Ed Decker photograph collection
Scope and Contents
The Ed Decker Photograph Collection is comprised of two boxes and spans the late 1970s to the early 1990s, the period of Ed Decker's ministry "Saints Alive in Jesus." The first box contains 212 photographs of subjects ranging from portraits of Ed Decker to tombstones from Utah cemeteries. In most cases the photographs were removed from the Ed Decker Manuscript Collection (MSS 210). Photographs taken from MSS 210 are specifically mentioned in the register. Box 2 in this collection contains 690 slides, most of which were used for Decker's presentations. When possible complete presentations were maintained, otherwise slides are grouped by subject.
Dates
- 1970-1992
- Majority of material found within 1980-1989
Language of Materials
Collection materials are in English.
Restrictions
Open to public research.
Copyright
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Utah State University Libraries, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.
Permission to publish material from the Ed Decker photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Photograph Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.
Biographical Note
J. Edward Decker is the founder of Ex-Mormons for Jesus (later changed to Saints Alive In Jesus) and is probably best known for his 1980 film The God Makers.
Decker joined the Mormon Church in 1957 while attending Utah State University in Logan, Utah. He was an active member of the Church for twenty years. Decker had a change of heart, however, and became an evangelical Christian. Decker asked for his name to be removed from the records of the Mormon Church. A High Council Court was held on October 21, 1976 in Bellevue, Washington which excommunicated him.
Decker organized Ex-Mormons for Jesus Evangelistic Association in 1978. In August of 1979 it issued a position statement in which the organization is described as "a Christian non-profit corporation founded upon the call of God to witness Jesus Christ to the Mormon people."
Ex-Mormons for Jesus has often been criticized for being merely a negative attack on Mormonism. This negative, anti-Mormon, image results from the self described "primary function" of the ministry to prove that there is a difference between Mormonism and traditional Christianity. The root of the Ex-Mormons for Jesus message is that Mormons are not Christians. They see this negative aspect of their ministry as only preparatory for the positive message of evangelical Christianity. In order to emphasize the positive side of the ministry, Ex-Mormons For Jesus changed its name to Saints Alive In Jesus.
Saints Alive is not a Church. They believe in the inerrancy of the Bible, and the Trinity is centered on the divine mission of Jesus Christ as the savior of mankind. Based upon this, the role of Saints Alive is to take the gospel to Mormons. Decker and Saints Alive, based in Issaquah, WA, produced newsletters, tracts, films, and slide shows on the topic of Mormonism through the late 1970s and early 1990s.
Extent
2 boxes (1 linear ft.)
Abstract
Two boxes of photographs (both black & white and color) and color slides spanning the late 1970s to the early 1990s, the period of Ed Decker's ministry. The first box contains 212 photographs of subjects ranging from portraits of Ed Decker to tombstones from Utah cemeteries. Box 2 contains 690 slides, most of which were used for Decker's presentations.
Arrangement
Arranged in numeric sequence according to Box, Folder, and Item
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Collected by Ed Decker and Grant N. Mendenhall.
Processing Information
Register completed by Matthew Stiffler, May 2003.
- Title
- Guide to the Ed Decker photograph collection, 1970-1992
- Author
- Finding aid created by Matthew Stiffler, May 2003.
- Date
- ©2008
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Based On Dacs (Describing Archives: A Content Standard, 2nd Edition)
- 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
- May 31, 2008: Template information was updated to reflect Utah Manuscript Association best practices.
- 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
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)
scweb@usu.edu