[Brigham Young Jr.]
Twelve had their meeting as usual with Presidency and I am informed important business relating to B. Y. Trust Co. came before the Council. Pres[ident] Cannon presiding he cursed me for oard & thought it was nonsense for me to say anything about helping to support fathers widows as I was not able to support myself & family. Of course I was not present. I feel very bad that Pres[ident] C. should feel to censure me to my brethren. I pray God to soften our hearts that we may ... not cherish dislike to each other.
[Source: Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - Apr 30, 1862
[Heber C. Kimball Revelation]
The Lord told me that Adam was my father and that he was the God and father of all of the inhabitants of this Earth.
[Source: "H. C. Kimball Memorandum" book, On the Potters Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Stanley B. Kimball, editor, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The Lord told me that Adam was my father and that he was the God and father of all of the inhabitants of this Earth.
[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 - Apr 30, 1842
After announcing the marriage of "Mr. Wm. Warren, to Mrs. Catharine Fuller, both of this city," Nauvoo's Wasp (edited by William Smith) quoted these lines of poetry:
Till Hymen brought his life delighted hour,
There dwelt no peace in Eaden's [Eden's] rosy bower.
[Source: The Wasp (2003 facsimile): 11 (issue of 30 April 1842); "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)]
Till Hymen brought his life delighted hour,
There dwelt no peace in Eaden's [Eden's] rosy bower.
[Source: The Wasp (2003 facsimile): 11 (issue of 30 April 1842); "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)]
175 years ago today - Apr 30, 1842
The Nauvoo WASP reports that "a sham battle will be fought between the mounted Rifle-men under the immediate command of Lieutenant General [Joseph] Smith, and the Invincibles under the immediate command of Major General [John C.] Bennett."
185 years ago today - Apr 30, 1832
In a meeting of the United Firm decisions were made concerning the publishing of the revelations, formally establishing the Literary Firm as an business operation of the United Firm. Cowdery, Phelps and J. Whitmer were given authority to "select for printing such [revelations] as [they] shall deem proper, as dictated b the Spirit & make all necessary verbal [grammatical] corrections." They also decided that "all [copies of the] Revelations [would] be limited to the parties concerned [i.e., Literary Firm] until printed," that is, individuals would no longer be permitted to make their own handwritten copies of the revelations. The Book of Commandments was reduced from 10,000 copies to 3,000. The Firm also decided to print an almanac and hymnal.
[Source: Far West Record, 47-48; Lisle G Brown, "Chronology of the Literary Firm"]
[Source: Far West Record, 47-48; Lisle G Brown, "Chronology of the Literary Firm"]
185 years ago today - Apr 30, 1832
Meeting of the United Firm (Independence): A. S. Gilbert and Newel K. Whitney agents of the firm. Church loans the firm $15,000. D&C 83 (Independence): Children have claim on their parents' inheritances in Zion.
[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]
185 years ago today - Apr 30, 1832
[D and C]
Doctrine and Covenants 83: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Independence, Missouri, April 30, 1832. HC 1: 269-270. This revelation was received as the Prophet sat in council with his brethren.
1-4, Women and children have claim upon their husbands and fathers for their support; 5-6, Widows and orphans have claim upon the Church for their support.
[Source: Doctrine and Covenants, http://amzn.to/DoctrineandCovenants]
Doctrine and Covenants 83: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Independence, Missouri, April 30, 1832. HC 1: 269-270. This revelation was received as the Prophet sat in council with his brethren.
1-4, Women and children have claim upon their husbands and fathers for their support; 5-6, Widows and orphans have claim upon the Church for their support.
[Source: Doctrine and Covenants, http://amzn.to/DoctrineandCovenants]
70 years ago today - Apr 29, 1947
The Ontario, California DAILY REPORT sports section reports: "General Manager Russ Decker [of the Class-C baseball team Ontario Orioles] announced the release of pitchers Frank Umonyi and Paul Dunn yesterday."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - Apr 29, 1892 (Friday)
The first cattlemen's congress held in the United States, convened at Ogden. Fifteen States were represented.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
140 years ago today - Apr 29, 1877
NEW YORK TIMES reports election of Walter Pearce as first Mormon mayor of Nauvoo, Illinois, since 1946.
150 years ago today - Apr 29, 1867 (Morning)
[Wilford Woodruff]
I met with President Young and the Twelve in Council to take into Consideration the Case of Elder [apostle] Amasa Lyman who had been preaching Heresy doing away with the Blood of Christ & trifling with the ordinances. We herd the Testimony against him and herd his own remarks. We finally voted to silence him from Preaching. -- Beaver, Utah
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 6:339, 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 met with President Young and the Twelve in Council to take into Consideration the Case of Elder [apostle] Amasa Lyman who had been preaching Heresy doing away with the Blood of Christ & trifling with the ordinances. We herd the Testimony against him and herd his own remarks. We finally voted to silence him from Preaching. -- Beaver, Utah
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 6:339, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
175 years ago today - Apr 29, 1842
"with Br C. C. Rich I Baptized about one hundred for the remission of Sins the healing of the Body & the dead while Elder Young & others confirmed them as they came out of the water."
[Source: Wilford Woodruff Journal, in Stapley, Jonathan and Wright, Kristine, '"They Shall Be Made Whole": A History of Baptism for Health,' Journal of Mormon History, Fall 2008]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff Journal, in Stapley, Jonathan and Wright, Kristine, '"They Shall Be Made Whole": A History of Baptism for Health,' Journal of Mormon History, Fall 2008]
175 years ago today - Apr 29, 1842
Smith defined as "a conspiracy against the peace of my household" three separate conflicts that converged today. First, the Sidney Rigdon family was outraged to learn of his polygamous proposal to his first counselor's daughter. Second, the charges and counter-charges involved in that crisis led to the discovery that Smith's special counselor John C. Bennett had been claiming the prophet's authorization for seducing several women. In his own defense Bennett apparently told others about his knowledge of Smith's recent polygamous marriages and unsuccessful proposals. These interrelated scandals threw Smith's wife Emma into a fury, as one woman after another began disclosing Nauvoo's sexual underground. This controversy caused Smith to delay his plans to give the "grand key words of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood" to his wife and other women, "as well as to the Elders" .
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
140 years ago today - Apr 28, 1877
[William D. Purple]
In the year 1825 we often saw in that quiet hamlet, Joseph Smith, Jr., the author of the Golden Bible, or the Books of Mormon. He was an inmate of the family of Deacon Isaiah [Josiah] Stowell, who resided some two miles below the village, on the Susquehanna. ... About this time [1825] he took upon himself a monomaniacal impression to seek for hidden treasures which he believed were buried in the earth. He hired help and repaired to Northern Pennsylvania, in the vicinity of Lanesboro, to prosecute his search for untold wealth which he believed to be buried there. Whether it was the "Ninety bars of gold And dollars many fold." that Capt. Robert Kidd, the pirate of a preceding century, had despoiled the commerce of the world, we are not able to say, but that he took his help and provisions from home, and camped out on the black hills of that region for weeks at a time, was freely admitted by himself and family. ... There had lived a few years previous to this date, in the vicinity of Great Bend, a poor man named Joseph Smith [Sr.], who, with his family, had removed to the western part of the State, and lived in squallid poverty near Palmyra, in Ontario County. Mr. Stowell, while at Lanesboro, heard of the fame of one of his sons, named Joseph, who, by the aid of a magic stone had become a famous seer of lost or hidden treasures. ... In due time he arrived at the humble log cabin, midway between Canandaigua and Palmyra, and found the sought for treasure in the person of Joseph Smith, Jr., a lad of some eighteen years of age. He, with the magic stone, was at once transferred from his humble abode to the more pretentious mansion of Deacon Stowell. Here, in the estimation of the Deacon, he confirmed his conceded powers as a seer, by means of the stone which he placed in his hat, and by excluding the light from all other terrestrial things, could see whatever he wished, even in the depths of the earth. This omniscient attribute he firmly claimed. ... In February, 1826, the sons of Mr. Stowell, who lived with their, father, were greatly incensed against Smith, as they plainly saw their father squandering his property in the fruitless search for hidden treasures, and saw that the youthful seer had unlimited control over the illusions of their sire. They made up their minds that "patience had ceased to be a virtue," and resolved to rid themselves and their family from this incubus, who, as they believed, was eating up their substance, and depriving them of their anticipated patrimony. They caused the arrest of Smith as a vagrant, without visible means of livelihood. The trial came on in the above mentioned month, before Albert Neeley, Esq., the father of Bishop [Henry Adams] Neeley, of the State of Maine. I was an intimate friend of the Justice, and was invited to take notes of the trial, which I did. There was a large collection of persons in attendance, and the proceedings attracted much attention. The affidavits of the sons were read, and Mr. [Joseph] Smith [Jr.] was fully examined by the Court. ... He said when he was a lad, he heard of a neighboring girl some three miles from him, who could look into a glass and see anything however hidden from others; that he was seized with a strong desire to see her and her glass; that after much effort he induced his parents to let him visit her. He did so, and was permitted to look in the glass, which was placed in a hat to exclude the light. He was greatly surprised to see but one thing, which was a small stone, a great way off. It soon became luminous, and dazzled his eyes, and after a short time it became as intense as the mid-day sun. He said that the stone was under the roots of a tree or shrub as large as his arm, situated about a mile up a small stream that puts in on the South side of Lake Erie, not far from the New York and Pennsylvania line. He often had an opportunity to look in the glass, and with the same result. The luminous stone alone attracted his attention. This singular circumstance occupied his mind for some years, when he left his father's house, and with his youthful zeal traveled west in search of this luminous stone. ... After traveling some one hundred and fifty miles he found himself at the mouth of the creek. He did not have the glass with him, but he knew its exact location. He borrowed an old ax and a hoe, and repaired to the tree. With some labor and exertion he found the stone, carried it to the creek, washed and wiped it dry, sat down on the bank, placed it in his hat, and discovered that time, place and distance were annihilated; that all intervening obstacles were removed, and that he possessed one of the attributes of Deity, an All-Seeing-Eye. ... On the request of the Court, he exhibited the stone. It was about the size of a small hen's egg, in the shape of a high instepped shoe. It was composed of layers of different colors passing diagonally through it. ... Joseph Smith, Sr., was present, and sworn as a witness. He confirmed at great length all that his son had said in his examination. He delineated his [Joseph Smith, Jr.] characteristics in his youthful days--his vision of the luminous stone in the glass--his visit to Lake Erie in search of the stone--and his wonderful triumphs as a seer. He described very many instances of his finding hidden and stolen goods. He swore that both he and his son were mortified that this wonderful power which God had so miraculously given him should be used only in search of filthy lucre, or its equivalent in earthly treasures, and with a long-faced, "sanctimonious seeming," he said his constant prayer to his Heavenly Father was to manifest His will concerning this marvelous power. He trusted that the Son of Righteousness would some day illumine the heart of the boy, and enable him to see His will concerning him. ... The next witness called was Deacon Isaiah [Josiah] Stowell. He confirmed all that is said above in relation to himself, and delineated many other circumstances not necessary to record. He swore that the prisoner possessed all the power he claimed and declared he could see things fifty feet below the surface of the earth, as plain as the witness could see what was on the Justices' table, and described very many circumstances to confirm his words. ... Mr. [Jonathan] Thompson, an employee of Mr. Stowell, was the next witness. He and another man were employed in digging for treasure, and always attended the Deacon and Smith in their nocturnal labors. He could not assert that anything of value was ever obtained by them. The following scene was described by this witness, and carefully noted: Smith had told the Deacon that very many years before a band of robbers had buried on his flat a box of treasure, and as it was very valuable they had by a sacrifice placed a charm over it to protect it, so that it could not be obtained except by faith, accompanied by certain talismanic influences. So, after arming themselves with fasting and prayer, they sallied forth to the spot designated by Smith. Digging was commenced with fear and trembling, in the presence of this imaginary charm. In a few feet from the surface the box of treasure was struck by the shovel, on which they redoubled their energies, but it gradually receded from their grasp. One of the men placed his hand upon the box, but it gradually sunk from his reach. After some five feet in depth had been attained without success, a council of war against this spirit of darkness was called, and they resolved that the lack of faith, or of some untoward mental emotion, was the cause of their failure. In this emergency the fruitful mind of Smith was called on to devise a way to obtain the prize. Mr. Stowell went to his flock and selected a fine vigorous lamb, and resolved to sacrifice it to the demon spirit who guarded the coveted treasure. Shortly after the venerable Deacon might be seen on his knees at prayer near the pit, while Smith, with a lantern in one hand to dispel the midnight darkness, might be seen making a circuit around the pit, sprinkling the flowing blood from the lamb upon, the ground, as a preparation to the spirit that thwarted them. They then descended the excavation, but the treasure still receded from their grasp, and it was never obtained. ... These scenes occurred some four years before Smith, by the aid of his luminous stone, found the Golden Bible, or the Book of Mormon. The writer may at some subsequent day give your readers a chapter on its discovery, and a synopsis of its contents. It is hardly necessary to say that, as the testimony of Deacon Stowell could not be impeached, the prisoner was discharged, and in a few weeks left the town. Greene, April 28, 1877.
[Source: W[illiam]. D. Purple, "Joseph Smith, the Originator of Mormonism. Historical Reminiscences of the Town of Afton," Chenango Union (Norwich, New York) 30 (3 May 1877): 3. Two reprints of Purple's article are also available: an unidentified newspaper clipping, c. May 1877, W. D. Purple Scrapbook, 60-[62], Moore Memorial Library, Greene, New York; and unidentified newspaper clipping, c. May 1877, in Charles L. Woodward, The First Half Century of Mormonism. Papers, Engravings, Photographs, and Autograph Letters, Collected and Arranged by Charles L. Woodward, 2 vols. (New York, 1880), 2:248-51, New York Public Library, New York, New York., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: William D. Purple Reminiscence]
In the year 1825 we often saw in that quiet hamlet, Joseph Smith, Jr., the author of the Golden Bible, or the Books of Mormon. He was an inmate of the family of Deacon Isaiah [Josiah] Stowell, who resided some two miles below the village, on the Susquehanna. ... About this time [1825] he took upon himself a monomaniacal impression to seek for hidden treasures which he believed were buried in the earth. He hired help and repaired to Northern Pennsylvania, in the vicinity of Lanesboro, to prosecute his search for untold wealth which he believed to be buried there. Whether it was the "Ninety bars of gold And dollars many fold." that Capt. Robert Kidd, the pirate of a preceding century, had despoiled the commerce of the world, we are not able to say, but that he took his help and provisions from home, and camped out on the black hills of that region for weeks at a time, was freely admitted by himself and family. ... There had lived a few years previous to this date, in the vicinity of Great Bend, a poor man named Joseph Smith [Sr.], who, with his family, had removed to the western part of the State, and lived in squallid poverty near Palmyra, in Ontario County. Mr. Stowell, while at Lanesboro, heard of the fame of one of his sons, named Joseph, who, by the aid of a magic stone had become a famous seer of lost or hidden treasures. ... In due time he arrived at the humble log cabin, midway between Canandaigua and Palmyra, and found the sought for treasure in the person of Joseph Smith, Jr., a lad of some eighteen years of age. He, with the magic stone, was at once transferred from his humble abode to the more pretentious mansion of Deacon Stowell. Here, in the estimation of the Deacon, he confirmed his conceded powers as a seer, by means of the stone which he placed in his hat, and by excluding the light from all other terrestrial things, could see whatever he wished, even in the depths of the earth. This omniscient attribute he firmly claimed. ... In February, 1826, the sons of Mr. Stowell, who lived with their, father, were greatly incensed against Smith, as they plainly saw their father squandering his property in the fruitless search for hidden treasures, and saw that the youthful seer had unlimited control over the illusions of their sire. They made up their minds that "patience had ceased to be a virtue," and resolved to rid themselves and their family from this incubus, who, as they believed, was eating up their substance, and depriving them of their anticipated patrimony. They caused the arrest of Smith as a vagrant, without visible means of livelihood. The trial came on in the above mentioned month, before Albert Neeley, Esq., the father of Bishop [Henry Adams] Neeley, of the State of Maine. I was an intimate friend of the Justice, and was invited to take notes of the trial, which I did. There was a large collection of persons in attendance, and the proceedings attracted much attention. The affidavits of the sons were read, and Mr. [Joseph] Smith [Jr.] was fully examined by the Court. ... He said when he was a lad, he heard of a neighboring girl some three miles from him, who could look into a glass and see anything however hidden from others; that he was seized with a strong desire to see her and her glass; that after much effort he induced his parents to let him visit her. He did so, and was permitted to look in the glass, which was placed in a hat to exclude the light. He was greatly surprised to see but one thing, which was a small stone, a great way off. It soon became luminous, and dazzled his eyes, and after a short time it became as intense as the mid-day sun. He said that the stone was under the roots of a tree or shrub as large as his arm, situated about a mile up a small stream that puts in on the South side of Lake Erie, not far from the New York and Pennsylvania line. He often had an opportunity to look in the glass, and with the same result. The luminous stone alone attracted his attention. This singular circumstance occupied his mind for some years, when he left his father's house, and with his youthful zeal traveled west in search of this luminous stone. ... After traveling some one hundred and fifty miles he found himself at the mouth of the creek. He did not have the glass with him, but he knew its exact location. He borrowed an old ax and a hoe, and repaired to the tree. With some labor and exertion he found the stone, carried it to the creek, washed and wiped it dry, sat down on the bank, placed it in his hat, and discovered that time, place and distance were annihilated; that all intervening obstacles were removed, and that he possessed one of the attributes of Deity, an All-Seeing-Eye. ... On the request of the Court, he exhibited the stone. It was about the size of a small hen's egg, in the shape of a high instepped shoe. It was composed of layers of different colors passing diagonally through it. ... Joseph Smith, Sr., was present, and sworn as a witness. He confirmed at great length all that his son had said in his examination. He delineated his [Joseph Smith, Jr.] characteristics in his youthful days--his vision of the luminous stone in the glass--his visit to Lake Erie in search of the stone--and his wonderful triumphs as a seer. He described very many instances of his finding hidden and stolen goods. He swore that both he and his son were mortified that this wonderful power which God had so miraculously given him should be used only in search of filthy lucre, or its equivalent in earthly treasures, and with a long-faced, "sanctimonious seeming," he said his constant prayer to his Heavenly Father was to manifest His will concerning this marvelous power. He trusted that the Son of Righteousness would some day illumine the heart of the boy, and enable him to see His will concerning him. ... The next witness called was Deacon Isaiah [Josiah] Stowell. He confirmed all that is said above in relation to himself, and delineated many other circumstances not necessary to record. He swore that the prisoner possessed all the power he claimed and declared he could see things fifty feet below the surface of the earth, as plain as the witness could see what was on the Justices' table, and described very many circumstances to confirm his words. ... Mr. [Jonathan] Thompson, an employee of Mr. Stowell, was the next witness. He and another man were employed in digging for treasure, and always attended the Deacon and Smith in their nocturnal labors. He could not assert that anything of value was ever obtained by them. The following scene was described by this witness, and carefully noted: Smith had told the Deacon that very many years before a band of robbers had buried on his flat a box of treasure, and as it was very valuable they had by a sacrifice placed a charm over it to protect it, so that it could not be obtained except by faith, accompanied by certain talismanic influences. So, after arming themselves with fasting and prayer, they sallied forth to the spot designated by Smith. Digging was commenced with fear and trembling, in the presence of this imaginary charm. In a few feet from the surface the box of treasure was struck by the shovel, on which they redoubled their energies, but it gradually receded from their grasp. One of the men placed his hand upon the box, but it gradually sunk from his reach. After some five feet in depth had been attained without success, a council of war against this spirit of darkness was called, and they resolved that the lack of faith, or of some untoward mental emotion, was the cause of their failure. In this emergency the fruitful mind of Smith was called on to devise a way to obtain the prize. Mr. Stowell went to his flock and selected a fine vigorous lamb, and resolved to sacrifice it to the demon spirit who guarded the coveted treasure. Shortly after the venerable Deacon might be seen on his knees at prayer near the pit, while Smith, with a lantern in one hand to dispel the midnight darkness, might be seen making a circuit around the pit, sprinkling the flowing blood from the lamb upon, the ground, as a preparation to the spirit that thwarted them. They then descended the excavation, but the treasure still receded from their grasp, and it was never obtained. ... These scenes occurred some four years before Smith, by the aid of his luminous stone, found the Golden Bible, or the Book of Mormon. The writer may at some subsequent day give your readers a chapter on its discovery, and a synopsis of its contents. It is hardly necessary to say that, as the testimony of Deacon Stowell could not be impeached, the prisoner was discharged, and in a few weeks left the town. Greene, April 28, 1877.
[Source: W[illiam]. D. Purple, "Joseph Smith, the Originator of Mormonism. Historical Reminiscences of the Town of Afton," Chenango Union (Norwich, New York) 30 (3 May 1877): 3. Two reprints of Purple's article are also available: an unidentified newspaper clipping, c. May 1877, W. D. Purple Scrapbook, 60-[62], Moore Memorial Library, Greene, New York; and unidentified newspaper clipping, c. May 1877, in Charles L. Woodward, The First Half Century of Mormonism. Papers, Engravings, Photographs, and Autograph Letters, Collected and Arranged by Charles L. Woodward, 2 vols. (New York, 1880), 2:248-51, New York Public Library, New York, New York., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: William D. Purple Reminiscence]
145 years ago today - Apr 28, 1872 (Morning, Conference)
(President Brigham Young, having been released from the custody of the U.S. Marshal, by whom he had been illegally held, was present on the stand, to the great joy of the Saints, many of whom had come from various distant parts of the Territory that they might have the pleasure of seeing him and hearing his voice)'- A word to the Latter-day Saints. Good morning. (Congregation responded, '"Good morning.'") How do you do? (Congregation replied, '"Very well.'") How is your faith this morning? ('"Strong in the Lord,'" was the response.) How do you think I look after my long confinement? (Congregation replied, '"First rate.'") ...
[Source: Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 15:16-21, 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: Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 15:16-21, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
155 years ago today - Apr 28, 1862
U.S. Army Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas, by order of the Secretary of War and the President, writes to Brigham Young: "By express direction of the President of the United States you are hereby authorized to raise, arm, and equip one company of cavalry for ninety days' service. . . . to protect the property of the telegraph and overland mail companies in or about Independence Rock [now in Wyoming, on the Oregon Trail], where depredations have been committed, and will be continued in service only till the U.S. troops can reach the point where they are so much needed. . . .It will not be used for any offensive operations other than may grow out of the duty hereinbefore assigned to it." The intriguing point about this request is that it did not go to the territorial government officers but to Brigham Young, a tacit recognition of who really controlled Utah.
175 years ago today - Apr 28, 1842
Joseph Smith said, "Who are better qualified to administer than our faithful and zealous sisters whose hearts are full of faith, tenderness, sympathy, and compassion? No one."
[Source: Relief Society Minutes, as quoted at http://ordainwomen.org/quotes. See Quinn, "Mormon Political Conflicts" for full cite and context.]
[Source: Relief Society Minutes, as quoted at http://ordainwomen.org/quotes. See Quinn, "Mormon Political Conflicts" for full cite and context.]
175 years ago today - Apr 28, 1842
[Eliza R. Snow]
"He [Joseph Smith] ask'd the Society if they could not see by this sweeping stroke, that wherein they are ordained, it is the privilege of those set apart to administer in that authority which is confer'd on them— and if the sisters should have faith to heal the sick, let all hold their tongues, and let every thing roll on... Respecting the female laying on hands, he further remark'd, there could be no devils in it if God gave his sanction by healing— that there could be no more sin in any female laying hands on the sick than in wetting the face with water. He reprov'd those that were dispos'd to find fault with the management of concerns--saying if he undertook to lead the church he would lead it right-- that the calculates to organize the church in proper order." -
[Source: Eliza R. Snow, Nauvoo Relief Society Minutes, as quoted at http://ordainwomen.org/quotes. See Quinn, "Mormon Political Conflicts" for full cite and context.]
"He [Joseph Smith] ask'd the Society if they could not see by this sweeping stroke, that wherein they are ordained, it is the privilege of those set apart to administer in that authority which is confer'd on them— and if the sisters should have faith to heal the sick, let all hold their tongues, and let every thing roll on... Respecting the female laying on hands, he further remark'd, there could be no devils in it if God gave his sanction by healing— that there could be no more sin in any female laying hands on the sick than in wetting the face with water. He reprov'd those that were dispos'd to find fault with the management of concerns--saying if he undertook to lead the church he would lead it right-- that the calculates to organize the church in proper order." -
[Source: Eliza R. Snow, Nauvoo Relief Society Minutes, as quoted at http://ordainwomen.org/quotes. See Quinn, "Mormon Political Conflicts" for full cite and context.]
175 years ago today - Apr 28, 1842
At a Relief Society meeting Joseph Smith says, "I now deliver it as a prophecy that before ten years shall roll round, the queens of the earth shall come and pay their respects to this Society-they shall come with their millions and shall contribute of their abundance for the relief of the poor."
He also warns: "Do not indulge too much in the gift of tongues, or the devil will take advantage of the innocent." Then he tells the women that "the keys of the kingdom are about to be given to them that they may be able to detect everything false, as well as to the Elders. . . .I now turn the key to you in the name of God." This is removed in the from the account in the official history of the church.
In his diary Joseph writes that he met with "the members of the "Female Relief Society" and after presiding at the admission of many new members gave a lecture on the Priesthood shewing how the sisters would come in possession of the privileges, blessings, and gifts of the Priesthood, . . ."
He also warns: "Do not indulge too much in the gift of tongues, or the devil will take advantage of the innocent." Then he tells the women that "the keys of the kingdom are about to be given to them that they may be able to detect everything false, as well as to the Elders. . . .I now turn the key to you in the name of God." This is removed in the from the account in the official history of the church.
In his diary Joseph writes that he met with "the members of the "Female Relief Society" and after presiding at the admission of many new members gave a lecture on the Priesthood shewing how the sisters would come in possession of the privileges, blessings, and gifts of the Priesthood, . . ."
180 years ago today - Apr 28, 1837
The presidents of seventies meet and declare for publication that "we will have no fellowship whatever with any Elder belonging to the quorum of the Seventies who is guilty of polygamy or any offense of the kind."
80 years ago today - Apr 27, 1937
3:00'Assisted President Grant in setting apart George F. Richards as acting Patriarch to the Church ... Blessed Sister George F. Richards.
[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]
85 years ago today - Apr 27, 1932
[Heber J. Grant]
I then met with the Presiding Bishopric and directors and manager of the Deseret News. It was understood that a cut of 20% should be made in the compensation of the employees of the Deseret News if this was necessary, in order to have the News self-sustaining. We told them we were perfectly willing that the employees should take the institution and run it without loss to the Church, and as soon as it could increase the salaries to the present standard by making a profit, the salaries could be raised at once, but we felt it was all wrong for the Church to be paying them salaries in these times, instead of discharging a lot of employees and cutting down expenses. The Manager said he had no doubt that the employees would feel all right about it and be perfectly willing to accept the decision. This will save the Church between $60,000. and $70,000. a year. I feel that it has been a good day's work.
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
I then met with the Presiding Bishopric and directors and manager of the Deseret News. It was understood that a cut of 20% should be made in the compensation of the employees of the Deseret News if this was necessary, in order to have the News self-sustaining. We told them we were perfectly willing that the employees should take the institution and run it without loss to the Church, and as soon as it could increase the salaries to the present standard by making a profit, the salaries could be raised at once, but we felt it was all wrong for the Church to be paying them salaries in these times, instead of discharging a lot of employees and cutting down expenses. The Manager said he had no doubt that the employees would feel all right about it and be perfectly willing to accept the decision. This will save the Church between $60,000. and $70,000. a year. I feel that it has been a good day's work.
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
125 years ago today - Apr 27, 1892 • Wednesday
[George Q. Cannon]
I spent a most interesting day at the Temple. A large number of persons were adopted in my family. [[Approximately 62 words redacted.]]
[Source: The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
I spent a most interesting day at the Temple. A large number of persons were adopted in my family. [[Approximately 62 words redacted.]]
[Source: The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
130 years ago today - Apr 27, 1887
Charles Ora Card and his companion select a site for a Latter-day Saint settlement on Lee's Creek, Alberta, Canada; it is later named Cardston.
140 years ago today - Apr 27, 1877
We gave Endowments to 132 And 48 Elders ordained. (W Woodruff gave Seconed Anointing to David Moss & wife and 1 dead 3 Ano[ts?].)
I Had Mary Ann Hill sealed to my Brother Asahel Hart Woodruff. Wilford Woodruff Sen officiated as Heir for Asahel. Eudora Lavina Young [ ] Acted as Proxey for Mary Ann Hill. J. D. T. McAllister sealed us. (Chandler Rogers and Amanda Hollister Rogers dead were Adopted to Wilford Woodruff sen. 3 sons and one Daughter were Adopted to Chandler Rogers their Father and Amanda Hollister Rogers their Mother.)
/+ / I Ordained David Henry Cannon and set him apart to seal at the Altar and give all ordinances in the Temple as He shall be directed by Him who presides over the Temple. W Woodruff sealed 18 Couple J. D. T. McAllister 23 David Henry Cannon [ ].
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I Had Mary Ann Hill sealed to my Brother Asahel Hart Woodruff. Wilford Woodruff Sen officiated as Heir for Asahel. Eudora Lavina Young [ ] Acted as Proxey for Mary Ann Hill. J. D. T. McAllister sealed us. (Chandler Rogers and Amanda Hollister Rogers dead were Adopted to Wilford Woodruff sen. 3 sons and one Daughter were Adopted to Chandler Rogers their Father and Amanda Hollister Rogers their Mother.)
/+ / I Ordained David Henry Cannon and set him apart to seal at the Altar and give all ordinances in the Temple as He shall be directed by Him who presides over the Temple. W Woodruff sealed 18 Couple J. D. T. McAllister 23 David Henry Cannon [ ].
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - Apr 27, 1862
[Brigham Young]
Never give way to vain laughter. I have seldom laughed aloud for twenty or thirty years without regretting it, and I always blush for those who laugh aloud without meaning. I am often full of joy and gladness, and were I to give way to the promptings of my nature at such times, it would lead to unreasonable levity which would be a source of mortification and sorrow to me. I noticed that the brethren gave way to that laugh which I choose not to hear.
[Source: Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 9:290-292, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
Never give way to vain laughter. I have seldom laughed aloud for twenty or thirty years without regretting it, and I always blush for those who laugh aloud without meaning. I am often full of joy and gladness, and were I to give way to the promptings of my nature at such times, it would lead to unreasonable levity which would be a source of mortification and sorrow to me. I noticed that the brethren gave way to that laugh which I choose not to hear.
[Source: Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 9:290-292, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
170 years ago today - Apr 27, 1847. Tuesday.
[William Clayton]
At 1/2 after 6 O. P. Rockwell, Joseph Mathews, John Eldridge and Thomas Brown returned from hunting the 2 lost horses. They reported that they went back to within about 2 miles of where we encamped on Sunday and looking off towards the river they saw something move in the grass at the foot of a high mole. They proceeded towards it thinking it was a wolf, when within about 12 or 14 rods Porter stoppt to shoot at the supposed wolf. The moment he elevated his rifle 15 Indians sprang to their feet, all naked except the breech cloth, and armed with rifles and bows and arrows. Each man having a rifle slung on his back, and his bow strung tight in his hand and about 20 arrows. The Indians advanced towards them but the brethren motioned and told them to pucacher and held there rifles and pistols ready to meet them. When the Indians saw this they began to holler, 'bacco' 'bacco.' The brethren told them they had no tobacco. One of the Indians came close beside J. Mathews horse to shake hands with Mathews but kept his eye on the horses bridle. When nearly within reach of the Bridle Brown cocked his pistol and pointed at the Indian shouting if he did not leave he would kill him. At which, the Indian seeing the pistol ready to fire retreated. The Indians made signs to get the brethren lower down the river but the brethren turned their horses to come to camp thinking it unsafe to go nearer to the timber where they expected more Indians lay in ambush. When the brethren turned to come back the Indians fired 6 shots at them with their rifles and the brethren immediately faced about at which the Indians fled towards the timber below. The brethren did not shoot at the Indians, even when the Indians shot at them. They saw the tracks of the horses which are missing and returned satisfied that the Pawnees have got them, and no doubt intended to get the horses on which the brethren rode, but they met with too stern a reception to risk an attempt. Some of these same Indians were amongst those who came into camp when we stopped for dinner near their village, and proves that they eyed the horses pretty close, and also proves that they have followed us close ever since. The brethren run great risks indeed, but got back safe to camp without harm...
[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
At 1/2 after 6 O. P. Rockwell, Joseph Mathews, John Eldridge and Thomas Brown returned from hunting the 2 lost horses. They reported that they went back to within about 2 miles of where we encamped on Sunday and looking off towards the river they saw something move in the grass at the foot of a high mole. They proceeded towards it thinking it was a wolf, when within about 12 or 14 rods Porter stoppt to shoot at the supposed wolf. The moment he elevated his rifle 15 Indians sprang to their feet, all naked except the breech cloth, and armed with rifles and bows and arrows. Each man having a rifle slung on his back, and his bow strung tight in his hand and about 20 arrows. The Indians advanced towards them but the brethren motioned and told them to pucacher and held there rifles and pistols ready to meet them. When the Indians saw this they began to holler, 'bacco' 'bacco.' The brethren told them they had no tobacco. One of the Indians came close beside J. Mathews horse to shake hands with Mathews but kept his eye on the horses bridle. When nearly within reach of the Bridle Brown cocked his pistol and pointed at the Indian shouting if he did not leave he would kill him. At which, the Indian seeing the pistol ready to fire retreated. The Indians made signs to get the brethren lower down the river but the brethren turned their horses to come to camp thinking it unsafe to go nearer to the timber where they expected more Indians lay in ambush. When the brethren turned to come back the Indians fired 6 shots at them with their rifles and the brethren immediately faced about at which the Indians fled towards the timber below. The brethren did not shoot at the Indians, even when the Indians shot at them. They saw the tracks of the horses which are missing and returned satisfied that the Pawnees have got them, and no doubt intended to get the horses on which the brethren rode, but they met with too stern a reception to risk an attempt. Some of these same Indians were amongst those who came into camp when we stopped for dinner near their village, and proves that they eyed the horses pretty close, and also proves that they have followed us close ever since. The brethren run great risks indeed, but got back safe to camp without harm...
[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
170 years ago today - Apr 27, 1847
While hunting on the pioneer trek west Orrin Porter Rockwell advances toward what he thinks is a wolf in the tall grass. "The moment he elevated his rifle 15 Indians sprang to their feet, all naked except the breech cloth, and armed with rifles and bows and arrows. Each man having a rifle slung on his back, and his bow strung tight in his hand and about 20 arrows." The Indians ask for "bacco, bacco." They are told there is no tobacco. The Indians fire six shots at Rockwell and his companions as they ride toward the main encampment.
185 years ago today - Apr 27, 1832
Priesthood leaders meet in Missouri and establish two firms: Gilbert, Whitney & Company in Missouri and Newel K. Whitney & Company in Ohio. These companies are the United Firm that become identified by the code name "United Order" in published revelation.
[Source: Mark Lyman Staker, Hearken, O Ye People: The Historical Setting of Joseph Smith's Ohio Revelations: A Selective Chronology of Significant Events in Ohio's LDS History]
[Source: Mark Lyman Staker, Hearken, O Ye People: The Historical Setting of Joseph Smith's Ohio Revelations: A Selective Chronology of Significant Events in Ohio's LDS History]
50 years ago today - Apr 26, 1967
[David O. McKay]
... President [N. Eldon] Tanner mentioned that in the Temple book of instructions in London at least, and perhaps in the other Temples, the statement is made that women may be used as witnesses for Temple marriages. President Buckmiller of the London Temple is asking if women can be used as witnesses for sealings for the dead in the Temple, sealing of children to parents, etc. He said that Elder [Howard W.] Hunter says that it is permitted for the living and the question is raised as to whether the same service may be performed by women for the dead. I said that I could see no reason why the women could not so serve. President Tanner explained that in England it is very difficult to get enough men to the Temple to take care of this work for the deceased.
President Tanner mentioned that sometime ago a ruling was made that where a couple had adopted Negro children, those children could be sealed to the adopting couple; that now a question comes to the following effect: A man married a Negro woman by whom he had a child. This woman died, and he married a white woman. He is now asking if his child or children by the former marriage with the colored woman may be sealed to him and his present wife, who is a white woman, after they have been properly adopted. President Tanner asked if the former ruling regarding sealing adopted children to white parents would include this situation. I said there was no reason why it shouldn't.
[Source: David O. McKay diary, Jan. 12, 1968 (cf. Apr. 26, 1967), in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
... President [N. Eldon] Tanner mentioned that in the Temple book of instructions in London at least, and perhaps in the other Temples, the statement is made that women may be used as witnesses for Temple marriages. President Buckmiller of the London Temple is asking if women can be used as witnesses for sealings for the dead in the Temple, sealing of children to parents, etc. He said that Elder [Howard W.] Hunter says that it is permitted for the living and the question is raised as to whether the same service may be performed by women for the dead. I said that I could see no reason why the women could not so serve. President Tanner explained that in England it is very difficult to get enough men to the Temple to take care of this work for the deceased.
President Tanner mentioned that sometime ago a ruling was made that where a couple had adopted Negro children, those children could be sealed to the adopting couple; that now a question comes to the following effect: A man married a Negro woman by whom he had a child. This woman died, and he married a white woman. He is now asking if his child or children by the former marriage with the colored woman may be sealed to him and his present wife, who is a white woman, after they have been properly adopted. President Tanner asked if the former ruling regarding sealing adopted children to white parents would include this situation. I said there was no reason why it shouldn't.
[Source: David O. McKay diary, Jan. 12, 1968 (cf. Apr. 26, 1967), in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
140 years ago today - Apr 26, 1877
Mary MCIntire & Elizabeth McIntire dead sealed to Wilford Woodruff By McAllister Margarett Jane McIntire Bird proxy.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Apr 26, 1847
[Wilford Woodruff]
26th Early in the morning before the break of day 2 Indians crept upon their Hands & knees Approaching the camp to steal some Horses. They got within 3 rods of the guard before they were dis-coverd. ...
Just at dusk A tremendious alarm was given through the camp that Indians had Cralled up & taken Porter Rockwell & his horse & made off with him. Many men mounted there Horses & made off after him with all speed but it was soon discoverd that Rockwell was in the camp but two Horses were gone. Dr Richards & Br Little & about 20 men mounted & armed went in search of the Horses But found them not. It was believed the Indians took off the Horses.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
26th Early in the morning before the break of day 2 Indians crept upon their Hands & knees Approaching the camp to steal some Horses. They got within 3 rods of the guard before they were dis-coverd. ...
Just at dusk A tremendious alarm was given through the camp that Indians had Cralled up & taken Porter Rockwell & his horse & made off with him. Many men mounted there Horses & made off after him with all speed but it was soon discoverd that Rockwell was in the camp but two Horses were gone. Dr Richards & Br Little & about 20 men mounted & armed went in search of the Horses But found them not. It was believed the Indians took off the Horses.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
185 years ago today - Apr 26, 1832
I [Joseph Smith] called a general council of the church, and was acknowledged as the President of the High priesthood, according to a previous ordination at a Conference of High-priests, elders, and members, held at Amherst, Ohio, on the 25th of January 32. The right hand of fellowship was given to me by the Bishop. Edward Partridge, in behalf of the Church. The scene was solemn, impressive, and delightful. During the intermission, a difficulty or hardness which had existed between Bishop Partridge and Elder Rigdon was amicably settled, and when we came together in the afternoon all hearts seemed to rejoice, and I received [D&C 82]. D&C 82: Lord is "bound when ye do what I say;" Edward Partridge, Newel K. Whitney, Sidney Gilbert, Sidney Rigdon, Joseph Smith, John Whitmer, Oliver Cowdery, W. W. Phelps and Martin Harris to form a pact [an expansion of the United Firm] to manage church affairs in Zion and Kirtland; equal property rights; Kirtland stake; holding property in common is an "everlasting order ... inasmuch as you sin not."
[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]
5 years ago today - Apr 25, 2012
LDS Church accepts new Boy Scout Gay Policy allowing gay scouts to participate in LDS scouting programs.
[Source: Timeline of Mormon Thinking About Homosexuality, http://rationalfaiths.com/timeline-of-mormon-thinking-about-homosexuality/]
[Source: Timeline of Mormon Thinking About Homosexuality, http://rationalfaiths.com/timeline-of-mormon-thinking-about-homosexuality/]
55 years ago today - Apr 25, 1962
Of his April 1962 conference remarks, [Hugh B.] Brown confided: "While we do not think it wise to name names in our statements of Church policy, the cries which come from certain sources would indicate that somebody was hit by some of our statements and that was what we hoped would be the result."
[Source: Brown to Morley Ross Hammond, 25 Apr. 1962, photocopy in Williams Papers. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
[Source: Brown to Morley Ross Hammond, 25 Apr. 1962, photocopy in Williams Papers. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
65 years ago today - Apr 25, 1952
[Marion G. Romney]
This morning following the regular Friday morning meeting with President Clark, Brother's Lee, Moyle, Joseph Anderson, Sister Spafford, and I had a conference with President Clark about selling the garments we are making in the Deseret Clothing Factory. We decided to notify the other manufacturers that we were going to meet the competition in prices. Mr. Wakefield, who makes the Lady Gay garments, is under-selling us.
[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]
This morning following the regular Friday morning meeting with President Clark, Brother's Lee, Moyle, Joseph Anderson, Sister Spafford, and I had a conference with President Clark about selling the garments we are making in the Deseret Clothing Factory. We decided to notify the other manufacturers that we were going to meet the competition in prices. Mr. Wakefield, who makes the Lady Gay garments, is under-selling us.
[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]
120 years ago today - Apr 25, 1897
[President Wilford Woodruff]
I ate some fried chicken and bread for breakfast, & a cup of coffee.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I ate some fried chicken and bread for breakfast, & a cup of coffee.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - April 25th 1882
[Abraham H. Cannon]
"As we were eating some limburger cheese this evening, it was affirmed that about three years ago a cheese merchant of Berlin, who did a thriving business, used to send his men to urinate on the so called "Swiss cheese" in order to give it the proper flavor."
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
"As we were eating some limburger cheese this evening, it was affirmed that about three years ago a cheese merchant of Berlin, who did a thriving business, used to send his men to urinate on the so called "Swiss cheese" in order to give it the proper flavor."
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
140 years ago today - Apr 25, 1877
[Wilford Woodruff]
Presidet Young and Company Dedicated the ground for a Temple in Manti Sanpete County to day at [ ] oclok. Presidet Young was mouth so I was informed.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Presidet Young and Company Dedicated the ground for a Temple in Manti Sanpete County to day at [ ] oclok. Presidet Young was mouth so I was informed.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
140 years ago today - Apr 25, 1877 (Morning)
Early on the morning of April 25th, 1877, President Brigham Young asked Brother Warren S. Snow to go with him to the Temple hill. Brother Snow says: We two were alone. President Young took me to the spot where the Temple was to stand; we went to the southeast corner, and President Young said: '"Here is the spot where the prophet Moroni stood and dedicated this piece of land for a Temple site, and that is the reason why the location is made here, and we can't move it from this spot; and if you and I are the only persons that come here at high noon today, we will dedicate this ground.'" -- Manti, Utah
[Source: Life of Heber C. Kimball 436, 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: Life of Heber C. Kimball 436, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
145 years ago today - Apr 25, 1872 (Thursday)
Pres. Brigham Young was released from custody on a writ of habeas corpus from Elias Smith, probate judge of Salt Lake County.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
170 years ago today - Apr 25, 1847
B Young who spoke upon principle upon Breaking off the yoke from the saints. Some pretended to say that the Twelve were oppressing the People. But is it so? No, But if most men that are on the earth those in the Church not excepted should rule & lead this Church they would have many yokes put upon them that we are all the while trying to take off their shoulders.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 3:159, 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: Wilford Woodruff's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 3:159, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
170 years ago today - Apr 25, 1847
Parley P. Pratt gives a talk belittling those wayward Saints who would follow a "Black man who has got the blood of Ham in him which lineage was cursed as regards the Priesthood." Pratt refers to William Carey, an accomplished musician and a Black/Indian "Prophet" who, after joining the Church, had started his own following.
115 years ago today - Apr 24, 1902
RULES FOR THE REGULATION OF TEMPLE WORK Adopted by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, at a meeting held in the Salt Lake Temple; April 24th, 1902. ... (5) Males under 21 and females under 18 can be baptized for their health. They can also be baptized for the dead, and sealed to their parents. All over 8 years old must be properly recommended by the Bishop of the Ward and the President of the Stake in which they reside. (6) A female who has a husband or marries a man not in the Church cannot be admitted to the Temple to receive her endowments. The same rule applies to a Man who marries a wife not in the Church. ... (8) If of a naturally ripe and early development, of mind and body, living children may receive endowments at the age of twelve years; but as a rule, fifteen years old is sufficiently early. ... (15) A woman who has been born out of the Covenant, and who is married should be sealed to her parents, unless they yield up their right to her as a daughter and wish to surrender her to some other family. (16) Where a woman has been sealed to two men and had children by both, and each of the men have a good standing in the Church[,] the children go to their respective fathers. Why? Because the children were born under the covenant to their respective fathers and bear their respective names. ... (18) In cases where the heads of families (deceased) have had the necessary ordinance work done for them and they have been adopted into a family whose relationship in the covenant connects with the Prophet Joseph Smith, the children of said parents can be sealed to their own parents without annulling the ordinance first performed. This rule includes children in the Church and their parents [who] were not. (19) Where a husband and wife are both members of the Church and they have children, the husband dies, the wife afterwards marries another man, is sealed to her deceased husband[,] and has children by the second, all of the children should go to the first husband. ... (21) Persons who die without having been endowed may be buried (if their friends choose) with un-marked garments, but not with robes or other Temple clothing. (22) Unmarried people, who have been endowed, can act in sealing for the dead. Those who have been endowed may act for the dead in any of the ordinances of the House of the Lord, except Second Anointings. (23) If, by mistake, a person is sealed in the Temple before being endowed, it is not necessary for the sealing to be cancelled. All that is necessary is for the person to be endowed, unless he or she representing him or her is dissatisfied. ... (25) In cases where women have been sealed to other men than their husbands (the latter having died without having embraced the Gospel) and they are afterwards sealed to their husbands, it is unnecessary to cancel the first transaction. Both may stand on record. * The same rule applies to cases of sealing children to parents who have heretofore been sealed to men who were not their natural fathers. (26) All who come to the Temple to perform ordinance work are expected to make donations, according to their circumstances, to aid in meeting necessary expenses; but the poor who have nothing to give are equally welcome. (27) No person, male or female, who has not had his or her endowments shall be permitted to witness the sealing, or any other Temple ordinance. Adopted by the First Presidency and quorum of the Twelve Apostles, at a meeting held in the Salt Lake Temple: April 24th., 1902.
[Source: Manti Temple Historical Record, pp. 107-10, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Source: Manti Temple Historical Record, pp. 107-10, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
115 years ago today - Apr 24, 1902
Joseph F. Smith rules that he does not want to change the "usual procedure" of ordaining a man to a priesthood office without first conferring the Melchizedek priesthood, but he prefers the less common practice of first conferring the priesthood before ordaining to an office.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
150 years ago today - Apr 24, 1867
[Wilford Woodruff]
I visited the meeting House. Sister MCDonald told me a Blessing she received under the Hands of one of the Old Nephites when she was vary sick. She was healed & was Promised a family of 8 children. She has now 6.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I visited the meeting House. Sister MCDonald told me a Blessing she received under the Hands of one of the Old Nephites when she was vary sick. She was healed & was Promised a family of 8 children. She has now 6.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
160 years ago today - Apr 24, 1857
[Hosea Stout]
This morning the First presidency started on their northern tour expecting to visit Salmon river [Indian] mission and be gone some four & six weeks[.] They were accompanied by perhaps 150 persons. [Two missionaries had recently been killed there in an Indian attack.]
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
This morning the First presidency started on their northern tour expecting to visit Salmon river [Indian] mission and be gone some four & six weeks[.] They were accompanied by perhaps 150 persons. [Two missionaries had recently been killed there in an Indian attack.]
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
170 years ago today - Apr 24, 1847. Saturday.
[William Clayton]
...Evening I walked over to O. Pratts wagon, and through his telescope saw Jupiter's four moons very distinct, never having seen them previously. I went over to my wagon and looked through my glass and could see them with it, but not so distinct as with Orson's . . .
[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
...Evening I walked over to O. Pratts wagon, and through his telescope saw Jupiter's four moons very distinct, never having seen them previously. I went over to my wagon and looked through my glass and could see them with it, but not so distinct as with Orson's . . .
[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
175 years ago today - Apr 24, 1842 - Sunday
[Joseph Smith]
Sunday 24 Prea[c]hed on the hill near the Temple concerning the building of the Temple and pronounced a curse on the merchants & the rich who would not assist in building it.
[Source: Joseph Smith, Journal, Dec. 1841–Dec. 1842 in "The Book of the Law of the Lord," Record Book, 1841–1845]
Sunday 24 Prea[c]hed on the hill near the Temple concerning the building of the Temple and pronounced a curse on the merchants & the rich who would not assist in building it.
[Source: Joseph Smith, Journal, Dec. 1841–Dec. 1842 in "The Book of the Law of the Lord," Record Book, 1841–1845]
180 years ago today - Apr 24, 1837
David W. Patten prefers a charge against Lyman Wight in Missouri, accusing him of teaching false doctrine. Wight had said the Church was under a telestial law because the Lord does not use a whip under a celestial law. Wight then took some of the Church members outdoors to whip them "into shape." It is decided that Wight must acknowledge that he had been teaching abominable doctrines before he would be forgiven.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
50 years ago today - Apr 23, 1967
The BYU entertainers "Y Americans" appear on the television program, The Ed Sullivan Show.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
105 years ago today - Apr 23, 1912
Joseph F. Merrill, a member of the stake presidency and board of education of the Granite Stake, announces that the first seminary program will be established during the coming academic year at Granite High School in Salt Lake City, Utah.
105 years ago today - Apr 23, 1912
... while the First Presidency of the Church recognize the right of its members to affiliate with the political party of their own choice, at the same time our own personal experience, together with the light in us, suggests the wisdom of our people remaining with one or the other of the two national parties, and not permit themselves to be drawn away by extremists in an endeavor to set up a third party.
This advice we believe to be good for them as individuals, and good for us as a community. ... We have also reminded the brethren referred to that if socialism embodied all of the principles of United Order, even in that event it would be just as distinct and from the United Order as it is at present; that it is one thing for such principles to be administered by good and righteous men acting by virtue of divine authority, and entirely another thing for such principles to be entrusted to men whose ambition is prompting them to ride into political power by means of a third party. ...
[Source: First Presidency, Letter to W. T. Jack, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
This advice we believe to be good for them as individuals, and good for us as a community. ... We have also reminded the brethren referred to that if socialism embodied all of the principles of United Order, even in that event it would be just as distinct and from the United Order as it is at present; that it is one thing for such principles to be administered by good and righteous men acting by virtue of divine authority, and entirely another thing for such principles to be entrusted to men whose ambition is prompting them to ride into political power by means of a third party. ...
[Source: First Presidency, Letter to W. T. Jack, 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 - Apr 23, 1897; Friday
Brother Nephi W. Clayton met with the First Presidency by request, to answer as to charges of immorality made against Saltair as a place of resort. An excursion to Saltair having been decided upon at a meeting of the Officers of the Y.M. and Y.L.M.I. Associations, Elder Rodney Badger had voted against the proposition, stating that he and others connected with the M.I.A. were under covenant not to go to Saltair because it was such an immoral place. Brother Clayton positively denied the charges made, and stood ready to answer them by whosoever preferred. It was elicited that Brother Badger knew nothing personally to substantiate these charges, but believed they were true.
Pres[iden]t. Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon expressed his disbelief in the truth of the rumors which had been circulated, and suggested that Brother Clayton take steps to invite those who believed them to prove what they asserted.
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
Pres[iden]t. Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon expressed his disbelief in the truth of the rumors which had been circulated, and suggested that Brother Clayton take steps to invite those who believed them to prove what they asserted.
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
135 years ago today - Sunday, Apr 23, 1882
[John Henry Smith]
Nephi, Juab County
[stake conference]
2 p.m. The people took a vote that they would not fellowship any man who sold liquor or who patronized outside saloons.
Four persons were cut of[f] from the Church and three were suspended.
[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]
Nephi, Juab County
[stake conference]
2 p.m. The people took a vote that they would not fellowship any man who sold liquor or who patronized outside saloons.
Four persons were cut of[f] from the Church and three were suspended.
[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]
155 years ago today - Apr 23, 1862
The President [Brigham Young] remarked the time will come when we shall build Temples and do a work for the dead among other things and the devil will not have power to afflict us. Br. Marsh said in a meeting of the High priest Quorum it was remarked by some of them that Jesus Christ was the first born. Joseph Smith the Second and Brigham Young the third, Br[other] Marsh said that Joseph Smith once prophesied that before he died, (Br. Marsh died) he should go on a mission to Italy, and astonish the King of Italy with his Knowledge of Astronomy and the King should allow him to teach that science to his people. The President did not remember anything of that prophecy. -- Salt Lake City
[Source: Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Source: Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
160 years ago today - Apr 23, 1857
[Hosea Stout]
This morning the missionaries going East started from the Temple Block to cross the plains with Hand Carts.
The company consisted of some 74 men and 35 Hand Carts[.] They all seemed to be in unusually good spirits[.] They are bound for different parts of the U States, Canada and Europe.
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
This morning the missionaries going East started from the Temple Block to cross the plains with Hand Carts.
The company consisted of some 74 men and 35 Hand Carts[.] They all seemed to be in unusually good spirits[.] They are bound for different parts of the U States, Canada and Europe.
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
165 years ago today - Apr 23, 1852. Friday.
[William Clayton]
Arrived at Provo at noon, and camped a little west of the fort... This town looks dirty. The houses look miserable, and many young men idling in the Streets. It seems there is not much energy here, and there seems to be little spirit of accommodation or friendship among people.
[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
Arrived at Provo at noon, and camped a little west of the fort... This town looks dirty. The houses look miserable, and many young men idling in the Streets. It seems there is not much energy here, and there seems to be little spirit of accommodation or friendship among people.
[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
170 years ago today - Apr 23, 1847
William Smith (brother to Joseph Smith): Suspended from Strangite offices after trial 23 Apr. 1847 for sexual misconduct
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
170 years ago today - Apr 23, 1847
[Wilford Woodruff]
While wattering the Horses at a creek at the station last evening Brother G. A. Smiths Horse mired & pitched foreward & Jumped onto him trod upon his feet & breast & held him fast in the mud untill I caught him by the bit & backed him off. ...
Some places [crossing the Platt River] of quick sand was found so soft as to sink man or beast instantly in & the more He strugled to get out the more He would sink. But we calculated to avoid such places as much as possible.
... For O Pratt in trying to cross the second stream had sunk into a bed of quick sand and all men had to go to his relief to get his Horses & waggon out.
... I took off a part of my load or most of it in a boat & went through the second stream empty & got out two other waggons done in the same way. But it was so tarrific the rest of the camp would not follow suit.
So their were 6 men of us in all to spend the night to gether without horses & waggons to guard against the whole Pawnee band that were Camped below us on the same side of the river should they feel disposed to come upon us. There numbers were not known but it was supposed they numbered over 600 warriors. We divided our company which made ownly three of us on guard at a time. ...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
While wattering the Horses at a creek at the station last evening Brother G. A. Smiths Horse mired & pitched foreward & Jumped onto him trod upon his feet & breast & held him fast in the mud untill I caught him by the bit & backed him off. ...
Some places [crossing the Platt River] of quick sand was found so soft as to sink man or beast instantly in & the more He strugled to get out the more He would sink. But we calculated to avoid such places as much as possible.
... For O Pratt in trying to cross the second stream had sunk into a bed of quick sand and all men had to go to his relief to get his Horses & waggon out.
... I took off a part of my load or most of it in a boat & went through the second stream empty & got out two other waggons done in the same way. But it was so tarrific the rest of the camp would not follow suit.
So their were 6 men of us in all to spend the night to gether without horses & waggons to guard against the whole Pawnee band that were Camped below us on the same side of the river should they feel disposed to come upon us. There numbers were not known but it was supposed they numbered over 600 warriors. We divided our company which made ownly three of us on guard at a time. ...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
115 years ago today - Apr 22, 1902
Worked nearly all day in the Temple Annex with Bro[ther]. Joseph F[ielding]. Smith Jun[ior]. emptying sacks, counting documents and printed papers which had been kept in that state for about sixteen years, or since the anti-polygamy raid when the documents were taken from the Historian's Office and hid.
[Source: Andrew Jenson, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Source: Andrew Jenson, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
115 years ago today - Tuesday, Apr 22, 1902
[Apostle John Henry Smith]
My son George A. [Albert Smith] had a surgical operation performed on him at the Holy Cross Hospital today by Dr. J. S. Richards. An anneurism was removed from his head.
[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]
My son George A. [Albert Smith] had a surgical operation performed on him at the Holy Cross Hospital today by Dr. J. S. Richards. An anneurism was removed from his head.
[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]
120 years ago today - Apr 22, 1897; Thursday
A letter was read from Pres[iden]t. Orson Smith, stating that the erection of a new building for the B[righam]. Y[oung]. College at Logan [Utah] [to become Utah State University] by donation had been favored by the Priesthood meeting of the Cache Stake, and the mind of the First Presidency regarding it was desired. The Council decided that the proposed work should be proceeded with. ...
On application of Prof[essor]. B[enjamin]. Cluff, Jun[ior]., the Council favored the appropriation of $3000 to enable the B[righam]. Y[oung]. Academy [today's Brigham Young University] to settle with the teachers at the end of the school year, the amount to be considered as an advance on next year's appropriation, as it was due the Academy for tuition, etc., and was expected to be collected before the commencement of the next school year.
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
On application of Prof[essor]. B[enjamin]. Cluff, Jun[ior]., the Council favored the appropriation of $3000 to enable the B[righam]. Y[oung]. Academy [today's Brigham Young University] to settle with the teachers at the end of the school year, the amount to be considered as an advance on next year's appropriation, as it was due the Academy for tuition, etc., and was expected to be collected before the commencement of the next school year.
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
120 years ago today - Apr 22, 1897
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Twelve had their meeting as usual with Presidency and I am informed important business relating to B[righam]. Y[oung]. Trust Co[mpany] came before the Council. Pres[ident] [George Q.] Cannon presiding he censured me for resigning my vice pres[idency] on B[righam]. Y[oung]. Trust Board & thought it was nonsense for me to say anything about helping to support fathers widows as I was not able to support myself & family. Of course I was not present. I feel very bad that Pres[ident]. C[annon] should feel to censure me to my brethren. I pray God to soften our hearts that we may serve Him in it all not cherish dislike to each other.
[Source: Brigham Young Jr. Diary, April 21, 1897, 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]
Twelve had their meeting as usual with Presidency and I am informed important business relating to B[righam]. Y[oung]. Trust Co[mpany] came before the Council. Pres[ident] [George Q.] Cannon presiding he censured me for resigning my vice pres[idency] on B[righam]. Y[oung]. Trust Board & thought it was nonsense for me to say anything about helping to support fathers widows as I was not able to support myself & family. Of course I was not present. I feel very bad that Pres[ident]. C[annon] should feel to censure me to my brethren. I pray God to soften our hearts that we may serve Him in it all not cherish dislike to each other.
[Source: Brigham Young Jr. Diary, April 21, 1897, 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]
165 years ago today - Apr 22, 1852. Thursday.
[William Clayton]
We arrived at E[dwar]d Robinson, at noon very cold and wet. He pressed us to stop and warm and gave us plenty of good beer. We tarried with him one hour ...
[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
We arrived at E[dwar]d Robinson, at noon very cold and wet. He pressed us to stop and warm and gave us plenty of good beer. We tarried with him one hour ...
[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
170 years ago today - Apr 22, 1847. Thursday.
[William Clayton]
The cannon was prepared for action, and stood all night just outside the wagons. There was considerable joking this morning on account of two of the picket guard having their guns stole and Colonel [Stephen] Markham having his hat stole. The owners were found asleep while on guard and those who found them so, took their guns to be a warning to them, but it is difficult for men to keep awake night after night, after traveling 20 miles in the day taking care of teams, cooking &c . . .
[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
The cannon was prepared for action, and stood all night just outside the wagons. There was considerable joking this morning on account of two of the picket guard having their guns stole and Colonel [Stephen] Markham having his hat stole. The owners were found asleep while on guard and those who found them so, took their guns to be a warning to them, but it is difficult for men to keep awake night after night, after traveling 20 miles in the day taking care of teams, cooking &c . . .
[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
175 years ago today - Apr 22, 1842
John Taylor: Initiated into Masonry 22 April 1842.
[Source: Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
[Source: Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
50 years ago today - Apr 21, 1967
David O. McKay showed John Birch Society president Welch's letter to Mark E. Petersen, who upon reading it said: "President McKay, Elder Harold B. Lee has some hair-raising stories to tell about the Birch Society which I am sure he will tell you, which I think would scare you to death. We have the Church, and if we live up to its teachings, we do not need to worry about what will happen to this country!"
[Source: David O. McKay diary as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
[Source: David O. McKay diary as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
85 years ago today - Apr 21, 1932
[Heber J. Grant]
Before getting out of bed I read Brother Stephen L. Richards' conference sermon. I am more strongly impressed than ever that Stephen made a very serious mistake in delivering such a talk [that there are more serious sins than breaking the word of wisdom].
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
Before getting out of bed I read Brother Stephen L. Richards' conference sermon. I am more strongly impressed than ever that Stephen made a very serious mistake in delivering such a talk [that there are more serious sins than breaking the word of wisdom].
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
85 years ago today - Apr 21, 1932
Outgoing New Zealand Mission President John E. Magleby asks missionary Harold T. Christensen to stand in as mission president until a new mission president is appointed. Christensen agrees but the new mission president doesn't arrive for 15 months during which time Elder Christensen is president of the New Zealand mission.
110 years ago today - Apr 21, 1907
Last known plural marriage performed with the personal knowledge and authorization of President Joseph F. Smith.
[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 - Apr 21, 1897
[Wilford Woodruff]
Feel much revived and gaining strength. The swelling in my body and limbs has gone down. My pulse are normal. I have no pain. Weak in my limbs. I eat bread & milk and drink Cacao & a little port wine.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Feel much revived and gaining strength. The swelling in my body and limbs has gone down. My pulse are normal. I have no pain. Weak in my limbs. I eat bread & milk and drink Cacao & a little port wine.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
125 years ago today - Thursday Apr 21, 1892
[John Nuttle]
I conversed with Bro A H Lund about sister Barratts Sealings & anointings. and explained to him my conversation with Prests Woodruff & Cannon on her affairs [wanting a second anointing, which apparently required her to be married]. He was quite satisfied for me to officiate for & in behalf of Prest John Taylor. Sister M K Barratt. born Jan 17. 1834 at Stockport Cheshme England was sealed to Presi. John Taylor. I being his proxy. she was afterwards anointed to him. I being proxy by Pres. Anthon H Lund. Bro L. C. Mareger was on the train with me he going to Kanab. we conversed on Kanab matters. I met Bro Richard Hall & called in to see Sister Hall whom I had not met for a many years, was pleased to See them. Spent the evening at Bro John B. Maiben's with he & wives & Sister Barratt. Had supper at the Temple Hotel & slept there.
[Source: Diary Excerpts of L. John Nuttall, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I conversed with Bro A H Lund about sister Barratts Sealings & anointings. and explained to him my conversation with Prests Woodruff & Cannon on her affairs [wanting a second anointing, which apparently required her to be married]. He was quite satisfied for me to officiate for & in behalf of Prest John Taylor. Sister M K Barratt. born Jan 17. 1834 at Stockport Cheshme England was sealed to Presi. John Taylor. I being his proxy. she was afterwards anointed to him. I being proxy by Pres. Anthon H Lund. Bro L. C. Mareger was on the train with me he going to Kanab. we conversed on Kanab matters. I met Bro Richard Hall & called in to see Sister Hall whom I had not met for a many years, was pleased to See them. Spent the evening at Bro John B. Maiben's with he & wives & Sister Barratt. Had supper at the Temple Hotel & slept there.
[Source: Diary Excerpts of L. John Nuttall, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
150 years ago today - Apr 21, 1867 (Afternoon)
President B. Young called for a donation from the amount saved since Conference through abstaining from the use of tea, coffee, tobacco and liquor, to aid the missionaries in going to their fields of labor. The call was responded to, by quite a number of the congregation.
[Source: Deseret News. Also Deseret Evening News, Deseret News Weekly, Deseret News Semi- Weekly, and Deseret News Extra, Salt Lake City; 1850-current. 16:133, 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: Deseret News. Also Deseret Evening News, Deseret News Weekly, Deseret News Semi- Weekly, and Deseret News Extra, Salt Lake City; 1850-current. 16:133, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
170 years ago today - Apr 21, 1847
The pioneers en route to Salt Lake Valley meet a tribe of Indians: "The Indians to the number of about 200 on the south side of the river came down to the shore. Some waded over. About 75 came into camp including the grand Chief of the Nation with many war Chiefs. We met them before we left the ground & made them presents of about 4 lbs of tobacco 15 lbs lead powder fish Hooks heads flour salt &c.
40 years ago today - Apr 20, 1977
Polygamist leader Ervil LeBaron tells a meeting in Dallas, Texas that the Lord wants members of the group to prepare for a mission to Utah. He decrees that on May 3, the funeral of rival-leader Rulon Allred would be held in Salt Lake City at which his brother Verlan LeBaron should be killed. The self-proclaimed prophet of God announces that Allred's murder should be done by the group's two prettiest women. The floor is opened to nominations and Rena Chynoweth and Ramona Marston, are chosen. They murder Allred on May 10. Four days later Allred's funeral is held in the Bingham High School auditorium-the only facility in the area large enough to accommodate the thousands of mourners. Verlan LeBaron, attends the funeral but does not find out until much later that the mass presence of the news media and tight police security has saved his life. Assassins, sent by Ervil, backed out after surveying the situation.
50 years ago today - Apr 20, 1967
BYU president Ernest L. Wilkinson tells faculty meeting he is distributing questionnaires to local bishops asking for a list of students who were "inactive in the church or . . . not living the standards of the church" This information exchange between bishops and university personnel continues for four years,
105 years ago today - Apr 20, 1912
Apostle Anthony W. Ivans writes in a letter to a Mormon socialist: "I have no quarrel with Socialists, I am not blind to the abuses which exist in the world and the great necessity for social and economic reform I believe Socialists to be sincere in their efforts to improve the conditions of the masses, but I have no confidence in the success of the movement. Reform is coming, but it will not come through that source."
110 years ago today - Apr 20, 1907
No member of the Church, male or female, who, after leaving off his or her garments, would be justified in putting them on again without consent of the proper authority, and that authority is the First Presidency of the Church; and this consent would, as a general thing, involve the renewal of covenants by baptism. Where sisters cast off their garments, and give themselves in marriage to non-members of the Church, they must not, under any circumstances, be permitted to wear their garments again while living in such marriage relationship, and therefore all such sisters must be content to continue to live without wearing the garment of the holy priesthood during the existence of their present marital relationships. This practice obtains in the stakes of Zion and must be strictly adhered to in the missions.
[Source: Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund to Nephi Pratt, Apr. 20, 1907, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Source: Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund to Nephi Pratt, Apr. 20, 1907, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
115 years ago today - Sunday, Apr 20, 1902
[Rudger Clawson]
2 p.m. General meeting of the 4 wards of Provo at the tabernacle, Pres. David John presiding. The first speaker was Reed Smoot. Topics treated. Said he was gratified with the large attendance and suggested that the voting be done by wards, the saints rising to their feet with uplifted hand. He then named the division lines of the six wards, which were approved by unanimous vote.
There were two opposing votes [to the Provo Sixth Ward Bishopric]. The objections brought by the parties in opposition were later investigated and found to be of a very flimsy character. A resolution involving the equal division of the Provo church property among the six wards was passed.
Brief remarks of acceptance were made by the five new bishops chosen. I made remarks upon the duties of a bishop.
[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]
2 p.m. General meeting of the 4 wards of Provo at the tabernacle, Pres. David John presiding. The first speaker was Reed Smoot. Topics treated. Said he was gratified with the large attendance and suggested that the voting be done by wards, the saints rising to their feet with uplifted hand. He then named the division lines of the six wards, which were approved by unanimous vote.
There were two opposing votes [to the Provo Sixth Ward Bishopric]. The objections brought by the parties in opposition were later investigated and found to be of a very flimsy character. A resolution involving the equal division of the Provo church property among the six wards was passed.
Brief remarks of acceptance were made by the five new bishops chosen. I made remarks upon the duties of a bishop.
[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 - Apr 20, 1897
Wilford Woodruff writes: "At 3.30 pm. my daughter Alice took some medicine that Dr Shipp prescribed for her, without water and it burned her mouth and throat being a strong acid. Gave her some strong coffee and she felt better but her mouth & throat pained her for some time."
125 years ago today - Apr 20, 1892 • Wednesday
[George Q. Cannon]
We had an interview with Architect Don C. Young, Bishop J. R. Winder and Brother John Hafen, the artist, concerning the artistic decoration of the Temple. It was decided to correspond with the brethren in Paris upon the subject at an early date and give them the size of the rooms to be decorated and the character of the work, and have them make designs. It was decided that we would not attempt at present to have the Creation room decorated, but let the walls remain pure white. While these brethren were here we took into consideration the finishing of parts of the work, and I moved that the Architect and Bp. Winder be authorized to submit the plans of the large upper room of the Temple to a responsible firm, say Taylor, Romney and Armstrong, to have them finish it according to the plans and specifications furnished, and to put it on their honor to do it thoroughly well and as cheaply as possible.
[Source: The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
We had an interview with Architect Don C. Young, Bishop J. R. Winder and Brother John Hafen, the artist, concerning the artistic decoration of the Temple. It was decided to correspond with the brethren in Paris upon the subject at an early date and give them the size of the rooms to be decorated and the character of the work, and have them make designs. It was decided that we would not attempt at present to have the Creation room decorated, but let the walls remain pure white. While these brethren were here we took into consideration the finishing of parts of the work, and I moved that the Architect and Bp. Winder be authorized to submit the plans of the large upper room of the Temple to a responsible firm, say Taylor, Romney and Armstrong, to have them finish it according to the plans and specifications furnished, and to put it on their honor to do it thoroughly well and as cheaply as possible.
[Source: The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
130 years ago today - Apr 20, 1887
Latter-day Saint settlers arrive in Chihuahua, Mexico, where several LDS colonies are eventually established.
135 years ago today - Apr 20, 1882
U.S. House of Representatives votes to refuse George Q. Cannon as Utah's delegate, due to his polygamy, according to Edmunds Act. Cannon is first Mormon to be formally denied public office to which he is legally elected. Within months federally-appointed judges remove all known polygamists from civil office in Utah.
140 years ago today - Apr 20, 1877
[John Nuttle]
Elder O. Pratt said the perfect order of God as it will be conducted in the land of Zion just prior to the coming of the Savior will be a full and complete consecration, when all will lay their properties at the feet of the Bishop from which the land of Zion & other properties of the Church will be purchased for the Church. not for the Bp or President such a time will come that such purchases can be made.
[Source: Diary Excerpts of L. John Nuttall, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Elder O. Pratt said the perfect order of God as it will be conducted in the land of Zion just prior to the coming of the Savior will be a full and complete consecration, when all will lay their properties at the feet of the Bishop from which the land of Zion & other properties of the Church will be purchased for the Church. not for the Bp or President such a time will come that such purchases can be made.
[Source: Diary Excerpts of L. John Nuttall, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
150 years ago today - Apr 20, 1867
Brother H. C. Kimball said that Joseph Smith told him that He Joseph Smith would meet in old Jerrusalem with all the Prophets and Apostles from father Adam down to our day. All the leading men of this day will be there. It will be a great Council to take into Consideration the great work of God in the last days & Jesus Christ will be at the head of it.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - Apr 20, 1862
First Counselor Heber C. Kimball writes in his memorandum book: "Apr 20, 1862, The Lord told me that Adam was my father and that he was the God and father of all the inhabitants of this Earth."
175 years ago today - April 20?, 1842
Joseph Smith tells the Relief Society they would receive the "keys to the kingdom ... that they may be able to detect everything false."
[Source: Brooke, John L. The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1994. p.247]
[Source: Brooke, John L. The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1994. p.247]
175 years ago today - Apr 20, 1842
Joseph, suspecting betrayal by John C. Bennett, records that he feels there is a conspiracy against the peace of his household.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
180 years ago today - Apr 20, 1837
[Wilford Woodruff]
April 20th Spent this day in the house of the Lord in prayer and fasting with the congregation of the Saints. Much of the power, gifts, and graces of the gospel was poured out upon us. Speaking and interpeting of tongues was manifest in the Congregation. One brother sung a lengthy song in tongues & sister Hide interpeted the same. It was great & glorious. Much of it was respecting the fame of Joseph and his magnus works.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
April 20th Spent this day in the house of the Lord in prayer and fasting with the congregation of the Saints. Much of the power, gifts, and graces of the gospel was poured out upon us. Speaking and interpeting of tongues was manifest in the Congregation. One brother sung a lengthy song in tongues & sister Hide interpeted the same. It was great & glorious. Much of it was respecting the fame of Joseph and his magnus works.
[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 - Apr 19, 1977
A First Presidency letter solicits contributions for the completion of thirteen bronze statues for the "Relief Society Monument in Nauvoo, Illinois. The purpose of this monument is twofold: first, to honor the founding of the Relief Society in 1842 by the Prophet Joseph Smith, and second, to portray to the world the role of women in the gospel plan."
[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 )]]
60 years ago today - Fri Apr 19, 1957
[David O. McKay]
Brother Evans then said that he was making reservations, tourist class, for his trip to Europe to fulfill his Rotary assignment and that of the Church in Switzerland. However, I advised him to go first class--that it would be better for the Church and for the Rotary Club for him to travel in safety and comfort.
[Source: McKay, David O., Office Journal]
Brother Evans then said that he was making reservations, tourist class, for his trip to Europe to fulfill his Rotary assignment and that of the Church in Switzerland. However, I advised him to go first class--that it would be better for the Church and for the Rotary Club for him to travel in safety and comfort.
[Source: McKay, David O., Office Journal]
125 years ago today - Apr 19, 1892
L. John Nuttall records: "Had a talk with Pres. W. Woodruff about sister Baratts Temple Work. Asked him for her to receive her 2nd annointing. He asked me who to; I told him Pres. John Taylor. He asked me who would represent Prest. Taylor, I told him that I intended to do so. He said that was all right and signed recommends." Three days later he writes, "Sister M. M. Barratt born Jan 17, 1834, at Stockport Cheshme England, was sealed to Pres. John Taylor, I being proxy. She was afterwards annointed to him."
170 years ago today - Apr 19, 1847
William Clayton suggests to Orson Pratt "the idea of fixing a set of wooden cog wheels to the hub of a wagon wheel, in such order as to tell the exact number of miles we travel each day." Pratt agrees "that it could be easily done at a trifling expense" but the device isn't constructed and installed until May 12. In the mean time Clayton walks alongside Heber C. Kimball's wagon counting each revolution of a wagon wheel.
175 years ago today - Apr 19, 1842
Minutes of the Proceedings of the Fifth Meeting of the Female Relief Society.
Lodge Room, April 19^th....
Mrs. [Elizabeth Davis] Durfee bore testimony to the great blessing she received when administered to, after the close of the last meeting, by Pres^t. E. Smith & Councillors Cleveland and Whitney. she said she never realized more benefit thro' any administration— that she was heal'd, and thought the sisters had more faith than the brethren. ...
Councillor Cleveland stated that she many times felt in her heart, what she could not express [Del: it] in our own language, and as the Prophet had given us liberty to improve the gifts of the gospel in our meetings, and feelings the power resting upon, desired to speak in the gift of tongues; which she did in a powerful manner.
Mrs. Sessions arose and gave the interpretation of what Councillor C. had spoken in an unknown tongue, and said that God was well pleas'd with this Society, that if we would be humble and faithful the Lord would pour out upon the members generally the gift of prophecy— that when the speaker laid her hand on the head of Sister Snow, she said that not only she should have the spirit but that all should have it also— ...
The meeting was very interesting, nearly all present arose & spoke, and the spirit of the Lord like a purifying stream, refreshed every heart.
[Source: 1.2.6 April 19, 1842, Minutes of the Proceedings of the Fifth Meeting of the Female Relief Society, as quoted in Matthew J. Grow, Jill Derr, Carol Madsen, and Kate Holbrook, editors, The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women's History, The Church Historian's Press, 2016, https://churchhistorianspress.org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/]
Lodge Room, April 19^th....
Mrs. [Elizabeth Davis] Durfee bore testimony to the great blessing she received when administered to, after the close of the last meeting, by Pres^t. E. Smith & Councillors Cleveland and Whitney. she said she never realized more benefit thro' any administration— that she was heal'd, and thought the sisters had more faith than the brethren. ...
Councillor Cleveland stated that she many times felt in her heart, what she could not express [Del: it] in our own language, and as the Prophet had given us liberty to improve the gifts of the gospel in our meetings, and feelings the power resting upon, desired to speak in the gift of tongues; which she did in a powerful manner.
Mrs. Sessions arose and gave the interpretation of what Councillor C. had spoken in an unknown tongue, and said that God was well pleas'd with this Society, that if we would be humble and faithful the Lord would pour out upon the members generally the gift of prophecy— that when the speaker laid her hand on the head of Sister Snow, she said that not only she should have the spirit but that all should have it also— ...
The meeting was very interesting, nearly all present arose & spoke, and the spirit of the Lord like a purifying stream, refreshed every heart.
[Source: 1.2.6 April 19, 1842, Minutes of the Proceedings of the Fifth Meeting of the Female Relief Society, as quoted in Matthew J. Grow, Jill Derr, Carol Madsen, and Kate Holbrook, editors, The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women's History, The Church Historian's Press, 2016, https://churchhistorianspress.org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/]
20 years ago today - 4/18/1997
[Same-sex marriage]
Letter from Elder Loren C. Dunn to Elder Richard G. Scott notifying Elder Scott that "Governor Pete Wilsons[sic] legislative assistant" called and "offered to fly Lynn Wardle to Sacramento to testify before a committee in support of A.B. 911 (HLM non-recognition). The assistant felt the vote would be close and Brother Wardle's testimony would make a difference." The call was more likely made by State Senator H. M. "Pete" Knight's legislative assistant - Andy Pugno - and Elder Dunn confused the two Petes.
[Source: Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
Letter from Elder Loren C. Dunn to Elder Richard G. Scott notifying Elder Scott that "Governor Pete Wilsons[sic] legislative assistant" called and "offered to fly Lynn Wardle to Sacramento to testify before a committee in support of A.B. 911 (HLM non-recognition). The assistant felt the vote would be close and Brother Wardle's testimony would make a difference." The call was more likely made by State Senator H. M. "Pete" Knight's legislative assistant - Andy Pugno - and Elder Dunn confused the two Petes.
[Source: Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
50 years ago today - Apr 18, 1967
First counselor Hugh B. Brown writes of his meeting with full-time missionaries in Taipei, Taiwan, "I was impressed to tell them that there was sitting in that room some young man who would one day stand in the Council of the Twelve, but before that day he would pass through the very fires of hell, but this great honor would come to one of them if he lives worthy of it." Brown makes similar promises on various occasions, including one in Japan (1965), one in England (1966), and one in Louisiana (April 1970).
[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 )]]
50 years ago today - Apr 18, 1967
After John Birch Society president Welsh wrote David O. McKay McKay again encouraging him to allow Ezra Tarf Benson to serve on the National Council of the John Birch Society, McKay "explained to him, as I have on two other occasions by letter, that it would not be wise for Elder Benson to serve in this capacity."
[Source: David O. McKay diary as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
[Source: David O. McKay diary as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
70 years ago today - Apr 18, 1947
Minerva K. Teichert, the first woman to receive a commission to create a temple mural, commences to paint "The Pageant of History" for the world room of the Manti Temple (later the Manti Utah Temple).
75 years ago today - Apr 18, 1942
May Green Hinckley, general president of the Primary Association, announced that the presiding officers of the Primary on all levels would henceforth be known as "presidents" rather than "superintendents."
[Source: Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
[Source: Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
120 years ago today - Apr 18, 1897
Note During the month of January, 1880 I was at Sunset, Arizona, with Bro. Lot Smith and the brethren with him who were trying to establish a branch of the United Order at that place. At this time the Government, through its officers, was using every means in its power to enforce the Edmunds-Tucker anti-polygamy law with the evident intent on the part of the officers, to break us up as an organized community. Being away from President Taylor and my Quorum, I felt deeply distressed in mind Concerning our condition as a people. While thus exercised I went into "the Wilderness," a region of Country called by this name situated about forty miles west of Sunset, and while there I stopped with two young men who were herding Sheep belonging to the people of Sunset. I remained with them ten days reading the revelations of God as contained in the Doctrine and Covenants, and praying fervently unto the Lord to reveal to me His mind and will concerning Zion.
On returning to bed on the night of the 25th of January, 1880, I found myself wrapt in vision, and the next morning revelation was given to me of the Lord which I wrote at the time:
... I the Lord have spoken and will be obeyed. My purposes shall be fulfilled upon this nation ...
... I the Lord say again unto my apostles, Go ye alone by yourselves, whether in heat or in cold, and cleanse your feet in water, pure water, it matters not whether it be by the running Streams or in your closets; but leave these testimonies before the Lord and the heavenly hosts; and when you have all done this, then gather yourselves together in your holy places, and clothe yourselves with robes of the holy Priesthood, and there offer up your prayers according to my holy law. Let him who presides be mouth and Kneel at the holy altar, and there let mine apostles bring all these testimonies before my face and before the heavenly hosts, and before the justified spirits made perfect. And thus saith the Lord unto you, mine apostles, when you bring these testimonies before me, let them be presented by name as far as the spirit shall present them unto you,—the presidents of the United States, the Supreme Court, the cabinet, the Senate and Houses of the Congress of the United States, the governors of the States and Territories, the judges and others sent unto you, and all men and persons who have taken any part in persecuting you or bringing distress upon you or your families or who have sought your lives, or sought to hinder you from keeping my Commandments, or from enjoying the rights which the constitutional laws of the land guaranteed unto you.
And what I the Lord say unto you, mine apostles, I also say unto my servants the Seventies, the high priests, the elders, the priests, and all my servants who are pure in heart and who have borne testimony unto the nations. Let them go forth and cleanse their feet in pure water and bear testimony /of it/ unto their Father who is in heaven.
.... I have also ordained you to sit upon thrones and judge the Gentiles and all of the inhabitants of the earth, unto whom you have borne testimony of my name in the day and generation in which you live.
... You each of you have power to unlock the vail of eternity and hold Converse with God the Father, and his son Jesus Christ, and to have the ministrations of angels. It is your right, privilege and duty to inquire of the Lord as to his mind and will concerning yourselves and the inhabitants of Zion and their interests. And whenever any one of you receives the word of the Lord, let it be written and presented in Your councils. And whatever, by united consent, you deem wisdom to be presented unto the people, let it be presented by the president, my servant John Taylor, as the word of the Lord....
Copied by Geo. F. Gibbs, May 27, 1895
Wilford Woodruff [Signed.]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
On returning to bed on the night of the 25th of January, 1880, I found myself wrapt in vision, and the next morning revelation was given to me of the Lord which I wrote at the time:
... I the Lord have spoken and will be obeyed. My purposes shall be fulfilled upon this nation ...
... I the Lord say again unto my apostles, Go ye alone by yourselves, whether in heat or in cold, and cleanse your feet in water, pure water, it matters not whether it be by the running Streams or in your closets; but leave these testimonies before the Lord and the heavenly hosts; and when you have all done this, then gather yourselves together in your holy places, and clothe yourselves with robes of the holy Priesthood, and there offer up your prayers according to my holy law. Let him who presides be mouth and Kneel at the holy altar, and there let mine apostles bring all these testimonies before my face and before the heavenly hosts, and before the justified spirits made perfect. And thus saith the Lord unto you, mine apostles, when you bring these testimonies before me, let them be presented by name as far as the spirit shall present them unto you,—the presidents of the United States, the Supreme Court, the cabinet, the Senate and Houses of the Congress of the United States, the governors of the States and Territories, the judges and others sent unto you, and all men and persons who have taken any part in persecuting you or bringing distress upon you or your families or who have sought your lives, or sought to hinder you from keeping my Commandments, or from enjoying the rights which the constitutional laws of the land guaranteed unto you.
And what I the Lord say unto you, mine apostles, I also say unto my servants the Seventies, the high priests, the elders, the priests, and all my servants who are pure in heart and who have borne testimony unto the nations. Let them go forth and cleanse their feet in pure water and bear testimony /of it/ unto their Father who is in heaven.
.... I have also ordained you to sit upon thrones and judge the Gentiles and all of the inhabitants of the earth, unto whom you have borne testimony of my name in the day and generation in which you live.
... You each of you have power to unlock the vail of eternity and hold Converse with God the Father, and his son Jesus Christ, and to have the ministrations of angels. It is your right, privilege and duty to inquire of the Lord as to his mind and will concerning yourselves and the inhabitants of Zion and their interests. And whenever any one of you receives the word of the Lord, let it be written and presented in Your councils. And whatever, by united consent, you deem wisdom to be presented unto the people, let it be presented by the president, my servant John Taylor, as the word of the Lord....
Copied by Geo. F. Gibbs, May 27, 1895
Wilford Woodruff [Signed.]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
125 years ago today - Apr 18, 1892 (Monday)
The taking of depositions in the suit for the possession of the Temple lot at Independence, Jackson Co., Mo., was commenced at Independence.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
165 years ago today - Apr 18, 1852
The First Presidency issues the "Seventh General Epistle" to the Saints. This epistle recounts missionary work and events of the previous winter, including the April conference and the construction of the Old Tabernacle. The epistle concludes by counseling Saints throughout the world to sustain their governments and keep the commandments of the Lord.
175 years ago today - Apr 18, 1842
The fifth time the Nauvoo Relief Society convened in 1842, Sarah Cleveland invited the sisters to speak freely. Sister Durfee "bore testimony to the great blessing she received when administered to after the last meeting by Emma Smith and [her] Counselors Cleveland and Whitney, she said she never realized more benefit through an administration." She added that she had been healed and "thought the sisters had more faith than the brethren."
[Source: Relief Society Minutes, as quoted at http://ordainwomen.org/quotes. See Quinn, "Mormon Political Conflicts" for full cite and context.]
[Source: Relief Society Minutes, as quoted at http://ordainwomen.org/quotes. See Quinn, "Mormon Political Conflicts" for full cite and context.]
175 years ago today - Apr 18, 1842
A month and a half after the federal Bankruptcy Act becomes effective Joseph Smith and his brothers Hyrum and Samuel declared themselves insolvent before the county commissioner's court on Apr 18, 1842, and filed petitions to be certified bankrupt by the United States District Court for Illinois. Joseph's listed debts totaled $73,066.38, with a U.S. government obligation of $4,866.38 for purchase of a steamboat which had run aground listed first. Concurrently other leading Mormons filed similar petitions, including President Sidney Rigdon, Bishop Vinson Knight, "Judge" Elias Higbee, Reynolds Cahoon, Henry G. Sherwood, John P. Green, Arthur Morrison, George Morey, Jared Carter, Amos Davis, Charles Warner, William P. Lyon, William Niswanger, and John Fullmer. They were joined by at least one prominent gentile businessman of Nauvoo, Hiram Kimball.67
50 years ago today - Apr 17, 1967
BYU president Ernest Wilkinson reports to the Board of Trustees and confesses his role in the BYU "spy scandal:" "I wanted to know from regular students what their regular teachers were teaching, and I think information of that kind is proper for me as the President to know, and I think this method of finding out is a proper method."
70 years ago today - Apr 17, 1947
[Marion G. Romney]
This interview reminded me of a comment in a letter which I received from President Clark on March 18, 1945, in which he said: 'Which is worth more in this matter of caring for those who need help, the word of the President of the Church, the prophet, seer and revelator of the Lord, or the word of a political legislature which can change its mind, and usually does change its mind, as often as it changes in party control? I wonder if we might not consider developing that thought in considering this question of the old people. Just as surely as the sun rises, there will come a time when all this extra help will disappear, either as the result of our going back to a sane and sensible economy, or as the result of our going over to complete state socialism, because the government dole is made possible only because of the aid that has been received from capital through taxes and borrowing. Eliminate these things and the dole will have to stop.'
[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]
This interview reminded me of a comment in a letter which I received from President Clark on March 18, 1945, in which he said: 'Which is worth more in this matter of caring for those who need help, the word of the President of the Church, the prophet, seer and revelator of the Lord, or the word of a political legislature which can change its mind, and usually does change its mind, as often as it changes in party control? I wonder if we might not consider developing that thought in considering this question of the old people. Just as surely as the sun rises, there will come a time when all this extra help will disappear, either as the result of our going back to a sane and sensible economy, or as the result of our going over to complete state socialism, because the government dole is made possible only because of the aid that has been received from capital through taxes and borrowing. Eliminate these things and the dole will have to stop.'
[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]
115 years ago today - Apr 17, 1902
The only specifically dated example of Joseph F. Smith as church president authorizing a man to marry a plural wife. Apostle Abraham Owen Woodruff's daily diary records that President Smith says: "While I can not advise you to do this I will not advise you not to do it." That is the kind of covert authorization that reminiscent accounts by other post-Manifesto polygamists claim Smith gave them.
[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 )]]
180 years ago today - Apr 17, 1837
Patriarchal Blessing of John Wilson given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... Thou must preach the gospel of the kingdom to the nations sitting in the regions and shadow of death. ... Thou shalt have power to command the winds and they shall obey thee. yea the boisterous waves shall be still at thy word. ... Thou shalt have long life and the treasures of the earth. ... Thou shalt stand with the hundred & 44 thousand on Mount Zion in the presence of the Lamb. I place this seal on thy head and nothing but transgression shall remove it. ... I seal the[e] up unto eternal life, Amen.
J. Pine Scribe
[Source: Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:116-117, 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]
J. Pine Scribe
[Source: Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:116-117, 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]
135 years ago today - Apr 16, 1882
Father Jno L. Lytle gave a very interesting account of his early experiences in the church, his travels with the Prophet Joseph and of his telling them how Father Adam chased the game and outstripped them and caught them, and his knee was never brought to the ground so great was his strength, and also showed the spot where Adam offered up sacrifice in Adam-ondi-Ahman.
[Source: Journal of Charles L. Walker, p. 39; BYU Library; April 16, 1882, in Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
[Source: Journal of Charles L. Walker, p. 39; BYU Library; April 16, 1882, in Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
165 years ago today - Apr 16, 1852
[Samuel H. Rogers]
President Brigham Young said that our spirits ware begotten before that Adam came to the Earth and that Adam helped to make the Earth, that he had a Celestial boddy when he came to the Earth and that he brought his wife or one of his wives with him, and that Eave was allso a Celestial being, that they eat of the fruit of the ground until they begat children from the Earth, he said that Adam was the onley God that we would have, and that Christ was not begotten of the Holy Gost, but of the Father Adam, that Christ, was our elder brother. The argument that he used to shoe that Christ was not begotten by the holy gost, was a caution to the Elders that when they should go to preach the Gospel, to be careful how they laid their hands on the sisters, for the reseption of the holy Gost, lest the holy Gost should get them with Child and that it would be laid to them
[Source: Journal of Samuel H. Rogers, Vol. 1:179; BYU Special Collections, Mss 1134; April 16, 1852, "Concepts Quotations Dealing With the Origin, Identity Position of Adam Eve"]
President Brigham Young said that our spirits ware begotten before that Adam came to the Earth and that Adam helped to make the Earth, that he had a Celestial boddy when he came to the Earth and that he brought his wife or one of his wives with him, and that Eave was allso a Celestial being, that they eat of the fruit of the ground until they begat children from the Earth, he said that Adam was the onley God that we would have, and that Christ was not begotten of the Holy Gost, but of the Father Adam, that Christ, was our elder brother. The argument that he used to shoe that Christ was not begotten by the holy gost, was a caution to the Elders that when they should go to preach the Gospel, to be careful how they laid their hands on the sisters, for the reseption of the holy Gost, lest the holy Gost should get them with Child and that it would be laid to them
[Source: Journal of Samuel H. Rogers, Vol. 1:179; BYU Special Collections, Mss 1134; April 16, 1852, "Concepts Quotations Dealing With the Origin, Identity Position of Adam Eve"]
170 years ago today - Apr 16, 1847. Friday.
[William Clayton on the first pioneer party]
... a total of 148 souls who have started to go West of the mountains as Pioneers to find a home where the Saints can live in peace and enjoy the fruits of their labors, and where we shall not be under the dominion of Gentile governments, subject to the wrath of mobs and where the standards of peace can be raised, the Ensign to the nations reared and the Kingdom of God flourish until truth shall prevail, and the Saints enjoy the fulness of the gospel....
[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
... a total of 148 souls who have started to go West of the mountains as Pioneers to find a home where the Saints can live in peace and enjoy the fruits of their labors, and where we shall not be under the dominion of Gentile governments, subject to the wrath of mobs and where the standards of peace can be raised, the Ensign to the nations reared and the Kingdom of God flourish until truth shall prevail, and the Saints enjoy the fulness of the gospel....
[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
180 years ago today - Apr 16, 1837
Patriarchal Blessing of Samuel McClanathan given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... God will make thee strong like Sampson will give thee his spirit and make thee a mighty man of God. ... No power shall be able to take thy life till thou art willing to lay it down. Thou mayest command the destroyer to stand back, mayest have power of waves, over winds and over floods, nothing shall be too great for thee to do.
Thou shalt have a Residence in Zion. & see the gathering of the house of Israel shalt see the tribes crowned by the hand of Ephraim, shall see thy Saviour come in the clouds of heaven. and behold the winding up scene of all things. Thou shalt stand in the midst of the 100 & 44 thousand whom John saw standing with the Lamb upon Mount Zion and sing their song. ... Thy posterity shall stand on the Earth as long as it shall stand. They shall be kings and priests to God one thousand years If thou art faithful and humble and faithful, thou shalt have power over thy kindred.... I seal thee up unto eternal life, even so amen.
[Source: Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:117, in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
Thou shalt have a Residence in Zion. & see the gathering of the house of Israel shalt see the tribes crowned by the hand of Ephraim, shall see thy Saviour come in the clouds of heaven. and behold the winding up scene of all things. Thou shalt stand in the midst of the 100 & 44 thousand whom John saw standing with the Lamb upon Mount Zion and sing their song. ... Thy posterity shall stand on the Earth as long as it shall stand. They shall be kings and priests to God one thousand years If thou art faithful and humble and faithful, thou shalt have power over thy kindred.... I seal thee up unto eternal life, even so amen.
[Source: Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:117, 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]
210 years ago today - Apr 16, 1807
A second person is convicted of passing counterfeit money to "Joseph Smith".
[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]
50 years ago today - Apr 15, 1967
Apostle Mark E. Petersen wrote an editorial in the Church News: "Political extremists sow seeds of hate and discord. Extremism among them can hardly be less dangerous on one hand than on the other. Both can lead to dictatorship."
[Source: "Tendency Toward Extremes," Deseret News "Church News," 15 Apr. 1967,20. 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: "Tendency Toward Extremes," Deseret News "Church News," 15 Apr. 1967,20. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
105 years ago today - Apr 15, 1912
Passenger liner TITANIC sinks with loss of 1500 lives including one Mormon fatality, Irene C. Corbett who is returning to Utah from her midwifery study in London.
160 years ago today - Apr 15, 1857
[Hosea Stout]
To day T. S. Williams[.] Judge Stiles[.] Genl Burr and P. K. Dotson with nearly all the gentile and apostate Scurf in this community left for the States
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
To day T. S. Williams[.] Judge Stiles[.] Genl Burr and P. K. Dotson with nearly all the gentile and apostate Scurf in this community left for the States
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
175 years ago today - 15–Apr 16, 1842 - Friday–Saturday
Busily engaged in making out a list of Debtors & invoice of Property [[JS's debts, incurred at both Kirtland and Nauvoo, amounted to $107,395.60. JS's assets consisted of notes owed him amounting to $99,797.38, several household items and articles of furniture, and one-third shares of nearly 250 city lots in Nauvoo. The notes included almost $81,000 owed him by Isaac Galland.]] to be passed into the hands of the assignee.[[An "assignee," according to the Bankruptcy Act of 1841, was "vested with all the rights, titles, powers, and authorities to sell, manage, and dispose of" the bankrupt's property. At this time, an assignee for Nauvoo had not been appointed by the court.]]
[Source: Joseph Smith, Journal, Dec. 1841–Dec. 1842 in "The Book of the Law of the Lord," Record Book, 1841–1845]
[Source: Joseph Smith, Journal, Dec. 1841–Dec. 1842 in "The Book of the Law of the Lord," Record Book, 1841–1845]
175 years ago today - Apr 15, 1842
The TIMES AND SEASONS, edited by Joseph Smith publishes the "History of Joseph Smith:" "While I was thus in the act of calling upon God I discovered a light appearing in the room which continued to increase until the room was lighter than at noonday, when immediately a personage appeared at my bedside standing in the air for his feet did not touch the floor. . . He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Nephi." In later versions of the story the name is changed from "Nephi" to "Moroni."
175 years ago today - Apr 15, 1842
Joseph Smith teaches at April conference 1842, "baptisms for the dead, and for the healing of the body must be in the font, those coming into the Church, and those re-baptized may be baptized in the river."
[Source: Stapley, Jonathan and Wright, Kristine, '"They Shall Be Made Whole": A History of Baptism for Health,' Journal of Mormon History, Fall 2008]
[Source: Stapley, Jonathan and Wright, Kristine, '"They Shall Be Made Whole": A History of Baptism for Health,' Journal of Mormon History, Fall 2008]
180 years ago today - Apr 15, 1837
Patriarchal Blessing of Levi Richards given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... At a blessing Meeting, held in the Lord's House in Kirtland ...
thou must lay hold on the Powers of the Holy Ghost and be a mighty man of God and at thy command Mountains shall fall- winds and waves shall obey thee- Rivers shall be turned from their course- Prisons shall not hold thee for thou shalt burst their bars and gates- no Pits dug by thine Enemies shall hold thee- thou art a chosen vessel of God- he has seen thee from Eternity- yea thou art a chosen vessel to do the work and will of thy Redeemer- ... thou shalt have a Residence in Zion and shalt bring many sheaves there who shall rejoice in the Lord- the Angels of heaven shall minister to thee- ... If thou art faithful to God thou shalt see the Restoration of all things- see the gathered House of Israel- see Jesus and stand in the midst of the One hundred and forty four thousand whom John saw standing with the Lamb on the Mount Zion- shalt sing their Song- ... by the Powers of the Priesthood I seal thee up to Eternal Life Amen & Amen
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
thou must lay hold on the Powers of the Holy Ghost and be a mighty man of God and at thy command Mountains shall fall- winds and waves shall obey thee- Rivers shall be turned from their course- Prisons shall not hold thee for thou shalt burst their bars and gates- no Pits dug by thine Enemies shall hold thee- thou art a chosen vessel of God- he has seen thee from Eternity- yea thou art a chosen vessel to do the work and will of thy Redeemer- ... thou shalt have a Residence in Zion and shalt bring many sheaves there who shall rejoice in the Lord- the Angels of heaven shall minister to thee- ... If thou art faithful to God thou shalt see the Restoration of all things- see the gathered House of Israel- see Jesus and stand in the midst of the One hundred and forty four thousand whom John saw standing with the Lamb on the Mount Zion- shalt sing their Song- ... by the Powers of the Priesthood I seal thee up to Eternal Life Amen & Amen
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Apr 15, 1837
Patriarchal Blessing of Jesse Turpin given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... If thou wilt humble thyself before God thou shalt rise up like Enoch in mighty power. ...
Thou shalt have power to call down fire from heaven, and if it be necessary it shall consume thine enemies.
[Source: Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:119-120, in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
Thou shalt have power to call down fire from heaven, and if it be necessary it shall consume thine enemies.
[Source: Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:119-120, in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
140 years ago today - Sat 14
Elder O Pratt read text 20 Ver 32 Chap Iseaah spoke on that text also will allow them- all the people as we are now circumstanced cannot do as you are now doing - I feel to prophecy that if you will continue faithful as you have commenced you will receive a thousand fold more than you ever (sic) anticipated. ... Elder O Pratt said the perfect order of God as it will be conducted in the land of Zion just prior to the coming of the Savior will be a full and complete consecration, when all will lay their properties at the fee I (feet) of the Bishop from which the land of Zion & other properties of the Church will be purchased for the church. not for the Bp or President such a time will come that such purchases can be made. ...
[Source: Diary Excerpts of L. John Nuttall, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary Excerpts of L. John Nuttall, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - Apr 14, 1862
The first session of "ghost government" of the theocratic State of Deseret, which publicly meets, passes its own laws (duplicates of what the same legislators have just done in the territorial legislature), holds elections, and functions until 1872. Significant as a theocratic symbol, but unimportant in practice.
[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 - Apr 14, 1857
[Hosea Stout]
T. S. Williams daughter Caroline Eloped to parts unknown last night[.] He blames Prest H. C. Kimball and thinks David Kimball has got her and threatens to kill President Kimball.
The police arrested Williams for Breach of the Peace[.] He rages and raves like a mad man.
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
T. S. Williams daughter Caroline Eloped to parts unknown last night[.] He blames Prest H. C. Kimball and thinks David Kimball has got her and threatens to kill President Kimball.
The police arrested Williams for Breach of the Peace[.] He rages and raves like a mad man.
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
160 years ago today - Apr 14, 1857
[Wilford Woodruff]
I spent the day most of it in grafting my Apple Orchard. I grafted the following kinds intomy Apple orchard:
Sweet Summer Pearmain Wine sap = 20 Ounce ...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I spent the day most of it in grafting my Apple Orchard. I grafted the following kinds intomy Apple orchard:
Sweet Summer Pearmain Wine sap = 20 Ounce ...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Apr 14, 1847 (Wednesday)
Pres. Brigham Young and his brethren of the Twelve left Winter Quarters for the Rocky Mountains. They joined the Pioneer camp near the Elkhorn river.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
175 years ago today - Apr 14, 1842
[Relief Society Minutes]
Mrs. C. continued by cautioning the Society against speaking evil [probably regarding rumors of polygamy] of Pres^t. J. Smith and his companion— that it would not be a light thing in the sight of God— that they had prov'd themselves;...
[Source: 1.2.4 April 14, 1842, Minutes of the Proceedings of the Fourth Meeting of the Society, as quoted in Matthew J. Grow, Jill Derr, Carol Madsen, and Kate Holbrook, editors, The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women's History, The Church Historian's Press, 2016, https://churchhistorianspress.org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/]
Mrs. C. continued by cautioning the Society against speaking evil [probably regarding rumors of polygamy] of Pres^t. J. Smith and his companion— that it would not be a light thing in the sight of God— that they had prov'd themselves;...
[Source: 1.2.4 April 14, 1842, Minutes of the Proceedings of the Fourth Meeting of the Society, as quoted in Matthew J. Grow, Jill Derr, Carol Madsen, and Kate Holbrook, editors, The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women's History, The Church Historian's Press, 2016, https://churchhistorianspress.org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/]
175 years ago today - Apr 14, 1842
Calvin A. Warren is hired by Joseph to explain and investigate the technicalities of the Federal Bankruptcy Law, which had gone into effect on Feb. 1, 1842. Joseph records, "The justice or injustice of such a principle in law, I leave for them who made it, the United States. Suffice it to say, the law was as good for the Saints as for the Gentiles, and whether I would or not, I was forced into the measure by having been robbed, mobbed, plundered, and wasted of all my property, time after time, in various places, by the very ones who made the law, namely, the people of the United States."
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
185 years ago today - Apr 14, 1832
[Brigham Young]
Despite earlier exposure to Mormonism, he did not submit to baptism until 14 April 1832 and only then when other members of his immediate family joined. He found Mormonism appealing in its emphasis on Christian primitivism, its millennialistic orientation, authoritarianism, certain Puritan-like beliefs, and the fact that it offered him an avenue to achieve status and recognition through its lay priesthood.
[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: Brigham Young, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
Despite earlier exposure to Mormonism, he did not submit to baptism until 14 April 1832 and only then when other members of his immediate family joined. He found Mormonism appealing in its emphasis on Christian primitivism, its millennialistic orientation, authoritarianism, certain Puritan-like beliefs, and the fact that it offered him an avenue to achieve status and recognition through its lay priesthood.
[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: Brigham Young, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
20 years ago today - Apr 13, 1997
Gordon [B. Hinckley] "Q: And this belief in contemporary revelation and prophecy? As the prophet, tell us how that works. How do you receive divine revelation? What does it feel like?
A: Let me say first that we have a great body of revelation, the vast majority of which came from the prophet Joseph Smith. We don't need much revelation. We need to pay more attention to the revelation we've already received. Now, if a problem should arise on which we don't have an answer, we pray about it, we may fast about it, and it comes. Quietly. Usually no voice of any kind, but just a perception in the mind. I liken it to Elijah's experience. When he sought the Lord, there was a great wind, and the Lord was not in the wind. And there was an earthquake, and the Lord was not in the earthquake. And a fire, and the Lord was not in the fire. But in a still, small voice. Now that's the way it works"
[Source: San Francisco Chronicle, Sunday, April 13, 1997]
A: Let me say first that we have a great body of revelation, the vast majority of which came from the prophet Joseph Smith. We don't need much revelation. We need to pay more attention to the revelation we've already received. Now, if a problem should arise on which we don't have an answer, we pray about it, we may fast about it, and it comes. Quietly. Usually no voice of any kind, but just a perception in the mind. I liken it to Elijah's experience. When he sought the Lord, there was a great wind, and the Lord was not in the wind. And there was an earthquake, and the Lord was not in the earthquake. And a fire, and the Lord was not in the fire. But in a still, small voice. Now that's the way it works"
[Source: San Francisco Chronicle, Sunday, April 13, 1997]
120 years ago today - Apr 13, 1897
[President Wilford Woodruff]
... Had a cup of coffee & some bread & milk. ...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
... Had a cup of coffee & some bread & milk. ...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
125 years ago today - Apr 13, 1892 • Wednesday
[George Q. Cannon]
... We took lunch in the Temple, and through the kindness of Prest. [of the Logan Temple] Merrill, we were taken by the Temple team to the train. ...
[Source: The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
... We took lunch in the Temple, and through the kindness of Prest. [of the Logan Temple] Merrill, we were taken by the Temple team to the train. ...
[Source: The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
135 years ago today - Thursday, Apr 13, 1882
[John Henry Smith]
The question of missionary labor among the Indians was talked over and a vote taken that we would Educate some young Indians and then send them among their tribes to preach. We also decided to select some white men to take charge of Indian matters. We also decided to make a settlement somewhere in old Mexico.
[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 question of missionary labor among the Indians was talked over and a vote taken that we would Educate some young Indians and then send them among their tribes to preach. We also decided to select some white men to take charge of Indian matters. We also decided to make a settlement somewhere in old Mexico.
[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 - Apr 13, 1877 • Friday
[George Q. Cannon]
[Translated from Hawaiian] President [Young] told me that if I can take another wife unto myself, it would be a wonderful thing—if pleasing unto her and her liking; but the problem lies in the fact that this perhaps will be publicized amongst the people; and if this is heard by our enemies, they will resist me in Congress. Therefore, if a woman is sealed to me it would be best if done without the public knowing about it.
[Source: The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
[Translated from Hawaiian] President [Young] told me that if I can take another wife unto myself, it would be a wonderful thing—if pleasing unto her and her liking; but the problem lies in the fact that this perhaps will be publicized amongst the people; and if this is heard by our enemies, they will resist me in Congress. Therefore, if a woman is sealed to me it would be best if done without the public knowing about it.
[Source: The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
140 years ago today - Apr 13, 1877
Carter sen. and Phebe Whitemore, Ezra Carter jr. and Sarah Fabyan Ozem Woodruff, and Acksa, & Hannah Hart Woodruff. All the Above three families were Adopted to Wilford Woodruff sen. Also Robert Mason and his three wives, were Adopted to Wi1ford Woodruff sen and Phebe Whitemore Carter Woodruff. Wilford Woodruff sen and Phebe Whitemore Carter Woodruff was then adopted to his Father Aphek Woodruff. John H Standiford Adopted to Wilford Woodruff sen. [This is Phebe and Wilford's 40th anniversary].
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Apr 13, 1852
[Hosea Stout]
John Kay and others gave Harvey Morse 39 hard lashes (to day [crossed out]) last night for frequently attempting to rape two little girls not six years old.
He had materially injured the girls.
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
John Kay and others gave Harvey Morse 39 hard lashes (to day [crossed out]) last night for frequently attempting to rape two little girls not six years old.
He had materially injured the girls.
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
170 years ago today - Apr 13, 1847
William Clayton claims that Hosea Stout threatened to kill him. The next day, on half an hour's notice, Young has Clayton leave camp to join pioneers headed for Utah.
[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]
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