105 years ago today - May 31, 1907

[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] he departs SLC for Palmyra, New York, to investigate the possibility of purchasing the Hill Cumorah

[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]

185 years ago today - May 31, 1827

[General] Lemuel Durfee, landlord to the Smith family, writes in his account book: "Joseph [Sr.] and Hiram Smith Dr [debit] to three barrels of Cider at 9/ per barrel May the Last 1827 [9 shillings per barrel]"

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

90 years ago today - May 31, 1922

Was in conference with the [First] Presidency for some time on Temple matters. Completed the rules and decisions for guidance of Temple Presidents and some changes in the ordinances. This is the fruition of a labor of months as I was able to devote myself to it. This is one of the accomplishments of my administration as Temple President of which I am greatly thankful and pleased. These rules and decisions have been gleaned from a number of books, manuscripts, and loose sheets[,] and obsolete rulings have been eliminated and new rulings have been made & approved by the First Presidency. Copies of these decisions will be made and every Temple President will be supplied with a copy. The ordinances are all being rewritten and a copy will be furnished each temple. This should be the means of getting uniformity in all the temples. [George F. Richards diary, May 31, 1922]

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

170 years ago today - May 30, 1842

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 30th I was Baptized under the hands of G. A. Smith for my Great Grand father Thompson & my Great Grand Mother Thompson Also for My Grand Father Lot Thompson & my Grand Mother Anna Thompsons.

I Baptized Phebe W Woodruff for her uncle John Fabyan Aunt Sally Fabyan Uncle George Fabyan Uncle Joseph Fabyan. I also Baptized Br John Benbow for six of his dead kindred Also Sister Jane Benbow for six of her dead friends.

[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 - May 30, 1862

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 30 My Mules Head was badly swollen this morning. I baithod it in a strong decotion of wild sage & drenched the animal with sweet milk. I left him and drove home to the City. 24 miles.

[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 - May 30, 1862

[Morrisites] Morris received additional revelations indicating that Christ would come and deliver his followers just a few days after a spectacular pageant called "The Foreshadowing of the Kingdom of God Day," which was scheduled for 30 May 1862. Therefore Joseph Morris saw the appearance of the army in the middle of June as a certain sign that the time of the Second Coming was imminent.

[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: Morrisites, http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/m/MORRISITES.html]

155 years ago today - May 30, 1857

[Brigham Young Letter] Bro. Geo. Taylor & others, New York, -- To us, it appears, as if the powers of darkness -- "All Hell" and their accomplices among men have just begun again to wake up out of their dreamy sleep about the Mormons. about the time that we set about examining ourselves, and awaking to a sense of our obligations to our God, Covenants & one another -- making arrangements for progressing with another Temple or House of God, and they have razed increasingly over since, yes till they boil over. what of it? Good will no doubt result. ...

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

100 years ago today - May 30, 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:...

Brother Richards said that since writing his last letter reporting his attendance at conference, &c., in the Central States Mission, he attended conference at St. Joseph, Missouri, a week ago last Saturday and Sunday. Last Saturday and Sunday he attended missionary conference at St. Louis [Missouri]. He visited Richmond cemetery, also Liberty, Far West, Haun's Mill and Adam-ondi-Ahman [Missouri]. Referring to Haun's Mill, Bro[ther]. Richards said all the landmarks are about obliterated. He met there an old lady named McClellan, about eight years of age, who remembered distinctly when the well (in which the bodies of our people massacred there were buried, which is now filled up and covered over) was open. She also remembers a woman who used to visit the place annually who said she had a son buried there. The place was pointed out by Mrs. McClellan where the well was supposed to have been located. Nothing is left to show where the blacksmith's shop where nineteen of our people were shot, was located. Brother Richards thought it would be a good thing for the Church to secure a portion of that land, covering the blacksmith shop and the well and erect there some kind of mason work on which to erect at some time in the future a monument. He thought this ought to be done before all trace of the historic landmarks vanish. ...

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

175 years ago today - May 29, 1837

[General] Apostles Orson Pratt and Lyman E. Johnson accuse Joseph Smith of lying, financial fraud, and extortion. The Kirtland High council receives formal accusations against counselors Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams, apostles Parley P. Pratt and Lyman E. Johnson, Smith's private secretary Warren Parrish and BOOK OF MORMON witness David Whitmer. The accused challenge the authority of the council to try them and charge bias. The council "then dispersed in confusion." This is the beginning of an apostasy which would overwhelm church headquarters and causes its abandonment by Joseph Smith seven months later.

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

5 years ago today - May 29, 2007

At the 177th Annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held on 31st March, 2007 Sister Julie Bangerter Beck was released as a counsellor in the Young Women general presidency and sustained as the new general president of the Relief Society.

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

180 years ago today - May 29, 1832

Edward Partridge: Dedicated office of Evening and Morning Star 29 May 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]

5 years ago today - Late May 2007

[Joseph Smith Papers project] Family and Church History Department employees deliver papers in a Mormon History Association conference session entitled "The Joseph Smith Papers: Dealing with Joseph Smith Documents." The papers:

"Document Collection and Organization in an Electronic Control File"

Sharalyn Howcroft, Family and Church History Department, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

"Utilizing Technology"

Jeffrey G. Cannon, Family and Church History Department, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

"Document Selection and Transcription Methods"

Robin Scott Jensen, Family and Church History Department, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

"Editing and Contextualizing Documents"

Kay Darowski, Family and Church History Department, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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

170 years ago today - May 28, 1842

[Joseph Smith] An anonymous contributor to The Wasp, a pro-Mormon newspaper in Nauvoo, writes that, "Boggs is undoubtedly killed according to report; but who did the noble deed remains to be found out."

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

70 years ago today - May 28, 1942

[General] In Germany seventeen-year-old Helmuth Huebener is charged with conspiracy to commit high treason and is sentenced to death. His crime consisted of printing anti-Nazi pamphlets. Since he printed many of them on the local branch mimeograph machine he was also excommunicated by his branch president. He was beheaded on Oct 27. The First Presidency later overturned the excommunication.

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

170 years ago today - May 27, 1842

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith stayed at home and took medicine for a bilious attack.

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

175 years ago today - May 27, 1837

[Lucy Mack Smith] Parley P. Pratt, greatly disillusioned by economic problems, writes a harshly critical letter to Joseph Smith for which he later apologizes.

[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]

25 years ago today - May 27, 1987

[Mark Hofmann] Interviews conducted with Hofmann in prison.

[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,]

140 years ago today - May 26, 1872

[General] Brigham Young preaches: "Do you want wealth? If you do, do not be in a hurry. Do you want the riches pertaining to this world? Yes, we acknowledge we do. Then, be calm, contented, composed; keep your pulses correct, do not let them get up to a hundred and twenty, but keep them as nigh as you can, ranging from seventy to seventy-six, . . ."

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

120 years ago today - May 26, 1892

[General] Journal of Abraham H. Cannon, Vol 16:119; May 26, 1892.

At two o'clock I was at my Quorum meeting where were present all the Presidency and myself, as also Bro. Lyman; Geo. Gibbs, clerk. Bro. Jos. F. Smith was mouth in prayer. Thereafter some conversation followed as to whether Adam is our God or not. There are some in the Church who do not accept of the statement of Pres. Young that such is the case, but to me it seems reasonable to think that Adam has at least much to do with our present condition, and will control greatly our future destiny.

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

170 years ago today - May 26, 1842

[General] John C Bennett: Joseph Smith Jr. prevented Nauvoo Lodge from expelling John C Bennett 26 May 1842

[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]

50 years ago today - May 25, 1962

[General] Boyd K. Packer is first to earn regular doctorate while serving as general authority. He receives Ed.D. degree from Brigham Young University. Other general authorities with Ed.D. degree are Carlos E. Asay (appointed in 1976), Joe J. Christensen (1989), L. Lionel Kendrick (1989), John M. Madsen (1992), L. Edward Brown (1996), William Rolfe Kerr (1996).

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

170 years ago today - May 25, 1842 - 4 February 1843

[1st Presidency Changes] Joseph Smith, Jr. Hyrum Smith (Assistant President) Sidney Rigdon (never ordained an apostle) William Law (never ordained an apostle) John Smith (never ordained an apostle, Assistant Counselor) John C. Bennett (never ordained an apostle) disfellowshipped

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

120 years ago today - May 25, 1892

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] Pres[iden]t GQ Cannon received telegram from Judge Este the would arrive in Ogden tomorrow am. enroute East & brother Cannon came up spent the night at Frank J. to meet Mr Este.

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

115 years ago today - May 24, 1897; Monday

[General] [In Mancos, Colorado:] This morning the Primaries met and Jane & I and Br[other] [Charles W.] Penrose spoke pointedly but short. The Spirit signified that some present would see the Coming of our Savior in the flesh. I stated it as a Prophecy.

[Source: Franklin D. Richards, Diary]

170 years ago today - May 24-25, 1842

[General] - Three women testify that Assistant President John C. Bennett and Apostle William Smith taught them that Joseph Smith approved of "spiritual wifery" where in several men have sexual relations with the same woman.

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

165 years ago today - May 24, 1847

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 24th It was A Cold morning. Yesterday morning the Thermometer stood at 52°, At noon 82, & this morning 38 accompanied with north wind. We travled 10 miles & nooned.

I dreamed this morning that some Indians came into camp in a friendly manner & stole 6 Horses before our eyes & rode off. We gave them chase on horsback & I awoke.

As soon as we camped this noon two Indians came to the Camp. They were Sioux. They were well dressed & clean. We gave them some dinner & showed them An Indian dog that had followed us several days but the dog would not follow them. They soon left the camp.

Chimney rock still grows plainer to our view. We drove in the Afternoon 6 1/2 miles & camped near the quick sand mountain that run in a ridge from the river back. This Apparently had been heaped up by the wind.

I rode About two miles forward to find grass And A Camping place And on my return I saw about 30 Sioux Indians Plunge their Horses Into the River on the opposite side & make towards us. I rode with several others to the river & met them as they came out. They shook hands with us, vary friendly. The Chief unfurled A large American Flag with the Eagle stars & strips & presented me A Letter. It was written in french. We however made it out. They were all well dressed. The Chief was dressed in A military Coat. The Brethren from Camp brought A white flag & stuck down by the side of theirs. They wanted to go into Camp. We proposed for 5 of them to go & the rest to remain in Camp but they all wiched to come so we let them. We gave them supper. They remained about camp all night, but were good & stole nothing. Distance of the day 16 1/2 m.

[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 - May 23, 1837

[General] Apostle Parley P. Pratt writes an angry letter to Joseph Smith saying that Smith has wronged him in turning his personal notes for debt over to a bank. Pratt says Smith was "taking advantage of your brother by undue religious influence" and "the whole scheme of speculation in which we have been engaged, is of the devil." He insists it had given rise to "lying, deceiving, and taking advantage of one's neighbor" and that Smith and Rigdon "have been the principle means in leading this people astray . . . by false prophesying and preaching." Pratt threatens to bring church charges against Smith, but six days later it is his brother, Apostle Orson Pratt, and Apostle Lyman Johnson who bring charges before a bishop's court condemning Joseph Smith for "lying and misrepresentation-also for extortion-and for speaking disrespectfully against his brethren behind their backs."

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

175 years ago today - May 23, 1837

[Wilford Woodruff Journal] 23rd Spent several of the Last weeks in labouring with my hands for Elder Joseph Young. Spent the fore part of this day in attending a Patriarchal meeting. I wrote a Patriarchal Blessing for Brother Henry Harmon.

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

45 years ago today - May 23, 1967

President [N. Eldon] Tanner mentioned that some of the Temple Presidents have served nine or ten years and others a briefer period of time. He was wondering if it would be well to have a policy indicating a specified period of time that a Temple President should serve. He thought that if this were done it would be easier to release them than otherwise. I said that I do not feel there should be any limitation set on a Temple President's term of service. President Tanner inquired if I would agree with him that it might be a good thing to review the list of Temple Presidents from time to time to ascertain just how long they have served. I said that this is a good idea, and Brother [Joseph] Anderson was asked to prepare a list for our consideration. [David O. McKay diary, May 23, 1967; emphasis in original]

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

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

130 years ago today - May 22, 1882

[Temple] ... Mrs Elizabeth Gilbert, (who is in her Eighty-second year) is here for the purpose of obtaining her Second Anointing, together with her husband, Algernon Sidney Gilbert, who Died when Zion's Camp went up to Missouri * My Brother Henry Rollins, Stands as Proxy for her husband * his uncle. I also wish to know if the sealing of My Mother to Mr. John M. Burk, in Nauvoo can be changed. As she did not wish to be Sealed to him * But Brother Young told her to let it be so for the present, and it could be changed afterward, (or words to that effect). Must her sealing remain as it was in Nauvoo? Or [can] she be sealed to Joseph * For that is our Desire[.] Henry desires to be adopted into Josephs Kingdom[.] [Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner (plural wife of Joseph Smith) and James Rollins to John Taylor, May 22, 1882]

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

170 years ago today - May 22, 1842

[Joseph Smith] Joseph publishes an article in the Wasp, addressed to the editor of the Quincy Whig, refuting the claim that Joseph had prophesied Bogg's death by violent means the previous year.

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

10 years ago today - May 22, 2002

[General] The first missionary training center in Africa opened its doors in Tema, Ghana, the 16th missionary training center throughout the world.

[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]

5 years ago today - May 21, 2007

[General] Reverend Al Sharpton broadcasts his radio program from the Bonneville International studio at the Triad Center in Salt Lake City. Sharpton toured Church locations after apologizing for remarks about Mormons he made at a debate.

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

160 years ago today - May 21, 1852

[General] Joseph F. Smith is baptized in City Creek in Salt Lake City, the first of four future Presidents of the Church to be baptized in the same location. (He is thirteen years old.)

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

180 years ago today - 1832 May [21]

[General] Near Greenville, Indiana--a dozen miles from the Ohio river--the stagecoach horses bolt and start to run away. Joseph and Newel jump. Newel but gets a foot caught in a wheel,breaking his leg and foot. Sidney remains in the coach and continues on to Kirtland, where his nine-year-old daughter, Nancy, is seriously ill. Joseph remains with Newel while he recovers.

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

170 years ago today - May 20, 1842

[General] Catherine Fuller Warren, responds to charges by the Nauvoo High Council of "unchaste and unvirtuous conduct with [Assistant President] John C. Bennett." She admits to them and also confesses to intercourse with others, including Joseph Smith's younger brother, Apostle William Smith. She explains that the men had "taught the doctrine that it was right to have free intercourse with women and that the heads of the church also taught and practiced it which things caused her to be led away thinking it to be right." Bennett is excommunicated but charges against William Smith are withdrawn by Brigham Young after Joseph Smith complains, "I will not listen to this abuse of my family a minute longer. I will wade in blood up to my knees before I will do it."

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

20 years ago today - May 20, 1992.

[General] Phi Beta Kappa, the national honor society for arts and sciences, rejects BYU's application for a chapter. Phi Beta Kappa's reasons for refusing the chapter application are that the "dogmatic religious assertion[s]" in its mission statements "preclud[e] other possibilities" and hence oppose Phi Beta Kappa's promotion of "a liberal arts education which . . . foster[s] free inquiry." The reason for the decision is not religion per se: Notre Dame, a Catholic-sponsored university, has a Phi Beta Kappa chapter.

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

10 years ago today - 2002 20-May

[Hinckley] With President James E. Faust, met with Patrick Manning, prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago

[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]

170 years ago today - May 19, 1842

[General] Joseph Smith becomes Nauvoo's mayor. His Nauvoo "Lifeguards" are headed by former Danite Albert P. Rockwood and include Danites Hosea Stout and Orrin Porter Rockwell. At the City Council meeting during the balloting for Mayor, Joseph Smith jots down and then "threw across the room" a revelation to Hiram Kimball which declares that "Verily thus saith the Lord-Hiram Kimball has been insinuating evil, and forming evil opinions against you, with others; and if he continue in them, he and they will be accursed, for I am the Lord thy God, and will stand by thee and bless thee. Amen." Joseph had recently proposed plural marriage to Hiram Kimball's wife Sarah M. Kimball and had been rebuffed by her.

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

120 years ago today - May 19, 1892

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] The Salt Lake Herald of this morning contains an eloquent & forcible address by Moses Thatcher before the Democratic Convention on the 14 th inst at Ogden.

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

10 years ago today - May 19, 2002

[Hinckley] Dedicated Asunción Paraguay 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]

115 years ago today - May 18, 1897

[Apostle Brigham Young Jr. Diary] Met Pres[ident] Woodruff & wife out in a carriage he was out to get the air. He said "yesterday I had a laps. lost myself did not know where I was or know anything or anybody. It lasted about one hour." He looks feverish today, He said to me "I am glad to see you out we want you to get well no more dying we have lost enough of our help and you must live. God bless you." I blessed him and we parted. [May 25, 1897: [["Visited Pres[ident] Woodruff who remains feeble, he did not want to ride out for a short distance even. He wanders in his mind Can't collect his senses after he wakes from sleep. He desires to go up canon— city creek— tomorrow & have a pick nick. It is likely we can get him liberty to fish in the creek tho[ugh] it is high." Same page describes the picnic, 26 May. "Pres[ident] woodruff rested upon his cot and seemed to enjoy life."]]

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

150 years ago today - May 18, 1862

[Plains] Gilbert and Gerrish Freight Train begins crossing plains

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

70 years ago today - May 18, 1942

[General] Marlin K. Jensen, later a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, is born in Ogden, Utah.

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

170 years ago today - May 17, 1842

John C. Bennett resigns as Mayor of Nauvoo. Joseph Smith writes to Church Recorder James Sloan, "You will be so good as to permit Bennett to withdraw his name from the Church record, if he desires to do so, and this with the best of feelings towards you and General Bennett" Two days later Joseph Smith is elected Mayor by the Nauvoo City Council. His first official act is to ask for the establishment of a "night watch etc." for "counteracting the designs of our enemies, . . . whereupon the council resolved that the mayor be authorized to establish a night watch, and control the same." At that time Joseph asks Bennett if he had anything against him. Bennett responds: "I know what I am about, and the heads of the Church know what they are about, I expect. I have no difficulty with the heads of the Church. I publicly avow that any one who has said that I have stated that General Smith has given me authority to hold illicit intercourse with women is a liar in the face of God"

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

55 years ago today - Fri May 17, 1957

[David O. McKay Office Journal] 8:30 a.m. This morning my counselors--Presidents Richards and Clark--viewed the M.I.A. film "How Near to the Angels" which was shown in the Church Office Projection Room. We decided that the film is very excellent, but it was my judgment that it would be better not to use it for showing in the Missions of the Church as it will only intensify the problem that our young girls are now facing with relation to meeting young men who are worthy of taking them to the Temple. There is a question in our minds whether it is best for them to go through life unmarried rather than marry outside of the Church as we feel there are many good men in the world that they could marry with the possibility that they may bring them into the Church later.

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

165 years ago today - May 17, 1847

[Brigham Young Sermon] President Young reproved sharply the hunters for killing more game than was necessary, for detaining the camp, and because of their indifference in helping to pick out the road. He said there were but two men who had manifested any interest in helping to get the pioneers along. Afterward the horsemen went forward to pick out the road instead of hunting, and I did not hear a gun fired during the day. [Platte River - Wilford Woodruff Journal; WW 285-286]

[Source: Elden J. Watson, ed. Brigham Young Addresses, 1801-1877: A Chronological Compilation of Known Addresses of the Prophet Brigham Young, 6 vols. (Salt Lake City: Privately published, 1971)]

165 years ago today - May 16, 1847. Sunday.

[William Clayton Journal] ...About noon today Brother Appleton Harmon completed the machinery on the wagon called a 'roadometer' by adding a wheel to revolve once in ten miles, showing each mile and also each quarter mile we travel, and then casing the whole over so as to secure it from the weather. We are now prepared to tell accurately the distance we travel from day to day, which will supercede the idea of guessing, and be a satisfaction not only to this Camp, but to all who hereafter travel this way. I have prepared another board to put up here, on which the distance from winter quarters is marked at 356 3/4 miles. I have also wrote on it that the last 70 miles are measured, and we shall continue to measure and put up guide posts as often as circumstances will permit through the journey. . . .

After supper Elder Whipple made me a present of half a candle made from buffalo tallow by the light of which I continue this journal. Although as may be expected the buffalo are generally poorer at this season of the year yet Brother Whipple has obtained sufficient to make 2 candles from his portion of meat received yesterday morning. The candle burns very clear and pleasant. The tallow smells sweet and rich. I imagine it has a more pleasant smell than the tallow of domestic cattle.

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

20 years ago today - May 16, 1992

[General] DESERET NEWS reports that students at Ricks College, second largest LDS school, elected twin sisters, Kris and Kim Shelley, as president and vice-president of students. First female president there since World War II, during shortage of male students.

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

129 years ago today - Wednesday, May 16, 1883

[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] Liverpool

The Steamer Nevada left this city today with 217 British 184 Swiss & German & 12 Scandinavian and 14 returning Elders, 7 from England, 3 from Germany, and 4 from Scandinavia. Ben E. Rich was in charge of the party.

The Saints were singing Babylon Oh Babylon we bid thee farewell.

[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]

175 years ago today - mid May 1837

[General] Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon were unable to continue the operation of the Church's printing business due to overwhelming personal debts. They sold the printing office, press and bindery equipment to William Marks. This effectively ended the old "Literary Firm."

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

170 years ago - May 15, 1842

170 years ago - May 15, 1842

15 Sunday I attended meeting at the grove. Elders L. Wight & B Young spoke in the fore part of the day & I addressed the congregation in the afternoon the first time I had spoken to the assembly at large for more than two years. After meeting I went + 2.

Vengance is mine. I will repay saith The Lord.

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

95 years ago today - May 15, 1917

[General] Closing date to enter the Presiding Bishopric's contest: "With a view of stimulating the production of foodstuffs which may be badly needed in these war times,.the Trustee-in-Trust offers to any ward quorum of the priesthood, or any ward Relief Society, Young Men's or Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association, Sunday School, Primary Association or Religion Class, for the best yield from one acre of potatoes, $1,000; for the second best, $500; third best, $250; and for the best yield from five acres of spring wheat, $1,000; for second best, $500; third best, $250."

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

170 years ago today - May 14, 1842

[Polygamy] Joseph Smith encourages the Nauvoo City Council to "suppress houses and acts of infamy in the city.

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

120 years ago today - May 14, 1892

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] Delegate Moses Thatcher made a speech which attracted attention very wide spread.

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

40 years ago today - May 14, 1972

[General] The Tahiti Stake, the first stake in Tahiti, is organized, with Raituia Tehina Tapu as president.

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

20 years ago today - May 13, 1992

[General] Apostle Dallin H. Oaks testifies before U.S. House Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights in support of proposed Religious Freedom Restoration Act. This is designed to overturn U.S. Supreme Court's 1990 decision which invoked REYNOLDS VS THE UNITED STATES to prohibit use of peyote as religious sacrament by Native American Indians. Oaks makes similar appearance on Sept. 26 before Judiciary Committee of U. S. Senate. LDS church joins such diverse religious organizations as Church of Scientology in promoting this bill for which First Presidency publicly thanks Congress at its passage on Oct. 27, 1993. President Bill Clinton signs it into law on Nov. 18.

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

40 years ago today - May 13,1972

[Utah] May Presidency letter that "fluoridation of public water supplies to prevent tooth decay" is one of the "non-moral issues" that Mormons should vote on "according to their honest convictions." John Birch Society, which Apostle Ezra Taft Benson and many other Mormons support, is condemning fluoridation as a Communist "plot."

[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]

170 years ago today - May 13, 1842

[General] Joseph Smith writes to a creditor: "you will probably be apprised of the failure of myself and brethren to execute our designs in paying off our contracts, or in other words, that we have been compelled to pay our debts by the most popular method; that is by petitioning for the privilege of general bankruptcy, a principle so popular at the present-throughout the United States."

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

150 years ago today - May 12, 1862

[General] Brigham Young "rode out. In the Evening he shewed the Brethren in the Office the new set of teeth Sec. Frank Fuller had made him. they were a good set and fitted exceedingly well and gave the President much satisfaction."

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

170 years ago today - May 12, 1842

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith attended an overflowing meeting of the Relief Society.

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

100 years ago today - May 12, 1912

[General] The Church Board of Education approves the establishment of the first seminary, which is to be built near Granite High School in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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

170 years ago today - May 11, 1842

[General] Church leaders announce that John C. Bennett will be disfellowshipped. Orson Pratt refuses to sign the announcement. Pratt's wife Sarah had accused Joseph Smith of trying to seduce her. Joseph had accused John C. Bennett of being the one involved with Sarah Pratt.

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

120 years ago today - May 11, 1892

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 11 A rainey Morning. I met with Brother Box from Brigham City who Complained of Being turned out of the Sabbath school as a teacher because He expressed his opinion upon bonding the City on the water works. I had a Meeting with a Number of persons.

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

115 years ago today - May 11, 1897; Tuesday

[General] Pres[ident] Jos[eph] F. S[mith]. & F[rancis]. M. Lyman called and administered to me; had a pleasant chat with them. Bro[ther] Jos[eph] is recovering from a dangerous carbuncle on back of his neck. The brethren feel well discussed arrangement before High Council of Bro[ther] Moses Thatcher Presidency & Twelve are agreed.

[Source: Brigham Young Jr., Diary]

175 years ago today - (Wed) May 10, 1837

[General] Major banks in New York City suspended the payment of specie for bank notes, initiating a period of "hard times" and "hard currency" in the USA.

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

170 years ago today - May 10, 1842

[Joseph Smith] An unknown delegation of Saints in Washington, D. C., presents a petition to the House Judiciary Committee, setting forth grievances about the Missouri persecutions.

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

120 years ago today - May 10, 1892

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 10 We left Brother M Thatchers at 6.30 took Cars at 6.55 & Reached Salt Lake City at 10.50 & found all well. I spent the day in the office and on my return to the farm [found] both Emma & the hired girl Josephine both sick abed. Distance of the day 100 Miles.

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

180 years ago today - May 9, 1832

[Joseph Smith] Church members in various branches condemn the vision of three heavenly degrees as devilish because of its universalist rejection of heaven and hell. Brigham Young (hereafter Young) is among those who initially doubt the vision. Missionaries in the U.S. excommunicate these disbelievers for the next two years. This occurs again in England (1837-39) when new converts learn of the "Three Degrees of Glory" doctrine, later published by the LDS church as Doctrine and Covenants, section 76.

[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]

70 years ago today - May 09, 1942

[U.S. Religious History] John Ashcroft, Attorney General of the United States, was born.

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

175 years ago today - May 9, 1837

Parley Parker Pratt: Married Mary Ann Frost 9 May 1837. Four children: Nathan, Olivia, Susan, and Moroni.

[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]

15 years ago today - May 8, 1997-17

[General] President Hinckley toured the South Pacific nations of New Zealand and Australia, speaking 15 times in seven cities to a total of more than 55,000 members.

[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 - May 8, 1842

John Edward Page: Resided in Pittsburgh 8 May 1842-8 June 1843.

[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]

70 years ago today - May 8, 1942

[President Heber J. Grant Diary] I had a long visit with Frank Evans. We discussed the time when I was offered the nomination by the Legislature to be the Governor Utah, which honor I declined. I had explained to him my refusal to run and he had asked my advice as to whether he ought to run for the Senate when the Democrats were in control. I did not give him any actual advice, but I told him what I had done in my own case, and he followed my example and refused to accept the nomination. Afterwards the Democrats won and he would not have been elected if he had been nominated. He was glad he did not make the effort.

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

150 years ago today - May 7, 1862

[General] Frank Fuller, a dentist, brings samples of false teeth to Brigham Young's office. He agrees to make a set for President Young for about $100. President Young observes that dentistry is "an unpleasant business on account of the bad breaths of many persons."

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

180 years ago today - May 7, 1832

Charles Coulson Rich: Left Pleasant Grove, Tazewell County, Illinois, 7 May 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]

70 years ago today - May 07, 1942

[General] Alan Ashton, later a philanthropist, businessman, cofounder of WordPerfect Corporation, and one of the four hundred richest people in America (according to Forbes Magazine), is born in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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

180 years ago today - May 6, 1832

[General] Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and Newel K. Whitney leave Independence, Missouri by stage for Kirtland. En route the horses become frightened and a runaway occurs. The agile prophet jumps from the coach; Whitney tries to follow suit but becomes entangled in a wheel, seriously mangling his leg and foot. Rigdon, who remains inside, is unharmed. The party is delayed 4 weeks while they wait for Whitney's broken leg to mend.

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

170 years ago today - May 6, 1842

[General] Orrin Porter Rockwell (Joseph Smith's body guard) reportedly shoots and wounds former Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs at his house, through the window. John Whitmer says it was well known that Joseph Smith hired Rockwell to kill Boggs and that Rockwell was a member of the Gadianton band.

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

120 years ago today - May 6, 1892

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] Had a chat with Moses Thatcher regarding Bullion Beck & Champion mine. Moses agreed to give our bank all of the business of the Bullion B&C Mining Co. I would be willing to have the firm of Cannon Grant & Co. Changed to Cannon Thatcher & Co. And I can't help regretting that Moses is not with us in our firm.

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

80 years ago today - May 5,1932

[Utah] Apostle Stephen L. Richards tells First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve that he will resign as apostle rather than apologize for his general conference talk which says church is putting too much emphasis on Word of Wisdom. He later confesses his error to Heber J. Grant on 26 may and retains his position.

[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]

170 years ago today - May 5, 1842

[General] At a British Mission conference in Manchester, Lorenzo Snow sings a hymn "beautifully in tongues." In Nauvoo Joseph and then Hyrum Smith receive their anointing and endowment in the upper room of his store from the men who were anointed and endowed the day before.

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

180 years ago today - May 05, 1832

[General] Hubert Howe Bancroft, later a historian and author of one of the first histories of the Church written by a sympathetic non-Mormon, is born in Granville, Ohio.

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

175 years ago today - May 4, 1837

[Brigham Young Journal] the 4th 1837 L Richards Jings 4.16

[Source: Brigham Young Journal (1801-1877) Journal #2 July, 1837- Mar. 1845]

170 years ago today - May 4, 1842

[Brigham Young] May 4.-- I met with Joseph, Hyrum, Heber, Willard, Bishops Whitney and Miller, and General James Adams, in Joseph's private office, where Joseph taught the ancient order of things for the first time in these last days, and received my washings, anointings and endowments.

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

20 years ago today - May 04, 1992

[General] Elder H. Von Packard, a regional representative, receives a call to serve as president of the Los Angeles Temple (later the Los Angeles California Temple). At the time of his call, his brother, Floyd L. Packard, was serving as the first president of the San Diego California Temple, making them the first brothers to serve simultaneously as temple presidents.

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

60 years ago today - May 3, 1952

[General] David O. McKay dedicated first monument to martyred LDS missionary, Joseph Standing.

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

80 years ago today - May 3, 1932

[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] "Met with brethren in temple Primary and Emily & Vilate Raile discussed. My nerves very much unstrung."

[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]

120 years ago today - May 3, 1892

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 3 I spent the day in the office. I wrote to Sarah. I met in the Evening with quite a Company of Saints at Brother Horns in honor of Sister Bathsheba Smith Birthday she Being 70 years of Age. Many Spoke & bore Testimony. We Blessed sister Bathsheba Smith. /I met with the Twelve in prayer & attended to other Duties./

[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 - May 2, 1942

[General] First Presidency requests custody of record of monogamous (1896-1907) and plural (1897-1904) marriages which Anthony W. Ivins performed by Presidency authority in Mexico. Now First Presidency has custody of marriage records of three residents of Juarez Stake who had Presidency authorization to perform post-1980 polygamous marriages in Mexico: Alexander F. Macdonald (1888-90, 1900-1903), George Teasdale (1891-96), and Ivins. However, First Presidency furnishes this information only to descendants of marriages performed by Ivins. Through Canadian Apostle Hugh B. Brown, First Presidency later obtains custody of record of marriages performed in Canada by Charles O. Card and John A, Woolf.

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

170 years ago today - May 2, 1842

[Joseph Smith] An editorial in the Times and Seasons encourages the rapid building of the temple.

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

100 years ago today - May 2, 1912; Thursday

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

There were present: Pres[iden]ts. Anthon H. Lund, Charles W. Penrose and Francis M. Lyman, Elders Heber J. Grant, Hyrum M. Smith, Orson F. Whitney, Anthony W. Ivins, Joseph F[ielding]. Smith Jr. and James E. Talmage. ...

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

180 years ago today - May 01, 1832

[General] Presided over by the Prophet Joseph Smith, a Church council in Independence, Missouri, decides to print three thousand instead of ten thousand copies of the Book of Commandments. W. W. Phelps, Oliver Cowdery, and John Whitmer are appointed to review and prepare it for printing; W. W. Phelps is also appointed to correct and print the hymns Emma Smith had selected for the first LDS hymnbook.

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

170 years ago today - 1May42

[Joseph Smith Sermon] Signs, Key Words - Detecting Devil - Knowing God

Calling and Election - John emple

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

120 years ago today - May 1, 1892

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] May 1, 1892 Sunday I attended the fast Meeting in the farmers ward. We had a good [time]. The Meeting wound up with the Subscription for the Temple. I signed $1,000. Emma and Children signed $90 and Paid.

The funeral of Broth John L Blythe was held at 2 oclok. He died April 28, Aged 63 years. He was a good Latter Day Saint. G Q Cannon spoke among others.

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