80 years ago today - Dec 7, 1945

[George Albert Smith]
Even to imply that member of the Church are not to do their own thinking is grossly to misrepresent the true ideal fo the Church, which is that every individual must obtain for himself a testimony of the truth of the Gospel, must, through the redemption of Jesus Christ, work out his own salvation, and is personally responsible to His Maker for his individual acts. The Lord Himself does not attempt coercion in His desire and effort to give peace and salvation to His children. He gives the principles of life and true progress, but leaves every person free to choose or to reject His teachings. This plan the Authorities of the Church try to follow.

[George Albert Smith, Letter to J. Raymond Cope, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]

115 years ago today - Dec 7, 1910

President [David H.] Cannon was very pleased with the privilege of greeting the saints this morning. Wished more were here. Spoke a few words about the garment. We are told the garment is a pattern of one given to Adam and Eve in the garden. If the sleeve is cut off it will not be the proper garment. Said, President [Brigham] Young once told a young woman that they could turn in the collar and roll up the sleeves but they must not cut them off. President Cannon instructed the Ordinance Workers to clothe the people with the proper garments. Spoke of the responsibility of those taking names to see that the dead are properly endowed and of those taking [dramatic] parts to render them correctly and of those engaged in any manner in this work.

[Temple Minute Book, St. George, Dec. 7, 1910, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]

140 years ago today - Dec 7, 1885 (Monday)

The City Council of Salt Lake City, after a thorough investigation, found that there was not the least danger of a "Mormon" uprising, and that telegraphic dispatches, sent to Washington, D.C., by Federal officials, were entirely false.

[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

165 years ago today - Dec 7, 1860

The President [Brigham Young] remarked that the whites by mingling their seed with the blacks entailed on their own posterity the curse that fell upon the blacks. He further remarked all the Sons of Adam will receive their priesthood before the blood of Cain and then the curse will be removed by their receiving it. -- Salt Lake City

[Brigham Young Office Journals, Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]

180 years ago today - Dec 7, 1845. Sunday.

[William Clayton]
In the Temple all day. All the first quorum with one or two exceptions were present both male and female. About 1 o'clock we clothed. Dressed in ceremonial robes and aprons. The meeting was opened by prayer by Joseph Fielding. After which Elders Taylor, Hyde, Phelps, Pratt and John Smith each expressed their feelings in regard to our present privilege of meeting in the Temple in spite of the combined opposition of men and devils. During the speaking, the Bishops having provided Bread and Wine, the bread was broke by Brother Kimball and then blessed by him and handed round by Bishop Whitney. Joseph Young then blessed the wine which was also passed around by Brother Whitney. President Young then addressed the company. He said the time would come when the Celestial law would be put in force and that law forbids any man taking the name of God in vain. But we have men in our midst who do not scruple to say by God, by Jesus Christ, God damn you &c. and the time will come when the law
will be put in force on all such. He gave much good instruction and the spirit of God rested upon him. He stated "that a few of the quorum had met twice a week ever since Joseph and Hyrum were killed and during the last excitement, every day and in the hottest part of it twice a day to offer up the signs and pray to our heavenly father to deliver his people and this is the cord which has bound this people together. If this quorum and those who shall be admitted into it will be as diligent in prayer as a few has been I promise you in the name of Israels God that we shall accomplish the will of God and go out in due time from the gentiles with power and plenty and no power shall stay us." After the exhortation we offered up the signs and had prayers for the usual subject. Joseph Young being mouth. We were then dismissed until next Sunday at 11 o'clock.

[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]

180 years ago today - Dec 7, 1845

[Heber C. Kimball]
The following Persons are members of the Holy Order of the Holy Preasthood having Recieved it in the Life time of Joseph and Hirum, the Prophets. Elder B. Young went and gave the Brethren and Sisters present a view of the Seprate rooms, and the object of them, then pute up the Veil and choe [showed] the Order of it. The Brethren and Sisters clothed half past one, commenced our meeting at two Oclock. Meeting [opened] by prair by Joseph Fielding, sung humn and Elder John Tailor spoke a chort time then H. C. Kimball spoke. Elder B. was sick and had to retire to his room and lay down on his couch. Then Elder O. Hide gave a chort exortation. After he closed, him [hymn] sung. Then H. C. K. [Heber C. KImball], N. K. [Newell K. Whitney] brock [broke] Bread. Blessed by H. C. K. Elder B. Young come in pertaock [partook], carid around by N. K. Wine, blest by Joseph Young, Carrid round by N. K. Singing while the wine going round. Then El. P. P. Pratt rose and spoke on a simeler object before
the pople. W. W. Pheps spoke. It was 3 Oclock when we partoock of sacrement. Great Solemnity rested on the Breth and sisters, great union in our meeting. Seven present have not had thare Last [or second] Anointing. L. Woodworth and wife Sister Tomson, Wm. Claton, Joseph Kingsbury, John Benhisel, Sister Marinda Hide, Agness Smith, the wife of Don Smith. John Smith our Patriarch spoke a chort time them Elder B. Young Said this quorum should meet heare evry Sabath and take of the Sacrament. The Br. and Sisters ware completly clothed. Elder B. Young gave us good council. We offerd up the Signs Little after fore, got through at five. G. A. Smith mouth. When he got through all went home in good spirrits.

[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]

195 years ago today - Dec 7, 1830

Joseph Smith receives a revelation (D&C 35) noting that Sidney Rigdon is sent forth as a John the Baptist to prepare for Jesus Christ and Elijah which should come.

[Mark Lyman Staker, Hearken, O Ye People: The Historical Setting of Joseph Smith's Ohio Revelations: A Selective Chronology of Significant Events in Ohio's LDS History]

195 years ago today - December 1830 (after 7 December)

Section 37, Place: (Canadaigua, Ontario County, New York, as per Book of Commandments).

Historical Note: Section 37 is the first revelation which addressed the need of the Church membership to move to Ohio. The revelation also instructed Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon to stop the work of translating the Bible until they moved to "the Ohio."

[Cook, Lyndon, Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]

195 years ago today - Dec 7, 1830

Mr. Oliver Cowdery has his commission directly from the God of heaven, and that he has his credentials, written and signed by the hand of Jesus Christ, with whom he has personally conversed, and as such, said Cowdry claims that he and his associates are the only persons on earth who are qualified to administer in his name. By this authority, they proclaim to the world, that all who do not believe their testimony, and be baptized by them ... must be forever miserable.

[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]

195 years ago today - 7-Dec 24, 1830

Joseph Smith revises Genesis (Moses 6:52a-68; 7:1-8:12), dictating also the "Prophecy of Enoch" . This portion of Old Testament Manuscript #1 (Community of Christ Library-Archives) is in the handwriting of John Whitmer and Sidney Rigdon (Matthews 1975, 65-66, 69). John Whitmer says the revelation was received in Fayette (NY) shortly after the arrival of Sidney Rigdon in early December 1830. Afterwards, according to Whitmer, "Joseph and Sidney went to the several churchs preaching and prophesying wher=ever they went".

[Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]

75 years ago today - Dec 6, 1950

[George Albert Smith]
[Regarding the termination of the current manager of the Temple Square Coffee Shop:] His employment has been discontinued and the Brethren will give consideration tomorrow in the Temple meeting to selecting a new bishop to take his place.

[George Albert Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]

100 years ago today - Dec 6, 1925

In Buenos Aires, Argentina, Elder Melvin J. Ballard organizes the South American Mission, the first mission in South America.

[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]

100 years ago today - Dec 6, 1925

Elder Melvin J. Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve established a mission in South America with headquarters in Buenos Aires, Argentina, opening the Church's official work in South America, which he dedicated for the preaching of the gospel on Dec. 25.

[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]

125 years ago today - Thursday, Dec 6, 1900

A question arose regarding church publications, namely, as to whether it would be wise to combine and publish them under one cover. The publications referred to, more [Juvenile Instructor, Era, and Young Ladies Journal]. The matter was discussed pretty freely, Apostles J. H. Smith, H. J. Grant, and myself being in favor of the proposition, and Apostle A. H. Lund opposed to it. It was finally decided that no recommendation be made by the council, but that the magazine companies themselves deal with this question.

Apostle H. J. Grant made some remarks in regard to Saltair and said that, in engaging a manager for next year, he thought it should be distinctly understood that no liquor should be sold there. This seemed to be the mind of most all the brethren present. President Snow said that, while he was personally in favor of restricting the liquor traffic, when we deal with people outside the church as well as those inside, we have to be wise and get along the best we can.

The question arose as to whether it would be wise for Reed Smoot, one of our number, to make an effort to secure the senatorship from Utah. Success seemed to be fairly within his reach. A proposition was made that President Wm. McKinley, Mark Hanna, and other distinguished men of the party be consulted, and, if they thought it proper so [to] do, then Apostle Smoot was to enter the race. The gentiles already have two congressmen from Utah, and it is thought that the "Mormons" are justly entitled to the third. Benediction by Apostle J. H. Smith.

[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]

180 years ago today - Dec 6, 1845

[Heber C. Kimball]
Sister Electa Crane, and Sister Brewor, Br. John D. Lee, B. Young went to work on the Alters [of the Nauvoo temple]. Peas dwels here in the Hous of the Lord. We all feel to Rejoice before the Lord that he in His kind providence has permited His servents to finish the Attick. Elder W. W. Phelps come in 20 Minits past Eleven with some seders [cedars]. Br. We[e]ks and Br. [Truman] Angel ware ingaged with us preparing the rooms. ... George Miller, N. K. Whitney come in little past 12. W. Phelps, George Miller, and my self began to fix the Trees. At 1 Oclock the rooms ware cleard of all but those of the Holly Order, so that set things in order fore the Sabath ... Returned back to the Temple, put up the Looking glasses, and Maps and potrats. As William W. Majors [an English artist] brought som up from his chop [shop] to Adorn our room. The trees set in order in the garden. Sister Elzebeth Ann Whitney come in and sode [sewed] on the fringe, going over the Top of the canvas running threw
the room crost from North to South. G. A. Smith and Amasa Lyman come in three in the after [noon], Sister Clarisa and Emily Cutler mad[e] a Coten [cotten] Veil going before the Linnen Veil. Jullia Durphy assisted in making the Veil Linnen, Joseph L. Heywood come in to our upper room as the sun was setting. L. Wodworth put up the clock on west end of the East room.

Sister Sophia Lyon[s], Brought me in a fine rocken chare [rocking chair] and a comforter. She has also brought in pictures, and Evergreens R. Cutler got over the River 369.25, three hunred and sixty nine dollars and twenty five cents. The cours [coarse] Veil was put up this Eve by B. Young, R. Cahoon.

Of the Twelve Present, President B. Young, H. C. Kimball, G. A. Smith, A. Limon, J. Tailor, High Preas A. Cutler, R. Cahoon, I. Morly, John Smith, W. W. Phelps, N. K. Whitney, G. Miller, Wm. Claton, L. Woodworth, Joseph Kingsbury, O. Spencer. We clothed, and praid all to gether. Twelve and High Preas. W. W. Phelps being Mouth, the Lord was with us.

[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]

185 years ago today - Dec 6, 1840

[Wilford Woodruff]
An independant Minister invited me home with him to take tea. I accepted the Invitation & had a good time. I preached the gospel to him. He received my testimony & offered me his Chappel that would hold 800 & he thought he should be Baptized & would try to get his society to Do the Same.

[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

190 years ago today - Dec 6, 1835

[Joseph Smith]
Br[other] Draper insisted on leaving the meeting some 2 or 3 weeks since before communion and would not be prevailed upon to tarry a few moments although we invited him to do so as we did not wish to have the house thrown into confusion. He observed that he would not if we excluded him from the Church. To day he attempted to make a confession, but it was not satisfactory to me. I was constrained by the Spirit to deliver him over to the buf[f]etings of Satan untill he should humble himself and repent of his sins and make satisfactory confession before the Church.

[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]

35 years ago today - Dec 5, 1990

Leftist guerrillas bomb four LDS chapels in Chile to protest the arrival of U.S. president George Bush the next day. Later they order the congregation to leave the LDS chapel in Santiago, burn it to the ground, and scatter pamphlets condemning the U.S. role in the Persian Gulf War.

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]

75 years ago today - Dec 5, 1950

[David O. McKay]
I met pres. Parley A. Arave of the Blackfoot Stake who wanted to know whether he should take steps to have the woman who is secretary of the Draft Board at Bingham County, Idaho removed from her office. She has assumed authority which is not hers, and sent a letter to one of our missionaries demanding that he come home signing her name as a member of the Board. She is implying and charging that the Mormons are draft evaders. Pres. Arave said they have a petition signed by several hundred persons asking that she be ousted from her position.

I told Pres. Arave to go ahead. I so reported to President Clark who approved it.

[David O. McKay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]

80 years ago today - Dec 5, 1945

[Marion G. Romney]
From 5:00 to 6:30, was in a conference with President Clark, Harold B. Lee, Joseph L. Wirthlin, Joseph Anderson, in regard to shipping foodstuffs to Europe in bulk. The Catholic people are about to start a radio campaign for donations of canned goods to be shipped to Europe. This is going to be followed by some of the Protestant churches. We think we ought to move forward with our shipments if possible.

[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015, Appendix 2, The Diaries of Marion G. Romney, 1941-1961, Abridged]