At a temple meeting with the apostles, the First Presidency decides to make universal the previous recommendation of the Twelve for priesthood ordinations to first confer priesthood before ordaining to the office of deacon or elder. President McKay says that the Presidency will give this instruction to temple presidents at their upcoming meeting on 7 Apr. and that all general authorities should announce this policy "when they attend quarterly conferences, and that they should set the example when performing ordinations themselves." This returns to the procedure of ordination which existed only in 1912-21.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
110 years ago today - 110 years ago - Jan 31, 1907
It was suggested that men who were members of secret societies before they joined the church ought not to be deprived of privileges in the Church; but young men in the church, who join after knowing that the Church has advised against it should be debarred from Temple privileges. It is suggested that all men in the Church affiliated with secret orders withdraw themselves from these societies as soon as possible.
[Source: David O. McKay, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Source: David O. McKay, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
130 years ago today - Jan 31, 1887
Published reward of $300 for John Taylor.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
145 years ago today - 1872. January 31
John A. Widtsoe: Born John Andreas Widtsoe in Froen, Norway. In 1879 his widowed mother took a pair of his shoes to a Mormon cobbler, who stuffed the toes with Mormon pamphlets when he returned them. Anna Widtsoe read the pamphlets, then attended a Mormon meeting. Two years later the family was baptized, and in 1883 emigrated to Logan, Utah. He became one of Utah's most distinguished scholars, educators, scientists, and spiritual leaders.
[Source: Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies; Utah History Encyclopedia: John A. Widstoe, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
[Source: Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies; Utah History Encyclopedia: John A. Widstoe, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
160 years ago today - Jan 31, 1857
[Brigham Young Letter]
Col. Thomas L. Kane, -- We are satisfied with the appointment of Buchanan as a future President, we believe he will be a friend to the good, Prest. Fillmore was our friend, but Buchanan will not be a whit behind. [Buchanan would order what would be called the "Mormon War."]
[Source: Letters of Brigham Young--Excerpts, 1856-1866, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Col. Thomas L. Kane, -- We are satisfied with the appointment of Buchanan as a future President, we believe he will be a friend to the good, Prest. Fillmore was our friend, but Buchanan will not be a whit behind. [Buchanan would order what would be called the "Mormon War."]
[Source: Letters of Brigham Young--Excerpts, 1856-1866, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Jan 31, 1847
Patriarchal Blessing of Samuel Turnbow ... Thou shalt also have Power over the treasures that are hid in the land for the Lord hath called thee to be a Savior on Mt. Zion ... Thou shall have Power over the Water to Rebuke the wind and no Power on Earth shall stay thine hand and inasmuch as thou art faithful thou shall bring thy thousand to Zion and place them in a city of peace among the Saints and Shall Preside over them even a great company and be a Ruler in the house of the Lord forever. ...
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Jan 31, 1837
Sidney and Joseph Preach in the temple about the importance of a charter for the Kirtland Saftey Society. About this time Brigham Young marks some notes from the bank and is surprised to find them circulating, leading him to believe that something was fishy at the bank. He either didn't understand fractional reserve banking OR was a hard-money democrat of Andrew Jackson's persuasion, and expected the KSS to be run on such principles
[Source: Exploring Mormonism: Kirtland Safety Society Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/kirltand-safety-society-timeline-note-this-was-built-back-in-january-2013/]
[Source: Exploring Mormonism: Kirtland Safety Society Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/kirltand-safety-society-timeline-note-this-was-built-back-in-january-2013/]
70 years ago today - Jan 30, 1947
[First Presidency]
[T]here is a custom in some areas and among some organizations of having group prayers in which those participating, sometimes kneeling and sometimes standing, arrange themselves in a circle and then hold each other's hands while the prayer is being offered. From these reports that come to us it would seem obvious that the effort is to duplicate as nearly as possible the procedure of the sacred prayer circle. This innovation is not in accordance with the due order of the Church and should be discontinued at once. Where groups are assembled together, the prayers should be offered in the ordinary way we offer prayer as in our public services as at Sacrament meetings, priest hood meetings, and other like gatherings. This rule does not ex clude groups from kneeling in prayer on proper occasions, but it is intend ed to exclude all simulations of the regular prayer circle.
[Source: George Albert Smith, J. Reuben Clark Jr., and David O. McLay, circular letter, Jan. 30, 1947, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[T]here is a custom in some areas and among some organizations of having group prayers in which those participating, sometimes kneeling and sometimes standing, arrange themselves in a circle and then hold each other's hands while the prayer is being offered. From these reports that come to us it would seem obvious that the effort is to duplicate as nearly as possible the procedure of the sacred prayer circle. This innovation is not in accordance with the due order of the Church and should be discontinued at once. Where groups are assembled together, the prayers should be offered in the ordinary way we offer prayer as in our public services as at Sacrament meetings, priest hood meetings, and other like gatherings. This rule does not ex clude groups from kneeling in prayer on proper occasions, but it is intend ed to exclude all simulations of the regular prayer circle.
[Source: George Albert Smith, J. Reuben Clark Jr., and David O. McLay, circular letter, Jan. 30, 1947, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
70 years ago today - Jan 30, 1947
Letter read from President A. Reed Halverson of the New Zealand Mission stating that there has been an instance or two in the mission where men with a trace of Negro blood have been ordained to the Priesthood and are now taking part. He asks whether or not a person who has colored blood in his veins may receive the Priesthood and what should be done about these brethren who have already been ordained.
In discussing this matter it was the sentiment of the Brethren that president Halverson should be informed that no one should be ordained to the Priesthood who is known to have Negro blood in his veins, and that if any one has been so ordained, if it is admitted or otherwise established, he should be instructed not to attempt to use the Priesthood in any other ordinations.
[Source: Minutes of the Council of the Twelve and of the First Presidency, Adam S. Bennion Papers at Marquardt, H. Michael, Mormon Central: Excerpts From Minutes of the Council of the Twelve and of the First Presidency, 1879-1947 http://www.xmission.com/~research/central/chorg2.htm]
In discussing this matter it was the sentiment of the Brethren that president Halverson should be informed that no one should be ordained to the Priesthood who is known to have Negro blood in his veins, and that if any one has been so ordained, if it is admitted or otherwise established, he should be instructed not to attempt to use the Priesthood in any other ordinations.
[Source: Minutes of the Council of the Twelve and of the First Presidency, Adam S. Bennion Papers at Marquardt, H. Michael, Mormon Central: Excerpts From Minutes of the Council of the Twelve and of the First Presidency, 1879-1947 http://www.xmission.com/~research/central/chorg2.htm]
75 years ago today - Jan 30, 1942
[Marion G. Romney]
Had the Friday morning welfare meeting at 8:00 a.m. We had quite a discussion this morning as to the relationship of the Welfare Program to the relief agencies of the federal, state and county governments. As usual, the Welfare Committee and President Clark on one side, and the Relief Society and Presiding Bishopric on the other. The principles of the Program were again laid down by President Clark to the effect that all worthy members of the Church can be cared for by the Church, and we do not have to consult with nor be directed by any other agencies.
[Source: The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015, Appendix 2, The Diaries of Marion G. Romney, 1941-1961, Abridged]
Had the Friday morning welfare meeting at 8:00 a.m. We had quite a discussion this morning as to the relationship of the Welfare Program to the relief agencies of the federal, state and county governments. As usual, the Welfare Committee and President Clark on one side, and the Relief Society and Presiding Bishopric on the other. The principles of the Program were again laid down by President Clark to the effect that all worthy members of the Church can be cared for by the Church, and we do not have to consult with nor be directed by any other agencies.
[Source: The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015, Appendix 2, The Diaries of Marion G. Romney, 1941-1961, Abridged]
105 years ago today - Jan 30, 1912
Apostle George Albert Smith writes concerning the last-minute decision to not print the King Follett discourse in the first edition of the HISTORY OF THE CHURCH: "I have thought that the report of that sermon might not be authentic and I have feared that it contained some thing that might be contrary to the truth. . . . Some of the brethren felt as I did and thought that greater publicity should not be given to that particular sermon." B. H. Roberts, editor, had done considerable work on the discourse, preparing extensive footnotes in which he revealed a great reverence for it. Later editions include the sermon.
110 years ago today - Jan 30, 1907
[George F. Richards]
We considered a petition from the First Council of Seventies asking that we join them in asking the First Presidency to allow the Seventies every where to hold their quorum & class meetings Sundays from 9 to 12 o'clock. The subject was discussed freely for about two or three hours and finally a vote was taken and stood unanimous for granting the request.
[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]
We considered a petition from the First Council of Seventies asking that we join them in asking the First Presidency to allow the Seventies every where to hold their quorum & class meetings Sundays from 9 to 12 o'clock. The subject was discussed freely for about two or three hours and finally a vote was taken and stood unanimous for granting the request.
[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]
45 years ago today - Jan 29, 1972
The Adult Aaronic Priesthood Program was renamed to The Prospective Elders Program.
[Source: Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
[Source: Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
130 years ago today - Jan 29, 1887
[Benjamin F. Johnson to John Taylor]
... I again come to you for Temple Priviledges for Those I feel asured are of the Worthy Dead. * May He Rec[e]ive his 2d Anointing through me as Proxy and may some of my wives rec[eive] for her? * and as I have great Love for him as a friend I do wish to do his further work and get for him & wife his 2d anointings & if it would be right * and so wait and hope, for another favorable Reply. * PS And now it has come to me to ask the Priviledge of 2d anointing for my son James Francis, who is the Present Bishop at Tempe, and I think B[isho]ps Agent of that Stake. He is over 30 years of age and apears really one of the comeing young men of Zion. And as he expects to come for me the coming spring or early Summer, I should much like if you felt it [was] his priviledge, that he too have his 2d anointing while Here.
[Source: Benjamin F. Johnson to John Taylor, Jan. 29, 1887; emphasis in original, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
... I again come to you for Temple Priviledges for Those I feel asured are of the Worthy Dead. * May He Rec[e]ive his 2d Anointing through me as Proxy and may some of my wives rec[eive] for her? * and as I have great Love for him as a friend I do wish to do his further work and get for him & wife his 2d anointings & if it would be right * and so wait and hope, for another favorable Reply. * PS And now it has come to me to ask the Priviledge of 2d anointing for my son James Francis, who is the Present Bishop at Tempe, and I think B[isho]ps Agent of that Stake. He is over 30 years of age and apears really one of the comeing young men of Zion. And as he expects to come for me the coming spring or early Summer, I should much like if you felt it [was] his priviledge, that he too have his 2d anointing while Here.
[Source: Benjamin F. Johnson to John Taylor, Jan. 29, 1887; emphasis in original, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
155 years ago today - Jan 29, 1862
Brigham Young's office journal records: "Bro[ther] HS. Eldredge, came in, the conversation turned on the love of property. Pres[ident] Young said he did not think there ever was a prophet on the Earth, (Jesus excepted) that cared less for the things of the world than he did. He remarked the Lord is desirious to exalt this people as we are his children, but riches would injure us at present therefore the Lord withholds riches from us till we are prepared to receive them. He knew that the more of the Spirit of the Lord a man had the better prepared he was to do business. Pres[ident] Young said he had been in Whiskey Street - and he had felt the spirit there, and he really thought the street must be burned down before there would be a good spirit there."
170 years ago today - Jan 29, 1847
The Mormon Battalion arrives at the San Diego Mission, the oldest Spanish mission in California. This event marks the end of its 103-day march from Ft. Leavenworth, during which they traveled approximately two thousand miles.
170 years ago today - Jan 29, 1847
[Wilford Woodruff]
<Joseph H[.]rtion is threatening my life> to <day [-] cause.> I spent the day at home. During the evening I met with some of the Twelve & with the singers & joined In the singing, music & dancing and we felt to praise the Lord in our hearts.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
<Joseph H[.]rtion is threatening my life> to <day [-] cause.> I spent the day at home. During the evening I met with some of the Twelve & with the singers & joined In the singing, music & dancing and we felt to praise the Lord in our hearts.
[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 - Jan 29, 1837
[Wilford Woodruff]
JOSepH blessed us in the name of the Lord & Said if we would be faithful we should rise above our imbarresments & be delivered from the hands of our enemies [IE Kirtland Saftey Society financial issues].
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
JOSepH blessed us in the name of the Lord & Said if we would be faithful we should rise above our imbarresments & be delivered from the hands of our enemies [IE Kirtland Saftey Society financial issues].
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
35 years ago today - Jan 28, 1982
Merlin Olsen is inducted into Pro-Football Hall of Fame. He is also inducted into College Football Hall of Fame. Steve Young, Brigham-s descendant, is National Football League-s MVP (1992, 1994) and Superbowl MBP (1995).
Provo DAILY HERALD story, "Man Faces Trial Over Stabbing Death of Baby". A Logan seminary teacher believed he was commanded by God to sacrifice his infant son and restore him again to life. His insanity plea was accepted and his wife, who deferred to his priesthood authority and did not call 911, was exonerated.
Provo DAILY HERALD story, "Man Faces Trial Over Stabbing Death of Baby". A Logan seminary teacher believed he was commanded by God to sacrifice his infant son and restore him again to life. His insanity plea was accepted and his wife, who deferred to his priesthood authority and did not call 911, was exonerated.
50 years ago today - Jan 28, 1967
Ezra Taft Benson told the Boston Globe's religion editor [regarding Benson being drafted as a presidential running mate]: "It is strictly a draft movement about which I am personally doing absolutely nothing."
[Source: "'Strictly a draft'—Elder Benson," (subheading) Deseret News "Church News," 28 Jan. 1967,6. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
[Source: "'Strictly a draft'—Elder Benson," (subheading) Deseret News "Church News," 28 Jan. 1967,6. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
50 years ago today - Jan 28, 1967
Church News cover photo and feature-article shows LDS females with nose rings in San Blas islands off coast of Panama.
80 years ago today - Jan 28, 1937
[George F. Richards]
Pres. McKay appointed me with Antone R. Ivins to go to Old Mexico to attend a special meeting at which a grevious trouble is hoped to be composed. ...
This Mexican dissention has been as a thorn in the side of the Presidency of the Church for many months. It may be necessary to excommunicate some of the leaders. They will not support the mission President, Harold W. Pratt, and they want a man for President who is of Mexican nationality.
[Source: George F. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
Pres. McKay appointed me with Antone R. Ivins to go to Old Mexico to attend a special meeting at which a grevious trouble is hoped to be composed. ...
This Mexican dissention has been as a thorn in the side of the Presidency of the Church for many months. It may be necessary to excommunicate some of the leaders. They will not support the mission President, Harold W. Pratt, and they want a man for President who is of Mexican nationality.
[Source: George F. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
120 years ago today - Jan 28, 1897; Thursday
The subject of building a Temple in Arizona for the benefit of the people in that region, was considered. It was represented that many of the Saints were unable to make a journey to the Temples in Utah, and it cost a great deal of money to those who could go. The proper order of marriage would be observed more strictly if a temple could be built in that part. It was suggested that one could be built at a cost of about $50,000. Brother John Henry Smith, who strongly favored the project, thought that a house suitable for all practical purposes, could be erected at a cost of not more than $10,000.
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
120 years ago today - Jan 28, 1897
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Had conversation with Pres[ident]. L[orenzo]. Snow in Temple. He thinks if people are denied entrance in to the T[emple]. if they have petitioned for election of M[oses]. T[hatcher]. as Senator, thinks that is exercising church influence [in politics].
[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]
Had conversation with Pres[ident]. L[orenzo]. Snow in Temple. He thinks if people are denied entrance in to the T[emple]. if they have petitioned for election of M[oses]. T[hatcher]. as Senator, thinks that is exercising church influence [in politics].
[Source: Brigham Young Jr. Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
155 years ago today - Jan 28, 1862
[Wilford Woodruff]
[See entry for Jan 27, 1862 for context.]The Poliece took up Baptiste to the grave yard to day to point out the graves which He had opened. But there were many persons in the Grave yard who felt Exasperated in there feelings and He did not point out more than a doz graves which He had opened for fear he would be killed. No Estimate Can be made of the Number of the dead He has robed. I would probably range from One to three Hundred. Some 10 graves were opened to day. Several of them were found robed. He gave a list of some 15 Names which he had robed of late. Some of those graves have been opened & the bodies found Naked. John Baptiste was Born in Venace in 1814. What will be done with the man I do not know.
It was afterwords reported that John Baptist was branded in the forehead as A Robber of the dead, & Croped & placed upon Millers Island, & he undertook to Cross the Lake on a frail Raft & was drowned as supposed as he never was heard of after. He robed the dead in Australia to such an Extent that he built a methodist meeting house with the avails of his robery So he testified. [ ]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[See entry for Jan 27, 1862 for context.]The Poliece took up Baptiste to the grave yard to day to point out the graves which He had opened. But there were many persons in the Grave yard who felt Exasperated in there feelings and He did not point out more than a doz graves which He had opened for fear he would be killed. No Estimate Can be made of the Number of the dead He has robed. I would probably range from One to three Hundred. Some 10 graves were opened to day. Several of them were found robed. He gave a list of some 15 Names which he had robed of late. Some of those graves have been opened & the bodies found Naked. John Baptiste was Born in Venace in 1814. What will be done with the man I do not know.
It was afterwords reported that John Baptist was branded in the forehead as A Robber of the dead, & Croped & placed upon Millers Island, & he undertook to Cross the Lake on a frail Raft & was drowned as supposed as he never was heard of after. He robed the dead in Australia to such an Extent that he built a methodist meeting house with the avails of his robery So he testified. [ ]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - Jan 28, 1862
[See entry for Jan 27, 1862 for context.] Conversation during the day about Jn. Baptist who had stolen the burial clothing from the dead. When President Young heard that brother Richard Cook's clothing was taken from him, also the clothing of other good people he remarked that killing was too good for him, he ought to be branded stating his crime, turned out of Community and told that if he ever came back again, he would be killed to be a fugitive on the earth would be worse than killing him. -- Salt Lake City
[Source: Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Source: Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
170 years ago today - Jan 28, 1847
[Wilford Woodruff]
At 8 oclok The Twelve with their families again met & went forth in the dance untill 2 oclok in the morning & had a good time. <Joseph H[.]rtion who had threatened my life was there.>
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
At 8 oclok The Twelve with their families again met & went forth in the dance untill 2 oclok in the morning & had a good time. <Joseph H[.]rtion who had threatened my life was there.>
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Jan 28, 1842
Brigham Young writes in his journal, "The Lord having revealed, through Joseph, that the Twelve should take in hand the editorial department of the TIMES AND SEASONS, I bought the printing establishment, for and in behalf of the Church, from brother Ebenezer Robinson, at a very exorbitant price. The reason I paid such a price was, because the Prophet directed the Twelve to pay him whatever he asked. One item of his bill was $800, for the privilege of publishing the TIMES AND SEASONS, or good will of the office."
The short revelation given to Joseph Smith is published but not canonized: "Verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph, go and say unto the Twelve, that it is my will to have them take in hand the editorial department of the Times and Seasons, according to that manifestation which shall be given unto them by the power of my Holy Spirit in the midst of their counsel, saith the Lord. Amen."
Ebenezer Robinson's wife had been spying on Joseph Smith's polygamous activities and reporting them to Emma. Joseph told Robinson to reprove his wife. When Robinson did not, Smith received the revelation which effectively fired Robinson as editor of the TIMES AND SEASONS.
The short revelation given to Joseph Smith is published but not canonized: "Verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Joseph, go and say unto the Twelve, that it is my will to have them take in hand the editorial department of the Times and Seasons, according to that manifestation which shall be given unto them by the power of my Holy Spirit in the midst of their counsel, saith the Lord. Amen."
Ebenezer Robinson's wife had been spying on Joseph Smith's polygamous activities and reporting them to Emma. Joseph told Robinson to reprove his wife. When Robinson did not, Smith received the revelation which effectively fired Robinson as editor of the TIMES AND SEASONS.
175 years ago today - Jan 28, 1842
Joseph receives a revelation for the Twelve, which is printed in the Times and Seasons; the Twelve are to take over the editorial department of the Times and Seasons.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
180 years ago today - Jan 28, 1837
Patriarchal Blessing of Jacob Zundel given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... [thou] shall have power to bring many of thy friends according to the flesh with thee to Zion, the city of the living God. Thou shalt not only speak in the German language but thou shalt speak in other tongues and shalt have the power of interpretation (if thou art faithful) ... Thy wife shall be blessed with many blessings yea I will give thee blessings to carry to her (inasmuch as I cannot visit her to lay my hands upon her.) which will make her rejoice.
[Source: Early Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:102-103, in Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
[Source: Early Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:102-103, in Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
95 years ago today - Jan 27, 1922
[Heber J. Grant]
Met with Prest. George F. Richards of the Salt Lake Temple, Elders Joseph Fielding Smith and Duncan M. McAllister. The Presidency went over a lot of suggestions with these brethren regarding temple ceremonies, etc., and some slight changes were suggested.
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
Met with Prest. George F. Richards of the Salt Lake Temple, Elders Joseph Fielding Smith and Duncan M. McAllister. The Presidency went over a lot of suggestions with these brethren regarding temple ceremonies, etc., and some slight changes were suggested.
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
105 years ago today - Jan 27, 1912
After the Supreme Court of the United States decided the constitutionality of what was known as the anti-polygamy law, the Church, as you know, could no longer solemnize plural marriages, and it became very apparent at that time that the then changed conditions confronting us were going to work out great evil amongst us as a community, especially among our young people, and as a means of checking the spirit of immorality, which at that time was beginning to manifest itself, President John Taylor felt called upon to deal with this evil in a drastic way, by imposing upon the bishops the duty of requiring all Church members guilty of sexual sin to make public confession, and ask public forgiveness, and this without taking into account the gravity of the sin committed, or the extent to which it was known.
[Source: First Presidency, Letter to L. N. Marsden and Counselors, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Source: First Presidency, Letter to L. N. Marsden and Counselors, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
120 years ago today - Jan 27, 1897; Wednesday
... the extraordinary efforts being put forth to elect [former apostle] Moses Thatcher as a so-called "Rebuke to the Church", was thoroughly discussed. It appeared that most of the Gentiles in the Legislature combined with those members of the Church who were opposed in their spirit to the First Presidency and the Declaration on Discipline, which had been promulg[at]ed, made up such a number as would require but a few votes to make a sufficient majority to elect. In view of the attitude of Moses Thatcher and the spirit of his supporters it was considered that his election would be a calamity. ...
The Presidency taking the ground that they had as much right to their preferences in this regard as any other citizens of the State of Utah, but at the same time being reluctant to express them with too great vigor, lest the cry of Church influence in politics might be regarded as having a foundation in fact.
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
The Presidency taking the ground that they had as much right to their preferences in this regard as any other citizens of the State of Utah, but at the same time being reluctant to express them with too great vigor, lest the cry of Church influence in politics might be regarded as having a foundation in fact.
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
125 years ago today - Jan 27, 1892
[Heber J. Grant]
On the 30th I wrote a letter of 11 pages to Prest Geo Q. Cannon in answer to one of the most sympathetic letters I have ever had in my life. ... Prest Cannon fully appreciates my feelings. I could not refrain from crying while reading his letter and I stopped several times while answering to cry.
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
On the 30th I wrote a letter of 11 pages to Prest Geo Q. Cannon in answer to one of the most sympathetic letters I have ever had in my life. ... Prest Cannon fully appreciates my feelings. I could not refrain from crying while reading his letter and I stopped several times while answering to cry.
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
150 years ago today - Jan 27, 1867
[Wilford Woodruff]
I felt a spirit to testify to Phebe [Snow, wife of Lorenzo Snow] that her two Sons {Wilford Leslie} & {Orion} would become Prophets & Apostles in their day.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I felt a spirit to testify to Phebe [Snow, wife of Lorenzo Snow] that her two Sons {Wilford Leslie} & {Orion} would become Prophets & Apostles in their day.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - Jan 27, 1862
Wilford Woodruff writes, "One of the most Damniable, Diabolica., Satanical, Hel[l]ish Sacraleges has been Committed upon the bodies of the Dead Saints in the Burial Ground East of this City and brought to light this day that was ever known or recorded in the History of man." When the body of Moroni Clawson (killed twelve days earlier while being arrested) is disinterred for transfer to a different cemetery it is found that "the corps [is] Naked which was Clothed when it was buried. An inquiry leads to grave digger John Baptiste who has been systematically robbing corpses of clothing by digging them up at night after the burial. Police find "many Bundles of grave Clothes about his house in various parts." Baptiste is accused of robbing Clawson's grave, "He denyed it but after being Choaked a while He confessed it and then Confessed that he had been robbing the dead for Two and a half years." Brigham Young, upon hearing of Baptiste's crimes states, "killing [is] too good for him, he ought to be branded stating his crime, turned out of Community and told that if he ever came back again, he would be killed[;] to be a fugitive on the earth would be worse than killing him." Young's suggestion is followed: without being formally charged with any crime and without a trial Baptiste is branded on his forehead, has his ears cut off and is banished to an island in the middle of the Great Salt Lake. He is never seen again.
160 years ago today - Jan 27, 1857
When ward bishop asks what should be done with Mormons who commit abortions, Brigham Young replies: "Tell them if they have destroyed children heretofore not to do so any longer, " but he makes no reference to punishment for abortion.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
170 years ago today - Jan 27, 1847 (Wednesday)
The Mormon Battalion arrived at San Luis Rey, a deserted Catholic mission, and from a neighboring bluff first saw the Pacific Ocean.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
75 years ago today - Jan 26, 1942
First counselor J. Reuben Clark tells a reporter for 'Look' magazine: "Our divorces are piling up." The Church Historian's Office in 1968 compiles the divorce statistics since 1910 for temple marriages, "church civil" marriages, and "other civil" marriages. Although temple marriages have the lowest divorce rate, in 1910 there was one "temple divorce" (cancellation of sealing) for every 66 temple marriage performed that year, 1:41 in 1915, 1:34 in 1920, 1:27 in 1925, 1:30 in 1930, 1:23 in 1935, 1:27 in 1939, 1:17 in 1945, 1:31 in 1950, a:30 in 1955, 1:19 in 1960 and 1965.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
95 years ago today - Jan 26, 1922
Barbara Bradshaw (Smith), later the tenth general president of the Relief Society, is born in Salt Lake City, Utah.
95 years ago today - Jan 26, 1922
B. H. Roberts is allowed extra time to present "Book of Mormon difficulties" to the assembled First Presidency and Apostles. He had presented his researches to the First Presidency and Apostles two weeks previously but was unsatisfied with the response. This extra session was granted by President Heber J. Grant at Roberts's request. Later Roberts discussed these meetings with a friend: "Bro. Roberts presented the matter, told them frankly that he was stumped and ask for their aide in the explanation. In answer, they merely one by one stood up and bore testimony to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. George Albert Smith in tears testified that his faith in the Book had not been shaken by the question. Pres. Ivins, the man most likely to be able to answer a question on that subject was unable to produce the solution. No answer was available."
125 years ago today - Jan 26, 1892
[First Presidency letter]
[W]e have [had] the two rooms [in the Salt Lake temple] measured which we have decided to have artistically decorated, and enclose herewith the plans of the same. They are what we call the Garden and Telestial Rooms. By sending these to you and giving you our ideas of the character of the rooms, and that which is to be represented therein, we thought you would have an excellent opportunity at Paris to get up suitable designs for them, even better, probably, than you could at home, because of the advantages which an art center like Paris furnishes in the way of suggestions, etc. The walls of the Garden ought to represent as well as can be done, the garden of Eden in the condition in which it was when the Lord placed our first parents therein, as described in the scriptures, filled with the most beautiful vegetation, and with animals of every kind dwelling together without enmity. * We would like the designs to be as beautiful as it is possible to obtain. The Telestial Room is the dark and dreary world into which Adam and Eve are driven out of the Garden after their transgression. It is the world under the curse. All is changed, for it is a world in which sin has made its appearance. Animals have become ravenous; they prey upon each other, and even the fowls of the air have partaken of the spirit of antagonism. The earth has become cursed for man's sake. Thorns and thistles and noxious weeds have sprung up, and the whole face of nature shows the effect of the change * These are the scenes to be depicted upon the walls of this room. There are no human figures upon the walls of either the Garden or the Telestial world; the scenes are confined to the vegetable and animal kingdoms. It may be practical for several of you to work in each room. * We see no serious reason why several should not work in the same room, working of course at different details and upon different walls. * Our experience in the Logan temple is not very encouraging for painting on the walls. The work which was first done there had all to be done over again, the paint having peeled off in consequence of the walls having become damp through defective guttering in the roof of the building. * [You will want to] cover the wall with canvass, and paint on the canvass. Will you please examine into this question thoroughly[?]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon, and Joseph F. Smith to John W. Clawson, Lorus Pratt, John B. Fairbanks, Henry Evans, and Herman Haag, Jan. 26, 1892, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[W]e have [had] the two rooms [in the Salt Lake temple] measured which we have decided to have artistically decorated, and enclose herewith the plans of the same. They are what we call the Garden and Telestial Rooms. By sending these to you and giving you our ideas of the character of the rooms, and that which is to be represented therein, we thought you would have an excellent opportunity at Paris to get up suitable designs for them, even better, probably, than you could at home, because of the advantages which an art center like Paris furnishes in the way of suggestions, etc. The walls of the Garden ought to represent as well as can be done, the garden of Eden in the condition in which it was when the Lord placed our first parents therein, as described in the scriptures, filled with the most beautiful vegetation, and with animals of every kind dwelling together without enmity. * We would like the designs to be as beautiful as it is possible to obtain. The Telestial Room is the dark and dreary world into which Adam and Eve are driven out of the Garden after their transgression. It is the world under the curse. All is changed, for it is a world in which sin has made its appearance. Animals have become ravenous; they prey upon each other, and even the fowls of the air have partaken of the spirit of antagonism. The earth has become cursed for man's sake. Thorns and thistles and noxious weeds have sprung up, and the whole face of nature shows the effect of the change * These are the scenes to be depicted upon the walls of this room. There are no human figures upon the walls of either the Garden or the Telestial world; the scenes are confined to the vegetable and animal kingdoms. It may be practical for several of you to work in each room. * We see no serious reason why several should not work in the same room, working of course at different details and upon different walls. * Our experience in the Logan temple is not very encouraging for painting on the walls. The work which was first done there had all to be done over again, the paint having peeled off in consequence of the walls having become damp through defective guttering in the roof of the building. * [You will want to] cover the wall with canvass, and paint on the canvass. Will you please examine into this question thoroughly[?]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon, and Joseph F. Smith to John W. Clawson, Lorus Pratt, John B. Fairbanks, Henry Evans, and Herman Haag, Jan. 26, 1892, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
125 years ago today - Tuesday, Jan 26, 1892
[John Henry Smith]
The business interests in this Territory are very much in debt.
[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]
The business interests in this Territory are very much in debt.
[Source: Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
140 years ago today - Frid 26
[John Nuttle]
At the Temple officiated as Recorder with the Sword. clothed & as James - 38 endowments. 16 ordained. 13 Sealings B. Y. J. & W. W. - Jos A Lewis obtained his Endowments. wrote to wives ...
[Source: Diary Excerpts of L. John Nuttall, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
At the Temple officiated as Recorder with the Sword. clothed & as James - 38 endowments. 16 ordained. 13 Sealings B. Y. J. & W. W. - Jos A Lewis obtained his Endowments. wrote to wives ...
[Source: Diary Excerpts of L. John Nuttall, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
160 years ago today - Jan 26, 1857
[Brigham Young to George A. Smith]
The applications for increase become more numerous and I am satisfied that thus the Lord can and will raise up in righteousness and purity, a more noble race, and more speedily than to send missionaries to the East Indies or Siam to make Mormons.
[Source: Letters of Brigham Young--Excerpts, 1856-1866, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The applications for increase become more numerous and I am satisfied that thus the Lord can and will raise up in righteousness and purity, a more noble race, and more speedily than to send missionaries to the East Indies or Siam to make Mormons.
[Source: Letters of Brigham Young--Excerpts, 1856-1866, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Tuesday, Jan 26, 1847.
[Willard Richards]
About 2 p.m., the picnic managers met at Father John Smith's, completed the arrangements, and instructed their clerk, Thomas Bullock, to write their cards to distribute. About 2, the first picnic of the seventies who helped lay the floor came off in the council house. Presidents Young and Benson were with them dancing.
[Source: Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
About 2 p.m., the picnic managers met at Father John Smith's, completed the arrangements, and instructed their clerk, Thomas Bullock, to write their cards to distribute. About 2, the first picnic of the seventies who helped lay the floor came off in the council house. Presidents Young and Benson were with them dancing.
[Source: Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
185 years ago today - Jan 26, 1832-27
[William E. McLellin:] I was sorely tempted of Devil But Friday night I made a hard struggle a[nd] shook him off my back.
[Source: Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Source: Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
35 years ago today - Jan 25, 1982.
The First Presidency writes Leonard J. Arrington a letter extending him an "honorable release" both as Church Historian and as director of the History Division. Elder Durham is set apart as Church Historian privately on 8 February 1982. Neither Leonard's release nor Elder Durham's appointment is announced at April conference, although President Hinckley says, "Elder G. Homer Durham, a member of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy and the Church Historian who, if I remember correctly, was born in Parowan, has now addressed us."
[Source: Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
[Source: Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
70 years ago today - Jan 25, 1947
Salt Lake Tribune (Kearns-Tribune Corporation) disposes ownership of KSL after 23 years of joint- ownership with the Church, making the Church the majority owner.
[Source: Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
[Source: Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
75 years ago today - Jan 25, 1942
[Heber J. Grant]
[Concerning his talk Sunday evening at the East Ensign Ward:] I spoke and in the course of my remarks I said I had heard a great deal of talk about stopping plural marriage. I said the Lord did not intend to stop plural marriage if the people had lived it right. I told them that one man remarked to me, 'Brother Grant, I never did think that plural marriage was right, and I feel the Prophet made a mistake in establishing it.'| ...
I said : 'Suppose we look into the fruits of polygamy. There are Twelve Apostles. Four of them are too old to have been the product of polygamy; seven of the remaining eight are the product of polygamy'polygamous children'one of whom I am which, and one only was monogamously born.'| I did not tell him who he was, but he was Brother Matthias Cowley, who was afterwards dropped from his position for taking a wife when he should not have done.
I said it was Brother Woodruff's inspiration to stop plural marriage by the laws of the land. 'You can blame the U.S. Government for stopping polygamy, the Lord would not have stopped had we not had a commandment to obey the laws of the land.'|
It was not such a sermon as I would have cared to have printed in the newspaper ...
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
[Concerning his talk Sunday evening at the East Ensign Ward:] I spoke and in the course of my remarks I said I had heard a great deal of talk about stopping plural marriage. I said the Lord did not intend to stop plural marriage if the people had lived it right. I told them that one man remarked to me, 'Brother Grant, I never did think that plural marriage was right, and I feel the Prophet made a mistake in establishing it.'| ...
I said : 'Suppose we look into the fruits of polygamy. There are Twelve Apostles. Four of them are too old to have been the product of polygamy; seven of the remaining eight are the product of polygamy'polygamous children'one of whom I am which, and one only was monogamously born.'| I did not tell him who he was, but he was Brother Matthias Cowley, who was afterwards dropped from his position for taking a wife when he should not have done.
I said it was Brother Woodruff's inspiration to stop plural marriage by the laws of the land. 'You can blame the U.S. Government for stopping polygamy, the Lord would not have stopped had we not had a commandment to obey the laws of the land.'|
It was not such a sermon as I would have cared to have printed in the newspaper ...
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
90 years ago today - Jan 25, 1927
George F. Richards, Apostle and Salt Lake Temple president presents his written endowment ordinance books with revisions to President Heber J. Grant, and they complete the work on several important points in the ordinances, thus "making a finish of the work which has been under consideration of the committee of five of the Twelve for several years."
105 years ago today - Jan 25, 1912
Correspondence was read for the information of the council, going to show what had been done by way of trying to prevent certain moving picture films being released libeling the Church and people. ...
[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]
[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]
105 years ago today - Jan 25, 1912
[George F. Gibbs to Zina Y. Card]
You will doubtless remember a conversation I had with you about the Zelph arrowhead and seer stone presented by you to the president of the Church, also my suggestion that you see Sister Woodruff in regard to these sacred relics. I was exceedingly pleased today to learn that you had seen Sister Woodruff in regard to these things, and that Sister Woodruff had turned them over to you. Now my dear sister, as I told you, I am witness to the fact that these sacred relics were presented by you to the president of the Church, to become the property of the Church and not the property of any individual. And I am writing now to express the hope that it is your intention to see that this is done, and that there shall be no misunderstanding as to their ownership.
[Source: George F. Gibbs, Letter to Zina Y. Card, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
You will doubtless remember a conversation I had with you about the Zelph arrowhead and seer stone presented by you to the president of the Church, also my suggestion that you see Sister Woodruff in regard to these sacred relics. I was exceedingly pleased today to learn that you had seen Sister Woodruff in regard to these things, and that Sister Woodruff had turned them over to you. Now my dear sister, as I told you, I am witness to the fact that these sacred relics were presented by you to the president of the Church, to become the property of the Church and not the property of any individual. And I am writing now to express the hope that it is your intention to see that this is done, and that there shall be no misunderstanding as to their ownership.
[Source: George F. Gibbs, Letter to Zina Y. Card, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
120 years ago today - Jan 25, 1897
Lorin C. Woolley tells a congregation "he knew that the Prophets Joseph, Brigham and Heber lived for he had seen them as they appeared to Prest. John Taylor in Bro. John [W.] Woolley's house." This is the earliest known statement by Lorin Woolley about miraculous events involving President John Taylor at the Woolley house in 1886.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
160 years ago today - Jan 25, 1857
[Heber C. Kimball marriage]
wife #44. Mary Smithies (Driggs), 1837-1880 ; 5 children: Mary Melvina Kimball, James Heber, Wilford Alfonzo, Lorenzo Heber, Abbie Sarah Kimball (Burrows) .
[Source: Hatch, Charles M. and Compton, Todd M. editors, 'A Widow's Tale: 1884-1896 Diary of Helen Mar Kimball Whitney' p. 37]
wife #44. Mary Smithies (Driggs), 1837-1880 ; 5 children: Mary Melvina Kimball, James Heber, Wilford Alfonzo, Lorenzo Heber, Abbie Sarah Kimball (Burrows) .
[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 - Jan 25, 1857
At the Salt Lake Tabernacle Heber C. Kimball "addressed the [people] for about 2 1/2 hours upon the parable of the vine including grape pumpkin & cucumber, & Apple tree . . ." Kimball further preaches: "I love brother Brigham Young better than I do any woman upon this earth, because my will has run into his, and his into mine, and there is a free interchange of feelings."
170 years ago today - Jan 25, 1847
Brother Brigham said he was going to have the first dance and his brethren with him so they would set a pattern for the rest. They called for the band, and on they came forthwith. Brother Brigham organized a number of couples and set the band to playing a tune, after which we kneeled down and prayed to the God of Heaven. I can truly say that the prayer that was offered up and the music and the dance were controlled with the Spirit of God which caused me to shed a flow of tears for joy'-Truly I was led to say this was the way the ancient fathers praised the Lord in a dance. -- Winter Quarters, Nebraska
[Source: Joseph Hovey Autobiography, L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Source: Joseph Hovey Autobiography, L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
180 years ago today - Jan 25, 1837
[Wilford Woodruff]
At early Candlelight the heavens began to show forth the signs in fulfillment of the Prophecy of JOEL recorded in the 2nd Chap 30th vers of the Book of Joel. The clouds of fire & blood began to arise in the N. E & reached unto the N. W which principly covered the horizon. The reflection of the Clouds upon the earth which was covered with Snow presented a vary red appearance. It commenced at 6 oclock & continued untill 10 or past <when the heavens were covered with pure red>.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
At early Candlelight the heavens began to show forth the signs in fulfillment of the Prophecy of JOEL recorded in the 2nd Chap 30th vers of the Book of Joel. The clouds of fire & blood began to arise in the N. E & reached unto the N. W which principly covered the horizon. The reflection of the Clouds upon the earth which was covered with Snow presented a vary red appearance. It commenced at 6 oclock & continued untill 10 or past <when the heavens were covered with pure red>.
[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 - Jan 25, 1832
Joseph Smith is ordained President of the High Priesthood by Sidney Rigdon at the Amherst, Ohio conference. This was in response to a Nov. 1831 revelation added to an 1835 revelation on priesthood.
195 years ago today - abt. Jan 25, 1822
Smith begins participating in a Palmyra "juvenile debating club" at "the old red school house on Durfee street".
[Source: Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
[Source: Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
115 years ago today - Jan 24, 1902
First Presidency statement that the Holy Ghost is a spirit personage, while the Spirit of God is an impersonal influence from God. This resolves a quiet dispute that has existed since Joseph Smith's 1833 Lecutre on Faith that says the Holy Ghost "is the mind of God."
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
130 years ago today - Jan 24, 1887 (Monday)
Houses at Farmington, Davis Co., and Brigham City, Box Elder Co., were raided by deputy marshals.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
155 years ago today - Jan 24, 1862
Brigham Young marries, ***** in defiance of the Morrill Act. There is no name listed, nor record in family search for this entry.
[Source: Quinn, Extensions, p 762, in Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
[Source: Quinn, Extensions, p 762, in Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
155 years ago today - Jan 24, 1862
The President [Brigham Young] made a few remarks about dancing he wished some attention to be paid to doing well, he said he liked all things done well; mentioned that some of the brethren rested too much on the ladies, which would sometimes give them pain. The President went on to describe the general rules of dancing, mentioned that many of the brethren who had attended dancing schools, were yet unacquainted with their positions. -- Salt Lake City
[Source: Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Source: Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
180 years ago today - Jan 24, 1837
[Wilford Woodruff]
We had been threatened by a mob from Panesville to visit us that night & demolish our Bank & take our property but they did not appeare. But the wrath of our enemies appears to be kindled against us. This in part is the Scourge that hath awated us. But may the Lord show us mercy & deliver us from the hand of our enemies for Christ Sake.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
We had been threatened by a mob from Panesville to visit us that night & demolish our Bank & take our property but they did not appeare. But the wrath of our enemies appears to be kindled against us. This in part is the Scourge that hath awated us. But may the Lord show us mercy & deliver us from the hand of our enemies for Christ Sake.
[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 - Jan 24, 1832
Bishop Edward Partridge presents his accounting for church revenues and expenditures for the previous year, and the conference votes that a financial statement should be presented to each general conference in Missouri. The practice is suspended when church headquarters moves to Illinois in 1839.
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
185 years ago today - about Jan 24, 1832
Hiram, Ohio. Joseph Smith received Doctrine & Covenants 74, a revelation answering some of his questions about Paul's teachings in 1 Corinthians 7:14.
[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
30 years ago today - Jan 23, 1987
The imprisonment of Mark Hofmann for second-degree murder in the bombing-deaths of two people in Salt Lake City in October 1985 as his effort to conceal his fraudulent business transactions in Mormon documents. As part of a plea-bargain, Hofmann also admits to forging Mormon documents for several years, including two controversial ones for which he receives the greatest financial rewards and notoriety: the so-called "Joseph Smith Money Digging Letter" and the so-called "Martin Harris Salamander Letter."
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
65 years ago today - Jan 23, 1952
[Stephen L. Richards]
11:15-Alvin Pack and Frank Creer, representing the local Red Cross, represent that the National Red Cross will tolerate no discrimination in blood bank blood donors as between white and black races.
The Red Cross is to furnish $100,000.00 worth of equipment for the collection of blood in this area, with the purpose of furnishing free blood to civilian and military personnel. The blood to civilians is to be furnished through local hospitals under an arrangement whereby local hospitals may use their own blood banks, to be replenished from the Red Cross blood bank.
All the hospitals in the area, with the exception of L.D.S. hospitals, are agreeable to such an arrangement. If the L.D.S. hospitals do not agree to the arrangement, they can secure no free blood from the Red Cross, and local Red Cross officials feel that it is unfair to civilians who contribute the free blood on the assumption that they can get free blood as they may desire it, not to be advised in advance of their blood contributions that they cannot get such service through L.D.S. hospitals. In this State, it is thought that such advice given to prospective donors would greatly reduce blood contributions.
[Source: The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah 2015, Appendix 2, The Diaries of Marion G. Romney, 1941-1961, Abridged]
11:15-Alvin Pack and Frank Creer, representing the local Red Cross, represent that the National Red Cross will tolerate no discrimination in blood bank blood donors as between white and black races.
The Red Cross is to furnish $100,000.00 worth of equipment for the collection of blood in this area, with the purpose of furnishing free blood to civilian and military personnel. The blood to civilians is to be furnished through local hospitals under an arrangement whereby local hospitals may use their own blood banks, to be replenished from the Red Cross blood bank.
All the hospitals in the area, with the exception of L.D.S. hospitals, are agreeable to such an arrangement. If the L.D.S. hospitals do not agree to the arrangement, they can secure no free blood from the Red Cross, and local Red Cross officials feel that it is unfair to civilians who contribute the free blood on the assumption that they can get free blood as they may desire it, not to be advised in advance of their blood contributions that they cannot get such service through L.D.S. hospitals. In this State, it is thought that such advice given to prospective donors would greatly reduce blood contributions.
[Source: The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah 2015, Appendix 2, The Diaries of Marion G. Romney, 1941-1961, Abridged]
85 years ago today - Jan 23, 1932
[David O. McKay]
1:00 p.m.'Special meeting with Superintendent May Anderson, her counselors'Sister Ross and Thomas'and Sister Dot Smith, Helen Davis and Bennion. George Albert Smith had telephoned that he 'prohibited' Emily Stewart, his daughter, attending this meeting. Such a stand is most certainly inimical to his daughter's interests.
[Source: David O. McKay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
1:00 p.m.'Special meeting with Superintendent May Anderson, her counselors'Sister Ross and Thomas'and Sister Dot Smith, Helen Davis and Bennion. George Albert Smith had telephoned that he 'prohibited' Emily Stewart, his daughter, attending this meeting. Such a stand is most certainly inimical to his daughter's interests.
[Source: David O. McKay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
95 years ago today - Jan 23, 1922
The first annual "Leadership Week," sponsored by BYU, begins. In 1963, the name of the yearly event is changed to Education Week.
125 years ago today - Jan 23, 1892
Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner (Smith), the first polyandrous plural wife of Joseph Smith writes: "I could explain some things in regard to my living with Mr. L[ightner] after becoming the Wife of Another, which would throw light, on what now seems mysterious-and you would be perfectly satisfied with me. I write this; because I have heard that it had been commented on to my injury." Mary Elizabeth continued to live with her legal husband, Adam Lightner, after being secretly married to Joseph Smith.
150 years ago today - Jan 23, 1867
Brigham Young reconvenes Council of Fifty, first time in more than 15 years. Apostle Amasa M. Lyman signs a confession to be published in the DESERET NEWS: "I have sinned a grievous sin in teaching a doctrine which makes the death of Jesus Christ of no force, thus sapping the foundation of the Christian religion. . . .[The] preaching was done without submitting it to, or seeking the counsel of, those who bear the Priesthood with whom I am associated. In this I committed a great wrong, for which I most humbly crave and ask their forgiveness, as I do also of all the Saints who have heard my teaching on this subject." Soon afterward Lyman repudiates the confession claiming that he "'did it to save being thrown over the fence to the dogs." He is dropped from the Twelve and disfellowshipped. Two years later he associates with the Godbeite movement and is excommunicated.
155 years ago today - Jan 23, 1862 (Thursday)
The convention of delegates, chosen by the people, adopted a State constitution for Utah and a memorial to Congress, praying the third time for the admission of Utah into the Union as a State with the name of Deseret. George Q. Cannon and Wm. H. Hooper were elected delegates to present them to Congress.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
155 years ago today - Jan 23, 1862
[Daniel H. Wells:] Joseph Smith told what would Come to pass. He spoke of this war. Said it would begin at South Carolina but He dare not publish it at First for fear the people would Call it treason. Yet it is Coming to pass before our Eyes.
What is done here is done by the unanimous voice of all the people. Not a voice is lifted against it. This is an Evidence that it is right.
President Young asked Judge Kinney if He was willing to have his speech published. Judge Kenney said yes He was willing.
President Young said I here want to say a word upon a principle. My text is Election & Reprebation. Did Joseph Smith make the war on South Carolina? No He did not. But He foretold it, and that was all he had to do in the matter. Many men Can see no difference between foreknowledge & Foreordination. Joseph Smith foreknew the war but He did not foreordain it. S. Rigdon and many others Could never see any difference between the two But the Gods & the Prophets Foreknow things which they do not Foreordain.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
What is done here is done by the unanimous voice of all the people. Not a voice is lifted against it. This is an Evidence that it is right.
President Young asked Judge Kinney if He was willing to have his speech published. Judge Kenney said yes He was willing.
President Young said I here want to say a word upon a principle. My text is Election & Reprebation. Did Joseph Smith make the war on South Carolina? No He did not. But He foretold it, and that was all he had to do in the matter. Many men Can see no difference between foreknowledge & Foreordination. Joseph Smith foreknew the war but He did not foreordain it. S. Rigdon and many others Could never see any difference between the two But the Gods & the Prophets Foreknow things which they do not Foreordain.
[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 - Jan 23, 1852
[Brigham Young]
I have this section in my hand, headed '"An Act in relation to African Slavery.'" I have read it over and made a few alterations. I will remark with regard to Slavery, inasmuch as we believe in the Bible, inasmuch as we believe in the Ordinances of God, in the Priesthood and order and decrees of God, we must believe in Slavery. This colored race have been subjected to severe curses, which they have in their families and their classes and in their various capacities brought upon themselves. And until the curse is removed by Him who placed it upon them, they must suffer under its consequences; I am not authorized to remove it. I am a firm believer in Slavery. ...
The African enjoys the right of receiving the first principles of the Gospel, ... But they cannot hold the Priesthood, and inasmuch as they cannot bear any share in the Priesthood, they cannot bear rule, they cannot bear rule in any place until the curse is removed from them, they are a '"servant of servants.'" ...
There are a many brethren in the South, a great amount of whose means is vested in slaves. Those servants want to come here with their masters; when they come here the Devil is raised. This one is talking, and that one is wondering. A strong abolitionist feeling has power over them, and they commence to whisper round their views upon the subject, saying, '"Do you think it's right? I am afraid it is not right.'" I know it is right, and there should be a law made to have the slaves serve their masters, because they are not capable of ruling themselves. When the Lord God cursed old Cain, He said, '"Until the last drop of Abel's blood receives the Priesthood, and enjoys the blessings of the same, Cain shall bear the curse,'" then Cain is calculated to have his share next, and not until then; consequently, I am firm in the belief that they ought to dwell in servitude. The caption of this bill I don't like, I have therefore taken the liberty to alter it. I have said, '"An Act in Relation to Manual service,'" instead of '"African Slavery.'" ...
I would like masters to behave well to their servants, and to see that every person in this Territory is well used. When a master has a Negro, and uses him well, he is much better off than if he was free. As for masters knocking them down and whipping them and breaking the limbs of their servants, I have as little opinion of that as any person can have, but good wholesome servitude, I know there is nothing better than that. ... Sermons and Writings of the Restoration. 4 Vols. Ogden Kraut, ed. Pioneer Press, 1994. 2:144-146]
[Source: Sermons and Writings of the Restoration. 4 Vols. Ogden Kraut, ed. Pioneer Press, 1994. 2:144-146, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
I have this section in my hand, headed '"An Act in relation to African Slavery.'" I have read it over and made a few alterations. I will remark with regard to Slavery, inasmuch as we believe in the Bible, inasmuch as we believe in the Ordinances of God, in the Priesthood and order and decrees of God, we must believe in Slavery. This colored race have been subjected to severe curses, which they have in their families and their classes and in their various capacities brought upon themselves. And until the curse is removed by Him who placed it upon them, they must suffer under its consequences; I am not authorized to remove it. I am a firm believer in Slavery. ...
The African enjoys the right of receiving the first principles of the Gospel, ... But they cannot hold the Priesthood, and inasmuch as they cannot bear any share in the Priesthood, they cannot bear rule, they cannot bear rule in any place until the curse is removed from them, they are a '"servant of servants.'" ...
There are a many brethren in the South, a great amount of whose means is vested in slaves. Those servants want to come here with their masters; when they come here the Devil is raised. This one is talking, and that one is wondering. A strong abolitionist feeling has power over them, and they commence to whisper round their views upon the subject, saying, '"Do you think it's right? I am afraid it is not right.'" I know it is right, and there should be a law made to have the slaves serve their masters, because they are not capable of ruling themselves. When the Lord God cursed old Cain, He said, '"Until the last drop of Abel's blood receives the Priesthood, and enjoys the blessings of the same, Cain shall bear the curse,'" then Cain is calculated to have his share next, and not until then; consequently, I am firm in the belief that they ought to dwell in servitude. The caption of this bill I don't like, I have therefore taken the liberty to alter it. I have said, '"An Act in Relation to Manual service,'" instead of '"African Slavery.'" ...
I would like masters to behave well to their servants, and to see that every person in this Territory is well used. When a master has a Negro, and uses him well, he is much better off than if he was free. As for masters knocking them down and whipping them and breaking the limbs of their servants, I have as little opinion of that as any person can have, but good wholesome servitude, I know there is nothing better than that. ... Sermons and Writings of the Restoration. 4 Vols. Ogden Kraut, ed. Pioneer Press, 1994. 2:144-146]
[Source: Sermons and Writings of the Restoration. 4 Vols. Ogden Kraut, ed. Pioneer Press, 1994. 2:144-146, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
170 years ago today - Jan 23, 1847
Brigham Young writes, "In the evening I attended the Council of Seventies and made arrangements for several dances and festivals in the new Council room. I told the brethren and sisters I would show them how to go forth in the dance in an acceptable manner before the Lord. I then knelt down and prayed to God in behalf of the meeting imploring His blessings to rest upon those present and dedicating the meeting and house to the Lord. At the sound of the music I lead forth in the dance accompanied by Elder H. C. Kimball, W. Woodruff and Joseph Young; the dance went off with much satisfaction." Wilford Woodruff writes of this evening, "The persons that took the [dance] floor to set the pattern were as follows: Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Wilford Woodruff & Ezra Taft Benson of the Twelve, & Joseph Young & A. P. Rockwood of the Seventies. Young had recently received a revelation mentioning dancing (D&C 136).
180 years ago today - Jan 23, 1837
Patriarchal Blessing of Abram O. Smoot given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... the earth shall tremble at thy word and the heavens shall be propetious [propitious] unto thee, and hear thy voice. ...
thy life shalt be lengthened out even unto the coming of the Savior if it be necessary and thou desirest....
[Source: Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:102, 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]
thy life shalt be lengthened out even unto the coming of the Savior if it be necessary and thou desirest....
[Source: Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:102, 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]
180 years ago today - Jan 23, 1837
Sidney Rigdon announces that the Kirtland Safety Society has suspended redeeming its notes for specie. Joseph Smith urges Mormons to circulate the bank's notes instead of presenting them for redemption. In Oct Rigdon and Smith are tried and convicted, and sentenced to pay $1,000 plus court costs for violating the 1816 Ohio statute against unauthorized banking
150 years ago today - Jan 22, 1867
Apostle Amasa Lyman's written confession, for preaching false doctrine, is read at President Brigham Young's office. It is judged "not satisfactory." "Preside[n]t Young talked vary plain upon the subject & told Brother Lyman that if he did not make a Confession that was satisfactory he Should write upon the subject himself. He said if it had [been] in Joseph[']s say he would have Cut him off from the Church & it was a question whether the Lord would Justify us in retaining him in the Church or not."
155 years ago today - Jan 22, 1862
At the statehood convention Brigham Young says, "We now are about to step into a State Government. . . . We now feel to do it. It is our duty and we think we Can maintain a Government. . . If the United States will admit us well. If not better. . . .We will ask Congress to admit us into the family of States. What if they do not? Se have got a Government and what are they going to do about it? If the Constitution has been carried out it would have hung President Buchannan . . ." He also states, "This is the ownly people on the Continent who are tru[e] to the Constitution of the United States. . . . We are doing nothing but what is strictly Constitutional. We shall be the ownly people that will maintain the Constitution while others will break it."
160 years ago today - Jan 22, 1857
[Wilford Woodruff]
I spoke against interfering with a roans [man's] family. That a roans [man's] family was his throne & kingdom & no man had a right to interfere with him. That many women would spin street yarn & go from House to House & try to turn away women from their Husbands & stir up strife in families. We had a good meeting.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I spoke against interfering with a roans [man's] family. That a roans [man's] family was his throne & kingdom & no man had a right to interfere with him. That many women would spin street yarn & go from House to House & try to turn away women from their Husbands & stir up strife in families. We had a good meeting.
[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 - Friday, Jan 22, 1847.
... Dr. [Willard Richards] immediately arose and repaired to Elder Benson's where he found Presidents B[righam] Young, H[eber] C. Kimball, O[rson] Pratt, Joseph Young, and E[zra] T. Benson, who soon invited them to his table well furnished with nice pork, fat beef, roast turkey, and apple pie. Dr. Richards carved the turkey and Mrs. Benson poured the tea and coffee. After supper, the brethren retired and had conversation concerning the accounts of the Battalion. The brethren retired soon after sunset.
[Source: Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
[Source: Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
170 years ago today - Jan 22, 1847
... I [Brigham Young] am near [$]1000. in debt. [I]f you['l]l place the books bef[ore]. me I can settle it'& will pa[y $]2.00 for every [$]1.00 I owe'[W]hen I get every thing raked out in the Valley we'll have a Jubilee, [and] make a burnt offering, of every thing'I just [k]no[w] they owe me money'I can bring the Ch[urch] in my debt'[W]hat do I care for that damned concern of John Taylor's'or [the] Furness purchase[?]'[J]u[s]t [to] get life of the K[ingdom] for 5 min[utes]: is better than [getting] all the trash in Babylon'...
Its the Church'The last da[y] we were in Nauvoo we went into the Temple, clothed ourselves, & handed it over to the L[or]d. I appointed the Tr[ust]ees myself'Babbitt for [a] lawyer'[and] Fulmer for [a] Bulldog & growl'[and] Heywood to settle debts'[T]hat was a perfect wall between us & the mob'I dont want the Temple sold'I sa[y] O Lord God Almighty hedge up the wa[y] that they can not sell the Temple'I bel[iev]ed you cov[enan]t[ed]. not sell it'& I bel[ieve] you cannot sell it for [$]10.00'I am just determined to have truth & righteousness. ...
A[lmon]. W. Babbitt[:] I wish now to tender my resignation as a Tr[ust]ee into the hands of the Ch[urch]. I have labored for 5 y[ea]rs'& have not had [$]200. for my services'I have taken no man's Gold or Silver'[O]ne error I made of [$]84.00 I have acted in good conscience'[T]hese papers shew that we have embezzled money'I now hold a note of [$]2000. ag[ain]st. [the] Ch[urch]'& a note of [$]2300. on the Lawrence Estate'& [$]700 on notes. I sa[y] to this Council now pa[y] me [$].50 on [the] $ & I will settle all things'I can get my living in the world'or by plowing'many bre[thre]n have attached their property'...
B[righam]. Y[oung]. related his dream of repairing the Temple'We want it preserved'the Lord can preserve it in the hands of our enemies as well as in our own hands. [S]uppose the keys were left with Esq[ui]re [?] Owen[?]'We shall never go back to possess the place until the laws of right takes place'[T]he Sheriff will sell it to some religious body, who will preserve it. ...
[Source: Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Its the Church'The last da[y] we were in Nauvoo we went into the Temple, clothed ourselves, & handed it over to the L[or]d. I appointed the Tr[ust]ees myself'Babbitt for [a] lawyer'[and] Fulmer for [a] Bulldog & growl'[and] Heywood to settle debts'[T]hat was a perfect wall between us & the mob'I dont want the Temple sold'I sa[y] O Lord God Almighty hedge up the wa[y] that they can not sell the Temple'I bel[iev]ed you cov[enan]t[ed]. not sell it'& I bel[ieve] you cannot sell it for [$]10.00'I am just determined to have truth & righteousness. ...
A[lmon]. W. Babbitt[:] I wish now to tender my resignation as a Tr[ust]ee into the hands of the Ch[urch]. I have labored for 5 y[ea]rs'& have not had [$]200. for my services'I have taken no man's Gold or Silver'[O]ne error I made of [$]84.00 I have acted in good conscience'[T]hese papers shew that we have embezzled money'I now hold a note of [$]2000. ag[ain]st. [the] Ch[urch]'& a note of [$]2300. on the Lawrence Estate'& [$]700 on notes. I sa[y] to this Council now pa[y] me [$].50 on [the] $ & I will settle all things'I can get my living in the world'or by plowing'many bre[thre]n have attached their property'...
B[righam]. Y[oung]. related his dream of repairing the Temple'We want it preserved'the Lord can preserve it in the hands of our enemies as well as in our own hands. [S]uppose the keys were left with Esq[ui]re [?] Owen[?]'We shall never go back to possess the place until the laws of right takes place'[T]he Sheriff will sell it to some religious body, who will preserve it. ...
[Source: Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
175 years ago today - Jan 22, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith revised the rules of the Nauvoo City Council and was elected mayor pro tem of Nauvoo at the council meeting.
175 years ago today - Jan 22, 1842
The QUINCY WHIG discusses Joseph Smith's recent announcement that the Mormons will vote as a bloc: "This clannish principle of voting in a mass, at the dictation of one man, and this man who has acquired an influence over the minds of his people through the peculiar religious creed which he promulgates, is so repugnant to the principles of our Republican form of Government, that its consequences-will be disagreeable to think of bitter hatred and unrelenting hostility will spring up, where before peace and good will had an abiding place
125 years ago today - Jan 21, 1892
Bishop Orson F. Whitney has been selected to write a history of Utah. Among other important subjects that will have to be mentioned is what is known as the Mountain Meadow Massacre. Many facts have already been published concerning this affair; but there is an opinion prevailing that all the light that can be obtained has not been thrown upon it. Many of those who have personal knowledge concerning what occurred at that time have passed away. Others are passing away; and ere long there will be no person alive who will know anything about it only as they learn it from what has been written. We are anxious to learn all that we can upon this subject, not necessarily for publication, but that the Church may have the details in its possession for the vindication of innocent parties, and that the world may know, when the time comes, the true facts connected with it. ... We remain your brethren, WILFORD WOODRUFF, GEORGE Q. CANNON, JOSEPH F. SMITH.
[Source: Office of the First Presidency, Salt Lake City, Jan. 21, 1892, "To whom it may concern," 1892-January 21-Autobiography of Andrew Jensen, pp. 197-198, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
[Source: Office of the First Presidency, Salt Lake City, Jan. 21, 1892, "To whom it may concern," 1892-January 21-Autobiography of Andrew Jensen, pp. 197-198, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
150 years ago today - Jan 21, 1867
[Wilford Woodruff]
We met at the Historians office and Anointed {Benjamin Franklin Johnson & his 2 wives}. G A Smith Anointed.
We held a meeting in the Evening as a Quorum of the 12 Apostles to Examine into the subject of Amasa Lyman's teaching fals doctrin & publishing it to the world. He had virtually done away with the Blood of Christ [saying] that the Blood of Christ was not necessary for the salvation of man. The Quorum of the twelve were horrified at the Idea that one of the Twelve Apostle should teach such a doctrin. After Amasa Lyman was interrigated upon the subject & said these had been his sentiments W Woodruff made the first speech & all the Quorum followed and they spoke in vary Strong terms.
W Woodruff said that he felt shocked at the Idea that one of the Twelve Apostles should get so far into the dark as to deny the Blood of Jesus Christ ...
When the Twelve got through Speaking Amasa Lyman wept like a Child & asked forgivness. We then all went into President Youngs office & Conversed with him. He felt as the Twelve did upon the subject ownly more so & required Brother Lyman to Publish his Confession & make it as public as he had his fals doctrin.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
We met at the Historians office and Anointed {Benjamin Franklin Johnson & his 2 wives}. G A Smith Anointed.
We held a meeting in the Evening as a Quorum of the 12 Apostles to Examine into the subject of Amasa Lyman's teaching fals doctrin & publishing it to the world. He had virtually done away with the Blood of Christ [saying] that the Blood of Christ was not necessary for the salvation of man. The Quorum of the twelve were horrified at the Idea that one of the Twelve Apostle should teach such a doctrin. After Amasa Lyman was interrigated upon the subject & said these had been his sentiments W Woodruff made the first speech & all the Quorum followed and they spoke in vary Strong terms.
W Woodruff said that he felt shocked at the Idea that one of the Twelve Apostles should get so far into the dark as to deny the Blood of Jesus Christ ...
When the Twelve got through Speaking Amasa Lyman wept like a Child & asked forgivness. We then all went into President Youngs office & Conversed with him. He felt as the Twelve did upon the subject ownly more so & required Brother Lyman to Publish his Confession & make it as public as he had his fals doctrin.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - Jan 21, 1862
[Heber C. Kimball Revelations]
In the evning it was told me by the /Lord God/ that Congress of the United Stats would reject the Saints and would not admit us as a State government and forse [force] those officers on us by thare power. HCK.
[Source: "H. C. Kimball Memorandum" book, On the Potters Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Stanley B. Kimball, editor, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
In the evning it was told me by the /Lord God/ that Congress of the United Stats would reject the Saints and would not admit us as a State government and forse [force] those officers on us by thare power. HCK.
[Source: "H. C. Kimball Memorandum" book, On the Potters Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Stanley B. Kimball, editor, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Jan 21, 1842
Apostle Willard Richards described a dream his wife (currently living out of state) had: "Joseph & woman sitting in a chair pulling of[f] her stocking. Little boy in the old wives-lap interrupted." The Richards's had a fifteen month old child at this time. On January 22nd, his diary noted: "interpreted dream--Mailed a letter to Jennetta
[Source: Willard Richards journal, 21-22 January 1842, LDS Church History Library, in "Evidence For The Sexual Side of Joseph Smith's Polygamy," Comments by D. Michael Quinn on Session #2A "Reconsidering Joseph Smith's Marital Practices," Mormon History Association's Annual Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 29 June 2012 (unabbreviated version, revised during July)]
[Source: Willard Richards journal, 21-22 January 1842, LDS Church History Library, 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)]
55 years ago today - Jan 20, 1962
BYU Professor Richard Poll had ... published a detailed critique of W. Cleon Skousen's anti-Communist book, The Naked Communist. Aside from skewering Skousen, Poll had also repudiated the American anti-Communist movement.
Listed his objections to the book as "the inadequacy of its scholarship. The incorrectness of its analysis of Communism. The inaccuracy of its historical narrative. The unsoundness of its program for governmental action. The extreme partisanship of its program for individual action. The objectionable character of the national movement of which it is a part." On the ultra-conservative, anti-Communist movement, Poll wrote on pages 12-13: "Much of the market for The Naked Communist is in connection with "Anti-Communist Seminars," "Freedom Forums," and "Project Alerts," in which inaccurate history and negative programs are expounded in an evangelical blend of fear, hatred and pulse-pounding enthusiasm. Participants are admonished to study Communism, and they end up buying tracts by Gerald L. K. Smith and his racist cohorts, confessionals of ex-Communists, spy stories and other volumes which excite more than inform. They are aroused to fight Communism, and they end up demanding U.S. withdrawal from the UN and the firing of teachers who advocate federal aid to education. They are solicited to contribute to the Anti-Communist crusade, and they end up subsidizing pamphlets calling for the repeal of the income tax and the impeachment of Chief Justice Warren."
Unknown to the public, Hugh B. Brown had encouraged Poll to prepare this published condemnation of Skousen's book "in the hope that we may stem this unfortunate tide of radicalism." This despite the fact that President McKay had already recommended The Naked Communist to a general conference: "I admonish everybody to read that excellent book of [Salt Lake City Police] Chief Skousen's."
[Source: Richard D. Poll, 77ns Trumpet Gives An Uncertain Sound: A Review of W. Cleon Skousen's THE NAKED COMMUNIST (Provo, UT: Author, 1962), 3, listed his objections to the book as "the inadequacy of its scholarship. The incorrectness of its analysis of Communism. The inaccuracy of its historical narrative. The unsoundness of its program for governmental action. The extreme partisanship of its program for individual action. The objectionable character of the national movement of which it is a part." On the ultra-conservative, anti-Communist movement, Poll wrote on pages 12-13: "Much of the market for The Naked Communist is in connection with "Anti-Communist Seminars," "Freedom Forums," and "Project Alerts," in which inaccurate history and negative programs are expounded in an evangelical blend of fear, hatred and pulse-pounding enthusiasm. Participants are admonished to study Communism, and they end up buying tracts by Gerald L. K. Smith and his racist cohorts, confessionals of ex-Communists, spy stories and other volumes which excite more than inform. They are aroused to fight Communism, and they end up demanding U.S. withdrawal from the UN and the firing of teachers who advocate federal aid to education. They are solicited to contribute to the Anti-Communist crusade, and they end up subsidizing pamphlets calling for the repeal of the income tax and the impeachment of Chief Justice Warren." 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.]
Listed his objections to the book as "the inadequacy of its scholarship. The incorrectness of its analysis of Communism. The inaccuracy of its historical narrative. The unsoundness of its program for governmental action. The extreme partisanship of its program for individual action. The objectionable character of the national movement of which it is a part." On the ultra-conservative, anti-Communist movement, Poll wrote on pages 12-13: "Much of the market for The Naked Communist is in connection with "Anti-Communist Seminars," "Freedom Forums," and "Project Alerts," in which inaccurate history and negative programs are expounded in an evangelical blend of fear, hatred and pulse-pounding enthusiasm. Participants are admonished to study Communism, and they end up buying tracts by Gerald L. K. Smith and his racist cohorts, confessionals of ex-Communists, spy stories and other volumes which excite more than inform. They are aroused to fight Communism, and they end up demanding U.S. withdrawal from the UN and the firing of teachers who advocate federal aid to education. They are solicited to contribute to the Anti-Communist crusade, and they end up subsidizing pamphlets calling for the repeal of the income tax and the impeachment of Chief Justice Warren."
Unknown to the public, Hugh B. Brown had encouraged Poll to prepare this published condemnation of Skousen's book "in the hope that we may stem this unfortunate tide of radicalism." This despite the fact that President McKay had already recommended The Naked Communist to a general conference: "I admonish everybody to read that excellent book of [Salt Lake City Police] Chief Skousen's."
[Source: Richard D. Poll, 77ns Trumpet Gives An Uncertain Sound: A Review of W. Cleon Skousen's THE NAKED COMMUNIST (Provo, UT: Author, 1962), 3, listed his objections to the book as "the inadequacy of its scholarship. The incorrectness of its analysis of Communism. The inaccuracy of its historical narrative. The unsoundness of its program for governmental action. The extreme partisanship of its program for individual action. The objectionable character of the national movement of which it is a part." On the ultra-conservative, anti-Communist movement, Poll wrote on pages 12-13: "Much of the market for The Naked Communist is in connection with "Anti-Communist Seminars," "Freedom Forums," and "Project Alerts," in which inaccurate history and negative programs are expounded in an evangelical blend of fear, hatred and pulse-pounding enthusiasm. Participants are admonished to study Communism, and they end up buying tracts by Gerald L. K. Smith and his racist cohorts, confessionals of ex-Communists, spy stories and other volumes which excite more than inform. They are aroused to fight Communism, and they end up demanding U.S. withdrawal from the UN and the firing of teachers who advocate federal aid to education. They are solicited to contribute to the Anti-Communist crusade, and they end up subsidizing pamphlets calling for the repeal of the income tax and the impeachment of Chief Justice Warren." 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.]
130 years ago today - Jan 20, 1887
William Law, former counselor to Joseph Smith, writes to the SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, that in spite of Joseph Smith's claim that "Jane [Law's wife] had been speaking evil of him for a long time - slandered him, and lied about him without cause," Law says, "My wife would not speak evil of - anyone - without cause," he notes; "Joseph is the liar and not she." In addition to defending the honor of his wife, Law insists that Sarah Pratt was a "good, virtuous woman."
145 years ago today - Jan 20, 1872
At the School of the Prophets Wilford Woodruff asks, "Why has the devil sought to take my life from the day I was born untill now more than any other men? For I seem a marked victim for the devil from the day I was born untill now, and I Can find but one answer & that is the devil knew if I got into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints I would write the History of the Church & leave on Record the doings, works & teachings of the prophets & Apostles Elders & Saints in the latter days . . ."
155 years ago today - Jan 20, 1862
[Wilford Woodruff]
Important Day. The Delegates Elected by the inhabitants of Utah met in Convention this day at the Court House in Great Salt Lake City at 10 oclok A.M. to Form a Constitution for a State Government. ...
President Young said I would like to have the members who Come here attend to the business for which they Came together and not name Either Mormon or Christian. I would like to see any Lawyier show me the Constitution or law that Gives the U.S. power to send any man to rule over us. I will Claim my rights and in the name of God we will maintain them. If any more men Come here Committing treason I will treat them as treasoners whether they be many or few. If I had been in the place of the Presidet of the United States and had possession of Mason & Slidell [Confederate officials arrested aboard a British Ship in international waters] I would have hung them or shot them for they were guilty of treason. We have the right to do all that we shall attempt to perform and we will have our right by the Help of God and if any man Comes here again to molest us they shall pay the penalty so help me God.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Important Day. The Delegates Elected by the inhabitants of Utah met in Convention this day at the Court House in Great Salt Lake City at 10 oclok A.M. to Form a Constitution for a State Government. ...
President Young said I would like to have the members who Come here attend to the business for which they Came together and not name Either Mormon or Christian. I would like to see any Lawyier show me the Constitution or law that Gives the U.S. power to send any man to rule over us. I will Claim my rights and in the name of God we will maintain them. If any more men Come here Committing treason I will treat them as treasoners whether they be many or few. If I had been in the place of the Presidet of the United States and had possession of Mason & Slidell [Confederate officials arrested aboard a British Ship in international waters] I would have hung them or shot them for they were guilty of treason. We have the right to do all that we shall attempt to perform and we will have our right by the Help of God and if any man Comes here again to molest us they shall pay the penalty so help me God.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
70 years ago today - Jan 19, 1947
At the organization of a stake in Jacksonville, Florida, Apostle Charles A. Callis prophesies that a temple will be constructed there. In 1994, a temple is dedicated in Orlando, 144 miles from Jacksonville, but within the original stake boundaries.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
120 years ago today - Jan 19, 1897 (Tuesday)
The first ballot for United States senator in the Utah legislature resulted in a draw. The chief candidates were Joseph Rawlins, Moses Thatcher and Henry P. Henderson.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
130 years ago today - Jan 19, 1887
John Taylor has $40,000 removed from the First Presidency's safe to bribe influenctial members of Congress to oppose the Edmunds-Tucker bills and to support Utah statehood.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
135 years ago today - Jan 19, 1882
[Diedrich Willers]
I enclose a few recollections and traditions of Mormonism in Seneca County. ... When I came to Seneca County ... I found among the members of a remote congregation, Zion's Church (afterward known as Jerusalem Church), in West Fayette, a plain, unassuming farmer of the name Peter Whitmer. ... it is related, that by some contrivance of Smith and his associates a wooden image or representation was placed in a tree in a field where one of Whitmer's sons was engaged in ploughing, and that when interrogated as to whether he had not seen an angel, he answered in the affirmative. "Then," said Smith, "this is the place where the `Book of Mormon' must be completed, since the angel has already appeared eleven times, and it has been revealed to me that at the place of the twelfth appearing of the angel, the book must be completed." Hence Whitmers', in West Fayette, became the resort of Smith and his fellow-impostors during the progress of this work. ...
[Source: Ellen E. Dickinson, New Light on Mormonism (New York: Funk & Wagnals, 1885), 249-52., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Diedrich Willers To Ellen E. Dickinson]
I enclose a few recollections and traditions of Mormonism in Seneca County. ... When I came to Seneca County ... I found among the members of a remote congregation, Zion's Church (afterward known as Jerusalem Church), in West Fayette, a plain, unassuming farmer of the name Peter Whitmer. ... it is related, that by some contrivance of Smith and his associates a wooden image or representation was placed in a tree in a field where one of Whitmer's sons was engaged in ploughing, and that when interrogated as to whether he had not seen an angel, he answered in the affirmative. "Then," said Smith, "this is the place where the `Book of Mormon' must be completed, since the angel has already appeared eleven times, and it has been revealed to me that at the place of the twelfth appearing of the angel, the book must be completed." Hence Whitmers', in West Fayette, became the resort of Smith and his fellow-impostors during the progress of this work. ...
[Source: Ellen E. Dickinson, New Light on Mormonism (New York: Funk & Wagnals, 1885), 249-52., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Diedrich Willers To Ellen E. Dickinson]
155 years ago today - Jan 19, 1862
[Brigham Young]
I was sorry for an expression made by one of our officials in relation to the late killing of three thieves. He considered that they were dealt with by mob violence. Our officers of the law are provided with means to defend themselves against those who would slay them. The three persons that were lately killed were notorious thieves, and resisted the officers in the discharge of their duty. I thank God that our officers will not suffer themselves to be shot down by notorious scoundrels. [The congregation said '"Amen.'"] If there are any who sympathize with thieves, I want to know who they are, and let them be cut off from the Church.
[Source: Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 9:154-158; Deseret News. Also Deseret Evening News, Deseret News Weekly, Deseret News Semi- Weekly, and Deseret News Extra, Salt Lake City, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
I was sorry for an expression made by one of our officials in relation to the late killing of three thieves. He considered that they were dealt with by mob violence. Our officers of the law are provided with means to defend themselves against those who would slay them. The three persons that were lately killed were notorious thieves, and resisted the officers in the discharge of their duty. I thank God that our officers will not suffer themselves to be shot down by notorious scoundrels. [The congregation said '"Amen.'"] If there are any who sympathize with thieves, I want to know who they are, and let them be cut off from the Church.
[Source: Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 9:154-158; Deseret News. Also Deseret Evening News, Deseret News Weekly, Deseret News Semi- Weekly, and Deseret News Extra, Salt Lake City, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
170 years ago today - Jan 19, 1847
[Brigham Young]
A revelation was read which was the first one that has been penned since Joseph was killed. The Lord has given it through the President for the good of this people as they are traveling to the west. President Young said the difference between a revelation of God, and a revelation of man and a revelation of the devil is this, in the one of the devil you will always see some great and dark thing which you cannot understand, and in a revelation of man you will always see the man sticking out in it, but one that cometh from God is always plain and suited to the present condition of the people'
[Source: Heber C. Kimball Journals, Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan.; Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
A revelation was read which was the first one that has been penned since Joseph was killed. The Lord has given it through the President for the good of this people as they are traveling to the west. President Young said the difference between a revelation of God, and a revelation of man and a revelation of the devil is this, in the one of the devil you will always see some great and dark thing which you cannot understand, and in a revelation of man you will always see the man sticking out in it, but one that cometh from God is always plain and suited to the present condition of the people'
[Source: Heber C. Kimball Journals, Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan.; Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
170 years ago today - Jan 19, 1847
President Heber C Kimball organized His family company this night At the Council House consisting of about 200 persons.
I Wilford Woodruff organized my family company this night At my own House consisting of 40 Men mostly Head men of families. Those that Joined me entered in a covenant with uplifted Hands to Heaven to keep all the commandments & Statutes of the Lord our God And to sustain me in my office...
I went to bed and fell asleep And dreamed {that I was <[-] with child and> ready to <be delivered> which was a singular dream.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I Wilford Woodruff organized my family company this night At my own House consisting of 40 Men mostly Head men of families. Those that Joined me entered in a covenant with uplifted Hands to Heaven to keep all the commandments & Statutes of the Lord our God And to sustain me in my office...
I went to bed and fell asleep And dreamed {that I was <[-] with child and> ready to <be delivered> which was a singular dream.
[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 - Jan 19, 1837
[Painesville Republican]
A company has been formed in Kirtland, ... by the Mormons, or "latter day saints," as they call themselves, with a capital stock of no less than four millions of dollars. The company style themselves the "Kirtland Safety Society Anti-Banking Company." -- Under this title they have issued their notes which, for a week or two past, have circulated among us as money or bills of exchange, but they do not, as yet obtain a general currency. Not being received at the Bank in this place, those who are doing business with the bank, will not of course, take them. -- Besides, a law of this state passed February 22, 1816, "to prohibit the issuing and circulating of unauthorized Bank Paper," published in the Telegraph last week, if now in force, might subject persons who give these bills a circulation, to some trouble. It is doubted however, by good judges, whether the law to which we have alluded, is now in force, or if in force, whether it is not unconstitutional, and therefore not binding upon the people.
[Source: Painesville Republican, in Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
A company has been formed in Kirtland, ... by the Mormons, or "latter day saints," as they call themselves, with a capital stock of no less than four millions of dollars. The company style themselves the "Kirtland Safety Society Anti-Banking Company." -- Under this title they have issued their notes which, for a week or two past, have circulated among us as money or bills of exchange, but they do not, as yet obtain a general currency. Not being received at the Bank in this place, those who are doing business with the bank, will not of course, take them. -- Besides, a law of this state passed February 22, 1816, "to prohibit the issuing and circulating of unauthorized Bank Paper," published in the Telegraph last week, if now in force, might subject persons who give these bills a circulation, to some trouble. It is doubted however, by good judges, whether the law to which we have alluded, is now in force, or if in force, whether it is not unconstitutional, and therefore not binding upon the people.
[Source: Painesville Republican, in Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
45 years ago today - Jan 18, 1972
Joseph Fielding Smith is unable to finish reading the dedicatory prayer for the temple at Ogden, Utah, and first counselor Harold B. Lee completes the dedication. Some report seeing "a brilliant light at the pulpit whenever the First Presidency members stood to speak in the celestial room of the temple."
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
115 years ago today - Jan 18, 1902
[Heber J. Grant]
I remember that I felt that a man should do all of his marrying before he was forty five, and now I want a wife or two so that my name will not be wiped off the earth, and I hope the day will come when I can have them and yet I have passed my forty fifth year.
[Source: Heber J. Grant, Letter to Jesse N. Smith, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
I remember that I felt that a man should do all of his marrying before he was forty five, and now I want a wife or two so that my name will not be wiped off the earth, and I hope the day will come when I can have them and yet I have passed my forty fifth year.
[Source: Heber J. Grant, Letter to Jesse N. Smith, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
160 years ago today - Jan 18, 1857
[Heber C. Kimball]
"He was a good man [Lyman R. Sherman]- Joseph's right hand man. He was a most beautiful singer, especially in singing in tongues - the finest I ever saw. He died a martyr to the Gospel, and will receive a Martyr's crown."
[Source: Quoted in An Uncommon Common Pioneer: The Journals of James Henry Martineau 1828-1918, edited by Donald G. Godfrey XXX Rebecca S. Martineau-McCarty]
"He was a good man [Lyman R. Sherman]- Joseph's right hand man. He was a most beautiful singer, especially in singing in tongues - the finest I ever saw. He died a martyr to the Gospel, and will receive a Martyr's crown."
[Source: Quoted in An Uncommon Common Pioneer: The Journals of James Henry Martineau 1828-1918, edited by Donald G. Godfrey XXX Rebecca S. Martineau-McCarty]
165 years ago today - Jan 18, 1852
Patriarchal Blessing of George Albert Smith Jr. by John Smith ... I rebuke every disease that shall attempt to prey upon you. And I command the blessing of health and prosperity to rest upon you, And I ask my Heavenly Father to touch your eyes, that they may be enlightened ... and to see things which are, which have been, and which shall be like Enoch of old. ... you shall do a mighty work on the Earth, at the age of fourteen you shall have the Spirit of prophecy, and at the age of twenty one - you shall have the Spirit of revelation, and be a Seer in the house of Isreal [Israel], and when thou art old like thy Grand Father who now b[l]esses you, you shall see the ancient of Days, and you shall sit in their midst and be a member of their Council ... thou shalt have the minist[e]ring of Angels, be sober minded, for thou shalt see the destruction upon the enemies of the Lord
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
165 years ago today - Jan 18, 1852
A blessing by John Smith Patriarch upon the head of Bathsheba Smith ... thy days and years shall be multiplied; and thou shalt see Isreal [Israel] gathered from the far quarters of the Earth; See Zion established in peace on the Earth, the mountains of Ice shall flow down at the presence of the ten tribes of Isreal [Israel] and thou shalt see it, and be acquainted with the leaders that guide the tribes of Isreal [Israel] to the land of their inheritance ...
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
170 years ago today - Jan 18, 1847
[Wilford Woodruff]
The Thermometer stood this day 16 1/2 degrees below 0 zero. I think as cold weather As I ever experienced. But As Cold weather As it was In Company with several others I dug earth out of the bank And coverd the roof of my house up.
This was An important day in the History of this Church in one respect. President Brigham Young met with his Company or family organization or those who had been adopted unto him or were to be, & organized than into A company out of which may grow a people that may yet be Called the tribe of Brigham. His teaching to his company was much unto edifycation.
I Cannot now write but few of the words which He spake. He said no man should come into his company to work iniquity. They should break of from all there sins. And they did enter into a covenant with uplifted Hands to Heaven with President Young And each other to walk in all the ordinances & Commandments of the Lord Our God. President Young said that He new that any man who would put his money to usury in the cause of God would recieve an hundred fold. And many things of Interest was spoken. President Young company numbered about 300 men.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The Thermometer stood this day 16 1/2 degrees below 0 zero. I think as cold weather As I ever experienced. But As Cold weather As it was In Company with several others I dug earth out of the bank And coverd the roof of my house up.
This was An important day in the History of this Church in one respect. President Brigham Young met with his Company or family organization or those who had been adopted unto him or were to be, & organized than into A company out of which may grow a people that may yet be Called the tribe of Brigham. His teaching to his company was much unto edifycation.
I Cannot now write but few of the words which He spake. He said no man should come into his company to work iniquity. They should break of from all there sins. And they did enter into a covenant with uplifted Hands to Heaven with President Young And each other to walk in all the ordinances & Commandments of the Lord Our God. President Young said that He new that any man who would put his money to usury in the cause of God would recieve an hundred fold. And many things of Interest was spoken. President Young company numbered about 300 men.
[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 - Jan 18, 1837
The pres. [ of the Elder's Quorum - Alvah Beman] made some remarks to the quorum, and reproved them for murmuring against the pres. of the Church by relating a vision.
3 Pres. Hyrum Smith addressed us in his usual pathetic and interesting manner, reproving murmuring and [missing record].
[Source: Kirtland Elder's Quorum Record, http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=414]
3 Pres. Hyrum Smith addressed us in his usual pathetic and interesting manner, reproving murmuring and [missing record].
[Source: Kirtland Elder's Quorum Record, http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=414]
190 years ago today - Jan 18, 1827
Smith enlisted the help of a third treasure-seeker to obtain Emma Hale as a wife according to the requirement of Moroni.
[Source: Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm]
[Source: Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm]
190 years ago today - Jan 18, 1827
Isaac Hale, Emma's father, says to Joseph, "You have stolen my daughter and married her. I had much rather have followed her to the grave." To reconcile with Emma's father Joseph promises to give up the treasure-hunting business.
190 years ago today - Jan 18, 1827
Joseph and Emma wed. Joseph ("very lonely ever since Alvin died") and Emma (stating, "preferring him to any other man I knew, I consented") leave Emma's home while her father is at church and elope to Squire Tarbill's in South Bainbridge.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
40 years ago today - Jan 17, 1977
Gary Mark Gilmore is executed by a Utah firing squad ending an almost ten-year moratorium on capital punishment in the United States. The choices available to Gilmore were hanging or firing squad. The option of death by firing squad is a remnant of the days when the doctrine of "blood atonement" taught that to atone for certain sins a person's blood must be "spilt upon the ground."
130 years ago today - Monday, Jan 17, 1887
[John Henry Smith]
In the evening F. D. Richards, W. B. Preston, J. W. Taylor, H. J. Grant and myself met in Council and wrote a letter to President J. Taylor advising the sale of all property liable to be gobled by the government.
[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]
In the evening F. D. Richards, W. B. Preston, J. W. Taylor, H. J. Grant and myself met in Council and wrote a letter to President J. Taylor advising the sale of all property liable to be gobled by the government.
[Source: Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
140 years ago today - Jan 17, 1877
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Spent the evening reading to father [Brigham Young] what we * Bro[ther] [Wilford] Woodruff, [L. John] Nuttall & myself have written in relation to endowment. He made a number of corrections.
[Source: Brigham Young Jr. diary, Jan. 17, 1877, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
Spent the evening reading to father [Brigham Young] what we * Bro[ther] [Wilford] Woodruff, [L. John] Nuttall & myself have written in relation to endowment. He made a number of corrections.
[Source: Brigham Young Jr. diary, Jan. 17, 1877, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
140 years ago today - Jan 17, 1877
David Hyrum Smith, Joseph Smith's youngest son, is committed to the Illinois Hospital for the Insane.
155 years ago today - Jan 17, 1862
Porter Rockwell and guard arived in this City this morning delivered two live prisioners & one dead one to the poliece & while taking John Smith & Moroni Clawson to the Court House prision they Both tried to get away and were both shot dead and all three dead Bodies were brought to the Court House and Clawson & Smith lay in a waggon out doors till afternoon & were visited by Hundreds of People. Lot Huntington's Body laid in the suller.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Jan 17, 1847
17 [Poem by first wife Vilate Kimball] Winter Quarters Jan 17th 1847
No being round the spacious Earth
Beneath the vaulted arch of heaven
Divides my love, or draws it thence
from him to whom my heart is given
Like the frail ivy to the oak
Draun closer by the temptest [d]riven
Through sorrows flood he'll bear me up
And light with smiles my way to heaven
The gift was on the alter laid
The Plighted vow, on earth was given
The seal eternal has ben made
And by his Side, I'll reign in heaven
Lines writen by Vilate Kimball
to her companion Heber C. Kimball
[Source: Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
No being round the spacious Earth
Beneath the vaulted arch of heaven
Divides my love, or draws it thence
from him to whom my heart is given
Like the frail ivy to the oak
Draun closer by the temptest [d]riven
Through sorrows flood he'll bear me up
And light with smiles my way to heaven
The gift was on the alter laid
The Plighted vow, on earth was given
The seal eternal has ben made
And by his Side, I'll reign in heaven
Lines writen by Vilate Kimball
to her companion Heber C. Kimball
[Source: Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
175 years ago today - Jan 17, 1842
Joseph Smith takes eight-months-pregnant Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner as a plural wife. Mary Elizabeth, age 24, has been legally married to non-Mormon Adam Lightner for over six years at the time. She continues to live with Adam Lightner afterward as instructed by Joseph Smith. She claimed that Smith had a private conversation with her in 1831 when she was twelve years old [age 12], "Smith told me about his great vision concerning me." "Joseph Said I was his, before I came here. He said all the Devils in Hell should never get me from him." She also said, "I am the first being that the revelation was given to him for ... I went forward and was sealed to him. Brigham young performed the sealing, and Heber C. Kimball the blessing. I know Joseph Smith had six wives and I have known some of them from childhood up. I knew he had three children [by his plural wives]. They told me. I think two are living today, but they are not known as his children as they go by other names."
[Source: Mary Lightner, 1905 Address, typescript, BYU, Pg. 2-3)]
[Source: Mary Lightner, 1905 Address, typescript, BYU, Pg. 2-3)]
175 years ago today - Jan 17, 1842
Special conference assembled, at the Presidents office... voted unanimously that Amos Fuller take a mission to the city of Chicago.'& that Henry Jacobs [Husband of Zina Jacobs who married to Joseph Smith nine months earlier] accompany Bro Fuller. ...
Moved /by the President/ that all those who are in favor of assisting Bro Robinson in printing the Book of Mormon & the other Books, and backing up the concern, manifest it by the usual sign. Not a hand raised, but every hand was raised in the negative.
[Source: Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Moved /by the President/ that all those who are in favor of assisting Bro Robinson in printing the Book of Mormon & the other Books, and backing up the concern, manifest it by the usual sign. Not a hand raised, but every hand was raised in the negative.
[Source: Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
180 years ago today - Jan 17, 1837
Met at Candle light With the quorums of the Seventies & was favored with a lecture from President David Whitmer. He warned us to humble ourselves before God lest his hand rest upon us in anger for our pride & many sins that we were runing into in our days of prosperity as the ancient Nephites did & it does now appear evident that a scourge awates this stake of Zion even Kirtland if their is not great repentance immediately & almost every Countenance indicates the above expectation esspecially the heads of the Church.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
65 years ago today - Jan 16, 1952
Church News reports that Yotaro Yoshino and Toshio Murakami are the first Japanese missionaries to be called from their homeland. Both are converts whose non-LDS parents have agreed to support them financially while proselytizing. These are the first native-born Asian missionaries of the LDS church, and not until December 1963 are there Chinese missionaries from Hong Kong.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
100 years ago today - Jan 16, 1917
[First Presidency letter]
Information has come to us from a reliable source to the effect that certain members of the Church residing in the Utah Stake make a practice of holding private meetings for the purpose of receiving supernatural manifestations for the guidance of themselves and others in regard to things spiritual and temporal: That they form themselves into a prayer circle, each member praying vocally in turn, commencing with the oldest, with Mrs. Belle Harris Berry, who is said to be the leading, dominant spirit of the aggregation, as the acknowledged medium to receive answers to their prayers which, when received, are regarded as the word of the Lord to them; that as a result of their operations the mother of Belle Harris has been induced to borrow and for the purpose of land for one of her family, giving a mortgage therefore on her home; that some of the persons said to be thus engaged are Belle Harris Berry, Silas A. Harris, her brother, Louise Harris, aged 79, her mother, R. A. Berry, her husband. If, after a discreet investigation, you find this state of things existing, it will be in order for you to see to it that the responsible parties are dealt with on their fellowship in the Church unless they give satisfactory evidence of repentance.
[Source: First Presidency, Letter to Joseph B. Keeler and Counselors, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Information has come to us from a reliable source to the effect that certain members of the Church residing in the Utah Stake make a practice of holding private meetings for the purpose of receiving supernatural manifestations for the guidance of themselves and others in regard to things spiritual and temporal: That they form themselves into a prayer circle, each member praying vocally in turn, commencing with the oldest, with Mrs. Belle Harris Berry, who is said to be the leading, dominant spirit of the aggregation, as the acknowledged medium to receive answers to their prayers which, when received, are regarded as the word of the Lord to them; that as a result of their operations the mother of Belle Harris has been induced to borrow and for the purpose of land for one of her family, giving a mortgage therefore on her home; that some of the persons said to be thus engaged are Belle Harris Berry, Silas A. Harris, her brother, Louise Harris, aged 79, her mother, R. A. Berry, her husband. If, after a discreet investigation, you find this state of things existing, it will be in order for you to see to it that the responsible parties are dealt with on their fellowship in the Church unless they give satisfactory evidence of repentance.
[Source: First Presidency, Letter to Joseph B. Keeler and Counselors, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
115 years ago today - Thursday, Jan 16, 1902
Apostle Clawson said he felt that sisters who were called to positions in the church should be carefully questioned as to their views and feelings toward the principles which we espouse, as there is danger in calling some to office who have no faith in plural marriage. The brethren were instructed to do this and also have presidents of stakes adopt the same rule.
[Source: Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
[Source: Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
120 years ago today - Jan 16, 1897 (Saturday)
At the close of a conference, Andrew Kimball and other Elders were assaulted and mobbed in Clay Co., Arkansas.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
140 years ago today - Jan 16, 1877
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Busy [in the St. George temple] writing with bro[ther]s [Wilford] W[oodruff] & J[ohn] N[uttall] on ceremonies.
[Source: Brigham Young Jr. diary, Jan. 16, 1877, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
Busy [in the St. George temple] writing with bro[ther]s [Wilford] W[oodruff] & J[ohn] N[uttall] on ceremonies.
[Source: Brigham Young Jr. diary, Jan. 16, 1877, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
155 years ago today - Jan 16, 1862
Orrin Porter Rockwell kills "while attempting to escape" Lot Huntington for Dawson beating. on Jan 1, 1862. Church Historian's office notes that Rockwell shoots Huntington eight times in stomach-difficult to do while someone is running away from the shooter. Salt Lake City policemen kill Moroni Clawson and John P. Smith while escorting them to jail on Jan. 17 for the beating. On Jan. 22 bishop's court tries participant Isaac Niebaur who confesses, protests that he "never stole from a Mormon," asks forgiveness, "but if his Blood must atone he is willing to die." Church court forgives Niebaur without blood atonement, but Salt Lake county court on Mar 25 sentences him and two others to varying prison terms for Dawson incident.
170 years ago today - Jan 16, 1847
[Wilford Woodruff]
The question was asked president Young if the quorums of seventies should not be filled up. He said not while there was men enough belonging to the quorum in good Standing alive on the earth their places should not be filled by others.
While treating upon the principle of Adoption He said some men were afraid they would loose some glory if they were sealed to one of the Twelve And did not stand alone And have others sealed to them. President Young said there kingdom consisted of their own posterity And it did not diminish that at all by being sealed to one of the Twelve but ownly bound them by that perfect Chain according to the law of God and order of Heaven that will bind the righteous from Adam to the last Saint And Adam will claim us all as members of his kingdom we deing his Children.
He gave some interesting teaching concerning the rights of men & the dealings of men with there wives and children, the raising of posterity, purity, Holiness &c. That if A wise and proper course was taken in the begeting and raising of children that they would soon become pure & Holy And be administered to by Angels &c. And many other things did the Apostle teach.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The question was asked president Young if the quorums of seventies should not be filled up. He said not while there was men enough belonging to the quorum in good Standing alive on the earth their places should not be filled by others.
While treating upon the principle of Adoption He said some men were afraid they would loose some glory if they were sealed to one of the Twelve And did not stand alone And have others sealed to them. President Young said there kingdom consisted of their own posterity And it did not diminish that at all by being sealed to one of the Twelve but ownly bound them by that perfect Chain according to the law of God and order of Heaven that will bind the righteous from Adam to the last Saint And Adam will claim us all as members of his kingdom we deing his Children.
He gave some interesting teaching concerning the rights of men & the dealings of men with there wives and children, the raising of posterity, purity, Holiness &c. That if A wise and proper course was taken in the begeting and raising of children that they would soon become pure & Holy And be administered to by Angels &c. And many other things did the Apostle teach.
[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 - Jan 16, 1837
[Wilford Woodruff]
Elder Abram O Smoot was again attacked by the destroyer Which brought him upon a bed of Great disstress. We immediately called upon the Elders of the Church, viz. Elders O Hide & H C Kimble of the twelve & B. Nobles, M. Holmes, & myself of the first Seventy. We prayed with & for him & lade hands upon him according to the scriptures & he was immediately healed of his pain & fever <in the name of Christ>.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Elder Abram O Smoot was again attacked by the destroyer Which brought him upon a bed of Great disstress. We immediately called upon the Elders of the Church, viz. Elders O Hide & H C Kimble of the twelve & B. Nobles, M. Holmes, & myself of the first Seventy. We prayed with & for him & lade hands upon him according to the scriptures & he was immediately healed of his pain & fever <in the name of Christ>.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
40 years ago today - Jan 15, 1977
Church News article about Jack Kong, president of an LDS branch at the leper colony of Molokai for twenty-five years.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
115 years ago today - Jan 15, 1902
Church publication THE JUVENILE INSTRUCTOR prints instruction by Church President Joseph F. Smith: "Indeed, we believe that every man holding the Priesthood, in good standing in the Church, who owns a home, is supreme in his own household, and when another brother enters it, and he requests the latter to perform any duty consistent with his calling, the latter should accede to his wishes; and if there should be anything wrong, he who makes the request as the head of the house into which the brother has come, is responsible therefore."
115 years ago today - Wednesday, Jan 15, 1902
Pres. Smith stated that the object of the meeting was to take into consideration the question as to whom we would favor as next United States senator from Utah—whether a member of the quorum of apostles, a member of the church, or a gentile. All the brethren of the Twelve expressed themselves, and it seemed to be the feeling of the majority of those present that none of the apostles could be spared from the ministry, but at the same time the next senator should be a member of the church, as the gentiles had already had a full share of representation in congress.
It was moved that so far as this matter concerned the brethren, the nomination be left to the First Presidency. Carried.
[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]
It was moved that so far as this matter concerned the brethren, the nomination be left to the First Presidency. Carried.
[Source: Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
120 years ago today - Jan 15, 1897; Friday
Letters were received by Pres[ident]. [Wilford] Woodruff today from Senators Henry M. Teller, of Colo[rado]., and Richard F. Pettigrew of South Dakota, and also a telegram complaining that Church influence was being used in Idaho against the re-election to the United States Senate of Fred T. Dubois. The following reply was sent to Senators Teller and Pettigrew, at Washington, D.C.:
"Individual members of our church are doubtless opposed to Senator Dubois' election. No man has the right to use Church influence against him. Numbers of us are not opposed to his election, and we have so stated to our friends. (Signed) Wilford Woodruff."...
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
"Individual members of our church are doubtless opposed to Senator Dubois' election. No man has the right to use Church influence against him. Numbers of us are not opposed to his election, and we have so stated to our friends. (Signed) Wilford Woodruff."...
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
120 years ago today - Jan 15,1897
Apostle Brigham Young, Jr. temporarily resigns as vice-president of Brigham Young Trust Company because first counselor George Q. Cannon allows its property to become "a first class" brothel on Commercial Street (now Regent Street), Salt Lake City. Apostle Heber J. Grant is invited to its opening reception and is stunned to discover himself inside "a regular whore-house." This situation begins in 1891, and for fifty years church controlled real estate companies lease houses of prostitution.
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]
130 years ago today - Jan 15, 1887
Arizona's governor signs the repeal of the "Test Oath," which disfranchised all Mormons.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
140 years ago today - Jan 15, 1877
Brigham Young begins dictating from memory the first written version of the endowment ceremony. He adds a Protestant minister as a new character in the endowment drama which does not have set dialogue at this time.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
140 years ago today - 1877 January 15
[Wilford Woodruff]
Brigham Young jr & Myself wrote out a part of the Ceremony of the Endowment. ...
I spent the Evening with President Young. He told me their was No Necessity of dressing in the Temple Clothing while giving the second Anointing any more than in administering the first Anointing or Ordaining. He also said that we should use the Bible in the garden & Bible & Book of Mormon in the Telestial room and add the Covenants to it in the Terrestial Room.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Brigham Young jr & Myself wrote out a part of the Ceremony of the Endowment. ...
I spent the Evening with President Young. He told me their was No Necessity of dressing in the Temple Clothing while giving the second Anointing any more than in administering the first Anointing or Ordaining. He also said that we should use the Bible in the garden & Bible & Book of Mormon in the Telestial room and add the Covenants to it in the Terrestial Room.
[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 - Friday, Jan 15, 1847.
All the Twelve, as the evening previous, assembled at 1 p.m. at Brother E. T. Benson's, and John D. Lee read the piece the President had written called, "The Word and Will of the Lord." [D&C 136] Approved and decided to place it before the high council. [At] 4 ½ [4:30], adjourned to tomorrow evening, 6, at Brother Benson's. Heard the "Word and Will of God" read. Conversed in the principles of adoption by request of Brother Perkins and the Levitical Priesthood. No son of Levi has yet been found in these last days to minister at the altar. Brother Perkins said it had been reported across the river that no one could go west unless they were adopted into the families of one of the Twelve. False.
[Source: Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
[Source: Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
175 years ago today - Jan 15, 1842
Martha Brotherton, a young Nauvoo woman, was allegedly approached by Brigham Young in Joseph Smith's private office. "Were it lawful and right," Brotherton reported Young as saying, "could [you] accept of me for your husband and companion? . . . Brother Joseph has had a revelation from God that it is lawful and right for a man to have two wives; for as it was in the days of Abraham, so it shall be in these last days . . . if you will accept of me, I will take you straight to the celestial kingdom." Brigham then left the room and returned ten minutes later with the Prophet. "Just go ahead, and do as Brigham wants you to," Brotherton reported Smith as saying. "I know that this is lawful and right . . . I have the keys of the kingdom, and whatever I bind on earth is bound in heaven, and whatever I loose on earth is loosed in heaven." Martha noted she begged for time to consider, then left for Saint Louis, where she published her story in the 15 July 1842 St. Louis Bulletin.
[Source: St. Louis Bulletin, 15 July 1842; in Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm]
[Source: St. Louis Bulletin, 15 July 1842; in Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm]
175 years ago today - Jan 15, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith commenced reading the first American stereotype edition of the Book of Mormon to make a few corrections for the second stereotype edition that had escaped notice in the first printing.
[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
180 years ago today - 1837 mid-Jan.
Oliver Cowdery became Vice President of the defunct Bank of Monroe in Monroe, MI. Oliver may have traveled personally to Monroe to sign banknotes there. The went out of business at the end of Mar. Grandison Newell had bought up a considerable amount of notes then in circulation and presented them at the bank's Kirtland office, demanding that they be redeemed with specie. The bank probably ran out of its original stock of silver and gold coins well before the end of January. Later charges made against Oliver for "counterfeiting" may have been related to his signing and issuing banknotes which had no monetary value.
[Source: Broadhurst, Dale R., Oliver Cowdery Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/Cdychrn1.htm]
[Source: Broadhurst, Dale R., Oliver Cowdery Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/Cdychrn1.htm]
40 years ago today - Jan 14, 1977
Apostle Boyd K. Packer, in a talk at Brigham Young University, preaches: "We've always counseled in the Church for our Mexican members to marry Mexicans, our Japanese members to marry Japanese, our Caucasians to marry Caucasians, our Polynesian members to marry Polynesians. The counsel has been wise. . . . Plan, young people, to marry into your own race."
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