BYU professor to speak about J. Golden Kimball

PROVO — The William A. Wilson Folklore Archive at Brigham Young University's Harold B. Lee Library on Nov. 28 will hold its fifth annual Founder's Lecture, "J. Golden Kimball in Mormon Folklore," at 7 p.m. in the library auditorium.

The speaker will be Eric A. Eliason, an associate professor of English who teaches folklore and Mormon literature. He recently published a book of rare stories, anecdotes and jokes by or about Kimball titled "The J. Golden Kimball Stories."

Renowned for being outspoken and somewhat irreverent, Kimball was one of the most colorful leaders in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as a general authority of the church for 46 years in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Named for its founder — former BYU professor William A. Wilson — the archive is committed to collecting and preserving folklore. It focuses on the folklore of families, religious life of Latter-day Saints, university students and regional life in the Intermountain West and is home to the world's largest collection of Mormon folklore.

The lecture is free and will be followed by a reception. The public is welcome.