Editor, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought
I have read with interest Stan Larson’s article, “Another Look at Joseph Smith’s First Vision” in volume 47, issue #2 (summer 2014). I commend Larson’s research, thoughtful analysis and writing. I do have some negative comments, however. The first concerns Larson’s words on archival practice on page 41: “Because we know that the missing pages were kept in the office safe of Joseph Fielding Smith, it is unlikely that the leaves were removed simply in accordance with the archival practice of separating collections based upon content (italics mine). While Larson is probably correct that this practice could not be the only reason for the separation, he errs that this practice was or is an archival practice. One of the primary archival principles is that of provenance. Provenance requires that materials be organized by the creator; materials are not separated from other materials coming from the same creator, regardless of how diverse the subject matter (italics mine). Librarians usually organize by subject matter; archivists do not.