60 years ago today - Aug 31, 1954
Herbert Salisbury, grandson of Cathrine Smith Salisbury, sister of Joseph Smith, says in an interview, "I was visiting my grandmother at her home in Hancock County, near Fountain Green, when I asked her for some recollections of her brother, the Prophet Joseph Smith. Catherine Smith Salisbury then told me that while dusting up the room where the Prophet had his study she saw a package on the table containing the gold plates on which was engraved the story of the Book of Mormon. She said she hefted those plates and found them very heavy like gold and also rippled her fingers up the edge of the plates and felt that they were separate metal plates and heard the tinkle of sound that they made. . . . the Prophet's sister, told me that she was there when he came in running and burst through the door carrying the plates; and that his hand was injured from striking one of the villains. He told her that he had jumped over a rail fence; when one of the villains grabbed for the plates, he knocked him down with his right fist while carrying the plates under his left arm clasped to his body. Then he ran the gauntlet with several more, and when he came in the house she said he was completely out of breath. She took the plates from him and laid them on the table temporarily, and helped revive him until he got breathing properly, and also examined his hand, and treated it for the bruises on his knuckles, where he had struck the villain and thus defended himself and the plates."
120 years ago today - Aug 31, 1894
As a result of the conference of the brethren engaged as ordinance workers in the several Temples, held at Salt Lake Temple, some time ago, the following slight corrections have been adopted by us, which you will please note: In the creation on the fifth day a grammatical error occurs. The word "their" is used instead of "its"; the word "their," therefore, is change[d] to its. In the lecture the words "next room" are used in the Terrestrial room when that same room is referred to; the words "the next" therefore have been changed to "this," as the appropriate form. In the placing of the girdle [sash], it should be placed on the outside of the apron strings. In the ceremonies at the veil, the practice has been to use the words, "this man Adam," while in the Logan Temple the words, "this man, representing Adam," are used. It was decided to drop the words, "this man representing," and say "Adam, &c." The word "christian," referred to in the lecture, in connection with [a person's given] name, is dropped and the word "given" is substituted. The words "and some have to go away on business," which occur at the end of the lecture, were expunged. The words, "new name," were substituted for the pronoun "it," to avoid ambiguity, where it reads in the lecture, "You must remember it," that is, your new name. The people, when being put under covenant, should signify their assent by bowing and saying, "yes." It was left optional with the Temple President to use persons as witnesses who were receiving endowments or to use workers as such. * It has been the practice to mark the shirt, but we think this unnecessary as it is not strictly a part of the Temple clothing. The marking of the garment should be done in the washing room and not at the veil; and the greatest care should be taken to see that no person is permitted to leave that room wearing an unmarked garment. In the Salt Lake Temple the practice in the Garden is for the couple at the altar to remain kneeling while the covenant relating to the * Aaronic Priesthood is being administered, while the practice in the other Temples is for the couple to arise. The reason given by the Salt Lake Temple for not arising is that the couple would have to descend three steps, and as a matter of convenience they were permitted to remain on their knees. It was decided that the couples should rise.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon, and Joseph F. Smith to Lorenzo Snow, Aug. 31, 1894 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon, and Joseph F. Smith to Lorenzo Snow, Aug. 31, 1894 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
170 years ago today - Aug 31, 1844
[Brigham Young Journal] ... attended a Cort marshel at the seventies hall the cort marshel Elected me for their Leutenant General [of the Nauvoo Legion] and Charles C. Rich for their Major General it was don with out a decenting voice in the evening at 6 o.c. we held a school meeting chose 3 trustees
[Source: Brigham Young Journal (1801-1877) Journal #2 July, 1837- Mar. 1845]
[Source: Brigham Young Journal (1801-1877) Journal #2 July, 1837- Mar. 1845]
130 years ago today - Aug 31, 1884
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] ... a report that the Indians of this western world were going to unite to gerber & make war upon the United States.
Presidet Taylor persued the same policy that Presidet Young did. He Presidet Taylor sent word By Brother Spencer to tell all the Indians that we have any influence with not to have any thing to do with going to war or sheding Blood to keep out of Everything of that kind for it was not right to shed Blood. It was wicked. ...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Presidet Taylor persued the same policy that Presidet Young did. He Presidet Taylor sent word By Brother Spencer to tell all the Indians that we have any influence with not to have any thing to do with going to war or sheding Blood to keep out of Everything of that kind for it was not right to shed Blood. It was wicked. ...
[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 - Aug 31, 1844
[Patriarchal Blessing of Louisa M. Hemenway] ... thou shalt have the ministry of angels and converce with them as with a Friend shall see thy Saviour come in the clouds of heaven and shall converce with him while in the flesh. ...
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
170 years ago today - Aug 31, 1844
[Patriarchal Blessings] .... The Lord hath given his Angels charge concerning thee, they will deliver thee from all dangers, although thousands may fall on thy right hand and on thy left - therefore fear not, for thou have faith to waft thy self through the air, rebuke the raging sea, and warring elements shall obey thy voice, and no power on earth shall stay thy hand. Thou shalt return to Zion when thou hast finished thy mission with an exceeding multitude bringing their riches of gold and precious things in abundance, and have an inheritance among thy brethren, and shall dwell in peace. Thou shalt have a numerous posterity and this blessing and priesthood shall be perpetuated to them through all their generation, so that one of thy sons shall choose a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight. Thou shalt have power to save all thy dear friends, clear back to Able, there shall not be a link broken in the chain, and thy desires concerning the living ones according to the desire of thy heart shall thy days be even to see the fulfillment of all the prophets have spoken concerning Zion since the worlds began, and shall be satisfied with the riches of the earth, the riches of Eternity shall not be withheld from thee....
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
170 years ago today - 1844: 31 August
[Patriarchal Blessing of Daniel E. Williams given by John Smith] ... thou art of Gentile desent never the less because of thy obediance to the Gospel thou shalt have an inheritance with the Sons of Joseph thou art entitled to the blessings of the Melchiesidic Priesthood it is thy privelige to be a Savior to save thy dead and liveing friends and many others and bring them up to a State of exaltation and Glory with thy former companion and reign over them to all eternity ... thou shall [have] a numerous posterity upon the Earth the weakest of thy Sons shall be like David and thy Daughters like Deboriah ...
[Source: Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
120 years ago today - Aug 31, 1894
First Presidency letter to "Elder Lorenzo Snow, Prest. Salt Lake Temple" includes the instructions: "The words 'that my tongue be torn from its roots in my mouth,' were substituted for 'from the roof of my mouth.' In giving the sign and token of the Aaronic priesthood that Salt Lake Temple use the word, 'index', meaning the fore-finger. It was decided to use the words, 'fore finger,' instead of 'index finger,' the latter being more easily understood. It has been the practice to mark the shirt, but we think this unnecessary as it is not strictly a part of the Temple clothing. The marking of the garment should be done in the washing room and not at the veil; and the greatest care should be taken to see that no person is permitted to leave that room wearing an unmarked garment." The letter is signed by Wilford Woodruff, Geo. Q. Cannon, and Jos. F. Smith
60 years ago today - Aug 31, 1954
The First Presidency approved a plan to ordain young men of the Aaronic Priesthood to the office of teacher at age 14 and priest at age 16. The previous ages were 15 and 17.
[Source: Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
[Source: Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
50 years ago today - Aug 31, 1964
First Presidency letter "TO PRESIDENTS OF STAKES and BISHOPS OF WARDS . . . Where the military regulations are of a character that 'hinders', that is, makes impossible the wearing of the regulation garments, either in training on the drill grounds or in combat zones, effort should be made to wear underclothing that will approach as near as may be the normal garment. Where military regulations require the wearing of two-piece underwear, such underwear should be properly marked, as if the articles were of the normal pattern. If circumstances are such that different underwear may be turned back to the wearer from that which he sends to the laundry, then the marks should be placed on small pieces of cloth and sewed upon the underwear while being worn, then removed when the underwear is sent to the laundry, and resewed upon the underwear returned."
25 years ago today - Aug 30, 1989
LDS Brent Scowcroft, national security advisor to President George Bush, presents U.S. Presidential Citizens Award to Ezra Taft Benson.
70 years ago today - Aug 30, 1944
[Ezra Taft Benson] This is a day I shall never forget. Flora [Amussen Benson]7 and I met in the Celestial Room of the [Salt Lake] temple at 12:30 [p.m.] and in line with the recommendation of Pres[ident] [Heber J.] Grant received our second blessings under the hands of Elders Geo[rge] F. Richards and Jos[eph] Fielding Smith of the Council of Twelve. Our hearts swelled to overflowing with gratitude for the Lord's rich blessings.
[Source: Ezra Taft Benson diary, Aug. 30, 1944 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Source: Ezra Taft Benson diary, Aug. 30, 1944 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
70 years ago today - Aug 30, 1944
First Presidency authorizes stake president and bishops to join "AS INDIVIDUALS a civic organizaton whose purpose is to restrict and control negro settlement in his stake" (emphasis in original)
75 years ago today - Aug 30, 1939
[President Heber J. Grant] [In conversation with a man] I told him that when my first wife came to die she said: 'I can die happy because the woman you love and I love can raise my baby boy and my five daughters.'
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
75 years ago today - Aug 30, 1939
President Heber J. Grant writes to Kenneth Macgowen, associate producer of Twentiety-Century-Fox's film "Brigham Young:" "I hope we shall not appear to you to be over anxious, and we have no disposition to be oversensitive, but we are tremendously concerned that this picture shall be a true picture, and, while we are not, any of us, playwrights, or dramatists, or Movie technicians, we can appreciate the war which must constantly go on in one preparing a picture, between the highly dramatic and the sober fact." The LDS Church provided constant input to the making of the film.
75 years ago today - Aug 30, 1939
President Heber J. Grant writes to Kenneth Macgowen, associate producer of Twentiety-Century-Fox's film "Brigham Young:" "I hope we shall not appear to you to be over anxious, and we have no disposition to be oversensitive, but we are tremendously concerned that this picture shall be a true picture, and, while we are not, any of us, playwrights, or dramatists, or Movie technicians, we can appreciate the war which must constantly go on in one preparing a picture, between the highly dramatic and the sober fact." The LDS Church provided constant input to the making of the film.
175 years ago today - Aug 30, 1839
The word Nauvoo appears officially in print, published on the city plat, for the first time. Some time previous to this the word had been chosen as the new name of Commerce.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
170 years ago today - Aug 30, 1844
William Clayton writes: "At the Temple all day. Talked with L[ydia] but she don't seem disposed to do what is councilled." The previous day Heber C. Kimball counseled Clayton "to take L[ydia Moon] for time." Lydia was a sister of two of Clayton's wives and Joseph Smith had proscribed marrying more than two women from the same family.
20 years ago today - Aug 30, 1994
The First Presidency reminds Latter-day Saints of the Blessings that come to families who hold Family Home Evening each week.
[Source: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php]
[Source: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php]
180 years ago today - Aug 30, 1834
[Joseph Smith Diary] August 30th 1834 Received of the Church by the hand of Jared Carter from the east of consecrated money $3.00.
[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]
[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]
50 years ago today - Aug 29, 1964
Joseph F. Smith II dies. At the time of his death he is serving as a stake high counselor. He had been Presiding Patriarch to the Church but is released in 1946 due to homosexual activities. No church trial is ever held, and no formal action is taken against him but for ten years his local leaders are instructed that he is not to assume any responsibilities or callings. This restriction is lifted by President David O. McKay in 1957.
110 years ago today - Aug 29, 1904
Joseph Smith's youngest son, David Hyrum Smith dies in the Northern Illinois Hospital and Asylum for the Insane in Elgin, Illinois. Although David was born after his father's martyrdom Joseph had prophesied that his unborn son would be male and would be named "David" and would be "president and king of Israel. David did not go with Brigham Young to Utah. However as an apostle and later first presidency member in the Reorganized church he went on two missions to Utah to convert the "poor decieved souls." The Utah Mormons returned the favor by trying to convince him that polygamy was instituted by his father rather than by Brigham Young as his mother (and Joseph widow) Emma had claimed. He gradually accepted that his father practiced polygamy but considered it to be adulterous rather than of divine revelation. This realization was accompanied by a decent into severe mental illness. He spent the final 27 years of his life in the Asylum for the Insane.
125 years ago today - Aug 29, 1889
[Apostle Heber J. Grant] [Wilford] Woodruff, [George Q.] Cannon, [John Henry] Smith and I were the only ones present After prayers we had quite a talk as to the ideas that were entertained by some of the brethren on the coming of a man like unto Moses to lead the saints out of bondage, and also the idea of some that this man had already come and that he was Brigham Young.
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Aug 29, 1839
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff] ...The enemy made a powerful grasp upon the life of Elder John Taylor. He fainted several times & it seemed as though he would die...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Aug 29, 1834
[Brigham Young Sermon] ... in relation to a certain difficulty which took place relative to a dog [in Zion's Camp], that on a certain evening after crossing the Mississippi River, brother Sylvester came up with the remaining part of the camp when the dog came out and [insulted] him, he knew not whether he touched him or not. The next morning after hearing considerable complaint and murmuring concerning the dog, Brother Joseph spoke to several brethren present and said, I will descend to the Spirit that is in the camp to show you the spirit you are of for I want to drive it from the camp. '"The first man that kills that dog, (or my dog) I will whip him!'" He thought about this time that brother Sylvester came up who said, '"If that dog bites me I will kill him.'" '"If you do,'" said brother Joseph, '"I will whip you.'" '"If you do,'" said brother Sylvester, '"I shall defend myself the best way that I can.'"'- Brother B. Young further said, relative to a certain difficulty arising out of a circumstance concerning some bread. That brother J. S. Carter on their journey to Missouri on the line between Ohio and Indiana said to brother Joseph is this thing right? '"What thing? concerning brother Parley. P. Pratt's asking brother Sylvester for some bread for supper. He then learned that brother Pratt had asked brother Sylvester for some bread, that brother Sylvester had bread at the time, but directed him to some one else, who he (brother Sylvester) said had a sufficient. That brother Pratt called upon that individual and could not obtain any. That he was present when brother Joseph told brother Sylvester that he had not conducted right in the matter. That he ought to impart when he had in preference to directing one where he was not certain he could obtain. That by so doing some might be deprived of food at times. He further said that brother Sylvester contended he had been right and justified his own conduct in the matter. That brother Joseph reasoned with brother Sylvester to convince him that he, brother Sylvester, was in a fault, but he continued to justify his course till brother Joseph reproved him sharply. He frequently heard the brethren speak of this circumstance, and all (whom he heard say any thing on the subject) manifested a satisfaction with brother Joseph and thought his observations correct, and the principles which he advanced to be just'...
[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
60 years ago today - Aug 28, 1954
Joseph Fielding Smith speaks, at a lecture for Seminary and Institute teachers, for two hours on his recently published book, MAN HIS ORIGIN AND DESTINY, repeating many of the points in previous classes at the summer session. He insists on the view that the earth was only 6,000 years old and that no one and nothing had died before Adam and Eve's transgression. He concludes, 'I hope you take what I'm saying [literally], because if you don't you have no business in the church school system.'"
110 years ago today - Aug 28, 1904
[Patriarchal Blessing of Gertrude Martineau Taylor by Winslow Farr] ...Thou art a chosen vessel of the Lord, selected from the Courts of heaven, and given the privilege to choose thy parentage and dispensation to come forth on the earth, and thy Guardian Angel that was given thee at thy birth has watched over thee and for a wise purpose thy life has been preserved. ...
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
125 years ago today - Aug 28, 1889
A group of Hawaiian Saints arrives at the Church-owned ranch in Skull Valley, Utah, and names the settlement Iosepa (Joseph in Hawaiian) in honor of the Prophet Joseph Smith and Joseph F. Smith, who had served in Hawaii as a missionary.
170 years ago today - Aug 28, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] Upon the head of Phoebe W. Woodruff
...Thou art Sealed up unto eternal life & we Seal all these blessings upon thy head & all others which thou shall desire in righteouness even so, Amen...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
...Thou art Sealed up unto eternal life & we Seal all these blessings upon thy head & all others which thou shall desire in righteouness even so, Amen...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
60 years ago today - Aug 27, 1954
With specific reference to U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision of BROWN vs. BOARD OF EDUCATION which declared segregation unconstitutional, Apostle Mark E. Petersen instructs all LDS "college level" religion teachers: "I would be willing to let every Negro drive a Cadillac if they could afford it. I would be willing that they have all the advantages they can get out of life in the world. But let them enjoy these things among themselves. I think the Lord segregated the Negro and who is man to change that segregation?" After stating that marriage with African-American is impossible for faithful caucasian Mormons, Apostle Petersen extends his opposition to racial intermarriage by affirming that it is God's will that "the Hawaiians should marry Hawaiians, the Japanese ought to marry the Japanese, and the Chinese ought to marry Chinese, and the Caucasians should marry Caucasians."
120 years ago today - Aug 27, 1894
President Grover Cleveland issued a proclamation granting pardons and restoring civil rights to those who had been disfranchised under anti-polygamy laws.
[Source: Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
[Source: Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
125 years ago today - Aug 27, 1889
DESERET NEWS describes as "Organized Tyranny" a labor strike at construction site of Zion's Savings Bank. "We feel ashamed to know that many of these men who have combined [in] this improper manner are 'Mormons,'" NEWS observes. "On general principles we are opposed to 'strikes,' because they usually result in much more harm than good to all parties affected and are often started on incorrect principles."
170 years ago today - 27 August 1844, Tuesday
[William Clayton Diary] "...Thus has ended the earthly career of an innocent sufferer [Clayton's son via secret polygamous wife] who has known no comfort in this life but has suffered since his birth to his death. The tongue of slander has swung freely against him and many which his death /sic/. He is gone to rest with the just and will come forth again to inherit thrones, kingdoms, dominions principalities and powers in the mansions of his father. /Same day Cahoon went to get the Secretary but she returned it empty of its important papers/ ''She did this by means of a false key which will unlock it. Her [Emma's] treachery seems unbounded Rigdon, Marks, Emma, and some others are trying to draw of [off] a party They say there is no church."
[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]
[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 - Aug 27, 1844
[Heber C. Kimball] ...At 10 in the morning I met at the Masonick Hall with the officers of the Legion with the Twelve. Elder Young was nominated Liutenant General and Charls Rich Major Genral. ...
[Source: Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
[Source: Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
170 years ago today - 1844 27 Aug.
A private council meeting votes to sustain Young's resolution to fulfill all of Joseph Smith's Nauvoo innovations.
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
170 years ago today - Aug 27, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff before leaving for England] ... we walked to the Temple of the Lord in Nauvoo, and as we approached it we lifted up our eyes and beheld the greatness grandure and glory that presented itself to our view in a conspicuous manner. While she was coverd with the silver rays of the Queen of the night who was pouring the whole strength of the brighness of her glory upon her it presented an imposing, grand, and sublime senery to the beholder.
After gazing a few moments upon her magnus walls, and examining her capitols which were Completed, standing on the ground, we all as of one accord assended the laders unto the top of the walls. Several of the policee and friends followed our example ... we bowed our knees upon the top corner stone which was prepaired to recieve its Capitol, And their with up lifted hands towards heaven, I called upon the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph by Prayer and supplication to except the gratitude of our hearts for his mercies and blessings unto us in preserving our lives giving us power to build the Temple thus far. Prayed that the Saints might have power to finish the Temple according to the Patern given, and accepted at their hands, that the Saints might recieve their endowment, and be prepared to plant the work of God in all the world.
I asked my heavenly father in the name of Jesus Christ and by virtue of the Holy Priesthood and the Keys of the kingdom of God that he would spedily avenge the blood of Joseph the Prophet Seer and Revelator, and Hiram the Patriarch, which had been shed by the hands of the American gentile nation, upon all the heads of the Nation and State that have aided, abeted or perpetrated the horid deed, of sheding the blood of those righteous men even the Lords anointed.
...After Prayers we again desended to the ground returned to our homes with Joy and peace in our hearts.
A Blessing given under the hands of B. Young
And H. C. Kimball
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
After gazing a few moments upon her magnus walls, and examining her capitols which were Completed, standing on the ground, we all as of one accord assended the laders unto the top of the walls. Several of the policee and friends followed our example ... we bowed our knees upon the top corner stone which was prepaired to recieve its Capitol, And their with up lifted hands towards heaven, I called upon the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph by Prayer and supplication to except the gratitude of our hearts for his mercies and blessings unto us in preserving our lives giving us power to build the Temple thus far. Prayed that the Saints might have power to finish the Temple according to the Patern given, and accepted at their hands, that the Saints might recieve their endowment, and be prepared to plant the work of God in all the world.
I asked my heavenly father in the name of Jesus Christ and by virtue of the Holy Priesthood and the Keys of the kingdom of God that he would spedily avenge the blood of Joseph the Prophet Seer and Revelator, and Hiram the Patriarch, which had been shed by the hands of the American gentile nation, upon all the heads of the Nation and State that have aided, abeted or perpetrated the horid deed, of sheding the blood of those righteous men even the Lords anointed.
...After Prayers we again desended to the ground returned to our homes with Joy and peace in our hearts.
A Blessing given under the hands of B. Young
And H. C. Kimball
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
1 year ago - 2013-08-26
Ordain Women sponsored the Equal in Faith Fast
Ordain Women and the Catholic Women's Ordination Conference, along with women from several other religious traditions met in Washington, D.C. and Salt Lake City to fast for gender justice.
[Source: Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]
Ordain Women and the Catholic Women's Ordination Conference, along with women from several other religious traditions met in Washington, D.C. and Salt Lake City to fast for gender justice.
[Source: Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]
65 years ago today - Aug 26, 1949
[George Albert Smith] Dr. John A.Widtsoe came to my office about 12:45, at my invitation, and I went over with him a letter which I just received from Francis Kirkham having reference to some research work which he has been doing and also the forth coming publication of a book by Dale Morgan which will have much anti-Church information in it. Brother Widtsoe said that he would follow through on this matter with Brother Kirkham looking to an early publication of the material which has been compiled by Brother Kirkham. This material should do much to refute and off set the information contained in Dale Morgan's book.
[Source: George Albert Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: George Albert Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
75 years ago today - Aug 26, 1939
[President Heber J. Grant ] After lunch had a long interview with Preston D. Richards and Albert E. Bowen. They are both alarmed for fear Mr. Louis Bromfield, who has prepared the scenario for the Brigham Young picutre (sic) will have some very unfavorable comments as he was one of the committee that awarded the Harper Prize of $5,000 to a very unfavoarble (sic) book, the outstanding book of the year according to Harper-'Children of God.' This book gives an account of the Mormon people, Brigham Young, etc. is very unfavorable. I thought I would buy a copy of it, but Brother Bowen said he didn't think it would be worth my while to even read it that it is simply rotten. Colonel Joy of the Twentieth Century-Fox assured us that we should have a company of the story before the picture is made and we were given to understand in all our interviews with officials of the company that we would find nothing objectionable in the story . It was practically understood that we were to have the privilege of reading the story before the picture is completed.
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
105 years ago today - Thursday, Aug 26, 1909
[Apostle John Henry Smith ] At 2 p.m. the funeral of [former Apostle] Moses Thatcher was held in the Tabernacle. The building was filled to suffocation. ... Brigham H. Roberts spoke very intensely and to my mind quite defiantly.
[Source: Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
[Source: Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
115 years ago today - Saturday, Aug 26, 1899
[Apostle John Henry Smith ] ...President Franklin D. Richards spoke 37 minutes. His mind would not work and he stood for four minutes at a time without saying a word. All were much distressed by his evident growing weakness of Intelect. He seemed very nervious. He, however, stuck to the text. ...
[Source: Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
[Source: Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
120 years ago today - Aug 26,1894
"First time a woman has spoken in the Salt Lake Tabernacle on the Sabbath at the regular service- the people don't know what to make of it-it must bode good for women." The speaker is a non-Mormon.
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]
170 years ago today - 1844 26 Aug.
The apostles privately excommunicate [hopeful successor to Joseph Smith] James Strang, a repetition of the Michigan branch's action. He is publicly excommunicated again in the Nauvoo temple 1 Feb. 1846.
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
30 years ago today - Aug 25, 1984
BYU anthropology professor Ray T. Matheny, speaking at a Sunstone Symposium states, "All these [Book of Mormon cultural traits] paint a scene that seem[s] to be quite foreign to what I am familiar with in the archaeological record of the New World. . . And the terminologies and the language used and the methods of explaining and putting things down are nineteenth century literary concepts and cultural experiences one would expect Joseph Smith and his colleagues would experience. . . If I were doing this cold like John Carlson is here. I would say in evaluating the Book of Mormon that it had no place in the New World whatsoever. . . It seems like these are anachronisms. It seems like the items are out of time and place, in trying to put them into the New World. And I think there's a great difficulty here for we Mormons in understanding what this book [of Mormon] is all about."
75 years ago today - Aug 25, 1939
[President Heber J. Grant Diary] During the day we have sent a number of cables regarding the prospective war in Europe arranging through the office of the Secretary of State for visas for our missionaries to get out of the country, suggesting that the missionaries go to Holland and the Scandinavian countries, and if war should break out that they should come on to America. We telegraphed to all our Mission Presidents in the United States asking how many missionaries they could utilize in the respective missions. President Clark has practically given his whole day to this matter; namely, cables, telegrams and interviews regarding conditions in Europe.
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
110 years ago today - Thursday, Aug 25, 1904
[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] ... All of the first Presidency and some Twelve met and had prayer. Prest. J. F. Smith told me he had been offended with some remarks I had made at the Y.M.M.I.A. meeting. After mutual explanation we kissed and made up forgiving each other.
[Source: Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
[Source: Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
185 years ago today - 25-Aug 31, 1829
The printing of the Book of Mormon begins, according to John H. Gilbert, "about the middle of August, 1829" ; however, it is also likely that it began only after Harris signed the mortgage on 25 August 1829.
[Source: Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
[Source: Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
60 years ago today - Aug 24, 1954
Apostle Mark E. Petersen states, in defense of the exclusion of black men from LDS priesthood ordination, "Is it not a reasonable belief that the Lord would select the choice spirits for the better grades of nations?" Three days later he gives a speech I support of segregation.
75 years ago today - Aug 24, 1939
The First Presidency directed all missionaries in Germany to move to neutral countries. Later the missionaries were instructed to leave Europe and return to the United States. The last group arrived in New York Nov. 6, 1939.
[Source: Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
[Source: Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
105 years ago today - Aug 24, 1909
[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] - has "sinking spell"
[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]
[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]
115 years ago today - Thursday, Aug 24, 1899
[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] During the day Brother [Ludwig] Shurke called upon Pres. Snow and made a request that he would christen a spring that heâ€"Shurkeâ€"had recently discovered. At 8 p.m. Pres. Snow and party repaired to the spring, which is one of the best in Soda Springs, and by candle light Pres. Snow with a cup of the water in his hand christened it the "Woodruff" Spring.
[Source: Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
[Source: Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
170 years ago today - 1844 24 Aug.
A council meeting of the apostles and other members of the Anointed Quorum accepts two written revelations to Young concerning completion of the Nauvoo temple. These would never be published and are unavailable.
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
105 years ago today - Aug 23, 1909
Two days after the death of former Apostle Moses Thatcher, who had been removed from the Quorum of Apostles, the DESERET NEWS publishes an obituary claiming that Moses Thatcher "lived to acknowledge the justness of the action of his brethren of the Twelve."
Two weeks later Thatcher's son, Moses Thatcher Jr. responds: "There is a wide difference between accepting the decision of that council, and even fulfilling its every requirement, and acknowledging the justice of the decision or the justice of the action of his brethren in the twelve in making the complaint. So far as I understand my father's position, or so far as his family and near friends understand it, he accepted the decision of the high council and complied with its requirements because it was the only thing he could do and retain his membership in the church, and to lose his standing in the church for him was not to be thought of. But the truth of the statement 'he lived to acknowledge the justice of the action of his brethren of the Twelve,' should be denied, for no such acknowledgement was ever made so far as I know or can find out."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
Two weeks later Thatcher's son, Moses Thatcher Jr. responds: "There is a wide difference between accepting the decision of that council, and even fulfilling its every requirement, and acknowledging the justice of the decision or the justice of the action of his brethren in the twelve in making the complaint. So far as I understand my father's position, or so far as his family and near friends understand it, he accepted the decision of the high council and complied with its requirements because it was the only thing he could do and retain his membership in the church, and to lose his standing in the church for him was not to be thought of. But the truth of the statement 'he lived to acknowledge the justice of the action of his brethren of the Twelve,' should be denied, for no such acknowledgement was ever made so far as I know or can find out."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
120 years ago today - Aug 23, 1894
[Apostle & Logan Temple President Marriner W. Merrill] We have 22 for endowments. Not a cent donation given today and only 50 cents yesterday.
[Source: Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Aug 23, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] I visited Emma Smith the widow of the prophet. She let me have a peace of oak for a Staff * out of the Coffin of the Prophet Joseph who was inhumanly martered in Carthage Ill in company with his brother Hiram. Emma also let me have a Pair of gloves composed of white cotton and Mrs Woodruff a cotton hankerchief both of which the Prophet wore while living.
We called upon Sister Mary Smith widow of Hiram Smith the Patriarch. She gave us some hair from the head of Joseph Smith, Hiram Smith, Samuel Smith, & Don Carloss Smith, all brothers of the same Parents. I also obtained some hair of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. My object was in putting a portion of each in the top of my staff as a relick of those noble men, master spirits of the nineteenth centaury, to hand down to my posterity, to deposit in the most Holy and Sacred place in the Holy temple of GOD, on the consecrated Hill of Zion.
I next visited Mother Lucy Smith, the mother of those noble men even the Lords anointed, whose names were Joseph, Hiram, Samuel and Don Carloss, and the wife of Joseph Smith sen. the first Patriarch of the last dispensation. All those men fell directly or indirectly as matters for the cause of truth and of God, Joseph and Hiram being shot in Cold Blood.
The Old Mother and Prophetess felt most heart broaken at the loss of her Children and the wicked and Cruel treatment she had recieved from the hands of the gentile world. She begged a blessing at my hands. I lade my hands upon her head and proclaimed [a blessing] by the Spirit of God.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
We called upon Sister Mary Smith widow of Hiram Smith the Patriarch. She gave us some hair from the head of Joseph Smith, Hiram Smith, Samuel Smith, & Don Carloss Smith, all brothers of the same Parents. I also obtained some hair of the quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints. My object was in putting a portion of each in the top of my staff as a relick of those noble men, master spirits of the nineteenth centaury, to hand down to my posterity, to deposit in the most Holy and Sacred place in the Holy temple of GOD, on the consecrated Hill of Zion.
I next visited Mother Lucy Smith, the mother of those noble men even the Lords anointed, whose names were Joseph, Hiram, Samuel and Don Carloss, and the wife of Joseph Smith sen. the first Patriarch of the last dispensation. All those men fell directly or indirectly as matters for the cause of truth and of God, Joseph and Hiram being shot in Cold Blood.
The Old Mother and Prophetess felt most heart broaken at the loss of her Children and the wicked and Cruel treatment she had recieved from the hands of the gentile world. She begged a blessing at my hands. I lade my hands upon her head and proclaimed [a blessing] by the Spirit of God.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
30 years ago today - Aug 22, 1984
[Mark Hofmann] Utah Lighthouse Ministry publishes The Money-Digging Letter.
[Source: Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,]
[Source: Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,]
1914-1970, 100 years ago this year.
[Periodicals] Relief Society Magazine; 1924-1947   Susa Young Gates   Salt Lake City, Utah (Periodical)
[Source: Ludlow, Daniel H. editor, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.4, Appendix 3: Church Periodicals, http://amzn.to/eG0DIp]
[Source: Ludlow, Daniel H. editor, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol.4, Appendix 3: Church Periodicals, http://amzn.to/eG0DIp]
130 years ago today - Aug 22, 1884
[Wilford Woodruff] I spent the day reading Bancroft History of the Mormons. ...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
30 years ago today - 1984 21-24 August
[Mark Hofmann] Sunstone Theological Symposium, Hotel Utah, Salt Lake City. First public discussion of the Harris 1830 letter by Jan Shipps and Richard Bushman.
[Source: Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,]
[Source: Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,]
1914, 100 years ago this year.
In 1914, Utah Democrats allied with the Progressive party to take control of both houses of the Utah legislature as well as many county offices. Two years later, the Democrats scored a major victory garnering the state's electoral votes for Wilson, and electing Simon Bamberger as Governor, William H. King to the U.S. Senate and both representatives in Congress. The state legislature was overwhelmingly Democratic as well.
[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: Democrats in Utah, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: Democrats in Utah, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
105 years ago today - Aug 21, 1909
[Apostle George Albert Smith] -attends Episcopal Church services
[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]
[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]
80 years ago today - Aug 20, 1934
A memorandum was submitted in answer to a letter addressed to the Presidency by Nancy Williams, a descendant of Frederick G. Williams, a former member of the First Presidency of the Church at the time the Kirtland Temple was started, in which it stated that the property was deeded to the Church by Frederick G. Williams, with a provision that if the building was not used for Temple purposes, the property was to revert to the doner, and asked for further information. An examination has been made of the files of the Church Historian's Office which consisted largely of statements of monies advanced to the Prophet Joseph Smith. During the administration of the late President John Taylor when suit was brought by the Reorganized Church to acquire title, it was deemed inadvisable to contest the suit, and a court decree was entered, vesting title in the Reorganized Church. There was no documentary evidence to this effect.
[Source: First Presidency, Meeting with Presiding Bishopric, 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]
[Source: First Presidency, Meeting with Presiding Bishopric, 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]
115 years ago today - Sunday, Aug 20, 1899
[Apostle Rudger Clawson] Pres. Snow said that the Lord had shown him that the people of His Church must wake up and obey the law of tithing, or calamities would come upon them. Read the revelation on tithing and made some remarks upon it. "I say to you in the name of the Lord," he said, "if you will pay your tithing in full, the Lord will forgive you for your disobedience in the past."
[Source: Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
[Source: Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
115 years ago today - Sunday, Aug 20, 1899
[Apostle John Henry Smith] ...Prest. Lorenzo Snow shook hands with 1,010 persons.
We blest eight sisters who had qualified by study to practice mid-wifery...
[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]
We blest eight sisters who had qualified by study to practice mid-wifery...
[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]
120 years ago today - Aug 20, 1894
[President Wilford Woodruff] This is the pioneer Day. We go to Saltair Pavillion to have a Celebration of the Pioneer day. We went to Saltair at 2.25. We met about 20 of the Remnant of the Pioneers. They were aged feeble men. I think I was the oldest man of the pioneers present. All were introduced to the Assembly of some 4,000 persons. Speeches were made by quite a Number of the Pioneers. Bishop Weilen & Lorenzo Young were among the number. Both vary feeble. We returned home at 6.30. It was a vary interesting day. 30 Miles.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
140 years ago today - Aug 20, 1874
To the President, Vice-Presidents and Board of Directors of the United Order at St. George-- ...
These are the results which we should expect to see follow where people have divided interests. If a man presented himself to you for baptism, and requested that only a portion of his body should be baptized, you would reject his application and say to him that he must have his entire person immersed or he could not become a member of the Church. So with the Order: we do not wish to accept a portion of a man's person and a portion of his substance; therefore, until he is ready to enter himself and with all that he has he should not be a member of the Order, and this is our instruction to all the branches of the Order....
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
These are the results which we should expect to see follow where people have divided interests. If a man presented himself to you for baptism, and requested that only a portion of his body should be baptized, you would reject his application and say to him that he must have his entire person immersed or he could not become a member of the Church. So with the Order: we do not wish to accept a portion of a man's person and a portion of his substance; therefore, until he is ready to enter himself and with all that he has he should not be a member of the Order, and this is our instruction to all the branches of the Order....
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
140 years ago today - Aug 20, 1874
Rules that should be observed by Members of the United Order-- RULE 1st.-We will not take the name of the Deity in vain, nor speak lightly of His character or of sacred things. ...
RULE 5th.-We will observe personal cleanliness, and preserve ourselves in all chastity by refraining from adultery, whoredom and lust. We will also discountenance and refrain from all vulgar and obscene language or conduct. ...
RULE 10th.-We will patronize our brethren who are in the Order. ...
RULE 11th.-In our apparel and deportment we will not pattern after nor encourage foolish and extravagant fashions, and cease to import or buy from abroad any article which can be reasonably dispensed with, or which can be produced by combination of home labor. ...
RULE 12th.-We will be simple in our dress and manner of living, using proper economy and prudence in the management of all entrusted to our care.
... {RULES THAT SHOULD BE OBSERVED BY MEMBERS OF THE UNITED ORDER.}
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
RULE 5th.-We will observe personal cleanliness, and preserve ourselves in all chastity by refraining from adultery, whoredom and lust. We will also discountenance and refrain from all vulgar and obscene language or conduct. ...
RULE 10th.-We will patronize our brethren who are in the Order. ...
RULE 11th.-In our apparel and deportment we will not pattern after nor encourage foolish and extravagant fashions, and cease to import or buy from abroad any article which can be reasonably dispensed with, or which can be produced by combination of home labor. ...
RULE 12th.-We will be simple in our dress and manner of living, using proper economy and prudence in the management of all entrusted to our care.
... {RULES THAT SHOULD BE OBSERVED BY MEMBERS OF THE UNITED ORDER.}
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
140 years ago today - Aug 20, 1874
Instructions to Members of the United Order-- ... Inasmuch as some continue the use of tobacco, and as it is good for sick cattle, and when planted in orchards is said to be a preventive against the codling moth, it is recommended that enough be raised to at least supply our own wants.
... Our situation renders it advisable, so far as we may be able, to keep on hand a supply of bread-stuff sufficient for from three to seven years.
As rapidly as possible the finest varieties of grapes for raisins should be added to those already in our southern settlements, and all our markets supplied with the best of raisins. So far as wine and brandy are produced, pains should be taken that they be of the purest and best qualities, and vessels and storage cellars should be prepared for keeping the wines in the best condition.
... {INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE UNITED ORDER}
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
... Our situation renders it advisable, so far as we may be able, to keep on hand a supply of bread-stuff sufficient for from three to seven years.
As rapidly as possible the finest varieties of grapes for raisins should be added to those already in our southern settlements, and all our markets supplied with the best of raisins. So far as wine and brandy are produced, pains should be taken that they be of the purest and best qualities, and vessels and storage cellars should be prepared for keeping the wines in the best condition.
... {INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEMBERS OF THE UNITED ORDER}
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
170 years ago today - Aug 20, 1844
[Heber C. Kimball] Was called to Lay hands on Arther Millican. He was healled. I dremp the following dreames. I was on my wheel molding vessels on the wheel. They ware of a pure nature. Then an other thing is thare was a man come along to run, he went ahead of me, and run into a slow hole, and I on the drie land. He suak [sank] out of my sight.
[Source: Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
[Source: Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
15 years ago today - Aug 19, 1999
The First Presidency announces that the massive new assembly building located north of Temple Square will be called the Conference Center.
35 years ago today - Aug 19, 1979.
Ann Kenney, a student at the University of Utah, is set apart as president of the University of Utah Second Stake Sunday School. Gilbert Sharffs, counselor in the stake presidency, assures her that he has been "strongly impressed" to issue the calling and also had a general authority approve the calling. On 24 September she is released. Sharffs explains that "in the past there has been no policy set. The quorum [of the Twelve] was divided on the issue, and the decision was left to the president." The president was Ezra Taft Benson.
[Source: Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
[Source: Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
100 years ago today - Aug 19, 1914
Circular is sent to all Stake Patriarchs from Presiding Patriarch Hyrum G. Smith: "You may accept a gift if it is offered, but do not permit anyone you have blessed to leave your presence feeling that they have paid for a blessing; Patriarchal blessings cannot be purchased, they are the free gifts of God to his children under the hands of His Patriarchs." Some Stake Patriarchs had been charging a fee for Patriarchal blessings.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
170 years ago today - Aug 19, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] ... [S]ome dreams rehearsed one of which I told as follows: I met with Br Joseph Smith in the Congregation of the Saints. He had his old Hebrew and Jerman Bible, and preached to the Saints. B[ut] he seemed to be to thronged by the people and he rose up lifted up a curtain and passed into another room where the people could not distirb him and there he was going to teach the people.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
10 years ago today - 2004-08-18
[Women] "Feminist Mormon Housewives" blog established by Lisa Butterworth
[Source: Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]
[Source: Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]
60 years ago today - Aug 18, 1954
First Presidency rules that Apostle Joseph Fielding Smith's anti-evolutionary MAN: HIS ORIGIN AND DESTINY should not be used for study in LDS seminaries and institutes. McKay expresses from 1954 on: "On the subject of organic evolution the Church has officially taken no position. The book 'Man, His Origin and Destiny' was not published by the Church, and is not approved by the Church."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
65 years ago today - Aug 18, 1949
Apostle (and Salt Lake Temple President) George F. Richards reads a letter to the assembled First Presidency and Twelve Apostles decrying the lack of second anointings being performed. The letter states that to date 22,278 second anointings had been performed for living persons and 10,217 for the dead. Richards's letter states: "I have not been able to bring myself to feel that the Lord is pleased with us in neglecting such an important and sacred endowment, which He has given us to be administered in His holy temples to worthy members of His Church. The Second Anointings were given by revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith to be administered to worthy members of the Church, both the living and the dead; and from the days of the Prophet Joseph to the days of President Heber J. Grant that practice continued. . . . When living members receive their Second blessings, or anointings, they are given a charge that they must not speak of those things to anybody; that only those who are invited by the President of the Church are to receive them, and that none others are supposed to know anything about them. . . . About 1928 an incident occurred which so incensed the First Presidency that they had all the recommend books brought in to the President's office, and instructions were given that no recommends of that character should be given by stake presidents thereafter. . . .The incident above mentioned which so exasperated the First Presidency was as follows: A brother who had received his Second Blessings, while speaking in a priesthood meeting in one of the Idaho stakes, told the brethren that they all should have their Second Blessings. Of course that was a serious infraction of the charge which he received when he had his Second Anointings; but I have never learned of any serious consequences to follow, except the action on the part of the Authorities, discontinuing the administration of those blessings in the Church. It appears to me that the mistake made by the good brother in Idaho was not so serious as to justify letting those sacred ordinances come into disuse in the Church. I think now is the time to act; with such modifications as to details as the brethren might feel to make, insuring that these blessings be administered only to those who are worthy to receive them." The letter quotes the endowment ceremony to say, "Brethren and Sisters, if you are true and faithful, the day will come when you will be chosen, called up and anointed kings and queens, priests and priestesses, whereas you are now anointed only to become such. The realization of these blessings depends upon your faithfulness." (Endowment Ceremonies, p. 1x2.}"
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
75 years ago today - Aug 18, 1939
A case had been referred to us in which a woman whose father and mother had been through the Temple was applying to go through the Temple herself. She was from the Southern States Mission, and the Church records showed that opposite her name someone had placed the endorsement, "negro blood." Brother [David O.] McKay talked with me yesterday or the day before about it, and I suggested that he get her patriarchal blessing and see what the patriarch said her lineage was. Brother McKay did that, and found the blessing had been given by Elder George F. Richards, that he had told her she was of the lineage of Israel through Joseph and Ephraim. We decided that under those circumstances she could not be denied admission to the Temple.
[Source: J. Reuben Clark office diary, Aug. 18, 1939 , Perry Special Collections as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Source: J. Reuben Clark office diary, Aug. 18, 1939 , Perry Special Collections as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
105 years ago today - Wed., Aug 18, 1909
[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] ... We were Royally entertained. It is a most beautifull place. Coffee, Lemonade, Sandwichs, Cake and Ice cream went the Round, all seemed most happy. ...
[Source: Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
[Source: Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
120 years ago today - Aug 18, 1894
The Church University referred to was neither the Brigham Young Academy (now University,) which the L.D.S. Church had established in 1875 in Provo, nor the Latter-day Saints College which the Church had established in Salt Lake City but a projected Church University which it was planned should become "the head of our Church School system." Evidently this Church University, according to this announcement had a short life of one academic year after which this announcement marked its demise. The L.D.S. First Presidency thereupon announced their support of the University of Utah, a "State" institution which had been funded by the "Mormons" less than three years after their arrival in Utah under the title of the University of Deseret.
The Latter-day Saint's College, then located adjacent to a "downtown" location of the University of Utah, was by this announcement to serve the students of the University of Utah and others with a religious education which they could not receive in the "State" institution. By this assigned function the Latter-day Saint's College thus became the forerunner of the present system of LDS Institutes of Religion adjacent to numerous State University campuses throughout North America.
[James E. Talmage noted in his diary, "Long interview with the Presidency, in which I asked them to consider the wisdom of issuing a letter to the Church announcing the closing of the Church University, and bespeaking the support of the people for the University of Utah."]
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
The Latter-day Saint's College, then located adjacent to a "downtown" location of the University of Utah, was by this announcement to serve the students of the University of Utah and others with a religious education which they could not receive in the "State" institution. By this assigned function the Latter-day Saint's College thus became the forerunner of the present system of LDS Institutes of Religion adjacent to numerous State University campuses throughout North America.
[James E. Talmage noted in his diary, "Long interview with the Presidency, in which I asked them to consider the wisdom of issuing a letter to the Church announcing the closing of the Church University, and bespeaking the support of the people for the University of Utah."]
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
170 years ago today - Aug 18, 1844
President Young arose and said that he had many things to speak of. ...
The report has gone forth through the city that the Twelve has a secret understanding with those men who are going away to take a company with them, that they shall take all they can but the Twelve will blow it up in public but privately wish it to go on. But if it was the last words I had to say before going into the Eternal world I would swear by the Holy Trinity that it was utterly fals and not a word of truth in it.
...And I tel you in the name of Jesus Christ, that if Lyman Wight & Geo Miller take a course contrary to our Council, and will not act in consert with us but take a course against us they will be damned and go to destruction. And if men will not stop striving to be great and exhalted and lead away parties from us and strive to weaken our hands they will fall and not rise again, and I will destroy their influence in this church with the help of God and my brethren.
...It has been whispered about that all that go into the wilderness with Wight and Miller will get their endowment. But they Cannot give an endowment in the wilderness. If we do not Carry out the plan Joseph has laid and the pattern he has given for us to work by we cannot get any further endowment. ...
We shall require the 10th of all your property for the tithing for the building of the Temples the poor and for the Priesthood. ...
The time has come now for bickerings to scease. Their must be a strict order of things, and we are no longer bound to harbor black legs, Counterfieters, boges makers. We know all about them.
They have been in our midst long enough. I advise all the Saints to have no dealing with such men. Let them alone. The time has come that they should be wiped out of our midst. ...
As to the doctors let them go. I can prove that a doctor in this place doctored a woman that was in the family way and did not know it untill she was deliverd, and both woman and Child died, and if you will employ them you will all die, but the time has come when you need no longer to support them.
...I had a dream which I will here relate. I saw a fruit tree, & I went into the tree in search of fruit. I soon discoverd that some of the main branches on top going from the main body was dead. It seemed necessary to cut off the dead branches in order to save the tree. So I told some person to help me cut them off & they steped on to a large green limb. They were afraid it would break, so I put my sholder under it & held it up while he cut off the dead branches. It cracked the green limb but it did not break. After we cut of the dry limbs the wounds healed up and the tree grew finely.) Now let us cut of the dead branches of the Church that good fruit may grow and the voice will soon be herd Go and build Zion and the great Temple of the Lord...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The report has gone forth through the city that the Twelve has a secret understanding with those men who are going away to take a company with them, that they shall take all they can but the Twelve will blow it up in public but privately wish it to go on. But if it was the last words I had to say before going into the Eternal world I would swear by the Holy Trinity that it was utterly fals and not a word of truth in it.
...And I tel you in the name of Jesus Christ, that if Lyman Wight & Geo Miller take a course contrary to our Council, and will not act in consert with us but take a course against us they will be damned and go to destruction. And if men will not stop striving to be great and exhalted and lead away parties from us and strive to weaken our hands they will fall and not rise again, and I will destroy their influence in this church with the help of God and my brethren.
...It has been whispered about that all that go into the wilderness with Wight and Miller will get their endowment. But they Cannot give an endowment in the wilderness. If we do not Carry out the plan Joseph has laid and the pattern he has given for us to work by we cannot get any further endowment. ...
We shall require the 10th of all your property for the tithing for the building of the Temples the poor and for the Priesthood. ...
The time has come now for bickerings to scease. Their must be a strict order of things, and we are no longer bound to harbor black legs, Counterfieters, boges makers. We know all about them.
They have been in our midst long enough. I advise all the Saints to have no dealing with such men. Let them alone. The time has come that they should be wiped out of our midst. ...
As to the doctors let them go. I can prove that a doctor in this place doctored a woman that was in the family way and did not know it untill she was deliverd, and both woman and Child died, and if you will employ them you will all die, but the time has come when you need no longer to support them.
...I had a dream which I will here relate. I saw a fruit tree, & I went into the tree in search of fruit. I soon discoverd that some of the main branches on top going from the main body was dead. It seemed necessary to cut off the dead branches in order to save the tree. So I told some person to help me cut them off & they steped on to a large green limb. They were afraid it would break, so I put my sholder under it & held it up while he cut off the dead branches. It cracked the green limb but it did not break. After we cut of the dry limbs the wounds healed up and the tree grew finely.) Now let us cut of the dead branches of the Church that good fruit may grow and the voice will soon be herd Go and build Zion and the great Temple of the Lord...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - Aug 18, 1824
Universalist Hosea Ballou sermon:
- Apostasy and Restoration: "The falling away of the Christian Church, the corruptions of its doctrines by the inventions of an ignorant, superstitious priesthood, sanctioned by the authority of Synods and Councils, having introduced the man of sin into the Temple of God, who has for ages been worshiped as God, the glory which Jesus manifested departed, and the darkness of papal errors and abominations have succeeded.
But the reign of the beast may be said to have come to an end; the true testimony is received, and God is now carrying on the work ... and God is about to fill the [nations] with glory."
Original sin: "[why would God by] an act of his almighty power, gave us a totally depraved nature, laid the blame of it to Adam, and is determined to punish us everlastingly for the same!"
The Godhead: "the mystery of an invented Trinity, which has been the means of sore contentions and bitter animosities in the Church. This self contradictory doctrine of three infinite persons in but one infinite Being, has been so thoroughly shaken..."
[Source: Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]
- Apostasy and Restoration: "The falling away of the Christian Church, the corruptions of its doctrines by the inventions of an ignorant, superstitious priesthood, sanctioned by the authority of Synods and Councils, having introduced the man of sin into the Temple of God, who has for ages been worshiped as God, the glory which Jesus manifested departed, and the darkness of papal errors and abominations have succeeded.
But the reign of the beast may be said to have come to an end; the true testimony is received, and God is now carrying on the work ... and God is about to fill the [nations] with glory."
Original sin: "[why would God by] an act of his almighty power, gave us a totally depraved nature, laid the blame of it to Adam, and is determined to punish us everlastingly for the same!"
The Godhead: "the mystery of an invented Trinity, which has been the means of sore contentions and bitter animosities in the Church. This self contradictory doctrine of three infinite persons in but one infinite Being, has been so thoroughly shaken..."
[Source: Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]
65 years ago today - Aug 17, 1949
First Presidency statement: The attitude of the Church with reference to Negroes remains as it has always stood. It is not a matter of the declaration of a policy but of direct commandment from the Lord, on which is founded the doctrine of the Church from the days of its organization, to the effect that Negroes may become members of the Church but that they are not entitled to the priesthood at the present time.
The prophets of the Lord have made several statements as to the operation of the principle. President Brigham Young said: "Why are so many of the inhabitants of the earth cursed with a skin of blackness? It comes in consequence of their fathers rejecting the power of the holy priesthood, and the law of God. They will go down to death. And when all the rest of the children have received their blessings in the holy priesthood, then that curse will be removed from the seed of Cain, and they will then come up and possess the priesthood, and receive all the blessings which we now are entitled to."
President Wilford Woodruff made the following statement: "The day will come when all that race will be redeemed and possess all the blessings which we now have." The position of the Church regarding the Negro may be understood when another doctrine of the Church is kept in mind, namely, that the conduct of spirits in the premortal existence has some determining effect upon the conditions and circumstances under which these spirits take on mortality and that while the details of this principle have not been made known, the mortality is a privilege that is given to those who maintain their first estate; and that the worth of the privilege is so great that spirits are willing to come to earth and take on bodies no matter what the handicap may be as to the kind of bodies they are to secure; and that among the handicaps, failure of the right to enjoy in mortality the blessings of the priesthood is a handicap which spirits are willing to assume in order that they might come to earth. Under this principle there is no injustice whatsoever involved in this deprivation as to the holding of the priesthood by the Negroes.
The prophets of the Lord have made several statements as to the operation of the principle. President Brigham Young said: "Why are so many of the inhabitants of the earth cursed with a skin of blackness? It comes in consequence of their fathers rejecting the power of the holy priesthood, and the law of God. They will go down to death. And when all the rest of the children have received their blessings in the holy priesthood, then that curse will be removed from the seed of Cain, and they will then come up and possess the priesthood, and receive all the blessings which we now are entitled to."
President Wilford Woodruff made the following statement: "The day will come when all that race will be redeemed and possess all the blessings which we now have." The position of the Church regarding the Negro may be understood when another doctrine of the Church is kept in mind, namely, that the conduct of spirits in the premortal existence has some determining effect upon the conditions and circumstances under which these spirits take on mortality and that while the details of this principle have not been made known, the mortality is a privilege that is given to those who maintain their first estate; and that the worth of the privilege is so great that spirits are willing to come to earth and take on bodies no matter what the handicap may be as to the kind of bodies they are to secure; and that among the handicaps, failure of the right to enjoy in mortality the blessings of the priesthood is a handicap which spirits are willing to assume in order that they might come to earth. Under this principle there is no injustice whatsoever involved in this deprivation as to the holding of the priesthood by the Negroes.
115 years ago today - Thursday, Aug 17, 1899
[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] Prests. Lorenzo Snow, Joseph F. Smith, Myself, Geo. Teasdale, Heber J. Grant, Artthou [Anthon] H. Lund, and Rudger Clawson met at the Temple. It was determined to have a silk Temple apron with raised flowers woven.
[Source: Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
[Source: Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
140 years ago today - Aug 17, 1874,
William Clayton appears before notary public John T. Caine and swears out an affidavit giving in greater detail than any other document the circumstances surrounding the origin of the written revelation on polygamy later published as section 132 of the D&C. He does this to counter charges by Joseph Smith's son, Joseph Smith III, president of the RLDS church that polygamy was not started by his father..
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
150 years ago today - Aug 17, 1864
The Deseret News reports the setting up of a list of articles and prices in gold for Utah markets. Flour is put at $12 a hundred pounds, wheat $5 a bushel, and corn $4. This is, in reality, a form of price control.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
70 years ago today - Aug 16, 1944
First Presidency instructs its Hotel Utah to stop serving liquor.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
120 years ago today - Aug 16, 1894
Concerning the proper position of the altar in a prayer circle * as to whether it should face the east or south * there is no rule, though the custom is to generally have them face the south. Pres[ident] [Lorenzo] Snow says he always aims to face the chief temple in offering his prayers.
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon diary, Aug. 16, 1894 , Perry Special Collections as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon diary, Aug. 16, 1894 , Perry Special Collections as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
120 years ago today - Aug 16, 1894
Jewish boy gives his bar mitzvah talk in LDS stake conference "in confirmation of his faith in the Jewish religion."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
140 years ago today - Aug 16, 1874
[Brigham Young Sermon] President B. Young spoke One Hour & 2 Minutes & delivered one of the most interesting discourses I Ever heard in my life. Said it would take a whole life devoted to God & his work to get a full & Complete salvation and as much short as any person Came of this after receiving this work so much short would He be Clipped of a full & Complete salvation & none such would the Lord Choose when He made up his Jewels. -- Logan, Utah
[Source: Wilford WoodruffÂ's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 7:192; Journal History of the Church, Selected Collections from the Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints DVD 2 (2002) as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Source: Wilford WoodruffÂ's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 7:192; Journal History of the Church, Selected Collections from the Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints DVD 2 (2002) as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
180 years ago today - Aug 16, 1834
[Prophecy] Joseph Smith - the churches should "be in readiness to move to Jackson county in two years from the eleventh of September next, which is the appointed time for the redemption of Zion. ... you will learn by this we have a great work to do, and but little time to do it in;"
[Note, this is the 5th anniversary of D&C 64:21: "I will not that my servant Frederick G. Williams should sell his farm, for I, the Lord, will to retain a strong hold in the land of Kirtland, for the space of five years, in the which I will not overthrow the wicked, that thereby I may save some."]
[Source: History of the Church, vol. 2, p. 145, as quoted in Instutite for Religious Research]
[Note, this is the 5th anniversary of D&C 64:21: "I will not that my servant Frederick G. Williams should sell his farm, for I, the Lord, will to retain a strong hold in the land of Kirtland, for the space of five years, in the which I will not overthrow the wicked, that thereby I may save some."]
[Source: History of the Church, vol. 2, p. 145, as quoted in Instutite for Religious Research]
125 years ago today - Aug 15, 1889
Church pruchases ranch in Skull Valley, Tooele county, Utah for Hawaiian Mormon immigrants. They name the community Iosepa (Joseph). Colony continues until 1917.
170 years ago today - Aug 15, 1844. Thursday.
[William Clayton Journal] ... Sister Emma I know I don't lie and you know better what I know I know and although I never have told it to any soul on earth nor never intend to yet it is still the truth and I shall not deny it. She then several times called me a liar and said she knew I was her enemy and she never had been so abused in all her life. I told her I was not her enemy nor never had been. She said I neglected her and spent my time in the secret counsel of the Twelve and it was secret things which had cost Joseph and Hyrum their lives, and says she "I prophecy that it will cost you and the Twelve your lives as it has done them." She repeated this two or three times in a threatening manner, and said it in a manner that I understood that she intended to make it cost us our lives as she had done by President Smith. I told her that I would rather die than do anything to ruin the Church.... I went and told President Young the whole circumstances and he told me to fear not, but rejoice.
[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
170 years ago today - Aug 15, 1844
Epistle of Twelve to the Saints-- On August 8, 1844, a special meeting of the Church of Jesus Christ was held in Nauvoo, Illinois to determine who would lead the Church following the death of Joseph Smith. On August 9th, The Twelve Apostles were sustained in their Presidency of the Church. This was the first Epistle issued by the Twelve following their being sustained. ...
You are now without a prophet present with you in the flesh to guide you; but you are not without Apostles, who hold the keys of power to seal on earth that which shall be sealed in heaven, and to preside over all the affairs of the church in all the world...
On the subject of the gathering, let it be distinctly understood that the city of Nauvoo and the Temple of our Lord are to continue to be built up according to the pattern which has been commenced, and which has progressed with such rapidity thus far.
The city must be built up and supported by the gathering of those who have capital, and are willing to lay it out for the erection of every branch of industry and manufacture, which is necessary for the employment and support of the poor, or of those who depend wholly on this labor...
let every member proceed immediately to tithe himself or herself, a tenth of all their property and money ... for the building of the Temple for the support of the priesthood ... and then let them continue to pay in a tenth of their income from that time forth... And let this law or ordinance be henceforth taught to all who present themselves for admission into this church...
The United States and adjoining provinces will be immediately organized by the Twelve into proper districts...
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
You are now without a prophet present with you in the flesh to guide you; but you are not without Apostles, who hold the keys of power to seal on earth that which shall be sealed in heaven, and to preside over all the affairs of the church in all the world...
On the subject of the gathering, let it be distinctly understood that the city of Nauvoo and the Temple of our Lord are to continue to be built up according to the pattern which has been commenced, and which has progressed with such rapidity thus far.
The city must be built up and supported by the gathering of those who have capital, and are willing to lay it out for the erection of every branch of industry and manufacture, which is necessary for the employment and support of the poor, or of those who depend wholly on this labor...
let every member proceed immediately to tithe himself or herself, a tenth of all their property and money ... for the building of the Temple for the support of the priesthood ... and then let them continue to pay in a tenth of their income from that time forth... And let this law or ordinance be henceforth taught to all who present themselves for admission into this church...
The United States and adjoining provinces will be immediately organized by the Twelve into proper districts...
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
185 years ago today - Mid August 1829
Joseph Smith writes the Book of Mormon preface , with reference for the first time to an exact page count for "116 pages" that were lost. Because the printer's manuscript is 116 pages for First Nephi through Words of Mormon, the replacement portion, it can be assumed that the number 116 came from the printer's manuscript rather than from the original manuscript. It was an approximation, in other words--an assumption that the original manuscript occupied about the same number of pages for the same period covered. It can be further assumed that Oliver Cowdery would have copied at least 116 pages of the manuscript for the printer before the preface was written. Cowdery probably began copying the manuscript near the beginning of July and apparently reached Alma 36 by 6 November 1829 . Averaging the number of pages per day, he would have copied 116 pages by about the beginning of August. Thus, since the first signature included the Preface , Joseph Smith probably wrote the preface shortly before the printer began setting type in mid- or late-August.
[Source: Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
[Source: Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
85 years ago today - Aug 14, 1929
Elder Yeates of Church of Christ, Temple Lot, asks Heber J. Grant for permission to solicit donations for construction of temple at independence, Missouri. President Grant declines "to assist in erecting a temple for a church with which we have no connection whatever."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
150 years ago today - Aug 14, 1864
The so-called Dream Mine is located east of Salem in Utah County. The mine founder, John H. Koyle, was born August 14, 1864 at Spanish Fork, Utah County.
[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: Dream Mine, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: Dream Mine, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
170 years ago today - Aug 14, 1844
[Nauvoo Neighbor] Poetry: "Joseph Smith" - Praise to the Man -- The Times and Seasons -- To be sung to the tune of "Star in the East," what we now know as Praise to the Man.
- Poetry: "To Elder John Taylor" -- E.R. Snow -- Poem about John Taylor's survival of the martyrdom.
- Reprinted Story: "Joseph Smith, Mayor of Nauvoo, Murdered" -- The Philadelphia Sun -- Describes the martyrdom as a vicious crime, and lends support and credibility to the Church.
- Story: "The Next President" -- Editorial -- Says that the Saints will never find someone who shares Joseph Smith's views to support for president.
- Story: Joseph Smith's Successor -- Editorial -- Encourages the Saints to be patient while the successor is selected, but for now the church is in the hands of the Twelve.
- Ordinances: "An Ordinance Concerning Brothels and Disorderly Characters" -- Geo W. Harris -- Prohibits brothels and describes the fines for operating such establishments.
- Announcement: "Miniature Likenesses" - Daguerreotypes Available -- L.R. Foster -- Advertisement promoting taking photos with his equipment....
[Source: http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
- Poetry: "To Elder John Taylor" -- E.R. Snow -- Poem about John Taylor's survival of the martyrdom.
- Reprinted Story: "Joseph Smith, Mayor of Nauvoo, Murdered" -- The Philadelphia Sun -- Describes the martyrdom as a vicious crime, and lends support and credibility to the Church.
- Story: "The Next President" -- Editorial -- Says that the Saints will never find someone who shares Joseph Smith's views to support for president.
- Story: Joseph Smith's Successor -- Editorial -- Encourages the Saints to be patient while the successor is selected, but for now the church is in the hands of the Twelve.
- Ordinances: "An Ordinance Concerning Brothels and Disorderly Characters" -- Geo W. Harris -- Prohibits brothels and describes the fines for operating such establishments.
- Announcement: "Miniature Likenesses" - Daguerreotypes Available -- L.R. Foster -- Advertisement promoting taking photos with his equipment....
[Source: http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
170 years ago today - Aug 14, 1844
[Nauvoo Neighbor] - Poetry: "Joseph Smith" - Praise to the Man -- The Times and Seasons -- To be sung to the tune of "Star in the East," what we now know as Praise to the Man.
- Poetry: "To Elder John Taylor" -- E.R. Snow -- Poem about John Taylor's survival of the martyrdom.
- Reprinted Story: "Joseph Smith, Mayor of Nauvoo, Murdered" -- The Philadelphia Sun -- Describes the martyrdom as a vicious crime, and lends support and credibility to the Church.
- Story: "The Next President" -- Editorial -- Says that the Saints will never find someone who shares Joseph Smith's views to support for president.
- Story: Joseph Smith's Successor -- Editorial -- Encourages the Saints to be patient while the successor is selected, but for now the church is in the hands of the Twelve.
- Ordinances: "An Ordinance Concerning Brothels and Disorderly Characters" -- Geo W. Harris -- Prohibits brothels and describes the fines for operating such establishments.
- Announcement: "Miniature Likenesses" - Daguerreotypes Available -- L.R. Foster -- Advertisement promoting taking photos with his equipment....
[Source: http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
- Poetry: "To Elder John Taylor" -- E.R. Snow -- Poem about John Taylor's survival of the martyrdom.
- Reprinted Story: "Joseph Smith, Mayor of Nauvoo, Murdered" -- The Philadelphia Sun -- Describes the martyrdom as a vicious crime, and lends support and credibility to the Church.
- Story: "The Next President" -- Editorial -- Says that the Saints will never find someone who shares Joseph Smith's views to support for president.
- Story: Joseph Smith's Successor -- Editorial -- Encourages the Saints to be patient while the successor is selected, but for now the church is in the hands of the Twelve.
- Ordinances: "An Ordinance Concerning Brothels and Disorderly Characters" -- Geo W. Harris -- Prohibits brothels and describes the fines for operating such establishments.
- Announcement: "Miniature Likenesses" - Daguerreotypes Available -- L.R. Foster -- Advertisement promoting taking photos with his equipment....
[Source: http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
170 years ago today - 1844 14 Aug.
Lucien R. Foster, the first Mormon photographer, places an ad in Nauvoo Neighbor. President of the New York City branch (1841-43) and member of the Council of Fifty (1845-46), Foster's two daguerreotypes of the Nauvoo temple in 1846 are the most enduring images of the Mormon capital. He is excommunicated in 1846.
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
10 years ago today - Aug 13, 2004
At a Sunstone Symposium one of the speakers with the subject "Why We Stay" is Edward L. Kimball, son and biographer of Spencer W. Kimball. The talks are by people who have problems with the Church but decide to stay active anyway.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
140 years ago today - Aug 13, 1874
The Constitution of the United Order was still further discussed, and adopted, with very little variation, according to the printed form. Much good instruction was given by President Young in relation to the object of the United Order; he did not want any one to join the order, unless he would put into the same all his personal and real property, which was free from incumbrance, and be willing to be guided and dictated in his labors, or in the disposition of his time. He requested the Twelve to see that every branch of the Church in the Territory was organized, so far as the Saints were willing... The most of the Twelve present were each assigned to some specified part of the Territory ...
[Source: Church Historian's Office Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: Church Historian's Office Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
170 years ago today - 1844: 13 August
[Patriarchal Blessings] ... Thou shalt be a savior upon Mt Zion and stand with the 144,000 clothed in white. Thou shalt have power to go from land to land and from sea to sea. From island to island and from Planet to Planet and visit the prisons where the spirits of the departed dwell proclaiming salvation thro all thy course and mighty power and success which cannot now be described. The number of thy years shall be according to thy faith even to see the curtains of Zion spread over all the continent of America with all the beauty and glory thereof. Thou shalt have thine inheritance with thy brethren in time and in eternity and thy companion and thy children with thee possessing all the riches of heaven and earth to thy full satisfaction if thou are faithful not one word shall fail for I seal it upon thee by the authority of the Priesthood and I seal thee up to Eternal Life ...
[Source: Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Aug 13, 1844
Apostle Orson Hyde arrives in Nauvoo. However he later gives elaborate personal reminiscences of a "transfiguration" he could not possibly have witnessed. Hyde reports, in 1869 that when Brigham Young began to speak to the Saints on Aug 8, 1844, "his words went through me like electricity." This is my testimony, Hyde added for special emphasis, "it was not only the voice of Joseph Smith but there were the features, the gestures and even the stature of Joseph before us in the person of Brigham." In 1877 Hyde declares in general conference, "I heard the voice of Joseph through him, and it was as familiar to me as the voice of my wife, the voice of my child, or the voice of my father. And not only the voice of Joseph did I distinctly and unmistakably hear, but I saw the very gestures of his person, the very features of his countenance, and if I mistake not, the very size of his person appeared on the stand. And it went through me with the thrill of conviction that Brigham was the man to lead this people."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
10 years ago today - Aug 12, 2004
[Joseph Smith Papers project] The Deseret News reports that the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, a division of the National Archives, has endorsed the project. The paper also reports that "upon completion the compiled documents will be available in libraries, homes and on a Web site that will launch in 2005."
[Source: Joseph Smith Papers Timeline: History of the Joseph Smith Papers Project, MormonWasp Blog (defunct)]
[Source: Joseph Smith Papers Timeline: History of the Joseph Smith Papers Project, MormonWasp Blog (defunct)]
30 years ago today - Aug 12, 1984
Harmon Killebrew is inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame. His career record of 573 home-runs is exceeded only by Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, and Frank Robinson. Larry H. Miller enters National Softball Hall of Fame in 1992.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
120 years ago today - Aug 12, 1894
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill] After the afternoon meeting Apostle Lyman put the High Council, Bishops, and Counselors under a rigid examination in regard to their private habits and the keeping of the Word of Wisdom.
[Source: Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
150 years ago today - Aug 12, 1864
[RLDS Church] When the first two Reorganized Church missionaries left Utah on 12 August 1864 they were satisfied with their efforts. Briggs reported that he was "happy to inform that the work of the Lord in this territory is onward with rapid strides to the spiritual observer, and I feel every day more and more encouraged with the prospects before me of the triumph of the gospel of Jesus."
[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: R.L.D.S Church, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: R.L.D.S Church, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
170 years ago today - Aug 12, 1844
Lyman Wight: Commissioned by apostles 12 Aug. 1844 to "carry out the instructions he has received from Joseph.—to procure a location" in Texas
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
170 years ago today - Aug 12, 1844
[Wilford Woodruff] Voted that Amasa Lyman is one of the Apostles. Voted that the estate of Joseph Smith settle its own depts and the Church have nothing to do with it.
Voted to organize the Continant of America into districts and appoint High Priest to Preside over each district.
Voted that B Young H. C. Kimball and W Richards district the Continant of America and appoint Presidents over the several districts. ...
Moved by H. C. Kimball that Elder W. Woodruff take a mission to England and Preside over the Church and Printing esstablishment in England, Ireland, Scotland & the ajacent Islands and Continant. Carried.
Voted that the general Superintendance direction and control of the emigration in England to be at the disposal of Brigham Young President of the quorum of the Twelve.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Voted to organize the Continant of America into districts and appoint High Priest to Preside over each district.
Voted that B Young H. C. Kimball and W Richards district the Continant of America and appoint Presidents over the several districts. ...
Moved by H. C. Kimball that Elder W. Woodruff take a mission to England and Preside over the Church and Printing esstablishment in England, Ireland, Scotland & the ajacent Islands and Continant. Carried.
Voted that the general Superintendance direction and control of the emigration in England to be at the disposal of Brigham Young President of the quorum of the Twelve.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
15 years ago today - Aug 11, 1999
[Utah] a tornado ripped through downtown Salt Lake City doing over $100 million of dollars in damage.
[Source: History to Go, Utah Today, http://historytogo.utah.gov/timeline/utahtoday.html]
[Source: History to Go, Utah Today, http://historytogo.utah.gov/timeline/utahtoday.html]
140 years ago today - Aug 11, 1874
[Wilford Woodruff ] [The day after Young proclaims a revelation on the United Order] I spent these days in Council with the Presidency & Twelve in discussing the principle of the United Order that we might understand it alike & be prepared to teach it to the People. At the Close of the Meeting President Young wished the Twelve to go to now & organize the whole Church into the United Order.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Aug 11, 1834
[General Smith] The Kirtland high council meets to investigate a charge by Sylvester Smith that, on the march of Zion's Camp, Joseph was a "Tyrantâ€"Popeâ€"Kingâ€"Usurperâ€"Abuser of menâ€"Angelâ€"False Prophetâ€"Prophesying lies in the name of the Lordâ€"Taking consecrated monies." This begins a long series of Church court proceedings with Joseph and Sylvester accusing each other of wrong actions. After several months the matter is finally resolved when Sylvester Smith publishes a public confession and apology of his shortcomings in the Messenger and Advocate, written on Oct. 28, 1834.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
185 years ago today - Aug 11, 1829
The anti-Masonic Palmyra Freeman calls the Book of Mormon "the greatest piece of superstition that has come to our knowledge." The article gives an account of how the plates were found by Joseph Smith, referring to three visits by "the spirit of the Almighty", "a huge pair of spectacles", golden plates of dimensions eight by eight by six inches, Harris' visit to Samuel Mitchill. The article reproduces the title page of the Book of Mormon. No known copies survive, but the article was reprinted in other newspapers such as the Niagara Courier (27 August 1829).
[Source: Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
[Source: Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
60 years ago today - Aug 10, 1954
The First Presidency issues a letter counseling members involved in the Indian student placement program to provide Indian children with all spiritual and cultural opportunities possible in addition to their education at public schools.
75 years ago today - Aug 10, 1939
[President Heber J. Grant Diary] I also called at Zion's Securities Company and had a nice long talk with Brother Parker Robison, Manager. He is very anxious to publish Orson Pratt's works again. I told him that I doubted the wisdom of doing this but that I believed Orson Pratt was the greatest scriptorian, mathematician, and astronomer the Church has ever known. I would like some of the Brethren to go over his writings, however, before they are published, because we have heard there were some complaints about them when I was first made an Apostle, and I thought it should be considered very carefully before publishing it. I also heard complaints about his grandfather's writing of 'The Voice of Warning.'
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Aug 10, 1884
Anti-Mormon mob attacks Sunday meeting of Mormons in Tennessee and murders four men, including missionaries William S. Berry and John H. Gibbs.
170 years ago today - August 10th 1844
[Nauvoo City Council] ...Moved & Second that Alderman [Heber C.] Kimball be instructed to settle for the [destruction of the] Nauvoo Expositor so soon as the proprietors of the press will indemnify the city council from all all further suits suits commenced or to be commenced by them or their influence in future time...
[Source: Nauvoo City Council Rough Book, http://amzn.to/uXAcJh%20]
[Source: Nauvoo City Council Rough Book, http://amzn.to/uXAcJh%20]
170 years ago today - Aug 10, 1844
According to divorce suit by legal husband Henry Cobb, Augusta Cobb (plural wife of Brigham Young) committed adultery with Brigham Young the first time on August 10, 1844 in Boston, and a 2nd time in Nauvoo on December 1, 1845.
Court testimony provided by Elder George J. Adams states she then told Henry she loved Brigham Young better than she did Mr. Cobb, and, live or die, she was going to live with him at all hazards. This was in the course of a conversation in which she used extravagant language in favor of Mr. Young, and against Mr. Cobb.
"To the Honorable the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court now holden at Boston within and for the County of Suffolk."
"Henry Cobb husband of Augusta Cobb of said Boston, libels and gives this Honorable Court to be informed, that on the twenty fifth day of December in the year Eighteen hundred and twenty two, at Charles town in the County of Middlesex, he was lawfully married to the said Augusta Cobb, and hath always behaved towards her as a chaste and faithful husband; yet the said Augusta neglecting her marriage vows & duty, since the said marriage, on the tenth day of August in the year Eighteen hundred & forty four, at said Boston, and on the first day of xxxxx December in the year Eighteen hundred and forty five, at Nauvou in the State of Illinois, committed the crime of adultery with one Brigham Young. Wherefore your libellant prays that the bonds of matrimony may be dissolved between himself and the said Augusta Cobb"
"Henry Cobb"
[Source: Marquardt Papers, Suffolkss Supreme Judicial Court]
Court testimony provided by Elder George J. Adams states she then told Henry she loved Brigham Young better than she did Mr. Cobb, and, live or die, she was going to live with him at all hazards. This was in the course of a conversation in which she used extravagant language in favor of Mr. Young, and against Mr. Cobb.
"To the Honorable the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court now holden at Boston within and for the County of Suffolk."
"Henry Cobb husband of Augusta Cobb of said Boston, libels and gives this Honorable Court to be informed, that on the twenty fifth day of December in the year Eighteen hundred and twenty two, at Charles town in the County of Middlesex, he was lawfully married to the said Augusta Cobb, and hath always behaved towards her as a chaste and faithful husband; yet the said Augusta neglecting her marriage vows & duty, since the said marriage, on the tenth day of August in the year Eighteen hundred & forty four, at said Boston, and on the first day of xxxxx December in the year Eighteen hundred and forty five, at Nauvou in the State of Illinois, committed the crime of adultery with one Brigham Young. Wherefore your libellant prays that the bonds of matrimony may be dissolved between himself and the said Augusta Cobb"
"Henry Cobb"
[Source: Marquardt Papers, Suffolkss Supreme Judicial Court]
185 years ago today - Aug 10, 1829
Oliver Cowdery buys a 1828 H. & E. Phinney Bible with the Apocryphia at E. Phinney Bible with the Apocryphia at Egbert B. Grandin's book store in Palmyra, NY for $3.75.
[Source: Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology, Rev 01 Volume 01" http://bit.ly/tiddchron]
[Source: Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology, Rev 01 Volume 01" http://bit.ly/tiddchron]
70 years ago today - Aug 9, 1944
Reading standards committee ... is to pass upon and approve all materials, other than those that are purely secular, to be used by our Church Priesthood, Educational, Auxiliary, and Missionary organizations in their work of instructing members of the Church ....
To meet the required standards for use by Church organizations, such materials must:
1. Clearly set forth or be fully consistent with the principles of the Restored Gospel.
2. Be wholly free from any taint of sectarianism and also of all theories and conclusions destructive of faith in the simple truths of the Restored Gospel, and especially be free from the teachings of the so-called "higher criticism." Worldly knowledge and speculation have their place; but they must yield to revealed truth.
3. Be so framed and written as affirmatively to breed faith and not to raise doubts. "Rationalizing" may be most destructive of faith. That the Finite cannot fully explain the Infinite casts no doubt upon the Infinite. Truth, not error, must be stressed.
4. Be so built in form and substance as to lead to definite conclusions that accord with the principles of the Restored Gospel, which conclusions must be expressed and not left to possible deduction by the students. When truth is involved there is no place for student preference or choice. Youth must be taught that truth cannot be blinked or put aside; it must be accepted.
5. Be filled with a spirit of deepest reverence. They should give no place for the slightest levity. They should be so written that those who teach from them will so understand.
6. Be so organized and written that the matter may be effectively taught by men and women untrained in teaching and without the background equipment given by such fields of learning as psychology, pedagogy, philosophy, and ethics. The great bulk of our teachers are in this untrained group.
Courses on "comparative religion" have no place otherwise than in the Post-Graduate School to be established at the Brigham Young University and there only for the purpose of developing and demonstrating the truth of the Restored Gospel and the falsity of the other religions of the world, and thereby build the faith and knowledge of post-graduate scholars. The subject is one for careful, prayerful study by the mature mind, not for the framing of the thought and belief of the youthful mind.
... All texts written and lessons prepared are to bear the name of those who write or prepare them.
In the preparation of all these materials prime consideration should be given, by those undertaking it, to our own Church history and doctrinal literature. In the rather recent past these sources have been too little considered. Sectarian views and doctrines have had too large a place and consideration; the paganistic theories and tenets of the so-called "higher criticism' have not been without their influence; none of these have a place in our Church. They should be wholly eliminated from our literature.
... The discussion of mysteries and of doctrines upon which there is not a recognized accepted view, should be avoided. The aim should be to present the simple truths of the Restored Gospel in as plain and understandable a way as possible.
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
To meet the required standards for use by Church organizations, such materials must:
1. Clearly set forth or be fully consistent with the principles of the Restored Gospel.
2. Be wholly free from any taint of sectarianism and also of all theories and conclusions destructive of faith in the simple truths of the Restored Gospel, and especially be free from the teachings of the so-called "higher criticism." Worldly knowledge and speculation have their place; but they must yield to revealed truth.
3. Be so framed and written as affirmatively to breed faith and not to raise doubts. "Rationalizing" may be most destructive of faith. That the Finite cannot fully explain the Infinite casts no doubt upon the Infinite. Truth, not error, must be stressed.
4. Be so built in form and substance as to lead to definite conclusions that accord with the principles of the Restored Gospel, which conclusions must be expressed and not left to possible deduction by the students. When truth is involved there is no place for student preference or choice. Youth must be taught that truth cannot be blinked or put aside; it must be accepted.
5. Be filled with a spirit of deepest reverence. They should give no place for the slightest levity. They should be so written that those who teach from them will so understand.
6. Be so organized and written that the matter may be effectively taught by men and women untrained in teaching and without the background equipment given by such fields of learning as psychology, pedagogy, philosophy, and ethics. The great bulk of our teachers are in this untrained group.
Courses on "comparative religion" have no place otherwise than in the Post-Graduate School to be established at the Brigham Young University and there only for the purpose of developing and demonstrating the truth of the Restored Gospel and the falsity of the other religions of the world, and thereby build the faith and knowledge of post-graduate scholars. The subject is one for careful, prayerful study by the mature mind, not for the framing of the thought and belief of the youthful mind.
... All texts written and lessons prepared are to bear the name of those who write or prepare them.
In the preparation of all these materials prime consideration should be given, by those undertaking it, to our own Church history and doctrinal literature. In the rather recent past these sources have been too little considered. Sectarian views and doctrines have had too large a place and consideration; the paganistic theories and tenets of the so-called "higher criticism' have not been without their influence; none of these have a place in our Church. They should be wholly eliminated from our literature.
... The discussion of mysteries and of doctrines upon which there is not a recognized accepted view, should be avoided. The aim should be to present the simple truths of the Restored Gospel in as plain and understandable a way as possible.
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
105 years ago today - Aug 9, 1909
[Joseph F. Smith] There is a fund established known as the Jackson County [Missouri] Redemption Fund, the trustee of which is the trustee in trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
[Source: Joseph F. Smith, Letter to J. Z. Stewart, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: Joseph F. Smith, Letter to J. Z. Stewart, 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 - Aug 9, 1874
[Brigham Young Revelation] With regard to those who wish to have new revelation they will please to accommodate themselves and call this a new revelation. On this occasion I will not repeat anything particular in respect to the language of revelation, further than to say
'" Thus saith the Lord unto my servant Brigham, Call ye, call ye, upon the inhabitants of Zion, to organize themselves in the Order of Enoch, in the New and Everlasting Covenant, according to the Order of Heaven, for the furtherance of my kingdom upon the earth, for the perfecting of the Saints, for the salvation of the living and the dead.
You can accommodate yourselves by calling this a new revelation, if you choose; it is no new revelation, but it is the express word and will of God to this people.
[Source: Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 17:154-160; Deseret News. Also Deseret Evening News, Deseret News Weekly, Deseret News Semi- Weekly, and Deseret News Extra, Salt Lake City as quote in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses. The entry has been reformated.]
'" Thus saith the Lord unto my servant Brigham, Call ye, call ye, upon the inhabitants of Zion, to organize themselves in the Order of Enoch, in the New and Everlasting Covenant, according to the Order of Heaven, for the furtherance of my kingdom upon the earth, for the perfecting of the Saints, for the salvation of the living and the dead.
You can accommodate yourselves by calling this a new revelation, if you choose; it is no new revelation, but it is the express word and will of God to this people.
[Source: Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 17:154-160; Deseret News. Also Deseret Evening News, Deseret News Weekly, Deseret News Semi- Weekly, and Deseret News Extra, Salt Lake City as quote in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses. The entry has been reformated.]
170 years ago today - Aug 9, 1844
The day after he had exacted a vote of confidence from the Nauvoo Saints, Brigham Young and the Quorum of Apostles begin to take firm control of the affairs of the Church by issuing a series of executive orders. On this and ensuing days they 1) appoint Bishops Newel Whitney and George Miller to assume the duties of the Trustee-in-Trust "and settle the affairs of the late Trustee"; 2) order the Nauvoo House Association to "wind up their business and report"; 3) strengthen the city police force; 4) take Amasa Lyman back into the Twelve; 5) put the Nauvoo Neighbor and the Times and Seasons under the personal management of John Taylor; 6) order that "the general superintendancies' [sic] direction and control of emigration from England be in the name of Brigham Young, President of the Quorum of Twelve"; 7) divid the North American Continent into administrative districts presided over by high priests under the direction of Apostles Young, Kimball, and Richards; 8) ordain that "Willard Richards continue the history of the Church and be supported"; 9) say that Lyman Wight and George Miller be allowed to take their company to Texas "if they desire to go"; 10) order an increased wage for some Temple workers; 11) decree that Nauvoo was still the place of gathering and would continue to be so; 12) urge all Saints to "proceed immediately to tithe [themselves of] a tenth of all their property and money-and then let them continue to pay in a tenth of their income-"; and 13) order them to have nothing to do with "politics, voting, or president making at present."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
40 years ago today - Aug 08, 1974
U.S. President Richard M. Nixon announces his resignation, which was a result of the Watergate investigation, in which several Latter-day Saints played a significant role. Among those involved in the investigation was future member of the [Twelve] D. Todd Christofferson, law clerk to Judge John J. Sirica. Christofferson and Sirica were the first to hear the Nixon tapes, which ultimately brought about the president's resignation.
105 years ago today - Aug 8, 1909
[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] -while recuperating in Ocean Park, Calif attends Methodist Sunday School
[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]
[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]
120 years ago today - Aug 8, 1894
[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] I met with Col Isaac Trumbo for 2 Hours. He give me an account of the Great Labor He and Gen Clarkson had in getting the Utah Bill Through Congress & to get it Signed by the President. <It cost the [-] three hundred and thirty thousand dollars to get that bill passed.> It has Been a great Labor to get Utah admitted into the Union.
... I am worked altogether to hard. I dont sleep Nights and am weary by day. As Trustee in trust and the Presidency of the Church we have taken such a load upon us it is Difficult to Carry it.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
... I am worked altogether to hard. I dont sleep Nights and am weary by day. As Trustee in trust and the Presidency of the Church we have taken such a load upon us it is Difficult to Carry it.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
125 years ago today - Aug 8, 1889
[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] I wonder what on earth the good is of my keeping a journal. I would dislike to be under the necessity of reading it and there is certainly no one that I can think of who would take any interest in reading over the same thing comparatively, from year to year.
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
150 years ago today - Aug 8, 1864
[Brigham Young Sermon] If [I] can have attention [to] preach, '"Except ye are one ye are not mine.'" ... - In a political point of view we must become of one heart and of one mind as well as the gospel. At first gathering, Bishops appointed to deal out the inheritances of this people '- but never observed. This revelation [common consent] will yet be fulfilled. ... Is there one Territory in all our nation that is laying up grain for the poor and needy but Utah? No.
[Source: General Church Minutes. Selected Collections from the Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints DVD 1 (2002) as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Source: General Church Minutes. Selected Collections from the Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints DVD 1 (2002) as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
170 years ago today - Aug 8, 1844
[Brigham Young Journal] August the 8th 1844 this day is long to be remembered by me, it is the first time I have met with the Church at Nauvoo sence Brs Joseph and Hyrum was kild -- and the occasion on which the church was Cause somewhat painful to me, Br Rigdon had com from Pitsburge to see the Brotherin and find out if they would sustain him as the leader of the saints, I perseved a spirit to hurray business to get a Trustee & Trust and a Presedecy over the Church Priesthood or no Priesthood right or rong & this grevied my hart, now Joseph is gon it seamd as though menny wanted to draw off a party and be leders, but thir cannot be, the church must be one or they are not the Lords; the saints looked as though they had lost.
a frend that was able and willing to councel them in all things in this time of sorrow my hart was fild with compastion, after Br Rigdon had made a long spech to the saints (I should think 5 thousand) I arose and spoke to the people, my hart was swolen with compassion towards them and by the power of the Holy gost even the spirit of the Prophets I was enabled to comfort the harts of the Saints.
in the afternoon a cordaen to my request the people assembld by thousands I lade before them the order of the church and the Power of the Priesthood, after a long and laboras talk of a bout two ours in the open air with the wind blowing, the Church was of one hart and one mind they wanted the twelve to lead the Church as Br Joseph had dun in his day.
Br Rigdon was cauld upon to make som remarks but refused to due so I cauld upon the church to expres their wishes by vote if they wanted Br Rigdon for their President on which moshin Br Rigdon objected and wanted the vote cauld to see if the church wanted the twelve to Be Preside it was don, and the Church with one hart and voice lifted up their hands for the Twelve to Preside & in this meeting the Quorums was organized the high counsel high Priest seventies /Elders &c--&c
[Source: Brigham Young Journal (1801-1877) Journal #2 July, 1837- Mar. 1845]
a frend that was able and willing to councel them in all things in this time of sorrow my hart was fild with compastion, after Br Rigdon had made a long spech to the saints (I should think 5 thousand) I arose and spoke to the people, my hart was swolen with compassion towards them and by the power of the Holy gost even the spirit of the Prophets I was enabled to comfort the harts of the Saints.
in the afternoon a cordaen to my request the people assembld by thousands I lade before them the order of the church and the Power of the Priesthood, after a long and laboras talk of a bout two ours in the open air with the wind blowing, the Church was of one hart and one mind they wanted the twelve to lead the Church as Br Joseph had dun in his day.
Br Rigdon was cauld upon to make som remarks but refused to due so I cauld upon the church to expres their wishes by vote if they wanted Br Rigdon for their President on which moshin Br Rigdon objected and wanted the vote cauld to see if the church wanted the twelve to Be Preside it was don, and the Church with one hart and voice lifted up their hands for the Twelve to Preside & in this meeting the Quorums was organized the high counsel high Priest seventies /Elders &c--&c
[Source: Brigham Young Journal (1801-1877) Journal #2 July, 1837- Mar. 1845]