50 years - Feb 29,1964

[Bonus leap-year entry]

After forty one years teaching in Church Education System, George S. Tanner writes that " a large majority" of CES teachers are so narrow and ignorant that it is a shame to have them indoctrinating our young people. I would much rather my sons and daughters go to other schools in the state than have them led by these religious fanatics."

[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]

30 years ago today - Feb 28, 1984

At a BYU devotional speech general authority Paul H. Dunn tells the audience, "I pitched against Willie Mays as he broke into baseball and I was leaving the scene."

He also tells of his WWII experiences landing on Iwo Jima: "We jump in the water, the water's chest high. You gotta hold your rifle over your head. If the muzzle drops in the water-that's salt water-it would blow up when you fire. Did you ever try to run in water up to your chest, loaded down? You don't move very fast. And the enemy starts to pick you up. You're pushing with the butt of your rifle the dead bodies and wounded bodies of your friends and associates you've been training with. The coral is so sharp it cuts the boots off your feet and your feet are starting to bleed like mincemeat, and you're trying to get ashore. I was one of the first ashore that morning. And I dug my first foxhole with my fingernails and I crawled in it. And just as I crawled into that mucky hole an ambu gun opens up that shoots about 700 rounds a minute and it went down my right arm and took off my identification bracelet."

The official history of his battalion says there was no combat action when they landed and that Dunn's boat was caught on a coral reef and didn't land until the next day, after the beach had been secured.

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, now defunct)]

115 years ago today - Feb 28, 1899

[Abraham Owen Woodruff] Pres[iden]t. [Lorenzo] Snow said: It is the will of the Lord that we should do all that is in our power to bring about the election of Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon to the U.S. Senate.

[Source: Abraham Owen Woodruff 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 - Feb 28, 1894

On her seventieth birthday Joseph F. Smith, refers to Emily Dow Partridge Young as "aunt." This is a reference to the fact that she became a plural wife of Joseph Smith (Joseph F. Smith's uncle) in 1843 when she was 19.

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, now defunct)]

165 years ago today - Feb 28, 1849

[Hosea Stout Diary] This evening was called on to go with an expedition to the Utah Valley against some Indians who had been stealing a lot of horses from Brighams herd ...

[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]

170 years ago today - Feb 28, 1844

[Nauvoo Neighbor] "A Day of Fasting and Prayer" -- Editorial -- The mob declares March 9, 1844 as a day when the mob should fast and pray that God would, "Bring the false prophet, Joseph Smith, to deep repentance--"

[Source: http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]

175 years ago today - Feb 28, 1839

Members of the Democratic Association of Quincy pass a resolution condemning Missouri Governor Lilburn W. Boggs's extermination order and expulsion of the Mormons from Missouri.

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

40 years ago today - Feb 27, 1974

After writing a requested article on changes in the church since the 1870s for the NEW ERA, having the article accepted and being paid $75 for it LDS historian James B. Allen is told the article will not be printed. he receives "a call from the editor who said that the correlation committee had turned down the article, and there seemed to be two basic reasons: (1) the committee could not see any value in talking about change as such, and (2) it was fearful that in discussing so many changes we would leave the impression that everything was changing, and therefore raise questions in the minds of the New Era readers about whether gospel doctrines were changing and whether or not the Church was true."

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, now defunct)]

60 years ago today - Feb 27, 1954

CHURCH NEWS article by Joseph Fielding Smith, "Where Is the Hill Cumorah? Book of Mormon Establishes Location of Historic Region." Apostle Smith argues that the Hill Cumorah of the Book of Mormon is the same Hill Cumorah that was near Joseph Smith's farm in New York: "Within recent years there has arisen among certain students of the Book of Mormon a theory to the effect that within the period covered by the Book of Mormon, the Nephites and Lamanites were confined almost within the borders of the territory comprising Central America and the southern portion of Mexico; the Isthmus of Tehuantepec probably being the `narrow neck' of land spoken of in the Book of Mormon rather than the Isthmus of Panama. . . . This modernistic theory of necessity, in order to be consistent, must place the waters of Ripliancum and the Hill Cumorah someplace within the restricted territory of Central America, notwithstanding the teachings of the Church to the contrary for upwards of 100 years."

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, now defunct)]

120 years ago today - Feb 27, 1894

[Francis M. Lyman] [San Bernardino to Colton] Rhoda and I went to dinner with Gideon Carter and wife. ... He told me of a council of 50 of which Lyman Wight was a member and father John Smith was the President. Lyman Wight said Brigham Young had no right to call that council together but if John Smith called together and sent him word he would go to it if he had to crawl on his hands and knees. He held that Brigham and any other member of the 50 could build up a branch of the church in any part of the world? Carters' affidavit was signed in presence of B. H. Roberts, Rhoda and me, and the notary.

[Source: Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

120 years ago today - Feb 27, 1894

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] We had quite a long chat on the affairs of the Bullion Beck and Champion mine. We spoke of the ill feelings there had been over this mine and tears came into my eyes and those of Pres[iden]t Cannon more than once during the conversations. We spoke of the time when there was so much fault fount with Pres[iden]t Cannon by me and others just after the death of Prest. Taylor. Pres[iden]t Cannon assured me that he felt that the Lord had fully forgiven me for anything I did in the matter. In fact he said he knew that I had been forgiven. I am indeed thankful to have this assurance.

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

130 years ago today - Feb 27, 1884

John H. Gilbert, who was the typesetter for the first edition of the Book of Mormon, answers questions: "I. [There was] not a punctuation mark of any kind from beginning to end of [the] manuscript. II. Sentences were not commenced with capitals: If they had been there would not have been so much difficulty in punctuation [Gilbert supplied all the punctuation for the first edition]. III. The spelling was good. . . .[Oliver] Cowdery looked over the manuscript when the proof was read. IV. We were not allowed to correct any grammatical errors."

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, now defunct)]

130 years ago today - Feb 27, 1884

I met David J. Whitmer, son of David Whitmer, one of the witnesses of the Book of Mormon. ... He pointed out the track of a cyclone which had visited the town in 1878 and which had left their house, rather the room in which the manuscript of the Book of Mormon was kept, in such a condition as to astonish all the people--the roof was taken off, but nothing was disturbed and the glass was not broken even. ... He had his son bring in the manuscript of the Book of Mormon, which he says is the only manuscript of which he knows anything. It is in the handwriting of several persons which he says were Oliver Cowdery, Emma Smith, Martin Harris, and perhaps some of it in that of his brother Christian, who assisted the Prophet somewhat. This is the manuscript from which the printers, he says, set the type of the Book, and he pointed out to me where it had been cut for convenience as copy. ... But with this was another paper which I thought of surpassing interest. It was the characters drawn by Joseph Smith himself for Martin Harris to show to Professors Mitchell and Anthon. There were seven lines, the first four being about twice as long in size as the three last. Here was the very paper which Is[a]iah saw in vision years before, and which he called the "words of a book [Isa. 29:11]." Though evidently long written, the characters were as clear and distinct as though just written. This was also the case with the manuscript of The Book of Mormon. It was wonderfully well preserved and clear. This, David Whitmer and the family think (in which belief I share), is due to the power of God. I cannot describe the characters particularly. They were glyphs and contained many forms. In speaking of the translating he said that Joseph had the stone in a hat from which all light was excluded. In the stone the characters appeared and under that the translation in English and they remained until the scribe had copied it correctly. If he had made a mistake the words still remained and were not replaced by any other. In describing the visit of the angel he said that it was shortly before the completion of the translation when there were but few pages left. He was plowing when Joseph and Oliver came to him and the former told him that he was chosen to be one of the three witnesses to whom the angel would show the plates. He also told him that the Lord had promised to make this manifest and now was the time. They went out and sat upon a log conversing upon the things to be revealed when they were surrounded by a glorious light which overshadowed them. A glorious personage appeared and he showed to them the plates, the sword of Laban, the Directors, the Urim and Thummim and other records. Human language could not, he said, describe heavenly things and that which they saw. The language of the angel was: Blessed is he that believeth and remaineth faithful to the end. He had his hours of darkness and trial and difficulty, but however dark upon other things that [vision] had ever been a bright scene in his mind and he had never wavered in regard to it; he had testified fearlessly always of it, even when his life was threatened. Martin Harris was not with them at the time that he and Oliver saw the angel, but he and Joseph afterwards saw the same, and he thus became a witness also. I spent the afternoon with them till 5 p.m. when I took the hack [old horse] to return to Lexington Junction. ...

[Source: George Q. Cannon, Journal, 27 February 1884, LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah]

45 years ago today - Feb 26, 1969

BYU's president instructs all bishops and stake presidents of BYU's student stakes to report to campus authorities any students who confess unacceptable conduct. This is way of "eliminating students who do not fit into the culture of BYU so that those [who] would fit into it might be admitted to the institution." This also ends confidentiality of confessions to LDS leaders.

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, now defunct)]

85 years ago today - Feb 26, 1929

Met with the committee reading B H R[obert]'s ms from 8:15 to 11 am.

[Note: His magnum opus - The The Truth, The Way, The Life was not published until the 1990s due to concerns about his discussion of "pre-Adamites". Joseph Fielding Smith in particular was a strong anti-evolutionist. Ironically his book was published by two separate publishers on the same day - Signature Books and BYU Studies.]

[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]

120 years ago today - Feb 26, 1894

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 26 This was a day Appointed for me to have a Meeting with the leading Authorities of the Church & the Temple workers in Celebration of my 87 Birth day instead of the 1 of March. Our Meeting was in the Annex of the Temple.

... We met at the Temple at 1 oclock. We met with 230 person. We had speeches songs and a fe[a]st. It was one of the greatest days of my life.

[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 - Feb 26, 1894

LDS periodical the MILLENIAL STAR reprints an interview with William Smith, brother of Joseph Smith and former Apostle. When asked if he'd seen the plates he replies, "I did not see them uncovered, but I handled them and hefted them while wrapped in a tow frock and judged them to have weighed about sixty pounds. I could tell they were plates of some kind and that they were fastened together by rings running through the back. Their size was as described in mother's history." When asked , "Did any others of the family see them?" he replies, "Yes, Father and my brother Samuel saw them as I did while in the frock. So did Hyrum and others of the family." When asked, ""Din't you want to remove the cloth and see the bare plates?" Smith responds, "No, for father had just asked if he might not be permitted to do so, and Joseph, putting his hand on them said; 'No, I am instructed not to show them to any one. If I do, I will transgress and lose them again.' Besides we did not care to have him break the commandment and suffer as he did before."

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, now defunct)]

125 years ago today - Tuesday, Feb 26, 1889

[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] H.J. Grant and I went out to the Pen and had a long visit with Br. F. M. Lyman. We bot l0 bushels of Apples and sent to the prisoners.

Tonight Hyrum Groesbeck and I took up a labor with Sam Groesbeck about selling Whiskey and he said he would quit it.

[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]

170 years ago today - Feb 26, 1844

[Joseph Smith Diary] Held Court at the Mansion. City of Nauvoo vs O[rsimus] F. Bostwick on complaint of Hyrum Smith for slanderous language concerning Hyrum and certain females of Nauvoo. Fined Bostwick $50.00 and costs.

[Note: Hyrum was married to three women at this time]

[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 - Feb 26, 1839

[Joseph Smith] Isaac Galland, an admitted thief, counterfeiter, and gang member, writes to a Church member stating that he has several farms and lands for sale in Illinois and the Iowa territory. About this time, Sidney Rigdon is allowed to escape from jail. He had been released in January by the decision of a judge; however, because of his fear of mobs he decided to stay in prison until it was safer to leave the area. At this time his sufferings became too great; he became sick and declared that "the sufferings of Jesus Christ were a fool to his." The sheriff allows him to escape. He is chased by a mob, but finally succeeds in reaching Quincy, Ill.

[Source: History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 3:264 as quoted in Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]

180 years ago today - Feb 26, 1834

[Greene M. Evan] ... just before meeting commenced a sister was taken with a distress in her stomach and called for us to lay hands on her we went out and prayed to know whether it was right for that people to have a sign and got the witness that she should be healed went in and laid hands on her and commanded the disease in the name of Jesus to depart from her and then I prayed that the cloud of darkness might be broke then I exhorted and contended for the gifts of the Church and for the first time the Lord poured out his spirit and gave the gift of toungs unto in pub* and we had a glorious time some were convinced of the power of God and the next morning

[Source: Greene, Evan Melbourne, 1814 –1882. Diaries, 1833 –1852]

20 years ago today - Feb 25, 1994

[Quorum of the Twelve] Marvin J. Ashton dies.

[Source: Wikipedia, Chronology of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_the_Quorum_of_the_Twelve_Apostles_(LDS_Church)]

65 years ago today - Feb 25, 1949

[David O. McKay] Pres. Nielsen then discussed the race question that is coming before the Arizona State Legislature. I said that no American citizen can say that legally the Legislature or any political organization has any right to have special legislation against any class; that it had been debated up here, and there were threats to punish any Hotel Manager who would discriminate against colored people, etc. I said, the Church, however, cannot come out opposing the question, but the fact is that no matter what the law says, there is going to be discrimination against the colored people, and I advised Pres. [Lucian M., of Mesa Stake] to simply take the stand to let conditions remain as they are for the present without involving the Church is any way. As it is we take the Negroes into the Church by baptism and let them come to meetings, but so far as intermarriage is concerned, legally they have the same right that every citizen has, but in practice we cannot affiliate, and for their own good they should not want to intermarry with the whites, and that I believe they do not want to, and let us not force that union upon them and upon us, but let us use our influence quietly. I said further that the South knows how to handle them and they do not have any trouble, and the colored people are better off down there'in California they are becoming very progressive and insolent in many cases.

[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 - Feb 25, 1894

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] At noon met in the Temple with the members of what is known as "President Woodruff's Prayer Circle" I was appointed some weeks ago to take charge of this circle and reorganize the same. The room was a little cold and we did not dress.



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

140 years ago today - Feb 25, 1874

[Patriarchal Blessing of Joseph F. Smith by John Smith] ... trust in the Lord for his eye is upon thee he hath given thine angel special charge concerning thee who hath watched over thee from thy birth and preserved thy life many times he hath also delivered thee out of the hands of thine enemies and protected thee against the evils of the world. ... Thy days and years shall be many. Thou shalt see many changes. Thou shalt also see the arm of the Lord made bare in behalf of his people and also behold the coming of the Savior.

The Angel who hath watched over thee in the past shall protect thee in the future and shall converse with thee as with a familiar friend, and warn thee of events to come, give thee power over thy enemies for the ungodly shall seek to take thy life. ... thou shalt have power over the adversary, cast out evil spirits and be mighty in healing the sick by the laying on of hands for this [is] thy gift. Many shall seek thee for counsel and wonder at thy wisdom. Thou halt have power to command the elements and the waves of the sea shall obey thy voice. ...

Thy name shall be held in honorable remembrance among the Saints and be handed down with thy posterity from generation to generation and written in the Lamb's book of life. ...

the Angel of thy presence shall not forsake thee but will ward off the shafts of the adversary which may be hurled at thee and warn thee of danger and thou shall comprehend things present and to come, and shall prophecy in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. ...

[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]

165 years ago today - Feb 25, 1849

[Brigham Young Sermon] We have been kicked out of the frying pan into the fire, and out of the fire into the middle of the floor, and here we are and here we will stay. God has shown me that this is the spot to locate his people, and here is where they will prosper;

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

170 years ago today - Feb 25, 1844

John Taylor is sealed to his fourth plural wife, Jane Ballantyne.

[Source: Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2013 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]

170 years ago today - Feb 25, 1844

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] We had received correct information concerning the death of Joseph Duncan & Govornor Reynold of Missouri. He Shot himself through the head. They were two of the most inven-erate enemies against the latter Day Saints. President Joseph Smith Prophesyed that within five years we should be rid of our old enemies whether they were Apostates or of the world & wished us to record it that when it comes to pass that we need not say we had forgotten the saying.

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

30 years ago today - Feb 24, 1984

Steven Christensen, who has purchased the "Salamander letter" from Mark Hofmann, jots a note to himself:: "President Gordon B. Hinckley - 1:30 p.m. 1. don't cave in. 2. will not embarrass the church." The scheduled meeting, however does not take place.

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, now defunct)]

100 years ago today - Feb 24, 1914

[N]ever before has such a stark report of misconduct been made to the First Presidency as that which has come from Japan. Think of it, 5 missionary elders, ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ, bearing the messengers of life and salvation to a dark and benighted people, condescending to visit their haunts of vice, and indulge in their sinful, immoral practices. It is sickening and shocking to think of it. You did well to clear the mission of the transgressors. We entirely approve of the action taken by you and heartily commend you for it. The only regret we have is that you did not call together the elders laboring in the immediate vicinity, form yourselves into a council, and deal with these men on their fellowship in the Church before sending them home. ...

[Source: Joseph F. Smith, Letter to H. Grant Ivins, 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]

110 years ago today - Feb 24, 1904; Wednesday

U.S. Marshal Heyward called at the office this afternoon to subpoena Pres[iden]t J[o]s[eph]. F Smith. M[atthias] F Cowley. John Henry Smith John W Taylor. Geo[rge] Teasdale & others as Witnesses to got to Washington D.C. to appear before the committee of the Senate on Privileges & Elections in the Reed Smoot case He did not find any of the brethren. Pres[iden]t Smith called on me to go to Logan [Utah] to Richmond [Utah] tonight. to notify Bro[ther] M[arriner] W[ood]. Merrill & 3 of his sons Alma, Tho[ma]s H. & Cha[rle]s E Merrill that their names are on the list. The Marshal served subpoenas on Elder F[rancis] M. Lyman--John Henry Smith & Andrew Jensen ... whilst I stopped at Sister Merrills. Wife of Apostle Merrill--the Marshal had called on & served the other 2 brethren before Charles got there. I did all I could Under the circumstances but felt grieved I did not see those brethren first.

[Source: L. John Nuttall, Diary]

165 years ago today - Feb 24, 1849

[Brigham Young Sermon] President Brigham Young said that gold was the root of all evil... that nine-tenths of those that went of f for gold would go down to hell, and bye and bye those very characters would lead mobs in as some did in Missouri.

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

170 years ago today - Feb 24, 1844

[Joseph Smith Diary] 1,500 copies of my views [General Smith's Views of the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States] out of press. [several lines left blank] ...

[Copies are sent to major newspapers, top government leaders and others.]

[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]

180 years ago today - 1834 24 Feb.

Kirtland high council elects Joseph Smith as commander-in-chief of the armies of Israel, and he announces a revelation which commands God's "friends" to "avenge me of mine enemies." This document also commands that Mormon dissenters be "cast out and trodden under the foot of men" by "my friends."

[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]

180 years ago today - Feb 24, 1834

D&C 103 (Kirtland): Jackson County saints to be restored to their lands. They were driven from Jackson because they were not entirely obedient. Now Zion to be redeemed to power; one will be raised up like Moses to lead the people back; Parley and Lyman to gather a hundred men, also Joseph, Sidney, Hyrum, Frederick, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt.

[Source: Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]

115 years ago today - Feb 23, 1899

[Abraham Owen Woodruff] Attended our Quorum meeting in the Temple. Were together about four hours. Pres[iden]t. [Lorenzo] Snow said it was the will of the Lord that we do all we can to elect Pres[iden]t. [George Q.] Cannon to the U.S. Senate.

[Source: Abraham Owen Woodruff 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]

155 years ago today - Feb 23, 1859

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] The Twelve met in the Prayer Closset at the Historians Office ...

H. C. Kimball said this made me think of the time when I returned from England. Joseph [Foster?] /was presidet/ & the presidency of the Seventies /they/ had met with a seers stones to see what they could see. When I went in they treated me vary Cool & Z Pulsipher said dont be excited Brother Kimball is Nothing but a man. They treated me vary Cooly & I went home and wept. * Then we all rose up & shook hands with them & recieved them Joyfully.

.... Refered to the stakes which the Twelve once set to see an Angel but we did not see an angel but prayed ourselves into darkness. He spoke of the time that Joseph tried the Twelve but the Twelve was united & tied Joseph down & Joseph said now dont you now never let any body tie you down as you have me. ...

The Twelve Can ordain men to the Apostleship and give them all the power you have and you have all that we have got But you Cannot make a prophet ownly the natural way. And a man Cannot be a patriarch & not a Prophet for a man may have the spirit of a prophet before he Can bless and prophets. "The gifts & callings of God are without repentance [sic]. There are thousands of prophets among the Gentiles and spiritualist that have not Repented or obeyed the gospel. There are natural gifts to men. If they would receive the gospel their gifts would be made more manifest.

... Brother Hyde said I will remark Concerning the objet of our meeting it was not to get Cloven tungs to set upon us of fire but it was to convers & pray together & ask the Lord to preserve us & to overthrow our enemies. ...

H. C. Kimball said I will predict in the Name of Jesus Christ if you will be one with the Head, the Presidency and sustain them and you will never see the Body of Christ moved or disturbed I do not mean members but the Body, untill the Coming of Christ. And if you will be one with the Presidency not any of you or the Presidency shall fall by the Armey or By the Gentiles But you shall all be Crowned in the presence of God. You are Connected with all the prophets and Apostles from the Begining and they are united with us and will sustain us if we do our duty, And we shall never be broaken up. If we will be united all Hell Cannot move us. ...

Brother Wells said .... The devil has not the power over us that many think. When we are united we should try to keep the devil out of our houses & out of ourselves. Some time we may have a member in our houses who will let the devil dwell in their tabernacles. We Cannot always help this but if we are firm before the Lord we will gain ground untill we will bind the devil and Cast him out of our houses & finally out of the Church. ... I never did have those great manifestations that some have. I have thought that I would like to have some of those manifestations if it was the will of God but not if it is agoing to do me any harm. I would not wish to see an Angel or hear the voice of God if it would make me apostitize or do me an injury. ...

Brother Kimball said I thing if you will meet with the people you will have more of the spirit of God than to meet here. ...

[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 - Feb 23, 1844

Presidency and Twelve meet "in relation to the Rocky Mountain Expedition, eight more volunteers gave their names." Joseph Smith "gave instructions in relation to the fit out needed. It was agreed that the company should number twenty-five." Joseph said, "Let that man go that can raise $500, a horse or mule, a double barrel gun, one rifle, one shot, saddle, bridle, [a] p[ai]r of 8 bore Pistols, Bowie knife, &c." The object of the expedition was to scout out places in Oregon for the Saints to relocate.

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

130 years ago today - Feb 23, 1884; Saturday

[Anthony Ivins Journal] This morning while at breakfast the postman brought in a letter from my wife. I was surprised and grieved beyon[d] measure upon opening it to read of the death of my sister Caddie [Caroline] which took place on the 3 2nd of this month. Did not give any lessons today.

[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)]

180 years ago today - About Feb 23, 1834

William W. Phelps, Edward Partridge, John Corrill and others subpoenaed by State.

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

More History?

Want more Mormon history? Check out LDS-Church-History, a topical approach to the history of the church. Topics from the past have included: - The Life of Lorenzo Snow - Speaking in Tongues - Rebaptism, - Word of Wisdom - Dreams in LDS history - The life of George Albert Smith - The history of Z.C.M.I. - Tithing More info can be found here: http://bit.ly/ldshst

40 years ago today - Feb 22, 1974

SALT LAKE TRIBUNE article, "Support for Candidate Possible Some Day, LDS Apostle Says," quotes Ezra Taft Benson as saying that a liberal Democrat could not be a good Mormon "if he was living the gospel and understood it."

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

95 years ago today - Feb 22, 1919

[Richard R. Lyman] Dr. Van Dyke, Pro Wilson, Mr. Daly, Geo. Albert Smith and I were recd by the first presidency in the new Church office Bldng.'I was pleased to have them go into Dr Talmage's office' they took note I observd'of the excellent library in his office.'I was ashamed to have them look into my office'where there was not a book.

[Source: 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]

100 years ago today - Feb 22, 1914

Sugar House Ward Bishop John M. Whitaker records in his diary: "For a long time before this meeting, about ten years when it commenced, I had been called before the Stake Presidency a number of times for teaching that anyone who took a wife after the Manifest in 1890, had done contrary to the laws of the land and also the law of the church and were living in adultery, and this aroused President Taylor and John M. Cannon to such an extent they told me I was out of harmony with them, and I had more than once offered them my resignation as Bishop of Sugar House Ward, but they never took it and then they told me what they had done, married immediately after the manifesto, . . ."

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

100 years ago today - Feb 22, 1914

[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] At Boise, Idaho, "We had a council meeting with the Presidency and High Council and decided to not ordain Social Rolf President of the H.P. Quorum because of his attitude toward the government."

[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]

125 years ago today - Friday, Feb. 22nd, 1889

[Apostle Abraham H. Cannon Journal] ... Pres. W[oodruff] then spoke a few words in English [to the Sandwich Island (Hawaian) choir] which Bro. Robt. B. T. Taylor interpreted. He told them they were of the seed of Israel of the tribe of Joseph, and they had a great work to do, for he had seen them in vision in the temples of God receiving their blessings. .... After dinner Pres. W[oodruff] made this remark to me while we were alone: "Bro. Cannon, your Father [George Q. Cannon] has got the biggest brain and the best mind of any man in the Kingdom, without exception." Sometime since he remarked to Chas. Wilcken that Father is the humblest man in the Church.

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

155 years ago today - Feb 22, 1859

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] ... Erastus Snow spoke Concerning the feelings of many of the people against seeing the Twelve prosper in Temperal things. He thought if the Lord did not Sanction this He permited it to be & he thought perhaps it was not the will of God that we should be engaged in Temperal business. When I was ordained Brother Brigham told me to lay down my hoe & all farming tools & labouring in the ministry and I do not prosper in any temperal business...

C[harles] C. Rich spoke upon the same Subject & said that He did not no as all the Twelve all experienced the same thing but I think the people are exercised by a spirit that they do not Comprehend or know what it ment but their is an opposition to Joseph & the Presidency & Twelve against their prosperity...

Lorenzo Snow spoke. ... If we did not have those great & marvellous things that was manifest on the day of Pentecost yet it was good to meet & pray. ... I Consider Brigham Young is performing a greater work in saving providing and organizing his family, in the way he has than he would to divide the waters, or heal the Sick, Cast out Devils, or do other miracles and the wisdom of God is with him. ...

O Hyde ... related a dream about B[e/a?]llon & gold [mine] &c. J Taylor said I will prophesy that it shall be fulfilled. Lorenzo Snow said I will prophesy that the Moon is made under which it shall be fulfilled. O Hyde said I will Prophesy that the time will soon come when we shall have all that we want.

[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 - Feb 21, 1994

LDS headquarters in Bogota, Columbia directs public statement to country's rebel forces denying that LDS chapels represent either U.S. government or American business interests in any way.

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

25 years ago today - Feb 21, 1989

Church gives $25,000 to People's Republic of China for earthquake relief.

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

125 years ago today - Feb 21, 1889

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] Pres[iden]t Geo[rge] Q. Cannon [of the First Presidency] was pardoned on 18th and full term of sentence expiring on 22nd this day came out of Pen'y hale & hearty.

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

140 years ago today - Feb 21, 1874

During meeting of Young Ladies Mutual Improvement Association in Assembly Hall on Salt Lake Temple Square, "Mother [Elizabeth A.] Whitney sung in tongues, and Carrie Carter in attempting an interpretation threw her bonnet and muff on the floor, & fell on her knees, remaining for some time in that position."

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

155 years ago today - Feb 21, 1859

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 21 Feb 1859 The Twelve Apostles met at the Prayer Closet in the Historians office for Prayer & Fasting ... O Hyde opened by Prayer & spoke upon our position and the day in which we live. Said the gospel had been beging among the Gentiles for 30 years & he believed the time was seen over. He believed the time [was] at hand when the Gentiles would beg for the Gospel.

G. A. Smith Prayed in the spirit of the Lord and asked for all things necessary for the Church & kingdom of God the Salvation of the Presidency, Twelve, our family & all Is[rael?] & the destruction of our Enemies. ...

W. Woodruff prayed and Called upon the Lord to pour out his spirit upon us & give us the gifts of the Holy Ghost to Bless and preserve all Israel who would keep the Commandments of God & to Curse & destroy our Enemies who would not repent but seek our destruction...

Erastus Snow spoke. Said he felt rather Stupid but he had a great desire to enjoy the Holy spirit. He talked as stupid as he felt, and I thought rather Quenched the spirit but he prayed and asked for many things which were good.

O Pratt spoke ... Before he saw the Angels he had to struggle hard with the powers of darkness and in one instance the Devel appeared in the form of a personage and he had to Contend with that person & overcome him. Then an angel of God appeared to them. ...

O Hyde Said the He must Confess that he was more Stupid & dull than He wished to be. He thought it was in Consequence of going without food & tobaco, Which he had been in the habit of useing. ...

[Wilford Woodruff] We want the Holy spirit & we will ask for that and we will ask the Lord to Hold the Congress of the United States & all our Enemies in that way that the will of God may be done. He said this year would be more filled with Judgments upon the wicked than any year we have seen & 1860 will be far more so.

E. T. Benson said ... Now if we use Coffee, tobaco, whiskey, & stuff ourselves with meat we will be like the Gentiles & cannot expect much of the spirit unless we prepare our bodies for it....

G. A. Smith said that I understand the Idea of Brother Pratt is that we be united in what we ask for but not to limit us. ... As to the Congress of the United States their is not ten men but what want to Cut the throats of the Presidency & Twelve Apostles and I want to Pray God to Curse them & give them No power over us & I want to pray for the removal of the armey. ...

We all dressed in our robes. Lorenzo Snow prayed & F D. Richards was mouth and prayed long and asked for many things for the Church & Kingdom of God. ...

[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 - Feb 21, 1844

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] I met with the quorum of the Twelve at Josephs Store & according to Joseph Council we selected a company to go on an exploring expedition to California & pitch upon a spot to build a city.

[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 - Feb 21, 1839

Lucy [Mac Smith] and her family reach the swampy banks of the Mississippi in continual storms of snow, sleet, and rain. Samuel and Seymour Brunson take them across the river to Quincy on 22 February. Back in Far West, a committee is appointed to sell Joseph's and Lucy's tavern to a buyer from Clay County.

[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]

130 years ago today - Feb 20, 1884

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] Evening called on Augusta Winters, asked her to be my wife and she consented. After parting with Augusta, my wife and I attended a party in the Social Hall. I feel thankful to my Heavenly Father that he has permitted me to win the affections of my wife and Augusta Winters also those of Emily Wells and I hope and pray for His aid and assistance that I may so live, in case we are married, that I may always return their love and full confidence. I consider that entering into plural marriage will be one of the most important steps of my life, and I earnestly hope for the assistance of my Heavenly Father in living as becomes a member of His Church.

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

160 years ago today - Feb 20, 1854

Patriarch Elisha H. Groves gives William H. Dame a patriarchal blessing: "thou shalt be called to act at the head of a portion of thy brethren and of the Lamanites in the redemption of Zion and the avenging of the blood of the prophets. . . . The Angel of Vengeance shall be with thee." Three and a half years later Dame orders the Mountain Meadows Massacre.

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

170 years ago today - Feb 20, 1844

[Joseph Smith Diary] I instructed the 12 [Apostles] to send out a delegation and investigate the locations of California and Oregon and find a good location where we can remove after the Temple is completed and build a city in a day and have a government of our own in a healthy climate.

[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]

180 years ago today - Feb 20, 1834 (Thursday)

Lyman Leonard, who had returned from Van Buren County, Mo., and Joseph Summer and Barnet Cole were severely beaten with clubs by a mob in Jackson County, Mo.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

180 years ago today - Feb 20, 1834

At Kirtland the "High Council of the Church of Christ" trys a case. "At a church meeting held in Pennsylvania, Erie Co. and Springfield township by Orson Pratt & Lyman Johnson, High Priests, some of the members of the Church refused to partake of the Sacrament because the Elder administering it did not observe the Words of Wisdom to obey them. Lyman argued that they were justified in so doing because the Elder was in Transgression. Orson argued that the Church was bound to receive the supper under administration of an Elder so long as he retained his office or licence." It was "voted that six councilors should speak upon the subject or case. . . . After the councilors had spoken, the President [Joseph Smith] proceeded to give a decision: 'That no official member in this Church is worthy to hold an office after having the Words of Wisdom properly taught to him, and he, the official member, neglecting to comply with, or obey them'; after which the councilors voted according to the same."

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

45 years ago today - Feb 19, 1969

President [N. Eldon] Tanner said the suggestion has been made that the temple ceremonies for the dead be shortened to do away with repetition. This would not pertain to the living but only the dead. The brethren who have considered the matter say that it would not in any way detract from the importance of the covenants, promises and ceremonies. President Tanner said that if I felt that the suggestion is worthy of consideration there could be arranged a condensed version of these ceremonies for presentation to me for my approval. President Tanner said that Elders Howard W. Hunter, Gordon B. Hinckley and Theodore M. Burton think it could be done very well and he believed that Brother Richard L. Evans felt the same way. President [Hugh B.] Brown suggested that these brethren be asked to bring in a copy of the present ceremony and also a copy of the proposed ceremony so that comparisons could be made. I said this might be done.

[Source: David O. McKay diary, Feb. 19, 1969 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]

90 years ago today - Feb 19, 1924

[President Heber J. Grant Diary] Brother Ivins and I [of the First Presidency] had an interview with Brother Talmage regarding pretended plural marriages that are being performed. He wanted to know if we had any objections to civil prosecution of the people who are violating the laws of the state by entering into pretended marriages. We told him that we did not care to have the church be the instigator of prosecutions of this kind, but at the same time we would be very happy if some of the men entering into pretended plural marriages received their just rewards and were sent to jail, as we considered that they were certainly guilty of immoral conduct, to say nothing about deceiving many innocent girls by getting them to enter pretended plural marriage.

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

100 years ago today - Feb 19, 1914

I am directed to say ... that while the Church as such does not approve of cremation, it is understood that the members thereof are free to exercise their own agency in regard to it.

[Source: George F. Gibbs, Letter to W. W. Collins, 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 - Feb 19, 1854

[Brigham Young Sermon] Who did beget [the Savior]? His Father, and his father is our God, and the Father of our spirits, and he is the framer of the body, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who is he? He is Father Adam. Michael, the Ancient of Days, has he a father? He has. Has he a mother? He has. Now to say that the Son of God was begotten by the Holy Ghost, is to say the Holy Ghost is God the Father, which is inconsistent, and contrary to all the revelations of God both modern and ancient. I silenced this erroneous doctrine a year ago last fall conference it was I think, when a dispute arose among some of our best Elders, as to who was the Father of the Son of man pertaining to the flesh. Some contended it was the Holy Ghost; and some that it was Eloheim. When I spoke upon it in this stand before a conference of Elders, I cautioned them when they laid their hands upon the people for the gift of the Holy Ghost, according to the instructions of the Savior; to be very careful how they laid hands upon young women, for if it begat a child in the days of the Virgin Mary, it is just as liable to beget children in these days. It has all the power in this day that it had then, it has lost none.

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

160 years ago today - Feb 19, 1854

[Brigham Young Sermon] He said that we should have the same bonefide identical body that our spirit occupied while in this life. Our graves would literally be opened and our bodies come forth. The question was asked if children that died in infancy lost any thing. He said, No. A person would not loose anything they had not got. Children that died in infancy would be provided for in some way. He said that our God was Father Adam. He was the Father of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Our God was no more or less than Adam, Michael the Archangel. -- SLC Tabernacle

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

180 years ago today - Feb 19, 1834

The "High Council of the Church of Christ" completes its organization in Kirtland, Ohio. Their first order of business is to hear a charge against Curtis Hodges who is accused of "loud speaking and a want of clearness in articulation, which was calculated to do injury to the cause of God;"

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

25 years ago today - Feb 18, 1989

Announcement that New York's Macmillan Publishing Company has contracted with BYU to publish multi-volume ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MORMONISM. Under direct supervision of apostles Neal A. Maxwell and Dallin H. Oaks, church intends this to be public-relations publication. Published in 1992 encyclopedia's content is so heavily managed by apostles and four other general authorities with "special assignments" that its editor Daniel H. Ludlow (official of Church Correlation Committee) disclaims: "In no sense does the ENCYCLOPEDIA have the force and authority of scripture."

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

35 years ago today - Feb 18, 1979

The Church's 1,000th stake was created at Nauvoo, Ill., by President Ezra Taft Benson of the Quorum of the Twelve.

[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 - Feb 18, 1939

Church exhibit (created by Gordon B. Hinckley) debuts at Golden Gate International Exposition (World‘s Fair) in San Francisco. The exhibit drew 320,000 visitors over thirteen months.

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

100 years ago today - Feb 18, 1914; Wednesday

President Morris said that President Francis M. Lyman, of the Council of apostles, had instructed the stake presidency that Elder [former Apostle] Matthias F. Cowley, of the Seventeenth Ward, was not to be permitted to officiate in any of the functions of the priesthood, as he had been deprived of all his rights in the church, except those belonging to a mere member. President Morris cautioned the brethren to observe scrupulously the requirements made by President Lyman.

[Source: Salt Lake Stake High Council Minutes]

170 years ago today - Feb 18, 1844

William Clayton's polygamous wife, Margaret Moon Clayton (sister of Clayton's first wife), bears a child Daniel Adelbert who dies six months later, and his father comments that "the tongue of slander has swung freely against him." Joseph Smith had performed this marriage.

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

180 years ago today - Feb 18, 1834

Brigham Young: Married Mary Ann Angell 18 February 1834.

[Source: Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]

190 years ago today - Feb 18, 1824

Rev. Benjamin B. Stockton, is installed as pastor of the Presbyterian church in Palmyra, N.Y. In a history of Presbyterianism in New York it is stated: "copious shower of grace passed over this region in 1824, under the labors of Mr. Stockton, and a large number were gathered into the church, some of whom are now pillars in Christ's house."

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

55 years ago today - Feb 17, 1959

In effort to avoid suppression of his book, Elder Bruce R. McConkie drafts letters to IMPROVEMENT ERA and CHURCH NEWS stating that MORMON DOCTRINE "contains my personal views only, and I am solely responsible for all statements or opinions expressed in it." He submits these for review of First Presidency, who reply on Feb. 18 that "they do not conform to the ideas that we have that you cannot be disassociated from your official position in the publication of such a manuscript." Presidency concludes that "pending the final disposition of this problem no further edition of the book be printed."

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

115 years ago today - Feb 17, 1899

First Presidency and twelve apostles decide against traditional practice of conferring priesthood on dying sons who are infants or small children.

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

180 years ago today - Feb 17, 1834

[Heber C. Kimball] When I got to Kirtland the brethren were engaged in building the house of the Lord. The commandment to build the house, and also the pattern of it was given in a revelation to Joseph Smith jr., Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G. Williams, and was to be erected by a stated time. The church was in a state of poverty and distress, in consequence of which it appeared almost impossible that the commandment could be fulfilled, at the same time our enemies were raging and threatening destruction upon us, and we had to guard ourselves night after night, and for weeks were not permitted to take off our clothes, and were obliged to lay with our fire locks in our arms.

[Source: Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]

180 years ago today - Feb 17, 1834

Twelve high priests organized into a standing high council at Kirtland, Ohio, establishing the first stake of the Church. The three members of the First Presidency served as the council's presidency. The high council was called for the "purpose of settling important difficulties which might arise in the church, which could not be settled by the church, or the bishops council to the satisfaction of the parties." The minutes allow for the formation of ad-hoc high councils in areas where there are no standing high councils organized. (Fred Collier, ed., Kirtland Council Minute Book, 23-29; cf. D&C 102.)

Joseph Smith organized the Kirtland High and "said he would show the of councils in ancient days...as shown vision. Jerusalem was the seat of the Council in ancient days. The apostle, was president of the Council...and the keys of the Kingdom of God on the [and] was appointed to this office by voice of the Savior and acknowledged in by the voice of the Church. He had two men as Counsellors with him, and in the Peter was absent, his counsellors could business, or either one of them. The could also transact business Joseph Smith served as of the High Council. (Kirtland Minute Book, p. 14, Church Archives).

[Source: Lisle G Brown, compiler, "Organizational Chronology of The Church of Christ, and The Church of the Latter Day Saints, 1829 - 1836" and "A Chronology of the Development of Apostolic Succession of the First Presidency, 1831-1848"]

180 years ago today - Feb 17, 1834

Professor Charles Anthon writes in a letter about his meeting with Martin Harris: "The whole story about my pronouncing the Mormon inscription to be reformed Egyptian hieroglyphics is perfectly false. Some years ago, a plain, apparently simple-hearted farmer called on me with a note from Dr. Mitchell, of our city, now dead, requesting me to decipher, if possible, the paper which the farmer would hand me. Upon examining the paper in question, I soon came to the conclusion that it was all a trick-perhaps a hoax. . . .

The farmer added that he had been requested to contribute a sum of money toward the publication of the golden book, the contents of which would, as he was told, produce an entire change in the world, and save it from ruin. . . .

He requested an opinion from me in writing, which, of course, I declined to give, and he then took his leave, taking his paper with him. This paper in question was, in fact, a singular scroll. It consisted of all kinds of singular characters disposed in columns, and had evidently been prepared by some person who had before him at the time a book containing various alphabets, Greek and Hebrew letters, crosses and flourishes; Roman letters inverted or placed sideways were arranged and placed in perpendicular columns, and the whole ended in a rude delineation of a circle, divided into various compartments, arched with various strange marks, and evidently copied after the Mexican calendar by Humboldt, but copied in such a way as not to betray the source whence it was derived. . . .

Some time after, the farmer paid me a second visit. He brought with him the gold book in print, and offered it to me for sale. I declined purchasing. He then asked permission to leave the book with me for examination. I declined receiving it, although his manner was strangely urgent. I adverted once more to the roguery which, in my opinion, had been practiced upon him, and asked him what had become of the gold plates. He informed me they were in a trunk with the spectacles. I advised him to go to a magistrate and have the trunk examined. He said the curse of God would come upon him if he did. On my pressing him, however, to go to a magistrate, he told me he would open the trunk if I would take the curse of God upon myself. I replied that I would do so with the greatest willingness, and would incur every risk of that nature, provided I could only extricate him from the grasp of the rogues. . . .

Yours respectfully, CHAS. ANTHON." This description of the paper is later used by Mark Hofmann in forging the "Anthon Transcript".

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power and other sources)]

75 years ago today - Feb 16, 1939

[David O. McKay] In Council Meeting today the 'right' of the First Presidency and the Twelve was questioned in regard to recommending a man to receive his former blessings who had been excommunicated and who died without having given satisfactory evidence of repentance.

Brother Joseph F. Smith would condemn all such to the Terrestrial and Telestial Kingdoms.

[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 - Feb 16, 1914; Monday

Called on Pres[ident]. Francis M. Lyman to explain my attitude in the matter of new polygamous marriages being entered into contrary to the wishes of the Church Authorities. Being accused by Bro[ther]. L[yman]. of encouraging such marriages and attempting myself to Assist in them I flatly but respectfully denied the charge. ...

Pres[ident]. Lyman maintained that it was a sin to enter into the relation since the Manifesto of President [Wilford] Woodruff. I told him I had done nothing except thru the council or ratification of members of his own quorum. He said I had no right to take counsel from members of the quorum, but that I should have gone to the President of the Church. I told him I supposed the Apostles would do nothing--at least a majority of the quorum would not--out of harmony with the desires of the First Presidency. I told him I heard one of the members of the 1st Presidency of the Church, (since dead) justify his son in entering the relation. He said ["]Yes Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon did bring reproach upon the church in letting Abra[ha]m H. Cannon get into it. He was responsible Abra[ha]m's act. Abra[ha]m didn't need the girl--he had a large family, and he destroyed his usefulness in the Church. Such men as he, Geo[rge]. Q. Apostles [Marriner Wood] Merrill, [George] Teasdell, [Matthias F.] Cowley, [Abraham Owen] Woodruff and [John W.] Taylor," he said, "had bro[ugh]t reproach upon the church, and had done wrong. The nation has been invited to humble us. Our religion when honestly lived, invites enough trouble, without willfully violating our pledges." He said, "Of course Pres[ident].

Smith don't want to go back beyond his administration, and I think he has all he can take care of in his own administration"--leading me to think he referred to Pres[ident]. Smith's complicity in the present marriage entanglement. I expressed my desire to be in harmony with the brethren as far as I could. ...

[Source: Joseph W. Musser, Diary, LDS Archives]

100 years ago today - Feb 16, 1914

It is true that since what is known as the manifesto of October, 1890, some of your our young men who could not be controlled, and who still believed it to be their right to live in the plural order of marriage for the purpose of raising families, took the bits in their own teeth and secretly advised the continuance of plural marriages, keeping their acts concealed until concealment could no longer be maintained, and resulting in the excommunication of the parties in authority advising these unauthorized marriages, the party solemnizing them and some, who knew better, who entered into them, a problem we are still dealing with ...

[Source: Joseph F. Smith, Letter to J. E. Rullison, 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]

140 years ago today - Feb 16, 1874

William Clayton recall in a sworn statement: "Hyrum said to Joseph, 'If you will write the revelation on celestial marriage, I will take it and read it to Emma, and I believe I can convince her of its truth, and you will hereafter have peace.' Joseph smiled and remarked, 'You do not know Emma as well as I do.' Hyrum repeated his opinion, and further remarked, 'The doctrine is so plain, I can convince any reasonable man or woman of its truth, purity and heavenly origin,' or words to that effect. Joseph then said, 'Well, I will write the revelation and we will see.' He then requested me to get paper and prepare to write. Hyrum very urgently requested Joseph to write the revelation by means of the Urim and Thummim, but Joseph in reply, said he did not need to, for he knew the revelation perfectly from beginning to end. . . . "Hyrum then took the revelation to read to Emma. Joseph remained with me in the office until Hyrum returned. When he came back, Joseph asked him how he had succeeded. Hyrum replied that he had never received a more severe talking to in his life, that Emma was very bitter and full of resentment and anger. "Joseph quietly remarked, 'I told you you did not know Emma as well as I did.' Joseph then put the revelation in his pocket, and they both left the office." Clayton says that after the revelation was carefully copied Joseph allowed Emma "the privilege of destroying" the original. Clayton concludes his statement with "From him I learned that the doctrine of plural and celestial marriage is the most holy and important doctrine ever revealed to man on the earth, and that without obedience to that principle no man can ever attain to the fulness of exaltation in celestial glory."

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

165 years ago today - Feb 16, 1849

[Brigham Young Sermon] Elder Lorenzo Snow asked information upon certain points on Jesus Christ. Pres[ident] Young replied in substance as follows: '"As he was once now are we. As he is now so shall we be.'" -- Salt Lake City

[Source: Quorum of the Twelve Minutes, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah, as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]

35 years ago today - Feb 15, 1979

LIBRARY JOURNAL headline "Mormon Book Purges Not Endorsed by Church," regarding LDS missionaries who allegedly remove books they regard as anti-Mormon or non-faith-promoting from public libraries. LDS president Spencer W. Kimball also publicly instructs BYU students to stop cutting out pages from books in campus library even if they regard the content as objectionable.

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

140 years ago today - Feb 15, 1874 (Afternoon)

[Brigham Young Sermon] "If we are disposed to enter into the Order of Enoch, now is the acceptable time and blessed are the Latter-day Saints. But if we are not disposed to enter this Order the curses of God will come upon the people; I cannot help it. I will not curse them. But the time has come for this work to be commenced." -- St. George, Utah

[Source: James G. Bleak. Â"Annals of the Southern Utah Mission,Â" Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]

50 years ago today - Feb 15, 1964

Ernest L. Wilkinson begins his term as the seventh president of Brigham Young University (1951â€"71).

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

20 years ago today - Feb 14, 1994

[Same-Sex Marriage] The First Presidency issues a statement that reads, in part, We encourage members to appeal to legislators, judges, and other government officials to preserve the purposes and sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman, and to reject all efforts to give legal authorization or other official approval or support to marriages between persons of the same gender.

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

50 years ago today - Feb 14, 1964

Temples * Book of Decisions for [Temple] Presidents * Presidents [Hugh B.] Brown and [N. Eldon] Tanner reported to me that they had gone through the manuscript of the proposed book of decisions as prepared by Elders Howard W. Hunter, ElRay L. Christiansen and Alvin R. Dyer, and had marked those items which they felt needed [a] decision by me. The matters were presented and I approved as follows: [clarification about sealing of children, bic, etc..] ... It was suggested that the ordinance of baptism for members of the negro race be performed by others than negroes if this can be accomplished without offense. ...

[Source: David O. McKay diary, Feb. 14, 1964 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]

70 years ago today - Feb 14, 1944

[Spencer W. Kimball] At 3 P.M. I attended the special meeting of the Council of the Twelve in which we excommunicated the woman in the [Apostle Richard R.] Lyman case. Bro Widtsoe and I were appointed to talk further with her and to hear her story which we did immediately after the meeting. It was a sad story full of pathos. My sympathy went out to her in her distress.

[Source: Spencer W. Kimball 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]

170 years ago today - Feb 14, 1844

[Nauvoo Neighbor] Story: "Who Shall be our Next President" -- Editorial -- Describing the right person for President, speaking poorly of Martin Van Buren, and endorsing Joseph Smith...

"An Ordinance to Repeal Certain Ordinances therein mentioned" -- Joseph Smith -- Repeal of Ordinances, "An Ordinance for the Extra Case of Joseph Smith and Others," and "An ordinance to Prevent Unlawful Search and Seizure of Person and Property."

- Ordinances: "An Ordinance to Repeal an Ordinance Regulating the Currency" -- Joseph Smith -- Repeals the "Ordinance Regulating the Currency." ...

[Source: http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]

175 years ago today - Feb 14, 1839

[Joseph Smith] Brigham Young (acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve, since Thomas B. Marsh's apostasy and David W. Patten's death) leaves Far West for Illinois because of bitter persecution against him.

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

185 years ago today - Feb 14, 1829

Eliza R. Snow publishes a poem in the Ravenna, Ohio WESTERN COURIER containing the stanzas: "But lo! a shining Seraph comes!/Hark! 'tis the voice of sacred Truth;/He smiles, and on his visage blooms,/Eternal youth.

He speaks of things before untold,/ Reveals what men nor angels knew,/The secret pages now unfold/To human view." Eliza, a future plural wife of both Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, has not yet heard of Mormonism (The Book of Mormon is over a year away from being published). Later, after accepting Mormonism, she changes the words "secret pages" to "long seal'd pages," to make more explicit the reference to the coming of the "Seraph," as the angel Moroni who brings the "long-sealed" plates of the Book of Mormon.

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

20 years ago today - Feb 13, 1994

The First Presidency announced that the 87-year-old Uintah Stake Tabernacle in Vernal, Utah, would be renovated and dedicated as Utah's 10th temple. It was the first existing building to be renovated into a temple.

[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]

115 years ago today - Feb 13, 1899

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] I explained to Pres[iden]t Snow that I felt very deeply wounded at the sermon which Pres[ident] Cannon had preached Sunday in view of the Attack of his son [on Grant] in his speech last Thursday evening. I told him I felt I could not feel well to be obligated to him for the present made me a little over a month ago. The President agree with me that I would feel better if refunded the amount. I wrote a note to Bro[ther] Cannon and enclosed my check for $1500 The letter read as follows (not there) I told Pres[iden]t Snow of my intention to return the 1500 to Bro[ther] Cannon and said he could not blame me for the desire to do so. I am glad he felt this way.

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

115 years ago today - Feb 13, 1899; Monday

[Anthony Ivins Journal] [Proposed questions for Bishop in Mormon Mexican colonies] ... Should dancing parties be permitted in private houses. Dancing in private houses should be discouraged, but if people insist in having parties in their houses it cannot be prevented. Should parties who come to the colony without recommends be permitted to acquire town lots: Where parties who have no recommends apply for lots[,] their past conduct should be carefully inquired into and if they retain the faith and are worthy they should be admitted to the colony and given lots. But if they are not members of the Church or are unworthy: No.

[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)]

155 years ago today - Feb 13, 1859

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] [Brigham Young] spoke upon the subject of the Book published by Mother [Lucy Mac] Smith Called Joseph Smith the Prophet. He said he wished us to take up that work & revise it & Correct it that it belonged to the Historians to attend to it that there was many fals statements made in it and he wished them to be left out and all other statements which we did not know to be true, and give the reason why they are left out. ... That Book makes out William Smith according to Mother Smith's statement to be full of the Holy Ghost & the power of God while at the same time I herd him say in the presence of Heber C. Kimball while Joseph Smith was a prisioner in the hands of his enemies and I said that God would deliver him. William Smith said Dam him Joseph Smith ought to have been hung up by the neck years ago and Dam him he will get it now any how.

President Brigham Young said Wm. Smith is the most wicked man I ever saw in my life. He has been filled with all manner of wickedness. ...

W Woodruff remarked that Mother Smith was under the influence of Wm Smith and the spirit of Aposticy which was in Nauvoo. President Young said yes I do not think the Lord would impute Evil to her and I shall meet with her in Eternity and I am sure I shall not bring an Accusation against her.

Elder O Pratt published that work & bought it of A. W. Babbitt at a high Price. We had a Copy of it in our office. It is marvellous that He should have published it without my Council...

[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 - Feb 13, 1849 (Afternoon)

[Brigham Young Sermon] Conversation on mesmerism until Lorenzo Snow presented the case of the African Race for a chance of redemption and unlock the door to them. President Young explained it very lucidly that the curse remains on them because Cain cut off the wives? of Abel to hedge up his way and take the lead but the Lord has given them blackness, so as to give the children of Abel an opportunity to keep his place with his descendants in the eternal words.

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

25 years ago today - Feb 12, 1989

The Church announces that worthy, unendowed members whose spouses are not members or the Church or are not worthy to enter the temple may receive their individual endowments.

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

35 years ago today - Feb 12, 1979

BYU student John David Neumann, working as an "undercover homosexual" for college credit, meets a 24-year-old Provo man in the BYU Wilkinson Center. Neumann rides with him toward Heber, and tells him about homosexuals at BYU. BYU student newspaper, THE DAILY UNIVERSE reports, "He said it was possible to pick them up in the Wilkinson Center and at the Richards P.E. Building".. Neumann claims that when the Provo man made sexual advances, he "grabbed him by the wrist" and signaled BYU Security officers, who cite the Provo man for reckless driving. Two days later a warrant is issued, and the man is later apprehended and charged in Fourth District Court with forcible sexual abuse.

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

115 years ago today - Feb 12, 1899

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] [Sunday Tabernacle] Pres[ident] Geo[rge] Q. Cannon followed with an address on charity. In my heart of hearts I could not help feeling that it was a plea for his son to be forgiven & made a US Senator. If I am in error then I have done Bro[ther] Cannon a great injustice and if I am right then I am sad indeed to think one of the First Presidency could do a thing of that kind.

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

165 years ago today - Feb 12, 1849

[Brigham Young Sermon] "This makes twelve men that Brother Kimball and I have laid our hands upon to ordain apostles and this will probably be the last."

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

180 years ago today - Feb 12, 1834

Joseph Smith gives instruction to the council: -"In ancient days, Councils were conducted with strict propriety, that no one was allowed to whisper, be weary, leave the room, or get uneasy, in the least, until the voice of the Lord, by revelation, or the voice of the Council by the Spirit was obtained, which has not been observed in this Church to the present. It was understood in ancient days, that if one man could stay in Council, another could; and if the President could spend his time, the members could also; but in our Councils, generally, one will be uneasy, another asleep; one praying, another not; one's mind on the business of the Council, and another thinking on something else, etc."

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

50 years ago today - Feb 12, 1964

First Presidency letter that all prospective missionaries "found guilty of fornication, of sex perversion, of heavy petting, or of comparable transgressions should not be recommended until the case has been discussed with the bishop and stake president and the visiting [General] Authority."

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

130 years ago today - Feb 12, 1884

First day of the debate between Church of Christ (Disciples) minister Clark Braden and RLDS leader, E. L. Kelley. During Braden's nineteenth speech, he presented a list of accusations of sexual misconduct directed at Joseph Smith. Several had never been raised before.

[Source: Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2013 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]

100 years ago today - Feb 12, 1914; Thursday

The following is the report of the General meeting of the First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles held this morning at the Temple at 10:30.

Present: Pres[iden]ts. [Joseph F.] Smith, [Anthon H.] Lund and [Francis M.] Lyman, Elders Heber J. Grant, Rudger Clawson, George Albert Smith, George F. Richards, Orson F. Whitney, David O. McKay, Anthony W. Ivins, Joseph F[ielding]. Smith Jr., James E. Talmage and the Patriarch. ...

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

100 years ago today - Feb 11, 1914; Wednesday

[Salt Lake Stake] President [Nephi L.] Morris made the following statement: -- President Joseph F. Smith, in the presence of the stake presidency,

announced that the recent actions of the council of apostles with respect to certain polygamous marriages, were in perfect accord with the views of the first presidency. A few days later, President Francis M. Lyman instructed the stake presidency in person that [former apostle] Brother Matthias F. Cowley was not to be permitted to officiate in any of the functions of the priesthood, and that he was to be denied membership in the high priests' quorum and in the local high priests' class. President Lyman said that Brother Cowley stood stripped of all authority, and was only as a member of the church and nothing more, barely having the privilege of the sacrament.

[Source: Salt Lake High Council Minutes]

165 years ago today - Feb 11, 1849 (Afternoon)

[Brigham Young Sermon] ... It is in me roaring all the time and I am all on fire of every thing that is good ... and if I were to give vent to my feelings I should shout ...

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

170 years ago today - Feb 11, 1844 (Sunday)

The ship Swanton sailed from Liverpool with 81 Saints, bound for Nauvoo, where they arrived April 18th.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

15 years ago today - Feb 10, 1999

[Utah] Mitt Romney, a venture capitalist son of George Romney, was proposed as the new chief of the Olympic Committee for the 2002 games in SLC.

[Source: Ratnikas, Algis, TimelinesDb, http://www.timelinesdb.com/listevents.php?subjid=201title=Utah]

20 years ago today - Feb 10, 1994

Counselor Gordon B. Hinckley withdraws church's financial support from Salt Lake City's Pioneer Memorial Theater (PMT) because of "increasing profanity and vulgarity in its productions." Subsequent explanations in DESERET NEWS cite profanity in production of "Conversations with my Father" several months ago. Timing of Hinckley's announcement is unfortunate-day after PMT's premier of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," which presents its "star-crossed lovers" as black-white interracial couple.

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

115 years ago today - Feb 10, 1899; Friday

...Presiding Bishop [William B.] Preston ... presented the usual charity report, amounting to some $40,000.00, which is one-third less than the charity report of two years ago.

"Senator Frank J. Cannon spoke to a crowded house at the Theatre last night. ... He had been openly charged by the Woman's Republican Club with immoral conduct, and asked by resolution to resign his office. The Senator took this means of acknowledging his shortcomings and attacking those whom he termed his enemies, among them Elders John Henry Smith and Heber J. Grant. The scene was a sad spectacle to behold, and the anti-Mormon element appeared to be greatly entertained by the Senator's harangue."

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

130 years ago today - Feb 10, 1884

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] Attended the funeral of [plural wife of Joseph Smith] Vienna Jaques who died aged 96 years. A M Cannon spoke 20 M Penrose 20, [HI J Grant 5 M G Hamblin 7, & W Woodruff 30.

[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 - Feb 10, 1834

Brigham Young marries legally for the second and last time during his life. He marries Mary Ann Angel two years after the death of his first wife Miriam Works. He marries at least 53 more times before his death in 1877.

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

75 years ago today - Feb 09, 1939

Elder Luis Constantini, from Buenos Aires, is called on a mission. He is the first missionary from a South American country.

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

100 years ago today - Feb 9, 1914

... under existing circumstances it is not consistent nor proper that the Church should continue to print and publish Brother [Matthias F.] Cowley's works, especially when there is plenty of literature appropriate for proselyting purposes which may be re-published instead, we therefore suggest that a new edition of Cowley's talks be not issued under Church auspices.

[Cowley, a former apostle, had been disciplined for continuing the practice of plural marriage]

[Source: First Presidency, Letter to Samuel O. Bennion, 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 - Feb 9, 1899

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] Attended a lecture in the Salt Lake Theatre by Hon Frank J. Cannon on "Senatorial Candidates and Pharisees." He made a vile attack on Apostle John Hy Smith, the Church, Mr McCune & myself. He had more to say about me than any one else. If ever I heard a man speak with the spirit of an apostate I listened to one tonight during the senator's remarks. Unless he repents he will soon lose his standing in the Church. I got up to go and thinking I wanted to say something said I should not speak and made a second attack on me. I stood while he spoke. I had not the least desire to say a word. No more than I would had a dog been barking at me.

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

170 years ago today - Feb 9, 1844

Joseph Smith teaches that heaven is inhabited by angels who are resurrected beings and "the spirits of just men made perfect. (See D&C 129.)

[Source: Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2013 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]

170 years ago today - Feb 9, 1844

Gov. Reynolds of Missouri shoots himself through the head, having written that although he has tried to carry out his duties, he has not been able to escape "the slanders and abuse of my enemies, which has rendered my life a burden to me." Many assume that Reynolds is referring to criticisms of him because he had not been able to return Joseph Smith to Missouri for trial.

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

180 years ago today - Feb 9, 1834

In Kirtland "The council proceeded to investigate certain charges presented by Elder Rigdon against Martin Harris; one was, that he told A. C. Russell, Esq., that Joseph drank too much liquor when he was translating the Book of Mormon; and that he wrestled with many men and threw them; and that he (Harris) exalted himself above Joseph, in that he said, "Brother Joseph knew not the contents of the Book of Mormon, until it was translated, but that he himself knew all about it before it was translated. Brother Harris did not tell Esq. Russell that Brother Joseph drank too much liquor while translating the Book of Mormon, but this thing occurred previous to the translating of the Book;"

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

50 years ago today - Feb 08, 1964

[U.S. Religious History] Congress debated an amendment to the Civil Rights Act of 1963 which would have removed the protection of prohibitions against religious discrimination from atheists. Proposed by Ohio Republican John Ashbrook, the amendment read: "...it shall not be an unlawful employment practice for an employer to refuse to hire and employ any person because of said persons' atheistic practices and beliefs." The amendment was passed by the House of Representatives, 137-98, but it failed to pass the Senate.

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

70 years ago today - Feb 8, 1944

War correspondent reports during invasion of Kwajalein by U.S.Marines that one LDS marine refuses medical attention until medics help his wounded LDS buddy. Then correspondent records that young man raises his right arm and says: "In the name of Jesus Christ and by virtue of the Holy Priesthood which I hold, I command you to remain alive until the necessary help can be obtained to secure the preservation of your life."

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

170 years ago today - 1844 8 Feb.

Joseph Smith's only acknowledged polygamous child Josephine is born. Her mother Sylvia Sessions Lyon is legally married to Windsor P. Lyon with whom she is living, and so this is the first acknowledged polyandrous child. As chief justice of Nauvoo, Smith fines two African-Americans $25 and $5 for "trying to marry white women."

[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]

170 years ago today - Feb 8, 1844

[Joseph Smith] In the evening W. W. Phelps reads Joseph's political platform, and Joseph comments, "I would not have suffered my name to have been used . . . as President of the United States . . . if I and my friends could have had the privilege of enjoying our religious and civil rights as American citizens. . . . I feel it to be my right and privilege to obtain what influence and power I can, lawfully, in the United States, for protection of injured innocence; and if I lose my life in a good cause I am willing to be sacrificed on the altar of virtue."

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

175 years ago today - Feb 8, 1839

Liberty, Missouri. After Joseph Smith's failed escape attempt, local citizens gathered outside of Liberty Jail and threatened to kill him and his fellow inmates. Joseph prophesied that they would be kept safe.

[During the escape, six Mormons came to visit, foiling the attempt]

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

50 years ago today - Feb 7, 1964

President [N. Eldon] Tanner brought to my attention a question that had been raised regarding temple work for [United States] Presidents Martin Van Buren, James Buchanan and Ulysses S. Grant. In this connection reference was made to President Wilford Woodruff 's statement that he had done the work for all the presidents of the United States excepting these three. President Tanner referred to information that had been given to him by Henry Christiansen of the Genealogical Society to the effect that in the case of James Buchanan the records indicate that baptism was performed for him and he has been sealed to his parents, this work having been done by relatives. In the case of Martin Van Buren, baptismal work was done for him August 9, 1876 in the Endowment House, which apparently was not known to President Wilford Woodruff at the time he had the work done for the other presidents. Subsequently, the baptism was done again for Martin Van Buren in 1948 and was followed by endowments, but he is not sealed to his parents, nor has there been a sealing between him and his wife. In the case of Ulysses S. Grant, his baptism and endowment work were done in 1926 at the instance of President Heber J. Grant. President Tanner raised the question as to whether, in view of President Woodruff 's attitude, these ordinances should be cancelled or if the necessary additional work should be done in each case. I ruled that we should leave these cases as they are until the Lord gives us further direction in the matter.

[Source: David O. McKay diary, Feb. 7, 1964; emphasis in original, as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]

80 years ago today - Feb 7, 1934

At a meeting of a joint committee appointed by the Church to study the attitudes of youth toward religion the chairman reports, "It is generally conceded that there is a strong tendency for our young people, many of them, to take an attitude against our orthodox beliefs." He cites a prayer published in the Delta Phi [an LDS fraternity] Bulletin:

"Dear God, our Father, we remember before thee this Sabbath morning the great free souls who have been crowded from Thy Church-noble men and women whose spiritual freedom was greater to them than life.

Bring them back, Father, into our communion again. Touch their hearts with understanding. Help them to forgive us. And we pray Thee, Father, touch also our hearts, for we have become hard and cold with our own self-righteousness.

Our hearts are now filled with sorrow and remorse for our sins. "We have crucified many and driven them out of Thy Church, thinking we did Thee service. And now before our eyes this morning this vast procession marches, made lonely through our exclusiveness, crushed by our ignorance. Help us to make our Church inclusive-not exclusive; creative -not preservative.

Help us to be tolerant with intolerance. May Thy Church, through us, be a light unto the world, a light of freedom and peace, love and good will, where personal character and social justice may not die out."

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

115 years ago today - Feb 7, 1899

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] I had to smile to think that 33 members of the Legislature could be found who would be green enough to ask Bro Moses to accept the office of U.S. Senator. ... It is incomprehensible to me that 33 members of the Legislature, mostly faithful members of the Church should ask [Apostle] Moses Thatcher to run for Senatorship.

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

130 years ago today - Feb 7, 1884

Elizabeth Stephens is "set apart as a midwife and Doctress" by Wilford Woodruff.

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

170 years ago today - Feb 7, 1844

[Joseph Smith] Joseph meets with the Twelve and completes and signs his "views of the powers and policy of the government of the United States." In this platform policy he reviews American leaders from Benjamin Franklin to John Tyler. He then makes eight propositions:

1. Reduce Congress by two-thirds. Pay them $2 a day: "That is more than the farmer gets, and he lives honestly. "

2. Turn penitentiaries into "seminaries of learning" and pardon all convicts except murderers.

3. Abolish slavery by 1850 by paying slave holders a fair price with money from the sale of public lands.

4. Abolish court-martials for desertion from the armed forces.

5. Work for more government economy and fewer taxes.

6. Establish a national bank.

7. Give the president power to suppress mobs.

8. "When we have the Red Man's consent," let the Union spread from coast to coast, inviting Oregon, Texas, Mexico, and Canada to join the Union if they so desire.

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

170 years ago today - Feb 7, 1844

Joseph Smith writes in his diary: "A piece of doggerel appears in the Warsaw Message of this date, entitled 'Buckeye's Lamentations for the Want of More Wives,' evidently the production of Wilson Law, and breathing a very foul and malicious spirit."

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/extensions-power)]

175 years ago today - 1839: 7 February

[Patriarchal Blessing] Bathsheba Bigler (Smith). (Given by Joseph Smith, Sen.)

... [thou] shalt have a Son who shall be mighty; for he shall be a prophet and Seer; and thou shalt hear him; and thou shalt hear him prophecy of all things, and stand upon the Earth when the lands are married, and enjoy all things when the Earth is cleansed ..."

[Source: Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

175 years ago today - Feb 7, 1839

After much rude treatment in jail and lack of due respect from the law, Joseph Smith considered escaping from Liberty Jail and received a confirmation that he and the brethren could go that night if they all assented. Lyman Wight objected, however, so they delayed the attempt.

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