Spencer J. Palmer
Encyclopedia
Spencer John Palmer was a chronicler of the development of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in Asia as well as a major player in these developments. He was a historian of Korea as well, but did not live long enough to ever be able to create a true history of the LDS Church in Korea. He also was a scholar on comparative religion and wrote many books on these and related topics.
on October 4th, 1927. He was raised in Thatcher, Arizona
. He studied at Eastern Arizona College
before transferring to Brigham Young University
(BYU) where he received his bachelor's degree. Between his studies at these two institutions Palmer served as a missionary for the LDS Church in the California Mission. He then studied at the University of California, Berkeley
where he received a master's degree in East Asiatic Studies and a Ph.D. in Oriental History. In 1956 Palmer married Shirley Ann Hadley in the Salt Lake Temple
.
Palmer served in the United States military as a chaplain in both Japan and Korea. He was the president
of the Korean Mission
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1965-1968. During this time he often traveled and worked closely with Gordon B. Hinckley
, who was then the member of the quorum of the twelve responsible to oversee the operation of the Church in Asia. As mission president Palmer also purchased the site where the Church later built the Seoul Temple. Palmer also served as a Regional Representative of the Twelve
in Southeast Asia, a bishop and a counselor in a stake presidency in the Church. Palmer latter served as president of the Seoul Korea Temple
from 1988 to 1990.
Palmer was for many years a professor at BYU. He also served as director of the world religions division at BYU's Religious Studies Center
and director of BYU's Center for International and Area Studies. This was the predecessor to the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies
which Palmer also worked as a time as an assistant director of.
In 1991 Palmer donated his collection of over 5,000 books on Asian and religious topics to BYU's Harold B. Lee Library
, a collection that included about 1,500 rare books in Korean. In 1993 Palmer worked for six months as a professor teaching comparative religion in China to students from Ethnic Minority Groups in China at the request of the government of China.
The Palmers were the parents of four children; John, Dwight, Jennette, and James. John Leroy Palmer, which was also the name of Palmer's father, died as an infant, but the other three outlived Spencer.
Biography
Palmer was born in Eden, ArizonaEden, Arizona
Eden is a small unincorporated community in Graham County, Arizona, United States. It is part of the Safford Micropolitan Statistical Area. Eden has a ZIP Code of 85535; in 2000, the population of the 85535 ZCTA was 150.-Geography:...
on October 4th, 1927. He was raised in Thatcher, Arizona
Thatcher, Arizona
Thatcher is a town in Graham County, Arizona, United States. According to the 2010 Census, the population of the town is 4,865. It is part of the Safford Micropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Thatcher is located at ....
. He studied at Eastern Arizona College
Eastern Arizona College
Eastern Arizona College , is a community college located in Graham County, Arizona. The main campus is in Thatcher, with satellite locations in Gila County, and Greenlee County...
before transferring to Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
(BYU) where he received his bachelor's degree. Between his studies at these two institutions Palmer served as a missionary for the LDS Church in the California Mission. He then studied at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
where he received a master's degree in East Asiatic Studies and a Ph.D. in Oriental History. In 1956 Palmer married Shirley Ann Hadley in the Salt Lake Temple
Salt Lake Temple
The Salt Lake Temple is the largest and best-known of more than 130 temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the sixth temple built by the church, requiring 40 years to complete, and the fourth operating temple built since the Mormon exodus from Nauvoo,...
.
Palmer served in the United States military as a chaplain in both Japan and Korea. He was the president
Mission president
Mission president is a priesthood leadership position in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . A mission president presides over a mission and the missionaries serving in the mission...
of the Korean Mission
Mission (LDS Church)
A mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a geographical administrative area to which church missionaries are assigned. Almost all areas of the world are within the boundaries of an LDS Church mission, whether or not Mormon missionaries live or proselytize in the area...
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 1965-1968. During this time he often traveled and worked closely with Gordon B. Hinckley
Gordon B. Hinckley
Gordon Bitner Hinckley was an American religious leader and author who served as the 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from March 12, 1995 until his death...
, who was then the member of the quorum of the twelve responsible to oversee the operation of the Church in Asia. As mission president Palmer also purchased the site where the Church later built the Seoul Temple. Palmer also served as a Regional Representative of the Twelve
Regional representative of the Twelve
Regional representative of the Twelve, commonly shorted to regional representative or regional rep, was a priesthood calling in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between 1968 and 1995...
in Southeast Asia, a bishop and a counselor in a stake presidency in the Church. Palmer latter served as president of the Seoul Korea Temple
Seoul Korea Temple
The Seoul Korea Temple is the 37th operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . It is located in Seoul, South Korea....
from 1988 to 1990.
Palmer was for many years a professor at BYU. He also served as director of the world religions division at BYU's Religious Studies Center
Religious Studies Center
The Religious Studies Center is the research and publishing arm of the Religious Education program at Brigham Young University , sponsoring scholarship on Latter-day Saint culture, history, scripture, and doctrine.-History:...
and director of BYU's Center for International and Area Studies. This was the predecessor to the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies
David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies
The David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies provides international study and service opportunities for students at Brigham Young University ....
which Palmer also worked as a time as an assistant director of.
In 1991 Palmer donated his collection of over 5,000 books on Asian and religious topics to BYU's Harold B. Lee Library
Harold B. Lee Library
The Harold B. Lee Library , located in Provo, Utah, is the main academic library of Brigham Young University, the largest religious and second-largest private university in the United States. The library has approximately of shelving for the more than 6 million items in its various collections, as...
, a collection that included about 1,500 rare books in Korean. In 1993 Palmer worked for six months as a professor teaching comparative religion in China to students from Ethnic Minority Groups in China at the request of the government of China.
The Palmers were the parents of four children; John, Dwight, Jennette, and James. John Leroy Palmer, which was also the name of Palmer's father, died as an infant, but the other three outlived Spencer.
Publications
- The Expanding Church. Salt Lake City: Deseret BookDeseret BookDeseret Book is the largest Latter-day Saint book publisher and also owns a chain of LDS bookstores in the western United States. Over 150 people work in its Salt Lake City headquarters...
, 1978. - The Church Encounters Asia. Salt Lake City: Deseret BookDeseret BookDeseret Book is the largest Latter-day Saint book publisher and also owns a chain of LDS bookstores in the western United States. Over 150 people work in its Salt Lake City headquarters...
, 1970. - Religions of the World: A Latter-day Saint View (with James A. TorontoJames A. TorontoJames Albert Toronto is a professor of Arabic language and Islamic religion at Brigham Young University . He was previously a professor of comparative religion at the same institution.-Biography:...
, Dong Sull Choi and Roger R. KellerRoger R. KellerRoger R. Keller is a professor of religion at Brigham Young University . Keller is a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints having been at times both a Presbyterian and a Methodist Minister prior to joining the LDS Church....
) - The Korean Saints, Personal Stories of Trial and triumph, 1950-1980. This book is a compilation of the stories of many people. Palmer's wife Shirley was a co-compiler of this book.
- Mormons and Muslims: Spiritual Foundations and Modern Manifestations Provo: BYUBYU-Education:* Brigham Young University, a university located in Provo, Utah, USA administered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.**BYU Salt Lake Center, a satellite center in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA...
Religious Studies CenterReligious Studies CenterThe Religious Studies Center is the research and publishing arm of the Religious Education program at Brigham Young University , sponsoring scholarship on Latter-day Saint culture, history, scripture, and doctrine.-History:...
, 1983. - Confucian Rituals in Korea
- Korea and Christianity, The Problem of Identification with Tradition
- New Religions of Korea
Sources
- about the author info on The Expanding Church.
- Sheri Dew. Go Forward With Faith: The Biography of Gordon B. Hinckley. (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1996) p. 287, 350, 437.
- Short bio introducing Palmer's remarks on a common ground between Latter-day Saints and Muslims