Utah State Relinquishes Some Materials
to Mormon Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Utah State University have resolved their dispute over a collection of papers donated to the university’s Merrill Library by the late historian Leonard J. Arrington. Church officials presented USU with documents showing that Arrington “clearly agreed” to return or surrender certain sensitive materials that he either copied or borrowed while he was church historian from 1972 to 1982.
The university relinquished one box of the materials to Arrington’s family November 21, and the next day they were delivered to church Elder Quentin Cook, according to the November 25 Salt Lake Tribune. LDS spokesman Michael Ottersen issued a statement saying, “We are satisfied that the principal issues have been resolved fairly and amicably. We appreciate the good will displayed on all sides.”
The disputed documents consist of less than half of one percent of the entire collection. They include a copy of a Book of Anointings, describing sacred Mormon rituals; portions of LDS Apostle Heber C. Kimball’s 1845–1846 diaries discussing temple ceremonies; and partial copies of minutes from the church’s Council of Twelve meetings between 1877 and 1950. The remainder of the collection opened to the public November 26 at the Merrill Library.
Posted December 3, 2001.
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