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Boyce, Joel Lynn, Sr., 1920-2016

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1920-2016

Biographical History

Joel Lynn Boyce, Sr. (1920-2016) is a Utah-born, Stanford University alumni who was best known for being one of the few prominent pacifists of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who conscientiously objected World War II, served with fellow pacifists in the Civilian Public Service Camp in Colorado during the war, and later worked with Lewis Hill - the creator of Pacifica Radio.

Joel Lynn Boyce, Sr. was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1920. Having spent the beginning of his life in the aftermath of World War I, from early on as he began his studies in Stanford in the 1940s he chose to be a pacifist--choosing to object serving in World War II. While continuing to object, he served in the Civilian Public Service Camp in Colorado, where he befriended many individuals from other faiths--including Quakerism, Seventh-day Adventists, and Jehovah's Witnesses. After leaving the service, he continued his work in the pacifist movement, working with one of his fellow Stanford alumni who objected (Lewis Hill) as he started up the Pacifica Foundation Radio Network: a prominent left-leaning radio network who broadcasted the views of many pacifists and liberals including Howard Zinn and Noam Chomsky. Joel died 20 May 2016 in Newbury Park, Cailfornia)

Citation:
UPB files, Nov. 3, 2016 (Born in Salt Lake City in 1920; worked for the Civilian Public Service Camp and with Lewis Hill, creator of Pacifica Radio)

Wikipedia, Nov. 3, 2016 (Pacifica Radio Network is a left-leaning radio station created by Lewis Hill)

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

A Mormon conscientious objector in WWII

 Item — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197239235879]
Identifier: MSS 8930
Scope and Contents 22-page autobiography detailing Boyce's life as he tried to compromise his pacifist beliefs with the teachings of the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, his service in the Civilian Public Service Camp during the war, and also his connections to prominent figures of the pacifist movement including Lewis Hill. The date of creation of the materials is not identified, but given his birth in 1920 and the fact that he wrote this when he was 85, the approximate date range...
Dates: date of production not identified
Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections

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