Joseph Talmage and Vera Jean Jones Collection

Stephanie Griswold and Tatiana Woliung

Special Collections, Honnold/Mudd Library

800 North Dartmouth Avenue

Claremont, CA 91711

Phone: (909) 607-3977

Email: specialcollections@claremont.edu

URL: http://library.claremont.edu/scl

Descriptive Summary

Title: Joseph Talmage and Vera Jean Jones Collection

Dates: 1913-2002

Collection number: H.Mss.1118

Extent: 1.4 Linear Feet (3 document boxes)

Repository: Claremont Colleges. Library. Special Collections, The Claremont Colleges Library, Claremont, CA 91711.

Abstract: The J. Talmage and Vera Jones Collection mostly covers the decades of the 1930s through the 1970s. The photos and documents in this collection are personal, family, and church involvement records ranging from the US Southwest to Singapore and Canada. The majority of the records are from or about J. Talmage Jones with some records produced or about his family, having most to do with their church activities and missionary work. The primary language of this collection is English and is largely textual documents and photographs with some ephemera.

Physical Location: Please consult repository.

Language of Material: Languages represented in the collection: English.

Administrative Information

Access

Collection open for research.

Publication Rights

All requests for permission to reproduce or to publish must be submitted in writing to Special Collections.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Joseph Talmage and Vera Jean Jones Collection (H.Mss.1118). Special Collections, The Claremont Colleges Library, The Claremont Colleges Services, Claremont, California.

Provenance/Source of Acquisition

Gift of Robert S. Jones, November 2019

Accruals

No additions to the collection are anticipated.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Stephanie Griswold and Tatiana Woliung. The physical processing was rehousing documents from folders and binders into acid-free archival folders and boxes. There were a few items that were separated from the main collection to be catalogued with other publications. Delicate items and photos have mostly been put in protective mylar. Original order has mostly been maintained with the exception of a few items that had been laid into the collection.

Biography / Administrative History

Joseph Talmage Jones, or J. Talmage Jones, was born on December 2, 1915, in Graham, Arizona, to Edna Cynthia Layton and Doctor Byron Jones. Vera Jean Noyes was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 8, 1919. They were both involved in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints their entire lives. J. Talmage was baptized a member of the Church on April 5, 1924. He was ordained in the priesthood of the church as a deacon on December 4, 1927, a priest January 15, 1933, an elder May 5, 1935, and finally as a high priest on February 27, 1949. J. Talmage Jones married Vera Jean Noyes on June 20, 1940, in Mesa, Arizona. They had seven children during their marriage. J. Talmage was the bishop of the Las Flores Ward from May 1950-March 1953, later serving as a counselor in the Pasadena Stake Presidency to the Stake President Howard W. Hunter who would later become the 14th president of the church. He was called as the mission president of the Western Canadian Mission and served from 1964-1967 with Vera Jean. He later served a second time as a mission president from 1980-1983 in the Singapore Mission. In 1967 he was called to serve as the Regional Representative of the Quorum of the Twelve in the Los Angeles East and Long Beach areas. He worked as a leader and advisor to stake presidents in Southern California, while also supervising the planning of youth activities and musical festivals in the Los Angeles area. He served in this calling from 1967-June 1974 and then again from July 1977-October 1979. During the last years of J. Talmage's life he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. He died on January 31, 1990, in Redlands, California, at the age of 74, and was buried in San Gabriel, California. Vera Jean died on June 9, 2004, in Provo, Utah, at the age of 85, and was buried in San Gabriel, California.

Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Joseph Talmage and Vera Jean Jones Collection consists of records pertaining to J. Talmage and Vera Jean Jones including photographs, personal papers, letters, newspaper clippings, certificates, programs, blessings, and LDS church documents spanning over nine decades. The components of this collection outline the life story of J. Talmage and Vera Jean Jones about how they lived their lives, what activities they were involved in, their relationship with church leaders including Howard W. Hunter and Spencer W. Kimball, and how they committed their time to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There are documents related to organizations and businesses that J. Talmage was associated with, including the Christopher Layton Family, Inc. and the Mountain Mushroom, Inc. in Fillmore, Utah. This collection also includes correspondence with stake presidents and General Authorities including Spencer W. Kimball, Howard W. Hunter, Gordon B. Hinckley, Delbert L. Stapley, and Harold B. Lee. The main components of this collection are family, personal, and business records, church participation in California and the US Southwest, and missionary callings in Canada and Southeast Asia. Though this collection is less than 2 linear feet, it contains both personal and institutional records of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and many general authorities, particularly in reference to missionary work outside the US.

Organization and Arrangement

Due to its small size it is unnecessary to organize the collection into series. Arrangement is based on the order that The Claremont Colleges Library Special Collections and Archives received the collection. Most folders are arranged chronologically by date.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library’s online public access catalog.

Subject Terms

Arizona -- Religion -- Sources

California -- Religion -- Sources

Canada -- Religion -- Sources

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Pasadena Stake

Council of the Twelve Apostles (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Deacons

Missionaries

Missions

Mormon Church -- 20th century -- Sources

Mormons -- 20th century -- Sources

Priesthood

Religious institutions

Singapore

Southeast Asia

Southwestern States

Genre and Form of Materials

Certificates

Correspondence

Ephemera

Letters

Photographs

Programs

Box 1, Folder 1

Jones Binder 1, (1 of 3) 1915-1940

Note

Contains a biography about the beginnings of J. Talmage Jone's life written by his mother Edna Cynthia Layton Jones. Photographs of J. Talmage of boyhood (from 4-13 years of age), family home and attended church, and family members. Certificates of blessings, baptism and confirmation into the church, and promotion to Elder.

Box 1, Folder 2

Jones Binder 1, (2 of 3) 1915-1940

Note

Consists of photographs of Jones family, various locations that were relevant to them, and times at the beach with friends. Documents that represent J. Talmage's time in high school included a play program and a diploma. There are letters and writing documents discussing the family story of moving to Los Angeles, California from Thatcher, Arizona.

Box 1, Folder 3

Jones Binder 1, (3 of 3) 1915-1940

Note

From the mid to late 1930s, there are photographs of J. Talmage with Vera Jean and other events such as a vehicle wreckage. Programs for Mother's Day at the Arlington Ward, the initiation of Talmage as President of the M-Men association, and a basketball tournament. Vera Jean Noyes' program of her summer cource and commencement. Talmage received a degree from UCLA.

Box 1, Folder 4

Jones Binder 2, (1 of 3) 1940-1960

Note

Contains a marriage certificate between J. Talmage and Vera Jean in the early 1940s, and documents officiating Talmage as Bishop.

Box 1, Folder 5

Jones Binder 2, (2 of 3) 1940-1960

Note

Contains family photographs depicting the Jones family on a stage. Newspaper clipping recognizing J. Talmage as the new Counselor of the Pasadena Stake in 1950.

Box 1, Folder 6

Jones Binder 2, (3 of 3) 1940-1960

Note

Contains newspaper articles regarding Talmage's involvement in basketball as a player and a coach in the Arlington Ward. Documented letters of the LDS from Utah appointing Talmage as a bishop for the Las Flores Ward and leaving his position as Bishop to become first counselor to Howard W. Hunter. Program about Talmage's involvement with establishing a new chapel in 1951. Documentation of J. Talmage discussing his job appointment of Treasurer of TOPP Industries in 1959.

Box 1, Folder 7

Jones Binder 3, Canada, (1 of 4) 1964-1967

Note

Contains documents delegating J. Talmage as the president of the Western Canadian Mission in 1964. Newspaper clippings announcing the leadership and praising J. Talmage's devotion to the church. Copies of J. Talmage and Vera Jean Jones' blessings from the Pasadena Stake or Ward.

Box 1, Folder 8

Jones Binder 3, Canada, (2 of 4) 1964-1967

Note

Contains letters written by J. Talmage Jones from his time in Alberta, Canada and providing updates for other church members from 1964-1965. Certificates of marriage license and clergymen under the Canadian government. Lettered documents regarding the Canadian missionary.

Box 1, Folder 9

Jones Binder 3, Canada, (3 of 4) 1964-1967

Note

Contains letters written by J. Talmage Jones providing updates from his experiences and progress on the Western Canadian Mission from 1965-1967. Newspaper clippings about the progress the Western Canadian Mission had made in Alberta, Canada. Documented program of a biographical sketch of John Longden and different leaders of the Western Canadian Mission. Letter written by J. Talmage Jones to his parents.

Box 2, Folder 1

Jones Binder 3, Canada, (4 of 4) 1964-1967

Note

Contains correspondence with General Authorities including N. Eldon Tanner, missionaries in Western Canadian mission, and letter of release from service.

Box 2, Folder 2

Jones Binder 4, (1 of 4) 1971-1976

Note

Contains brief journal entries January 1971-May 1972. Correspondence with General Authorities including Howard W. Hunter, Delbert L. Stapely, and Gordon B. Hinckley; correspondence with stake presidents in Southern California due to assignment as Regional Representative.

Box 2, Folder 3

Jones Binder 4, (2 of 4) 1971-1976

Note

Contain journal entries from June 1972-June 1973. Correspondence with Harold B. Lee, President of the Church and Spencer W. Kimball, President of the Twelve. Correspondence and financial documents related to establishment of Mountain Mushroom, Inc.

Box 2, Folder 4

Jones Binder 4, (3 of 4) 1971-1976

Note

Contains journal entries from July 1973-June 1974. Letter from First Presidency releasing J. Talmage Jones from Regional Representative assignment. Correspondence with Apostle N. Elder Tanner and President Harold B. Lee. Financial documents related to Mountain Mushroom, Inc.

Box 2, Folder 5

Jones Binder 4, (4 of 4) 1971-1976

Note

Contains journal entries from July 1974-December 1976. Newspaper article of J. Talmage Jones assignment to head Rose Parade Float Finance Committee. Artist sketch of 1977 Rose Parade Mormon float.

Box 2, Folder 6

Jones Binder 5, (1 of 2) 1977-1979

Note

Contains brief journal entries from January 1977-June 1978. Correspondence from the First Presidency in relation to calling as Regional Representative. Documents related to organization of Youth Symphony and Chorus at the Hollywood Bowl June 1978.

Box 2, Folder 7

Jones Binder 5, (2 of 2) 1977-1979

Note

Contains brief journal entries July 1978-December 1979. Letter from First Presidency ending racial priesthood ban. Mission call to serve as president of the Singapore mission.

Box 2, Folder 8

Christopher Layton Family, Inc. Minute Cook, (1 of 2) 1966-1982

Note

Contains the bylaws and minute meetings of the Christopher Layton Family, Inc. J. Talmage Jones was elected to the Board of Trustees May 29, 1976.

Box 2, Folder 9

Christopher Layton Family, Inc. Minute Cook, (2 of 2) 1966-1982

Note

Contains further minutes and agenda of meetings of the organization.

Box 2, Folder 10

Jones Correspondence, (1 of 2) 1957

Note

Contains photos of Boy Scout group in front of bus and letters J. Talmage wrote to Vera Jean.

Box 2, Folder 11

Jones Correspondence, (2 of 2) 1957

Note

Contains further letters J. Talmage wrote to Vera Jean while attending National Scout Jamboree in 1957.

Box 2, Folder 12

Jones Items-Laid-In 1952-1955

Note

Contains missionary licenses of J. Talmage and Vera Jean. Program of J. Talmage's funeral on February 3, 1990.

Box 3, Folder 1

Family Histories 1913-1973

Note

Contains two histories of Layton Jones, one written by his mother and the other written by himself.

Box 3, Folder 2

Doctor Byron Jones 90th Birthday Celebration 1976

Note

Contains brief histories of Doctor Jones, Talmage's father, for his 90th birthday on February 23, 1976.

Box 3, Folder 3

Las Flores Ward Dedication 1951 September 9

Note

Contains a dedication program of a new chapel for the Las Flores Ward in Temple City, California.

Box 3, Folder 4

Journal 1985-2002

Note

Contains journal of J. Talmage Jones from 1985-1987. Also contains a letter to Christopher Jones, his son, dated September 23, 2002.