LaMar Petersen papers

Collection

Identifier: MS 0524

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

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.

Dates

1829-2005

Creator

Petersen, LaMar, 1910-2005 (Person)

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

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.

Extent

11.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

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).

Immediate Source of Acquisition

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.

Separated Materials

Five tapes were removed to the Special Collections Multimedia Division collection (A0295).

Processing Information

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.