation and historical investigation, which …


A History Of Mormon Periodicals From 1830 To 1838, Richard G. Moore Jan 1983

A History Of Mormon Periodicals From 1830 To 1838, Richard G. Moore

Theses and Dissertations

The "Mormon" Church has published over one hundred different periodicals since the purchase of its first printing press in 1831. The early Latter-day Saint newspapers set many precedents for the myriad of Mormon publications that would follow. This is a study of the periodicals of the Church from its origin in 1830 to the exile of its members from missouri in 1839. It discusses the reasons and purposes behind early Mormon journalism and the effects of this printed material on Mormon history.

This work also gives a history of the five church periodicals published during the era mentioned above, specifically, …


Mormon Land Ownership As A Factor In Evaluating The Extent Of Mormon Settlements And Influence In Missouri 1831-1841, Wayne J. Lewis Jan 1981

Mormon Land Ownership As A Factor In Evaluating The Extent Of Mormon Settlements And Influence In Missouri 1831-1841, Wayne J. Lewis

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis has been to demonstrate as clearly as possible the full extent of Mormon Land in Missouri during the years 1831-1841. An identification has been made of the names of several thousand of these early Mormons and will further show the scope of Mormonism during this period. This study will add detail to what previous writers have stated about this trying period for Mormonism.

As accurately as possible, the author has identified where the Mormon settlements were, through graphs and charts. It has been demonstrated that the Mormon population extended beyond the traditional areas they have …


The World And Joseph Smith, Lane D. Ward Jan 1980

The World And Joseph Smith, Lane D. Ward

Theses and Dissertations

It is felt by some historians that Joseph Smith was a product of his environment; that his teachings were the amplifications of religious doctrines surrounding his life experience in early America.
Some writings which have been published show similarities between Joseph's "Mormonism" and contemporary religions.
It should be rememebered, however, that if Joseph Smith's call, as restorer, were all that he professed it to be (and he was not alone in that profession), there would, indeed, exist paralleling truths surrounding his "restored" gospel. For, as Joseph tells us, the gospel was preached from the beginning. If that is true, we …


Joseph Smith Iii: Moderate Mormon, Robert Duane Hutchins Jan 1977

Joseph Smith Iii: Moderate Mormon, Robert Duane Hutchins

Theses and Dissertations

Throughout the history of the Mormon movement, certain members or groups of members, have exercised free agency in the form of dissent against the direction which the prophet of that church chose to lead his movement. The form of this dissent varied but the theme was usually quite consistant: a demand for moderation. For many of these dissenters the extremes of Mormon doctrine seemed to take them out of touch with prevailing American values.

Joseph Smith III, a son of the Mormon founder, proved to be one of these moderates. He ultimately rejected all of his father's more radical theology …


Formal Reporting Systems Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, 1830-1975, Dennis H. Smith Jan 1976

Formal Reporting Systems Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, 1830-1975, Dennis H. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Since its organization, the Church has kept records of its members and their Church activity. The foremost means of gathering this data has been printed report forms. This thesis traces the history of formal reports used by the Church and emphasizes information on membership and vital data as well as activity in Priesthood and auxiliary organizations. Financial reports of organizations and individual persons, as well as personalized confidential reports and minutes of meetings were not used. The thesis analyzes the type of information called for rather than the statistical figures themselves.


For God And Country: Mormon Chaplains During World War Ii, Richard Maher Jan 1975

For God And Country: Mormon Chaplains During World War Ii, Richard Maher

Theses and Dissertations

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) is a lay church inasmuch as it has no professionally trained ministers. Because of this, the Chaplains Corps during World War II questioned whether members of the Mormon faith could serve effectively as chaplains. The answer to the effectiveness of Mormon chaplains is found in their performance as many received high praise from their superiors.
During the Second World War, the Mormon Church provided the military services with a total of 45 chaplains, and although only 45 served, they saw duty in all theaters of war and served at such major …


The Settlement And Development Of Wayne County, Utah, To 1900, Aldus Devon Chappell Jan 1975

The Settlement And Development Of Wayne County, Utah, To 1900, Aldus Devon Chappell

Theses and Dissertations

Although John C. Fremont had traveled through Wayne County, Utah, in the winter of 1853-54, it was not until 1874 that the first herd of cattle was introduced to Rabbit Valley. Reports soon circulated that here was a new land, conducive to the raising of livestock, and in 1876 about a dozen families entered the valley and began settlement. Families that moved into this area came from various places. Each settler came to make a new life, and came independently of the others. In 1895 the population was nearly 2,000, and by 1970 it had dropped to 1,486.

The Church …


Home Teaching: Attempts By The Latter-Day Saints To Establish An Effective Program During The Nineteenth Century, Gary L. Phelps Jan 1975

Home Teaching: Attempts By The Latter-Day Saints To Establish An Effective Program During The Nineteenth Century, Gary L. Phelps

Theses and Dissertations

Even though home teaching is not unique with the Mormons, its present methods and utilization are unlike the teaching practices used by other churches. The purpose of this thesis is to study Mormon attempts to establish effective home teaching practices within their Church during the nineteenth century.


A Study Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints In Upper Canada, 1830-1850, Richard E. Bennett Jan 1975

A Study Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints In Upper Canada, 1830-1850, Richard E. Bennett

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to critically examine the factors contributing to the rise and subsequent decline of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Upper Canada. Although the time period of this study spans from 1830 until 1850, the principal years of activity were from 1832 until 1840. An effort is made to discuss any major location wherein the Church made substantial progress.

The major contribution of the thesis lies in the effort to stage the Mormon drama against a Canadian background of changing social factors. During the times of greatest economic stagnation, political upheaval and …


The Life And Contributions Of Zebedee Coltrin, Calvin Robert Stephens Jan 1974

The Life And Contributions Of Zebedee Coltrin, Calvin Robert Stephens

Theses and Dissertations

Zebedee Coltrin join The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints January 9, 1831, and remained faithful to the teachings of the Church until his death on July 21, 1887. During those fifty-six years he played a prominent part in such significant events as the organization of the School of the Prophets, the march of Zion's Camp, and the organization of the First Quorum of the Seventy. He was called to be one of the Seven Presidents of the First Quorum of the Seventy. He spent sixteen years of his life doing missionary work.

He was one of the original …


History Of Mormon Exhibits In World Expositions, Gerald Joseph Peterson Jan 1974

History Of Mormon Exhibits In World Expositions, Gerald Joseph Peterson

Theses and Dissertations

The history of Mormon Exhibits in world expositions is an important chapter in the over-all accounting of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints total missionary program. In seeking more proficient means for accomplishing this task, involvement in world expositions offered a fresh opportunity to which the Church quickly responded. Finances, inexperience, non-acceptance by the world religious community and struggle for security appeared to be significant obstacles to extensive activity in early world's fairs.

Eventually as the Church strengthened, it became less the national spectacle and significantly was given its first real world's fair opportunity in an exhibit sponsored …


The Box Elder Stake Academy In Its Historical Setting, Byron L. Parkinson Jan 1973

The Box Elder Stake Academy In Its Historical Setting, Byron L. Parkinson

Theses and Dissertations

The Box Elder Stake Academy was a part of the Church System of Academies under the direction of Karl G. Maeser. The historical setting of Box Elder County is rather unique. It was here that Lorenzo Snow directed one of the most successful forms of the United Order. The nearby city of Corinne was established as one of the few gentile cities in Utah, and from there a new crusade to end Mormon rule in Utah was begun.

The Box Elder Stake Academy was one of the first academies created under the direction of the First Presidency of the Church. …


Alexander William Doniphan, The Forgotten Man From Missouri, Gregory P. Maynard Jan 1973

Alexander William Doniphan, The Forgotten Man From Missouri, Gregory P. Maynard

Theses and Dissertations

Few men on the Missouri frontier in the nineteenth century exemplified the quality of character, integrity, as well as did Alexander William Doniphan. Whether in his capacity as a lawyer, soldier, legislator or friend, he remained steadfast to his beliefs and principles, though often in the minority.
Several books have been written about Doniphan's military experiences during the Mexican War. But surprisingly this is the only part of his life which so far has been reported in great detail. The other aspects of his career have been treated only in a sketchy manner. It is therefore the purpose of this …


A History Of The Schools And Educational Programs Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints In Ohio And Missouri, 1831-1839, Orlen Curtis Peterson Jan 1972

A History Of The Schools And Educational Programs Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints In Ohio And Missouri, 1831-1839, Orlen Curtis Peterson

Theses and Dissertations

This study is a history of the schools and educational programs organized and maintained by the LDS Church while the saints resided in Ohio and Missouri between the years of 1831 and 1839. The instructors, curriculum, organizational structure, and the purpose of each school is given when information in these areas was available. In Kirtland, the Church organized the School of the Prophets, School of the Elders, Kirtland High School, Hebrew School, a singing school, a writing school, and a few grammar schools. The Church leaders in Missouri organized the Colesville school, a school in Independence, Far West School, and …


A Study To Determine Reasons Why Lds Students Were Not Enrolled In Lds Seminary In The Southern Alberta Seminary District During 1970-71, Robert Owen Mcclung Jan 1972

A Study To Determine Reasons Why Lds Students Were Not Enrolled In Lds Seminary In The Southern Alberta Seminary District During 1970-71, Robert Owen Mcclung

Theses and Dissertations

Religious education in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as given by the seminaries is to help youth achieve a meaningful testimony that God lives, Jesus is the Christ, and Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. The purpose of this study was to determine why some youth were not taking advantage of this training by enrolling in seminary.
It was determined that the teachers were a negligible reason for lack of enrollment. Rather, the reasons stemmed more from a lack of awareness of the nature of the seminary program by some priesthood leaders, by the youth and …


The Union Pacific Railroad And The Mormon Church, 1868-1871: An In Depth Study Of The Financial Aspects Of Brigham Young's Grading Contract And Its Ultimate Settlement, Thomas M. Stevens Jan 1972

The Union Pacific Railroad And The Mormon Church, 1868-1871: An In Depth Study Of The Financial Aspects Of Brigham Young's Grading Contract And Its Ultimate Settlement, Thomas M. Stevens

Theses and Dissertations

In 1868, Brigham Young signed a grading contract with the Union Pacific Railroad to work on the transcontinental line in Utah. He sublet the job to other contractors who completed the work in February 1869. When the project was finished, there was still a great deal of money owed to Brigham Young by the Union Pacific and because of their financial difficulties, they were not able to meet the obligation immediately. To resolved the debt, Young sent Bishop John Sharp and Joseph A. Young to Boston in an effort to effect a settlement with the company. They obtain a partial …