Turk, Tony 1974-04-10
Tony Turk, historian and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, discusses the history and various aspects of the Mormon Church. He includes, among other things, early Mormon settlements in Texas.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Tony Turk
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: April 10, 1974
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Interviewer: History Seminar Course #633
Length: 2 hours 25 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Introduction of Tony Turk,
Dwight Pitcaithley [reviewer],
Leland Hargrave Creer, The Founding of an Empire; the Exploration and Colonization of Utah,
Utah and Mormon history,
Bob Williams [reviewer],
Gustive O. Larson. Prelude to the Kingdom; Mormon Desert Conquest: A Chapter in American Cooperative Experience,
Socioeconomic history of Mormons,
Mormon Church,
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,
Reflects the developing American nation,
Persecution, moves around the country,
Influence of and on the U. S.,
H. Allen Anderson [reviewer],
Nels Anderson, Desert Saints,
Background of author given,
Mormon history and society,
Mormons as part of the American West,
Brigham Young,
As a colonizer,
State of Deseret (Mormon Kingdom),
San Bernardino, California,
Mormon characteristics,
Selection of Utah for settlement,
Political power in Illinois,
De-emphasized mineral resources,
Language and script,
Mormon Church,
Gathering of Zion period.
Tape 1, Side 2: Mormon Church (continued),
Gathering of Zion period (continued),
Worldwide membership,
Mormon population in Utah and Salt Lake City, Utah,
Mountain Meadows Massacre (1857),
Mormon involvement,
Description of events,
Idea of Atonement of Blood,
Utah history,
Utah or Mormon War,
Similarity to the U. S. South,
Brigham Young (again),
Leadership in the Mormon War,
Polygamy,
In the Mormon Church,
In the general American population,
Anti-Mormon literature,
Mormon Church was not opposed to slavery,
Examples of anti-Mormon stories, feelings,
Polygamy in the Mormon Church,
One reason cited,
Mormon literature,
Books, bibliographies available,
No Man Knows My History, by Fawn Brodie,
Polygamy in the Mormon Church,
Not forced,
Began in 1841,
Discrimination against Mormons,
Polygamy as a reason,
In Missouri,
Mormons as a communistic group.
Tape 2, Side 1: Discrimination against Mormons (continued),
In comparison to other groups,
Larson and Anderson books,
Treatment of Mormons,
Interpretation of Mormon scripture,
Very rigid and strict,
Practicing as opposed to "Jack" Mormons,
Socioeconomic aspects of Mormon Church,
In Larson book,
Approach to welfare,
Concern for individual dignity,
Work projects,
As a result of the frontier experience,
Assistance for members in Europe after World War II,
Skilled craftsmen,
Training,
Sugar beet refining by Mormons,
Machinery purchased,
The United Order System,
Property consecrated to the Church,
In comparison to Soviet Union System,
Economic status of the Mormon Church,
Wealthiest church in the world,
Once owned large tracts of land,
Interference from U. S. government,
Holdings, copyrights kept in individuals’ names,
Petition for Utah statehood.
Tape 2, Side 2: Petition for Utah statehood (continued),
Different governments of Utah and Deseret,
Mormon military force,
Joseph Smith,
Ran for President of the United States (1944),
Martyrdom,
Brigham Young,
As a leader,
Mormon military force,
Atonement of Blood,
Dispersion of the Mormon Church,
Sidney Rigdon faction,
Vice-presidential candidate,
Power oriented,
Brigham Young (again),
President of the Quorum of 12 Apostles,
Emma Smith, first wife of Joseph,
William Smith, brother of Joseph,
Emma and William Smith faction,
Stayed in Jackson County, Missouri,
Reorganized Church,
James Stran faction,
Lymon White faction,
To Texas to set up Kingdom of God,
Buffer state between Texas and Mexico,
Colony locations,
Travis and Gillespie counties,
Dispersion (1858),
Reorganized Mormon Church,
Mormon Church in Utah,
Polygamy,
Rescinded by Manifesto of President Woodruff,
Cohabitators moved to Mexico,
George Romney,
Born in Juarez colony,
Spiritual polygamy in the church,
Not renounced by Woodruff manifesto,
Marriage vows are eternal,
Prophets of God,
Rise from the Presidency of the Quorum,
Migration to Mexico,
Cohabitators leave in 1880s,
Polygamy,
Outlawed by the Mormon Church,
Still exists in secret schismatic groups,
As viewed by the Mormon Church.
Tape 3, Side 1: Mormon colonies in Mexico,
Began in 1870s,
Book written by Barney Burns,
Interest of Pancho Villa in Mormonism,
Vicarious baptisms,
Polygamy (again),
Justifications,
Greater female population,
Based upon statement by Apostle Paul,
Family expansion,
Manifesto for ending polygamy,
Reasons,
No reason for restoration,
Mormon territory,
Arizona,
Missionaries,
20,000 a year,
Members are called to start colonies,
Brigham Young,
As a city planner,
Movement of Mormons into Arizona,
Mesa and Prescott, Arizona,
Northern rim of the Grand Canyon,
Movement of Mormons into Utah,
Presently discouraged,
Stakes of Zion around the world,
Professor Dale L. Morgan of Utah,
Book about the Kingdom of God to be written,
Tony Turk’s interest in Texas Mormons,
Desert Saints,
Best book written about Mormon Church,
Attack or defend points of view on the Mormon Church.
Tape 3, Side 2: Blank
Range Dates: 1830-1974
Bulk Dates: 1830-1920
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