25 years ago today - Jul 31, 1987

[Mark Hofmann] County Attorney's office releases 600-page transcript of interviews its staff conducted with prisoner Hofmann. Hofmann confessed that all the documents listed on statement of probable cause were forged. Some dissatisfaction is expressed in scholarly circles and in the public with the incompleteness of Hofmann's confessions.

[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,]

165 years ago today - Jul 31, 1847

Orson Pratt and Henry G. Sherwood began the first survey in Salt Lake City. It is completed three weeks later.

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

120 years ago today - Jul 31, 1892 (Sunday)

The corner stone of St. Mark's hospital, near the Warm Springs, Salt Lake City, was laid.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

155 years ago today - Jul 31, 1857

Brigham Young marries Sarah Delight Stocking, who had turned nineteen three days earlier, to fifty-year old Wilford Woodruff. This is Woodruff's third wife named "Sarah." In addition to his marriage to Sarah Delight, Woodruff records a dream of Heber C. Kimball's "I Called upon Brother Kimball early this morning & had some Conversation with him. He told me a dream. He said He thought He had some Hogs caught with ropes & he was driving them up a mountain. He had one vary fat hog. He said we had better kill him. He would never be as good again to kill as now. He told some one to take Care of him for a while till he could attend to some others, and they let him get away from them & the hog ran up the mountain with all his might. When Brother Kimball saw him he took after him & told the brethren to help ketch him & kill him but they Could not ketch him so he got away. He gave me what He thought to be [an] interpetation of the dream. The Hogs were our Enemies & one of them run away."

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

100 years ago today - Jul 30, 1912; Tuesday

A telegram was received from Brother Anthony W. Ivins this morning, stating that four hundred of our people in Mexico had already crossed the border line, and that five hundred more were expected tonight, that they were practically destitute.

Brother Francis M. Lyman, Brother Heber J. Grant and Bishop Charles W. Nibley were consulted in regard to this situation. It was decided to send Bishop Orrin P. Miller to El Paso [Texas] tonight to assist Brother Ivins.

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

170 years ago today - July/August 1842

The Millennial Star (England) republishes the available text of the Book of Abraham, facsimiles included.

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

175 years ago today - Jul 30, 1837

Nine persons were baptized in the River Ribble at Preston, England, the first converts to the Church in Great Britain. By December, there were 1,000 LDS members in England.

[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]

165 years ago today - Jul 29, 1847

152 members of the Mormon Battalion (discharged early due to illness) arrive in Salt Lake Valley accompanied by wives, children and 47 Mississippi Mormons. This swells the population to over 400. William Clayton notes: "The soldiers appearing in military order, many of them mounted. They have 29 wagons in the company and one carriage."

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

125 years ago today - Jul 29, 1887

25,000 people pass by John Taylor's body as it lies in state in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. At the funeral a letter written a decade previously by Taylor is read: " "I have no desire for any particular formula, but I should wish my body to be washed clean, to be clothed in clean white linen garments and robes, with shoes, apron and cap, etc.; to be laid in a coffin sufficiently large to contain my body without pressure. Should I die here, let me be buried in my own lot in the grave yard. Let the coffin be neat and comely, but plain and strong, made of cedar or red wood, or of our own mountain pine; if of the latter, colored or stained, and placed in an outer strong box, with a light cotton or woolen mattress or bed and a convenient pillow for the head. . . . Should I die in Jackson County, Missouri, let the above directions be carried out as far as practicable." Taylor's former secretary, L. John Nuttall, describes the funeral procession: "There were 1 hurse, 7 bands of music and band carriages, 43 carriages, 31 buggies, 19 wagons and one cart. Total vehicles 101"

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

170 years ago today - Jul 29, 1842

SANGAMO JOURNAL editorializes: "We do not know what course will be pursued by Mr. [Orson] Pratt. If he sinks under the denunciations and schemes of Joe Smith- if he fails to defend the reputation of himself and of the woman he has vowed to protect before high heaven-he will fix a stain upon his character which he can never wash out, and carry to the grave the pangs caused by 'the gnawings of the worm that never dies.'" Pratt had recently refused to sign a statement attesting to the good character of Joseph Smith after finding that Joseph had proposed marriage to Pratt's wife while Pratt was on a mission.

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

170 years ago today - Jul 29, 1842

[Lucy Mack Smith] Eliza R. Snow becomes a plural wife of Joseph Smith.

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

100 years ago today - Jul 29, 1912

During civil unrest in Mexico, thousands of Latter-day Saints flee the LDS settlements in northern Mexico.

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

30 years ago today - Jul 29, 1982

[Mark Hofmann] Hofmann shows Ashworth the letter of Lucy Mack Smith to Mary Pierce, dated 23 January 1829. They agree to have Dean Jessee check the handwriting of the letter prior to final purchase by Ashworth. Selling price about $33,000 in trade.

[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,]

200 years ago today - Jul 28, 1812

[Lucy Mack Smith] Birth of Catharine.

[Source: Proctor, Scott and Maurine Jensen, editors, History of Joseph Smith by His Mother: Revised and Enhanced]

180 years ago today - Jul 28, 1832

Joseph Smith ordains Sidney Rigdon to the high priesthood "the Second time" after he had "repented like Peter of old." Rigdon had been disfellowshipped three weeks earlier.

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

175 years ago today - Jul 28, 1837

[Joseph Smith] Joseph stays at home until night and then leaves Kirtland and travels 30 miles to Ashtabula, Ohio.

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

170 years ago today - Jul 27, 1842

Another revelation is given by Joseph Smith on polygamy. The text is available but is not canonized or officially published. In the revelation Newell K Whitney is instructed to marry his seventeen-year-old daughter, Sarah Ann, to thirty-six-year-old Joseph Smith. Whitney performs the ceremony using words provided in the revelation which include, "I give you S. A. Whitney my Daughter to Joseph Smith to be his wife to observe all the rights between you both that belong to that condition."

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

50 years ago today - Jul 27, 1962

Nauvoo Restoration, Inc., founded.

[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]

140 years ago today - Jul 27, 1872

[Brigham Young Discourse] '-followed by President Brigham Young. -- Salt Lake City [Journal History of the Church, Selected Collections from the Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints DVD 2 (2002)]

[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]

165 years ago today - Jul 25, 1847

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] July 25 Sunday This is the first Sunday that the Latter Day Saints ever spent in the great /salt Lake valley/ bason. We Washed Shaved & Cleaned up & met in the Circle of the encampment. Meeting was opened by the bishops & G A Smith Preached /the first sermon while standing upon the cannon .... Several other Brethren also expressed their feelings & there was one universal feeling of Satisfaction with the valley. Evry man that spoke upon the subject said they were Joyfully disappointed that the whole appearance was Altogether better throughout the valley than they had Anticipated or even dreamed of.

At the Close of the meeting President Young though feble Addressed [us] for A few moments And Informed the brethren + they must not work on Sunday that they would loose five times as much as they would gain by it, & they must not hunt or fish on that day. And there should not any man dwell among us who would not observe these rules...

He said that no man should buy any land that come Here. That He had no land to sell neither should He buy any but evry man should [have?] his land measured of to him for City & farming purposes what He could till. He might till it as he pleased but He should be industrious & take care of it. He also warned the Saints against keeping any thing that did not belong to them. That if they followed this course it would leek out & they would Stink in the nostrils of Jehovah Angels & the Saints & though they might live with the Saints & die with them they would be damned at last & go to Hell for they were thieves & nothing but burning through Hell would Clens them. ...

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

125 years ago today - Jul 25, 1887

John Taylor dies on "the Underground." Because of his wounds in Carthage Jail and his death in exile, counselors George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith write: "To-day he occupies the place of a double martyr. PRESIDENT JOHN TAYLOR has been killed by the cruelty of officials who have, in this Territory, misrepresented the government of the United States . . . who, with insensate hate, have offered rewards for his arrest and hounded him to the grave." After conversation with senior apostle Wilford Woodruff, apostle Heber J. Grant [while still unaware of President Taylor's death] writes: "Prest. Woodruff said he would be willing to have [junior apostle] Joseph F. Smith made Prest of the Church provided the quorum of the apostles should wish it but as near as I could judge he had no idea that such a thing would be done. . . .I know that some of the members of our quorum are of the opinion that in case of the reorganization of the First Presidency after the death of Pres[iden]t Teylor and before the death of Pres[iden]t Woodruff that Bro[ther] Woodruff must be made the President. I have no such a feeling. I feel that Pres[iden]t Joseph F. Smith will succeed Pres[iden]t Taylor if the First Presidency is reorganized."

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

130 years ago today - Jul 25, 1882

[J.D.T. McAllister Diary] John Taylor selects carpet for Temple

Went with President Taylor to Boiler Works to look at Caseing and pen stock Made of heavy sheet Iron, for the paper factory, then to Z.C.M.I. where he selected a Carpet for the St. George Temple.

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

A Curious Pioneer Blessing

Excerpts of A curious pioneer blessing, Worlds Without End

--


...…   Elders William Hall, Rabins R. Strong, Llewellyn Mantle, Joseph Champlin, Martin Potter, and one more laid hands on the horse and commanded the unclean and foul spirits of every name and nature to depart and go to the Gentiles at Warsaw and trouble the Saints no more, when the horse rolled twice over in great distress, sprang to his feet, squealed, vomited and purged, and the next morning was harnessed to a load of about 12 cwt. and performed his part as usual. ...
The exorcism of the horse suggests the Elders may have been influenced by the story in Matthew 8. The loss of a horse was a serious matter for a pioneer, which contributed to the need for a spiritual solution in a worldview that blended the temporal and spiritual. A sense of spiritual innovation by these common men is apparent as they felt empowered by scripture and their priesthood to enact a new multi-purposed blessing/exorcism/cursing for the animal and the gentiles, as well as facilitate their mode of transportation. Their act apparently met the approval of Apostle Richards who records the account with its faith promoting conclusion.
Also reflected in the account is the sense of anger at the loss of their prophet and their homes. They called for divine retribution over the dying horse, looking for biblical-styled vengeance. By laying hands on the horse, they exercised faith that their enemies in Warsaw might become possessed and perhaps even run down the banks of the Mississippi to drown like swine.

165 years ago today - Jul 24, 1847

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] {+} July 24th 1847 This is an important day in the History of my life and the History of the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints. On this important day after trav[eling] from our encampment 6 miles through the deep ravene, valley, ending with the canion through the last creek we came in full view of the great valley or Bason [of] the Salt Lake and land of promise held in reserve by the hand of GOD for a resting place for the Saints upon which A portion of the Zion of GOD will be built.

We gazed with wonder and admiration upon the vast rich fertile valley which lay for about 25 miles in length & 16 miles in wedth Clothed with the Heaviest garb of green vegitation in the midst of which lay a large lake of Salt water ... Our hearts were surely made glad after A Hard Journey from winter Quarters of 1,200 miles through flats of Platt Rivers steeps of the Black Hills & the Rocky mountains And burning sands of the eternal Sage regions & willow swails & Rocky Canions & stubs & Stones, to gaze upon A valley of such vast extent entirely Surrounded with a perfect chain of everlasting hills & mountains Coverd with eternal snow with there inumerable peaks like Pyramids towering towards Heaven presenting at one view the grandest & most sublime seenery Probably that could be obtained on the globe.

Thoughts of Pleasing meditations ran in rapid succession through our minds while we contemplated that not many years that the House of GOD would stand upon the top of the Mountains while the valleys would be converted into orchard, vineyard, gardings & fields by the inhabitants of zion & the Standard be unfurled for the nations to gather there to.

President Young expressed his full satisfaction in the Appearance of the valley as A resting place for the Saints & was Amply repayed for his Journey.

After gazing awhile upon the seenery we travled across the table land into the valley 4 miles to the encampment of our Brethren who had arived 2 days before. [-] they had pitched there encampment upon the bank of two small streams of pure water & had commenced plowing. Had broke about 5 acres of ground & commenced planting Potatoes.

As soon As we were formed in the encampment before I took my dinner having 1/2 a bushel of potatoes I repaired to the ploughed field & planted my potatoes Hopeing with the blessings of God at least to save the Seed for another year.

The Brethren had damed up one of the creeks & dug a trench & by night nearly the whole ground was Irrigated with water. We found the ground vary dry.

Towards evening in company with Brs Kimball Smith & Benson I rode several miles up the creek into the mountain to look for timber [-] country &c. There was A thunder Shower & it rained nearly over the whole rally & also it rained some the fore part of the night. We felt thankful for this As it was the general con[cederation?] that it did not rain in the valley during summer [days?].

[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 - Jul 24, 1862

[Brigham Young Discourse] I have been well pleased, yea, much delighted with the speeches we have heard today, and with the general display which has been made in commemoration of the entrance of the Pioneers into these valleys fifteen years ago. By the great number of children we see under fifteen years of age, born in these valleys, we can realize in a small degree the growth of this people in that short space of time. It is cheering, and forms a consideration of great promise to behold the rising generation in these Mountains, to see the glow of health and beauty upon their countenances, and the unsurpassed beauty and strength of their forms. Their eyes sparkle with intelligence and their frames are nerved with strength. I am proud of this people, I am proud of our holy religion, of our God, and of the principles of eternal life committed unto us....

[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]

65 years ago today - Jul 24, 1947

Church members celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Pioneers' arrival in Salt Lake Valley. The "This Is the Place" monument was dedicated by President George Albert Smith.

[Source: Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]

30 years ago today - Jul 24, 1982

Zion Lutheran Church of Salt Lake Ciy enters float in "Days of '47 Parade," apparently first participation of non-LDS church in this celebration of Mormon Pioneers.

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

175 years ago today - Jul 23, 1837 (Sunday)

The gospel was first preached by Latter-day Saint Elders in England, in the church of the Rev. James Fielding, at Preston.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

165 years ago today - Jul 23, 1847

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 23d We Left Ogdens fork /webber river East Canyon Creek/ & travled to the west 5 miles up Hill an exceding hard hill to clime. 5 miles brought us to the summit of the Hill. We then descended the Hill 6 miles through a thick timberd grove of Aspen & Spruce Balsom &c. The timber had been cut out of the road yet it was full of stumps & it kept evry teamster vary busy to dodge the stumps & not break his waggon. One man turned over his ox w[aggon] smashed the top all to a rock. There was two children in the waggon but they were not Hurt. The last 6 miles was as bad as any thing we had found.

Having travled 5 miles up hill & 6 down total 11 miles we nooned by A splendid spring in A small Birch grove. We saw more timber during this half days travel than we had seen in a month, & the valley both ascending & descending was extremely fertile & coverd with vegitation even to the top of the Hills.

At the spring whare [we] nooned we were met by Brothers Pack & Mathews from the forward camps. They brought A letter to us, & informed us it was ownly 10 miles to the valley of the Salt Lake or great basan & 14 to their Camp. They had explored the country as far as possible & had made Choice of a spot to put in seeds. They considered it the greatest greazing country in the world but was destitute of timber as far as they had been. Several fine streams of fresh water cutting through the valley.

After nooning we travled up another vary tedious Hill & down it into a valley & camped for the night, with Hills miles high on each side of us. I climbed to the top of one hill over 2 mil high. Was in a high state of perspiration when I reached the top of it. Whole distance of the day 15 mi.

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

40 years ago today - Jul 23, 1972

TIME magazine quotes an associate of recently installed president Harold B. Lee as saying that he was a "genius for organization. The Church runs like a great beautiful computer, clicking away. Everything is in its place."

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

75 years ago today - Jul 23, 1937

Original Circular Letter, L.D.S. Church Patriarchal Blessings-- While it is possible for members of the Church, upon recommendation of their Bishop and their Stake President, to receive a patriarchal blessing from the Patriarch to the Church, it is preferable for them to receive their patriarchal blessings from their own Stake Patriarchs. {1937-July-23, Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah.}

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

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

120 years ago today - Jul 22, 1892

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 22 I met with Col Trumbo On some business Matters. <I decided that it is the will of God> that <we should meet among the people in Salt Lake City>. We met with the Board of the saving Bank <and come near having a [war?]>. I paid $325 to John M Cannon. I paid $325 to John M Cannon for B H. Schettler On my Stock. At 4.30 I took Carriage rode to the farm then with Emma Naoma & 2 Children to wasach. 20 M.

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

80 years ago today - Jul 22, 1932

[President Heber J. Grant Diary] Judge Nephi Jensen called and complained bitterly because the Deseret News quite frequently fails to publish things that happen in his court where influential people are involved, and a poor Negro or a person of no importance whatever receives lots of publicity. He said there is a feeling that is growing that the moneyed interests control the Church organ. He referred to an article in a recent issue of the Denver Post attacking the Utah Light & Power Co. and felt that it should have been reproduced in either the Tribune or the News, but on account of this company having such influential men as directors he felt it had been suppressed. I told him I had not heard a word about it. He said he thought the News was committing suicide by not coming out actively and strongly in favor of the interests of the common people as against the moneyed interests. I had a long pleasant talk with him. I told him that according to his report perhaps it would be wise for President Ivins to resign as a director of the Utah Light & Power Co. and myself as a director of the Utah Light & Traction Co.

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

20 years ago today - Jul 22, 1992.

During summer term various faculty members hear from friends or anonymous well-wishers that they are on a BYU Board of Trustees "hit list." From various reports the names on the hit list seem to be Cecilia Konchar Farr, Tomi-Ann Roberts, Martha Sonntag Bradley, David Knowlton, and Sam Rushforth. Provost Bruce Hafen denies that the administration received "a letter listing faculty members to be investigated" and explains that a complaint from the board is passed "down the chain of command and it's `responded to as appropriate.'"

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

165 years ago today - Jul 22, 1847

In Immigration Canyon William Clayton writes: "While the brethren were cutting the road I followed the old one to the top of the hill [Donner hill from which he could view the Great Salt Lake, as well as entire Great Salt Lake Valley] and on arriving there was much cheered by a handsome view of the great Salt Lake laying as I should judge, from 25 to 30 miles to the west of us, and at 11 o'clock I sat down to contemplate and view the surrounding scenery. There is an extensive, beautiful, level looking valley from here to the Lake which I should judge from the numerous deep green patches must be fertile and rich. . . . The ground seems literally alive with the very large black crickets crawling round, up grass and bushes. They look loathsome but are said to be excellent for fattening hogs which would feed on them voraciously." An advance party led by Orson Pratt arrives in the Salt Lake Valley and begins planting crops.

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

170 years ago today - Jul 21, 1842

Wilford Woodruff writes: "There was a Counsel of the Twelve held for four days with Elder Orson Pratt to labour with him to get him to recall his sayings against Joseph & The Twelve but he persisted in his wicked course & would not recall any of his sayings which were made in public against Joseph & others sayings which were unjust & untrue. The Twelve then rejected him as a member of their quorum & he was cut off from the Church."

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

165 years ago today - Jul 21, 1847

Advance Scouts Orson Pratt and Erastus Snow are the first Mormons to enter Salt Lake Valley, and a day later the "advance company of Pioneers" arrive and begin planting crops. Snow writes in his journal: "From the view we had of the valley from the top of the mountain, we supposed it to be only an arm of prairie extending up from the Utah valley, but on ascending this butte we involuntarily, both at the same instant, uttered a shout of joy at finding it to be the very place of our destination, and beheld the broad bosom of the Salt Lake spreading itself before us."

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

20 years ago today - Jul 21, 1992

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services presents plaque to Relief Society general president Elaine Low Jack in honor of Society's service for older women.

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

175 years ago today - Jul 21, 1837

Wilford Woodruff begins walking from Hartford to New Rowley (52 miles first day, 48 miles second day, 36 miles third day).

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

75 years ago today - 1937. July 20

(Butch Cassidy) : Died of rectal cancer in Spokane at the age of seventy-one. He was cremated and his ashes scattered over the Little Spokane River.

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

175 years ago today - Jul 20, 1837

The first mission in the Church â€" the British Mission â€" was organized. Apostles Heber C. Kimball and Orson Hyde and Elders Willard Richards and Joseph Fielding had left Kirtland, Ohio, June 13 for England, opening up missionary work outside North America.

[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]

179 years ago today - Jul 20, 1833 (Saturday)

Orson Pratt preached in Patten, Canada. This is supposed to be the first discourse preached by a Latter-day Saint Elder in The Dominion.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

180 years ago today - about Jul 20, 1832

Kirtland, Ohio. Joseph Smith completed his work on the inspired translation of the New Testament.

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

180 years ago today - Jul 20, 1832

Frederick G. Williams begins service as Joseph's scribe. Joseph's 1832 history, which includes the first account of the First Vision, is written between this date and November 27.

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

125 years ago today - Jul 19, 1887

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] E.W. Tullidge asks for 20 pages of my biography for his forthcoming History of Utah.

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

95 years ago today - Jul 19, 1917

[I]n regard to the inmates of the Idaho insane asylum, members of the Church [there] wearing the temple garment, * we will express ourselves on this subject at the next general priesthood meeting, and in the meantime would thank you as chairman of the board of directors of the Idaho insane asylum to do what you can consistently by way of correcting this practice. Should any of the inmates however feel hurt in his or her feelings at being deprived of wearing the garment, we suggest that no change be made in his or her case, and that this be an exception. [Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, and Charles W. Penrose to George H. Fisher, July 19, 1917]

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

165 years ago today - Jul 19, 1847

Orson Pratt's advance scouting company sights the Great Salt Lake Valley.

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

15 years ago today - Jul 19, 1997

Some three million hours of community service are contributed Churchwide as part of Worldwide Pioneer Heritage Service Day.

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

120 years ago today - Jul 18, 1892

First verified letter from First Presidency authorizing Apostle George Teasdale, president of Mexican colonies, to perform polygamous marriage there.

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

20 years ago today - Jul 18, 1992

While campaigning in Utah, U.S. President George Herbert Walker Bush visits Brigham Young University.

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

165 years ago today - Jul 18, 1847

This morning the Camp was called together and addressed by Elder Kimball. Heber C. Kimball calls the pioneer camp together to report that Brigham Young is "a very sick man." He proposes that the men should "meet together and pray and exhort each other, that the Lord may turn away sickness from our midst and from our president that we may proceed on our journey." During the meeting, Kimball proposes "that all the camp, except President Young's and 8 or 10 other wagons with brethren enough to take care of him proceed on tomorrow and go through, find a good place, begin to plant potatoes &c as we have little time to spare." The proposition is unanimously accepted.

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

175 years ago today - Jul 17, 1837

[Joseph Smith] Newspapers report that Sarah Kingsley Cleveland had been jailed for passing $390 in notes of the Kirtland Safety Anti-Banking Society, the first Mormon woman to be imprisoned.

[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]

50 years ago today - Jul 17, 1962

[David O. McKay diary, July 17, 1962] The question of whether or not a daughter whose mother is white and father negro may go to the temple was raised. I answered the question in the negative.

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

170 years ago today - Jul 17, 1842

Brigham Young writes to Parley P. Pratt concerning his brother Orson Pratt: "Br Orson Pratt is in trubble in consequence of his wife, hir feelings are so rought up that he dos not know whether his wife is wrong, or whether Josephs testimony and others are wrong and due Ly and he decived for 12 years or not; he is all but crazy about matters, you may aske what the matter is concirning Sister P.-it is enoph, and doct, J.C. Bennett could tell all about himself & hir-enoph of that-we will not let Br. Orson goe away from us he is to good a man to have a woman destroy him." THE WASP EXTRA, a Nauvoo newspaper, accuses John C. Bennett of "adultery, fornication, embryo infanticide and buggery, . . ."

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

130 years ago today - Jul 17, 1882

The Deseret Hospital, the second hospital in Utah and the first Church hospital, was opened by the Relief Society in Salt Lake City.

[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]

175 years ago today - Jul 16, 1837

[Joseph Smith] Orson Hyde preaches on board the Garrick. Heber C. Kimball secretly heals a sick child.

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

30 years ago today - Jul 16, 1982

[U.S. Religious History] Rev. Sun Myung Moon was sentenced to 18 months in prison for tax fraud and obstruction of justice.

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

120 years ago today - Jul 16, 1892

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 16 I met with President Cannon at the office He & Joseph F Smith Having been gone 19 day to Arizona to Attend a Conference. After spending an hour together He went Home & so did I & spent the rest of the day with the boys wattering the Crops. I was Quite weary at night. Owen & Ovando went to Granite.

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

25 years ago today - Jul 15, 1987

The Genealogical Library celebrated the conversion of the last card from its card catalog to computer.

[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 - 1842 15 Jul.

Thousands of Nauvoo Mormons search for Orson Pratt after discovering a suicide note. They find him distraught because Joseph Smith (according to Pratt's wife) or Bennett (according to Smith) had tried to seduce Pratt's wife Sarah.

[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]

170 years ago today - Jul 15, 1842

[Joseph Smith Journal] [It was reported early in the morning that Elder Orson Pratt was missing. I caused the Temple hands and the principle men of the city to make a search for him. After which a meeting was called at the Grove, and I gave the public a general outline of John C. Bennett's conduct.]

[Source: Scott H. Faulring, An American Prophet's Record: Journal, ca. 1841-43 'The Book of the Law of the Lord', http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]

160 years ago today - Jul 15, 1852

The NEW YORK HERALD publishes a letter from W. W. Phelps: "The constitution has no power over religion, neither has Utah's Congress.- The federal authorities have no control over morality-that belongs to the good old book, the word of the Lord." Utah's appointed representative in Congress, John M. Bernhisel, is incensed at Phelps's letter. He writes Brigham Young on Aug 14, that conditions for statehood were improving "until this inconsiderate and untimely letter made its appearance, reviving former prejudices and adding fresh fuel to the fire which had burned so furiously for several months. . . . so far as considering us a religious people, very many here and elsewhere, regard us among the most immoral and licentious beings on the face of the globe.- I therefore beg, entreat and implore Judge Phelps, as an elder brother, to write no more letters nor dialogues on this subject, upon which the nation is so sensitive."

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

170 years ago today - Jul 14, 1842 - Thursday

[Relief Society] Fourteenth

Meeting of the Society-

Grove, July 14th. <1842>

Meeting opened by pray'r by Councillor [Sarah Kingsley] Cleveland ...

The case of Sis. Brown was then laid before the meeting- sis. [Sophia] Packard objected- After many very pointed remarks concerning the necessity of acting upon the principle of forgiveness, the case was again presented upon the consideration that sis. Brown had manifest ed deep repentance for whatever imprudence she had been guilty of, and solicited forgiveness of the Society. Sis. A. Smith objected to her reception, on the ground that former objectors had not been satisfied-

The case of sis. Nighman, wishing admittance, was also presented and objected.

Mrs. President said she could not urge fellowship where the sisters could not feel to fellowship- but where we cannot fellowship as a christian, we must not let the persons suffer in our midst. She then recommended old sis. Oakes to the charity and the watch care of the Society.

Meeting adjourn'd.

Donations. $

Rebecca Shirtliff 1. 00

Ann Wurmsley 25,

Sarah Dunn 2. 25

Louisa Clark 75

Eliza Ells 4. 00

Frances Campion 3. 00

Elizabeth Boice 25

Elizabeth Cox 50

Elizabeth Hardy 25

[p. 76]

$

Lucinda Bingham 3. 00

Mary Ann Dunn .. 50

Angeline Holden .. 37

Lydia Gates 1. 62

Matilda Case 1. 75

Celestia Baken .. 37

Elizabeth Corey 1. 25

Sophia Lanyon 11. 00

Patty Gates 1. 00

Harriet Scovil 1. 25

Lucetta Murdock .. 75

The above contributions were received from the Laharpe sisters, by Mrs Jones...

[Source: Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book, http://josephsmithpapers.org/paperDetails/nauvoo-relief-society-minute-book]

20 years ago today - Jul 14, 1992

The Lusaka Branch, the first branch in Zambia, is organized.

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

170 years ago today - Jul 14, 1842

In a public speech Joseph Smith calls Orson Pratt's wife Sarah "A whore from her mother's breast." Sarah had accused Smith of proposing plural marriage to her while her husband Orson was away on a mission. Sarah later reported in an interview that Joseph told her, "If any woman, like me, opposed his wishes, he used to say: 'Be silent or I shall ruin your character!'" Orson Pratt writes a 'suicide' note: "I am a ruined man! My future prospects are blasted! The testimony upon both sides seems to be equal: The one in direct contradiction to the other . . . [I]f the testimonies of my wife and others are true then I have been deceived for twelve years past-my hopes are blasted and gone as it were in a moment . . . If on the other hand the other testimonies are true then my family are ruined forever. . . .My sorrows are greater than I can bear! Where I am henceforth it matters not."

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

40 years ago today - Jul 14, 1972

Jean Miles Westwood is elected national chair of Democratic Party, first Mormon and first woman to head major political party in United States.

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

150 years ago today - Jul 13, 1862

[Brigham Young Discourse] Said that when this world was first made it was in a close proximity to God. When man sinned it was hurled millions of miles away from its first position, and that was why it was called the fall. Spoke of the goodness of God in providing salvation for all the human race that had not sinned against the Holy Ghost. -- SLC Bowery [Diary of Charles Lowell Walker. Andrew Karl Larson, ed. Logan: Utah State University Press, 1980. 233-234]

[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]

155 years ago today - Jul 13, 1857

[Deseret] President Buchanan appoints Alfred Cumming governor of Utah, and directs him to accompany the military forces into Utah (Poll & MacKinnon 1994, p. 30).

[Source: Wikipedia, Utah War, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_War#Timeline_of_events]

160 years ago today - Jul 13, 1852

Parley P. Pratt publishes a pamphlet in San Francisco: "Mormonism! Plurality of Wives! An especial chapter for the especial edification of certain inquisitive news editors, etc." It provided a curious defense of polygamy without admitting to its practice.

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

15 years ago today - Jul 13, 1997

A parade commemorating the Church's pioneer sesquicentennial takes place in Rome, Italy.

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

175 years ago today - Jul 12, 1837

[Wilford Woodruff] --12.--I preached in a school house in West Avon to an attentive congregation; after meeting I baptized my uncle, Ozem Woodruff, his wife and son, John, in fulfillment of a dream which I had at ten years of age.

[Source: Wilford Woodruff Dreams and Visions, Saints Without Halos, Scott Kenny (http://saintswithouthalos.com/n/dreams_ww.phtml)]

120 years ago today - Jul 12, 1892

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] At 2 P.M. met with the Apostles in the upper room at he Historian's office. Present Lorenzo Snow, Moses Thatcher, Francis M Lyman, Jno Hy Smith, H.J. Grant, Jno W Taylor, M.W. Merrill, A.H. Lund, & A H Cannon. Bro Franklin D. Richards having gone to Alaska with his son Franklin who is quite sick. Bro. Cannon was selected as clerk or our meeting Prest Lorenzo Snow spoke to us and referred to the dangers of divisions among us on account of political differences. Referred to the recent speech of Bro. Thatcher at Ogden and the reply in the Ogden Standard. The article by Prests Jos F. Smith & Jno Hy Smith and Bro Thatcherr's reply to their article. Hoped these differences would not lead to divisions among the brethren. Brothers Smith & Thatcher each spoke expressing the very best of feeling for each other, notwithstanding their differences of opinions in political matters.

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

165 years ago today - Jul 12, 1847

On the pioneer trail William Clayton writes: "Elder [Heber C.] Kimball proposed that a company start from the camp with Elder [Orson] Pratt to proceed on to the Weber River Canyon and ascertain if we can pass through safely if not to try and find a pass over the mountains. He reported that President Young is a little better this morning, but last evening was insensible and raving." Pratt leads a vanguard company ahead of the main body of Pioneers for the purpose of making a road into the Salt Lake valley.

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

135 years ago today - Jul 11, 1877

Organization of Stakes and Priesthood Quorums: Circular of the First Presidency-- 1877-July 11-Copy of original document in Church Historian's Library, Salt Lake City

This is probably one of the most historic documents in Mormon history. It marked a turning point in the organizational pattern of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Up to this point members of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles had presided over the major geographical areas of Mormon settlement. During the last few months of his life (April to August, 1877) Brigham Young set in order the quorums of the priesthood and organized and re-organized the existing stakes of Zion. Elder George Q. Cannon said of this important step in Church government:

"He set the priesthood in order as it had never been since the first organization of the church upon the earth. He defined the duties of the apostles, he defined the duties of the seventies, he defined the duties of the high priests, the duties of the elders and those of the lesser priesthood, with plainness and distinctness and power-the power of God-in a way that it is left on record in such unmistakable language that no one need err who has the Spirit of God resting down upon him." (CHC 5:508)...

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

170 years ago today - Jul 11, 1842

The U.S. Government obtains a judgment against Joseph Smith for $5,184.31 in the U.S. District Court for Illinois. The debt may have been for a steamship that Joseph bought but was behind in paying for.

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

175 years ago today - Jul 11, 1837

[Wilford Woodruff Journal] 11th We walked to uncle Ozem Woodruff. Brother Hale & myself repaired to a stream of pure water & we there cleansed our hands and feet and bore testimony before God against Mr Vanarsdalen a Prysbeterian priest who rejected our testimony & against the whole villedge who rejected our testimony.

I preached at the Lovly Street School house at Candle light upon the authenticity of the Book of Mormon. The people gave good attention. I spent the night at uncle Ozem Woodruffs. We Conversed upon the things of the Kingdom untill the following Day

[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 - Jul 11, 1842

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith bought a horse, which he named Joe Duncan.

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

120 years ago today - Jul 10, 1892 (Sunday)

W.M. Allred was arrested at Spring City for u.c. [Unlawful Cohabitation, I.E. living with a polygamous wife] and placed under bonds by Com. Jacob Johnson.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

35 years ago today - Jul 10, 1977

The Italy Catania Mission is organized.

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

80 years ago today - 1932. July 10

(Martha Hughes Cannon) : Died at the age of seventy-five following surgery in Los Angeles. She had lived during the last years of her life near her children in California, where she worked in the orthopedic department of General Hospital and at the Graves Clinic. She was buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.

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

110 years ago today - Jul 10, 1902

First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve decide that local patriarchs should no longer charge "a fee" ($2 by late-nineteenth century) for patriarchal blessings but simply allow blessed person to make "free will offering" to patriarch.

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

120 years ago today - Jul 9, 1892

A directive is issued by the St. George Stake Presidency to abandon wine in favor of water in sacrament services.

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

5 years ago today - Jul 9, 2007

A forthcoming article on the Mountain Meadows Massacre in the official Church publication Ensign was recently posted on the LDS.org and LDS.org.uk Web sites. Many readers, commenting on these sites, have indicated how much they appreciate the forthright and direct tone of the article and the detailed information it provided.

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

100 years ago today - Jul 9, 1912 (Tuesday)

Mexican soldiers destroyed considerable property in the "Mormon" colonies in Chihuahua, Mexico.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

150 years ago today - Jul 8, 1862

Enactment of Morrill Act, which prohibits polygamy in U.S. territories, disincorporates LDS church, and prohibits it from owning more than $50,000 of real estate in U.S. territory. There are only sporadic arrests of polygamists and no enforcement of disincorporation clause.

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

170 years ago today - Jul 8, 1842

John C. Bennett's first letter to the Sangamo Journal (written June 27) is published making general accusations of improprieties against Joseph Smith.

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

100 years ago today - Jul 08, 1912

Representing the Untied States, Alma Richards wins the gold medal in the high jump at the Olympic Games held in Sweden. He is the first Latter-day Saint to win an Olympic medal.

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

100 years ago today - Jul 7, 1912

Alma W. Richards is first Mormon athlete to receive national recognition. He wins gold medal (high jump) at Olympics, and in 1954 is inducted into Helms national Hall of Fame and U.S. Track and Field Hall of Fame.

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

40 years ago today - Jul 7, 1972

Joseph Fielding Smith dies in Salt Lake City (July 2) Harold B. Lee is ordained President of the Church

[Source: Madsen, Truman G., The Presidents of the Church]

170 years ago today - Jul 7, 1842 - Thursday

[Relief Society] Minutes of the

Thirteenth Meeting of the

Society.

Grove July 7th. <1842>

Meeting opened by singing "When I survey the wondrous cross" &c.

Pray'r by sister [Sophia] Packard.

Mrs. President not present, the business of the Society was defer'd, and the time spent in exhortation and speaking, singing and prayer, much to the comfort and edification of those present.

The following Donations were made to wit.

$

Mary Akerly .. 50

Catharine [Curtis] Spencer .. 20

Sophia Packard appropriated 20 lbs. flour

to Mrs. Birch

Mrs. Duel appropriated 27 do

to Mrs. Birch

Mrs. Winchester appropriated 25 do

for Mrs. Hawkes.

Prayer for the children earnestly recommended by Councillors [Sarah Kingsley] Cleveland, [Elizabeth Ann Smith] Whitney and others.

Meeting adjourn'd to next week.

[9 lines blank] [p. 73]

[Source: Nauvoo Relief Society Minute Book, http://josephsmithpapers.org/paperDetails/nauvoo-relief-society-minute-book]

170 years ago today - Jul 6, 1842

[Nauvoo Temple] A third party of men left for the Wisconsin pineries.

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

20 years ago today - Jul 06, 1992

Latter-day Saint career scouter Rees A. Falkner is named national director of the Boy Scouts of America.

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

120 years ago today - Jul 6, 1892

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 6 I received a Letter from Brother H[a/e?]rman in Turkey showing that Bi[.....] [ ] who has been working for us in the Turkish Dominion to give us the Privilege of Printing & Publishing our Doctrins in that Land we learn that this man is a Lier & a deceiver and is keeping our Money without doing any thing for us.

Brother John Henry Smith Called this morning And Stated that the report of the Death of Lot Smith was As follows: That the Navajoes turned there Sheep into Lots Pasture & Lot shot the Sheep & the Navajoes shot 6 Milk Cows of Lots & Lot Commenced shooting at the Navajoes & they shot Lot & He rode 6 Mils & Lived 6 Hours & died. Thus Ends Lot Smith Life.

[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 - Jul 5, 1832

Second counselor Sidney Rigdon tries to seize control of the church and is disfellowshipped until Jul 28 when he is re-ordained a high priest. This is the first instance of apostasy by a general authority.

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

5 years ago today - Jul 5, 2007

A new Brigham Young University study using sophisticated eye-tracking technology showed that, to most adolescents, alcohol advertisers' "responsible drinking" messages might as well be written in invisible ink.

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

50 years ago today - Jul 05, 1962

[U.S. Religious History] Helmut Richard Niebuhr died at the age of 67.

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

170 years ago today - Jul 4, 1842

Joseph Smith asks his Independence Day audience composed of members and non-members if there is any truth to the charge that he practices a "plurality of wives to which no one responds. He then answered himself: "No, not one! There is the answer.

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

150 years ago today - Jul 4, 1862

[Brigham Young Discourse] Governor Young delivered a short address. -- Salt Lake City [Deseret News. Also Deseret Evening News, Deseret News Weekly, Deseret News Semi- Weekly, and Deseret News Extra. Salt Lake City; 1850-current. 12:10; Wilford WoodruffÂ's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 6:64; Journal History of the Church, Selected Collections from the Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints DVD 2 (2002); CA.]

[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009)]

120 years ago today - Jul 4, 1892

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 4 July The people of Utah are Celebrating the day. I spent the day at home. Asahel, Owen & Ovando came home to night from fishing in the [Lo?]st Canyon. They Caught about 150 trout.

[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 - Jul 3, 1837

Ground is broken for the Far West Temple. The corner stones are not laid for a year. Nothing further is done until Apr 26, 1839, when the twelve apostles, in fulfillment of a revelation, hold a secret meeting on the temple site and symbolically re-commenced the building of the temple by rolling a large stone up to one of the corners. The temple is never built because the Mormons are driven from Missouri in 1839.

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

175 years ago today - Jul 3, 1837

[Wilford Woodruff Journal] 3rd We left Mr Bidwell and beach hill and repaired to a stream of pure water aside from the abodes of men and in company with my brethren Elders Stillman & Hale and myself we clensed our hands and feet in testimony against the inhabitants of beach hill who had rejected us and our testimony. From thence we walked to Brother William B. French in North Canaan. Distance of the day 10 miles.

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

125 years ago today - Jul 3, 1887

Apostle Heber J. Grant writes in his diary: "I have felt for a long while that Pres[iden]t Cannon was expecting to succeed Pres[iden]t Taylor, Pres[iden]t Cannon thinks I am the most ambitious young man in Utah, and I think there is not limit to his ambition. I have but little confidence in Pres[iden]t Cannon's management of affairs financially. I get up out of bed a[nd] prayed with all my heart and soul to God that he would help me to overcome my feeling of ambition that was calculated to lead me from Him or the path of duty . . ." After John Taylor dies three weeks later, nineteen months pass before Wilford Woodruff is chosen as President of the Church.

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

50 years ago today - Jul 2, 1962

Counselor Hugh B. Brown rededicates portions of Alberta (Canada) temple. Extensive remodeling of temple interiors (sometimes involving structural replacement of EVERYTHING except exterior walls and roof) is necessary to accommodate filmed endowment ceremony and to allow larger number of temple patrons. Rededication ceremonies occur for Arizona temple (Apr. 15, 1975), St. George temple (Nov. 11, 1975), Hawaii temple (Jun 13, 1978), Logan temple (Mar. 13, 1979), Manti temple (Jun 14, 1985), Alberta temple (again Jun 22, 1991), London temple, (Oct. 18, 1992), Swiss temple (Oct 23, 1992). These temples, sometimes for first time in nearly 100 years, are open to general public for tours prior to rededication ceremonies occurring from 1975 onward.

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

170 years ago today - Jul 02, 1842

The church newspaper The Wasp publishes a phrenology chart of Smith's head and personality. The first trait is "Amativeness-11, L[arge]. Extreme susceptibility; passionately fond of the company of the other sex." The official History of the Church still publishes this chart, along with the caution that such a high score indicates "extreme liability to perversion" in the trait. Church newspaper publishes phrenoloy chart of Smith, described as 'passionately fond of the company of the other sex.' . SOURCE: Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Vol. 5, p.53 PLACE: Nauvoo, IL

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

100 years ago today - Tuesday July 2nd 1912.

[Apostle Anthony W. Ivins Diary] Quarterly meeting of Council of Twelve. Bro. Talmage said he thought Mission expense greater than necessary. The Twelve might do a little more missionary work on visits to the Stakes. Jos. F. Smith, Jr. followed in same strain. I followed. Discussed Mexican matters. Funeral services at Bro. Woodruff's grave. Extravagance of mission presidents. Colonization. Bro. McKay endorsed retrenchment in the missions, colonization and monument at Bro. Woodruff's grave. Bro. Whitney. We work too hard & too long. Favored stone for Bro. Woodruff's grave. Bro. Richards. Long. Proposed formal covenant before baptism. M. favored headstone for Bro. Woodruff's grave. Hyrum M. Smith, Did not favor the erection of headstones for graves of those who die, by the Church.

[Source: Diary Excerpts of Anthony W. Ivins, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

150 years ago today - Jul 1, 1862

President Abraham Lincoln signs the Morrill Anti-Bigamy Act into law. This is the first congressional legislation aimed at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the first action of what proved to be an extended anti-polygamy crusade.

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

15 years ago today - Jul 1, 1997

[Same-Sex Marriage] Reciprocal Beneficiaries law goes into effect. Application forms are distributed by Governors office.

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

170 years ago today - Jul 1, 1842

The Sangamo Journal calls upon General John C. Bennett to "expose the crimes in Nauvoo.

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