The Resources and Results of the Radio, Publicity,And Mission Literature Committee:1935-1942
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Brigham Young University BYU ScholarsArchive Theses and Dissertations 2013-03-08 The Resources and Results of the Radio, Publicity,and Mission Literature Committee:1935-1942 Matthew Porter Wilcox Brigham Young University - Provo Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd Part of the History of Christianity Commons BYU ScholarsArchive Citation Wilcox, Matthew Porter, "The Resources and Results of the Radio, Publicity,and Mission Literature Committee:1935-1942" (2013). Theses and Dissertations. 3801. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/3801 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. The Resources and Results of the Radio, Publicity, and Mission Literature Committee: 1935-1942 Matthew Porter Wilcox A thesis submitted to the faculty of Brigham Young University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts John P. Livingstone, Chair Craig J. Ostler David M. Whitchurch Department of Religion Brigham Young University March 2013 Copyright © 2013 Matthew Porter Wilcox All Rights Reserved ABSTRACT The Resources and Results of the Radio, Publicity, and Mission Literature Committee: 1935-1942 Matthew Porter Wilcox Department of Religion, BYU Master of Arts The study of media as it relates to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has increased appreciably over the past few years. The Church’s first sustained centralized effort began with the creation of the Radio, Publicity, and Mission Literature Committee in 1935. However, little research has been conducted in regards to the creation, products, or impact of the Committee. This thesis examines the circumstances under which the Radio, Publicity, and Mission Literature Committee was formed in 1935. It further describes the Committee’s production of filmstrips, radio programs, and exhibits. The impact of these products in missionary work and public image is also explored. Keywords: Gordon B. Hinckley, Radio, Publicity, and Mission Literature Committee, Media, Filmstrips, Exhibitions ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First and foremost I would like to acknowledge my wife. Her love, encouragement, and tolerance throughout this process has helped me more than anyone on this earth. My Committee has also exhibited more than their fair share of the load. Thanks to my Chair, John Livingstone—he has been unfailingly positive. He has ended every conversation I’ve had with him with the words “God bless you,” and I could not but help feeling uplifted and encouraged after every meeting. Brother David M. Whitchurch and Craig J. Ostler have provided invaluable insights and suggestions throughout the writing process; this thesis is much improved because of their careful consideration and feedback. I would further like to acknowledge three of my professors: Richard E. Bennett, Ray L. Huntington, and Alonzo Gaskill, whose attention to detail and demand for rigor is surpassed only for their love of the gospel and their desire to help students better study, understand, and live it. Finally, I am grateful for the life and efforts of President Gordon B. Hinckley. Without his talents and tenacity, this work would have never been. Table of Contents CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 1 Statement of Purpose ........................................................................................................................................ 1 Rationale ........................................................................................................................................................... 2 Methodology ..................................................................................................................................................... 6 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................................ 8 CHAPTER 2: BEGINNINGS ............................................................................................................. 10 Mass Media in Print ........................................................................................................................................ 10 The Emergence of Motion Picture ................................................................................................................... 16 The Missionary Situation in Europe ................................................................................................................ 23 The Start of a New Committee ......................................................................................................................... 28 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................................... 33 CHAPTER 3: FILMSTRIPS .............................................................................................................. 40 Overview of filmstrips ..................................................................................................................................... 40 The Process and the Product ........................................................................................................................... 46 Changes and improvements made to the filmstrips ......................................................................................... 51 Impact .............................................................................................................................................................. 57 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................................... 60 CHAPTER 4: RADIO BROADCASTS ........................................................................................... 67 A Brief History of Radio Broadcasting in the Church ..................................................................................... 68 The Committee and Radio ............................................................................................................................... 69 The Fullness of Times series ............................................................................................................................. 70 The Final Twenty-six Episodes ........................................................................................................................ 79 iv Production begins ............................................................................................................................................ 83 Copyrights and Music ...................................................................................................................................... 84 Rising Costs ..................................................................................................................................................... 86 More Script Revisions ...................................................................................................................................... 87 Impact .............................................................................................................................................................. 91 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................................... 93 CHAPTER 5: EXHIBITS ................................................................................................................ 102 Genesis ........................................................................................................................................................... 103 Preparations .................................................................................................................................................. 107 1939 Season .................................................................................................................................................... 113 Exposition extends for a Second Season ......................................................................................................... 118 Impact ............................................................................................................................................................ 122 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................................... 124 CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................ 132 Summary of Findings .................................................................................................................................... 132 Suggestions for Future Research ................................................................................................................... 139 Gordon B. Hinckley Leaves the Committee ................................................................................................... 140 SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY ...................................................................................................... 144 v Chapter