Thomas Stuart Ferguson

Abstract: The Thomas Stuart Ferguson Papers (1875-1983) deal with the archaeology and historicity of the Book of Mormon and other questions concerning Mormon origins. Thomas Stuart Ferguson (1915-1983) received his B.A. in 1937 and his LL.B. in 1942, both from the University of California. He worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from 1941 to 1945, and then, after his admittance to the California State Bar, he opened a private law practice in 1946. By avocation, Thomas Ferguson was an amateur archaeologist, especially as it related to the claims of the Book of Mormon. He was a co-founder of the Itzan Society, whose purpose was to encourage investigation into the geographical references from the Book of Mormon. Ferguson also founded the New World Archaeological Foundation (NWAF) in 1952, and served as its president from 1952 to 1961, when it was attached to Brigham Young University. After that, he served as BYU-NWAF secretary until his death in 1983. Ferguson wrote three books, "Great Message of Peace and Happiness," "One Fold and One Shepherd," and "Cumorah--Where?" He co-authored a fourth, "Ancient America and the Book of Mormon" with Milton R. Hunter. In addition, Ferguson wrote a paper entitled "Joseph Smith, Mormon Prophet, and American Archeology," in 1952. For a biographical study of Ferguson's life (with an emphasis on his work in Book of Mormon Archaeology), see the book, "Quest for the Gold Plates: Thomas Stuart Ferguson's Archaeological Search for the Book of Mormon."