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John Milton Bernhisel III missionary diaries

 Collection
Identifier: UUS_COLL MSS 292

Scope and Contents

This collection contains two missionary diaries of John M. Bernhisel III while he labored in Liverpool, England for The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints from 1908-1910. Bernhisel's diaries contain a daily log of his proselyting efforts in England, such as tracting, holding "street meetings", managing his missionary finances, visiting fellow members of the LDS church, and attending meetings with other missionaries. With colorful insight, Bernhisel's diaries also contain sporadic entries reflecting on life as a missionary and his understanding of Latter-day Saints' theology. Bernhisel's diaries further record what he did in his spare time, such as attend tea parties, visit museums, and go to theatrical performances.

These two diaries have been placed in separate custom-made boxes and have been labeled as Book 1 and Book 2. Book 1 contains Bernhisel's diary dated June 18, 1908 to February 7, 1909. This full 172-page diary begins with Bernhisel's departure from Cache Valley and ends in the middle of his proselyting efforts in England. Book 2 contains Bernhisel's' diary dated February 8, 1909 to August 1, 1909. This unnumbered diary contains roughly one hundred full pages of entries documenting his proselyting efforts in England. The diary ends abruptly while Bernhisel was still engaged in his missionary work, with numerous blank pages left in the diary.

Dates

  • 1908-1909

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

Restrictions

Open to public research.

Copyright

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the John Milton Bernhisel III missionary diaries must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archives manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections and Archives department head.

Biographical Note

John Milton Bernhisel III was born in Lewiston, Utah on March 2, 1878 to John Milton and Henrietta Harris Bernhisel. Although John M. Bernhisel III was the third member of his family by this name (his grandfather was the Utah Territory's first congressional representative and his father was one of the original settlers of Lewiston), he was commonly known as John Milton Bernhisel, Jr. In 1898, Bernhisel enrolled in the Brigham Young College at Logan, Utah and graduated with a BA in 1902. On March 2, 1902 Bernhisel married Ruey Pond in the Logan LDS Temple, and they later had six children together. From 1905-1908, Bernhisel served as the principle of the Lewiston School. In 1908, Bernhisel was called to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints in Liverpool, England, and served a total of two years. Upon returning to the United States, Bernhisel enrolled in the Northwestern University School of Dentistry in Evanston, Illinois. After graduating, Bernhisel returned to Lewiston and practiced dentistry for the remainder of his life as a partner in the dental firm Jamison & Bernhisel. During the course of Bernhisel's life in Lewiston, he served three terms as mayor and served as the town's postmaster for fourteen years. He was also involved with the Cache Valley Historical Society and was a member of the Lion's Club. He died on February 11, 1957 in Lewiston.

Source: The Herald Journal, February 12, 1957.

Extent

1 box (0.25 linear feet)

Abstract

This collection contains two missionary diaries of John M. Bernhisel III from the period 1908-1909, during which he labored in Liverpool, England, for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Bernhisel's diaries contain a daily log of his proselyting efforts in England, such as distributing religious tracts, holding "street meetings". managing his missionary finances, visiting fellow members of the LDS church, and attending meetings with other missionaries.

Arrangement

Chronological.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The John M. Bernhisel III diaries were purchased in 2001 by Utah State University Special Collections and Archives from a dealer of historical materials.

Title
Guide to the John Milton Bernhisel III missionary diaries 1908-1909
Author
Finding aid created by Special Collections and Archives.
Date
©2008
Description rules
Finding Aid Based On Dacs (Describing Archives: A Content Standard)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding guide is in English in Latin script.
Sponsor
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008

Revision Statements

  • 2009: Template information was updated to reflect Archives West best practice guidelines.

Repository Details

Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository

Contact:
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)