Ben E. Rich Southern States Mission scrapbook
Item
Identifier: ACCN 0038
Scope and Contents
The Ben E. Rich Southern States Mission scrapbook (1899-1902) contains Southern States Mission conference reports, copies of published anti-Mormon sermons by ministers of various religious denominations in the South, pamphlets written by Rich, a published interview in the Atlanta Constitution, news clippings, and personal letters. The letters illustrate how Rich solved problems relating to the missionaries: arrivals and transfers, love affairs, marriages, divorces, poverty, illnesses, and deaths. Mission problems are also illustrated by financial stresses and community persecutions and disturbances. Two typewritten memoranda are included, one concerning length of missions and the other concerning "blood atonement".
Dates
- 1899-1902
Creator
Language of Materials
Collection materials are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
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.
Conditions Governing 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.
Biographical Sketch
Benjamin Erastus Rich (1855-1913) was born in Salt Lake City to Charles C. Rich and Sarah D. Pea. He was one of fifty-two polygamous children. He served a mission to Great Britain, from 1881-1883, and returned in charge of nearly 700 immigrating Saints. He moved to Rexberg, Idaho, in 1893 where he took up publishing the Rexburg Press. After playing an active role in the Mormon Utah-Idaho community, he was called as the President of the Southern States Mission. The reception of missionaries during this time was often hostile and Rich faced many difficulties. The scrapbook documents a portion of them. In spite of the challenges, the Southern States Mission soon became considered the most successful in the Church at that time. In 1908 he was called to head the Eastern States Mission where he remained until his death in 1913.
Extent
0.25 Linear Feet (1 box)
Abstract
The Ben E. Rich Southern States Mission scrapbook (1899-1902) documents LDS missionary and proselyting in the Southern States Mission (Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia). Included are conference reports, pamphlets, anti-Mormon sermons, clippings, and personal correspondence. Rich was a native of Salt Lake City who served as head of the Southern States Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) from 1898 to 1908.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Ethel Strong in 1970.
Processing Information
Processed by Dorothy Mortensen in 1997.
Creator
- Title
- Inventory of the Ben E. Rich Southern States Mission scrapbook, 1899-1902
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Dorothy Mortensen
- Date
- © 1997 (last modified: 2020)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid encoded in English.
Repository Details
Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository
Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu