120 years ago today - 120 years ago - Mar 31, 1896

Meeting of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the Temple. Opening prayer by Bro[ther]. Lorenzo Snow. Bro[ther]. Lorenzo Snow expressed his pleasure at being able to meet ... Said that we should desire to live until the Lord Jesus came, and that he knew that it was possible that the brethren could so live as to preserve their bodies and renew them sufficiently to be enabled to live until the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Said that the brethren by care and faith were entitled to live and that there was no necessity for them to have their bodies buried in the ground. Stated that he did not know that it was his privilege, because of his advanced age, to have his life preserved until the coming of the Savior. It was the design of the Gospel to overcome death, and to enable men who are faithful to so live until they are translated ... Franklin D. Richards ... Felt that inasmuch that we are the special witnesses of our Savior that he would like to know more of him. Stated, I rejoice beyond all expression, to be one with you, my brethren, and expressed a desire to have the council of fifty again hold some meetings. Brigham Young [Jr.] had felt deeply touched by what he had felt thus far in our meeting this morning. More than once he had been offended by the actions of his brethren, but when he met with them and partook of the good influence present in our meeting, every spirit of resentment or animosity disappeared ... He felt that a great many of the people were preparing themselves to meet our Lord and Savior when he shall come to reign upon the earth. He felt that a majority of the Latter-day Saints are so living today that their lives and the faithfulness of them was calculated to hasten the time of the coming of the Savior ... If we were only prepared for it and had sufficient faith, President [Wilford] Woodruff, Pres[iden]t. Snow and Bro[ther] Richards would not need to die. While he did not know in the providences of the Lord whether these brethren's lives might be preserved, he felt to pray that they might not be called upon to taste death ...

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

140 years ago today - 140 years ago - Mar 31, 1876

[Wilford Woodruff] Dedicates ZCMI building

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

155 years ago today - 155 years ago - Mar 31, 1861

... Pres. B. Young who closed the meeting by the most powerful prayer I ever heard. -- SLC Tabernacle

[Source: Lorenzo Brown Diary, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah.. Also The Journal of Lorenzo Brown 1823-1900, Heritage Press, 1975. 126, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]

185 years ago today - 185 years ago - Mar 31, 1831

Martin Harris calls the Book of Mormon the "Antimasonic Bible."

[Source: Brooke, John L. The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1994. p.169]

15 years ago today - Mar 31, 2001

[Finances] Gordon B. Hinckley announces the creation of the Perpetual Education Fund to make loans to members of the church in developing nations, enabling them to improve their job prospects by pursuing higher education and vocational training programs.

[Source: http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/282148/]

80 years ago today - Mar 31, 1936

President [Heber J.] Grant requested Bishop David A. Smith to give him a written report of an interview several years ago concerning the request of Mat[t]hias F. Cowley and President Grant's answer to that request.

[Source: First Presidency, Meeting with Presiding Bishopric, Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]

70 years ago today - Mar 31, 1946

[In Grantsville, Utah:] I was blessed in my utterance, I felt in my addresses before the three sessions this day. Pres Clark was there and took part also'he commended me on my work and was very kind and sympathetic.

[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]

65 years ago today - Mar 30, 1951

[First Presidency secretary] Arthur [Haycock] said that Pres. [George Albert] Smith did not seem so good to him today; he has something on his mind and wants to know if Pres. Clark or Pres. McKay would be at a convention; he has the conference and some convention mixed up, and is completely disoriented.

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

85 years ago today - Mar 30, 1931

[Heber J. Grant] The Presidency spent about an hour discussing differences of opinion regarding the creation of the earth, etc. as expressed in the controversy between Brothers B. H. Roberts and Elder Joseph Fielding Smith [essentially, strict creationsism vs. a religious view that accomodates evolving humans]. Brother Ivins is preparing a paper on the subject.

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

135 years ago today - Mar 30, 1881

[Genearl] Helen Mar Kimball pens an autobiographical sheet that refers to her sealing to Joseph Smith.

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

160 years ago today - Mar 30, 1856

Joseph F. Smith preaches to native Hawaians, "I spoke a short time by the spirit and prophysied that they would live (some of them) to see their children a white and delitesome people, if they would only obey the laws of God. ..."

[Source: 'My Candid Opinion': The Sandwich Islands Diaries of Joseph F. Smith, 1856-1857]

175 years ago today - Mar 30, 1841

... Joseph said that an Equality [law of consecration] would Not answer for he says if we were eaquel in property at present in six months we would be worse than Ever for there is too many Dishonest men amongst us who has more injenity to threat the Rest &c

[Source: McIntire Minute Book, quoted in The Words of Joseph Smith by Joseph Smith by Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook]

180 years ago today - Mar 30, 1836

[Joseph Smith] ... I ascended the pulpit and remarked ... that this is a year of jubilee to us and a time of rejoicing, and that it was expedient for us to prepare bread and wine sufficient to make our hearts glad, as we should not probably leave this house until morning. To this end we should call on the brethren to make a contribution; the stewards passed round and took up a liberal contribution and messengers were dispatched for bread and wine.

Tubs, water, and towels were prepared and I called the House to order and the Presidency preceeded to wash the feet of the 12 [Apostles], pronouncing many prophecys and blessings upon them in the name of the Lord Jesus. The brethren began to prophesy upon each others' heads and cursings upon the enimies of Christ who inhabit Jackson County, Missouri. Continued prophesying, blessing, and sealing them with Hosanna and Amen until nearly 7 o'clock P.M.

The bread /and wine/ was then brought in and I observed that we had fasted all the day, and lest we faint as the Saviour did so shall we do on this occasion. We shall bless the bread and give it to the 12 [Apostles] and they to the multitude, after which we shall bless the wine and do likewise.

While waiting for the wine I made the following remarks: that the time that we were required to tarry in Kirtland to be endued [endowed] would be fulfilled in a few days...

I want to enter into the following covenant, that if any more of our brethren are slain or driven from their lands in Missouri by the mob that we will give ourselves no rest until we are avenged of our enimies to the uttermost. This covenant was sealed unaminously [unanimously] by a hosanna and Amen.

I then observed to the quorums that I had now completed the organization of the Church and we had passed through all the necessary ceremonies. ...

The brethren continued exhorting, prophesying, and speaking in tongues until 5 o'clock in the morning. The Saviour made his appearance to some, while angels minestered unto others, and it was a penticost and enduement [endowment] indeed, long to be remembered. For the sound shall go forth from this place into all the world and the occurrences of this day shall be handeld] down upon the pages of sacred history to all generations as the day of Pentecost. So shall this day be numbered and celebrated as a year of Jubilee and time of rejoicing to the Saints of the Most High God.

[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 - Late March 1831

Joseph Smith heals Elsa Johnson's arm.

[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]

185 years ago today - Mar 30, 1831

Warner Doty, about 29, becomes the first Mormon to die in Kirtland. Refused medical aid at Joseph's urging. Believed he would live for a thousand years.

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

50 years ago today - Mar 29, 1966

"Brother [Ezra Taft] Benson inquired about the [scheduled John Birch Society] dinner, that in the letter that had been sent out it was announced that he would be in attendance and introduce the speaker. President [N. Eldon] Tanner said that he told Brother Benson that he could not give him any further answer than was given in the meeting on Thursday [not to speak at any more Birch meetings]. Elder Benson asked President Tanner if he would clear this matter for him with President McKay, and President Tanner had said no, that he felt that it was just as clear as anything could be."

[Source: David O. McKay diary as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]

95 years ago today - Mar 29, 1921

Pres A[nthony]. W. Ivins'came in about the middle of the afternoon'& later was asked to speak on plural marriages'A. W. I.'After 1890'no man who took plural wives were brought to account. He was instructed to tell the Mex. Government he was not then [there?] to perform plural marriages and at the same time he was instructed to perform plural marriages.

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

100 years ago today - Mar 29, 1916

[Heber J. Grant] At 10:30 called at Brother Lyman's office as per his request and had a long talk with him on prohibition. He tried to catch me last night. He stated that he is anxious for me to take an active part in the coming campaign in favor of prohibition.

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

115 years ago today - Mar 29, 1901; Friday

[Heber J. Grant] ... Brother Joseph F. Smith followed, occupying the remainder of the time. He spoke with a great deal of power and force. He announced that he looked upon me as being the seed actually of the Prophet Joseph Smith under the New and Everlasting Covenant, my mother having been sealed to the Prophet for all eternity, and only married to my father for time. This remark was called forth because of Jos[eph]. E. Taylor saying that the Lord would not forget the seed of the Prophet Joseph Smith, but that they would be remembered even if he had to wait until the second, third, or fourth generation for the Prophet's seed to have bestowed upon them the Holy Priesthood.

Brother Joseph F. [Smith] did not mention my name, but he announced that the Lord had not forgotten the seed of the Prophet Joseph, that his seed held the high priesthood in the Church, and that he had a son who was sitting not far from where he was then standing addressing the Saints. I knew Brother Smith meant me as on other occasions he had refered to me as the son of President Joseph Smith, and stated that he looked upon me as his cousin.

[Source: Heber J. Grant, Diary]

180 years ago today - Mar 29, 1836

[Joseph Smith] Attended school, which was the last day of our course of lectures in Hebrew by Professor Seixas. ...

At evening I met with the Presidency in the Temple of the Lord. The Lord commanded us to tarry and san[c]tify our selves by washing our feet.

...Soon after this, the word of the Lord came to us through Pres[i]d[en]t J[oseph] Smith, Jun[ior], that those who had entered the Holy Place must not leave the House untill morning, but send for such things as were necessary, and also that during our stay we must cleans[e] our feet and partake of the sacrament that we might be made holy before Him, and thereby be qualified to officiate in our calling upon the morrow in washing the feet of the Elders.

Accordingly we proceeded and cleansed our faces and our feet, and then proceeded to wash each other's feet....

The Bishops and their councils were then washed, after which we partook of the bread and wine. The Holy S[p]irit rested down upon us and we continued in the Lord's House all night prophesying and giving glory to God.

[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]

105 years ago today - Mar 28, 1911

[George F. Richards] I attended a special meeting of the Twelve held in the temple .... Elder Geo[rge] Albert Smith was also with us for a short time but on account of his poor health was excused early. We discussed the merits and demerits in Bro[ther]. [apostle and son of John Taylor] John W. Taylor's case heard some weeks before. The final action taken and made unanimous by unanimous vote was excommunication for insubordination to the Church and the di[s]cipline thereof. It was shown that he had threatened the lives of two of the Apostles, F[rancis]. M. L[yman]. & J[ohn]. H[enry]. S[mith]. He had cursed one of the Apostles who has been sick for about two years [i.e., George Albert Smith] and attributed his sickness to that cause. He had disclosed and made improper use of a purported revelation of his father, Pres[ident]. John Taylor to the comfort of those who were opposed to the Church action in discontinuing the practice of plural marriage in the Church. He had characterized the action of the Church Authorities in relieving B[isho]p. Robinson of Colonia Dublan [Mexico] of his bishopric or presidency over the ward as one of the most unjust and unrighteous acts ever committed. He had confessed to having authorized an elderly man a Patriarch (Wolf) of Canada to marry people in plural marriage. He confessed to having him self performed such marriages since the Manifesto. He would not deny that he had recently taken a plural wife but claimed that his rights were being encroached upon when we demand him to answer thus incriminating himself. He did not propose to make answers before this body of men that might incriminate him before the law. He had said he wanted nothing to do with any of the Twelve. Tho[ugh]t if to go to heaven meant to be associated with these he preferred to not go there or words to that effect. He had been dropped from the Council of the Twelve five years ago because he was out of harmony with the First Presidency and the Twelve but had never done anything to put himself in harmony since but on the contrary had lent comfort to the enemy and had not tried to influence others to be quieted and sustain the Presidency. He told us in council that we could take it for granted he had a new plural wife. We need not go to the trouble to hunt up evidence, that we could do in his case as we deemed best, that he did not care. I called on Pres[ident] Lyman in the early eve and he told me he had presented to the First Presidency our decision in the J[ohn]. W. Taylor case and our action and that the President said he did not see how we could have done less.

[Source: George F. Richards, 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 - Mar 28, 1896

U.S. president Cleveland signs the act to return the confiscated real estate of the LDS church.

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

130 years ago today - Sun., March 28th, 1886

[General Authority Abraham H. Cannon] ... Bro. Olsen brought word in this evening that President Taylor had received a revelation from the Lord in which it stated that God was satisfied with the sacrifice made by the people in this crusade and that He would not turn their wrath aside. This word, he said, came from Bishop Allen of the 21st Ward, and, if true, we as a people can rejoice at it. Bro. F. S. Richards, who starts east tomorrow morning to look after some cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, thinks he will be able to obtain a pardon for Joseph Evans, who has 17 solid months yet to serve for polygamy. Arrests for cohabitation still continue to be made in Salt Lake and elsewhere.

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

165 years ago today - Mar 28, 1851

General Assembly of State of Deseret dissolves itself to accept jurisdiction of Territory of Utah. In most elections from 1851 to 1869, 99 percent of Utah's Voters choose church-approved candidates. Ballots are marked to show how persons vote.

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

95 years ago today - Mar 27, 1921

Nathan G. Clark says he was advised by Pres. Smith to make himself a sacrifice & he is telling that it is all right for men to take plural wives if they will do it quietly The Church will sanction it.

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

110 years ago today - Mar 27, 1906

[Heber J. Grant to Brigham F. Grant] Your letter written on the 6th came to hand yesterday. You say I know what is going to happen Ap[ri]l 6th. I know nothing of what is going to happen as not one thing has been written me by the [First] Presidency or Pres[ident] [Francis M.] Lyman of any intended action. I have had many letters like yours taking it for granted that I knew the way things were going, but I do not and for my lack of knowledge I am free to say I am not at all sorry. I have a fear in my heart that something may be done that will be as you say trying to men's very souls, and because of

which many will fall, and also that the action will be more than many of us can in any way comprehend. ...

[Source: Heber J. Grant, Letter to Brigham F. Grant, 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 - Mar 27, 1886

A polygamist husband confides to his diary: "How delicate is the position of a man in plural marriage who loves his wives and who in turn is loved by them. Every move he makes, in relation or intercourse with them, is an arrow that pierces deep into the heart of one or other of them... A thousand thoughts and plans may come into his mind, but there is only one true solution. He must please God. In doing this, it may be hoped that bye and bye, he may also please them."

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

165 years ago today - Probably on or before Mar 27, 1851

[Heber C. Kimball Revelation] G.S.L. [Great Salt Lake] City, Mar. the 27 18 [rest of date missing]

9 oclock in the Evning the Lord said to H. C. Kimball The division would take place between the North and South within Six years and much Blo[o]d would be spilt on the ocation [occasion] and I should live to see it.

[Source: "H. C. Kimball Memorandum" book, On the Potters Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Stanley B. Kimball, editor, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

170 years ago today - Mar 27, 1846

Orson Hyde wrote Brigham Young that the [Nauvoo] Temple would not be ready to dedicate on the Church's sixteenth anniversary, April 6, 1846.

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

170 years ago today - Friday, Mar 27, 1846.

President Young called for the captains of fifties. No one answered; he responded to his own call. I am the captain of the first 50. Heber C. Kimball said, I am the captain of the second 50. P. P. Pratt [is captain of the] third 50, Peter Haws fourth 50, John Taylor fifth 50, and George Miller sixth 50. Up to this period the organization of this camp was very imperfect. When it was decided that the Saints would remove from Nauvoo, about 25 men were selected by the council of YTFIF [code for "Fifty"] and called captains of hundreds, whose business it was severally to select 100 families and see that they were prepared for a journey across the Rocky Mountains.

Afterward the captains of hundreds selected their own captains of fifties and tens, clerks, etc. ...

President Young was unanimously elected president over the whole camp of Israel by the council. ... President Young said from this time forth ... let every individual hereafter be called by the name that they received by adoption.

[Source: Apostle Willard Richards Journal]

180 years ago today - Mar 27, 1836

Joseph Smith leads the first dedicatory service for the House of the Lord in Kirtland. He reads the dedicatory prayer (D&C 109), which angers some individuals.

[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]

180 years ago today - Mar 27, 1836

The Kirtland Temple is dedicated. The doors to the temple are open at seven A.M. Joseph seats the people. Almost 1,000 enter, many others are turned away. Contributions in excess of $950 are given. At nine A.M. Sidney Rigdon opens the service and speaks for two and a half hours on the need for belief in "present revelation," at one point drawing tears from many. He says that in spite of the many houses of worship built on the earth, this is the only one built by divine revelation. Songs of hosanna are sung. The audience rises to sustain the First Presidency. The Twelve are sustained "as Prophets, Seers, Revelators, and special witnesses to all nations of the earth." The Presidents of the Seventy are sustained as "Apostles and special witnesses to the nations, to assist the Twelve in opening the Gospel kingdom among all people." Other officers are also sustained. "The vote was unanimous in every instance." (HC 2:418.) Another hymn is sung. Joseph offers thededicatory prayer, which was given by revelation. It is recorded as D&C 109.The dedication is then unanimously accepted and the Lord's Supper is administered. Others rise to speak. President Frederick G. Williams testifies that an angel entered the window. David Whitmer also testifies that he saw an angel. President Brigham Young gives a short speech in tongues, which David W. Patten interprets; Elder Patten then speaks in tongues himself. The meeting is adjourned at about four o'clock.In the evening 416 brothers meet for the ordinance of the washing of feet. George A. Smith begins to prophesy, and a noise "like the sound of a rushing mighty wind" fills the temple; all arise and feel the invisible power, and experience visions, angels, the gift of tongues. People in the neighborhood hearing unusual noises and seeing the bright light above the temple run toward it to see what is happening.

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

25 years ago today - 25 years ago - Mar 26, 1991

The Utah Supreme Court rules in a decision written by Justice Christine Durham: "The fact that our [Utah] constitution requires the state to prohibit polygamy does not necessarily mean that the state must deny any or all civil rights and privleges to polygamists." Therefore, the court rules that polygamists have a right to adopt children.

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

50 years ago today - 50 years ago - Mar 26, 1966

Mark E. Petersen's [Deseret News] editorial proclaimed that the LDS church has "nothing to do with racists, nothing to do with Birchers, nothing to do with any slanted group." This 1966 editorial further warned Mormons to "avoid extremes and extremists."

[Source: "Politics and Religion," Deseret News "Church News," 26 Mar. 1966,16. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]

120 years ago today - 120 years ago - Mar 26, 1896; Thursday

[Heber J. Grant] I told my wife Augusta last night that I felt to bow to the blow that had come to me in the death of my only son, but I would indeed be a thankful man if the Lord would show to me that I was not in a position of being under His disfavor, and today while brother Roberts was overcome by his feelings and had promised to make all the restitution that it was within his power to make it came over me with such force that I bowed my head and silently wept, that I had been the chief instrument in the hands of the Lord in getting brother Roberts to stop just as he was on the point of ruin eternally, and it seemed to me that I could not have asked for any greater evidence of the approval of the Lord of me and my labors than to see such fruits of what He had allowed me to assist in bringing about.

[Source: Heber J. Grant, Diary]

120 years ago today - 120 years ago - Mar 26, 1896

[Brigham Young Jr.] Met with Council in Temple. Seventies' Presidents were called in Pres[iden]t. [George Q.] Cannon made a few opening remarks told B. H. Roberts what was expected of him[;] read from D[octrine]. & C[ovenants]. p. 240 & page 220. Bro[other] R[oberts]. placed himself in the hands of Brethren, he broke down entirely and all eyes were wet. He satisfied us all and fulfilled my request he prayed for himself and did come to us with a broken heart & contrite spirit. We rejoiced in the lord and wept over the return of the stray sheep. Bro[ther] R[oberts]. was humble and wept for himself as we had an a previous occasion wept for him which then affected him not.

[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]

180 years ago today - Mar 26, 1836

Patriarchal Blessing of Stephen Post given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... thou shalt not finish thy ministry upon this ball [planet], thou shalt preach to people of other planets, and thou shalt preach to spirits in prison: be faithful before God and all power both in heaven and under heaven shall be given unto thee. ...

[Source: Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]

105 years ago today - Mar 25, 1911

[Joseph F. Smith and counselors] The fact that Elder Thomas L. Kerr has voluntarily confessed to his wrong doing goes to show that his repentance is genuine, and inasmuch as you yourself belief this to be the case you may baptize him for the remission of his sins and the renewal of his covenants, and re-confirm upon him his former blessings. And this you may do in a strictly private way and without making any record whatever of the baptism.

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

145 years ago today - Mar 25, 1871

At Parowan's School of the Prophets, "speaking of the apostacy in the Church," one of the local Seventy's presidents says that "there were many who are beginning to think they do not worship the same God that Brigham Young does."

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

1736

[Polyandry] "a Woman may have several husbands; most commonly of the same Family, nay, Brothers; the Children are dispos'd of among them after this manner; the First-born belongs to the eldest [brother-husband], and those which are born afterwards belong to the younger [brother-husbands]; when the Lamas are tax'd [i.e., accused] with this shameful piece of Lewdness, they offer in excuse the scarcity of Women which are in Thibet [Tibet], as well as in Tartary, where in reality in every Family there are more Males than Females"

[Source: Jean-Baptiste Du Halde, The General History of China, trans. Richard Brookes, 4 vols. (London: John Watts, 1736), 3: 44, quoted in "Evidence For The Sexual Side of Joseph Smith's Polygamy," Comments by D. Michael Quinn on Session #2A "Reconsidering Joseph Smith's Marital Practices," Mormon History Association's Annual Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 29 June 2012 (unabbreviated version, revised during July)]

45 years ago today - Mar 24, 1971

The First Presidency shortens "the standard term of service for lady missionaries" from 24 months to 18 months.

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

125 years ago today - Mar 24, 1891

Utah's chief justice Zane write: "Polygamy has demoralized the people of Utah. I presume there are more sexual crimes here in proportion to the population than anywhere else."

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

150 years ago today - Mar 24, 1866

Heber C. Kimball - "Plurality of wives is a law established by God forever. It would be easier for the United States to build a tower to remove the sun as to remove polygamy."

[Source: Millennial Star, vol. 28, p. 190, quoted at the Instutite for Religious Research]

165 years ago today - Mar 24, 1851

A company of 500 settlers called to settle in California departed from Payson, Utah. The group settled in San Bernardino, Calif., which became the first Mormon colony outside the Great Basin since the arrival of the pioneers in 1847.

[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]

175 years ago today - Mar 24, 1841

"To The Saints Abroad: The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, anxious to promote the prosperity of said church, feel it their duty to call upon the saints who reside out of this county, to make preparations to come in, without delay, This is important, and should be attended to by all who feel an interest in the prosperity of this the corner stone of Zion. Here the Temple must be raised, the University be built, and other edifices erected which are necessary for the great work of the last days; and which can only be done by a concentration of energy, and enterprise. Let it therefore be understood, that all the stakes, excepting those in this county, and in Lee county, Iowa, are discontinued, and the saints instructed to settle in this county as soon as circumstances will permit. Joseph Smith."

[Source: Joseph Smith, City of Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Ill., March 24th 1841. Times and Seasons. "Truth Will Prevail." Vol. 2 No. 15, City of Nauvoo, Ill. June 1st, 1841 http://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v2n15.htm, as quoted in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]

50 years ago today - Mar 23, 1966

[David O. McKay] "I told Brother [Ezra Taft Benson] Benson that I think it would be best for him not to speak at strictly John Birch Society meetings, but approved of his filling speaking appointments already accepted which were not associated with this group."

[Source: David O. McKay diary as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]

70 years ago today - March 23-24, 1946

[Ezra Taft Benson in post WWII Europe] (Berlin) "The worst destruction I have witnessed was seen today," he wrote. ". . . I smelled the odor of decaying human bodies, saw half-starved women paying exorbitant prices anxiously for potato peelings." "The sisters have been ravished . . .," he continued. "Some have been beaten and flogged to insensibility, others murdered and still others deported . . ." "Words cannot begin to describe the ruin that has been heaped upon this once proud city," he told the First Presidency. "Traveling amid such surroundings leaves one with a feeling so appalling that it must be experienced to be understood." "The job of taking care of our Saints ...is over whelming," he admitted, "and as we contemplate their rehabilitation, it becomes staggering."

[Source: Gary James Bergera, "Ezra Taft Benson's 1946 Mission to Europe" Journal of Mormon History 34:2 (Spring 2008)]

160 years ago today - Mar 23, 1856 (Evening)

[Brigham Young] If some bring slaves they must not sell them but treat them well and send them to school. I don't want one word about it in the constitution, don't mouth it one way or the other. I wish you to define your position on slavery... One line is the traffic in slaves to buy and sell and if a black man strikes a white man he can be killed without any law - then there is the abolition question - the children of Ham were trafficked in as slaves - do we want the southern slavery, the northern abolition or the decree of God? -- Salt Lake City

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

55 years ago today - Mar 22, 1961

Elder Lee proposed to the General Priesthood Committee overhauling the ward teaching program of the past, under the new title "Priesthood Correlation Program." Twelve to fourteen stakes would be selected as pilot programs. Pres. McKay suggested calling the men "Home Teachers," instead of "Priesthood watchmen" that Elder Lee suggested. This was approved.

[Source: Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]

160 years ago today - 1856. March 22

Heber J. Grant: Born Heber Jeddy Grant to Apostle Jedediah M. Grant and Rachael Ridgeway Ivins in Salt Lake City. He was first cousin to Apostle Anthony W. Ivins, son-in-law of Brigham Young's Counselor Daniel H. Wells, and brother-in-law to Apostles Orson F. Whitney, Joseph Fielding Smith, and Reed Smoot.

Eight days after Heber's birth, his father died of pneumonia. As a student in Brigham Young's family school, his severe astigmatism and resulting headaches interfered with his early education. He overcame childhood taunts of "sissy" with determined efforts to play baseball: "I spent hours and hours throwing the ball at Bishop Edwin D. Woolley's barn, which caused him to refer to me as the laziest boy in the Thirteenth Ward. Often my arm would ache so that I could scarcely go to sleep at night. But I kept on practicing… and eventually played in the nine that won the championship of the territory."

[Source: Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

170 years ago today - Mar 22, 1846

[Samuel W. Richards] Went to my Quorum meeting in the Temple. ... Dressing ourselves in the order of the Priesthood we called upon the Lord, his spirit attended us, and the visions of heaven were opened to our view. I was, as it were lost to my self, and [I] beheld the earth reel to and fro, and [it] was moved out of its place, men fell to the earth and their life departed from them, and at the close thereof, there appeared a great company as it were of Saints coming from the west as I stood with my back to the north and they were passing to the East, and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, "Come see the desolation which the Lord hast made in the Earth," and the company of the Saints who had been as it were from the Earth, walked in the light of the glory of the Lord [which] was around them, while darkness was on the face of the earth, and I beheld other things which were glorious while the power of God rested upon me. Others also beheld angels, and the glory of God. Having had a season of enjoyment, it was proposed by C[urtis] E. B[olton] that we pray for the Prophet Joseph [Smith] to come into our midst and converse with us, some consented to do so but the idea was first objected to as being unwise by Bro. Levi [Richards] who received a reprimand by way of [a] hint to leave the room from Bro. B[rown,] [though] not being agreed [to by the] Quorum. The matter was taken up, and after some remarks from several of the brethren, it was decided by the President, that we had no right to pray for such a thing, and all was right again. The Sacrament was administered and our great joy encreased by the gift of Tongues and Prophecy by which great bless- ings were spoken and made known to us.

[Source: Samuel W. Richards journal, Mar. 22, 1846, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]

170 years ago today - Sunday, Mar 22, 1846.

President Young said he wanted a new leaf turned over, and if there was not, a scourge would come upon the camp. We must give more attention to keeping the Sabbath and quit shooting and trading, and not pass it off carelessly as any other day, for he knew it was wrong.

[Source: Apostle Willard Richards Journal]

180 years ago today - 1836: 22 March

[Patriarchal Blessing] Ethan Barrows (Given by Joseph Smith, Sen.)

"... Thou must stand in the midst of wars and see man slay his fellow man, while thousands shall fall by famine and pestilences upon thy right hand and upon thy left, and the destroyer shall sweep his thousands by night and by day, and thine eye shall see it and thy heart will grieve, and thou shalt weep over the calamities which shall come upon thy fellow men, and the Lord shall speak to thee from the heavens and comfort thee. Angels shall minister unto thee and thou shalt rejoice in God in the midst of all the devastations which thou shalt behold. ... though shalt ... live to see the end of this generation and proclaim the gospel to the end of the wicked until the earth shall reel to and fro and stagger like a drunkard at the coming of the glorious Messiah, for thou shalt live to see him come in the clouds of heaven while thou are yet in the flesh. Thou must seek council at the hand of thy God and keep all the commandments and thou shalt receive all the power of the holy priesthood; power to raise the dead, heal the sick, cause the lame to walk, the dumb to speak. Thou shalt have power to translate thyself from land to land and from country to country, from one end of heaven to the other, and when thy work is done thou shalt translate from earth to heaven.

Thou art one of the hundred and forty four thousand which shall stand upon Mount Zion with the harps of God. These blessings, the Lord shall give unto thee in his own due time and I seal them for thee in thee in the name of Jesus and I seal thee up unto eternal life. Even so. Amen."

[Source: Journal of History 15(1):40, 1922, in Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

180 years ago today - Mar 22, 1836

Patriarchal Blessing of Jesse Baker given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... Thou shalt receive an inheritance in Zion and see the glories of Zion and be a sharer therein. ...

Thou shalt see thy redeemer in the flesh ...

[Source: Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:101, quote in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]

180 years ago today - Mar 22, 1836

Patriarchal Blessing of Sally Baker given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... thou shalt see Zion built up and the people of God flourish upon the hills and the glory of God cover the land and thy soul shall be satisfied and thou shalt say it is enough.

If thou shalt desire, thou mayest depart and rest a little season but it shall be thy privilege to be translated and rise victorious over the grave and sing O death where is thy sting, O, grave where is thy victory, and leave the world behind. ... Thou shalt see angels

[Source: Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:101-102, in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]

185 years ago today - Mar 22, 1831

Ten unidentified Palmyra residents sign a letter asserting that Joseph and his father had "belonged to a gang of money-diggers ... Jo pretending he could see the gold and silver by the aid of what they called a 'peep stone.'" Mormons in the Palmyra area are "few and generally of the dregs of community. ... The whole gang of these deluded mortals, except a few hypocrites, are profound believers in witchcraft, ghosts, goblins, &c." The signers found it "hardly possible that so clumsy an imposition can spread to any considerable extent."

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

195 years ago today - Mar 22, 1821

Elijah F. Sheets, later the bishop of the Salt Lake City Eighth Ward for forty-eight years (the longest tenure of any bishop in Church history), is born in Charlestown, Pennsylvania.

15 years ago today - Mar 21, 2001

Harold B. Lee stated "the brethren would never permit another member of the Twelve to serve in the Cabinet or in a high political position because, as he put it, 'Elder Benson had lost his spiritual tone and would no longer accept counsel.'"

[Source: L. Ralph Mecham to Greg Prince as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]

70 years ago today - Mar 21, 1946

[Spencer W. Kimball] In the 10 A.M. meeting at the temple, the brethren voted to change the name of 'Temple' for that stake which we presented to that stake in its organization two months ago. In last week's meeting I made as heroic a stand as I could. I had felt that there was no reason why the name should not be used because of sacralege or inappropriateness, but the brethren had felt it was not proper. Today they voted to change the name of the Stake. I voted negatively but when they out-voted us, I moved that it be made unanimous. It hurt me not a little, but I am swallowing my pride and disappointment and will be ready to do as the brethren desire at the Stake conference some three weeks to which conference I am now assigned.

[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]

100 years ago today - Mar 21, 1916

Question: Is it wrong to call on a class of sisters to form a circle around sick persons and take turns in prayer over them, as long as they do not do it in the authority of the priesthood, but through the power of our Savior; and is it wrong for the priesthood to take their turns in prayer over the sick? Answer: Much praying or praying at great length should not be indulged in, and to form a circle for this purpose would be an innovation. It is the prayer of faith, not of many words, that avails, and wisdom ofttimes suggests brevity in prayer, and especially is this the case when a delicate or weak patient is the subject of administration.

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

170 years ago today - Mar 21, 1846

[Hosea Stout] ... we then went on again performing as we rode some Danite evolutions of horsemanship as practised in the War in Davis County Missouri in the fall of 1838.

[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]

175 years ago today - Mar 21, 1841 (Sunday)

[Joseph Smith] Then the three signs which were given were conclusive The dove which sat upon his shoulder was a sure testimony that he was of God[.] Brethren be not deceived [DEL: an :DEL] nor doubtful of this fact a spirit of a good man or an angel[DEL: l :DEL] from heaven who has not a body will never undertake to shake hands with you for he knows you cannot perceive his touch and never will extend his hand but any spirit or body that is attended by a dove you may know to be a pure spirit[.] Thus you may in some measure detect [DEL: them :DEL] the spirits who may come unto you...

[Source: Howard and Martha Coray Notebook]

175 years ago today - Mar 21, 1841

[Wilford Woodruff] 21st Sunday This is the last Sabbath I shall ever meet with the Saints in Stanley & Frooms Hill. ... I am now privleged of having more than fifteen hundred Saints in this interesting field which I first opened one year ago the 5th of this present months, all of which have embraced the work since that Date. Many of the Saints have gatherd to Zion from that region & the rest are anxious to go & ownly waiting for a door to be open for them. ...

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

180 years ago today - Mar 21, 1836

Patriarchal Blessing of Charles Jameson given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... thou shalt have power to stand on Earth till the heavens shall rend. the Earth real to & fro, & stagger like a drunken man. shalt gaze upon the glories of the Redeamer [Redeemer] & have power to stand & not be consumed with the wicked. ...

[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]

Sunday, Mar 20, 1881

[John Henry Smith] ... were in Councill for an hour with Bro. W.[ilford] Woodruff, B.[righam] Young, F.[rancis] M. Lyman, George Teasdale and myself. The question was asked by Daniel Tyler, Can a man attain to the Godhead without his entering into the practice of celestial marriage [plural marriage] in this life or [was] the sealing [marriage] of one wife [sufficient]. We came to the unanimous conclusion that he could not. All men must obey the law or leave the result with the Lord.

[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]

170 years ago today - Mar 20, 1846

Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Mary Jane Bigelow (1827-1868) (aged 19) first marriage divorced 1851

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

185 years ago today - March 20-26, 1831

Doctrine and Covenants 49. Missionaries are called to teach the Shakers. Jesus will return soon, but no one knows when. There are unknown holy men. Christ will not return as a woman. Marriage is ordained of God (one wife) for procreation.

190 years ago today - Mar 20, 1826

Joseph Smith is brought to trial on charges of being a "disorderly person." Court records of Bainbridge, Chenango County, State of New York, "[People] vs Joseph Smith The Glass Looker," reveal that he was brought to trial on charges of money digging, using a "peep stone" to locate buried hidden treasures, gold mines, coined money and lost property. Joseph is convicted but "took Leg Bail," i.e. he is allowed to get out of town rather than serve jail time.

35 years ago today - Mar 19, 1981

An exchange agreement was signed by LDS and RLDS officials, and a blessing by Joseph Smith naming his son as his successor is turned over to the RLDS Church in exchange for one of the few existing copies of an 1833 Book of Commandments, conservatively valued at $10,000. The exchange was to be conditional for ninety days, pending further authentication by the RLDS. Spokesmen of both churches agreed that the discovery of the blessing had done little to improve chances of reconciliation. The NEW YORK TIMES on this day runs an article headlined "Mormon Document Raises Doubts on Succession of Church's Leaders." On May 18th, 1981, the RLDS Church announces that the document is authentic and the trade is finalized. The document later it turns out to have been forged by Mark Hofmann.

115 years ago today - Mar 19, 1901

President Joseph F. Smith refuses an offer to buy the printer's copy of the Book of Mormon which was preserved by Oliver Cowdery: "The manuscript in . . . possesses no value whatever. It has been repeatedly offered to us and numerous false reports have been put in circulation with regards to our desire to obtain possession of it, but we have at no time regarded it of any value, neither have we ever offered any money to procure it, all the stories to the contrary notwithstanding, for we have always known it was not the original, as aforesaid, and as many editions of the Book of Mormon have been printed, and tens of thousands of copies of it circulated throughout the world you can readily perceive that this manuscript is of no value to anyone. There is no principle involved in its possession, there could be nothing lost if it were utterly destroyed, it can neither add to or diminish aught from the word of God as contained in the printed work which has already gone to the world and been translated into many languages. Indeed, it is not worth the time and paper I am using to convey these thoughts to you." In 1903 the RLDS Church buys it for $2,450.

120 years ago today - Mar 19, 1896

First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve "met in Council at the [Salt Lake] Temple. The case of B. H. Roberts for insubordination was considered and we agreed to meet on Thursday next. He is to be required to humble himself and put himself in proper shape before the people." Roberts ran for Congress without first getting permission from Church leaders.

120 years ago today - Mar 19, 1896

The First Presidency and Apostles met at the Temple at 11 A.M. ... Merrill reported that two brethren who had been selected as Counsellors to a Bishop in the Oneida [Idaho] Stake, had acknowledged, when about to be ordained that they were members of a Secret Society. He had therefore deferred their ordination until the First Presidency could be consulted on the matter. After the subject of Secret Societies had been discussed, it was decided that a letter be written to Geo[rge]. C. Parkinson, President of the Oneida Stake, authorizing him to ordain those brethren, with the understanding that they be advised to withdraw from that Secret Organization as soon as wisdom should dictate. It was resolved that the Seven Presidents of Seventies, including Elder B. H. Roberts, be invited to meet with the Council of the Twelve Apostles at their next regular meeting.

[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]

135 years ago today - Mar 19, 1881

It is recorded in the American Cyclopaedia and the Encyclopaedia Britannica, that I, David Whitmer, have denied my testimony as one of the three witnesses to the divinity of the Book of Mormon; ... I have never at any time, denied that testimony or any part thereof, which has so long since been published with that book as one of the three witnesses... . And that no one may be deceived or misled by this Statement, I wish here to state that I do not indorse Polygamy or Spiritual wifeism. It is a great Evil, Shocking to the moral Sense; and the more so because practiced in the name of religion. ...

[Source: David Whitmer, Proclamation, 19 March 1881, LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah. Published in "A Proclamation," Richmond (Missouri) Conservator, 24 March 1881; reprinted in the Hamiltonian (Hamilton, Missouri), 8 April 1881; Saints' Herald 28 (1 June 1881): 168; and David Whitmer, Address to All Believers in Christ (Richmond, Missouri: D. Whitmer, 1887), 8-10; also published as a leaflet, "A Proclamation" (n.p., n.d.)., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: David Whitmer Proclamation]

185 years ago today - Mar 19, 1831

The PALMYRA REFLECTOR notes: "There appears to be a great discrepancy, in the stories told by the famous three witnesses to the Gold Bible; . . . it was roundly asserted that the plates on which Mormon wrote his history, (in the reformed Egyptian language) were of gold, . . . Smith and Harris gave out that no mortal save Jo could look upon it and live; and Harris declares that when he acted as amanuenes, and wrote the translation, as Smith dictated, such was his fear of the Divine displeasure that a screen (sheet) was suspended between the prophet and himself. Whitmar's description of the Book of Mormon, differs entirely from that given by Harris; both of whom it would seem have been of late permitted, not only to see and handle it, but to examine its contents. Whitmar relates that he was led by Smith into an open field, on his father's farm near Waterloo, where they found the book lying on the ground; Smith took it up and requested him to examine it, which he did for the space of half an hour or more, when he returned it to Smith who placed it in its former position, alledging that the book was in the custody of another, intimating that some Divine agent would have it in safe keeping. This witness describes the book as being something like 8 inches square: (our informant did not recollect precisely), the leaves were plates of metal of a whitish yellow color and of the thickness of tin plate; the back was secured with three small rings of the same metal, passing through each leaf in succession; - that the leaves were divided equi-distant between the back and edge by cutting the plates in two parts, and united again with solder, so that the front might be opened, as it were on a hinge, while the back part remained stationary and immovable and in this manner remained to him and the other witnesses a sealed book, which would not as yet be revealed for ages to come, and that event the prophet himself was not as yet permitted to understand. On opening that portion of the book which was not secured by the seals, he discovered inscribed on the aforesaid plates, divers and wonderful characters; some of the large and some small, but beyond the wisdom of man to understand without supernatural aid. Some of the other apostles give somewhat similar accounts but varying in many particulars, according to their various powers of description. - Harris, however, gives the lie to a very important part of Whitmar's relation, and declares that the leaves or pages of the book are not cut, and a part of them sealed, but that it opens like any other book, from the edge to the back, the rings operating in the place of common binding. . . . We have on hand a new edition of the prophet's vision, at the time the Gold Bible was revealed to him by the Spirit, and the subsequent transactions, as related by JO'S father and his elder brother; - also sundry money digging scenes in which the Smiths acted conspicuous parts, all of which will be given to the public in due time.

190 years ago today - Mar 19, 1826

Peter Bridgman, nephew of Josiah Stowell, issues a warrant accusing Joseph Smith, Jr., of being "a disorderly person and an Impostor." Joseph is served a warrant by Constable Philip DeZeng on 19 March 1826 and spends two days and one night in custody.

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

55 years ago today - Mar 18, 1961

Assistant to the Twelve and future member of First Presidency Alvin R. Dyer addresses a missionary conference in Oslo, Norway. His talk, "For What Purpose" is copied and distributed to missionaries and passed around for years to come: "what I say is not to be given to your investigators by any matter of means.... Why is it that you are white and not colored? Have you ever asked yourself that question? Who had anything to do with your being born into the Church and not born a Chinese or a Hindu, or a Negro? Is God such an unjust person that He would make you white and free and make a Negro cursed under the cursing of Cain that he should not hold the Priesthood of God?...I want to talk to you just briefly about this, not with any information that you would convey to your investigators, but that you, yourselves, may have a better understanding of what we are doing in the mission field today... There were three divisions of mankind in the pre-existence, and when you are born into this life, you are born into one of these three divisions of people. There is an imposed judgment placed upon everyone who leaves the Spirit World just the same as there will be when they leave this life and go into one of three places. When they left the Spirit World, they had already been judged by what they had done in the Spirit World and in their previous life. From what judgment is determined how they shall be born in this life? When you understand that, you know that God is not unjust to cause a righteous spirit to be born as a cursed member of the black race or to be cursed as one of the other people who have been cursed. Everything is in order. The procreation of man is orderly and in accordance with the plan of life and salvation. -In keeping with this thought, when Noah went into the Ark, here again he took with him his three sons-one representing the cursed lineage.... Those who have been cursed in the pre-existence were born through this lineage of Ham. -I suppose, and you may have often heard missionaries say it or have asked the question: Why is a Negro a Negro? And, you have heard this answer. 'Well, they must have been neutral in the pre-existence or they must have straddled the fence. That is the most common saying-they were neither hot nor cold, so the Lord made them Negroes. This, of course, is not true. The reason that spirits are born into Negro bodies is because those spirits rejected the Priesthood of God in the pre-existence. This is the reason why you have Negroes upon the earth. -You will observe that when Cain was influenced by the power of Lucifer to follow him...Cain rejected the counsel of God. He rejected again the Priesthood as his forbearers had done in the pre-existence. Therefore, the curse of the pre-existence was made institute through the loins of Cain. Consequently, you have the beginning of the race of men and women into which would be born those in the pre-existence who had rejected the Priesthood of God....Ham reinstated the curse of the pre-existence when he rejected the Priesthood of Noah, and in consequence of that he preserved the curse on the earth. Therefore, the Negroes to be born thereafter, or those who were to become Negroes, were to be born through the loins of Ham. -All of this is according to a well worked-out plan, that these millions and billions of spirits awaiting birth in the pre-existence would be born through a channel or race of people. Consequently, the cursed were to be born through Ham.... The cursed people are the descendants of Ham. The chosen people are the descendants of Shem... Through these lineages the spirits that compare with their station are born in this life. This is why you have colored people, why you have dark people and why you have white people.-May the Lord bless you in it and bless you with this knowledge. I bear record of its truthfulness in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

75 years ago today - Mar 18, 1941

[J. Reuben Clark] Postmaster Smoot'Called his attention to a folder going through the mails advertising a book "The Bible Unmasked"I suggested he try to get it excluded: He said he would work on it at once. ...

Mr Hamer'Post Office'Told him all we knew of the ado. in re "The Bible Unmasked."

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

90 years ago today - Mar 18, 1926

[Heber J. Grant] We discussed the recommendations made by Superintendent Adam S. Bennion, namely the closing of the Brigham Young College, the Ricks Academy and some other schools and curtail the activities of the Brigham Young University. No final decision arrived at. Meeting lasted until 5:30 ...

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

95 years ago today - Mar 18, 1921

[George F. Richards] A Brother Alma Hansen was told by me that he could not come to the temple any more until he had put himself in harmony with the First Presidency and the presidency of the temple on the marriage question. He thinks the practice of plural marriage should continue.

[Source: George F. Richards, 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 - Mar 18, 1886

Deseret News editorial in support of George Q. Cannon's forfeiting bond to become a fugitive from justice: "No one believes he would have had a fair trial." The editorial adds: "And our slandering enemies need not talk about Church funds being used for this purpose, either. It is none of their business anyhow."

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

160 years ago today - Mar 18, 1856

Apostle Orson Hyde refers to "the last General Epistle of Franklin Pierce, Chief Apostle of the United States of America, written to his brethren of the Senate and House of Representatives in General Conference assembled." Brigham Young's daughter Susa Young (Gates) is born in the Lion House in Salt Lake City. When hearing the baby was a girl Susa's mother, Lucy Bigelow exclames "Shucks." Zina D. Huntington Jacobs Smith Young, (also a wife of Brigham) who is assisting replies, "No! It isn't all shucks, it's wheat, and full weight too !" Susa is Brigham Young's 41st child. She enters the University of Deseret at age thirteen but is soon banished to St. George by her father for helping her sister Dora elope. Later when she is president of the Relief Society and has an office in the Church Office Building (the only woman to have one at the time) she is jokingly referred to as the "thirteenth apostle."

160 years ago today - Mar 18, 1856

18th March 1856 Mrs Phebe W. Woodruff & myself in Company with our two oldest Children Wilford & Phebe repaired to the house of the Lord that Our children might receive their endowment. I washed & anointed my Son Wilford and ordained him to the office of an Elder & sealed upon him all the Blessings of his ordination, Anointing, & my Birthright in Compliance with Council of President Kimball. <The following is the symbols of the [blessing?] sealed upon the head of Wilford Woodruff by his father Wilford Woodruff: >

[ ]

I spent the day in the Council House & had an interesting day long to be remembered for the Blessing that Father Joseph Smith the Patriarch sealed upon my head before I had any children was fulfulled this day upon my head in a measure for He said that I should live to have posterity who should recieve the priesthood & my oldest son received it this day under my hands.

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

170 years ago today - Wednesday, Mar 18, 1846.

... Also, verbal intelligence that an agent of William Smith had demanded the keys of the [Nauvoo] Temple; [and] that Elder O. Hyde had received and printed a revelation on Strangism. The guard expected an attack on the Temple from the Strangites and Smithites. William had stated that he would be giving endowments in the Temple within 2 weeks. ...

[Source: Apostle Willard Richards Journal]

170 years ago today - Mar 18, 1846

[Wilford Woodruff] ... After riding a while Phebe [Woodruff's daughter] looks around and says whare is my Mother? I asked her which one. She said the one that come with you & I told her she had gone back. ...

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

50 years ago today - Mar 17, 1966

[Letter from former neighbor of McKay Robert Hinckly to David O. McKay] "The head of the Birch Society, Robert Welch, is due in Salt Lake City on April 6th or 7th, the time of General Conference. Efforts will be made to have him recognized in some way during Conference (Elder Benson may even propose to have him come to the stand to make some brief remarks). But this is the Robert Welch who slandered President Eisenhower by writing that "there is only one possible word to describe his purposes and actions. That word is 'treason.'" Welch bore the same kind of false witness against Eisenhower's Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles, calling him "a Communist agent." He also accused the late President John F. Kennedy, during his brief term in office, of being sympathetic to the Communist goals of world conquest…. President McKay, I beseech you to give heed on these matters to all of your dedicated Counselors in the First Presidency…. I fervently hope that Mr. Welch, the Birch head, will receive no recognition of any sort from you or the Church while he is in Salt Lake City. And I beseech you to require a decision from Elder Benson forthwith as to whether his life will be dedicated to Church or Birch. He is doing the Church a great, great disservice by mixing the two."

[Source: Robert Hinckley to McKay as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]

95 years ago today - Mar 17, 1921

... When after due consideration the name of Brother Widtsoe was placed before the Brethren by President Heber J. Grant for their vote, as we testified to each other our hearts verily burned within us. We know that the selection of Brother Widtsoe is the Lord's choice. Word was sent out and an automobile was dispatched to the University to bring Brother Widtsoe to the Council. Actually, he was overwhelmed when the announcement of the action of the Council was made to him. After he had received a very impressive charge from President Heber J. Grant, Elder John Andreas Widtsoe was ordained an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ and was set apart as a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles under the hands of the First Presidency and of all members of the Twelve present, President Heber J. Grant being voice in the ordination and setting apart. Brother Widtsoe took his place as the junior member of the Council, and remained with us during the rest of the session. ...

[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]

130 years ago today - Wed., March 17th, 1886

[Abraham H. Cannon Authority Abraham H. Cannon] I was called up to be sentenced. Upon Judge Zane giving me permission to speak I explained by position and stated that I had only sought to obey the law of God in doing what I had done, and if for doing that I deserved punishment, I was prepared for sentence. He then sentenced me to six months imprisonment, to pay a fine of $300 and costs, and stand committed till the fine and costs are paid. I immediately went into the marshal's office under guard, and there remained until about 4 p.m., except for a few minutes when I went to a restaurant under guard, waiting for the Penitentiary wagon. Father's [George Q. Cannon] trial was set for today but as he did not appear, his bonds were forfeited. A great number of special deputies were sworn in for the occasion, a company of soldiers were held in readiness, and all who entered were searched to see if they carried concealed weapons. All precautions were, however, unnecessary, as the prisoner did not come. Considerable money [$45,000] was lost by his not coming. About 5 p.m. after riding over a very rough road and wet, I arrived at the "Pen" in charge of Guard Janey. . . . There are now 50 of the brethren in the "Pen" for conscience sake, and therefore, it is not nearly as unpleasant as it might be or as I expected it would be.

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

135 years ago today - Mar 17, 1881

[Wilford Woodruff] We gave Endowments to 91. W. Woodruff sealed 15 Couple and had 14 persons Adopted into his family the Mathews & Edwards family. We had a good day.

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

150 years ago today - Mar 17, 1866

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff] In the Evening I Called at the City Hall to see Edward Tullidge who had became insane. I was left alone with him. I laid hands upon him & rebuke the devels & they Came out of him & he beged of me to take him home. He promised me faithfully to obey me in all things if I would take him to his family who were in my house. Upon this promise I took him by the arm & led him home in his right mind.

I spent the Evening with him reading the news of the day. He went to bed with his Brother John, & slept untill about 1 oclok. Then the devil entered into him & he raged Badly. I arose & went to him & again laid hands upon him & Cast the Devel out of him in the name of Jesus Christ. And he remained quiet untill about day light when the Devil again Entered into him & he raged in a dredful manner. We gave him his breakfast & I took him by the arm & walked with him back to the City Hall & left him in the hands of the poliece.

[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 - Mar 17, 1856

[Wilford Woodruff] ... at 10 oclok I went to a stream of water & Baptized all my family that was over 8 years old. Three wives 3 Children & a lamanite Boy Called Moroni. I returned to My house & confirmed them all.

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

160 years ago today - Mar 17, 1856

The 2nd proposal for Statehood for the State of Deseret was rejected due to growing anti-Mormon sentiment and complaints that unbelievers were said to be mistreated and that the Territorial Government was a shadow or puppet government for the real power or theocratic dictatorship directed by leaders of the Mormon Church ( the latter charge is surely true ). President James Buchanan sends a military army to replace Brigham Young with Alfred Cummings. Johnsons Army was the largest piece-time military effort to ever be sent to squash a civil rebellion, and thus dangerously depleted Union troops just prior to the nations most-encompassing military conflict, the US Civil War.

[Source: Tungate, Mel, Mormon Polygamy, http://www.tungate.com/polygamy.htm]

165 years ago today - Mar 17, 1851

Brigham Young speaks in favor of Madison D. Hambleton who is being tried for shooting and killing man at LDS church services, immediately after closing prayer. The man "seduced" wife of Hambleton who is "acquitted by the Court and also by the Voice of the people present." Hambleton later becomes sheriff in Utah.

175 years ago today - Mar 17, 1841

[Wilford Woodruff] 17th <Sister> Foxal <came and informed me that she had a vision while I was preaching last night. Said she saw an angel stand [-] me clothed in a white robe.>.

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

60 years ago today - Mar 16, 1956

[J. Reuben Clark] Yesterday morning (March 15, 1956), Brother Bruce R. McConkie came in to learn something about the matter that was before the First Presidency, that is, the publication of a part of the sermons in the Journal of Discourses, as already submitted to us....

I said I assumed that he would not print, that is, was not proposing to print the sermons of the other brethren, that is, the early brethren, on such matters as the Adam-God theory, so-called, and the sermons on plural marriage. He said that was his idea. I said that I personally and I thought the other brethren agreed with me, felt it would be unwise to issue a Journal of Discourses with those sermons omitted inasmuch as that would give the cultists an opportunity of attack which might increase our present difficulties instead of mollifying them....

I mentioned the fact that the title he had given to the collection "Sound Doctrine," [this project would later become "Mormon Doctrine] implied that there was other doctrine that was unsound and that perhaps it would not be wise to give forth that implication. He seemed to agree with that idea.

He made a suggestion for another title which I have forgotten, but which was open to somewhat of the same objection. In this connection he made some observation to the effect that his "sound doctrine" might not, of course, be the sound doctrine of some of the other brethren....

I also called attention to the fact that it would have been better if he had conferred with the Brethren before he began the printing of his book, instead of afterward, and he admitted that that was a mistake which he had made.

I told him that I would bring the matter to the attention of the Brethren so soon as I could and intimated to him strongly that perhaps in general the thoughts I had expressed would be the thoughts of the Brethren and that it would not be wise to issue the publication as he had planned it.

I said we were anxious that he should not suffer any undue loss in the matter.

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

95 years ago today - Mar 16, 1921

[George F. Richards] He [Heber J. Grant] then spoke 30 minutes on the subject of recent plural marriages and the encouraging of same. Any who know anything about what is going on should report to the President of the Temple, &c. President Grant said to me in the temple that he thanked the Lord that I not only have the kind & genuine disposition but the will of my own to do what I am convinced is right to do. Sister Edna L. Smith related a dream she had some time ago in which President Smith appeared to her in the Celestial room and told her this temple must be dusted. Three times he told her with increasing emphasis. She says it did not refer to ordinary dust but that there were things in the temple that were not right. She said Pres. Lund never would have righted them. She says she knew that I was to preside here. We are making some discoveries and we are dusting the temple. Yesterday I had to ask a brother to remain away from the temple until he gets his family affairs settled. To-day I had a conversation with an other brother on plural marriage charge. He did not deny having performed such marriages recently (Israel Barlow.)

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

105 years ago today - Mar 16, 1911

A large group of students publish a petition, signed by 80% of the student body, in the SALT LAKE TRIBUNE to keep professor Henry Peterson at BYU. Peterson is being removed for teaching Evolution. The next day Peterson is fired and the DESERET NEWS prints an editorial chastising the students for publishing the petition in an "anti-Mormon" newspaper.

160 years ago today - Mar 16, 1856 (Morning)

[Brigham Young] ... A few of the men and women who go into the house of the Lord, and receive their endowments, and in the most sacred manner make covenants before the Almighty, go and violate those covenants. Do I have compassion on them? Yes, I do have mercy on them, for there is something in their organization which they do not understand; and there are but few in this congregation who do understand it. You say, '"That man ought to die for transgressing the law of God.'" Let me suppose a case. Suppose you found your brother in bed with your wife, an put a javelin through both of them, you would be justified, and they would atone for their sins, and be received into the kingdom of God. I would at once do so in such a case; and under such circumstances, I have no wife whom I love so well that I would not put a javelin through her heart, and I would do it with clean hands. But you who trifle with your covenants, be careful lest in judging you will be judged. Every man and women has got to have clean hands and pure heart, to execute judgment, else they had better let the matter alone. ... There is not a man or woman, who violates the covenants made with their God, that will not be required to pay the debt. The blood of Christ will never wipe that out, your own blood must atone for it; and the judgments of the Almighty will come, sooner or later, and every man and woman will have to atone for breaking their covenants. ...

[Source: Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 3:243-249, 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 - Mar 16, 1846

Letter to Orson Hyde-- Directed to Orson Hyde at Nauvoo, this letter pictures conditions in the Camp of Israel and urges those still remaining in Nauvoo to turn their backs on the Temple of the Lord and emigrate to some "consecrated spot, where the Kingdom of God may be built up, and we may do his will as the angels do it, undisturbed."

[Source: 1846-March 16-RCH 2:148-149, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]

175 years ago today - Mar 16, 1841

... Joseph Said th they wiked will Not all be Distroyed at the Coming of Christ & also there will be wiked During the Melenium --for instance Isaiah says the Days of an infant shall be as the age of a tree also Zarch.--says all who Does Not Come up year by year with their Gifts to the preasts of the tabernicle that No Rain shall fall upon them--& that Jesus will be a Resident on the Earth a thousand [years] with the Saints is Not the Case but will Raign over the saints & come Down & instruct as he Did the 5 hundrd Brethern (1st Cor. 15) & those of the first Resurrection will also Raign with him over the saints--then after the Little Season is Expired & the Earth underGoes its Last Change & is Gloryfyed then will all the meek inherit the Earth wherein Dwelleth Righteous --he says satan Cannot Seduce us by his Enticements unles we in our harts Consent & yeald--our organization such that we can Resest the Devil If we were Not organized so we would Not be free agents.

[Source: McIntire Minute Book, in The Words of Joseph Smith by Joseph Smith by Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook]

170 years ago today - Mar 15, 1846

Orson Hyde reads his own revelation against Strang to a Sunday congregation in Nauvoo temple. That evening some see an unearthly light illuminating the temple, "as the brightness of fire," while others see angels. Hyde publishes his revelation as a broadside, but it is not canonized.

[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]

175 years ago today - Mar 15, 1841

[Wilford Woodruff] As soon as meeting closed multitudes crouded around me. Many hands were presented on evry side to bid me farewell, many calling for me to bless them before I leave them, others crying out do lay hands on me & heal me before you go. Br Woodruff I am turned out of Doors for my religion. What shall I do? I am all ready to go to Zion. My wife wont go with me. Shall I go & leave her? My Husband beats me & turns me out of Doors because I have been Baptized. I have got money enough to carry me & the children to Zion. Will you let me go without him? Br Woodruff one word with you. My Mother is over 80 years of age & has willed me £60 pounds at her Death but will not emigrate with me. Now I want to go with the Saints. Must I stay for her to die or may I go & leave her? Br Woodruff I have sold my little place. Shall have £30 pounds tomorrow but must go out of the house into the street. This will not quite carry my family to America. Can you help me to a few pounds or tell me what to do? An Elder cries out how much longer must I preach In England before you will let me go to America? Br Woodruff cant you come & preach to us in Cheltenham? Wont you go home & take some tea with me? My head is in great pain. Wont you heal me? I want you to consecrate these bottles of Oil before you go. Good by. Good by. Good by. God bless you Br Woodruff. The friends are waiting a long time for you. Are you going? I want a little council from you. Br Woodruff may I go to America with you? Say may we take an English Ship to Nauvoo via of Quebeck in Canida? Shall I be Justifyed if I have an opportunity of Going to miss of the opportunity for the purpose of tarrying a while for my mother? Will you write to me? Remember me to Mrs Woodruff (Margarett Morgan). Good by. I have been waiting a long time to get a chance to speak to you.

THESE and a thousand other questions were asked me in the term of an hour or more...

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

185 years ago today - Mar 15, 1831

[Martin Harris] "… all who believed the new bible [BOM] would see Christ within fifteen years, [15+1831=1846] and all who did not would absolutely be destroyed and dam'd."

[Source: Martin Harris, The Telegraph, Painesville, OH, March 15, 1831, vol. 2, no. 39, http://www.sidneyrigdon.com/dbroadhu/OH/paintel2.htm, quoted in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]

185 years ago today - Mar 15, 1831

The GEAUGA GAZETTE, of Painesville, Ohio, states that "the Mormon Bible is Anti-masonick," and that "every one of its followers... are anti-masons." It quotes Martin Harris as saying the Book of Mormon was an "Anti-masonick Bible."

200 years ago today - Mar 15, 1816

Joseph Smith Sr. reports his third vision: images in a garden bowing to him.

[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]

200 years ago today - Mar 15, 1816

State of Vermont

ss. Windsor County

To either constable of Norwich in the county of windsor Greetings you are here by Required to Summon Joseph Smith & family now Residing in Norwich to depart Said town here of fail Not but of this precept & your doings here in due Return make according to Law[.] Given under our hands at Norwich this 15th day of March AD 1816 ...

[Source: "A Record of Strangers Who are Warned Out of Town, 1813-1818," 53, Norwich Town Clerk's Office, Norwich, Vermont., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Smith Family Warning Out Of Norwich (Vt)]

50 years ago today - circa Mar 14, 1966

Some ... circulated a proposal which urged anti-Birch Mormons to petition the First Presidency and the Quorum of Twelve's president for the "removal of Benson from the Quorum of the Twelve." According to this "OPERATION CHECKMATE" handout, Benson's transgressions were "flagrant insubordination," "pulpit misuse," and "demeaning the President of the Church by callously taking advantage of his advanced years." ... The First Presidency defined the situation as "a crisis."

[Source: "OPERATION CHECKMATE," original typed document, Williams Papers, also photocopy inscribed, "J D Williams, March 14,1966," folder 2, box 124, Robert H. Hinckley Papers, Western Americana, Marriott Library. Although undated, this document was drafted after the J. Reese Hunter letter of 8 Mar. 1966 (which "OPERATION CHECKMATE" referred to) and before the First Presidency statement of 17 March, which was the kind of official statement recommended by "OPERATION CHECKMATE," 4. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]

105 years ago today - Mar 14, 1911

Ninety BYU students present a petition to President Brimhall asking the administration not to accept professor Henry Peterson's resignation. Peterson had been forced to resign two days earlier because of having taught evolution at BYU.

115 years ago today - Mar 14, 1901

The First Presidency and apostles decide that when members move from one ward to another the bishops of the ward being left should send membership records to the bishop of the ward being moved into. Previously each member had to get a certificate of standing to take to the new bishop. This created."an army of about 10,000 people connected with the church, who have no standing in any of the wards and stakes of Zion" due to failing to get the required certificate.

115 years ago today - Thursday, Mar 14, 1901

Apostle Reed Smoot reported that Brother James E. Hall of Fairview, North San Pete Stake, who enjoyed the gift of healing, had been visiting around among the saints in various wards and stakes exercising this gift, and his success was creating considerable excitement in different places. While many approved of his work, others thought he ought not to operate outside of the ward where he lived. Pres. Snow ruled that he would have the right to exercise his gift in any of the wards or stakes under the direction of the presiding officers thereof.

[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]

135 years ago today - Mar 14, 1881

[Wilford Woodruff] I had 34 Adoptions of Henry Eyrings family Adopted into my Family. Then Emma Thompson Joined me at the Altar & I had 41 single Dead woman sealed to me. Then two of Brother Thompsons Daughters Amelia Young Thompson & Matilda Irene Joined me & I had 93 sealings for Dead friends. Total sealing 133 Adoption ... W Woodruff Had also Adopted into his family 7 persons including James Ferguson.

[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 - Mar 14, 1856

[Heber C. Kimball marriage] wife #41. Hannah Moon, 1802-1877 .

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

160 years ago today - Mar 14, 1856

[Heber C. Kimball marriage] wife #40. Dorothy Moon, 1804-1870 .

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

160 years ago today - Mar 14, 1856

Brigham Young (aged 54) marriage to Harriet Barney (1830-1911) (aged 25) divorced from W. H. H. Sagers 1 child

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

170 years ago today - Mar 14, 1846

Revelation to Orson Hyde...

In my meditations, this morning, the Spirit of the Lord came upon me, and I was moved to write: and being grieved in my spirit on account of false pretences [pretenses] by evil designing persons to gain power, and lead away the flock of God; It whispered me and said:

Evil men, ambitious of power, must needs arise among you, and they shall be led by their own self-will and not by me. Yet they are instruments in my hands, and are permitted to try my people, and to collect from among them those who are not the elect, and such as are unworthy of eternal life. Grieve not after them, neither mourn nor be alarmed. ... Behold James J. Strang hath cursed my people by his own spirit and not by mine. Never at any time have I appointed that wicked man to lead my people, neither by my own voice, nor by the voice of my servant Joseph Smith, neither by the voice of mine angel... But his spirit and ambition shall soon fail him, and then shall he be called to judgment ...

Let my saints gather up with all consistent speed and remove westward, except such as are counselled to tarry and must needs remain to settle the[i]r business according to the counsel of my servant JOSEPH SMITH, ...

[Source: Latter-Day Saints' Millennial Star 7 (15 May 1846):157-58, emphasis omitted; also published as a broadside at Nauvoo, Illinois, 14 March 1846, post by Michael Marquardt, http://www.xmission.com/~research/central/revel2.htm]

115 years ago today - Mar 13, 1901

In city, talk with Pres[ident]. [Lorenzo] Snow on plural marriages. He said there cannot be a plural marriage solemnized in this church without my consent and I have never given consent for this to be done since president of the church. God has removed this privilege from the people and until He restores it I shall not consent to any man taking a plural wife; it is just as fair for one as it is for all to go with out; the business is taken out of our hands and we cannot fight the United States. It is them and God to settle this question, we are not in it. There is no such thing as men taking plural wives and keeping it a secret, it can't be done. Has any one of the apostles a right to seal plural wives to men by reason of former concessions made to them by presidency? No sir, such right must come from me and no man shall be authorized by me to break the law of the land.

[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]

120 years ago today - Mar 13, 1896

B. H. Roberts writes a letter to church leaders: "My Dear Brethren: - I submit to the authority of God in the brethren. While I can not for I the life of me think of anything in which I have not acted in all good conscience out of an honest heart, yet seeing they think I am in the wrong I will bow to them, and place myself in their hands as the servants of God. This day thirty nine years ago I first saw the light, and now after this struggle I feel lighter. I thank you for your goodness to me. Truly your brother, B.H. Roberts." He had been suspended for not agreeing to the "Political Manifesto" which requires all church leaders to get permission before seeking political office.

125 years ago today - Mar 13, 1891

... I am directed to say that the late El der Newton Daniel Hall and his two wives are approved for further blessings. This does not include his wife Sarah who married Peter Markin. ...

[Source: L. John Nuttall to Daniel D. McArthur, Mar. 13, 1891, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]

150 years ago today - Mar 13, 1866

[Wilford Woodruff] I came home in the Evening of the 16 & found Brother Edward Tullidge raving mad. He was at the City Hall in the hands of the poliece. He had been writing or Compiling my own Autobyography for nearly two years. Of late he had been drinking vary hard & writing Theatrical Plays. He now imagins himself the great Bridegroom & many other foolish things.

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

165 years ago today - Mar 13, 1851

[General Young] Brigham Young followed and advised to have the logs so close that arrows could not be shot into the fort. ... Also the name was to be altered from Cedar City to the Indian name Parowan. -- Salt Lake City Wilford

[Source: Woodruff's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 4:25, The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]

180 years ago today - Mar 13, 1836

Brigham Young writes: "I attended the solemn assembly, and with my brethren of the Twelve, received my washings and anointings, and was privileged to listen to the teachings and administrations of the Prophet of God. We also attended to the washing of feet, which ordinance was administered to me by the Prophet Joseph."

205 years ago today - Mar 13, 1811

William Smith is born at Royalton, Windsor County, Vermont, the eighth child and sixth living son of Joseph Sr. and Lucy Smith. Joseph Sr. reports the first of seven visions, five of which Lucy records.

[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]

55 years ago today - Mar 12, 1961

The first non-English-speaking stake is organized at The Hague in the Netherlands, which is also the first stake in continental Europe.

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

75 years ago today - Mar 12, 1941

President Heber J. Grant presents a copy of the Book of Mormon in braille to Helen Keller, a well-known advocate for the deaf and the blind.

90 years ago today - Mar 12, 1926

Provo's DAILY HERALD reports that in a poll of 3000 Provo residents, forty-eight percent favored either outright repeal major modification of prohibition, while fifty-two percent advocated keeping the law as it stood

130 years ago today - Mar 12, 1886

Lorenzo Snow begins serving his sentence, for polygamy, in the Utah Territorial Penitentiary. Two physicians write to the prison authorities, "in consideration of the advanced age of the bearer, Lorenzo Snow, and also of his unusually delicate condition, we the undersigned, take the liberty of stating that we fear his health would be seriously jeopardized by depriving him of his hair and beard, as he has worn the latter 16 years on this account." Snow is allowed to keep his hair and beard. He is released on February 8, 1887, having served eleven months.

135 years ago today - Mar 12, 1881

Sister Eliza R. Snow Smith and Zina had prayers at the Altar to day <[that?] against the enemies of the Church as a representative of the prophet of God>.

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

165 years ago today - Mar 12, 1851

The Ship "George W. Bourne" arrives in New Orleans with a shipload of Mormon converts from England including two sisters who were excommunicated "for levity of behavior with some of the officers of the ship and continued disregard of the counsels of the President."

185 years ago today - Mar 12, 1831

Martin Harris arrives in Painesville from Palmyra and testifies in a hotel bar. "Every idea that he advanced, he knew to be absolutely true, as he said, by the spirit and power of God." Concludes "declaring, that all who believed the new bible would see Christ within fifteen years, and all who did not would absolutely be destroyed and dam'd."

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

185 years ago today - Mar 12, 1831

"... The first idea of a "Book," was doubtless suggested to the Smiths by one Walters, a juggling fortune-teller, who made the ignorant believe that an old book in his possession, in the Latin language, contained an account of the ante-deluvians, &c. and the word was given out that the book Smith was about to find, was a history of hidden treasures.

Smith and his father belonged to a gang of money-diggers, who had followed that business for many years, Jo pretending he could see the gold and silver by the aid of what they called a "peep stone."

The book is chiefly garbled from the Old and New Testaments, the Apocraphy having contributed its share: names and phrases have been altered, and in many instances copied upwards--A quarto Bible now in this village, was borrowed and nearly worn out and defaced by their dirty handling. Some seven or eight of them spent many months in copying, Cowdery being principal scribe....

The whole gang of these deluded mortals, except a few hypocrites, are profound believers in witchcraft, ghosts, goblins, &c. From the best information we can obtain, the work has entirely stopped in this country, and some who have been the most ardent are beginning to have misgivings on the subject. ..."

[Source: Unidentified Palmyra Residents to Editor, 12 March 1831, Painesville (Ohio) Telegraph 2 (22 March 1831): 2., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Palmyra Residents To Painesville (Oh) Telegraph]

45 years ago today - Mar 11, 1971

In issuing these directives [letters dated Jan. 6, Mar. 9, 1971], we had not fully contemplated the extent of the sewing being done in some of the temples, nor of the quantity of fabrics on hand or the wide variety and differing costs of fabrics being used by the various temples. These matters posed an almost insurmountable problem for the (Beehive) Mills in immediately taking over stocks on hand and in standardizing and properly pricing clothing made from these fabrics. In light of these problems, we herewith authorize temples [to continue making garments for now and] to phase out their manufacturing on or before July 2, 1971.

[Source: Joseph Fielding Smith, Harold B. Lee, and N. Eldon Tanner to temple presidents, Mar. 11, 1971, copy in Buerger Papers, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]