James D. Still Mormon history collection
Collection
Identifier: ACCN 1591
Scope and Contents
The James D. Still Mormon history collection (1834-2010) contains Still's research files on Mormon history, Oliver Cowdery in particular. The collection consists of Still's files acquired over his years of research. A large portion of his research concerns Oliver Cowdery, a leading figure in the early years of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). The articles, news clippings, correspondence, index and other research material pertaining specifically to Cowdery, his role as one of three witnesses to the Book of Mormon, and his disassociation and later reassociation with the church are housed in box 1.
Still also collected articles and news clippings on other notable LDS and RLDS (Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) individuals, particularly those connected with the founding of these churches and associates of Cowdery, which are contained in box 2. Subject files housed in box 3 concern issues such as the writing of the Book of Mormon, The Book of Abraham, and the relationship between Masonry and the LDS Church. Along with the clippings and articles contained in the name and subject files, Still collected publications and books on LDS History. Full length publications and books (many of them photocopied) are in box 4, while shorter articles and essays are in box 5. Still also corresponded with and kept files on other writers of LDS Church history which are kept in box 6. Box 7 contains reference materials on libraries, historical sites and theses. Box 8 contains a series of articles written by Still titled, "In Search of the Hollow Earth."
Still also collected articles and news clippings on other notable LDS and RLDS (Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) individuals, particularly those connected with the founding of these churches and associates of Cowdery, which are contained in box 2. Subject files housed in box 3 concern issues such as the writing of the Book of Mormon, The Book of Abraham, and the relationship between Masonry and the LDS Church. Along with the clippings and articles contained in the name and subject files, Still collected publications and books on LDS History. Full length publications and books (many of them photocopied) are in box 4, while shorter articles and essays are in box 5. Still also corresponded with and kept files on other writers of LDS Church history which are kept in box 6. Box 7 contains reference materials on libraries, historical sites and theses. Box 8 contains a series of articles written by Still titled, "In Search of the Hollow Earth."
Dates
- 1834-2010
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
Still was born in 1940. Completely deaf, Still entered the South Dakota School for Deaf in Sioux Falls in 1947, where he remained until completing high school. In 1960, Still enrolled in Gallaudet College in Washington, DC, where he stayed for a year and a half. After a stint as a printer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he attended Northwest Technical Institute to take draftsman courses. While there, Still met missionaries from the LDS Church and was baptized into that church. After sixteen years of membership, his research into LDS Church history (The Book of Abraham in particular) lead him to give up his belief in the LDS Church. After writing and distributing an essay, "Why I Left the Mormon Church," Still was excommunicated on April 17, 1980. Still's interest in LDS Church history, however, did not waiver, and the files in the collection are the result of that interest.
Extent
2.75 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The James D. Still Mormon history collection (1834-2010) contains articles, clippings, correspondence, an index, and other research materials on Mormon history, particularly Oliver Cowdery, the writing of the Book of Mormon and the Book of Abraham, and the relationship between Masonry and the LDS Church.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Boxes 1-7 were donated in 1996. Folder 14 of Box 7 was donated in 2005.
Box 8 was donated by James D. Still in 2010.
Box 8 was donated by James D. Still in 2010.
Separated Materials
Photographs were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections (P0685).
Processing Information
Processed by Tad Davies in 1996.
Addendum processed by Sam Passey in 2005.
Addendum processed by Betsey Welland in 2013.
Addendum processed by Sam Passey in 2005.
Addendum processed by Betsey Welland in 2013.
- Title
- Inventory of the James D. Still Mormon history collection
- Author
- Finding aid created by Tad Davies.
- Date
- 1996 (last modified: 2019)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Revision Statements
- 2005: Finding aid revised by Sam Passey.
- 2013: Finding aid revised by Betsey Welland.
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