What happens when a state’s largest church clashes with a major public university? Indeed, sparks fly.
More importantly, in the case of disputed ownership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints archives, attention focuses on how history is written.
Regardless of who wins the coming legal battle, all parties involved will benefit from open access to these historical records.
Utah State University recently opened to the public 658 boxes of Mormon history, willed to USU by former LDS Church historian Leonard Arrington.
LDS officials now want sole ownership of as much as 60 percent of the archive. USU officials are hesitant to hand over such a significant chunk of state and church history. The dispute may eventually make its way to court.
At the center of the firestorm is Arrington, official LDS Church historian from 1972 to 1982. Arrington’s calling required him to handle sensitive material. This included letters from Brigham Young and other LDS Church presidents as well as minutes of meetings of the Council of the Twelve Apostles from 1877 to 1949. Arrington transcribed numerous church documents, also receiving original material donated by individuals or families.
The immediate question at hand is a legal one.
The LDS Church granted Arrington permission to transcribe and copy official documents. Did the copies then belong to Arrington? Also, many individuals and families who donated original documents likely did so with the understanding that Arrington was the official historian of the LDS Church. Did these materials belong to Arrington or to the LDS Church?
Anyone focusing solely on legalisms, however, misses the more important question. Who writes and controls the history of a people, a church and a state?
If the LDS Church has a legitimate legal claim to these archives, nothing can prevent their removal from public view. The LDS Church has every right to protect the information it owns, if it is indeed the church’s property. However, the LDS Church should also consider what is at stake in sequestering history that is significant to Mormons and non-Mormons alike.
First and foremost, Utah history is in large part Mormon history. Understanding early LDS Church history and religious elements as well as social, political and economic elements, is essential to understanding the history of this state. All of us have a vested interest in knowing Utah’s legacy and in learning the history of its largest and historically most important institution. The history of the LDS Church tells us a great deal about who we are and where we live, no matter what faith we profess.
As students, we possess a stake in this issue. I hope we all commit to pursuing knowledge for the betterment of ourselves and society. At a public institution, such an ideal is primary.
Obviously, the LDS Church is a private institution. But its size and influence in Utah mean the church cannot separate itself from the public realm. Therefore, anyone at a public university who cherishes the value of objective learning must understand the importance of cooperation and partnership with the LDS Church.
Sharing of information between the LDS Church and USU bodes well for the ultimate goal of historical understanding and human knowledge.
Beyond championing abstract ideals hatched by academics in ivory towers, the LDS Church should consider the practical value of allowing Arrington’s papers to remain public.
To no one’s surprise, the LDS Church seeks to grow and cultivate its worldwide membership. Essential, then, are good pubic relations with the world outside the church’s Mecca.
The LDS Church fights an uphill battle for respect against those who label Mormonism as non-Christian or cultist. Such accusations are hypocritical and unfair. Nonetheless, the LDS Church often finds itself on the outside looking in.
Perhaps it makes sense, then, for the LDS Church to protect information that may shed negative light on its history. Indeed, every organized religion seems to have some historical baggage that does not reflect the values of its teachings.
Ultimately, however, engaging in a public feud over the ownership and ensuing portrayal of its own history does the church no favors in the public-relations campaign. The LDS Church would better serve its public image by boldly showing it has nothing to hide, no history it is ashamed of.
Indeed, the person who knows these historical archives best found no reason to waver in his faith, as Leonard Arrington remained a devout Mormon. Matthew Godfrey, an LDS Church member and former USU graduate student, went page by page through the entire archive in question and found nothing controversial or embarrassing.
Speaking as a Catholic student of history, I know that detractors use endless volumes to scar Catholicism. My church has committed acts and endorsed policies judged by history to be abominations and atrocities.
Yet, this does not destroy the faith of the one billion Catholics around the world who separate the weakness and human frailty of their leaders from the inner-peace and spiritual salvation gleaned from what they know to be true.
In fact, few things reflect the strength of the Catholic Church better than its ability to come to terms with its own turbulent history. Pope John the XXIII said, “The best apology for the church is the impartial history of its life.”
Indeed, current Pontiff John Paul II continues working to make amends with Protestants, Orthodox Christians, Jews, Muslims and other groups harmed by Catholics in the past.
Mormons will find nothing shameful if their history is laid before a questioning public. Likely, they will find admiration from truth seekers who want to know Utah’s legacy.
Cynics will inevitably seek to capitalize on perceived historical blunders by the church. But these people will criticize, no matter where the information comes from. Why give them ammunition by propagating the belief that something is worth hiding?
For the faithful, worry not what nay-sayers concoct from the annals of your history. You know the truth, and this will set you free.
James welcomes feedback at: [email protected] or send letter to the editor to: [email protected].