The Church Vaults Contain Stolen Property!

[_Cicero]

Has anyone else heard anything about this kind of policy or behavior by the Church?

Yes, this has been SOP for the Church History department for a long time. The level of access depends entirely upon the sensitivity of the materials. Certain journals and materials (e.g., George Q. Cannon's journals) have been deemed so sensitive that they are kept in the First Presidency's vault. Some of Cannon's descendants, however, claim to have copies of the entire set and have shown them to certain people (e.g., Jim Allen and DCP). Dan has claimed that there is nothing embarassing in the journals.

Historians have long wondered (WITHOUT real proof I must add) whether there is something in the vault about Brigham Young's involvement in the MMM. I have always been skeptical about that. If any such document ever existed, I would guess that it has long since been destroyed. I personally don't believe that BY ordered the MMM in the first place in any event.

[_Fence Sitter]

Wouldn't you have to include the papyri as stolen property also?

[_Blixa]

I think the Church should allow access to the journals of direct relatives but I also have to wonder why people didn't make copies of what they were donating.

Juanita Brooks always counseled thusly. Anything she collected for the Huntington came with the proviso that the donators always got a copy.

[_Joseph Antley]

Just because Chase says something is stolen does not mean that it was stolen. Personally I think if you find a rock while digging a well for someone you should be able to keep that rock.