While ordaining a local patriarch in a windowless room, "a shaft of bright light came onto the back and top of Elder [Harold B.] Lee's head."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
65 years ago today - Apr 26, 1959
While ordaining local patriarch in windowless room, "a shaft of bright light came onto the back and top of Elder [Harold B.] Lee's head."
75 years ago today - Apr 26, 1949
First counselor J. Reuben Clark reports that Emily Smith Stewart is prompting her father and church president, George Albert Smith, in making administrative decisions. This is only known period in which a woman has such influence on LDS church administration.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]
130 years ago today - Apr 26, 1894
Presidency and apostles decide that John D. Lee, Jr. ("a son of the Mountain Meadows murderer") can go on proselytizing mission but must "assume his mother's maiden name."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]
130 years ago today - Apr 26, 1894
The First Presidency and apostles decide that John D. Lee Jr. ("a son of the Mountain Meadows murderer") can go on a proselytizing mission but must "assume his mother's maiden name."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
135 years ago today - Apr 26, 1889
[Franklin D. Richards]
Met with Presidency at Gardo [House] ... Interesting interview about Negroes receiving or not receiving Priesthood.
[Franklin D. Richards 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]
Met with Presidency at Gardo [House] ... Interesting interview about Negroes receiving or not receiving Priesthood.
[Franklin D. Richards 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]
175 years ago today - Apr 26, 1849
[Brigham Young Sermon]
The President gave it as his opinion that the earth did not dwell in the sphere in which it did when it was created, but that it was banished from its more glorious state or orbit of revolution for man's sake. Also that he did not think the tides were by the influence of the moon, but as the beating of a man's heart, the earth being a living body.
[Quorum of the Twelve Minutes, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah, as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
The President gave it as his opinion that the earth did not dwell in the sphere in which it did when it was created, but that it was banished from its more glorious state or orbit of revolution for man's sake. Also that he did not think the tides were by the influence of the moon, but as the beating of a man's heart, the earth being a living body.
[Quorum of the Twelve Minutes, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah, as quoted 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 - Apr 26, 1844
When Augustine Spencer assaults his brother Orson, Joseph, as mayor, orders Augustine arrested. Augustine refuses to go with Joseph, Orrin Porter Rockwell, and Marshal J. P. Greene. Joseph tells Greene to get some other citizens to help. Greene asks help from the first people he sees—Chauncey L. Higbee and Charles and Robert Foster. When they refuse, Joseph orders them arrested. A fight follows and Charles Foster pulls a gun on Joseph, swearing and threatening. Rockwell wrests the gun away, and several other policemen arrive to arrest the three. They are fined $100 each, which they appeal. Robert D. Foster accuses Willard Richards of trying to seduce his (Foster's) wife.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
185 years ago today - Apr 26, 1839
At the Far West temple site, in jeopardy if detected by anti-Mormons, apostles Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, John Taylor, Orson Pratt, and John E. Page ordain Wilford Woodruff and George A. Smith as apostles to fulfill one of Joseph Smith's earlier revelations. The "thus saith the Lord" revelation stated that on this day they were to lay the cornerstone for the Far West temple. Shortly after midnight they roll a large stone to the corner of the temple lot to fulfill the revelation. Eighteen other Mormons, including four women, also brave the mobs by attending this ceremony.
Note: Wilford Woodruff recorded the following in his journal:
... The events of this day are worthy of record for a Revelation of God & commandment is this day fulfilled & that to under Circumstances which to all human appearance could not have been done. The Lord had given a Commandment to the Twelve to assemble upon the building spot of the house of the Lord in far west Caldwell Co Mo on the 26th day of April & there take the parting hand with the Saints to go to the nations of the earth. But persecution had arisen to such an highth that about ten thousand souls of the Saints had been driven from the State, & the city far west almost made desolate & lade waste while at the same time the Presidency Joseph & his council with other Elders were in prision & they had been under the sentance of death several times because of their religion & they would have been put to death had not the Lord saved them for their lives were in his hands & notwithstanding the lives of those men were preserved yet there were about thirty five souls
martered & put to death. David W. Patten one of the Twelve Apostles were among the marterd. And not ownly so but the Missourians had sworn that the revelation above alluded to should not be fulfilled.
It was in the midst of these imbaressments that we mooved forward to the building spot of the house of the Lord in the City of far west & held a Council & fulfilled the revelation & Commandment & took our leave of the Saints & rode 32 miles & Camped. 32 miles.
... Resolved that the following persons should be no more fellowshiped ...
The Council then proceded to the building spot of the Lords house ... Willford Woodruff & George A. Smith ... to the office of the Twelve to fill the place of those who had fallen. ...
Elder Alpheus Cutler then placed the stone before alluded to in its regular position after which in consequence of the peculiar situation of the Saints he thought it wisdom to adjourn untill some future time when the Lord should open the way expressing his determination then to procede with the building. ...
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]
Note: Wilford Woodruff recorded the following in his journal:
... The events of this day are worthy of record for a Revelation of God & commandment is this day fulfilled & that to under Circumstances which to all human appearance could not have been done. The Lord had given a Commandment to the Twelve to assemble upon the building spot of the house of the Lord in far west Caldwell Co Mo on the 26th day of April & there take the parting hand with the Saints to go to the nations of the earth. But persecution had arisen to such an highth that about ten thousand souls of the Saints had been driven from the State, & the city far west almost made desolate & lade waste while at the same time the Presidency Joseph & his council with other Elders were in prision & they had been under the sentance of death several times because of their religion & they would have been put to death had not the Lord saved them for their lives were in his hands & notwithstanding the lives of those men were preserved yet there were about thirty five souls
martered & put to death. David W. Patten one of the Twelve Apostles were among the marterd. And not ownly so but the Missourians had sworn that the revelation above alluded to should not be fulfilled.
It was in the midst of these imbaressments that we mooved forward to the building spot of the house of the Lord in the City of far west & held a Council & fulfilled the revelation & Commandment & took our leave of the Saints & rode 32 miles & Camped. 32 miles.
... Resolved that the following persons should be no more fellowshiped ...
The Council then proceded to the building spot of the Lords house ... Willford Woodruff & George A. Smith ... to the office of the Twelve to fill the place of those who had fallen. ...
Elder Alpheus Cutler then placed the stone before alluded to in its regular position after which in consequence of the peculiar situation of the Saints he thought it wisdom to adjourn untill some future time when the Lord should open the way expressing his determination then to procede with the building. ...
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]
125 years ago today - Apr 25, 1899; Tuesday
Brother Franklin S. Richards, one of the Church attorneys, had an interview with the First Presidency regarding the corporations existing in the various Stakes and Wards for the purpose of holding the properties thereof. The object of the interview was to ascertain the mind of the Presidency upon the multiplying of these corporations as new Stakes and Wards might be organized. Brother Richards represented how burdensome they appeared to many of the brethren, not only from the expense attending their creation, but from the keeping of them up in order to maintain their legal status; and he suggested a much cheaper and easier form of organization, namely, a trusteeship for the holding of the properties. After fully considering both sides of the question, and conceding the merit of Brother Richards' suggestion, the Presidency deemed it best, as a matter of precaution and in view of the hostile sentiment that was again rising and which might culminate in the passage of an anti-Mormon
amendment to the Constitution, to keep up the corporations already organized and form new ones as they might be required. Brother L. John Nuttall, whose business it is to see that these corporations are kept up, was called in and informed of this decision and given appropriate instructions.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
amendment to the Constitution, to keep up the corporations already organized and form new ones as they might be required. Brother L. John Nuttall, whose business it is to see that these corporations are kept up, was called in and informed of this decision and given appropriate instructions.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
140 years ago today - Apr 25, 1884
[E. C. Briggs report to Joseph Smith III of interview with David Whitmer]
.... [Emma] remarked of her husband Joseph's limited education while he was translating the Book of Mormon, and she was scribe at the time, "He could not pronounce the word Sariah." And one time while translating, where it speaks of the walls of Jerusalem, he stopped and said, "Emma, did Jerusalem have walls surrounding it." When I informed him it had, he replied, "O, I thought I was deceived."
... "In June, 1829, I [David Whitmer] saw the angel by the power of God, Joseph, Oliver and I were alone, and a light from heaven shone round us, and solemnity pervaded our minds. The angel appeared in the light, as near as that young man. [Within five or six feet]. Between us and the angel there appeared a table, and there lay upon it the sword of Laban, the Ball of Directors, the Record, and Interpreters. The angel took the Record, and turned the leaves, and showed it to us by the power of God. They were taken away by the angel to a cave, which we saw by the power of God while we were yet in the Spirit. ...
"The boys, Joseph and Oliver, worked hard, early and late, while translating the plates. It was slow work, and they could write only a few pages a day."
Of Joseph he continued;
"He could not do a thing except he was humble, and just right before the Lord."
I said, "Why not?"
He replied:
"The Urim and Thummim would look dark; he could not see a thing in them."
"How did it appear in them?" we asked.
His answer was:
"The letters appeared on them in light, and would not go off until they were written correctly by Oliver. When Joseph could not pronounce the words he spelled them out letter by letter. ...
[E. C. Briggs to Joseph Smith III, 4 June 1884, Saints' Herald 31 (21 June 1884): 396-97., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: David Whitmer Interview With E. C. Briggs And R. Etzenhouser]
.... [Emma] remarked of her husband Joseph's limited education while he was translating the Book of Mormon, and she was scribe at the time, "He could not pronounce the word Sariah." And one time while translating, where it speaks of the walls of Jerusalem, he stopped and said, "Emma, did Jerusalem have walls surrounding it." When I informed him it had, he replied, "O, I thought I was deceived."
... "In June, 1829, I [David Whitmer] saw the angel by the power of God, Joseph, Oliver and I were alone, and a light from heaven shone round us, and solemnity pervaded our minds. The angel appeared in the light, as near as that young man. [Within five or six feet]. Between us and the angel there appeared a table, and there lay upon it the sword of Laban, the Ball of Directors, the Record, and Interpreters. The angel took the Record, and turned the leaves, and showed it to us by the power of God. They were taken away by the angel to a cave, which we saw by the power of God while we were yet in the Spirit. ...
"The boys, Joseph and Oliver, worked hard, early and late, while translating the plates. It was slow work, and they could write only a few pages a day."
Of Joseph he continued;
"He could not do a thing except he was humble, and just right before the Lord."
I said, "Why not?"
He replied:
"The Urim and Thummim would look dark; he could not see a thing in them."
"How did it appear in them?" we asked.
His answer was:
"The letters appeared on them in light, and would not go off until they were written correctly by Oliver. When Joseph could not pronounce the words he spelled them out letter by letter. ...
[E. C. Briggs to Joseph Smith III, 4 June 1884, Saints' Herald 31 (21 June 1884): 396-97., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: David Whitmer Interview With E. C. Briggs And R. Etzenhouser]
175 years ago today - Apr 25, 1849
[Wilford Woodruff Journal]
I spent the night with Br Druce. He has A good large House & garden. The House was Called Haunted by the Dead. His family was disturbed for A while, but after Dedicating the family & House unto God, & Rebuked all spirits which were not of God to depart out of the house they were not troubled any more.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I spent the night with Br Druce. He has A good large House & garden. The House was Called Haunted by the Dead. His family was disturbed for A while, but after Dedicating the family & House unto God, & Rebuked all spirits which were not of God to depart out of the house they were not troubled any more.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Apr 25, 1849
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal]
25th I wrote Mrs Woodruff A letter And Preached at night to a full House. Solemnity rested upon all. A number were believeing. I spent the night with Br Druce. He has A good large House & garden. The House was Called Haunted by the Dead. His family was disturbed for A while, but after Dedicating the family & House unto God, & Rebuked all spirits which were not of God to depart out of the house they were not troubled any more.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
25th I wrote Mrs Woodruff A letter And Preached at night to a full House. Solemnity rested upon all. A number were believeing. I spent the night with Br Druce. He has A good large House & garden. The House was Called Haunted by the Dead. His family was disturbed for A while, but after Dedicating the family & House unto God, & Rebuked all spirits which were not of God to depart out of the house they were not troubled any more.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Apr 25, 1844
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith told a reporter from the St. Louis Gazette that he had gained his power by the principles of truth and virtue.
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
180 years ago today - Apr 25, 1844
The Council of Fifty adjourns to disperse throughout the United States to campaign for Joseph's presidency.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
180 years ago today - Letters from Orson Hyde - 25 and Apr 26, 1844
[Council of Fifty]
On 4 April 1844 Orson Hyde left Nauvoo on assignment from the council to carry its petitions to the U.S. Congress and President John Tyler asking that JS be made a member of the U.S. Army and be allowed to raise one hundred thousand volunteers to protect national interests in the West. Hyde wrote five letters to JS reporting on his activities in Washington DC, dated 25 April, 26 April, 30 April, 9 June, and 11 June. JS received the first two letters on 13 May 1844, and the council met that day to review them. On behalf of the council, Willard Richards wrote a letter in response, which was carried to Hyde by Lyman Wight and Heber C. Kimball, who arrived in Washington on 2 June.
[Joseph Smith Papers: Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844-January 1846]
On 4 April 1844 Orson Hyde left Nauvoo on assignment from the council to carry its petitions to the U.S. Congress and President John Tyler asking that JS be made a member of the U.S. Army and be allowed to raise one hundred thousand volunteers to protect national interests in the West. Hyde wrote five letters to JS reporting on his activities in Washington DC, dated 25 April, 26 April, 30 April, 9 June, and 11 June. JS received the first two letters on 13 May 1844, and the council met that day to review them. On behalf of the council, Willard Richards wrote a letter in response, which was carried to Hyde by Lyman Wight and Heber C. Kimball, who arrived in Washington on 2 June.
[Joseph Smith Papers: Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844-January 1846]
180 years ago today - Apr 25, 1844 - Thursday
[Council of Fifty]
Although in the previous meeting JS had declared the council full, two more members were admitted. In the morning session, council members discussed a proposal before the U.S. House of Representatives related to Oregon. ... JS also proposed that, instead of meeting, council members should travel and campaign for JS's presidency. ...
On motion Er Wm. Smith and Jedidiah M. Grant were then received for time and for all eternity, by the unanimous vote of the council, and took their seats in order. ...
The chairman then made some further remarks and advised that we let the constitution alone. He would tell us the whole matter about the constitution as follows—
Verily thus saith the Lord, yea are my constitution, and I am your God, and ye are my spokesmen. From henceforth do as I shall command you.
Saith the Lord.
Er Rigdon motioned that the constitution be received and the vote was unanimous, whereupon the council adjourned "sine die"
[Joseph Smith Papers: Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844-January 1846]
Although in the previous meeting JS had declared the council full, two more members were admitted. In the morning session, council members discussed a proposal before the U.S. House of Representatives related to Oregon. ... JS also proposed that, instead of meeting, council members should travel and campaign for JS's presidency. ...
On motion Er Wm. Smith and Jedidiah M. Grant were then received for time and for all eternity, by the unanimous vote of the council, and took their seats in order. ...
The chairman then made some further remarks and advised that we let the constitution alone. He would tell us the whole matter about the constitution as follows—
Verily thus saith the Lord, yea are my constitution, and I am your God, and ye are my spokesmen. From henceforth do as I shall command you.
Saith the Lord.
Er Rigdon motioned that the constitution be received and the vote was unanimous, whereupon the council adjourned "sine die"
[Joseph Smith Papers: Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844-January 1846]
185 years ago today - Apr 25, 1839
Joseph travels toward the head of the Des Moines River rapids, where he determines that the land on both sides of the Mississippi—Commerce on the east and Montrose on the west—will be the future gathering sites for the Saints.
[He purchases two ajoining farms for $5,000 and $9,000]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[He purchases two ajoining farms for $5,000 and $9,000]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
85 years ago today - Apr 24, 1939
First Counselor J. Reuben Clark requests U.S. department of State to assist immigration of two Mormons: "She and her husband are Aryan natives and nationals of Switzerland." In contrast, Clark privately urges State Department not to help Jewish children to leave Nazi Germany if their parents are trying to send them to United States.
130 years ago today - Apr 24, 1894
[Franklin D. Richards]
Heard Sister Julia Samson's application to Pres[iden]t W[ilford]. W[oodruff]. to have her mother's marriage to Apostle Orson Pratt canceled & to have her sealed to her former husband also that herself & sisters be sealed to their parents'granted. Pres[iden]t. Woodruff granted her request & gave her a letter authorizing Pres[iden]t. [Lorenzo] Snow to do it.
[Franklin D. Richards, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Heard Sister Julia Samson's application to Pres[iden]t W[ilford]. W[oodruff]. to have her mother's marriage to Apostle Orson Pratt canceled & to have her sealed to her former husband also that herself & sisters be sealed to their parents'granted. Pres[iden]t. Woodruff granted her request & gave her a letter authorizing Pres[iden]t. [Lorenzo] Snow to do it.
[Franklin D. Richards, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
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