[President Heber J. Grant]
I was delighted to find that the Associated Press cut out only the three articles of our faith and broadcast my talk made at the University chapel in Chicago. To get publicity of this kind in the newspapers is something new. The Associated Press as nearly as I can judge now is our friend.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
125 years ago today - Sep 19, 1899; Tuesday
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
....The matter of printing, for Sunday School purposes, the Lord's prayer as proposed at the Council of the First Presidency and the Apostles, held on the third day of last August, was brought up and considered by Presidents Snow and Cannon with Brothers Anthon H. Lund, Rudger Clawson and Heber J. Grant. The question considered was, which version of the prayer should be used, the one given by the Prophet Joseph Smith, or the one contained in St. Matthew's Gospel, the Council having postponed consideration of the matter, owing to the absence of President Cannon, whose opinion, as General Superintendent of the Deseret Sunday School Union, President Snow wished to have, before the question was decided. President Cannon now stated that while he favored the Prophet Joseph's version, from the sound point of doctrine, he thought it better to adhere to the scriptural version in the Sunday schools, for the reason that this version appears in the Book of Mormon, and if the new version were
adopted, questions might arise that would be confusing to the minds of the children. If the Scriptural version were used, proper explanation could be made, and the wisdom of the Prophet's rendering of the prayer would be appreciated upon comparison. President Snow acquiesced.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
....The matter of printing, for Sunday School purposes, the Lord's prayer as proposed at the Council of the First Presidency and the Apostles, held on the third day of last August, was brought up and considered by Presidents Snow and Cannon with Brothers Anthon H. Lund, Rudger Clawson and Heber J. Grant. The question considered was, which version of the prayer should be used, the one given by the Prophet Joseph Smith, or the one contained in St. Matthew's Gospel, the Council having postponed consideration of the matter, owing to the absence of President Cannon, whose opinion, as General Superintendent of the Deseret Sunday School Union, President Snow wished to have, before the question was decided. President Cannon now stated that while he favored the Prophet Joseph's version, from the sound point of doctrine, he thought it better to adhere to the scriptural version in the Sunday schools, for the reason that this version appears in the Book of Mormon, and if the new version were
adopted, questions might arise that would be confusing to the minds of the children. If the Scriptural version were used, proper explanation could be made, and the wisdom of the Prophet's rendering of the prayer would be appreciated upon comparison. President Snow acquiesced.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
140 years ago today - Sep 19, 1884
By direction of President [John] Taylor I return herewith the request of Brother David B. Ott without the signature of the president who directs me to say that in regard to the second anointings it used to be usual for others to appoint and designate who should receive them. They now seem to come wrong end first. By this I infer that the president desires to designate the parties who should receive these ordinances without the application of the parties or other persons in their behalf. There may be some instruction given upon this matter at some of our meetings during the coming conference.
[L. John Nuttall to John D. T. McAllister, Sept. 19, 1884 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[L. John Nuttall to John D. T. McAllister, Sept. 19, 1884 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
160 years ago today - Sep 19, 1864
[Brigham Young Sermon]
.... When we read of the History of the City of the Zion of Enoch we find it a beautiful City So will it be with the Zion of God in the last days which we are called to build up. It will be 1500 mile's square and if this was the case it would reach nearly to the pacific Ocean
...I don't want to have the Elders testify that I am Joseph successor for all Earth and Hell knows it and it does not require any proof; ...
[Leonard J. Arrington Papers, Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan.. (A reference reading LJA 12-55-5, 10, means LJA Series 12, Box 55, Folder 5, page 10.) 12-56-2, 17 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]
.... When we read of the History of the City of the Zion of Enoch we find it a beautiful City So will it be with the Zion of God in the last days which we are called to build up. It will be 1500 mile's square and if this was the case it would reach nearly to the pacific Ocean
...I don't want to have the Elders testify that I am Joseph successor for all Earth and Hell knows it and it does not require any proof; ...
[Leonard J. Arrington Papers, Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan.. (A reference reading LJA 12-55-5, 10, means LJA Series 12, Box 55, Folder 5, page 10.) 12-56-2, 17 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 - Sep 19, 1844
[Heber C. Kimball marriage]
wife #5. Sylvia Porter Sessions (Lyon Smith Kimball Clark), 1818-1882 [former wife of Joseph Smith]. Apparent separation from HCK, time only.
[Hatch, Charles M. and Compton, Todd M. editors, 'A Widow's Tale: 1884-1896 Diary of Helen Mar Kimball Whitney' p. 37]
wife #5. Sylvia Porter Sessions (Lyon Smith Kimball Clark), 1818-1882 [former wife of Joseph Smith]. Apparent separation from HCK, time only.
[Hatch, Charles M. and Compton, Todd M. editors, 'A Widow's Tale: 1884-1896 Diary of Helen Mar Kimball Whitney' p. 37]
180 years ago today - 1844 19 Sept.
Young begins marrying some of Joseph Smith's polygamous widows as his own wives.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
180 years ago today - Sep 19, 1844
Brigham Young (aged 43) marriage to Louisa Beaman (1815-1850) (aged 29) plural widow of Joseph Smith, Jr. sealed to Joseph Smith, Jr. for eternity and Young for life; 5 children
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
35 years ago today - Sep 18, 1989-Monday
[Leonard Arrington]
.... Writing good history requires brains, courage, access to archival sources, and appropriate intellectual training and formation. But it also depends on intuition, the daily inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and the inspiration that comes from Sacrament services and individual and collective devotional life. I have not yet come to feel the necessity of frequent attendance at the temple. I think I get as much inspiration watching birds, or looking at the mountains and the wilderness, as participating in the rituals there. The one regret I have is the failure of the Church authorities to recognize that by restricting the use of the archives they are concealing vast riches of inspiration and revelation.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
.... Writing good history requires brains, courage, access to archival sources, and appropriate intellectual training and formation. But it also depends on intuition, the daily inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and the inspiration that comes from Sacrament services and individual and collective devotional life. I have not yet come to feel the necessity of frequent attendance at the temple. I think I get as much inspiration watching birds, or looking at the mountains and the wilderness, as participating in the rituals there. The one regret I have is the failure of the Church authorities to recognize that by restricting the use of the archives they are concealing vast riches of inspiration and revelation.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
45 years ago today - Sep 18, 1979-Tuesday
[Leonard Arrington]
Moana Bennett telephoned this morning to say that she had been requested by Elder [Mark E.] Petersen to leave out all reference to the Expositor incident in [her Nauvoo pageant] "Because of Elizabeth." She wanted some alternative reason for the assassination of the Prophet [Joseph Smith] and his brother [Hyrum Smith]. So what could she portray? ... I told her I thought her play was very historic and that in the absence of mentioning the Expositor she'd have to adapt what happened in Missouri and Ohio or maybe fudge something like Tom Sharp's personal animosity against Joseph [Smith]. She said, "It surely is difficult to follow the Brethren, isn't it?"
Kathy [Stephens] says TV Channel 2's Extra [news program] had an interview with Sonia Johnson; ... She talked about the same things she always does: emphasized that the President [Spencer W. Kimball] wouldn't grant her or a group of her associates an interview. Mentioned a conversation with her bishop relating to that, and the interviewer reported that the bishop had denied such a conversation, and then five minutes later had said there was a conversation but he couldn't remember what was said. She stressed that the leaders didn't know how many women and men are feeling as she does, and insisted that there are a great many more than they realize. ... Also interviewed [general Relief Society president] Barbara Smith briefly on the subject. The interviewer pushed, rather rudely, to make her say whether the First Presidency's stand [against the Equal Rights Amendment] was based on opinion or revelation. She finally said, "I don't know, but it doesn't matter," and then
went on to say that whichever it was, it was their stand and it had been the result of careful, prayerful consideration and was "the" word to follow, because they are the First Presidency.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Moana Bennett telephoned this morning to say that she had been requested by Elder [Mark E.] Petersen to leave out all reference to the Expositor incident in [her Nauvoo pageant] "Because of Elizabeth." She wanted some alternative reason for the assassination of the Prophet [Joseph Smith] and his brother [Hyrum Smith]. So what could she portray? ... I told her I thought her play was very historic and that in the absence of mentioning the Expositor she'd have to adapt what happened in Missouri and Ohio or maybe fudge something like Tom Sharp's personal animosity against Joseph [Smith]. She said, "It surely is difficult to follow the Brethren, isn't it?"
Kathy [Stephens] says TV Channel 2's Extra [news program] had an interview with Sonia Johnson; ... She talked about the same things she always does: emphasized that the President [Spencer W. Kimball] wouldn't grant her or a group of her associates an interview. Mentioned a conversation with her bishop relating to that, and the interviewer reported that the bishop had denied such a conversation, and then five minutes later had said there was a conversation but he couldn't remember what was said. She stressed that the leaders didn't know how many women and men are feeling as she does, and insisted that there are a great many more than they realize. ... Also interviewed [general Relief Society president] Barbara Smith briefly on the subject. The interviewer pushed, rather rudely, to make her say whether the First Presidency's stand [against the Equal Rights Amendment] was based on opinion or revelation. She finally said, "I don't know, but it doesn't matter," and then
went on to say that whichever it was, it was their stand and it had been the result of careful, prayerful consideration and was "the" word to follow, because they are the First Presidency.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
50 years ago today - Sep 18, 1974-Wednesday
[Leonard Arrington]
.... They told a number of stories about them such as the daughter of a stake president, who was showing very heavily with child, who came into their home, saw a carton of empty coke bottles on the floor. "You certainly don't drink coke, do you," she said. Another girl, a daughter of a bishop, only fifteen years old, who was pregnant, stayed with them. The Christensens asked her which she thought was worse, to smoke or to commit adultery. She thought and thought, was very serious, and thought and thought, and finally she said she thought it was worse to smoke.
We talked about the matter of telling the truth in Church history to young people. Sister [Marlene] Christensen felt strongly that we must be very careful with children ages three through seven but that young people in their teens ought to be told enough to recognize that Church officials have their faults and shortcomings and ought to be told, for example, that Brigham Young once chewed tobacco.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
.... They told a number of stories about them such as the daughter of a stake president, who was showing very heavily with child, who came into their home, saw a carton of empty coke bottles on the floor. "You certainly don't drink coke, do you," she said. Another girl, a daughter of a bishop, only fifteen years old, who was pregnant, stayed with them. The Christensens asked her which she thought was worse, to smoke or to commit adultery. She thought and thought, was very serious, and thought and thought, and finally she said she thought it was worse to smoke.
We talked about the matter of telling the truth in Church history to young people. Sister [Marlene] Christensen felt strongly that we must be very careful with children ages three through seven but that young people in their teens ought to be told enough to recognize that Church officials have their faults and shortcomings and ought to be told, for example, that Brigham Young once chewed tobacco.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
75 years ago today - Sep 18, 1949
CHURCH NEWS reports that Ute Indian Albert Harris has been "recently chosen to represent his race and Church on the Roosevelt Stake High Council."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
130 years ago today - Sep 18, 1894
[Francis M. Lyman]
[Summit] I proclaimed against us entertaining our political faith as our religion as some are doing.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Summit] I proclaimed against us entertaining our political faith as our religion as some are doing.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
160 years ago today - Sep 18, 1864
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
.... I Caught a scorpean between my finger & the stone and he stung me in the middle Joint of my fore finger which gave me a shook through my whole system. It was a small one & I mashed him to peaces in lifting the stone. This alarmed me somewhat as the Sting of a scorpeon is Considered vary dangerous with us as some have died with it. I soon got some tobaco & bound on which took the poison out & I received no material injury from it.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
.... I Caught a scorpean between my finger & the stone and he stung me in the middle Joint of my fore finger which gave me a shook through my whole system. It was a small one & I mashed him to peaces in lifting the stone. This alarmed me somewhat as the Sting of a scorpeon is Considered vary dangerous with us as some have died with it. I soon got some tobaco & bound on which took the poison out & I received no material injury from it.
[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 - Sep 18, 1844
[Nauvoo Neighbor]
.... Reprinted Story: Extermination Order is a Good Idea -- The New York--Republic -- States that the extermination of the Church would be "...a work of Philanthropy."
- Reprinted Story: "The Mormon Tragedy Again" - Refusal to retract the Murder Verdict -- The Allen Telegram -- Discusses the Warsaw Signal's persistence in asking this paper to retract their statement that the death of Joseph Smith was murder.
- Announcement: "City Proceedings" - O.P. Rockwell's Arrest -- Editorial -- Describes the arrest of O.P. Rockwell for Assault, as well as another arrest...
[http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
.... Reprinted Story: Extermination Order is a Good Idea -- The New York--Republic -- States that the extermination of the Church would be "...a work of Philanthropy."
- Reprinted Story: "The Mormon Tragedy Again" - Refusal to retract the Murder Verdict -- The Allen Telegram -- Discusses the Warsaw Signal's persistence in asking this paper to retract their statement that the death of Joseph Smith was murder.
- Announcement: "City Proceedings" - O.P. Rockwell's Arrest -- Editorial -- Describes the arrest of O.P. Rockwell for Assault, as well as another arrest...
[http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
185 years ago today - Sep 18, 1839
[Heber C. Kimball]
Leaves for fifth mission, his second to England.
[Kimball, Stanley B. (editor), On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Chronology, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1987]
Leaves for fifth mission, his second to England.
[Kimball, Stanley B. (editor), On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Chronology, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1987]
60 years ago today - Sep 17, 1964
Arch Madsen, president of the church-owned KSL, relayed to the First Presidency an inquiry from a committee of broadcasters charged with selecting a new president of the National Association of Broadcasters. The committee wished to know if Benson, who was on their short list, would be available on a full-time basis to serve in that position. "After hearing all the facts pertaining to the matter," McKay dictated in his diary: "I indicated that so far as the Church is concerned, Brother Benson would be available for such an appointment." Hugh B. Brown concurred with McKay's decision, but added a strong qualifier, saying "if Brother Benson severed his relationship with [the John Birch Society] and accepted this position as a non-partisan assignment for the benefit of the Church primarily, he could do a lot of good; otherwise, he could do us a lot of harm." Benson was not offered the position.
[David O. McKay diary as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
[David O. McKay diary as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
130 years ago today - Sep 17, 1894
[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary]
I called on Apostle Franklin D. Richars this A.M. and explained a conversation that I had had Saturday with Bro. Chas Penrose in which I had been informed that hte Presidency of the Church had told him, Brother Franklin D. Richards, that there was no objections to any of the brethren doing any political work that they might think best. In other words that they had said that all were at perfect liberty to do what they pleased as to making speeches for either party. That the same word was afterwards given to Bro. Penrose. I told Bro. Franklin that I should not have made any talk at the theatre Saturday evening [in favor of Rawlins] had it not been for my conversation with Bro. Penrose and asked to know from him just waht the Presidency had said in the premises. I learned that they fel that all shold be free but that it would be wise for the members of the Apostles not to make any speeches. I was sorry this exception had been made seeing that I made a talk Saturday and I hope that the
First Presidency will not feel annoyed because I did so. ...
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I called on Apostle Franklin D. Richars this A.M. and explained a conversation that I had had Saturday with Bro. Chas Penrose in which I had been informed that hte Presidency of the Church had told him, Brother Franklin D. Richards, that there was no objections to any of the brethren doing any political work that they might think best. In other words that they had said that all were at perfect liberty to do what they pleased as to making speeches for either party. That the same word was afterwards given to Bro. Penrose. I told Bro. Franklin that I should not have made any talk at the theatre Saturday evening [in favor of Rawlins] had it not been for my conversation with Bro. Penrose and asked to know from him just waht the Presidency had said in the premises. I learned that they fel that all shold be free but that it would be wise for the members of the Apostles not to make any speeches. I was sorry this exception had been made seeing that I made a talk Saturday and I hope that the
First Presidency will not feel annoyed because I did so. ...
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Sep 17, 1889
[President Wilford Woodruff]
Brother [George Q.] Cannon had an attack of the paralisis on the left side of his face which was vary painful to him. [Stroke]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Brother [George Q.] Cannon had an attack of the paralisis on the left side of his face which was vary painful to him. [Stroke]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
140 years ago today - Sep 17, 1884
[Lorenzo Saunders Interview]
.... Q. Was you ever acquainted with young Joe Smith?
A. The first time I ever went to Sabbath School I went with young Joe Smith at the old Presbyterian Church.
Q. What kind of person was the old man Smith ?
A. Oh! he would go to Turky Shoots and get drunk; pretend to enchant their guns so that they could not kill the Turky. would blow in Q. How would he do that?
A. He would blow in the gun and feel around the lock then tell them it was charmed and they could not kill the turky.
Q. Did you ever see Joe's peep stone? A. Yes. It looked like a babies foot. The old man and Joe came into our barn <<their cooper shop>> one day when it was rainy; and I asked young Joe if he would not look and see if he could not see look something <<into futurity?>> Joe said he could not look into any holy thing. The old man had on the dirtyest and raggedest shirt I ever--saw all full of holes--and he <<said he>> cannot look into my shirt then.
...Q. How come you to go over to Smiths to eat sugar?
A. The Smiths were great sugar makers; they had a large bush and sugared off every day at their house and they wanted me to go over come over and eat sugar. They made seven thousand lbs. [pounds] one year and took the bounty in the County--of $50.00. They were pretty good fellows in their way, but they were shiftless and money diggers were in the money digging business.
Q. Did you ever see the Smiths dig yourself or [others?] for money?
A. I never saw them digging for money. I saw them dig in a hill, said to be for that purpose; that young Joe could look in his peep stone and see a man sitting in a gold chair. Old Joe said he was king i.e. the man in the chair; a king of one of the Nephites or Lamanites <<tribes>> who was shut in there in the time of one of their big battles. This digging was a mile from Smiths. Don't know as there was ever anything in the cave. The cave was on our place. This was in 1826. The cave had a door to it. We tore it off and sunk it in a pit of water where they got dirt to cover a cole [coal] pit. ...
Q. Did you ever hear Joe give an account of finding the plates?
A. Yes. He made the statement in gave the account in my father's house. He said he was in the woods at prayer and the angel touched him on the shoulders and he arose, and the angel told him where the plates were and he could take his oldest Brother with him in a year from that time and go and get them. But his oldest Brother died before the year was out. At the end of the time he went to the place to get the plates the angel asked where his Brother was. I told him he was dead. The angel told him there would be an other appointed. Joseph chose Samuel Lawrence. But he did not go.
Q. What kind of a woman was Joseph's wife?
A. Joseph's wife was a pretty woman; as pretty a woman as I ever saw. When she came to the Smiths she was very much disappointed and used to come to our house and sit down and cry. Said she was deceived and got into a hard place. Joe said in our house to my mother, the angel said he must get married him a wife and take her and go and and get the plates. Sam Lawrence took him over into Pennsylvania and introduced him to Emma Hale. I dont know as Joe had ever been in Pennsylvania before, but him and Sam Lawrence was had been deviling around--no telling where they had gone. Joe told Sam Lawrence that there was a silver mine over in Pennsylvania--told him if he would he might share in it with him; but behold he wanted an introduction to Emma Hale is the way it turned out. Sam Lawrence told me so.
After he was married and brought his wife home, the angel told him he must procure a black horse to go and get the plates. He come one night to get my Brothers black horse and went off and said he got the plates. He borrowed the horse. ...
[Lorenzo Saunders, Interviewed by William H. Kelley, 17 September 1884, 1-18, E. L. Kelley Papers, RLDS Church Library-Archives, Independence, Missouri., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Lorenzo Saunders Interview]
.... Q. Was you ever acquainted with young Joe Smith?
A. The first time I ever went to Sabbath School I went with young Joe Smith at the old Presbyterian Church.
Q. What kind of person was the old man Smith ?
A. Oh! he would go to Turky Shoots and get drunk; pretend to enchant their guns so that they could not kill the Turky. would blow in Q. How would he do that?
A. He would blow in the gun and feel around the lock then tell them it was charmed and they could not kill the turky.
Q. Did you ever see Joe's peep stone? A. Yes. It looked like a babies foot. The old man and Joe came into our barn <<their cooper shop>> one day when it was rainy; and I asked young Joe if he would not look and see if he could not see look something <<into futurity?>> Joe said he could not look into any holy thing. The old man had on the dirtyest and raggedest shirt I ever--saw all full of holes--and he <<said he>> cannot look into my shirt then.
...Q. How come you to go over to Smiths to eat sugar?
A. The Smiths were great sugar makers; they had a large bush and sugared off every day at their house and they wanted me to go over come over and eat sugar. They made seven thousand lbs. [pounds] one year and took the bounty in the County--of $50.00. They were pretty good fellows in their way, but they were shiftless and money diggers were in the money digging business.
Q. Did you ever see the Smiths dig yourself or [others?] for money?
A. I never saw them digging for money. I saw them dig in a hill, said to be for that purpose; that young Joe could look in his peep stone and see a man sitting in a gold chair. Old Joe said he was king i.e. the man in the chair; a king of one of the Nephites or Lamanites <<tribes>> who was shut in there in the time of one of their big battles. This digging was a mile from Smiths. Don't know as there was ever anything in the cave. The cave was on our place. This was in 1826. The cave had a door to it. We tore it off and sunk it in a pit of water where they got dirt to cover a cole [coal] pit. ...
Q. Did you ever hear Joe give an account of finding the plates?
A. Yes. He made the statement in gave the account in my father's house. He said he was in the woods at prayer and the angel touched him on the shoulders and he arose, and the angel told him where the plates were and he could take his oldest Brother with him in a year from that time and go and get them. But his oldest Brother died before the year was out. At the end of the time he went to the place to get the plates the angel asked where his Brother was. I told him he was dead. The angel told him there would be an other appointed. Joseph chose Samuel Lawrence. But he did not go.
Q. What kind of a woman was Joseph's wife?
A. Joseph's wife was a pretty woman; as pretty a woman as I ever saw. When she came to the Smiths she was very much disappointed and used to come to our house and sit down and cry. Said she was deceived and got into a hard place. Joe said in our house to my mother, the angel said he must get married him a wife and take her and go and and get the plates. Sam Lawrence took him over into Pennsylvania and introduced him to Emma Hale. I dont know as Joe had ever been in Pennsylvania before, but him and Sam Lawrence was had been deviling around--no telling where they had gone. Joe told Sam Lawrence that there was a silver mine over in Pennsylvania--told him if he would he might share in it with him; but behold he wanted an introduction to Emma Hale is the way it turned out. Sam Lawrence told me so.
After he was married and brought his wife home, the angel told him he must procure a black horse to go and get the plates. He come one night to get my Brothers black horse and went off and said he got the plates. He borrowed the horse. ...
[Lorenzo Saunders, Interviewed by William H. Kelley, 17 September 1884, 1-18, E. L. Kelley Papers, RLDS Church Library-Archives, Independence, Missouri., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Lorenzo Saunders Interview]
170 years ago today - Sep 17, 1854
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
17th President Young preached this afternoon & spoke upon the Law of consecration & had an interesting conversation in our Prayer Circle. The subject of Elder Orson Pratt publishing the seer & the doctrin it contained was brought up in conversation. President Young said He ought not to have published the marriage cerimony. It was sacred & one of the last cerimonies attended to in the Endowments & ought not to have been given to the world.
Brother Pratt said that He thought it was no harm as the Plurality of wives & its doctrins was to be published to the world. He said He should not have done it if He had thought there had been the least harm in it.
President Young said He was satisfied that He intended no wrong in it. He said that the doctrin taught in the Seer that God had arived at that State whareby He could not advans any further in knowledge power & Glory was a fals doctrin & not true that there never will be a time to all Eternity when all the Gods of Eternity will scease advancing in power knowledge experience & Glory for if this was the case Eternity wood seease to be & the glory of God would come to an End. But all of celestial beings will continue to advance in knowledge & power worlds without end. Joseph would always be a head of us. We should never ketch up with him in all Eternity nor He with his leaders.
Brother Pratt Also thought that Adam was made of the dust of the Earth. Could not believe that Adam was our God or the Father of Jesus Christ. President Young said that He was that He came from another world & made this. Brought Eve with him partook of the fruits of the Earth begat Children & they were Earthly & had mortal bodies & if we were Faithful we should become Gods as He was. He told Brother Pratt to lay aside his Philosofioal reasoning & get Revelation from God to Govern him & Enlighten his mind more & it would be a great Blessing to him to lay aside his books & go into the canyons as some of the rest of us was doing & it would be better for him. He said his Phylosophy injured him in a measure.
Many good things wer said by President Young. That we should grow up in Revelation so that principle would govern evry act of our lives. He had never found any difficulty in leading this people since Josephs death.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
17th President Young preached this afternoon & spoke upon the Law of consecration & had an interesting conversation in our Prayer Circle. The subject of Elder Orson Pratt publishing the seer & the doctrin it contained was brought up in conversation. President Young said He ought not to have published the marriage cerimony. It was sacred & one of the last cerimonies attended to in the Endowments & ought not to have been given to the world.
Brother Pratt said that He thought it was no harm as the Plurality of wives & its doctrins was to be published to the world. He said He should not have done it if He had thought there had been the least harm in it.
President Young said He was satisfied that He intended no wrong in it. He said that the doctrin taught in the Seer that God had arived at that State whareby He could not advans any further in knowledge power & Glory was a fals doctrin & not true that there never will be a time to all Eternity when all the Gods of Eternity will scease advancing in power knowledge experience & Glory for if this was the case Eternity wood seease to be & the glory of God would come to an End. But all of celestial beings will continue to advance in knowledge & power worlds without end. Joseph would always be a head of us. We should never ketch up with him in all Eternity nor He with his leaders.
Brother Pratt Also thought that Adam was made of the dust of the Earth. Could not believe that Adam was our God or the Father of Jesus Christ. President Young said that He was that He came from another world & made this. Brought Eve with him partook of the fruits of the Earth begat Children & they were Earthly & had mortal bodies & if we were Faithful we should become Gods as He was. He told Brother Pratt to lay aside his Philosofioal reasoning & get Revelation from God to Govern him & Enlighten his mind more & it would be a great Blessing to him to lay aside his books & go into the canyons as some of the rest of us was doing & it would be better for him. He said his Phylosophy injured him in a measure.
Many good things wer said by President Young. That we should grow up in Revelation so that principle would govern evry act of our lives. He had never found any difficulty in leading this people since Josephs death.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)