70 years ago today - Dec 31, 1946
The Church missionary force rises from an average of 477 serving during 1945 to an average of 2,244 during 1946.
75 years ago today - Dec 31, 1941
Administration of Second Anointings to December 31, 1941
Temple Living Dead Total
Nauvoo and other sites (1843-46) 591 0 5911
Endowment House (ded. 1866) 694 0 694
St. George (ded. 1877) 1,814 1,615 3,429
Logan (ded. 1884) 3,040 1,243 4,283
Manti (ded. 1888) 2,412 1,134 3,546
Salt Lake City (ded. 1893) 6,368 2,211 8,579
Laie (ded. 1920) 0 0 0
Alberta (ded. 1923) 13 14
Mesa (ded. 1927) 0 0 0 2
TOTAL 14,932 6,204 21,1262
[Source: "Temple Ordinance Statistics," Books A, B, C, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
Temple Living Dead Total
Nauvoo and other sites (1843-46) 591 0 5911
Endowment House (ded. 1866) 694 0 694
St. George (ded. 1877) 1,814 1,615 3,429
Logan (ded. 1884) 3,040 1,243 4,283
Manti (ded. 1888) 2,412 1,134 3,546
Salt Lake City (ded. 1893) 6,368 2,211 8,579
Laie (ded. 1920) 0 0 0
Alberta (ded. 1923) 13 14
Mesa (ded. 1927) 0 0 0 2
TOTAL 14,932 6,204 21,1262
[Source: "Temple Ordinance Statistics," Books A, B, C, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
125 years ago today - Dec 31, 1891
"This is the end of the Great eventful year as some have choosed to call it, and as many have been looking for many years, some wiseacres have even boldly asserted and even prophesied that Christ would come and that the Saints would controll all the Kingdoms of the Earth, and some have written and published Books with diagrams showing the great Image that Daniel refers to, and have calculated as they thought to a nicety the Times, time, and half times, etc., etc., etc., and have set forth startling things to come to pass, which has all proved that they with all their learning and vast researches knew nothing about the set times of the Great Eternal. The only remarkable thing that has occurred this year is the suppression of the Revelation on celestial Marriage by the Heads of the Church. And for how long I know not."
[Source: Larson and Larson, Diary of Charles L. Walker, p.731 http://rationalfaiths.com/even-fifty-six-years-wind-scene/, in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]
[Source: Larson and Larson, Diary of Charles L. Walker, p.731 http://rationalfaiths.com/even-fifty-six-years-wind-scene/, in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]
150 years ago today - Dec 31, 1866
[Brigham Young Jr.]
In company with Pres[iden]t [Brigham] Young went to the Endowment house; the Twelve were there. Bro[ther] D[aniel] H. Wells & four of his wives were anointed a King & Priest unto God and Queens and Priestesses unto God under the hands of Pres[iden]t B[righam] Young sen[ior][.]
[Source: Brigham Young Jr. diary, Dec. 31, 1866, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
In company with Pres[iden]t [Brigham] Young went to the Endowment house; the Twelve were there. Bro[ther] D[aniel] H. Wells & four of his wives were anointed a King & Priest unto God and Queens and Priestesses unto God under the hands of Pres[iden]t B[righam] Young sen[ior][.]
[Source: Brigham Young Jr. diary, Dec. 31, 1866, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
150 years ago today - Dec 31, 1866
Brigham Young gives second anointing, first time in nearly twenty-one years.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
150 years ago today - Dec 31, 1866
[Wilford Woodruff]
I returned home and Found my Indian boy Sarrowkeets with great Pain in the head. I administered to him & he got Better.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I returned home and Found my Indian boy Sarrowkeets with great Pain in the head. I administered to him & he got Better.
[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 - Dec 31, 1861
[Wilford Woodruff]
This is the last day of 1861 which has past and gone and borne its report to heaven of the deeds of all Nations and men. This year has brought to pass much of the fulfillment of the predictions of the Ancient and Modern Prophets of God. See this Journal Jan 1st 1861. I there declaired as a Prophetic Historian that this year would be the most distressing year America Ever saw since they were an independant Nation. Time has proven it so.
[Details of states leaving the Union & the subsequent civil war are detailed] ...
The State of Missouri whare the Saints have received there persecutions is now the great Battlefield of the west. It is now man against man & neighbor against Neighbor. They who have spoiled the Saints are now being spoiled. Independance, & Jackson County Missouri. is nearly destroyed. It is the Case with many parts of the State. The Lord has taken peace from the Earth and all Nations are Still preparing for war.
The Lord has pointed out the fate of this Nation in the Book of Mormon and Doctrins & Covenants. He has said that when they became ripened in iniquity they should be Cut off. That day has Come. ...
John W. Dawson was sent By President Lincoln to Utah as there Governor. He arived in Great Salt Lake City on the 7 of Dec Delivered his message on the 10 to the Utah Legislature and immediately Commenced a scene of Debauchery and insulted women untill the widow of Thomas Williams drove him out of her house with a fire Shovel because of his vulgar abuse to her, and He has left this City for the East this day in the mail Stage a disgraced debauched Libertine. He left because He Could not hold up his head in the Streets and look the people in the face because of his Crimes.
These are the kind of Rulers the Gentiles send to rule over Israel and Israel Begins to Feel that it is time to rise up and appoint her own Governors, Judges & Rulers & trust in God for the Result.
The American Nation as a United States Government is doomed To destruction and No power Can save it. They have forfeited all right and title to Redemption or Salvation at the Hand of the Lord or his Saints. It is decreed that the measure which they have meeted out unto the Saints shall be meeted unto them and they are hastening unto there work of desolation, war, Bloodshed, & destruction and wo, wo, is ther doom.
The spirit of Prophecy would Cry O, Lord, Hasten thy work. Let the wicked slay the wicked untill the whole land is Clensed from the Corruption, sin, abomination, and wickedness which now reigns upon the face of the whole Earth. May thy Judgments Continue to be poured out upon this land of North America untill the Blood of Prophets & Saints is avenged before the Lord and thy words fulfilled upon the Land of Joseph. Take away the sceptre rule and Government from the wicked & Corrupt and give it into the Hands of the Just even thy Saints, that they may rule in righteousness before thee. Give thy oppressed people O Lord the privilege of appointing there own Governor, Judges, and Rulers, from this time forth that thy Kingdom may be Esstablished upon the Earth, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
This is the last day of 1861 which has past and gone and borne its report to heaven of the deeds of all Nations and men. This year has brought to pass much of the fulfillment of the predictions of the Ancient and Modern Prophets of God. See this Journal Jan 1st 1861. I there declaired as a Prophetic Historian that this year would be the most distressing year America Ever saw since they were an independant Nation. Time has proven it so.
[Details of states leaving the Union & the subsequent civil war are detailed] ...
The State of Missouri whare the Saints have received there persecutions is now the great Battlefield of the west. It is now man against man & neighbor against Neighbor. They who have spoiled the Saints are now being spoiled. Independance, & Jackson County Missouri. is nearly destroyed. It is the Case with many parts of the State. The Lord has taken peace from the Earth and all Nations are Still preparing for war.
The Lord has pointed out the fate of this Nation in the Book of Mormon and Doctrins & Covenants. He has said that when they became ripened in iniquity they should be Cut off. That day has Come. ...
John W. Dawson was sent By President Lincoln to Utah as there Governor. He arived in Great Salt Lake City on the 7 of Dec Delivered his message on the 10 to the Utah Legislature and immediately Commenced a scene of Debauchery and insulted women untill the widow of Thomas Williams drove him out of her house with a fire Shovel because of his vulgar abuse to her, and He has left this City for the East this day in the mail Stage a disgraced debauched Libertine. He left because He Could not hold up his head in the Streets and look the people in the face because of his Crimes.
These are the kind of Rulers the Gentiles send to rule over Israel and Israel Begins to Feel that it is time to rise up and appoint her own Governors, Judges & Rulers & trust in God for the Result.
The American Nation as a United States Government is doomed To destruction and No power Can save it. They have forfeited all right and title to Redemption or Salvation at the Hand of the Lord or his Saints. It is decreed that the measure which they have meeted out unto the Saints shall be meeted unto them and they are hastening unto there work of desolation, war, Bloodshed, & destruction and wo, wo, is ther doom.
The spirit of Prophecy would Cry O, Lord, Hasten thy work. Let the wicked slay the wicked untill the whole land is Clensed from the Corruption, sin, abomination, and wickedness which now reigns upon the face of the whole Earth. May thy Judgments Continue to be poured out upon this land of North America untill the Blood of Prophets & Saints is avenged before the Lord and thy words fulfilled upon the Land of Joseph. Take away the sceptre rule and Government from the wicked & Corrupt and give it into the Hands of the Just even thy Saints, that they may rule in righteousness before thee. Give thy oppressed people O Lord the privilege of appointing there own Governor, Judges, and Rulers, from this time forth that thy Kingdom may be Esstablished upon the Earth, and the poor rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
160 years ago today - 1856
Church Membership at end of year: 63,881
New Converts : -93
Percent Change from previous year: -0.15%
[Source: Wikipedia, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Membership History, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_history]
New Converts : -93
Percent Change from previous year: -0.15%
[Source: Wikipedia, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Membership History, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_history]
180 years ago today - Dec 31, 1836
[Heber C. Kimball]
"Dec. 31, 1836, I was present when Elder Brigham Young baptized my friend, Willard Richards, in a tributary of the Chagrin River, east of my house, at twelve o'clock, midnight, having assisted my brethren in the afternoon cutting through the ice for that purpose, and assisted at his confirmation. In a few days afterwards I met him in one of the streets; while talking on the spiritual affairs of the world, being full of prophecy I prophesied in the name of the Lord that I should yet go on a mission to the shores of Europe. Brother Richards asked, `Shall I go with thee?' and I said unto him, `Yea, in the name of the Lord, thou shalt go with me when I go.'"
[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]
"Dec. 31, 1836, I was present when Elder Brigham Young baptized my friend, Willard Richards, in a tributary of the Chagrin River, east of my house, at twelve o'clock, midnight, having assisted my brethren in the afternoon cutting through the ice for that purpose, and assisted at his confirmation. In a few days afterwards I met him in one of the streets; while talking on the spiritual affairs of the world, being full of prophecy I prophesied in the name of the Lord that I should yet go on a mission to the shores of Europe. Brother Richards asked, `Shall I go with thee?' and I said unto him, `Yea, in the name of the Lord, thou shalt go with me when I go.'"
[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]
185 years ago today - Dec 31, 1831
"One of the party'spoke of a person in Ohio'who had a wonderful facility in finding the spots where money was hid, and how he could dream of the very spots where it was to be found. ' Away they went'to gain his money to pay the expense of bringing the money dreamer from Ohio."
[Source: "Mormonism," Rochester Daily Advertiser, (Rochester, NY), 31 December 1831, as quoted in A Topical Guide of Treasure-Seeking Rituals From the American Northeast during the 18th and 19th Centuries, Compiled by Joseph T. Antley (2010)]
[Source: "Mormonism," Rochester Daily Advertiser, (Rochester, NY), 31 December 1831, as quoted in A Topical Guide of Treasure-Seeking Rituals From the American Northeast during the 18th and 19th Centuries, Compiled by Joseph T. Antley (2010)]
185 years ago today - 1831
Church Membership at end of year: 680
New Converts : 400
Percent Change from previous year: 142.86%
[Source: Wikipedia, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Membership History, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_history]
New Converts : 400
Percent Change from previous year: 142.86%
[Source: Wikipedia, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Membership History, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints_membership_history]
140 years ago today - Winter 1876-77
While his appeals play out, John Lee writes his autobiography and confession, which he gives to his attorney, William Bishop, and which is later published under the title, Mormonism Unveiled.
[Source: Linder, Douglas, The Mountain Meadows Massacre Trials, http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTRIALS/mountainmeadows/leechrono.html]
[Source: Linder, Douglas, The Mountain Meadows Massacre Trials, http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTRIALS/mountainmeadows/leechrono.html]
150 years ago today - Dec 30, 1866
[Wilford Woodruff]
All the Presidency & most of the Twelve met in President B Youngs house for Prayer in the Circle. Joseph F Smith opened by Prayer, & Presidet Young was mouth. Oil was Consecrated to use in the 2d Anointing.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
All the Presidency & most of the Twelve met in President B Youngs house for Prayer in the Circle. Joseph F Smith opened by Prayer, & Presidet Young was mouth. Oil was Consecrated to use in the 2d Anointing.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - Dec 30, 1861
President Young remarked, it would not do to favor Astrology, an effort was made in the days of Joseph to establish Astrology. -- Salt Lake City
[Source: Brigham Young Office Journals, 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, 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 - Dec 30, 1856
Eight days after his excommunication, Mormons make night raid on office of Judge George P. Stiles and burn his law library in a privy. Anti-Mormon officials use this incident to falsely claim that Mormons have destroyed federal records.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
160 years ago today - Dec 30, 1856
[Brigham Young]
... There are devils here in this room, millions of them. I will say legions, because that is not so many. ... No man that loves this world has the spirit of God in him. ... I don't want you to call me God to you.
[Source: Discourses of Brigham Young]
... There are devils here in this room, millions of them. I will say legions, because that is not so many. ... No man that loves this world has the spirit of God in him. ... I don't want you to call me God to you.
[Source: Discourses of Brigham Young]
160 years ago today - Dec 30, 1856
[Brigham Young]
"I want to be where Joseph is, and he is advancing, and we shall never catch up with him, for while we advance, so will he. ... [Jedediah Grant] is under the dictation of Joseph; he is under that of Peter, I suppose; he is under Christ, and He is under God; and He is dictated by His father, and there never was a time when there was no God. Joseph said he wouldn't worship a god without a father or mother."
[Source: Discourses of Brigham Young]
"I want to be where Joseph is, and he is advancing, and we shall never catch up with him, for while we advance, so will he. ... [Jedediah Grant] is under the dictation of Joseph; he is under that of Peter, I suppose; he is under Christ, and He is under God; and He is dictated by His father, and there never was a time when there was no God. Joseph said he wouldn't worship a god without a father or mother."
[Source: Discourses of Brigham Young]
160 years ago today - Dec 30, 1856
Heber C. Kimball: "It is high time for this Legislature to repent, and begin to make restitution this very afternoon, if it takes all you have got. (Brigham, Repent of your religion, I mean your forms.) We don't want no forms. Go and get the font filled, and the Twelve will be on hand to baptize you this night."
[Source: Discourses of Brigham Young]
[Source: Discourses of Brigham Young]
160 years ago today - Dec 30, 1856
Br. Kimball said: Br. Brigham, you are the master of the house, and have a right to wear your hat here. Br. Brigham Young said: Yes, I have a right to wear my hat. Instead of this reformation waking me out of a deep sleep, and putting thunder and lightning into me, it has a contrary effect; and that spirit subsides in me. I am resting. When the first Twelve were called, then the thunder of the Almighty was in me; but Br Heber and I were only the fitmen [footmen]. Bless you, we could hardly reach up high enough to tie the shoes of Br. Hyde and John E. Page. I was just high enough to do that. But this did not infringe upon my priesthood. In the first days of the Twelve, there was much throwing of snot and wiping of faces, but I could not associate with such a spirit. The Twelve knew nothing about their priesthood; do they know anything about their priesthood now? They know no more about it than a boy four or five years old would, if we were to ordain him here today. That has been the burden upon me, that the Twelve did not know their duty and calling. I bore it as long as I could, until it seemed as if I should die; and I said to Br. Jeddy [Grant], '"I'll take my valise and I'll travel through the country, I'll not be caught riding either; and I'll preach and cry, 'If there is any man who will be for God, let him come out.'" and if I cannot find anyone to build up and bear off this kingdom, I will go into the wilderness and raise up a church among the Lamanites.'" Br. Jeddy got it immediately, and it killed him. If the Twelve have got the sprit, I am glad of it. And will rest, but not in death. I am not going to die, but if I don't live 130 years as I have sometimes said, I will live as long as I want to. How have I been situated since the death of Brother Joseph? I have had no one to stand guard for me. I have been like a man standing guard every night, but if you will stand guard for me I will rest. I will here digress a little. The brethren have thought I have used myself up with women, but it is not so. I do not use my women as much as you do yours. I do not do so much as I did when I had but one wife. (Heber: That's a fact, I do not do it.) I have had to stand on guard every night since Br. Joseph died, without anyone to keep the dogs out of the flock. Had it not been for that, I could not have stepped forth as I did at Nauvoo; but I did step forth, and drove the dogs and wolves out of the flock.
[Source: 920 M366, Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan, 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: 920 M366, Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
165 years ago today - Dec 30, 1851
[Hosea Stout]
The U. S. Destrict Court is now in sission to try 8 Mexicans who has been arrested for trading with the Indians without license
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
The U. S. Destrict Court is now in sission to try 8 Mexicans who has been arrested for trading with the Indians without license
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
175 years ago today - Dec 30, 1841
Joseph prophesies in the name of the Lord "that the first thing toward building up Warsaw was to break it down." George Miller, having been granted an official dispensation by Grandmaster Jonas, on Oct. 15, to meet with other Masons in Nauvoo, holds the first Masonic gathering in Nauvoo on Dec. 29, at the office of Hyrum Smith. Temporary officers are elected and by-laws are drafted. On Dec. 30 the second meeting of the Nauvoo Lodge is held. By-laws are approved and a petition with a list of names applying for new membership is submitted. Included among the applicants are Joseph Smith, Willard Richards, Brigham Young, Sidney Rigdon, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, and many other prominent Church leaders. No new members are actually admitted until the next formal installation on March 15, 1842.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
55 years ago today - Dec 29, 1961
Ernest Wilkinson: "I then had a conference with Brother Benson, who is very much concerned over the socialistic tendencies of Brother Brown. I then had a conference with President Brown, who is very much concerned over the superpatriotic tendencies of Brother Benson. It is apparent that I am caught in the center. I think Brother Benson, as a matter of principle, is right, but he has made some strategic mistakes."
[Source: Ernest L. Wilkinson diary as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
[Source: Ernest L. Wilkinson diary as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
160 years ago today - Dec 29, 1856
I went to President Youngs office with Elder Snow. We there found him & H C. Kimball & O Hyde. I Wilford Woodruff told President Brigham Young that we had drawn up a few lines for the presidents of the seventies to sign. I also said to him that I would not ask my brethren to do what I was not willing to do myself and inasmuch as I received my Apostleship from your hands I now surrender it unto you & throw myself into your hands & if their is any other hands man in Israel that you think will fill that place better than I do I will freely take it & not complain about it. Elder Lorenzo Snow said the same thing to President Young. Also did Elder Orson Hyde.
President Young said as for you Brother Woodruff & Brother Snow I have never [known] you when you felt the responsibility of your Apostleship or was as well qualifyed to magnify your Callings as at the present time. But as for you Brother Hyde I will say if you do not magnify your Callings Better than you have done I shall object to your standing whare you do if nobody els does for you have not had the spirit of your Calling upon you. You have been trying to build yourself up & not the kingdom of God.
I remarked yes Brother Hyde the quorum of the Twelve feel this & have felt it for [a] good while. We want you to take hold & lead as you are our President. We want a leader & if you will magnify your Calling we will be with you.
President Young made some remarks about Orson Pratt & said if he did not take a diferent Course in his Phylosophy & order of reasening he would not stay long in this Church. He made other remarks.
I arose to go out. Brother Brigham said Brother Woodruff whare are you going? Come dont be in a hurry. I shall be Jealeous of you. Does not the spirit of God dwall here? I want men to stop here who has the spirit of God. It rests me. I am Crowded all day with men & things which makes me weary. ...
Then with O Hyde & L Snow I went to the 70" Hall & found the House full & F D Richards making 4 of the Twelve, we Called upon the seventies to speak or the Presidents. They all spoke & was followed by the Twelve who had much of the spirit & power of God & gave much good instruction. We still expressed our feelings to the Presidents of the 70" about surrendering their presidency to the Presidency of the Church.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
President Young said as for you Brother Woodruff & Brother Snow I have never [known] you when you felt the responsibility of your Apostleship or was as well qualifyed to magnify your Callings as at the present time. But as for you Brother Hyde I will say if you do not magnify your Callings Better than you have done I shall object to your standing whare you do if nobody els does for you have not had the spirit of your Calling upon you. You have been trying to build yourself up & not the kingdom of God.
I remarked yes Brother Hyde the quorum of the Twelve feel this & have felt it for [a] good while. We want you to take hold & lead as you are our President. We want a leader & if you will magnify your Calling we will be with you.
President Young made some remarks about Orson Pratt & said if he did not take a diferent Course in his Phylosophy & order of reasening he would not stay long in this Church. He made other remarks.
I arose to go out. Brother Brigham said Brother Woodruff whare are you going? Come dont be in a hurry. I shall be Jealeous of you. Does not the spirit of God dwall here? I want men to stop here who has the spirit of God. It rests me. I am Crowded all day with men & things which makes me weary. ...
Then with O Hyde & L Snow I went to the 70" Hall & found the House full & F D Richards making 4 of the Twelve, we Called upon the seventies to speak or the Presidents. They all spoke & was followed by the Twelve who had much of the spirit & power of God & gave much good instruction. We still expressed our feelings to the Presidents of the 70" about surrendering their presidency to the Presidency of the Church.
[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 - Dec 29, 1846
Young gives an address in tongues, "then conversed in tongues with Elder Kimball."
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
175 years ago today - Dec 29, 1841
Eighteen (2 X 09) Mormon Masons met in the office of Hyrum Smith to organize the Nauvoo Lodge. George D. Miller was elected Grand Master; John D. Parker, Grand Warden; and Lucius Scovill, Junior Warden. The following day Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon petitioned for membership in the Lodge.
[Source: Homer, Michael, 'Similarity of Priesthood in Masonry':The Relationship Between Freemasonry and Mormonism, Dialogue, Vol. 27, No. 3]
[Source: Homer, Michael, 'Similarity of Priesthood in Masonry':The Relationship Between Freemasonry and Mormonism, Dialogue, Vol. 27, No. 3]
180 years ago today - Dec 29, 1836
Gov. Boggs of Missouri signs into law a compromise bill forming two smaller counties out of a larger one; this forms Caldwell and Daviess counties. It is understood that Caldwell County will be reserved exclusively for the Mormons, although some of them also settle in Daviess County. In a short space of time, 4900 Saints move into Caldwell County and settle near Far West and other places. ___
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
185 years ago today - Winter or Spring 1831
Ezra Booth, a Methodist minister; John Johnson, and Johnson's wife and family visit Joseph Smith out of curiosity. Joseph heals Mrs. Johnson's lame arm miraculously. They are all converted.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
55 years ago today - Dec 28, 1961
[Hugh B. Brown] The Church has not taken any stand officially relating to these various groups who nominate themselves as guardians of our freedom, except in the case of the John Birch Society, and we are definitely against their methods…. We do not think dividing our own people, casting reflections on our government officials, or calling everybody Communists who do not agree with the political views of certain individuals is the proper way to fight Communism. We think the Church should be a modifying, steadying institution and our leaders, or even members, should not become hysterical or take hasty action.
[Source: Hugh B. Brown to Alicia Bingham, Box 48, fd. 21, Firmage Papers as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
[Source: Hugh B. Brown to Alicia Bingham, Box 48, fd. 21, Firmage Papers as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
60 years ago today - Dec 28, 1956
First Presidency letter urging that all departing missionaries receive the Salk vaccination against polio, which contributes to more a rapid decline of this disease in Mormon culture than in the U.S. generally. Its recent victims include the brother of Seventy's president Bruce R. McConkie and the son of Apostle Spencer W. Kimball.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
105 years ago today - Dec 28, 1911; Thursday
Defects in certain of our hymns was informally talked about, and Bro[ther]s. Penrose and Joseph F[ielding]. Smith Jr. had been asked to give attention to them, also to supply corrections.
Pres[iden]t. Penrose now referred to this matter, and suggested that a committee be appointed to do this work, and suggested that Brother Whitney be added.
President Smith now appointed Bro[ther]s. Charles W. Penrose, Orson F. Whitney and Joseph F[ielding]. Smith Jr. as that committee, remarking that he hoped the revision would consist of as few changes as possible. ...
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
Pres[iden]t. Penrose now referred to this matter, and suggested that a committee be appointed to do this work, and suggested that Brother Whitney be added.
President Smith now appointed Bro[ther]s. Charles W. Penrose, Orson F. Whitney and Joseph F[ielding]. Smith Jr. as that committee, remarking that he hoped the revision would consist of as few changes as possible. ...
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
105 years ago today - Dec 28, 1911
[Joseph F. Smith, Letter to Joseph A. McRae]
Do not print or circulate any more of the King Follett sermon without hearing from us.
[Source: Joseph F. Smith, Letter to Joseph A. McRae, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Do not print or circulate any more of the King Follett sermon without hearing from us.
[Source: Joseph F. Smith, Letter to Joseph A. McRae, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
120 years ago today - Dec 28, 1896 (Monday)
The mission house at Fagalii, near Apia, Samoa, was attacked by rebel natives, who destroyed considerable missionary property.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
130 years ago today - Dec 28, 1886
A letter was received from B[isho]p W[illia]m B Preston of 12/27 asking counsel in regard to his purchasing the forest farm from Elder Brigham Young [Jr.] & asking the loan of 8000 at 7% interest. His letter was answered. It being imprudent at present to loan any of the funds now on hand. A letter was rec[eive]d from Sister E[liza]. R. S[now]. Smith, City Dec[ember] 27th enclosing a letter from Mrs. Belva A. Lockwood to her of Dec[ember] 20th also asking for 2d anointing for Sister Hannah Ells who was sealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith before his death. This privilege was granted and a letter was written to Sister Smith authorizing her or Sister Zina D. H. Young to attend to this ordinance on behalf of Sister Ells.
[Source: First Presidency Office Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Source: First Presidency Office Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
160 years ago today - Dec 28, 1856
The apostles preach that First Presidency has "retired from our midst because the people will not do as they are told," and the apostles also threatened to leave and take the "Holy Priesthood ... into the wilderness among the Lamanites, or to the Ten tribes." Brigham Young has already stopped administering sacrament to Utah's Mormons.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
160 years ago today - Dec 28, 1856
[Wilford Woodruff]
I attended the prayer Circle. <President Young said that Israel would not be cleansed until some had their> + * * [three black dots]. I attended the ward meeting at 3d ward. I heard S. M. Blair Bishop Weiler & his two Councillors speak. I then followed & spoke an hour with the spirit of God upon me. The vision of my mind was open to many things.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I attended the prayer Circle. <President Young said that Israel would not be cleansed until some had their> + * * [three black dots]. I attended the ward meeting at 3d ward. I heard S. M. Blair Bishop Weiler & his two Councillors speak. I then followed & spoke an hour with the spirit of God upon me. The vision of my mind was open to many things.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Dec 28, 1851
Patriarchal Blessing ...
A blessing by John Smith Patriarch, upon the head of George W. Bean ... thou art called to preach the Gospel to many nations, kindreds, and tongues. Thou shalt speak to them in their own language and thy persuasive manner of communicating shall cause them to believe. Thou shalt baptize kings and rulers, princes, and governors, and thousands of their subjects and lead them to Zion with stores of riches. No power shall stay tine hand for thou shalt speak and it shall be done. ...
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
A blessing by John Smith Patriarch, upon the head of George W. Bean ... thou art called to preach the Gospel to many nations, kindreds, and tongues. Thou shalt speak to them in their own language and thy persuasive manner of communicating shall cause them to believe. Thou shalt baptize kings and rulers, princes, and governors, and thousands of their subjects and lead them to Zion with stores of riches. No power shall stay tine hand for thou shalt speak and it shall be done. ...
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
130 years ago today - Dec 27, 1886
Sarah M. Granger Kimball, counselor in Relief Society general presidency, says that "her brother Lafayette Granger and the late Bishop [George] Miller in conversation once with the prophet Joseph Smith were told by him that when Mary the mother of Jesus was on her way to the hill country she was met by [God] the Father and the Angel Gabriel and the latter performed the marriage between the Father and Mary."
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
165 years ago today - Dec 27, 1851
Governor Brigham Young officially proclaims 1 January 1852 as "a day of Praise and Thanksgiving." In 1863 U.S. President Abraham Lincoln does likewise.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
175 years ago today - Dec 27, 1841
[Brigham Young]
I met with the Twelve at Brother Joseph's. He conversed with us in a familiar manner on a variety of subjects, and explained to us the Urim and Thummim which he found with the plates, called in the Book of Mormon the Interpreters. He said that every man who lived on the earth was entitled to a seerstone, and should have one, but they are kept from them in consequence of their wickedness, and most of those who do find one make an evil use of it; he showed us his seerstone.
[Source: Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).]
I met with the Twelve at Brother Joseph's. He conversed with us in a familiar manner on a variety of subjects, and explained to us the Urim and Thummim which he found with the plates, called in the Book of Mormon the Interpreters. He said that every man who lived on the earth was entitled to a seerstone, and should have one, but they are kept from them in consequence of their wickedness, and most of those who do find one make an evil use of it; he showed us his seerstone.
[Source: Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).]
175 years ago today - Dec 27, 1841
[Wilford Woodruff]
The Twelve or a part of them spent the day with Joseph the Seer & he unfolded unto them many glorious things of the kingdom of God the privileges & blessings of the priesthood &c. I had the privilege of seeing for the first time in my day the URIM & THUMMIM.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The Twelve or a part of them spent the day with Joseph the Seer & he unfolded unto them many glorious things of the kingdom of God the privileges & blessings of the priesthood &c. I had the privilege of seeing for the first time in my day the URIM & THUMMIM.
[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 - Dec 26, 1881
[Wilford Woodruff]
I dreamed that Presidet Young Came to me, and told me to take Care of myself and not to Expose myself to much.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I dreamed that Presidet Young Came to me, and told me to take Care of myself and not to Expose myself to much.
[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 - Monday, Dec 26, 1881
[John Henry Smith]
Salt Lake City
Today was observed as a general holladay.
... Today is notorious as being the day on which more drunkenness occurred than at any time since this city has been inhabited.
[Source: Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
Salt Lake City
Today was observed as a general holladay.
... Today is notorious as being the day on which more drunkenness occurred than at any time since this city has been inhabited.
[Source: Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
150 years ago today - Dec 26, 1866
[Wilford Woodruff]
The subjet of the Endowments & 2d Anointings was presented when President Young said that the order of the 2d anointing was for the persons to be anointed to be cloathed in their Priestly robes the man upon the right hand and wife or wifes upon the left hand. The Administrator may be dressed in his usual Clothing or in his Priestly Robes as he may see fit. The meeting Should be opened by Prayer then the Administrator should Anoint the man A King & Priest unto the Most High God. Then he should Anoint his wife or wives Queens & Priestess unto her husband. There should be but one man anointed at any one meeting. If more than one man is anointed in a day, They should Come together and open by Prayer as though their had not been any meeting before and thus Continue to the End.
Presidet Young said when a woman was Anointed a Queen to a good man and he died & the woman was sealed to another man for time it was not necessary for her to be anointed a Queen again but if she was Anointed a Queen to a man who was not worthy of a wife & she is sealed to another man she should be anointed a Queen unto him. When a good man dies & his wives have not been anointed Queens unto him they may be anointed Queens to him after his death without any Proxey.
In speaking of the Endowments Presidet Young said that all persons who wished strickly to observe the law of the Celestial Marriage Should not get married untill they got their Endowments & are sealed at the Altar. There may be instances whare persons are Aged & infirme and not Able to get to the Endowment House if they have not had their Endowments may be sealed and in some instances I have given this permission & others have taken the advantage of it & urged to be sealed without Coming to the Endowment House....
Some may ask the question why may we not seal & give Endowments abroad? Because it would destroy the object of the gathering. The People Should be gathered at head Quarters whare they Can be taught in the things of the kingdom of God & be under the direction of the Priesthood.
Presidet Young said that when Persons Came to get their Endowments [they] Should be Clean & pure. A man should not touch a woman for 10 days before getting their Endowments. And the Twelve while travelling should hold meetings with the male members as priesthood meetings & teach these [things] but they have to handled in wisdom or Evil will grow out of it.
In speaking of the death of Joseph Smith the prophet President Young said it was necessary for Joseph Smith to Shed his blood seal his Testimony with his blood that his testimony might rest upon all Nations that the wicked might be left without excuse in the day of Gods Judgments upon the wicked. If this had not been the Case he would not have been slain in Carthage jail. He sent away most of the Twelve and a Web was woven which brought about this Event.
The subject of A Sermon Preached by A Lyman and published in the Millennium Star April 5, 1862, in vol 24 was brought up & red & it was found to have done away with the Efficasy of the blood of Christ. Presidt B Young said he wished to know what the Twelve had to say about it For he had a god deal to say about it. When you do away with the blood of the Savior you do away with all the Gospel & plan of Salvation. If this doctrin as Preached by A Lyman & Some by O Pratt be preached & Published as the doctrins of the Church & not Contradicted by us it would not be long before there would be syms in the Church. This doctrin as Preached in this Sermon is fals doctrin. If we do not believe that it was necesary for Christ to Shed his Blood to save the world, whare is our Church? It is nothing. This does not Set well upon my feelings. It is grievious to me to have the Apostles teach fals doctrins. Now if the Twelve will sit down quietly & not Contradict Such doctrin are they justified? No they are not. ...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The subjet of the Endowments & 2d Anointings was presented when President Young said that the order of the 2d anointing was for the persons to be anointed to be cloathed in their Priestly robes the man upon the right hand and wife or wifes upon the left hand. The Administrator may be dressed in his usual Clothing or in his Priestly Robes as he may see fit. The meeting Should be opened by Prayer then the Administrator should Anoint the man A King & Priest unto the Most High God. Then he should Anoint his wife or wives Queens & Priestess unto her husband. There should be but one man anointed at any one meeting. If more than one man is anointed in a day, They should Come together and open by Prayer as though their had not been any meeting before and thus Continue to the End.
Presidet Young said when a woman was Anointed a Queen to a good man and he died & the woman was sealed to another man for time it was not necessary for her to be anointed a Queen again but if she was Anointed a Queen to a man who was not worthy of a wife & she is sealed to another man she should be anointed a Queen unto him. When a good man dies & his wives have not been anointed Queens unto him they may be anointed Queens to him after his death without any Proxey.
In speaking of the Endowments Presidet Young said that all persons who wished strickly to observe the law of the Celestial Marriage Should not get married untill they got their Endowments & are sealed at the Altar. There may be instances whare persons are Aged & infirme and not Able to get to the Endowment House if they have not had their Endowments may be sealed and in some instances I have given this permission & others have taken the advantage of it & urged to be sealed without Coming to the Endowment House....
Some may ask the question why may we not seal & give Endowments abroad? Because it would destroy the object of the gathering. The People Should be gathered at head Quarters whare they Can be taught in the things of the kingdom of God & be under the direction of the Priesthood.
Presidet Young said that when Persons Came to get their Endowments [they] Should be Clean & pure. A man should not touch a woman for 10 days before getting their Endowments. And the Twelve while travelling should hold meetings with the male members as priesthood meetings & teach these [things] but they have to handled in wisdom or Evil will grow out of it.
In speaking of the death of Joseph Smith the prophet President Young said it was necessary for Joseph Smith to Shed his blood seal his Testimony with his blood that his testimony might rest upon all Nations that the wicked might be left without excuse in the day of Gods Judgments upon the wicked. If this had not been the Case he would not have been slain in Carthage jail. He sent away most of the Twelve and a Web was woven which brought about this Event.
The subject of A Sermon Preached by A Lyman and published in the Millennium Star April 5, 1862, in vol 24 was brought up & red & it was found to have done away with the Efficasy of the blood of Christ. Presidt B Young said he wished to know what the Twelve had to say about it For he had a god deal to say about it. When you do away with the blood of the Savior you do away with all the Gospel & plan of Salvation. If this doctrin as Preached by A Lyman & Some by O Pratt be preached & Published as the doctrins of the Church & not Contradicted by us it would not be long before there would be syms in the Church. This doctrin as Preached in this Sermon is fals doctrin. If we do not believe that it was necesary for Christ to Shed his Blood to save the world, whare is our Church? It is nothing. This does not Set well upon my feelings. It is grievious to me to have the Apostles teach fals doctrins. Now if the Twelve will sit down quietly & not Contradict Such doctrin are they justified? No they are not. ...
[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 - Dec 26, 1866
Pres. Brigham Young expressed a desire to reestablish Relief Societies throughout the Church.
[Source: Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
[Source: Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
175 years ago today - Dec 26, 1841
[Joseph Smith]
The public meeting of the Saints was at my house this evening ... I read the 13th chapter of First Corinthians, also a part of the 14th chapter, and remarked that the gift of tongues was necessary in the Church; but that if Satan could not speak in tongues, he could not tempt a Dutchman, or any other nation, but the English, for he can tempt the Englishman, for he has tempted me, and I am an Englishman; but the gift of tongues by the power of the Holy Ghost in the Church, is for the benefit of the servants of God to preach to unbelievers, as on the day of Pentecost. When devout men from every nation shall assemble to hear the things of God, let the Elders preach to them in their own mother tongue, whether it is German, French, Spanish or "Irish," or any other, and let those interpret who understand the language spoken, in their own mothertongue, and this is what the Apostle meant in First Corinthians xiv: 27.
[Source: Manuscript History of the Church, in The Words of Joseph Smith by Joseph Smith by Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook]
The public meeting of the Saints was at my house this evening ... I read the 13th chapter of First Corinthians, also a part of the 14th chapter, and remarked that the gift of tongues was necessary in the Church; but that if Satan could not speak in tongues, he could not tempt a Dutchman, or any other nation, but the English, for he can tempt the Englishman, for he has tempted me, and I am an Englishman; but the gift of tongues by the power of the Holy Ghost in the Church, is for the benefit of the servants of God to preach to unbelievers, as on the day of Pentecost. When devout men from every nation shall assemble to hear the things of God, let the Elders preach to them in their own mother tongue, whether it is German, French, Spanish or "Irish," or any other, and let those interpret who understand the language spoken, in their own mothertongue, and this is what the Apostle meant in First Corinthians xiv: 27.
[Source: Manuscript History of the Church, in The Words of Joseph Smith by Joseph Smith by Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook]
120 years ago today - Dec 25, 1896
[Marriner W. Merrill]
Gave all my wives and two of my daughters Xmas presents costing me $93.00 cash. I spent the day at my homes in town today.
[Source: Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Gave all my wives and two of my daughters Xmas presents costing me $93.00 cash. I spent the day at my homes in town today.
[Source: Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
150 years ago today - Dec 25, 1866
[Wilford Woodruff]
25 Christmas I spent the time mostly at home. We had a Christmas dinner. Lorenzo Snow & Eliza Snow his daughter dined with us. I spent the Evening at home. Santaclauss called upon me & demanded for his Appropriatins $35 which I paid.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
25 Christmas I spent the time mostly at home. We had a Christmas dinner. Lorenzo Snow & Eliza Snow his daughter dined with us. I spent the Evening at home. Santaclauss called upon me & demanded for his Appropriatins $35 which I paid.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Dec 25, 1851
[Hosea Stout]
Wife & I went to a dinner & quilting at Allen Stouts. I then went up in town to see the opperations of Chrismas which was carried very largely by the boys serenading in the streets to the great annoyance of the police whose duty it was to keep the peace
Balls & parties of Different kinds were going on almost throughout the Valley and seems to be enjoying the times exceeding well
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Wife & I went to a dinner & quilting at Allen Stouts. I then went up in town to see the opperations of Chrismas which was carried very largely by the boys serenading in the streets to the great annoyance of the police whose duty it was to keep the peace
Balls & parties of Different kinds were going on almost throughout the Valley and seems to be enjoying the times exceeding well
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
170 years ago today - Thursday, Dec 24, 1846.
[Willard Richards]
Municipal high council met at Dr. Richard's round house at 6 p.m, W. Richards, W. Woodruff, G. A. Smith, E. T. Benson, O. Pratt, B. Young. ... Voted all ardent spirits that now, or shall be hereafter, brought into this camp shall be taken to the bishops, they to sell it, and the profits go to support the poor, the persons to receive a remuneration for their spirits from the bishops. Voted that all persons who have ardent spirits for sale be notified of the vote of council, and if he refuses to obey the resolution, that he forfeit all his stock on hand. Voted that the marshall set the price of the spirits rescinded.
Voted that the carriers be paid a dollar and a half per hundred for the freight of whiskey. Voted that Higbee be instructed not to ferry over another barrel of whiskey without license from the council. A unanimous vote was given by all present, Twelve, council, bishops and visitors of their approval of these spirit votes tonight. When the contrary vote was called, there was no vote.
[Source: Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
Municipal high council met at Dr. Richard's round house at 6 p.m, W. Richards, W. Woodruff, G. A. Smith, E. T. Benson, O. Pratt, B. Young. ... Voted all ardent spirits that now, or shall be hereafter, brought into this camp shall be taken to the bishops, they to sell it, and the profits go to support the poor, the persons to receive a remuneration for their spirits from the bishops. Voted that all persons who have ardent spirits for sale be notified of the vote of council, and if he refuses to obey the resolution, that he forfeit all his stock on hand. Voted that the marshall set the price of the spirits rescinded.
Voted that the carriers be paid a dollar and a half per hundred for the freight of whiskey. Voted that Higbee be instructed not to ferry over another barrel of whiskey without license from the council. A unanimous vote was given by all present, Twelve, council, bishops and visitors of their approval of these spirit votes tonight. When the contrary vote was called, there was no vote.
[Source: Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
1786
Catharine Hummer
"…and looking about I saw an angel standing at my right hand, who said: "Yes, my friend, it is midnight and late; the hour of midnight is approaching; alas, what shall I sav? love has grown cool among the members. Oh, that this were not so among those who are Brethren in the faith!" … And the Saviour and the Father stood on the other side of the water, and the Saviour called the innocent by name, one after the other, to go in. …These two, the Father and the Son, stood together on the other side. Then they also came to the water and preached, the Father to the godless, the Son to the pious."
[Source: Chronicon Ephratense, pp. 268-276 in 16 Precedents to Joseph Smith's First Vision, by Thinker of Thoughts, Nov 19, 2013]
"…and looking about I saw an angel standing at my right hand, who said: "Yes, my friend, it is midnight and late; the hour of midnight is approaching; alas, what shall I sav? love has grown cool among the members. Oh, that this were not so among those who are Brethren in the faith!" … And the Saviour and the Father stood on the other side of the water, and the Saviour called the innocent by name, one after the other, to go in. …These two, the Father and the Son, stood together on the other side. Then they also came to the water and preached, the Father to the godless, the Son to the pious."
[Source: Chronicon Ephratense, pp. 268-276 in 16 Precedents to Joseph Smith's First Vision, by Thinker of Thoughts, Nov 19, 2013]
1776
[Deseret]
Fathers Silvestre Velez de Escalante and Francisco Atanasio Dominguez seek a new route from New Mexico to California and explore Utah.
[Source: History to Go, Trappers, Traders and Explorers, http://historytogo.utah.gov/timeline/trapperstradersandexplorers.html]
Fathers Silvestre Velez de Escalante and Francisco Atanasio Dominguez seek a new route from New Mexico to California and explore Utah.
[Source: History to Go, Trappers, Traders and Explorers, http://historytogo.utah.gov/timeline/trapperstradersandexplorers.html]
55 years ago today - 55 years ago - Dec 23, 1961
the LDS Church News printed Ezra Taft Benson's talk in which he affirmed that "the internal threat to the American way of life is in the secret alliance which exists between the more advanced Social Democrats and the hard-core Communist conspiracy." He claimed that there was an "insidious infiltration of communist agents and sympathizers into almost every segment of American life." Benson added that "Social Democrats" in America were "in government, education, communications and-policy making bodies. There they remain today, occupying some of the highest offices in the land."
[Source: Benson, "Is There A Threat To The American Way of Life?" Deseret News "Church News," 23 Dec. 1961,15. 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, "Is There A Threat To The American Way of Life?" Deseret News "Church News," 23 Dec. 1961,15. 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.]
105 years ago today - 105 years ago - Dec 23, 1911
[First Presidency]
Our mind with respect to all such cases, that of Brother Evans included, is simply this: whether it be true or not that somebody in Church authority advised brethren to take this course [i.e., resign his membership in the Church in order to vote in Idaho], inasmuch as the intent and purpose of it was to frustrate the action of a combination of wicked conspiring men, who sought by means of this test oath legislation to prevent the Mormon people in Idaho from exercising their political rights, we cannot afford to recognize the rightfulness of such legislation by regarding the course taken by such brethren as worthy of disfellowshipment; ... their fellowship has never been questioned by the authorities of the Church on that account. And of course anything that yourselves and brethren of the high council can do by way of making it easy for the brethren referred to to assume their former positions in the Church without any formal action whatever, and partaking freely of the fellowship of the Saints, will be in the interest of salvation, and therefore labor worthily bestowed.
[Source: First Presidency, Letter to William A. Hyde and Counselors, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Our mind with respect to all such cases, that of Brother Evans included, is simply this: whether it be true or not that somebody in Church authority advised brethren to take this course [i.e., resign his membership in the Church in order to vote in Idaho], inasmuch as the intent and purpose of it was to frustrate the action of a combination of wicked conspiring men, who sought by means of this test oath legislation to prevent the Mormon people in Idaho from exercising their political rights, we cannot afford to recognize the rightfulness of such legislation by regarding the course taken by such brethren as worthy of disfellowshipment; ... their fellowship has never been questioned by the authorities of the Church on that account. And of course anything that yourselves and brethren of the high council can do by way of making it easy for the brethren referred to to assume their former positions in the Church without any formal action whatever, and partaking freely of the fellowship of the Saints, will be in the interest of salvation, and therefore labor worthily bestowed.
[Source: First Presidency, Letter to William A. Hyde and Counselors, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
135 years ago today - 135 years ago - Dec 23, 1881
Zina Young also recorded in her journal that on Joseph Smith's birthday in 1881, she washed and anointed one woman " for her health " and administered to another " for her hearing." She remembered the Prophet's birthday and reminisced about the days in Nauvoo when she was one of his plural wives : " I have practiced much with My Sister Presendia Kimball while in Nauvoo & ever since before Joseph Smiths death. He blest Sisters to bless the sick."
[Source: Zina Diantha Huntington Smith Young Diary, Vol. 13 Aug.- Dec. 1881, LDS archives, as quoted at http://ordainwomen.org/quotes. See Quinn, "Mormon Political Conflicts" for full cite and context.]
[Source: Zina Diantha Huntington Smith Young Diary, Vol. 13 Aug.- Dec. 1881, LDS archives, as quoted at http://ordainwomen.org/quotes. See Quinn, "Mormon Political Conflicts" for full cite and context.]
150 years ago today - 150 years ago - Dec 23, 1866 • Sunday
[George Q. Cannon]
In the afternoon Pres. B. Young spoke respecting our dealings with the Merchants. The counsel has been given of late to the people to deal with their friends and especially with our own brethren in preference to doing business with any body else. Some of the brethren in their zeal in talking to the people on this subject had counselled them to not deal with any Gentile, and if they did, they would be disfellowshipped. This had made a great stir among the Gentiles, and they had come out with a card signed by 23 houses, offering to sell out their goods and other property and improvements at a cash valuation, with a deduction of 25 per cent; but all their outstanding accounts must also .be. paid. They sent a copy of the Card to Pres. B. Young and another for publication as an advertisement to the Telegraph. Bro. Brigham wished me to write a reply to the Card, which I did on Friday, the 21st. [DEL: He thought] He told me how he wanted it written, and it was handed to the Telegraph for publication and appeared on Saturday, the 22^nd, over his signature. This had an excellent effect.
[Source: The Journal of George Q. Cannon, 1855–1875, Church Historian's Press, 2016, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
In the afternoon Pres. B. Young spoke respecting our dealings with the Merchants. The counsel has been given of late to the people to deal with their friends and especially with our own brethren in preference to doing business with any body else. Some of the brethren in their zeal in talking to the people on this subject had counselled them to not deal with any Gentile, and if they did, they would be disfellowshipped. This had made a great stir among the Gentiles, and they had come out with a card signed by 23 houses, offering to sell out their goods and other property and improvements at a cash valuation, with a deduction of 25 per cent; but all their outstanding accounts must also .be. paid. They sent a copy of the Card to Pres. B. Young and another for publication as an advertisement to the Telegraph. Bro. Brigham wished me to write a reply to the Card, which I did on Friday, the 21st. [DEL: He thought] He told me how he wanted it written, and it was handed to the Telegraph for publication and appeared on Saturday, the 22^nd, over his signature. This had an excellent effect.
[Source: The Journal of George Q. Cannon, 1855–1875, Church Historian's Press, 2016, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
150 years ago today - 150 years ago - Dec 23, 1866
Brigham Young preaches, "A Jew cannot now believe in Jesus Christ... They cannot have the benefit of the atonement until they gather to Jerusalem."
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
150 years ago today - Dec 23, 1866
He [Brigham Young] supposed they [victims of the "Mountain Massacre"] were massacreed by savages but he did not think before that they were as brutal as 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]
155 years ago today - Dec 23, 1861
Unidentified person fires five shots at federal associate justice Henry R. Crosby on Main Street in Salt Lake City.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
155 years ago today - Dec 23, 1861
Presidet Young followed & said you want to go to & Call a Convention. We want to get up a State Government. I believe as I live that we should organize a State Government and let it go into Effet by the 15 March & I have faith to believe that God will sustain us. This is a secret Corcus & I dont want it known what is done here. I Can say this about forming a State Government. I Believe that Abel Lincoln does intend to bring destruction upon this people if he Can and has the power.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
160 years ago today - Dec 23, 1856
[Wilford Woodruff]
L Snow moved that President Kimball should give us an address. President Kimball said I do not feel much like speaking to day. I feel feeble in body, & want my Liberty to act as I am moved by the Holy Ghost. But He began to talk & the power of God Came upon him & he spoke for an hour. I followed him & the room was filled as with Consumeing fire & all the member of the House Came in & they all spoke untill sundown & the House was filled with the spirit of God almost to the Consuming of our flesh & many things were revealed which were marvelous.
I attended the Bishops meeting in the evening. Bishop Hunter O Hyde W. Woodruff L. Snow & F D Richards & the fire of God still burned in us & many things were said. I never spent such a day & night in Israel.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
L Snow moved that President Kimball should give us an address. President Kimball said I do not feel much like speaking to day. I feel feeble in body, & want my Liberty to act as I am moved by the Holy Ghost. But He began to talk & the power of God Came upon him & he spoke for an hour. I followed him & the room was filled as with Consumeing fire & all the member of the House Came in & they all spoke untill sundown & the House was filled with the spirit of God almost to the Consuming of our flesh & many things were revealed which were marvelous.
I attended the Bishops meeting in the evening. Bishop Hunter O Hyde W. Woodruff L. Snow & F D Richards & the fire of God still burned in us & many things were said. I never spent such a day & night in Israel.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
160 years ago today - Dec 23, 1856
[Hosea Stout]
... the House went into the Council Chamber where President H. C. Kimball was preaching with great power being filled with the Spirit of God.
Nearly all the members spoke all being filled with the spirit the meeting lasted till dark[.] The power and testimony of the Elders of Israel exceeded any thing that I have seen in many a day[.] It was truly a pentacost –
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
... the House went into the Council Chamber where President H. C. Kimball was preaching with great power being filled with the Spirit of God.
Nearly all the members spoke all being filled with the spirit the meeting lasted till dark[.] The power and testimony of the Elders of Israel exceeded any thing that I have seen in many a day[.] It was truly a pentacost –
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
170 years ago today - Dec 23, 1846
[Wilford Woodruff]
President Young spoke upon some Principles. One was concerning love between man and wife Male and female as it would be in the morning of the resurrection. That in this life much called love was more the effect of passion than principle but in the resurrection the love to the man would be according to his exhaltation and glory.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
President Young spoke upon some Principles. One was concerning love between man and wife Male and female as it would be in the morning of the resurrection. That in this life much called love was more the effect of passion than principle but in the resurrection the love to the man would be according to his exhaltation and glory.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - December 23-27, 1836
To ease tensions among Clay and Jackson County residents and provide a county for Mormon settlers, Caldwell County is created by legislation, passing the House on the 23rd and the Senate on the 27th. Daviess County is also created, although disputations about its purpose arise later. Missouri natives feel that the Mormons agreed not to settle it, although no such agreement existed or was acknowledged by the Mormons.
[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]
115 years ago today - Sunday, Dec 22, 1901
[Rudger Clawson]
Topics treated. ... Life and character of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the authority held; not a soul of this generation would pass into the Celestial Kingdom without his sanction.
[Source: Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
Topics treated. ... Life and character of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the authority held; not a soul of this generation would pass into the Celestial Kingdom without his sanction.
[Source: Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
160 years ago today - Dec 22, 1856
[Wilford Woodruff]
Elder O Hyde spoke. Then I followed & the spirit & power of God rested upon me like a Burning flame & so it did upon Brother Snow & Brother Richards as they spoke & we all advised the first Presidents of the Seventies to go forward & present a resignation of their Presidency to President Young & let some men take the place who could magnify it. Hancock & Z Pulsipher said they would & B L Clapp spoke. We had the Spirit & power of God rest upon us like fire shut up in our bones & revealed many things unto us.
I went home & I did not feel like going to bed. I felt as though I wanted to set up & pray all night.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Elder O Hyde spoke. Then I followed & the spirit & power of God rested upon me like a Burning flame & so it did upon Brother Snow & Brother Richards as they spoke & we all advised the first Presidents of the Seventies to go forward & present a resignation of their Presidency to President Young & let some men take the place who could magnify it. Hancock & Z Pulsipher said they would & B L Clapp spoke. We had the Spirit & power of God rest upon us like fire shut up in our bones & revealed many things unto us.
I went home & I did not feel like going to bed. I felt as though I wanted to set up & pray all night.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
160 years ago today - Dec 22, 1856
At Seventy's meeting apostles ask six subordinate members of First Council to resign. Some do temporarily but are reinstated. A week later several apostles offer to resign from Quorum of Twelve.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
170 years ago today - Tuesday, Dec 22, 1846.
President Young taught that in the resurrection women would love those best who were the most lovely, that a man might love two women, but no woman could love two men because the man is the head of the woman and the woman should love her husband supremely.
[Source: Willard Richards Journal]
[Source: Willard Richards Journal]
175 years ago today - Dec 22, 1841
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith received the first supply of groceries for his store in 13 wagonloads that had been detained in St. Louis, Missouri.
[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]
180 years ago today - Dec 22, 1836
A special conference is called in Kirtland as a result of the financial embarrassment of the Saints in Kirtland. The branches abroad are instructed not to send only the poor people to Kirtland, for they have no monies with which to pay for things. The gathering to Kirtland is stopped, and donations and monies are requested from the other branches. At this time large tracts of land in Kirtland have been purchased and planned into lots. The long-range plan is for a large city. A printing establishment, sawmill, and tannery have been founded, all of which prove to be unprofitable. And the only people coming into Kirtland seem to be the poor converts, who only add to the problems of the Church. [The Kirtland Saftey Society bank venture contributes to the financial issues.]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
75 years ago today - Dec 21, 1941
[Heber J. Grant]
At 1 o'clock this morning Afton Young died....
I called her sister, Mrs. Jasmine Freed, and told her it was understood between her sister and me that she was to be sealed to me. She said: 'Yes, I have heard of that, and am very pleased. We have thoroughly appreciated what you have done for her.'
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
At 1 o'clock this morning Afton Young died....
I called her sister, Mrs. Jasmine Freed, and told her it was understood between her sister and me that she was to be sealed to me. She said: 'Yes, I have heard of that, and am very pleased. We have thoroughly appreciated what you have done for her.'
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
105 years ago today - Dec 21, 1911
[James E. Talmage]
Attended regular Council Meeting of First Presidency & Twelve, lasting from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. At this meeting I was appointed to preside in the Prayer Circle heretofore presided over by Pres[ident].
C[harles]. W. Penrose. The Circle meets in the Temple on Sundays immediately after the afternoon service in the tabernacle,'properly at 4 p.m.
[Source: James E. Talmage, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Attended regular Council Meeting of First Presidency & Twelve, lasting from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. At this meeting I was appointed to preside in the Prayer Circle heretofore presided over by Pres[ident].
C[harles]. W. Penrose. The Circle meets in the Temple on Sundays immediately after the afternoon service in the tabernacle,'properly at 4 p.m.
[Source: James E. Talmage, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
170 years ago today - Dec 21, 1846
Young performs marriage sealing "by permission, not according to law, as the sealing ordinances were stopped," then officially resumes performing sealings on 24 Jan. 1847.
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
105 years ago today - Dec 20, 1911
[George F. Gibbs]
[S]econd blessings are not given to women who do not live with their husbands. That is, a deceased woman may be sealed to a man without having lived with him as his wife, but would not be entitled to second blessings.
[Source: George F. Gibbs to Thomas B. Evans, Dec. 20, 1911, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[S]econd blessings are not given to women who do not live with their husbands. That is, a deceased woman may be sealed to a man without having lived with him as his wife, but would not be entitled to second blessings.
[Source: George F. Gibbs to Thomas B. Evans, Dec. 20, 1911, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
170 years ago today - Dec 20, 1846 (Afternoon)
[Brigham Young]
President Young called the people together at the stand on the council lot and gave them a severe chastisement for their sins and transgressions of the law of God. He told them that they must repent immediately and bring forth works of righteousness or they would be all swept from the face of the earth, and that the thieves need not undertake [to] go with the Saints from this camp for when we should leave here for the west the law of God in every particular would take full effect and that would cut the matter short, even as short as the man who went to cut a dog's tail off and by mistake he cut it close behind his ears. He did not want to go any further into the wilderness without an entire and thorough reformation, for we should all be destroyed by the Lamanites as were the Nephites of old, and finally concluded by saying that notwithstanding what he had said he still knew this to be the best people there was on the earth. I should conclude from all this that the inhabitants of the earth are nigh unto that period of destruction spoken of by Israel's prophets. -- Winter Quarters, Nebraska
[Source: Norton Jacob Diary, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah.. Also The Mormon Vanguard Brigade of 1847, Ronald Barney, ed. Logan: Utah State University Press, 2005. 89-90, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
President Young called the people together at the stand on the council lot and gave them a severe chastisement for their sins and transgressions of the law of God. He told them that they must repent immediately and bring forth works of righteousness or they would be all swept from the face of the earth, and that the thieves need not undertake [to] go with the Saints from this camp for when we should leave here for the west the law of God in every particular would take full effect and that would cut the matter short, even as short as the man who went to cut a dog's tail off and by mistake he cut it close behind his ears. He did not want to go any further into the wilderness without an entire and thorough reformation, for we should all be destroyed by the Lamanites as were the Nephites of old, and finally concluded by saying that notwithstanding what he had said he still knew this to be the best people there was on the earth. I should conclude from all this that the inhabitants of the earth are nigh unto that period of destruction spoken of by Israel's prophets. -- Winter Quarters, Nebraska
[Source: Norton Jacob Diary, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah.. Also The Mormon Vanguard Brigade of 1847, Ronald Barney, ed. Logan: Utah State University Press, 2005. 89-90, 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 - Dec 20, 1846
[Brigham Young]
Men get led away by degrees untill the devil gets possession of there tabernacle and they are led captive at the will of the devil. And now I say that those who are Calculating to continue in wickedness and serve the devil had better go no further with this Camp. They had better go to Missouri and spend the rest of there time with the gentiles for I can swear to them if they go with us & continue there wickedness there Heads shall be sevred from their tabernacles and the devils that are in them shall go and have no tabernacles to dwell in.
The truth of the matter is there are many places we pass through that have been the slaughter ground of the ancient Nephites and Lamanites and the spirits of Devils are hovering around it and if you are not on your guard they will enter you and lead you captive at their will. For if you are not governed by the spirit of God you will be by the spirit of the devil. And if you are governed by the spirit of God while in such places and they cannot enter any of you they will try to enter your cattle your beast for they want to enter some tabernacle as they did the swine in ancient days.
... The truth of the matter is those who are leading the House of Israel while in the path of there duty know the wickedness that is among the people. It cannot be hid from them for they are in vision all the time. ...
The remarks of president Young made a deep impression upon the congregation And I trust there will spedily be a refermation in the Camp of Israel.
[Source: As recorded in Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Men get led away by degrees untill the devil gets possession of there tabernacle and they are led captive at the will of the devil. And now I say that those who are Calculating to continue in wickedness and serve the devil had better go no further with this Camp. They had better go to Missouri and spend the rest of there time with the gentiles for I can swear to them if they go with us & continue there wickedness there Heads shall be sevred from their tabernacles and the devils that are in them shall go and have no tabernacles to dwell in.
The truth of the matter is there are many places we pass through that have been the slaughter ground of the ancient Nephites and Lamanites and the spirits of Devils are hovering around it and if you are not on your guard they will enter you and lead you captive at their will. For if you are not governed by the spirit of God you will be by the spirit of the devil. And if you are governed by the spirit of God while in such places and they cannot enter any of you they will try to enter your cattle your beast for they want to enter some tabernacle as they did the swine in ancient days.
... The truth of the matter is those who are leading the House of Israel while in the path of there duty know the wickedness that is among the people. It cannot be hid from them for they are in vision all the time. ...
The remarks of president Young made a deep impression upon the congregation And I trust there will spedily be a refermation in the Camp of Israel.
[Source: As recorded in Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Dec 20, 1836
[Wilford Woodruff]
Much of the spirit of Prophecy was poured out upon those Presidents while ordaining the third seventy [including Elijah Abel]. They Proclaimed great & marvelous things upon their heads. President Young had visions while Performing this ordinance.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Much of the spirit of Prophecy was poured out upon those Presidents while ordaining the third seventy [including Elijah Abel]. They Proclaimed great & marvelous things upon their heads. President Young had visions while Performing this ordinance.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Dec 20, 1836
Black Mormon Elijah Abel is ordained a seventy by Zebedee Coltrin. Abel was apparently reordained on April 4, 1841.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
125 years ago today - Dec 19, 1891
AMNESTY PETITION to the President: [of the United States]. Salt Lake, December 19, 1891.
We, the first presidency and apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, beg respectfully to represent to your excellency the following facts:
We formerly taught our people that polygamy, or celestial marriage, as commanded by God through Joseph Smith, was right; that it was a necessity to man's highest exaltation in the life to come.
The doctrine was publicly promulgated by our president, the late Brigham Young, forty years ago, and was steadily taught and impressed upon the Latter Day Saints up to a short time before September, 1890. Our people are devout and sincere, and they accepted the doctrine, and many embraced and practiced polygamy.
When the Government sought to stamp the practice out, our people almost without exception remained firm... Following this conviction, hundreds endured arrests, trial, fines, and imprisonment, and the immeasurable suffering borne by the faithful people no language can describe. That suffering in abated form still continues. More, the Government added disfranchisement to its other punishment for those who clung to their faith and fulfilled its covenants. According to our faith, the head of our Church receives from time to time revelations for the religious guidance of his people. In September, 1890, the present head of the church, in anguish and prayer cried to God for help for his flock, and received the permission to advise the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that the law commanding polygamy was henceforth suspended.
... Have they [our people] not the right to ask for such clemency as comes when the claims of both law and justice have been fully liquidated?
As shepherds of a patient and suffering people we ask amnesty for them and pledge our faith and honor for their future. And your petitioners will ever pray. WILFORD WOODRUFF, GEORGE Q. CANNON, JOSEPH F. SMITH, LORENZO SNOW, FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS. MOSES THATCHER, FRANCIS M. LYMAN, H. J. GRANT, JOHN HENRY SMITH, JOHN W. TAYLOR, M. W. MERRILL, ANTHON H. LUND, ABRAHAM H. CANNON.
[Source: 1891-December 19-RCH 3:114-115; also Stewart L. Grow, A Study, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
We, the first presidency and apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, beg respectfully to represent to your excellency the following facts:
We formerly taught our people that polygamy, or celestial marriage, as commanded by God through Joseph Smith, was right; that it was a necessity to man's highest exaltation in the life to come.
The doctrine was publicly promulgated by our president, the late Brigham Young, forty years ago, and was steadily taught and impressed upon the Latter Day Saints up to a short time before September, 1890. Our people are devout and sincere, and they accepted the doctrine, and many embraced and practiced polygamy.
When the Government sought to stamp the practice out, our people almost without exception remained firm... Following this conviction, hundreds endured arrests, trial, fines, and imprisonment, and the immeasurable suffering borne by the faithful people no language can describe. That suffering in abated form still continues. More, the Government added disfranchisement to its other punishment for those who clung to their faith and fulfilled its covenants. According to our faith, the head of our Church receives from time to time revelations for the religious guidance of his people. In September, 1890, the present head of the church, in anguish and prayer cried to God for help for his flock, and received the permission to advise the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that the law commanding polygamy was henceforth suspended.
... Have they [our people] not the right to ask for such clemency as comes when the claims of both law and justice have been fully liquidated?
As shepherds of a patient and suffering people we ask amnesty for them and pledge our faith and honor for their future. And your petitioners will ever pray. WILFORD WOODRUFF, GEORGE Q. CANNON, JOSEPH F. SMITH, LORENZO SNOW, FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS. MOSES THATCHER, FRANCIS M. LYMAN, H. J. GRANT, JOHN HENRY SMITH, JOHN W. TAYLOR, M. W. MERRILL, ANTHON H. LUND, ABRAHAM H. CANNON.
[Source: 1891-December 19-RCH 3:114-115; also Stewart L. Grow, A Study, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
125 years ago today - Dec 19, 1891
[Brigham Young Jr.]
At the office the doctrine was advanced that, if the husband of plural wives did not, under the circumstances, live with his first wife he was perpetuating the same wrong upon her that congressional law had perpetuated upon the plural wives. After much argument the brethren conceded that the first wife was only entitled to her share of the husbands time proportionatelyto his number of wives. I assert that, I will have all of my wives or none God being my helper. 1892
[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]
At the office the doctrine was advanced that, if the husband of plural wives did not, under the circumstances, live with his first wife he was perpetuating the same wrong upon her that congressional law had perpetuated upon the plural wives. After much argument the brethren conceded that the first wife was only entitled to her share of the husbands time proportionatelyto his number of wives. I assert that, I will have all of my wives or none God being my helper. 1892
[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 - Dec 19, 1886
John Taylor enters his first plural marriage since the passage of the 1862 federal law against Mormon polygamy. Performed by the brides father, and witnessed by his counselor George Q. Cannon and bodyguard Charles H. Wilcken.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
135 years ago today - Dec 19, 1881
This is one of the most important days of my life. I met with the Presidet John Taylor and 2d Councillor Joseph F Smith and 7 of the Twelve viz. Wilford Woodruff Orson Pratt, Charles C Rich, Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D Richards Francis M Lyman, John Henry Smith And John Smith the first Patriarch and the Presiding Bishop Edward Hunter and L John Nuttall. C. C. Rich was Carried in a Chair. O Pratt was vary feeble yet we all performed the ordinance of washing our feet against Our Enemies And the Enemies of the Kingdom of God according to the Commandmet of God unto us.
W. Woodruff opened By Prayer And John Taylor was Mouth in the washing of feet. At the Prayer Circle Lorenzo Snow was Mouth at the opening And Presidet JOHN TAYLOR was mouth at the Altar, and Presented the Prayer written By W. Woodruff (By request of Presidet Taylor) And the names were presented before the Lord according to the Commandment.
It was truly a solomn scene and I presume to say it was the first thing of the Kind since the Creation of the world. The Names & Prayer Presented will be recorded By Br L John Nuttall Presidets Taylors Secretary. We were 3 Hours in the Meeting & ordinances. This is the last time that the Apostle Orson Pratt will Ever in this life Officiate in an important Cerimony in the Church & Probably the Same with Charles C Rich.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
W. Woodruff opened By Prayer And John Taylor was Mouth in the washing of feet. At the Prayer Circle Lorenzo Snow was Mouth at the opening And Presidet JOHN TAYLOR was mouth at the Altar, and Presented the Prayer written By W. Woodruff (By request of Presidet Taylor) And the names were presented before the Lord according to the Commandment.
It was truly a solomn scene and I presume to say it was the first thing of the Kind since the Creation of the world. The Names & Prayer Presented will be recorded By Br L John Nuttall Presidets Taylors Secretary. We were 3 Hours in the Meeting & ordinances. This is the last time that the Apostle Orson Pratt will Ever in this life Officiate in an important Cerimony in the Church & Probably the Same with Charles C Rich.
[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 - Dec 19, 1841
Joseph the Seer arose & read a Chapter in the New Testiment containing the parable of the vine & its branches & explained it much to our edification & said "if we kept the commandments of God we should bring forth fruit & be the friends of God & know what our Lord did.
"Some say Joseph is a fallen Prophet because he does not bring forth more of the word of the Lord." "Why does he not do it?" Are we able to receive it? No (says he) not one in this room. ...
On Revelation He said "A man would Command his Son to dig potatoes, saddle his horse but before he had done either tell him to do sumthing els. This is a considerd right. "But as soon as the Lord gives a commandment & revokes that decree & commands sumthing els then the prophet is considerd fallen &c." Because we will not receive chastizment at the hand of the Prophet & Apostles the Lord chastizeth us with sickeness & death. ...
The reason we do not have the Secrets of the Lord revealed unto us is because we do not keep them but reveal them. We do not keep our own secrets but reveal our difficulties to the world even to our enemies. Then how would we keep the secrets of the Lord? Joseph Says I can keep a secret till dooms day. ...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
"Some say Joseph is a fallen Prophet because he does not bring forth more of the word of the Lord." "Why does he not do it?" Are we able to receive it? No (says he) not one in this room. ...
On Revelation He said "A man would Command his Son to dig potatoes, saddle his horse but before he had done either tell him to do sumthing els. This is a considerd right. "But as soon as the Lord gives a commandment & revokes that decree & commands sumthing els then the prophet is considerd fallen &c." Because we will not receive chastizment at the hand of the Prophet & Apostles the Lord chastizeth us with sickeness & death. ...
The reason we do not have the Secrets of the Lord revealed unto us is because we do not keep them but reveal them. We do not keep our own secrets but reveal our difficulties to the world even to our enemies. Then how would we keep the secrets of the Lord? Joseph Says I can keep a secret till dooms day. ...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Dec 19, 1836
[General Blessings]
Patriarchal Blessing of Dominicus Carter given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... You shall have power over winds and waves. and when you shall be cast away upon a desert Island, and many times feel yourself forsaken the Angels shall minister unto you. And when you are on the ocean and your life in Peril you shall have power to calm the waves. And should your lot be cast among a barbarous people and they seek to destroy you if need require it you shall even power to translate yourself or to call down fire from heaven as did Elijah of old ... You shall stand to behold the winding up scene and shall have a multiplicity of blessings which my tongue cannot express, and I seal you up to eternal life, even so Amen
[Source: Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:115-116, in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
Patriarchal Blessing of Dominicus Carter given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... You shall have power over winds and waves. and when you shall be cast away upon a desert Island, and many times feel yourself forsaken the Angels shall minister unto you. And when you are on the ocean and your life in Peril you shall have power to calm the waves. And should your lot be cast among a barbarous people and they seek to destroy you if need require it you shall even power to translate yourself or to call down fire from heaven as did Elijah of old ... You shall stand to behold the winding up scene and shall have a multiplicity of blessings which my tongue cannot express, and I seal you up to eternal life, even so Amen
[Source: Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:115-116, in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
185 years ago today - Dec 19, 1831
The Church purchases nearly sixty-four acres of the temple lot in Independence, Missouri, from Jones H. Flournoy at a cost of $130.
55 years ago today - Dec 18, 1961
It has been the policy in the past to require all divorced persons to be cleared by the First Presidency before they could be issued a recommend to the temple. Hereafter it will not be necessary to submit such cases to the First Presidency for clearance except in those instances where the person seeking a temple recommend has had more than one divorce since baptism or has been divorced from a husband or wife to whom he or she has been sealed in the temple even though the sealing has been cancelled...
[Source: David O. McKay, Henry D. Moyle, and Hugh B. Brown, circular letter, Dec. 18, 1961, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Source: David O. McKay, Henry D. Moyle, and Hugh B. Brown, circular letter, Dec. 18, 1961, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
130 years ago today - Dec 18, 1886
[Wilford Woodruff]
I receivd 2 letters from B Young and Lot Smith. Daggs the great sheep Man of San Francis[co] Mountains and his herder a stout Englishman undertook to kill Lot Smith But Lot got the first shot. Cut off one of the fingers of the Englishman and stove his gun to peaces so he Could not shoot. They then beged for quarters and the fight stoped.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I receivd 2 letters from B Young and Lot Smith. Daggs the great sheep Man of San Francis[co] Mountains and his herder a stout Englishman undertook to kill Lot Smith But Lot got the first shot. Cut off one of the fingers of the Englishman and stove his gun to peaces so he Could not shoot. They then beged for quarters and the fight stoped.
[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 - Dec 18, 1876
[Wilford Woodruff]
Elder Erastus Snow arived & we held a Priesthood Meeting and we all spoke our feelings & advised the people not to Mingle with the Miners nor unite with them in dancing parties and to sell their wine by the Barrel to the Miners & not retail it.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Elder Erastus Snow arived & we held a Priesthood Meeting and we all spoke our feelings & advised the people not to Mingle with the Miners nor unite with them in dancing parties and to sell their wine by the Barrel to the Miners & not retail it.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
1736
"a Woman may have several husbands; most commonly of the same Family, nay, Brothers; the Children are dispos'd of among them after this manner; the First-born belongs to the eldest [brother-husband], and those which are born afterwards belong to the younger [brother-husbands]; when the Lamas are tax'd [i.e., accused] with this shameful piece of Lewdness, they offer in excuse the scarcity of Women which are in Thibet [Tibet], as well as in Tartary, where in reality in every Family there are more Males than Females"
[Source: Jean-Baptiste Du Halde, The General History of China, trans. Richard Brookes, 4 vols. (London: John Watts, 1736), 3: 44, in "Evidence For The Sexual Side of Joseph Smith's Polygamy," Comments by D. Michael Quinn on Session #2A "Reconsidering Joseph Smith's Marital Practices," Mormon History Association's Annual Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 29 June 2012 (unabbreviated version, revised during July)]
[Source: Jean-Baptiste Du Halde, The General History of China, trans. Richard Brookes, 4 vols. (London: John Watts, 1736), 3: 44, in "Evidence For The Sexual Side of Joseph Smith's Polygamy," Comments by D. Michael Quinn on Session #2A "Reconsidering Joseph Smith's Marital Practices," Mormon History Association's Annual Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 29 June 2012 (unabbreviated version, revised during July)]
1716
"For when a Roman thought himself to have a sufficient Provision of Children, in case his Neighbour who had none, should come and desire him to accommodate him with his Wife, that he also might have the benefit of Issue from his fruitful Woman; he had a lawful Power to lend her to him who desired her, either for a certain time, or else to loose the Bonds of Marriage, and consign her into the Hands of her Paramour for ever. But the Laconian had another rule: for it was allowable for him to afford the use of his Wife to any other that desired to have Children by her, and yet still to keep her in his House, and retain the Bond and Conditions of Marriage in the same force and vertue [virtue] as before"
[Source: "The Comparison of NUMA with LYCURGUS," at end of Paul Rycaut's translation of "THE LIFE OF Numa Pompilius," in John Dryden, ed., Plutarch's Lives: In Five Volumes. Translated from the Greek, By several Hands, 5 vols. (London: Jacob Tonson, 1716), 1: 203, in "Evidence For The Sexual Side of Joseph Smith's Polygamy," Comments by D. Michael Quinn on Session #2A "Reconsidering Joseph Smith's Marital Practices," Mormon History Association's Annual Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 29 June 2012 (unabbreviated version, revised during July)]
[Source: "The Comparison of NUMA with LYCURGUS," at end of Paul Rycaut's translation of "THE LIFE OF Numa Pompilius," in John Dryden, ed., Plutarch's Lives: In Five Volumes. Translated from the Greek, By several Hands, 5 vols. (London: Jacob Tonson, 1716), 1: 203, in "Evidence For The Sexual Side of Joseph Smith's Polygamy," Comments by D. Michael Quinn on Session #2A "Reconsidering Joseph Smith's Marital Practices," Mormon History Association's Annual Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 29 June 2012 (unabbreviated version, revised during July)]
1681
"In this Countrey [sic] each Man, even the greatest, hath but one Wife; but a Woman often has two Husbands. For it is lawful and common with them for two Brothers to keep house together with one Wife, and the Children do acknowledge and call both Fathers"
[Source: Robert Knox, An Historical Relation Of the Island Ceylon, in the East-Indies: Together With an Account of the Detaining in Captivity [of] the Author and divers other Englishmen now Living there, and of the Author's Miraculous Escape (London: Richard Chiswell, 1681), 94, in "Evidence For The Sexual Side of Joseph Smith's Polygamy," Comments by D. Michael Quinn on Session #2A "Reconsidering Joseph Smith's Marital Practices," Mormon History Association's Annual Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 29 June 2012 (unabbreviated version, revised during July)]
[Source: Robert Knox, An Historical Relation Of the Island Ceylon, in the East-Indies: Together With an Account of the Detaining in Captivity [of] the Author and divers other Englishmen now Living there, and of the Author's Miraculous Escape (London: Richard Chiswell, 1681), 94, in "Evidence For The Sexual Side of Joseph Smith's Polygamy," Comments by D. Michael Quinn on Session #2A "Reconsidering Joseph Smith's Marital Practices," Mormon History Association's Annual Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 29 June 2012 (unabbreviated version, revised during July)]
95 years ago today - 95 years ago - Dec 17, 1921
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
We have pleasure in announcing new issues of the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price, with double-column pages, index and other helps, all conforming in general to the style and arrangement of the latest edition of the Book of Mormon.
The text of the Doctrine and Covenants is preceded by an "Explanatory Introduction" comprising in concise form the essential facts relating to the history of this sacred volume of latter-day revelation. Another introductory feature is the "Chronological Order of Contents" in which the several Sections are listed with date and place relating to each. Each Section is introduced by a comprehensive heading, in which are stated the circumstances under which the particular Section was given, and a brief summary of its contents. An extended "Index and Concordance" is included.
The Pearl of Great Price is also provided with a copious index and other helps not hitherto published. ...
We recommend these new issues of the three distinctive standard works of the Church for thoughtful and prayerful study. HEBER J. GRANT, CHARLES W. PENROSE, ANTHONY W. IVINS, First Presidency.
[Source: {1921-December 17-Deseret News, December 17, 1921, p. 4; Improvement, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
We have pleasure in announcing new issues of the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price, with double-column pages, index and other helps, all conforming in general to the style and arrangement of the latest edition of the Book of Mormon.
The text of the Doctrine and Covenants is preceded by an "Explanatory Introduction" comprising in concise form the essential facts relating to the history of this sacred volume of latter-day revelation. Another introductory feature is the "Chronological Order of Contents" in which the several Sections are listed with date and place relating to each. Each Section is introduced by a comprehensive heading, in which are stated the circumstances under which the particular Section was given, and a brief summary of its contents. An extended "Index and Concordance" is included.
The Pearl of Great Price is also provided with a copious index and other helps not hitherto published. ...
We recommend these new issues of the three distinctive standard works of the Church for thoughtful and prayerful study. HEBER J. GRANT, CHARLES W. PENROSE, ANTHONY W. IVINS, First Presidency.
[Source: {1921-December 17-Deseret News, December 17, 1921, p. 4; Improvement, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
120 years ago today - Dec 17, 1896; Thursday
John Taylor to come to Logan after the dedication of the Temple. He did so, and found Brother Taylor at Brother Thatcher's house. Pres[ident]. Taylor saw him coming, went out and met him on the porch, and told him he had decided to appoint him to take charge of the Temple, but that Brother Thatcher had opposed the appointment, and had also opposed his appointment as President of the Stake. Pres[ident]. Taylor said that Brother Thatcher's opposition was very pronounced, but that all the rest of the brethren agreed in the appointment. But in consequence of Brother Thatcher's opposition, Pres[ident]. Taylor went before the Lord privately and laid the matter before Him, and the Lord told him that Brother Merrill was the man. The voice was "still and small", leaving Pres[ident]. Taylor somewhat in doubt. On enquiring again, it spoke Brother Merrill's name in a sharp voice which penetrated his very soul. This Pres[ident]. Taylor said, freed him entirely from doubt, and he told Brother Merrill "You are the man to take charge of the Temple, notwithstanding Brother Thatcher's opposition to it". ...
Pres[ident]. ...
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
Pres[ident]. ...
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
160 years ago today - Dec 17, 1856
[Wilford Woodruff]
... we then went to Bishop Hoaglands & found him quite sick confined to his bed with the Rheumatism & also much troubled with Evil Spirits. We administered to him by the laying on of hands & rebuked the desease & Evil spirits. We felt a good spirit in administering to him.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
... we then went to Bishop Hoaglands & found him quite sick confined to his bed with the Rheumatism & also much troubled with Evil Spirits. We administered to him by the laying on of hands & rebuked the desease & Evil spirits. We felt a good spirit in administering to him.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
105 years ago today - Dec 15, 1911
[Joseph F. Smith]
... President John Taylor felt called upon to deal with this evil in a drastic way, by imposing upon the bishops the duty of requiring all Church members guilty of sexual sin to make public confession, and ask public forgiveness, and this without taking into account the gravity of the sin committed, or the extent to which it was known. ... The intent of the modification is simply this, that transgression committed in secret should not necessarily be made public; or, to use the language of the revelation [D&C 42], if any offend openly, he or she should be rebuked openly; but if any offend in secret, they should not be rebuked openly. The point therefore we wish to emphasize is that unnecessary punishment should not now be inflicted on wrongdoers by spreading the knowledge of their wrongdoing as to do so is neither good policy, nor is it in the interest of good morals.
[Source: Joseph F. Smith, Letter to W. C. Parkinson, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
... President John Taylor felt called upon to deal with this evil in a drastic way, by imposing upon the bishops the duty of requiring all Church members guilty of sexual sin to make public confession, and ask public forgiveness, and this without taking into account the gravity of the sin committed, or the extent to which it was known. ... The intent of the modification is simply this, that transgression committed in secret should not necessarily be made public; or, to use the language of the revelation [D&C 42], if any offend openly, he or she should be rebuked openly; but if any offend in secret, they should not be rebuked openly. The point therefore we wish to emphasize is that unnecessary punishment should not now be inflicted on wrongdoers by spreading the knowledge of their wrongdoing as to do so is neither good policy, nor is it in the interest of good morals.
[Source: Joseph F. Smith, Letter to W. C. Parkinson, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
110 years ago today - Dec 15, 1906
Polygamists and monogamists among General Authorities in 1890, 1900 & 1906-- Salt Lake City, Utah, December 15th, 1906. Senator Reed Smoot, Washington, D.C.
Dear Brother:
We proceed to give you herewith the information as to the General Authorities of the Church, asked for in your telegram of yesterday:
Polygamists in 1890. Monogamists in 1890. Wilford Woodruff John Smith George Q. Cannon Anthon H. Lund Lorenzo Snow Henry Herriman Franklin D. Richards Brigham Young Moses Thatcher Francis M. Lyman John Henry Smith George Teasdale Heber J. Grant John W. Taylor Marriner W. Merrill Abraham H. Cannon Jacob Gates Seymour B. Young C. D. Fjeldsted John Morgan George Reynolds B. H. Roberts William B. Preston Robert T. Burton John R. Winder
NOTE: According to Joseph F. Smith's own testimony in the Smoot Hearings he became a polygamist before 1890. Therefore his name must have been inadvertently left off this list of polygamists for 1890. His name it will be noted does not appear in either column.-JRC
Polygamists in 1900. Monogamists in 1900. Lorenzo Snow John Smith George Q. Cannon Anthon H. Lund Joseph F. Smith Abraham O. Woodruff Brigham Young Rudger Clawson Francis M. Lyman Reed Smoot John Henry Smith J. G. Kimball George Teasdale Rulon S. Wells Heber J. Grant Joseph W. McMurrin John W. Taylor William B. Preston Marriner W. Merrill John R. Winder Matthias F. Cowley Seymour B. Young C. D. Fjeldsted B. H. Roberts George Reynolds Robert T. Burton
Polygamists in 1906. Monogamists in 1906. Joseph F. Smith John R. Winder Francis M. Lyman Anthon H. Lund John Henry Smith George Teasdale Heber J. Grant John Smith Charles W. Penrose Rudger Clawson Seymour B. Young Reed Smoot B. H. Roberts Hyrum M. Smith George Reynolds George A. Smith Robert T. Burton George F. Richards Orson F. Whitney David O. McKay J. G. Kimball Rulon S. Wells Joseph W. McMurrin Charles H. Hart William B. Preston Orrin P. Miller
The balance of the information will follow as soon as it can be ascertained, are now working at it. Yours, etc., GEO. F. GIBBS, Secretary. {Office of The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
Dear Brother:
We proceed to give you herewith the information as to the General Authorities of the Church, asked for in your telegram of yesterday:
Polygamists in 1890. Monogamists in 1890. Wilford Woodruff John Smith George Q. Cannon Anthon H. Lund Lorenzo Snow Henry Herriman Franklin D. Richards Brigham Young Moses Thatcher Francis M. Lyman John Henry Smith George Teasdale Heber J. Grant John W. Taylor Marriner W. Merrill Abraham H. Cannon Jacob Gates Seymour B. Young C. D. Fjeldsted John Morgan George Reynolds B. H. Roberts William B. Preston Robert T. Burton John R. Winder
NOTE: According to Joseph F. Smith's own testimony in the Smoot Hearings he became a polygamist before 1890. Therefore his name must have been inadvertently left off this list of polygamists for 1890. His name it will be noted does not appear in either column.-JRC
Polygamists in 1900. Monogamists in 1900. Lorenzo Snow John Smith George Q. Cannon Anthon H. Lund Joseph F. Smith Abraham O. Woodruff Brigham Young Rudger Clawson Francis M. Lyman Reed Smoot John Henry Smith J. G. Kimball George Teasdale Rulon S. Wells Heber J. Grant Joseph W. McMurrin John W. Taylor William B. Preston Marriner W. Merrill John R. Winder Matthias F. Cowley Seymour B. Young C. D. Fjeldsted B. H. Roberts George Reynolds Robert T. Burton
Polygamists in 1906. Monogamists in 1906. Joseph F. Smith John R. Winder Francis M. Lyman Anthon H. Lund John Henry Smith George Teasdale Heber J. Grant John Smith Charles W. Penrose Rudger Clawson Seymour B. Young Reed Smoot B. H. Roberts Hyrum M. Smith George Reynolds George A. Smith Robert T. Burton George F. Richards Orson F. Whitney David O. McKay J. G. Kimball Rulon S. Wells Joseph W. McMurrin Charles H. Hart William B. Preston Orrin P. Miller
The balance of the information will follow as soon as it can be ascertained, are now working at it. Yours, etc., GEO. F. GIBBS, Secretary. {Office of The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
150 years ago today - Dec 15, 1866
On Saturday the 15 President Heber C Kimball while at the Endowmet House Prophesied that when the final last struggle Came to this Nation it would be at the Hill Cumorah whare both of the former Nations were destroyed.
[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]
155 years ago today - Dec 15, 1861
President Young ... said the Book that John Saw in the Hands of the angel was the Book Containing the record of the Events of the Children of men upon this Earth. The scribes keep a record in Heaven of the acts of men as they transpire upon the Earth & they will be Judged out of the Books. The Beasts there spoken of By John were actual Beasts that were raised from the dead. A true Prophet speaks of things which are true. They do not prophesy falsly. "We shall see the Judgments of God poured out upon the wicked untill it will make us weep. He said many interesting things and the spirit & power of God was upon him.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Dec 15, 1851
Baron von Gerolt, Prussia's minister to United States, checks out Book of Mormon from Library of Congress. He returns it 16 Feb. 1852. This Berlin diplomat is first representative of foreign government to show interest in Mormon scripture. Brigham Young reports to April 1852 conference that this ambassador requests copies of all LDS publications on behalf of Prussian monarch who "wished to investigate our doctrine."
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
170 years ago today - Dec 15, 1846
H C Kimball arose and related a dream. Said He was travelling with President Young vary fast and they thought they could fly and they flew through the air and lit down upon a large plain. And they saw it coverd with large groups of snakes and they had to jump from place to place to get over them but they lay still while they were in there midst. Brother Young said the interpetation was the people were full of evil and speaking evil of them but would not grumble while they were present.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Dec 15, 1836
Patriarchal Blessing of Laban Morrel given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... Thou ... shall have power to stay rivers shall have power to translate thyself from one place to another, shall have power over waters and winds, power over fires, shall be able to stand in the midst of Judgements unhurt. ...
Thou shalt see the winding up scene of this wicked and untoward generation, shall be present at the gathering. shall be able to stand in the flesh and see Jesus come in the clouds of heaven. ... I seal the[e] up unto eternal life. even so Amen.
[Source: Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:120, in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
Thou shalt see the winding up scene of this wicked and untoward generation, shall be present at the gathering. shall be able to stand in the flesh and see Jesus come in the clouds of heaven. ... I seal the[e] up unto eternal life. even so Amen.
[Source: Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:120, in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
180 years ago today - 1836: 15 December
[Patriarchal Blessing]
Lorenzo Snow. (Given by Joseph Smith, Sen.)
... God has looked upon thee from all eternity and has been bountiful in gifts; has given thee intelligence, talent and great faculties of mind that thou mightest be useful in His cause. Thou hast a great work to perform. God has called thee to the Ministry; Thou must preach the Gospel unto the inhabitants of the earth. Thou shalt become a Mighty man. Thou shalt have great faith, even like the brother of Jared. Thou shalt have power to translate thyself from one planet to another; and power to go to the moon if thou so desire; power to preach to the spirits in prison; power to rend the veil and see Jesus Christ at the right hand of the Father; power, like Enoch, to translate thyself to heaven,--there shall not be a Mightier man on earth than thou; thy faith shall increase and grow stronger, till it shall become like Peter's:--thy shadow shall restore the Sick; the diseased shall send to thee their aprons and handkershiefs and by thy touch their owners shall be made whole. Thou shall have power over unclean spirits; at thy command, the powers of darkness and devils shall flee away.
If expedient the dead shall rise and come forth at thy bidding, even those who have long slept in the dust. Thou shalt have long life; live to the age of Moses yet not be old; age shall not come upon thee; the vigor of thy mind shall not be abated and the vigor of thy body shall be preserved. Thou shalt have power to stand in the flesh and see Jesus come in the clouds. No power shall be able to take thy life so long as thy life shall be useful to the children of men. ... Thou must pray for thy kindred and be diligent and they shall all receive a celestial glory. ... Thou shalt sit in counsel with the hundred and forty-four thousand, and be able to sing the song.
[Source: Typescript; Ms 1330, LDS Archives, in Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Lorenzo Snow. (Given by Joseph Smith, Sen.)
... God has looked upon thee from all eternity and has been bountiful in gifts; has given thee intelligence, talent and great faculties of mind that thou mightest be useful in His cause. Thou hast a great work to perform. God has called thee to the Ministry; Thou must preach the Gospel unto the inhabitants of the earth. Thou shalt become a Mighty man. Thou shalt have great faith, even like the brother of Jared. Thou shalt have power to translate thyself from one planet to another; and power to go to the moon if thou so desire; power to preach to the spirits in prison; power to rend the veil and see Jesus Christ at the right hand of the Father; power, like Enoch, to translate thyself to heaven,--there shall not be a Mightier man on earth than thou; thy faith shall increase and grow stronger, till it shall become like Peter's:--thy shadow shall restore the Sick; the diseased shall send to thee their aprons and handkershiefs and by thy touch their owners shall be made whole. Thou shall have power over unclean spirits; at thy command, the powers of darkness and devils shall flee away.
If expedient the dead shall rise and come forth at thy bidding, even those who have long slept in the dust. Thou shalt have long life; live to the age of Moses yet not be old; age shall not come upon thee; the vigor of thy mind shall not be abated and the vigor of thy body shall be preserved. Thou shalt have power to stand in the flesh and see Jesus come in the clouds. No power shall be able to take thy life so long as thy life shall be useful to the children of men. ... Thou must pray for thy kindred and be diligent and they shall all receive a celestial glory. ... Thou shalt sit in counsel with the hundred and forty-four thousand, and be able to sing the song.
[Source: Typescript; Ms 1330, LDS Archives, in Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
55 years ago today - Dec 14, 1961
B]ishops and other local LDS officers who were members of the Birch Society ... circulated petitions in LDS meeting houses in support of the Birch Society's proposal to impeach Chief Justice Earl Warren and remove him from the U.S. Supreme Court. Immediately after press reports of Ezra Taft Benson's [December 1961] talk, Hugh B. Brown asked the editor of the Deseret News to write him a detailed briefing on the John Birch Society.
[Source: O. Preston Robinson, editor and general manager of the Deseret News, to Hugh B. Brown, 14 Dec. 1961, "as per your request," in "Hugh B. Brown's File on the John Birch; "The Movement to Impeach Earl Warren," The John Birch Society Bulletin (Aug. 1961): 5; George T. Boyd (associate director of the LDS Institute of Religion in Los Angeles) to the First Presidency (with copy to Benson), 14 Dec. 1961, regarding '"Hang Earl Warren' Then—an Apology," Salt Lake Tribune, 14 Dec. 1961, A-4. 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: O. Preston Robinson, editor and general manager of the Deseret News, to Hugh B. Brown, 14 Dec. 1961, "as per your request," in "Hugh B. Brown's File on the John Birch; "The Movement to Impeach Earl Warren," The John Birch Society Bulletin (Aug. 1961): 5; George T. Boyd (associate director of the LDS Institute of Religion in Los Angeles) to the First Presidency (with copy to Benson), 14 Dec. 1961, regarding '"Hang Earl Warren' Then—an Apology," Salt Lake Tribune, 14 Dec. 1961, A-4. 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.]
95 years ago today - Dec 14, 1921
[James E. Talmage]
Today's Deseret News carries a news item, which is to be followed by an editorial, on the recent election of Dr. John A. Widtsoe, one of the Council of the Twelve, to membership in the Victoria Institute, or Philosophical Society of Great Britain. I know I am more delighted over this election than I was over my own in 1899. It was my pleasure to nominate Brother Widtsoe for membership in this distinctively Christian body of men and women of science, philosophy, and letters, and this I did long before he was called into the Council of the Twelve. To my great annoyance he was black-balled, doubtless because he was known to be a 'Mormon'. When next I was invited to make a nomination I referred to the adverse action taken in the case of Dr. Widtsoe, and nominated him again. The Victoria Institute is unique among learned bodies, in that the requirements for membership include, beside unquestioned standing in scholarship, a real belief in Christianity. To me it is significant that while some who understand us not say that the Latter-day Saints are not Christians, this body has elected two members of our Church'myself and Dr. Widtsoe'with full knowledge that we are 'Mormons'.
[Source: James E. Talmage, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Today's Deseret News carries a news item, which is to be followed by an editorial, on the recent election of Dr. John A. Widtsoe, one of the Council of the Twelve, to membership in the Victoria Institute, or Philosophical Society of Great Britain. I know I am more delighted over this election than I was over my own in 1899. It was my pleasure to nominate Brother Widtsoe for membership in this distinctively Christian body of men and women of science, philosophy, and letters, and this I did long before he was called into the Council of the Twelve. To my great annoyance he was black-balled, doubtless because he was known to be a 'Mormon'. When next I was invited to make a nomination I referred to the adverse action taken in the case of Dr. Widtsoe, and nominated him again. The Victoria Institute is unique among learned bodies, in that the requirements for membership include, beside unquestioned standing in scholarship, a real belief in Christianity. To me it is significant that while some who understand us not say that the Latter-day Saints are not Christians, this body has elected two members of our Church'myself and Dr. Widtsoe'with full knowledge that we are 'Mormons'.
[Source: James E. Talmage, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
105 years ago today - Dec 14, 1911
[St. George Temple] President [David H.] Cannon said, if the sisters find it necessary to wear shoes while going through endowments, they should put moccasins on over their shoes. This is the order of this temple and we are not controlled by Salt Lake Temple. * This temple has the original of these endowments which w[ere] given by President Brigham Young and we have not nor will we change anything thereof unless dictated by the President of the Church.
[Source: Temple Minute Book, St. George, Dec. 14, 1911, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Source: Temple Minute Book, St. George, Dec. 14, 1911, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
120 years ago today - Dec 14, 1896
[Seymour B. Young]
Pres[ident] [Lorenzo] Snow spoke about doing away with the killing of animals for food and informed me on my way home that I would live to hear those teachings from the general authorities of the Church to be observed by the whole people for said he how can the enmity cease between man and beasts so long as man consitutues [continues] to constitute himself their enemy by slaying them for food or sport every chance he may get to do so. He further informed me that it was known that our Lord and Savior had wives while he lived in the flesh and that they bore him posterity and that the descendants of these children were among the leading prophets and apostles of the Church and were also the great rulers of the greatest nations of the globe. This is wonderfull doctrine to me revealed by a servant of God and I accept it & receive it with all my heart.
[Source: Seymour B. Young, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Pres[ident] [Lorenzo] Snow spoke about doing away with the killing of animals for food and informed me on my way home that I would live to hear those teachings from the general authorities of the Church to be observed by the whole people for said he how can the enmity cease between man and beasts so long as man consitutues [continues] to constitute himself their enemy by slaying them for food or sport every chance he may get to do so. He further informed me that it was known that our Lord and Savior had wives while he lived in the flesh and that they bore him posterity and that the descendants of these children were among the leading prophets and apostles of the Church and were also the great rulers of the greatest nations of the globe. This is wonderfull doctrine to me revealed by a servant of God and I accept it & receive it with all my heart.
[Source: Seymour B. Young, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
135 years ago today - Dec 14, 1881
Martha Jane Coray, mother of twelve and BYU's first woman regent, dies at Provo.
[Source: Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book]
[Source: Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book]
135 years ago today - Dec 14, 1881
Pres[ident] [John] Taylor said[:] As a general thing it is not deem[e]d proper to give 2nd anointings to those who died before receiving the Gospel'there may be cases where persons who are dead & who embraced the gospel, that might have their anointings.
[Source: Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Source: Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
170 years ago today - Dec 13, 1946
Ezra Taft Benson ends his mission, leaveing Europe for the U.S. During his European relief mission, he traveled 61,236 miles—counting both transatlantic flights—and helped to coordinate the delivery of the equivalent of fifty-one train carloads, weighing some 2,000 tons, of relief supplies.
Confronting the horrors of National Socialism and Stalinist Communism, he developed a deep, abiding hatred of fascism, socialism, and especially communism. For Benson, individual liberty lay at the heart of God's plan for his children. The many lessons of that "never-to-be-forgotten year" would remain with Benson throughout his life.
[Source: Gary James Bergera, "Ezra Taft Benson's 1946 Mission to Europe" Journal of Mormon History 34:2 (Spring 2008)]
Confronting the horrors of National Socialism and Stalinist Communism, he developed a deep, abiding hatred of fascism, socialism, and especially communism. For Benson, individual liberty lay at the heart of God's plan for his children. The many lessons of that "never-to-be-forgotten year" would remain with Benson throughout his life.
[Source: Gary James Bergera, "Ezra Taft Benson's 1946 Mission to Europe" Journal of Mormon History 34:2 (Spring 2008)]
100 years ago today - Dec 13, 1916
[First Presidency to Susa Young Gates]
The July and August numbers of the Relief Society Magazine contained brief articles by some of the prominent elders of the Church on the subject of birth control, and in view of the importance of the subject and the attention it is receiving throughout the nation, you desire an expression from us in writing in regard to the attitude taken by the writers thereof, together with the soundness of the doctrine contained therein, with special reference to the article by Elder Joseph F. Smith, Jr. We give our unqualified endorsement to these articles, including that of Elder Joseph F. Smith, Jr., and commend the sentiments contained therein to members and non-members of the Church ... everywhere.
[Source: First Presidency, Letter to Susa Young Gates, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
The July and August numbers of the Relief Society Magazine contained brief articles by some of the prominent elders of the Church on the subject of birth control, and in view of the importance of the subject and the attention it is receiving throughout the nation, you desire an expression from us in writing in regard to the attitude taken by the writers thereof, together with the soundness of the doctrine contained therein, with special reference to the article by Elder Joseph F. Smith, Jr. We give our unqualified endorsement to these articles, including that of Elder Joseph F. Smith, Jr., and commend the sentiments contained therein to members and non-members of the Church ... everywhere.
[Source: First Presidency, Letter to Susa Young Gates, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
130 years ago today - Dec 13, 1886 (Monday)
Pres. Angus M. Cannon was arraigned in the Third District Court, where he was arrested again on three more charges, two for u.c. [Unlawful Cohabitation] and one for polygamy.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
160 years ago today - Dec 13, 1856
The following Dream was related by H. C. Kimball Nov 25 1856:
Nov 25 I dreamed that I was travelling with a Companion & we came to a powerful rapid stream of water like the Niagara River. The waves were rolling vary high & increasing in size. The waters had been muddy but were getting Clear. As we came to this powerful Stream we did not know how we should get over it. I turned my Eyes a few moments from my Companion & when I look back I saw him on the other side of the river & climing a steep hill. I did not know how he got there. I wanted to Cross so I called to him as loud as I Could to stop & wait for me but He paid no attention to me but went on as Hard as he Could. Then a person came to me & said you have an iron rod in your hand which I percieve I had several feet long. The Angel said to me you must use this rod & feel your way over the river & I awoke.
I Considered my dream & interpeted it as follows: My Companion was J. M. Grant. He has suddenly died & left me & is [on] the other side of the veil. The waters mean the people that are increasing in s[tran?]gs & growing better & clearer. The Iron rod is the word of God which I must Cling to till I get through death. I consider ther is great things awaiting this people.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Nov 25 I dreamed that I was travelling with a Companion & we came to a powerful rapid stream of water like the Niagara River. The waves were rolling vary high & increasing in size. The waters had been muddy but were getting Clear. As we came to this powerful Stream we did not know how we should get over it. I turned my Eyes a few moments from my Companion & when I look back I saw him on the other side of the river & climing a steep hill. I did not know how he got there. I wanted to Cross so I called to him as loud as I Could to stop & wait for me but He paid no attention to me but went on as Hard as he Could. Then a person came to me & said you have an iron rod in your hand which I percieve I had several feet long. The Angel said to me you must use this rod & feel your way over the river & I awoke.
I Considered my dream & interpeted it as follows: My Companion was J. M. Grant. He has suddenly died & left me & is [on] the other side of the veil. The waters mean the people that are increasing in s[tran?]gs & growing better & clearer. The Iron rod is the word of God which I must Cling to till I get through death. I consider ther is great things awaiting this people.
[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 - Sunday, Dec 13, 1846.
[Willard Richards]
President Young stated to the assembly that there was no occasion for grumbling, or Quorum of the Twelve explaining among the sisters whose husbands are in the army because they got no more money, for their dear husbands had only sent them about [$]5,000 when they received [$]22,000, and ought to have received it all. That the council had sent C[?] all the way to Santa Fe, and the Battalion had sent only [$]5,000, showing that they had kept about three-fourths of their money for the grog shop. [?] thinking more of them than they did of their dear wives and children would not have been received [?] the Camp of Israel, and what little they have got, if it had not have been for the Twelve, who receive nothing for their trouble or expense in the first payment and now they are going to help themselves.
President Young then spoke. ... The bishops ought to be able to give a description what every man does in the camp. When the bishops and high council don't do their duty, report them and we will deal with them by the high council. You can lead a man to do his duty, see that every man, woman, and child has something to eat. Now go to work and organize your bishops. ...
President Young wishes the 12 high council[men] and 22 bishops to bring one log a piece, 25 feet long, and he would have them put up into a house. Voted that the hands be raised to complete the [mill] race. President Young will have the house built close to his. Voted that every third man be drafted. ...
The Twelve remained in council for about an hour afterwards. Brother Luke Johnson was also with them and stated that all but one who were engaged in mobbing, tarring, and feathering Joseph and Sidney in the town of Hiram, Portage County, New York, had come to some untimely end, and the survivor, Carnot Mowen, had been severely afflicted and was the one who dragged Joseph out of the house by his hair. Dr. Denison prepared the vial for Joseph, supposed to be aqua fortis.
[Source: Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
President Young stated to the assembly that there was no occasion for grumbling, or Quorum of the Twelve explaining among the sisters whose husbands are in the army because they got no more money, for their dear husbands had only sent them about [$]5,000 when they received [$]22,000, and ought to have received it all. That the council had sent C[?] all the way to Santa Fe, and the Battalion had sent only [$]5,000, showing that they had kept about three-fourths of their money for the grog shop. [?] thinking more of them than they did of their dear wives and children would not have been received [?] the Camp of Israel, and what little they have got, if it had not have been for the Twelve, who receive nothing for their trouble or expense in the first payment and now they are going to help themselves.
President Young then spoke. ... The bishops ought to be able to give a description what every man does in the camp. When the bishops and high council don't do their duty, report them and we will deal with them by the high council. You can lead a man to do his duty, see that every man, woman, and child has something to eat. Now go to work and organize your bishops. ...
President Young wishes the 12 high council[men] and 22 bishops to bring one log a piece, 25 feet long, and he would have them put up into a house. Voted that the hands be raised to complete the [mill] race. President Young will have the house built close to his. Voted that every third man be drafted. ...
The Twelve remained in council for about an hour afterwards. Brother Luke Johnson was also with them and stated that all but one who were engaged in mobbing, tarring, and feathering Joseph and Sidney in the town of Hiram, Portage County, New York, had come to some untimely end, and the survivor, Carnot Mowen, had been severely afflicted and was the one who dragged Joseph out of the house by his hair. Dr. Denison prepared the vial for Joseph, supposed to be aqua fortis.
[Source: Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
170 years ago today - Dec 13, 1846
"When a man is found to be a thief," Young tells bishops, "he will be a thief no longer, cut his throat, & thro' him in the River."
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
170 years ago today - Dec 13, 1846
President Brigham Young gave the council instructions and in fact reproved them & the Bishops quite sharply for their negligence in not attending to the duty of their office and for working on the Sabath &c, and ordered the following items of business to be attended to forthwith
That map of the city be procured by the next session for the clerk of this council
That the Clerk keep a regular list of the Bishops of the different wards & the wards over which they act.
That the Bishops meet with the Council once a week to receive instruction
That the Council watch over the Bishops with a fatherly care and see that they organize and watch over their respetive Wards and see that none suffer
That the Council instruct the Bishops to have meetings in their several Wards for the men women & children once a week also to instruct them to have schools in their Wards.
He stated that he wanted the Twelve, the Council, & Bishops to search this place as with a lighted candle in their hands and put down all iniquity &c
He had an uncommon portion of the Holy spirit resting down upon him.& was filled with the sublime views of rolling forth this great and mighty work and if the council and Bishops will abide his advice a great and good work will soon be done here
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
That map of the city be procured by the next session for the clerk of this council
That the Clerk keep a regular list of the Bishops of the different wards & the wards over which they act.
That the Bishops meet with the Council once a week to receive instruction
That the Council watch over the Bishops with a fatherly care and see that they organize and watch over their respetive Wards and see that none suffer
That the Council instruct the Bishops to have meetings in their several Wards for the men women & children once a week also to instruct them to have schools in their Wards.
He stated that he wanted the Twelve, the Council, & Bishops to search this place as with a lighted candle in their hands and put down all iniquity &c
He had an uncommon portion of the Holy spirit resting down upon him.& was filled with the sublime views of rolling forth this great and mighty work and if the council and Bishops will abide his advice a great and good work will soon be done here
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
75 years ago today - Dec 12, 1941
[Heber J. Grant]
What little time I have had I had read quite a bit and I have been dumbfounded at the neglect at Pearl Harbor and the loss of a couple of battle ships and the death of Brother Clark's son-in-law, Mervyn S. Bennion, who was commander of the West Virginia. It looks like we were absolutely asleep when the Japanese struck.
... I feel in my heart there was no necessity of having war. It may be that I do him an injustice, but I blame the war on President Franklin D. Roosevelt. I think he had no business to meet Churchill and enter into a contract to join with him against Germany. Roosevelt has spent our money, in my judgment, lavishly to furnish employment, etc, simply, to put it in plain English, to bribe the poor people to vote for him for a third term. I do not think he was any more fit for a third term than any other man who has been the President of our nation. ... About half the Latter-day Saints worship him and the General Authorities of the Church have felt that he was not fit for a third term. The people are greatly divided, much to my sorrow. I did all in my power to keep us from repealing the prohibition act without coming right out and demanding the people vote to retain it. We surrendered ourselves to getting whisky back and we are reaping the reward.
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
What little time I have had I had read quite a bit and I have been dumbfounded at the neglect at Pearl Harbor and the loss of a couple of battle ships and the death of Brother Clark's son-in-law, Mervyn S. Bennion, who was commander of the West Virginia. It looks like we were absolutely asleep when the Japanese struck.
... I feel in my heart there was no necessity of having war. It may be that I do him an injustice, but I blame the war on President Franklin D. Roosevelt. I think he had no business to meet Churchill and enter into a contract to join with him against Germany. Roosevelt has spent our money, in my judgment, lavishly to furnish employment, etc, simply, to put it in plain English, to bribe the poor people to vote for him for a third term. I do not think he was any more fit for a third term than any other man who has been the President of our nation. ... About half the Latter-day Saints worship him and the General Authorities of the Church have felt that he was not fit for a third term. The people are greatly divided, much to my sorrow. I did all in my power to keep us from repealing the prohibition act without coming right out and demanding the people vote to retain it. We surrendered ourselves to getting whisky back and we are reaping the reward.
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
115 years ago today - Thursday, Dec 12, 1901
The clerk read a letter from ex-bishop Saml. F. Atwood of Kamas, in which he claimed that he had been misrepresented to Pres. Jos. F. Smith. One of the charges was that he had expressed disbelief in the visitation of the Father and Son to Joseph Smith, the prophet, and this, he said, was false. He denied the allegation. Pres. Smith remarked that he had been credibly informed that Bishop Atwood had made this remark, namely, that "God Almighty had bigger business to attend to than to visit the boy Joseph." However, the letter was referred to Pres. Moses Taylor of the Summit Stake for investigation and such proper action as may be necessary.
[Source: Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
[Source: Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
120 years ago today - Dec 12, 1896
[Heber J. Grant]
In company with Prest. David H. Cannon, drove to St. George. Bro. Cannon and I had a very pleasant visit, and I was somewhat surprised to have him inform me that many years ago, when he was bishop of one of the wards in St. George, and upon the day that the first wife of Bro. Daniel Seegmiller died, and when my cousin Anthony W. Ivins was but a small boy, that as he, Cannon, was going to the graveyard he rode in a buggy with Apostle Erastus Snow, and that Bro. Snow remarked to him that if Bro. Ivins kept the commandments of the Lord, and did his duty, that the day would come when he would be chosen to be an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
In company with Prest. David H. Cannon, drove to St. George. Bro. Cannon and I had a very pleasant visit, and I was somewhat surprised to have him inform me that many years ago, when he was bishop of one of the wards in St. George, and upon the day that the first wife of Bro. Daniel Seegmiller died, and when my cousin Anthony W. Ivins was but a small boy, that as he, Cannon, was going to the graveyard he rode in a buggy with Apostle Erastus Snow, and that Bro. Snow remarked to him that if Bro. Ivins kept the commandments of the Lord, and did his duty, that the day would come when he would be chosen to be an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
130 years ago today - Dec 12, 1886
[Eliza R. Snow to John Taylor]
I think President [John] Taylor will recollect a young English sis ter in Nauvoo by the name of Hannah Ells. She was sealed to Joseph [Smith] the Prophet before his death. She died in Nauvoo in sister Sarah Kimball's house. I loved her very much * was present at her death. I have had endowments for her. Sister Zina [D. H. Young] is in Logan and will, with your permission, have [the] second anointing for her.
[Source: Eliza R. Snow to John Taylor, Dec. 12, 1886, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
I think President [John] Taylor will recollect a young English sis ter in Nauvoo by the name of Hannah Ells. She was sealed to Joseph [Smith] the Prophet before his death. She died in Nauvoo in sister Sarah Kimball's house. I loved her very much * was present at her death. I have had endowments for her. Sister Zina [D. H. Young] is in Logan and will, with your permission, have [the] second anointing for her.
[Source: Eliza R. Snow to John Taylor, Dec. 12, 1886, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
135 years ago today - Dec 12, 1881
[James E. Talmage]
I want to do good among the young — probably lecture amongst the Improvement Associations, and encourage the study of nature. I have to give a first lecture on the subject of harmony between Geology and the Bible — a subject upon which so many of our people have mistaken ideas.
[Source: The Journals of James E. Talmage—Excerpts, Compiled by J. Trevor Antley, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dOE6pgN6OkBJIq-X73JGpCdt0p5b8_UdfTfLREz4uTg/]
I want to do good among the young — probably lecture amongst the Improvement Associations, and encourage the study of nature. I have to give a first lecture on the subject of harmony between Geology and the Bible — a subject upon which so many of our people have mistaken ideas.
[Source: The Journals of James E. Talmage—Excerpts, Compiled by J. Trevor Antley, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dOE6pgN6OkBJIq-X73JGpCdt0p5b8_UdfTfLREz4uTg/]
150 years ago today - Dec 12, 1866
Found Dead - Thomas Coleman, generally known as "Nigger Tom," was found about 9 PM last night by the police with a stab in the right breast and his throat cut.
The police were informed by a citizen last night that a negro lay dead near the arsenal, just outside the city wall. Captin Burt, with a squad of men started a search, and by the assistance of lanterns found the body, as stated, just above the arselen. It was immediately recognized as "Tom's." He lay o nhis back, his head westward and his own bowie knife (marked T. Coleman) laying near him. He was evidently killed on Monday night as young boys reported having discovered the body in the afternoon of yesterday. A large sheet of paper, with the following inscription, written with a pencil in large letters, was attached to the body:
"Notice to ALL Niggers! Take Warning!! Leave White Women Alone!!!"
[Source: Salt Lake Daily Telegraph]
The police were informed by a citizen last night that a negro lay dead near the arsenal, just outside the city wall. Captin Burt, with a squad of men started a search, and by the assistance of lanterns found the body, as stated, just above the arselen. It was immediately recognized as "Tom's." He lay o nhis back, his head westward and his own bowie knife (marked T. Coleman) laying near him. He was evidently killed on Monday night as young boys reported having discovered the body in the afternoon of yesterday. A large sheet of paper, with the following inscription, written with a pencil in large letters, was attached to the body:
"Notice to ALL Niggers! Take Warning!! Leave White Women Alone!!!"
[Source: Salt Lake Daily Telegraph]
160 years ago today - Dec 12, 1856
The President [Brigham Young] soon Came in & they gave an account of their procedings while at Fillmore. The snow was two Feet deep on the road a part of the way. They arived at Fillmore monday morning. They met with the Legislature through the day. They organized passed some resolutions & moved the seat of Government to salt Lake City & Adjourned to meet in the Great Salt City on the /18/ day of Dec 1856 & started for home during the evening. They found it vary Cold & snowing nearly all the way home.
On the night of the 3d inst. the night before J M. Grant was buried Mrs Batsheba Smith wife of G. A. Smith dreamed that George A. Smith was dead & that some other person wished to marry her which troubled her mind. On the same night Mrs Rose dreamed that George A. Smith was hung in Washing[ton] by the members of Congress because he was a Mormon.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
On the night of the 3d inst. the night before J M. Grant was buried Mrs Batsheba Smith wife of G. A. Smith dreamed that George A. Smith was dead & that some other person wished to marry her which troubled her mind. On the same night Mrs Rose dreamed that George A. Smith was hung in Washing[ton] by the members of Congress because he was a Mormon.
[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 - Dec 12, 1846
[Hosea Stout]
This evening word came down from the Omaha hunting party that they had been attacted by the Soui and the whole band killed off except one who made his escape & he thinks another made his escape naked but has not been heard of. It is supposed that about 50 or 60 has been killed.
The Indians hear had just got the news and were making their Lemintations in all their camps[.] They would weep and howl, cry, writhe and twist and make every gesture of sorrow that could be imagined[.] They made such a noise that President Young had them stopt.
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
This evening word came down from the Omaha hunting party that they had been attacted by the Soui and the whole band killed off except one who made his escape & he thinks another made his escape naked but has not been heard of. It is supposed that about 50 or 60 has been killed.
The Indians hear had just got the news and were making their Lemintations in all their camps[.] They would weep and howl, cry, writhe and twist and make every gesture of sorrow that could be imagined[.] They made such a noise that President Young had them stopt.
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
130 years ago today - 130 years ago - Dec 11, 1886
The following telegram was received: 'Washington [D.C.] 12/9/86 / to James Jack / ring delegates working very hard. John W. Young & I are forming additional combinations to defeat them. Will need more means, probably ten more; everything made contingent as far as possible. Better to remit five immediately. Answer soon. John T. Caine.' Bro[ther] James Jack was authorized with Bishop W[illiam] B Preston to draw 5000 from the safe. Bro[ther] James Jack was instructed to remit 5000 to John T. Caine as per his telegram ...
[Source: First Presidency Office Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Source: First Presidency Office Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
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