Today in Mormon History: 2011

70 years ago today - Dec 31, 1941

Administration of Second Anointings to December 31, 1941

Temple Living Dead Total

Nauvoo and other sites (1843-46) 591 0 5911

Endowment House (ded. 1866) 694 0 694

St. George (ded. 1877) 1,814 1,615 3,429

Logan (ded. 1884) 3,040 1,243 4,283

Manti (ded. 1888) 2,412 1,134 3,546

Salt Lake City (ded. 1893) 6,368 2,211 8,579

Laie (ded. 1920) 0 0 0

Alberta (ded. 1923) 13 14

Mesa (ded. 1927) 0 0 0 2

TOTAL 14,932 6,204 21,1262

[from "Temple Ordinance Statistics," Books A, B, C ]

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

5 years ago today - Dec 31, 2006

[Hinckley] Spoke to the youth in a New Years Eve meeting in the Conference Center

[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]

180 years ago today - 1831

Church Membership at end of year: 680

New Converts : 400

Percent Change from previous year: 142.86%

[Source: Wikipedia, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Membership History, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_history]

180 years ago today - Winter/Spring 1831

[Lucy Mack Smith] Ezra Booth (Methodist minister), John Johnson and Mary Musselman Johnson and family, visit Joseph. Joseph heals Mary's lame arm.

[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]

5 years ago today - Dec 30, 2006

[General] The Washington Post and Newsweek have launched a new religion blog entitled "On Faith." Fifty panelists representing different faiths are invited to respond to a question each week on a religious topic. Members of the public are then free to respond to the question or to any of the comments either under their own name or using a pseudonym.

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

170 years ago today - Dec 30, 1841

Joseph prophesies in the name of the Lord "that the first thing toward building up Warsaw was to break it down." (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 4:486-87.) George Miller, having been granted an official dispensation by Grandmaster Jonas, on Oct. 15, to meet with other Masons in Nauvoo, holds the first Masonic gathering in Nauvoo on Dec. 29, at the office of Hyrum Smith. Temporary officers are elected and by-laws are drafted. On Dec. 30 the second meeting of the Nauvoo Lodge is held. By-laws are approved and a petition with a list of names applying for new membership is submitted. Included among the applicants are Joseph Smith, Willard Richards, Brigham Young, Sidney Rigdon, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, and many other prominent Church leaders. No new members are actually admitted until the next formal installation on March 15, 1842. ___

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

170 years ago today - Dec 29, 1841

[Masonry] Eighteen (2 X 09) Mormon Masons met in the office of Hyrum Smith to organize the Nauvoo Lodge. George D. Miller was elected Grand Master; John D. Parker, Grand Warden; and Lucius Scovill, Junior Warden. The following day Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon petitioned for membership in the Lodge.

[Source: Homer, Michael, 'Similarity of Priesthood in Masonry':The Relationship Between Freemasonry and Mormonism, Dialogue, Vol. 27, No. 3]

175 years ago today - Dec 29, 1836

Erastus Snow: Returned 29 December 1836, having baptized fifty persons.

[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]

180 years ago today - Winter or Spring 1831

Ezra Booth, a Methodist minister; John Johnson, and Johnson's wife and family visit Joseph Smith out of curiosity. Joseph heals Mrs. Johnson's lame arm miraculously. They are all converted.

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

100 years ago today - Dec 28, 1911; Thursday

[General] The following is an account of the regular meeting of the First Presidency and the Council of Twelve Apostles held this morning at the temple at 10 o'clock:

There were present: Pres[iden]ts. Joseph F. Smith, Charles W. Penrose and Francis M. Lyman, Elders Hyrum M. Smith, George Albert Smith, George F. Richards, Orson F. Whitney, David O. McKay, Anthony W. Ivins, Joseph F[ielding]. Smith Jr. and James E. Talmage. ...

Defects in certain of our hymns was informally talked about, and Bro[ther]s. Penrose and Joseph F[ielding]. Smith Jr. had been asked to give attention to them, also to supply corrections.

Pres[iden]t. Penrose now referred to this matter, and suggested that a committee be appointed to do this work, and suggested that Brother Whitney be added.

President Smith now appointed Bro[ther]s. Charles W. Penrose, Orson F. Whitney and Joseph F[ielding]. Smith Jr. as that committee, remarking that he hoped the revision would consist of as few changes as possible. ...

[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]

170 years ago today - Dec 28, 1841

[Joseph Smith] Joseph baptizes Sidney Rigdon for his dead parents.

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

120 years ago today - Dec 28, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 28 I went to the Office to day. I wrote to Sarah.

[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 - Dec 27, 1841

Joseph Smith exhibits to the Twelve what Young calls the "seer stone" but what Woodruff calls the "Urim and Thummim." Young says that at Nauvoo Smith finds two more seer stones on the banks of the Mississippi River.

[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]

180 years ago today - Dec 27, 1831

[Lucy Mack Smith] Samuel and William McLellin return from their mission.

[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 - Dec 27, 1891

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] Today a 2d article appeared in the Herald protesting against John Henry Smith preaching the pernicious principles of Republicanism while he officiates as an Apostle &c.

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

170 years ago today - Dec 26, 1841

[Joseph Smith Sermon] Joseph the Seer Called upon me & others of the Twelve to attend meeting at his house. We did so in the evening & herd many good principles presented by presidents Joseph & Hyrum Smith such as the following: Speak not in tongues to your own nation but to those of annother tongue. Then if one of another tongue interpets it will be a sign to the unbeliever, & then it would condemn those who heard if they rejected it for the Lord does not work in vain. Joseph spoke upon the 14 ch. 1 cor. Prophesies will cease &c ie. A person will cease or stop prophesying & not continue all the while &c untill we come to perfection or a fulness. Then part work will be done away. [Wilford Woodruff Diary]

[Source: The Words of Joseph Smith by Joseph Smith by Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook]

110 years ago today - Dec 26, 1901; Thursday

[General] Attended the regular weekly meeting of the Presidentcy and Apostles at 11 a.m. For about the 4th time I got an ap[p]ropriation of $900. for the Pres[iden]tcy of the Big Horn

[Wyoming] Stake. It was voted that I go to New Mexico and ascertain the state of Pres[iden]t. Brigham Young [Jr.]'s health and assist him home if he will come. It was voted to invite him to return home. I made preparations to leave tomorrow night.

[Source: Abraham Owen Woodruff, Diary]

145 years ago today - Dec 26, 1866

[Wilford Woodruff] Brigham Young instructs Twelve on temple endowment ceremony and second anointings

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

120 years ago today - Dec 25, 1891

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] Herald of today contains Protest of a Democratic Mormon against John Henry Smith preaching pernicious doctrines of Republicanism.

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

170 years ago today - Dec 25, 1841

[Brigham Young] --25-- I partook of a Christmas supper with the Twelve at Brother Hiram Kimball's.

--26 (Sunday)-- I attended meeting at Joseph's house with several of the Twelve, Brothers Hyrum and Joseph Smith and I preached.

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

165 years ago today - Dec 25, 1846

William Smith writes Strang that Emma Smith "would not let him [Joseph Smith III] have anything to do with Mormonism at present."

[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 - Dec 24, 1991

Virginia Sorensen died on 24 December 1991.

[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: Virginia Sorensen, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/s/SORENSEN%2CVIRGINIA.html]

120 years ago today - Dec 24, 1891

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] Apostle Moses Thatcher his wife & children arrived home from Boston I spoke with him at the depot.

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

170 years ago today - Dec 24, 1841

Nauvoo, Illinois. In the evening, Joseph Smith consulted -"with President [Brigham] Young and Bishop [Newel] Whitney about establishing an agency in England for the cheap and expeditious conveyance of the Saints to Nauvoo.-",

[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]

175 years ago today - December 23-27 1836

[Joseph Smith] To ease tensions among Clay and Jackson County residents and provide a county for Mormon settlers, Caldwell County is created by legislation, passing the House on the 23rd and the Senate on the 27th. Daviess County is also created, although disputations about its purpose arise later. Missouri natives feel that the Mormons agreed not to settle it, although no such agreement existed or was acknowledged by the Mormons.

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

140 years ago today - Dec 23, 1871

John Murdock: Died 23 December 1871.

20 years ago today - Dec 23, 1991

[General] The African country of Congo grants the Church formal recognition.

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

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://bit.ly/ldshst

120 years ago today - Dec 22, 1891

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] At evening Charley read me a bill intended by Democracy of Utah get passed by Congress if practicable to give Utah the right to elect her own offices & pay them for their services. Also read part of the accompanying paper.

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

75 years ago today - Dec 22, 1936

[General] Christmas Greeting-- Wickedness shall be overcome, hatred, enmity, strife, poverty, and war abolished. This will not be accomplished, however, with bombs and battleshot, with submarines or poison gas, but with a slow but never- failing process of changing men's mental and spiritual attitude. (Excerpt.) {1936-December 22-Liahona, the Elders' Journal 34:313-315, December 22, 1936.}

[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]

175 years ago today - Dec 22, 1836

Kirtland, Ohio. Joseph Smith held a conference of the Church in the Kirtland Temple.

[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]

40 years ago today - Winter 1971

[Bibliography on the Negro Doctrine] Lythgoe, Dennis L. "Negro Slavery in Utah." Utah Historical Quarterly 39 (Winter 1971): 40-54.

[Source: Neither White nor Black: Mormon Scholars Confront the Race Issue in a Universal Church: Chronological Bibliography on the Negro Doctrine [1900-1983], Edited by Lester E. Bush, Jr., and Armand L. Mauss, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

100 years ago today - Dec 21, 1911; Thursday

[General] The following is a report of the meeting of the First Presidency and the Council of Twelve Apostles held this morning as usual:

Those present: Pres[iden]ts. Joseph F. Smith, Charles W. Penrose and Francis M. Lyman, Elders Hyrum M. Smith, George F. Richards, Orson F. Whitney, David O. McKay, Anthony W. Ivins, Joseph F[ielding]. Smith Jr. and James E. Talmage. ...

[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]

70 years ago today - Dec 21, 1941

[President Heber J. Grant Diary] At 1 o'clock this morning Afton Young died....

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

100 years ago today - Dec 20, 1911

[Temple] [S]econd blessings are not given to women who do not live with their husbands. That is, a deceased woman may be sealed to a man without having lived with him as his wife, but would not be entitled to second blessings. [George F. Gibbs to Thomas B. Evans, Dec. 20, 1911]

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

175 years ago today - 1836. December 20

[General] (Elijah Abel) : Ordained a member of the Third Quorum of Seventy in Kirtland, Ohio. His ordination was certified in Nauvoo. In 1902 President Joseph F. Smith recalled a seventies meeting held in Utah on March 4, 1879: "Bro Elijah Able [sic] gave an outline of his history and experiences during a period of forty years. Of his being in Kirtland. Of his appointment an[d] ordination as a Seventy, and a member of the 3rd Quorum. He related some of the saying[s] of the prophet Joseph who told him that those who were called to the Melchisadec [sic] Priesthood and had magnified that calling would be sealed up unto eternal life."

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

15 years ago today - Dec 20, 1996

[U.S. Religious History] Reflecting on his failed lawsuit against Larry Flynt because of the parody Flynt published in the magazine "Hustler," Jerry Falwell stated: "If Larry had been physically able and were not in a wheelchair, there'd have been no lawsuit. I'm a Campbell County, Virginia country boy. I'd just take him outside the barn and whip him and that'd be the end of it."

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

175 years ago today - Dec 19, 1836

[Patriarchal Blessings] Kirtland, Ohio, Patriarchal Blessing to Dominicus Carter given by Joseph Smith Sr. stated "Thou shall have power to translate thyself and call down fire from heaven as did Elijah of old"

[Source: Marquardt, H. Michael, "Excerpts from a few Patriarchal Blessings given by Joseph Smith, Sr." http://www.xmission.com/~research/about/patb2.htm]

170 years ago today - Dec 19, 1841

[Brigham Young] --19-- The Twelve met in council at my house this morning. In the evening we met at Joseph's house, when Elder Kimball preached; he was followed by Brother Joseph and myself.

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

180 years ago today - Dec 19, 1831

[General] The Church purchases nearly sixty-four acres of the temple lot in Independence, Missouri, from Jones H. Flournoy at a cost of $130.

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

175 years ago today - Dec 18, 1836

[Brigham Young Jr.] Born 18 December 1836 in Kirtland, Ohio, to Brigham Young and Mary Ann Angell, Brigham Young, Jr., was a twin; his sister Mary died at age seven.

[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: Brigham Young Jr., http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/y/YOUNG%2CBRIGHAM-JR.html]

170 years ago today - Dec 18, 1841

[Joseph Smith] Joseph attends a city council and draws up a resolution thanking James Gordon Bennett for his "very liberal and unprejudiced course towards us as a people, in giving us a fair hearing in his paper." (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 4:477-78.)

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

120 years ago today - Dec 18, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 18 I am still at home quite sick. We had quite a snow storm. Brother Cannon & Wilken Called upon me.

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

10 years ago today - Dec 17, 2001

[General] After a 32-month absence of proselytizing missionaries in the Republic of Serbia, six missionaries from the Bulgaria Sofia Mission returned to Serbia. Missionaries were withdrawn from the country in March 1999 because of conflict in the region.

[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]

120 years ago today - Dec 17, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 17 I spent the day at home quite sick. Emma is sick.

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

85 years ago today - Dec 17, 1926

[President Heber J. Grant Diary] Called on Pearl Udall Nelson and told her that we were thinking of appointing her father President of the Arizona Temple. I asked her regarding his family relations and she explained fully his present condition. Consulted with my counselors and some of the apostles and finally concluded to send the letter of appointment of Brother Udall.

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

15 years ago today - Dec 16, 1996

[Word of Wisdom] Hoppers Grill & Brewing Company opens in Midvale.

[Source: Harward, Randy; Utah Brewing Timeline, Salt Lake City Weekly, Aug 24, 2011]

5 years ago today - Dec 16, 2006

[General] Church Publications are now available in Compressed Audio Format.

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

120 years ago today - Dec 16, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 16 Wednesday I went to the City & Met with the Bank board. I presented the board with a Statement of Kimball the Bank inspector. Considerable was said upon the subject.

[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 - Dec 15, 1841

[Brigham Young] --15-- I met with the Twelve at Brother Kimball's.

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

120 years ago today - Dec 15, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 15 I went to the City And Attended the Z.C.M.I Board Meeting. I met with Judg Este & Col Trumbow & others. I was quite Poorly.

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

85 years ago today - Dec 15, 1926

[President Heber J. Grant Diary] Brother Franklin S. Richards called and delivered me a book which I put in the safe. It is an account of the meetings of the School of the Prophets at Ogden.

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

100 years ago today - Dec 14, 1911

President [David H.] Cannon said, if the sisters find it necessary to wear shoes while going through endowments, they should put moccasins on over their shoes. This is the order of this temple and we are not controlled by Salt Lake Temple. * This temple has the original of these endowments which w[ere] given by President Brigham Young and we have not nor will we change anything thereof unless dictated by the President of the Church. [Temple Minute Book, St. George, Dec. 14, 1911]

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

130 years ago today - Dec 14, 1881

[Lucy Mack Smith] Martha Jane Coray, mother of twelve and BYU's first woman regent, dies at Provo.

[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]

170 years ago today - Dec 14, 1841

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith began unpacking and sorting the dry goods for his Red Brick Store on the corner of Granger and Water Streets.

[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]

175 years ago today - Dec 13, 1836

[General] Willard Richards (Brigham Young's cousin) baptized.

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

5 years ago today - Dec 13, 2006

[General] A sign language version of Church History DVD's is now available.

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

170 years ago today - Dec 13, 1841

[Brigham Young] --13-- The Twelve wrote an epistle to the Saints of the last days.

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

170 years ago today - Dec 12, 1841

[Brigham Young] --12-- I met with the Twelve in the morning, and also in the evening at Brother H. [Heber] C. Kimball's.

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

70 years ago today - Dec 12, 1941

[President Heber J. Grant Diary] Deictated (sic) my journal from November 23rd to date at 10:50. Really I had made practically no notes during all this time. My health has been such that I have neglected to do so. What little time I have had I had read quite a bit and I have been dumbfounded at the neglect at Pearl Harbor and the loss of a couple of battle ships and the death of Brother Clark's son-in-law, Mervyn S. Bennion, who was commander of the West Virginia. It looks like we were absolutely asleep when the Japanese struck. Two of the great British battleships have also been sunk by the Japanese. It looks like the United States and Great Britain ought to take lessons from the Japanese on how to strike. I never felt more shocked in my life than to think that Brother Clark's son-in-law was killed. He leaves only one child-a son-and his brother has no children. They were at the head of their classes and made marvelous records. It seems too bad that one of them has no childr
en and the other has only one.

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

120 years ago today - Dec 12, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 12 Saturday I am better. I spent most of 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]

170 years ago today - Dec 11, 1841

[Polygamy] Joseph Smith is sealed to Presendia Lathrop Huntington.

[Source: Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 2 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2011 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]

80 years ago today - Dec 11, 1931 - 6 April 1933

[1st Presidency Changes] Heber J. Grant Anthony W. Ivins Death of Charles W. Nibley (never ordained an apostle)

[Source: Wikipedia, First Presidency (LDS Church), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Presidency_(LDS_Church)#Chronology_of_the_First_Presidency]

115 years ago today - Dec 11, 1896; Friday

[General] Elder F[ranklin]. D. Richards had an interview with Pres[iden]ts. W[ilford]. Woodruff and J[oseph]. F. Smith, Elder G[eorge]. Teasdale being present, in reference to the position of the Deseret News Company in relation to the Deseret News Publishing Company, the latter having leased the Deseret News Office, papers and fixtures on terms that had not been complied with. Elder Richards was urged to continue this matter until some satisfactory settlement was reached.

Gov[enor]. Francis M. Drake of Iowa called on Pres[iden]ts. Woodruff and Smith, introduced by Gov[ernor]. [Heber M.] Wells. He was familiar with the early history of the Church, and said he was a 13 year old boy when the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum Smith were murdered, and distinctly remembered seeing their dead bodies shortly after the assassination.

[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]

40 years ago today - Dec 10, 1971

[General] Henry B. Eyring is inaugurated as the ninth president of Ricks College.

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

120 years ago today - Dec 10, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 10 Thursday I Am some better to day. I sat up a good Deal.

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

145 years ago today - Dec 10, 1866

[Black History] Thomas Coleman brutally murdered for "meddling with white women",

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

150 years ago today - Dec 9, 1861

[General] Luke S Johnson Death: 9 Dec. 1861, Salt Lake City, Utah , Estate: No record

[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]

70 years ago today - Dec 9, 1941

[World War II] On 9 December 1941 Henry H. Arnold, commanding the United States Army's Air Forces, directed that military resources be dispersed inland so that a single attack could not destroy significant military capability. In such an environment, decisions to locate training and other support facilities to inland areas was a natural extension. The greater security for bases in the Great Basin interior ensured that military efforts would not be impeded by possible enemy attack.

[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: World War II, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/w/WWII.html]

15 years ago today - Dec 9, 1996

[General] Church website initiated at lds.org.

[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]

180 years ago today - Dec 8, 1831

[General] Ezra Booth writes of a revelation directing Elders to marry with the natives.

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

170 years ago today - Dec 8, 1841

[Brigham Young] --8-- Returned from Ramus with the Twelve who attended conference. We brought about a thousand dollars worth of property for the temple, which had been donated by the Saints at Ramus, consisting of horses, wagons, provisions, clothing, and etc.

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

120 years ago today - Dec 8, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] Dec 8 1891 Tuesday I had a sick Night & was quite sick this Morning and through the day. The Dr Called upon me.

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

100 years ago today - Dec 7, 1911

President [David H.] Cannon read [a] letter received 6 November 1896 from the Presidency of the Church in regard to apparel to be worn in the temple by those being endowed. This does not apply, he said, to Prayer Circles of the Brethren. There must be no innovation of these things from the instructions herein given, except it come through the proper source. He also spoke in relation to taking our shoes from our feet before entering the temple. A habit is obtaining contrary to this and it is not right. He read a letter from [the] Presidency of the Church in regard to the same and said, none but aged or sick persons are exempt from obedience to this given rule; but who will be the judge? The Doorkeeper must be the judge. Speaker did not wish to assume the r[o]le of grumbler, but let us do as we should and rejoice in the contemplation and reception of blessings that are ours united to enjoy. [Temple Minute Book, St. George, Dec. 7, 1911]

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

170 years ago today - Dec 7, 1841

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith wrote a letter to Esquires Browning and Bushnell.

[Source: Joseph Smith Resource Center: Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith, http://josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e581001cfb340010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRDlocale=0]

175 years ago today - Dec 7, 1836

Charles Coulson Rich: Returned to Pleasant Grove 7 December 1836.

30 years ago today - Dec 06, 1981

[General] Elder Gene R. Cook organizes the Otavalo Ecuador Stake, the first all-Indian stake in South America, with Luis Alfonso Morales C. as president.

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

120 years ago today - Dec 6, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 6 Sunday I spent this day at home.

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

110 years ago today - Dec 6, 1901; Friday

[General] Brother Charles S. Burton and Superintendent Joseph Young had a talk with the Presidency about paving South Temple Street from the Eagle Gate to the Oregon Shortline Depot. It was decided that the President sign a petition to the City Council asking that this be done.

Mrs. Sarah Everard called at the office in regard to the same business presented to President [Lorenzo] Snow on September 25th last, which proposition was now agreed to by the Presidency. Instead however of seven per cent. being the consideration Sister Everard requires eight. The last clause of her proposition was reconsidered and agreed to by her, namely, that in the event of her death, or in the case the London [England] Branch should cease to exist or be disorganized, that the interest then go to the Temple.

[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]

120 years ago today - Dec 5, 1891

[Utah] Stake President relates "incident of the Prophet Joseph telling Dimick B Huntington.....that Noah built the Ark in the land where South Carolina is now.

[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]

100 years ago today - Dec 5, 1911; Tuesday

[General] Met with a committee convened by President Joseph F. Smith, and read the first five chapters of the prospective publication on Temples. The committee was in session from 10 a.m. to 1.20 p.m., and again from 3 to 5.20 p.m. Following are the names of those present: Pres[ident]. Smith Apostles F[rancis]. M. Lyman, Hyrum Smith, C[harles]. W. Penrose, O[rson].

F. Whitney, and Jos[eph]. F[ielding]. Smith Jr. and Elder J[anne]. M. Sjodadahl and D[aniel]. M. McAllister. The last two are authors of pamphlets on temple subjects.

[Source: James E. Talmage, Diary]

170 years ago today - Dec 5, 1841

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith began to proof a new edition of the Book of Mormon prior to its being stereotyped.

[Source: Joseph Smith Resource Center: Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith, http://josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e581001cfb340010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRDlocale=0]

50 years ago today - Dec 4, 1961

[General] Missionary Language Institute opened at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, with Ernest J. Wilkins serving as director .

[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]

175 years ago today - Dec 4, 1836

[Word of Wisdom] Sacrament and Washing Only

[Kirtland:] President RIGDON called a vote of the Church to discountenance the use intirely of all liquors from the Church in Sickness & in health except wine at the Sacraments & for external Washing. The vote was carried eunanimously.

[Source: Kenny, Scott, Saints Without Halos, Mormon History 1830-1844, Word of Wisdom, http://www.saintswithouthalos.com/n/wow.phtml]

170 years ago today - Dec 4, 1841

[Brigham Young] --4-- On the 4th and 5th, attended a conference at Ramus, and discontinued the organization of the Church at Ramus as a stake.

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

15 years ago today - Dec 03, 1996

[Same-Sex Marriage] Judge Chang of the Circuit Court of Hawaii finds in favor of the same-sex plaintiffs. Judge Chang explicitly rejects the expert testimony of Dr. Williams, saying that his testimony is not persuasive or believable because of his expressed bias against the social sciences and that his own testimony therefore impeached his credibility as an expert witness concerning social science. Judge Chang concludes that since the state has failed to demonstrate a compelling interest in denying marriage to same-sex couples, the plaintiffs prevail. The case is immediately appealed to the Hawaii Supreme Court.

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

100 years ago today - Dec 3, 1911

[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] he dreams of meeting his father John Henry Smith and grandfather Lorin Farr, both deceased, at the conclusion of which he remarks on p. 105: "After I was awake I could feel the warmth of his hand and the thrill of the pleasure that I had when I found he could shake hands and had a body of flesh & bone. It was a great comfort to me. I have never dreamed of seeing him or Father before."

[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]

50 years ago today - Dec 3, 1961

[General] The first Spanish-speaking stake in the Church was created in Mexico City.

50 years ago today - Dec 2, 1961

[General] Gordon B. Hinckley is ordained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

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

170 years ago today - Dec 2, 1841

[Joseph Smith] Joseph receives a revelation for Nancy Marinda Hyde (Orson Hyde's wife), in which he is told that Ebenezer Robinson and his wife are to take in Nancy until Orson Hyde returns from his mission. Nancy is to hearken unto "the counsel of my servant Joseph in all things," and it shall be a blessing to her. (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 4:467.)

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

25 years ago today - 1986 Early Dec

[Mark Hofmann] Defense attorney Yengich and prosecutor Stott begin open discussions about a plea bargain.

[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,]

170 years ago today - Dec 1, 1841

[Brigham Young] December 1.-- The Twelve met in council, and wrote an epistle against rogues, thieves and scoundrels which was published.

On the 4th and 5th, attended a conference at Ramus, and discontinued the organization of the Church at Ramus as a stake.

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

175 years ago today - Dec 1, 1836

[Joseph Smith] The Missouri Saints gather at Far West and petition for an act of incorporation for a new county exclusively for Mormons. Alexander Doniphan, the Saints' lawyer and a Missouri Democrat, introduces the bill into the state legislature.

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

180 years ago today - Dec 1, 1831

[D and C] Doctrine and Covenants 71: Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at Hiram, Ohio, December 1, 1831. HC 1: 238-239. The Prophet had continued to translate the Bible with Sidney Rigdon as his scribe until this revelation was received, at which time it was temporarily laid aside so as to enable them to fulfill the instruction given herein. The brethren were to go forth to preach in order to allay the unfriendly feelings that had developed against the Church as a result of the publication of some newspaper articles by Ezra Booth, who had apostatized.

1-4, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon are sent forth to proclaim the gospel; 5-11, Enemies of the saints shall be confounded.

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

5 years ago today - Nov 30, 2006

[General] A national news magazine in the United States has recently announced the results of a survey of a group of historians who selected the top 100 most influential Americans of all time. The panel of historians placed both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young on their list of influencers.

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

120 years ago today - Nov 30, 1891

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] At nine attended Directors meeting of the Sugar Co. A committee was appointed to visit Lehi and accept the factory from the Dyers ... Had a long chat with Edw[ar]d F. Dyer and we agreed to accept the works if he made a satisfactory run between now and next Thursday.

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

155 years ago today - Nov 30, 1856

[General] Martin Handcart Company arrived, Salt Lake City. Suffered between 135 and 150 deaths.

[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]

120 years ago today - Nov 29, 1891

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] Called on Fred. and at Odell's Fred doing well Odell says Louie has improved from the time John and I called. [Named his eight-day-old son Daniel Wells Grant after his grandfather.]

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

100 years ago today - Nov 29, 1911

[General] The Church forms the first "MIA Scout" troop in Salt Lake City, with Arthur William Adler, one of the Lord Baden-Powell's original British Scouts. Later, the Church formally associates with the Boy Scouts of America (1913).

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

65 years ago today - Nov 29, 1946

[President George Albert Smith Journal] "Went home too weary to attend lecture of Arthur Gaeth. Emily had several friends in from lecture. I went to bed and missed the good company."

[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]

170 years ago today - Nov 28, 1841

[General] [S]even weeks after Joseph called "... the Book of Mormon ... the most correct of any book on earth," he was at it again, full of energy to make it even more correct, reading the "... American stereotype edition [1840] ... for the purpose of correcting the stereotype plates of some errors which escaped notice in the first edition."

[Source: Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]

130 years ago today - Mon. Nov. 28th, 1881

[Abraham H. Cannon Journal] "In the evening six persons came here to be baptized; they were Peter Vogel, his wife Katharina, and daughter Margaretha, Franz J. Medel, and Johann Bauer, with his wife Babeta. I baptized them all, the first named being also baptized for his health, he having a lame back."

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

180 years ago today - Nov 28, 1831

[General] Joseph Smith tells the Quorum of the Twelve that "..the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by it's precepts, than by any other book".

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

130 years ago today - Nov 27, 1881

[John Nuttle Diary] After dinner Bro Nelson Higgins called on Prest. Taylor with Bro Wm Haywards Bro Hayward wished to obtain his 2nd anointings -- also to be adopted into Prest Taylors family - - he also felt able to go on a mission to England & to obtain his record of forefathers -- Prest Taylor told him to obtain a recomment from his Bp & Prest of stake & he would afterwards consider these matters --

[Source: Diary Excerpts of L. John Nuttall, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

175 years ago today - (Sun) Nov 27, 1836

[General] Wilford Woodruff reported that Orson Hyde was still in Kirtland on Nov. 27 1836. Hyde probably left for Columbus at the end of the month. By that time it was known that the Whigs had control of the Ohio Legislature, and that the Mormon political allies had little power to help them in Columbus.

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

120 years ago today - Nov 27, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 27 A fight between the Lib[eral?] Police & the Captain of Police Parker is Dead And G Albright who shot him [is?]. I spent the day in the Gardo.

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

25 years ago today - Nov 26, 1986

[Mark Hofmann] David Yocum, the recently elected Salt Lake County Attorney, removes prosecutor Gary D'Elia from the Hofmann case. Two weeks later D'Elia resigns from the county attorney's office.

[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,]

130 years ago today - Nov 26, 1881

[J.D.T. McAllister Diary] Sends Temple Ceremonies to John Taylor

10 A.M. at the Temple 1 Sealing for the dead Adoptions 1 living and 9 dead, Allen Wilkison and Kindred Adopted to the Prophet Joseph Smith John L and L.G. Knight at the Alter I performed the Ceremony P.M. placed the Ceremonies of the Temple Parts and C in the hands of Apostle E Snow to be delivered to President John Taylor Salt Lake City.

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

120 years ago today - Nov 26, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 26 Thanksgiving I spent the day at home. Owen with a Company went Hunting. There was 4 on a side. They Come out Even. They Got 20 Rabbits a peace. Asahel went with a company to Alpine & the whole Company ownly Got one Chicken And they travelled through a good Deal of snow.

[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 - Nov 25, 1836

[Joseph Smith] Wilford Woodruff returns to Kirtland from a mission in Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Tennessee, after baptizing over 100 people, many of whom immigrated to Kirtland.

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

30 years ago today - Nov 25, 1981

[General] The first branch of the Church on the Cayman Islands is established.

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

120 years ago today - Nov 25, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 25 We Met with the Board of the Bank & Apostles & Templeton Company about Continuing to keep up the Templeton Hotel. It was to Continue some longer.

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

120 years ago today - Nov 24, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] Nov 24, 1891 Mr Capers Called upon us. We settled with him On the purchase of the Land in Colorado Called Zapato Ranch By Silas S Smith & F A Hammond. We paid him $12,000 Dollars Down & Note for $4,000 one year without interest.

[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 - Nov. 24th, 1886

[Abraham H. Cannon Journal] For several months he has been courting another girl and has made proposition of marriage Mamie E. C. On Wed, Nov. 24th, 1886 "She was baptized today preparatory to going to the temple to have her endowments."

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

115 years ago today - Nov 24, 1896

[Apostle Brigham Young Jr. Diary] [["General buzz about Moses Thatcher and how cruel he has been dealt by." Prays that the Presidency and 12 may always have a spirit of long suffering towards M. T., as a mother towards her infant child. "so have the brethren dealt with him."]]

[Source: Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

5 years ago today - Nov 23, 2006

[General] SALT LAKE CITY, USA Church Issues Statement To The News Media: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recognizes that the prosecution of polygamist Warren Jeffs is generating substantial media coverage and that Jeffs' group refers to its members as fundamentalist Mormons. That is causing problems for reporters trying to help their readers, viewers and listeners distinguish between Jeffs' followers and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

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

120 years ago today - Nov 23, 1891

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] Presidency favor my going to San Francisco to try and get some money for the Sugar Co. and other cos. [Delayed by head injury, operation on brother BF.]

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

125 years ago today - Nov 23, 1886

[Catholic Church in Utah] On 23 November 1886 Rome created the Vicariate of Utah and Eastern Nevada and appointed Scanlan bishop.

[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: Catholic Church in Utah, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/c/CATHOLIC.html]

More History?

Want more LDS history? Check out Mormon-Church-History, a comprehensive chronology of church history. It is a tour through church history, covering a little bit each day through the the history of the church. About a dozen chronological entries are posted daily, gradually covering the entire history of the Mormon church over the next several years. More info can be found here: http://mormon-church-history.blogspot.com/2008/12/welcome-to-mormon-church-history.html

100 years ago today - Nov 22, 1911

[General] During a service featuring the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Elder Heber J. Grant dedicates the Oliver Cowdery Monument in Richmond, Missouri.

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

120 years ago today - Nov 22, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 22 I went up to Clara's & saw Vedi. She is passing through a Course of the scarlet fever or Diptheria. Is quite sick but doing as well as Could be Expected.

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

150 years ago today - Nov 22, 1861

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] Nov 22 I spent the fore part of the day in the Endowment House. We gave Endowmets to 28 Men 32 women. I performed 31 sealings. I Called at Capt Hoopers & laid Hands upon George Knowlton who has the Consumption & administered to him with Edward Stephenson Wm. Clayton & Wm. H Hooper. We also laid hands upon S A Kn[owlton?]. I took supper at Sister Fosses.

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

120 years ago today - Nov 21, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 21 Emma was quite Poorly this Morning but went up to see Vedi & spent the day with Clara.

[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 - Nov 21, 1841

[General] Apostles Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, and John Taylor perform baptisms for the dead for some forty individuals in the newly completed Nauvoo Temple baptismal font. This is the first time this ordinance is performed in a temple during this dispensation.

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

150 years ago today - Nov 21, 1861

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 21st I spent the fore part of the day Choreing the afternoon in the Office.

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

120 years ago today - Nov 20, 1891

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] The Bullion Beck affairs wherein things seem to work against GQC or persons seem to.

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

180 years ago today - Nov 20, 1831

Joseph Smith completed his New Testament translation through Mark 9:1.

[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]

165 years ago today - Nov 20, 1846

[Mormon Battalion] Several days after leaving the line of the Rio Grande River, battalion scouts are unable to determine the correct way forward.

After lighting a signal fire at the top of a high mound, the men attract Apache Indians and Mexican traders who help them find the right westward trail.

[Source: Mormon Battalion Timeline, Herald Extra, March 25, 2010]

130 years ago today - Nov 19, 1881

[J.D.T. McAllister Diary] Death of B.F. Pendleton

A.M. at the Temple and Called at Brother B. F. Pendletons. he was found dead on Friday Morning about 200 yards south East of the grave yard had been out hunting. Coughed and burst a vein or Blood vessel in his throat.

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

5 years ago today - Nov 19, 2006

[General] The Mormon Tabernacle Choir was honored as a Laureate of the 2006 Mother Teresa Award for "edifying the world through inspirational choral performances and recordings."

120 years ago today - Nov 19, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 19 H. B. Clawson Called & a letter was read from En[on?]. I received a letter from Sarah. I received Mr Watsons Bill on the House 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]

150 years ago today - Nov 18,1861

[Utah] Abraham Lincoln checks out Book of Mormon from Library of Congress. He returns it on 29 Jul 1862, apparently first U.S. president to read Book of Mormon.

[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]

130 years ago today - Nov 18, 1881

[Temple] Permit me to draw your attention to the fact that a few days ago you signed a recommend in favor of a young man, residing in Brigham City, who had not been re-baptized, and whose first baptism took place as long ago as 1863. The consequence was we were compelled to rebaptize him before he could receive his blessing. When such things occur it causes inconveniences and delay to the whole company passing through on that day, and is also contrary to the rules that govern in such matters. Will you please notify the Bishops in your Stake that all persons whose first baptisms have not taken place within a very recent period must be re-baptized before they receive their recommends to pass through the House of the Lord. [Joseph F. Smith to Oliver G. Snow, Nov. 18, 1881]

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

30 years ago today - Nov 18, 1981.

[General] The Seventh East Press publishes D. Michael Quinn's 4 November address to Phi Alpha Theta, the BYU student history association. He responds point by point to Elder Packer's address, warning that "a history which makes LDS leaders `flawless and benignly angelic' . . . borders on idolatry."

[Source: Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]

180 years ago today - Nov 17, 1831

Eden Smith: Ordained elder 17 November 1831 by Reynolds Cahoon.

165 years ago today - Nov 17, 1846

[General] Led by Captain James Brown, the sick detachment of the Mormon Battalion arrives in Pueblo, Colorado, where it will spend the winter with a group of Saints from Mississippi.

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

130 years ago today - Thursday, Nov 17, 1881

[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] Provo

Charles is a little improved. I traveled to the City and back to Provo.

[Source: Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]

180 years ago today - Nov 16, 1831

Hiram, Ohio. After Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer left for Missouri with the compiled revelations and commandments, Joseph Smith resumed his inspired translation of the scriptures with Sidney Rigdon as his scribe.

[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]

30 years ago today - Nov 16, 1981

[General] President Marion G. Romney of the First Presidency dedicates the Jordan River Temple (later the Jordan River Utah Temple).

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

150 years ago today - Nov 16, 1861

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 16 I spent the forenoon in the Endowment House. We gave Endowments to 63. D H Wells sealed 19 Couple W Woodruff 14 Couple. I went to the office in the evening & done some Journalizing. In the morning Before going to the Endowment House, I dug up a peace of Ground & planted five diferent kinds of Raspbury the Fastolf, Belle De Fontaney, Brin[dl?]e Orange white, 5 kneveth Giant, & 1 Black.

[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 - Nov 15, 1841

[Nauvoo Temple] The Twelve wrote in an epistle to the Church that the Temple's foundation was laid and the walls of the basement were nearly completed.

[Source: Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]

130 years ago today - Nov 15, 1881

[Heber J. Grant Diary] At 5 P.M. called at Wells' & Emily & I took a ride for nearly 2 hours. While riding talked on old times the Wasatch crowd etc. I asked Emily to marry me and got a most decided refusal. I must confess it hurt my pride as well as my feelings to get "set down on" the way I was, but I should have contented myself by not asking.

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

180 years ago today - Nov 15, 1831

[General] Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer leave Kirtland, Ohio, for Independence, Missouri, to publish the Book of Commandments, which contains Joseph Smith's revelations. Because of mob action, however, the volume is never completed.

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

170 years ago today - Nov 14, 1841

[General] A collection of Shaker revelations includes "I will anoint them priests and kings"... "The children of the Church of Christ are ... the children of the New Jerusalem, and they are numbered, and their names are written in the Book of Life." ... "I was an angel of Wisdom's delight long ere this earth was formed, or dust was fashioned into man. Many worlds before this I have seen; some bright, and some dark, and some that were empty and void ..." [The Youth's Guide in Zion, and Holy Mother's Promises]

[Source: Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]

120 years ago today - Nov 14, 1891

[Apostle Anthon H. Lund Diary] [Conference at Moroni] "We had a nice time with Pres[iden]t Smith after meeting discussing temple matters especially the law of adoption."

[Source: Diary of Apostle Anthon H. Lund, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

175 years ago today - Nov 14, 1836

[Oliver Cowdery] Elizabeth Ann Cowdery was born to Oliver and Elizabeth Cowdery in Kirtland, Lake, OH. She died May 09, 1837 in Kirtland.

[Source: Broadhurst, Dale R., Oliver Cowdery Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/Cdychrn1.htm]

15 years ago today - Nov 13, 1996

[General] The U.S. Air Force promotes Sharla "Kris" Cook, a BYU graduate and native of Utah, to the rank of brigadier general.

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

135 years ago today - Nov 13, 1876

[Wilford Woodruff] Called to write script of temple endowment ceremony

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

150 years ago today - Nov 13, 1861

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] Nov 13 I spent the day in the office looking over scraps.

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

120 years ago today - Nov 12, 1891

[Polygamy] Woodruff has it both ways

President Woodruff publicly declares that violating the Manifesto by living with polygamous was not allowed, and would result in excommunication. Privately, he tells the Quorum that any man who abandons his plural wives will be dismissed from the church.

[Source: Tungate, Mel, Mormon Polygamy, http://www.tungate.com/polygamy.htm]

180 years ago today - Nov 12, 1831

[D and C] Doctrine and Covenants 70: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, November 12, 1831. HC 1: 235-237. The history written by the Prophet states that four special conferences were held from the 1st to the 12th of November, inclusive. In the last of these assemblies the great importance of the Book of Commandments, later called the Doctrine and Covenants, was considered; and the Prophet refers to it as being -"the foundation of the Church in these last days, and a benefit to the world, showing that the keys of the mysteries of the kingdom of our Savior are again entrusted to man.-"

1-5, Stewards are appointed to publish the revelations; 6-13, Those who labor in spiritual things are worthy of their hire; 14-18, The saints should be equal in temporal things.

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

175 years ago today - Nov 12, 1836

Charles Coulson Rich: Laid claim to eighty acres of land in Caldwell County, Missouri, 12 November 1836.

180 years ago today - Nov 11, 1831

[Joseph Smith] Revelation is received directing the church to organize presidencies over each quorum in the priesthood .

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

130 years ago today - Nov 11, 1881

[Temple] President Joseph F. Smith desires me to draw your attention to the rules governing the recommendations of persons desiring to receive their endowments [in the Endowment House]. Only faithful couples about to be married (or any other marriages,) or couples still bearing children, should receive recommends, with the exception of very aged persons, whose age and infirmities make desirable a departure from the strict observance of the above rule, and then, it should be stated on the recommend, that age or ill health is the reason why it is given. All others will have to wait for their blessings until one of the temples, now in the course of construction, is finished and work commenced therein, or they must go down to the temple at St. George. [George Reynolds to Amos Maycock, Nov. 11, 1881]

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

100 years ago today - Nov 11, 1911

[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] (Neuritis)

[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]

120 years ago today - Nov 10, 1891

[General] Responsibility of Bishops and Stake Presidents for Temple Recommends-- Salt Lake City, Utah.

See general note preceding under date of October 31, 1891.

A LETTER to the Presidents of Stakes and Bishops of Wards. Office of the FIRST PRESIDENCY,

DEAR BRETHREN: It has been decided that it is no longer necessary for those going to the Temple to attend to ordinances therein to send their recommends to President Woodruff, to be by him endorsed. The signatures of the Bishop and Stake President will be all that is required.

This being the decision, Bishops of Wards and Presidents of Stakes will see the increased necessity for care, so that no unworthy person will be recommended for ordinances in the Temples. Your brethren, WILFORD WOODRUFF, GEORGE Q. CANNON, JOSEPH F. SMITH, First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. {1891-November 10-Circular letter, Church Historian's Library,}

[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]

180 years ago today - Nov 10, 1831

Hiram, Ohio. Joseph Smith received Doctrine & Covenants 69, a revelation appointing John Whitmer to accompany Oliver Cowdery to Missouri for the printing of the compiled commandments and revelations.

[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]

15 years ago today - Nov 10, 1996

[General] President Gordon B. Hinckley breaks ground for the Cochabamba Bolivia Temple.

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

140 years ago today - Nov 9, 1871

[General] The St. George Utah Temple is announced. Simultaneously, the dedication and groundbreaking ceremonies are held by Brigham Young.

[Source: Wikipedia, 19th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century_(Mormonism)]

180 years ago today - Nov 9, 1831

Hiram, Ohio. Joseph Smith spent much of his time reviewing and arranging the commandments and revelations in preparation for Oliver Cowdery to take them to the printing press in Independence, Missouri.

[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]

10 years ago today - Nov 9, 2001

[General] Tom Brokaw, of NBC Nightly News, interviews President Hinckley in advance of the winter Olympics.

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

170 years ago today - Nov 8, 1841

[Joseph Smith] The first temple baptismal font is dedicated. The first ordinance is a baptism for the dead, with Young as officiator and Reuben McBride as proxy. The second ordinance is a baptism for health which heals Samuel Rolfe within the week. Four temples would eventually perform 22,403 baptisms for health from 1877 through 1893.

[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]

15 years ago today - Nov 8, 1996-16

[General] President Hinckley spoke to gatherings of Church members and missionaries in Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Brazil, and broke ground for temples in Bolivia and Brazil.

120 years ago today - Nov 8, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 8 Sunday I spent the day at home. Had my family together.

[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 - Nov 7, 1841

[Polygamy] Joseph Smith publicly preaches that "if we would not accuse him he would not accuse us. John C. Bennett subsequently teaches that adultery is acceptable if kept secret.

[Source: Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 2 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2011 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]

175 years ago today - (Mon) Nov 7, 1836

[General] The First Presidency, three apostles, four presidents of Seventy, and 59 others signed a petition to Kirtland's justice of the peace to "depart forthwith out of Kirtland."

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

100 years ago today - Nov 07, 1911

[General] Local citizens elect Mary Woolley Chamberlain mayor of Kanab, with an all-female town council, the first such political event in U.S. history.

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

120 years ago today - Nov 6, 1891

It has been decided that it is no longer necessary for those going to the Temples to attend to ordinances therein to send their recommends to President Woodruff to be by him endorsed. The signatures of the Bishop and Stake President will be all that is required. This decision applies to all ordinances attended to in the House of the Lord, except Second Anointings, which last named will still require the approval of the President of the Church before they can be administered. This being the decision, Bishops of Wards and Presidents of Stakes will see the increased necessity for care, so that no unworthy person will be recommended for ordinances in the Temples. [Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon, and Joseph F. Smith, circular letter, Nov. 6, 1891, in MFP, 3:228]

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

125 years ago today - Sat. Nov. 6th, 1886

[Abraham H. Cannon Journal] They are on the way east by train, in the evening they passed by some mts. "They were high masses of rock piled up in regular order as though a mason's plumb bob had set them in position, yet none but the great Master Mason had laid the plummet for the construction of these mighty works of nature."

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

115 years ago today - Nov 6, 1896

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] Got an early interview with Pres[iden]t GQ Cannon about the prospect for the other Senator to Congress Thinks HP Henderson is the choice of supposed candidates Judge Henderson called at my office had a very pleasant expression of his views concerning his views of the office and its duties to his constituents. Soon FSR & CWP called & reviewed the situation then went to the Presidents office FSR & CWP called about 4 pm & evolved matters of their consideration. CWP to call on HP Henderson. At 5:35 CCR HP Henderson & CW Penrose were here in consultation till train time when CC & I returned to Ogden.

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

15 years ago today - Nov 5, 1996

[Same-Sex Marriage] Hawaiians vote on a measure to call a constitutional convention for the state. The vote is 163,869 in favor of the convention, and 160,153 opposed, with 45,295 ballots being blank and 90 marked both as in favor and as opposed. On advise of the Attorney General, election controller Duayne Yoshina declares the convention mandated, but the count is challenged by the AFL-CIO in a lawsuit filed on 25 November.

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

60 years ago today - Nov 5,1951

[Utah] First Presidency learns of plans by Warner Brothers to make film about Mountain Meadows Massacre, based on recent scholarly book by LDS Juanita Brooks. Within seven days First Presidency successfully persuades Hollywood studio to kill project.

[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]

120 years ago today - Nov 5, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 5 Finished from Oct 25. (Or After doing and Suffering what we have through our adhereance to this principle to scease the Practice and submit to the law and through doing so have the Prophets Apostles and Fathers at home so they Can instruct the People and attend to the Duties of the Church, Also leave the Temples in the hands of the Saints so they Can attend to the ordinances of the Gospel both for the living & the Dead? Now the inspiration of the Lord will reveal to any person which Course wisdom would dictate us to persue And the Latter day Saints throughout Israel should understand that the first Presidency of the Church And the Twelve Apostles are led and guided by the inspiration of the Lord And the Lord will not permit me nor any other man to lead the People Asstray.)

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

120 years ago today - Nov 4, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 4 I spent the day at home sick.

[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 - Nov 4, 1881

[Heber J. Grant Diary] What is written in this Journal from page 1 to 33 inclusive I copied from a memorandum book. In some cases I have enlarged on what I had written in my mem. book & in others I have left out somethings not worth writing--In reality I can hardly see any use of my keeping a Journal.

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

155 years ago today - Nov 4, 1856

[Brigham Young Letter] George Q. Cannon, -- We are willing that you should make the turns which you mentioned upon the Tithing Office ... whenever you find it necessary, believing that you will not abuse this privilege.

[Source: Letters of Brigham Young--Excerpts, 1856-1866, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

5 years ago today - Nov 3, 2006

[General] President Gordon B. Hinckley leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reached a major milestone today. He has now become the oldest serving prophet in the history of the church.

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

175 years ago today - early Nov 1836

[General] Final results in the US presidential election are published. Martin Van Buren, the Democratic candidate won the election. Although Geauga county did not favor Van Buren in the election, his victory strengthened the political position of local Democrats there, including the Mormons at Kirtland.

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

75 years ago today - Nov 3, 1936

[President Heber J. Grant Diary] I cast my vote today for Alf. M. Landon for President, for Henry H. Blood for Governor, for Calvin Rawlins and about four others on the Democratic ticket, and voted the balance on the Republican ticket.

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

175 years ago today - Nov 2, 1836

[Joseph Smith] The Kirtland Safety Society, also known as The Kirtland Bank, is formed for use by church members in financial affairs.

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

75 years ago today - Nov 2, 1936

[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] he departs SLC for the Hawaiian Islands, South Pacific Islands, New Zealand, Australia, returning to SLC on July 15.

[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]

15 years ago today - Nov 2, 1996

[General] The First Presidency announced the establishment of Latter-day Saint Charities, a charitable, nonprofit corporation designed to help the Church deliver humanitarian aid to the poor and needy of the world.

150 years ago today - Nov 1, 1861

[General] Brigham Young's Office Journal records: "An Indian belonging to Wash-i-kiks band came to the President and begged for powder and Tobacco the President directed Some should be given him ..."

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

180 years ago today - About Nov 1, 1831

[General] Revelation received, "the written Testimony of the Twelve for the Doctrine and Covenants" which was "signed by thirteen priesthood holders, most signing after November 1831. John Whitmer copied five additional names on to the testimony manuscript ... none of the eleven witnesses of the Book of Mormon signed this testimony document. Some of the witnessesÂ—Joseph Smith Sr., Hyrum Smith, Martin Harris, Hiram Page and Samuel SmithÂ—were not in attendance for the meetings in November 1831 when this revelation was recorded. Other Book of Mormon witnessesÂ—Peter Whitmer Jr, Christian Whitmer, David Whitmer, John Whitmer and Oliver CowderyÂ—were in attendance for these November meetings, but did not sign the testimony." The 1835 D&C version has ten words missing from the original.

[Source: Joe Geisner, http://www.xmission.com/~research/mormonpdf/closer.pdf]

170 years ago today - Nov 1, 1841

[General] Notice in "Times and Seasons:" "The brethren are hereby notified that our well-beloved brother, Hyrum Smith, patriarch of the church, has erected a comfortable office opposite his dwelling-house, where himself, together with his scribe and recorder, James Sloan, will attend regularly every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, during the entire day, or upon any other day if urgent circumstances require it, to perform the duties of his high and holy calling. A copy of the blessings can be received immediately after being pronounced, so that the brethren who live at a distance can have it to take with them."

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

170 years ago today - Oct 31, 1841

[Polygamy] Benjamin Winchester is summoned to appear before the Quorum of the Twelve in Nauvoo for misconduct.

[Source: Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 2 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2011 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]

75 years ago today - Oct 31, 1936

[General] First Presidency publishes unsigned editorial in DESERET NEWS, which argues against re-election of Democratic president Franklin D. Roosevelt. Editorial, written by J. Reuben Clark, accuses F.D.R. of unconstitutional and Communist activities. In response one thousand Mormons angrily cancel their subscriptions to the News. Three days later, 69.3 percent of Utah's voters help re-elect Roosevelt. Utah's electorate re-elects F.D.R. again (1940,1944), despite First Presidency's opposition.

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

180 years ago today - Oct 31, 1831

[Lucy Mack Smith] Orson Hyde is baptized at Kirtland, Ohio, by Sidney Rigdon.

[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]

100 years ago today - Oct 30, 1911

The custom has developed in some of the temples of selling consecrated oil, books and records, and of renting temple clothing, the object being to accommodate persons who come to do work in the House of the Lord. Trafficking in these commodities is hardly in keeping with the sacredness of the temple, and we would, therefore, like you to discontinue this practice after December 31, 1911. In the meantime, arrange with the Bishops to sell consecrated oil and records and to rent temple clothing, all profits (if any) over and above expenses to be turned in as temple donations once a month. In view of the sacredness of temple work the Latter-day Saints should be encouraged to prepare temple garments, the workmanship of their own hands, and every effort should be made to discourage the practice of renting such clothing. [Joseph F. Smith and Anthon H. Lund to Temple Presidents, Oct. 30, 1911]

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

10 years ago today - Oct 30, 2001

[U.S. Religious History] Lawsuits were filed on behalf of three lawyers who sought the removal of Roy Moore's Ten Commandments monument from the Alabama Judicial Building. The suit claimed that the monument "constitutes an impermissible endorsement of religion by the state."

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

180 years ago today - Oct 30, 1831

[General] In Hiram, Ohio, Joseph Smith receives Doctrine and Covenants 65 (according to the Kirtland Revelation Book), which he designates as a prayer. This is the first of fifteen revelations received by the Prophet in Hiram.

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

60 years ago today - Oct 29, 1951

John K Cannon is first Mormon appointed to four-star rank in U.S. military. With this promotion General Cannon is commander of U.S. Tactical Air Command. In World War II he was Commander-in-chief of Allied air forces in Europe and later for entire U.S. air force in Europe (1948-51).

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

180 years ago today - Oct 29, 1831

Hiram, Ohio. Doctrine and Covenants 66. William E. McLellin (h) met Joseph at the conference in Orange a few days earlier (Minutes of October 25-26, 1831) and went home with him that day. Joseph received this revelation for William a few days later. He is to take Samuel H. Smith with him on a mission to the East.

William E. McLellin journal gives the October 29 date; heading: This day the Lord condecended to hear my prayr and give me a revelation of his will, through his prophet or seer (Joseph) -And these are the words which I wrote from his mouth, saying,

Not printed in the Book of Commandments.

Kirtland Revelations Book heading: Rev To Wm E McLelin Oct 1831.

1835 Doctrine and Covenants 74 heading: Revelation given October, 1830 [1831].

William E. McLellin Kirtland Revelations Book/McLellin journals, 45-46; KRB, 95-97.

[Source: Kenny, Scott; Saints Without Halos, 'Doctrine and Covenants,' http://saintswithouthalos.com/s/_dc.phtml]

170 years ago today - Oct 29, 1841

[Brigham Young] --29-- Met in council with the Twelve.

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

140 years ago today - 1871. October 28

[General] (Daniel H. Wells) : Charged with Hosea Stout and William H. Kimball for the 1857 murder of Richard Yates. The three were confined at Camp Douglas, east of the city. William Hickman apparently killed the man, but no one ever came to trial.

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

130 years ago today - Oct 28, 1881

[J.D.T. McAllister Diary] Administered to a broken arm

I then called at Bro. Wm W Smiths and to Sister Listons and Administered to her broken Arm. returned home.

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

25 years ago today - Oct 28, 1986

Jerald Tanner publishes Tracking the White Salamander: The Story of Mark Hofmann, Murder and Forged Mormon Documents.

[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,]

50 years ago today - Oct 27, 1961

[General] First Presidency counselor Hugh B. Brown tells a church member Frederick S. Buchanan that a Mormon "can be a Democrat or a Socialist and still be a good church member." Brown adds that "he had just had a talk with Bro Benson" who was "on the carpet in regard to his political sallies of late." Benson had stated in the Oct general conference that "No true Latter-day Saint and no true American can be a socialist or a communist or support programs leading in that direction- and "the internal threat to the American way of life is in the secret alliance which exists between the more advanced Social Democrats and the hard-core Communist conspiracy." Buchanan notes in his diary that Benson was leaving Brown-s office as he, Buchanan, was going in. A month later BYU president Ernest Wilkinson writes that Benson was privately criticizing "the socialistic tendencies" of Counselor Brown. And that that the two general authorities were already in "a vigorous dispute" about anti-Co
mmunism.

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

170 years ago today - Oct 27, 1841

[Joseph Smith] Sealed polygynously to Zina D.(Huntington) Jacobs.

[Source: Scott H. Faulring, An American Prophet's Record, 'A Joseph Smith Chronology', http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]

120 years ago today - Oct 27, 1891

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] [At Hotel Del Monte, Monterey, California] The visit to Delmonte will be one long to be remembered.

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

120 years ago today - Oct 26, 1891

[Apostle Brigham Young Jr. Diary] [After writing an answer to a question on polygamy recounting his advice that the subject be avoided as much as possible, but to stand by the revelation.] The Lord had said cease & we stopped its practice for we have always obeyed the laws of the land, but when the laws of the land are made to specially abrogate the Commands of God, it takes the word of the Lord, as in this case, to render congressional action effective. God will deprive those wicked men of every vestige of family indeed of every private and national virtue for their hypocrisy towards His saints.

[Source: Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

180 years ago today - Oct 26, 1831

Hiram, Ohio. En route from Orange, Ohio, to Hiram, Joseph Smith healed William McLellin's ankle.

[Source: Joseph Smith Resource Center: Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith, http://josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e581001cfb340010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRDlocale=0]

20 years ago today - Oct 26, 1991

[General] Benjamin L Clapp: Baptized by proxy again 30 Apr. 1991 and priesthood again restored before proxy endowment 26 Oct. 1991.

170 years ago today - Oct 25, 1841

[Polygamy] Already married, 19 year-old Zina remained conflicted with Smith's polygamy proposal "until a day in October, apparently, when Joseph sent [her older brother] Dimick to her with a message: an angel with a drawn sword had stood over Smith and told him that if he did not establish polygamy, he would lose "his position and his life. " Zina, faced with the responsibility for his position as prophet, and even perhaps his life, finally acquiesced." They were secretly married within days. Smith tells 19 year-old married woman that she must marry him or an angel with a sword will slay him . SOURCE: In Sacred Loneliness, page 80-,81

[Source: Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm]

180 years ago today - Oct 25, 1831

[General] Conference is held in the home of nineteen-year-old Stephen Burnett where Burnett is ordained a High Priest by Oliver Cowdery. A few months later Burnett is appointed by revelation (D&C 75:35 and D&C 80:1) to two missions but later leaves the Church and denounces Joseph Smith. In 1838 an official church publication calls Burnett -an ignorant little blockhead.- Burnett stated that the "last pedestal" of support for belief in the church gave way when he "came to hear Martin Harris state in public that he never saw the plates with his natural eyes only in vision or imagination, neither Oliver [Cowdery] nor David [Whitmer] & that the eight witnesses never saw them & hesitated to sign that instrument for that reason, but were persuaded to do it." The office of deacon is first introduced. Although deacon is referred to in a published revelation of Apr 6, 1830, the earliest manuscript does not seem to date before 1831.

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

170 years ago today - Oct 24, 1841

[Joseph Smith] On the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem Apostle Orson Hyde dedicates Palestine for the return of Jewish people.

[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]

15 years ago today - Oct 24, 1996

[Same-Sex Marriage] Hawaiis Future Today sends out a letter soliciting its members to participate in Save Traditional Marriage-98²s Steve Covey seminar dinners.

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

120 years ago today - Oct 24, 1891

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] Gusta & I went over to Oakland, and said good bye to Sister Cutler and her sister, also Mrs. Pomeroy;--they expect to leave for Salt Lake within a few days.

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

150 years ago today - Oct 23, 1861

[General] Western line of telegraph from Salt Lake to Carson City, Nevada to San Francisco completed. Brigham Young sends the first message.

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

120 years ago today - Oct 23, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 23 In Company with many others including my wife Emma I took Cars & rode to Lehi to visit the sugar works. It was vary interesting. It took us several hours to go through the works. First we visited the store houses whare the new beets were stored. There were 3 sheds 500 feet long filled with Beets & room for 2 more. There was a Canal runing in the Middle of the sheds with runing water whare the Beets were flung in & washed in the Curant. The beets were never touched again by hand but were sliced up by Machinery & the juce pressed out & traveled in pipes three Miles & then droped into sacks pure white granulated sugar. It was a great institution at a Cost of a about 500,000 Dollars. We then returned home. Distance 80 m.

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

20 years ago today - Oct 23, 1991

[General] Elder James E. Faust dedicates Uganda for the preaching of the gospel.

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

More History?

150 years ago today - Oct 22, 1861

[General] The Deseret News publishes first regular News with telegraph accounts from the East, containing a message from President Lincoln.

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

5 years ago today - Oct 22, 2006

[General] Married couples who share religious beliefs and practices are better able to prevent, resolve and reconcile marital conflict, according to a new BYU study.

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

170 years ago today - 22/Oct 25, 1841

[Lucy Mack Smith] Don Carlos Salisbury, the fifth child and third son of Katharine Smith Salisbury and Wilkins J. Salisbury, is born at Plymouth/Fountain Green, Hancock County, Illinois.

[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]

95 years ago today - Oct 21, 1916

"The Lecture," which is given in the Temple from time to time, as circumstances require, was first delivered by President [Brigham] Young in this [St. George] Temple. It was written down as he spoke it, and was subsequently revised by him. The ordinances were written [down] by Presidents Wilford Woodruff and George Q. Cannon, under the direction of President Young[,] and, when completed, he said "Now you have before you an ensample to carry on the endowments in all the Temples, until the coming of the Son of Man." [David H. Cannon to Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, and Charles W. Penrose, Oct. 21, 1916]

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

120 years ago today - Oct 21, 1891

[General] The First Presidency's Office Journal records that President Wilford Woodruff stated "that the manifesto was just as authoritative and binding as though it had been given in the form of 'Thus saith the Lord,' and that its affecting unlawful cohabitation cases was but the logical sequence of its scope and intent regarding polygamous marriages, as the laws of the land forbid both, and that therefore, although he at the time did not perceive the far-reaching effect it would have, no other ground could be taken than that which he had taken and be consistent with the position the manifesto had placed us in."

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

50 years ago today - Oct 21, 1961

[General] The first branch in New Caledonia, a territory of France in the South Pacific, is organized, with Teahu Manoi as president.

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

25 years ago today - Oct 20, 1986

[General] LDS Lt-Gen. Robert C. Oaks is commander of Allied Forces in southern Europe. He is uncle of recently-sustained apostle Dallin H. Oaks.

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

120 years ago today - Oct 20, 1891

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] Spent this forenoon in listening to testimony by Pres[iden]ts GQ Cannon, JF Smith before master in Chancery Loufborow at Franklin's office.

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

175 years ago today - Oct 20, 1836

Charles Coulson Rich: Left Pleasant Grove 20 October 1836.

120 years ago today - Oct 19-20, 1891

[General] - First Presidency and Lorenzo Snow, Twelve's president, and Apostle Anthon H. Lund testify in court that Manifesto prohibits new plural marriages anywhere in world and prohibits cohabitation with wives married before the Manifesto and that the church will excommunicate violators. Although testimony is pulished in various editions of DESERET NEWS, all polygamous general authorities violate this by continuing to cohabit with their plural wives after 1891. In 1904 President Joseph F. Smith testifies under oath that he is in violation of both the "law of the land" as well as the "law of the church" in continuing to cohabit with plural wives.

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

40 years ago today - Oct 19, 1971

[General] Genesis Group is organized for Salt Lake Valley's 200 LDS African-Americans to meet for auxiliary organizations, while attending sacrament meetings in their respective wards. Apostle Gordon B. Hinckley sets apart Ruffin Bridgeforth, Jr. as president, with Darius Gray and Eugene Orr as counselors.

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

155 years ago today - Oct 19, 1856

[General] Orson Hyde: Criticized 19 Oct. 1856 by Brigham Young who said he should be excommunicated for clerking for non-Mormon judge

175 years ago today - (Tue) Oct 18, 1836

[General] The first installment for proposed bank stock was transacted. [Dale W. Adams; BYU Studies Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 468-470.] Sidney Rigdon paid $12.00 as an initial installment for 2000 shares of the proposed Kirtland Safety Society stock.[D. Paul Sampson and Larry T. Wimmer, BYU Studies, Vol. 12, No. 4, p.427.]

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