New library will hold Mormon Church archives

SALT LAKE CITY – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has dedicated the site for a new, 250,000-square-foot church history library.

The five-story building will be home to church archives, including printed materials, photographs, video and audio recordings. The collection includes official church records and material from outside sources, such as personal journals from members, published materials about the faith from nonchurch sources and even novelty items such as games with Mormon themes.

In all, the collection contains 3.5 million manuscripts, 210 publications, 100,000 photographs and 50,000 audiovisual records.

Mormons say they are required by church teaching to keep a carefully documented record of church activities and events. Since its founding by Joseph Smith in 1830, the church has always employed the services of at least one full-time historian.

The current library is housed in the east wing of the main church office building, although the historians’ office and archives long ago outgrew the available space.

The new building should be open in 2007.