Brigham Young office files, 1832-1878 (bulk 1844-1877)

Files kept in Young's office by himself or his clerks during the period he served as president of the Quorum of Twelve (1844-1847) and President of the Church (1847-1877), including files accumulated during his tenure as governor of Utah Territory and ex officio territorial Superintendent of Indian Affairs (1851-1858). Besides documents relating to Young's church and governmental activities, these files also include records relating to his personal and family affairs and business activities. Young's files include letterpress copybooks and other retained copies of outgoing letters, general epistles to members of the Church, incoming letters and telegrams, personal and office journals, minutes, texts of speeches, petitions, legal documents, reports, claims, visitors' registers, financial records and other business records, etc. Materials in Young's files document not only general church activities but also local church, community, and individual activities during the Nauvoo, Iowa, and Utah eras of the Church's history, including the overland migration from Iowa to Utah, the emigration of LDS converts from Europe, relations with federal and local governments, relations with Native Americans, ecclesiastical court matters, and issues relating to church ordinances such as marriage and divorce.