History Commons^™

History Of The South African Mission Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, 1853-1970, Farrell Ray Monson

Theses and Dissertations

The history of the South African Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1853-1970) describes the progress of the Church in South Africa from its inception until the present time. Missionary proselyting activities in the land are traced, and the major historical developments of the mission are discussed.

In 1853 three missionaries began Mormon proselyting activities in the Cape Province and within six months they had baptized forty-five persons, established two branches, and organized the first conference of the Church.

Despite mob violence and opposition from the clergy, civil authorities, and the press, the Church continued to …

An Analysis Of The Role Of Temples In The Establishment Of Zion, C. Max Caldwell

Theses and Dissertations

The establishment of Zion has been a goal of interest to every dispensation. The building of temples and participation in temple ordinances has likewise been a practice of many generations throughout history. In the present dispensation, Joseph Smith declared the need to construct temples in connection with the building of a Latter-day Zion.

The purpose of this study has been to discover a correlation between temple activity and the development of the Church membership in their preparation for the establishment of Zion. It has been concluded that the temples do perform a very significant role in the development of the …

History Of Utah's Salt Industry 1847-1970, John L. Clark

Theses and Dissertations

Utah salt makers have extracted salt from three sources, the principal of these being brine from Great Salt Lake. Other sources are saline beds in Great Salt Lake Desert and subterranean halite formations in central Utah.

This study traces the development of methods used to recover and refine salt by the industry, in general, and by specific companies. It provides brief, historical sketches of the major corporations and the economic, legal, and environmental factors affecting their growth.

Utah produces about 1 per cent of the nation's salt, exporting over half of it from the state. The major factors limiting the …

The Design And Implementation Of A Missionary Language Course In Aymara, Joseph Orville Davidson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is a set of materials in colloquial Aymara, an indigenous language spoken by nearly one million people on the "altiplano" of Bolivia and southeastern Peru. It is designed for use by missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints assigned to the Bolivia Mission. It was prepared on the assumption that missionaries will have completed approximately three weeks of intensive Spanish language training prior to beginning this course.

Each lesson has a pre-class module which previews the vocabulary, grammar, and memorization assignments found in the in-class module, and increases the student's listening comprehension. The in-class module …

George Reynolds: The Early Years, Grant R. Hardy

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this writing is to present a biography of George Reynolds from 1842 through 1872. This study was made using the historical approach of doing research. The primary sources were the "Journal of George Reynolds" in six volumes and personal interviews with his living descendants. Other unpublished documents were discovered, such as copies of letters and short sketches, and were used in the writing.

This biography is principally limited to a study of the first thirty years of the life of George Reynolds. It includes his early life, conversion, and first mission; his service as mission secretary and …

Janne Mattson Sjodahl: Baptist Minister, Convert To Mormonism, Editor, Author And Missionary, Bernt G. Lundgren

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this writing is to bring to light the life and accomplishments of Janne Mattson Sjodahl.
He was born in Karlshamn, Sweden, to Lutheran parents. While still in his teens, he joined the Baptist Church. After two years of study at Betelseminariet, he became a Baptist minister. Between 1872 and 1886, he rose to prominence among Scandinavian Baptists and became the General Secretary of the Norwegian Baptist Union in 1879. Due to irregular behavior, he was excommunicated from the Baptist Church in 1886. Introduced to Mormonism that same year, he decided to travel to Utah to investigate first …

A History Of Utah's Territorial Capitol Building At Fillmore, 1851-1969, Richard W. Payne

Theses and Dissertations

The history of Utah's Territorial Capitol Building at Fillmore began in 1851 when Brigham Young desired a central location for the capital of the newly created Territory. Only one wing of the four wing plan was completed, because misunderstandings had arisen between Mormon and Federal officials that prevented further finances from being sent to Utah, and only one complete session of the Legislature met at Fillmore, in December 1855. Two one-day sessions were held there in December 1856 and December 1858. The 1856 session adjourned to Salt Lake until the Federal Government would send funds for the completion of the …

A Study Of The Contributions Of Andrew Jenson To The Writing And Preservation Of Lds Church History, Keith W. Perkins

Theses and Dissertations

Andrew Jenson, Assistant Church Historian, was one of the most prolific writers of LDS Church History. Born in Damgren, Denmark, he immigrated to Utah when he was fifteen years old. Because of his lack of training, his early life was spent in various manual labor occupations. None of these was satisfying to him; he longed for something better. He began compiling and writing Church history. In this he found much joy and happiness. His labors were soon recognized by the General Authorities of the LDS church, and he was permanently engaged as a historian in the Church historian's office. He …

A Political Biography Of George Henry Dern, Robert W. Wells Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis will review the political life of George H. Dern emphasizing the utah period. The last chapter will briefly describe Dern's activities after the completion of his second term as governor of Utah in 1932.

The Life And Contributions Of Lyman Wight, Philip C. Wightman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to collect under one cover accounts of the significant events in the life of Lyman Wight and his contributions to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

History Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints In New Zealand, Brian W. Hunt

Theses and Dissertations

The History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand begins with the arrival of Mormon missionaries in New Zealand in 1854. They established themselves firmly among the Maori people during the 1880's. Their success was influenced by certain Maori prophecies and by the translation of the Book of Mormon into Maori. The LDS church made successful efforts in educating it's members by establishing schools as early as 1886. The mission established the Maori Agriculture College in 1913 and the Church College of New Zealand in 1958. A highlight in the history of the mission was …

History Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints In Switzerland, Dale Z. Kirby

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis gives an account of the establishment and development of the LDS Church in Switzerland without attempting to record a comprehensive chronological history. Instead, emphasis has been placed on beginnings and major historical developments.

In 1850, T. B. H. Stenhouse began teaching the "restored gospel" in French-Switzerland, at Geneva. Proselyting began in German-Switzerland in 1854. Despite mob violence and opposition from the clergy, press and civil authorities, some 9,846 joined the Church and 4,700 of these emigrated to "Zion." The discouragement of emigration, along with new emphasis on missionary work and improved proselyting methods, brought an unprecedented growth in …

A History Of The Genealogical Society Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints To 1970, Merrill S. Lofthouse

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is a study of the growth and development of the various departments of the Genealogical Society and how they contributed to the function of the total organization. The following was considered with each department: (1) the date of organization, (2) purpose for which organized, (3) methods used to carry out responsibilities, (4) function and interaction with other departments of the organization.

Activities of the Genealogical Society were evaluated on the basis of the following major roles: (1) as an agency for locating researchers, (2) agency to make records available to search, (3) a clearing house for records prior …

A Comparison Of Passages From Isaiah And Other Old Testament Prophets In Ethan Smith's View Of The Hebrews And The Book Of Mormon, William L. Riley

Theses and Dissertations

The Book of Mormon, having long been a work of great interest to me, became a natural area of study for my Master's program. I was directed by Roy W. Doxey and Paul R. Chessman who brought to my attention several areas of the Book of Mormon which needed to be investigated for clarification and deeper understanding. The area which was settled on centered around a book which was written seven years prior to the publishing of the Book of Mormon. The controversy which surrounds the View of the Hebrews by Ethan Smith is similar to the "Spalding Manuscript" controversy …

A Study Of The Artistic Philosophy Of Mahonri Mackintosh Young, Albert John Swensen

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine Mahonri M. Young's philosophy of art as recorded in his personal writings and the writings of his contemporaries—particularly his close friend, Jack Sears.

Magazines, books, newspapers, and miscellaneous unpublished materials such as letters, theses, scrapbooks and personal papers were examined for the purpose of becoming more familiar with the character and personality of Mahonri Young. From these sources of information the following was attempted: (1) to record anecdotes and experiences which may have had some significance on the development of his philosophy, (2) to glean from his own writings his feelings and …

The Song Of The Righteous: An Historical And Literary Analysis Of The Latter-Day Saint Hymnal, Ruth Alene Thomson Symons

Theses and Dissertations

The hymnal of the Latter-day Saints first proposed only shortly after the organization of the Church and published continually every few years between 1835 and 1871, is a remarkably accurate indicator of the changing fortunes and beliefs of the early Saints. The first hymnal, gathered by Emma Smith, uncompromisingly sets forth the basic Mormon belief in man's free agency, his innate perfectability, and his kinship to his Heavenly Father. Later editions reflect the missionary concerns of the church (1840), the tremendous persecution the saints are subjected to (1841), the Church difficulties after the martyrdom of Joseph Smith (1849), the call …

A History Of The Deseret Alphabet, Larry Ray Wintersteen

Theses and Dissertations

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during the years 1852-1877, introduced to its membership a form of rhetoric (writing system) called the deseret alphabet (phonetic alphabet). This experiment was intended to alleviate the problem of non-communication which was created by the great influx of foreign speaking Saints into the great Salt Lake Valley.
The alphabet was developed and encouraged by the Prophet Brigham Young and a few followers. Much to their dismay the members of the Church did not have the same vision of its workability as did its promoters.
This new alphabet appears not to have met …

The Contributions Of George A. Smith To The Establishment Of The Mormon Society In The Territory Of Utah, C. Kent Dunford

Theses and Dissertations

This study is an examination of the contributions made by George A. Smith (1817-1875) to the Mormon society in the Utah Territory. It is an historical exposition and appraisal of his work as a Church leader, colonizer, historian, military leader, and politician.

George A. Smith was one of the most distinguished Mormon leaders during Brigham Young's administration as Church President. He played a vital role in aiding the exiled saints living in Iowa to complete the long exodus to Utah. The first colonizing mission to venture south of Utah Valley was led by George A. Smith. He acted as an …

The School Of The Prophets: Its Development And Influence In Utah Territory, John R. Patrick

Theses and Dissertations

Four separate and distinct Schools of the Prophets were organized by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph Smith Jr. organized the first school in the spring of 1833, and it functioned periodically until 1837. Brigham Young organized the second school in December 1867, as a part of the University of the State of Deseret. It functioned until August of 1872 when Brigham Young disbanded it because members failed to adhere to its rules. Three months later he reorganized on a limited basis a third school in Salt Lake City. This school existed until the summer of 1874 …

Appleton Milo Harmon - Builder In Zion, Guy E. Stringham

Theses and Dissertations

As a builder, policeman, missionary, wagonmaster and militiaman Appleton Milo Harmon, during his eventful life, took part in many of the important events of early Mormondom. Through him one is able to relive the events of Nauvoo and the exodus to Winter Quarters. He participated in the destruction of the Expositor Press, and in the building of Mt. Pisgah, Winter Quarters, the famous roadometer and the Platte River Ferry.

After a mission to England, Appleton returned to Salt Lake to build sawmills in Emigration Canyon and to help in the erection of many buildings in the Salt Lake area. During …

Populist Thought In North And South Dakota, 1890-1900, Brian J. Weed

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the number of general and specific studies of Populism, there is no unanimity of opinion on the progressive or retrogressive nature of Populist thought, nor on its specific characteristics. By examining the specific attributes of Populism through newspapers, manuscripts, and public documents, this case study focuses on the progressive or retrogressive nature of North and South Dakota Populist thought.

On the whole, North Dakota Populism fails to reveal a progressive nature. First, the North Dakota Populists lacked a viable movement. Secondly, their thought and political endeavors suggest opportunism rather than progressivism. Thirdly, the common ground of their thought discloses …

Orson Hyde And The Carson Valley Mission, 1855-1857, Albert R. Page

Theses and Dissertations

The Mormon Church has for years been given credit by historians for the settlement of Carson Valley. Prior to 1854 the LDS Church actually had no connection with that valley except that it was part of the Utah Territory, which the Church controlled. When political dissension against the Mormons developed in Carson Valley, Brigham Young decided to organize the area into a county in 1854. The following year he sent Orson Hyde and other officials there to organize the county government. Within a year Hyde so influenced Young that he agreed to send 250 colonists to Carson Valley in order …

Albert D. J. Cashier And The Ninety-Fifth Illinois Infantry ( 1844-1915 ), Mary Catherine Lannon

Theses and Dissertations

An historical account of a person who fought in the Civil War and subsequently lived in Central Illinois. It is primarily based on official records, letters, interviews, and newspaper articles.

An Early History Of The Community Of Park City, Utah, Oscar F. Jesperson Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Park City, Utah, has been one of the most permanent mining camps in Utah. While constituting the industrial and population center of Summit County, it has contributed over one half billions dollars to the economies of Utah and the nation. This thesis deals with the early years of Park City, 1869-1910. This period saw an influx and combination of several ethnic groups which served to enrich the cultural history of Park City. Religion and social organizations were a major part of the life of this community. The political effect of this mining camp on Summit County and the Territory of …

A History Of Utah's First Playground, Delmar Peirce Williams

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine and verify the historical accounts that describe and validate Lindsey Gardens in Salt Lake City as the first playground established in Utah and perhaps the first in the nation.

The 1966 Republican Campaign In North Dakota, Joseph Charles Crawford

Theses and Dissertations

The 1966 Republican Campaign in North Dakota discusses the efforts of the Party from May, 1965 through November, 1966. The pre-convention period illustrates the effort of the North Dakota Republicans to rebuild their organization after the 1964 defeat. Analysis of this effort is made with regard to finances, organization, and research.

The study then discusses the 1966 state convention, the rise of youth in the Party organization, background and insight into all the races, and a complete tabulation of all ballots. Special emphasis is placed on the problem of the John Birch Society and on how that problem was resolved …

The Nonpartisan League : A Quest Of Community, Leonard Wentz

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is the examination and appraisal of the rise and decline of the Nonpartisan League as a mass movement in North Dakota. Previous interpretations have been mostly economic in nature. This study interprets the League members I situation from the socio-psychological view. This thesis will attempt to show the editorial directions of leading newspapers with regard to the agrarian situation from 1916 to 1920.

The procedure involved a study of the sociological conditions of the North Dakota farmers before they accepted the Nonpartisan League ideology. The Nonpartisan Leader's editorial policy was viewed to show its interpretation …

History Of Fort Pembina 1870-1895, William D. Thomson

Theses and Dissertations

The unsettled status of the Red River Valley during the 1860's made inevitable the establishment of a military post near the 49^th Parallel. The Minnesota Uprising in 1862 caused a band of Sioux Indians, responsible for the massacre, to flee to Canada to escape punishment by the military. In 1863, a hastily organized battalion established a temporary fort at Pembina to capture the renegades. After accomplishing its mission, the battalion abandoned the post in 1864.

With the end of the Civil War, people looked to the frontier for fertile lands to settle; but the Indian threat kept them out …

The Godbeite Movement: A Dissent Against Temporal Control, Grant H. Palmer

Theses and Dissertations

The approach of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 posed several real and imagined threats to the Mormon Kingdom in the Great Basin. The Pacific Railroad ended Mormon geographic isolation and brought economic competition from the States. The railroad also made it possible for miners to get to the gold fields faster and with the heave equipment necessary to make Utah mining profitable. Sensing the political problems and the social and moral evils that would accompany the railroad, the Mormon leaders, in hopes of meeting these problems, counseled to extend their economic goal of self-sufficiency. Through stepped-up cooperation and unity they …

Samuel Brannan: Speculator In Mexican Lands, W. Ray Luce Iii

Theses and Dissertations

Samuel Brannan has almost become a legend in the history of the American West. Having led a group of Mormons around the Horn to California in 1846, he became a business and political leader in early California. He gained great wealth in speculation and merchandising, and is noted for his activities in the Vigilance Committee of 1851, his part in heralding the gold rush, and his developments in Calistoga and elsewhere.
Although much has been written about Brannan, very little of it deals with the last years of his life. Very little factual information has been available on his activities …