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Articles/Essays – Volume 03, No. 1
Among the Mormons: A Survey of Current Literature
The evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones.
Shakespeare, Julius Caesar,
Act iii, sc. 2, 1. 78 [Antony]
As in the past years, the spring bibliographical survey is concerned primarily with books, and thus includes a representation of the ever present anti-Mormon books, “faith-promoting” volumes, and works of some interest because Mormons or Mormonism is included in a significant portion of the text. The best recent example of the latter category is a work edited by Evon Z. Vogt and Ethel M. Albert, People of Rimrock: A Study of Values in Five Cultures (Harvard University Press, $9.95). The field research for this study was carried out in the Rimrock area of western New Mexico, which contains communities of Zunis, Spanish-Americans, Mormons, and Texan homesteaders. From 1949 to 1955 the Laboratory of Social Relations, Harvard University, produced numerous studies from its experience in Rimrock, including part of the now famous work by Thomas F. O’Dea, The Mormons. People of Rimrock is one of the terminal publications of the “Value Study,” and the preface to this work tells us something about the nature of the people studied: “The Texan homesteader community,” say the editors, “presented few special problems, if observers could avoid becoming embroiled in factional disputes. To those who went to church and manifested some interest in Mormon theology, the Mormon community also proved friendly. Not infrequently they attempted to convert project field workers. . . .” Another work which includes the L.D.S. influence in a broader study is The Current Status of Anthropological Research in the Great Basin: 1964 (Desert Research Institute, Reno). The theme here is Mormon-Indian relations.
For the collector of Mormon Americana, Archibald Hanna, Jr., has edited Utah and the Mormons (New Haven, Conn: Research Publications, Inc., 254 College Street, Free), a catalogue of rare Mormon publications that Research Publications will supply in microform or Xerox print. Incidentally, the free catalogue is an excellent bibliography of early works on the Mormons.
Two works that will never become collectors’ items, but which may be of interest to elements of the Church, are the Primary Children’s Hospital (Board of Directors, Primary Children’s Hospital, $4.95) and the History of the Relief Society, 1842-1966f (General Board of the Relief Society).
In spite of their frequent claim that they are on the edge of financial ruin, the Tanners (Jerald and Sandra) continue to reprint early Church works under the imprint of Modern Microfilm. Their latest efforts are Orson Pratt’s Works and Pamphlets by Orson Pratt (eight in number). In addition, these assiduous publishers have authored two anti-church works, The Mormon Kingdom and The Case Against Mormonism, both in loose leaf form, which will permit additions as published. The Utah Christian Tract Society (P.O. Box 725, La Mesa, California 92041) has sponsored the Rev. Wesley P. Walters’s New Light on Mormon Origins and Freda Stirling’s Freed from the Mormon Clutch, no doubt a sequel to The Perils of Pauline. An anti-Mormon periodical that was missed in the last issue is The Utah Free Press, A Socialist Monthly (P.O. Box 1902, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103) edited by John C. Chanonat. Additional works which may or may not be anti-Mormon but which, because they were not personally examined by this writer, could not definitely be categorized, are John L. Smith, / Visited the Temple (Clearfield, Utah: The Utah Evangel Press, $2.00) and three works by Ogden Kraut of Dugway, Utah, Blood Atonement, A Brief History of Re-Baptism, and Seer Stones (available from Zion’s Book store, Salt Lake City).
Evidence that the followers of James J. Strang are still active is Stanley L. Johnston’s, The Call and Ordination of Alexandre Roger Cafjiaux (privately printed). Johnston’s pamphlet is a review of Caffiaux’s claim to be the present-day successor of Strang. This unique item was listed in catalog number 43 of bookseller James F. Carr (41 Fifth Ave., N.Y. 10003).
Political biographies are again in vogue and Utah’s (or Mexico’s) own George Romney has received a lion’s share of literary attention, especially if one were to include the 1966 work by Richard C. Fuller, George Romney and Michigan (reviewed in Dialogue, Winter, 1966). Recently published or announced for publication are Duane D. Angel’s, Romney, a Political Biography] (New York: Exposition Press, $6.00); George T. Harris, Romney’s Way, a Man and an Idea] (Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall, $5.95); Clark R. Mollenhoff, George Romney, Mormon in Politics] (New York: Meredith, $5.95); and a work by Romney, The Concerns of a Citizen] (New York: Putnam, $5.95). Without hesitation, one would dare suggest that Romney is winning the literary campaign.
Books on Mormon topics are now largely restricted to Utah publishers or produced for a Mormon audience, but the international growth of the Church in the last two decades promises wider interest and we can expect more publications from non-English language sources, such as the following: Hilmar ¥re\de\, Jesu Kristi i Norge. Den Nordke Misjons Historie. 1851-1966 (Oslo, Jesu Kristi Kirke av Siste Dagers Hellige); Reiner Kallus, Die Mormonen. Eine Kritische Untersuchung Nack der Bibel (Augsburg, Verlagseverin Lebendiges Wort); and Jorgen W. Schmidt, Oh du Zion i Vest; Den Dansk Mormon-Emigration 1850-1900 (Copenhagen, Rosenkilde og Bagger).
Finally, if we adhere to the admonition to seek wisdom out of the best books, then this interesting work by J.B.A. Kessler, Jr., might be of value to Church authorities and missionaries in South America: A Study of the Older Protestant Missions and Churches in Peru and Chile; With Special Reference to the Problems of Division, Nationalism and Native Ministry (Oosterbeen & le Cointre N.V., Goes).
Selected additional works of Mormon interest:
Allen, James E. and Cowan, Richard O. Mormonism in the Twentieth Century. Second edition. Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Extension Publications, 1967. $2.00
Andrus, Hyrum L. Doctrinal Commentary on the Pearl of Great Price. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1967. $4.95.[1]
The Book of Mormon. Translated by Joseph Smith, Jr. Compared with the original manuscript and the Kirtland edition of 1837, which was carefully re-examined and compared with the original manuscript by Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. Authorized ed. Independence, Mo., Board of Publications of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1966.
Buttle, Faye Jensen. Utah Grows: Pre-Utah and Utah History. Provo: Brigham Young University, 1967.
Cook, Melvin Alonzo and Cook, Garfield, M. Science and Mormonism. Salt Lake City, Utah: Melvin A. Cook, 1967. $4.95.
Corbett, Don Cecil. Mary Fielding Smith, Daughter of Britain. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Co., 1966. $4.50.
Crowther, Duane S. Life Everlasting. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1967. $3.95.
Culmsee, Carl ton. A Modern Moses at West Tintic. Logan: Utah State University, Monograph Series, v. 14, no. 1, 1967. The story of Moses Gudmundson.
Cumming, John & Audrey. The Pilgrimage of Temperance Mack. Mount Pleasant, Michigan: The Author (465 Hiawatha Drive, Rt. 2, Mount Pleasant, Michi gan 48858), 1967. $6.50. The story of Temperance Mack and her daughter, Almira Mack Covey.
Dunn, Paul H. The Ten Most Wanted Men. Salt Lake City, Utah: Bookcraft, 1967. $3.95.
Eberhard, Jr., Ernest. Sacred or Secret. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1967. $2.50.
Eyring, Henry. The Faith of a Scientist. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1967. $3.00.
Forman, Ward H. Ye Shall Know Them by Their Fruits: a Study of the Fruits of the Reor ganized LDS Church. Revised and enlarged, 1967. Available from the author: 1480 William Street, Tulare, California 93274.
Hafner, Arabell Lee. 100 Years on the Muddy. Springville, Utah: Muddy River Camp, Daughters of Utah Pioneers (Art City Publ. Co., printers, Springville, Utah), 1967.
Hansen, Klaus J. Quest for Empire; The Political Kingdom of God and the Council of Fifty in Mormon History. East Lansing, Michigan: Michigan State University Press, 1967. $6.50.
Hilton, Lynn M., comp. Levi Savage Jr. Journal. Salt Lake City, Utah: John Savage Family Organization. Lynn M. Hilton (185 Roundtoft Drive, SLC), 1966.
Hunt, Hiram Morris. Mormon Tea. Klamath Falls, Oregon: The Author, 1966. SI.00
A History of Jackson County, Missouri. Cape Girardeau, Missouri: Cape Ramfre Press, 1966. Reprint of the 1881 edition.
Kimball family. The Life of Heber C. Kimball. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1967. $4.00.
Landau, Elliott D. You and Your Child’s World. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1967. $3.95.
Larson, Clinton F. The Lord of Experience; Poems of Clinton F. Larson. Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University, 1967, $4.95.
Lewis, Henry. The Valley of the Mississippi Illustrated. St. Paul, Minnesota: Minne sota Historical Society, 1967. $40.00. First published in German in Germany in 1854. Includes Nauvoo and the Mormons.
Ligenfelter, Richard E., ed. Songs of the American West. Berkeley, California: University of California Press, Fall 1967. $15.00. Includes an interesting selection of Mormon songs.
Lloyd, Kent, Johnson, Ellsworth and Price, Kenneth. The Church Executive. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1967. $1.50.
Lund, John Lewis. The Church and the Negro, a Discussion of Mormons, Negroes and the Priesthood, c 1967. $2.50.
Nibley, Hugh. Since Cumorah. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1967. $4.95.
Panaca Centennial Book Committee. A Century of Meadow Valley, 1864-1964. Panaca, Nevada: Panaca Centennial Book Committee, 1966. Mormonism in Nevada.
Partridge, Mark N. With Book and Plow: History of a Mormon Settlement. Lovell, Wyoming: Mountain States Printing Co., 1967. Mormonism in Wyoming.
Pearson, Carol Lynn. Beginnings. Provo, Utah: Trilogy Arts (Box 843, Provo, Utah). $2.50.
Rasmussen, Jewell J. Is Utah Bankruptcy Bound? Salt Lake City: University of Utah, Frederick William Reynolds lecture No. 30., 1966.
Ravsten, Ben J. and Ravsten, Eunice P. History of Clarkston, the Granary of Cache Valley, 1864-1964. 1966. Available from the author, Clarkston, Utah.
Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The History of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Independence, Mo: Herald Publishing House, 1967. $8.95 per volume (reissue).
Roberts, Brigham H. Joseph Smith, the Prophet-Teacher. Introduction by Sterling M. McMurrin. Princeton, N.J.: The Deseret Club of Princeton University, 1967. $5.00
Salt Lake City Board of Education. Years of Challenge, 1890-1965. Salt Lake City: Salt Lake City Board of Education, 1967.
Sessions, T. Earl. Journal of Perrigran Sessions. Bountiful, Utah: The Author (92 E. 5th South, Bountiful, Utah), 1967. $8.00
Sperry, Sidney B. Answers to Book of Mormon Questions. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1967. $3.50. Formerly “Problems of the Book of Mormon.”
Stewart, F. Lorene. Exploding the Myth About Joseph Smith the Mormon Prophet. New York: House of Stewart, 1967. $2.50.
Stewart, John J. George Washington and the Mormons. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1967. $1.50.
Stout, Wayne. History of Utah. Salt Lake City: Privately printed. 1967.
Stucki, Roland. Commercial Banking in Utah, 1847-1966. Salt Lake City: University Of Utah, Bureau of Economic and Business Research, 1967.
Taylor, John. The Government of God. Salt Lake City, Utah: Lloyd Cottrell, 1966. $5.00. (Reprint of 1852 Liverpool edition).
Teichert, Minerva Kohlhepp. Selected Sketches of the Mormon March. San Bernardino, California: The Author (C. W. Eastwood, 3577 Sage Lane, San Bernardino, California 92404) 1967. $3.25.
Tvedtnes, John. The Church of the Old Testament. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Store, 1967. $2.95.
Unopulos, James J., Jr. Reasoning, Revelation and You. Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret Book Company, 1967. $4.95.
Vetterli, Richard. The Constitution by a Thread. Salt Lake City: Paramount Pub lishers, 1967. $4.75.
Whitney, Orson F. Life of Heber C. Kimball. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1967. $4.00.
Young, Karl E. The Long Hot Summer of 1912; Episodes in the Flight of the Mormon Colonists from Mexico. Provo, Utah: Brigham Young University Press, 1966.
[1] This is called a “new edition.” It is a common practice for Deseret Book and Bookcraft to offer reprints as second, third or new editions, when in reality there have been few or no changes in the text.