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J. Edward Decker papers, 1978-2006

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Decker, Ed
Title
J. Edward Decker papers
Dates
1978-2006 (inclusive)
Quantity
191 boxes, (100 linear feet)
Collection Number
UUS_COLL MSS 210
Summary
Consists of the personal papers of J. Edward Decker and the records of Ex-Mormons for Jesus (name later changed to Saints Alive in Jesus). Includes the subject files, correspondence, office files, and financial records of Saints Alive in Jesus and video and audio cassette tapes used in the ministry.
Repository
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu
Access Restrictions

Due to religious sensitivity as it relates to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints temple ceremony, boxes 129-131, 'LDS Temple Clothing' are not available for public access. Permission to view these materials must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archives manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections Section Head.

All other materials in the collections are open to public research.

Languages
English.
Sponsor
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008
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Biographical Note

J. Edward Decker is the founder of Ex-Mormons for Jesus (later changed to Saints Alive In Jesus) and is probably best known for his 1980 film The God Maker.

Decker joined the LDS Church in 1957 while attending Utah State University in Logan, Utah. He was an active member of the Church for twenty years. But Decker had a change of heart and became an evangelical Christian. Decker asked for his name to be removed from the records of the LDS Church. A High Council Court was held on October 21, 1976 in Bellevue, Washington, which excommunicated him.

Decker organized Ex-Mormons for Jesus Evangelistic Association in 1978. In August of 1979 it issued a position statement in which the organization is described as "a Christian non-profit corporation founded upon the call of God to witness Jesus Christ to the Mormon people."

Ex-Mormons for Jesus has often been criticized for being merely a negative attack on Mormonism. This negative, anti-Mormon image results from the self-described "primary function" of the ministry to prove that there is a difference between Mormonism and traditional Christianity. The root of the Ex-Mormons for Jesus message is that Mormons are not Christians. They see this negative aspect of their ministry as only preparatory for the positive message of evangelical Christianity. In order to emphasize the positive side of the ministry, Ex-Mormons For Jesus changed its name to Saints Alive In Jesus.

Saints Alive is not a church. They believe in the inerrancy of the Bible, and the Trinity is centered on the divine mission of Jesus Christ as the savior of mankind. Based upon this, the role of Saints Alive is to take the gospel to Mormons.

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Content Description

The papers of Ed Decker, which document the organization Saints Alive in Jesus, cover the years 1978-2003 and are divided into three parts: subject files, correspondence, and office files.

The subject files consist of the files created by Decker on various subjects relating to evangelical Christianity, Mormonism and Freemasonry. The original filing order, alphabetical by subject, has been maintained.

The correspondence files have been arranged alphabetically by correspondent. Letters from Mormon missionaries to Ed Decker have been filed separately.

The office files, which contain records on chapters and film contracts, itineraries, and membership lists have been maintained in the original filing order. Papers relating to The God Makers are filed here. This includes "Journey to Kolob" the first draft of what eventually became the God Makers. The financial and other records of the Christian Embassy 1985-1987 as well as Mormon temple clothing and masonic regalia are also included.

Three boxes of tracts and booklets from Saints Alive in Jesus and other affiliated ministries, including one of Decker's most famous tracts, "To Moroni with Love," are located in this collection.

The collection includes a large number of video and audiotapes relating to the Saints Alive ministry. Audio cassette tapes of speakers at the Capstone and various other seminars and conferences. The Ex-Mormons for Jesus national conventions 1979 and 1981. Cassettes of SAIJ radio broadcasts. Reel-to-reel tapes of Let's Dialogue radio program. Audio tapes of the LDS temple ritual were recorded in the Provo Temple in 1982.

Of interest to researchers may be other Ed Decker print material that is housed in Special Collections and Archives, but not within this collection. There are a number of published books. There is also a corresponding Ed Decker photograph collection (P0344), which contains photos of Ed Decker and protests at the Mormon Church Administration Building in Salt Lake, in addition to slides that correspond to the audio presentations in Box 157 as well as the scripts in Boxes 32 and 38 of this collection.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the J. Edward Decker papers must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archives manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections and Archives department head.

Preferred Citation

Initial Citation: J. Edward Decker papers USU_COLL MSS 210. Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.

Following Citations: USU_COLL MSS 210, USUSCA.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

Organized in 8 series: I. Subject files; II. Correspondence; III. Office files; IV. Audio tapes; V. Additional subject files and office files; VI. Cases; VII. Video tapes; VIII. Reels.

Acquisition Information

This collection was donated to USU Special Collections and Archives by J. Edward Decker in 1991, 1992, 1994, 2004, and 2010.

Processing Note

Collection processed by: John L. Powell. Register created by: John L. Powell, May 13, 1998. Updated by: Matthew Stiffler, May 14, 2003 and Clint Pumphrey, February 22, 2007.

Related Materials

Ed Decker photograph collection P0344

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Excommunication--Mormon Church.
  • Freemasonry--Religious aspects--Mormon Church.
  • Freemasonry.
  • Missions to Mormons.
  • Mormon Church--Doctrines--Controversial literature.
  • Mormon Church--Temple rites and ceremonies.
  • Mormon doctrine--Adam-God.
  • Mormonism (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Personal Names

  • Decker, Ed.
  • Smith, Joseph, 1805-1844--Controversial literature.

Corporate Names

  • Ex-Mormons For Jesus--History.
  • Saints Alive--History.

Titles within the Collection

  • Book of Mormon--Antiquities.
  • Book of Mormon--Controversial literature.
  • Godmakers.

Finding aid created by Special Collections and Archives.
2008

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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