Lyman, Amasa M. (Amasa Mason), 1813-1877

Person

Staff Only

Dates

Existence: 1813 - 1877

Biographical History

Amasa Mason Lyman (1813-1877) was a polygamist and early prominent leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who served multiple missions throughout the United States. Later in life, he preached false doctrine while serving as mission president in Europe and was subsequently excommunicated.

Lyman was born in March of 1813 in Lyman, Grafton, New Hampshire. He was introduced to the LDS church by Orsan Pratt and Lyman E. Johnson and chose to be baptized on April 27, 1832. He served missions in many states, including Ohio, Virginia, New York, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and California. He was ordained a seventy in 1835, ordained an apostle in the Quorum of the Twelve in 1842, and served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1843 to 1844. In 1847, he traveled to Utah with the Brigham Young Company. During his lifetime, he had nine wives.

In March 1862, he delivered a sermon in Dundee, Scotland in which he denied the atonement of Jesus Christ. After being deprived of apostleship in 1867, he was repentant and formally asked forgiveness of his error, but later, he continued to preach this false doctrine and was excommunicated in 1870. He then became president of the Godbeite Church of Zion. He died in February of 1877 in Millard County, Utah.

Citation:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saint: Church History, via WWW, September 16, 2016, (B. Mar. 30, 1813 in NH; served missions in listed states; president of European Mission 1860-1862)

FamilySearch, via WWW, September 16, 2016, (Traveled to Utah in 1847 with Brigham Young Company; had 9 wives)

Joseph Smith Papers, via WWW, September 16, 2016, (Ordained a seventy in 1835; ordained to Quorum of the Twelve in 1842, counselor in First Presidency 1843-1844; deprived of apostleship 1867; excommunicated 1870; president of Godbeite Church of Zion 1870)

Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, via WWW, delivered sermon in Dundee Scotland 1862 in which he denied the atonement; acknowledged his error 1867; continued to preach and was excommunicated; D. Feb. 4, 1877 in UT)

UPB files, Oct. 29, 2001 (hdg.: Lyman, Amasa M. (Amasa Mason, 1813-1877; usage: Amasa M. Lyman; Amasa Mason Lyman; Amasa Lyman)

Overland Trails Digital Library Collection, 2001 (Lyman, Amasa M. (Amasa Mason), 1813-1877)

Circular, 1855: t.p. (Amasa Lyman)

Amasa Mason Lyman: trailblazer and pioneer from the Atlantic to the Pacific, 1957

Amasa M. Lyman’s journals, 1847-1863, 1958

Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:

Richard Roswell Lyman papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSS 1079

Abstract Biographical materials, memorabilia, journals, and writings. These items include typescripts of published biographies of Richard R.'s grandfather, Amasa M. Lyman and his father, Francis M. Lyman by Albert R. Lyman. These materials describe the history of the Lyman family in New England, California, and Utah. Richard R. Lyman's journals (1919-1937) record his daily activities and also served as notebooks for ideas. He records his feelings about religion, his family, education, engineering,...

Dates: 1890-1963

Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / Richard Roswell Lyman papers

Richard Roswell Lyman papers, 1918-1937

Series — Box 1: Series 1 [Barcode: 31197232485794]

Identifier: MSS 1079 Series 1

Scope and Contents Includes various biographical materials and memorabilia, journals, and writings. Personal memorabilia include a patriarchial blessing by John Brown, a photograph of Lyman cemetery lot, funeral services for Richard R. Lyman, and an autograph book for Brigham Young Academy. Five journals belonging to Richard R. Lyman are also included. The journals cover only a small segment of his life, that from 1918 to 1937 with important gaps. The early journals record his daily activities and also served...

Dates: 1918-1937

Found in: L. Tom Perry Special Collections / MSS 1079, Richard Roswell Lyman papers

Richard Roswell Lyman writings, undated

Series — Box 2: Series 2 [Barcode: 31197232485802]

Identifier: MSS 1079 Series 2

Scope and Contents

Contains typescripts used in preparation of "Biography of Francis M. Lyman, Apostle, 1840-1919", by Albert R. Lyman, published in 1958. Manuscript contains a history of the family's beginnings in New England, their involvement in early Church history, their journeys to Utah and resettlements in California, southern Utah, and central Utah.

Dates: undated