George D. Smith papers

Collection

Identifier: ACCN 0677

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The George D. Smith papers (1825-2009) contain essays, symposium presentations, letters, and othe items relating to central and controversial questions in LDS history and belief.

Materials in folders 1-9 deal with Book of Mormon authenticity and B. H. Roberts. Folders 10-20 deal with LDS polygamy and theology. Folders 6 and 18 contain material purportedly dating to the early nineteenth century, but are now known to be Mark Hofmann forgeries. Folder 13 contains an early version of Gary James Bergera's essay, "Joseph Smith and the Hazards of Charismatic Leadership."

Dates

1825-2009

Creator

Smith, George D. (George Dempster), 1938- (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Biographical Note

George Dempster Smith Jr. (b. 1938), a New York City native, earned a B.A. at Stanford University, and later an M.B.A. from New York University. In 1981 he co-founded Signature Books, whom he has served as president and publisher. He has participated on the national advisory boards of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought and Sunstone magazine. His writing have been published in both of these periodicals as well as The John Whitmer Historical Association Journal, The Journal of Mormon History, Free Inquiry, and elsewhere. Besides An Intimate Chronicle: The Journals of William Clayton, Smith has edited Faithful History: Essays on Writing Mormon History and Religion, Feminism, and Freedom of Conscience: A Mormon/Humanist Dialogue, and contributed to The Word of God: Essays on Mormon Scripture.

Smith is also president of Smith Research Associates, which he founded in 1985. The Association has, independently and in association with Signature Books, published numerous works in the field of Mormon studies.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (1 Box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The George D. Smith papers (1825-2009) contain essays, symposium presentations, letters, and othe items relating to central and controversial questions in LDS history and belief.