Today in Mormon History: January 2012

140 years ago today - 1872. January 31

[General] (John A. Widtsoe) : Born John Andreas Widtsoe in Froen, Norway. In 1879 his widowed mother took a pair of his shoes to a Mormon cobbler, who stuffed the toes with Mormon pamphlets when he returned them. Anna Widtsoe read the pamphlets, then attended a Mormon meeting. Two years later the family was baptized, and in 1883 emigrated to Logan, Utah.

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

175 years ago today - 31Jan37

[Joseph Smith Sermon] Kirtland, Ohio 31st Met in the house of the Lord at 10 oclock AM & herd an address from Presidents J. Smith jr & S Rigdon on the temporal business of the Church & Petitioned for a charter to the Assembly of the State for the Kirtland Safety Society & the presidency of the Church bought the Monroe charter & we all lent a hand in esstablishing it that it might be beneficial to us in forwarding the building of the temporal Kingdom

[Source: The Parallel Joseph, http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parallel/]

170 years ago today - Jan 31, 1842

[Brigham Young] --31-- In council with the Prophet and the Twelve, in the evening, concerning Brother Snider and the printing office.

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

100 years ago today - Jan 30, 1912

[General] Apostle George Albert Smith writes concerning the last-minute decision to not print the King Follett discourse in the first edition of the HISTORY OF THE CHURCH: "I have thought that the report of that sermon might not be authentic and I have feared that it contained some thing that might be contrary to the truth. . . . Some of the brethren felt as I did and thought that greater publicity should not be given to that particular sermon." B. H. Roberts, editor, had done considerable work on the discourse, preparing extensive footnotes in which he revealed a great reverence for it. Later editions include the sermon.

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

170 years ago today - Jan 30, 1842

[Brigham Young] --30-- I attended meetings at Joseph's house. He preached in the morning and in the evening, concerning the different spirits, their operations, designs, and etc.

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

175 years ago today - (Tue) Jan 30, 1837

[General] A meeting was held in the Temple to discuss new attempts to obtain a bank charter for the [Kirtland Saftey Society]. [Dale W. Adams; BYU Studies Vol. 23, No. 4, pg. 477.] It was about this time that the LDS First Presidency decided to purchase a controlling interest in the faltering Bank of Monroe.

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

150 years ago today - Jan 29, 1862

[General] Brigham Young's office journal records: "Bro[ther] HS. Eldredge, came in, the conversation turned on the love of property. Pres[ident] Young said he did not think there ever was a prophet on the Earth, (Jesus excepted) that cared less for the things of the world than he did. He remarked the Lord is desirious to exalt this people as we are his children, but riches would injure us at present therefore the Lord withholds riches from us till we are prepared to receive them. He knew that the more of the Spirit of the Lord a man had the better prepared he was to do business. Pres[ident] Young said he had been in Whiskey Street - and he had felt the spirit there, and he really thought the street must be burned down before there would be a good spirit there."

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

175 years ago today - 29Jan37

[Joseph Smith Sermon] Kirtland, Ohio 29th Sunday I met at Elder J. P. Greens at 9 AM in company with 7 others to act as bearers to convey the corps of Sister Mary Boyington to the house of the Lord whare a funeral sermon was deliverd by Elder P.P. Pratt the latter part of the day was spent in communion & addresses from Presidents O.

Cowdery & J Smith Jr JOSEPH blessed us in the name of the Lord & said if we would be faithful we should rise above our imbarresments & be delivered from the hands of our enemies

[Source: The Parallel Joseph, http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parallel/]

170 years ago today - Jan 29, 1842

[Brigham Young] --29-- Spent the day in council with the Prophet Joseph and Elders Kimball and Richards; we received excellent teachings.

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

170 years ago today - Jan 28, 1842

Elias Higbee: Reproved by Joseph Smith for lack of diligence in raising children and building Nauvoo Temple 28 January 1842.

[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]

120 years ago today - Jan 28, 1892

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 28 I wrote to Mr Sullivan about their Child Louiesa. I am better this morning. G Q Cannon 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]

40 years ago today - Jan 28, 1972

[General] BYU names R. LaVell Edwards as its new head football coach. His twenty-nine-year distinguished career includes a national championship in 1984.

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

10 years ago today - Jan 27, 2002

[U.S. Religious History] A 20-year-old woman became the first Palestinian female suicide bomber when she blew herself up on a Jerusalem street, killing one person and injuring 100 others.

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

170 years ago today - Jan 27, 1842

Nauvoo, Illinois. On a fairly routine day, Joseph Smith attended to business, put carpet on the floor of his office, and spent the evening in council.

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

120 years ago today - Jan 27, 1892

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] On the 30th I wrote a letter of 11 pages to Pres[iden]t Geo[rge] Q. Cannon in answer to one of the most sympathetic letters I have ever had in my life. Lucy's sickness, taken in connection with [bank matters] Pres[iden]t Cannon fully appreciates my feelings. I could not refrain from crying while reading his letter and I stopped several times while answering to cry.

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

180 years ago today - Jan 26, 1832

Joseph Smith is confirmed president of the High Priesthood by a church-wide sustaining vote.

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

70 years ago today - Jan 26, 1942

[General] First Counselor J. Reuben Clark tells reporter for Look Magazine: "Our divorces are piling up." Church Historian's Office in 1968 compiles divorce statistics since 1910 for temple marriages, "church civil" marriages, and "other civil" marriages. Although temple marriages have lowest divorce rate of the three categories, in 1910 there was one "temple divorce" for every 66 temple marriages performed that year., 1:41 in 1915, 1:34 in 1920, 1:27 in 1925, 1:30 in 1930, 1:23 in 1935, 1:27 in 1939, 1:17 in 1945, 1:31 in 1950, 1:30 in 1955, 1:19 in 1960 and 1965. Last rate for temple divorce is almost ten times higher than Utah's civil divorce rate century earlier.

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

170 years ago today - Jan 26, 1842

[Brigham Young] --26-- Accompanied by Elders Geo. [George] A. Smith and James Ivins, I went to Keokuk and visited Dr. Galland, and officially notified him that his power of attorney as agent for the Church was revoked, and asked him to return his papers, which he did.

We returned to Nauvoo on the 27th.

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

30 years ago today - Jan 25, 1982

First Presidency formally releases Leonard J. Arrington as Church Historian. Position has been in administrative limbo since 1980, when he and his staff are released form LDS Historical Department and transferred administratively to BYU. Day after this letter Presidency sets apart G. Homer Durham as church historian. There is no mention in either General Conference or in the CHURCH NEWS about Arrington's release.

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

100 years ago today - Jan 25, 1912; Thursday

[General] Elder Seymour B. Young reports that he presented to President

[Joseph F.] Smith that the First Council desired Presidents of Quorums to alternate with members of the First Council in being mouth in ordaining Elders, Seventies. President Smith in answer to this question called attention to the case of Moses, whose father-in-law advised him to call in some of the Elders of Israel to assist him in his duties.

[Source: Excerpt from the Minutes of the First Council of the Seventy]

180 years ago today - Jan 25, 1832

[D and C] Doctrine and Covenants 75: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Amherst, Ohio, January 25, 1832. HC 1: 242-245. The occasion was that of a conference previously appointed. At this conference Joseph Smith was sustained and ordained President of the High Priesthood. Certain elders, who had encountered difficulty in bringing men to an understanding of their message, desired to learn more in detail as to their immediate duties. This revelation followed.

1-5, Faithful elders who preach the gospel will gain eternal life; 6-12, Pray to receive the Comforter, which teaches all things; 13-22, Elders shall sit in judgment on those who reject their message; 23-36, Families of missionaries are to receive help from the Church.

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

150 years ago today - Jan 24, 1862

[General] Brigham Young's office journal records: "The first Presidency and their families attended a Ball at the Social Hall, only a few invitations were issued to others; after the recess The President made a few remarks about dancing[;] he wished some attention to be paid to doing well, he said he liked all things done well; mentioned that some of the brethren rested too much on the ladies, which would sometimes give them pain. The President went on to describe the general rules of dancing, mentioned that many of the brethren who had attended dancing schools, were yet unacquainted with their positions on the floor."

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

180 years ago today - Jan 24, 1832

[Joseph Smith] Bishop Edward Partridge presents his accounting for church revenues and expenditures for the previous year, and the conference votes that a financial statement should be presented to each general conference in Missouri. The practice is suspended when church headquarters moves to Illinois in 1839.

[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]

100 years ago today - Jan 24, 1912; Wednesday

[General] Attended special meeting of the Council of the Twelve, lasting from 2 to 6:30 p.m.

[Source: James E. Talmage, Diary]

175 years ago today - Jan 23, 1837

[General] Sidney Rigdon announces that the Kirtland Safety Society has suspended redeeming its notes for specie. Joseph Smith urges Mormons to circulate the bank's notes instead of presenting them for redemption. In Oct Rigdon and Smith are tried and convicted, and sentenced to pay $1,000 plus court costs for violating the 1816 Ohio statute against unauthorized banking

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

25 years ago today - Jan 23, 1987

[General] Mark Hofmann imprisoned, responsible for two deaths and several forgeries of historic documents.

[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]

120 years ago today - Jan 23, 1892

[General] Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner (Smith), the first polyandrous plural wife of Joseph Smith writes: "I could explain some things in regard to my living with Mr. L[ightner] after becoming the Wife of Another, which would throw light, on what now seems mysterious-and you would be perfectly satisfied with me. I write this; because I have heard that it had been commented on to my injury." Mary Elizabeth continued to live with her legal husband, Adam Lightner, after being secretly married to Joseph Smith.

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

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

170 years ago today - Jan 22, 1842

[General] The QUINCY WHIG discusses Joseph Smith's recent announcement that the Mormons will vote as a bloc: "This clannish principle of voting in a mass, at the dictation of one man, and this man who has acquired an influence over the minds of his people through the peculiar religious creed which he promulgates, is so repugnant to the principles of our Republican form of Government, that its consequences-will be disagreeable to think of bitter hatred and unrelenting hostility will spring up, where before peace and good will had an abiding place

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

25 years ago today - Jan 22, 1987

Yengich forces Mark Hofmann to confront his family with his guilt.

[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,]

180 years ago today - Jan 22, 1832

[General] Oliver Cowdery (25) marries Elizabeth Ann Whitmer (David Whitmer's sister).

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

15 years ago today - Jan 21, 1997

[Same-Sex Marriage] Debbie Hartmann, chair of Hawaiis Future Today testifies before the House committee in support of a constitutional amendment permitting the legislature to limit marriage to one man and one woman. Her testimony includes the following remarks concerning HB 118 (which would establish domestic partnerships for non-heterosexually married partners): With respect to HB118, which would provide certain benefits to unmarried couples, as also noted in our testimony, while we do not support any type of legislation that would undermine the special relationship of marriage between one man and one woman, certain elements of the bill are acceptable. We support the type of humanitarian benefits the bill addresses and the fact that it applies to all people.

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

25 years ago today - Jan 21, 1987

[General] Death of J. Martell Bird, "managing director of Church security worldwide" for previous five years. An FBI agent (1942-69), Bird was also a regional Representative.

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

150 years ago today - Jan 21, 1862

[Heber C. Kimball Revelations] January the 21, 1862

In the evning it was told me by the /Lord God/ that Congress of the United Stats would reject the Saints and would not admit us as a State government and forse [force] those officers on us by thare power. HCK.

[Source: "H. C. Kimball Memorandum" book, On the Potters Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Stanley B. Kimball, editor, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

150 years ago today - Jan 20, 1862

[Polygamy] 3rd bid for statehood

In just 2 days the 3rd State of Deseret constitution was written in a bid for statehood, in anticipation of the breaking up of the Union because of a possible civil war. (Ivins, p. 96. See also Quinn, Extensions, p 760 ) It should be noted that slavery was legal in Utah due to a law passed by the Utah legislature. Utah had this option as a result of the Compromise of 1850, which brought California into the Union as a free state while allowing Utah and New Mexico territories the option of deciding the issue by "popular sovereignty." A few Mormon pioneers from the South had brought African-American slaves with them when they migrated west. Some freed their slaves in Utah; others who went on to California had to emancipate them there. It should be noted that many of the Utah Mormons with slaves were called to the San Bernadino California area, which meant their slaves were automatically free.

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

170 years ago today - Jan 20, 1842

[African American History] John C. Bennett comes out in favor of abolition,

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

5 years ago today - Jan 20, 2007

[Thomas S. Monson] Received the Worldwide Humanitarian Award at the Salt Lake Rotary International convention.

[Source: Deseret News, Timeline: Thomas S. Monson, http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695250351,00.html]

80 years ago today - Jan 19, 1932

[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] -talks w/ McKay /Ballard & Cannon (?) RE: Primary Problem "until my nerves were seen done."

[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]

175 years ago today - (Thr) Jan 19, 1837

[General] The Painesville Republican advised that the KSS bank notes were not being accepted by the Bank of Geauga in Painesville. For this reason local non-Mormon businessmen woud not accept the bills.

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

5 years ago today - Jan 19, 2007

[General] SINGAPORE A five-story building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been completed and will accommodate approximately 2,500 members of the Church in Singapore.

[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 - Jan 18, 1882

[General] The First Presidency and the Twelve meet in the Endowment House. It is decided by President John Taylor that the sacrament can be administered to children under eight years of age.

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

40 years ago today - Jan 18, 1972

[General] The Ogden Temple was dedicated by President Joseph Fielding Smith.

[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]

15 years ago today - Jan 18, 1997

[General] The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) airs Ancestors, a ten-part series on family history produced by KBYU-TV.

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

180 years ago today - Jan 17, 1832, 1832

[General] Reynolds Cahoon and Thomas B. Marsh excommunicate several in the Orange area.

[Source: Kenny, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]

150 years ago today - Jan 17, 1862

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 17 Porter Rockwell and guard arived in this City this morning delivered two live prisioners & one dead one to the poliece & while taking John Smith & Moroni Clawson to the Court House prision they Both tried to get away and were both shot dead and all three dead Bodies were brought to the Court House and Clawson & Smith lay in a waggon out doors till afternoon & were visited by Hundreds of People. Lot Huntington's Body laid in the suller.

We met in the Legislature at Eleven oclok. Set till 4 oclok. Had an intermission of two hours. Met again at 6 oclok & set till Midnight.

[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 - Jan 17, 1842

[General] Joseph Smith takes eight-months-pregnant Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner as a plural wife. Mary Elizabeth, age 24, has been legally married to non-Mormon Adam Lightner for over six years at the time. She continues to live with Adam Lightner afterward as instructed by Joseph Smith. Mary Elizabeth later states, "Joseph Said I was his, before I came here. He said all the Devils in Hell should never get me from him."

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

120 years ago today - Jan 17, 1892

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] Jan 17, 1892 Sunday I spent the day in the House reading.

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

70 years ago today - Jan 17, 1942

[General] Auxiliary institutes and conventions discontinued during wartime-- All Church officers were notified that because of the heavy tax burden anticipated, and restrictions on automotive travel due to the war effort, all general auxiliary institutes and conventions and all stake auxiliary union meetings are to be immediately discontinued. {1942-January 17-Improvement Era 45:74, February, 1942.}

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

170 years ago today - Jan 17, 1842

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

70 years ago today - Jan 17, 1942

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

120 years ago today - Jan 17, 1892

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] Jan 17, 1892 Sunday I spent the day in the House reading.

[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 - Jan 16, 1862

[General] Orrin Porter Rockwell kills "while attempting to escape" Lot Huntington for Dawson beating. [see Jan 1, 1862] Church Historian's office notes that Rockwell shoots Huntington eight times in stomach-difficult to do while someone is running away from the shooter. Salt Lake City policemen kill Moroni Clawson and John P. Smith while escorting them to jail on Jan. 17 for the beating. On Jan. 22 bishop's court tries participant Isaac Niebaur who confesses, protests that he "never stole from a Mormon," asks forgiveness, "but if his Blood must atone he is willing to die." Church court forgives Niebaur without blood atonement, but Salt Lake county court on Mar 25 sentences him and two others to varying prison terms for Dawson incident.

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

180 years ago today - Jan 16, 1832

[Ezra Booth] He married a couple in Mentor

[Source: Kenny, Scott, Saints Without Halos, Ezra Booth, http://www.saintswithouthalos.com/b/booth_e.phtml]

140 years ago today - Jan 16, 1872

[Freemasonry in Utah] When it was rumored that Mormons contemplated petitioning the United Grand Lodge of England for a dispensation, the two existing Utah lodges reluctantly combined forces to form Argenta Lodge, under Colorado registry, thus becoming eligible to organize the Grand Lodge of Utah, on 16 January 1872.

[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: Freemasonry in Utah, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/m/MASONRY,FREE.html]

175 years ago today - mid Jan 1837

[General] Grandison Newell bought up a considerable amount of KSS notes then in circulation and presented them at the bank's Kirtland office, demanding that they be redeemed with specie. The bank probably ran out of its original stock of silver and gold coins well before the end of January.

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

170 years ago today - Jan 15, 1842

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith commenced reading the first American stereotype edition of the Book of Mormon to make a few corrections for the second stereotype edition that had escaped notice in the first printing.

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

120 years ago today - Jan 15, 1892

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] Visited the California Biscuit Co.'s factory in company with Col. Trumbo; -- this is an immense institution, and I enjoyed going through the factory very much. Took lunch at the Bohemian club with the Col.

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

80 years ago today - Jan 14, 1932

[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] "a condition of nervousness that was most distressing."

[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]

70 years ago today - Jan 14, 1942

[General] All L.D.S. missionaries to register for military service under Conscription Act of 1941-- Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Mission Presidents are instructed that under the provisions of the Conscription Act of 1941 all missionaries are to register for military service, giving their home address as their legal address. {1942-January 14-Original circular letter, L.D.S.}

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

40 years ago today - Jan 14, 1972

[General] The Church Historical Department was formed in a reorganization of the Church Historian's Office. Church library, archives, and history divisions were created within the new department.

120 years ago today - Jan 13, 1892

[General] Franklin D. Richards writes in his diary, "Pres. Snow read a poem by himself on the sentiment of God and Man. As we are now, so once was he."

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

80 years ago today - Jan 13, 1932

[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] -nerves set back by news of Sis. Raille being dropped from Primary Board

[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]

170 years ago today - Jan 13, 1842

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith's clerk Willard Richards commenced boarding with him.

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

10 years ago today - Jan 12, 2002

[Joseph Smith Papers project] The Church News provides a brief report on the publication of Joseph Smith's papers:

Richard E. Turley Jr., managing director of the Family and Church History Department, said the department is now putting more emphasis into this ongoing project with the result that volumes will begin appearing much more frequently. There will be a total of nine or so, Brother Turley said, and projections are to have the rest of them out within the next four years. "We've gathered together a team of people here and at BYU and in the Church Educational System to assist us," he said. He noted that the project makes the Prophet's papers available in book form with maps, notes and other helps."

("Joseph Smith papers being published," Church News, Jan. 12, 2002, Z10)

[Source: Joseph Smith Papers Timeline: History of the Joseph Smith Papers Project, MormonWasp Blog (defunct)]

175 years ago today - Jan 12, 1837

[General] The CLEVELAND DAILY GAZETTE reports: "During the past two days an emission of bills from the society of Mormons, has been showered upon us. As far as we can learn there is no property bound for their redemption, no coin on hand to redeem them with, and no responsible individuals whose honor or whose honesty is pledged for their payment. They seem to rest upon a spiritual basis."

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

150 years ago today - Jan 12, 1862

[General] J. D. 9:148; Brigham Young; Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, Utah; January 12, 1862.

Adam was as conversant with his Father who placed him upon this earth as we are conversant with our earthly parents. The Father frequently came to visit his son Adam, and talked and walked with him; and the children of Adam were more or less acquainted with their Grandfather, and their children were more or less acquainted with their Great-Grandfather; and the things that pertain to God and to heaven were as familiar among mankind, in the first ages of their existence on the earth, as these mountains are to our mountain boys.

[Source: Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthy Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]

180 years ago today - Jan 11, 1832

Zerah Pulsipher: Baptized 11 January 1832.

120 years ago today - Jan 11, 1892

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] [In San Francisco] sent the following telegram: Heber M. Wells, at Union Club Party, Hotel Templeton SLC Union forever; success to Union Club; -- present sincere regrets to all members each committee that Lucy and I are not with you. Dance with Bird, Dell, Kit and Gusta for me. Heber J. Grant.

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

135 years ago today - Jan 11, 1877

[Temple] I have taken the part of Adam [in the endowment dramatization in the St. George temple]. [Brigham Young Jr. diary, Jan. 11, 1877]

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

100 years ago today - Jan 10, 1912

President [David H.] Cannon spoke concerning shoes worn while receiving endowments. He said, put your moccasins on over your shoes. This is the word from the Authorities. A sample of this was given by President [Brigham] Young; he wore his moccasins over his shoes when receiving endowments for [the] deceased and we should follow his example. Baptisms cannot be administered by persons standing out of the water. Innovations must not creep in, in any manner of thing. [The] speaker said, "It is my business to see that right is maintained here no matter what is done elsewhere. If what is done is done right, they, the dead[,] and we can pass to our exaltations, otherwise not." [Temple Minute Book, St. George, Jan. 10, 1912]

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

175 years ago today - Jan 10, 1837

[General] Apostle Brigham Young exhorts the quorum of the Seventies "not to murmer against Moses (or) Joseph or the heads of the church."

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

180 years ago today - Jan 10, 1832

[D and C] Doctrine and Covenants 73: Revelation given to Joseph Smith the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, at Hiram, Ohio, January 10, 1832. HC 1: 241-242. Since the early part of the preceding December, the Prophet and Sidney had been engaged in preaching, and by this means much was accomplished in diminishing the unfavorable feelings that had arisen against the Church (see heading to Section 71).

1-2, Elders are to continue to preach; 3-6, Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon are to continue to translate the Bible until it is finished.

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

170 years ago today - Jan 9, 1842

[General] Joseph Smith writes that the covered wagon carrying Willard Richards and Lorin Walker, while traveling on icy roads, "slipped and capsized and fell off the side of the bridge, 5 feet descent. Broke the carriage, some on the top and the fore axletree which we soon spliced . . .and agreed that Liburn W. Boggs should pay the damage."

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

175 years ago today - (Mon) Jan 9, 1837

[General] The new KSS banking office officially opened in Kirtland. Its officers were from the very beginning reluctant to redeem its notes with specie. [Dale W. Adams; BYU Studies Vol. 23, No. 4, pg.472; Parkin, 1966, p. 219]

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

180 years ago today - Jan 9, 1832

John Smith: Baptized 9 January 1832.

175 years ago today - Jan 8, 1837

[General] A week after being baptized Willard Richards writes in his journal: "I partook of the sacrament, and was confirmed by Reynolds Cahoon. I received such a measure of the Spirit as to be sensible of the subject of a song of Zion, which was sung by Elder Lyman Sherman, in the gift of tongues, on the coming of Christ."

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

75 years ago today - Fri Jan 8, 1937

[David O. McKay Office Journal] Only one of the Presidency at the office. Heavy mail, and important decisions to render: 1. Question of advisability of urging a Bishop to reconsider refusal to give a recommendation, since the happiness and even the faith of a young girl seemed at stake. Found a satisfactory solution without sacrificing principle.

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

130 years ago today - Jan 8, 1882

[General] The Assembly Hall on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, completed in 1880 from left-over stones from the Salt Lake Temple construction, was dedicated.

New Search Engine: A new, more sophisticated search engine has been added to Today-in-Mormon-History. Search Mormon History at:

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130 years ago today - Jan 7,1882

[Utah] Apostle Francis M Lyman's diary begins recording month-long nervous breakdown of Heber J Grant, his successor as Tooele Stake President. Physician diagnoses Grant's condition as "nervous convulsions" and warns that condition could lead to "softening of the brain," if Grant continues his stressful pace of activity. Grant becomes apostle ten months later and is first LDS leader with diagnosed history of emotional illness.

[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]

180 years ago today - Jan 7, 1832

[Joseph Smith] Joseph B. Brackenbury is the first Mormon to die on a proselytizing mission and the first martyr (poisoned by anti-Mormons). Mormons also make an unsuccessful effort to raise Brackenbury from the dead. Church historian and apostle George A. Smith later calls this an "attempted resurrection."

[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]

75 years ago today - Jan 7, 1937

N. Eldon Tanner is first active Mormon to serve non-U.S. government in position equivalent to U.S. Cabinet. He serves as Minister of Lands and Mines in government of Canada-s Premier until 1952. Next Mormons of ministerial rank are Manuera Benjamin Riwai-Couch of New Zealand (for Maori relations and also Postmaster General) in 1978 and Baitika Tuom of Kiribati in 1983.

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

170 years ago today - Jan 6, 1842

[Polygamy] Joseph Smith is sealed to Agnes Moulton Coolbrith in a plural marriage.

[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 - Jan 6, 1837

[General] Wilford Woodruff records that in the Kirtland temple "Elder Sherman Sung in the gift of tongues & proclaimed great & marvelous things while clothed upon by the power & spirit of God. . . . I spent the evening with Priest Turpin at Bishop Whitney's. Had a vary happy time in speaking Singing hearing & interpreting tongues & in prayer with the family." Woodruff also records that Joseph Smith had received a revelation about the Kirtland Safety Society. Declining to reveal the substance of the revelation, Joseph says, "that if we would give heed to the Commandments the Lord had given this morning all would be well."

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

5 years ago today - Jan 6, 2007

[General] SALT LAKE CITY, USA Two hymns performed at President Gerald Fords funeral on 2 January 2007, were arranged by the associate director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

[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 - Jan 5, 1837

[General] At a prayer meeting in the Kirtland temple "One man gave us an account of the general gathering of Israel in the gift of tongues." "I [Wilford Woodruff] interpreted the Substance of the same."

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

180 years ago today - January 1832 (after 10 January and before 25 January)

[General] Section 74, Place: Hiram, Portage County, Ohio.

Historical Note: Section 73, received 10 January 1832, had commanded Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon to resume the translation of the Bible. They had done so. While no available statement definitely connects section 74 with the translation of the Bible, the implication is certainly very strong: Section 74 is an explanation of 1 Cor. 7:14.

Publication Note. Section 74 was first published as the 1835 edition of the Doctrine and Covenants.

[Source: Cook, Lyndon, Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]

30 years ago today - Jan 5, 1982

[General] First Presidency repeats its 1978 instructions for "interviewing married persons" but adds: "The First Presidency has interpreted oral sex as constituting an unnatural, impure, or unholy practice."

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

130 years ago today - Jan 4, 1882

[General] First Presidency and Apostles vote not to allow any "President or Apostle to draw funds from the Church without limit for their own use or any other purpose." This avoids financial abuses they attribute to Brigham Young and John W. Young, but putting fixed limit on financial allowances is a salary system. Concerning the meeting Apostle John Henry Smith writes in his diary, "I was somewhat surprised to see the president attempt to bull down the Council after giving them the utmost liberty to speak and he will find such talk will never hold the present Council in awe."

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

150 years ago today - Jan 4, 1862

[Heber C. Kimball Revelations] Word to me HCK

Janu[a]ry the 4, 1862

It was revealed to me that the United Stats would make war with this people the Saints with in three years from this time.

[Source: "H. C. Kimball Memorandum" book, On the Potters Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Stanley B. Kimball, editor, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

70 years ago today - Jan 4, 1942

[General] The Church observed a special fast Sunday in conjunction with a national day of prayer called by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

175 years ago today - Jan 3, 1837

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

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

80 years ago today - Jan 3, 1932

[President Heber J. Grant Diary] Brother Franklin S. Richards called at Brother David P. Howells' home this morning at my request, and we examined a private record covering a period of a number of years, of an organization that at one time had between forty and fifty members, when I was the junior apostle. Today Brother Franklin and I are the only surviving members. We got about two-thirds of the way through the record, and I arranged to meet him again next Sunday and finish it.

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

30 years ago today - Jan 03, 1982

[General] Professional golfer Johnny Miller receives $500,000 for winning a tournament in South Africa. The sum is the largest awarded in a golf tournament to that date.

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

175 years ago today - Jan 2, 1837

[General] Kirtland Safety Society renamed the Kirtland Safety Society Anti-Banking Company [per Joseph Smith] with "Anti" and "ing" in small type [per Ebenezer Robinson].

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

140 years ago today - Jan 2, 1872-25 April

[General] Brigham Young placed under house arrest for bigamy; never brought to trial.

[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]

130 years ago today - Jan 02, 1882

[General] President John Taylor moves into the Gardo House, the official residence of the President of the Church built but never lived in by Brigham Young.

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

175 years ago today - Jan 1, 1837

[General] Oliver Cowdery arrives in Kirtland with plates to print banknotes the same day that Orson Hyde arrives with news that the Ohio Legislature would not grant a charter for a bank to issue paper money. The leaders go ahead with the banking enterprise anyway. Overprinting the notes, they renamed the institution an "anti-banking" company on the assumption that if they could not operate a bank, they could well run an anti-bank.

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

120 years ago today - Jan 1, 1892

[Apostle Abraham H. Cannon Journal] (at a stake conference at Brigham City) President Snow reported that on one occasion Joseph Smith was once asked who he was: "The Prophet smiled kindly upon his interlocutor and replied, "Noah came before the flood; I have come before the fire."

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

200 years ago today - Jan 1, 1812

[Sidney Rigdon] Alexander Campbell licensed to preach (possibly also ordained)

[Source: Broadhurst, Dale R., History and Genealogy of Sidney Rigdon: The First Theologian of the Latter Day Saints, http://sidneyrigdon.com/Rigdchrn.htm]