[Heber J. Grant] ... you say 'It has always seemed hypocrisy to me for our church and leaders to preach the Word of Wisdom and then at the same time use our Church money invested in business which sells these very articles which it prohibits.' You refer particularly to the Z.C.M.I. and the Hotel Utah.
I think I am perfectly safe in saying that 90% of all the guests of the Utah Hotel are non- members of the Church. If the hotel did not serve the things that are served in other hotels it never could exist; people would naturally go where they could get the things they are accustomed to having. ...
[Source: Heber J. Grant, Letter to O. N. Anderson, 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 - Apr 30, 1900
"A number of young ladies with a guitar" serenade L. John Nuttall who is awakened from his sleep and goes to the window to listen. They sing "O My Father" and other songs. Nuttall had served as personal secretary to Presidents Brigham Young, John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
130 years ago today - Apr 30, 1885
Mass Meeting to send grievances to U.S. President
notified all the Bishops of St. George stake that a mass meeting will be held in St. George Tabernacle for the purpose of representating our griviences as a People to the President of the U.S. and the Nation, asking to be treated like other citizens
[Source: Diary Excerpts of J.D.T. McAllister, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
notified all the Bishops of St. George stake that a mass meeting will be held in St. George Tabernacle for the purpose of representating our griviences as a People to the President of the U.S. and the Nation, asking to be treated like other citizens
[Source: Diary Excerpts of J.D.T. McAllister, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Apr 30, 1845
[Nauvoo Neighbor] - Letter: Letter from Pittsburg about Sidney Rigdon -- Signed, "S. S." -- Letter written by a non-Mormon in Pennsylvania, which describes the fires and calamities that have taken place in the state ever since Sidney Rigdon showed up claiming to be the true prophet.
- Letter: Letter from Pittsburg about Sidney Rigdon (2) -- Signed, "Fred. Von Holstein" -- Describes the calamities in Pennsylvania, and Rigdon's supposed leadership of the Church.
[Source: http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
- Letter: Letter from Pittsburg about Sidney Rigdon (2) -- Signed, "Fred. Von Holstein" -- Describes the calamities in Pennsylvania, and Rigdon's supposed leadership of the Church.
[Source: http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
170 years ago today - Apr 30, 1845
Brigham Young (aged 43) marriage to Emmeline Free (1826-1875) (aged 18) her first marriage, 10 children
[Source: Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
[Source: Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
180 years ago today - Apr 30, 1835
[Patriarchal Blessing of Jonathan H. Hale given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ] ... Thou shalt see the heavens open and view the glories of the upper world. ... Thou shalt speak forth marvelous things, and mountains shall flee before thee, rivers of water shall be turned out of their courses, and waters shall be divide at thy word, if necessary. Prison walls shall fall at thy command and nothing sahll [shall] hinder thee from filling thy mission; for thou shalt speak the words of God in power. Thou shalt have power to remain in the flesh and stand when the Lord unveils His face ...
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
50 years ago today - Apr 29,1965
BYU President Ernest L. Wilkinson makes first reference in his diary to receiving reports from student "spy ring" he has authorized and which becomes national scandal within ten months.
[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]
55 years ago today - Apr 29, 1960
At funeral, first counselor J. Reuben Clark criticizes quartet for leaving out verse concerning Mother in Heaven during their singing of "O My Father."
[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 - Apr 29, 1950
[Spencer W. Kimball] How grateful I am that the Lord has so nearly completely healed my vocal cords. While it is a bit husky yet, I was miraculously healed within hours after I was administered to by Elders Lee and Moyle and Pres. Clark. How very grateful I am!
[Source: Spencer W. Kimball Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: Spencer W. Kimball Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
125 years ago today - Apr 29, 1890
[Brigham Young Jr.] I notice that insignificant items of appeal from High Councils are brot. before the Presidency, and they are expected to see everybody no matter tho' the business is too small for a teachers investigation. All of the brethren seem to be investing in Banks and other money making institutions I am out and feel inclined to remain so. Our Quorum represents firms whose employees are at swords points and [?] brethren too. Let me stand aloof tho' I remain poor, or comparatively . ... Bro[ther] Jno. H. Smith said last U. O. [United Order] resembled communism too much, though present system of Cooperations would unite the people, perhaps better, I could not agree with him but said nothing. There is too much time given, to Cooperations, stocks, bonds, politics etc [ie. gentile politics, presum.] by leaders to please me. We are in all kinds of business interests, even the members of the Twelve represent businesses which are jealous of each other and almost ready to fight each other.
[Source: Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
20 years ago today - Apr 28, 1995
The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints and the American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors have reached an agreement over the issue of the posthumous baptisms of Jewish Holocaust victims by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ...
"From the very beginning these discussions were conducted in a positive and friendly manner," Michel said. "They concluded in today's agreement between the Church and the American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors," he added.
In a statement issue today, the Church agreed, among other actions to be taken, to remove from the next issue of its International Genealogical Index the names of all known Jewish Holocaust victims who are not ancestors of living members of the Church. The American Gathering agreed to communicate with and inform major Jewish organizations as to its agreement with the Church. Four other major Jewish organizations have also approved this agreement....
[Source: A chronicle of the Mormon-Jewish controversy; The LDS Agreement: A JewishGen InfoFile, http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/ldsagree.html]
"From the very beginning these discussions were conducted in a positive and friendly manner," Michel said. "They concluded in today's agreement between the Church and the American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors," he added.
In a statement issue today, the Church agreed, among other actions to be taken, to remove from the next issue of its International Genealogical Index the names of all known Jewish Holocaust victims who are not ancestors of living members of the Church. The American Gathering agreed to communicate with and inform major Jewish organizations as to its agreement with the Church. Four other major Jewish organizations have also approved this agreement....
[Source: A chronicle of the Mormon-Jewish controversy; The LDS Agreement: A JewishGen InfoFile, http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/ldsagree.html]
55 years ago today - Apr 28, 1960
The 100th General Assembly of the Southern Presbyterian Church (PCUS) passed a resolution declaring that sexual relations in the context of marriage but without the intent to conceive children were not sinful.
[Source: Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline]
[Source: Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline]
125 years ago today - Apr 28, 1890
[Telegram:] 'The house committee on territories this morning by strict party vote, ordered a favorable report on disfranchisement bill. No decision by Supreme Court.' ... The question of establishing a L.D.S. University with Elder Willard Young as president of thereof was talked over. Dr [James E.] Talmage told said it would suit him entirely to be at the head of a the scientific course department of such an establishment and be released from the duties of principal. Very busy in business meeting. I listened trying to store my mind with general information. Zion is growing and the multitude of business cares are piling up on the presidency. Their business must be systamatized or be neglected for no men can endure the strain and confusion now resting upon the First Presidency.
[Source: First Presidency 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: First Presidency 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]
130 years ago today - April 28th, 1885
[Abraham H. Cannon Authority Abraham H. Cannon] He (Frank) is arrested for unlawful cohabitation. And out on bail of $1500. "Frank is down from Ogden again and associating with whores."
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
135 years ago today - Apr 28, 1880
[Joseph F. Smith] The subject of the jurisdiction was taken up, Bro[ther] [Orson] Pratt having read a report or an address to the presiding authorities in the church. Some holding that the bishop's court can only disfellowship, but not excommunicate members from the church, others that bishops could cut off any member or officer for transgression. Pending the discussion the council adjourned. Bro[ther]. E[rastus]. Snow threw out an insult to me and M[oses]. Thatcher, but we let it pass.
[Source: Joseph F. Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: Joseph F. 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]
175 years ago today - Apr 28, 1840
[Patriarchal Blessing of Mark Anthony Coombs given by Joseph Smith, Sr.] ... as thou art a man of faith thy prayers shall prevail with the heavens until like Enoch and the brother of Jared thou shalt behold within the vail [veil], and not many days hence thou shalt receive the ministration of the hosts of heaven and thy joy shall be full. ...
And the spirit says thou shalt go unto the Lamanites and speak unto them the words of life and thousands shall believe thy words. Thou shalt be brought to stand before mighty chiefs and they shall speak unto thee in their language and thou shalt ask the Father and he will give unto thee wisdom to speak and understand their language and they shall believe ... thou shalt pray unto God and he will open thy eyes to behold the hidden treasures of the earth, of which thou shalt take and minister ... even if thou shalt go into prisons and bonds thou shalt be delivered by the power of God and thou shalt be a conqueror ...
Thou shalt cross the seas and stand in the palaces of Kings and the great men of the earth, and so great shall be thy power of speech that they shall humble in thy presence for the power of God shall be manifested through thee, unto the convincing them of the truth. ... I say unto thee that there are no blessings in heaven or on earth too great for thee, for there is not a drop of Gentile blood in thy veins...
Thou shalt live to see the winding up scene and thou shalt preach the Gospel as long as there is a wicked man on earth to hear... I now seal thee up unto eternal life and say unto thee thou shalt appear with the Lamb on Mount Zion in the end of thy days with the hundred forty and four thousand having your Father's name written in your forehead and singing the song of Moses & the Lamb. amen.
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
And the spirit says thou shalt go unto the Lamanites and speak unto them the words of life and thousands shall believe thy words. Thou shalt be brought to stand before mighty chiefs and they shall speak unto thee in their language and thou shalt ask the Father and he will give unto thee wisdom to speak and understand their language and they shall believe ... thou shalt pray unto God and he will open thy eyes to behold the hidden treasures of the earth, of which thou shalt take and minister ... even if thou shalt go into prisons and bonds thou shalt be delivered by the power of God and thou shalt be a conqueror ...
Thou shalt cross the seas and stand in the palaces of Kings and the great men of the earth, and so great shall be thy power of speech that they shall humble in thy presence for the power of God shall be manifested through thee, unto the convincing them of the truth. ... I say unto thee that there are no blessings in heaven or on earth too great for thee, for there is not a drop of Gentile blood in thy veins...
Thou shalt live to see the winding up scene and thou shalt preach the Gospel as long as there is a wicked man on earth to hear... I now seal thee up unto eternal life and say unto thee thou shalt appear with the Lamb on Mount Zion in the end of thy days with the hundred forty and four thousand having your Father's name written in your forehead and singing the song of Moses & the Lamb. amen.
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - April 28-30, 1835
Doctrine and Covenants 107:1-58. Kirtland, Ohio.
Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthoods; presidency of the High Priesthood (Melchizedek) can officiate in all offices ; high priests and elders concerned with spiritual affairs ; bishopric presidency of Aaronic ; bishop's "priesthood" lineal ; Aaronic priesthood ministering angels ; church presidency ; Quorum of the Twelve equal to quorum of the church presidency ; seventy missionaries ; quorum of seventy equals Quorum of the Twelve ; Twelve presiding high council ; Twelve direct the seventy ; standing high councils equal traveling high council ; Twelve ordain evangalists [patriarchs] ; lineal priesthood ; Enoch ; Adam's blessing in Adam-ondi-Ahman ; Adam Michael.
...Not printed in the Book of Commandments.
1835 Doctrine and Covenants 3 heading: ON PRIESTHOOD.
[Source: Kenney, Scott; Saints Without Halos, 'Doctrine and Covenants,' http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/s/_dc.phtml]
Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthoods; presidency of the High Priesthood (Melchizedek) can officiate in all offices ; high priests and elders concerned with spiritual affairs ; bishopric presidency of Aaronic ; bishop's "priesthood" lineal ; Aaronic priesthood ministering angels ; church presidency ; Quorum of the Twelve equal to quorum of the church presidency ; seventy missionaries ; quorum of seventy equals Quorum of the Twelve ; Twelve presiding high council ; Twelve direct the seventy ; standing high councils equal traveling high council ; Twelve ordain evangalists [patriarchs] ; lineal priesthood ; Enoch ; Adam's blessing in Adam-ondi-Ahman ; Adam Michael.
...Not printed in the Book of Commandments.
1835 Doctrine and Covenants 3 heading: ON PRIESTHOOD.
[Source: Kenney, Scott; Saints Without Halos, 'Doctrine and Covenants,' http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/s/_dc.phtml]
180 years ago today - Apr 28, 1835
[Quorum of Twelve minutes] Elder Mc Lellin then read the commandment given concerning the choosing of the twelve before the Council. Motioned and carried that we each forgive one another every wrong that has existed among us; and that from hence forth each one of the twelve love his brother as himself in temporal as well as in spiritual things, always enquiring into each others welfare.
[Source: Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Minutes of Meetings and Other Documents--Excerpts, 1835-1896, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Minutes of Meetings and Other Documents--Excerpts, 1835-1896, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
50 years ago today - Apr 27, 1965
BYU President Ernest Wilkinson wrote to Apostle Benson's son Mark for "any specific information that will be helpful to me respecting [professor] Richard Poll and his associates . . ."
[Source: Ernest L. Wilkinson to Mark Benson, 27 Apr. 1965, Wilkinson Papers. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
[Source: Ernest L. Wilkinson to Mark Benson, 27 Apr. 1965, Wilkinson Papers. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
100 years ago today - Apr 27, 1915
This communication was prepared by Brother Edward H. Anderson, he having brought to the attention of the Presidency the "Home Evening" gathering, said by him to have been quite successful in the Granite Stake.
Dear Brethren and Sisters:
...we advise and urge the inauguration of a "Home Evening" throughout the Church, at which time fathers and mothers may gather their boys and girls about them in the home and teach them the word of the Lord. ...This "Home Evening" should be devoted to prayer, singing hymns, songs, instrumental music, scripture-reading, family topics and specific instruction on the principles of the gospel, and on the ethical problems of life, as well as the duties and obligations of children to parents, the home, the Church, society and the nation. For the smaller children appropriate recitations, songs, stories and games may be introduced. Light refreshments of such a nature as may be largely prepared in the home might be served.
Formality and stiffness should be studiously avoided, and all the family participate in the exercises. ...
We request that the Presidents of Stakes and Bishops throughout the Church set aside at least one evening each month for this purpose, and that upon such evenings no other Church duties shall be required of the people. ...
[Source: 1915-April 27-Original letter. Church Historian's Library, as quoted in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
Dear Brethren and Sisters:
...we advise and urge the inauguration of a "Home Evening" throughout the Church, at which time fathers and mothers may gather their boys and girls about them in the home and teach them the word of the Lord. ...This "Home Evening" should be devoted to prayer, singing hymns, songs, instrumental music, scripture-reading, family topics and specific instruction on the principles of the gospel, and on the ethical problems of life, as well as the duties and obligations of children to parents, the home, the Church, society and the nation. For the smaller children appropriate recitations, songs, stories and games may be introduced. Light refreshments of such a nature as may be largely prepared in the home might be served.
Formality and stiffness should be studiously avoided, and all the family participate in the exercises. ...
We request that the Presidents of Stakes and Bishops throughout the Church set aside at least one evening each month for this purpose, and that upon such evenings no other Church duties shall be required of the people. ...
[Source: 1915-April 27-Original letter. Church Historian's Library, as quoted in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
60 years ago today - Apr 27, 1955
The First Presidency and Church Board of Education send out a letter stating that Ricks College would return to its status as a junior college after having been a four-year school since the 1949–50 school year.
130 years ago today - Apr 27, 1885 (Tuesday)
[Future apostle] Abraham H. Cannon, of Salt Lake City, was arrested on a charge of u.c. [Unlawful Cohabitation, I.E. living with a polygamous wife], and placed under $1,500 bonds.
The jury returned a verdict of guilty against [Stake] Pres. Angus M. Cannon, for u.c.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
The jury returned a verdict of guilty against [Stake] Pres. Angus M. Cannon, for u.c.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
140 years ago today - Apr 27, 1875
Missionary and future apostle John Henry Smith records in his journal: "Chester Call had been perpetrating a fearfull outrage upon a 12 year old daughter of Bro. Scott. The letter was shown to Bro. Call, and he owned to the fact that he had put his hand under her clothes and fingered her privates. The brethren decided that Bro. Call should stop away from meeting on Sunday which he did. On Monday Bros. Lyman and MacFarland went and saw the parents of the child, who told substantially the same story as bro. Call with the exception that the child said he put his finger up her three times. . . . Bro. Call did not try to go any farther in this affair. He went away from the House and was gone three days and returned to Bro. Scotts and asked them to forgive him and they said they would." Chester Call is sent "home as soon as possible."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
145 years ago today - Apr 27, 1870
An abandoned child was left at the door of Mrs -- The first circumstance of the kind known in Salt Lake City.
[Source: Richards, Franklin Dewey and Little, James A., Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel, Church Chronology, Ch.66, p.306, http://www.amazon.com/Compendium-Doctrines-Gospel-ebook/dp/B002LTY4Z0?ie=UTF8tag=mormonchronic-20link_code=btlcamp=213689creative=392969]
[Source: Richards, Franklin Dewey and Little, James A., Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel, Church Chronology, Ch.66, p.306, http://www.amazon.com/Compendium-Doctrines-Gospel-ebook/dp/B002LTY4Z0?ie=UTF8tag=mormonchronic-20link_code=btlcamp=213689creative=392969]
160 years ago today - Apr 27, 1855
Lieutenant in Colonel E. J. Steptoe's command in Salt Lake City writes to friend about his romance and near seduction of one of the wives of Brigham Young's son Joseph (who is on a mission): "Mary [Ayers] Young and I had to give up. Brigham sent me word that if I took her away he would have me killed before I could get out of the Territory. He is a man of his word and little matters of this sort are concluded, I had better not do it, although I went back to the city purposely to get her. We wrote each other affectionate notes."
[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 - Apr 27, 1845
Old Father Cowles [former high councilman] one of Laws apostates was there, a company of boys assembled to whistle him out of Town but I prevented them. I came home and in the evening went to police,on my way was informed that the old man had been whistled out immediately after meeting. I met police & came home before dark.
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
170 years ago today - Apr 27, 1845
Orson Hyde refers to Negroes as the cursed lineage of Canaan and says that the curse of servility which they bore was for actions in the Preexistence. He also expressed the fear that the curse of Cain would come on him and his posterity if he did not repent his apostasy.
[Source: "Speech Delivered Before the High Priests Quorum in Nauvoo", MS in Utah State Historical Society referenced in Crapo, Richley, Chronology Pertaining to Blacks and the LDS Priesthood]
[Source: "Speech Delivered Before the High Priests Quorum in Nauvoo", MS in Utah State Historical Society referenced in Crapo, Richley, Chronology Pertaining to Blacks and the LDS Priesthood]
50 years ago today - Apr 26, 1965
Covert surveillance occurs by BYU-Birch student in the form of either correspondence, classroom questioning, or private meetings to extract "pro-Communist" views from their professors.
[Source: Whittaker and McClellan, "The Collection: Description," 2, register of Hillam Papers; Stephen Hays Russell to Ernest L. Wilkinson, 26 Apr. 1965. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
[Source: Whittaker and McClellan, "The Collection: Description," 2, register of Hillam Papers; Stephen Hays Russell to Ernest L. Wilkinson, 26 Apr. 1965. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
115 years ago today - Apr 26, 1900 (Thursday)
The Supreme Court of Utah sustained the order of the Board of Education of Salt Lake City, to exclude unvaccinated children.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
120 years ago today - Apr 26, 1895
[Wilford Woodruff] I had an interview with Judge Powers & Patt Lannan. They wanted to get the promise of the Tabernacle for A United States Political Convention for the Nomination of A President. We agreed to Give the use of the Tabernacle for that purpose.
[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]
130 years ago today - Apr 26, 1885
[J.D.T. McAllister Diary] Vision of future events in St. George
This night had a Vision, the top parts of the houses in the first St. George ward and as far as I could see were demolished. my own Ann E. place altered. trees cut down one with the side walk--strangers building large places. Some large ones already.
[Source: Diary Excerpts of J.D.T. McAllister, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
This night had a Vision, the top parts of the houses in the first St. George ward and as far as I could see were demolished. my own Ann E. place altered. trees cut down one with the side walk--strangers building large places. Some large ones already.
[Source: Diary Excerpts of J.D.T. McAllister, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Apr 26, 1835
Thomas B. Marsh and Orson Pratt are ordained apostles and members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Marsh, erroneously thought to be the eldest, is ordained the president of the quorum.
[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]
45 years ago today - Apr 25, 1970
CHURCH NEWS has headline reference to recently sustained LDS president as "The Prophet," which is repeated in May 9 article "A Tribute To The Prophet." Joseph Fielding Smith is first LDS president identified by CHURCH NEWS headlines as "The Prophet" throughout his administration. This practice intensifies for his successors.
[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 - Apr 25, 1950
Ezra Taft Benson was sealed in marriage to his recently deceased cousin, Eva Amanda Benson (July 6, 1882–August 10, 1946). Eva was the never-married daughter of Benson's uncle Frank Andrus Benson. Benson's wife Flora had first suggested acting as proxy for Eva, then did so during the vicarious ordinance performed by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith in the Salt Lake Temple. "I have never witnessed a more unselfish act on the part of any person," Benson recorded, "and I love Flora all the more because of it. The Lord will richly bless her for this act of unselfish love for Eva and me and the Kingdom. Flora is one of the choicest daughters of our Heavenly Father."
[Source: Ezra Taft Benson, Diary, April 25, 1950; Gary James Bergera, "Weak-Kneed Republicans and Socialist Democrats": Ezra Taft Benson as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, 1953-61, Part 2, Dialogue : A Journal of Mormon Thought, (Winter 2008, vol 41)]
[Source: Ezra Taft Benson, Diary, April 25, 1950; Gary James Bergera, "Weak-Kneed Republicans and Socialist Democrats": Ezra Taft Benson as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, 1953-61, Part 2, Dialogue : A Journal of Mormon Thought, (Winter 2008, vol 41)]
120 years ago today - Apr 25, 1895
The First Presidency and Twelve meet in the Salt Lake Temple and "we took up the sub[c]jet of H B [B. H.] Roberts & M[oses] Thatcher Advocating Subject in the [statehood] Convention against our interest." Wilford Woodruff states that B.H. Roberts "had done the saints more harm in his Speeches in the Convention than all the liberal element in the city." Roberts had vigorously opposed women suffrage which was favored by the First Presidency.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
130 years ago today - Apr 25, 1885
Mormon colonists in Mexico are ordered by the chief magistrate of Casas Grandes to leave the country by this date. Church leaders appeal to Mexican President Porfirio Diaz who has already decided to let the Mormons stay and has fired the official who issued the expulsion order.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
155 years ago today - Apr 25, 1860
[Brigham Young] ... There is another vary important subject which I wish to speak of & that is the Temptation you will have From women. This has Caused the down fall of more Elders in this Church than any other thing. There is some Elders who go on there missions all there lives and keep themselves Clean & pure all there lives. Others Comes home and are shady. There Countenance Falls. They Cannot look you strait in the Eye. They [have] fallen in the snare.
Joseph Said in speaking to the First Twelve that they would have to watch against this snare For they would have more trouble From this source than any other. Now let evry woman alon while you are gone. Dont lay your hand upon any woman, but keep yourselves Clean. Some have to bring a group of women with them. They have to get a new dove into there house while they are gone. Let those things alone while abroad. But what is done upon that subject let it be done here....
[Source: Brigham Young remarks as quoted in Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Joseph Said in speaking to the First Twelve that they would have to watch against this snare For they would have more trouble From this source than any other. Now let evry woman alon while you are gone. Dont lay your hand upon any woman, but keep yourselves Clean. Some have to bring a group of women with them. They have to get a new dove into there house while they are gone. Let those things alone while abroad. But what is done upon that subject let it be done here....
[Source: Brigham Young remarks as quoted in Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
160 years ago today - Apr 25, 1855
[Brigham Young ] Evening attended the [first meeting of] '"Deseret Theological Institute'" in the Social Hall and heard an address by President B. Young who stated that the whole object of the Institution was comprehended in these words. To know the only wise God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent, which is Life Eternal. Spoke of Adam being a God and head of the human family. to know him was to learn his true character. He spoke for more than an hour. -- Salt Lake City
[Source: Sermons and Writings of the Restoration. 4 Vols. Ogden Kraut, ed. Pioneer Press, 1994, 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: Sermons and Writings of the Restoration. 4 Vols. Ogden Kraut, ed. Pioneer Press, 1994, 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 - Apr 25, 1845
James H. Monroe, a convert and school teacher in Nauvoo who taught the children of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, writes in his diary: "My time was spent, when not occupied with my school, in reading Fowler's Phrenology, a very valuable work in my estimation, and containing much information of especial benefit to me in my present capacity, as it enables me to form a better opinion of the tastes, feelings, and powers of my little protiges and thereby suggests the proper mode of education, and tells me which faculties are necessary to be cultivated. I think I must make out a chart of their heads with a description of their character as shown by the development of their organs, and then concoct a plan for their education in accordance with those principles." Four days later he complete's the phrenology chart of Joseph Smith III's head, "which [was] admitted to be correct by his mother "
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
Apr. 1830
Joseph Smith visits the Knights in Colesville, N. Y. After several meetings, Newel Knight cannot bring himself to pray vocally. He returns from the woods, where he attemptedâ€"unsuccessfullyâ€"to pray, and his limbs and face become very distorted; he is tossed around the room under the power of Satan. Joseph lays his hands on him and rebukes the devil in the name of Christ, and Newel is healed miraculously in the presence of eight or nine neighbors. This is the first miracle in the Church.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
120 years ago today - Apr 24, 1895
[Brigham Young Jr.] Loafed around the office for want of something better to do. Have read Bro[ther] [Apostle] M.[oses] Thatcher's speech on the Convention and disapp[r]ove of it, he is out of order-- abusive, he is not united with his quorum. Learn that certain are employing spotters to catch leading men on Unlawful Cohab. The cloven foot is coming out gain the Repub[lican], organ is firing big gums at Church authorities. The "Lib" Party begins to wriggle & spit venom.
[Source: Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
125 years ago today - Apr 24, 1890
[Brigham Young Jr.] Presidency cannot Consent to have our people promise to obey the 'law,' repudiate all wives but one, tho' some of the brethren who are actually obeying the law want to know what the difference is. In our circle meeting this afternoon I had a strong intimation or impression, I thought of the spirit, that Joseph F. Smith & myself will wear this anti Polygamy law out, and ere long we shall ride in these streets with our wives and children.
[Source: Brigham Young Jr. Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: Brigham Young Jr. Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
130 years ago today - Apr 24, 1885 (Friday)
Bishop Hiram B. Clawson, of Salt Lake City, was arrested on a charge of u.c. [Unlawful Cohabitation, I.E. living with a polygamous wife], and placed under $1,500 bonds.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
170 years ago today - Apr 24, 1845
Emma Smith argues that the Nauvoo high council is the presiding authority of the church and that William Marks is the lawful successor to her husband. She bases this on an 1835 revelation (D&C 107). Brigham Young writes a letter to U.S. President James K. Polk asking, "Will it be too much for us to ask you to convene a special session of congress and furnish us an asylum, where we can enjoy our rights of conscience and religion unmolested?"
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
180 years ago today - Apr 24, 1835
Smith, the Mormon Prophet, was recognised, on Wednesday last, by Justice Miller of this village, for his appearance at the next Court of Common Pleas, to answer to a charge of Assault and Battery committed upon the person of his brother-in-law. [The hearing is postponed when the brother-in-law leaves the state for a time.]
[Source: Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Source: Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
30 years ago today - Apr 23, 1985
Alvin Rust advances Hofmann $150,000 to purchase "McLellin Collection" in New York City. Hofmann later tells Rust that he has sold the McLellin Collection to the LDS church for $300,000.
[Source: Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,]
[Source: Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,]
55 years ago today - Apr 23, 1960
THE CHURCH NEWS quotes First Presidency Counselor Reuben J. Clark: "I am not a strict constructionalist, believing that we seal our eternal progress by what we do here. It is my belief that God will save all of His children that he can; and while, if we live unrighteously here, we shall not go to the other side in the same status, so to speak, as those who lived righteously; nevertheless, the unrighteous will have their chance, and in the eons of the eternities that are to follow, they, too, may climb to the destinies to which they who are righteous and serve God, have climbed to those eternities that are to come"
[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 - Apr 23, 1950
[Spencer W. Kimball] A MIRACLE Certainly it was a miracle when my voice cleared up so nearly immediately after administration by Elders Lee and Pres. Clark and Elder Moyle. People calling me on the telephone (Ida Romney and others) who heard me answer were almost shocked. Pres. Clark was overjoyed when he heard my voice. Since the blessing it has been strong and not too harsh. For ten days prior thereto I could hardly make a sound that could be heard more than a few feet. How grateful I am the Lord [?]. I am positive that nothing that the Doctors were doing had or did affect that change.
[Source: Spencer W. Kimball Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: Spencer W. Kimball Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
115 years ago today - Apr 23, 1900
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill] Monday. Richmond. I attended Priesthood Meeting at 10 a. m., about 65 of the Brethren present. Bishop Skidmore resigned as Bishop and the resignation was accepted, and Thomas Hazen Merrill was chosen by 33 persons to fill his place. There were 35 names presented, ranging from 1 to 33 votes; 33 for T. H. Merrill was 12 more than any other one got. Alma Merrill got the next highest vote, 21, and August Schow and James Funk got the next highest, 15 and 12 each, and they were chosen Counselors to the Bishop. In the afternoon a full congregation was in attendance of all the people and the action of the Priesthood Meeting was ratified.
[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]
125 years ago today - Apr 23, 1890
[Apostle Abraham H. Cannon] I listened this forenoon to a narration by Bp. Timothy Winters of Rexburg [Idaho] of the course of [Stake] Pres. Thos. E. Ricks of the Bannock Stake. Bro. Winters has received notice to prepare for a mission to New Zealand in August next, and he believes that Pres. R. has been instrumental in having him called through spite because their views have not been alike. I learned through Bp. Winters, whom I am at liberty to quote as authority, that Pres. R. is very arbitrary in his way thus creating a feeling against him among the people. He also drinks and has been seen more than once in a drunken condition. About five weeks ago as he was returning from Salt Lake he joined some of the Home Missionaries who had been laboring in Eagle Rock and Pocatello and rode with them to Market Lake. At the latter place as they were waiting for a team to convey them to Rexburg, he invited these brethren and some strangers who were present to step up to the bar and drink with him and then play cards. The brethren refused to drink, but indulged in card-playing. He, however, drank until he was intoxicated and also played cards. These matters are talked about in the stake and are sure to injure his standing. ...
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon (Author), Edward Leo Lyman (Editor), Candid Insights of a Mormon Apostle: The Diaries of Abraham H. Cannon, 1889-1895, Signature Books]
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon (Author), Edward Leo Lyman (Editor), Candid Insights of a Mormon Apostle: The Diaries of Abraham H. Cannon, 1889-1895, Signature Books]
170 years ago today - Apr 23, 1845
[Nauvoo Neighbor] Letter: Letter to John Taylor about the Whistling and Whittling Brigade [a group that intimidates critics] -- Signed, "A.H." -- Describes some recent actions taken by the whistling and whittling brigade.
- Story: Rigdon Forms New Church Leadership -- Signed, "Pelagaram" -- Announces Sidney Rigdon's appointment of a new quorum of Twelve and Seventy....
- Announcement: Sale of Some of Joseph Smith's Estate -- Emma Smith -- Emma signs as "Guardian," and offers some of Joseph's Land for sale.
[Source: http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
- Story: Rigdon Forms New Church Leadership -- Signed, "Pelagaram" -- Announces Sidney Rigdon's appointment of a new quorum of Twelve and Seventy....
- Announcement: Sale of Some of Joseph Smith's Estate -- Emma Smith -- Emma signs as "Guardian," and offers some of Joseph's Land for sale.
[Source: http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
170 years ago today - Apr 23, 1845
[Wilford Woodruff] I looked over Elder Lorenzo D. Barnes Trunk. ...I carefully filed them all with his own compositions & Journals Patriarchal Blessings [and other items] of which I carefully put in a package & sealed it with wax & stamped it with a large Masonic Stamp ...
After I retired to rest at night I fell asleep And had the following dream: I was in company with a number of the Twelve & other Brethren. I thought I had Just returned to Nauvoo from my English mission. We met with Br Joseph Smith the Prophet. I shook hands with him And asked him if he & his family were well. He said they were. I Thought the endowment had been given & he was counciling us about taking a mission abroad some portion of the time. While talkinghe sat in a Chair & leaned upon my breast. He said he was going to take a mission to India & pointed out the man to go with him but I cannot now call him by name. G. A. Smith asked liberty of Joseph to become better acquainted with me or to spend more time with me that we might be prepared to take a mission together. It was granted him. O Pratt had his mission appointed I do not know whare. Lyman Wight was spoken of. Do not recollect what was said. We had an interesting time together. All seemed happy to once more see the Prophet.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
After I retired to rest at night I fell asleep And had the following dream: I was in company with a number of the Twelve & other Brethren. I thought I had Just returned to Nauvoo from my English mission. We met with Br Joseph Smith the Prophet. I shook hands with him And asked him if he & his family were well. He said they were. I Thought the endowment had been given & he was counciling us about taking a mission abroad some portion of the time. While talkinghe sat in a Chair & leaned upon my breast. He said he was going to take a mission to India & pointed out the man to go with him but I cannot now call him by name. G. A. Smith asked liberty of Joseph to become better acquainted with me or to spend more time with me that we might be prepared to take a mission together. It was granted him. O Pratt had his mission appointed I do not know whare. Lyman Wight was spoken of. Do not recollect what was said. We had an interesting time together. All seemed happy to once more see the Prophet.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
50 years ago today - Apr 22, 1965
Reed Benson publicly endorsed [John Birch Society founder] Robert Welch's accusation that U.S. president Eisenhower had been a Communist agent. Then the loyal son probably consulted Apostle Benson in advance about his apparent plan to use the Birch Society to disrupt the next general conference with rumors of a violent demonstration by African- Americans. Ezra Taft Benson's official biography [by Sherri Dew, Deseret Book] is silent about Benson's and his son's devotion to the Birch Society but observes that in 1965-66 Reed Benson "continued to be involved in the fight for freedom which his father supported . . ."
[Source: "Reed Benson Says Welch Was Correct in Calling Eisenhower Communist," Provo Daily Herald, 22 Apr. 1965, 2; Dew, Ezra Taft Benson, 391. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
[Source: "Reed Benson Says Welch Was Correct in Calling Eisenhower Communist," Provo Daily Herald, 22 Apr. 1965, 2; Dew, Ezra Taft Benson, 391. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
120 years ago today - Apr 22, 1895
[Apostle Brigham Young Jr.] Alas one of our number [Apostle Moses Thatcher] seems to persist in walking alone and tho' weak in body professes to be strong in the Lord. I fear much for his life & sta[n]ding in his Quorum. If he were more humble God would spare his life [from illness] I believe.
[Source: Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
125 years ago today - Apr 22, 1890
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill] Brother Poulter taking us with his team in company with his wife (one of Thomas Grover's girls, and one of his 52 children) to Snake River, about 25 miles ...
[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]
130 years ago today - Apr 22, 1885
[J.D.T. McAllister Diary] Bore testimony to wives and children
A.M. wrote to my families in Salt Lake wives and Children. bore my testimony to God's great work including the Order of the Priesthood Celestial Marriage. or plurality of wives.
[Source: Diary Excerpts of J.D.T. McAllister, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
A.M. wrote to my families in Salt Lake wives and Children. bore my testimony to God's great work including the Order of the Priesthood Celestial Marriage. or plurality of wives.
[Source: Diary Excerpts of J.D.T. McAllister, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Apr 22, 1880
[Wilford Woodruff] ... A Revelation was discussed and Received as the word of the Lord. Many good remarks were made by the Apostles. ...
[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 - Apr 22, 1875
Future apostle John Henry Smith writes in his missionary journal, " When I got up this morning I found that Sister Ellen Drybury had went to work and washed out my stockings and got them dry for me. It is the first time one of the sisters had been so thoughtfull, and I shall ever remember her thoughtfullness as my stockings were very nasty."
[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 - Apr 22, 1845
[Heber C. Kimball] At 10 Oclock the Council of Fifty met in the Seventies Hall. Brother Joseph Tomson gave me one dollar in cash as a Token of his love to me.
[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]
70 years ago today - Apr 21, 1945
CHURCH NEWS reports that due to ward's lack of deacon-age boys, bishop has called young girls (ages 12 to 14) to do work of deacons such as collecting fast offerings.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - Apr 21, 1890
[Brigham Young Jr.] Appointment to meet heirs Father's [i.e., Brigham Young's] Estate at Pres[iden]t office. Bro[ther]. Geo[rge]. C[annon]. felt I ought to be the[re] so I crossed the street at 1 p.m. Number of people saw me. Meeting with 17 of 29 heirs was satisfactory. Voted for Trustees to settle up estate. Committee of Seven of heirs or representatives were appointed to devise a wayto close up the Estate and provide liberally for the widows. Adjourned sine die. ... Drove to Bro[ther] [George Q.] Cannon's farm in evening. Very dark, roads muddy but safe from enemies. Talked with Bro[ther]. C[annon]. about estate, we are united in our opinion that it should be settled up as soon as practicable. I think some of those heirs who have been settled with are becoming very hungry for money and look with longing eyes upon the fat the estate has gathered in the last 12 years.
[Source: Brigham Young Jr. Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: Brigham Young Jr. Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
155 years ago today - Apr 21, 1860
[Wilford Woodruff] I also learned that Thomas Williams & Permanic Jackman while on the way to Calafornia was murdered by the Indians. They were shot by arrors. Thus was Ended the life of the Thomas Williams who has apostitized from the Church and became an Enemy to the Saints. His [He] has received his reward.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Apr 21, 1845
[Nauvoo Temple] At 3 p.m. William Player placed the first star stone in the frieze of the entablature at the southeast corner, "the 'stars' will add much to the beauty of the Temple." The southeast corner was called "Joseph's corner."
[Source: Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
[Source: Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
175 years ago today - Apr 21, 1840
U.S. Post Office Department designation for Commerce, Illinois is changed to Nauvoo, "a Hebrew term signifying a beautiful place." Although credit for the inventive name is usually given to Joseph Smith, contemporaries attribute it to George W. Robinson, Robinson, appointed Nauvoo's first postmaster, had studied under Kirtland's Jewish tutor Joshua Seixas and was "quite a Hebrew scholar."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
50 years ago today - Apr 20, 1965
A Birch student-spy had been involved in the 1965 monitoring of BYU Professor Richard Poll, had publicly accused Poll of having a Communist subversive speak to his classes.
[Source: E. Eugene Bryce, "Campus Speaker Affiliated With Subversive Groupings," Provo Daily Herald, 20 Apr. 1965, 10. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
[Source: E. Eugene Bryce, "Campus Speaker Affiliated With Subversive Groupings," Provo Daily Herald, 20 Apr. 1965, 10. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
50 years ago today - Apr 20, 1965
Upon receipt of your letter of April 14 [1965], I took the first opportunity which was presented to submit the matter of reinstating your father [i.e., excommunicated apostle John W. Taylor], and President [David O.] McKay asked if you intend to be in this area soon. He stated if you are he would be very glad to see you and discuss this whole matter with you.
It is my opinion that President McKay is very sympathetic to your father's situation, but he did want to talk with you a bit with respect to it. The first time you are in the city perhaps you will wish to call on him. Let me be helpful if I can. Greetings and best wishes always.
[Source: Hugh B. Brown, Letter to Samuel W. Taylor, 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]
It is my opinion that President McKay is very sympathetic to your father's situation, but he did want to talk with you a bit with respect to it. The first time you are in the city perhaps you will wish to call on him. Let me be helpful if I can. Greetings and best wishes always.
[Source: Hugh B. Brown, Letter to Samuel W. Taylor, 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]
65 years ago today - Apr 20, 1950
[Spencer W. Kimball] ... then I was administered to by Pres. Clark Elder Lee and Elder Moyle. It was a marvelous blessing and they visited quite a while consoling me and building up my faith. I have had a trying week and in fact a trying month. Facing the possible cancer of my vocal cords was not a happy outlook.
[Source: Spencer W. Kimball Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: Spencer W. Kimball Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
65 years ago today - Apr 20, 1950
[David O. McKay] 8:30 a.m.'Judge Nephi Jensen was the next visitor to the office. He had previously written asking for an appointment. He wanted to know why his article on 'Grace' has not been printed. He has been notified that it was submitted to Joseph Fielding Smith. Judge Jensen cannot understand why that article, which is the product of 20 years of study, should not be printed.
[Source: David O. McKay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: David O. McKay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
80 years ago today - Apr 20, 1935
[Heber J. Grant] President Harold B. Lee of Pioneer Stake called. Brother McKay and I had a long talk with him regarding proposed plans for Church relief, outlined by President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. something over a year ago. He expressed his perfect faith that the plan should be carried out and our people taken care of by going back to the old system of taking tithes in kind and building warehouses to take care of surplus crops in one section and moving them to another.
[On April 18 of the following year, Lee is called to preside over the Church Security Program (renamed Church Welfare Program in 1938). Initially devised to help members who had been impoverished by the Great Depression, the Church Welfare Program is declared a permanent undertaking of the church on April 5, 1949.]
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies; http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/282148/]
[On April 18 of the following year, Lee is called to preside over the Church Security Program (renamed Church Welfare Program in 1938). Initially devised to help members who had been impoverished by the Great Depression, the Church Welfare Program is declared a permanent undertaking of the church on April 5, 1949.]
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies; http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/282148/]
120 years ago today - Apr 20, 1895
[Wilford Woodruff] While discussing the subjet the spirit of the Lord rested upon us & Designated Edward Partridge as President [of a Stake] & David John as first & Reed Smoot as second Councillors so we Settled upon that as we were all united upon that.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
120 years ago today - Apr 20, 1895
[Francis M. Lyman] GQC [George Q. Cannon] said chief cause of apostasy was speaking against Lord's annointed, then adultery and fornication
[Source: Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Tuesday, Apr 20, 1880
[Franklin D. Richards] Had lengthy conversation with Prest. [John] Taylor on various subjects. Learned the Key word of the K[ingdom].
[Source: Franklin D. Richards journal, as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
[Source: Franklin D. Richards journal, as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
170 years ago today - Apr 20, 1845
[Brigham Young] ... I thought I would speak upon the principle of becoming a God - is simply to be in possession of a kingdom and that makes him an Almighty man to that kingdom as Joseph said it is written in your scriptures '"to whom the word of God came - they were Gods'" - when a man is in possession of the principles of revelation, who obtains knowledge more than any other being - it actually make a God of him - if you go to the heathen nations and find a man who has knowledge more than any one else - he is a God to them - there are a many Gods and when we get through from chief to chief of them we shall find there is one who is head of all - there are lords many and gods many but to us there is but one God - and that tabernacle can be but in one place at once, but the intelligence that fills that body can fill the immensity of space - Jesus was but in one place at a time - the character of God is the influence that is bestowed upon his subjects, and this is the Almighty God - if I had the influence. I could rule over all the people as an Almighty being - our Savior can come and rule as king of nations as he now is king of saints ... Gentile blood is rebellious blood - it was in Cain, and the translators have translated rebellious blood Gentile blood- ... - every man that does not come up to the help of the Lord will be handed over to Satan and he will sift them - if this church is able to arise without being whipped and mashed it will not be five years before the rich men of the world will want to lodge their money in the hands of our bishops and it will be the greatest safety fund in the world - ... - I say it in the name of Israel's God - hang up your fiddle - let it be burnt up and give your Bishopric to another you will be cursed, in your goods, your cattle, your clothes shall be moth eaten - and you shall be cursed if you wont do your duty - when you have done your plowing and planting - put your horses and your teams to work at the temple and the Nauvoo House - and you shall be blessed.
[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]
30 years ago today - Apr 19, 1985
Elder Bruce R. McConkie dies.
[Source: Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)]
[Source: Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)]
100 years ago today - Apr 19, 1915; Monday
[James E. Talmage] Finished the actual writing on the book "Jesus the Christ", to which I have devoted every spare hour since settling down to the work of composition on September 14th last. Had it not been that I was privileged to do this work in the Temple it would be at present far from completion. I have felt the inspiration of the place and have appreciated the privacy and quiteness incident thereto. I hope to proceed with the work of revision without delay.
[Source: James E. Talmage, Diary]
[Source: James E. Talmage, Diary]
150 years ago today - Apr 19, 1865
[Wilford Woodruff] 19 {AL} This is the day Set apart by the Nation for the funeral Seremonies of Abram Lincoln in all the States & Territories. A Large Assembly met at the Tabernacle at 12 oclock of all Classes Civil & Military Jew & Gentile. Elder F. D. Richards made the opening prayer. Elder A Lyman Delivered an address of about 30 minutes. Then Rev Norman M.C. Leod delivered an Eulogy upon President Abram Lincoln. W. Woodruff delivered the benediction at the Close I called at Presidets Youngs office.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Apr 19, 1840. Sunday.
[William Clayton] Had conversation with Mary Darrah. She says she cannot believe the testimony. She has long seen baptism to be a duty. She asked if God was no respecter of persons why had he not sent an angel sooner &c.
[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]
185 years ago today - Circa Apr 19, 1830
Willard Chase asks Hyrum Smith to return the seer stone. Martin Harris is present. Chase says that Hyrum was indignant and shook his fist at him . On 19 April 1830, Abner Cole published a note, perhaps written by Chase, warning Hyrum "not to be quite so impertinent, when decent folks denounce the imposition of the `Gold Bible'".
[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]
105 years ago today - Apr 18, 1910
[Joseph Fielding Smith] I spent the afternoon at the Historians Office and learned that early this morning an attempt was made by dynamiters to blow up the steel work of the Utah Hotel; great damage was done and the windows in the neighborhood were broken. This is the second attempt of this kind.
[Source: Joseph Fielding Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: Joseph Fielding Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
110 years ago today - Apr 18, 1905
President Joseph F. Smith and eight of his sons sit in his official box at the Salt Lake theatre to watch a prize fight that lasts for "twenty gory rounds."
[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 - Apr 18, 1895
[Brigham Young Jr.] Pres[iden]t. [George Q.] Cannon M[outh at the altar]. I was much affected during his prayer, my heart melted within me. ... George & I had a pleasant chat on doctrine of marriage etc. His views are peculiar, but I know the responsibility of this whole question rests upon him, and how can he meet the demands? Rulers in this nation will have a heavy bill to settle when they reach the spirit world.
[Source: Brigham Young Jr. Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: Brigham Young Jr. Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
160 years ago today - Apr 18, 1855
Deseret News uses the word "sodomy" for the first time quoting an account of Elder Nathanial Vary Jones, a returned missionary who served in Burma, near India. The missionary says (incorrectly) that "150 years ago" India was on the verge of becoming "extinct" because a "national evil" prevailed which was "the crime of sodomy." The missionary said the reigning Indian king and queen decreed all women must wear a sari in order to "reclaim the men" and save the country from homosexuality.
[Source: Timeline of Mormon Thinking About Homosexuality, http://rationalfaiths.com/timeline-of-mormon-thinking-about-homosexuality/]
[Source: Timeline of Mormon Thinking About Homosexuality, http://rationalfaiths.com/timeline-of-mormon-thinking-about-homosexuality/]
185 years ago today - Apr 18, 1830 (Sunday)
Late in April the Prophet Joseph visited Joseph Knight, at Colesville, Broome Co., N. Y., where, under the Prophet's administration, the first miracle was wrought in this dispensation, viz: casting out devils.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
80 years ago today - 80 years ago - Apr 17, 1935
[Heber J. Grant] I regret that so many young people seem to be determined not to dress modestly; I would be happy if it were otherwise.
[Source: Heber J. Grant, Letter to Rachel Stromberg, 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: Heber J. Grant, Letter to Rachel Stromberg, 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 - 115 years ago - Apr 17, 1900
Brigham Young Academy president Benjamin Cluff Jr. along with a company of two teachers and about twenty students leave Provo expecting to be gone for two years. Their destination is South America where they hope to locate rivers, cities, and places that would "throw light on the divine claims of the Book of Mormon." When the expedition reaches Spanish Fork they are received with a Brass Band and a Banquet in their honor. They are received with so many banquets that they don't cook their own food until eleven days into the journey. At the Mexican Border Cluff negotiates with border officials to allow passage through Mexico while the rest of the group boards with church members in Thatcher, Arizona. Cluff lingers in Mexico hoping to marry a polygamous third wife, Florence Reynolds, daughter of George Reynolds, and one of his former students. Florence had been using his last name for the previous year. While Cluff is in Colonia Diaz, he orders other expedition members to begin proselyting in Thatcher. The students discover why Cluff had prolonged his stay and became disheartened and angry. His assistant, Professor Walter Wolfe, reacts to the news of Cluff's delay by escaping to Nogales for an "extended three-day alcoholic spree." Wolfe (who had been told in a dream that he would find gold plates on the expedition and be able to translate them) later sells his mule to buy liquor. The students determine not to do any more missionary work and "took every opportunity to visit with the young ladies and to attend the weekly dances" in Thatcher. Apostle Heber J. Grant learns of the expedition's behavior while traveling in Arizona. He informs President Lorenzo Snow who sends Second Councilor Joseph F. Smith. Smith authorizes Cluff's plural marriage but instructs the group to either disband or proceed on their own as a "purely scientific" group without church endorsement. Most return to Provo but Cluff and five others press on to Columbia. A week after arriving, all but one student, Chester Van Buren, return to Utah. Van Buren remains in Colombia long enough to conduct scientific investigations. When he finally returns to Provo, his wildlife specimens become a prized collection. Cluff is censured by the Board of Trustees for "unwarranted use of authority" and is kept as Brigham Young Academy's president for only one more year. One of his last official acts is to change the name to "Brigham Young University."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - 125 years ago - Apr 17, 1890
[First Presidency Office Journal] Our quorum is not exempt from the division we find among the people Tho' I believe a peace is established at present. Strong feeling about shares in Bullion Beck silver mine. So far the [John] Taylor faction have fumbled themselves when it came to the test.
[Source: First Presidency 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: First Presidency 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]
145 years ago today - 145 years ago - Apr 17, 1870
[Brigham Young] The world may in vain ask the question, '"Who are we?'" But the Gospel tells us that we are the sons and daughters of that God whom we serve. Some say, '"We are the children of Adam and Eve.'" So we are, and they are the children of our Heavenly Father. We are all the children of Adam and Eve, and they and we are the offspring of Him who dwells in the heavens, the highest Intelligence that dwells anywhere that we have any knowledge of. Here we find ourselves, and when infants, the most helpless, and needing the most care and attention of any creatures that come into being on the face of the earth.
...Talk about polygamy! There is no true philosopher on the face of the earth but what will admit that such a system, properly carried out according to the order of heaven, is far superior to monogamy for the raising of healthy, robust children! A person possessing a moderate knowledge of physiology, or who has paid attention to his own nature and the nature of the gentler sex, can readily understand this. ...
[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
...Talk about polygamy! There is no true philosopher on the face of the earth but what will admit that such a system, properly carried out according to the order of heaven, is far superior to monogamy for the raising of healthy, robust children! A person possessing a moderate knowledge of physiology, or who has paid attention to his own nature and the nature of the gentler sex, can readily understand this. ...
[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
170 years ago today - Apr 17, 1845
[Patriarchal blessing of Sarah Griffith Richards by John Smith] ... The destroyer shall have no power in thy habitation. The number of thy years shall be according to thy faith, ever to enjoy every blessing which you desire, & marvellous things shall be revealed unto thee in visions of the night. Thou shalt see the day when thou shalt have men & maid serv[ants] to do thy business. I seal all these blessings upon thee in common with thy companion & I seal thee up to Eternal life. Amen.
175 years ago today - Apr 17, 1840
[Brigham Young] frida spent at Father Moones drank of wine that was made in the year eighteen hundred making it 40 years old
[Source: Brigham Young Journal (1801-1877) Journal #2 July, 1837- Mar. 1845]
[Source: Brigham Young Journal (1801-1877) Journal #2 July, 1837- Mar. 1845]
175 years ago today - Apr 17, 1840
[Wilford Woodruff] This being good friday the quorum of the Twelve met at penworthham to visit the Saints & spend the day together. Before we parted Sister Moon opened a bottle of wine for us to bless & partake of which she had kept for 40 years. After spending the day conversing about the things of the Kingdom of God we returned to preston & spent the night.
[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 - APRIL 16, 2005
Winston Blackmore holds a polygamy summit in Creston, British Columbia and invites Attorneys General from Idaho and British Columbia. They don't attend.
Winston appears to offer his followers more freedom. Fifteen of Winston's plural wives attend a conference in Winnipeg that focuses on sexual abuse in closed communities.
The wives make national news by urging the federal government to raise the age of sexual consent to 16 from 14.
[Source: Gartner, Hana, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Timeline: History of Polygamy, cached at http://www.icsahome.com/view_document1_nonicsa.asp?ID=6890]
Winston appears to offer his followers more freedom. Fifteen of Winston's plural wives attend a conference in Winnipeg that focuses on sexual abuse in closed communities.
The wives make national news by urging the federal government to raise the age of sexual consent to 16 from 14.
[Source: Gartner, Hana, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Timeline: History of Polygamy, cached at http://www.icsahome.com/view_document1_nonicsa.asp?ID=6890]
30 years ago today - Apr 16, 1985
[Mark Hofmann] Letter of David and Peter Whitmer to Bethell Todd (dated 12 August 1828) sold to LDS church for $1,500 by Hofmann.
[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,]
35 years ago today - Apr 16, 1980
Newlywed (married seven months) Dori Hofmann comes home from work to find her husband Mark looking through the pages of a seventeenth-century Cambridge Bible. She watches Mark separate two pages which are glued together and observes an old folded paper between the pages. Mark succeeds in getting the paper out of the Bible, but the glue along its edges hold it closed. By peeking inside they can see writing and a signature that seems to read "Joseph Smith, Jr." This is Mark Hoffman's "Anthon Transcript" forgery-his first major forgery of fake LDS documents.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
155 years ago today - Apr 16, 1860
L[orenzo] Snow called in and enquired in the course of conversation if he thought the emigration would meet with any hindrances from the US. The President [Brigham Young] said he did not, and expected the U[nited] States would burst up in five years. Conversation changed to the subject of polygamy and the Pres[ident] remarked the very women that object to a plurality wives would not object to a plurality of husbands. Pres[ident] Buchanan has five mistresses learn and they have illegitimate children by them. -- Salt Lake City
[Source: Brigham Young Office Journals, 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: Brigham Young Office Journals, 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]
175 years ago today - Apr 16, 1840
During a two-day conference, Church leaders and members in the British Isles vote to publish the Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, a monthly periodical in pamphlet form that would continue to be published until 1970.
185 years ago today - Apr 16, 1830
D&C 22: All ordinances are done away, all must be baptized into the church.
[Source: Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Source: Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
60 years ago today - ca. Apr 15, 1955
[First Presidency to Disney Studios] Dear Mr. __________: With some awareness of what we are asking, we are, nevertheless, persuaded to write to you as pertaining to the possibility of your permitting us to purchase some three minutes of footage from Fantasia: specifically that part from the third reel which has to do with ^portrays^ the emergence of a nebula out of the darkness of unorganized matter to the appearance of the round earth in the firmament. This footage, if the favor were granted, would be reduced to 16 millimeter film and would be accompanied by a brief citation of some scripture and other spoken lines descriptive of how the Lord God brought the earth into being. ... To begin with, our contemplated use would be without music, and would therefore, without any of ^avoid^ the "Ascap" or Tetrille ^A[merican] F[ederation] of L[abor],^ complications. Our use would further be for a strictly limited group of our own Church members only, for instructional purposes, and the footage would never be shown publicly. All copyright and other protective assurances that we could give you as concerning our respect for your granting this permission would be observed. Again we say, we think we know something of the magnitude of the favor we are asking, but were much impressed by this sequence, and have never seen anything of the kind done so well, and we know of no possible ^feasible^ way of duplicating it or approaching it ourselves. Time is a pressing element with us in this hoped for use, and if you look upon this request with favor, we should be most pleased to send you one of our appointed representatives to meet with you at your convenience to arrange such documentary assurances and considerations as the circumstances suggest. Thank you for your consideration of this request. * P.S. Some years ago you graciously accommodated us with permission to use a minute or two of footage from ["]the Grasshop[p]er and the Ant["] for a Church Welfare film, which we were making at the time. We have not forgotten the magnitude of that favor and are grateful for it.
[Source: LDS First Presidency to Disney Studios, undated draft, ca. Apr. 15, 1955 , typed excerpt in Buerger Papers as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Source: LDS First Presidency to Disney Studios, undated draft, ca. Apr. 15, 1955 , typed excerpt in Buerger Papers as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
150 years ago today - Apr 15, 1865
[Wilford Woodruff] Presidet Lincoln Died 30 minuts past 8 oclok A.M. [on the 14th] & Secretary Seward a little After 9 oclok. One was Stabed 30 minuts after the other & died 30 minutes after. All the flags in Great Salt Lake City are at half mast & dressed in Crepe.
[All businesses were closed in Salt Lake]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[All businesses were closed in Salt Lake]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - Apr 15, 1860
[Brigham Young] The man who has been speaking to you is Almerin Grow. ... he says that he is willing to atone for his sins with his blood. He can spill it himself as soon as he pleases. He is a dangerous man. There is no knowing when he would take up an axe and split a wife's head and scatter her brains. A man that would take a kind, good wife's dresses from her trunk, and commit them to the flames, would just as soon knock her brains out with an axe. He Says that he is willing to do anything that he is asked to do to atone for his sins. ... He is a curiosity. If you should send him out in January over these mountains with nothing but a pair of breeches upon him he would not freeze. You might as well try to kill Lucifer. If you were to tap him, to fulfill his own wishes. I question whether he would bleed. ...
[Source: Leonard J. Arrington Papers, Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan, 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: Leonard J. Arrington Papers, Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan, 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]
160 years ago today - Apr 15, 1855 (Morning)
'-President Brigham Young'-Long life was desirable. We will all be rewarded according to our work. If we live 100, 150, or 200 years our works will be greater than if we lived but 50 years, and our reward will be great in proportion'- Spoke against indulging in the many luxuries which have been commonly in use. His appetite was simple, and he would stop going out visiting if the people did not stop cooking so for him. It had become quite a nuisance. -- SLC Tabernacle
[Source: [Sermons and Writings of the Restoration. 4 Vols. Ogden Kraut, ed. Pioneer Press, 1994 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: [Sermons and Writings of the Restoration. 4 Vols. Ogden Kraut, ed. Pioneer Press, 1994 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 - Apr 15, 1845, Tuesday
He [Thomas Ford] recommends us to go and establish an independent government in California
[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]
175 years ago today - Apr 15, 1840
Joseph Smith sends Orson Hyde on a mission to dedicate Palestine for return of Jews. Hyde's wife Nancy becomes a plural wife of Joseph Smith in Orson's absence.
175 years ago today - Apr 15, 1840
[Wilford Woodruff] [15th] At a general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints held in the Temperance Hall Preston, Lancashire England; ...
Mooved by Er. H C. Kimble secd. by Er W. Richards that Elder Peter Melling be ordained an Evanjelical minister in preston....
I Willford Woodruff being led by the spirit visited Frooms Hill in Herefordshire England 5 miles North of Ledbury on the 5th day of March 1840 & commenced preaching the word of God unto the people & many received my testimony & I commenced Baptizing such as should be saved, & in one month & 5 days I Baptized Mr Thomas Kington the superintendant of the Church of the United Brethren which came out of the methodist connextion & I also Baptized forty Eight Preachers of the United Brethren & 112 of the members making 158 souls in all. ..
when I left this vast field of Labour to go to Preston to attend the conference their was nearly 200 souls ready to be baptized as soon as an opportunity offera ...
Mobs have arisen against me in some instances. On one occasion they stoned me while baptizing. ... I feel thankful to God for all his mercy & kindness unto me & all the Saints in opening so many doors that the kingdom of God may roll forth that there may be a people prepared for the coming of Jesus Christ...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Mooved by Er. H C. Kimble secd. by Er W. Richards that Elder Peter Melling be ordained an Evanjelical minister in preston....
I Willford Woodruff being led by the spirit visited Frooms Hill in Herefordshire England 5 miles North of Ledbury on the 5th day of March 1840 & commenced preaching the word of God unto the people & many received my testimony & I commenced Baptizing such as should be saved, & in one month & 5 days I Baptized Mr Thomas Kington the superintendant of the Church of the United Brethren which came out of the methodist connextion & I also Baptized forty Eight Preachers of the United Brethren & 112 of the members making 158 souls in all. ..
when I left this vast field of Labour to go to Preston to attend the conference their was nearly 200 souls ready to be baptized as soon as an opportunity offera ...
Mobs have arisen against me in some instances. On one occasion they stoned me while baptizing. ... I feel thankful to God for all his mercy & kindness unto me & all the Saints in opening so many doors that the kingdom of God may roll forth that there may be a people prepared for the coming of Jesus Christ...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
50 years ago today - Apr 14, 1965
[David O. McKay] ... President [Hugh B.] Brown called attention to a request that had been received from a woman formerly married to a Negro, by whom she had two children. She later divorced the Negro and married a white man and wants to go to the Temple and have her children sealed to her and her present husband. We agreed that if otherwise worthy, the woman and her white husband could go to the Temple for their endowments and be sealed, but the children by the former marriage could not be sealed to them.
[Source: David O. McKay diary, Apr. 14, 1965 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Source: David O. McKay diary, Apr. 14, 1965 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
65 years ago today - Apr 14, 1950
[David O. McKay] At 11:45 a.m., I called on President George Albert Smith at his home. He phoned earlier this morning and said that he had been sick all night''worried as well as sick.' Said he was worried especially regarding the appointment of the President for the B.Y.U. I then said that probably I should come up to see him, and he said, 'yes, I wish you would.' He then said that he had not talked to his son Albert, but had found out that his (Albert's) compensation is $15,000. Said with respect to the B.Y.U., 'it is a case of our calling him (Albert) on a mission to this position, and I am sure that there is no doubt he would respond.'
[Source: David O. McKay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: David O. McKay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
110 years ago today - Apr 14, 1905
Speaking at Brigham Young University, Mary Elizabeth Lightner, plural wife of Joseph Smith says, "I went forward and was sealed to him [Joseph Smith]. Brigham Young performed the sealing, and Heber C. Kimball the blessing. I know he [Joseph] had six wives and I have known some of them from childhood up. I knew he had three children. They told me. I think two are living today but they are not known as his children as they go by other names."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
115 years ago today - Apr 14, 1900
Office of The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Salt Lake City, Utah, April 14th, 1900.
Prest. David H. Cannon, St. George
DEAR BROTHER:
During the lifetime of the late President Wilford Woodruff a rule was established by him not to permit a woman to be anointed [2nd anointing] to a man unless she had lived with him as a wife. This was a restriction of the rule in such cases which obtained during the lifetime of Presidents Brigham Young and John Taylor. After considering the matter we have concluded to restore the practice as expressed in the following, and which will govern in such cases in the future:
Any woman, who has been sealed to a man in life or by proxy, whether she has lived with him or not, shall have the privilege of being anointed to him inasmuch as he shall have had his second blessings.
LORENZO SNOW, GEORGE Q. CANNON, JOSEPH F. SMITH.
[Source: 1890-April 14-Circular letter, Church Historian's Library, as quoted in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
Salt Lake City, Utah, April 14th, 1900.
Prest. David H. Cannon, St. George
DEAR BROTHER:
During the lifetime of the late President Wilford Woodruff a rule was established by him not to permit a woman to be anointed [2nd anointing] to a man unless she had lived with him as a wife. This was a restriction of the rule in such cases which obtained during the lifetime of Presidents Brigham Young and John Taylor. After considering the matter we have concluded to restore the practice as expressed in the following, and which will govern in such cases in the future:
Any woman, who has been sealed to a man in life or by proxy, whether she has lived with him or not, shall have the privilege of being anointed to him inasmuch as he shall have had his second blessings.
LORENZO SNOW, GEORGE Q. CANNON, JOSEPH F. SMITH.
[Source: 1890-April 14-Circular letter, Church Historian's Library, as quoted in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
160 years ago today - Apr 14, 1855
President Young ... elders, who realize their calling, would not be guilty of any overt act, etc. He was followed by Bros. Hyde, Snow, and Kimball, who spoke of the necessity of our forming the strong ties of matrimony with the Lamanites. President Young again spoke, confirmed remarks about matrimony, but said we should so live that we could be guided aright and not take to wife any that would be a disgrace to us, etc. ...
[Source: Jacob Miller Journal; Our Pioneer Heritage 7:187 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: Jacob Miller Journal; Our Pioneer Heritage 7:187 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]
160 years ago today - Apr 14, 1855
Brigham Young promised us that if we were faithful, we should be blessed of the Lord and should have the privilege of seeing one of the three Nephite Apostles'- President Young had promised us that the Lamanites would come to meet us and insist on us baptizing them'-(Lamanites came to out camp and were very friendly. Many fathers among them brought their daughters and desired us to marry them, but, no understanding the meaning of the term '"identify'" as used by President Young, he, knowing that if we should take this course, it would have the effect of uniting us and causing them to remain our friends. When they found we would not take their daughters, they departed'- Brother [Brigham] Young asked the president of the mission why we had not identified ourselves with Israel'-President Young replied that Brother Kimball says for you to go and get your wives from among daughters of these Lamanites, but I do not say for you to marry them, but I say for you to go and try, for I think the time is past, it is now too late.
[Source: Pleasant Taylor Journal; Our Pioneer Heritage 7:144, 174-175 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: Pleasant Taylor Journal; Our Pioneer Heritage 7:144, 174-175 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]
175 years ago today - 1840: 14 April
[Patriarchal Blessing of Heber C. Kimball by Peter Melling] ... thou shalt push the people together from the ends of the earth. ... thou shalt have the gift of healing greater than thou hast hitherto had, even to the anointing and opening of the eyes of the blind in the name of Jesus Christ and also the deaf to hear and also rebuking of fevers and many more works shalt thou do, thou shalt see great slaughter and destruction of the enemies of the Lord, and when men will run to and fro in great amazement fear and consternation because of the mighty judgements of the Lord which will come upon the wicked and workers of iniquity, and when the earth will reel to and fro and stagger and when there will be great signs in the heavens, yea, and thou shalt also be standing upon the earth when the voice of the bridegroom shall be sounded forth and when the heavens will be unveiled, and when the son of Man will appear and when he will shine forth in his glory ... thou shalt see many great and glorious sights before the great winding up scene--
... thou shalt have power to rebuke the winds and the seas ... thou shall possess the land of Joseph for an everlasting possession ...
[Source: Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
... thou shalt have power to rebuke the winds and the seas ... thou shall possess the land of Joseph for an everlasting possession ...
[Source: Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Apr 14, 1840
Willard Richards: Appointed apostle by written revelation 8 July 1838, ordained 14 Apr. 1840, but never sustained as a "prophet, seer, and revelator"
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
175 years ago today - --14 [April, 1840].
[Willard Richards journal] "--With the Twelve in council at my room in Preston, I was ordained to the Apostleship by President Young, under the hands of the quorum present.
O my God, I ask thee to enable me to execute the duties of the office in righteousness unto the end, with my brethren the Twelve, that we may ever be of one heart and one mind in all things, and be saved with thee in thy kingdom, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
[Source: Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
O my God, I ask thee to enable me to execute the duties of the office in righteousness unto the end, with my brethren the Twelve, that we may ever be of one heart and one mind in all things, and be saved with thee in thy kingdom, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."
[Source: Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
50 years ago today - Apr 13, 1965
Asked about Elder Benson's recent conference talk, Hugh B. Brown replied "tartly" to reporters that the apostle "speaks strictly for himself. My statement is the official Church position. It was personally approved by President McKay . . ."
[Source: "Benson Ties Rights Issue to Reds in Mormon Rift," Washington Post, 13 Apr. 1965, A-5. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
[Source: "Benson Ties Rights Issue to Reds in Mormon Rift," Washington Post, 13 Apr. 1965, A-5. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
115 years ago today - Apr 13, 1900
[Benjamin Cluff] President [George Q.] Cannon came to Provo [Utah] and spoke to the members of my [Central/ South America exploration] party in College Hall. Among the things he said, 'This is the most important expedition the Church has ever sent out.'
[Source: Benjamin Cluff Jr. Diary, April 15, 1900, 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: Benjamin Cluff Jr. Diary, April 15, 1900, 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 - Apr 13, 1845
... there was some officers there with writs for Br Young & others.the U. S. Martial was one[.] Elder Taylor spoke on the Stand give them to understand that if they made an attempt to serve the writs it would cost them their lives & also told them how they had murdered two of our best men while under a civil process and the authorities of the State pledged for their safety & that we would submit to no more such outrages on our lives and liberties.
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
175 years ago today - Apr 13, 1840
[Wilford Woodruff] 13th I recieved & read the singular & striking prophecies of Robert Dixon the celebrated Cheshire prophet in the reign of Henry VII from Lady Cowpers correct copy also an account of his life & death Published by John Fregorth 1829.
[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]
185 years ago today - Apr 13, 1830
Manchester, New York. Joseph Smith received Doctrine & Covenants 22, a revelation directing converts who had been previously baptized in other churches to be rebaptized as members of the Church.
[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
10 years ago today - Apr 12, 2005
"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints makes another [failed] attempt to address concerns of Jewish groups who complain that Holocaust victims are showing up on Mormon baptism rolls. Mormons believe that after death, baptisms save souls. Ten years ago, Mormon leaders agreed to try to stop this practice. Now, they vow to try again."
[Source: National Public Radio, Morning Edition, Howard Berkes "Mormons Aim to Stop 'Baptism' of Holocaust Victims" as quoted in A chronicle of the Mormon-Jewish controversy; The LDS Agreement: A JewishGen InfoFile, http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/ldsagree.html]
[Source: National Public Radio, Morning Edition, Howard Berkes "Mormons Aim to Stop 'Baptism' of Holocaust Victims" as quoted in A chronicle of the Mormon-Jewish controversy; The LDS Agreement: A JewishGen InfoFile, http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/ldsagree.html]
30 years ago today - Apr 12, 1985
U.S. Senator Jake Garn (Utah) blasts off in the space shuttle Discovery, becoming the first Latter-day Saint to enter space. A few weeks later aboard the Challenger, astronaut Don Lind becomes the second member of the Church to travel in space.
30 years ago today - Apr 12, 1985.
Steven F. Christensen, who purchased the Salamander letter in January 1984 from Mark Hofmann, donates it to the church. Only after Hofmann leaks copies and a session of MHA is devoted to it is the text published in the Church News.
[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]
50 years ago today - Apr 12, 1965
An LDS student wrote a letter to the Utah Chronicle that Elder Benson "told a damned lie" when he instructed LDS general conference that Communists controlled the NAACP.
[Source: Leon Johnson, "Benson Told A 'Damned Lie,'" Daily Utah Chronicle, 12 Apr. 1965, 2. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
[Source: Leon Johnson, "Benson Told A 'Damned Lie,'" Daily Utah Chronicle, 12 Apr. 1965, 2. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
70 years ago today - Apr 12, 1945
[Joseph Fielding Smith] [Regarding the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt:] It has been a marvelous thing how Mr. Roosevelt influenced so many people and since his death, the crie has gone forth from many people as reported in the papers that the nation is now left helpless, or in a critical condition, with Mr. Roosevelt gone, and unable to guide the ship of state. There are some of us who have felt that it is really an act of providence. This man has been in office too long for the good of the nations. He built up the greatest political machine that was ever known; he increased the number of government employees ten times over any predecessor. It is considered that with the number on the government payrolls, and those financially influenced thereby, with their friends, something like six million votes have been controlled, if not more, and there is little chance for any other candidate with this handicap against him. Moreover, we are rapidly falling into a dictatorship, comparable with those which have been condemned by us in other countries. The liberties of the people are curtailed more and more, and the exercise of authority has been placed in the hands of boards who act as both judge and jury and jailor without justification of the law. The Supreme court of the country has fallen from its high pedestal, and has become a political machine, reversing old and staid decisions of justice, when the expediency of politics demands.
[Source: Joseph Fielding Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: Joseph Fielding Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
70 years ago today - Apr 12, 1945
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs on the nationwide radio broadcast for the memorial service of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
[Source: Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
[Source: Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
80 years ago today - Apr 12, 1935
[Heber J. Grant] In all my life I have had but two dreams that were significant, and one of them was to the effect that my first wife came for her little boy, who died when he was only even years of age. I felt the impression that he was sitting in a chair between me and my present wife, waiting for him to breathe his last breath, so that she could accompany his spirit. I turned to my wife and asked if she felt the presence of any one with us, and she said 'Yes, I feel like Heber's mother is sitting here between us.'
[Source: Heber J. Grant, Letter to Mrs. N. E. Munk, 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: Heber J. Grant, Letter to Mrs. N. E. Munk, 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 - Apr 12, 1900; Thursday
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes] ... The subject of secret societies was discussed. Several letters had been received by the brethren asking if connection with secret societies was a bar to the temples, and the secretary had been requested to hunt up all that had been said or written on this subject and report....
President Snow [a Mason] remarked that brethren who had joined secret organizations should not be denied the Temple, if otherwise worthy; but they should be advised to gradually withdraw from them....
President Smith moved that the Bishops be advised to counsel their ward members against joining secret orders and if they did so after being warned they might be excluded from the Temples, and that such men should not be put in presiding positions in the wards or Stakes of Zion. Although no vote was taken the motion became the sense of the counsel.
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
President Snow [a Mason] remarked that brethren who had joined secret organizations should not be denied the Temple, if otherwise worthy; but they should be advised to gradually withdraw from them....
President Smith moved that the Bishops be advised to counsel their ward members against joining secret orders and if they did so after being warned they might be excluded from the Temples, and that such men should not be put in presiding positions in the wards or Stakes of Zion. Although no vote was taken the motion became the sense of the counsel.
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
125 years ago today - Apr 12, 1890
[John T. Caine telegraph:] 'Bill introduced by Cullom yesterday to make Idaho test oath applicable to Utah territory. Judge Wilson wants your views whether it is deemed best to resist passage of the bill to disfranchise. Do not want to make contest that will be unwise, but ready to act upon SA [?] line as you think best. Please answer quickly.'
[Reply:] 'Telegraph received. What reasons can there be for not fighting Cullom's bill. Our policy always has been to resist everything of this character.' [The Idaho Test Oath required voters to testify they were neither polygamists, nor members of an organization that promoted polygamy]
[Source: First Presidency 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]
[Reply:] 'Telegraph received. What reasons can there be for not fighting Cullom's bill. Our policy always has been to resist everything of this character.' [The Idaho Test Oath required voters to testify they were neither polygamists, nor members of an organization that promoted polygamy]
[Source: First Presidency 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 - Apr 12, 1845
[Hosea Stout] ... went with my wife to the Masonic Hall to a feast of beer and cakes prepared by the old police. The Old police and wives and some of the Twelve were present We had a joyful time as much cakes & beer as we could eat and drink we broke up about 9 oclock P. M. & I then came home.
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
10 years ago today - Apr 11, 2005
Jews and Mormons decided Monday to jointly scrutinize a Mormon database that includes the names of thousands of deceased Jews including Holocaust victims who were given unwanted, posthumous baptisms.
A committee with members of both religions will study how names get into the massive International Genealogical Index which has an estimated 4 million entries what processes are followed, and how greater order can be brought to the unwieldy listing.
The move lets Mormons "see what we can do that doesn't compromise our core beliefs and practices" while still addressing the concerns of Jewish leaders, said D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, a high-ranking church leadership body. "We're going to do a lot of fact finding, and we will go from there."...
[Source: Jews, Mormons Agree to Study Database of Those Who Received Posthumous Proxy Baptisms by MARK THIESSEN Associated Press Writer as quoted in A chronicle of the Mormon-Jewish controversy; The LDS Agreement: A JewishGen InfoFile, http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/ldsagree.html]
A committee with members of both religions will study how names get into the massive International Genealogical Index which has an estimated 4 million entries what processes are followed, and how greater order can be brought to the unwieldy listing.
The move lets Mormons "see what we can do that doesn't compromise our core beliefs and practices" while still addressing the concerns of Jewish leaders, said D. Todd Christofferson, a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, a high-ranking church leadership body. "We're going to do a lot of fact finding, and we will go from there."...
[Source: Jews, Mormons Agree to Study Database of Those Who Received Posthumous Proxy Baptisms by MARK THIESSEN Associated Press Writer as quoted in A chronicle of the Mormon-Jewish controversy; The LDS Agreement: A JewishGen InfoFile, http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/ldsagree.html]
120 years ago today - Apr 11, 1895
"It is reported that old time Liberals will try to get not only Suffrage but Prohibition into the constitution & then defeat the whole thing."
[Source: Franklin D. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: Franklin D. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
125 years ago today - Apr 11, 1890 (Friday)
The Canadian Parliament, in a session at Ottowa, amended the criminal law of the Dominion so as to make polygamy punishable with five years' imprisonment, instead of two, as heretofore. This was undoubtedly done with a view to reach the "Mormons," who had settled in Alberta.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
170 years ago today - Friday, Apr 11, 1845
Masonic Hall, Nauvoo
Upper California [by] John Taylor The Upper California, O that's the land for me, It lies between the mountains, and great Pacific Sea, The Saints can be supported there, and taste the sweets of liberty With flocks and herds abounding, O that's the land for me, O that's &c.
... Our Towers and Temples then shall rise along the great Pacific Sea. In Upper California, O that's the land for me, O that's the land, &c. We'll ask our cousin Lemuel, to join our heart and hand, And spread abroad our curtains, throughout fair Zions land. 'Till this is done, we'll pitch our tents beside the great Pacific Sea, In Upper California, O that's the land for me, ...
[Source: from the Church History Library, quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
Upper California [by] John Taylor The Upper California, O that's the land for me, It lies between the mountains, and great Pacific Sea, The Saints can be supported there, and taste the sweets of liberty With flocks and herds abounding, O that's the land for me, O that's &c.
... Our Towers and Temples then shall rise along the great Pacific Sea. In Upper California, O that's the land for me, O that's the land, &c. We'll ask our cousin Lemuel, to join our heart and hand, And spread abroad our curtains, throughout fair Zions land. 'Till this is done, we'll pitch our tents beside the great Pacific Sea, In Upper California, O that's the land for me, ...
[Source: from the Church History Library, quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
170 years ago today - Apr 11, 1845
At 9 Oclock the Kingdom [Council of Fifty] met in council at the Masonick Hall, 47 Present. ... Last Eve the Boys Whisel [whistled (I.E.intimidated)] a man out of the city.
[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]
185 years ago today - 1830 11-16 April
A Fayette, New York, branch of the church is established. Cowdery delivers the first public discourse of the church and performs baptisms. A revelation is received regarding individuals who have been baptized in other Christian churches (BC 23; LDS D&C 22; RLDS D&C 20). [Joseph Smith is a hesitant speaker and typically assigns other to make major sermons up through 1839]
[Source: Marquardt, H. Michael and Walters, Wesley P., Inventing Mormonism:Tradition and the Historical Record, A Chronology of Mormon Origins, p.xxvi, http://www.amazon.com/Inventing-Mormonism-Tradition-Historical-Record/dp/1560851082]
[Source: Marquardt, H. Michael and Walters, Wesley P., Inventing Mormonism:Tradition and the Historical Record, A Chronology of Mormon Origins, p.xxvi, http://www.amazon.com/Inventing-Mormonism-Tradition-Historical-Record/dp/1560851082]
25 years ago today - Apr 10, 1990.
Changes in the temple ceremony that eliminated symbolic violence and somewhat broadened the role for women trigger articles by the Associated Press, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Time Magazine, U.S. News and World Report, and many local papers. Mormons who are quoted ... are interviewed by their stake presidents. ...
[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]
105 years ago today - Apr 10, 1910
Stake president writes of church members "complaining on account of so many Smiths being chosen." Recent conference sustained John Henry Smith as second counselor and President Smith's son, Joseph Fielding Smith, as new apostle. In addition to appointing his son Hyrum M. an apostle in 1901. Smith also appoints his son David A. Smith to Presiding Bishopric in 1907.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - Apr 10-11, 1890
- Both U.S. Senate and House propose bills to disfranchise all Mormons. With delaying tactics by Mormon allies in Congress, these two bills make slow progress into summer, but Supreme Court decision in Feb. 1890 assures eventual enactment.
125 years ago today - Thursday, April 10th, 1890
The resolution of the First Presidency of June 30/[18]90 in regard to plural marriages was read. It is to the effect that none shall be permitted to occur even in Mexico unless the contracting parties, or at least the female, has resolved to remain in that country.
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
130 years ago today - Apr 10, 1885
[Wilford Woodruff] I dreamed last night I was arested by 2 Marshal for Cohabitation with my wives. This is the 2d time I have dreamed this.
[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]
135 years ago today - Saturday, Apr 10, 1880
At 10 met with the Council of 50 first organized by Joseph [Smith] the Prophet March 10–1844,-but which has not met for several [12] years. The last Roll & Records since 1850 being absent and about 20 vacancies having occurred by death since last session the morning Session was occupied in Organizing... The Name & Constitution of this Council of the Kingdom were stated as given by Revelation in the beginning. Several of the first members spoke of certain important items of great interest to all present; especially to the new members. All seemed to rejoice.
[Source: Franklin D. Richards journal, as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
[Source: Franklin D. Richards journal, as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
140 years ago today - Apr 10, 1875
G. Q. Cannon Presented the Authorities and when He Came to the Twelve John Taylor & Wilford Woodruff was put before Orson Hyde, & Orson Pratt, upon this principle. John Taylor was Ordained to the Apostleship Some days before I [Wilford Woodruff] was & O. Hyde & O. Pratt had both been out of the Church and had returned to the Church & been ordained into the Quorum of the Twelve apostle Since Brother Taylor & W. Woodruff had been Ordained so we both stood ahead of them in the Quorum. [Note: Orson Hyde was released as president of the Quorum of Twelve, but John taylor was not sustained as President of the Twelve. Pratt's 1842 excommunicaton from the church had been declared void.]
[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]
150 years ago today - Apr 10, 1865
Special conference of the Church held in Salt Lake City where motion passed to erect a telegraph line from St. Charles, Utah (near Bear Lake) to St. George, Utah. Members are called to build the line, and are instructed in telegraphy.
[Source: Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
[Source: Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
170 years ago today - Apr 10, 1845
[Heber C. Kimball] We cold [called] Lucious [Lucius] N. Scovil in to get the Masonic Hall [set up] fore Printing office, and to stop making [new] Masons, only as times shall permit. He being the Master, which Lodge was Organised on the 15 day of March 1842 with forty members. Joseph was made a Mason on the same Eve. Abraham Jonas [Grand Master of Ill] was present and Acted as Master. The first nite took the 1[st] and 2[nd] [Masonic] degree. The next night took the 3[rd] degree
[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]
175 years ago today - 1840 Spring
[Helen Mar Kimball] In the spring of 1840 about eight o'clock in the morning Mrs. Rhoda Whitney sister-in-law to Bishop N. K. Whitney and her brother John Ballard, my wife Caroline Whitney and myself were crossing the Mississippi river from Montrose to Nauvoo when we saw the following strange spectacle.
"When we had got about one third of the way across the river we saw a couple of men about sixty rods down the stream riding on horse back on the top of the water. They were going diagonally down the river in the direction of Joseph Smith's residence.
"We stopped our skiff and watched these men until they reached the shore. Just as they arrived at the shore the horses suddenly disappeared and the strangers remained on the shore, the horses trotted along on the top of the water just as they would have done had they been trotting through a very shallow stream, gently splashing the water hither and thither. We resumed our rowing but our attention was constantly directed towards them as they stood on the shore until our view was obstructed by a bend in the river.
"JOS. C. KINGSBURY."
[Source: Whitney, Helen Mar, Jeni Broberg Holzapfel, and Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, A Woman's View: Helen Mar Whitney's Reminiscences of Early Church History, Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1997]
"When we had got about one third of the way across the river we saw a couple of men about sixty rods down the stream riding on horse back on the top of the water. They were going diagonally down the river in the direction of Joseph Smith's residence.
"We stopped our skiff and watched these men until they reached the shore. Just as they arrived at the shore the horses suddenly disappeared and the strangers remained on the shore, the horses trotted along on the top of the water just as they would have done had they been trotting through a very shallow stream, gently splashing the water hither and thither. We resumed our rowing but our attention was constantly directed towards them as they stood on the shore until our view was obstructed by a bend in the river.
"JOS. C. KINGSBURY."
[Source: Whitney, Helen Mar, Jeni Broberg Holzapfel, and Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, A Woman's View: Helen Mar Whitney's Reminiscences of Early Church History, Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1997]
45 years ago today - Apr 09, 1970
Boyd K. Packer is ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, replacing John A. Widtsoe, who had passed away.
45 years ago today - Apr 9, 1970
The newspaper published by Mormon members of the Birch Society was significant for what lay between the lines of its report of April 1970 conference. The Utah Independent began with the comment that church members will remember this general conference "for decades to come" and noted: "Despite persistent rumors to the contrary, no violence took place at the conference. No opposition was manifest by Church members when the names of general authorities were presented for sustaining." Of Lee's talk two days before this vote, the Utah Independent observed: "Special interest has centered around the talk given by President Harold B. Lee at the Saturday evening general priesthood session," and quoted excerpts. However, this Mormon-Birch newspaper made no reference to the part of Lee's talk which referred to the ultra-conservative proposal to vote against "the First Presidency with its social-democrat thinking," and to substitute Benson as new church president.
Not long afterward, the author of this article lost his job in the LDS Publications Department. His supervisor had told him that it was "inappropriate" for him to be a member of the John Birch Society and an editor of the ultra-conservative Utah Independent. When informed of this incident by the state coordinator of the Birch Society, Apostle Benson said he could do nothing to remedy it.
[Source: Byron Cannon Anderson, "LDS General Conference Sustains Pres. Smith," Utah Independent, 9 Apr. 1970, 1, 4. Mormon Birchers had edited this newspaper since its founding in 1970; Byron Cannon Anderson interview, 18 Jan. 1993. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
Not long afterward, the author of this article lost his job in the LDS Publications Department. His supervisor had told him that it was "inappropriate" for him to be a member of the John Birch Society and an editor of the ultra-conservative Utah Independent. When informed of this incident by the state coordinator of the Birch Society, Apostle Benson said he could do nothing to remedy it.
[Source: Byron Cannon Anderson, "LDS General Conference Sustains Pres. Smith," Utah Independent, 9 Apr. 1970, 1, 4. Mormon Birchers had edited this newspaper since its founding in 1970; Byron Cannon Anderson interview, 18 Jan. 1993. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
80 years ago today - Apr 9, 1935
[Heber J. Grant] There would be no objection to the use of consecrated oil internally or its application to parts of the body by those who have a desire to make such use of it. However it has no connection with the ordinance of administering to the sick by the Elders of the Church.
[Source: Heber J. Grant, Letter to George A. Grover, 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: Heber J. Grant, Letter to George A. Grover, 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 - Apr 9, 1900; Monday
Pres[ident]. [Lorenzo] Snow proclaimed against admitting persons to the Temple who are non tith[e] payers.
He also advised against admitting persons, to receive 2d anointings, who are not very worthy.
[Source: Angus M. Cannon, Diary]
He also advised against admitting persons, to receive 2d anointings, who are not very worthy.
[Source: Angus M. Cannon, Diary]
125 years ago today - Wednesday, Apr 9, 1890
[First Presidency & Quorum of Twelve meeting] Brigham Young was once tried to the very utmost by the Prophet, and for a moment his standing in the Church seemed to tremble in the balance. Wm. Smith, one of the first quorum of apostles in this age had been guilty of adultery and many other sins. The Prophet Joseph instructed Brigham (then the Pres. Of the Twelve) to prefer a charge against the sinner, which was done. Before the time set for the trial, however, Emma Smith talked to Joseph and said the charge preferred against William was with a view to injuring the Smith family. After the trial had begun, Joseph entered the room and was given a seat. The testimony of witnesses concerning the culprit's sins was then continued. After a short time Joseph arose filled with wrath and said, "Bro. Brigham, I will not listen to this abuse of my family a minute longer. I will wade in blood up to my knees before I will do it." This was a supreme moment. A rupture between the two greatest men on earth seemed imminent. But Brigham Young was equal to the danger, and he instantly said, "Bro. Joseph, I withdraw the charge." Thus the angry passions were instantly stilled.
John Taylor also was similarly tested by the then Pres. B. Young at the time the St. George temple was dedicated. The United Order was then a favorite theme of Pres. Young, but in his views John Taylor did not fully coincide. Because of this the latter was most terribly scourged by the tongue of Pres. Young in the temple before all the people. Bro. Taylor was then President of the Twelve. It looked for a time as though these two great men would separate in anger, for Pres. Y. had forbidden John to travel through Kanab and Panguitch Stakes and organize them with Bro. L. Snow, as had been intended, and said he had better return home and make wagons until he knew what was right. Bro. Snow saw the danger and knew the disposition of the two men. He therefore visited Pres. Taylor and after considerable argument induced him to go and visit Pres. Young. They were coolly received at the latter's house, but as soon as Pres. Taylor said, "Bro. Brigham, if I have done or said anything wrong I desire to make it right," every feeling of anger vanished and these two men were reconciled. Thus the Lord will try us wherever we seem to be strong and those who today seem to be very prosperous financially may meet constant reverses until they will be forced to acknowledge that in and of themselves they are nothing. Thus it becomes us to be humble in every particular.
... we clothed in our robes and F. D. Richards prayed as we knelt and Pres. Snow at the altar. We then dressed in our usual clothing and prepared to eat the Lord's Supper in the same manner in which the Prophet Joseph said it was eaten by the Savior and His disciples at Jerusalem, and as Joseph and the brethren did occasionally at Nauvoo; we had several loaves of bread and bottles of wine. The former was broken and we ate and drank till we were fully satisfied. ...
John W. Taylor spoke first... In a vision he saw the place where he had been at work cutting logs gradually lit up by a brilliant light which seemed to emanate from the east. This light continued to increase in intensity and with the increase he seemed to be pushed further away from its source. Finally he clasped his arms around the stump of a tree for the purpose of keeping himself in position. He saw the Son of God appear in the brilliancy of the light and then his hold upon the stump began to slip and he knew that should he release his grasp he would be thrust back with such violence that he would be dashed to pieces. As he was holding with grim desperation, he awoke. His father told him that the interpretation of the dream was that the bright light was the truth which would banish all truth haters from before it, and the tree stump to which he was holding was a similar representation to that of the rod of iron in the Book of Mormon. Bros Taylor related several other manifestations of God's goodness to him in answer to his prayers.
...Bro. John W. Young spoke of his family affairs which had not been and were not now agreeable. In fact, his family troubles (doubtless the suing for a divorce of his favorite wife Luella) during the last three months had done more to humble him than anything else in his whole life. ...
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
John Taylor also was similarly tested by the then Pres. B. Young at the time the St. George temple was dedicated. The United Order was then a favorite theme of Pres. Young, but in his views John Taylor did not fully coincide. Because of this the latter was most terribly scourged by the tongue of Pres. Young in the temple before all the people. Bro. Taylor was then President of the Twelve. It looked for a time as though these two great men would separate in anger, for Pres. Y. had forbidden John to travel through Kanab and Panguitch Stakes and organize them with Bro. L. Snow, as had been intended, and said he had better return home and make wagons until he knew what was right. Bro. Snow saw the danger and knew the disposition of the two men. He therefore visited Pres. Taylor and after considerable argument induced him to go and visit Pres. Young. They were coolly received at the latter's house, but as soon as Pres. Taylor said, "Bro. Brigham, if I have done or said anything wrong I desire to make it right," every feeling of anger vanished and these two men were reconciled. Thus the Lord will try us wherever we seem to be strong and those who today seem to be very prosperous financially may meet constant reverses until they will be forced to acknowledge that in and of themselves they are nothing. Thus it becomes us to be humble in every particular.
... we clothed in our robes and F. D. Richards prayed as we knelt and Pres. Snow at the altar. We then dressed in our usual clothing and prepared to eat the Lord's Supper in the same manner in which the Prophet Joseph said it was eaten by the Savior and His disciples at Jerusalem, and as Joseph and the brethren did occasionally at Nauvoo; we had several loaves of bread and bottles of wine. The former was broken and we ate and drank till we were fully satisfied. ...
John W. Taylor spoke first... In a vision he saw the place where he had been at work cutting logs gradually lit up by a brilliant light which seemed to emanate from the east. This light continued to increase in intensity and with the increase he seemed to be pushed further away from its source. Finally he clasped his arms around the stump of a tree for the purpose of keeping himself in position. He saw the Son of God appear in the brilliancy of the light and then his hold upon the stump began to slip and he knew that should he release his grasp he would be thrust back with such violence that he would be dashed to pieces. As he was holding with grim desperation, he awoke. His father told him that the interpretation of the dream was that the bright light was the truth which would banish all truth haters from before it, and the tree stump to which he was holding was a similar representation to that of the rod of iron in the Book of Mormon. Bros Taylor related several other manifestations of God's goodness to him in answer to his prayers.
...Bro. John W. Young spoke of his family affairs which had not been and were not now agreeable. In fact, his family troubles (doubtless the suing for a divorce of his favorite wife Luella) during the last three months had done more to humble him than anything else in his whole life. ...
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
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