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Latter Day Saint Movement Studies: Searching BYU Collections: Subject Searching (General)

Ways of searching for Latter Day Saint materials in the Brigham Young University Library collections

Subject searching in the BYU catalog

A good way to approach finding materials about the Latter Day Saint Movement in the BYU and other library catalogs, particularly when you do not know a particular title or author, is by subject searching. Since we have tens of thousands of resources on the Movement, though, this task can seem a bit daunting. This guide is intended to help you focus your search.

Catalog records use "controlled vocabulary" to bring out subjects. This means that if a concept is known by more than one term, one and only one term will be chosen for to describe the concept in catalog records. A database of these chosen terms is kept, and catalogers draw on that database when adding subject headings to catalog records for particular resources. This vocabulary is called Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), and English-speaking libraries around the world follow it.

For example, if a resource is about "pet fishes" the cataloger consults the database and discovers that "ornamental fishes" is the LCSH controlled term that will be used instead. Knowing about this can be helpful to you, too, since it can save you time by discovering what the controlled term is for the topic you are researching (including in library databases other than BYU's). Otherwise you may need to cast around trying different synonyms until you zero in on the term found in most records for resources on the topic.

LCSH contains controlled vocabulary for terms concerning the various branches of the Latter Day Saint Movement (sometimes called the Restoration Movement). Previous to July 2023 these were all based on the term "Mormon" or "Mormons". These are now all based on the phrase "Latter Day Saint" or "Latter Day Saints". A list of the most common of these subject terms follows on this page.

To perform a subject search in the Library's database

Go to the Library home page.

Click on the drop down arrow to the right of the search box (or left of the magnifying glass).

At the bottom of the popup window, choose "Alphabetic browse"

Click on "subjects"; enter a search term (e.g. Latter Day Saint women)

LDS-Related Library of Congress Subject Headings in BYU Library Catalog

The following sections on this page contain the terms used in Library of Congress Subject Headings (LSCH), a controlled vocabulary used at BYU, to describe the Latter Day Saint Movement. It is important to understand that these do not describe any one church (e.g. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, based in Salt Lake City). Rather, they are used to describe works on Latter Day Saint (Mormon) denominations or adherents of those denominations treated collectively. Works on individual Latter Day Saint denominations are entered under the name of the denomination. The form "Latter Day Saint" (vs. "Latter-day Saint") is used in LCSH because that is the most common form used within the Latter Day Saint movement taken as a whole.

In BYU practice we frequently pair general LCSH terms with terms specific to the denomination.

For example, the record for a book about women missionaries in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints might contain this pair of headings:

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Missions

Latter Day Saint women missionaries [this term could also apply to women missionaries from any of the LDS denominations]

The record for a book about doctrines of Community of Christ might contain this pair of headings:

Community of Christ -- Doctrines

Latter Day Saint churches -- Doctrines [this term could also apply to the doctrines of any of the LDS denominations]

The record for a book about Reorganized Church buildings might contain this pair of headings:

Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints -- Buildings

Latter Day Saint church buildings [this term could also apply to church buildings of any of the LDS denominations]

 

The basic terms describing the Latter Day Saint movement are:

Latter Day Saints

Latter Day Saint churches

 

Use one of the terms below in the Library search, or click on the term to be led to the search. Note: this list includes all the terms relating to Latter Day Saints in Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). Not all of them have been used in the BYU Library catalog. These may be useful in searching other libraries' catalogs, including those participating in WorldCat Discovery (see adjoining box on this page).

C

Capital punishment -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Capitalism -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Caring -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Cataloging of Latter Day Saint literature

Catholic Church -- Relations -- Latter Day Saint churches

Charity -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Child rearing -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Child sexual abuse -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Children -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Choice (Psychology) -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Christian Churches and Churches of Christ -- Relations -- Latter Day Saint churches

Christian communities -- Latter Day Saint churches

Christian education -- Textbooks for adults -- Latter Day Saint 

Christian education -- Textbooks for children -- Latter Day Saint

Christian education -- Textbooks for teenagers -- Latter Day Saint 

Christian education -- Textbooks for young adults -- Latter Day Saint 

Christian education -- Textbooks -- Latter Day Saint 

Christian ethics -- Latter Day Saint authors

Christian giving -- Latter Day Saint churches

Christian leadership -- Latter Day Saint churches 

Christian life -- Latter Day Saint authors

Christian sociology -- Latter Day Saint churches

Christian stewardship -- Latter Day Saint churches

Christian union -- Latter Day Saint churches 

Christianity and justice -- Latter Day Saint churches

Christianity and politics -- Latter Day Saint churches

Church and social problems -- Latter Day Saint churches

Church and state -- Latter Day Saint churches

Church camps -- Latter Day Saint churches

Church controversies -- Latter Day Saint churches

Church group work with youth -- Latter Day Saint churches

Church growth -- Latter Day Saint churches

Church music -- Latter Day Saint churches

Church officers -- Latter Day Saint churches

Church renewal -- Latter Day Saint churches

Church work with children -- Latter Day Saint churches

Church work with families -- Latter Day Saint churches

Church work with gays -- Latter Day Saint churches

Church work with Indians -- Latter Day Saint churches

Church work with men -- Latter Day Saint churches

Church work with single people -- Latter Day Saint churches

Church work with students -- Latter Day Saint churches

Church work with teenagers -- Latter Day Saint churches

Church work with women -- Latter Day Saint churches

Church work with young adults -- Latter Day Saint churches

Church work with youth -- Latter Day Saint churches

Church work -- Latter Day Saint churches

Churches of Christ -- Relations -- Latter Day Saint churches

Civil rights -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Classification -- Books -- Latter Day Saint churches

Classification -- Books -- Latter Day Saints

Clothing and dress -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Codependency -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches 

Communication -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Communitarianism -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Communities -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Community of Christ -- Relations -- Latter Day Saint churches

Compulsive behavior -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Compulsive eating -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Confirmation -- Latter Day Saint churches

Conflict management -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Congregational churches -- Relations -- Latter Day Saint churches

Conservatism -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Constitutional law -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Contentment -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Contraception -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Conversion -- Latter Day Saint churches

Courtship -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Covenants (Church polity) -- Latter Day Saint churches

Covenants -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Latter Day Saint Midwives - Love—Religious aspects—Latter Day Saint churches

Latter Day Saint midwives

Latter Day Saint missionaries

Latter Day Saint neo-orthodoxy

Latter Day Saint painting

Latter Day Saint pilgrims and pilgrimages

Latter Day Saint pioneers

Latter Day Saint press

Latter Day Saint quilts

Latter Day Saint returned missionaries

Latter Day Saint scholars

Latter Day Saint shrines

Latter Day Saint tabernacles

Latter Day Saint temples

Latter Day Saint universities and colleges

Latter Day Saint wit and humor

Latter Day Saint women

Latter Day Saint women authors

Latter Day Saint women missionaries

Latter Day Saint youth

Latter Day Saints

Latter Day Saints in art

Latter Day Saints in literature

Latter Day Saints in mass media

Latter Day Saints in motion pictures

Latter Day Saints -- Biography

Latter Day Saints -- Cultural assimilation

Latter Day Saints -- Fiction

Latter Day Saints -- Genealogy

Latter Day Saints -- Juvenile fiction

Latter Day Saints -- Monuments

Latter Day Saints -- Persecutions

Latter Day Saints -- Songs and music

Laughter -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Lay missionaries -- Latter Day Saint churches

Leadership -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Learning and scholarship -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Lesbianism -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Liahona

Liberalism (Religion) -- Latter Day Saint churches

Liberalism -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Liberty -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Libraries -- Special collections -- Latter Day Saint churches

Life change events -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Light -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Literacy -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Lord's Supper -- Latter Day Saint churches

Loss (Psychology) -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Love -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

P

Pacifism -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Pageants -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Pain -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Parent and child -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Parent and teenager -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Parenting -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Pastoral theology -- Latter Day Saint churches

Patriarchal blessings (Latter Day Saint doctrine)

Patriarchs (Latter Day Saint churches)

Patriarchy -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Peace of mind -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Peace -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Pentecostal churches -- Relations -- Latter Day Saint churches

Perfection -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Physical education and training -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Physical fitness -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Pioneer Day (Latter Day Saint history)

Plan of salvation (Latter Day Saint doctrine)

Polygamy -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Popular culture -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Popular music -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Population policy -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Pornography -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Postmodernism -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Poverty -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Prayer -- Latter Day Saint churches

Pregnancy -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Prenatal diagnosis -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Presbyterian Church -- Relations -- Latter Day Saint churches

Priesthood -- Latter Day Saint churches

Progress -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Prophets (Latter Day Saint doctrine)

Prophets in the Book of Mormon

Protestant churches -- Relations -- Latter Day Saint churches 

Psychotherapy -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Public speaking -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Public welfare -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Public worship -- Latter Day Saint churches

Punishment -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

S

Sacraments -- Latter Day Saint churches

Sacred Grove (N.Y.)

Salvation -- Latter Day Saint churches

Same-sex marriage -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Science fiction -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Scouting (Youth activity) -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Secret societies -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Segregation -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Self-actualization (Psychology) -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Self-control -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Self-efficacy -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Self-esteem -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Self-perception -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Self-realization -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Seminaries (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Sex addiction -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Sex in marriage -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Sex instruction for children -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Sex instruction for youth -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Sex instruction -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Sex role -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Sexism -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Sex -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Sexual abstinence -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Shakers -- Relations -- Latter Day Saint churches

Sharing -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Simplicity -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Slavery and the church -- Latter Day Saint churches

Smith, Joseph, Jr., 1805-1844 -- First Vision

Social service -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Society of Friends -- Relations -- Latter Day Saint churches

Sovereignty -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Spiritual healing -- Latter Day Saint churches

Spiritual life -- Latter Day Saint churches

Spirituality -- Latter Day Saint churches

Sports -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Stakes (Latter Day Saint churches)

Stars -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Subject headings -- Latter Day Saints 

Substance abuse -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Success -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Suffering -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Suicide -- Religious aspects -- Latter Day Saint churches

Other Ways to Search for Books

BYU Library Catalog

Only available on campus. Alphabetical, call number, keyword, and other searches of the library collections can be done here.

WorldCat Discovery

Unified catalog of research libraries and public libraries throughout the world. Includes books, serials, sound recordings, data files, musical scores, and visual materials. Formerly called FirstSearch.

National Union Catalog (NUC)

Digital version of the massive printed catalog of books cataloged by North American libraries. The main set contains books published before 1956, with supplements for later imprints. As of 2008 25% of the books in NUC still had not been cataloged in WorldCat, so this remains an important bibliographic tool. A contents list for NUC has been created by Vondell Johnson of the Library of Congress here.

Interlibrary Loan

Theses & Dissertations

Search the BYU Library Catalog for BYU theses & dissertations. For other theses and dissertations, search the following database:

HathiTrust Digital Library

HathiTrust Digital Library is a collection approaching 17 million volumes of searchable books, journals, and government documents, including around 7 million available as full-text online.

BYU has joined more than 100 international academic and research libraries as a partner in HathiTrust. For more details about the kinds of content in HathiTrust and to visualize by call numbers, languages, or dates, see Statistics and Visualizations.

What can I do in HathiTrust?

Anyone can search and view the full-text content in HathiTrust. With login, users at BYU benefit from added features. Below is a brief summary of what you can do.
You can log in from the HathiTrust main page.

   without login   with BYU login 
Search full-text of all volumes
View full-text of non-copyright volumes
Download single page of non-copyright volumes (PDF image)
Download full volume of non-copyright volumes (PDF image) X
Search within collections
Create and save your own collections X
Chart courtesy of Syracuse University Libraries

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Robert L. Maxwell
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