Masonic Grand Lodge of Utah rescinds policy of prohibiting LDS membership.
Lecture by Brigham Young University sociology professor, Howard M. Bahr, "Why People Leave the LDS Church". Bahr states that In Utah during 1980-81, for every five converts to Mormonism, there were two who left the LDS church. Bahr identifies three processes of disaffiliation: intellectual disaffection, emotional alienation and social disinvolvement. He also cited four categories of people, their personal beliefs and their activity in the Church: "The fervent believer, the ritualist (actively participates but is not a believer), the outsider (believes but stops being active), and the apostate (who disavows former beliefs and severs ties with the group)."
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]
50 years ago today - Jan 31, 1964
By request of Lyndon B. Johnson, LDS president David O. McKay meets with U.S. president in White House. ... "After they went into the dining room, President Johnson turned to President McKay and said 'I feel that the spiritual and moral fiber of this country need strengthening and we need it badly. I would like to ask you, President McKay, if you can tell me how we can get it.' He said, 'I have been out to see you [in Utah] on two or three occasions before and each time I left you I came away inspired and I feel I would like to have your advice on this.'"
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]
100 years ago today - Jan 31, 1914
Having reason to believe that some members of the Church are secretly engaged advising and encouraging others to enter into unauthorized and unlawful marriages, we have deemed it advisable to call your attention to the communication we addressed to you on this subject on the 6th of October, 1910, a copy of which is herewith appended.
And believing, as we do, that these people are at the bottom of all the violations referred to in our communication, we direct your special attention to them with a request that any information received by you from time to time relating to cases of this character be followed up and investigated with a view to having this class of offenders placed on trial for their fellowship in the Church, as we regard them culpable with actual offenders. Please make the same request of your bishops.
[Source: First Presidency, Letter to Presidents of Stakes and Counselors, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
And believing, as we do, that these people are at the bottom of all the violations referred to in our communication, we direct your special attention to them with a request that any information received by you from time to time relating to cases of this character be followed up and investigated with a view to having this class of offenders placed on trial for their fellowship in the Church, as we regard them culpable with actual offenders. Please make the same request of your bishops.
[Source: First Presidency, Letter to Presidents of Stakes and Counselors, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
100 years ago today - Jan 31, 1914; Saturday
[Apostle Anthony Ivins Journal] ... Elder Nelson ret[urne]d from Southern States. Long, crude, but good. ...
[Source: Anderson, Elizabeth Oberdick, editor, Cowboy Apostle: The Diaries of Anthony W. Ivins: 1875-1932, Signature Books, Salt Lake City in association with the Smith-Pettit Foundation (2013)]
[Source: Anderson, Elizabeth Oberdick, editor, Cowboy Apostle: The Diaries of Anthony W. Ivins: 1875-1932, Signature Books, Salt Lake City in association with the Smith-Pettit Foundation (2013)]
110 years ago today - Jan 31, 1904
Apostle Anthony W. Ivins performs his last plural marriage in Mexico for a visiting U.S. resident, John A. Silver, a business associate of Church President Joseph F. Smith. Silver takes Nell Clawson as his second wife.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]
155 years ago today - Jan 31, 1859
... President Young spoke upon the subjet of [Deseret] Alphabet. ... I would put books into the hands of Children in this Territory printed in the Deseret Alphabet. I dont want many Books to learn Children.... . I do not believe in putting Books into the hands of Little Children to pour over & make them sit on a hard Bench untill they ake all over. If I was a Teacher I would make them rise up & march around the house and I would try to interest their minds so they would delight to learn.
But many persons who have learning sufficient to teach a school yet they are not fit to teach Children. As soon as a Child does sumthing that does not pleas the teacher He begins to pound the child with a ruler over the Head & back or slaps him in the side of the Head with his hand. This is not the way to treat Children.
You put a work into the hands of a Jerman Frenchman Dane or Sweed or any other Nation printed in the Deseret Alphabet & in a little time they will all read and spell alike much sooner than they Could learn a new language. Several of the brethren spoke. D. H. Wells said that he was satisfied that the Lord had inspired the mind of President Young in this matter.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
But many persons who have learning sufficient to teach a school yet they are not fit to teach Children. As soon as a Child does sumthing that does not pleas the teacher He begins to pound the child with a ruler over the Head & back or slaps him in the side of the Head with his hand. This is not the way to treat Children.
You put a work into the hands of a Jerman Frenchman Dane or Sweed or any other Nation printed in the Deseret Alphabet & in a little time they will all read and spell alike much sooner than they Could learn a new language. Several of the brethren spoke. D. H. Wells said that he was satisfied that the Lord had inspired the mind of President Young in this matter.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Jan 31, 1844
Joseph Smith donates 29 books to the "Nauvoo Library and Literary Institute" including John L. Stephens's TRAVELS IN CENTRAL AMERICA and INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL IN YUCATAN, William Beaumont's EXPERIMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS ON THE GASTRIC JUICE, and a five volume collection of Walter Scott's POETICAL WORK.
[Also included: "The Apocryphal Testament"]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]
[Also included: "The Apocryphal Testament"]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]
175 years ago today - Jan 31, 1839
[Joseph Smith] ... "I sent the poor brethren [in Far West, Missouri] a hundred dollar bill from jail, to assist them in their distressed situation.-"
[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
130 years ago today - Jan 30, 1884
Counselor in Salt Lake Stake presidency explains why women anoint and bless women: "There are often cases when it would be indelicate for an elder to anoint, especially certain parts of the body, and the sisters are called to do this and [their] blessing follows."
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]
170 years ago today - Jan 30, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 30 Met with the quorum at Elder Youngs for a meeting. {JT} {LT} Br & Sister John Taylor was with us. Br Taylor made some appropriate remarks unto edifycation. /J Taylor & Leonora Taylor Received their 2d Anointing & sealing./
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
1814, 200 years ago this year.
Harmonists, or Rappites move from Harmony, Pennsylvania to Indiana.
[Source: Brooke, John L. The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1994. p.282]
[Source: Brooke, John L. The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1994. p.282]
35 years ago today - Jan 29, 1979
Fawn Brodie writes to a friend: "The volume would have been a harsher indictment of Joseph Smith had it not been for [her husband Bernard's] influence. I was angered by the obvious nature of the fraud in his writing of the Book of Mormon; I felt that his revelations all came out of needs of the moment and had nothing to do with God, and I thought the frantic search for wives in the last four years of his life betrayed a libertine nature that was to me at the time quite shocking. My husband kept urging me to look at the man's genius, to explain his successes, and to make sure that the reader understood why so many people loved him, and believed in him. If there is real compassion for Joseph Smith in the book, and I believe there is, it is more the result of the influence of my husband than anyone else." Some Mormons had blamed her non-Mormon husband for the controversial book.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
100 years ago today - Jan 29, 1914
Pres[iden]t. Lyman reported the excommunication of Elder Reuben G. Miller, in consequence of his having entered into a recent plural marriage. The Council of Twelve had also spent some time investigating Bro[tehr]. [Matthias F.] Cowley and are to meet with him again. ...
[Source: Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
120 years ago today - Jan 29, 1894
[George Q. Cannon] Today Pres[ident]. [Wilford] Woodruff gave his decision in the matter of the proposed change in University affairs; it is to the effect that under existing circumstances it will be best to suspend the Church University, and give our influence and aid to the State University. This will enable the Church to devote more energy to the support of the Stake Academies, which are in the nature of High Schools, practically unparalleled by any grade of schools in the Public School System.
[Source: George Q. Cannon Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: George Q. Cannon Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
160 years ago today - Jan 29, 1854
The First Presidency and Twelve administer to Willard Richards. Wilford Woodruff records, "at times had a testimony by the spirit of God that he would get better but all outward appearances have been against his getting up again." Two days later Woodruff writes, "Dr Richards still lives and appears some better And I pray the Lord he may again get well for many reasons. On is the Twelve have administered to him many times and felt moved upon at times to promise him that he should live and get well and stand in the midst of his brethren and also to administer to his family. This I promised him once while the Twelve and all his wives were administering to him at the same time. Richards Dies on Mar 11, 1854 at age 49.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
170 years ago today - Jan 29, 1844
At a meeting of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles together with Joseph and Hyrum Smith Willard Richards moves that they nominate Joseph Smith as an independent candidate for the U.S. presidency "and that we use all honorable means to secure his election." The Twelve vote unanimously in favor of the motion. After the motion carries Joseph speaks to them: "to accomplish this you must send every man in the city who could speak throughout the land to electioneer . . . After the Apr conference we will have general conferences all over the nation and I will attend them. Tell the people we have had Whig and Democrats [as] Presidents long enough . . . I will not electioneer for myself, Hyrum, Brigham, Parley, and Taylor must go . . . There is or[a]tory enough in the Church to carry me into the Presidential chair in the first slide." Friends of Joseph make a toast for him at the Nauvoo Mansion: "May all your enemies be skined, their skins made into drum heads for your friends to beat upon. Also may Nauvoo become the empire seat of government." Joseph tells William Clayton that he will go on a political mission but writes in his journal "Clayton must go out or he will apostatize. Must."
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
175 years ago today - Jan 29, 1839
[Lorenzo Brown] Our meetings were good. We were blessed spiritually with the gift of Tongues Through which and the interpretation we learned many things There were several Hymns given one of which was given through myself and interpreted by Sister Esther Crowely who had the gift the most perfect of any person I ever knew. These lines I cannot withold the impulse to subjoin as I then thought and still think them good. They were given several times until they were committed to memory
Come every Saint and hearken now
Did you not make a solemn vow
When the Saviors name ye took on you
With all your sins to bid adieu
In the eyes of all who did you see
Your covenant was to follow me
Thro vile report as well as good
To live by faith and every word
Think on the covenant you did mak(e)
Your secret prayers do not forsake
For when my saints neglect to pray
Their faith grows weaker every day
Advantage Satan then will take
And saints their covenant soon will break
Hear what neglect will bring Saint to
T'will bring them down to pain and wo
If the mysteries of Heaven they've known
Alas forever they're undone
A lake of fire compared to
There they must dwell in pain & wo
[Source: Journal of Lorenzo Brown: 1823-1900]
Come every Saint and hearken now
Did you not make a solemn vow
When the Saviors name ye took on you
With all your sins to bid adieu
In the eyes of all who did you see
Your covenant was to follow me
Thro vile report as well as good
To live by faith and every word
Think on the covenant you did mak(e)
Your secret prayers do not forsake
For when my saints neglect to pray
Their faith grows weaker every day
Advantage Satan then will take
And saints their covenant soon will break
Hear what neglect will bring Saint to
T'will bring them down to pain and wo
If the mysteries of Heaven they've known
Alas forever they're undone
A lake of fire compared to
There they must dwell in pain & wo
[Source: Journal of Lorenzo Brown: 1823-1900]
30 years ago today - 1984 Late Jan
[Mark Hofmann] Hofmann tells Christensen he has a cash-flow problem; if Christensen can give him the $9,000 plus $5,000 now, Hofmann will give him a bonus: the transcript of a 1 November 1825 contract in which Joseph Smith, Sr., Josiah Stowell, and other partners agreed on the division of proceeds from a money-digging enterprise they had organized to find buried treasure. Christensen agrees to advance the money in exchange for a copy of the text and the right to buy the original for $15,000 if and when Hofmann acquires it.
[Source: Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,]
[Source: Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,]
55 years ago today - Jan 28, 1959
Apostle Marion G. Romney writes President David O. McKay that recently published "Mormon Doctrine" by Seventy's president Bruce R. McConkie is discourteous and offensive toward RLDS church, of Christian churches generally, of Catholic church in particular, of Communists, and of evolutionists. Romney also says the book presumes to declare controversial issues and personal interpretations as "Mormon Doctrine."
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
90 years ago today - Jan 28, 1924
[George F. Richards] Elder Jos. F. Smith, Jos. Christensen and I had Sister Annie Woods Williams Holdaway before us & learned that she married into Poligamy in 1909. We decided to excuse her from assisting us at the Temple.
[Source: George F. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: George F. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
120 years ago today - Jan 28, 1894
Lorenzo Snow "said the Saints would be called to Jackson Co., in 10 or 15 years to build up the Center Stake of Zion".
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
155 years ago today - Jan 28, 1859
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] + S. M. Blair Conversed with President Young upon the subject of Manufacturing sugar molasses, tobaco & hemp. He wishes companies to enter into the business upon a large scale so as to supply the Utah Market instead of Bringing it from abroad. He thought the Deseret Agricultural & manufacturing society should enter into this Business, and set the example th[...] us.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Jan 28, 1849
Manchester N.Y., resident Lorenzo Saunders deeds about forty-eight acres of his land to Amos Miner. The land contains a hill and cave which was dug by a "money-digging" party under the guidance of Joseph Smith. Miner's heirs hold the property for three generations. Grandson Wallace Miner tells Brigham Young University professor M. Wilford Poulson in 1932, "He [Smith] dug a 40 ft. cave right on this vary farm. . . . He dug in about 20 ft. and the angel told him this was not holy ground, but to move south [to Cumorah]. Martin Harris stayed at this home when I was about 13 yrs. of age [ca. 1856] and I used to go over to the diggings about 100 rods or a little less S.E. [southeast] of this house. It is near a clump of bushes. Martin Harris regarded it as fully as sacred as the Mormon Hill diggings." In 1867 Palmyra resident and childhood acquaintance of Joseph Smith Pomeroy Tucker reports "[f]rom the lapse of time and natural causes the cave has been closed for years, very little mark of its former existence remaining to be seen." In 1893, a reporter from the NEW YORK HERALD, accompanied by Orson Saunders and John H. Gilbert (type setter for the Book of Mormon), visited the cave and reported that "[t]he door jambs leading into the cave are still sound and partly visible, but the earth has been washed down by storms and the opening to the cave nearly filled, so that it cannot be entered at present. The cave remained closed until Apr 1974 when Andrew H. Kommer, owner of the property, cleared the cave's opening with a bulldozer. At that time the cave was described as "about six feet high at the largest point in the middle and 10-12 feet long," and "carved into a rock-hard clay hillside. . . . The walls and ceiling of the cave appear to have been dug or picked by hand." Today the entrance of the cave is closed and overgrown with foliage. Due to Joseph Smith's association with the hill and cave it is called "Mormon Hill" by local residents and was often confused with nearby "Hill Cumorah" as the place where Joseph got the Gold Plates.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
170 years ago today - Jan 28, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] This was quite a remarkable day to me & my family in some respects. Weather vary Cold. Thermometer 15 degrees below Zero. ... It being vary Cold I set a pot of Chaircoal in the bedroom to warm it. ... while we were their the effects of the Chaircoal nearly overpowerd us [carbon monoxide]. It made us most sick. We took the coal out. Aired the room. But it made us so sick we had to go to bed upon it. However we had not lain long before Phebe Amelia our little girl fell over in the Chair & nearly smashed her nose. Blood flew over her. After we had attended to the child Mrs Woodruff had to returned to her bed. We then had Prayers together before the Lord & asked for such things as we kneeded. I laid hands upon her & she was healed & attended to the business of the family.
... Wilford & Phebe W Woodruff receivd our 2d Anointing & sealings./
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
... Wilford & Phebe W Woodruff receivd our 2d Anointing & sealings./
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
10 years ago today - 2004 Late January
Membership in the Church passed the 12 million mark.
[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]
[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]
75 years ago today - Jan 27, 1939
Counselors J. Reuben Clark and David O. McKay write to Jewish non-Mormon who appeals for First Presidency help to escape Nazi regime: "We have so many requests of this sort from various persons, including members of the Church, that we have found it necessary to ask to be excused from making the required guarantee." Letter suggests that he contact American Jewish organizations.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
120 years ago today - Jan 27, 1894
[George Q. Cannon] I found a cipher dispatch from President [Wilford] Woodruff asking my opinion concerning the proposition which had been made to elect Dr. [James E.] Talmage President of the University of Utah and to have the Church University suspend for the present, and the Church academies act as feeders for the University. I telegraphed a reply favoring the plan.
[Source: George Q. Cannon Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: George Q. Cannon Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
165 years ago today - Jan 27, 1849
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 27th I recieved the New York Herald weekly of 27th. It is full of the Calafornia gold fever. It seems as though All the world was running stark mad to go to the gold mines of Calafornia on the Sacramento. Hundreds of ships And tens of thousand of men are preparing to go there.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - 1839: 27 January
[Patriarchal Blessings] Charles W. Hubbard. (Given by Joseph Smith, Sen.)
... God will unveil the heavens to thee and thou shalt look and see the Redeemer, and shall hear this testimony, 'That thou hast seen Him,' ... if thou wilt be faithful, thou shalt live to see the Savior come while in the flesh, for thou art of the House of Abraham and shall be blessed with them upon the Land of Promise and shall live to see the winding up scenes of this generation and shall be crowned with Celestial Glory. ...
[Source: Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
... God will unveil the heavens to thee and thou shalt look and see the Redeemer, and shall hear this testimony, 'That thou hast seen Him,' ... if thou wilt be faithful, thou shalt live to see the Savior come while in the flesh, for thou art of the House of Abraham and shall be blessed with them upon the Land of Promise and shall live to see the winding up scenes of this generation and shall be crowned with Celestial Glory. ...
[Source: Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
105 years ago today - Jan 26, 1909
... Where elderly people may be found to be more or less lacking in their observance of the Word of Wisdom, and the question of their worthiness to be recommended to the temple comes before you for consideration, it will be in order for you and the Stake Presidency to consider together all such cases, deciding each on its own merits, and showing appropriate leniency to elderly people, as there can be no rigid rule for each and every case. ...
[Source: Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund [First Presidency] to William H. Seegmiller and counselors, Jan. 26, 1909, as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Source: Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund [First Presidency] to William H. Seegmiller and counselors, Jan. 26, 1909, as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
110 years ago today - Jan 26, 1904
[Patriarchal Blessing of future first counselor Hugh B. Brown on January 26, 1904]
...thy duty shall be made known unto thee by prophetic vision. The angel who was given thee at thy birth has watched over thee thus far and preserved thee from the evils of the world, the power of the destroyer, and from those who feign would have led thee into forbidden paths. And it is necessary that you reflect upon the past, present, and future, for in this wise the vision of thine understanding shall be opened. ... And when necessary thou shalt prophesy, for thy guardian angel will often whisper in thine ear and open the eyes of thine understanding.
... it shall be thy lot to feel the hungry and clothe the naked and provide for widows and the fatherless. ... thou shalt preside among the people. Therefore, remember that when doubts cross thy mind, to ask the Father for the gift of discernment, and it shall be well with thee. ...
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
...thy duty shall be made known unto thee by prophetic vision. The angel who was given thee at thy birth has watched over thee thus far and preserved thee from the evils of the world, the power of the destroyer, and from those who feign would have led thee into forbidden paths. And it is necessary that you reflect upon the past, present, and future, for in this wise the vision of thine understanding shall be opened. ... And when necessary thou shalt prophesy, for thy guardian angel will often whisper in thine ear and open the eyes of thine understanding.
... it shall be thy lot to feel the hungry and clothe the naked and provide for widows and the fatherless. ... thou shalt preside among the people. Therefore, remember that when doubts cross thy mind, to ask the Father for the gift of discernment, and it shall be well with thee. ...
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
115 years ago today - Jan 26, 1899
[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] 6 years ago today Augusta and I were legally married to prevent any trouble on account of her living with me after my wife Lucy's death. Augusta and I were married on May 26/84. by the laws of our Church [by Joseph F. Smith].
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
140 years ago today - Jan 26, 1874
Apparently last meeting of Brigham Young's School of Prophets.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
170 years ago today - Jan 26, 1844
[Joseph Smith Diary] ... Went to the office and instructed Bro[ther] Phelps to write a piece on the situation of the nation—referring to the President's Messages &c. [[Phelps then ghostwrites Joseph Smith's abolitionist platform]]
Prayer meeting at Bro[ther] Young's. 8 of the [Twelve Apostles were present]. O[rson] Pratt [was] present [and anointed to the fullness of the priesthood][[2nd anointing]].
[Source: Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
Prayer meeting at Bro[ther] Young's. 8 of the [Twelve Apostles were present]. O[rson] Pratt [was] present [and anointed to the fullness of the priesthood][[2nd anointing]].
[Source: Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
175 years ago today - 1839 26 Jan.
Under direction of Assistant Counselor John Smith, a committee organizes the exodus from Missouri to Illinois.
[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]
[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]
140 years ago today - Jan 25, 1874
[Brigham Young Sermon] "when we wear out the prejudice which is now felt by the wicked world against the doctrine of polygamy, the honest will flock into the Church by thousands and millions; and the only thing I am afraid of, is the effect of popularity and riches."
[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
165 years ago today - Jan 25, 1849
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] I dug & pulled out two of my worst teeth I had with twine And A Jack knife.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - January 25, 1844. Thursday.
[William Clayton Journal] ...P.M. Sister Durphy [plural wife of Joseph Smith (http://bit.ly/1eRdS6I)] came to make my Robe and Garment. I was at President Joseph's.
[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]
[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]
170 years ago today - Jan 25, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 25th Met with the quorum of the Twelve at President Youngs house. Had a good prayer meeting. (OH) Br Orson Hyde was present. Had not met with us for some time. Orson Hyde Received his 2d Anointing.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
115 years ago today - Jan 24, 1899
[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] John Henry Smith suggested that Bro Snow write him a letter, as it was being circulated that it was the mind and will of the Lord that Frank J. Cannon be chosen to succeed himself as U.S. Senator. Bro Snow signed the [a] letter which I wrote out at the suggestion of Bro John Hy. Smith.
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
120 years ago today - Jan 24, 1894
While visiting the Saints in Cardston, Alberta, Canada, Elder John W. Taylor prophesies that a beautiful temple will be built in this Latter-day Saint community. Dedicated in 1923, the Alberta Temple (later the Cardston Alberta Temple) is the first temple erected outside the United States and its territories.
[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
130 years ago today - Jan 24, 1884
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] ... we found on searching that in the History of Brigham Young it sayes that Orson Pratt [was excommunicated] for apostacy and following his wife instead of the [lead?]ers of the Church that he was Cut off from the Church on the 20 day of Aug 1842. Also W. Woodruff Journals show the same And He was restored to the Church, Baptized, Confirmed, and restored to the Apostleship on the 20 day of Jan 1843.
[[Pratt believed his wife's word over that Joseph Smith -- that Joseph had proposed to her while Pratt was on a mission.]]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[[Pratt believed his wife's word over that Joseph Smith -- that Joseph had proposed to her while Pratt was on a mission.]]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Jan 24, 1884
[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] ... and then party in the Social Hall, Emily Wells and Augusta Winters were at the party, both of whom I love fondly and would like to marry. ...
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
160 years ago today - Jan 24, 1854
During the time when the Relief Society was not functioning, Matilda Dudley establishes the "Indian Relief Society," a society of women who made clothing for needy Indian women and children.
[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
165 years ago today - Jan 24, 1849
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] A new city has been laid out 10 miles north of the Temple Block Another About 10 miles South. All the lots surveyed had been taken up & An Addition had been made running to the mountains on the East side. ...
Brothers Daniel Browett, Allen And Cox were all killed by A Band of Diggers in the Calafornia Mountains As they were exploring A new Pass through the mountains. They were surrounded when Asleep And killed with stones. $100 worth of gold dust was found on the ground which belonged to Brother Allen. Their bodies were striped of their Clothing And then buried by the Indians. This occurd 40 miles from the settlements on the Sacramento....
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Brothers Daniel Browett, Allen And Cox were all killed by A Band of Diggers in the Calafornia Mountains As they were exploring A new Pass through the mountains. They were surrounded when Asleep And killed with stones. $100 worth of gold dust was found on the ground which belonged to Brother Allen. Their bodies were striped of their Clothing And then buried by the Indians. This occurd 40 miles from the settlements on the Sacramento....
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
20 years ago today - Jan 23, 1994
Colombian rebels blow up LDS chapel in Medellin.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
50 years ago today - Jan 23, 1964
Apostle Delbert L. Stapley writes to Michigan governor George Romney with concern over Romney's "liberal" views on civil rights. Stapley agrues against the 1964 Civil Rights bill (which later passed) stating that "the Negro" is not entitled to "full social benefits nor inter-marriage privileges with the Whites, nor should the Whites be forced to accept them into restricted White areas." Stapley states that his position is due to the statements of Joseph Smith on the subject.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
75 years ago today - Jan 23, 1939
First counselor J. Reuben Clark confides to Brigham Young University-s president that in 1938 the church spent nearly $900,000 more than its revenues. As a result Clark begins policy in 1939 of having fixed annual budget for all church expenditures to avoid deficit-spending. On Aril 1, 1940 Clark informs meeting of all chruch auxiliary leaders about 1939 deficit, as well -a deficit of over $100,000, from the point of income and expenditures- in 1937. He also refers to this deficit-spending in general terms during his remarks to general conference in Apr 1940.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
100 years ago today - Jan 23, 1914; Friday
[Matthias F. Cowley speaking:] Brother [John] Woolley said to me that he thought it was alright and related to me how President John Taylor had spent the whole night at his place and the President had said in the morning that the principle would not be done away with and I told Brother Woolley that I could have nothing to do with it.
President [Francis M.] Lyman: Brother [Judson] Tolman also claimed that you sent men to him.
Cowley: This I never did. I never sent a man to Brother Tolman. ...
[Matthias F. Cowley:] In answer to Brother [Heber J.] Grant, I deny that I ever asked Brother Woolley if he was familiar with the sealing ordinance or that I told him not to turn a good man down if he came to him. ...
Brother [Reuben G.] Miller explained that Brother Woolley had told him how abolishing of plural marriage was being agitated by the legal advisers of the Church and how President Taylor had spent the entire night in pondering over the question and in the morning came into the room where Brother Woolley was with his face illuminated and said this principle was not to be done away with
but to remain on the earth and this had strengthened Brother Woolley in believing that the practice should maintained and had also influenced Brother Miller. ...
[Source: Excerpt from the Minutes of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles]
President [Francis M.] Lyman: Brother [Judson] Tolman also claimed that you sent men to him.
Cowley: This I never did. I never sent a man to Brother Tolman. ...
[Matthias F. Cowley:] In answer to Brother [Heber J.] Grant, I deny that I ever asked Brother Woolley if he was familiar with the sealing ordinance or that I told him not to turn a good man down if he came to him. ...
Brother [Reuben G.] Miller explained that Brother Woolley had told him how abolishing of plural marriage was being agitated by the legal advisers of the Church and how President Taylor had spent the entire night in pondering over the question and in the morning came into the room where Brother Woolley was with his face illuminated and said this principle was not to be done away with
but to remain on the earth and this had strengthened Brother Woolley in believing that the practice should maintained and had also influenced Brother Miller. ...
[Source: Excerpt from the Minutes of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles]
100 years ago today - Jan 23, 1914
[David O. McKay] At Salt Lake City. Special Council meeting of the Twelve, sitting on the case of Reuben G. Miller, accused of having taken a plural wife contrary to the discipline and order of the church. He has been misled, and is thoroughly repentant.
In the afternoon, we tried Matthias F. Cowley on the charge of encouraging others to enter into secret marriages, and inducing a man to perform such ceremonies, since he was last before the Council. He denied the charge, and maintained his innocence.
[Source: David O. McKay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
In the afternoon, we tried Matthias F. Cowley on the charge of encouraging others to enter into secret marriages, and inducing a man to perform such ceremonies, since he was last before the Council. He denied the charge, and maintained his innocence.
[Source: David O. McKay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
100 years ago today - Jan 23, 1914
[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] "Spent Friday hearing testimony at Bishops Bldg with my Quorum [Twelve] in the cases of Reuben Miller and [Apostle] Matthias F. Cowley who are charged with encouraging disobedience to the rule of the church with reference to the Manifesto prohibiting Polygamy. We were in meeting seven hours and I was nearly used up."
[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]
[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]
115 years ago today - Jan 23, 1899; Monday
President [Lorenzo] Snow received a call from ... the Davis [Utah] Stake Presidency, in relation to a letter which had been written by them respecting a serious difficulty existing between the people of Kaysville and those of Layton on questions of politics, and which if not settled in some other way, threatened to find its way into the courts. .... President Snow authorized a letter to be written to these Apostles, requesting them to attend to the matter.
A letter was read from ... the St. George Temple, conveying the information that a young married man ... while in an unsound state of mind had committed suicide in California, where he resided. The grandmother desired to know if Temple work might be done for him. President Snow decided that in this and in all like cases, where persons committed suicide in an unsound state of mind, Temple work might be done for them.
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
A letter was read from ... the St. George Temple, conveying the information that a young married man ... while in an unsound state of mind had committed suicide in California, where he resided. The grandmother desired to know if Temple work might be done for him. President Snow decided that in this and in all like cases, where persons committed suicide in an unsound state of mind, Temple work might be done for them.
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
155 years ago today - Jan 23, 1859
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] <He [Brigham Young] asked me about [my wife] Phebe. I told him all about her. He remembers her and said how if he had any wish to take any more [wives] he said we should be pressed for an [offer?].>
... In speaking of the Deserett Alphabet they thought we would have to Continue the English Books as well as the Deserett Alphabet as we could not print but few Books in the Deseret Alphabet.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
... In speaking of the Deserett Alphabet they thought we would have to Continue the English Books as well as the Deserett Alphabet as we could not print but few Books in the Deseret Alphabet.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
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
75 years ago today - Jan 22, 1939
Elder George Albert Smith ordains and sets apart Moroni Timbimboo, the first Native American Indian to serve as a bishop in the Church, as the presiding officer of the Washakie Ward, in Box Elder County, Utah.
[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
170 years ago today - Jan 22, 1844
William Clayton Voted into the "Quorum," Joseph Smith's private prayer circle.
[Source: Smith, George D., An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, p.lxiii, A William Clayton Chronology, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
[Source: Smith, George D., An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, p.lxiii, A William Clayton Chronology, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
170 years ago today - Jan 22, 1844
Joseph Smith leases the "Nauvoo Mansion House to Ebenezer Robinson for $1000 per annum" plus "board for myself and family and horses, reserving myself 3 rooms in the house." Robinson continues operating the rest of the building as a bed and breakfast complete with tavern as Joseph Smith had previously.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
75 years ago today - Jan 21, 1939
'Humor was therapeutic for McKay, and he urged others to take the same medicine. speaking to a group of former missionaries he said, "I believe in havinging good times, in laughing, relaxing, and seeing the sunny side of life. We are far too sober, have too much worry." And he pitied those who couldn't laugh, saying, "I feel a little sorry for those that have such long faces that they have to sleep on their pillow lengthwise.'
[Source: David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism, by Greg Prince, chapter 1, footnote 91 and 92, David O. Mckay, remarks at the German-Austraian Missionary Association Banquet, January 21, 1939, in "Contact," the publication of the German missionary Association, March, 1939, DOMS #5. and Albert L. Bott, quoting McKay at the first Annual David O. McKay Honor Day, Ogden, Utah, February 25, 1965, DOMS #118.]
[Source: David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism, by Greg Prince, chapter 1, footnote 91 and 92, David O. Mckay, remarks at the German-Austraian Missionary Association Banquet, January 21, 1939, in "Contact," the publication of the German missionary Association, March, 1939, DOMS #5. and Albert L. Bott, quoting McKay at the first Annual David O. McKay Honor Day, Ogden, Utah, February 25, 1965, DOMS #118.]
100 years ago today - Jan 21, 1914
The General Relief Society Presidency ask for and receive counsel of the First Presidency on the establishment of a system of benefit insurance for Relief Society members.
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
170 years ago today - Jan 21, 1844
Brigham Young "administered to Parley P. Pratt his second anointing." Joseph Smith remarks, "Concerning Parley P. Pratt that He had no wife sealed to him for Eternity [Pratt's wife 'had a former Husband and did not wish to be sealed to Parl[e]y for Eternity'] and asked if their was any harm for him to have another wife for time & Eternity as He would want a wife in the Resurrection or els[e] his glory would be Clip[p]ed." Joseph also says, "I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the saints prepared to receive the things of God, but we frequently see some of them after suffereing all they have for the work of God will fly to peaces like glass as soon as any thing Comes that is Contrary to their traditions. They cannot stand the fire at all." Joseph Smith had been secretly teaching the doctrine of plural marriage and receiving opposition to it from some Mormons.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
170 years ago today - Jan 20, 1844
Joseph Smith gives Heber C. Kimball and his wife Vilate their Second Anointing.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
130 years ago today - Sunday, Jan 20, 1884
[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] Liverpool
Cool but pleasant. Two meetings today. I spoke an hour in the evening. I did not enjoy good liberty.
[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]
Cool but pleasant. Two meetings today. I spoke an hour in the evening. I did not enjoy good liberty.
[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]
150 years ago today - Jan 20, 1864
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 20 We met in Joint Session & Appointed the officers of the Territory.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
25 years ago today - Jan 19, 1989
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs at the inauguration of President George H.W. Bush, who calls the choir a ―National Treasure.
[Source: Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
[Source: Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
75 years ago today - Jan 19, 1939
[President Heber J. Grant Diary] Attended a dinner in honor of the anniversary of President George Q. Cannon's birthday at the home of Brother Howells. I related a number of incidents of my personal experiences with Brother George Q. Cannon. I took upon him as one of the brainiest men we have ever had in the Church.
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - Jan 19, 1859
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] President Young conversed upon the subject of the present position of the United States in Connexion with England & France in relation to the South American Question. He said If I had been President of the United States 7 years ago I would have disbanded all of the armey and expended the same amount of money in building a Navy of armed Steamers. I would have setled the Southern Mexico with americans & bought out the Mexicans & finally annexed it to the United States. And now if we have war with England the United States will have to send their armies by Land.
He also said I have found out of Late what I have said before that the British Government sent four regiments to Lake superior to stop the mormons from going into the British possessions & told the Govornor that England would support him with all the British force if necessary to keep the mormons from entering the British possessions.
President Young said we are here in these valley whare we shall stay untill the Lord shall lead us. We shall never be driven from these Mountains I do not believe.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
He also said I have found out of Late what I have said before that the British Government sent four regiments to Lake superior to stop the mormons from going into the British possessions & told the Govornor that England would support him with all the British force if necessary to keep the mormons from entering the British possessions.
President Young said we are here in these valley whare we shall stay untill the Lord shall lead us. We shall never be driven from these Mountains I do not believe.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
160 years ago today - Jan 19, 1854
The official announcement adopting the Deseret Alphabet was made in the Deseret News.
[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]
[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 - Jan 19, 1844
[Joseph Smith Diary] ... gave a Lecture on the Constitution and candidates for the Presidency &c...
[Source: Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
[Source: Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
35 years ago today - Jan 18, 1979
[John Singer] On the morning of 18 January 1979 Singer was confronted outside his home by Utah law enforcement officers. His home was surrounded and he was told to surrender his weapon. Singer pointed a pistol at the officers and the officers responded killing Singer with multiple gunshot wounds. His wife Vickie was taken to jail and his children were placed in shelter homes.
[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: John Singer, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: John Singer, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
50 years ago today - Jan 18, 1964
Church News reports that LDS headquarters has donated $10,000 toward construction of John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. In 1974, Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs at Kennedy Center with attendance by newly installed U.S. president Gerald R. Ford.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
170 years ago today - Jan 18, 1844
[Patriarchal Blessings] [Patriarchal Blessing of Joel Hills Johnson on January 18, 1844]
... Thou shalt have power to command the winds and the waves to ride upon the wings of wind so mighty and great shall be thy faith....
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
... Thou shalt have power to command the winds and the waves to ride upon the wings of wind so mighty and great shall be thy faith....
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
170 years ago today - Jan 18, 1844
Oliver Cowdery: Resumed activity in Methodist church, charter member of local congregation 18 Jan. 1844
[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]
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
40 years ago today - Jan 17, 1974
The ROLLING STONE publishes an article "The Mormon Word: No Hair, Sex or 3 Dog Night" which tells of the ASBYU Social Office's cancellation of a scheduled appearance by the group "Three Dog Night" immediately after a conference address by Boyd K. Packer. The article quotes Mark Alexander, BYU social vice-president: "In light of Elder Packer's talk, we are taking a closer look at the groups we are booking, and we are making sure we are in harmony with church standards". In the previous Oct General Conference, Packer referred to the "shabbiness, the irreverence, the immorality, and the addictions" associated with many contemporary entertainers, and intimated that the music itself was inherently evil.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
60 years ago today - Jan 17, 1954
David O. McKay tells meeting of LDS missionaries in South Africa that he wanted to ordain African-American in 1921 but that is not possible "until the Lord gives us another revelation changing this practice." McKay acknowledges two exceptions to this policy: one African-American (Elijah Abel) received priesthood during Joseph Smith presidency and one other (identity unknown and probably myth) received endowment during Brigham Young's presidency. However, McKay liberalizes church's policy by no longer requiring priesthood eligibility to depend on South African's ability to trace all his ancestral lines to Europe.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
65 years ago today - Jan 17, 1949
[Joseph Fielding Smith] Wickedness and the disregard of divine laws is the condition which prevails in our own country. Those who sit in high places are turning from the fundamental and stable principles upon which our government was founded. The trend towards centralized government and the taking away from the people their inborn rights increases. Socialism, which is bordering on communism is getting a death grip on our own country. Radicals dominate in all things and labor union bosses dictate to those in governmental positions and are feared by them. The people have forgotten the Lord and treat with contempt all of his laws. It is with sadness that I record that these conditions have crept in among the members of the Church and what the end will be the Lord knows. It appears that he will have to cut short his work in righteousness and in his anger continue to punish the people for they will not repent notwithstanding all that they have suffered by war and plague during the past quarter of a century.
[Source: Joseph Fielding Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: Joseph Fielding Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
75 years ago today - Jan 17, 1939
[David O. McKay] President George H. Robinson of the Bear Lake Stake called and considered the following questions:
1st: Where should the line be drawn in releasing or sustaining officers of the Church who are selling tobacco and beer?
Answer: Thus far tobacco has been considered a commodity that might be kept in stores and sold as other commodities, and an officer of the Church is not considered to be out of harmony who deals in that product.
With beer it is different'beer is intoxicating. No Stake Officer, member of a Bishopric, or President of a Quorum, or an officer in an auxiliary should be sustained who sells beer to young people.
[Source: David O. McKay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
1st: Where should the line be drawn in releasing or sustaining officers of the Church who are selling tobacco and beer?
Answer: Thus far tobacco has been considered a commodity that might be kept in stores and sold as other commodities, and an officer of the Church is not considered to be out of harmony who deals in that product.
With beer it is different'beer is intoxicating. No Stake Officer, member of a Bishopric, or President of a Quorum, or an officer in an auxiliary should be sustained who sells beer to young people.
[Source: David O. McKay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
120 years ago today - Jan 17, 1894
[John M. Whitaker] ... an important meeting was held in the Assembly Room of the Temple ... at which President Wilford Woodruff made plain the rights of the Priesthood and the matter of ordaining Seventies was plainly settled. He stated that from now on no more Seventies will be made direct from the Elders Quorums, but as the Elders are set apart as missionaries, they will be ordained Seventies and sent forth as Seventies as that is their special calling to preach the gospel to all nations ...
[Source: John M. Whitaker Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: John M. Whitaker Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
120 years ago today - Wednesday, Jan 17, 1894
[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] Lorenzo Snow, F. D. Richards, F. M. Lyman, H. J. Grant, A. H. Cannon and myself met at the Temple. ... All of the Presidency and Bro. M. Thatcher joined us and we broke bread together and drank wine.
[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]
[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]
150 years ago today - Jan 17, 1864
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] After Prayers President Young informed us He had a letter from Brethren on the Sandwich [Hawaiian] Islands which was read informing us that Capt Gibson Had ordained on the Island A Quorum of Twelve Apostles & Seventies & Bishops & High Priests &c. He Charged $100 for Ordaining the 12 each & $50 for 70, $5 for a Bishop $2.50 for a Bishops Counceller &c And He had Claimed all the Island to himself & said that Brigham Young had no dominion over those Islands And all his Conduct is Accordingly. He has taken possession of the Island & takes from the Saints all that they raise & is playing the Tyrant over all the Saints on those Island. After reading the Letter He Said that He wanted two of the Twelve to take several of the young Brethren who had been over there before & go to the Islands & set the Churches in order & do what is necessary.
[Ezra T. Benson and Lorenzo Snow are sent.]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Ezra T. Benson and Lorenzo Snow are sent.]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Jan 17, 1844
[Nauvoo Neighbor] -- Editorial -- Elder Lorenzo Snow (through Sir Henry Wheatley) gave Queen Victoria two copies of the Book of Mormon, donated by Brigham Young.
- Poetry: "Queen Victoria" -- Lorenzo Snow -- Poem he wrote after giving Queen Victoria 2 copies of the Book of Mormon)
[Source: http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
- Poetry: "Queen Victoria" -- Lorenzo Snow -- Poem he wrote after giving Queen Victoria 2 copies of the Book of Mormon)
[Source: http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
170 years ago today - Jan 17, 1844
Elizabeth Ann Whitney, wife of Bishop Newel K. Whitney gives birth to the first child, a girl whom Joseph Smith named Mary, born "heir to the Holy Priesthood and in the New and Everlasting Covenant in this dispensation."
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
100 years ago today - Jan 16, 1914; Friday
John Woolley [[leader of fundementalist movement]] stated to Bro[ther]. [Francis M.] Lyman & me that Bro[ther]. [Matthias F.] Cowley [[released from apostleship for continuing to perform plural marriages]] did say to him in a conversation which took place on the S[outh]. E[ast]. Corner of the Temple Block, that "if any good man comes to you don't turn him down." That was the only thing Cowley said to him on the subject. He would not have assumed to solemnize a marriage had it not been for that remark. He thought Pres[ident]. [Joseph F.] Smith had authorized Cowley to speak. Could not remember just when this conversation took place, but it was before he solemnized marriages.
[Source: Anthony W. Ivins, Diary, entry dated February 1914]
[Source: Anthony W. Ivins, Diary, entry dated February 1914]
120 years ago today - Jan 16, 1894
Presidency and apostles vote for church to pay $25,000 to Brigham Young Trust Company to act as intermediary in making "a loan" to repay that amount of monies which Bishop Leonard G. Hardy has embezzled from Salt Lake County.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
130 years ago today - Jan 16, 1884
[George Albert Smith Patriarchal Blessing] ... the light of the Lord shall dwell within you, and every organ of you mind shall be filled with the inspiration of the Lord, for thou wast called and chosen of the Lord from before the foundation of the earth was laid to come forth in this dispensation to assist in building up the Zion of God upon the earth, ... thy voice shall be as the voice of a trumpet in declaring the words of the Lord to the nobles of the earth... And thou shalt have power over the elements, and the winds and the waves of the sea shall obey thy voice, and no miracle shall be too great for thee to do, when it shall be necessary for the salvation of man, ... and thou shalt behold the Lord when he shall come in the clouds of heaven, .... And thou shalt become a mighty prophet in the midst of the sons of Zion. And the angels of the Lord shall administer unto you, and the choice blessings of the heavens shall rest upon you.
And thy posterity shall become great upon the earth ... and thy sons shall become mighty men before the Lord, filled with the wisdom of the heavens, and many of them shall become prophets and apostles ...
And thou shalt be wrapt in the visions of the heavens ... for thou shalt become a mighty apostle in the church and kingdom of God upon the earth, for none of thy father's family shall have more power with God than thou shalt have, for none shall excel thee ... and thou shalt remain upon the earth until thou art satisfied with life, and shall be numbered with the Lord's annointed and shall become a king and a priest unto the most High, for thou art of the pure blood of Jacob, and have a right to all the blessings of the house of Joseph, and shall receive an everlasting inheritance when the Ancient of Days shall come ...[Patriarchal Blessing of George Albert Smith by Zebedee Coltrin on January 16, 1884]
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
And thy posterity shall become great upon the earth ... and thy sons shall become mighty men before the Lord, filled with the wisdom of the heavens, and many of them shall become prophets and apostles ...
And thou shalt be wrapt in the visions of the heavens ... for thou shalt become a mighty apostle in the church and kingdom of God upon the earth, for none of thy father's family shall have more power with God than thou shalt have, for none shall excel thee ... and thou shalt remain upon the earth until thou art satisfied with life, and shall be numbered with the Lord's annointed and shall become a king and a priest unto the most High, for thou art of the pure blood of Jacob, and have a right to all the blessings of the house of Joseph, and shall receive an everlasting inheritance when the Ancient of Days shall come ...[Patriarchal Blessing of George Albert Smith by Zebedee Coltrin on January 16, 1884]
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
170 years ago today - Jan 16, 1844
An "Ordinance concerning the sale of Spirituous Liquors" is passed by the Nauvoo City Council. It states: "Be it ordained by the City Council of the city of Nauvoo. that the Mayor of this city is hereby authorized to sell said liquors in such quantities as he may deem expedient." The ordinance is signed by "Joseph Smith, Mayor."
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
170 years ago today - Jan 16, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 16th I had a pig in the sullar & I believe the devil got into him. He leaped out of the pen destroyed one Jar of Butter one Jar of lard scattered ashes all over the sullar & kapered about over the Corn. I gave him a dismissal from the sullar and never saw him afterwards.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Jan 16, 1839
Lyman R Sherman: In a letter 16 Jan. 1839 First Presidency called Lyman R Sherman to replace the apostatized Orson Hyde in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, but Lyman R Sherman died before being ordained an apostle
[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]
[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]
175 years ago today - Jan 16, 1839
Joseph Smith, in Liberty jail, writes a letter to "Brothers H. C. Kimball and B. Young," including the post-script: "Appoint the oldest of those of the twelve who were first appointed to be the President of your Quorum." Joseph (who may have thought the balding Kimball was older than Young) does not name the president of the Quorum. But because Brigham Young is thirteen days older than Heber, and because the senior Apostle Lyman E. Johnson had left the church, Young becomes the president of the Quorum of the Twelve and the Prophet's successor as president of the church.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
20 years ago today - Jan 15, 1994
CHURCH NEWS article "Suicide Rates Increasing: Church Members Not Immune."
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
45 years ago today - Jan 15, 1969
BYU president Ernest L. Wilkinson forwards three clippings from the UNIVERSE to his assistant, Stephen R. Covey, with a memo reading, "I wish you would take the time to prepare a careful answer to the letter published Jan 6, and we will find some way of getting it in the Universe under some student's name."
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
55 years ago today - Jan 15, 1959
BYU Studies begins publishing faith-promoting works of LDS scholarship, including articles, essays, and poetry on a variety of subjects.
[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
85 years ago today - Jan 15, 1929
[Joseph Fielding Smith] Met with the committee reading B. H. Roberts' ms at 8:15. We met with some difficulties in theories advanced by the author. [The theory was of humans ("pre-Adamites") living on the earth before Adam and Eve]
[Source: Joseph Fielding Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: Joseph Fielding Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
90 years ago today - Jan 15, 1924
[James E. Talmage] In the evening I went to Farmington and sat with the high council in an advisory capacity, in the case of Lorin C. Woolley. The man himself was not present, and according to statements made before the council his absence was premeditated and deliberate. This act of contempt would have warranted the imposition of a penalty of disfellowshipment or excommunication, according to the rule and custom of the Church; but it was deemed advisable to hear the witnesses. There were three called, and each gave strong testimony, agreeing in every particular of importance, though no one of them had known that either of the others would be a witness, nor had they been together in connection with this case. Lorin C. Woolley, according tot he evidence presented, has persistently given out and declared that President Heber J. Grant and others of the General Authorities (including myself, according to one witness) have violated the rule of the Church against plural marriage and have taken wives during the recent past. After a patient hearing, conducted in the form prescribed, Lorin C. Woolley was excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I remained for some time after the meeting answering questions asked by members of the high council, and returned home by night train.
[Source: James E. Talmage Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: James E. Talmage Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
120 years ago today - Jan 15, 1894
[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] Last night in a dream I was shown distinctly that the people of Utah Territory were politically Democratic & that if their honest vote could be had it would so appear & that they had been counted out dishonestly by the Republican Commission.
[Source: Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Jan 15, 1884
[Patriarchal Blessings] [Patriarchal Blessing of Lucy M. Smith by Zebedee Coltrin on January 15, 1884]
... thou shalt behold the Lord when he shall come to His temple ... and the angels of the Lord shall administer unto you for thou shall be a mighty prophetess in the midst of the daughters of Zion and thou shall be wrapped in the visions of the heavens and shall be clothed with salvation as with the garment and shall remain upon the earth until thou are satisfied with life ... and the desires of thy heart shall be granted unto thee ...
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
... thou shalt behold the Lord when he shall come to His temple ... and the angels of the Lord shall administer unto you for thou shall be a mighty prophetess in the midst of the daughters of Zion and thou shall be wrapped in the visions of the heavens and shall be clothed with salvation as with the garment and shall remain upon the earth until thou are satisfied with life ... and the desires of thy heart shall be granted unto thee ...
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
170 years ago today - Jan 15, 1844
[Brigham Young] --15-- The Twelve having invited the brethren to cut and haul wood for President Joseph Smith, the citizens to the number of 200, with 40 teams, turned out and cut 200 loads and drew 100 to his house. I wrote a short epistle to President Morley and the Saints in Morley Settlement.
[Source: Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).]
[Source: Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).]
40 years ago today - Jan 14, 1974
Stake names changed to reflect headquarters city and state or country.
[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]
[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]
50 years ago today - Jan 14, 1964
... President [Hugh B.] Brown raised the question as an illustration as to what the situation would be where a woman was married to three husbands and there were three children each having different fathers. If they were all sealed to one man would the responsibility for [genealogy] research be through the blood line or through the sealing line. I said that if they are sealed for time and eternity, they will follow the sealing. I said that the same ruling should apply in all cases, legitimate or otherwise, that the person in question should act as though the adopted father was his real father.
[Source: David O. McKay diary, Jan. 14, 1964, as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Source: David O. McKay diary, Jan. 14, 1964, as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
50 years ago today - Jan 14, 1964
Church subsidiary Wasatch Radio & Television Company purchases KIRO-TV and KIRO-AM/FM in Seattle (Gordon B. Hinckley named as a director). Its broadcasting interests now include three properties: KSL, KIRO, and WRUL.
[Source: Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
[Source: Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
55 years ago today - Jan 14, 1959
The Board of Trustees approves the establishment of the College of Religious Instruction (later Religious Education) at BYU, with David H. Yarn as the first dean.
[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
115 years ago today - Jan 14, 1899
[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] My financial affairs have almost worried the life out of me [he is not sleeping past 2]
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Monday, Jan. 14th, 1884
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal] "The Territorial legislature, composed entirely of monogamists, convened today."
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
170 years ago today - Jan 14, 1844
[Anointed Quorum] Sunday evening prayer circle meeting in the upper room of Joseph Smith's store, but he "did not go." Wilford Woodruff said it was a meeting "with the quorum of the Twelve. Conversed upon a variety of subjects building the Temple, the endowment &c." (ww) ... and Statement of Heber C. Kimball and George A. Smith, 4 Jan. 1857, added to JS-F entry of 14 Jan. 1844 state that Brigham and Mary Ann Young received the second anointing on this date. If true, this was a repetition of the ceremony the couple originally received on 22 Nov. 1843. Someone besides Joseph Smith performed this repeated second anointing for Brigham and Mary Young .
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
20 years ago today - Jan 13, 1994
Emanuel Tov, Hebrew University professor and editor-in-chief of the Dead Sea Scrolls publication projects, invites BYU Professor Donald W. Parry to join the international team of editors working on publication of the scrolls.
[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
40 years ago today - Jan 13, 1974
Three missionaries in Pennsylvania are killed in head-on collision after car repeatedly bumps rear of their car and finally forces them into path on oncoming car.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
115 years ago today - Jan 13, 1899
[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] ... Today is one of the most eventful in my life from a financial standpoint and my deep gratitude to God is far beyond my power of expression and I hope I shall show my gratitude by more faithfulness in the future than I ever have been in the past.
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Jan 13, 1844
The Nauvoo City Council meets and "treated upon the Subject or granting licence for retailing liquors."
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
130 years ago today - Jan 13, 1884; Sunday
[Anthony Ivins Journal] Arose early this A.M. with the inten- tion of going to Amecameca but just as we were starting bro. [M.] Candanosa came in and told us that one of his children, a little boy about 6 years old, was very sick. He wished us to go and adminis- ter to it which we did. Found the child very low. Returned to our room and held meeting with a few of the brethren and sisters who came in. In the evening bro. Candanosa came in and told us that his child was still very low. I felt quite unwell, took some pills and composition tea before going to bed.
[Source: Anderson, Elizabeth Oberdick, editor, Cowboy Apostle: The Diaries of Anthony W. Ivins: 1875-1932, Signature Books, Salt Lake City in association with the Smith-Pettit Foundation (2013)]
[Source: Anderson, Elizabeth Oberdick, editor, Cowboy Apostle: The Diaries of Anthony W. Ivins: 1875-1932, Signature Books, Salt Lake City in association with the Smith-Pettit Foundation (2013)]
120 years ago today - Jan 13, 1894
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill Diary] Saturday. I left Franklin at 10:30 a. m., taking President George C. Parkinson with me, for Thatcher Ward, Gentile Valley, to dedicate their Meeting House and Bishop Lewis Pond's dwelling house.
[Source: Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
70 years ago today - Jan 12, 1944
[David O. McKay] Special meeting with ... special missionaries. Advised them not to be too active during the next month'to await developments concerning the agents of the law and excommunicants for violations of the marriage laws.
[Source: David O. McKay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: David O. McKay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
90 years ago today - Jan 12, 1924
[James E. Talmage] Had interviews with several people relating to alleged plural marriage propaganda; and as result a citation was prepared whereby Lorin C. Woolley, a member of the Centerville First Ward, South Davis Stake, is to be called to attend a high council meeting in the near future for trial.
[Source: James E. Talmage Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: James E. Talmage Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
95 years ago today - Jan 12, 1919
[David O. McKay] I called on Thos. J. Steed 2742 Adams Ave., relative to his having entered into an alleged plural marriage.
Several important things he admitted; viz.,
(1) That he has entered into such a marriage.
(2) That the one performing ceremony claimed authority to do so.
(3) That it was hinted to him that there is a 'union' or 'secret organization' attempting to perpetuate such marriages; but he says 'To hell with such a union'.
(4) That perhaps the best way to learn more about this would be to attend the funerals of men and women how [who] have recently entered into alleged plural marriages.
[Source: David O. McKay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
Several important things he admitted; viz.,
(1) That he has entered into such a marriage.
(2) That the one performing ceremony claimed authority to do so.
(3) That it was hinted to him that there is a 'union' or 'secret organization' attempting to perpetuate such marriages; but he says 'To hell with such a union'.
(4) That perhaps the best way to learn more about this would be to attend the funerals of men and women how [who] have recently entered into alleged plural marriages.
[Source: David O. McKay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
105 years ago today - Jan 12, 1909
[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] "Was present in Temple when Father baptized F.M. Lyman for his father [excommunicated apostle Amasa Lyman] and Pres Jos F. Smith restored his rights etc in the Priesthood [including his apostleship].
[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]
[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]
130 years ago today - Jan 12, 1884
[J.D.T. McAllister Diary] Certain Women not to be sealed to Joseph Smith
read a letter from Prest. Taylor approving our action in the E.G. Defriez matter. also that sister Maria Iverson Moss could be Sealed to some good man. Such cases should not be Sealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith.
[Source: Diary Excerpts of J.D.T. McAllister, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
read a letter from Prest. Taylor approving our action in the E.G. Defriez matter. also that sister Maria Iverson Moss could be Sealed to some good man. Such cases should not be Sealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith.
[Source: Diary Excerpts of J.D.T. McAllister, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
150 years ago today - Jan 12, 1864
Wilford Woodruff "Called at the prision & was with the prisioner [convicted murderer Jason Luce] until a few moments before his Execution. . . ."he had a vary hard time to part with his wife Children & Friends. He felt to Confess all of his [crimes] and ask the forgiveness of God & all men for all his Crimes. He had worn his garments up to tithing an hour before his death. I advised him to take it off which he did. . . . he then walked to his place of Execution. There was a large number outside the wall & some one hundred in the Court House . . . Jason Luce sat in a Chair with his feet maniceled. He addressed the people a few moments Renounced Wm. A. Hickman as his betrayer bid the People good by. Sherif Burton drew the Black Cap over his face & at the given signal 5 Balls was shot through or near his heart & his spirit left his body without a groan or hardly a movemet of his body." Luce had killed a man by slitting his throat with a Bowie knife on Dec. 7, 1863. The execution occurred 36 days after the crime was committed.
Having been publicly accused of using improper language, First Counselor Heber C. Kimball writes in his memorandum book: "I was told by the Lord that I should not be removed from my place as first counselor to President Young, and those who had oppressed me when it was in their power to do me good, shall be removed from their places. That [second counselor] Daniel H. Wells, [future apostle] Albert Carrington, [future apostle and son of Brigham] Jos. A. Young and others were among that number."
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
Having been publicly accused of using improper language, First Counselor Heber C. Kimball writes in his memorandum book: "I was told by the Lord that I should not be removed from my place as first counselor to President Young, and those who had oppressed me when it was in their power to do me good, shall be removed from their places. That [second counselor] Daniel H. Wells, [future apostle] Albert Carrington, [future apostle and son of Brigham] Jos. A. Young and others were among that number."
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
10 years ago today - Jan 11, 2004
Deseret Morning News
By Gary Mokotoff
Posthumous baptism is a terrible insult to Jews
What could be more inappropriate than baptizing a Holocaust victim; a person who died for only one reason he was a Jew ...
[Source: A chronicle of the Mormon-Jewish controversy; The LDS Agreement: A JewishGen InfoFile, http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/ldsagree.html]
By Gary Mokotoff
Posthumous baptism is a terrible insult to Jews
What could be more inappropriate than baptizing a Holocaust victim; a person who died for only one reason he was a Jew ...
[Source: A chronicle of the Mormon-Jewish controversy; The LDS Agreement: A JewishGen InfoFile, http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/ldsagree.html]
30 years ago today - Jan 11, 1984
Elder Mark E. Petersen dies.
[Source: Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)]
[Source: Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)]
140 years ago today - Jan 11, 1874
[Brigham Young Sermon] ... He said, Brother Joseph was anxious to get the Temple finished in Kirtland; when they came to prepare the inscription stone of the Kirtland Temple, it was found, after the inscription was cut on the stone, no one seemed at hand to gild the letters out of doors. Brother Young said he would do it, and did it. The inscription cut on the stone was: '"This building was erected by the Church of Christ. 1834.'" One day President Joseph Smith and himself were looking at the stone after it was done. President Joseph said '"Brother Brigham if you were to indite the inscription for that stone, what would it be?'" President Young replied he would use much the same words, but would make in the inscription: '"This building was erected by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.'" This was all that was said and that time about the matter; but the first time he (Brother Brigham) afterwards noticed any public record naming the Church, he read it under the name of '"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.'" -- St. George, Utah
[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
150 years ago today - Jan 11, 1864
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] I Called at the Court House and had another interview with Jason Luce who is sentenced to die tomorrow. ... He said [William] Hickman had advised him to do many things that made his flesh Crawl but he had not followed Hickmans advise in these things. He told the Jailors (which I did not Hear) that Hickman once asked him to go & knock an old man in the Head for no other purpose ownly to obtain an old mare that was not worth more than $30. And He feels that Wm. Hickman has betrayed him and done him much injury & he looks upon Hickman as a vary bad man. ....
I Called upon Governor Reed & asked him if he would Commute Jason Luce sentence to the Penetentiary for life as Hickman had held out this promise to Lute. Soon Hickman & Wilford Luce Came in for their answer & Mr Reed told them He Could do nothing in the premises that He Considered that He would be Commiting Crime to Change the sentence of Luce unless he had better ground than any thing He had seen.
So when I arived at the prision in the Evening I told Jason Luce there was no chance for him to live & I wished him to prepare to die. He then spent more than an hour giving us an account of what He had done & what he knew. He said in the Case of Drown & Arnold that Hickman was responsible for their death. He killed them with the help of one or two others. He said Wm. A Hickman robed Carpenter's store took the goods in his waggon & carried them to Huntingtons & from Huntingtons to his house over Jordon & then told Furguson if he would kill Carpenter He would Clear him that He Should not lie in Jail one day. Furguson killed Carpenter & was Hung for it & Hickman made him believe that he would be liberated up to the last minute. Luce said that Hickman Murdered [ ] for no other purpose ownly to obtain his gold watch & money & thinks he has the watch yet.
He said that Hickman was at the head of a Band of thieves. They have stolen as high as 100 Head of Cattle at a time from Camp Floyd & gone out onto the prairie & divided them & taken them to different parts of the Territory. Lute also said that Hickman had many men around him that Had to be fed & that men under him would go onto the range & drive up a Beef & kill & Eat it & sell the Hides or make them into Larretts or throw them away as the Case might be without any regard to whom might be the owners. Luce said that Hickman had been his ruin and the ruin of others and in all these things He had Carried his point by declairing that President Brigham Young had given him Council to do all these things (which is a Cursed lie). Luce made many other remarks which was reported by G. D. Watt.
[Note, Hickman was a bodyguard for Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, an associate of Porter Rockwell, a Danite and titled himself "Brigham Young's Destroying Angel."
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I Called upon Governor Reed & asked him if he would Commute Jason Luce sentence to the Penetentiary for life as Hickman had held out this promise to Lute. Soon Hickman & Wilford Luce Came in for their answer & Mr Reed told them He Could do nothing in the premises that He Considered that He would be Commiting Crime to Change the sentence of Luce unless he had better ground than any thing He had seen.
So when I arived at the prision in the Evening I told Jason Luce there was no chance for him to live & I wished him to prepare to die. He then spent more than an hour giving us an account of what He had done & what he knew. He said in the Case of Drown & Arnold that Hickman was responsible for their death. He killed them with the help of one or two others. He said Wm. A Hickman robed Carpenter's store took the goods in his waggon & carried them to Huntingtons & from Huntingtons to his house over Jordon & then told Furguson if he would kill Carpenter He would Clear him that He Should not lie in Jail one day. Furguson killed Carpenter & was Hung for it & Hickman made him believe that he would be liberated up to the last minute. Luce said that Hickman Murdered [ ] for no other purpose ownly to obtain his gold watch & money & thinks he has the watch yet.
He said that Hickman was at the head of a Band of thieves. They have stolen as high as 100 Head of Cattle at a time from Camp Floyd & gone out onto the prairie & divided them & taken them to different parts of the Territory. Lute also said that Hickman had many men around him that Had to be fed & that men under him would go onto the range & drive up a Beef & kill & Eat it & sell the Hides or make them into Larretts or throw them away as the Case might be without any regard to whom might be the owners. Luce said that Hickman had been his ruin and the ruin of others and in all these things He had Carried his point by declairing that President Brigham Young had given him Council to do all these things (which is a Cursed lie). Luce made many other remarks which was reported by G. D. Watt.
[Note, Hickman was a bodyguard for Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, an associate of Porter Rockwell, a Danite and titled himself "Brigham Young's Destroying Angel."
[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 - Jan 11, 1834
[Joseph Smith] Joseph and five others in Kirtland pray (1) that the Lord will protect their lives; (2) that the Lord will protect the lives of those in the United Order; (3) that Joseph will be given the victory over the threats against his life by apostate Doctor Philastus Hurlburt; (4) that the Kirtland bishop will get enough money to pay off the Church's debts; (5) that the printing press will be protected; and (6) that the Lord will deliver up Zion.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
30 years ago today - Jan 10, 1984
At a BYU Devotional Apostle Bruce R. McConkie identifies "salvation by 'grace alone without works' as the 'second greatest heresy' of Christendom". He also refers to the first, or "father of all heresies" which is the "incomprehensible three-in-one spirit essence" of God. Local Christian leaders decry McConkie's "hodge podge of confused statements", his "lack of real understanding of church history", and his "lack of understanding for other groups." One labels McConkie's talk "offensive".
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
100 years ago today - Jan 10, 1914
[George F. Richards] [Francis M.] Lyman on [looking into] cases of recent supposed [plural] marriages.
[Source: George F. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: George F. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
115 years ago today - Jan 10, 1899
[Apostle Brigham Young Jr. Diary] Understand Presidency has appointed an Auditing Committee to thoroughly investigate the church indebtedness. I know this will be grievous to Pres[ident] Geo[rge] Q. Cannon.
[Source: Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Jan 10, 1849
[Utah Currency] The church had a supply of engraved Kirtland, Ohio, bank notes which bore the signatures of Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, and decided to reissue these with the additional signatures of Young, Kimball, and Whitney. Thomas Bullock, clerk of Brigham Young, also put a private mark on the bills to authenticate those issued against gold dust. Some 135 of these bills in $1.00 and $3.00 denominations were placed in circulation on 10 January 1849, and 256, mostly of the $5.00 denomination, were in circulation before fall, bearing a face value of $1,33l.00.
[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: Utah Currency, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/c/COINS.html]
[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: Utah Currency, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/c/COINS.html]
170 years ago today - Jan 10, 1844
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith ordained his uncle John Smith as a patriarch; he became the fourth patriarch of the Church on January 1, 1849.
[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
110 years ago today - Jan 9, 1904
Emmeline B. Wells, editor of Woman's Exponent, writes: "Aunts Presendia [H. Kimball] & Zina [D. H. Young] used to interpret dreams for us but now there is no one to do it." This is one of the earliest comments about loss of spiritual gifts in Mormonism.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
115 years ago today - Jan 9, 1899
[Franklin D. Richards] Pres[iden]t [Lorenzo] Snow is still heavy laden with the signing of over a thousand names to Bonds ...
[Source: Franklin D. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: Franklin D. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
120 years ago today - Jan 9, 1894
[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] This has been an important day ... The U.S. Government has had possession of the Real Esstate of the Church & nearly $500,000 dollars of our money & stocks for several years in the Courts for years & the Congress of the United States Passed a Bill to restore our personal Property & the supreme Court ordered the money to be turned over to the Presidency of the Church but it had to be turned over to the supreme Court of Utah Territory. To day the supreme Court here ordered the Receiver to turn over the Money to the Presidency of the Church amounting to ($438,174.39) which will help us to partly to Pay our debts. ...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
120 years ago today - Jan 9, 1894
[Francis M. Lyman] The first Republican Legislature ever held in Utah convened at 2 P. M. yesterday and organized.
[Source: Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Jan 9, 1884
[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] I sometimes feel almost like stopping the writing of a Journal as my grammar is so poor also my spelling that I dislike to leave any such a record as I have to make under the circumstances but I am of the opinion that it is almost a matter of duty that I keep a Journal and this is the main reason that I am willing to do so.
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - Jan 9, 1859
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] ... while praying O Pratt Fainted & fell on the floor...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
160 years ago today - Jan 9, 1854
[Hosea Stout Diary] This evening about dark a change took place in my fortune which will most likely effect my future life. I was married to Mrs Aseneth Gheen
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
170 years ago today - January 9, 1844. Tuesday.
[William Clayton Journal] ... Joseph sent for me to make out Maria Lawrence account.
[Maria was Joseph Smith's plural wife]
[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]
[Maria was Joseph Smith's plural wife]
[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]
95 years ago today - Jan 8, 1919
[David O. McKay] Before leaving Ogden, I served a summon on Thomas J. Steed accused o of having entered into an alleged plural marriage with two young girls.
[Source: David O. McKay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: David O. McKay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
100 years ago today - Jan 8, 1914
The question as to who the Presiding Patriarch presided over, was answered by President Smith, as follows: That by virtue of the patriarchal office held by him he was the Presiding Patriarch over the whole Church.
[Source: Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
170 years ago today - 1844: 8 January
[Patriarchal Blessings] Elisha Groves. (Given by Hyrum Smith.)
... [you will] be numbered with the called and chosen to stand in your lot in the appointed hour upon Mount Zion with the hundred and forty and four thousand. ...
[Source: Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
... [you will] be numbered with the called and chosen to stand in your lot in the appointed hour upon Mount Zion with the hundred and forty and four thousand. ...
[Source: Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Jan 8, 1844
Joseph Smith tells William Law that he is no longer his counselor.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
180 years ago today - Jan 8, 1834
Enemies in Kirtland fire thirteen rounds from a cannon at 1:00 A.M. Work on temple continues.
[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]
[Source: Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book]
5 years ago today - 1/7/2009
[Same-Sex Marriage] Yes on 8 organizations sue in Federal Court to make donors names private and to prevent disclosure of final donation lists due February 2, 2009
[Source: Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
[Source: Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
30 years ago today - Jan 7, 1984
Premier Zhao Ziyang of the People's Republic of China visited the BYU-Hawaii campus and the adjacent Polynesian Cultural Center during the first visit of a Chinese premier to the United States since the People's Republic of China was formed in 1949.
[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]
[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]
45 years ago today - Jan 7, 1969
First Presidency secretary Joseph Anderson answers letter about "the Church's stand pertaining to birth control," with the concluding statement: "After all, however, the brethren recognize that this is a personal matter involving the individuals concerned, and concerning which they must make their own decision." First Presidency's official statement on Apr 14, 1969 omits any reference to their own feelings about birth control as "a personal matter," and states: "We believe that those who practice birth control will reap disappointment by and by," and repeating earlier letter's emphasis on "self control [as] dominant factor" marriage.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
85 years ago today - Jan 7, 1929
[Apostle Richard R. Lyman] 9:00 a.m.
Quarterly meeting of the Council of the Twelve
Perhaps the most important matter discussed was my appeal for greater charity toward our church members who views are not strictly orthodox. I say if 100 of the most successful, most ambitious, most prosperous, most studious, and most successful church members in Santa Monica Ward are being pushed out of ward activity if not out of the church then there may be something wrong with the leadership somewhere: the bishop, the high council, the Stake Presidency, the Council of the Twelve, The First Presidency of the Church.
[Source: Apostle Richard R. Lyman Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
Quarterly meeting of the Council of the Twelve
Perhaps the most important matter discussed was my appeal for greater charity toward our church members who views are not strictly orthodox. I say if 100 of the most successful, most ambitious, most prosperous, most studious, and most successful church members in Santa Monica Ward are being pushed out of ward activity if not out of the church then there may be something wrong with the leadership somewhere: the bishop, the high council, the Stake Presidency, the Council of the Twelve, The First Presidency of the Church.
[Source: Apostle Richard R. Lyman Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
105 years ago today - Jan 7, 1909
Joseph F. Smith, son of Hyrum Smith who led similar effort in 1842-43, instructs Twelve to investigate and suppress new plural marriages.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
150 years ago today - Jan 7, 1864
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] [I received] a Cirtificate to the guard to visit Luce in prision who was awaiting his sentence to be shot. I found him vary Cheerful full of hope that his Sentence would be Commuted to confinement in the pententiary. He had no Idea of Dying. He said it would take a man of more nerve than he had to give himself up to be Executed & he should not do it. He did not say how he would avoid it.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Jan 7, 1844
William Law was dropped from membership in the Anointed Quorum: "I was present when William Law, Joseph Smith's counselor, was dropped from that quorum by each one present voting yes or no in his turn. He was the first member that was dropped who had received his endowments. One member hesitated to vote, which called forth earnest remarks from the Prophet Joseph. He showed clearly that it would be doing a serious wrong to retain him longer. After his explanation the vote was unanimous" (note). William Marks was not the uncertain voter, because "Marks absent" .
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
180 years ago today - Jan 7, 1834
D. D. Barnard gave "An Introductory Address Delivered Before The Young Men's Association for Mutual Improvement" of the City of Albany, stating "The laws of nature were made to be obeyed, and not to be violated. The slightest disobedience, the most inconsiderable departure from them, is sure to be visited with an appropriate penalty; and, if it were not so, these laws would cease to be inflexible, which can never happen while the world stands." [cf D&C 130:20-21]
[Source: Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]
[Source: Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]
80 years ago today - Jan 6, 1934
Leah D. Widsoe's article "Priesthood and Womanhood" in Church Section includes following questions "5. If a boy of twelve years has this gift [of priesthood ordination] bestowed upon him while his sister has not, does it not tend to make him grow up with a feeling that he is literally a 'lord of creation,' while his sister belongs to 'the common herd?' 6. Does not this discrimination make men more arrogant in their attitude toward women? Do they not necessarily feel themselves the superior and dominant sex?" Perhaps unintentionally, the stridency of her questions outweighs article's effort to deny or down play gender discrimination in LDS church.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
105 years ago today - Jan 6, 1909; Wednesday
Council meeting ... met in joint assembly to consider Bro[ther]. [B. H.] Roberts' attitude towards some of his brethren and the policy of the Church.
Pres[ident]. [Francis M.] Lyman in a kind fatherly manner, said that he felt that Bro[ther]. B. H. Roberts has offended one of his brethren by manifesting hard feelings against one of the Twelve; that he has been indiscreet in expressing his feelings to one outside of his own council and the Twelve, and by giving such publicity, has offended members of the Church; that he has given further offense by insinuating in his letter to Richard R. Lyman that the publicly proclaimed policy of the Church has been departed from in the manner of exercising Church influence. He said, "I think Bro[ther]. Roberts should humble himself, and walk right up to Pres[ident]. Joseph F. Smith, and say, `I have done wrong, and I want you to forgive me.'["]
Bro[ther]. Roberts refused to do it, saying he would write his reasons, and submit them to the Council.
[Source: David O. McKay, Diary]
Pres[ident]. [Francis M.] Lyman in a kind fatherly manner, said that he felt that Bro[ther]. B. H. Roberts has offended one of his brethren by manifesting hard feelings against one of the Twelve; that he has been indiscreet in expressing his feelings to one outside of his own council and the Twelve, and by giving such publicity, has offended members of the Church; that he has given further offense by insinuating in his letter to Richard R. Lyman that the publicly proclaimed policy of the Church has been departed from in the manner of exercising Church influence. He said, "I think Bro[ther]. Roberts should humble himself, and walk right up to Pres[ident]. Joseph F. Smith, and say, `I have done wrong, and I want you to forgive me.'["]
Bro[ther]. Roberts refused to do it, saying he would write his reasons, and submit them to the Council.
[Source: David O. McKay, Diary]
105 years ago today - Jan 6, 1909
[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] "Met at 5 PM and discussed BH Roberts case. He refused to comply with the feelings of his associates."
[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]
[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]
165 years ago today - Jan 6, 1849
High council at Kanesville, Iowa, excommunicates two Mormons for counterfeiting coins. Investigations into Feb., but council takes no action against two members of theocratic Council of Fifty involved: John M. Bernhisel (who transports counterfeiting equipment to Iowa) and Theodore Turley (Mechanic who works with the dies and press). Apostles George A. Smith and Ezra T. Benson allude to their involvement in letter to First Presidency on 27 Mar. Turley is Brigham Young's father-in-law.
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]
180 years ago today - Jan 06, 1834
The general public learns for the first time that Joseph Smith has bodyguards protecting him.
[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
55 years ago today - Mon Jan 5, 1959
[David O. McKay Office Journal] Elder Mark E. Petersen and Elder Marion G. Romney called at my request. I asked them if they would together go over Elder Bruce R. McConkie's book, "Mormon Doctrine" and make a list of the corrections that should be made preparatory to his sending out an addendum to all members of the Church who have purchased his book.
[Source: McKay, David O., Office Journal]
[Source: McKay, David O., Office Journal]
105 years ago today - Jan 5, 1909; Tuesday
Bro[ther] [B. H.] R[oberts]. was asked to explain his "unquarranted and unjustifiable" attack upon Bro[ther]. [Reed] S[moot]., and to "retract and retrace" his words in this regard.
[Source: David O. McKay, Diary (conference notebook)]
[Source: David O. McKay, Diary (conference notebook)]
110 years ago today - Tuesday, Jan 5, 1904
[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] At 2 p.m. I attended the quarterly conference of the Twelve Apostles in the temple. ... The principal topic of discussion was the present agitation in Congress over the Utah Senatorshipâ€"Reed Smoot's candidacy. The brethren were cautioned not to exercise the keys of sealing in plural marriage at present and to be wise and prudent in all their doings.
[Source: Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
[Source: Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
170 years ago today - Jan 5, 1844
[Joseph Smith] Joseph dreams of "2 serpents swallowing each other tail foremost." During the cold night some people had built a fire on the shore opposite Stake President William Marks's house. Marks swears before the city council that the fire was a warning against his life. It is charged that Joseph's statement about a "Judas" was a signal to the forty special policemen to take certain action against traitorist brothers. Thirty policemen swear that they were never given any special or private instructions. After many testimonies, Wilson Law says, "I am Joseph's friend: he has no better friend in the world: I am ready to lay down my life for him." Joseph records his own thoughts: "What can be the matter with these men? Is it that . . . hit pigeons always flutter, that drowning men catch at straws, or that Presidents Law and Marks are absolutely traitors to the Church, that my remarks should produce such an excitement in their minds. Can it be possible that the traitor whom Porter Rockwellreports to me as being in correspondence with my Missouri enemies, is one of my quorum?"
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
120 years ago today - Jan 5, 1894
[James E. Talmage] Met with Theological Class Committee and Presidency in lecture work. The subject of 'The Holy Ghost' formed the topic. Pres[ident]. [George Q.] Cannon in commenting on the ambiguity existing in our printed works concerning the nature or character of the Holy Ghost expressed his opinion that the Holy Ghost was in reality a person, in the image of the other members of the Godhead,'a man in form and figure: and that what we often speak of as the Holy Ghost is in reality but the power or influence of the Spirit. However the Presidency deemed it wise to say as little as possible on this or other disputed subjects.
[Source: James E. Talmage Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: James E. Talmage Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
120 years ago today - Jan 4, 1894
... President [Lorenzo] Snow reported that the First Presidency and Twelve [Apostles], at a meeting held in the [Salt Lake] temple, Jan. 4th, 1894, decided as follows: "If, by mistake, a person is sealed in the temple before being endowed, it is not necessary for the sealing to be cancelled. All that is necessary is for the person to be endowed, unless the person, or the individual representing him or her, is dissatisfied."
[Source: Book of Temple Ordinances, Jan. 4, 1894; p. 17 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Source: Book of Temple Ordinances, Jan. 4, 1894; p. 17 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
140 years ago today - Jan 4, 1874
[Patriarchal Blessings] [Patriarchal Blessing of Lydia Leonorah Hatch by Lorenzo Hill Hatch on January 4, 1874]
... Thou shalt live to see great distress, when the wicked shall be overthrown; for all that fight against God shall be destroyed. Thou shalt be exalted and reign with the first in the Great Millennium, even a thousand years. ...
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
... Thou shalt live to see great distress, when the wicked shall be overthrown; for all that fight against God shall be destroyed. Thou shalt be exalted and reign with the first in the Great Millennium, even a thousand years. ...
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]