According to data filed with the secretary of state's office, ProtectMarriage.com, the main group backing Prop 8, had raised about $25.4 million. No on 8, Equality for All - the main group opposing the measure - had raised almost $15.8 million. Yes on 8 was flush with a cash balance of about $12.8 million, due by large measure to Mormon contributions, while No on 8 had approximately $1.8 million.
[Latter-Day Army: Details of Mormons and Prop 8, http://www.stopthemormons.com/?p=486]
40 years ago today - 1978 September30
President N. Eldon Tanner reads Official Declaration 2 to the General Conference, and it is unanimously adopted as the word and will of the Lord on the same day. Emeritus status announced for General Authorities over age 70, except the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve. Seven members of the First Quorum of the Seventy were so designated.
[Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
[Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
55 years ago today - Sep 30, 1963
BYU's former student body president [Rex E. Lee] wrote in September 1963 about the difficulty of separating Era Taft Benson's partisan statements from his church position. Rex E. Lee observed, "It is regrettable, however, that Brother Benson has detracted from his effectiveness as a Church leader through his active support of the John Birch Society." This future president of Brigham Young University continued, "I have found myself periodically called upon to remind my friends, usually without success, that when Elder Benson acts to promote the ends of extremist organizations and leaders he is not declaring Church doctrine."
[Lee to Ralph R. Harding, 30 Sept. 1963. 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.]
[Lee to Ralph R. Harding, 30 Sept. 1963. 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.]
75 years ago today - Sep 30, 1943
[Spencer W. Kimball]
[Shortly after being called to the Twelve] I called on Pres Clark. He was not crowded so much and he talked long and intimately to me mostly regarding my future association with the Church and the brethren and what would be expected of me. There seemed to be no reserve and he seemed to place himself on my equal. He also is a great man as also Pres. McKay. I am electrified with the very presence of these men of power'these Prophets Seers and Revelators. What a privilege to be on intimate terms with such strong leaders.
[Spencer W. Kimball, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Shortly after being called to the Twelve] I called on Pres Clark. He was not crowded so much and he talked long and intimately to me mostly regarding my future association with the Church and the brethren and what would be expected of me. There seemed to be no reserve and he seemed to place himself on my equal. He also is a great man as also Pres. McKay. I am electrified with the very presence of these men of power'these Prophets Seers and Revelators. What a privilege to be on intimate terms with such strong leaders.
[Spencer W. Kimball, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
115 years ago today - Wednesday, Sep 30, 1903
[John Henry Smith]
President Jos. F. Smith said to me tonight that the mind of the spirit was that my son George Albert should fill the vacancy in the Apostles. I told him was it a political office I would advise against it but I could not stand in the way of the suggestions of the spirit to him.
[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]
President Jos. F. Smith said to me tonight that the mind of the spirit was that my son George Albert should fill the vacancy in the Apostles. I told him was it a political office I would advise against it but I could not stand in the way of the suggestions of the spirit to him.
[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]
35 years ago today - Sep 29, 1983
LOGAN HERALD JOURNAL reports Cache County administrative assistant Keith Nelson had been printing LDS ward material in the men's room of the county Hall of Justice. As a result the practice is stopped. However, the Logan chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union accuses the Cache county commission of violating First Amendment rights by failure to separate church and state.
40 years ago today - Sep 29, 1978-Friday
[Leonard Arrington]
President [Spencer W.] Kimball ... made two announcements: 1. The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve have now determined that it is permissible for sisters to offer prayers in any meeting that they attend. This includes Sunday Schools, sacrament meetings, prayers in homes that they are in as visiting teachers, and so on. The Brethren have determined there is no scriptural objection to this. 2. The wives of general authorities who accompany their husbands on official trips should wear dresses and not pantsuits.
... Election year cautions: ... Moral issues, legitimate concern 1. Gambling, liquor, abortion, homosexuality. May work with others to defeat proposals. ERA-same principle. Strong moral implications; urge people to work with others to oppose the measure. If some support, should be spoken to quietly and not threatened. Do not discuss in sacrament meetings. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
President [Spencer W.] Kimball ... made two announcements: 1. The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve have now determined that it is permissible for sisters to offer prayers in any meeting that they attend. This includes Sunday Schools, sacrament meetings, prayers in homes that they are in as visiting teachers, and so on. The Brethren have determined there is no scriptural objection to this. 2. The wives of general authorities who accompany their husbands on official trips should wear dresses and not pantsuits.
... Election year cautions: ... Moral issues, legitimate concern 1. Gambling, liquor, abortion, homosexuality. May work with others to defeat proposals. ERA-same principle. Strong moral implications; urge people to work with others to oppose the measure. If some support, should be spoken to quietly and not threatened. Do not discuss in sacrament meetings. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
175 years ago today - 175 years ago - Sep 28, 1843
Emma becomes the first woman to receive her endowment, a year after men began receiving endowments. Joseph and Emma Smith are also the first couple to receive the second anointing in which each is "anointed & ordained to the highest & holiest order of the priesthood." "Beurach Ale" (IE Joseph Smith) was also ordained president of "Anointed Quorum". As an anointed prophetess, queen, and priestess, Emma Smith often performed the anointing and endowment ceremonies for other women introduced into the Holy Order during the next six months. Emma and Joseph are sealed together for time and eternity.
At the meeting Joseph Smith "led in prayer that his days might be prolonged until his mission on the earth is accomplished, have dominion over his enemies, all their households be blessed, and all the Church and the world."
Joseph Smith asked Emma Smith, Bathsheba W. Smith, and Eliza R. Snow to design the garment for the actual endowment ceremonies. "They were too poor to buy buttons, so they tore strips of the cloth for strings … in making the garment they did not know just how to finish them at the top. Emma suggested that a small collar be put on which was done." The basic garment worn by endowed persons when not participating in temple ordinances was the two-piece under-garment in common use at the time, with the addition of specified markings.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45; Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons; Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44]
At the meeting Joseph Smith "led in prayer that his days might be prolonged until his mission on the earth is accomplished, have dominion over his enemies, all their households be blessed, and all the Church and the world."
Joseph Smith asked Emma Smith, Bathsheba W. Smith, and Eliza R. Snow to design the garment for the actual endowment ceremonies. "They were too poor to buy buttons, so they tore strips of the cloth for strings … in making the garment they did not know just how to finish them at the top. Emma suggested that a small collar be put on which was done." The basic garment worn by endowed persons when not participating in temple ordinances was the two-piece under-garment in common use at the time, with the addition of specified markings.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45; Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons; Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44]
10 years ago today - September 28
MormonsFor8.com reports that Mormon donations make up the largest group of donors to Prop 8 at 40.4% of contributions.
[Latter-Day Army: Details of Mormons and Prop 8, http://www.stopthemormons.com/?p=486]
[Latter-Day Army: Details of Mormons and Prop 8, http://www.stopthemormons.com/?p=486]
40 years ago today - 1978-09-28
The prohibition against women praying in Sacrament Meeting is lifted.
[Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]
[Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]
135 years ago today - Sep 28, 1883
John Taylor re-establishes the School of the Prophets in obedience to his revelation exactly five months earlier. "A number" of the First Presidency and apostles "confessed to breaking the Word of Wisdom" and vote to obey it. However, this vote does not apply to wine which members of the School of the Prophets drink by the glassful at their meeting on 12 Oct.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
135 years ago today - Sep 28, 1883
[Wilford Woodruff]
Some Matters appertaining to [apostle] Albert Carrington [improper conduct with a young housekeeper] were investigated which He explained and Confessed wharein he was wrong & asked forgiveness and all were accepted. We then met with the presidency and they Still investigated further Broth Carrington affairs which He explained and all were accepted By the Presidency.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Some Matters appertaining to [apostle] Albert Carrington [improper conduct with a young housekeeper] were investigated which He explained and Confessed wharein he was wrong & asked forgiveness and all were accepted. We then met with the presidency and they Still investigated further Broth Carrington affairs which He explained and all were accepted By the Presidency.
[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 - Sep 28, 1848 (Thursday)
Addison Pratt arrived in G.S.L. City from a five years' mission to the Society Islands, where about twelve hundred persons had been baptized.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
18430928
175 years ago - Sep 28, 1843
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45; Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons; Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45; Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons; Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44]
180 years ago today - Late Sept. 1838
Local newspapers debate the Mormon question, some stating that the Mormons have broken their promise to stay within Caldwell County by spreading to other counties. Other papers say that a law requiring that members of any religion stay within a certain county is unconstitutional.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
45 years ago today - Sep 27, 1973-Thursday
[Leonard Arrington]
... Edith [Smith] Patrick said yesterday that Joseph F. Smith's first wife, Levira, could not have any children. She said that after Joseph F. married Julina, Levira's mother kept telling her, "Joseph F. doesn't care about you anymore, because you can't have any children so you are going to be essentially a discard." Her mother encouraged her to leave Joseph F. and this is presumably one of the factors which led to her leaving the apostle.
Sister Patrick says that Levira left at a time when Joseph F. was out of town and left without any advance notice to him. He was shocked and saddened when he got the word from Brigham Young.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
... Edith [Smith] Patrick said yesterday that Joseph F. Smith's first wife, Levira, could not have any children. She said that after Joseph F. married Julina, Levira's mother kept telling her, "Joseph F. doesn't care about you anymore, because you can't have any children so you are going to be essentially a discard." Her mother encouraged her to leave Joseph F. and this is presumably one of the factors which led to her leaving the apostle.
Sister Patrick says that Levira left at a time when Joseph F. was out of town and left without any advance notice to him. He was shocked and saddened when he got the word from Brigham Young.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
55 years ago today - Sep 27, 1963
President John F. Kennedy speaks in the Salt Lake Tabernacle to eight thousand people. He is joined on the stand by LDS President David O. McKay and second counselor Hugh B. Brown who gives the opening prayer. Kennedy followed McKay into the tabernacle and sits beside him on the stand.
85 years ago today - 1933. September 27
(B. H. Roberts) : Died in Salt Lake City from complications of diabetes at the age of seventy-six. Buried in Centerville, Utah.
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Sep 27, 1883 • Thursday
[George Q. Cannon]
Bro. Erastus Snow and Bro. L. John Nuttall arrived from the South this morning. We were glad to have them here as it was intended to hold a meeting of the First Presidency and Twelve to lay before them the subject of the organization of the School of the Prophets. At 3 p.m. we met – ... The minutes of the previous meeting respecting the School of the Prophets were read and approved. There was much speaking, principally by Bro. Erastus Snow, about the order of the washing of the feet in the Kirtland Temple and the washing of feet for the School of the Prophets, it being evident from the remarks that these were distinct ordinances, or in other words that the washing of feet as an introductory ordinance to the School of the Prophets was practiced long before endowments were given, when the feet of the Elders were washed in the Temple.
[The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
Bro. Erastus Snow and Bro. L. John Nuttall arrived from the South this morning. We were glad to have them here as it was intended to hold a meeting of the First Presidency and Twelve to lay before them the subject of the organization of the School of the Prophets. At 3 p.m. we met – ... The minutes of the previous meeting respecting the School of the Prophets were read and approved. There was much speaking, principally by Bro. Erastus Snow, about the order of the washing of the feet in the Kirtland Temple and the washing of feet for the School of the Prophets, it being evident from the remarks that these were distinct ordinances, or in other words that the washing of feet as an introductory ordinance to the School of the Prophets was practiced long before endowments were given, when the feet of the Elders were washed in the Temple.
[The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
175 years ago today - Sep 27, 1843
[Wilford Woodruff]
We received a letter from Br Azmon. He & his family have all turned Millerites & is strong in the faith that Christ will come in 1843. He manifests much weekness in his remarks on the subject.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
We received a letter from Br Azmon. He & his family have all turned Millerites & is strong in the faith that Christ will come in 1843. He manifests much weekness in his remarks on the subject.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
25 years ago today - Sep 26, 1993
Historian D. Michael Quinn's disciplinary hearing is held in his absence. He was summoned but refused to attend on principle. He is excommunicated for "apostasy and conduct unbecoming a member."
45 years ago today - Sep 26, 1973-Wednesday
[Leonard Arrington]
Brother [Jack] Anderson mentioned two stories connected with [apostle] John W. Taylor, both told to Brother Anderson by President Heber J. Grant. There was a testimony meeting in which one sister got up and spoke in tongues and when the interpretation was made the message was that someone in the audience had seen the Savior the day before in the canyon and it would be a favor if he stood and confessed this. Brother John W. Taylor then stood up and then said he had seen the Savior when he had gone to get wood the day before.
The other story is that when President Grant, then an apostle, was called to be president of the Japanese Mission [in 1901], Elder John W. Taylor came up to him after the meeting in which the announcement was made and said, "Heber, I know that in accepting this call you have made a sacrifice almost as great as Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac on the altar. I know that you have a standing debt of $100,000, but I prophesy that you will go to Japan and that by the time you go you will have adjusted your affairs so that you are no longer in debt. I not only prophesy this but I am going to tell you how to do it." And then he proceeded to tell him what to do and the main thing was to do certain things for that day and not worry about the eventual outcome.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Brother [Jack] Anderson mentioned two stories connected with [apostle] John W. Taylor, both told to Brother Anderson by President Heber J. Grant. There was a testimony meeting in which one sister got up and spoke in tongues and when the interpretation was made the message was that someone in the audience had seen the Savior the day before in the canyon and it would be a favor if he stood and confessed this. Brother John W. Taylor then stood up and then said he had seen the Savior when he had gone to get wood the day before.
The other story is that when President Grant, then an apostle, was called to be president of the Japanese Mission [in 1901], Elder John W. Taylor came up to him after the meeting in which the announcement was made and said, "Heber, I know that in accepting this call you have made a sacrifice almost as great as Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac on the altar. I know that you have a standing debt of $100,000, but I prophesy that you will go to Japan and that by the time you go you will have adjusted your affairs so that you are no longer in debt. I not only prophesy this but I am going to tell you how to do it." And then he proceeded to tell him what to do and the main thing was to do certain things for that day and not worry about the eventual outcome.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
110 years ago today - Sep 26, 1908
[Francis M. Lyman]
Bishop Silas S. Omme of Tooele [Utah] came in bringing with him Dr. [Louis S.] Fuller the leader of the Anti-Saloon league in this and adjoining stakes. We listened to reports ... We then introduced Dr. Fuller and gave him the time he cared to use in talking the cause of the Anti-Saloon League question ... We unanimously voted to sustain the movement with all our influence.
[Francis M. Lyman Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
Bishop Silas S. Omme of Tooele [Utah] came in bringing with him Dr. [Louis S.] Fuller the leader of the Anti-Saloon league in this and adjoining stakes. We listened to reports ... We then introduced Dr. Fuller and gave him the time he cared to use in talking the cause of the Anti-Saloon League question ... We unanimously voted to sustain the movement with all our influence.
[Francis M. Lyman Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
115 years ago today - Saturday, Sep 26, 1903
[John Henry Smith]
Salt Lake City
The Political fever is running high.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
Salt Lake City
The Political fever is running high.
[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]
160 years ago today - Sep 26, 1858
The following Dream was related which President Young [had] on Friday night Sept 24, 1858: He dreamed that 4 men came into his room and tried to get in. He tried to shoot them with his pistol but Could not get it off. He then drew a Bowie knife but found it to be a Carving knife with a saw on one side. At the same time Mr Clarkson reached over his shoulder & drew a large Bowie knife from between his shoulders & attempted to kill Presidet Young who said to him you may think that you are going to do sumthing but I will show you. He then threw his saw knife at Clarkson & Just as it was about to enter his body Brigham Young reached out his hand Caught it so that it did not hurt him saying at the same time you now see what I Can do. Clarkson said I see that my life is in your power. At the same time he plunged his knife into his own breast & split it open then handed the handle of the knife all Bloody to B. Young & walked a short distance & fell dead.
+ * (<President Kimball said that he did not want the> 12 <to pray at Bensons for he did not want them to go to a [-] house. President Young said that he did not know but Benson would [-] have wives that would home [-].>)
[Text between angled brackets ("<>") are in shorthand, Woodruff's method of encrypting sensitive diary entries. The following is from Woodruff's Historian's private Journal:]
President Brigham Young Organized a Prayer Circle in his upper room consisting of Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Wilford Woodruff & G A Smith. Albert Carrington was named but not present. B. Young Prayed & H. C. Kimball was mouth. President Young wished the Twelve to meet in the Historians Closet for thare prayer Circle instead of meeting at Brother Bensons ['] I do not know but Brother Benson will always have wives who will whore it. Brother Kimball said that Brother Benson had been informed of the conduct of his first wives who were guilty of whoredoms but he had made no change concerning them as he was advised to do. I do not wish to have the Twelve meet in an unholy place ['] President Young did not wish to have any thing said about our prayer Circle but directed G. A. Smith to write it down in a private journal.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993; Wilford Woodruff, Historian's Private Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
+ * (<President Kimball said that he did not want the> 12 <to pray at Bensons for he did not want them to go to a [-] house. President Young said that he did not know but Benson would [-] have wives that would home [-].>)
[Text between angled brackets ("<>") are in shorthand, Woodruff's method of encrypting sensitive diary entries. The following is from Woodruff's Historian's private Journal:]
President Brigham Young Organized a Prayer Circle in his upper room consisting of Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Wilford Woodruff & G A Smith. Albert Carrington was named but not present. B. Young Prayed & H. C. Kimball was mouth. President Young wished the Twelve to meet in the Historians Closet for thare prayer Circle instead of meeting at Brother Bensons ['] I do not know but Brother Benson will always have wives who will whore it. Brother Kimball said that Brother Benson had been informed of the conduct of his first wives who were guilty of whoredoms but he had made no change concerning them as he was advised to do. I do not wish to have the Twelve meet in an unholy place ['] President Young did not wish to have any thing said about our prayer Circle but directed G. A. Smith to write it down in a private journal.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993; Wilford Woodruff, Historian's Private Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
180 years ago today - Sep 26, 1838
Lyman Wight and 15 to 20 Saints promise to go to trial at Gallatin. Two committees representing each party agree that the Saints will buy out the land owned by the non-Mormons in Daviess County.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
25 years ago today - 25 years ago - Sep 25, 1993-Saturday
[Leonard Arrington]
Yesterday was one of the saddest days in my life. Lavina Fielding Anderson, one of our closest friends since 1972, was notified that she had been excommunicated for apostasy. Here is a person that we know personally to be one of the most devout, believing Mormons, who was excommunicated because she is compiling a list of incidents in which Mormons, especially women, were badly treated by bishops, stake presidents, regional representatives, and general authorities. And publishing the list without names. We feel especially strongly of this mistreatment because in my own memoirs I record some instances of my own run-ins with church authorities, and if I should publish it they will probably excommunicate me. If they can do it to Lavina, they can do it to me. Mike Quinn will probably be excommunicated this coming week. Our information is that Elder [Boyd K.] Packer is behind this purge. Why don't the older Brethren speak out to halt this business. It is shameful. Fortunately, historians always have the last word.
[Source: Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Yesterday was one of the saddest days in my life. Lavina Fielding Anderson, one of our closest friends since 1972, was notified that she had been excommunicated for apostasy. Here is a person that we know personally to be one of the most devout, believing Mormons, who was excommunicated because she is compiling a list of incidents in which Mormons, especially women, were badly treated by bishops, stake presidents, regional representatives, and general authorities. And publishing the list without names. We feel especially strongly of this mistreatment because in my own memoirs I record some instances of my own run-ins with church authorities, and if I should publish it they will probably excommunicate me. If they can do it to Lavina, they can do it to me. Mike Quinn will probably be excommunicated this coming week. Our information is that Elder [Boyd K.] Packer is behind this purge. Why don't the older Brethren speak out to halt this business. It is shameful. Fortunately, historians always have the last word.
[Source: Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
55 years ago today - 55 years ago - Sep 25, 1963
Representative Ralph R. Harding told Congress in September that [Ezra Taft] Benson was "a spokesman for the radical right." The congressman charged Benson with using his apostleship to give the false impression that the church and its people "approve of" the Birch Society.
[Source: Harding speech, Congressional Record—House 109 (25 Sept. 1963): 17208-209, reprinted as Ezra Taft Benson's Support of John Birch Society Is Criticized (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1963); "Idaho Congressman Hits Benson Speech," and "Birch Official Gives Statement on Benson Talk," Deseret News, 26 Sept. 1963, A-3; "Legislator, a Mormon, Scores Benson for Birch Activities," New York Times, 26 Sept. 1963,. 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: Harding speech, Congressional Record—House 109 (25 Sept. 1963): 17208-209, reprinted as Ezra Taft Benson's Support of John Birch Society Is Criticized (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1963); "Idaho Congressman Hits Benson Speech," and "Birch Official Gives Statement on Benson Talk," Deseret News, 26 Sept. 1963, A-3; "Legislator, a Mormon, Scores Benson for Birch Activities," New York Times, 26 Sept. 1963,. 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.]
90 years ago today - 90 years ago - Sep 25, 1928
President Charles W. Nibley of the First Presidency dedicates the Moscow Institute Building, which is located adjacent to the University of Idaho campus. It is the first institute building in the Church. A year earlier, J. Wyley Sessions began the program with fifty-seven students.
135 years ago today - 135 years ago - Sep 25, 1883
[James E. Talmage]
Begins formal classwork at Johns Hopkins.
[Source: Chronology of the Life and Work of James E. Talmage, J. Trevor Antley, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MJsHY83JZL_n6CjWq11y1trT_CVXMMXAx2uYOWAwn0c/edit#heading=h.2zfdaoa]
Begins formal classwork at Johns Hopkins.
[Source: Chronology of the Life and Work of James E. Talmage, J. Trevor Antley, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MJsHY83JZL_n6CjWq11y1trT_CVXMMXAx2uYOWAwn0c/edit#heading=h.2zfdaoa]
145 years ago today - 145 years ago - Sep 25, 1873
[Wilford Woodruff]
I went to the Historians Office with O. Pratt to attend a Blessing meeting but no one Came & I returned home took my teams & went to the farm.
Felt all right when I left home but when I arived at the farm a vary Strange feeling Came over me. I turned out my Horses & went to bed & I vary soon felt as though I was Struck with death & Could not live. It seemed to be Paralysis & Death. I felt that I Could not live an hour. All my Blood, spirit, & life seemed to be leaving my limbs & Closing around my heart & vitals & I felt as though I would soon die. I sent for My wife Phebe & Br G. Q. Cannon. I also sent for my Neighbor Br Wm. Wagstaff to Come & lay hands upon me. A minute seemed an hour to me. Brother Wagstaff finally Came when I felt as though I was about to Give up the Ghost. He laid Hands upon me & I was liberated instaneously. Soon Mrs Woodruff G. Q. Cannon & B Young Jr arived. They also laid hands upom me then returned home.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I went to the Historians Office with O. Pratt to attend a Blessing meeting but no one Came & I returned home took my teams & went to the farm.
Felt all right when I left home but when I arived at the farm a vary Strange feeling Came over me. I turned out my Horses & went to bed & I vary soon felt as though I was Struck with death & Could not live. It seemed to be Paralysis & Death. I felt that I Could not live an hour. All my Blood, spirit, & life seemed to be leaving my limbs & Closing around my heart & vitals & I felt as though I would soon die. I sent for My wife Phebe & Br G. Q. Cannon. I also sent for my Neighbor Br Wm. Wagstaff to Come & lay hands upon me. A minute seemed an hour to me. Brother Wagstaff finally Came when I felt as though I was about to Give up the Ghost. He laid Hands upon me & I was liberated instaneously. Soon Mrs Woodruff G. Q. Cannon & B Young Jr arived. They also laid hands upom me then returned home.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
150 years ago today - 150 years ago - Sep 25, 1868
[Wilford Woodruff]
We started on our days Journey. We had not gone more than about half a mile Before Presidet Young stoped his team & shot at a wolf with a rifle Barrel pistol & it kicked & struck him in the nose & nearly broke it. The pain struck to his stomach & he fainted away & it took near half an hour to bring him to. It frightened us all.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
We started on our days Journey. We had not gone more than about half a mile Before Presidet Young stoped his team & shot at a wolf with a rifle Barrel pistol & it kicked & struck him in the nose & nearly broke it. The pain struck to his stomach & he fainted away & it took near half an hour to bring him to. It frightened us all.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
150 years ago today - 150 years ago - Sep 25, 1868
Last wagon train of pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley.
[Source: Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://lds.net/forums/topic/10668-church-chronology-from-1800-2000-part-1/]
[Source: Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://lds.net/forums/topic/10668-church-chronology-from-1800-2000-part-1/]
25 years ago today - Sep 25, 1993
CHURCH NEWS article "Jewish Congregations Note High Holy Days in LDS Meetinghouses," with explanation that this practice has continued for twenty years in Southern California because "many synagogues are unable to hold the large numbers wishing to attend Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services."
180 years ago today - Sep 25, 1838
Don Carlos Smith and George A. Smith leave on a mission to Kentucky and Tennessee to raise funds for Missouri Saints.
[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]
120 years ago today - Sep 25, 1898
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill]
Sunday. Lewiston. This is my birthday; 66 years old today. I went to Franklin, road very dusty.
[Source: Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Sunday. Lewiston. This is my birthday; 66 years old today. I went to Franklin, road very dusty.
[Source: Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
55 years ago today - Sep 24, 1963
[Senator Ralph Harding] I was on the House floor when that report [of Ezra Taft Benson's L.A. Speech] came in over the wires, the Associated Press and UPI. I was upset, and I stayed up there all night, taking that report and the information I had, and I wrote a speech criticizing Brother Benson for using his Church position to promote the [ultra-right] John Birch Society. Then I called Milan Smith, who was a staunch Republican and my stake president then. [Smith had been Benson's chief of staff during his eight years in the Department of Agriculture.] I told him I would appreciate it if he would come up to my office, that there was something that I needed to discuss with him. He did. I let him take the speech, and he went through it. He was crossing out things here and writing more there, and he toughened it up! He made it even tougher than I had. He, [former stake] President J. Willard Marriott and most of the leaders of the Church back here were very, very upset about Brother Benson's actions. Then I called President [Hugh B.] Brown. We didn't have faxes, so we sat right there in my office, with Milan Smith on an extension, and I read the speech to President Brown. After I finished he said, "Well, Brother Harding, can you stand the brickbats?" I said, "I think so, President Brown." But he said, "No, I mean can you really stand the brickbats?" I said, "I think so." He said, "You know this speech will probably defeat you." I said, "I realize there is a chance of that." He said, "Well, if you are willing to take that chance, and you are wide [sic] aware of the brickbats that are going to come your way, you can do the Church a real service by going ahead and delivering that speech." I said, "That's all I wanted to know, President Brown." So I gave it the next day. It broke loose, especially in Utah and Idaho!
[Source: Ralph R. Harding interview, October 24, 2000 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: Ralph R. Harding interview, October 24, 2000 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)]
80 years ago today - Sep 24, 1938
The Deseret News Church Section article "Are Men on Earth Gods in Embryo?"
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
115 years ago today - Sep 24, 1903; Thursday
A meeting of the First Presidency and Apostles was held this morning.
A letter was read from Mrs. Eliza M. Browning to President A[shael]. H. Woodruff, offering to sell Carthage Jail property for $4,000., Brother Woodruff having offered her $3,000., agreeable to instructions sent to him some time ago, at which time $5,000. was asked for it.
It became the sense of the meeting, on motion of Brother John Henry Smith, to purchase the property for $4,000, seconded by Brother Woodruff and carried.
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
A letter was read from Mrs. Eliza M. Browning to President A[shael]. H. Woodruff, offering to sell Carthage Jail property for $4,000., Brother Woodruff having offered her $3,000., agreeable to instructions sent to him some time ago, at which time $5,000. was asked for it.
It became the sense of the meeting, on motion of Brother John Henry Smith, to purchase the property for $4,000, seconded by Brother Woodruff and carried.
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
165 years ago today - Sep 24, 1853
[Hosea Stout]
This is a day of joy and rejoicing to the young people of this place. The last day of school which terminates with a dance & old and young become equal in actions & feeling[.] For my part I feel quite blithe & boyish[.] The "Fantastic toe" was tipped till ten at night when all retired peaceble & happy
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
This is a day of joy and rejoicing to the young people of this place. The last day of school which terminates with a dance & old and young become equal in actions & feeling[.] For my part I feel quite blithe & boyish[.] The "Fantastic toe" was tipped till ten at night when all retired peaceble & happy
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Sep 24, 1838
Governor Boggs orders several generals to discharge their troops, having heard that peace has been restored in Daviess and Caldwell Counties.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
40 years ago today - Sep 23, 1978
Mary Sturlaugson is the first African-American lady missionary.
[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 )]]
55 years ago today - Sep 23, 1963
Benson gave a talk in Los Angeles praising Birch Society founder Robert H. Welch. Unlike his earlier praise for Welch, Benson delivered these remarks to a meeting officially sponsored by the Birch Society and attended by 2,000 Birchers. He began his talk by announcing: "I am here tonight with the knowledge and consent of a great spiritual leader and patriot, the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President David O. McKay."
Welch had just published his most controversial book, The Politician. It accused former U.S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower of being "sympathetic to ultimate Communist aims, realistically and even mercilessly willing to help them achieve their goals, knowingly receiving and abiding by Communist orders, and consciously serving the Communist conspiracy, for all of his adult life."Benson publicly implied endorsement of the allegation.
Robert Welch had published the following in The Politician:
"Dwight Eisenhower ... became, automatically and immediately, captain and quarterback of the free-world team, in the fight against Communism. In our firm opinion he had been planted in that position, by Communists, for the purpose of throwing the game."
Benson was asked his opinion of Welch's statement, and replied simply that Eisenhower:
"supported me in matters of agriculture. In other areas we had differences."
[Source: Benson, "Let Us Live to Keep Men Free": An Address . . . at a Patriotic Testimonial Banquet for Robert Welch, sponsored by Friends and Members of TJte John Birch Society at the Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, California, September 23, 1963 (Los Angeles: N.p, 1963). 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.;Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
Welch had just published his most controversial book, The Politician. It accused former U.S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower of being "sympathetic to ultimate Communist aims, realistically and even mercilessly willing to help them achieve their goals, knowingly receiving and abiding by Communist orders, and consciously serving the Communist conspiracy, for all of his adult life."Benson publicly implied endorsement of the allegation.
Robert Welch had published the following in The Politician:
"Dwight Eisenhower ... became, automatically and immediately, captain and quarterback of the free-world team, in the fight against Communism. In our firm opinion he had been planted in that position, by Communists, for the purpose of throwing the game."
Benson was asked his opinion of Welch's statement, and replied simply that Eisenhower:
"supported me in matters of agriculture. In other areas we had differences."
[Source: Benson, "Let Us Live to Keep Men Free": An Address . . . at a Patriotic Testimonial Banquet for Robert Welch, sponsored by Friends and Members of TJte John Birch Society at the Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, California, September 23, 1963 (Los Angeles: N.p, 1963). 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.;Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
60 years ago today - Sep 23, 1958
[David O. McKay]
At 4 p.m. I had a consultation with Gordon Hinckley, Assistant to the Twelve, who had been appointed by me while in London to go to France and infestigate conditions at Mission Headquarters [regarding missionaries embracing fundementalist ideas]. He said that he had spent hours going through mission files and correspondence, and that he could find nothing that would lead to a suspicion of what was going on--that Elder Tucker and his followers were sworn to secrecy. Brother Hinckley said that he had gone to the dock to see the nine missionaries who had been excommunicated while in London who were living [sic] on a Greek liner for New York. He told them he did not come to preach to them; that they had had better men than he to talk to them (Elders Joseph Fielding Smith, Henry D. Moyle, Richard L. Evans, Hugh B. Brown, Bishop Thorpe B. Isaacson) but that he had come in the interest of their parents to see that they had enough money to get home safely; that he also wished to bear his testimony to them and to say to them that they would live to regret what they were doing on that day--leaving the mission field, probably for Mexico to practice their mistaken ideas. Brother Hinckley said all the missionaries, excepting Elder Tucker and one of the girls, seemed morose and down-cast.
[Source: McKay, David O., Office Journal]
At 4 p.m. I had a consultation with Gordon Hinckley, Assistant to the Twelve, who had been appointed by me while in London to go to France and infestigate conditions at Mission Headquarters [regarding missionaries embracing fundementalist ideas]. He said that he had spent hours going through mission files and correspondence, and that he could find nothing that would lead to a suspicion of what was going on--that Elder Tucker and his followers were sworn to secrecy. Brother Hinckley said that he had gone to the dock to see the nine missionaries who had been excommunicated while in London who were living [sic] on a Greek liner for New York. He told them he did not come to preach to them; that they had had better men than he to talk to them (Elders Joseph Fielding Smith, Henry D. Moyle, Richard L. Evans, Hugh B. Brown, Bishop Thorpe B. Isaacson) but that he had come in the interest of their parents to see that they had enough money to get home safely; that he also wished to bear his testimony to them and to say to them that they would live to regret what they were doing on that day--leaving the mission field, probably for Mexico to practice their mistaken ideas. Brother Hinckley said all the missionaries, excepting Elder Tucker and one of the girls, seemed morose and down-cast.
[Source: McKay, David O., Office Journal]
65 years ago today - Wed Sep 23, 1953
[David O. McKay]
Dr. Edward R. McKay called regarding contraceptives and the Church's stand toward their use. I told him that the Church cannot countenance contreceptives--marriage is for the purpose of having children and rearing a family. If a couple make modifications of this, the responsibility is theirs--they do not have the Church's sanction in the use of contraceptives, and the delaying of having children.
[Source: McKay, David O., Office Journal]
Dr. Edward R. McKay called regarding contraceptives and the Church's stand toward their use. I told him that the Church cannot countenance contreceptives--marriage is for the purpose of having children and rearing a family. If a couple make modifications of this, the responsibility is theirs--they do not have the Church's sanction in the use of contraceptives, and the delaying of having children.
[Source: McKay, David O., Office Journal]
170 years ago today - Sep 23, 1848 (Saturday)
Reuben Brinkworth, who had been deaf and dumb for five years, was restored to his speech and hearing under the administration of the Elders, at Newport, Monmouthshire, England.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
195 years ago today - Sep 23, 1823
Joseph Jr. gives his family a detailed description of the angel/spirit and golden plates in the family's evening conversations.
[Source: Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
[Source: Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
160 years ago today - Sep 22, 1858 (Wednesday)
The Deseret News resumed its publication in G.S.L. City, after publishing twenty numbers at Fillmore.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
190 years ago today - Sep 22, 1828
On this, the anniversary of Smith's Cumorah visits, Smith begins translating again, using his seer stone. Smith begins translating where he left off, know known as the Book of Mosiah.
[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]
190 years ago today - Sep 22, 1828
[After having them taken from him because of the loss of the 116 pages], Smith gets the gold plates and interpretation device back.
[Source: Whitney, Helen, Timeline: The Early History of the Mormons, A Frontline and American Experience Co-Production,
www.pbs.org/mormons/timeline/]
[Source: Whitney, Helen, Timeline: The Early History of the Mormons, A Frontline and American Experience Co-Production,
www.pbs.org/mormons/timeline/]
195 years ago today - Sep 22, 1823
At the Hill Cumorah, Joseph Smith digs out a large rock with a stick lever, and tries three times to lift out the plates, but is prevented by Moroni. Benjamin Saunders and Willard Chase (neighbors) said that Joseph described the Moroni as having a toad-like appearance: "When he took the plates there was something down near the box that looked some like a toad that rose up into a man which forbid him to take the plates ..." Oliver Cowdery said he was "prevented from obtaining the gold treasure by a thrice-repeated shock that was produced upon his system." He was told to to bring his brother Alvin in one year.
20 years ago today - Sep 21, 1998
Donny and Marie Osmond make their return to television as hosts of a talk show called The Donny and Marie Show. They had starred in a one-hour variety show from 1976 to 1979.
35 years ago today - Sep 21, 1983
A U.S. postage stamp honors Philo T. Farnsworth for the "First Television Camera." His electronic television transmission occurred in San Francisco in 1927.
[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 )]]
45 years ago today - Sep 21, 1973-Friday
[Leonard Arrington]
Brother Eldred G. Smith has had difficulty accepting his position. This goes back to the first talk he gave in conference in which he said "I deserved it, I grew up under it, and I should have had a position, and I am now glad that the brethren recognize this is the case." This is the way his mother brought him up-that he was to take over from his father-that he would take over his father's office and his father's position and so on, but when they eliminated the Quorum of Patriarchs and took that out from under his control and when they took him out of the office he became concerned and has been embittered ever since. Moreover he never says much about the patriarchs and their function. Brother Haycock thought that the talk he [Eldred G. Smith] gave in Munich [Germany] was the best talk he had ever given in a conference. Brother Haycock said that the person within his experience who had had the most difficulty to fitting into the pattern with the General Authorities was S. Dilworth Young. Many of the early talks that he gave in conference-very few of them got into the printed version in the Improvement Era because of the content and so on. ...
President Lee asked Brother Olson about the Wilford Wood materials. A sister or close relative of his had gone to President Lee and emphasized how important it was that the Church acquire this material because there were materials that could damage the Church if they got into the hands of enemies of the Church. President Lee had asked her to work out an arrangement to give them to the Church and she had tentatively assented but then she backed out after she had thought it over. Earl said that we had microfilmed what she had. President Lee seems to be interested in all of these acquisitions. He talked a little about the George Albert Smith papers and the unfortunate (to the family) manner in which one of the daughters [Emily Smith Stewert] of George Albert Smith had sold the papers to the University of Utah for something like $25,000. He said the same thing nearly occurred with the papers of President McKay. He thought it was important to get the Church's oar in before the papers were dispersed, and so he mentioned to the family the day after President McKay died the importance of turning the papers over to the Church. The family did turn over much. Some other papers were taken by the family to Huntsville [Utah] and they are there in the basement of the McKay home. They could very easily be stolen or tampered with or burned or flooded. President McKay's son [David Lawrence McKay] talked to Lauritz [Petersen] about them and Lauritz said, "Wait until he comes back from his mission," so we must take that up with him when he returns. President Lee thinks he will turn over the entire load to us. At one stage [President McKay's secretary] Clare Middlemiss thought that these scrapbooks and histories and diaries belonged to her because she compiled them. Earl said, "Is that proper that when a person does something on Church time, using Church facilities, Church money in the office as a part of her job, does she or he own them?" President Lee said he thought that Clare Middlemiss had a less intense interest in these things than she had once had. We have now got to find out how we can get access to these papers so that they can be used by the writers of our sesquicentennial and one-volume histories.
[Source: Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Brother Eldred G. Smith has had difficulty accepting his position. This goes back to the first talk he gave in conference in which he said "I deserved it, I grew up under it, and I should have had a position, and I am now glad that the brethren recognize this is the case." This is the way his mother brought him up-that he was to take over from his father-that he would take over his father's office and his father's position and so on, but when they eliminated the Quorum of Patriarchs and took that out from under his control and when they took him out of the office he became concerned and has been embittered ever since. Moreover he never says much about the patriarchs and their function. Brother Haycock thought that the talk he [Eldred G. Smith] gave in Munich [Germany] was the best talk he had ever given in a conference. Brother Haycock said that the person within his experience who had had the most difficulty to fitting into the pattern with the General Authorities was S. Dilworth Young. Many of the early talks that he gave in conference-very few of them got into the printed version in the Improvement Era because of the content and so on. ...
President Lee asked Brother Olson about the Wilford Wood materials. A sister or close relative of his had gone to President Lee and emphasized how important it was that the Church acquire this material because there were materials that could damage the Church if they got into the hands of enemies of the Church. President Lee had asked her to work out an arrangement to give them to the Church and she had tentatively assented but then she backed out after she had thought it over. Earl said that we had microfilmed what she had. President Lee seems to be interested in all of these acquisitions. He talked a little about the George Albert Smith papers and the unfortunate (to the family) manner in which one of the daughters [Emily Smith Stewert] of George Albert Smith had sold the papers to the University of Utah for something like $25,000. He said the same thing nearly occurred with the papers of President McKay. He thought it was important to get the Church's oar in before the papers were dispersed, and so he mentioned to the family the day after President McKay died the importance of turning the papers over to the Church. The family did turn over much. Some other papers were taken by the family to Huntsville [Utah] and they are there in the basement of the McKay home. They could very easily be stolen or tampered with or burned or flooded. President McKay's son [David Lawrence McKay] talked to Lauritz [Petersen] about them and Lauritz said, "Wait until he comes back from his mission," so we must take that up with him when he returns. President Lee thinks he will turn over the entire load to us. At one stage [President McKay's secretary] Clare Middlemiss thought that these scrapbooks and histories and diaries belonged to her because she compiled them. Earl said, "Is that proper that when a person does something on Church time, using Church facilities, Church money in the office as a part of her job, does she or he own them?" President Lee said he thought that Clare Middlemiss had a less intense interest in these things than she had once had. We have now got to find out how we can get access to these papers so that they can be used by the writers of our sesquicentennial and one-volume histories.
[Source: Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
120 years ago today - Wednesday, Sep 21, 1898
[Apostle John Henry Smith]
The Republicans held their primarys tonight to elect candidates to the Precinct and county Conventions. I was elected to both.
Political matters are running high.
[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 Republicans held their primarys tonight to elect candidates to the Precinct and county Conventions. I was elected to both.
Political matters are running high.
[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]
175 years ago today - Sep 21, 1843
William Clayton writes in his journal: "This A.M. he [Joseph Smith] came to talk with Lydia but she won't yet consent. She wants to tarry with her sisters." Lydia Moon, sister of two of Clayton's wives, had agreed to become a plural wife to Clayton but a week ago Joseph Smith informed Clayton that "the Lord had revealed to him that a man could only take 2 of a family except by express revelation . . . He finally asked if I would not give L[ydia] to him. I said I would so far as I had anything to do in it. He requested me to talk to her."
195 years ago today - Sep 21, 1823
Joseph Smith Senior tells Willard Chase (a neighbor and friend to the Smiths) that a spirit appeared to Joseph Smith on 21 September, 1823 and told him of gold plates to be retrieved on 22 September. The spirit instructed him to dress in black clothes, ride a black horse with a switch tail, demand the book in a certain name and, after getting it, take it away without laying it down. Joseph complied and found the box, opened the cover, removed the plates, but laid them down to put the cover back on the box. The plates disappeared and returned to the box. Smith tried to re-take the plates, but he saw something like a toad which soon assumed the appearance of a man and struck him [Smith] on the side of his head. It struck him again when he tried to take the plates again. The spirit told Smith he could not have them, as he had not obeyed the orders, and was instructed to return in one year with his oldest brother (Alvin)
[Source: Willard Chase Testimony; Palmyra Magic Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/palmyra-magic-timeline/]
[Source: Willard Chase Testimony; Palmyra Magic Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/palmyra-magic-timeline/]
195 years ago today - 21-Sep 22, 1823
During late night and early morning hours, Joseph Jr. has a vision of an "angel" or "spirit," who appears three times and tells him about the plates buried in a nearby hill. Lucy Mack Smith seems to separate Joseph's nocturnal angelic visitations from his discovery of the plates by about two months, dating the angelic visitations to harvest time in July 1823 and the visit to the hill on 22 September 1823. This gap conflicts with Joseph's own accounts which, when the 1832 account is corrected, consistently place the angel's visits on the evening of 21-22 September 1823 and the discovery of the plates on the day following.
[Source: Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
[Source: Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
195 years ago today - Sep 21, 1823
Joseph prays for forgiveness for his "foolish errors" and "weaknesses of youth," and is visited three times during the night by an angel named Moroni. Moroni tells him about a hidden book and quotes scriptures from the books of Acts, Joel, Isaiah, and Malachi. Moroni's quotation of Malachi is recorded as D&C 2. (According to Joseph's neighbors' later testimony, Joseph's "weaknesses of youth" consisted of fighting and drinking)
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
10 years ago today - 9/20/2008
[Proposition-8]
Wall St Journal reports: The Yes on 8 campaign has received "more proportionally from the Latter-day Saints Church than from any other faith," said Mr. Schubert, 35% to 40% of the total. The Mormon Church encouraged its members to send their donations to a separate post-office box set up by a church member, said Messrs. Schubert and L. Whitney Clayton, a senior Mormon Church official involved in the campaign. Mr. Clayton said the church didn't keep track of how much individual Mormons donated, just the cumulative total. He said members bundled the donations and forwarded them to the campaign.
[Source: Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
Wall St Journal reports: The Yes on 8 campaign has received "more proportionally from the Latter-day Saints Church than from any other faith," said Mr. Schubert, 35% to 40% of the total. The Mormon Church encouraged its members to send their donations to a separate post-office box set up by a church member, said Messrs. Schubert and L. Whitney Clayton, a senior Mormon Church official involved in the campaign. Mr. Clayton said the church didn't keep track of how much individual Mormons donated, just the cumulative total. He said members bundled the donations and forwarded them to the campaign.
[Source: Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
110 years ago today - Sep 20, 1908
[George F. Gibbs to John F. Tolton]
... it is not in order for Bishops to sign such recommends [for "second blessings"], for the reason that you alone are responsible for the worthiness of the parties recommended by you. It is taken for granted that you yourself have had your second blessings. If not[,] you had better not sign any more such recommends until you have seen President [Joseph F.] Smith.
[Source: George F. Gibbs to John F. Tolton, Sept. 20, 1908, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
... it is not in order for Bishops to sign such recommends [for "second blessings"], for the reason that you alone are responsible for the worthiness of the parties recommended by you. It is taken for granted that you yourself have had your second blessings. If not[,] you had better not sign any more such recommends until you have seen President [Joseph F.] Smith.
[Source: George F. Gibbs to John F. Tolton, Sept. 20, 1908, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
135 years ago today - Sep 20, 1883
[J.D.T. McAllister Diary]
Apostle B. Young addressed us. Second coming of Christ, progress of the Saints fullfilment of Prophecy, increase of the Saints from 143 pioneers. to one hundred and forty three thousand. and prophecied in 30 years our increase would be one hundred and forty three million.
[Source: Diary Excerpts of J.D.T. McAllister, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Apostle B. Young addressed us. Second coming of Christ, progress of the Saints fullfilment of Prophecy, increase of the Saints from 143 pioneers. to one hundred and forty three thousand. and prophecied in 30 years our increase would be one hundred and forty three million.
[Source: Diary Excerpts of J.D.T. McAllister, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Sep 20, 1853
"Uncle John" Smith, Presiding Patriarch, confers upon his son, apostle George A. Smith, "all the keys of the Patriarchal Priesthood that ever was sealed upon any man on the earth." He also says in the blessing, "all the inhabitants of the earth shall know that the Lord did choose the Smith family to build up Zion & did by them lay the foundation of this Church which shall never be overthrown neither shall the name of the Smith family be blotted out under Heaven." Despite Presiding Patriarch's dying request in 1854 that his son be his successor, Brigham Young instead chooses oldest son of Martyred Hyrum Smith.
170 years ago today - Sep 20, 1848
Brigham Young returns to Salt Lake City and never again leaves Great Basin.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
175 years ago today - Sep 20, 1843
Joseph marriage to Malissa Lott, age 19. (Allegations of sex). [Brian Hales reports this marriage may have been OKed by Emma Smith]
[Source: Affidavit of Melissa Willes, 3 Aug. 1893. Pages 98 and 105 of the Temple lot case; Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
[Source: Affidavit of Melissa Willes, 3 Aug. 1893. Pages 98 and 105 of the Temple lot case; Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
175 years ago today - Sep 20, 1843
[Nauvoo Neighbor Newspaper]
Story: "Porter Rockwell" -- Editorial -- Describing the rumors of Rockwell's attempt to murder Gov. Boggs.
- Ordinances: "An Ordinance Concerning Marriages." -- John C. Bennett, Mayor -- Passed Feb 17, 1842, James Sloan is listed as the recorder. Age of consent is set at 17 for boys and 14 for girls.
[Source: http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
Story: "Porter Rockwell" -- Editorial -- Describing the rumors of Rockwell's attempt to murder Gov. Boggs.
- Ordinances: "An Ordinance Concerning Marriages." -- John C. Bennett, Mayor -- Passed Feb 17, 1842, James Sloan is listed as the recorder. Age of consent is set at 17 for boys and 14 for girls.
[Source: http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
40 years ago today - Sep 19, 1978-Tuesday
[Leonard Arrington]
This morning Davis Bitton brought me a copy of "Book of Mormon Difficulties" by B. H. Roberts. He had obtained two copies from a friend; I did not ask him who the friend was, and he did not tell me. He was able to obtain one copy for me and one for himself. This document was apparently prepared by Roberts in 1921 and represents perhaps 300 pages. The pages are numbered as far as 280 and it looks like about another 100 or 150 pages after that. None of us have heard of the existence of this document until the last few weeks. As far as we are aware, it is not in our vault and we've never heard it mentioned in the vault of the First Presidency or the Joseph Fielding Smith safe. Last fall, about a year ago, Michael Marquardt telephoned to ask if I'd heard of it; I told him no. He said it does exist and he had seen a copy. [Discussion about who has seen it, and who has copies] ... In connection with what we had heard earlier from Michael Marquardt and attributed by him to Brigham Roberts the grandson, this was supposed to have been done near the end of his life and Roberts was about to leave the Church because his testimony had been destroyed as the result of this study. It is very clear that this could not have been the case. [A list of evidences that Roberts retained his testimony of the Book of Mormon] ...
Davis has and he is impressed with two things: 1. B. H.'s absolute honesty in pursuing the difficult questions, with courage and determination. 2. That he came to grips with every aspect of it and did not hesitate in coming to conclusions warranted by the evidence despite what they might do to traditional beliefs. For example: he admits quite candidly that the Book of Mormon could have been the production of one mind. There are in the back of the book some memos, one to Bob [Ben] Roberts from Mark Cannon-no date-and three memos of Michael Marquardt written last fall. Chapter 13 of the book is missing for some reason not explained except that it is mentioned as being missing in the document obtained from Brigham Roberts the grandson. The title of the chapter was "The Messiah in the New World-Quetzoquoatal." The document gives every appearance of being authentic. ...
Richard Roberts, head of the Department of History at Weber [State College] and a grandson of Brigham H. Roberts... told me a number of important and interesting things: 1. That the first wife [Sarah] Louisa [Smith Roberts] did not approve of B. H. taking plural wives, and she was largely alienated from him after he married the second wife. And she brought up her children to be alienated from him. It is his understanding that B. H. did not spend very much time with the first wife and family after the first plural marriage. The first wife more or less left the Church and her children were more or less brought up outside the Church, not only as non-Mormons but in practical respects as anti-Mormons. 2. If this general attitude was not true during the first years of plural marriage, it became definitely true when Roberts married just before [[actually, after]] the [1890] Manifesto Maggie Shipp. ....
The Way, the Truth and the Life, which is probably the single most brilliant work by a Latter-day Saint mind to this day.
The most important lesson indicated by this experience [a discussion with a board member of the Relief Society] is that the Relief Society are not very autonomous, even within their own organization. The brethren are not only directing Relief Society policy but also getting into the actual administration of the organization. ...
[Source: Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
This morning Davis Bitton brought me a copy of "Book of Mormon Difficulties" by B. H. Roberts. He had obtained two copies from a friend; I did not ask him who the friend was, and he did not tell me. He was able to obtain one copy for me and one for himself. This document was apparently prepared by Roberts in 1921 and represents perhaps 300 pages. The pages are numbered as far as 280 and it looks like about another 100 or 150 pages after that. None of us have heard of the existence of this document until the last few weeks. As far as we are aware, it is not in our vault and we've never heard it mentioned in the vault of the First Presidency or the Joseph Fielding Smith safe. Last fall, about a year ago, Michael Marquardt telephoned to ask if I'd heard of it; I told him no. He said it does exist and he had seen a copy. [Discussion about who has seen it, and who has copies] ... In connection with what we had heard earlier from Michael Marquardt and attributed by him to Brigham Roberts the grandson, this was supposed to have been done near the end of his life and Roberts was about to leave the Church because his testimony had been destroyed as the result of this study. It is very clear that this could not have been the case. [A list of evidences that Roberts retained his testimony of the Book of Mormon] ...
Davis has and he is impressed with two things: 1. B. H.'s absolute honesty in pursuing the difficult questions, with courage and determination. 2. That he came to grips with every aspect of it and did not hesitate in coming to conclusions warranted by the evidence despite what they might do to traditional beliefs. For example: he admits quite candidly that the Book of Mormon could have been the production of one mind. There are in the back of the book some memos, one to Bob [Ben] Roberts from Mark Cannon-no date-and three memos of Michael Marquardt written last fall. Chapter 13 of the book is missing for some reason not explained except that it is mentioned as being missing in the document obtained from Brigham Roberts the grandson. The title of the chapter was "The Messiah in the New World-Quetzoquoatal." The document gives every appearance of being authentic. ...
Richard Roberts, head of the Department of History at Weber [State College] and a grandson of Brigham H. Roberts... told me a number of important and interesting things: 1. That the first wife [Sarah] Louisa [Smith Roberts] did not approve of B. H. taking plural wives, and she was largely alienated from him after he married the second wife. And she brought up her children to be alienated from him. It is his understanding that B. H. did not spend very much time with the first wife and family after the first plural marriage. The first wife more or less left the Church and her children were more or less brought up outside the Church, not only as non-Mormons but in practical respects as anti-Mormons. 2. If this general attitude was not true during the first years of plural marriage, it became definitely true when Roberts married just before [[actually, after]] the [1890] Manifesto Maggie Shipp. ....
The Way, the Truth and the Life, which is probably the single most brilliant work by a Latter-day Saint mind to this day.
The most important lesson indicated by this experience [a discussion with a board member of the Relief Society] is that the Relief Society are not very autonomous, even within their own organization. The brethren are not only directing Relief Society policy but also getting into the actual administration of the organization. ...
[Source: Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
55 years ago today - Sep 19, 1963
The First Presidency and apostles decide to prevent the performance of BYU professor Clinton F. Larson's play 'The Redeemer' because of its portrayal of Mary Magdalene as the wife of Jesus. "President McKay [is] very much concerned about it, he having said there was no authoritative basis for such a conclusion-that we just didn't know." The performance occurs because it is sponsored by the Provo Recreation Department rather than BYU.
[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 )]]
125 years ago today - Sep 19, 1893
Zina Diantha Huntington Jacob Smith Young leads a prayer circle for Mary Ann Burnham Freeze in the Salt Lake Temple, who is then baptized for her health, confirmed, and administered to by male temple healers in the garden room.
[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]
125 years ago today - Sep 19, 1893
[Francis M. Lyman]
[Minersville-Milford] On the train we found the following brethren on their way to the penitentiary to serve sentences for living with their wives ... [Dalley, Jones, Barton] each for adultery with their own wives ... Judge Fudd was also on the train. I plead with him to use his influence with Marshall Brigham not to have the brethren shaved, He promised me he would do his best.
[Source: Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Minersville-Milford] On the train we found the following brethren on their way to the penitentiary to serve sentences for living with their wives ... [Dalley, Jones, Barton] each for adultery with their own wives ... Judge Fudd was also on the train. I plead with him to use his influence with Marshall Brigham not to have the brethren shaved, He promised me he would do his best.
[Source: Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Sep 19, 1853
John Alpheus Cutler: Organized "The True Church of Jesus Christ" 19 September 1853.
[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]
40 years ago today - Sep 18, 1978-Monday
[Leonard Arrington]
Earl Olson was visited by a security official who asked that the Library-Archives be closed down at noon on Saturday... Security had heard that there was to be a sit-in of women during the afternoon. Apparently there was a reception at 3:00 o'clock in advance of the evening meeting for women. This was a reception for General Authorities and wives, the officers and spouses of Relief Society and Young Women, and perhaps general boards. ... Gordon says there was absolutely no sign of anybody wanting to sit-in and that this was a false alarm. It reminds me of the many false alarms that came during the period of black difficulties, when we kept hearing that many carloads of blacks from California were headed for Salt Lake City and they were going to "take over" Temple Square. This got so far that priesthood members in various wards in Salt Lake City were mobilized to meet the problem, in case it developed. Of course nothing happened.
Alice Smith telephoned this morning, quite discouraged. She called to tell me she did not think the time was ripe to publish a history of the Relief Society. She thought this would be too damaging to the testimonies of LDS women who would read it because, if it tells the truth, it will relate the deterioration of the power and position of women in the Church and will be very depressing to women who care. She gave as examples the following: [First,] in 1964 when she went on the [general] board, the Relief Society visited every stake at least once a year; then as the number of stakes multiplied, they were given permission to visit 60 stakes each year, then still later 24, and the new instructions give them the opportunity of visiting only 12 stakes per year. Second, the Relief Society has lost its money, its magazine, its lessons, and its semi-annual conferences. The Church correlating group in charge of writing manuals has taken over their manual; the Presiding Bishopric has taken over their money; the Ensign has taken over their magazine; and in no case have they had a substitution for any of these. When she was visiting the stake in Virginia, she assured the women that they might phone up Barbara Smith and invite her to meet with them, but as they were about to do so, they received a letter which informed them that they were not to invite any member of the board or any member of the presidency without clearing it with the stake president. The stake president had to clear it with the regional representative; the regional representative had to clear it with the area supervisor; the area supervisor had to clear it with the Quorum of Twelve. And because of all this bureaucratic arrangement, it will be impossible now for any stake to be directly in touch with the central organization of the Relief Society. Not only will they not be able to visit the various stakes, but they can't even correspond with them directly. She says that plans are now to do things at the ward level, which will make it more difficult for the Relief Society to function. She did not reveal what those were, but said that it would occur soon. She is very discouraged. She has accumulated over the years a large supply of Relief Society instructions and materials and has written notes and kept a diary, and she called to know what to do with these. I made a number of suggestions to her; the one which seemed most attractive to her was to give them to BYU or USU so they could be used by girls doing masters theses at the university. Alice said the deterioration of the Relief Society began under President [Harold B.] Lee, under his Correlation program, and that many of his appointees are still functioning and still operating under his philosophy. Dean Larsen, for example, was a Lee protegee, and is now the advisor to the Relief Society. He and those with him are continuing to trim and trim power and authority from the Relief Society.
[Source: Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Earl Olson was visited by a security official who asked that the Library-Archives be closed down at noon on Saturday... Security had heard that there was to be a sit-in of women during the afternoon. Apparently there was a reception at 3:00 o'clock in advance of the evening meeting for women. This was a reception for General Authorities and wives, the officers and spouses of Relief Society and Young Women, and perhaps general boards. ... Gordon says there was absolutely no sign of anybody wanting to sit-in and that this was a false alarm. It reminds me of the many false alarms that came during the period of black difficulties, when we kept hearing that many carloads of blacks from California were headed for Salt Lake City and they were going to "take over" Temple Square. This got so far that priesthood members in various wards in Salt Lake City were mobilized to meet the problem, in case it developed. Of course nothing happened.
Alice Smith telephoned this morning, quite discouraged. She called to tell me she did not think the time was ripe to publish a history of the Relief Society. She thought this would be too damaging to the testimonies of LDS women who would read it because, if it tells the truth, it will relate the deterioration of the power and position of women in the Church and will be very depressing to women who care. She gave as examples the following: [First,] in 1964 when she went on the [general] board, the Relief Society visited every stake at least once a year; then as the number of stakes multiplied, they were given permission to visit 60 stakes each year, then still later 24, and the new instructions give them the opportunity of visiting only 12 stakes per year. Second, the Relief Society has lost its money, its magazine, its lessons, and its semi-annual conferences. The Church correlating group in charge of writing manuals has taken over their manual; the Presiding Bishopric has taken over their money; the Ensign has taken over their magazine; and in no case have they had a substitution for any of these. When she was visiting the stake in Virginia, she assured the women that they might phone up Barbara Smith and invite her to meet with them, but as they were about to do so, they received a letter which informed them that they were not to invite any member of the board or any member of the presidency without clearing it with the stake president. The stake president had to clear it with the regional representative; the regional representative had to clear it with the area supervisor; the area supervisor had to clear it with the Quorum of Twelve. And because of all this bureaucratic arrangement, it will be impossible now for any stake to be directly in touch with the central organization of the Relief Society. Not only will they not be able to visit the various stakes, but they can't even correspond with them directly. She says that plans are now to do things at the ward level, which will make it more difficult for the Relief Society to function. She did not reveal what those were, but said that it would occur soon. She is very discouraged. She has accumulated over the years a large supply of Relief Society instructions and materials and has written notes and kept a diary, and she called to know what to do with these. I made a number of suggestions to her; the one which seemed most attractive to her was to give them to BYU or USU so they could be used by girls doing masters theses at the university. Alice said the deterioration of the Relief Society began under President [Harold B.] Lee, under his Correlation program, and that many of his appointees are still functioning and still operating under his philosophy. Dean Larsen, for example, was a Lee protegee, and is now the advisor to the Relief Society. He and those with him are continuing to trim and trim power and authority from the Relief Society.
[Source: Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
130 years ago today - Sep 18, 1888
[Wilford Woodruff]
The Tribune is full of wrath this morning because George Q Cannon gave himself up yesterday without the ring having Power to arest him and be made a Marter of. The ring are Mad Becaus the New Govornor does not persecute the saints the same as Judge Zane.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The Tribune is full of wrath this morning because George Q Cannon gave himself up yesterday without the ring having Power to arest him and be made a Marter of. The ring are Mad Becaus the New Govornor does not persecute the saints the same as Judge Zane.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
150 years ago today - Sep 18, 1868
Presidet Young spoke 35 minuts & said He read from the Book of Life keep the word of wisdom, Lay up the grain, Stop traiding with the Gentiles or I will Cut you off from the Church for it is time. Let Every one stop drinking Coffee, tea, whiskey, Tobaco for this is the word of God unto you & you will be Cut off if you do not.
[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]
175 years ago today - Sep 18, 1843. Monday.
[William Clayton]
...Joseph and I rode out to borrow money, drank wine at Sister Lyons. P.M. I got $50 of Sister Lyons and paid it to D. D. Yearsley. [Silvia was legally married to Windsor P. Lyon, and also married to Joseph Smith.]
[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]
...Joseph and I rode out to borrow money, drank wine at Sister Lyons. P.M. I got $50 of Sister Lyons and paid it to D. D. Yearsley. [Silvia was legally married to Windsor P. Lyon, and also married to Joseph Smith.]
[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 - Sep 18, 1838
[Missouri War]
After receiving reports of disturbances, Governor Boggs orders out two thousand troops and prepares to lead march to western Missouri.
[Source: LeSueur, Stephen C., The 1838 Mormon War in Missouri, Appendix: Chronology of Events in Missouri, 1838-1839]
After receiving reports of disturbances, Governor Boggs orders out two thousand troops and prepares to lead march to western Missouri.
[Source: LeSueur, Stephen C., The 1838 Mormon War in Missouri, Appendix: Chronology of Events in Missouri, 1838-1839]
30 years ago today - Sep 17, 1988
The LDS church joins the VISN television network (Vision Interfaith Satellite Network) sponsored jointly by different religious organizations; renamed the "Faith and Values Channel."
[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 )]]
40 years ago today - Sep 17, 1978
The first episode of the TV series Battlestar Gallactica, created, written, and produced by Church member Glen A. Larson, airs on ABC. The story line of the series incorporates many LDS beliefs and doctrines.
125 years ago today - Sep 17, 1893
[Francis M. Lyman]
... I also bore down very heavy on the Word of Wisdom. Declared that the filthy stinking tobacco smokers and chewers should not be permitted to enter the presence of the Savior at his coming.
[Source: Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
... I also bore down very heavy on the Word of Wisdom. Declared that the filthy stinking tobacco smokers and chewers should not be permitted to enter the presence of the Savior at his coming.
[Source: Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Sep 17, 1888
[Wilford Woodruff]
President George Q. Cannon was indicted on saturday again for Cohabitation and this Morning He went into Court and Delivered himself up to the Court & Plead guilty to the Indictment and the Court sentenced him on the first Count 75 days imprisionment & $200 dollars fine and the second Count 100 days & $250 dollars fine total 175 days imprisionment & $450 dollars fine. He was taken in to the Penetentiary by Marshal Dyer who was accompanied by C. W. Wilkin H. B. Clawson & James Jack. The Marshal told the Warden to treat him Kindly. He will have all the Privileges the rules Can afford. We Parted in good spirits. This leaves me in a Measure alone for 5 Months but I will do the best I Can.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
President George Q. Cannon was indicted on saturday again for Cohabitation and this Morning He went into Court and Delivered himself up to the Court & Plead guilty to the Indictment and the Court sentenced him on the first Count 75 days imprisionment & $200 dollars fine and the second Count 100 days & $250 dollars fine total 175 days imprisionment & $450 dollars fine. He was taken in to the Penetentiary by Marshal Dyer who was accompanied by C. W. Wilkin H. B. Clawson & James Jack. The Marshal told the Warden to treat him Kindly. He will have all the Privileges the rules Can afford. We Parted in good spirits. This leaves me in a Measure alone for 5 Months but I will do the best I Can.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Sep 17, 1843. Sunday.
[William Clayton]
I had some talk with Lydia. She seems to receive it kindly but says she has promised her mother not to marry while her mother lives and she thinks she won't.
[Clayton had asked Joseph Smith if he (Clayton) could marry Lydia Moon. Clayton was already married to two Moon sisters. Smith replied with a revelation stating that more than two wives was likely to cause "wrangles." After informing Clayton of the revelation, Smith asked if Clayton minded if he (Smith) married Moon instead, who which Clayton agreed. Clayton asked Moon on behalf on Smith. The preceding is Clayton's synopsis of his conversation with Lydia Moon.]
[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]
I had some talk with Lydia. She seems to receive it kindly but says she has promised her mother not to marry while her mother lives and she thinks she won't.
[Clayton had asked Joseph Smith if he (Clayton) could marry Lydia Moon. Clayton was already married to two Moon sisters. Smith replied with a revelation stating that more than two wives was likely to cause "wrangles." After informing Clayton of the revelation, Smith asked if Clayton minded if he (Smith) married Moon instead, who which Clayton agreed. Clayton asked Moon on behalf on Smith. The preceding is Clayton's synopsis of his conversation with Lydia Moon.]
[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 - Sep 17, 1843
Joseph Smith instructs the Sunday congregation that it is wrong to have "men among women, and women among men," and segregates the congregation by gender.
[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]
40 years ago today - Sep 16, 1978
The first conference for LDS females over age eleven is broadcast over closed-circuit radio to meeting houses. Although not part of general conference, as is the male equivalent, this is the first step in giving LDS females a meeting similar to that which Mormon males have experienced since 1830. In Sept. 1993 this is divided into the Relief Society's and Young Women's "general meeting."
[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 )]]
85 years ago today - Sep 16, 1933
A Deseret News Church Section full-page article, "The Problem of Isaiah in the Book of Mormon" by Sidney B. Sperry and H. Grant Vest. This is an example of the LDS leadership's delayed acceptance of B.H. Robert's recommendation a decade earlier to openly confront the textual problems in Mormon scriptures. Roberts dies eleven days after this article. On 30 Sept. the Church Section prints "The Synoptic Problem in Its Relation To Modern Revelation," and "The Johannine Problem In Its Relation To Modern Revelation" on 7 Oct.
[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 )]]
110 years ago today - Sep 16, 1908; Wednesday
[George F. Richards]
The question of necessity for ordaining Presidents of Seventies considered and decided that it is not necessary to ordain a President of Seventy. It is sufficient to set them apart.
[Source: George F. Richards, Diary]
The question of necessity for ordaining Presidents of Seventies considered and decided that it is not necessary to ordain a President of Seventy. It is sufficient to set them apart.
[Source: George F. Richards, Diary]
135 years ago today - Sep 16, 1883
[Patriarchal Blessing of William Wadley given by Zebedee Coltrin] ... And thou shalt enter the courts of the kings and many of the nobles of the earth shall have and reverence that gospel thou shalt preach unto them. ...
And thou shalt become a mighty prophet in the midst of the Zion of the Lord. And thou shalt be wrapped in the visions of the heavens and shall be clothed with salvation as with a garment. And the Angels of the Lord shall administer unto thee, and converse with thee face to face, and shall make known unto thee the high laws of heaven. ...
And thou shalt become a mighty tiller of the earth, and shall understand all the princiiples [principles] of the cultivation of the soil. ... And thy sons shalt become mighty men before their Lord, and shall be filled with the wisdom of the heavens, and many of them shall become Prophets, and Apostles, Seers and revelators before the Lord, and be kings and priests unto the most high. ... And thy daughters shall be women of great renown, clothed upon with all the principles of eternal salvation, and their sons shall become mighty men before the Lord, and shall remain and reign upon the earth a Thousand years with the Lord, And their daughters shall be holy women and become the mothers of holy, sanctified men and shall dwell in the midst of the sanctified of the Lord.
... I seal all these blessings upon thy head and thee up unto all the powers of exaltation, of thrones, and dominions and powers of eternal lives, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . . Amen.
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
And thou shalt become a mighty prophet in the midst of the Zion of the Lord. And thou shalt be wrapped in the visions of the heavens and shall be clothed with salvation as with a garment. And the Angels of the Lord shall administer unto thee, and converse with thee face to face, and shall make known unto thee the high laws of heaven. ...
And thou shalt become a mighty tiller of the earth, and shall understand all the princiiples [principles] of the cultivation of the soil. ... And thy sons shalt become mighty men before their Lord, and shall be filled with the wisdom of the heavens, and many of them shall become Prophets, and Apostles, Seers and revelators before the Lord, and be kings and priests unto the most high. ... And thy daughters shall be women of great renown, clothed upon with all the principles of eternal salvation, and their sons shall become mighty men before the Lord, and shall remain and reign upon the earth a Thousand years with the Lord, And their daughters shall be holy women and become the mothers of holy, sanctified men and shall dwell in the midst of the sanctified of the Lord.
... I seal all these blessings upon thy head and thee up unto all the powers of exaltation, of thrones, and dominions and powers of eternal lives, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ . . . . Amen.
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
30 years ago today - Sep 15, 1988
Mark Hofmann attempts suicide by way of a drug overdose. He is rushed to the University of Utah Health Sciences Center.
[Source: Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,]
[Source: Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,]
35 years ago today - Sep 15, 1983-Thursday
[Leonard Arrington]
Took Harriet to the B. H. Roberts Symposium last night. ... Brooke Hopkins: Mormons are unusually interested in what they look like to outsiders. It would be a relief if, when someone discovers a fault, it would be openly discussed. When individuals become so concerned with their image that they try to fix the image instead of dealing with the problems underneath, what they [other people] think of us is more important than what we think of ourselves or what God thinks of us. Mormon history suggests that we began as radicals, non-conformists. Exciting to be a Mormon then. Deeply opposed to American culture. ... Now the Mormons seek acceptance, yearn for a good image. An ambivalent situation, a contradiction: inordinately concerned with their image to others-spend $12 million on a Reader's Digest series. Yet claim to be the true religion which is different from that of "the world." An inordinate fear of disclosure with a cost in emotional and spiritual terms. A public relations church. Masks the fear of facing truth. How we must appear to God, how we can reconcile with the New Testament which would give us self respect. The need to find approval is comic. Even if we convince others that we are great, it only puts dealing with the real problems off.
[Source: Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Took Harriet to the B. H. Roberts Symposium last night. ... Brooke Hopkins: Mormons are unusually interested in what they look like to outsiders. It would be a relief if, when someone discovers a fault, it would be openly discussed. When individuals become so concerned with their image that they try to fix the image instead of dealing with the problems underneath, what they [other people] think of us is more important than what we think of ourselves or what God thinks of us. Mormon history suggests that we began as radicals, non-conformists. Exciting to be a Mormon then. Deeply opposed to American culture. ... Now the Mormons seek acceptance, yearn for a good image. An ambivalent situation, a contradiction: inordinately concerned with their image to others-spend $12 million on a Reader's Digest series. Yet claim to be the true religion which is different from that of "the world." An inordinate fear of disclosure with a cost in emotional and spiritual terms. A public relations church. Masks the fear of facing truth. How we must appear to God, how we can reconcile with the New Testament which would give us self respect. The need to find approval is comic. Even if we convince others that we are great, it only puts dealing with the real problems off.
[Source: Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
55 years ago today - Sep 15, 1963
President Joseph Fielding Smith of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles dedicates the new Liberty Jail Visitors' Center on the site where his grandfather, Hyrum Smith, and great-uncle, Joseph Smith, were incarcerated with others during the winter of 1838–39.
120 years ago today - Sep 15, 1898
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Attended meeting at Temple. It did look grand to see Presidency intact and well. all feel thankful to have Pres[idents]. [George Q.] Cannon & [Joseph F.] Smith in their old places. It seems to me that Pres[ident] Cannon does not have confidence in me as he used to have. He may have reason for it. I know that I do not follow his suggestions without question as I used to do. I know that God loves him and I know that we all love him and we pray for his health and long life.
[Source: Brigham Young Jr. Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
Attended meeting at Temple. It did look grand to see Presidency intact and well. all feel thankful to have Pres[idents]. [George Q.] Cannon & [Joseph F.] Smith in their old places. It seems to me that Pres[ident] Cannon does not have confidence in me as he used to have. He may have reason for it. I know that I do not follow his suggestions without question as I used to do. I know that God loves him and I know that we all love him and we pray for his health and long life.
[Source: Brigham Young Jr. Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
130 years ago today - Sep 15, 1888
[Heber J. Grant]
Bro George Q Cannon informed me a few days ago that it was his intention to surrender himself to the court and go to the penitentiary for '2unlawful cohabitation'. He said he had had assurances that he should not be sentenced for more than six months. I certainly think it is wisdom for him to purchase his liberty at this price.
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
Bro George Q Cannon informed me a few days ago that it was his intention to surrender himself to the court and go to the penitentiary for '2unlawful cohabitation'. He said he had had assurances that he should not be sentenced for more than six months. I certainly think it is wisdom for him to purchase his liberty at this price.
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
175 years ago today - Sep 15, 1843
William Clayton writes in his journal: "President Joseph told me he had lately had a new item of law revealed to him in relation to myself. He said the Lord had revealed to him that a man could only take 2 of a family except by express revelation and as I had said I intended to take Lydia he made this known for my benefit. To have more than two in a family was apt to cause wrangles and trouble. He finally asked if I would not give L[ydia] to him. I said I would so far as I had anything to do in it. He requested me to talk to her." Lydia Moon, who had just turned 17, was the younger sister of two of Clayton's wives: legal wife Ruth Moon and his first plural wife Margaret Moon. Clayton had been courting Lydia to become his plural wife until Joseph Smith told him of the recently-revealed "new item of law." Clayton talked to Lydia Moon about becoming Joseph's plural wife but she never would agree to it. She later apostatized from the Church.
175 years ago today - Sep 15, 1843
Joseph puts up a sign in front of the Nauvoo Mansion stating that because of "cruel and untiring persecution," he is no longer able to provide free room and board to so many visitors, as he has been doing in the mansion. "I have been reduced to the necessity of opening 'The Mansion' as a hotel. I have provided the best table accommodations in the city; and the Mansion, being large and convenient, renders travelers more comfortable than any other place on the Upper Mississippi." The mansion also has a 75-horse stable.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
40 years ago today - Sep 14, 1978-Thursday
[Leonard Arrington]
Reminiscences Things I Have Done as Church Historian Since 1972 That I Am Most Proud Of
... Proud that we were able to break the old rule of personnel and Church employment which required women to be terminated after six months of pregnancy. We were able to break this rule through Maureen [Ursenbach] Beecher. Once having been broken, it is now general policy that women may work until they wish to quit. But the next step was even more difficult-to get Church personnel to agree to allow women a few weeks leave, after which they might resume employment. We were able to get them to do this for Maureen and thus the pattern was set for other women in Church employment as well. ...
Proud that we were able to produce the wonderful one-volume history The Story of the Latter-day Saints, by Jim Allen and Glen Leonard. I recognize that this has been under somewhat of a cloud because of Brother [Ezra Taft] Benson's and Brother [Mark E.] Petersen's objections, but others of the Quorum of the Twelve and other General Authorities are very complimentary, and this includes President [Spencer W.] Kimball himself, who says he read it, thought it was splendid, and could not understand why Brother Benson and Brother Petersen did not like it. This is a major step forward in understanding this book and a major step forward in LDS history and is a milestone in LDS historiography.
5. Proud of our arranging the contracts for the 16-volume sesquicentennial history-that each of the sixteen persons we asked agreed to sign; and proud despite the cloud over the work of the History Division that these contracts have been reaffirmed and the work is proceeding satisfactorily. We have one of these manuscripts already completed and others expected to be completed by the end of the year, the remainder in 1979 and 1980. [This project was cancelled by Boyd K. Packer]
6. Proud that we have been instrumental in the preparation of other books which make important contributions to LDS history [books listed] ... this with full knowledge and approval of my associates and all of us have felt that this tactic was for the good of the Church and kingdom. Nevertheless it is my desire to be open and honest and it has troubled my conscience to have to resort to the diplomatic deception. ... 10. I regret that my own services or the services of my colleagues have not been used by the First Presidency, Church authorities, and Church departments as consultants on historical matters. We have not been invited, for example, to give historical addresses at the dedication of important buildings, plaques, sites, etc. These have usually been given by the prophet, by Elder Petersen, or by Wendell Ashton, and these have not consulted us in the preparation of the talks they have given. This seems to me unthinkable and inexcusable-that those of us who know intimately our history have not been involved in the preparation of historical addresses. This means that many myths have been perpetrated and perpetuated, which means that the next generation of historians will have the problem of correcting these myths.
[Regrets the failure of organizing a 'Friends of Church History' group] ... Bro. Hunter telephoned me and told me not to do anything until we got the approval of the First Presidency. I then presented this matter at our next meeting with President Lee and counselors and they gave us some counsel but did not caution us against organizing, just expressed some misgivings. ... So the whole "brilliant idea" was dropped and the momentum of enthusiasm that had been built up fell like a ton of lead. We were embarrassed, humiliated, and set back in our public relations and good will and simply not able to get the idea back to the First Presidency for their stamp of approval because of the misgivings and cautions of our advisers and our managing directors. ...
[Source: Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Reminiscences Things I Have Done as Church Historian Since 1972 That I Am Most Proud Of
... Proud that we were able to break the old rule of personnel and Church employment which required women to be terminated after six months of pregnancy. We were able to break this rule through Maureen [Ursenbach] Beecher. Once having been broken, it is now general policy that women may work until they wish to quit. But the next step was even more difficult-to get Church personnel to agree to allow women a few weeks leave, after which they might resume employment. We were able to get them to do this for Maureen and thus the pattern was set for other women in Church employment as well. ...
Proud that we were able to produce the wonderful one-volume history The Story of the Latter-day Saints, by Jim Allen and Glen Leonard. I recognize that this has been under somewhat of a cloud because of Brother [Ezra Taft] Benson's and Brother [Mark E.] Petersen's objections, but others of the Quorum of the Twelve and other General Authorities are very complimentary, and this includes President [Spencer W.] Kimball himself, who says he read it, thought it was splendid, and could not understand why Brother Benson and Brother Petersen did not like it. This is a major step forward in understanding this book and a major step forward in LDS history and is a milestone in LDS historiography.
5. Proud of our arranging the contracts for the 16-volume sesquicentennial history-that each of the sixteen persons we asked agreed to sign; and proud despite the cloud over the work of the History Division that these contracts have been reaffirmed and the work is proceeding satisfactorily. We have one of these manuscripts already completed and others expected to be completed by the end of the year, the remainder in 1979 and 1980. [This project was cancelled by Boyd K. Packer]
6. Proud that we have been instrumental in the preparation of other books which make important contributions to LDS history [books listed] ... this with full knowledge and approval of my associates and all of us have felt that this tactic was for the good of the Church and kingdom. Nevertheless it is my desire to be open and honest and it has troubled my conscience to have to resort to the diplomatic deception. ... 10. I regret that my own services or the services of my colleagues have not been used by the First Presidency, Church authorities, and Church departments as consultants on historical matters. We have not been invited, for example, to give historical addresses at the dedication of important buildings, plaques, sites, etc. These have usually been given by the prophet, by Elder Petersen, or by Wendell Ashton, and these have not consulted us in the preparation of the talks they have given. This seems to me unthinkable and inexcusable-that those of us who know intimately our history have not been involved in the preparation of historical addresses. This means that many myths have been perpetrated and perpetuated, which means that the next generation of historians will have the problem of correcting these myths.
[Regrets the failure of organizing a 'Friends of Church History' group] ... Bro. Hunter telephoned me and told me not to do anything until we got the approval of the First Presidency. I then presented this matter at our next meeting with President Lee and counselors and they gave us some counsel but did not caution us against organizing, just expressed some misgivings. ... So the whole "brilliant idea" was dropped and the momentum of enthusiasm that had been built up fell like a ton of lead. We were embarrassed, humiliated, and set back in our public relations and good will and simply not able to get the idea back to the First Presidency for their stamp of approval because of the misgivings and cautions of our advisers and our managing directors. ...
[Source: Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
55 years ago today - Sep 14, 1963
President David O. McKay dedicates a monument in Kansas City, Missouri, commemorating the establishment of the city's first school, which was erected by the Colesville Saints in 1831.
85 years ago today - Sep 14, 1933
[Minutes of the Seventies]
Elders Albert J. Southwick and Richard L. Evans came to the office today for the purpose of being ordained seventies but upon consulting with them, Pres. [B. H.] Roberts stated that they were loathe to accept the responsibility of the office of seventy and in discussing their cases it was learned that their KSL broadcasting and Tabernacle choir work would prevent them from attending their quorum meetings. Their ordination will be left to the one who will ordain those who were not present on September 3, 1933, to be ordained in the 18th ward.
[Source: Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015, Appendix 1: Minutes of the Seventies, 1837-1933, Excerpts]
Elders Albert J. Southwick and Richard L. Evans came to the office today for the purpose of being ordained seventies but upon consulting with them, Pres. [B. H.] Roberts stated that they were loathe to accept the responsibility of the office of seventy and in discussing their cases it was learned that their KSL broadcasting and Tabernacle choir work would prevent them from attending their quorum meetings. Their ordination will be left to the one who will ordain those who were not present on September 3, 1933, to be ordained in the 18th ward.
[Source: Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015, Appendix 1: Minutes of the Seventies, 1837-1933, Excerpts]
120 years ago today - Sep 14, 1898 (Wednesday)
The State Democratic convention held in Salt Lake City nominated [General Authority] Brigham H. Roberts for Congress...
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
120 years ago today - Sep 14, 1898; Wednesday
[Franklin D. Richards]
There are said to be 3 or 5 detectives from the East in Utah seeking out our condition as to Polygamy & illegal cohabitation.
[Source: Franklin D. Richards, Diary]
There are said to be 3 or 5 detectives from the East in Utah seeking out our condition as to Polygamy & illegal cohabitation.
[Source: Franklin D. Richards, Diary]
130 years ago today - Friday, Sep 14, 1888
[John Henry Smith]
Bp. R. T. Burton and I had an interview with Bp. John Taylor and J. H. Martineau about his, Bro. Martineau's, immoral conduct.
We held three meetings today, one being that of the High Council. It was unanimously agreed that Bro. J. H. Martineau should make a public confession of his wrong doing and if forgiven by the people to renew his covenants by Baptism. He said he would do so.
[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]
Bp. R. T. Burton and I had an interview with Bp. John Taylor and J. H. Martineau about his, Bro. Martineau's, immoral conduct.
We held three meetings today, one being that of the High Council. It was unanimously agreed that Bro. J. H. Martineau should make a public confession of his wrong doing and if forgiven by the people to renew his covenants by Baptism. He said he would do so.
[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 - Sep 14, 1878
First Primary established by Aurelia Spencer at the direction of the Relief Society. At first the Primary function under the Relief Society, but by 1890 the Primary Association became a separate Church auxiliary with its own general board.
[Source: Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
[Source: Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
180 years ago today - Sep 14, 1838
William Dryden tells Governor Boggs that he, with ten men as guards, has tried to serve a writ against certain Saints for the incident of Aug. 8 with Adam Black, but the "Mormons" are so well armed that it is impossible to enforce any laws in Caldwell or Daviess counties.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
25 years ago today - Sep 13, 1993
The Council of Religious Affairs of the Council of Ministers in The Soviet Union approves the registration of the Leningrad Branch of the Church. The approval marks formal Soviet Union recognition of the Church for the first time.
40 years ago today - Sep 13, 1978
In a BYU oral-history interview Russel B. Swensen recalls a seminar given in 1927 by apostle John A. Widsoe: "Brother John A. Widtsoe had courses, trying to provide these seminary men with a rational perspective on the relation of science and religion. . . . [Widtsoe] converted me to the biological theory of evolution. . . . I thought . . . that the theory of evolution was cut and dried. But Brother Widtsoe in his very tentative and very cautious way didn't openly advocate it, but presented the theory so basically and so logically that, in part, it led to my accepting [it]."
55 years ago today - Sep 13, 1963
[Richard L. Evans to First Presidency]
* (1) You have given us an assignment to improve the temple ceremony as it is presented in the one-room temples, and in Los Angeles, on film and sound track for the various language groups. (2) You have given us permission to do this at Brigham Young University at a time when we could dedicate the studio and set it apart for this purpose. (3) Doing this in the Salt Lake Temple or other temple would [again] require virtually making a motion picture studio of some part of the temple, including special lighting, cameras, stage facilities, etc. (4) Brigham Young University's motion picture facilities are crowded so they [BYU President Ernest L. Wilkinson and Wetzel O. Whitaker of the BYU Motion Picture Studio] propose to add a new sound stage at a cost of $91,000 which could be dedicated, locked up, and set apart for this purpose during the periods when these films are not being made. They have made approximately 50 Church films, and are in the process of making more, and need the additional sound stage anyway.
[Source: Richard L. Evans to the First Presidency, Sept. 13, 1963; typed excerpt in Buerger Papers, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
* (1) You have given us an assignment to improve the temple ceremony as it is presented in the one-room temples, and in Los Angeles, on film and sound track for the various language groups. (2) You have given us permission to do this at Brigham Young University at a time when we could dedicate the studio and set it apart for this purpose. (3) Doing this in the Salt Lake Temple or other temple would [again] require virtually making a motion picture studio of some part of the temple, including special lighting, cameras, stage facilities, etc. (4) Brigham Young University's motion picture facilities are crowded so they [BYU President Ernest L. Wilkinson and Wetzel O. Whitaker of the BYU Motion Picture Studio] propose to add a new sound stage at a cost of $91,000 which could be dedicated, locked up, and set apart for this purpose during the periods when these films are not being made. They have made approximately 50 Church films, and are in the process of making more, and need the additional sound stage anyway.
[Source: Richard L. Evans to the First Presidency, Sept. 13, 1963; typed excerpt in Buerger Papers, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
120 years ago today - Sep 13, 1898
[LeRoi Clarence Snow]
[After news of Woodruff's death, Lorenzo Snow] put on his holy temple robes and repaired to the Second Annointing room [i.e., Holy of Holies], knelt at the altar, offered up the sacred signs of the Priesthood and poured out his heart to the Lord. ... I have not sought this responsibility but if it is Thy will, I now present myself before Thee for Thy guidance and instruction. ... After he had finished, he expected some special manifestation from the Lord; but there was none, and he left the altar and the room in disappointment. Passing thru the Celestial room and as he entered the large hall-way leading from the room a most remarkable manifestation was given President Snow which I relate in the words of his grand-daughter, included in a testimony which I bore during the M.I.A. conference, in the special session Sunday morning, in the Assembly Hall, June 7th, 1919, at 8:30 A.M. ... Allie Young Pond, the wife of one of the presidency of the Pocatello [Idaho] Stake, is a granddaughter of President Brigham Young and of President Lorenzo Snow, and here is an incident which occurred in her life: 'One evening while I was visiting grand-pa Snow in his room in the Salt Lake Temple, I remained until the door keepers had gone, so grand-pa had to take me to the main front entrance and let me out that way. On the way, after we left his room and while we were still in the large corridor leading to the celestial room, grand-pa stopped and said: `Wait a moment, Allie, I want to tell you something. It was right here that the Savior Jesus Christ appeared to me. He stood about three feet above floor (here grand-pa put his hand out to show about the height) and it looked as though he stood on a piece of solid gold and I talked with him as one man talks with another. It was at that time that He told me not to wait or delay until the regular conference of the Church, but to go ahead, call a special conference and complete the organization of the Church, and that I was to succeed President Wilford Woodruff as president.' He then placed one hand upon my head and said: `Now, grand-daughter I want you to remember that this is your grand-father's testimony and that he told you with his own lips that he actually saw the Savior and talked with him face to face as one man talks with another.'' Amen.
President Heber J. Grant immediately arose and said: '... After the funeral of President Wilford Woodruff, the Apostles met in the office of the First Presidency and brother Francis M. Lyman said: `I feel impressed, although one of the younger members of the quorum, to say that I believe it would be pleasing in the sight of the Lord if the First Presidency of the church was reorganized right now. ...' President Snow said that he would be pleased to hear from all the brethren upon this question, and each and all of us expressed ourselves as believing it would be pleasing to the Lord and that it would be the proper thing to have the Presidency organized at once. When we had finished, then and not till then, did brother Snow tell us that he was instructed of the Lord in the Temple the night President Woodruff died, to organize the presidency of the Church at once. President Anthon H. Lund and myself are the only men now living who were present at that meeting. ... ' A few days after the M.I.A. conference, in an interview with President Lund in his office, he retold the incident to me as given by President Grant regarding the meeting in the office of the First Presidency on Tuesday morning, September 13th, 1898 at which Lorenzo Snow was chosen president of the Church. President Lund also told me that President Snow had related the manifestation to him, of the Savior's appearance to him after dressing in his temple robes and offering up the signs of the holy Priesthood.
[Source: LeRoi Clarence Snow, 'The Appearance of the Saviour to Pres. Lorenzo Snow', as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[After news of Woodruff's death, Lorenzo Snow] put on his holy temple robes and repaired to the Second Annointing room [i.e., Holy of Holies], knelt at the altar, offered up the sacred signs of the Priesthood and poured out his heart to the Lord. ... I have not sought this responsibility but if it is Thy will, I now present myself before Thee for Thy guidance and instruction. ... After he had finished, he expected some special manifestation from the Lord; but there was none, and he left the altar and the room in disappointment. Passing thru the Celestial room and as he entered the large hall-way leading from the room a most remarkable manifestation was given President Snow which I relate in the words of his grand-daughter, included in a testimony which I bore during the M.I.A. conference, in the special session Sunday morning, in the Assembly Hall, June 7th, 1919, at 8:30 A.M. ... Allie Young Pond, the wife of one of the presidency of the Pocatello [Idaho] Stake, is a granddaughter of President Brigham Young and of President Lorenzo Snow, and here is an incident which occurred in her life: 'One evening while I was visiting grand-pa Snow in his room in the Salt Lake Temple, I remained until the door keepers had gone, so grand-pa had to take me to the main front entrance and let me out that way. On the way, after we left his room and while we were still in the large corridor leading to the celestial room, grand-pa stopped and said: `Wait a moment, Allie, I want to tell you something. It was right here that the Savior Jesus Christ appeared to me. He stood about three feet above floor (here grand-pa put his hand out to show about the height) and it looked as though he stood on a piece of solid gold and I talked with him as one man talks with another. It was at that time that He told me not to wait or delay until the regular conference of the Church, but to go ahead, call a special conference and complete the organization of the Church, and that I was to succeed President Wilford Woodruff as president.' He then placed one hand upon my head and said: `Now, grand-daughter I want you to remember that this is your grand-father's testimony and that he told you with his own lips that he actually saw the Savior and talked with him face to face as one man talks with another.'' Amen.
President Heber J. Grant immediately arose and said: '... After the funeral of President Wilford Woodruff, the Apostles met in the office of the First Presidency and brother Francis M. Lyman said: `I feel impressed, although one of the younger members of the quorum, to say that I believe it would be pleasing in the sight of the Lord if the First Presidency of the church was reorganized right now. ...' President Snow said that he would be pleased to hear from all the brethren upon this question, and each and all of us expressed ourselves as believing it would be pleasing to the Lord and that it would be the proper thing to have the Presidency organized at once. When we had finished, then and not till then, did brother Snow tell us that he was instructed of the Lord in the Temple the night President Woodruff died, to organize the presidency of the Church at once. President Anthon H. Lund and myself are the only men now living who were present at that meeting. ... ' A few days after the M.I.A. conference, in an interview with President Lund in his office, he retold the incident to me as given by President Grant regarding the meeting in the office of the First Presidency on Tuesday morning, September 13th, 1898 at which Lorenzo Snow was chosen president of the Church. President Lund also told me that President Snow had related the manifestation to him, of the Savior's appearance to him after dressing in his temple robes and offering up the signs of the holy Priesthood.
[Source: LeRoi Clarence Snow, 'The Appearance of the Saviour to Pres. Lorenzo Snow', 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 - Sep 13, 1898
Quorum of Twelve Apostles sustains Lorenzo Snow as church president with two counselors. Snow then tells them "that he had heard rumors of people thinking that plural marriages could be contracted. He wanted it understood that this can not be done." Concerning post-manifesto plural marriages authorized by his predecessor Snow adds, "As to things which have happened in the past, I do not want to talk about them."
120 years ago today - Sep 13, 1898; Tuesday
[Minutes of the Quorum of the Twelve]
At 10 o'clock this morning the Council of the Apostles met at the President's office...
Elder Lyman, speaking to this question, said he was reminded of the time when the Council was together after the death of President [John] Taylor, and the feeling of President Woodruff at that time; he was also reminded of President Woodruff's feelings, as expressed on different occasions during his administration, to the effect that whenever he died, the First Presidency of the Church should be organized without delay. "And if the Lord should manifest to you, President Snow, that it was the proper thing to do now, I am prepared to not only vote for a Trustee-in-trust, but for the President of the Church". Bro[ther]. Lyman added that he saw no reason why this action should not be taken at the present meeting, giving the President time, if he desired it, to choose his counselors. He remarked that after the death of Joseph Smith, three years lapsed before the First Presidency was organized; after the death of President [Brigham] Young, it also took three years to organize the First Presidency; after the death of Pres[ident]. Taylor, eighteen months elapsed, and the speaker believed that if the Council had been in harmony, no such interval would have occurred, but the Presidency would have been reorganized earlier. He believed the right thing to do now was to organize the First Presidency, and this act would tend to create confidence at home and abroad. ...
Jos[eph]. F. Smith: "I move that that be the sense of this meeting".
The motion was seconded by Bro[ther]. Cowley.
President Snow asked if there were any further remarks. Several of the brethren called for the question, whereupon Pres[ident]. Snow asked Elder Jos[eph]. F. Smith to put the motion. This being done, it was carried unanimously, and Lorenzo Snow was thus sustained by the Council of the Apostles, as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Pres[ident]. Snow then arose and said: There was no use in his making excuses as to inability, etc., to assume the vast responsibilities involved in the position to which he had been elected. He felt that it was for him to do the very best he could and depend upon the Lord. He knew the action taken by the Council was according to the mind and will of the Lord, who had shown and revealed to him several days ago that the First Presidency should be organized before the next conference. He had been feeling a little gloomy, and perhaps a little discouraged at the prospect, and the vast responsibility that would naturally fall upon him as President of the Twelve Apostles, and with this feeling he went before the Lord, offered up the signs of the Holy Priesthood and called upon Him to let light come to his mind. His prayer was answered, the Lord manifesting unto him clearly what he should do; also in regard to the counselors he should select when he became President of the Church, "And[,]" said he, "In accordance with the light given me, I now present to you the name of Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon as my first counselor, and of Joseph F. Smith as my second counselor".
Several of the brethren, speaking at the same time, seconded the choice of counselors, and the brethren named had expressed themselves upon the subject--Bro[ther]. Cannon to the effect that he was willing to act in this capacity, or any other, if he could have the love and confidence of his brethren, and Bro[ther]. Smith to the effect that since the Lord had manifested his will in this matter, he had nothing to say, except that he was perfectly willing to act in this or any other position, and would do all he could to sustain the hands of the President in righteousness before the Lord.
Pres[ident]. Snow, before calling for the vote, said, "I have not mentioned this matter to any person, either man or woman. I, wanted to see what the feelings of the brethren were. I wanted to see if the same spirit which the Lord manifested to me was in you. I had confidence in you that the Lord would indicate to you that this was proper and according to his mind and will. I do not feel that I should be over-anxious in regard to anything pertaining to the work of the Lord. I had one revelation or manifestation in my early career which became my star, so to speak, and which I have always had before my mind. I put the meaning of it into couplet form, as follows:
"As man is, God once was;
"As God is, man may be".
That was revealed to me with power; the Holy Ghost was upon me for a long time, and I knew it was my privilege to be like Him whom I afterwards knew was my Father and God. As John the Apostle says, "We are now the sons of God; when He shall appear we shall be like Him", etc. We must act as far as we possibly can like God while we are in the flesh, and I know we can reach that degree of perfection. Now brethren, I shall do the best I can, as God shall give me wisdom and power. I sense keenly my own weakness and inability, but I appreciate the fact that God can make strong. If I know my own heart, the administration about to be ushered in shall not be known as Lorenzo Snow's, but as God's in Lorenzo Snow. As to things which have happened in the past, I do not want to talk about them; it will become us as servants of the Lord to go to work and meet the difficulties before us, as the Lord shall aid and assist us. ..."
The vote was then taken approving unanimously the President's choice of counselors.
M[atthias]. F. Cowley now moved, and the motion was carried, that Lorenzo Snow be sustained as Trustee-in-trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Pres[ident]. Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon suggested that the President of the Twelve Apostles be appointed, and on motion of F[ranklin]. M. Lyman, Franklin D. Richards was unanimously sustained to act in that position.
... On motion of Bro[ther]. Grant, it was decided to make public in this evening's paper, the action of the Council in organizing the First Presidency and appointing the Trustee-in-trust and the President of the Twelve Apostles.
The Council then adjourned.
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
At 10 o'clock this morning the Council of the Apostles met at the President's office...
Elder Lyman, speaking to this question, said he was reminded of the time when the Council was together after the death of President [John] Taylor, and the feeling of President Woodruff at that time; he was also reminded of President Woodruff's feelings, as expressed on different occasions during his administration, to the effect that whenever he died, the First Presidency of the Church should be organized without delay. "And if the Lord should manifest to you, President Snow, that it was the proper thing to do now, I am prepared to not only vote for a Trustee-in-trust, but for the President of the Church". Bro[ther]. Lyman added that he saw no reason why this action should not be taken at the present meeting, giving the President time, if he desired it, to choose his counselors. He remarked that after the death of Joseph Smith, three years lapsed before the First Presidency was organized; after the death of President [Brigham] Young, it also took three years to organize the First Presidency; after the death of Pres[ident]. Taylor, eighteen months elapsed, and the speaker believed that if the Council had been in harmony, no such interval would have occurred, but the Presidency would have been reorganized earlier. He believed the right thing to do now was to organize the First Presidency, and this act would tend to create confidence at home and abroad. ...
Jos[eph]. F. Smith: "I move that that be the sense of this meeting".
The motion was seconded by Bro[ther]. Cowley.
President Snow asked if there were any further remarks. Several of the brethren called for the question, whereupon Pres[ident]. Snow asked Elder Jos[eph]. F. Smith to put the motion. This being done, it was carried unanimously, and Lorenzo Snow was thus sustained by the Council of the Apostles, as President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Pres[ident]. Snow then arose and said: There was no use in his making excuses as to inability, etc., to assume the vast responsibilities involved in the position to which he had been elected. He felt that it was for him to do the very best he could and depend upon the Lord. He knew the action taken by the Council was according to the mind and will of the Lord, who had shown and revealed to him several days ago that the First Presidency should be organized before the next conference. He had been feeling a little gloomy, and perhaps a little discouraged at the prospect, and the vast responsibility that would naturally fall upon him as President of the Twelve Apostles, and with this feeling he went before the Lord, offered up the signs of the Holy Priesthood and called upon Him to let light come to his mind. His prayer was answered, the Lord manifesting unto him clearly what he should do; also in regard to the counselors he should select when he became President of the Church, "And[,]" said he, "In accordance with the light given me, I now present to you the name of Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon as my first counselor, and of Joseph F. Smith as my second counselor".
Several of the brethren, speaking at the same time, seconded the choice of counselors, and the brethren named had expressed themselves upon the subject--Bro[ther]. Cannon to the effect that he was willing to act in this capacity, or any other, if he could have the love and confidence of his brethren, and Bro[ther]. Smith to the effect that since the Lord had manifested his will in this matter, he had nothing to say, except that he was perfectly willing to act in this or any other position, and would do all he could to sustain the hands of the President in righteousness before the Lord.
Pres[ident]. Snow, before calling for the vote, said, "I have not mentioned this matter to any person, either man or woman. I, wanted to see what the feelings of the brethren were. I wanted to see if the same spirit which the Lord manifested to me was in you. I had confidence in you that the Lord would indicate to you that this was proper and according to his mind and will. I do not feel that I should be over-anxious in regard to anything pertaining to the work of the Lord. I had one revelation or manifestation in my early career which became my star, so to speak, and which I have always had before my mind. I put the meaning of it into couplet form, as follows:
"As man is, God once was;
"As God is, man may be".
That was revealed to me with power; the Holy Ghost was upon me for a long time, and I knew it was my privilege to be like Him whom I afterwards knew was my Father and God. As John the Apostle says, "We are now the sons of God; when He shall appear we shall be like Him", etc. We must act as far as we possibly can like God while we are in the flesh, and I know we can reach that degree of perfection. Now brethren, I shall do the best I can, as God shall give me wisdom and power. I sense keenly my own weakness and inability, but I appreciate the fact that God can make strong. If I know my own heart, the administration about to be ushered in shall not be known as Lorenzo Snow's, but as God's in Lorenzo Snow. As to things which have happened in the past, I do not want to talk about them; it will become us as servants of the Lord to go to work and meet the difficulties before us, as the Lord shall aid and assist us. ..."
The vote was then taken approving unanimously the President's choice of counselors.
M[atthias]. F. Cowley now moved, and the motion was carried, that Lorenzo Snow be sustained as Trustee-in-trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Pres[ident]. Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon suggested that the President of the Twelve Apostles be appointed, and on motion of F[ranklin]. M. Lyman, Franklin D. Richards was unanimously sustained to act in that position.
... On motion of Bro[ther]. Grant, it was decided to make public in this evening's paper, the action of the Council in organizing the First Presidency and appointing the Trustee-in-trust and the President of the Twelve Apostles.
The Council then adjourned.
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
120 years ago today - Sep 13, 1898
An account of a private interview with Pres[iden]t. [Wilford] Woodruff Dec[ember]. 2 1892 at Salt Lake City. ... And when I go I want you, Brother [Lorenzo] Snow, not to delay but organize The First Presidency, take George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith for your councillors, they are good, wise, and men of experience.' Of course I was much surprised, and said, Pres[iden]t. Woodruff, am I to receive this as a revelation? I do not call to mind the words of his answer but they were such as gave me the impression that he wished me to regard it as such. Without thought or considering the impropriety of such a question, I continued'Pres[iden]t. Woodruff, is this the place I am to occupy? He hesitated a moment then replied 'It is according to the order.' I asked, if he had mentioned this matter to his councillors? He said 'No, not to any one.' I told him I wished he would, I understood from his answer that he would do so. This interview was brief'As we arose to return to the Pres[iden]t's Office, he said, 'Now Brother Snow do not neglect to organize as I have told you, it may prevent much trouble.' L[orenzo Snow].
[Source: 'Brigham City Dec. 3rd 1892', as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Source: 'Brigham City Dec. 3rd 1892', 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 - Sep 12, 1933
[J. Reuben Clark]
Bro Ivins brought up the question of endorsing NRA in Conference. I took no part in the discussion. Bro. Grant felt we should not do so.'Bro Ivins also brought up the question reworking the final clauses of his Washington speech. Having to go to the Banks' meetings, he left us to discuss the questions. We decided that Bro. Ivins should say what he wished. I told Bro. Grant I had in mind speaking at conference about our "issues" and that we would be much happier if we would hang to demonstrated revealed truth. I said in view of Bro. Ivin's attitude, perhaps it would be better if I said nothing. Bro Grant said he thought the discussion timely and that I should go forward with it.
[Source: The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
Bro Ivins brought up the question of endorsing NRA in Conference. I took no part in the discussion. Bro. Grant felt we should not do so.'Bro Ivins also brought up the question reworking the final clauses of his Washington speech. Having to go to the Banks' meetings, he left us to discuss the questions. We decided that Bro. Ivins should say what he wished. I told Bro. Grant I had in mind speaking at conference about our "issues" and that we would be much happier if we would hang to demonstrated revealed truth. I said in view of Bro. Ivin's attitude, perhaps it would be better if I said nothing. Bro Grant said he thought the discussion timely and that I should go forward with it.
[Source: The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
90 years ago today - Sep 12, 1928
[Heber J. Grant]
Sister Minerva Young called and I promised upon my return from California to have a visit with Joseph William Taylor regarding the status of his mother's marriage to Joseph E. Taylor. Sister Young thought that their sealing had been cancelled and said that Sister Taylor would be very grateful if she could be sealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith. I told her I could not consent to anything of that kind without consulting the Smith family.
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
Sister Minerva Young called and I promised upon my return from California to have a visit with Joseph William Taylor regarding the status of his mother's marriage to Joseph E. Taylor. Sister Young thought that their sealing had been cancelled and said that Sister Taylor would be very grateful if she could be sealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith. I told her I could not consent to anything of that kind without consulting the Smith family.
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
135 years ago today - Sep 12, 1883
[Wilford Woodruff]
I Attended the funeral of Sister Elizabeth Knight Johnson. She was Baptized when a girl in Nov 1830 By Hyram Smith. She had Been in the Church about as long as any Person Living. I gave her last Endowments.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I Attended the funeral of Sister Elizabeth Knight Johnson. She was Baptized when a girl in Nov 1830 By Hyram Smith. She had Been in the Church about as long as any Person Living. I gave her last Endowments.
[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 - Sep 12, 1858
Church historian's office notes discovery this morning of severed head of Provo woman who has been at U.S. military camp for a week. Six weeks earlier another woman's decapitated head is discovered. These are earliest verified examples of someone taking literally the repeated teachings of Mormon leaders that apostates and adulterers should have their heads cut off as "blood atonement" for their sins.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
175 years ago today - Sep 12, 1843
[Wilford Woodruff]
[Woodruff's train] engine was thrown from the track in consequence of a rail being raised 8 inches by some designing miscrant. The force was such that It drove the engine about 5 rods ahead and smashed it to peaces with the Baggage cars piled [on] top of it & the first passengers cars followed in its train & mounted the pile and instantly killed /about 8 feet high throwing the passen[gers?] [--]/.
... The lives of many were in danger, & it seemed a mystery that so little injury comparatively was done. Four cars were filled with passengers & had not the force been broaken by the baggage cars many lives would have been lost. The Baggage car soon was on fire which was with difficulty extinguished. The fireman was thrown about 3 rods & escaped with a slight injury. But the engineer Mr Adams from Portland was buried beneath the pile & instantly Killed. The ruins had to be removed before the body of the enigneer could be obtained. ...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Woodruff's train] engine was thrown from the track in consequence of a rail being raised 8 inches by some designing miscrant. The force was such that It drove the engine about 5 rods ahead and smashed it to peaces with the Baggage cars piled [on] top of it & the first passengers cars followed in its train & mounted the pile and instantly killed /about 8 feet high throwing the passen[gers?] [--]/.
... The lives of many were in danger, & it seemed a mystery that so little injury comparatively was done. Four cars were filled with passengers & had not the force been broaken by the baggage cars many lives would have been lost. The Baggage car soon was on fire which was with difficulty extinguished. The fireman was thrown about 3 rods & escaped with a slight injury. But the engineer Mr Adams from Portland was buried beneath the pile & instantly Killed. The ruins had to be removed before the body of the enigneer could be obtained. ...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Sep 12, 1838
Governor Boggs receives a communication from Daviess County charging the "Mormons" with every crime imaginable. Sixty or more mobbers enter the town of De Witt (Carroll County) and warn the Saints to leave at once.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
10 years ago today - September 11
A Mormon Bishop, at the direction of higher authorities, visits home of a church member who set up a website opposing the church position on Prop 8, and asks for resignation before threatening excommunication.
[Source: Latter-Day Army: Details of Mormons and Prop 8, http://www.stopthemormons.com/?p=486]
[Source: Latter-Day Army: Details of Mormons and Prop 8, http://www.stopthemormons.com/?p=486]
10 years ago today - 9/11/2008
Andrew Callahan asked to resign [from the church] due to his involvement in sending letters to various local leaders regarding SSM. His disciplinary action was later postponed after he made media aware he was being disciplined as a result of his work on Prop 8.
[Source: Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
[Source: Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
40 years ago today - Sep 11, 1978-Monday
[Leonard Arrington]
Bill Critchlow ... said that Alvin Dyer was a first cousin [once removed] to Clare Middlemiss and he said that this helps to explain Alvin's call to be a member of the First Presidency and to be an apostle. It also helps to explain his aggressiveness and forwardness and confidence in functioning as a member of the First Presidency. He also said that Alvin Dyer was a great apple-polisher.
[Source: Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Bill Critchlow ... said that Alvin Dyer was a first cousin [once removed] to Clare Middlemiss and he said that this helps to explain Alvin's call to be a member of the First Presidency and to be an apostle. It also helps to explain his aggressiveness and forwardness and confidence in functioning as a member of the First Presidency. He also said that Alvin Dyer was a great apple-polisher.
[Source: Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
45 years ago today - Sep 11, 1973
The overthrow and death of Salvador Allende, democratically elected president of Chile where Mormons are a higher percentage of the population than in the U.S. Allende is a Marxist, and the LDS mission president's non-missionary assistant proclaims that "the Lord played a part in the overthrow of that communist government," possibly a knowing reference to alleged role of Anaconda Copper's LDS executive Charles Jay Parkinson in financing Allende's overthrow. When asked about LDS socialists who are among the thousands who soon "disappear" by orders of dictator Augusto Pinochet, Chile's regional representative Robert E. Wells replies: "If he had to shoot anyone the great majority deserved it since they were terrorists. The U.S. bleeding heart press doesn't understand the local situation." Wells becomes a general authority in 1976.
[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 - Sep 11, 1913; Thursday
The question had arisen as to the origin of Baptism for health by Bro[ther]. Hyrum M. Smith, seeking information on this subject.
President Smith remarked that it had been customary to baptize for health from the early rise of the Church, and he related specific incidents showing the good effects resulting therefrom.
Pres[iden]t. Lund also related incidents of a like character which had taken place in the Manti temple, and remarked that there evidently exists some connection between forgiveness of sin and healing, and that this understanding obtained in the days of the Savior and the Apostles afterwards. And while he felt that we should not encourage the idea of baptism for health, he felt that we should not discourage it when the desire was prompted by those asking permission to be baptized for their health. ...
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
President Smith remarked that it had been customary to baptize for health from the early rise of the Church, and he related specific incidents showing the good effects resulting therefrom.
Pres[iden]t. Lund also related incidents of a like character which had taken place in the Manti temple, and remarked that there evidently exists some connection between forgiveness of sin and healing, and that this understanding obtained in the days of the Savior and the Apostles afterwards. And while he felt that we should not encourage the idea of baptism for health, he felt that we should not discourage it when the desire was prompted by those asking permission to be baptized for their health. ...
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
115 years ago today - Sep 11, 1903
The first polygamous marriage performed in Canada by authorization of President Joseph F. Smith. Patriarch John A. Woolf performs this plural marriage and several others until the end of 1905.
[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 )]]
125 years ago today - Sep 11, 1893
The World Parliament of Religions refuses to admit LDS delegates.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
165 years ago today - Sep 11, 1853
Brigham Young says there will be temple in Scotland. Joseph Smith once made similar promise to Apostle Parley P. Pratt.
[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 )]]
185 years ago today - Sep 11, 1833
A council meets in Kirtland to consider the expediency of a press there and proposes that the paper be called the Latter Day Saint Messenger and Advocate. The Star will also be transferred to Kirtland, with Oliver Cowdery as editor. A council is held in Jackson County, Missouri. Bishop Partridge is acknowledged as head of the Church in Zion, and ten high priests are chosen to preside over the ten branches there.
W. W. Phelps sings a song about the tribulations of the Nephites in tongues and Lyman Wight interprets the tongues.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
W. W. Phelps sings a song about the tribulations of the Nephites in tongues and Lyman Wight interprets the tongues.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
30 years ago today - Sep 10, 1988
The bishopric of the Boise, Idaho 20th ward mails a letter on Church stationary to ward members. "In meetings with the area presidency, our stake presidency committed to raise funds for Consider [Consider is a political group opposing an Idaho State Lottery]. The assignment to our ward is to, among its members, raise $2,000 by Sep 15th. The urgency of this request does not allow for individual, person-to-person contact. Please, consider your resources, decide what would be an appropriate response to this request, and make a contribution to Consider. Checks need to be made out directly to Consider and collected on a ward basis. They can be turned in to a member of the bishopric or mailed in the enclosed envelope." The letter is signed by Bishop Gordon J. Stevens,
60 years ago today - Sep 10, 1958
Under instructions by the First Presidency, Apostle Henry D. Moyle conducts a mass excommunication in London, England, of nine American missionaries from the French Mission. Led by a counselor to the mission president, these missionaries converted in France to the necessity of continuing polygamy. Immediately after, most affiliate with the Church of the Firstborn of the Fulness of Times, headquartered in Mexico.
[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 )]]
125 years ago today - Sep 10, 1893
[Francis M. Lyman]
I then spoke of the financial condition of the Church and asked the Saints to come to the rescue with their tithes and offerings. At close of meeting I instructed the Bishops to hunt up men in their wards who have money and borrow it for the church ...
[Source: Francis M. Lyman Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
I then spoke of the financial condition of the Church and asked the Saints to come to the rescue with their tithes and offerings. At close of meeting I instructed the Bishops to hunt up men in their wards who have money and borrow it for the church ...
[Source: Francis M. Lyman Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
160 years ago today - Sep 10, 1858
[Wilford Woodruff]
I learned this morning that there was another Row on East Temple street last evening. Two Gamblers shot each other. One was shot dead. The other had a Ball in his head & one in his thigh. Another man was found dead in a woodpile. He was a Draggoon who was unmercifully beat a few days ago by a Lieut.
Thus we have the fruits of Christianity & Civilization as manifest in the world introduced into our Territory.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I learned this morning that there was another Row on East Temple street last evening. Two Gamblers shot each other. One was shot dead. The other had a Ball in his head & one in his thigh. Another man was found dead in a woodpile. He was a Draggoon who was unmercifully beat a few days ago by a Lieut.
Thus we have the fruits of Christianity & Civilization as manifest in the world introduced into our Territory.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
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