Cheesman, Paul R.

Paul R. Cheesman was an influential businessman, educator, and religious leader in the LDS Church who did extensive research on the archaeology of the Book of Mormon.

Born on May 31, 1921, in Brigham City, Utah, Cheesman was an influential businessman, educator, and religious leader in the LDS Church. After losing both his parents at a young age, he oversaw his own schooling until he enrolled at San Diego State University, eventually graduating with a degree in education. He served as a university professor, military chaplain during the Korean War, and as president of the Foster Corporation. This last position required Cheesman to be heavily involved in Central America, where he discovered a love for archaeology, thereafter amassing a sizable collection of pre-Columbian artifacts. Combining this interest with his religious convictions, he became a leading authority on the archaeology of The Book of Mormon. From 1963-1986, he was a professor in Brigham Young University's Religion Department. He married Millie Foster in 1944 and was the father of six children. He died in 1991 after a massive heart attack.