On-site Resources

This section lists Church History Library materials that can only be accessed by visiting the Church History Library’s reading room. These items have not been digitized and are not readily available online. This list of selected items only features collections that are open to research. Additional collections, including those that are closed to research, can be found by searching the Church History Catalog.

Textual Resources

Love Branch miscellaneous minutes, 1825–1934 (LR 11787 19)

This collection documents the history of the “Love Branch,” or “Branch of Love,” in South Africa. The branch began in 1916 as a scripture study group in the home of William P. Daniels, a Black member of the Church in Cape Town. After several years, the group caught the attention of South African Mission President J. Wyley Sessions, who advocated for it to become a regular Church meeting. Unfortunately, at that time, Church leaders in South Africa denied the request, but they did assign an elder to preside over the group while Daniels conducted. In December 1931, the study group became a “branch”—not an actual branch, per se, but a branch in name—which functioned as an auxiliary of the Relief Society and Sunday School. Although he did not hold the priesthood, Daniels was called to serve as the “branch” president. The Love Branch continued until Daniels’s death in 1936.

African Oral History Project, 1988 May–August (AV 1077)

This collection contains interviews of Church members and others in African countries, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Nigeria, and Zaire. Interviewees talk about their church experiences and the Church’s activities in Africa that have contributed to progress in their respective countries and across the continent.

History: The establishment of the first chapel in Nigeria, circa 2000 (MS 20173)

This history provides a summary of events leading to the establishment of the Church in Nigeria. Included are descriptions of the experiences of Anthony Obinna, which led to the first sacrament meeting in Nigeria at his home in March 1974 and to the first Nigerian baptisms in November 1978.

Anthony U. Obinna letter, Imo State, Nigeria, to Rendell N. Mabey, Enugu, Nigeria, 1979 September 28 (MS 18162)

This item complements the previous item in this list, History: The establishment of the first chapel in Nigeria, circa 2000. In the letter, Anthony U. Obinna expresses his gratitude to Rendell N. Mabey for bringing the Church and the gospel to Nigeria. Obinna also shares with Mabey an experience of being healed through a priesthood blessing and his prediction for the growth of the Church in Nigeria.

The Blacks and the LDS Church, 2006 (MS 23031)

This collection from Quinn G. McKay includes his reflections on the status of the Black community in Utah and in the Church. Additionally, it includes information about discussions with his uncle, President David O. McKay, about the priesthood restriction, how his perceptions changed while attending Harvard University, his experiences in Nigeria during the 1960s, his thoughts about the Genesis Group, and his response to the 1978 revelation that ended the priesthood restriction.

Joseph W. Johnson funeral materials, 2012 (MS 26916)

This collection is comprised of documents and memorabilia from the funeral of Joseph William Billy Johnson. The funeral program includes an account of his life and his role in establishing the Church in Ghana.

Genesis Group programs and flyers, 2016–2020 (LR 14957 21)

This collection, compiled by Alice Faulkner Burch, who served as the group’s Relief Society president from 2014 to 2019, is comprised of programs from Genesis Group firesides. This collection also includes pass-along cards from the 2018 “Be One” event that commemorated the 40th anniversary of Official Declaration 2 and from Robert S. Burch’s 2020 run for Utah House District 30.