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LaVorn and Beatrice Sparks mission papers, approximately 1986-1990

 Series
Identifier: MSS 2224 Series 4

Scope and Contents

Materials include papers from the Sparks' time as missionaries working in the Family-to-Family Book of Mormon program. In addition to their missionary work they purchased Books of Mormon and distributed them with their testimonies pasted in the cover to many international missions. There are responses regarding their Book of Mormon donations from recipients, missionaries, and mission presidents. The responses are both personal and adminstrative in nature. Dates range approximately 1986-1990.

Dates

  • Other: approximately 1986-1990

Creator

Language of Materials

Materials primarily in English with some letters in Korean, Russian, Portuguese, Spanish, French, and Japanese.

Conditions Governing Access

Open to public research. Carton 8 and boxes 10-12 are restricted until 2060. Permission to use these materials must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to use material from this collection must be obtained from Reference Services at specialcollections@byu.edu.

Biographical History

LaVorn Sparks (1914-2003) was a man active in business ventures, community, and the LDS church. He is also the husband to famous author, Beatrice Sparks.

LaVorn was born to Jim and Lillian Nesmith Sparks on September 29, 1914 in Eden, Texas. As an adult he moved to Los Angeles for career opportunities, where he met and married Beatrice. They later moved to Provo, Utah to raise their family. LaVorn chaired on many committees including Chairman of Utah County Republican Party, Red Cross, BYU, National Parks Council among others. He was also active and held several callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as a bishop three times and served a mission with his wife in the Family to Family Book of Mormon Project. LaVorn died on April 11, 2003 due to congestive heart failure.

Administrative History

The Family-to-Family Book of Mormon program (approximately 1960-1990) is a program in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints promoting the sharing of Books of Mormon and the testimonies of church members.

Extent

1 box

1 half box

1 carton

Other Finding Aids

A more detailed finding aid is available in print in the repository.

Other Finding Aids

File-level inventory available online. http://files.lib.byu.edu/ead/XML/MSS2224.xml

Repository Details

Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository

Contact:
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States