Prolegomena, undated

Overview of the Collection

Title
Prolegomena
Dates
undated (inclusive)
Quantity
0.25 linear feet, (1 folder)
Collection Number
MS 0166
Summary
Prolegomena is an anonymous discussion of Mormonism during the Brigham Young period, intended to be "strictly impartial" and a letter to a "Mormon Gentleman" (also unidentified) asking for answers to specific questions about Mormonism with a detailed answer to the questions. The replies given express highly favorable views of the LDS religion and of Brigham Young, explaining the Mormon beliefs in the Old and New Testaments, the belief that they are a chosen people, and the wish to be accepted by the outside world.
Repository
University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84112-0860

Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.utah.edu
Access Restrictions

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.

Languages
English

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Prolegomena is intended as a "strictly impartial" discussion of Mormonism during the time of Brigham Young. The writer, a resident of Utah Territory, is not a member of the Mormon Church and he believes that he can record the facts as they exist. Although he states that professors of philosophy and theology have condemned Mormonism as "a huge and hideous Humbug," he intends to "research in depth and record facts." Several paragraphs are devoted to the belief that religion in general is fallacious in that it purports to elevate man while it actually converts him into a "merciless demon." Armed with the popular prejudice of the outside world, he was "confounded to find that a gentile could be received with a courteous welcome." He found the Mormons hard-working, moral, and devout, rather than indulgent, promiscuous, and evil, as he had expected. The remaining portion consists of a letter which the unidentified writer of this document writes to a Mormon gentleman asking seven questions about the religion and one query about the qualities of Brigham Young. The replies given express highly favorable views of the religion and of Brigham Young, explaining the Mormon beliefs in the Old and New Testaments, the belief that they are a chosen people, and the wish to be accepted by the outside world.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on 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.

Preferred Citation

Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Gift of Richard Sadler, 1968.

Processing Note

Processed by Della L. Dye in 1979.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Latter Day Saint doctrine