Today in Mormon History: July 2011

125 years ago today - Jul 31, 1886

Owing to the peculiar circumstances in which we are placed, there has been some confusion and delay connected with the sending of recommends to the House of the Lord, to be endorsed by me. To obviate this difficulty, we desire you to instruct the Saints who intend to have Temple work done, to procure their recommends sufficiently early, that they can receive them properly endorsed by me, at their own homes, before they start, instead of going to the Temple and awaiting the receipt of the recommend there by mail. If they have them in their possession before they start, they can make their arrangements for going, and for the time they will remain, and for their return, and the expense they will be at, with some degree of certainty. We therefore urge this upon your attention, and desire that you represent the advantages of this system to all the Saints in your Stakes and Wards. [John Taylor, circular letter, July 31, 1886]

[Source: Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]

100 years ago today - Jul 31, 1911

[Thomas A. Clawson Diary] "Had a call from Mr Pots who who ask (Sic) me to see Bro Geo. Gibbs about his retaining his little cnady stand opposite the Lafayette School. I went with him to the Presidents (Sic) office and had quite a long talk with bro Gibbs but failed to accomplish any thing as he had made up his mind to let some one else have the place."

[Source: Diary Excerpts of Thomas A. Clawson, Signature Books Library, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

170 years ago today - Jul 31, 1841

[Brigham Young] --31-- Met in council with the Twelve, when the following resolutions, among others, were unanimously passed:--

"That we sustain Joseph Smith as Trustee-in-Trust for the Church, and advise him to have all lands belonging to the Church deeded in his name as Trustee. That Elder Lorenzo Barnes proceed on his mission to England without delay, that Harrison Sagers go to Jamaica, Joseph Ball to South America, and Simeon Carter to Germany."

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

175 years ago today - (Sat) Jul 30, 1836

[General] Joseph Smith visited New York City.

[Source: Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]

180 years ago today - late July 1831

[Lucy Mack Smith] Lucy returns to Kirtland.

[Source: Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book]

120 years ago today - Jul 30, 1891

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] The suit of yesterday by Trumbo and Badlam etal ves Directors of Bullion Beck & Co mine kept Geo[rge] Q. Cannon & M. Thatcher away.

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

175 years ago today - Jul 29, 1836

En route to Massachusetts. On his way to Massachusetts, Joseph Smith took the line boat on the Erie Canal to Utica, the railroad car for Schenectady, and a luggage car to Albany, New York.

[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://amzn.to/BYUStudies-JSChron]

120 years ago today - Jul 29, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 29 My Children returned from the Canyon this Morning And turned the waggon over on the Mountain Canyon & all Came near being killed through the Carelessness of an other Driver in trying to run by them. Ovando was badly bruised up & Clara his wife with a sprained wrist & others were hurt.

I Met in the Morning with several of the Brethren. I met with the Bank Board and attended to the business thereof.

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

15 years ago today - Jul 29, 1996

[General] In San Francisco, California, Church members and others gather to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the arrival of the Saints on the Brooklyn, which docked in San Francisco Bay on July 31, 1846.

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

150 years ago today - Jul 28, 1861

[General] Concerning U.S. Civil War Brigham Young says: "Will it be over in six months or in three years? No; it will take years and years and will never cease until the work is accomplished. . . and it will spread and continue until the land is emptied." His remarks echo Joseph Smith's "Civil War" prophecy rather than the common feeling of the day.

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

120 years ago today - Jul 28, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 28 Prest Cannon returned from Brigham City Conference. I met with several Parties to day.

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

15 years ago today - Jul 28, 1996

[General] The PBS series Searching for God in America features an interview with Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

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

10 years ago today - Jul 27, 2001

[U.S. Religious History] Decided: O'Bannon v. Indiana Civil Liberties Union

The Supreme Court refused to hear a case about a large monument in Indiana which would have included the Ten Commandments. What was the original 7th Circuit Court decision, and why did they reach that conclusion? What does this mean for future cases?

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

130 years ago today - Jul 27, 1881 (Wednesday)

Senator John Sherman, of Ohio, General Benjamin Harrison, of Indiana, Judge Strong and Albert Bierstadt, the landscape painter, visited Salt Lake City.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

65 years ago today - Jul 27, 1946

[General] Saturday, Brazilian Mormons in Sao Paulo celebrate Utah Pioneer Day.

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

170 years ago today - Jul 26, 1841

[Brigham Young] --26-- Elders Kimball, O. [Orson] Pratt, Richards, Taylor, Geo. [George] A. Smith and myself, wrote an epistle to the churches.

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

140 years ago today - Jul 26, 1871 (Wednesday)

[General] The steamship Nevada sailed from Liverpool, England, with 93 Saints, under the direction of Lot Smith. The company arrived at New York Aug. 7th, and in Salt Lake City Aug. 16th.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

115 years ago today - Jul 26, 1896

[General] At the funeral of Apostle Abraham H. Cannon, President Wilford Woodruff speaks upon the topic of "the plurality of wives and to the plurality of families that men possess in this Church. It is a subject I have left alone as a general thing in all my observations and instructions before the public. . . . We have had a plurality of wives and families. The principle was introduced to this people by the revelation of God through the Prophet Joseph Smith." Cannon had taken a secret post-manifesto plural wife, with Woodruff's permission, a few months before his death. After the funeral Apostle John Henry Smith attends a meeting concerning Apostle Moses Thatcher, "It was stated by Moses Thatcher [Jr.] that he was adicted to the Morphine habbit and part of the time insane and that they must do something for him. . . . It was finally agreed to get him if possible to go of his own free will to a sanatarium in California, if he refused to do so then to insist on sending him an
y way."

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

150 years ago today - Jul 25, 1861

[General] Brigham Young's office journal states: "Pres[ident] Young had some conversation with his Br. Joseph about the form and principles of a Republican Government. The President remarked in a republican government the people have a right to interfere when the Officers of the Government are taking a wrong course; he also remarked that [Joseph] Morris the crazy prophet would give fight to this people if his numbers were strong enough."

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

130 years ago today - July 25th 1881

[Abraham H. Cannon Journal] A Catholic nun is converted and baptized in Nurnberg.

[Source: Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]

180 years ago today - Jul 25, 1831

Algernon Sidney Gilbert: Arrived in Independence with wife about 25 July 1831. While in Missouri, appointed by revelation to locate in Jackson County and serve as bishops agent.

[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 - Jul 24, 1861

[General] Brigham Young's office journal relates: "In the course of conversation Pres[ident] Young mentioned about one John Karl a man who had written a book against the Church, and Joseph Smith (Prophet) had cursed him for it, this man died a very miserable death wasting away, and nothing but the curse could be assigned as the cause of his sickness. This man confessed on his dying bed to his former Sectarian friends, that he had no confidence in their religion, and if any religion was true it was the religion of the Mormons."

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

130 years ago today - Jul 24, 1881

[J.D.T. McAllister Diary] Flood at Pinto

arrived at 7. a dreadful flood had Swept through the Town moving, Sheds Binns Barnes. Stacks and fences about two hours before we arrived. Many fences swept away. Sheds and Binns left in the Street Bro C. Westovers House washed down. The water five feet deep washing through house carry away barrels. buckets and pan and etc. cellars full of water. School house full of people and goods for shelter.

[Source: Diary Excerpts of J.D.T. McAllister, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

120 years ago today - Jul 24, 1891 (Friday)

[General] Peter E. Olsen was discharged from the Penitentiary.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

180 years ago today - Jul 23, 1831

[General] W.W. Phelps writes a description of Missouri: "The inhabitants are emigrants from Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and the Carolinas, etc., with customs, manners, modes of living and a climate entirely different from the northerners, and they hate yankees worse than snakes, because they have cheated them or speculated on their credulity, with so many Connecticut wooden clocks, and New England notions. The people are proverbially idle or lazy, and mostly ignorant; reckoning nobody equal to themselves in many respects, and as it is a slave holding state, Japheth will make Canaan serve him, while he dwells in the tents of Shem"

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

30 years ago today - Jul 23, 1981

[General] Elder Gordon B. Hinckley is called as third counselor in the First Presidency due to the physical weakness of Presidents Spencer W. Kimball, N. Eldon Tanner, and Marion G. Romney. Hinckley is referred to in the press as the "acting president of the church" because Kimball, Tanner, and Romney are largely out of the public eye.

[Source: Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)]

120 years ago today - Jul 23, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 23d I set 2 Hours for My Model. Met with Mr Ellis. I met with the Twelve for Prayer. I met with many persons to day.

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

More History?

Want more Mormon history? Check out LDS-Church-History, a topical approach to the history of the church. Topics from the past have included Tithing, the Word of Wisdom, Z.C.M.I. and Dreams in Latter-day Saint history. More info can be found here: http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com/2009/01/lds-history.html

75 years ago today - Jul 22, 1936

[General] First counselor J. Reuben Clark recommends that Communist candidate for U.S. president be denied use of Salt Lake Tabernacle for speech. Also recommends to "confidentially" advise Utah's governor to have Mormon members of American Legion armed with "Picks and ax-handles" to attend Communist Party's rally in Liberty Park.

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

120 years ago today - Jul 22, 1891

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] Sent Haralds & Globes to my boys at Oakley Summit Co & Box Elder County (9 papers) containing Democratic pablum.

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

165 years ago today - Jul 22, 1846 (Wednesday)

[General] The fifth and last company of the Mormon Battalion left the camps of the Saints and started for Fort Leavenworth.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

170 years ago today - Jul 21, 1841

The WARSAW SIGNAL in Warsaw, Illinois: "How MILITARY these people are becoming! Every thing they say or do seems to breathe the spirit of military tactics. Their PROPHET appears, on all great occasions, in his splendid regimental dress, signs his name Lieut. General, and more titles are to be found in the Nauvoo Legion, than any one book on military tactics can produce; and now comes a public journal, the name of which is composed of two military words. Truly FIGHTING must, be a part of the creed of these Saints!"

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

120 years ago today - Jul 21, 1891

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] Had a pleasant chat with Dr Geo[rge] R. Miller of Omaha & party at Gardo--he told me my name was as familiar to him as his own that he had heard & read of me almost daily and was delighted to mal my personal acquaintance.

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

80 years ago today - Jul 21, 1931

[General] Gene Fullmer, later the Middleweight Boxing Champion (1957), is born in West Jordan, Utah.

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

75 years ago today - Jul 20, 1936

[General] Chief of Salt Lake City's detectives begins sending to First Presidency reports of surveillance and infiltration of Communist Party in Utah.

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

60 years ago today - Jul 20, 1951

[General] Because the Korean War reduced the number of young elders being called as missionaries, the First Presidency issued a call for seventies to help fill the need. Many married men subsequently served full-time missions.

[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]

180 years ago today - Jul 20, 1831

[D and C] Doctrine and Covenants 57: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in Zion, Jackson County, Missouri, July 20, 1831. HC 1: 189-190. In compliance with the Lord's command (Section 52), the elders had journeyed from Kirtland to Missouri with many varied experiences and some opposition. In contemplating the state of the Lamanites and the lack of civilization, refinement, and religion among the people generally, the Prophet exclaimed in yearning prayer: -"When will the wilderness blossom as the rose? When will Zion be built up in her glory, and where will thy Temple stand, unto which all nations shall come in the last days?-" Subsequently he received this revelation.

1-3, Independence, Missouri, is the place for the City of Zion and the temple; 4-7, The saints are to purchase lands and receive inheritances in that area; 8-16, Sidney Gilbert is to establish a store, W. W. Phelps is to be a printer, and Oliver Cowdery is to edit material for publication.

[Source: Doctrine and Covenants, http://amzn.to/DoctrineandCovenants]

170 years ago today - Jul 19, 1841

[General] Excommunicated Apostle Lyman E. Johnson meets with the Twelve Apostles. He tells them, "If I could believe 'Mormonism' as I did when I traveled with you and preached, if I possessed the world I would give it."

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

120 years ago today - Jul 19, 1891 (Sunday)

[General] August J. Hansen was discharged from the Penitentiary.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

135 years ago today - 1876. July 19

[General] (Joseph Fielding Smith) : Born Joseph Fielding Smith, Jr., in Salt Lake City to Julina Lambson and future Church President Joseph F. Smith. He was the grand-nephew of Joseph Smith, grandson of Church Patriarch Hyrum Smith, nephew of Church Patriarch John Smith, brother of Apostle Hyrum Mack Smith, and father-in-law of Apostle Bruce R. McConkie.

[Source: Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

75 years ago today - Jul 18, 1936

[General] CHURCH SECTION photograph of LDS youth conference in Germany with Apostle Joseph F. Merrill in front of Swastika banner of Nazi Party. This is intentional association of visual symbols, since Aug. 7, 1937 issue also prints photograph of church president Heber J. Grant seated in front of Swastika banner at LDS meeting in Frankfurt.

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

170 years ago today - Jul 18, 1841

[Albert Carrington] He was baptized into the Mormon Church on 18 July 1841 and later moved his family of wife and four children to Nauvoo, Illinois, just prior to the murder of the Mormon leader Joseph Smith in June 1844. Because of his scholarly background and activity as a proselytor for his faith, he was soon recognized as one of the intellectual leaders in the Mormon community.

[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: Albert Carrington, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/c/CARRINGTON%2CALBERT.html]

175 years ago today - Jul 18, 1836

[Joseph Smith] Gov. Dunklin sends a letter to the Missouri Saints saying that although he sympathizes with them, the public considers them obnoxious and has determined to expel them; and it is therefore useless for him to go against the overwhelming public sentiment. He tells them that if they cannot convince their fellow inhabitants that they are totally innocent, they had better leave the county, because "all I can say to you is that in this Republic the vox populi is the vox Dei" (the voice of the people is the voice of God). (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 2:461-62.)

[Source: Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]

180 years ago today - Jul 17, 1831

[General] Plural marriage is alluded to in a revelation which is never canonized nor officially published. The revelation states: "Verily, I say unto you, that the wisdom of man in his fallen state, knoweth not the purposes and the privileges of my holy priesthood, but yet shall know when ye receive a fullness by reason of the anointing: For it is my will, that in time, ye should take unto you wives of the Lamanites and Nephites, that their posterity may become white, delightsome and just, for even now their females are more virtuous than the gentiles." When W. W. Phelps asks Joseph Smith how they, married men, could take wives of the Lamanites Joseph answers, "In the same manner that Abraham took Hagar and Keturah; and Jacob took Rachel, Bilhah and Zilpha, by Revelation."

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

175 years ago today - Jul 17, 1836

[U.S. Religious History] William White, the first American Anglican bishop, died at the age of 88. White was the person who coined the term "Protestant Episcopal" for the new Anglican denomination.

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

120 years ago today - Jul 17, 1891

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] John T. Caine, Frank H. Dyer who went up with me held a Grand Democratic rally at Logan Dyer said it was the greatest turn out we had met during the campaign.

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

180 years ago today - Jul 16, 1831

[General] The Colesville Branch, the first significant group of Latter-day Saints to locate in Missouri, arrives in Jackson County and settles in Kaw Township (later part of Kansas City).

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

130 years ago today - Jul 16, 1881 (Saturday)

[General] Twenty-two Saints from Iceland, in charge of John Eyvindson, sailed from Liverpool, England, bound for Utah.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

125 years ago today - Friday, July 16th, 1886

[Apostle Abraham H. Cannon Journal] At night a sort of ovation was held in our room in honor of my expected departure. The speeches made were all made up of praises for me. Mr. Johnson, while acknowledging his prejudice against our people and religion, said that I would stand among the first on the list of those whom he thought were trying to approach the example set by our great Master. He made many other expressions of the highest praise. Mr. McConnell also expressed his pleasure at making my acquaintance, and said he wished from his heart that he could see and be as I was. Bros. Snow, Naisbitt, Lambert, Clawson, Foulger and others all gave me words of encouragement and praise. 1 made my valedictory in which I thanked all for their kind feelings. I do not believe there is a man in the yard but what feels kindly towards me. I can truly say that I have tried to set a good example in study, work, and morals, and the Lord has wonderfully blest me.

[Source: Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]

150 years ago today - Jul 15, 1861

[General] Brigham Young's office journal records: "A Mr. Benjamins representing himself an Ethnological Tourist, and a jew by birth, called upon the President he stated he was in search of the lost tribes, he sated that Br. [Alexander] Neibaur had represented the Mormon people to him, as being of the tribe of Joseph, particularly through his son Ephraim. The President said he would have written down some particulars respecting this people and hand it to him to aid him in his researches."

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

180 years ago today - Mid-July 1831

[Joseph Smith] Joseph's party arrives in Independence, Mo. There is a glorious reunion with missionaries there. Jackson County population at this time is less than 3,000, and land costs $1.25 per acre. Joseph records that the people are nearly a century behind the times; Parley Pratt notes that they are still living in skins and very primitive conditions. (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 1:188-89.) Because of the primitive land, Joseph wonders how Zion can ever be built in her glory in such a place, and receives D&C 57. The first Sunday after their arrival, W. W. Phelps preaches at the western boundary of the United States to a congregation made up of all races and peoples. Two are baptized.

[Source: Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]

1 year ago - 7/15/2010

[Same-Sex Marriage] Argentina becomes the first South American country to approve Same-Sex marriages

[Source: Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]

175 years ago today - Jul 14, 1836

John Murdock: Arrived in Ray County, Missouri, 14 July 1836.

180 years ago today - Jul 14, 1831

Independence, Missouri. Joseph Smith and his party arrived in Independence from Kirtland, Ohio, after being shown in vision where the temple at Independence and the city of Zion would be located.

[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://amzn.to/BYUStudies-JSChron]

50 years ago today - Jul 14, 1961

[General] The Berlin Mission is organized.

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

15 years ago today - Jul 13, 1996

[General] Gordon B. Hinckley holds press conference in conjunction with Grand Encampment Celebration in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

[Source: Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]

170 years ago today - Jul 13, 1841 (Tuesday)

[General] Apostle Geo. A. Smith returned to Nauvoo from his mission to England.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

150 years ago today - Jul 13, 1861

[Plains] Joseph Porter Company begins crossing plains

[Source: Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847-1868, Chronological Company List, http://www.lds.org/churchhistory/library/pioneercompanylist-chronological/0,15765,3968-1,00.html]

170 years ago today - Jul 12, 1841

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith appointed John Patten to be the recorder of baptisms for the dead in Iowa.

[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://amzn.to/BYUStudies-JSChron]

140 years ago today - Jul 12, 1871 (Wednesday)

[General] The steamship Colorado sailed from Liverpool, England, with 146 Saints, under the direction of Hamilton G. Park. The company arrived in New York July 25th, and at Salt Lake City Aug. 4th.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

150 years ago today - 12-Jul 13, 1861

[Plains] Samuel A. Woolley Company begins crossing plains

15 years ago today - Jul 11, 1996

[Same-Sex Marriage] The Campaign Spending Commission sends another follow-up letter to Hawaiis Future Today about the complaint concerning its 9 May ads. It indicates that because it understands that it believed that Hawaiis Future Today did not intend, nor plan to engage in any activity as such a political organization it would not require their registration as a political organization.

[Source: Crapo, Richley, Chronology Of Mormon / LDS Involvement In Same-Sex Marriage Politics http://www.mormonsocialscience.org/?q=node/59]

1 year ago - 7/11/2010

[Same-Sex Marriage] First Presidency letter to members in the Buenos Aires, Argentina clarifies that the Churchs definition of marriage is one that is between a man and a woman. Members encouraged to read and study the Proclamation on the Family in their homes prior to the legislature's vote on the subject.

[Source: Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]

150 years ago today - Jul 11, 1861

[Plains] Joseph W. Young/Ansil P. Harmon/Heber P. Kimball Company begins crossing plains

170 years ago today - Jul 10, 1841

[Brigham Young] --10-- The Prophet met in council with Elders Kimball, Pratt, Taylor, G. [George] A. Smith and myself, and appointed a special conference for the 16th instant, and directed us to send missionaries to New Orleans; Charleston, South Carolina; Salem, Massachusetts; Baltimore, Maryland; and Washington, D.C.; and also requested the Twelve to take the burden of the business of the Church in Nauvoo, and especially as pertaining to the church lands, settling of the Saints on their arrival, and selling church lands.

August 15. (Sunday)-- I attended Conference in Zarahemla, and addressed the brethren on the subject of building the temple in Nauvoo.

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

140 years ago today - Jul 10, 1871 (Monday)

[General] Hon. S.S. Cox, of New York, visited Salt Lake City.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

115 years ago today - Jul 10, 1896

[General] Apostle Brigham Young Jr. writes in his diary: "President Woodruff told me I had hurt his feelings in some remarks I had made but when I explained that I was not the one only present when a newspaper article was referred to as publishing about his converting women in an early day. I was perfectly innocent and he felt all right about the matter."

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

150 years ago today - Jul 9, 1861

[General] Brigham Young's office journal records: "Pres[ident] Young remarked to H.C. Kimball who had come in that Old Abe the President of the U.S. has it in his mind to pitch in to us when he had got through with the South. President Kimball observed that men that he had met with whether they had little or much of the Spirit of God were in favor of the South. Pres[ident] Young, as of [the] opinion the sympathy of the people for the South was in case they should be whipped, and the Northern party remain in power he thought they -wanted the War to go that both parties might be used up."

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

170 years ago today - Jul 9, 1841

[D and C] Doctrine and Covenants 126: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, in the house of Brigham Young, at Nauvoo, Illinois, July 9, 1841. HC 4: 382. At this time Brigham Young was president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

1-3, Brigham Young is commended for his labors and is relieved of future travel abroad.

[Source: Doctrine and Covenants, http://amzn.to/DoctrineandCovenants]

120 years ago today - Jul 9, 1891

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] At city in Gardo house at 10 am Pres[iden]t WW unable to come out GQC & JFS present Of 12 there were LS, FDR, FML, JHS, HJG, WGT?, MWM, AHL, AHC 9 of the 12 were present Pres[iden]t Snow stated the nature object & success of our meetings which was held about Quarterly the last 2 years. regretted Br[other] JH Smith having as he thought to take the stump on politics & hoped that no other of us might find it necessary to do so. Pres[iden]t JF Smith reviewed the situation & told to objects desired & modus operandi of attainment very clearly--Pres[iden]t GQ Cannon also spoke lengthily and much conversation ensued on politics & who were some of our friends outside Bro[ther] Grant received direction on money affairs.

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

120 years ago today - Jul 8, 1891

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] There were present all as yesterday except Bro[ther] Thatcher who is gone east & JR Smith this morning ... Pres[iden]t Snow said it was impracticable for the Presidency to meet with us today but hoped that Pres[iden]t WW would be able to meet us tomorrow--said his health was improving.

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

150 years ago today - Jul 8, 1861

[Plains] Ira Reed Company begins crossing plains

30 years ago today - Jul 08, 1981

[General] Latter-day Saint Church services are held for the first time in the northern South American country of French Guiana.

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

150 years ago today - Jul 7, 1861

[General] Heber C. Kimball, in a sermon recalling past persecutions of the Saints, preaches: "After all these hardships and trials we started for this country, and what did the Government then require of us? Five hundred men were called to go and take part in the Mexican war, and that too at a time when we were all living in our waggons: many were sick, and some were dying;" This perpetuates the myth that the Mormon Battalion was a favor that the Church did for the government when in reality it was a favor that the government did for the Mormons at Church leaders' request.

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

15 years ago today - Jul 7, 1996

[General] Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges recertifies BYU's accreditation for ten years, despite committee's acknowledgement of faculty complaints that academic freedom is severely limited on this LDS campus.

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

1 year ago - 7/7/2010

Carlos Aguero, LDS public-affairs director for Argentina and a former Area Authority Seventy, attends meeting with leaders from several conservative Christian churches and traditional family organizations, according to a Buenos Aires newspaper. The meeting was apparently to plan opposition to a proposed bill which would allow Same-Sex Marriages in Argentina (http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/home/49937058-76/marriage-argentina-church-lds.html.csp) "The [LDS] Church has made its support of traditional marriage clear but it does not involve itself institutionally in every same-sex election contest," Trotter said. "The church took no official position on the marriage legislation in Argentina and did not organize its members to participate in opposing the legislation."

[Source: Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]

25 years ago today - Jul 6, 1986

[General] Announcement of "Improved missionary discussions [which] put aside the specific dialogue of the past. Missionaries will now use their own words and follow an outline to share the gospel." This ends twenty-five years of requiring LDS missionaries to memorize and speak word-for-word dialogue when teaching non-Mormons.

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

120 years ago today - Jul 6, 1891

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] I have unbound faith in the success of the business and I should be delighted to see the benefits go to the Church. I feel sure that the profits will be at least twenty five percent and as the Church can get the money for not more than eight percent there will be a good margin of profit for them . . . I shall be pleased and thankful when the Church has more funds than it has at the present.

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

40 years ago today - Jul 06, 1971

[General] The Italy North Mission is organized.

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

150 years ago today - Jul 5, 1861

[General] Brigham Young's office journal records: "President Young mentioned that he enjoyed his dancing last evening it caused him to perspire, he said it rested his mind and did him good, and relieved him from his onerous every day duties."

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

170 years ago today - Jul 5, 1841. Monday.

[William Clayton Journal] I attended the celebration of American liberty at Zarahemla. We was called to drill at 8 in the morning and continued untill about 4 o'clock at which time the company went to dinner which was set out in a field on account of so many being present. The provisions was done before all had had dinner. I was shure without and felt bad for want of meat.

[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 - Jul 5, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 5 I was taken sick this Morning again with the Billious Cholic. Was vary sick through the day. G Q Cannon & J Jaques Came And Administerd to me. Also Dr Joseph Richards Called upon me. I was sick through the night.

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

80 years ago today - Jul 4, 1931

[General] CHURCH SECTION article, "Without Purse or Scrip In the Argentine Mission."

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

170 years ago today - Jul 4, 1841, Sunday

[William Clayton Writings] On Sunday I went over the river and saw Brother Kimball and went with him to Sister Pratts where we took a little dinner.

[Source: Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries]

175 years ago today - Jul 4, 1836

[General] Orson Pratt marries Sarah Marinda Bates.

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

75 years ago today - Jul 3, 1936

[General] First Presidency statement against Communism and Communist Party (which is legal in United States at this time and has candidates in Utah elections).

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

170 years ago today - Jul 3, 1841

[Joseph Smith] At the Independence Day celebration the Nauvoo Legion comes out in parade and Joseph gives a patriotic speech, closing with the words, "I would ask no greater boon, than to lay down my life for my country." (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 4:382.)

[Source: Conklin, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]

120 years ago today - Jul 3, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 3d I signed 24 Recommends. I receivd 5 Letters. I met with Clark & Co on the Saltair Business & settled our Affairs with them. They Paid $10,000 Dollars on their Bonds at Zions Savings Bank. It was a Hot day. I wrote 1 Letter to Wm. Thompson.

[Source: 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 - Summer 1836

[Joseph Smith] Under the direction of Alexander W. Doniphan, it is agreed that a new county should be formed for the Mormons called Caldwell County, in what is now Clay County, Missouri. Mormons begin leaving Ray and Clay County to settle the proposed area. Plans for and work on the community of Far West, Missouri begin. Far West, Missouri is the proposed county seat for the new county.

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

140 years ago today - Jul 2, 1871

[General] The "Liberal Institute" is dedicated in Salt Lake City at the corner of Second South and Second East. This architectural landmark seats over 1000 and is constructed mostly by Godbeites and disaffected Mormons. Susan B. Anthony, who attended the dedication, writes that the reformers "sang their songs of freedom, poured out their rejoicings over the emancipation from the thrall of the Theocracy of Brigham, and told of the beatitudes of soul-to-soul communion with the All-Father." The Institute became a home for Methodists, Presbyterians, Jews, Swedish Lutherans and "Reorganite Mormons" as well as suffragettes, spiritualists (including mediums and their debunkers), and free thinkers.

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

150 years ago today - summer of 1861

By midsummer of 1861 Camp Floyd/Fort Crittenden was abandoned.

[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: Camp Floyd, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/c/CAMPFLOYD.html]

150 years ago today - Jul 1, 1861

[General] Brigham Young's office journal records: "President [Young] & H[eber] C Kimball talked of old times, especially their being mysteriously supplied with money in their early Career in the church. he also noticed Joseph Smith-s feelings after he had prophecied Joseph would frequently ask his brethren how they felt about the prophecies he had made asked if they thought they would come true, when his brethren remarked they knew he Spoke by the Spirit of God that comforted him."

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

180 years ago today - Jul 1, 1831

[Black History] Joseph Smith calls "Negroes" of lineage of Ham,

[Source: http://www.xtimeline.com/events.aspx?q=Bif200802111550260291166]

120 years ago today - Jul 1, 1891

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] John H. Smith and John Morgan met with Republicans in fourth Ward & made political speeches.

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