115 years ago today - Jan 31, 1901

[Brigham Young Jr.] My health is not good probably if I observed the word of wisdom more stric[t]ly would feel stronger good thing for me to try experiment of coma [?] I do keep it very well, but take cup of tea occasionally. I am sure this weakens my heart.

[Source: Brigham Young Jr., Diary, 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 - Jan 31, 1886

The Saints living at what would later be known as Colonia Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, hold the first meeting in their newly erected chapel, the first built in Mexico. The Mexican colonies were setup so that polygamy could be practiced in a more tolerant political environment.

155 years ago today - Jan 31, 1861

At the funeral of Charles Little, a child who had drowned the day before, Brigham Young says, "The question has often been asked how is it with little children? Will they grow or not after death? Joseph once said they would, and then he said they would not. He never had any revelation upon the subject, and I have no doctrine to give upon the subject. . . . Some have thought that it was ordained that children should die. But this is not true doctrine. It is not ordained of God that children should die, but it is the will of God that all children should live and grow up to manhood and fill up the measure of their days, . . ."

155 years ago today - Jan 31, 1861

[Brigham Young] If I bury a Child that is two years old, I dont want him or her to Come to me in a tabernacle 80 or 100 years old or at any other age ownly the age it left me and that is the way I believe it will be. We shall see there spirits before we see there bodies. Whare shall we go to find them? In the spirit world. But whare is that? Right here on the Earth whare they lived & whare we live.

[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 - Jan 31, 1856

At the Philosophical Juvenile Society in Salt Lake City "the children speak their pieces and read their compositions." Presiding Patriarch John Smith writes to his half-brother Joseph F. Smith and shares his annoyance that William Pierce had married John's sister, Jerusha Smith, without his permission. Brigham Young had appointed John guardian of the family after Mary Fielding died. In his letter John refers to the nineteenth-century Mormon practice of adoption, the sealing of members to church leaders "for eternity" He comments, "I know the Pierce family belongs in Brother Brigham's family, and he would like it first rate to get one of Father's [Hyrum Smith] daughters into his family and leave Father without any kingdom .... I do not believe that Bill married Jerusha because he loved her... it was the name more than anything else."

170 years ago today - Jan 31, 1846

[Hosea Stout] Prest J. P. Harmon notified me that the Eleventh Quorum was going to have their endowment to day and wanted me and wife to attend[.] I went home and brought her down and after staying awhile went with John Scott to see Br A. Cutler about the dissension of the Police and wanted him to and have the matter laid in a proper manner before the Twelve[.] This was about noon. I think some thing is wrong in the minds of the Twelve in relation to this matter but how it appears to them I know not. But I feel that I have done my duty in protecting their lives from their enemies both from within and without which thing has brought down the indignation of the mob and also false brethren upon me & my life is threatened by both and diligently sought for as I walk in the streets but whether I live or die I am determined to sustain the Twelve and the Authorities of this kingdom although I feel that some very unexpected catastrophe is going to happen because of false brethren

[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]

170 years ago today - Jan 31, 1846

Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Rhoda Richards (1784-1879) (aged 61) plural widow of Joseph Smith, Jr. sealed to Joseph Smith, Jr. for eternity and Young for time

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

170 years ago today - Jan 31, 1846

Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Mary Eliza Nelson (1812-1885) (aged 33) widow of John P. Greene sealed to John P. Greene for eternity and Young for time; divorced by 1850

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

170 years ago today - 31st [Jan 1846]

[Brigham Young] ... at 11 in the morning I attended a Publick meeting in the 2nd story of the Temple- Elder O. Pratt & myself addressed the meeting- at the close of our remarks- one Moses A. Smith an Apostate from our Faith arose and claimed the liberty of defending or rather investigate what he called Strangism & after holding his claims to the Presidency forth to the assembly which was that Jo- gave him (Strang) the Keys & rights of Presidency over the church by a letter directed to him from Jo Smith previous to his Martyrdom & so on- all of which was a simple fabricating thing-- without the least shadow of evidence to sustain all his- position- Bro. O. Hyde & myself then arose gave Strangism an entire blowing up & also excluded W. A. Smith - & Samuel C. Shaw from, the church and- also an action was taken upon J. J. Strang & Aaron Smith- who had been cut off Previously- for attempting to palm of a deception- upon the church by his Pretended Revelation- all of which was Sanctioned by a hearty Amen- The meeting closed at 3 O clock evening I Then walked up- into the atic story of the Temple- & took some refreshments after which I walked into the celestial Room where I in company with my wife remained- assisting to individual needs for attending to the adoption of persons into my Family- the alter having been placed into the celestial Room- the better to See it the convenance of all present-at candle light-the ordinances of adoption commenced & ended at 33 minets past 8 in the evening- during which time about 65 persons who were adopted to Elder H. C. Kimball A. Lyman, & to myself- 48 of that No were adopted into my family February 1st 1846

[Source: Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']

195 years ago today - Jan 31, 1821

Zina Diantha Huntington (Young), later the third general president of the Relief Society, is born in Watertown, New York.

20 years ago today - Jan 30, 1996

The Utah Senate closes a bi-partisan caucus billed as a discussion of a state education fund. Those present include about twenty senators, state commissioner of higher education, state superintendent of public education, and attorneys from the governor's and attorney general's offices. No vote is taken to close the meeting nor are minutes kept, though both are required by Utah's Open Meeting Act. Behind the closed doors, LDS senators Howard Stephenson and Charles Stewart level charges that public schools are promoting homosexuality and undermining family values. The meeting had been arranged after ten students petitioned to use a classroom at East High School for a gay and lesbian support group "to increase awareness about homosexuality in high schools, to decrease homophobia, and to help gay, lesbian, and bisexual students feel safe and welcome in their school environment". The students did not request meeting announcements or advertising, "we feel doing so would attract unwanted attention. We are extremely concerned for the safety and well-being of our members." The resulting controversy reaches national headlines when, with a four-to-three vote, the Salt Lake City school board bans all extracurricular clubs rather than allow the gay and lesbian support group.

65 years ago today - Jan 30, 1951

[Spencer W. Kimball] I reached the office at 9:30 to attend a special meeting of The Presidency and the Council of The Twelve, to consider the matter of the missionary work. Inasmuch as there has been great confusion and misunderstanding and opposition on the part of many of the draft boards, it seemed best that we discontinue calling missionaries of draft age for the time being. [As result, there is increase of missionary callings to young, married men who serve two or more years separated from their wives.]

[Source: Spencer W. Kimball, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]

90 years ago today - Jan 30, 1926

President Heber J. Grant writes to a stake president regarding a letter he received from a "Brother Arthur Bradder making application for his Second Blessings. Second blessings are only given by the President of the Church upon recommendation of a member of the Council of the Twelve. At some time when one of the Apostles is in your stake, if he feels to properly recommend Brother Bradder, the matter will be taken under advisement." This signals a policy change which greatly curtails the performance of Second Anointings during Grant's administration making them extremely rare after 1930. According to Apostle George F. Richards, the policy change was a result of an incident in which a "brother had received his Second Blessings, [and] while speaking in a priesthood meeting in one of the Idaho stakes, told the brethren that they all should have their Second Blessings. Of course that was a serious infraction of the charge which he received when he had his Second Anointings; but I have never learned of any serious consequences to follow, except the action on the part of the Authorities, discontinuing the administration of these blessings in the Church."

120 years ago today - Jan 30, 1896; Thursday

Meeting in Temple of Pres[idency]. & Twelve at 11 a.m. Talked over general demonstration which is being made in honor of Aunt Zina [D. H. Young]'s birthday. Was appointed chairmain [sic] of Committee to investigate this furor concerning Aunt Zina's birthday. Pres[iden]t [George Q.] Cannon was afterward added who will be pres[ident]. of Com[mittee]. I believe that there is a religious and political significance in so general movement among the women of the church.

[Source: Brigham Young Jr., Diary]

120 years ago today - Jan 30, 1896

The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve decide that women should not have their own prayer circles or participate with their husbands in prayer circle meetings.

[Source: https://byustudies.byu.edu/PDFLibrary/19.1QuinnLatter-day-dd60c2d0-159f-4238-84c7-42658a35d6ce.pdf Latter-day Saint Prayer Circles, BYU Studies 19 no. 1 (1978) by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]

125 years ago today - Jan 30, 1891

After some little discussion it was decided that it will be best for Z.C.M.I. and other corporations to cease paying tithing on their earnings but leave the stockholders to pay from their dividends. The custom, however, of deducting the tithing from the wages of employees was not discontinued. It was thought proper in some instances to induce eastern Gentiles of respectability to take stock with us in some of our large corporations. They would thus feel interested in protecting us in case of attack on our institutions. It was reported that there are many thieves working in Z.C.M.I. whose thefts have been discovered. Whether to make public examples of them or merely discharge them, was referred to the Board of Directors.

[Source: Abraham H. Cannon (Author), Edward Leo Lyman (Editor), Candid Insights of a Mormon Apostle: The Diaries of Abraham H. Cannon, 1889-1895, Signature Books]

155 years ago today - Jan 30, 1861

Brigham Young's office journal records: "Pres. Joseph Young related a dream he had to his brother the President as follows. He saw the first Presidency dealing out land and sections of land to the Brethren. In his dream he frequently saw the President with a Compass and chain in his hand, and sometimes working with it. Br. Joseph remarked he was sure he had dreamed this dream as often as one hundred times. Some of the brethren remarked it looked as if our inheritances would be dealt out to us in Jackson County. The President also related a dream In his dream he saw the children singing and dancing unusually merry, and the people also dancing and merry making with extraordinary energy."

170 years ago today - Jan 30, 1846

Revelation to Brigham Young, President of the Quorum of the Twelve, received at Nauvoo, Illinois, on 30 January 1846

yesterday [30 January] I had some conversation with Rubin [Reuben] Miller of Norway- [Ottawa, Illinois] he being considerably bewildered by Strang new- fangled Revelation- rendered him almost devoid of Reason although apparently honest in what he was doing - & said that the word of the Lord would- be decidedly satisfactorily to him- where upon I- said

thus saith the Lord unto Reuben Miller through Brigham Young- that [James J.] Strang is a wicked & corrupt man & that his revelations are as false as he is - therefore turn away from his folly- & never let it be said of Reuben Miller- that he ever was led away & entangled- by such nonsense

Thus saying I left him my time being to precious- to be spent in hearing and even talking about-such trash--

[Source: Brigham Young Journal, 31 Jan. 1846, typed copy, original LDS archives, available at Marquardt, H. Michael, http://www.xmission.com/~research/central/revel2.htm]

170 years ago today - Jan 30, 1846

[Nauvoo Temple] Weather vane placed on the steeple of the temple. The weather vane was a "representation of an angel in his priestly robes with a book of Mormon in one hand and a trumpet in the other which [was] over laid with gold." [It also included the masonic symbols of a compass and square, which are also used in Mormon temple worship.]

[Source: Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]

170 years ago today - Jan 30, 1846

John Taylor: Nauvoo Temple sealing for time to Lydia Dibble 30 January 1846.

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

170 years ago today - Jan 30, 1846

[Hosea Stout] [Alpheus Cutler] informed me that a company was organized to steal our waggons as fast as we got them done to prevent us from moving west. I then gave him a full statement of the nature of the dissension in the "Old Police"[.] He had a better understanding of it than any man which I had before talked with and seemed to comprehend the Spirit by which they were actuated and informed me of evil plotting against me which I had not heard of and also that my life was threatened by some in very positive terms. I felt that he was my friend.

[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]

175 years ago today - Jan 30, 1841

Joseph Smith is elected sole Trustee-in-rust for church, the legal entity for directing church finances until 1923. This enables Smith "to receive, acquire, manage or convey property, real, personal, or mixed, for the sole use and benefit of said church". Smith uses the office to combine corporate and personal affairs in an intricate manner never entirely unraveled after his death. Later Brigham Young, as Trustee-in-Trust does the same on an even larger scale requiring the Church to sue his estate after his death.

180 years ago today - Jan 30, 1836

[Joseph Smith] In the evening went to the upper rooms of the Lord's House and set the different quorems in order. Instructed the Presidents of the Seventy concerning the order of their anointing and requested them to proceed and anoint the Seventy. Having set all the quorems in order, I returned to my house being weary with continual anxiety and labour in put[t]ing all the Authorities in and in striving to purify them for the Solemn Assembly according to the commandment of the Lord.

[Source: Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]

185 years ago today - Jan 30, 1831

Sidney Rigdon preaches in Kirtland, Ohio that Joseph Smith, their latter-day oracle, is en route to Kirtland. During his sermon he challenges the world to "refute the divine pretensions of the Book of Mormon." In the audience is the father of Alexander Campbell, who writes to his son. Alexander Campbell, Ridgon's former mentor, writes to Rigdon taking up the challenge: "I, therefore, as in duty bound, accept the challenge, and shall hold myself in readiness, if the Lord permit, to meet you publicly, in any place, either in Mentor or Kirtland, or in any of the adjoining towns that may appear most eligible for the accommodation of the public. The sooner the investigation takes place the better for all concerned." When the letter is delivered to Rigdon he, after coming to the line "the infernal book of Mormon" throws the letter into the fire. Rigdon never meets Campbell in open debate.

40 years ago today - Jan. 29-30, 1976

[George H.] F[udge]: About this same time, in 1961, we were down to a point where we were so short of names [of the dead for proxy ordinances] that literally we were running backwards and forwards to the Salt Lake Temple almost on a daily basis taking the names for the next day. The alternatives were that we would have to do something drastic in providing names or we would have to close the temples or decrease the number of sessions they had. When that was placed before the Brethren, President [David O.] McKay said that the temples must not close. Therefore the Genealogical Society would be responsible for keeping those temples open and supplying names. We could not go out then with the whip and tell the Saints, "Do more and more research." The alternative was that we would begin with an extraction program ourselves. * So then really what we were doing is performing ordinances and these were being held [in abeyance in the spirit world] until a person proved himself worthy to accept them. Now if that was a true concept, then why couldn't we go ahead and perform ordinances not necessarily in the same sequence as we had been doing for the living? This concept would enable us to take a christening record and not only perform the baptism and endowment, but also seal the child to his parents from that one record. In doing that[,] we would be sure that the child was sealed to his correct parents. We wouldn't have to worry about grouping them. In other words, if we sealed every child to his parents and assumed we had all the records of the whole world, in the end we would have sealed everyone in the world. Well, I took that concept to the Brethren. Elder [Theodore M.] Burton was then the managing director [of the Genealogical Department]. President [N. Eldon] Tanner had been made an apostle and was not a member of the First Presidency. In turn we went to Elder [How- ard W.] Hunter, who was the president of the [Genealogical] Society. Brother Burton was the managing director, or the general manager at that time. Brother Hunter felt it was a good concept, so he went to the First Presidency with it. After some deliberation by the Brethren they decided that it was a correct concept and that we should pursue it. They sent us a written statement accordingly to approve us going ahead. ...

[Source: George H. Fudge oral history, Jan. 29-30, 1976; pp. 15 17 19; excerpt in Buerger Papers, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]

115 years ago today - Tuesday, Jan 29, 1901

[Rudger Clawson] Pres. Snow stated that a very serious charge had been made by The Salt Lake Tribune against the Presidency of the church to the effect that they had sold out or bargained away for a money consideration the United States senatorship to Thos. Kearns. The purpose of the meeting, therefore, was to consider the wisdom and propriety of starting a suit for libel against the publishers of that paper. By request of Pres. Snow, Elder C. W. Penrose read a number of excerpts from different issues of the Tribune covering the change.

In the opinion of the attorneys present there was good ground for a libel suit and this view was shared by all present. After some discussion it was unanimously decided that it would not be wisdom for President Snow to institute the suit, but that this should be done by Thos. Kearns, who was equally interested in the matter, and that Pres. Snow could bring suit later on, if deemed advisable.

Many, if not all of the brethren present, felt that if by this arrangement Thos. Kearns was vindicated before the courts and the public, the Presidency also would naturally share in said vindication. It is sufficient to say that there is not the least coloring of truth in the charge, but it is a malicious libel on the part of the Tribune. Pres. G. Q. Cannon was delegated to confer with Thos. Kearns relative to the matter.

[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]

125 years ago today - Jan 29, 1891

[Heber J. Grant] [At apostles' meeting] President Lorenzo Snow. Said he was astonished to hear that Brother Joseph had ever imagined that he lacked confidence in him. When in the Saint George Temple the Lord had showed to him that Prest. Taylor should soon pass away and that Prest. Woodruff would be selected as the President of the Church and that Bro. Cannon would be his First and Brother

Smith his second Counselor. Had the most perfect confidence in brother Joseph and always had had. ...

After our meeting I had a very nice chat with Prest. Cannon and explained more fully that at the present time he had my perfect confidence and respect and that I loved him and was simply confessing my own sins at the time I spoke about my efforts to see that he did not get the position of Vice Prest. of Z.C.M.I. I expressed my great pleasure that he should be willing to be a Director of the Coop. Wagon and Machine Co. with me as the President. After our chat as we were starting away and shaking hands he leaned over and kissed me and I felt the tears of gratitude coming to my eyes as I returned the kiss. I hope and pray with all my hart that the day will never come again when I will lack confidence in any of my brethren.

[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]

125 years ago today - Thursday, Jan 29, 1891

[John Henry Smith] Salt Lake City

We met in Council [Twelve Apostles] again today, Bro. A. H. Lund being with us. We fasted and partook of the sacrament after we had voted to forgive each other's trespasses.

[Source: Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]

140 years ago today - Jan 29, 1876

Apostle Charles C. Rich asks bishops of the Bear Lake Stake to follow Brigham Young's counsel by doing away with round dancing [waltzing] entirely. Four years later at stake priesthood meeting the following rules are accepted by unanimous vote: "We will not practice waltzes or any other round dances in our assemblies. . . ."Swinging with one arm around the lady's waist shall not be permitted in our assemblies."

180 years ago today - Jan 29, 1836

Administered and received ritual washing of feet with priesthood leaders in temple, Kirtland.

[Source: Jessee, Dean, Esplin, Ronald and Bushman, Richard Lyman (editors), The Joseph Smith Papers: Journals, Vol. 1: 1832-1839, Chronology for the Years 1832-1839, http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Smith-Papers-Journals-1832-1839/dp/1570088497]

180 years ago today - Jan 29, 1836

Joseph Smith Senior gives six patriarchal blessings. Charles H. Smith is blessed: "Thou shalt stand on earth till thy Redeamer comes." Marietta Carter is blessed: "Thou shalt see thy Redeamer come in the clouds of heaven and be caught up to meet him and be ever with him." Joanna Carter is blessed: "Thou shalt see the end of this generation. Nancy Carter is blessed: "Thou shalt live to see the winding up of this generation."

20 years ago today - Jan 28, 1996

North America West Area Presidency (Loren C. Dunn, President) sends a letter to be read in all California wards, urging members to express their support for legislation against recognition of same-sex marriages being considered in the state.

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

60 years ago today - Jan 28, 1956

DESERET NEWS editorializes in favor of forced removal of polygamous children from their Fundamentalist parents and into monogamous foster-homes. The editorial states that although "separating children from their parents is a heart-breaking and difficult thing to do," in this case it was warranted: "The continued teaching of children to break the law is an extreme provocation. This practice on the part of parents, as much as abandonment or neglect, justifies the state's intervention both for the welfare of the children and of society." The NEWS thought the removal of the children worth the disruption of the home if "the practice of polygamy can be entirely ended among those who still practice it."

115 years ago today - Jan 28, 1901

The Presidency made an appointment with the Church attorneys to meet tomorrow to consider certain charges made by the Salt Lake Tribune in which President Snow is accused of selling his influence for 'a consideration' for the election of Thomas Kearns. $23,533.19 in the form of an order was issued in favor of the Bishop's office to cover expenditures made in the purchase of property in Bear Lake county, Idaho.

[Source: Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]

165 years ago today - Jan 28, 1851

This morning quite a company went out with the Band to meet the governor B. Young & others who were gone to Weber County Davis & the settlements North to preach visit & organize the County of Davis.

The went to congratulate him on the news of his appointment of Gov. by the President of the U. S. They returned about and were recieved here by the firing of artillery and the shouts of a large concourse of citizens and a display of fire works at Messrs Kinkead & Levingstons Store. The whole scene was joyful peaceable and quiet[.] The Gov when he was escorted home delivered a short address to the people assembled.

[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]

170 years ago today - Jan 28, 1846

Don Carlos Smith: Sealed to Agnes Moulton Coolbrith, by proxy, 28 January 1846 in Nauvoo Temple. [His death left Agnes a widow, who then became one of Joseph Smith's plural wives].

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

170 years ago today - Jan 28, 1846

Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Phebe Morton (1776-1854) (aged 59) widow of James W. Angel sealed to Angel for eternity and Young for time

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

170 years ago today - Jan 28, 1846

Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Jemima Angel (1803-1869) (aged 42) divorced from Valentine Young (no relation)

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

170 years ago today - Jan 28, 1846

Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Cynthia Porter (1783-1861) (aged 62) married to William Weston (unknown if she was widowed, divorced, or separated)

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

170 years ago today - Jan 28, 1846

Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Abigail Marks (1781-1846) (aged 69) widow of Asa Works sealed to Works for eternity and Young for time; Abigail Marks was the mother of Young's first wife, Miriam Works

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

170 years ago today - 28 [Jan 1846]

[Brigham Young] I spent officiating at the Holy Alter or most of the time-- Through the day--- a 1/2 after 9 at Night the operations of the day closed - I staied over Night in the Temple the evening being remarkably - Rainy blustery--

[Source: Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']

180 years ago today - Jan 28, 1836

As Joseph Smith is organizing the Twelve Apostles in the assembly room of the Kirtland temple "Pres[ident] Sylvester Smith saw a pillar of fire rest down and abide upon the heads of the quorem . . ." After Sidney Rigdon gives a hosanna shout "Eld[er] Roger Orton saw a mighty Angel riding upon a horse of fire with a flaming sword in his hand followed by five others encircle the house and protect the Saints . . . Pres[ident] William Smith, one of the Twelve, saw the heavens op[e]ned and the Lord's host protecting the Lord's anointed. Pres[ident] Z[ebedee] Coltrin, one of the seven [presidents of the Seventy], saw the Saviour extended before him as upon the cross and crowned with a glory upon his head above the brightness of the sun."

75 years ago today - Jan 27, 1941

[Heber J. Grant] I returned to my office and had a long talk with Franklin J. Murdock, a cousin of Philo T. Farnsworth Jr. I told him I was very anxious indeed to try to persuade Philo not to insist on having his name withdrawn from the records of the Church. He thinks very highly of Philo and hopes that I may be successful in persuading him not to leave the Church.

[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]

120 years ago today - Jan 27, 1896

... met Mr. Charles S. Morton, representing Mr. Charles Crittenton, the New York Evangelist, who was engaged in the rescue of fallen women. They desired the use of the Assembly Hall or Tabernacle for a meeting on Wednesday evening. After listening to the remarks of Mr. Morton, permission was granted and also to pass around printed slips among the congregation, on which they might subscribe as the pleased or not to assist in the work of rescue. Mr. Morton related the particulars of his conversion and reform as a drunkard, morphine fiend and tobacco user. He had sunk so low in debauchery that he had determined upon committing suicide, but was attracted into a Gospel meeting in Philadelphia [Pennsylvania], where he was led to seek the Lord. Through faith the Almighty took away from him entirely the appetite for intoxicants and morphine, and subsequently for tobacco, for neither of which he had had the slightest desire ever since,'a period of about four years. Mr. Morton stated that after Mr. Mills the Evangelist had visited Salt Lake City and held his meetings here, he met Mr. Crittenton in the East, and said that neither the nation nor the religionists understood the Mormon people. They had been much misrepresented and he was very favorably impressed with them and their treatment of him during his visit. Pres[iden]t. George Q. Cannon explained to Mr. Morton the views of the Church in relation to the association of the sexes, their doctrine of marriage, their self-restraint and observance of the word of wisdom, for which Mr. Morton praised God.

[Source: Journal History, 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 - Jan 27, 1886

... It is not adviseable to fall into the fashion of issuing certificates of the character you describe. The parties themselves should keep a record of the transaction and the names of the witnesses, and beyond this nothing more is necessary unless it should be required to prove the marriage for the purposes of heirship to property, when it can be procured. We do not think it proper for a young man of the age you mention and an old lady, such as you describe, to marry for time and eternity, [but] there would be no objection to a union for eternity [only], even where such a disparity of ages exist[s].

[Source: John Taylor to Marriner Wood Merrill, Jan. 27, 1886, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]

20 years ago today - Jan 26, 1996

On January 26, 1996, the last person to be executed by firing squad in the United States took place in Utah.

[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: Capital Punishment, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]

60 years ago today - Jan 26, 1956

[J. Reuben Clark] As I left the Expenditure Committee meeting on Tuesday, January 24, 1956, and walked out with President McKay, in the hallway leading to my room, he started to go into the big room and I stopped him and said that I was not sure whether I had cleared with him at the time I cleared the making of the talk on "Our Bible" before Conference, the matter of printing the Notes that I had prepared (they were very voluminous) as a background study for what I said at the Conference.

I made some further comment about the unreliability of the Revised Version, to which he made a response to the effect that he thought we ought to be a little bit careful about criticizing the Revised Version. To this I answered that I was giving it as thorough a going over, destructive-wise, as I could, because I felt that it was an unsound text.

He then stated that he thought there were some places where the Revised Text was better than the Authorized Version, and he stated that he was thinking particularly of words the meaning of which had changed since the Authorized Version was issued, and instanced the word which all of the Revisers name, namely "let" ...

I replied to this that I was aware of that fact, but that I had not heard that anybody was going to try to rewrite Shakespeare to eliminate these anachronisms, to which, of course, he assented. ...

[Regarding the Revised Version's translation of the Bible into colloquial English:] ... I said that I disagreed with this entirely; that there was nothing in the New Testament that could not be reasonably understood, so far as language was concerned, save in express the truths of the New Testament.

There were a few other desultory observations back and forth and then I said, "Now, President McKay, if you have any hesitancy about my going forward with this, just say so and I will put it aside." He said he had no hesitancy, that it was quite all right. ...

I again said, "If you have any hesitancy about the wisdom of printing the Notes, that will end it." He again assured me that he had no hesitancy at all.

After one or two other observations, which I do not distinctly recall, I said, "We cannot give up the Authorized Version." I said that seemed to me to be completely sound, because the

Prophet's so-called translation (I said, the Prophet, of course, did not translate because he had no manuscripts from which to translate, that he really made a recension through inspiration) in all cases that I found, followed the Authorized Version, thus giving his stamp of approval to the Authorized Version.

A little further conversation took place about this and then he began to move away and I called to him after he had gone four or five steps, and said again, "Now, if you have any hesitancy about this at all, I will not go forward." His reply was to the effect that "I have no hesitancy whatever. Go ahead and print your book."

[Source: The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]

120 years ago today - Jan 26, 1896; Sunday

[Heber J. Grant] At one attended my prayer circle in the Temple. At two attended meeting in the Tabernacle. I did not feel much like talking, but Pres[iden]t A[ngus] M Cannon suggested that I talk. I pointed to Brother Brigham H. Roberts, who was on the stand for the first time in a long while and suggested that he speak. Bro[ther] Cannon said that Bro[ther] Roberts was not in harmony with the Presidency of the Church and that he should not call on him to speak. I disliked very much to lacking in charity, and uttered a silent prayer to the Lord that in case the position of brother Roberts, wherein he was not in accord with the Presidency was not right that he would give me a testimony of this by giving me such perfect liberty in my talk to the saints that none of the people would feel to be disappointed because of hearing me. ... I am pained to have a testimony that Bro[ther] Roberts is in the dark, but I fell that the Lord has

presidencies, etc.), unless of major historical significance, will not be included. Their omission will be indicated by ellipses.

given me one in the liberty which I have enjoyed in speaking this afternoon.

[Source: Heber J. Grant, Diary]

125 years ago today - Jan 26, 1891

[Abraham H. Cannon] Quite a large number of plural wives are now living in Franklin [Idaho], as it is considered safe for them to do so[,] there being no law of the state yet enacted against the practice of the Saints. Besides it is doubtful if a man could be punished if he has his wife in different States or Territories.

[Source: Abraham H. Cannon (Author), Edward Leo Lyman (Editor), Candid Insights of a Mormon Apostle: The Diaries of Abraham H. Cannon, 1889-1895, Signature Books]

135 years ago today - Jan 26, 1881

President John Taylor writes in a letter, "If a man enter into the everlasting covenant with one wife, with full purpose of heart to keep the commandments, and through circumstances is deprived of going further, he may be justified"

165 years ago today - Jan 26, 1851

In the evening attended a meeting of the Presidents of the Quorums of Seventies at the State house for the purpose of reorganizing and filling vacancies in the Quorums which has not been done since we left Nauvoo. There was I think fifty nine vacances in the presidents of Quorums by death and apostacy.

[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]

170 years ago today - Jan 26, 1846

Patriarchal Blessing of Norton Jacob ... thou shalt be able to control the elements by the power of the Priesthood vested in thee. no miracle shall be to hard for thee to perform when it shall be for the Salvation of men. ...

[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]

170 years ago today - Jan 26, 1846

[Joseph Fielding] Monday, 26 [January 1846], our four children were washed, anointed and sealed to Joseph and Hannah Fielding. And we (Joseph and Hannah) were sealed to Hyrum Smith for time and eternity by Elders Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball.

[Source: Joseph Fielding, Diary (1843-1846), Church Archives in "They Might Have Known That He Was Not a Fallen Prophet"--The Nauvoo Journal of Joseph Fielding," transcribed and edited by Andrew F. Ehat, BYU Studies 19 (Winter 1979), http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/JFielding.html]

170 years ago today - Jan 26, 1846

[Heber C. Kimball marriage] wife #20. Harriet Sanders (Helga Ysteinsdatter Bakka), 1824-1896; 3 children: Harriet, Hyrum Heber, Eugene .

[Source: Hatch, Charles M. and Compton, Todd M. editors, 'A Widow's Tale: 1884-1896 Diary of Helen Mar Kimball Whitney' p. 37]

175 years ago today - January 26th 1841

The Council met again according to adjournment, when the following charges were prefered by Wm Niswanger and B. L. Clapp Viz: January 26th 1841

We prefer a charge against Elder Theodore Turley.

1. For unchristian conduct while on the sea for romping and kissing the females and dancing.

2. For sleeping with two females coming up the Lakes and on the road to Dixons ferry.

...4. For threatning the brethren that Brother Joseph would not hear any thing that they would not tell him about him for he was of the same spirit and signified the same Priesthood signifying if they told him he would not hear them ...

[Source: Minutes of the High Council of the Church of Jesus Christ of Nauvoo Illinois: Nauvoo Hancock County Illinois, http://amzn.to/uXAcJh%20]

180 years ago today - Jan 26, 1836

Joshua Seixas, former Hebrew teacher of Lorenzo Snow, begins instructing Joseph Smith and his colleagues of the "Hebrew School" in the Kirtland Temple, to enable them to translate biblical Hebrew texts. He gives two lectures per day, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. and from 2:00 to 3:00 PM five days per week. The class has about forty students but more are added as the class continues. By mid-February, Seixas is teaching four separate classes. Joseph Smith says, "His introduction pleased me much. I think he will be a help to the class in learning the Hebrew."

80 years ago today - Jan 25,1936

Church News Section photograph of LDS basketball team in Germany giving "Sieg Heil: salute of Nazi Party.

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

85 years ago today - Jan 25, 1931

[Heber J. Grant] After reading the articles by Brother Roberts and Smith [debating evolution & creationism], I feel that sermons such as Brother Joseph preached and criticisms such as Brother Roberts makes of the sermon are the finest kind of things to let alone entirely. I think no good can be accomplished by dealing in mysteries, and that is what I feel in my heart of hearts these brethren are both doing.

[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]

105 years ago today - Jan 25, 1911; Wednesday

[Anthony Ivins] This evening I called upon Nora Cowley. She says she was married in Canada by a Patriarch. He was sick in bed & not expected to live. Bro. [Matthias F.] Cowley took her to the house and went in leaving her on the outside & told the wife of the sick man he wished a private interview with her husband. The woman went out & Nora entered. The Patriarch was propped up in his bed with bandages around his head. He spoke in a voice so low that she could not hear a word he said. Bro. Cowley told her when to say yes. After the man finished she asked Bro. Cowley if that was all he said.Yes. She thought it a singular way to get married. Later Bro. C. warned her to be careful to not violate the covenants she had entered into, she said she had made no covenants and called attention to the fact that she did not hear a word of what he said (the Patriarch). .

[Source: Anderson, Elizabeth Oberdick, editor, Cowboy Apostle: The Diaries of Anthony W. Ivins: 1875-1932, Signature Books, Salt Lake City in association with the Smith-Pettit Foundation (2013) - http://bit.ly/AnthonyIvins]

130 years ago today - Jan 25, 1886

Federal court begins hearings concerning the effort of two men to bribe U.S. deputy marshal E. A. Franks to give advance warning of efforts to arrest Mormon polygamists. Both men are sentenced to three years' imprisonment for attempted bribery, but are released in May 1888. Unknown to the court, these men had worked with Brigham Y. Hampton in spying on the anti-Mormons in the brothel. By 1888 Deputy Franks is on the First Presidency's payroll as a bribed informer.

[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]

145 years ago today - Jan 25, 1871

At Manti, Wednesday 25. I attended meeting, Orson Hyde preached to us, and he told us that what we heard before that Adam is our God, we had a splendid good meeting.

At Manti, Jan 25th Orson Hyde preached to us here in Manti, that, Adam is our God for this planet (Earth).

[Source: Jans Christian Anderson Weibye Daybooks, Daybook 1st, p. 131, in Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]

170 years ago today - Jan 25, 1846

Parley P. Pratt conversed with some brethren, in the Celestial Room of the Temple (Attic Story) on the subject of authority and Priesthood ... A man might be a prophet and Seer and not be in the Church or even be baptized; and Joseph Smith was a prophet, Seer, and Revelator before he was even baptized or had any Priesthood whatever ...

[Source: Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015, Appendix 1: Minutes of the Seventies, 1837-1933, Excerpts]

170 years ago today - Sunday Jan 25, 1846-

[Brigham Young] at 10 in the morning I with a number of the 12 & others assembled in the Celestial Room of the Temple where I attended to the Sacred ordinances of Sealing by adoption -- and also anointed Willard Richards & wife the spirit of allmighty god attended the administration & filled our hearts to overflowing & many wept for joy that were adopted into my Family- we continued in the Temple in attending to those ordinances until near Night -when I went home & spent the night--

[Source: Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']

180 years ago today - Jan 25, 1836

This evening a meeting, of Elders, was [called] by the president of said quorum, to instruct them, that they may prepare themselves for the holy anointing.

... They gave instructions concerning purification.

["Purification" ... consisted of having one's body washed and bathed with cinnamon-perfumed whiskey and later washing one's own body with pure water and perfume.] ...

[Source: Kirtland Elder's Quorum Record, http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=414]

180 years ago today - Jan 25, 1836

First Presidency organizes the quorum of Seventies. Sylvester sees "a pillar of fire rest down and abide upon the heads of the quorum, as we stood in the midst of the twelve."

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

35 years ago today - Jan 24, 1981

The New York Times reports the conversion to the LDS church of Eldridge Cleaver, former Black Panther radical of the 1960s. He is the first nationally prominent African-American to convert to Mormonism. In 1995 he publicly reaffirms his faith in Mormonism, although he no longer actively attends LDS services.

[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]

55 years ago today - Jan 24, 1961

Dr. Romney gave a progress report to Elder Lee, and it was "again suggested that all functions of all Auxiliaries be placed under the operation of Priesthood Quorums."

[Source: Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]

170 years ago today - Jan 24, 1846

Thirteen-year-old John Smith, son of Hyrum Smith, is ordained an elder in the Nauvoo Temple. Nine years later he is ordained Patriarch to the Church.

170 years ago today - Saturday Jan. 24th 1846

[Brigham Young] I will drop the subject of the out laws - & refer to the enemy of all righetousness who- seek our downfall= he has sent bogus Factory & lying eire in abtescne medium- through the- country by wholesale - that we making Spurious Coin- & exchanging it by waggon loads- as Land office money & a thousand other lies all of which I pronounce to be a base fabricated lie - Nevertheless we may have to suffer repeiate wrones in consiquence of those falsehoods that are & will be circulated about us ... meeting adjourned at 2 P. M. after which I assended the stairs which led up into the celestial departments caled at the Dining room & took some refreshments- then repaired to room No. 1. where I continued at the Alter till near midnight.

[Source: Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']

175 years ago today - Jan 24, 1841

William Law: Ordained second counselor in First Presidency 24 Jan. 1841 but apparently the only member of First Presidency not designated as "Prophet, Seer, and Revelator" this year

[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]

175 years ago today - Jan 24, 1841

Hyrum Smith: Designated "a Prophet and Revelator" and ordained by Joseph Smith Jr. as Patriarch to the Church and Assistant President 24 Jan. 1841

[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]

220 years ago today - Jan 24, 1796

Joseph Smith (Sr.) and Lucy Mack are married in Tunbridge, Orange Co. Vermont by justice of the peace Seth Austin. Lucy comes from a house where the parents were divided on religious issues. She and her husband are similarly divided on religious issues until her son, Joseph Jr., unites the family under Mormonism.

20 years ago today - Jan 23, 1996

[Same-Sex Marriage] The Hawaii Supreme Court rejects the churchs appeal of the circuit courts denial of the churchs petition to become a party to the Baehr case [Same Sex Marriage], and the court reiterates the reasons given by the circuit court as valid.

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

40 years ago today - Jan 23, 1976

The Donny and Marie Show airs on U.S. national television and runs through January 1979, highlighting two members of the Osmond family performing group.

115 years ago today - Jan 23, 1901

[Brigham Young Jr.] Met several of the 12 in office called up Bro[ther] [Charles W.] Penrose by telephone advised him not to notice [Salt Lake] 'Trib[une]' Ed[itorial]. he came up to see us. advised him to state facts and take no notice of scurrious Ed[itorial]. in Trib[une]. he agreed to do it. President [Lorenzo] Snow met me and invited me to meet himself and some of his brethren, at 12:30, in his office, which, I did when it was considered:''Is it wise for the President to bring suit against the [Salt Lake] Tribune for libel?' It was thought we would never have a better case. ... Pres[ident]. Snow submitted the Question and Elder Reed Smoot appeared most anxious to have Pres[ident]. Snow commence suit. Attorneys Young and Richards felt it was most proper to have Senator Tho[ma]s. Kearns to take the initiative and perhaps Senator Clark of Montana, when Pres[ident]. Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon came out strong against Pres[ident]. Snow assuming any such role,'he being President of our Church, it was beneath his dignity. At this Pres[ident]. Snow coincided and we all withdrew with the understanding that Tho[ma]s. Kearns is on the way to the President's office.

[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]

135 years ago today - Jan 23, 1881

[Wilford Woodruff] Predicts Joseph F. Smith will be president of church

[Source: Kenney, Scott (editor), Wilford Woodruff's Journals 1833-1898, Chronology Signature Books, Midvale, Utah, http://bit.ly/wwjournal]

165 years ago today - Jan 23, 1851

The after noon was spent in instructions in part by President Willard Richards to the Court & officers thereof in the grand jury room on the subject of the spirits manifested during the trial in the fore noon [regarding stealing a pair of pants] and salutary advice as to the proper mode of conducting Courts &c

I shall not attempt to describe the spirit and powers of darkness which was admitted and finally obtained the ascendancy in this Court.

Suffice it to say that I learned a lesson on the subject of the power and influence of spirits according to the lenity which may be granted them which I hope never to forget and is a warning never to admit a foul spirit where the Holy spirit should rule and direct either the affairs of State or Church.

[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]

170 years ago today - Jan 23, 1846

[William Clayton] R. Miller reports that [James] Strang is making heavy breaches in the church, and drawing many after him. In one place 30 families have left the church and gone with him. It is also rumored that many of the saints here are full of Strangism and talking had in his favor. ... I read a copy of a letter perporting to be wrote by Prest. Joseph Smith on the 18th June 1844 in which he appoints Strang as his successor. The letter is a base forgery and is well calculated to deceive the simple minded and unfaithful.

It is also rumored that many are dissatisfied because the Twelve & some others are going West without taking the whole Church. This is a matter of impossibility and the saints have no cause for complaint. Amongst the rest are many of the Temple hands who are complaining much. ... My sister in law Lydia is in the way of apostacy. She went to Burlington last year but previous to her going she agreed to be sealed to me for time and eternity. She refused to be sealed to Joseph. While at Burlington she wrote pledging herself to her contract. When she came home she faultered and went out to fathers where she got entangled with my brother James and has resolved to marry him. She has lost her faith in the Church and is on the road to ruin, but so determined that no argument is of any use. The family feel sorry but cannot change her feelings. Her mother frets much about it.

[Source: The Nauvoo Diaries of William Clayton, 1842-1846, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]

170 years ago today - Jan 23, 1846

John Taylor: Nauvoo Temple sealing to Mary Rainsbottom (born 1826 in England) 23 January 1846.

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

170 years ago today - Jan 23, 1846

[Hosea Stout] Br F. R. Tower ... informed how the mob intended to opperate ... He let me know that they had singled me out as an object of their revenge and was determined to take my life. They are also now trying to hire some daring person to secretly assassinate some of the Twelve. They have also some spies here who gives them news every day[.]

[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]

175 years ago today - Jan 23, 1841

[Heber C. Kimball] ... we went in to the East Wine Volt [vault], one of the gratest in the world. ... We tasted the wine as we had tasting orders. ...

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

175 years ago today - Jan 23, 1841

[Wilford Woodruff] We then visited London Dock, & among many other things we saw one of the greatest curiosities in London or the world viz the Eastern wine vault.

... We had a tasting order & found the wine a good article. But it seemed dreadful to see such vast sums of money expended for intoxicating drinks ...

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

80 years ago today - Jan 22, 1936

Lowell L. Bennion, director of the University of Utah Institute of Religion, organizes the women's chapter of Lambda Delta Sigma (from the Greek letters of "LDS"), a men's organization that had been recently established at the institute and that paralleled the fraternities on campus at the University of Utah.

150 years ago today - Jan 22, 1866

Brigham Young authorizes J. H. Ellis (Worshipful Master of Mt. Moriah Lodge, U.D., F.&A.M.) to rent the Social Hall for "the organization of a Lodge of Masons."

[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]

165 years ago today - Jan 22, 1851

The after noon the case of State vs John Brown In Larceny for stealing wheat from A. O. Smoot. The jury soon brought in a verdict of guilty and he was fined fifty dollars or on failure to pay to six months hard labor with ball and chain.

[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]

170 years ago today - Jan 22, 1846

George Harris stood as proxy for slain Mormon founder Joseph Smith and gave his own wife Lucinda Pendleton Morgan Harris "to Jos. Smith (deceased . . .) for time & all Eternity." Harris was then sealed to Lucinda as her husband until death.

Lyndon Cook notes that Lucinda had already been "Sealed for time and eternity to Joseph Smith Jr 1841-1842 Nauvoo . . . ," making this 1846 tableau a "Repeat sealing for time and eternity to Joseph Smith deceased . . ."

"The vicarious aspect of this ceremony," adds Cook, "is repetitious inasmuch as Lucinda Pendleton Morgan was antecedently sealed for time and eternity to Joseph Smith Jr deceased."

This is consistent with the repeat proxy sealings of another plural wife of Joseph Smith, Martha McBride Knight ...

Three days earlier, on January 19, 1846, Lucinda was recorded in the Book of Anointings ... under the name of "Lucinda Pendleton Smith." The same record shows ... Martha Knight ... recorded at her "Second Anointing" as "Martha Smith."

[Source: Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source; Lyndon W. Cook, Nauvoo Marriages, Proxy Sealings, 1843-1846 (Provo, Utah: Grandin Book Company, 2004), entry 118, pp. 110-11; Lisle G. Brown, Nauvoo Sealings, Adoptions, and Anointings: A Comprehensive Register of Persons Receiving LDS Temple Ordinances, 1841-1846. Salt Lake City: The Smith-Pettit Foundation, 2006, 282 n. 269; Nauvoo Sealings, 283 n. 277]

180 years ago today - Jan 22, 1836

[Joseph Smith] The Presidency then proceeded to consecrate the oil. We then laid our hands upon Elder Thomas B. Marsh who is the President of the 12 [Apostles] and ordained him to the authority of anointing his brethren. I then pour[eld the consecrated oil upon his head in the name of Jesus Christ and sealed such blessings upon him as the Lord put into my heart. The rest of the Presidency then laid their hands upon him and blessed him each in their turn beginning at the eldest. He [Elder Marsh] then anointed /and blessed/ his brethren from the oldest to the youngest. I also laid my hands upon them and pronounced many great and glorious [blessings] upon their heads. The heavens were opened and angels ministered unto US.

The 12 [Apostles] then proceeded to anoint and bless the Presidency of the 70 and seal upon their heads power and authority to anoint their brethren. The heavens were opened upon Elder Sylvester Smith and he leaping up exclaimed, "The Horsemen of Israel and the chariots thereof." Br[other] [Don] Carloss Smith was also annointed and blessed to preside over the High Priesthood....

The gift of toungs [tongues] fell upon us in mighty pow[e]r, angels mingled their voices with ours, while their presence was in our midst and unseasing pra[i]ses swelled our bosoms for the space of half an hour.

... We accordingly /closed/ our interview and returned home at about 2 o'clock in the morning. The spirit and visions of God attended me through the night.

[Source: Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]

180 years ago today - Jan 22, 1836

Gov. Dunklin writes a letter to the brethren in Kirtland stating that there is really nothing that he can do to help the Saints in Missouri, for "want of a constitutional power."

[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology; History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 2:383-84]

50 years ago today - Jan 21, 1966

Benson's endorsement of the Birch Society in stake conference and the Logan LDS institute this month] disturbed Utah's Republican senator, a devoted Mormon. Senator Wallace Bennett urged David O. McKay's son to persuade the church president to disassociate himself from Benson's "very clever statement about your father which would seem to give your father's endorsement" to the Birch Society.

[Source: Wallace F. Bennett to David Lawrence McKay, 21 Jan. 1966, folder 3, box 24, Bennett Papers, Western Americana, Marriott Library. 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.]

85 years ago today - Jan 21, 1931

[Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Letter to the First Presidency] We, the Council of the Twelve, to whom was referred the letter of Elder B. H. Roberts addressed to the First presidency, a criticism of a certain discourse delivered by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith and published in the Genealogical Magazine, October, 1930, beg leave to report that we have give the time of two rather lengthy meetings to this matter. At the first meeting Elder Roberts read and submitted a paper embodying his views at some length on the theory of pre-Adamic races, based on scientific investigation'a theory, we understand, which Elder Roberts has promulgated in some of his public utterances among the Latter-day Saints. At the second meeting Elder Joseph Fielding Smith read and submitted a paper in which he defended the claim he made in the sermon published in the Genealogical Magazine above referred to, viz.: that pre-Adamic races on the earth is simply a theory and not a Church doctrine, and is not true. This he sought to prove by quoting Joseph Smith, the Prophet, Brigham Young, Parley P. Pratt, Orson

Pratt, John Taylor and other high Church Authorities, particularly the late First Presidency, Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder and Anthon H. Lund. He also quoted a number of passages from the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine & Covenants and Pearl of Great Price, pointing to the fact, as he construed them, that there were no pre-Adamic races of man on the earth, neither was there death upon the earth prior to the time of Adam. We quote a sentence from Elder Roberts' letter: 'If Elder Smith is merely putting forth his own opinions I call in question his competency to utter such dogmatism either as a scholar or as an Apostle. I am sure he is not competent to speak in such manner from general learning or special research work on the subject; nor as an Apostle, as in that case he would be in conflict with the plain implication at least of the scriptures, both ancient and modern, and with the teaching of a more experienced and learned and earlier Apostle than himself, and a contemporary of the Prophet Joseph Smith.' This reference and language we regard as very offensive on the part of Elder Roberts, who fails to show the deference due from one brother to another brother of higher rank in the Priesthood. However, it may be said that these brethren affirmed at the close of the meeting that they entertained no ill feeling, one toward the other. Elder Roberts' letter is herewith returned, and the two papers alluded to are now submitted to the Presidency. The Twelve await you further instructions relative to this matter, if you have any to give.

[Source: Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Letter to the First Presidency, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]

85 years ago today - Jan 21, 1931

[James E. Talmage] Sat with the Council of the Twelve, which convened at 1:30 p.m., and listened with interest and profit to a lengthy paper read by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, in reply to the paper presented by Elder B. H. Roberts, regarding the Antiquity of Man, and, as Elder Smith affirmed, the utter absence of death in any form upon the earth before the time of Adam's fall. Like the paper of Elder Roberts, this was taken under advisement.

[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]

85 years ago today - Jan 21, 1931

[Joseph Fielding Smith] In meeting, 2:30 with the council of the Apostles and B. H. R. where I answered B. H. R.'s accusation and acceptably to my brethren.

[Source: Joseph Fielding Smith, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]

115 years ago today - Jan 21, 1901

[Apostle Abraham Owen Woodruff] Am in to the fight for my candidate. Made a good showing. He got 18 votes when 19 were necessary to nominate.

Had a meeting with Mr. [Thomas] Kearns. He pledge[d] his honor to have the Constitutional amendment blocked. Said he would defend me in trouble with his own life.

[Source: Abraham Owen Woodruff, Diary, 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 - Jan 21, 1896

Frank J. Cannon, son of Presidency First Counselor George Q. Cannon, is elected U.S. Senator by Utah Legislature by two votes over fellow Republican Arthur Brown. Cannon is defeated for reelection three years later. He becomes a Democrat and apostatizes from the Church. In 1911 he publishes UNDER THE PROPHET IN UTAH an expose of the involvement of LDS church presidents in politics. As editor of the SALT LAKE TRIBUNE he was a very active opponent of the LDS church.

170 years ago today - Jan 21, 1846

Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Ellen Rockwood (1829-1866) (aged 16) first marriage

Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Martha Bowker (1822-1890) (aged 23) first marriage

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

175 years ago today - Jan 21, 1841

In England Brigham Young and Willard Richards "completed the index [to the Book of Mormon began three days earlier], which was immediately put in type, and finished the printing of the first English edition of 5,000 copies."

180 years ago today - Jan 21, 1836

After dismissing Hebrew School for the day and attending "to the ordinance of washing our bodies in pure water we also perfumed our bodies and our heads in the name of the Lord" Joseph Smith receives a revelation in which he states "I saw father Adam, and Abraham and Michael and my father and mother, my brother Alvin that has long since slept[.]" After Joseph Smith's death the words "and Michael" are removed from the revelation because they contradict the teaching that Adam and Michael are the same personage. The altered revelation becomes section 137 of the DOCTRINE & COVENANTS. In the revelation Joseph also "saw the 12 Apostles of the Lamb, who are now upon the earth, who hold the keys of this last ministry, in foreign lands, standing together in a circle, much fatigued, with their clothes tattered and feet swol[l]en, and their eyes cast downward and Jesus standing in their midst, and they did not behold him. The Savior looked upon them and wept. . . . And I finally saw the Twelve in the celestial kingdom of God." This part of the revelation is not canonized. Many members of the Twelve Apostles at that time were later either excommunicated or apostatized.

180 years ago today - Jan 21, 1836

Washings and anointings begin. The First Presidency anoints Joseph Sr. with oil and blesses him as patriarch; he blesses each member. Anointing meetings continue through 28 January. Between 21 January and 1 May 1836, Saints see heavenly beings, hear heavenly choirs, and have other spiritual manifestations.

[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]

15 years ago today - Jan 20, 2001

The Mormon Tabernacle choir performs at the inauguration of President George W. Bush.

[Source: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Newsroom, http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=036eb2987ff92110VgnVCM100000176f620aRCRDvgnextchannel=9ae411154963d010VgnVCM1000004e94610aRCRD]

35 years ago today - Jan 20, 1981

The Tabernacle Choir participated in the inaugural festivities for President Ronald Reagan.

[Source: Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]

55 years ago today - Jan 20, 1961

Ezra Taft Benson resigns as Secretary of Agriculture. "When Mr. Benson's term came to a close," his successor asserted in 1969, "the Department of Agriculture not only was disorganized—it was demoralized."

His biographers asserted:

The last four years of Eisenhower's term constituted a period of mixed concepts and muddled improvisations. Expectations for the Soil Bank did not fully materialize and by 1960 the [government] again possessed large amounts of food and fiber. Costs exceeded those of any other program (even those of the Truman years). . . . [A]gricultural policy soon degenerated into an incongruous combination of open production and continued price supports. . . . Although Benson was perceptive and courageous, he seemed overly motivated by doctrinaire principles at a time when hard-pressed farmers needed sympathetic help and encouragement. This sincere man, who truly loved the land and those who tilled it, never fully realized that his political rhetoric sounded too much like didactic sermons from Salt Lake City's Temple Square.

Possessing "fortress-like faith" and "superb expertise in his field," according to his biographers, Benson broke through the inertia of established tradition and entrenched attitudes to show the way toward agricultural reform. His very habits of not compromising and never giving up, made him valuable in the political arena where selling out is too often elevated into a fine art.

. . . Being the recipient of political assaults brings joy to no one but Benson took comfort in the knowledge that in the end he would be vindicated.

...[T]he annals of history may reward Eisenhower's Secretary of Agriculture far more than his contemporaries. This would be a fitting tribute to Ezra Taft Benson, the man who put the people's welfare above party politics.

[Source: Schapsmeier and Schapsmeier, "Eisenhower and Ezra Taft Benson", 378.; Schapsmeier and Schapsmeier, Ezra Taft Benson and the Politics of Agriculture , 274, 275, 276.; Gary James Bergera, "Weak-Kneed Republicans and Socialist Democrats": Ezra Taft Benson as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, 1953-61, Part 2, Dialogue : A Journal of Mormon Thought, (Winter 2008, vol 41)]

130 years ago today - Jan 20, 1886

Joseph Smith III, son of Joseph Smith Jr. and president of the Reorganized Church writes to his cousin John Henry Smith, an LDS apostle, "As the son of Joseph Smith, I have a son's right, independent of any religious obligation, to see that the name of my sire is not burdened with shame, obloquy, or unjust censure." He relates that after seriously considering joining the Mormons as a young man in 1853, he was told "by the voice of revelation, not to have anything to do with polygamy, except to oppose it." "If father had more wives than one," he writes, "it does not affect the rule given to the Church. It proves nothing only that he was a transgressor against the rule, and the civil law. From my view polygamy could not and never did emanate by command from God. It had [an]other source. Hence, Joseph Smith was not justified in its practice; nor is the practice defensible from the consideration that he did so."

105 years ago today - Jan 20, 1911

[George Albert Smith] "I am quite nervous at times. Have attended my Council meeting since New Years but don't stay all the time."

[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]

130 years ago today - Jan 20, 1886

[George Q. Cannon] ... we got word that gave us considerable uneasiness and caused us to conclude that we could not longer stay where we were with any safety. The information which reached us was that the Marshal and his deputies had obtained a clue to our stopping place.... A violent south wind was blowing, the roads were in a wretched condition, and none of us knew exactly which was the best road, and the people [of Draper] were entirely unprepared for our reception. These considerations, with my condition of health; which was wretched, for I could scarcely hold my head up'caused me to lean towards going to the city. Finally, President [John] Taylor concluded that we would go there. ... We followed him and reached the place and received a warm welcome. ... I had ridden with considerable pain and could scarcely hold my head up ... but there was a girl (a stranger, whose mother had requested our host to take care of her while she made a visit) who was exceedingly prying and curious and had succeeded in discovering something in

relation to us, and she had become angry at some reproofs which our hostess had given her and gone off to her brother-in-law's house'an apostate. We consulted on this matter and became satisfied that a longer stay here was unsafe.

[Source: George Q. Cannon, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]

155 years ago today - Jan 20, 1861

The President [Brigham Young] remarked to the Congregation that Elder John Taylor had engaged himself on the following Sunday to Mathematically prove that taxation is blessing to any community. -- SLC Tabernacle

[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]

170 years ago today - Jan 20, 1846

[Hosea Stout] ... Franklin R. Tower who had been sent as a Spy to Warsawit Stated in Substance that They were forming Secret Societys to make arraingements to make a Simultanius attact on Nauvoo and the Temple both by land and water and at the Same time to have the officers to attempt the arrest of Some of the 12 & others. That they had Spies here who gave them news daily and that he had reason to believe that one of the guard was a Spy. That my life was to be taken by them if it could be & also the Twelve.that he was a member of their lodges and yet unsuspected. ...

[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]

180 years ago today - Jan 20, 1836

[Joseph Smith] ... on a matrimonial occasion ...

I then envited them to Join hands and I pronounced the ceremony according to the rules and regulations of the Church of the Latter-day Saints. In the name of God and in the name of Jesus Christ, I pronounced upon them the blessings of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and such other blessings as the Lord put into my heart....

Eld[e]r O[rson] Hyde, Eld[e]r L[uke] Johnson, and Eld[e]r W[arren] Parrish who served on the occasion then presented the Presidency with three Servers filled with glasses of wine to bless. It fell to my lot to attend to this duty, which I cheerfully discharged. It was then passed round in order, then the cake in the Same order. Suffise it to say our hearts were made cheerful and glad, while partaking of the bounty of the earth which was presented untill we had taken our fill...

[Source: Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]

120 years ago today - Jan 19, 1896

Patriarchal Blessing of Joseph F. Smith Jr.

... It is thy privilege to live to a good old age and the will of the Lord that you should become a mighty man in Israel. Therefore, I say unto thee, reflect often upon the past, present, and future, and thou shalt realize that the hand of the Lord has been and is over thee for good, and that thy life has been preserved for a wise purpose. Thou shalt realize also that thou hast much to do in order to complete thy mission upon the earth.

It shall be thy duty to sit in counsel with thy brethren and to preside among the people. It shall be thy duty also to travel much at home and abroad, by land and water, laboring in the ministry. And I say unto thee, hold up thy head, lift up thy voice without fear or favor, as the Spirit of the Lord shall direct, and the blessings of the Lord shall rest upon thee. His spirit shall direct thy mind and give thee word and sentiment, that thou shalt confound the wisdom of the wicked and set at naught the counsels of the unjust. ... I say unto thee, remember that there is a God in Israel in whom we should trust. ... Thou shalt lay hands upon the sick and they shall recover, for this shall be one of thy gifts received through prayer and faith. ...

[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]

125 years ago today - Jan 19, 1891

U.S. Supreme Court reverses the Utah courts and rules that children born within a year after the Edmunds Act are legitimate and can inherit from their fathers. Benjamin F. Johnson (original member of Joseph Smith's Council of Fifty) gives a patriarchal blessing to Mary L. Picton Teasdale: "Thou art of Ephraim and are entitled to all the priesthood, exaltations, increase and dominion pertaining to the daughters of Abraham in the New & Everlasting Covenant."

[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]

135 years ago today - Jan 19, 1881

[Joseph F. Smith] I took a doz[en]. towels to the E[ndowment]. H[ouse]. 2 p.m. ... President Taylor first read the 123 Sec[tion] of the Doctrine and Covenants (new edition). Then Bro[ther] Nuttall read a prayer which had been especially prepared by president W[ilford]. Woodruff. We then offered prayer, Brother Woodruff being mouth. We then washed our feet in pure water as a witness against those who persecuted and drove the Saints in Jackson co[unty]. Missouri in 1833, and those who tarred and feathered the prophet Joseph Smith in Hiram, Portage county, Ohio, also those who persecuted the Saints in Kirtland [Ohio], then those who persecuted them in Missouri, then the mobs of Illinois, and finally those who now are persecuting and rejoicing in the persecutions of the Saints. We then clothed in the garments of the priesthood, and offered prayer in the appointed way, calling upon God to remember all those referred to and all others aiding and abetting in the mobbings and drivings of the people of God. Brothers Rich, Hunter, and Nuttall did not clothe but were present all the time. ...

[Source: Joseph F. Smith, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]

165 years ago today - Jan 19, 1851

Utah legislature enacts law against "Sodomy" by "any man or boy," but removes sodomy from criminal code on 6 Mar. 1852, without explanation. As governor Brigham Young signs both laws. Due to absence of sodomy statute, Utah judge drops charges against soldier for raping LDS boy in 1864. Young claims Utah's legislators never criminalìzed sodomy and he declines to instruct them to do so for next twelve years. Utah legislators criminalize sodomy in 1876 only because federally appointed governor asks them to adopt entire Criminal Code of California which has five-year imprisonment for sodomy. For next twenty years LDS judges give 3-6 months of imprisonment to those convicted of homosexual rape, the same sentencing given to young males and females convicted of consensual fornication. Mormons of this era give no known explanations for any of these legislative and judicial actions/inactions.

[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]

165 years ago today - Jan 19, 1851

[Brigham Young] informed the Saints the time had now Come to begin to prepare to build A temple & the people must pay their tithing & He requested the presidents of evry Quorum to take the names of evry member of their Quorum & they should sign a paper & covenant to pay their tithing & they who would not do it should be Cut off from the Church.

The ground wants to be laid off for a Temple & garden & materials prepared this season. A font wants to be built & the Endowments Commence As soon as possible. Those who went through the Temple at Nauvoo know but vary little about the endowments. Their was no time to learn them & what little they did learn they have most of them forgotton it.

[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 - Jan 19, 1841 (Tuesday)

Next Meeting—Joseph said that before foundation of the Earth in the Grand Counsel that the Spirits of all Men ware subject to opression & the express purpose of God in Giveing it a tabernicle was to arm it against the power of Darkness—for instance Jesus said Get behind me Satan Also the apostle said Resist the Devil & he will flee from you.

[Source: Source: McIntire Minute Book -Words of Joseph Smith, 62 ]

175 years ago today - Jan 19, 1841

Joseph Smith dictates a revelation on priesthood quorums and baptism for the dead. The revelation lists Hyrum Smith as patriarch before the church president and ascribes to him joint presidency over the church. It makes provision, for the first time, for a bishopric to preside over the entire church. The revelation says concerning John Bennett: "his reward shall not fail, if he receive counsel; and for his love he shall be great, for he shall be mine if he do this, saith the Lord."

[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 - Jan 19, 1841 (Tuesday)

The Saints were commanded by revelation to build a Temple at Nauvoo, Ill., and also a "boarding house" for the accommodation of strangers, which subsequently became known as the Nauvoo House. The general authorities of the Church and other officers were named in the revelation, which also contains important explanations on the order of the Priesthood. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 124.)

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

180 years ago today - Jan 19, 1836

The School of the Prophets commences their reading of the Bible in Hebrew. Joseph records that he is very excited about this. He prays that the Lord will "speedily endow us with the knowledge of all languages and tongues."

[Source: History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 2:376-77; Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]

20 years ago today - Jan 18, 1996

Church announced that General Authorities would not longer serve on boards of corporate businesses.

[Source: Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]

55 years ago today - Jan 18, 1961

All Sunday evening Auxiliary meetings were discontinued, except in the case of the Primary Association, which was allowed to hold one meeting on the first Sunday of May and of September for demonstrating to board members what the Primary was doing.

[Source: Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]

150 years ago today - Jan 18, 1866

The Deseret Telegraph Company is chartered by the Utah legislature. President Lorenzo Snow sells this church business to Western Union on 8 Mar. 1900.

[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]

165 years ago today - Jan 18, 1851

President B. Young said he was rejoiced to see such a spirit of reformation. Parties and dances have been carried to excess. He called it fiddling and faddling. -- Salt Lake City

[Source: Lorenzo Brown Diary, 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 - Jan 18, 1846

[Hosea Stout] ... heard the report from Br. Patten who had been to Carthage as a spy ...

[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]

185 years ago today - Jan 18, 1831

Eber D. Howe publishes an article on "Mormonism" and identifies followers as "Mormonites," becoming the first person to apply these terms in print for followers of Joseph Smith.

[Source: Mark Lyman Staker, Hearken, O Ye People: The Historical Setting of Joseph Smith's Ohio Revelations: A Selective Chronology of Significant Events in Ohio's LDS History]

70 years ago today - Jan 17, 1946

[J. Reuben Clark] Brother Lee and Brother Romney came to see me on three matters ... (2) We discussed the matter of shipments of meats to Europe, they having learned that it would be impossible to ship

meat to Europe without violating the law unless it had the Federal stamp for the killing and the Federal stamp for the packing. It was agreed that Bro. Romney should see the packing houses here and learn whether or not, in view of the destination of the meat, they would pack it for us at cost. (3) It was agreed that the Welfare would get a car loan of food stuffs packed already for shipment to Europe and that then they would bring the matter to the attention of the First Presidency.

[Source: The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]

115 years ago today - Jan 17, 1901

[Abraham Owen Woodruff] At 6 p.m. I called at the Beehive House and had a long talk with Pres[iden]t. Snow. He told me to take hold of [Thomas] Kearns campaign and do all I could to aid him. I promised him I would do so. Had along interview with Tho[ma]s. Kearns and begun to lay some plans. [Kearns is nominated & elected Senator six days later]

[Source: Abraham Owen Woodruff, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]

155 years ago today - Jan 17, 1861

The President [Brigham Young] remarked that the People were very unwilling to pay taxes, and men that ought to know better felt this also. ... `The neglecting the payment of taxes would run a nation into barbarism observed the President, The destitute and degraded condition of the Lamanites was through their fathers being opposed to principles of tithing and taxation.

[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]

170 years ago today - Jan 17, 1846

Lorenzo Snow: Married Sarah Arm Prichard, Nauvoo Temple sealing 17 January 1846. Five children: Elisa Sarah, Sylvia, Lorenzo, Parintha, and Laurin Alvirus.

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

170 years ago today - Jan 17, 1846

Lorenzo Snow: Married Mary Adaline Goddard, Nauvoo Temple sealing 17 January 1846. Three children: Rosetta, Oliver, and Isadore.

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

170 years ago today - Jan 17, 1846

Lorenzo Snow: Married Harriet Amelia Squires, Nauvoo Temple sealing 17 January 1846. Five children: Abigail, Lucius Aaron, Alonzo Henry, Amelia Henrietta, and Celestia Armeda.

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

170 years ago today - Jan 17, 1846

Lorenzo Snow: Married Charlotte Merrill Squires, Nauvoo Temple sealing 17 January 1846. Two children: Leonora Charlotte and Roxcy Armatha.

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

170 years ago today - Jan 17, 1846

John D. Lee receives his second anointing in the Nauvoo Temple. He records in his diary: "Thus we were conducted to Room No 2 where we received our anointings yea, Holy anointings in the Temple of the Lord under the hands of Elder Orson Hyde this certainly produced more joy comfort and pleasure & reconciliation of feeling than could possibly have been imagined."

180 years ago today - Jan 17, 1836

while the First Presidency, the Twelve, the Seventy, and the Councilors of Kirtland and Zion are gathered together in conference, "the gift of tongues came on us also, like the rushing of a mighty wind". Five days later the gift of tongues again comes to this group "in mighty power".

35 years ago today - 35 years ago - Jan 16, 1981

President Jimmy Carter awards the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom to Esther W. Eggertsen Peterson, a national consumer rights advocate and consumer affairs advisor to President Lyndon B. Johnson. She is the first Latter-day Saint to be so honored.

50 years ago today - 50 years ago - Jan 16, 1966

In January 1966 Benson endorsed the Birch Society and its program at stake conferences and at the LDS institute in Logan, Utah.

[Source: "LDS Apostle Backs Up Birch Group," Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Jan. 1966, B-14; "Speak Up! Says Ezra to Save Your Soul and Maybe Your Country," Fact Finder 24 (28 Feb. 1966). 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.]

65 years ago today - 65 years ago - Jan 16, 1951

An explanation is given that the age for missionaries had been lowered to nineteen because of complaints of the Selective Service that experienced men in 22-26 range were being called as missionaries and therefore not subject to the draft when needed.

[Source: David O. McKay, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]

85 years ago today - 85 years ago - Jan 16, 1931

[Heber J. Grant] President Clawson reported regarding the discussion between Joseph Fielding Smith and B. H. Roberts [regarding "pre-Adamites" / life before the fall]. We decided that the Twelve should hear the case before reporting to us. As Brother Roberts had appeared before the Twelve and stated his case it is only fair that they should hear Brother Smith also.

[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]

120 years ago today - 120 years ago - Jan 16, 1896

Objection made to the exhibition, in a show window in this City, of photographs of the art glass windows of the interior of the Temple. Surprise was expressed that it had been photographed, and it was decided that it should be withdrawn from public exhibition.

[Source: Journal History, 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 - 130 years ago - Jan 16, 1886 (Saturday)

Apostle Lorenzo Snow was sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment, $900 fine and costs, for u.c. [Unlawful Cohabitation, I.E. living with a polygamous wife]... Lorenzo Snow was given ten days in which to prepare his appeal, being placed under $15,000 bonds.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

135 years ago today - 135 years ago - Jan 16, 1881

Apostle Wilford Woodruff tells the conference of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association in Ogden, Utah that "there were thousands of young men living among this people now that would live to see the Savior come to the earth." He adds that they will "be changed to immortality in the twinkle of an eye without tasting death."

[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]

180 years ago today - Jan 16, 1836

Upon complaints by the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, the First Presidency formally apologizes for not showing them due respect. Oliver Cowdery records in his journal: "met in the evening with bro. Joseph Smith, Jr. at his house, in company with bro. John Corrill, and after pure water was prepared, called upon the Lord and proceeded to wash each other's bodies, and bathe the same with whiskey, perfumed with cinnamon. This we did that we might be clean before the Lord for the Sabbath, confessing our sins and covenanting to be faithful to God. While performing this washing unto the Lord with solemnity, our minds were filled with many reflections upon the propriety of the same, and how the priests anciently used to wash always before ministering before the Lord. As we had nearly finished this purification, bro. Martin Harris came in and was also washed."

50 years ago today - Jan 16, 1966

Benson says "I know their [John Birch Society] leaders, I have attended two of their all-day Council meetings. I have read their literature. I feel I know their program." [September-October 1959] Benson took Thomas J. Anderson with him as a member of his entourage on an official trip to Europe, including a visit to the Soviet Union. At that time, Anderson was publisher of Farm and Ranch magazine as well as an influential member of the new Birch Society. By the time he accompanied Benson on a trip to the Far East in November 1960, Anderson was a member of the national governing council of the Birch Society.

[Source: "Benson Took Birchite on Tours," Washington Post, 12 July 1961, D-ll; "The Council," Vie John Birch Society Bulletin (Feb. 1960): 2. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]

170 years ago today - Jan 16, 1846

Amasa Mason Lyman: Sealed in Nauvoo Temple to Paulina Eliza Phelps (born 1827 in Illinois) 16 January 1846. Seven known children: Oscar Morris, Mason Roswell, Clark, Charles Rich, William Home, Solen Ezra, and Laura Paulina.

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

120 years ago today - Jan 15, 1896; Wednesday

Considerable excited comment followed the open letter on the Senatorial question by President George Q. Cannon, and much regret was expressed that he did not see his way clear to the acceptance of a nomination. ...

The following letter was received by the Presidency:

Washington, D.C. Jan[uary] 11th,

President Wilford Woodruff:

Dear Sir: -- The Republican Party in its present platform of 1895, asked the return of the real property escheated to the U.S. under the Acts of Congress heretofore passed upon this subject. The demand was made in response to the prevailing sentiment of the people of Utah irrespective of Church relations. I think I am within the fact when I assert that the Gentiles of Utah never favored the Legislation which deprived your Church of its property. Elected upon that platform and also believing that this demand was grounded in justice, I stand ready to do all in my power to accomplish the end sought. Therefore I would suggest that you have your Attorneys prepare a bill which shall meet the case in every particular, and forward the same to me and I will introduce the same and push it so far as I may be able. I had intended to draft a bill for this purpose myself, but upon mature consideration it seemed better to call your attention to the matter, and proceed as I have suggested.

Yours truly,

Clarence E. Allen.

Brother F[ranklin]. S. Richards, Attorney for the Church, was instructed to draw up a measure to meet Mr. Allen's suggestions.

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

140 years ago today - Jan 15, 1876

Andrew J. Allen reported that two elders told a congregation in one of the Salt Lake Valley wards to avoid the gentiles and their dress, and to "look forward to the time when the saviour would come on the earth which would be soon not more than sixteen years according to the revelations Joseph Smith had received."

[Source: The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]

140 years ago today - Jan 15, 1876

In the evening J. F. Smith gave a lecture upon the history of Joseph Smith the Prophet. He said in 15 years the time would be up when the Lord told Joseph that he should see him, but it must be by him going to him in the spirit world.

[Source: Diary Excerpts of Henry Ballard, Signature Books Library, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

165 years ago today - Jan 15, 1851

First of Brigham Young's formal divorces from plural wives. He is only one formally dívorced while serving as church presídent. Joseph Smith informally ended several plural mariages, and four LDS presidents are formally divorced as apostles (John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, and Joseph F. Smith).

[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]

170 years ago today - Jan 15, 1846

[Hosea Stout] I Stopped at home & put on an under garment for the first time to wear it& then met the Lodge at six it was a Regular Communication then went to the Temple & Staid all night

[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]

170 years ago today - Jan 15, 1846

Mary Fielding Smith, widow of Hyrum Smith and Mother of Joseph F. Smith, sixth president of the church and grandmother of Joseph Fielding Smith, tenth president of the church, is sealed to Heber C. Kimball as a plural wife "for time" in the Nauvoo Temple. She had married him in Sep of 1844 (his eighth wife) but the marriage was not "sealed" at that time.

170 years ago today - Jan 15, 1846

Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Olive Andrews (1818-?) (aged 27) posthumous plural wife of Joseph Smith, Jr. sealed to Joseph Smith, Jr. for eternity and Young for time

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