This thesis is a study of the growth and development of the various departments of the Genealogical Society and how they contributed to the function of the total organization. The following was considered with each department: (1) the date of organization, (2) purpose for which organized, (3) methods used to carry out responsibilities, (4) function and interaction with other departments of the organization.Activities of the Genealogical Society were evaluated on the basis of the following major roles: (1) as an agency for locating researchers, (2) agency to make records available to search, (3) a clearing house for records prior to their submission to temples and more recently, (4) as a supplier of names for temples.The First Presidency organized the Society to assist people in their responsibility to search after their own forefathers and each of the leaders since its organization has introduced programs in accordance with this purpose.

The purpose of this study is to determine and present as completely and as clearly as possible what the Book of Mormon teaches concerning prayer in order that one may gain a greater understanding of prayer and become more conscious of the need to make prayer a part of his life. It is also the purpose of this study to show how the Book of Mormon can aid the teacher by pointing out the many scriptural passages that could be used in teaching prayer. These teachings on prayer have been classified under the following chapter headings: Some Basic Essentials of Prayer, Why People Pray and for What, Words that Express a Prayer Was Offered, How Answers to Prayer Were Given, Why God May Not Answer Our Prayers as Desired, The Relationship of Prayer to Gospel Principles, Why People Do Not Pray, and Jesus Christ Prays.In the various chapters will be found lists of references. The place where the verse or portions of verses are located will be cited first; then the name of who is speaking or writing, or who the reference is about; and finally the verses or portions of verses are quoted.

George Albert Smith, Eighth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was a General Authority during some of the most traumatic years in world history. His teachings and doctrines were practical, rather than philosophical or theoretical, and were applicable to a time when the world needed a message of hope and love. The two key ideas of his teachings were based on the two great commandments of Christ: love of God and love of neighbor. In addition, he also gave vital messages on the importance of obedience to God's laws, the character and attributes of God, the divine nature of man, the Standard Works and the living prophets, the home as the basis of the righteous life, the importance of missionary work, the Constitution of the United States, and the Christian path to peace in these latter days. All of these teachings were centered in the theme that we are all "Our Father's Children."

The Genealogical Society of Utah initiated a worldwide microfilming program at the advent of modern microfilm technology. It succeeded in negotiating for and filming records because of the religious commitment of its leaders and workers, the financial assistance of the LDS Church, the increased concern for records loss as demonstrated by World War II, the maturation of microfilm technology after the war, and the concentration of many religious records in civil archives. Religious commitment enthused the Society's leaders to persist in their efforts in spite of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The resources of the Church permitted the filming to continue without regard to profit. The destruction of World War II made archival leaders more amenable to the Society's program as a means to preserve the information in their records from catastrophic loss. The development of microfilm technology made the production of a good image possible and affordable. With religious records in civil archives, the efforts of religious leaders to restrict access were more easily overcome than might have been the case.

Isaac Morley was born in 1786, in the Atlantic seaboard city of Salem, Massachusetts. He received the common school education provided by the New England Schools. When the time came for his marriage, he was founded in a trade and was a mature man. Like his father, Isaac learned the trade of cooper and wheelwright, learned to plant and sow, to reap a harvest, and to care for cattle and sheep.He served his country with the Ohio Militia in the War of 1812. In 1830 he heard Mormon elders preach the gospel for the first time. He was convinced of the truthfulness of the message and was baptized seven months after the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized. He was ordained a high priest in June, 1831, and on the day of his ordination, Isaac was called to serve with Edward Partridge in the first presiding bishopric of the Church.

The effect of religious bodies upon the economy, landscape and culture of developing countries is a topic that needs further study. Intuitively, mission work in such lands would seems to have some impact but the actual conditions and changes are not carefully defined. This thesis seeks to describe one instance, the effect of the LDS Church upon Tonga. Here the Church is a fairly recent entrant into the land and its effects may readily be seen. The LDS Church was found to play a modest role in the economy and a much greater role in changing landscapes. It is seen as a supporter of the local culture even though Tonga's societal patterns do not always conform to LDS beliefs, especially those about family government.

The problem is to make a preliminary study of duplication in the courses of study in ten youth oganizations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a ten-year period, September, 1927 to August, 1937, with the purpose of discovering the nature and extent of a duplication in material that young people from four to twenty years of age have met as they have participated in the classes of various Church organizations.

The purpose of this thesis was to study the effectiveness of the coordinator in the LDS Seminary in carrying out his responsibilities. Special emphasis was placed upon the coordinator's influence over the teachers placed under his jurisdiction.

The purpose of this Thesis has been to write, for the first time, an authentic, unbiased "Biography of Erastus Fairbanks Snow, Missionary, Pioneer, and Colonizer." Biography was chosen at the suggestion of Dr. Lowry Nelson, Professor of Rural Social Economics, of Brigham Young University, and because of a natural fondness for western history, and a sincere appreciation for the men and women who made "The West" liveable. For the particular subject chosen, I am indebted to Dr. William J. Snow, Professor of History at Brigham Young University.

As the church returned to Western New York in the early 1900s there was much prejudice against Mormonism. The twenty-four year mission of the Willard Bean family was instrumental in establishing a friendly atmosphere in the Palmyra, New York area and in regaining four historic land marks to the ownership of the Church. It is still uncertain if the present Joseph Smith Sr., home was completed enough for the family to live in by the time the Angel Moroni visited Joseph Smith. Since 1881 the Sacred Grove was considered the woods where Joseph Smith had his First Vision. The term "Sacred Grove" became widely used after January 1906. The Church has restored the trees on the Hill Cumorah, and it has become the site for a yearly reproduction of the history of Mormonism. The original Martin Harris home burned and was replaced by the present cobblestone house. The original Peter Whitmer, Sr., cabin, where the Church was organized, was destroyed and later the present house was built. Thousands of tourists visit these historic landmarks every year.