65 years ago today - Mar 31, 1949

Introductory letter to this publication by President George Albert Smith, urging that the Scouting program be extended to every boy in the Church.

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

110 years ago today - Thursday, Mar 31, 1904

[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] ... The brethren indulged in a little informal discussion of the present situation as to the investigation under way by the senate committee and agreed that it is pretty seriousâ€"especially in view of the fact that some of the brethren are wanted as witnesses and cannot be found. While it was conceded that the church is under no obligation to furnish evidence for the committee, the fact remains, if the witnesses are not produced, the verdict of guilty will be pronounced by our enemies. On the other hand, the brethren looked upon this present movement as a most unholy crusade...

Elder Clawson here remarked that he thought one lesson had been learned from the method of procedure followed in the organizing [of] the new stakes, viz.: that it is unsafe to call for nominations, or rather for names, from the body of the priesthood for the reason that while you are pretty certain to get the best names, you will also get the names of brethren who are unsuitable for any office in the church; and further it becomes a humiliation to the brethren whose names are not considered, or rather accepted, after having been named in a public meeting; and furthermore this method of procedure somewhat detracts from the idea of inspiration as the guiding principle. ...

Meeting adjourned to Sacrament table. Benediction by Pres. Jos. F. Smith. The brethren repaired to the sacrament table; the bread and wine were blessed by Elder Clawson. ...

[Source: Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]

130 years ago today - Mar 31, 1884

At 3 p.m President Taylor had a lengthy interview with President Joseph F. Smith and Patriarch John Smith. Memo. by President Taylor: 'There has been considerable dissatisfaction and complaint in regard to Patriarch John Smith.... In our conversation I informed him that the office of Patriarch to the Church was a very important position, so much so that in the temple at Kirtland, Joseph Smith placed his father, who was the first Patriarch to the Church in a stand above him, and furthermore when Joseph the Patriarch died, Joseph Smith called upon his brother Hyrum to occupy that position, and in doing so he released him from the office of counselor (as he was at that time counselor to Joseph) and William Law was appointed in his place. ... You will perceive that there are verygreat powers, privileges, promises, sealings, &c. mixed up and associated with this office, and therefore I have called upon you, Brother Smith, to have a little plain talk with you in regard to certain statements that have been made to me from time to time whereby you do not seem to have the full faith of the brethren, and some of them in authority, wherein it is alleged that you do not magnify your calling and priesthood as it is desirable you should do. I then related the position that we occupied in the Church. I told him God had introduced His kingdom and organized it, and in former generations after any particular manifestation, after a brief space there had generally been a falling off, and the people dwindled down to a state of unbelief... 'Brother Smith acknowledged that what I said was correct, and if there was anything out of place associated with his conduct he would like to be put right. 'I said it was very unpleasant for me to be put in the position of an accuser, and that is was simply out of regard to him, and the important position that he occupied; and furthermore, I considered it a duty that I owed the Church to see that all the officers were magnifying their callings. I told him then that one thing I had noticed about his affairs was that while he had taken a second wife a great many years ago, who so far as I know or had been informed was an honorable, virtuous and upright woman, he had neglected and seemed to treat lightly the covenant he had entered into with her. 'President Joseph F. Smith also bore testimony to the same thing, whereupon he tried to excuse himself, which excuses were satisfactory neither to myself nor Brother Joseph F. Smith. The latter also stated to him that he set a very bad example in smoking, thus breaking the Word of Wisdom.'

[Source: Minutes, 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]

150 years ago today - Mar 31, 1864 (Thursday)

Apostle Lorenzo Snow had a very narrow escape from drowning while attempting to land at Lahaina, Maui, Hawaiian Islands, with other Elders.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

180 years ago today - Mar 31, 1834

A young man, Ira J. Willis, goes into Jackson County, Missouri, looking for a stray cow. He is captured by Moses Wilson, who, with six other men, whips Willis in a cruel and savage way. Joseph writes, "May God reward Moses Wilson according to his works."

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

180 years ago today - Mar 31, 1834

Brigham Young (aged 32) marriage to Mary Ann Angell (1808-1882) (aged 27). First marriage. This was not a plural marriage, as Young was a widower at the time; 6 children; mother of Brigham Young, Jr., John Willard Young and Joseph Angell Young.

[Source: Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]

100 years ago today - Mar 30, 1914

[David O. McKay] Considered evidence against Bro[ther] M[atthias]. F. Cowley, who, it is alleged, has recently encouraged clandestine plural marriages.

No definite action taken.

Excommunicated John W. Woolley for having performed such marriages. Poor man! he was deceived, and is now almost broken-hearted.

[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 - Mar 30, 1914

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] Cases of [John] W Woolley and [Matthias] F. Cowley considered--Ten of the Twelve, above brethren, Jos. H. Grant & Geo J. Cannon present After lunch only members of our Council were present--the [sic] all spoke & it was voted to cut Bro Woolley off of the Church-We took this action with the keenest regrets.

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

165 years ago today - Mar 30, 1849

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] There is A report in this days papers that Col Freemont lost 120 Mules in one night with the cold & snow on the Mountains, which left him on foot And All his party perished & eat each other up. All died but himself & he vary badly frost bitten.

This is the second party of Missourians who have died A miserable death & each eats [the] other up. What is the cause of this? The measure they meet is measured unto them again. They one put the prophets patriarchs & Apostles in Chains in prision & fed them on human flesh even the flesh of their brethren. That state with this Nation has some heavy bills to pay & serious things to Meet. So prepare for it.

[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 - Mar 30, 1844

[Joseph Smith Diary] This morning I heard there was some disturbance on the hill. Rode up and found it reported a robbery had been committed at the Key Stone Store. Mr Rollosson [had been robbed] of some $14100] or [$] 1,500 and some goods and they were suspicious of a certain black man. I issued a general search warrant and returned to my office where I found the black man Chism [was in distress] with his back lacerated from his shoulders to his hips with 20 or more lashes. My clerk, Dr. Richards, kept him secreted and called Aaron Johnson a justice who issued his warrant for [blank] a Missourian who had boardered at my house a few days and on testimony fined him five dollars and cost for whipping Chism. One Easton a witness said he could not testify without implicating himself and he was apprehended and held in custody. Marr Esq[ui]r[e] refused to testify because he was counsel.

[Source: Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1844, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]

180 years ago today - Mar 30, 1834

Joseph Smith writes to Edward [Partridge] and William [W. Phelps], we have run into debt for the press," and that they "have received but very few dollars for the Star and printing". The business continued to struggle throughout 1834-35. Samuel H. Smith and David Whitmer were appointed agents for the Literary Firm in September 1835, and their collection of subscriptions help stave off collapse of the enterprise at that time.

[Source: Lisle G Brown, "Chronology of the Literary Firm"]

30 years ago today - Mar 29, 1984

Anti-Mormon publishers Jerald and Sandra Tanner take a three-quarter-page advertisement in the DESERET NEWS. The LDS-owned newspaper usually doesn't accept anti-Mormons advertisements but this is court-ordered to compensate for the NEWS having falsely accusing the Tanners of stealing documents.

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

85 years ago today - Mar 29, 1929

[James E. Talmage] Attended my Prayer Circle'for the last time! The matter of discontinuing the special or private Prayer Circles in the Temple has been given attention by the Council, and by action taken at yesterday's session all such circles are to be disbanded. The official circles, such as those comprising Stake Presidencies with their High Councils will continue; but the circles that have been presided over by members of the Twelve individually will no longer be held. This change came as a complete surprise to all the members of my circle, and a feeling of sorrow was manifest; indeed the occasion was not without tears. As to the cause for this change it may be said that such special or individual circles were called into existence many years ago when facilities for engaging in Temple service were very few. For years following the opening of the Salt lake Temple but one service per day, three days in a week, was held; whereas now there are six services daily for five days in the week. Another element considered was that of discrimination, in that a few brethren'a very few indeed as compared with those who were eager to join Prayer Circles and who are worthy'had the privilege of this sacred association. My circle comes to a close in a time of very marked prosperity, in that it has been composed largely of returned missionaries, all of whom have exhibited the greatest devotion and most fervent interest in the Circle. Individual absence from the Circle meetings has been the exception.

[Source: James E. Talmage Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]

110 years ago today - Mar 29, 1904

Last plural marriage performed by stake president Anthony W. Ivins in Mexico. The couple had been asked to move their marriage date up because a statement might be forthcoming in Apr Conference. U.S. Senator and LDS apostle Reed Smoot is informed by one of his staff that his letter to church leaders asking for another anti-polygamy manifesto"was rubbing the fur the wrong way" and that President Smith "sets forth that enough manifestoes have been already issued, and you cannot expect more at the present state of feeling." Joseph F. Smith, however, issues a carefully-worded "Second Manifesto" during Apr Conference.

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

115 years ago today - Mar 29, 1899; Wednesday

Elder Young read to the brethren of the First Presidency the resolution heretofore passed by this Council and approved by the president, providing that the following form should be used: "We ordain you a president of Seventy and set you apart to preside in the _______ Quorum of Seventy," etc., and called their attention to the fact that at the time Elder Anthon H. Lund officiated in the case of Elder McMurrin he set him apart as a president in the First Council of Seventy but did not ordain him. President [Lorenzo] Snow's answer to this statement was in effect that Elder McMurrin should be ordained. Elder Young was authorized to accompany Elder McMurrin to the office of the First Presidency and have the ordination attended to.

[Source: Excerpt from the Minutes of the First Council of the Seventy, April 4, 1899]

130 years ago today - Mar 29, 1884

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] I received one letter Containing the Cost of the Logan Temple. Total to March 1, 1884 $577,517.

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

140 years ago today - Mar 29, 1874 (Morning)

[Brigham Young Sermon] President Brigham Young arose and said if the people wanted the word of the Lord written, he could give it to them in this way. He had the feeling in his heart to avoid giving the will of God with a '"Thus saith the Lord.'" In this latter case, the curse of God would the more directly and speedily come upon those who would not obey. Where God gives His law, and it is not observed, the penalty must be paid.

[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 - Mar 29, 1844

William Law records that a few days previous Hyrum Smith approached him seeking peace.

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

85 years ago today - Mar 28, 1929

First Presidency and Twelve decide to disband private prayer circle organizations which meet weekly or monthly in temples. Until 1978 local stakes continue to have prayer circle meetings in temples or in special rooms of stake meeting houses.

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

115 years ago today - Mar 28, 1899

Harold B. Lee (1899-1973) born Clifton, Oneida Co., ID.

[Source: Ludlow, Daniel H. editor, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Macmillan Publishing, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 4, Appendix 2: A Chronology of Church History, http://amzn.to/eG0DIp]

120 years ago today - Wed., Mar 28, 1894

[Apostle Abraham H. Cannon Journal] I (Pres. Woodruff) was sealed to my father, and then had him sealed to the Prophet Joseph. Erastus Snow was sealed to his father though the latter was not baptized after having heard the Gospel. He was, however, kind to the Prophet, and was a Saint in everything except baptism. The Lord has told me that it is right for children to be sealed to their parents, and they to their parents just as far back as we can possibly obtain the records; and then have the last obtainable member sealed to the Prophet Joseph, who stands at the head of this dispensation. It is also right for wives whose husbands never heard the Gospel to be sealed to those husbands, providing they are willing to run the risk of their receiving the Gospel in the Spirit world. There is yet very much for us to learn concerning the temple ordinances, and God will make it known as we prove ourselves ready to receive it. In searching out my genealogy I found about four hundred of my female kindred who were never married. I asked Pres. Young what I should do with them. He said for me to have them sealed to me unless there were more than 999 of them. The doctrine startled me, but I had it done.

... Heber J. Grant said it was revealed to him as he was traveling among the Moquis that he was called to be an apostle because his father according to the flesh, J. M. Grant, and the prophet Joseph, to whom he rightfully belonged, had requested it. Seymour B. Young was made one of the First Seven Presidents of the Seventies because his father had requested it.

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

130 years ago today - Mar 28, 1884

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 28 In Company with the First Presidency & 4 of the Twelve we visited Heber J. Grant who is vary bitter sick. We administerd to him. I look upon him as in a Dangerous Condition.

[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 - Mar 28, 1849

At organization of Utah's Nauvoo Legion, Hosea Stout notes: "John Pack & John D. Lee were each put in nomination for Majors by regular authority & both most contemptuously hissed down. When any person is thus duly nominated I never before knew the people to reject it [-] But on this occasion it appears that they are both a perfect stink in every body's nose."

20 years ago today - Mar 27, 1994

SALT LAKE TRIBUNE article, "The Ups and Downs of Prozac-Utah's Favorite Drug." The reporter quotes a distinguished psychiatrist as saying: "the typical Utahn taking Prozac frequently is a housewife overwhelmed with a lot of children. She's not able to deal with an unresolved problem with a marriage, and wants a solution. She will say to her doctor that she is kind of depressed and they will prescribe it. What she really needs is family counseling or therapy." The psychiatrist later claims he was misquoted.

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

30 years ago today - Mar 27, 1984

Official statement that First Presidency "are disturbed and saddened at the presence of anti-Catholic posters being placed in areas within Salt Lake City."

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

85 years ago today - Mar 27, 1929

[Joseph Fielding Smith] Met with the committee again. Some grave differences of opinion regarding points of doctrine were not settled and the committee adjourned to met Bro. B H Roberts.

[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]

85 years ago today - Mar 27, 1929

[George F. Richards] We excused Isaac D. Cooper from coming to the Temple. He does not sustain the Authorities of the Church in their attitude toward the practice of Plural marriage and he is loud mouthed about it and determined in his way.

[Source: George F. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]

115 years ago today - Mar 27, 1899; Monday

... William J. Kerr, President of the Brigham Young College at Logan [Utah], with Apostle Brigham Young and Bishop William B. Preston, two of the trustees of that College, met with the Presidency, to whom Elder Kerr stated that it would require $8,200 as an appropriation from the Church to eke out the income of that institution and carry the school to the end of the present year. Agreeable to former instructions he had endeavored to ascertain what reduction the teachers could stand in their salaries in order to keep the institution going, and he now reported that while the teachers were willing to do anything possible to keep the College open, if their salaries should be cut it would prevent most of them from attending Eastern Colleges during the summer vacation, as they contemplated doing, and the home institution would be correspondingly deprived of better service.

President Snow frankly replied that the Church could not afford to furnish the means asked for... He suggested that the people be appealed to on behalf of this College, and also on behalf of the Brigham Young Academy at Provo [Utah] and the Latter-day Saints' College at Salt Lake City.

Bishop Preston remarked that the people could only do so much, and that if they were called upon for special aid in these directions it would necessarily affect the tithing income, and the Church could not look for any increase of tithing for the current year.

President Snow stated that the Church employees, many of them, were only about half paid, and as far as he was concerned he would not cut the salaries of those teachers one farthing, he would prefer to increase them.

After further conversation, it was decided to make the necessary appropriation, and trust in the Lord. ...

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

165 years ago today - Mar 27, 1849

Apostles Orson Hyde, George A. Smith, and Ezra T. Benson write Brigham Young that Council of Fifty member Peter Haws complains that "Twelve men had swallowed up thirty eight." Council members George Miller, Lyman Wight, and Lucien Woodworth also claim that Quorum of Twelve usurped Fifty's theocratic prerogatives after 1844. Today Smith retorts that Council of Fifty is "nothing but a debating School."

170 years ago today - Mar 27, 1844

[Nauvoo Neighbor] - Story: "Coffee Drinkers" -- Editorial -- Describes how to grow coffee beans.

- Story: "The Oregon Question" -- Editorial -- Describes a debate by Presidential Candidates regarding Oregon and Texas, and then describes Joseph Smith's Platform.

- Story: "The Last Hour of the False Prophet" -- Editorial -- Describes conflict in Eastern Europe, and states that "the signs of the speedy fulfillment of the prediction against Mohammedanism are multiplying every day." ...

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

110 years ago today - Mar 26, 1904 (Saturday)

The new Bureau of Information building on the Temple Block, Salt Lake City, was formally dedicated, the dedicatory prayer being offered by John R. Winder.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

120 years ago today - Mar 26, 1894

[George Q. Cannon] We had an interview with Dr. [James E.] Talmage concerning the proposed tender of the Church University building and apparatus to the University of Utah, and it was decided that we would pay the salary of Dr. Talmage ... Dr. Talmage is to be elected President of the University of Utah.

[Source: George Q. Cannon Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]

140 years ago today - Mar 26, 1874

[Brigham Young Sermon] President Brigham Young said those present had been of late instructed in the first principles of the Order of Enoch. .... "I have contemplated this Order for years, but never have I felt the spirit to indicate that the people would receive it, till the present time. You may say, '"What do you want of us?'" I will tell you what is wanted. I want the sisters to take the lead in customs and fashions. ... I want to see a fund in this community, so that we may send for machinery and other appliances to save the labor of the sisters. I want to see the sisters practice prudent economy. ... Now, I refer to hats. Why not use our old pantaloons and make our caps out of them? ... Gather the grapes, have a few general places at which to make wine. First, by lightly pressing, make a white wine; then give a heavier pressing and make colored wine. Then barrel up this wine, and, if my counsel is taken, this wine will not be drank here, but will be exported, and thus increase the fund. ...

[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 - Mar 26, 1844

Joseph, having recently become aware that President Tyler has asked Congress to establish military posts to protect pioneers going on the Oregon Trail, petitions Congress to empower him as a military officer to raise 100,000 volunteer troups to open up the unsettled sections of the American West and to protect American borders. On Mar. 30, 1844, Joseph sends a similar petition to Pres. Tyler. Orson Hyde takes both petitions to Washington. On May 25, 1844, John Wentworth of Chicago tries to present the bill to Congress, but Wentworth's motion to suspend certain rules so that the petition might be read is defeated.

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

170 years ago today - Mar 26, 1844

At a meeting of the Council of Fifty Joseph delivered his "last to the Twelve Apostles: the shoulders of the Twelve the responsibility of leading this henceforth rest until you shall others to succeed you." This had been "confirmed by the anointing [Fulness of the Priesthood] the hands of Joseph and He then charge the Twelve "I roll the burden and of leading this church off my shoulders on to yours. Now, round up shoulders and stand under it like men; the Lord is going to let me rest (Undated certificate of the Apostles, Brigham Young Papers, Church

[Source: Lisle G Brown, compiler, "A Chronology of the Development of Apostolic Succession of the First Presidency, 1831-1848"]

1 year ago - Mar 25, 2013

[Same-sex Marriage] Three same-sex couples file a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Utah seeking to overturn Utah's ban on gay marriage.

[Source: Herald Extra, "LDS Church: No gay marriages in meetinghouses", http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/lds-church-no-gay-marriages-in-meetinghouses/article_9115817b-5e81-5e2f-b1e7-692843870e5d.html]

25 years ago today - Mar 25, 1989

CHURCH NEWS explains that the purpose of the Tabernacle Choir is to promote "the American family and the American dream"

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

120 years ago today - Mar 25, 1894

Apostle Abraham H. Cannon writes: "Bro. Roskelly of the Logan temple is having a considerable number of persons who are dead sealed and adopted to him. This is right where people request it, but he should not try to induce them to take this course through their surviving relatives, or in their own cases, if alive. Pres. Woodruff will write him to not try to get people to be thus sealed to him, but where they ask it of their own free will it will be proper."

125 years ago today - Mar 25, 1889

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] Upon my arrival home I found my wife Lucy quite worked up on account of my having sold my home to Byron Groo as he was not a member of the Church and people were talking about it and making remarks that were anything but complimentary. I told her that I would get Pres[ident] Woodruff to approve the sale as there was never a rule that there were no exceptions to, and as Byron Groo was a friend of our people and was employed in writing in their defence there would be no objections to my selling to him. I called at the Gardo House where I met Bro[ther]s Woodruff and Cannon, J. F. Smith, and F. D. Richards and they approved of my sale to Byron Groo, although they said that if I had not sold that it would have been better on account of the talk of the people not to have done so, but they thought that there was not the least wrong in the sale that I had made.

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

170 years ago today - Mar 25, 1844

[Joseph Smith Diary] Called at my office on my return and read Memorial to Congress [requesting authorization to raise an army of 100,000 to explore and protect settlers in Oregon and Texas,] which my clerk had been writing as committee of council [of Fifty] of Thursday last. Was pleased with the instrument.

[Source: Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1844, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]

175 years ago today - (Mon) Mar 25, 1839

"The Prophet's Epistle to the Church" written in Liberty Jail. "Your humble servant, Joseph Smith, Jun.... , in company with his fellow prisoners ... We would tell, that we should have been liberated at the time Elder Rigdon was, on the writ of habeas corpus... We feel to inquire after Elder Rigdon; if he has not forgotten us, it has not been signified to us by his writing. Brother George W. Robinson also... .

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

20 years ago today - Mar 24, 1994

Jane Partridge, president of her high school seminary class, testifies before U.S. congress in support of reducing legal limits for blood-alcohol level of teenage drivers.

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

50 years ago today - Mar 24, 1964

President Lyndon B. Johnson explains his plan to restructure the budgeting of government agencies without raising taxes: "we will take from the haves and give to the have nots." Two years later in a general conference address Apostle Marion G. Romney uses this quote out of context as evidence that Johnson advocates socialism.

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

55 years ago today - Tue Mar 24, 1959

[David O. McKay Office Journal] ... the First Presidency returned to the north Board Room and met with Brother Alvin R. Dyer, formerly President of the Central States Mission, and Assistant to the Twelve, on developments in Washington, D.C. on the proposed Pattonsburg Reservoir which threatens to inundate the Adam-ondi-Ahman site, near Gallatin, Missouri. David S. King, Congressman from Utah, has conferred at length with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Washington, D.C. about the project. They show an earnest desire to respect the Church's wishes in the matter. It was felt that rather than the First Presidency write a letter fo the Chief of Engineers, Alvin Dyer should go to Washington, D.C. and quietly confer with David S. King, our Senators, and the U.S. Chief of Engineers with regard to an alternate site for the location of the dam farther up the river, which would preserve the properties we now hold at Adam-ondi-Ahman, as well as surrounding areas which are sacred to us as a people.

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

125 years ago today - Mar 24, 1889

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] [Visiting his wife Gusta in Provo] It is a great trial to me that I have so little chance to visit with Gusta and Emily and I shall truly thankful when there shall be a change in the present state of affairs in Utah.

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

130 years ago today - Monday, Mar 24, 1884

[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] I dreamed in the night that President Young and my Father were still alive but that they had been away from the people and returned not satisfied with the way President Taylor was doing. I saw Prest. Taylor moving from the yard into his own home, and he seemed to be much troubled in his mind. J. W. Young and my brother Charles seemed to be mixed up in the affair. My conversation with my Father was as real as in life. I enjoyed it very much. President Taylor came to where Father and I stood and they both disappeared.

[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]

155 years ago today - Mar 24, 1859

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] ... I received the following receipt for dissolving & Curing the stone in the Bladder [Kidney Stones]: Drink freely of fennol tea of the seeds & stocks And for the gravel sweeten [yor?] tea with Honey and sugar mixed, that it will Cure the gravel.

... I Spent the evening at President Youngs. The fore part of the evening was spent reading Napoleon. A messenger arived from Rush valley informing us that after Spencer was knocked down they sent for an army Surgeon who examined his head. Found his skull was broaken & one part laped on the top of the other. He sawed a peace of the Skull out & placed it together and they think there is a Chance for him to get well. ...

[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 - Mar 24, 1844

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] ... President Joseph Smith was speaking. ...:

I have been informed by two gentleman that a conspiricy is got up in this place for the purpose of taking the life of President Joseph Smith his family and all the Smith family & the heads of the Church. One of the gentleman will give his name to the public & the other wishes it to be hid for the present. They will both testify to it on oath & make an affidavit upon it. The names of the persons revealed at the head of the conspiracy are as follows: (Chancy Higby Dr Foster, Mr Jackson, Wm. & Wilson Law). And the lies that Higby has hatched up as a foundation to work upon is, he says that I had mens heads Cut off in Missouri & that I had a sword run through the hearts of the people that I wanted to kill & put out of the way. ...

If I am guilty I am ready to bear it. ... Jackson said a Smith should not be alive 2 weeks not over two months any how. ...

[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 - Mar 24, 1834

John Wesley Powell was born 24 March 1834 at Mount Morris in western New York state. His parents moved to Illinois, where he was educated at Wheaton and Oberlin colleges. He became interested in botany and geology at an early age, and began geological work with a series of field trips, including a trip the length of the Mississippi River in a rowboat; he also traveled the Ohio and Illinois rivers.

[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: John Wesley Powell, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]

130 years ago today - Mar 23, 1884

"Sunday, Spent quietly. Have no result to be noted of my physiological experiment yesterday. I do not feel inclined to try again till the end of next week â As the realization of the effects of the drug [Cannabis] are not desirable on working days."

[Source: Talmage journal entry]

170 years ago today - March 23, 1844. Saturday.

[William Clayton Journal] A.M. rode with President Joseph and brother Neibaur to Doctor [Robert] Fosters. He was gone to appanose and his wife was at Mr. Gilmans. We went down there and saw her. President Joseph asked Sister Foster if she ever in her life knew him guilty of an immoral or indecent act. She answered no. He then explained his reasons for asking and then asked if ever he had used any indecent or insulting language to her, she answered, never. He further asked if he ever preached any thing like the spiritual wife doctrine to her only what he had preached in public. She said no! He asked her if he ever proposed to have illicit intercourse with her and especially when he took dinner during the Doctors absence. She said no. After some further conversation on the subject we left. Mrs. Gilman was present all the time.

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

170 years ago today - Mar 23, 1844

Joseph Smith is warned by two non-members concerning plans laid by William and Wilson Law, R. D. Foster, Chauncey L. Higbee, and Joseph H. Jackson. The Warsaw Signal publishes "The Buckeye's First Epistle to Jo, probably penned by Wilson Law.

[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 - 1844 23 Mar.

Joseph Smith gives "the charge" to the apostles and other members of the Council of Fifty.

[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]

175 years ago today - Mar 23, 1839

[Wilford Woodruff Journal] ... As Elder Dunham had transgressed openly before the Church I rebuked him openly & protested against the spirit he possessed & maintained during the Springfield Conference ie the Brewster Spirit. Elder Simeon Carter followed me & maintained the principle with me & so did the others that spoke. Elder Jonathan Dunham arose & confessed his fault & asked forgiveness & also Br Brewster & some others & we forgave them all. ...

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

More History?

Want more LDS history? Check out Mormon-Church-History, a comprehensive chronology of church history. It is a tour through church history, covering a little bit each day through the the history of the church. About a dozen chronological entries are posted daily, gradually covering the entire history of the Mormon church over the next several years. More info can be found here: http://mormon-church-history.blogspot.com/2008/12/welcome-to-mormon-church-history.html

80 years ago today - Mar 22, 1934

Orrin G. Hatch, later an influential member of the U.S. Senate (1976â€") and candidate in the 2000 U.S. presidential election, is born in Homestead Park, Pennsylvania.

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

95 years ago today - Mar 22, 1919

"The Nigger" is the new production to be given at the Social Hall, proclaims DESERET NEWS with explanation: "The Nigger" is distinctly Southern. It is a romance based on Southern ideals and the race problem.

110 years ago today - Mar 22, 1904

Carl A. Badger, secretary to apostle and embattled U.S. Senator Reed Smoot writes in his diary: "I am afraid I believe more in the inspiration of the Manifesto than of the selection of the D&C which says we 'must' practice that principle." Badger records Joseph F. Smith's response after his own testimony before the Senate committee: "I am sorry for Reed. I am sorry for Reed."

Reed Smoot writes in a letter: "[W]e have not as a people, at all times, lived strictly to our agreements with the Government, and this lack of sincerity on our part goes farther to condemn us in the eyes of the public men of the nation than the mere fact of a few new polygamy cases, or a polygamist before the manifesto living in the state of unlawful cohabitation." Smoot writes in another letter that he wished "President Joseph F. Smith would see his way clear to announce at this coming Apr Conference that since his visit to Washington he had learned that public sentiment outside of the State of Utah is opposed to a man living in unlawful cohabitation."

Smoot hoped "that hereafter" President Smith's "advice would be to the Mormon people to arrange their affairs so as to obey the law, and further, that he himself intends to do so. It is my opinion that if this is not done that there will be considerable trouble ahead for our people." Joseph F. Smith had testified that he was living with his plural wives in violation of the laws of the land and the laws of the church.

130 years ago today - Mar 22, 1884

[Word of Wisdom] "This being Saturday, was the day I selected to study practically the effects of Hashish. This evening, after work and all was over, I took at 3 doses each hour after the preceding, 5 grains solid extract Cannabis Indica. At this writing â midnight â 5 hours since last does, I have experienced no effect whatever. The effect is said to be widely different in different people."

[Source: Talmage journal entry]

175 years ago today - Mar 22, 1839

Liberty, Missouri. Joseph Smith sent a letter to landowner Isaac Galland informing him of the Church's desire to purchase land in the Commerce, Illinois, vicinity, thus saving the Church from fragmentation.

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

175 years ago today - Mar 22, 1839

Joseph Smith writes in a letter: "the first and fundamental principle of our holy religion is, that we believe that we have a right to embrace all, and every item of truth, without limitation or without being circumscribed or prohibited by the creeds or superstitious notions of men, or by the dominations of one another, when that truth is clearly demonstrated to our minds, and we have the highest degree of evidence of the same."

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

10 years ago today - Mar 21, 2004

At Stake Conference in Kuna, Idaho Apostle L. Tom Perry speaks of the human qualities of his fellow apostles. Someone in the congregations keeps notes of the talk and they later flood the internet as members forward copies of the comments to friends. On Apr 21 a memorandum concerning the notes is sent to CES area directors: "Delete or destroy them. Inform the person who sent them to you that the remarks are not an accurate recollection of Elder Perry's remarks. Do not use or refer to them in class. Do not spread or refer to them in any way except to discourage their use when someone else brings them up in conversation." The First presidency responds to the church as a whole by issuing a statement limiting the sharing of personal notes: "Any notes made when General Authorities, Area Authority Seventies, or other general Church officers speak at regional and stake conferences or other meetings should not be distributed without the consent of the speaker. Personal notes are for individual use only."

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

110 years ago today - Mar 21, 1904

Carl A. Badger, secretary to Apostle and U.S. Senator Reed Smoot writes to a friend: "I hope our people will look at this matter in its true light; we have got to learn our lessons, and instead of shouting about the opportunity which we have had of teaching our faith to the world, we ought to dot down the unpleasant but obvious fact, that the lesson which the world is learning from the testimony thus far given is, that we have failed to keep our word. I wish our people could come to the conclusion that this investigation has not been wholly creditable to us"

110 years ago today - Monday-Wednesday, 21-Mar 23, 1904

[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] During these three days was busily engaged at home in assisting with the housecleaning.

[Source: Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]

115 years ago today - Mar 21, 1899; Tuesday

President [Lorenzo] Snow was called upon by Sisters Emmeline B. Wells and Susa Y. Gates, who read a letter addressed to them by madame [Lydia Von Finklestein] Mountford [possible plural wife of Wilford Woodruff], who is now in England lecturing on the new and the Old Zion. She desired to establish an institution in Jerusalem to help the Mohammedan children, and expressed the hope that the Woman's Relief Society in Utah would take an interested part in the movement. These sisters also informed the Presidency that there was an opportunity for one of our sisters to become a patron of the International Woman's Council, and they suggested that Inez Knight, now laboring in London [England] as a missionary, be advised to become that patron, a member of that Council, her father, Jesse Knight, having intimated his willingness to advance his daughter the necessary means. The Presidency had no objection to this being done.

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

130 years ago today - Mar 21, 1884

[James E. Talmage journal] "The results of our work in research upon Narcotics has been tolerably satisfactory. We utilized my friend referred to above, with his Hashish eating experience â and find four or five others whom he knows have also an experience upon the subject. But the effects experienced by the different ones are so widely different that we can scarcely draw a conclusion. The opium habit is well explained by books, and the bad after effects of the same are sufficiently appalling to keep down experimentation upon the subject, But the ill effects are reported very low in the Hashish or Hemp administration; and we have concluded to try effect of small does upon ourselves."

[Source: Talmage journal entry]

130 years ago today - Mar 21, 1884

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] The salt Lake Tribune /Editors/ Forged a sermon which they Published on Sunday Morning March 16/84 and Published it as a verbatim report of a Discourse delivered at Juab School House on Sunday March 9, 1884 by Bishop West. There was no meeting held on that day there at all and there was no Bishop West in the Church, and No bishop by any name there. It was the most infamous forgery Concocted Either by Man or Devils all got up by the Editor of the Tribune to injure the Saints and Govornor Eli H Murray took a Bundle of them to washington to Circulate among the Members of Congress to help destroy the Saints. The Deseret News of March 19 has the whole account in it and Comments upon it and the Tribune of the 20 Came out and recalled it. Said they were imposed upon, and Men Carrying on such a game as that ought & will be damed.

[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 - Mar 21, 1844

The end of the world does not occur as predicted by William Miller during the past year. He changes the date to April 18, 1844

[Source: Brooke, John L. The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1994. p.276]

1834

"I have been acquainted with Joseph Smith Jr. for some time: being a relation of his wife, and residing near him, I have had frequent opportunities of conversation with him, and of knowing his opinions and pursuits. From my standing in the Methodist Episcopal Church, I suppose he was careful how he conducted or expressed himself before me. At one time, however, he came to my house, and asked my advice, whether he should proceed to translate the Book of Plates (referred to by Mr. [Isaac] Hale) or not. He said that God had commanded him to translate it, but he was afraid of the people: he remarked, that he was to exhibit the plates to the world, at a certain time, which was then about eighteen months distant. ... Smith frequently said to me that I should see the plates at the time appointed. "After the time stipulated, had passed away, Smith being at my house was asked why he did not fulfil his promise [to] show the Golden Plates and prove himself an honest man? He replied that he, himself was deceived, but that a [I] should see them if I were where they were. I reminded him then, that I stated at the time he made the promise, I was fearful "the enchantment would be so powerful" as to remove the plates, when the time came in which they were to be revealed. ...

[Source: "Mormonism," Susquehanna Register, and Northern Pennsylvanian 9 (1 May 1834): 1. Reprinted in The New York Baptist Register (Utica, New York) 11 (13 June 1834); and E. D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed: or, A Faithful Account of That Singular Imposition and Delusion, from Its Rise to the Present Time (Painesville, Ohio: E. D. Howe, 1834), 266-67., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Nathaniel Lewis Statement]

170 years ago today - Mar 20, 1844

[Nauvoo Neighbor] - Reprinted Story: "A New Candidate for the Presidency" -- Several Newspapers -- Articles announcing the candidacy of Joseph Smith for President.

- Story: "Virtue Will Triumph" -- Emma Smith -- Preamble and resolution read and accepted by the Relief Society, includes disdain for polygamy and "Spiritual Wifery"

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

175 years ago today - Mar. 20-25, 1839

[Section 121] Between these dates Joseph writes a long letter to Bishop Edward Partridge in particular and the Saints in general. Parts of the letter are later extracted and form what is now D&C 121, 122, and 123. Besides these sections, the letter also encourages the Saints to have love, fellowship, and compassion on the orphans and the widows; expresses thanks for the letters he (the Prophet) has received; explains the reasons why the Lord tries his Saints; warns the Saints against pride; encourages the Saints to become friends with Isaac Galland; encourages abiding the law.

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

180 years ago today - Mar 20, 1834

[Joseph Smith Diary] [At] night we tryed three times to git keept in the name of Deciples and could not be keept. After night we found a man who would keep us for mon[e]y. Thus we see that there /is/ more place for mon[e]y than for Jesus' /Deciples or/ the Lamb of God. The name of the man is Wilson Rauben Wilson Reuben Wilson that would not keep us without mon[e]y &c. /[He] lived in China/ [Genesee County, New York]

[Source: Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1832-34, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]

120 years ago today - Mar 19, 1894

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] "I had a Dream in the night. I met with Benjamin Franklin. I thought He was on the Earth. I spent several hours with him And talked over our Endowments. He wanted some more work done for him than had been done which I promised him He should have [.]) (2d <anointing>). I thought then He died and while waiting for burial I awoke. I thought vary strange of my Dream. I made up my mind to get 2d Anointing for Benjamin Franklin & George Washington."

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

140 years ago today - Mar 19, 1874

[Brigham Young Sermon] "The Order of Enoch, as it is called, will ever by mysterious to those who do not enter practically into the Holy Order. The more it is practiced in righteousness, the more light, truth and knowledge will be bestowed upon those who are thus practical. It is time for the Latter-day Saints to enter into the practical obedience to this Holy Order of the Gospel. He concluded by saying: I say it is time; we must either go backward or forward. I am for going forward. I say to the Saints, Go forward. Be one. If we had been practicing this combined Order for 20 or 25 years, we would find it very much more difficult to commence and carry on business as separate individuals, than we do now to enter into this combined Order."

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

1814, 200 years ago this year

Lorenzo Dow (October 16, 1777- February 2, 1834) was an eccentric American preacher, said to have preached to more people than any other preacher of his era. His compiled journal was published in 1814, containing an account of his own heavenly theophany while a young teen boy:

-When past the age of thirteen years- I went out of doors, and was taken up by a whirlwind and carried above the skies : at length I discovered, across a gulph as it were through a mist of darkness, a glorious place, in which was a throne of ivory overlaid with gold, and God sitting upon it, and Jesus Christ at his right hand, and angels, and glorified spirits, celebrating praise "Oh ! the joyful music !"

[Source: Journal of Lorenzo Dow as quoted in 16 Precedents to Joseph Smith's First Vision, by Thinker of Thoughts, Nov 19, 2013]

15 years ago today - Mar 18, 1999

Presidents Gordon B. Hinckley and Thomas S. Monson and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland visit Spain's King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia at the royal palace in Madrid.

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

130 years ago today - Mar 18, 1884

James E. Talmage writes in his journal: "My Hashish eating friend gave me further details at odd times today. Three of us in the University have entered upon the study of the Narcotics in use."

165 years ago today - Mar 18, 1849

[Hosea Stout Diary] ... John Taylor who in the course of his remarks deprecated the practice of swearing & called on all who would agree to flog any one whom they heard to swear to raise their hands whereupon many did while many did not vote either way. I suppose they rightly considered that it would be rather a fast way of getting into business. This was my feelings. ..

[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]

175 years ago today - Mar 18, 1839

[Brigham Young] --18-- I met in council with several of the Twelve Apostles ... Elder Wilford Woodruff was presented and sustained to be one of the Twelve. Elder George A. Smith having been appointed by the Prophet as one of the Twelve, in place of Thomas B. Marsh, who had fallen was also presented and sustained. We met in council in Quincy relative to our quorum going up to Far West and fulfilling the following: [D&C 118] --REVELATION GIVEN AT FAR WEST, JULY 8, 1838

... Let them take leave of my Saints in the city Far West, on the 26th day of April next, on the building spot of my house, saith the Lord. Let my servant John Taylor, and also my servant John E. Page, and also my servant Wilford Woodruff, and also my servant Willard Richards, be appointed to fill the places of those who have fallen, and be officially notified of their appointment. ... Many of the Authorities considered, in our present persecuted and scattered condition, the Lord would not require the Twelve to fulfill his words to the letter, and ... he would take the will for the deed; but I felt differently and so did those of the Quorum who were with me. ... I told them the Lord God had spoken, and it was our duty to obey and leave the event in his hands and he would protect us."

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

180 years ago today - 1834 18 Mar.

Joseph Smith secretly ordains Lyman Wight as "Baneemy" which Wight understands as a military calling.

[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]

35 years ago today - Mar 17, 1979

In one of his nationally syndicated essays political conservative William F. Buckley praises LDS missionary program as "a kind of privately financed peace corps."

115 years ago today - Mar 17, 1899

[Brigham Young Jr.] God is blessing the people. I pray Him earnestly to open the way the Pres[ident] [George Q.] Cannon may go to the Senate for I believe he is the man that God wants there to defend His people from the assaults of of lunatic religionists and people here who are robbers and have one desire to drive us out & have our warm places.

[Source: Brigham Young Jr. 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]

130 years ago today - Mar 17, 1884

Future apostle James E. Talmage, at Johns Hopkins University, writes in his journal: "Mar 17. I have been engaged some time in the study of the effects of Narcotics upon the system, i.e. studying the same theoretically only. Today I found a gentleman who works in the same Laboratory as I, and who has for 2 years been addicted to the habit of eating Haschich or extract of Cannabis Indica. He was very willing to give me any data from his own experience; and gave me such." Five days later he includes himself as a subject by taking "Cannabis Indica" himself.

175 years ago today - Mar 17, 1839

A conference is held at Quincy, Ill., and George Hinkle, Sampson Avard, John Corrill, Reed Peck, W. W. Phelps, F. G. Williams, Thomas B. Marsh, Burr Riggs, and several others are excommunicated from the Church because they "left us in the time of our perils, persecutions and dangers, and were acting against the interests of the Church." ...

Parley P. Pratt's wife leaves the prison house, where she stayed with him voluntarily most of the winter.

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

175 years ago today - Mar 17, 1839

[Brigham Young] I held a meeting ... requesting teams and money to be sent back to remove fifty families of the Saints, who were left destitute of the means to move with, from there to Quincy. Though the brethren were poor and stripped of almost everything, yet they manifested a spirit of willingness to do their utmost, offering to sell their hats, coats and shoes to accomplish the object. We broke bread and partook of the sacrament. At the close of the meeting $50 was collected in money, and several teams were subscribed to go and bring the brethren. Among the subscribers was widow Warren Smith, whose husband and son had their brains blown out, and another son shot to pieces at the massacre at Haun's Mill. She sent her only team on this charitable mission.

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

180 years ago today - Mar 17, 1834

While at Avon, New York, Joseph Smith in a conference selected four men --- Bosely, McWithey, Nickerson and Orton -- to "exert themselves to obtain money for the present relief of the brethren in Kirtland, say two thousand dollars, which sum would deliver the Church in Kirtland," and Orson Hyde was asked to "tarry and preach in the regions round about, till the money should be obtained and then carry it to Kirtland."

[Source: Lisle G Brown, "Chronology of the United Firm"]

50 years ago today - Mar 16, 1964

Sharlene C. Wells (Hawkes), later the second Latter-day Saint to be crowned Miss America (1985), is born in Asuncion, Paraguay.

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

65 years ago today - Mar 16, 1949

CHURCH NEWS reports that paraplegic convert Mrs. Luett J. Standliff has been baptized while strapped to stretcher in Salt Lake Tabernacle baptistery.

105 years ago today - Mar 16, 1909

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] 4:20 had a long talk with Brother A.J. Higgs regarding the manifesto issued by the Church. I learned that some people think that there is a chance for plural marriages to be performed, notwithstanding this manifesto and all the declarations that have been made by the Presidency and the Apostles. Brother Higgs assured me that he would use his influence to correct any such impression as this.

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

110 years ago today - Mar 16, 1904; Wednesday

A telegram was sent to President James G. Duffin authorizing him to purchase the temple lot property.

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

115 years ago today - Thursday, Mar 16, 1899

[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] ... Apostle J. H. Smith made some remarks respecting men betraying the confidence of the brethren, saying he thought some steps ought to be taken to guard against such things. Pres. Snow said in reply, he thought the only way it could be done would be by giving men new bodies and eliminating all the material of which they are at present composed....

Pres. Jos. F. Smith said a question had been asked in reference to baptism for the dead. Read from Alma (Book of Mormon), Chap. 34, Verses 32, 33, 34, and 35. How can these passages, it was asked, be reconciled with [the] principle of the baptism for the dead? After a few moments of animated discussion, the idea seemed to prevail among the brethren, that, at the time of uttering those words, Amulek could not possibly have been acquainted with the principle of baptism for the dead. ...

[Source: Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]

170 years ago today - Mar 16, 1844 - Saturday

[Relief Society] Minutes of Preceedings of Second

Meeting of the Society 1844

... Mrs Prest- then arose and address'd the meeting upon the Nec[es]sity of being united amoung ourselves ... read the Epistle in defence of the virtues Female part of the community of Nauvoo ... and do so no more Spoke of J. C. Bennets [John C. Bennett's] Spiritual Wife system, theot [that?] some taught it as the doctrine of B Joseph...

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

170 years ago today - Mar 16, 1844

[Lucy Mack Smith] The Relief Society holds its last meeting with a membership of 1,341. At this and the preceding meeting, Emma had strongly preached adherence to Joseph's publicly articulated standards of sexual virtuea stand that amounted to a repudiation of "private" teachingsand had the sisters vote by uplifted hand to sustain Joseph Smith's "Voice of Innocence."

[John Taylor later said Emma had "made use of the position she held to try to pervert the minds of the sisters in relation to" ... plural marriage].

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

5 years ago today - Mar 15, 2009

HBO TV program "Big Love," about a Mormon Fundamentalist plural family, shows a dramatization of LDS temple Endowment ceremony. Photos of actors in Temple robes are printed in TV guide concerning the program. "Tokens" and veil ceremony are shown in detail.

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

25 years ago today - Mar 15, 1989

The first LDS branch in Kenya is organized in Nairobi.

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

60 years ago today - Mar 15, 1954

O. Meredith Wilson is president, University of Oregon. Other Mormons appointed as university presidents outside intermountain states are Vern O. Knudsen (UCLA, 1959), G. Homer Durham (Arizona State University, 1960), O. Meredith Wilson (University of Minnesota, 1960), Stanford Cazier (California State University at Chico, 1971) E. Gordon Gee (West Virginia University, 1981), David P. Gardner (University of California system, 1984), E. Gordon Gee (University of Colorado, 1985; Ohio State University, 1990), V. Lane Rawlins (Memphis State University, 1990).

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

65 years ago today - Mar 15, 1949

Thirty-one-year-old Harold Brown arrives in Buenos Aires as new president of Argentina Mission. He is former FBI agent with experience as U.S. Vice-Consul in Uruguay. Suspicious Argentine authorities arrest him temporarily on Sept 9. This is beginning of strategic church assignments given to Mormons with training in U.S. intelligence and security services.

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

80 years ago today - Mar 15, 1934

[President Heber J. Grant Diary] Had a splendid night's sleep and awoke at 4:45. After my usual forty-five minutes of exercises in bed, which I take nearly every day of my life, I uttered one of the most earnest prayers I ever did in my life for wisdom to guide me in connection with the school troubles and the failure to make improvement in our Mutual and Sunday School boards, keeping men who are not fundamentally sound on doctrine, in my judgment. I also prayed again regarding the patriarch. I wish I could get the impression to appoint Hyrum G. Smith's boy or to insist on some one else occupying that position. Talked some letters to my dictaphone before getting out of bed.

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

170 years ago today - Mar 15, 1844

Hyrum Smith, in TIMES AND SEASONS, publicly rebukes the Saints in China Creek, Hancock County: "some of your elders say, that a man having a certain priesthood, may have as many wives as he pleases, and that doctrine is taught here: I say unto you that that man teaches false doctrine, for there is no such doctrine taught here; neither is there any such thing practiced here. And any man that is found teaching privately or publicly any such doctrine, is culpable, and will stand a chance to be brought before the High Council, and lose his license and membership also: therefore he had better beware what he is about."

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

185 years ago today - Circa mid-March 1829

Lucy Harris brings suit against Joseph Jr. at Lyons (NY), during which Martin Harris and others testify. Case dismissed . Martin Harris said that the trial was held in "March [1829]" prior to his trip to Harmony with a Mr. Rogers later the same month. Lucy Smith misdates this event to about August 1829 but clearly places it in a setting prior to Joseph's move to Fayette about the end of May 1829.

[Source: Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]

185 years ago today - about Sunday, Mar 15, 1829

[Book of Mormon Translation] Harmony, Translation of the Book of Mosiah is complete.

[Source: Watson, Elden, Approximate Book of Mormon Translation Timeline, http://www.eldenwatson.net/BoM.htm]

110 years ago today - Mar 14, 1904 (Monday)

The disgruntled office-seeking anti-Mormons met in Bamberger's Hall and passed a resolution protesting against the testimony of Pres. Joseph F. Smith at Washington, D.C., wherein he said that the people of Utah were liberal-minded and therefore had not molested him because of his family relationship.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

115 years ago today - Mar 14, 1899; Tuesday

The First Presidency received a call from Sisters Elmina S. Taylor and Maria Y. Dougall, who bore letters from Sister Susa Young Gates, informing them that Mrs. May Wright Sewall, President of the National Woman's Council of America, had invited Sister Gates to become a delegate to the Quinquennial International Council of Women, to be held in London [England] next June. ...

Sister Anna, a Sandwich Island girl, who went to Washington [D.C.] with other sisters to attend the Council of Women, called and thanked the Presidency for sending her. She brought a message from Queen Lil- ex-monarch of Hawaii, who wished her to say to the Presidency that her presence and her speech in the Council had done more good for the Sandwich Island people than anything else on that occasion.

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

170 years ago today - Mar 14, 1844

Lucian Woodworth, a gentile member of the Council of Fifty and Nauvoo House architect, is dispatched to Austin, Texas to begin negotiations with the Texas government over a place for Mormons to relocate.

1814, 200 years ago this year.

Harmonists, or Rappites move from Harmony, Pennsylvania (home of Emma Smith) to Indiana.

In 1805 a group of approximately 400 persecuted German Lutheran Separatists formally organized the Harmony Society in Pennsylvania (Harmony, PA). They placed their goods in common under its founder and self proclaimed prophet, Johann Georg Rapp. They believed baptism was not necessary until children could decide for themselves, the U.S. was "the land of Israel," they should abstain from tobacco, that Napoleon was the anti-Christ, in a spirit virgin named Sophia, that God had created Adam as a dual being, having male and female sexual organs, but when the female portion of Adam separated to form Eve, disharmony followed (but one could attempt to regain harmony through celibacy) and an imminent 2nd coming. The Society existed for one hundred years in the U.S., roughly from 1805 until 1905. Members were known as Harmonists, Harmonites, or Rappites. Rapp became inspired by the philosophies of Jakob Bö, Philipp Jakob Spener, Johann Heinrich Jung, and Emanuel Swedenborg, among others and beliefs were founded in esoteric mysticism, probably including alchemy.

[Source: Brooke, John L. The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1994. p.282]

125 years ago today - Mar 13, 1889

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] ... considered the impropriety of Bro JW [Apostle John W.] Taylor denouncing statement of Delegate JT [John T.] Caine that Polygamy in Utah was politically a dead issue as a damned lie &c as reported in Nephi Ensign and copied into Tribune.

Each member present expressed detestation of the act & Bro Taylor offered any reparation necessary council as might be required for publication or to be suspended from office. ...

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

165 years ago today - Mar 13, 1849

Apostle George A. Smith writes sixteen-year-old Joseph Smith III, asking him to come to Utah, with or without his mother.

170 years ago today - 1844 13 Mar.

[Joseph Smith] The Council of Fifty appoints Amos Fielding as theocratic ambassador to England. Ambassadorial appointments to the Republic of Texas, the United States, France, and Russia soon follow.

[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]

30 years ago today - Mar 12, 1984

BYU's DAILY UNIVERSE letter to the editor concerning four drawings by undergraduate artist Bob Adams which were removed from a student art exhibition by officials as being "potentially offensive:" "LDS artists cannot and should not ignore the [human] figure, for that would be admitting that the body is evil. . . . If the viewer sees [the drawings] as [erotic, suggestive, or pornographic], perhaps she should examine her own thoughts"

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

95 years ago today - Mar 12, 1919

[Patriarchal Blessing of Richard Bernard RosKelley by Henry H. Hoff] ... Our Father in Heaven will protect thee with his guarding angels from harm, sickness, and accidents...

[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]

160 years ago today - Mar 12, 1854

[Heber C. Kimball] said that He believed that the saints [on] the other side of the veil in the spirit world are gathered together the same as they are in this life while the world are scattered over the earth after death the same as they are now and in the same Confusion & that their would be head quarters of the gathering whare they would send out messengers to preach the gospel to the spirits in prision. He advised the family [of deceased apostle Willard Richards] all to hold together & remain as they were on his inheritants & not marry again but to keep themselves for him ...

[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 - Mar 12, 1849

[Brigham Young] Elected governor of provisional State of Deseret 12 March 1849.

[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]

25 years ago today - Mar 11, 1989

SALT LAKE TRIBUNE reports that several Mormon men have telephoned death threats to Edwin B. Firmage for publicly advocating ordination of LDS women to priesthood office. Two days earlier TRIBUNE reported those remarks by Firmage, University of Utah law professor, former bishop, and grandson of former First Presidency counselor Hugh B. Brown. However, there are no church sanctions against Firmage.

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

45 years ago today - Mar 11, 1969

David Ben-Gurion, Israel's former prime minister, tells Apostle Ezra Taft Benson: "There are no people in the world who understand Jews like Mormons." Benson replies: "Mr. Ben-Gurion, there are no people in this world who understand the WORLD like the Mormons."

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

125 years ago today - Monday, March 11th, 1889

[Apostle Abraham H. Cannon Journal] Father [George Q. Cannon] then spoke ... of the sacrament he said he believed considerable of our sickness was due to our partaking unworthily of these emblems. He called upon the Stake Presidency and Bishops to refuse the sacrament to those whom they knew were not worthy to receive and told them that if they did not follow this counsel the sins of the unrighteous individual would follow them.

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

160 years ago today - Mar 11, 1854

Willard Richards dies in Salt Lake City. Wilford Woodruff writes, "He is the first man that has died a natural death in this Church & kingdom from the First Presidency or Twelve Apostles. All that have died before have been mart[y]red. Richards was with Joseph and Hyrum Smith at Carthage Jail when Joseph and Hyrum were assassinated. He was the only one of four Mormons in the jail that were not wounded or killed.

170 years ago today - Mar 11, 1844

One member writes the letters backwardsâ€"YTFIFâ€"in an attempt to camouflage the name. Set The immediate purpose of the council is to help elect Joseph Smith as U. S. president, but if that fails it will help organize the reestablishment of the Saints in the West, where theymight be safe from their enemies and have a government of their own. However, the council's ultimate goal is to politically rule the world in preparation for Christ's return and reign on earth. Reports eventually spread that Joseph has been ordained a king and the Saints are planning a political as well as a religious takeover. Hostility against the Saints from nearby areas begins to increase rapidly.

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

170 years ago today - Mar 11, 1844

The secret, theocratic Council of Fifty (or "Kingdom of God" or "Council of the Kingdom") is organized. Members are sworn to secrecy under penalty of death. Joseph Smith is president, William Clayton is clerk and Willard Richards is "historian of the Council." The Council continues to function until the death of President Brigham Young in 1877; then it is revived in the 1880's to combat the polygamy prosecutions. In time, it again ceases to function.

125 years ago today - Mar 10, 1889

[Apostle Abraham H. Cannon Journal] [Father George Q. Cannon] asked me what I understood concerning Mary conceiving the Savior; and as I found no answer he asked what was to prevent Father Adam from visiting and overshadowing the mother of Jesus. 'Then' said I, 'he must have been a resurrected Being.' 'Yes,' said he, 'and though Christ is said to have been the first fruits of them that slept, yet the Savior said he did nothing but what He had seen His Father do, for He had power to lay down His life and take it up again. Adam, though made of dust, was made, as Pres. Young said, of the dust of another planet than this.' I was very much instructed by the conversation and this day's services. [Note: excluded from 'An Apostles Record: The Journals of Abraham H. Cannon']

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

140 years ago today - Mar 10, 1874

[Patriarchal Blessings] [Patriarchal Blessing of Watkin Rees given by John L. Smith on March 10, 1874]

... thou shalt ... live as long as thou desireth life and enjoy every blessing of earth and haven which thou can-'st desire. Thou shal[t] be able to feed thy thousands as Jesus did in the flesh. Thy power in the Priesthood will enable thee to travel speedily as a messenger of high report from place to place, to carry the word of the Lord to those who are in darkness...

[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]

170 years ago today - 10 March 1844, Sunday

[William Clayton Writings] The philosophical roots for the organization of the Council of Fifty reached back many years, and were directly related to the millennial expectations of the church. The immediate impetus, however, came from two letters signed by Lyman Wight and four other brethern who were working in the church's lumber camps in Black River Falls, Wisconsin Territory. These were read at a special meeting of the Twelve, Bishop George Miller, and the Nauvoo Temple Committee on the evening of 10 March 1844. The letters proposed a grandiose plan for Mormon colonization in the Southwest, and led to an important discussion where, according to Clayton, ``many great and glorious ideas were advanced.''

[Source: Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries]

170 years ago today - Mar 10, 1844

[Joseph Smith Diary] I attended meeting at the Stand by the Temple and preached on the subject of the spirit of /Elias/ Elijah, and Mesiah clearly defining the offices of the 3 personages. ...

Joseph asked, can this council keep what I say, not make it public, all held up their hands. [Joseph then proceeded to organize the Council of Fifty to oversee the settlement of Texas and eventually to rule over the political Kingdom of God on earth.]

Copy the Constitution of the U[nited] S[tates], [placed in the]] hands of a select committee [as a guide in drafting a constitution for the council].

... go ahead concerning the Indians and Southern states &c.

Send 25 men by /the yrenip [Pinery]/ through to Santa Fee /Atnas Eef[Santa Fe]/ &c, and if Houston /Notsuoh[Houston]/ will embrace the gospel [ . . . ] [We]] can amend that constitution and make it the voice of Jehovah and shame the U[nited] S[tates.] ...

[Source: Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1844, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]

170 years ago today - Mar 10, 1844

The Council of Fifty (sometimes called "The Council of the Gods") is organized. Of fifty-eight members appointed that spring, all but eleven either had been endowed or were members of the Nauvoo Lodge.

[Source: Brooke, John L. The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1994. p.267]

170 years ago today - Mar 10, 1844

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] Brother King Follet was buried this day under Masonic honors. He was killed while in a well by having a bucket of stone fall onto him.

A large assembly of the Saints met at the temple & was Addressed by President Joseph Smith upon one of the most important & interesting subjects ever presented to the saints & the principles presented were of the greatest importance to be understood. It was as follows:

... I am at the defiance of the world for I will take shelter under the broad shelter cover of the wings of the work in which I am ingaged. It matters not to me if all hell boils over. I regard it ownly as I would the Crackling of thorns under a pot.

A murderer, for instance one that sheds innocent Blood cannot have forgiveness. David sought repentance at the hand of God Carefully with tears but he could ownly get it through Hell. He got a promise that his soul should not be left in Hell. Although David was a king he never did obtain the spirit & power of Elijah & the fulness of the Priesthood, and the priesthood that he received & the throne & kingdom of David is to be taken from him & given to another by the name of David in the last days raised up out of his linage. [Note: Emma was pregnant at this time with a son who would be named David]

...The Lord once told me that what I asked for I should have. I have been afraid to ask God to kill my enemies lest some of them should peradventure repent. I asked a short time since for the Lord to deliver me out of the hands of the govornor of Missouri & if it must needs be to accomplish it to take him away & the next news that came pouring down from their was Govornor Reynolds had shot himself. And I would now say beware O earth how you fight against the saints of God & shed innocent Blood, for in the days of Elijah his enemies came upon him & fire was called down from heaven & destroyed them.

... Although the spirit of Elias might begin it, I have asked of the Lord concerning his Coming & while asking, the Lord gave me a sign & said in the days of Noah I set a bow in the heavens as a sign & token that in any year that the bow should be seen the Lord would not come, but their should be seed time -harvest during that year. But whenever you see the bow withdraw it shall be a token that their shall be famin pestilence & great distress among the nations.

But I take the responsibility upon myself to prophesy in the name of the Lord, that Christ will not come this year as Miller has prophecyed, for we have seen the bow. And I also Prophecy in the name of the Lord that Christ will not Come in forty years & if God ever spake by my mouth he will not come in that length of time, & Jesus Christ never did reveal to any man the precise time that he would Come. ...

Their are some important things concerning the office of the Mesiah in the organization of the world which I will speak of hereafter. ...

[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 - Before 10th of March, 1839

[Benjamin F. Johnson] And often at Mother Huntington's did we have the most spirited and enjoyable testimony or prayer meetings. There the gift of tongues came to me in power, and never has it left me. To Sister Zina was both the gift of tongues and interpretation given, and under the influence of our spiritual enjoyment it seemed we formed a mutual attachment, which before I left Far West grew into feelings of reciprocal love, with hopes, which although not realized in full, did not hinder our being ever the warmest and truest of friends.

[Source: Autobiography of Benjamin F. Johnson]

25 years ago today - Mar 9, 1989.

Edwin B. Firmage, a grandson of Hugh B. Brown and a professor of constitutional law at the University of Utah, states in a lecture at the Salt Lake City Cathedral of the Madeleine, "I long for that time when four black people, three of them women, will sit on the stand as general authorities."

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

130 years ago today - Mar 9, 1884

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] Samuel W. Richards said whare a Man had 2 or 3 wives one After the other and did not have but one at a time He would Still be in Poligamy in the next world, the same as though He had them all at once.

Joseph F Smith thought Different from Br Richards. He thought in that way a Man would not be Carrying out the Patriarchal Law of marriage. If that would have answerd he did not see the necesity of the Lord Commanding Joseph the Prophet to take several wifes at the same time. An Angel of God Stood by him with a drawn Sword and told him he should be slain & Cut off from the Earth and the kingdom of God if he did not obey that Law.

G Q Cannon was of the same opinion, that A man must have more then one wife at a time in order to obey that Law. But He said He believed there would be men in the Celestial Kingdom that had but one wife and Some who had no wife and some who had several wifes would not get there at all. For good Men died without having the Privilege and men would be Judged according to their desires as well as their acts and those men who died without the gospel and would have received it if they had a Chance will receive it hereafter & be saved in the Celestial Kingdom. So with those who would have received the Patriarchal Order of Marriage if they had a Chance will be saved in the Celestial Kingdom.

W Woodruff agreed with Brothers Smith & Cannon in this principle. He spoke of the Temporal Blessings the Lord had poured out upon those who had Entered into it faithfully.

[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 - Mar 9, 1844, Saturday

[William Clayton Writings] Clayton saw the prophet in every mood and seemingly loved him the more for each one. On occasion he found him weeping, ...

[Source: Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries]

170 years ago today - Mar 9, 1844

General Relief-Society president Emma Smith preaches to the Relief Society:"it was high time for Mothers to watch over their Daughters & exhort them to keep the path of Virtue" She then asks "by vote, who would be willing to receive the principles of Virtue, keep the commandments of God." In a second meeting the same day she asks"all to take heed to their ways; and follow the teachings of Brother Joseph; and when he Preaches against Vice to take heed to it; and said, he meant what he said." Within a week the Relief Society meetings are discontinued as it is felt that Emma is preaching coded messages against her husband's secret practice of plural marriage. John Taylor later explained: "the meetings were discontinued" because "Emma Smith the Pres[ident] taught the sisters that the principle of plural marriage . . . was not of God."

110 years ago today - Mar 8, 1904

Apostle, and U.S. Senator, Reed Smoot's 25-year-old personal secretary, Carl A. Badger writes: "I believe, that we all feel that the case is much more serious than it was ever thought it would be. . . . " The Senate investigation on seating Smoot has just begun and lasts for three more years. Concerning Church President Joseph F. Smith's recent testimony before the committee Badger writes: "The admissions made by President Smith have aroused great newspaper indignation, . . ." President Smith had admitted to continuing to live with his plural wives after the manifesto in violation of both the laws of the land and of the church.

Andrew Jensen writes in his diary about Apostle Lyman's testimony, "He seemed to get confused and his answers, especially his answers or endeavors to explain revelation."

170 years ago today - Mar 8, 1844

The Times and Seasons publishes a carefully-worded denial of the practice of polygamy.

[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 - Mar 8, 1844

Anointed Quorum approves Joseph Smith's second choice for his vice-president, non-Mormon Solomon Copeland of Tennessee. Joseph's first choice, James Arlington Bennet, is removed from the ticket because he "was a native of Ireland and could not be Vice President."

175 years ago today - Mar 8, 1839

[Joseph Smith] Alanson Ripley brings news from Joseph in Liberty jail that the Saints should sell all lands in Missouri, including the lands that they own in Jackson County. They make about $2700 from these sales, which greatly helps the poorer Saints in moving from Far West to Illinois.

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

30 years ago today - Mar 7, 1984

[Mark Hofmann] Steven Christensen issues a press release admitting ownership of the 1830 Harris letter, but he says that he will not release it until further research is done on it. His researchers were then working on (1) examining the physical text (they chose Kenneth Rendell of Newton, Mass., to do this); (2) establishing the provenance of the letter (Dean Jessee worked back to Elwyn Doubleday, a dealer in postal memorabilia in Alton Bay, New Hampshire); and (3) understanding the historical context of the letter (Ronald Walker, Dean Jessee, and Brent Metcalfe were working on this aspect).

[Source: Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,]

55 years ago today - Mar 7, 1959

CHURCH NEWS, after twenty-eight years without advertisements, begins advertising for such diverse enterprises as music stores, mortuaries, furniture stores, insurance agencies, banks, savings and loans, camera stores, jewelers, car dealerships, travel agencies, television repair, optical shops, and movie theaters. As largest single advertisement, American Motors president George W. Romney features himself in one-and-three-fourths-page spread for Kelvinator appliances on Jun 20, 1959. Commercial ads cease after Sept. 24, 1960.

70 years ago today - Mar 7, 1944

Coordinated raid by FBI and local police to arrest polygamist men. Two heavily armed FBI agents and two Salt Lake City police enter Joseph W. Musser's home at 6 A.M. After placing Musser under arrest, they began to search his office for records. They present no search warrant but continue to search, despite Musser's numerous protestations to stop. Musser is taken to the county jail where he finds "a large congregation of my brothers. Of the Priesthood Council, were John V. Barlow, myself, Charles F. Zitting, LeGrand Woolley, Louis A. Kelsch, also Guy H. Musser and Rulon T. Jeffs." Musser is charged with federal conspiracy, state conspiracy, and cohabitation. Sixty years previously his father, Joseph White Musser joined the "honor roll" of Mormon men imprisoned for their belief in plural marriage. The First Presidency issues a statement about the case: "We commend and uphold the federal government, in its efforts through the office of the United States district attorney and assisting agencies to bring before the bar of justice those who have violated the law." Apostle Hugh B. Brown writes of the case: "The Church has in fact assisted in obtaining the information leading to the indictments, and a 'Mormon Elder' is the prosecuting attorney"

125 years ago today - Mar 7, 1889

NEW YORK TIMES gives its first theatre review for actress Maude Adams, born of "Gentile" father and Mormon mother. One of era's most popular Broadway actresses, Maude Adams creates and repeats title role of PETER PAN (1905, 1912, 1914, 1915).

155 years ago today - Mar 7, 1859

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] Sunday President B Young said If the US Troops make a war of extermination against this People they will have all the Indians on this Continent to Fight for they are of Israel and the Course which the army are now taking towards them will have a tendency to cause the Indians to make war upon them. ... President Young said this war will dry up for the present I think but should it not be so, should I have to burn up my Buildings and if we are driven to lay waste our Cities & fields, I will tell you that we should not build much more here but it will be a great war and we should live in tents & Shanties till we go back to Jackson County, Mo. The Catholics are laying deep plans to overthrow the Protestant Nations who are watching us but the Catholics say but little about us.)

I spent the day on the history. I spent the evening at President Young with the regency upon the Deseret Alphabet.

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

170 years ago today - 1844 7 Mar.

A public meeting votes unanimously, with one exception, to accept Joseph Smith's U.S. presidential candidacy and his published political platform. This includes a provision for freeing America's slaves by government purchase with money obtained through the sale of federal lands to settlers.

[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 - Mar 7, 1844

[Joseph Smith Diary] Thursday, March 7th 1844 9 A.M. I /Joseph/ presented to the meeting the proceedings of O. F. Bostwick and the Lawyers &c. [in which Bostwick was fined for saying that Hyrum Smith and the leading women of Nauvoo were promiscuous, and asked] for the people to speak out, say[ing] whether such men should be tolerated and supported in our midst.

[Source: Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1844, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]

170 years ago today - Mar 7, 1844

[Joseph Smith] Joseph and the Twelve meet at the temple with about 8,000 Saints for a special meeting. Joseph speaks about his candidacy: "We have as good a right to make a political party to gain power to defend ourselves, as for demagogues to make use of our religion to get power to destroy us. . . . When I get hold of the Eastern papers, and see how popular I am, I am afraid myself that I shall be elected."

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

45 years ago today - Mar 6, 1969

President [N. Eldon] Tanner called attention to a letter ... referring to a custom in the early days of the Church for a woman to be sealed to a good man in the Church, a General Authority or someone else who was still living, other than her deceased husband who died without accepting the gospel. The sealing was performed as an assurance for an eternal union in the hereafter. It is now recommended that inasmuch as President Wilford Woodruff received a revelation which altered this practice, that in such cases prior to 1890 when this ruling was made, if the woman was sealed to a deceased member of the Church or to a living member of the church but did not live with him as a wife, permission be granted for her to be sealed also to her nonmember deceased husband to whom she had been married in life. The original sealing will not, however, be cancelled. President Tanner said that it would seem that this would be particularly desirable when the woman had children by the non-member husband, that under this ruling the children could be sealed to their parents. President Tanner asked me if I could see anything wrong about such a ruling, and I said no.

[Source: David O. McKay diary, Mar. 6, 1969 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]

55 years ago today - Mar 6, 1959

David O. McKay rejects suggestion of opening LDS mission in Israel due to Arab opposition to state of Israel.

115 years ago today - Monday, Mar 6, 1899

[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] Prest. Joseph F. Smith has returned from Honolulu and is in good health and spirits.

[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]

130 years ago today - Mar 6, 1884

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] I had an interview in Company with the Presidency & some of the Twelve with Adelna Patti, Represented as the greatest singer in the world. She never sings for less then $5,000 dollars a night. She visited the Big Tabernacle and Assembly Hall and was much Delighted with both. She then invited us to visit her private Car which we did. It was a small Car but Considered the most Costly Car in the world. $60,000 dollars had been Expended upon it. We visited Each departmet of her bedroom hot & Cold baths and all got up on the grandest stile imaginable. We all drank her health in a little Champagne.

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

155 years ago today - Mar 6, 1859

[Deseret] the first Masonic lodge in Utah is organized at Camp Floyd, under the name, Rocky Mountain Lodge No. 205.

[Source: History to Go, Pioneers and Cowboys, http://historytogo.utah.gov/timeline/pioneersandcowboys.html]

170 years ago today - Mar 6, 1844

[Nauvoo Neighbor] Reprinted Story: "Tea Party of Latter Day Saints" -- The New York Herald -- Describes a tea party, in Middlewich, Cheshire where between one and two hundred Saints attended. They are described as, "a good humored and agreeable people."

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

45 years ago today - Mar 5, 1969

I gave direction to the matter that it is not necessary to bless Temple clothing. I also gave direction that it is permissible for individuals to be buried in laundered and clean temple clothing rather than to go to the expense of the purchase of entirely new clothing.

[Source: David O. McKay diary, Mar. 5, 1969 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]

165 years ago today - Mar 5, 1849

[Hosea Stout Diary] At the dawn of day our company was divided into 4 parties the better to surround the camp of Indians. I first started with a party to close in on the farthest side of them to prevent them from escaping to the mountains while another party under A. Williams marched into the mouth of the Cañon to keep them from escaping in that direction. Judson Stoddard with a few horsemen formed below on the creek to be ready to pursue them in case they attempted to escape into the valley while the fourth party under D. B. Huntington marched directly to their camp.

They discovered us about the time we had fairley surrounded them while it was yet twilight & attempted to escape in several different directions but found themselves surrounded whereupon they commenced a long & loud speech which I afterwards learned only consisted in telling us to go away or they would fire upon us while our interpreters also told them that we desired to see them and wished them to come out.

The Utah who was along with us also tried to persuade them to come out but all to no purpose.

Some time was spent in this way while they steadily refused to give up threatning all the time to fire upon us if we did not leave & when finding we were determined to have them the gave the war hoop & fired 3 guns upon. We also now fired in return. The battle now commenced in good earnest and in a few moments one of the Indians was killed and several wounded.

They soon took shelter in the creek which had perpendicular banks about 4 feet high thickly set with willow which so completely shielded them that we could not see them only when they raised up to shoot at us. We were about two hours engaged with them.

They fought with the most determined resolution to die rather than yield as they could often be heard to encourage each other.

... Some of the Squaws were at length found couch in the water under the thick brush & were induced to come out. They were in a most deplorable situation. Having been in the water about an hour & a half, they were nearley froze. We kindled up a fire for them which rendered them more comfortable.

By sending these back we soon prevailed on the rest to come out also and soon 13 women & children came ou,...

Two of the women were wounded on the head with stones which we had thrown into the brush to ascertain where they were hid. Soon after they gave up we succeeded in killing two more men leaving only one more who immediately broke through the brush and tryed to escape to the Utah who was on the hill looking on. He was killed however before he ran far

Thus ended the battle without one of our men even being hurt although they shot hundreds of arrows at ussometimes at only a few yards distance.....

This little band had seperated themselves from the rest because they were determined to live by stealing from the whites while the rest were friendly and would not suffer it. They had for some time been very insolent and some of them had even shot at some of the whites. ...

[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]