Latter-day Saints' College (Salt Lake City, Utah)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formed in 1830 in New York by Joseph Smith, Jr. Its members later migrated to the American West, specifically the Salt Lake Valley in Utah. Shortly after the founding, missionaries were sent out to teach their message.

From the guide to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints flannel board missionary discussions, Circa 1950-1970, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

The documents in this collection span the early years of the LDS church in Kirkland, Nauvoo, and Salt Lake City.

From the description of LDS Church records, 1831-1964. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 368057304

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the fourth largest Christian denomination in the United States and the largest denomination originating from the Latter Day Saint movement founded by Joseph Smith, Jr. on April 6, 1830. The Church is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, and has established congregations and temples worldwide.

From the description of Missionary pamphlets of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1899-1981. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 367869363

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formed in 1830 in New York. The body of the church eventually established headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah.

From the description of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints new mission president seminar audiocassettes, 1988 [sound recording]. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122424876

From the guide to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints new mission president seminar audio cassettes, 1988, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Meetinghouse Library Program was instituted in 1968 when the First Presidency directed that every meetinghouse should have a library where teaching materials and equipment could be available for the use of gospel teaching and study. Includes filmstrips, film projectors, pictures, audio tapes, and other visual aids.

From the guide to the LDS church library meetinghouse library, approximently 1970-1990, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

Religion often known as the Mormon Church.

From the description of Promissory note, 1847. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122351680

From the guide to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints promissory note, 1847, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

John Whitmer (1802-1878), brother of David Whitmer, was closely associated with Joseph Smith and helped with the writing of the translation of the Book of Mormon. He was later excommunicated and, after the saints left Far West in Caldwell County, Missouri, he bought land there and remained until his death.

From the description of A License Liberty Power & Authority given to John Whitmer signifying & proveing that he is an Elder of this Church of Christ... /signed by Joseph Smith, Jr. and Oliver Cowdery, 1830 Jun 9. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702127512

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formed in 1830 in New York State.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formed in 1830 in New York by Joseph Smith, Jr. Its members later migrated to the American West, specifically the Salt Lake Valley in Utah. Shortly after the founding, missionaries were sent out to teach their message. Today, there are 14.1 million members worldwide.

From the guide to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints statistical reports, 1945-1970, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formed in 1830 in New York by Joseph Smith Jr.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formed in 1830 in New York. Its members later migrated to the Salt Lake Valley and surrounding areas in the west. Snowflake, Arizona was settled in 1878 by William J. Flake under the direction of leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Joseph City was also founded by Mormons in 1876, and is located in Navajo County, Arizona.

From the guide to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Snowflake Stake Primary history, 1888-1962, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was formed in 1830 and soon after sent missionaries to preach their gospel around the world.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was formed in 1830 in New York, and its members later migrated to the American West, specifically the Salt Lake Valley in Utah. After the Saints were established in the west they began to send missionaries to non-English speaking countries in Europe. The first mission in Germany was opened in 1852 in Hamburg and closed a few years later. Missionary work in the area was impeded by the World Wars. In 1937 the German-Austrian mission became part of the new Swiss-Austrian Mission.

From the guide to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints German-Austrian mission photographs and papers, 1846-1928, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

The Mutual Improvement Associations were organized for the youth of the LDS church.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized in 1830 in New York state. The Saints eventually gathered in Utah, headquartered in Salt Lake City. The youth programs of the church started with the Young Gentlemen’s and Young Ladies’ Relief Society in 1843. In 1875 church President Brigham Young organized the Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Association (YMMIA) as a counterpart to the Young Ladies' National Mutual Improvement Association (YLNMIA). For most of the 20th century, the youth organizations of the LDS church were known simply as MIA.

From the guide to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints MIA records, 1931-1934, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was organized in Fayette, New York, on 6 April 1830, under the leadership of Joseph Smith with an official membership of 6 members. It has grown to an organization with members and congregations throughout the world, with membership exceeding 10 million people.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was organized in Fayette, New York, on 6 April 1830, under the leadership of Joseph Smith with an official membership of 6 members. It has grown to an organization with members and congregations throughout the world, with membership exceeding 10 million people.

From the guide to the LDS Church Presidents photograph collection, 1850-2000, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)

V. Dallas Merrell (b. 1936) received many degrees from Brigham Young University and a PhD from the University of Southern California. He served as a mission president of the Utah Salt Lake City Mission and in the Second Quorum of the Seventy.

V. Dallas Merrell was born on 25 January 1936, in Basalt, ID. He was the first of nine children and later in life had nine children of his own. He spent his early years working hard on his family's farm. He earned two undergraduate degrees from Brigham Young University in Economics and Sociology. He also earned a master's degree in Social Psychology from the same university. He earned another master's and also a PhD from the University of Southern California. Later in life he spent his career working for a consultation firm in Washington, D.C. The firm concentrated on improving the leadership and management of organizations.

He served a mission from 1956 through 1958 in the Great Lakes Mission. He came home and married Karen Dixon. He served as President of the Utah Salt Lake City South Mission and was president when the mission changed to the Utah Salt Lake City Mission.

In 1992, he was called to the Second Quorum of Seventy. He served in that capacity until he was honorably released in 1997 after completing his five-year calling. During his lifetime he collected many materials related to the growth and organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this collection represents some of that material.

From the guide to the LDS Church administration papers, 1901-2000, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)