This collection documents Blaine M. Yorgason, Dr. Douglas D. Alder, and Dr. Richard A. Schmutz’s research in the history and building of the St. George Temple in Southern Utah, built 1871-1877, and the early pioneers that settled in Southern Utah. The bulk of the material collected in their research is undated, but includes primary sources from the late 1800s, and more recent secondary sources. Alder and Schmutz were commissioned by the St. George Temple Presidency in 2008 to write a history of the St. George Temple, which started the research, writing, and publication process for the book. The original drafts were written by Alder and Schmutz. Alder wrote about the history of Southern Utah and Schmutz wrote about the building, dedication, and ordinances of the St. George Temple. The manuscript was sent to Deseret Book Company in Salt Lake City, Utah for publishing approval. The manuscript was returned noting that the writing was too academic, and that there were too many footnotes. In 2011, Bruce Hafen, the St. George temple president; Alder; and Schmutz asked Yorgason to help write the book in a more approachable format.

Yorgason was a temple worker in St. George, Utah at the time, and he sent an email to all of the temple workers asking them to submit their family histories of the St. George area. He received over 75 family histories from the temple workers. Their family histories were essential in the writing of the book. The book's original title was Third Temple of the Restoration, but was changed to All That Was Promised before publication in 2013.

The Research Series contains a variety of information about individuals, families, and topics. It includes the authors' handwritten notes, photocopies, records, or original source formats. It is divided in to two sub-series, research collected through the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and subject and topical research complied by the authors. Both sub-series include the names and histories of the pioneers and their families living in Southern Utah. There are published and unpublished articles that helped the authors' with the research of the St. George Temple and the pioneers living there.

The Photograph Series includes original and reproduction photographs of the St. George Temple. The majority of the photographs are photocopies of the St. George Temple and historical areas of southern Utah.

The Correspondence Series is the smallest series of the collection. It contains a mixture of personal letters and professional inquiries, often with Yorgason, Alder, or Schmutz’s letter attached. They are dated from 2010-2012 and are arranged in chronological order by the date they were written or received.

The Drafts Series contains partial works written by Yorgason, Alder and Schmutz. The drafts are dated from 2009-2012. They are arranged in their original chronological order in how they were written by chapter and date. The drafts are noted by author and page number. Included in the Draft Series is a file with handwritten notes and book suggestions from Deseret Book in Salt Lake City, Utah. There are extensive handwritten notes and sticky notes from Yorgason, Alder, and Schmutz depicting the changes they were making for the final draft. Included in the Draft Series is a “rough or reading draft” that was handed out to the authors’ friends to read, correct and return for review.