[General] A committee consisting of W. W. Phelps, Oliver Cowdery and John Whitmer is appointed to review and select revelations "as dictated by the Spirit" to be included in the Book of Commandments and "make all necessary verbal corrections"
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
150 years ago today - Apr 30, 1862
[Heber C. Kimball Revelations] [probably originally in memorandum book]April 30, 1862. The Lord told me that Adam was my father and that he was the God and father of all of the inhabitants of this Earth.
[Source: "H. C. Kimball Memorandum" book, On the Potters Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Stanley B. Kimball, editor, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: "H. C. Kimball Memorandum" book, On the Potters Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Stanley B. Kimball, editor, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
120 years ago today - Apr 30, 1892
[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 30 I spent the day planting Potatoes & other work.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Apr 29, 1842
[General] Joseph Smith defines as "a conspiracy against the peace of my household" three separate conflicts that converge today. First, the Sidney Rigdon family is outraged to learn of his polygamous proposal to his first counselor's daughter Nancy. Second, the charges and counter-charges involved in that crisis lead to the discovery that Joseph's special counselor John C. Bennett had been claiming the prophet's authorization for seducing several women. In his own defense Bennett apparently told others about his knowledge of Joseph's recent polygamous marriages and unsuccessful proposals. These interrelated scandals threw Joseph's wife Emma into a fury, as one woman after another began disclosing Nauvoo's sexual underground. This controversy caused Joseph to delay his plans to give the "grand key words of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood" to his wife and other women, "as well as to the Elders"
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
180 years ago today - Apr 29, 1832
Kaw Township, Missouri. Joseph Smith visited the Church members living above the Big Blue River.
[Source: Joseph Smith Resource Center: Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith, http://josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e581001cfb340010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRDlocale=0]
[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 - 2002 29-Apr
[Hinckley] With Elder Henry B. Eyring, met with Vicente Fox, president of Mexico
[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]
[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]
150 years ago today - Apr 28, 1862
U.S. Army Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas, by order of the Secretary of War and the President, writes to Brigham Young: "By express direction of the President of the United States you are hereby authorized to raise, arm, and equip one company of cavalry for ninety days' service. . . . to protect the property of the telegraph and overland mail companies in or about Independence Rock [now in Wyoming, on the Oregon Trail], where depredations have been committed, and will be continued in service only till the U.S. troops can reach the point where they are so much needed. . . .It will not be used for any offensive operations other than may grow out of the duty hereinbefore assigned to it." The intriguing point about this request is that it did not go to the territorial government officers but to Brigham Young, a tacit recognition of who really controlled Utah.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
15 years ago today - Apr 28, 1997
[Same-Sex Marriage] Reciprocal Beneficiaries bill passed and will take effect 1 July 1997. The revised version of the bill which was passed has been expanded to include all domestic partners who may not legally marry (eg., a widowed woman and her co-resident son, a brother and sister, or two persons of the same sex).
[Source: Crapo, Richley, Chronology Of Mormon / LDS Involvement In Same-Sex Marriage Politics http://www.mormonsocialscience.org/?q=node/59]
[Source: Crapo, Richley, Chronology Of Mormon / LDS Involvement In Same-Sex Marriage Politics http://www.mormonsocialscience.org/?q=node/59]
180 years ago today - Apr. 28-29, 1832
[Joseph Smith] Joseph visits and enjoys a reunion with the Colesville Saints, who have settled in Kaw Township.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
150 years ago today - Apr 27, 1862
[General] Brigham Young preaches: "Never give way to vain laugher. I have seldom laughed aloud for twenty or thirty years without regretting it, and I always blush for those who laugh aloud without meaning. I am often full of joy and gladness, and were I to give way to the promptings of my nature at such times, it would lead to unreasonable levity which would be a source of mortification and sorrow to me. I noticed that the brethren gave way to that laugh which I choose not to hear."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
180 years ago today - Apr 27, 1832
Amasa Mason Lyman: Baptized 27 April 1832.
[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]
[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]
80 years ago today - Apr 27, 1932
[President Heber J. Grant Diary] I then met with the Presiding Bishopric and directors and manager of the Deseret News. It was understood that a cut of 20% should be made in the compensation of the employees of the Deseret News if this was necessary, in order to have the News self-sustaining. We told them we were perfectly willing that the employees should take the institution and run it without loss to the Church, and as soon as it could increase the salaries to the present standard by making a profit, the salaries could be raised at once, but we felt it was all wrong for the Church to be paying them salaries in these times, instead of discharging a lot of employees and cutting down expenses. The Manager said he had no doubt that the employees would feel all right about it and be perfectly willing to accept the decision. This will save the Church between $60,000. and $70,000. a year. I feel that it has been a good day's work.
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Apr 26, 1832
Algernon Sidney Gilbert: Ordained high priest 26 April 1832.
[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]
[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 - Apr 26, 1892
[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 26 President Cannon went to Manti Temple to day. We had quite a snow Storm to day. I spent the day 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]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Sun 26
[John Nuttle Diary] confined to my bed several of the Saints called in to see me. received letters from Bps. Chamberlain and Leithead of Long Valley. I. I. Adams Sherriff of Iron Co called on Me for assistance in the Capture of one Wallace Wilkinson escaped from Provo Jail. requesting me from Sheriff John W Turner of Provo to send some men to Lee's Ferry & the Ute crossing in the Colorado River to intercept the prisoner if he attempts to pass that way..
[Source: Diary Excerpts of L. John Nuttall, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary Excerpts of L. John Nuttall, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Apr 25, 1882
[General] Abraham H. Cannon, future Apostle and son of First Counselor George Q. Cannon writes in his diary: "As we were eating some limburger cheese this evening, it was affirmed that about three years ago a cheese merchant of Berlin, who did a thriving business, used to send his men to urinate on the so-called 'swiss cheese' in order to give it the proper flavor."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
10 years ago today - Apr 25, 2002
[Word of Wisdom] Bohemian Brewery debuts in Midvale.
[Source: Harward, Randy; Utah Brewing Timeline, Salt Lake City Weekly, Aug 24, 2011]
[Source: Harward, Randy; Utah Brewing Timeline, Salt Lake City Weekly, Aug 24, 2011]
100 years ago today - Apr 25, 1912; Thursday
[General] The following is a report of the regular meeting of the First Presidency and the Council of Twelve held this morning at 10:30 o'clock at the Temple:
There were present: Pres[iden]ts. Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, Charles W. Penrose and Francis M. Lyman, Elders Heber J. Grant, Hyrum M. Smith, 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]
120 years ago today - Apr 24, 1892
[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] Charles C. was very feeble unable to go to City to see Franklin.
[Source: Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Apr 24, 1837
[General] David W. Patten charges Lyman Wight for false doctrine. Wight convicted and makes accommodation. Also, Jesse Hitchcock cut off from the High Council.
[Source: Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"]
170 years ago today - 24Apr42
[Joseph Smith Sermon] Preached on the hill, near the Temple concerning the building of the temple, and pronouced a curse on the Merchants and the rich, who would not assist in building it.
[Source: The Parallel Joseph, http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parallel/]
[Source: The Parallel Joseph, http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parallel/]
120 years ago today - Apr 23, 1892
[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] Franklin very feel be keeps his bed.
[Source: Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
25 years ago today - Apr 23, 1987
[Mark Hofmann] At the invitation of the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Church History and the department of history, BYU, George Throckmorton discusses the Hofmann forgeries with historians and archivists at BYU for two hours.
[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,]
[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 - Apr 23, 1962
[General] Elder George Q. Morris passes away.
[Source: Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)]
[Source: Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)]
Forms of Rebaptism
The next topic at LDS-Church-History will cover forms of rebaptism in Mormon history. Various types of rebaptism will be analyzed, including baptism for recommitment, baptism for health, baptism for the dead, reformation baptism, and even baptism to prepare for plural marriage.
Baptism within the Latter Day Saint tradition followed a separate trajectory from other Christian practices of baptism in the 19th century. Revelations received at the formation of the church required already baptized Christians to be rebaptized into the church due to issues of apostasy and authority. Later, new forms of baptism became available to members of the church, as noted by historian D. Michael Quinn:
Joseph Smith also introduced methods to provide salvation rites for the dead through proxy ordinances by the living. The first such ordinance was baptism for the dead, allowing church members to perform baptisms for those who are dead, but who had not been baptized with LDS priesthood authority. One of the more interesting chapters of this practice comes from Wilford Woodruff's journal, where he documents his vision of signers of the Declaration of Independence, and his subsequent temple work for them.
While other forms of rebaptism ceased by the 1920s, baptisms for the dead continue today in LDS temples. The practice has received criticism due to increased scrutiny by the media during the current "Mormon Moment." This has caused church leaders to implement measures to further centralize this practice.
The history of these various forms of rebaptism will be detailed chronologically at LDS-Church-History over the next few months.
Baptism within the Latter Day Saint tradition followed a separate trajectory from other Christian practices of baptism in the 19th century. Revelations received at the formation of the church required already baptized Christians to be rebaptized into the church due to issues of apostasy and authority. Later, new forms of baptism became available to members of the church, as noted by historian D. Michael Quinn:
"For many years [in the nineteenth century] it had been common for members to rededicate themselves to building up the Kingdom through rebaptism. This practice was not considered essential to salvation but was a symbol of rededication. On other occasions the Saints were rebaptized as a symbolic gesture related to blessings for their health, entry into the United Order, preparation for marriage and even for going to the temple if they had not been there for some time. ....."
"As with nearly every public and private practice of Nauvoo during the lifetime of Joseph Smith, rebaptism was institutionalized by Brigham Young as he built the Kingdom of God throughout the Great Basin of the American West. ... The practice of rebaptism for rededication, renewal, reformation, health, and preparation for temple ordinances continued throughout the nineteenth century. Although some rebaptism ordinances, such as for health and rededication, continued to be performed as late as 1913 in the temples, the LDS Presidency decided during the administration of Joseph F. Smith that since rebaptism ordinances had always been supplementary to such principles and ordinances as individual repentance, partaking of the Sacrament, and priesthood blessing of the sick, it would be wise to discontinue a practice that might tend to diminish the importance of the primary principles and ordinances upon which rebaptism was predicated." ['The Practice of Rebaptism at Nauvoo,' D. Michael Quinn, BYU Studies (1978) 18:2]
Joseph Smith also introduced methods to provide salvation rites for the dead through proxy ordinances by the living. The first such ordinance was baptism for the dead, allowing church members to perform baptisms for those who are dead, but who had not been baptized with LDS priesthood authority. One of the more interesting chapters of this practice comes from Wilford Woodruff's journal, where he documents his vision of signers of the Declaration of Independence, and his subsequent temple work for them.
While other forms of rebaptism ceased by the 1920s, baptisms for the dead continue today in LDS temples. The practice has received criticism due to increased scrutiny by the media during the current "Mormon Moment." This has caused church leaders to implement measures to further centralize this practice.
The history of these various forms of rebaptism will be detailed chronologically at LDS-Church-History over the next few months.
--
LDS-Church-History is a topical exploration of Mormon history. Several events are posted each day, gradually covering the current topic chronologically.
The best way to follow is to subscribe (via RSS, email, Facebook or Twitter) at http://LDS-Church-History.blogspot.com. More information can be found at http://bit.ly/aboutldshist.
LDS-Church-History is a topical exploration of Mormon history. Several events are posted each day, gradually covering the current topic chronologically.
The best way to follow is to subscribe (via RSS, email, Facebook or Twitter) at http://LDS-Church-History.blogspot.com. More information can be found at http://bit.ly/aboutldshist.
170 years ago today - Apr 22, 1842
John Taylor: Initiated into Masonry 22 April 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 - Apr 22, 1892
[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 22 I had an interview with Brother Hinse about Jerrusalem the gathering to the Holy Land.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[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 - Apr 22, 1902
[General] Church Historian's Office begins unpacking sacks of historical documents kept hidden for sixteen years since anti-polygamy raid.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
80 years ago today - Apr 21, 1932
[General] Outgoing New Zealand Mission President John E. Magleby asks missionary Harold T. Christensen to stand in as mission president until a new mission president is appointed. Christensen agrees but the new mission president doesn't arrive for 15 months during which time Elder Christensen is president of the New Zealand mission.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
15 years ago today - Apr 21, 1997-22 July
[General] Re-creation of pioneer trek of 1847.
[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]
10 years ago today - 2002 21-Apr
[Hinckley] Dedicated Lubbock Texas Temple
[Source: LDS Newsroom, Time line of Significant Events as President, http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/time-line-of-significant-events-as-president]
150 years ago today - Apr 20, 1862
[General] First Counselor Heber C. Kimball writes in his memorandum book: "Apr 20, 1862, The Lord told me that Adam was my father and that he was the God and father of all the inhabitants of this Earth."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
75 years ago today - Apr 20, 1937
For several years I have been trying to get before the [First] Presidency for their consideration, about 80 proposed decisions & Rules for the Temples in addition to what they already have. The President assured me he would try and get the time before I have to go to Hawaii. [George F. Richards diary, Apr. 20, 1937]
[Source: Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
120 years ago today - Wednesday Apr 20, 1892
[John Nuttle Diary] I recd a telegram from Sister M M Barratt at Manti She is feeling better in her health. Met with the Directors of the Deseret Telegraph Co. at 10.30 a.m and with the Directors of the Deseret & S. L. A. & Mr Canal Co. at 11.30 & 3 p.m. At Work on Fund business. slept at office -
[Source: Diary Excerpts of L. John Nuttall, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Apr 19, 1842
[General] Emma Smith, Sarah Cleveland, and Elizabeth Whitney administer to a Sister Durfee. The following week, she testifies that she has "been healed and thought the sisters had more faith than the brethren."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
75 years ago today - Apr 19, 1937
[Nauvoo Temple] Wilford C. Wood, acting on his own, purchased Lot 1 (northeast quarter) of the Temple Lot for $1,100 and turned it over to the Church some six moths later. During the next few years Bro. Wood also purchased three small parcels making up the southern side of Lot 4 (southeast quarter) for the Church.
[Source: Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
15 years ago today - Apr 19, 1997-21
[General] The commemorative Mormon Trail Wagon Train, which the worldwide public would view as the centerpiece of the sesquicentennial observance of the Mormon Pioneer trek, left from two locations, Council Bluffs, Iowa, on April 19, and Winter Quarters (Omaha), Neb., on April 21. The two contingents would later merge.
[Source: Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
170 years ago today - Apr 18, 1842
[General] A month and a half after the federal Bankruptcy Act becomes effective Joseph Smith and his brothers Hyrum and Samuel declared themselves insolvent before the county commissioner's court on Apr 18, 1842, and filed petitions to be certified bankrupt by the United States District Court for Illinois. Joseph's listed debts totaled $73,066.38, with a U.S. government obligation of $4,866.38 for purchase of a steamboat which had run aground listed first. Concurrently other leading Mormons filed similar petitions, including President Sidney Rigdon, Bishop Vinson Knight, "Judge" Elias Higbee, Reynolds Cahoon, Henry G. Sherwood, John P. Green, Arthur Morrison, George Morey, Jared Carter, Amos Davis, Charles Warner, William P. Lyon, William Niswanger, and John Fullmer. They were joined by at least one prominent gentile businessman of Nauvoo, Hiram Kimball.67
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
80 years ago today - Apr 18, 1932
[David O. McKay Office Journal] 2:30 p.m.--With Joseph Fielding and Stephen L. on the latter's sermon, making modifications before it is published.
[Source: McKay, David O., Office Journal]
100 years ago today - Apr 18, 1912; Thursday
[General] The following is a report of the regular meeting of the First Presidency and the council of Twelve held this morning at 10:30 at the Temple:
There were present: Pres[iden]ts. Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, Charles W. Penrose and Francis M. Lyman, Elders Heber J.
Grant, Hyrum M. Smith, George F. Richards, Orson F. Whitney, David O. McKay, Anthony W. Ivins, Joseph F[ielding]. Smith Jr. and James E. Talmage. ...
Bro[ther]. Talmage spoke at the Jewish Synagogue on Friday evening by request of Rabbi Freund. Had been busy preparing the manuscript of his book on Temples. ...
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
70 years ago today - Apr 17, 1942
[President Heber J. Grant Diary] Came to the office in the afternoon from 3 to 5 o'clock. Had a talk with Brother Widtsoe. I have about made up my mind to try to get him to examine the Segolite property.
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
120 years ago today - Apr 17, 1892
[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 17 Sunday {J Stocking} I went to Fort Harriman to Attend the funeral of the wife of John Stocking. I went in Company with A. M. Cannon. It snowed most of the day. Br Cannon spoke to the Meeting in the forenoon And He and I both spoke at the funeral & returned in the Evening. 40 Mils.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Apr 17, 1847
[General] Brigham Young instructs the pioneer company about to embark on the trek from Winter Quarters to Salt Lake valley, "after we start from here, every man must keep his loaded gun in his hand, or in wagon where he can put his hand on it at a moments warning."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
15 years ago today - Apr 16, 1997
[Same-Sex Marriage] Debbie Hartmann states Hawaii's Future Today (LDS organized lobbying group)s support for Gay family health insurance to legislators and reporters.
[Source: Crapo, Richley, Chronology Of Mormon / LDS Involvement In Same-Sex Marriage Politics http://www.mormonsocialscience.org/?q=node/59]
25 years ago today - Apr 16, 1987
[General] Apostle Boyd K. Packer, native of Brigham City, re-dedicates its tabernacle whose interior has been remodeled in accordance with current LDS chapel usage. Originally dedicated in 1897 Brigham City tabernacle is similar in architecture to Coalville tabernacle, which was demolished amid national controversy.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
130 years ago today - Apr 16, 1882
[General] Journal of Charles L. Walker, p. 39; BYU Library; April 16, 1882.
(St. George). Father Jno L. Lytle gave a very interesting account of his early experiences in the church, his travels with the Prophet Joseph and of his telling them how Father Adam chased the game and outstripped them and caught them, and his knee was never brought to the ground so great was his strength, and also showed the spot where Adam offered up sacrifice in Adam-ondi-Ahman.
[Source: Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthy Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
100 years ago today - Apr 15, 1912
[General] Passenger liner TITANIC sinks with loss of 1500 lives including one Mormon fatality, Irene C. Corbett who is returning to Utah from her midwifery study in London.
[Source: Advent Adam website (defunct) - based on http://amzn.to/originsofpower]
175 years ago today - mid Apr 1837
[General] Oliver Cowdery was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in Kirtland township and Frederick G. Williams was re-elected to the same. Neither man was especially loyal to Joseph Smith at this time.
[Source: Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
120 years ago today - Apr 15, 1892
[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 15 I spent the day in the office. I met with quite a No. of the people.
[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 - Apr 14, 1862
[General] First session of "ghost government" of theocratic State of Deseret, which publicly meets, passes its own laws (duplicates of what same legislators have just done in territorial legislature), holds elections, and functions until 1872. Significant as theocratic symbol but unimportant in practice.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
180 years ago today - Apr 14, 1832
[Brigham Young] Despite earlier exposure to Mormonism, he did not submit to baptism until 14 April 1832 and only then when other members of his immediate family joined. He found Mormonism appealing in its emphasis on Christian primitivism, its millennialistic orientation, authoritarianism, certain Puritan-like beliefs, and the fact that it offered him an avenue to achieve status and recognition through its lay priesthood.
[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: Brigham Young, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/y/YOUNG%2CBRIGHAM.html]
80 years ago today - Apr 14, 1932
[President Heber J. Grant Diary] Bert Judd called and said that he believed if we wanted to do so we could make a case against Jesse B. Stone and the editor of the 'New Era' for libel, and quoted some law to us. I do not know what we will finally decide to do. They are hardly worth noticing but it makes one angry to have liars publishing statements injurious to our banks and claiming the Church is bonded when we have no bonds, and other lies too numerous to mention.
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
150 years ago today - Apr 13, 1862
[Emma Smith] Son Frederick Granger Williams Smith dies.
[Source: Emma Smith, Woman of Faith, http://emmasmithmormon.com]
175 years ago today - (Thr) Apr 13, 1837
[General] Grandison Newell filed a complaint with a Justice of the Peace (apparently with Judge Flint in Painesville) charging Joseph Smith with conspiracy to commit murder. The magistrate issued a writ for Smith's arrest. While such writs were theoretically returnable anywhere in Geauga county, they were usually to into the hands of the township constable for execution. In this case, the writ was effectively rendered returnable in Painesville.
[Source: Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
120 years ago today - Apr 13, 1892
[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] April 13, 1892 We read Correspondent Letters in the forenoon. I met with the savings Bank board and attended to the Business of the same.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Apr 12, 1882
[General] DESERET NEWS editorial comment: "Our readers ought to be able to draw a clear distinction between the advertising and editorial columns of this paper. . . .If a liquor dealer advertises his wares, we do not endorse liquor drinking."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
150 years ago today - Apr 12, 1862
[General] Zera Pulsipher: Dropped from Council of Seventy 12 Apr. 1862
[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]
40 years ago today - Apr 12, 1972
[Spencer W. Kimball] Undergoes open-heart surgery.
[Source: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Spencer W. Kimball, Salt Lake City, Utah]
170 years ago today - Apr 11, 1842
[General] Joseph Smith writes a letter to sixteen-year-old Nancy Rigdon in which he attempts to persuade her to become his secret, plural wife. The letter expounds Joseph's version of situation ethics: "that which is wrong under one circumstance, may be and often is, right under another." Willard Richards delivers the letter to Nancy. The letter makes its way to John C. Bennett who publishes it in the SANGAMO JOURNAL. Smith denies having written the letter but after his death the Church publishes its content in the HISTORY OF THE CHURCH as an "essay" written by Joseph Smith. In succeeding years portions of the letter/essay are often quoted in general conference and in official church publications.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
80 years ago today - Apr 11, 1932
[President Heber J. Grant Diary] Met a number of mission presidents and stake presidents. They were disturbed about Brother Stephen L. Richards' talk.
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
20 years ago today - Apr 11, 1992
[General] Marlize Gomez Lima, the first convert of the Church in Andorra, is baptized.
[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
130 years ago today - Apr 10, 1882
[General] Unsuccessful convention seeking statehood.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
170 years ago today - 10Apr42
[Joseph Smith Sermon] Must Behave with Principles of Godliness
Sin Causes Loss of Knowledge
Salvation Comes from Knowledge
[Source: The Parallel Joseph, http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parallel/]
60 years ago today - Apr 10, 1952
[General] LeGrand Richards is ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, replacing Joseph F. Merrill, who had passed away.
[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
170 years ago today - Apr 9, 1842
[General] the Nauvoo City Council passes an ordinance to license taverns and ordinaries in the town to sell beer but not spirits.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
100 years ago today - Apr 9, 1912; Tuesday
[General] From 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and again from 4 until after 7 p.m., I was engaged with my brethren of the Council of the Twelve in a meeting with the presidents of the missions of the United States. From 2 until 4 I was engaged with five other members of the Council of the Twelve and four of the First Council of the Seventy in a missionary meeting at the Temple, and took part in instructing, blessing, and setting apart missionaries.
[Source: James E. Talmage, Diary]
175 years ago today - Apr 9, 1837
[General] Joseph Smith condemns traitors with wrath of God [per Wilford Woodruff].
[Source: Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"]
100 years ago today - Apr 8, 1912
[General] During a special priesthood meeting President Joseph F. Smith announces that the "One Mighty and Strong to deliver as referred to in the D & C Sec. 85 has no application to the Church at present."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
150 years ago today - Apr 8, 1862
[General] There is nothing that would so soon weaken my hope and discourage me as to see this people in full fellowship with the world, and receive no more persecution from them because they are one with them. In such an event, we might bid farewell to the Holy Priesthood with all its blessings, privileges and aids to exaltations, principalities and powers in the eternities of the Gods.
[Source: Journal of Discourses, Vol.10, p.32, Brigham Young, April 8, 1862]
170 years ago today - Apr 8, 1842
Amasa Mason Lyman: Initiated into Masonry 8 April 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]
175 years ago today - Apr 7, 1837
[General] Wilford Woodruff has an encounter with Satan in the Kirtland Temple: "when the shades of evening began to appear I repaired to the house of the LORD in company with Elders Milton Holmes, & Joseph B Nobles for the purpose of worshiping God. We entered one of the stands within the veils & fell upon our knees & Satan appeared also but not to worship God but to deprive us of the privilege. Satan strove against us with great power by tempting & otherwise[e]. He at one time drove me from my stand while I was striving with my brethren to enter into the visions of heaven."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
120 years ago today - Apr 7, 1892
[Apostle Abraham H. Cannon Journal] at council meeting "'Pres. Woodruff spoke of the spirit which had prompted him to issue the Manifesto, and said it was of God."
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
15 years ago today - Apr 7, 1997
Brigham Young University‘s NewsNet provides first English audio Internet broadcast of Church General Conference. Newsnet adds several languages in 1998 but discontinues the feeds in 2002 after lds.org offers its own audio and video feeds.
[Source: Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
175 years ago today - Apr 6, 1837
[General] Appointment is made of the first general authority born outside of the U.S., John Gould. Born in Canada, he is ordained to the First council of Seventy. At this conference Joseph Smith honorably releases five members of the First Council of Seventy because they had previously been ordained high priests. Brigham Young would later preach that this was the only uninspired decision he ever witnessed Smith perform in the church.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
100 years ago today - Apr 6, 1912; Saturday
At afternoon session the speakers were Elders O[rson]. F. Whitney and D[avid] O McKay. During the proceedings of the meeting I went into the faunt [sic] room with Pres[ident]. [Francis M.] Lyman, Elders H[eber]. J. Grant & H[yrum]. M. Smith where we met Hyrum Smith the Eldest son of the late Patriarch John Smith and told him that we had selected his oldest Son Hyrum Gibbs Smith to be the presiding patriarch of the Church.
The father was greatly disappointed as he had expected to receive the appointment. A great reproof for wrongdoing. After the interview and in this meeting the General Authorities were sustained including Hyrum G. Smith for Presiding Patriarch.
[Source: George F. Richards, Diary]
60 years ago today - Apr 6, 1952
[General] LeGrand Richards is ordained to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.
[Source: Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)]
100 years ago today - Apr 5, 1912; Friday
[General] Annual Conference of the Church. During the services a telegram was handed to me from Senator [Reed] Smoot to Pres[ident]. [Joseph F.] Smith, saying the Gov[ernmen]t. were willing to furnish arms to our Colonists in Mexico but greatly feared the result of an attempt to smuggle in to the Colonies arms and ammunition under the existing Circumstances. I am in entire accord with the view taken by Bro[ther]. Smoot.
[Source: Anthony W. Ivins, Diary]
60 years ago today - Apr 5, 1952
[General] The Church began carrying the priesthood session of general conference by direct telephone wire to buildings beyond Temple Square.
[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]
80 years ago today - Apr 5, 1932
[President Heber J. Grant Diary] Brother Lorenzo Elggren called and made an appeal to me, as he is representing a big candy company, that in my conference talk I do not discriminate against the candy people. He told how many carloads of beet sugar they bought for candy, and that McDonalds and Sweets use a lot of cane sugar, that the company he represents is four or five times as big as both of them and has never bought anything but beet sugar, thus sustaining home industry. I told him I would forget to make a strong appeal for home manufacturing, although I said, 'You know, Brother Elggren, it would really be better for the people if you could not sell any candy here, because it would furnish that much more employment.'
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
20 years ago today - Apr 4, 1992
[General] Apostle Richard G Scott tells general conference that LDS women should avoid "morbid probing into details of past acts, long buried and mercifully forgotten," and that "the Lord may prompt a victim to recognize a degree of responsibility for abuse." Among his concluding remarks: "Remember, false accusation is also a sin," and 'bury the past." Unspoken background to his remarks is that in recent years current stake presidents and temple workers have been accused of child abuse by their now adult children. SALT LAKE TRIBUNE reports that suicide prevention lines are swamped with telephone calls by women in days after Scott's remarks.
[Source: Advent Adam website (defunct) - based on http://amzn.to/originsofpower]
120 years ago today - Apr 4, 1892
[General] A resolution is presented to general conference and passes unanimously to create "an institution of learning of high grade, to be officially named, 'The University of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints,' but to be commonly called and designated the 'Church University.'"
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
175 years ago today - Apr 4, 1837-6
[Wilford Woodruff] Ritually washed and anointed in Kirtland
[Source: Kenny, Scott (editor), Wilford Woodruff's Journals 1833-1898, Chronology Signature Books, Midvale, Utah, http://bit.ly/wwjournal]
15 years ago today - Apr 3, 1997
[Same-Sex Marriage] It is reported by the media that Jack Hoag and Debbie Hartmann have been telling legislators that they will implicitly accept domestic partnership legislation in order to prevent same-sex marriage from becoming legal.
[Source: Crapo, Richley, Chronology Of Mormon / LDS Involvement In Same-Sex Marriage Politics http://www.mormonsocialscience.org/?q=node/59]
175 years ago today - Apr 3, 1837
[General] Wilford Woodruff describes his washing and anointing in the Kirtland Temple: "I repaired to a room in Company with Elder Meeks & Priest J Turpin to attend to our first washing. After washing our bodies from head to foot in soap & watter we then washed ourselves in clear watter next in perfumed spirits."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
180 years ago today - Apr 3, 1832
Wellsville, Ohio. Joseph Smith traveled from Wellsville to Steubenville, Ohio.
[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
80 years ago today - Apr 2,1932
[Utah] Heber J. Grant launches campaign against use of tobacco as part of his emphasis on observing Word of Wisdom by total abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, tea and coffee. Previously, Section 89 was not regarded as a commandment nor was it interpreted as simply abstaining from four specific substances.
[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 - Apr 2, 1892
[General] At a meeting of the Twelve Apostles they discuss whether or not to continue to cohabit with their plural wives. Heber J. Grant records that Apostle John Henry Smith said that "cohabitation was all right. The Lord had revealed to him that plural marriage was true and he did not want to throw off any of his responsibilities. He felt the brethren should take their wives out of Utah so that they would not be liable to the law in case they lived with them." Grant also writes, " [Quorum] Pres[iden]t Lorenzo Snow had nothing to day about the brethren living with their wives."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
100 years ago today - Apr 2, 1912; Tuesday
[General] [Francis M. Lyman speaking:] In concluding his remarks he said that according to instruction received from the First Presidency, he and brother [George F.] Richards had called on the sons of the Patriarch John Smith and had conversed with them, but could not discover one they could consistently and conscientiously recommend as Presiding Patriarch to fill the vacancy caused by the death of their father. There was, however, a grandson of the late Patriarch, who is the oldest son of the oldest son of John Smith whom they had found to be clean and faithful. This was Hyrum Gibbs Smith, who is now presiding over the branch of the Church in Los Angeles [California], and he they could recommend.
[Source: Excerpt from the Minutes of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles]
170 years ago today - Apr 1, 1842
[General] In his article "Try the Spirits" (Times and Seasons, Friday April 1, 1842 p. 745), Joseph Smith quotes from Buck's Theological Dictionary (1825): "after a catachumen was dead they hid a living man under the bed of the deceased; then coming to the dead man they asked him whether he would receive baptism; and he making no answer, the other answered for him, and said that he would be baptized in his stead; and so they baptized the living for the dead."
[Source: Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]
120 years ago today - Apr 1, 1892
[General] The Twelve Apostles meet and discuss whether or not the Manifesto forbids "unlawful cohabitation" with plural wives taken before the Manifesto. They decide that it shouldn't even though President Wilford Woodruff and Lorenzo Snow had testified under oath that it does. They vote to send a telegram to the U.S. President asking for amnesty for polygamists.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
100 years ago today - Apr 1, 1912; Monday
[General] Wrote to President Joseph F. Smith,
presenting to him or to the Church a number of Nauvoo [Illinois] relics, for many years heirlooms in the Whitney family. Among them was a lock of the Prophet Joseph [Smith]'s hair, a chip spotted with his blood, a revelation to N[ewel]. K. Whitney, and a blessing upon his daughter, Sarah Ann, both by the Prophet Joseph.
[Source: Orson F. Whitney, Diary]