Today in Mormon History: April 2011

180 years ago today - Apr 30, 1831

In Kirtland, Ohio, twins, a son and a daughter, later given the names Thaddeus and Louisa, are born to Joseph and Emma. They die within three hours. On the same day other twins , Joseph and Julia Murdock, are also born in Orange, Ohio and are adopted by Joseph and Emma nine days later. Joseph Murdock dies eleven months later.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

120 years ago today - Apr 30, 1891

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] FSR is better & at work making out the stipulations required by Att[orne]y General for a cessation of litigation for more church property Considered the feasibility of joining or letting the Democrats join in a purchase of the Herald, reincorporated(?) Dyer, Norrell & Judd leaders of outside Democracy, other matters were considered & acted on.

[Source: Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

50 years ago today - Apr 30, 1961

The West European Mission is organized. Serving more of an administrative than a proselyting function, it is discontinued in 1965.

[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]

10 years ago today - 2001 29-Apr

[Hinckley] Dedicated Guadalajara Mexico Temple

[Source: LDS Newsroom, Time line of Significant Events as President, http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/time-line-of-significant-events-as-president]

175 years ago today - Apr 29, 1836

John Alpheus Cutler: Ordained high priest 29 April 1836.

[Source: Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]

150 years ago today - Apr 29, 1861

Reynolds Cahoon: Died in South Cottonwood Ward, Salt Lake County, Utah, 29 April 1861.

50 years ago today - Apr 28, 1961

During a sunrise service at the American Battle Memorial Cemetery in Manila, Elder Gordon B. Hinckley dedicates the Philippines, opening the country for missionary work.

[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]

120 years ago today - Apr 28, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 28 I signed 27 Recommend. I received 12 Letters. I wrote 3 Letters to Sarah Newton & S Roskelley.

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

115 years ago today - Apr 28, 1896

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] Heber J. Grant & Co at the time of the division on party lines, had $49,000 of Herald stock which cost them par and they subsequently paid a 20% assessment on the same, and as this stock is now entirely wiped out of existence, our little firm, not counting interest on our money, has had $59,000 of experience because of the division on party lines, and by counting interest the amount would aggregate very nearly if not fully $80,000.

[Source: Diary Excerpts of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

50 years ago today - Apr 27, 1961

First counselor J. Reuben Clark tells apostles: "I think it is terrible for any man in the Church to begin to use his Church position, particularly in finances, to his own advantage. . . .So far as I know there are none of you who are trying to use the Church to your own self-advantage. That cannot be said for all our Church members."

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

10 years ago today - 2001 27-Apr

[Hinckley] Received honorary doctorate degree from Utah Valley State College

[Source: LDS Newsroom, Time line of Significant Events as President, http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/time-line-of-significant-events-as-president]

20 years ago today - Apr 27, 1991

Fifty years after the Church began keeping individual membership records, it completed computerizing membership records worldwide.

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

170 years ago today - Apr 26, 1841

Alexander Neibaur goes to work for Joseph Smith. Neibaur is a German-Jewish convert well-versed in the Kabbalah. He tutors Joseph in German and Hebrew and publishes articles on the Kabbalah in official Church publications. Three years later Joseph gives the "King Follett" discourse which echoes themes from Kabbalistic literature. Neibaur is the great grandfather of noted Mormon scholar Hugh Nibley.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

120 years ago today - Apr 26, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 26 Sunday I spent the day reading.

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

125 years ago today - Apr 26, 1886 (Monday)

After trial in the Third District Court, John Bergen was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and $300 fine for u.c. [Unlawful Cohabitation, I.E. living with a polygamous wife], and taken to the Penitentiary.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

175 years ago today - Apr 25, 1836

[Joseph Smith] Anti-Mormons in Van Buren County, Missouri, bullwhip a non-Mormon for refusing to tell where his Mormon acquaintances are.

[Source: 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]

20 years ago today - Apr 25, 1991

Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles meets Ivan S. Silaev, the prime minister of Russia, in Los Angeles as part of the Church's efforts to receive official recognition in that country.

[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]

170 years ago today - Apr 25, 1841

[Brigham Young] --25-- Sea mountains high; head wind; ship rocking and pitching; nearly all seasick.

[Source: Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).]

30 years ago today - Apr 24, 1981

Apostle David B. Haight gives the keynote address at Annual Meeting of the Utah Association of Women. He states that Many of today's problems can be traced to the music of the Beatles in the early 1960s. "I witnessed the early developing of protests on college campuses, protests against the Vietnam War, with protestors using Beatle-type music to express their feelings against our government, against our military, and against authority in general."

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

170 years ago today - Apr 24, 1841

[Brigham Young] --24-- Commenced at midnight to blow a gale; head wind; blew away our fore-topsail; all very seasick.

[Source: Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).]

175 years ago today - Apr 24, 1836

Charles Coulson Rich: , 24 April 1836.

170 years ago today - Apr 23, 1841

[Brigham Young] --23-- Cloudy and some rain; contrary winds.

[Source: Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).]

150 years ago today - Apr 23, 1861

The first of several Church wagon trains left the Salt Lake Valley with provisions for incoming Saints, whom they would meet at the Missouri River. This was the beginning of a new program to help immigrating Saints that lasted until the railroad came in 1869.

25 years ago today - Apr 23, 1986

[Mark Hofmann] Hofmann reinjures his knee, falling and fracturing the kneecap. Hearing postponed until 5 May.

[Source: Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,]

150 years ago today - Apr 22, 1861

Brigham Young's office journal records: "Two of Br[other] Orson Pratt's wives called upon the President, and told him they needed clothing & furniture for they were very destitute."

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

15 years ago today - Apr 22, 1996

[Hinckley] Dedicated David O. McKay Events Center at Utah Valley State College in Provo, Utah "

[Source: LDS Newsroom, Time line of Significant Events as President, http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/time-line-of-significant-events-as-president]

10 years ago today - Apr 22, 2001

Winter Quarters Nebraska Temple; Location: Omaha, Nebraska; Announcement: 14 June 1999; Dedication: 22 April 2001 by Gordon B. Hinckley; Style: Classic modern, single-spire design

[Source: Wikipedia, List of Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_temples_of_The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints#List_of_temples]

150 years ago today - Apr 21, 1861

[Wilford Woodruff] Word arrives of firing on Fort Sumter

[Source: Kenny, Scott (editor), Wilford Woodruff's Journals 1833-1898, Chronology Signature Books, Midvale, Utah, http://bit.ly/wwjournal]

170 years ago today - Apr 21, 1841

Brigham Young: Left England 21 April 1841.

120 years ago today - Apr 21, 1891 (Tuesday)

In the First District Court, at Provo, John M. Murdock was sentenced by Judge Blackburn to one month's imprisonment, for u.c. [Unlawful Cohabitation, I.E. living with a polygamous wife]

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

50 years ago today - Apr 20, 1961

First Presidency and Twelve approve rebaptism and full reinstatement of priesthood blessings for John D. Lee, only executed participant in Mountain Meadows Massacre. Ordinances occur on May 8-9, 1961

[Source: Advent Adam website (defunct) - based on http://amzn.to/originsofpower]

25 years ago today - Apr 20, 1986

CHURCH NEWS article "Church Acquired 45 Documents from Hofmann" lists forty-eight documents that the Church had acquired directly from Mark Hofmann. The "salamander letter" is not on the list because Steven Christensen had acquired it from Hofmann, then given it to the Church.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

120 years ago today - Apr 20, 1891 (Monday)

Warren B. Smith was discharged from the Penitentiary.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

180 years ago today - Apr 19, 1831

The PAINSVILLE TELEGRAPH publishes a letter from Martin Harris which includes the earliest published version of "The Articles and Covenants of the Church of Christ." Greatly expanded compared to its 1829 predecessor, it stated that Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery were each "called of God and ordained an apostle of Jesus Christ, an elder of the church."

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

175 years ago today - Apr 19, 1836

[Wilford Woodruff] Called to the Second Quorum of the Seventy.

[Source: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff, Salt Lake City, Utah]

20 years ago today - Apr 19, 1991

Recognition of the Church in the Ivory Coast, the center of French West Africa, was announced at a special meeting of Church members in Abidjan.

170 years ago today - Apr 18, 1841

Rev. James Murdock interviews William Smith.

[Source: Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"]

75 years ago today - Apr 18, 1936

Heber J. Grant introduces the Church welfare program (Apr. 7); Harold B. Lee is named director of that program

[Source: Madsen, Truman G., The Presidents of the Church]

25 years ago today - Apr 18, 1986

[Mark Hofmann] Investigators show that Hofmann used "Mike Hansen" alias and that Mike Hansen bought bomb ingredients and engraved plates used to print some documents sold by Hofmann.

[Source: Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,]

15 years ago today - Apr 17, 1996

Ground is broken for the Anchorage Alaska Temple. Elder F. Melvin Hammond, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy and President of the North America Northwest Area, presides over the ceremony.

[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]

20 years ago today - Apr 17,1991

Chronicle of Higher Education reports that Utah "ranks last in proportion of students who are female" throughout the United States. This is result of Utah's "traditions that inhibit the educational progress of women."

[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]

140 years ago today - Apr 17, 1871

[Wilford Woodruff] Departs to visit one of his families in Randolph, Rich County, northern Utah

[Source: Kenny, Scott (editor), Wilford Woodruff's Journals 1833-1898, Chronology Signature Books, Midvale, Utah, http://bit.ly/wwjournal]

175 years ago today - Apr 16, 1836

Future-apostle Charles C. Rich describes his endowment ceremony-experience in the Kirtland Temple: "We then continued to fast and pray until the setting of the sun when we Broke Bread and Drank wine[.] we prophesied all night pronouncing blessings and cursings until the morning light[.] there was Great manifestations of the power of God . . . and I was filled with the spirit of prophesy and I was endued with power from on high."

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

170 years ago today - Apr 16, 1841. Friday.

[William Clayton Journal] Alice Moons family arrived from Pittsburgh state of Pennsylvania.

[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]

120 years ago today - Apr 16, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 16 I signed 10 Recommends. I received 11 Letters. I met with the Twelve & a Company of Brethren.

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

130 years ago today - Apr 15, 1881

Katharine Smith Salisbury, Joseph Smith's sister testifies in an affidavit that "prior to the latter part of the year A.D. 1830, there was no person who visited with or was an acquaintance or called upon the said family or any member thereof, to my knowledge, by the name of Sidney Rigdon; nor was such person known to the family or any member thereof to my knowledge, until the last part of the year AD. 1830, or the first part of the year, 1831, and Sometime after the organization of the Church of Jesus Christ by Joseph Smith jr. and Several months after the publication of the Book of Mormon."

[Source: Advent Adam website (defunct) - based on http://amzn.to/originsofpower]

15 years ago today - Apr 15, 1996

[U.S. Religious History] Bishop Fabian W. Bruskewitz of Lincoln, Nebraska, excommunicated all Catholics in his diocese who continued to belong to organizations which he deemed "perilous to the Catholic faith" - organizations like Planned Parenthood and Call to Action.

[Source: Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline]

100 years ago today - Apr 15, 1911

Collier's magazine published a letter from Theodore Roosevelt refuting many charges made against Utah Sen. Reed Smoot and the Church. This action helped defuse an anti-Mormon propaganda surge of 1910-11.

25 years ago today - Apr 14, 1986

[Mark Hofmann] Preliminary hearing in the case of The State of Utah v. Mark W. Hofmann begins.

[Source: Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,]

120 years ago today - Apr 14, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 14 A rainy Morning. I signed 9 Recommends. I received 8 Letters. It is raining.

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

170 years ago today - Apr 14, 1841

[Brigham Young] --14-- We wrote an epistle to the churches, which was signed by nine of the Twelve.

[Source: Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).]

150 years ago today - Apr 13, 1861

"The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star" publishes a poem about Adam, "Sons of Michael," with the opening lines: "Sons of Michael, he approaches!/ Rise; the Eternal Father greet.". The 1927 hymnal converts the 1861 poem "Sons of Michael" to hymn 334. The line with Adam as the Eternal Father is replaced by "Sons of Michael, He approaches!/ Rise; the ancient Father greet."

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

120 years ago today - Apr 13, 1891 (Monday)

Wm. B. Pace was discharged from the Penitentiary.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

170 years ago today - Apr 13, 1841

[Brigham Young] --13-- I walked through Manchester, it being the fair, with Elders Woodruff and Smith. We saw a great variety of curiosities: a man nearly eight feet high, weighing 450 lbs., and a pig 1,200 lbs., a living skeleton, a great variety of wild beasts, an elephant, said to be the largest in Europe; lions, leopards and tigers, all in one cage, with their keeper in the midst of them, playing with them; he would make them all lie down and then lie on the top of them.

[Source: Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).]

60 years ago today - Apr 12, 1951

David O. McKay becomes the first LDS church president to be "ordained" since the Joseph Smith. Apostle Joseph Fielding Smith "ordained and set apart" President McKay. At seventy-four Apostle Smith may have forgotten his own father's restriction against ordaining presidents of the LDS church.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

150 years ago today - Apr 12, 1861

[Civil War] Officially, Cumming was on a leave of absence, but the citizens of Utah knew that his hasty departure meant that he did not intend to return. General Albert Sidney Johnston, another leading figure in the territory, also left the area during the same period. Both men's actions were a result of events in South Carolina on 12 April 1861, when the Confederate Army attacked the federal garrison at Fort Sumter.

[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: Civil War, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/c/CIVILWAR.html]

175 years ago today - Apr 12, 1836

Charles Coulson Rich: Ordained high priest 12 April 1836.

100 years ago today - Apr 11, 1911

President Joseph F. Smith replies to Senator Reed Smoot's urgent appeal for an official statement on post-Manifesto polygamy, President Smith wires: "If the President inquire about new polygamy, tell him the truth, tell him that Prest. [George Q.] Cannon was the first to conceive the idea that the Church could consistently countenance polygamy beyond confines of the republic where there was no law against it, and consequently he authorized the solemnization of plural marriages in Mexico and Canada after manifesto of 1890, and the men occupying presiding positions who became polygamists since the manifesto married in good faith under those circumstances. This being the case could we consistently be expected to humiliate them by releasing them?" At the time in question, however, polygamy was illegal in both Mexico and Canada.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

170 years ago today - Apr 11, 1841 (Sunday Afternoon)

[Joseph Smith Sermon] (Location: Temple Site, Nauvoo, Hancock County, Illinois, USA

Source: Times and Seasons -15 April 1841-: 288 -Words of Joseph Smith, 71) Pres't. Joseph Smith then addressed the assembly and stated, that in consequence of the severty of the weather, the saints had not received as much instruction as he desired and that some things would have to be laid over until the next conferenceâ€"as there were many who wished to be baptized [for the dead], they would now go to the water and give opportunity to any who wished to be baptized of doing so.

[Source: The Woodland Institute, http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]

25 years ago today - Apr 11, 1986

[Mark Hofmann] George Throckmorton examines a second copy of "Oath of a Freeman" loaned to police by Wilding. He says it is a fake printed from a negative made in Salt Lake City.

[Source: Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,]

15 years ago today - Apr 10, 1996

Mormon investors announce they are purchasing Southern Virginia College (SVC), four months after it loses accreditation as two-year school and one month before its closing, to turn it into Mormon school without official sponsorship by LDS headquarters. The likely success of this unprecedented idea is indicated by its announcement in CHURCH NEWS and choice of David Ferrel as college's new president. He is senior employee of recently appointed general authority Richard B. Wirthlin who formally endorses school. Having arranged for LDS congressmen to pressure accrediting association to reconsider its decision, newly installed Mormon trustees announce that SVC will be four-year college with starting freshman class of 400 students who meet same standards of conduct and entrance requirements as at BYU.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

70 years ago today - Apr 10, 1941

Harold B. Lee is ordained an apostle

[Source: Madsen, Truman G., The Presidents of the Church]

140 years ago today - Apr 10, 1871

[Mountain Meadows] Philip Klingensmith, a former LDS bishop who subsequently left the Church, appears in a Nevada court and swears out an account of the massacre, including his own role in it.

[Source: Linder, Douglas, The Mountain Meadows Massacre Trials, http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTRIALS/mountainmeadows/leechrono.html]

60 years ago today - Apr 9, 1951

[David O. McKay] Sustained and set apart as the ninth President of the Church, with Stephen L Richards as first counselor and J. Reuben Clark Jr. as second counselor. At this time, the Church had approximately one million members.

[Source: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O McKay, Salt Lake City, Utah]

175 years ago today - 1836: 9 April

[Patriarchal Blessings] Delcena Diadamia Sherman. (Given by Joseph Smith, Sen.)

"Sister Sherman. I lay my hands upon thy head, in the name of Jesus Christ to bless thee, and thou shalt receive a blessing with thy husband, and the Lord shall bless thee, so thy soul shall be drawn after the good of souls, so thou shalt be with thy Husband and he shall go to declare the things of the kingdom and he shall return yea many times shall he return, and at the end of his labors he shall return, and you shall be blessed together, and thy soul shall be blessed with all the blessings of Heaven inasmuch as thou shalt ask in righteousness.

And these things I promise to thee, and ask my Heavenly Father to seal them for a comfort for thee and thy children. Amen." (From photocopy of handwritten copy, private collection.) [Age, ?; Scribe, Benjamin F. Johnson.]

[Source: Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

120 years ago today - Apr 9, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 9 I signed 10 Recommends & receivd 9 Letters. I signed to Day for the Church $10,000.00 for the Salt Lake College & $1,000.00 for myself.

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

170 years ago today - Apr 8, 1841

A conference sustains John C. Bennett as "Assistant President" in the First Presidency to replace ailing Sidney Rigdon. He is the first general authority to have attended college, having studied one year at McGill University. Bennett is a Campbellite minister, self-trained lawyer, doctor, thirty-third-degree Mason, brigadier general in the Illinois Invincible Light Dragoons, and Quartermaster General of Illinois. Joseph Smith is so impressed by Bennett that he adopts many of Bennett's mannerisms including his oratorical style, his military dress and bearing, and his habit of using foreign phrases in written communications. Bennett boards at Smith's home and they are constant companions. William Law, also in the First Presidency, later writes that Bennett was "more in the secret confidence of Joseph than perhaps any other man in the city."

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

130 years ago today - Apr 8, 1881

[Council of Fifty Members] Caine, John T. (1829-1911). Admitted 8 April 1881.

[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, Council of Fifty Members, 1844-1945, BYU Studies 20, #2 (1980)]

60 years ago today - Sun Apr 8, 1951

[David O. McKay Office Journal] 4:30 p.m.--Special council meeting was held in the Salt Lake Temple. Presented to the Twelve the names of my counselors--Elder Stephen L. Richards as First Counselor, and Pres. J. Reuben Clark, Jr. as Second Counselor.

[Source: McKay, David O., Office Journal]

80 years ago today - Apr 7, 1931

First Presidency instructs Apostle Joseph Fielding Smith and Seventy's president B. H. Roberts: "The subject of Pre-Adamites [is] not to be discussed in public by the brethren either for or against the theory, as the Church has not declared itself and its attitude on the question."

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

75 years ago today - Apr 7, 1936

Church Security Program instituted to assist poor during Great Depression; became Church Welfare Program.

[Source: Ludlow, Daniel H. editor, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Macmillan Publishing, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 4, Appendix 2: A Chronology of Church History, http://amzn.to/eG0DIp]

15 years ago today - Apr 7, 1996

60 Minutes interview of Gordon B. Hinckley by Mike Wallace telecast.

[Source: Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://www.lds.net/forums/scripture-study-forum/12108-church-chronology-1800-2000-part-1-a.html#post214550]

150 years ago today - Apr 6, 1861

Brigham Young tells conference it is necessary "to grease the wheels" (bribe federal officials). "To show how minutely corruption prevails where justice should exist," Young gives example where it was necessary to pay $1,300 bribe "to get our claims paid for expenditures in quelling Indian disturbances in 1853." This is first announcement of First Presidency's policy to bribe federal officials when necessary. Historian Wallace D. Farnham once described the frequent graft in nineteenth-century federal government as the "weakened spring of government" in America.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

75 years ago today - Apr 6, 1936

The First 'First Presidency Message' sent via Shortwave Radio to Europe, is broadcast on this day, 1936.

[Source: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php]

180 years ago today - 1831 Spring

Parley P. Pratt, Leman Copley, and Sidney Rigdon visited Shakers near Cleveland, Ohio.

[Source: Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://www.lds.net/forums/scripture-study-forum/12108-church-chronology-1800-2000-part-1-a.html#post214550]

20 years ago today - Apr 5, 1991

First Counselor Gordon B. Hinckley tells meeting of regional representatives: "I regard it as inappropriate for anyone in the Church to pray to our Mother in Heaven" which he defines as one of "small beginnings of apostasy." In response to newspaper stories about these non-public remarks, he repeats them publicly. In his address to general women's meeting following Sept., Hinckley quotes that statement as part of his answer to letter from fourteen-year-old girl he calls "Virginia." A few days earlier at BYU commencement a student had prayed to "Our Father and Mother in Heaven."

[Source: Advent Adam website (defunct) - based on http://amzn.to/originsofpower]

170 years ago today - Apr 5, 1841

Joseph Smith's first fully dated plural marriage is solemnized to Louisa Beaman. The ceremony is performed by Louisa's brother-in-law Joseph Bates Noble "in a grove Near Main Street in the City of Nauvoo, The Prophet Joseph dictating the ceremony and Br Nobles repeating it after him." Noble later recalled that after the ceremony, the couple spent their wedding night, "Right straight across the river at my house". Noble said he encouraged them to, "Blow out the lights and get into bed, and you will be safer there". John C. Bennett knew the details of this marriage.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

60 years ago today - Thu Apr 5, 1951

[David O. McKay Office Journal] President Clark conferred with me relative to statement from the Counselors regarding President Smith's passing.

[Source: McKay, David O., Office Journal]

180 years ago today - Apr 4, 1831

[Joseph Smith] Edward Partridge is called to be the first bishop in the church. Sidney Rigdon anoints him an elder and sets him apart as a bishop.

[Source: Wikipedia, Joseph Smith Chronology, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Joseph_Smith,_Jr.]

80 years ago today - Apr 4, 1931

Heber J. Grant announces that church will give whatever assistance it can to aid criminal prosecution of polygamists.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

25 years ago today - Apr 4, 1986

[Mark Hofmann] Hofmann charged with four additional theft by deception counts.

[Source: Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,]

175 years ago today - Apr 3, 1836

Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery see Jesus and receive priesthood keys from Moses, Elias, and Elijah in the Kirtland temple. Later that month the church's LATTER DAY SAINT MESSENGER AND ADVOCATE publishes, due to "the deep anxiety felt by our southern brethren on this subject," an editorial (apparently by Cowdery): "Must we open our houses, unfold our arms, and bid these degraded and degrading sons of Canaan, a hearty welcome and a free admittance to all we possess? . . . and low indeed must be the mind, that would consent for a moment, to see his fair daughter, his sister, or perhaps, his bosom companion in the embrace of a NEGRO!"

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

30 years ago today - Apr 3, 1981

At the regional representatives meeting, President Spencer W. Kimball outlined three responsibilities to carry out the mission of the Church: Proclaim the gospel, perfect the saints and redeem the dead.

140 years ago today - Apr 3, 1871 (Monday)

Gov. Alvin Saunders, of Nebraska, visited Salt Lake City.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

175 years ago today - Apr 2, 1836

Kirtland Council Minutes record, "The following individuals comprising the firm of F. G. Williams & Co (viz.) Joseph Smith Junr., Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery, W. W. Phelps, John Whitmer, and F. G. Williams, met in the upper room in the printing office to take into consideration the situation of the firm in a pecuniary point of view [in order] to devise ways & means to discharge the debts, to make a partial division of stock and to release form responsibility of the company Messrs. Wm. W. Phelps & John Whitmer."

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

120 years ago today - Apr 2, 1891

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] Council discussed the propriety of John H. Smith accepting the Election to Directory & Presidency of the Standard publishing Company Ogden All present expressed their views. Some lengthily & it was unanimous view that it would be impolitic for him to do so.

[Source: Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

75 years ago today - Apr 02, 1936

Dale E. Miller, later a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy, is born in Los Angeles, California.

[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]

100 years ago today - Apr 1, 1911

President Joseph F. Smith telegraphs U.S. Senator and apostle Reed Smoot: "If the president inquires about new polygamy tell him the truth. Tell him that President Cannon was the first to conceive the idea that we could consistently countenance polygamy beyond the confines of the Republic where we have no chartered law against it, and consequently he authorized the solemnization of polygamy in Mexico and Canada after the Manifesto of 1890, and the men occupying presiding positions who became polygamists since the manifesto did it in good faith." In fact polygamy was illegal in both Mexico and Canada during the time in question.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

20 years ago today - Apr 1,1991

[Utah] Student at BYU's commencement offers prayer to "Our Mother and Father in Heaven."

[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]

200 years ago today - spring 1811

[Joseph Smith] Smith's maternal grandfather Solomon Mack, after being ill all winter in Sharon, Vermont, and after searching the scriptures and praying, sees a vision and later hears a voice. . He is converted to evangelical Calvinism and denounces Universalism. .

[Source: Wikipedia, Joseph Smith Chronology, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Joseph_Smith,_Jr.]