Apostle Bruce R. McConkie preaches to combined stakes of BYU that second coming of Jesus Christ will not be in his lifetime or in lifetime of his children or his grandchildren. This runs contrary to the common folk belief that Christ will come in year 2000 or shortly thereafter.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]
55 years ago today - Oct 31, 1966
T]he First Presidency counselors and Twelve's president regarded Benson's October 1966 conference talk as a criticism of every general authority except David O. McKay. "From this talk," Counselor N. Eldon Tanner noted, "one would conclude that Brother Benson and President McKay stand alone among the General Authorities on the question of freedom."
[N. Eldon Tanner to Joseph Fielding Smith, 31 Oct. 1966. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
[N. Eldon Tanner to Joseph Fielding Smith, 31 Oct. 1966. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
75 years ago today - Oct 31, 1946
[J. Reuben Clark]
Talked to Bro. Petersen about the word Jehovah and asked if he could find anything to show that the Lord is the Jehovah in the Bible.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
Talked to Bro. Petersen about the word Jehovah and asked if he could find anything to show that the Lord is the Jehovah in the Bible.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
85 years ago today - Oct 31,1936
First Presidency publishes unsigned editorial in Deseret News, which argues against re-election of Democratic president Franklin D. Roosevelt. Editorial, written by J. Reuben Clark, accuses F.D.R. of unconstitutional and Communist activities. In response one thousand Mormons angrily cancel their subscriptions to the News. Three days later, 69.3 percent of Utah's voters help re-elect Roosevelt. Utah's electorate re-elects F.D.R. again (1940,1944), despite First Presidency's opposition.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]
100 years ago today - Oct 31, 1921
The position we take in regard to the Bible you I have no doubt feebly understand; that is that the bible is (or contains) the word of God so far as it is translated correctly. That does not positively make the book as a whole an inspired presentation of the Word of God. There are matters in it that are historical and some of se may be of the character set forth by the 'higher criticisms'. That Moses is the accredited author of the Pentateuch is sustained by the Book of Mormon, and is the view held by our Church [which is questioned by some higher criticism scholarship]. It is evident that the five books passed through other hands than Moses, after his day and time. The closing chapter of Deuteronomy proves that, and there are some other things also in other parts of the Pentateuch which indicate that they have been revised at a later date than the days of Moses, but taking them as a whole Moses is considered by the Church as the author of those five books. It is generally understood that Jonah was a real individual. However it is barely possible that the story is one of those parables common in the writing of the time in which Jonah lived. It does not matter whether that is actually the case or not, the purpose and intent of the book are excellent and have several very grand lessons. These constitute the value of the work. It is of little significance as to whether Jonah was a real individual or one chosen by the writer of the book to write what is set forth therein. It is held by the Church that Job was a real character. It is barely possible that the book was one of the kind prevailing in olden times, setting forth certain principles in the form of a parable, as it was with the parables of Jesus Christ when in the flesh. That is not of very great importance so long as the doctrines contained in the work are correct. It is understood by the church that the Book of Isaiah is one book [questioned by higher criticism]; that is, that the writer of the first part and the latter part is one individual prophet, not two. The answer yes or no positively to such questions is unwise and should not be undertaken by one representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ... 'Higher criticism' has lost ground as time goes on. The conclusions it conveys are matters of opinion, and diligent inquiry and the conclusions of the best opinions do not sustain notions entertained by the advocates of that 'criticism.' It is certainly not sustained by the authorities of the Church.
[Charles W. Penrose, for the First Presidency, Letter to Joseph W. McMurrin, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Charles W. Penrose, for the First Presidency, Letter to Joseph W. McMurrin, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
100 years ago today - Oct 31, 1921
[Charles W. Penrose for the First Presidency]
In the absence of President Grant I am replying to your letter dated October 26th, with the support of Prest. Ivins, who is united with me in the views I herein express. The position we take in regard to the Bible you I have no doubt feebly understand; that is that the bible is (or contains) the word of God so far as it is translated correctly. That does not positively make the book as a whole an inspired presentation of the Word of God. There are matters in it that are historical and some of se may be of the character set forth by the 'higher criticisms'. That Moses is the accredited author of the Pentateuch is sustained by the Book of Mormon, and is the view held by our Church. It is evident that the five books passed through other hands than Moses, after his day and time. The closing chapter of Deuteronomy proves that, and there are some other things also in other parts of the Pentateuch which indicate that they have been revised at a later date than the days of Moses, but taking them as a whole Moses is considered by the Church as the author of those five books. It is generally understood that Jonah was a real individual. However it is barely possible that the story is one of those parables common in the writing of the time in which Jonah lived. It does not matter whether that is actually the case or not, the purpose and intent of the book are excellent and have several very grand lessons. These constitute the value of the work. It is of little significance as to whether Jonah was a real individual or one chosen by the writer of the book to write what is set forth therein. It is held by the Church that Job was a real character. It is barely possible that the book was one of the kind prevailing in olden times, setting forth certain principles in the form of a parable, as it was with the parables of Jesus Christ when in the flesh. That is not of very great importance so long as the doctrines contained in the work are correct. It is understood by the church that the Book of Isaiah is one book; that is, that the writer of the first part and the latter part is one individual prophet, not two. The answer yes or no positively to such questions is unwise and should not be undertaken by one representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ... 'Higher criticism' has lost ground as time goes on. The conclusions it conveys are matters of opinion, and diligent inquiry and the conclusions of the best opinions do not sustain notions entertained by the advocates of that 'criticism.' It is certainly not sustained by the authorities of the Church.
[Charles W. Penrose, for the First Presidency, Letter to Joseph W. McMurrin, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
In the absence of President Grant I am replying to your letter dated October 26th, with the support of Prest. Ivins, who is united with me in the views I herein express. The position we take in regard to the Bible you I have no doubt feebly understand; that is that the bible is (or contains) the word of God so far as it is translated correctly. That does not positively make the book as a whole an inspired presentation of the Word of God. There are matters in it that are historical and some of se may be of the character set forth by the 'higher criticisms'. That Moses is the accredited author of the Pentateuch is sustained by the Book of Mormon, and is the view held by our Church. It is evident that the five books passed through other hands than Moses, after his day and time. The closing chapter of Deuteronomy proves that, and there are some other things also in other parts of the Pentateuch which indicate that they have been revised at a later date than the days of Moses, but taking them as a whole Moses is considered by the Church as the author of those five books. It is generally understood that Jonah was a real individual. However it is barely possible that the story is one of those parables common in the writing of the time in which Jonah lived. It does not matter whether that is actually the case or not, the purpose and intent of the book are excellent and have several very grand lessons. These constitute the value of the work. It is of little significance as to whether Jonah was a real individual or one chosen by the writer of the book to write what is set forth therein. It is held by the Church that Job was a real character. It is barely possible that the book was one of the kind prevailing in olden times, setting forth certain principles in the form of a parable, as it was with the parables of Jesus Christ when in the flesh. That is not of very great importance so long as the doctrines contained in the work are correct. It is understood by the church that the Book of Isaiah is one book; that is, that the writer of the first part and the latter part is one individual prophet, not two. The answer yes or no positively to such questions is unwise and should not be undertaken by one representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ... 'Higher criticism' has lost ground as time goes on. The conclusions it conveys are matters of opinion, and diligent inquiry and the conclusions of the best opinions do not sustain notions entertained by the advocates of that 'criticism.' It is certainly not sustained by the authorities of the Church.
[Charles W. Penrose, for the First Presidency, Letter to Joseph W. McMurrin, 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 - Oct 31, 1901; Thursday
The re-organization of the Relief Society was now considered, as a new president of the organization was needed occasioned by the death of Sister Zina D. Young. The name of Bathsheba W. Smith was presented to the Council, with the understanding that younger women be chosen as her counselors. The motion was put and carried unanimously. ...
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
125 years ago today - Oct 31, 1896
[Joseph F. Smith to Angus M. Cannon]
It has been represented to me that Mary and Lucy Whitney, deceased, wives of Horace K. [Whitney][,] have never been annointed to their husband, who has received his [second anointing] * as I am told. Also that Helen Mar Kimball sealed to the Prophet [Joseph Smith], has never had her 2d and she is very feeble. Now I suggest that these are all worthy women, and if you saw proper to recommend it, I have no doubt Pres[iden]t [Wilford] Woodruff would be pleased to grant them the privilege at once.
[Joseph F. Smith to Angus M. Cannon, Oct. 31, 1896, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
It has been represented to me that Mary and Lucy Whitney, deceased, wives of Horace K. [Whitney][,] have never been annointed to their husband, who has received his [second anointing] * as I am told. Also that Helen Mar Kimball sealed to the Prophet [Joseph Smith], has never had her 2d and she is very feeble. Now I suggest that these are all worthy women, and if you saw proper to recommend it, I have no doubt Pres[iden]t [Wilford] Woodruff would be pleased to grant them the privilege at once.
[Joseph F. Smith to Angus M. Cannon, Oct. 31, 1896, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
165 years ago today - Oct 31, 1856
[Wilford Woodruff]
... saw the messengers who were Gideon H Gibe & Horace Newel. They went out to meet the Hand Cart companies. When they met the Hand Cart Company there had been some 25 death. 20 were men. They were Caught in a snow storm & the people became Chilled would draw all day & die at night. Those who would dig a grave for ther brethren would die the same day. There were 5 deaths the day before we met them. Ther were 4 deaths the day after we arived the 21st october 2 deaths the 2d day & 15 burials the 3 day & 4 on sunday morning the day the expres left. They had not heard from the 2d Company of Hand Carts but Joseph Young & Wheelock went ahead with the news that help was coming. G. D. Grant followed with 10 of the best teams.
There had been about 55 deaths in the first Company in consequence of the Cold. The Captain of the Company dealt out all the provisions to the people the night before any help Came & they did not know that any help was Coming. They dealt out 11 oz to men 9 to women & 6 to Children. There was but little snow on the road till you got to rocky ridge 30 miles east of the pass but vary Cold. Several of the brethren froze their feet. ...
When President Young Came in & herd the news He said there had so many gone to glory & would not Come Here to apostitize. But we are learning a lesson by this but our agents will not learn. They will shove people out onto the plains in sept & think all Utah will go out to meet them with open arms.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
... saw the messengers who were Gideon H Gibe & Horace Newel. They went out to meet the Hand Cart companies. When they met the Hand Cart Company there had been some 25 death. 20 were men. They were Caught in a snow storm & the people became Chilled would draw all day & die at night. Those who would dig a grave for ther brethren would die the same day. There were 5 deaths the day before we met them. Ther were 4 deaths the day after we arived the 21st october 2 deaths the 2d day & 15 burials the 3 day & 4 on sunday morning the day the expres left. They had not heard from the 2d Company of Hand Carts but Joseph Young & Wheelock went ahead with the news that help was coming. G. D. Grant followed with 10 of the best teams.
There had been about 55 deaths in the first Company in consequence of the Cold. The Captain of the Company dealt out all the provisions to the people the night before any help Came & they did not know that any help was Coming. They dealt out 11 oz to men 9 to women & 6 to Children. There was but little snow on the road till you got to rocky ridge 30 miles east of the pass but vary Cold. Several of the brethren froze their feet. ...
When President Young Came in & herd the news He said there had so many gone to glory & would not Come Here to apostitize. But we are learning a lesson by this but our agents will not learn. They will shove people out onto the plains in sept & think all Utah will go out to meet them with open arms.
[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 - Oct 31, 1841
Hyrum Smith wrote a letter to the Saints living in Kirtland counseling them to come to Nauvoo. His letter also contained the following revelation: "There shall not be a general assembly for a general conference assembled together until the House of the Lord [in Nauvoo] and baptismal font shall be finished, and if we are not diligent the church shall be rejected and their dead also, 'saith the Lord.'"
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
110 years ago today - Oct 30, 1911
[Joseph F. Smith & Anthon H. Lund]
The custom has developed in some of the temples of selling consecrated oil, books and records, and of renting temple clothing, the object being to accommodate persons who come to do work in the House of the Lord. Trafficking in these commodities is hardly in keeping with the sacredness of the temple, and we would, therefore, like you to discontinue this practice after December 31, 1911. In the meantime, arrange with the Bishops to sell consecrated oil and records and to rent temple clothing, all profits (if any) over and above expenses to be turned in as temple donations once a month. In view of the sacredness of temple work the Latter-day Saints should be encouraged to prepare temple garments, the workmanship of their own hands, and every effort should be made to discourage the practice of renting such clothing.
[Joseph F. Smith and Anthon H. Lund to Temple Presidents, Oct. 30, 1911, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
The custom has developed in some of the temples of selling consecrated oil, books and records, and of renting temple clothing, the object being to accommodate persons who come to do work in the House of the Lord. Trafficking in these commodities is hardly in keeping with the sacredness of the temple, and we would, therefore, like you to discontinue this practice after December 31, 1911. In the meantime, arrange with the Bishops to sell consecrated oil and records and to rent temple clothing, all profits (if any) over and above expenses to be turned in as temple donations once a month. In view of the sacredness of temple work the Latter-day Saints should be encouraged to prepare temple garments, the workmanship of their own hands, and every effort should be made to discourage the practice of renting such clothing.
[Joseph F. Smith and Anthon H. Lund to Temple Presidents, Oct. 30, 1911, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
145 years ago today - Oct 30, 1876
[Henry Bigler]
... Endowments ceased in the Endowment House. President [Brigham] Young said, "If the people wish to receive their endowments and sealings they must go to Saint George and receive them in a Temple."
[Henry W. Bigler diary, Oct. 30, 1876, Utah State Historical Society, Salt Lake City, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
... Endowments ceased in the Endowment House. President [Brigham] Young said, "If the people wish to receive their endowments and sealings they must go to Saint George and receive them in a Temple."
[Henry W. Bigler diary, Oct. 30, 1876, Utah State Historical Society, Salt Lake City, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
165 years ago today - Oct 30, 1856
[Brigham Young Letter]
Orson Pratt, -- Listen! There is a groat reformation needed in England Scotland, and Wales. The Saints are dead, and do not drink at the living fountain the fire of the Almighty is not in them, and we make the same observation in regard to the elders who are sent to preach.
[Letters of Brigham Young--Excerpts, 1856-1866, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Orson Pratt, -- Listen! There is a groat reformation needed in England Scotland, and Wales. The Saints are dead, and do not drink at the living fountain the fire of the Almighty is not in them, and we make the same observation in regard to the elders who are sent to preach.
[Letters of Brigham Young--Excerpts, 1856-1866, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - Oct 30, 1831
Orson Hyde, a clerk in the Gilbert and Whitney store and a former Campbellite preacher under Sidney Rigdon, is baptized in Kirtland.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
70 years ago today - Oct 29, 1951
[Stephen L. Richards]
President Richards called Marianne C. Sharp relative to a series of articles that are running in the Relief Society Magazine on the United Nations because of an inquiry that had come to the Brethren as to whether the Relief Society was taking a position against the United Nations...
Sister Sharp said the purpose had been to point out the dangers to the Constitution under the United Nations, especially under its treaty making powers. She said they had heard about the treaty making and human rights phases and asked Brother Albert R. Bowen if he would write an article pointing them out so that the sisters would be aware of the dangers that we might be running into.... She said they might be considered to be against these treaty-making powers, and said Brother Bowen had informed her that there had been similar articles appearing in the American Bar Association Journal.
President Richards said that the United Nations is a highly controversial political issue. Sister Sharp said they had been aware of that, and so they had approached it from the standpoint of the dangers to the Constitution, and had thought that by tying it to the Constitution they would avoid that. ... He wondered if it would be well for the Magazine to disclaim taking any position with reference to being for or against the United Nations, in an effort to influence people in their attitudes on the subject. Sister Sharp said they would be glad to do that....
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah 2015, Appendix 2, The Diaries of Marion G. Romney, 1941-1961, Abridged]
President Richards called Marianne C. Sharp relative to a series of articles that are running in the Relief Society Magazine on the United Nations because of an inquiry that had come to the Brethren as to whether the Relief Society was taking a position against the United Nations...
Sister Sharp said the purpose had been to point out the dangers to the Constitution under the United Nations, especially under its treaty making powers. She said they had heard about the treaty making and human rights phases and asked Brother Albert R. Bowen if he would write an article pointing them out so that the sisters would be aware of the dangers that we might be running into.... She said they might be considered to be against these treaty-making powers, and said Brother Bowen had informed her that there had been similar articles appearing in the American Bar Association Journal.
President Richards said that the United Nations is a highly controversial political issue. Sister Sharp said they had been aware of that, and so they had approached it from the standpoint of the dangers to the Constitution, and had thought that by tying it to the Constitution they would avoid that. ... He wondered if it would be well for the Magazine to disclaim taking any position with reference to being for or against the United Nations, in an effort to influence people in their attitudes on the subject. Sister Sharp said they would be glad to do that....
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah 2015, Appendix 2, The Diaries of Marion G. Romney, 1941-1961, Abridged]
70 years ago today - Oct 29, 1951
John K. Cannon is the first Mormon appointed to a four-star rank in the U.S. military. With this promotion General Cannon is a commander of the U.S. Tactical Air Command. In World War II he was commander-in-chief of the Allied air forces in Europe and later for the entire U.S. air force in Europe (1948-51).
[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)]]
85 years ago today - Oct 29, 1936
Letter read from President W. Francis Bailey of the Hawaiian Mission, stating that Brother William Pakale, a priest, and Brother John L. Pea, who have recently been discovered to be one-eighth negro, have heretofore officiated in performing some baptisms and other ordinances. President Bailey asks for a ruling as to what should be done in such cases.
After some discussion of the matter, Elder Stephen L. Richards moved that the matter be referred to Elder George Albert Smith, who will attend the approaching Oahu Stake Conference, with instructions that in the event he should find that a considerable number of people are involved, we assuming the authority was given to those brethren to officiate in these ordinances, that ratification of their acts be authorized. In the event he should discover that there are only one or two affected, and that the matter can be readily taken care of, it may be advisable to have re-baptism performed.
Motion seconded by Brother [Melvin J.] Ballard and unanimously approved.
[Minutes of the Council of the Twelve and of the First Presidency, inAdam S. Bennion Papers, posted at Marquardt, H. Michael, Mormon Central: Excerpts From Minutes of the Council of the Twelve and of the First Presidency, 1879-1947 http://www.xmission.com/~research/central/chorg2.htm]
After some discussion of the matter, Elder Stephen L. Richards moved that the matter be referred to Elder George Albert Smith, who will attend the approaching Oahu Stake Conference, with instructions that in the event he should find that a considerable number of people are involved, we assuming the authority was given to those brethren to officiate in these ordinances, that ratification of their acts be authorized. In the event he should discover that there are only one or two affected, and that the matter can be readily taken care of, it may be advisable to have re-baptism performed.
Motion seconded by Brother [Melvin J.] Ballard and unanimously approved.
[Minutes of the Council of the Twelve and of the First Presidency, inAdam S. Bennion Papers, posted at Marquardt, H. Michael, Mormon Central: Excerpts From Minutes of the Council of the Twelve and of the First Presidency, 1879-1947 http://www.xmission.com/~research/central/chorg2.htm]
145 years ago today - Oct 29, 1876
The Presidency and Twelve met for Prayer. We then spent an hour in president Youngs office Conversing with him upon various subjets among which was the Priesthood and the decision was as follows:
The first Presidency Preside over the whole Church in all the world. The Twelve Apostles hold the same keys and authority to preside over the whole Church in all the world in the Absens of the first Presidency. The seventies are special Messengers to preach the Gospel & build up the kingdom of God in all the world under the direction of the Twelve & to preside in the Abscens of the first Presidency & Twelve. A Patriarch may also be ordained to be A Patriarch to the whole Church. A Presiding Bishop may also be ordained to preside over the lesser Priesthood & Bishopprick in all the world. But all other Presidencies are Local and belong to the several Stakes of Zion. A Presiding High Priest Presides over the High Priests of that stake of Zion in which He resides. An Elder Presides over 96 Elders, A Priest over 48 Priests A Teacher over 24 Teachers, A Deacon over 12 Deacons and all are local officers.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The first Presidency Preside over the whole Church in all the world. The Twelve Apostles hold the same keys and authority to preside over the whole Church in all the world in the Absens of the first Presidency. The seventies are special Messengers to preach the Gospel & build up the kingdom of God in all the world under the direction of the Twelve & to preside in the Abscens of the first Presidency & Twelve. A Patriarch may also be ordained to be A Patriarch to the whole Church. A Presiding Bishop may also be ordained to preside over the lesser Priesthood & Bishopprick in all the world. But all other Presidencies are Local and belong to the several Stakes of Zion. A Presiding High Priest Presides over the High Priests of that stake of Zion in which He resides. An Elder Presides over 96 Elders, A Priest over 48 Priests A Teacher over 24 Teachers, A Deacon over 12 Deacons and all are local officers.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - Oct 29, 1831
D&C 66 to William E. McLellin: blessed for receiving the gospel, take a mission east with Samuel H. Smith, lay hands on the sick; has been tempted with adultery; descendant of Joseph "through the loins of Ephraim his Son."
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
35 years ago today - Oct 28, 1986
Jerald Tanner publishes Tracking the White Salamander: The Story of Mark Hofmann, Murder and Forged Mormon Documents.
[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,]
[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,]
60 years ago today - Oct 28, 1961
Mark E. Petersen (unsigned editorial writer for the Deseret News) ... criticized the ultra-conservative Birch Society without actually naming it.
Some groups and persons have attacked certain Americans . . . by casting doubt on their loyalty . . . they have set themselves up as judges of who is loyal and who is "un- American." They [i.e., Robert Welch] have accused certain men [i.e., Dwight D. Eisenhower] of being `unconscious agents of communism' . . . they have attributed national blunders not to errors in judgment but to evil motives. . . . by blaming our problems on certain scapegoats, they can keep us from manfully recognizing the real problems-- internal as well as external . . ."
["What Americanism Must Mean," Deseret News, 28 Oct. 1961, A-10. 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.]
Some groups and persons have attacked certain Americans . . . by casting doubt on their loyalty . . . they have set themselves up as judges of who is loyal and who is "un- American." They [i.e., Robert Welch] have accused certain men [i.e., Dwight D. Eisenhower] of being `unconscious agents of communism' . . . they have attributed national blunders not to errors in judgment but to evil motives. . . . by blaming our problems on certain scapegoats, they can keep us from manfully recognizing the real problems-- internal as well as external . . ."
["What Americanism Must Mean," Deseret News, 28 Oct. 1961, A-10. 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.]
125 years ago today - Oct 28, 1896; Wednesday
Gov[ernor]. [William J.] McConnell of Idaho called on the Presidency with a form of ballot for use at the approaching election, which had evidently been prepared for the purpose of misleading voters. It contained the names of both Democrats and Republicans, so arranged as to deceive the unwary. After examining the ticket, a letter was written to the Presidents of Stakes in those parts of Idaho where the bogus ballot had been circulated, asking them to inform the people through their Bishops of this piece of political trickery, in order that they might not be duped.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
130 years ago today - Oct 28, 1891
[President Wilford Woodruff]
I attended The Jewish Charity Ball in the Theater.
[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 Jewish Charity Ball in the Theater.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Oct 28, 1886 (Thursday)
Apostle John W. Taylor was indicted at Blackfoot, Idaho, on a charge of inciting to acts of lawlessness in a sermon delivered by him at Oxford, Oneida Co., Idaho, Aug. 1, 1886.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
150 years ago today - Oct 28, 1871
Presidet Daniel H. Wells Hosea Stout, & Wm. Kimball were all three arested for Murder on the Testimony of Wm. [Bill] Hickman. All three of the Men were as innocent as Children But Wm Hickman is trying to Clear himself by laying all of his damnable Murders upon Innocent Men & the wicked Judges and U.S. Officers in this City are trying to Murder the Innocent & to Clear the guilty.
The above 3 Brethren were Confined in Camp Douglass & it is reported that [U.S.] Presidet Grant is backing up these wicked Judges to persecute the leaders of this People so as to create an open war upon the L D. Saints.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The above 3 Brethren were Confined in Camp Douglass & it is reported that [U.S.] Presidet Grant is backing up these wicked Judges to persecute the leaders of this People so as to create an open war upon the L D. Saints.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Oct 28, 1856 (Tuesday)
Capt. Edward Martin's handcart company, detained by the unusual early snow storms of the season, was met by Joseph A. Young, Daniel W. Jones and Abel Garr, at a point sixteen miles above the Platte bridge. Three days later the company arrived at Greasewood creek, where four wagons of the relief company, in charge of Geo. D. Grant, loaded with provisions and some clothing for the suffering emigrants were awaiting them.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
60 years ago today - Oct 27, 1961
First Presidency counselor Hugh B. Brown tells a church member Frederick S. Buchanan that a Mormon "can be a Democrat or a Socialist and still be a good church member." Brown adds that "he had just had a talk with Bro Benson" who was "on the carpet in regard to his political sallies of late." Benson had stated in the Oct general conference that "No true Latter-day Saint and no true American can be a socialist or a communist or support programs leading in that direction- and "the internal threat to the American way of life is in the secret alliance which exists between the more advanced Social Democrats and the hard-core Communist conspiracy." Buchanan notes in his diary that Benson was leaving Brown-s office as he, Buchanan, was going in. A month later BYU president Ernest Wilkinson writes that Benson was privately criticizing "the socialistic tendencies" of Counselor Brown. And that that the two general authorities were already in "a vigorous dispute" about anti-Communism.
135 years ago today - Oct 27, 1886 (Wednesday)
Five "Mormon" emigrants, who were sent back to England by the bigoted action of the emigrating commissioners at New York, arrived at Salt Lake City. Having arrived at Liverpool they were placed on another steamer bound for New York, and their religious belief not being suspected, they were landed in New York without further trouble.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
165 years ago today - Oct 27, 1856
[Wilford Woodruff]
27th I spent most of the day preparing my waggon & team to go into the mountain to assist the poor saints who are in the snow & on the road with hand Carts. ...
The Church at Grantsvill on the 4th of July lifted up an independant flag organized themselves & appointed a president which was Brother Coolley. He Came to me to know if he should except it. I told him I would not & If he wanted to get into a scrape He might do it. Otherwise He had better let it alone. I told them to go back & preach the gospel to them & tell them to Clean up &c.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
27th I spent most of the day preparing my waggon & team to go into the mountain to assist the poor saints who are in the snow & on the road with hand Carts. ...
The Church at Grantsvill on the 4th of July lifted up an independant flag organized themselves & appointed a president which was Brother Coolley. He Came to me to know if he should except it. I told him I would not & If he wanted to get into a scrape He might do it. Otherwise He had better let it alone. I told them to go back & preach the gospel to them & tell them to Clean up &c.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Oct 27, 1856
[Brigham Young Letter]
Franklin D. Richards -- Pay debt to Sister Gibbs. "In regard to your indebtedness to Sister Gibbs, I wish to enquire of you how long it would take me to pay all Church indebtedness, if brethren collect the cash tithing and put it in their own pockets!"
[Letters of Brigham Young--Excerpts, 1856-1866, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Franklin D. Richards -- Pay debt to Sister Gibbs. "In regard to your indebtedness to Sister Gibbs, I wish to enquire of you how long it would take me to pay all Church indebtedness, if brethren collect the cash tithing and put it in their own pockets!"
[Letters of Brigham Young--Excerpts, 1856-1866, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Oct 27, 1846 (Tuesday)
Milton Smith, a member of the [Mormon] Battalion, died on his way with the sick detachment to Pueblo.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
180 years ago today - Oct 27, 1841
Joseph Smith marries a woman polygamously who lives with her legal husband. Zina D. Huntington would also marry Brigham Young after Joseph's death, her legal husband, Henry Jacobs, standing a witness. This is the first of a dozen known cases of polyandry in Mormon history. Throughout his life Jacobs bemoans the fact that his wife and children have been taken from him. In death, however, he is buried 30 feet from Zina in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
35 years ago today - Oct 26, 1986-Sunday
[Leonard Arrington]
My Experiences as Church Historian
1. Biggest disappointment. Not being consulted on historical matters. Blame that on Elder [Mark E.] Petersen, who was always suspicious of educated people, especially historians.
2. Greatest satisfaction. The way Elder [Alvin R.] Dyer worked to support us and help us. But then he has a stroke. Elder [Harold B.] Lee's and Elder [Spencer W.] Kimball's love.
3. Another disappointment. Elder [G. Homer] Durham, who was determined to put us down.
4. Moments of pleasure and happiness: Getting Davis [Bitton] and Jim Allen approved as assistant historians. Revelation on blacks [in 1978]. Change in rules permitting Maureen [Beecher] to continue working despite having her baby. Coming out of Dean Jessee's book, Brigham Young's Letters to His Sons. Article in Ensign with correct [nineteenth-century] spelling; article in Ensign mentioning polygamy.
5. Most embarrassing experience. Organization of Friends of Church History, and the subsequent suspension and discontinuance.
6. An aspect. Many people came in to tell me stories that had never been recorded. I put them in my diary. Still there.
7. Most satisfying. During 15 years we had published 15 books, 300 articles and papers. Vignettes in Church News. Articles in Ensign. Articles in professional journals. Encyclopedias. Started the 16-volume history of the church. Biographies-real biographies: J. Reuben Clark, Brigham Young, Edwin D. Woolley, shorter: Eliza Snow, Emmeline B. Wells, Susa Young Gates, Sister Saints.
Helping younger scholars. Mike Quinn, Gene Sessions, Jill Derr, Linda Newell, and Val Avery. Helping non-Mormon scholars. We gave the Dept a kind of warmth.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
My Experiences as Church Historian
1. Biggest disappointment. Not being consulted on historical matters. Blame that on Elder [Mark E.] Petersen, who was always suspicious of educated people, especially historians.
2. Greatest satisfaction. The way Elder [Alvin R.] Dyer worked to support us and help us. But then he has a stroke. Elder [Harold B.] Lee's and Elder [Spencer W.] Kimball's love.
3. Another disappointment. Elder [G. Homer] Durham, who was determined to put us down.
4. Moments of pleasure and happiness: Getting Davis [Bitton] and Jim Allen approved as assistant historians. Revelation on blacks [in 1978]. Change in rules permitting Maureen [Beecher] to continue working despite having her baby. Coming out of Dean Jessee's book, Brigham Young's Letters to His Sons. Article in Ensign with correct [nineteenth-century] spelling; article in Ensign mentioning polygamy.
5. Most embarrassing experience. Organization of Friends of Church History, and the subsequent suspension and discontinuance.
6. An aspect. Many people came in to tell me stories that had never been recorded. I put them in my diary. Still there.
7. Most satisfying. During 15 years we had published 15 books, 300 articles and papers. Vignettes in Church News. Articles in Ensign. Articles in professional journals. Encyclopedias. Started the 16-volume history of the church. Biographies-real biographies: J. Reuben Clark, Brigham Young, Edwin D. Woolley, shorter: Eliza Snow, Emmeline B. Wells, Susa Young Gates, Sister Saints.
Helping younger scholars. Mike Quinn, Gene Sessions, Jill Derr, Linda Newell, and Val Avery. Helping non-Mormon scholars. We gave the Dept a kind of warmth.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
110 years ago today - Oct 26, 1911
The first stake mission is organized when sixty-one seventies in the Granite Stake in Salt Lake City, Utah, are called to serve.
125 years ago today - Oct 26, 1896
[Anthon H. Lund]
"I went to the city and met with the Presidency who were all well. They felt concerned about the political outlook and Bro[ther] Woodruff told me that the time had come for the fulfilment of prophecy that the nation would call upon us to save them I was appointed a mission to go and see the Sevier and Panguitch stake and work with the leading I men for at vi kom faiae Pres[iden]t Geo[rge] Q. [Cannon] for vor neote Senator." [nb. "to get Pres[ident] Geo[rge] Q. elected for senator."]
[Diary of Apostle Anthon H. Lund, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
"I went to the city and met with the Presidency who were all well. They felt concerned about the political outlook and Bro[ther] Woodruff told me that the time had come for the fulfilment of prophecy that the nation would call upon us to save them I was appointed a mission to go and see the Sevier and Panguitch stake and work with the leading I men for at vi kom faiae Pres[iden]t Geo[rge] Q. [Cannon] for vor neote Senator." [nb. "to get Pres[ident] Geo[rge] Q. elected for senator."]
[Diary of Apostle Anthon H. Lund, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Oct 26, 1891
[Brigham Young Jr.]
[After writing an answer to a question on polygamy recounting his advice that the subject be avoided as much as possible, but to stand by the revelation.] The Lord had said cease & we stopped its practice for we have always obeyed the laws of the land, but when the laws of the land are made to specially abrogate the Commands of God, it takes the word of the Lord, as in this case, to render congressional action effective. God will deprive those wicked men of every vestige of family indeed of every private and national virtue for their hypocrisy towards His saints.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[After writing an answer to a question on polygamy recounting his advice that the subject be avoided as much as possible, but to stand by the revelation.] The Lord had said cease & we stopped its practice for we have always obeyed the laws of the land, but when the laws of the land are made to specially abrogate the Commands of God, it takes the word of the Lord, as in this case, to render congressional action effective. God will deprive those wicked men of every vestige of family indeed of every private and national virtue for their hypocrisy towards His saints.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Oct 26, 1886
An "Epistle to Saints scattered abroad" was written to the October General Conference, signed by John Taylor and George Q. Cannon who were in hiding together. Joseph F. Smith, the other counselor, was "on a mission" elsewhere and did not sign the Epistle.
[Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
[Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
165 years ago today - Oct 26, 1856
President Kimball ... Called for all the Horse teams in the City & Country to go into the Mountains & pick up the companies who were coming with hand Carts & bring them into the City. 115 Teams were raised in a few moments. All were to be prepared to start in the morning. They were to take grain to feed them with. This is a great exp[ense] to this Territory to send out so many teams to bring in the companies in consequence of their starting so late. This was in Consequence of some who were in Authority not obeying Council but rather blocked up the way....
The subject came up concerning the Emigration starting so late [IE Willie and Martin handcart companies] that it had Cost this Territory more than it would to have bought oxen & brought them through for we have had to send some 250 teams out to meet the Emigration & send some 20 Tons of flour & many thousands of Dollars worth of Shoes & clothing.
President Young asked why they were so late. Brother Richards said that Elder Taylor wanted to Controll the Emigration & means & would not take hold & assist in the work without it. President Young said Brother Taylor was a good man in many things but he was not fit to handle means no more than a Child. I am going to inform all Churches people & agents next season who do not take my Council that they shall be suspended from the Church. Elder Taylor said that they could not be forwarded short of £12 $58 which would not do at all. President Young said you had your positive instructions what to do but John Taylor stood in your way & you did not do as you were told & thee people were sent so late that it has cost us many thousands of Dollars to get them in. Now what did you think of such things? ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The subject came up concerning the Emigration starting so late [IE Willie and Martin handcart companies] that it had Cost this Territory more than it would to have bought oxen & brought them through for we have had to send some 250 teams out to meet the Emigration & send some 20 Tons of flour & many thousands of Dollars worth of Shoes & clothing.
President Young asked why they were so late. Brother Richards said that Elder Taylor wanted to Controll the Emigration & means & would not take hold & assist in the work without it. President Young said Brother Taylor was a good man in many things but he was not fit to handle means no more than a Child. I am going to inform all Churches people & agents next season who do not take my Council that they shall be suspended from the Church. Elder Taylor said that they could not be forwarded short of £12 $58 which would not do at all. President Young said you had your positive instructions what to do but John Taylor stood in your way & you did not do as you were told & thee people were sent so late that it has cost us many thousands of Dollars to get them in. Now what did you think of such things? ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - Oct 26, 1831
Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer are instructed on selecting the Twelve "that they would be ordained & sent forth from the Land of Zion."
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
55 years ago today - Oct 25, 1966
Because BYU devotional talks were separately broadcast and published, Ezra Taft Benson decided to repeat his conference talk and expand upon its criticisms of the unnamed members of the LDS hierarchy.
At BYU he made it plain that the context for his remarks was the anti-Birch statements of anyone besides David O. McKay. "Do we preach what governments should or should not do as a part of the Gospel plan, as President McKay has urged? Or do we refuse to follow the Prophet by preaching a limited gospel plan of salvation?" Alluding to the disunity in the hierarchy, Benson affirmed: "We cannot compromise good and evil in an attempt to have peace and unity in the Church any more than the Lord could have compromised with Satan in order to avoid the War in Heaven." He then quoted the church president's April conference statement in favor of anti-Communist organizations, and observed: "Yet witness the sorry spectacle of those presently of our number who have repudiated the inspired counsel of our Prophet . . . It is too much to suppose that all the Priesthood at this juncture will unite behind the Prophet in the fight for freedom." Rather than ascribing this disunity about his anti-Communist crusade to honest differences of opinion, Benson described his church opponents as inspired by Satan:
Now, Satan is anxious to neutralize the inspired counsel of the Prophet, and hence, keep the Priesthood off-balance, ineffective, and inert in the fight for freedom. He does this through diverse means, including the use of perverse reasoning. For example, he [Satan] will argue: There is no need to get involved in the fight for freedom. All you need to do is live the Gospel. . . . It is obvious what Satan is trying to do, but it is sad to see many of us fall for his destructive line.
His next remarks tightened his reference more clearly to the church's presiding quorums. "As the Church gets larger, some men have increasing responsibility, and more and more duties must be delegated. . . . Unfortunately some men who do not honor their stewardships may have an adverse effect on many people. Often the greater the man's responsibility, the more good or evil he can accomplish. The Lord usually gives the man a long enough rope . . . There are some regrettable things being said and done by some people in the Church today."
After quoting to his BYU audience the warning by J. Reuben Clark about "ravening wolves" who "wear the habiliments of the priesthood," Apostle Benson made it clear he was referring to his fellow apostles: "Sometimes from behind the pulpit, in our classrooms, in our Council meetings, and in our Church publications we hear, read or witness things that do not square with the truth. This is especially true where freedom is involved." He concluded: "Some lesser men in the past, and will in the future, use their offices unrighteously. Some will lead the unwary astray . . ."
At the conclusion of his talk Benson let the BYU students know he was referring to general authorities immediately below the church president in authority. "Learn to keep your eye on the Prophet," Benson said, "Let his inspired words be a basis for evaluating the counsel of all lesser authorities." He concluded this remarkable assault on his fellow members of the hierarchy with the only understatement of his BYU talk: "I know I will be abused by some for what I have said." Even the censored publication of this BYU talk retained many of Benson's critical allusions to presidency counselors and apostles.
However, this BYU address in October 1966 was not simply Apostle Benson's public response to Harold B. Lee's sermon "from behind the pulpit" of April 1966 conference. This was also Benson's answer to Mark E. Petersen's anti-Birch editorials "in our Church publications." It was a warning about first counselor Hugh B. Brown ("the greater the man's responsibility, the more good or evil he can accomplish"). In sum, this BYU address was Ezra Taft Benson's dismissal of the anti-Birch statements of any general authority "in our Council meetings" and against "the counsel of all lesser authorities" beneath President McKay. His counter-assault on his unnamed critics in the LDS hierarchy was even more extraordinary than Harold B. Lee's conference talk against the unnamed Apostle Benson. Benson's BYU devotional talk in October 1966 was the clearest evidence that he saw himself and President McKay as fighting alone in a battle for freedom and anti-Communism against all the other general authorities who had fallen for Satan's "perverse reasoning" and "destructive line."
Benson apparently never actually asked McKay for permission to advocate the Birch Society but merely for permission to speak about "freedom." In Benson's thinking there was no distinction among the principles of freedom, the mission of the church, and the teachings of the Birch Society. He sincerely felt he had "a mandate from the prophet" for all of his political speeches.
[Audio tape of Ezra Taft Benson, "Our Immediate Responsibility," devotional address to students of Brigham Young University, 25 Oct. 1966, available from BYU Media Services in 1992.; Ezra Taft Benson, "Our Immediate Responsibility," Speeches of the Year (Provo, UT: Extension Publications, Division of Continuing Education, Brigham Young University, 1966), esp. 8,13-14.; Dew, Ezra Taft Benson, 372, 385; Dew, "Ezra Taft Benson," in Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., Encyclopedia of Mormonism: The History Scripture, Doctrine, and Procedure of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5 vols. (New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1992), 1:102-103. 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.]
At BYU he made it plain that the context for his remarks was the anti-Birch statements of anyone besides David O. McKay. "Do we preach what governments should or should not do as a part of the Gospel plan, as President McKay has urged? Or do we refuse to follow the Prophet by preaching a limited gospel plan of salvation?" Alluding to the disunity in the hierarchy, Benson affirmed: "We cannot compromise good and evil in an attempt to have peace and unity in the Church any more than the Lord could have compromised with Satan in order to avoid the War in Heaven." He then quoted the church president's April conference statement in favor of anti-Communist organizations, and observed: "Yet witness the sorry spectacle of those presently of our number who have repudiated the inspired counsel of our Prophet . . . It is too much to suppose that all the Priesthood at this juncture will unite behind the Prophet in the fight for freedom." Rather than ascribing this disunity about his anti-Communist crusade to honest differences of opinion, Benson described his church opponents as inspired by Satan:
Now, Satan is anxious to neutralize the inspired counsel of the Prophet, and hence, keep the Priesthood off-balance, ineffective, and inert in the fight for freedom. He does this through diverse means, including the use of perverse reasoning. For example, he [Satan] will argue: There is no need to get involved in the fight for freedom. All you need to do is live the Gospel. . . . It is obvious what Satan is trying to do, but it is sad to see many of us fall for his destructive line.
His next remarks tightened his reference more clearly to the church's presiding quorums. "As the Church gets larger, some men have increasing responsibility, and more and more duties must be delegated. . . . Unfortunately some men who do not honor their stewardships may have an adverse effect on many people. Often the greater the man's responsibility, the more good or evil he can accomplish. The Lord usually gives the man a long enough rope . . . There are some regrettable things being said and done by some people in the Church today."
After quoting to his BYU audience the warning by J. Reuben Clark about "ravening wolves" who "wear the habiliments of the priesthood," Apostle Benson made it clear he was referring to his fellow apostles: "Sometimes from behind the pulpit, in our classrooms, in our Council meetings, and in our Church publications we hear, read or witness things that do not square with the truth. This is especially true where freedom is involved." He concluded: "Some lesser men in the past, and will in the future, use their offices unrighteously. Some will lead the unwary astray . . ."
At the conclusion of his talk Benson let the BYU students know he was referring to general authorities immediately below the church president in authority. "Learn to keep your eye on the Prophet," Benson said, "Let his inspired words be a basis for evaluating the counsel of all lesser authorities." He concluded this remarkable assault on his fellow members of the hierarchy with the only understatement of his BYU talk: "I know I will be abused by some for what I have said." Even the censored publication of this BYU talk retained many of Benson's critical allusions to presidency counselors and apostles.
However, this BYU address in October 1966 was not simply Apostle Benson's public response to Harold B. Lee's sermon "from behind the pulpit" of April 1966 conference. This was also Benson's answer to Mark E. Petersen's anti-Birch editorials "in our Church publications." It was a warning about first counselor Hugh B. Brown ("the greater the man's responsibility, the more good or evil he can accomplish"). In sum, this BYU address was Ezra Taft Benson's dismissal of the anti-Birch statements of any general authority "in our Council meetings" and against "the counsel of all lesser authorities" beneath President McKay. His counter-assault on his unnamed critics in the LDS hierarchy was even more extraordinary than Harold B. Lee's conference talk against the unnamed Apostle Benson. Benson's BYU devotional talk in October 1966 was the clearest evidence that he saw himself and President McKay as fighting alone in a battle for freedom and anti-Communism against all the other general authorities who had fallen for Satan's "perverse reasoning" and "destructive line."
Benson apparently never actually asked McKay for permission to advocate the Birch Society but merely for permission to speak about "freedom." In Benson's thinking there was no distinction among the principles of freedom, the mission of the church, and the teachings of the Birch Society. He sincerely felt he had "a mandate from the prophet" for all of his political speeches.
[Audio tape of Ezra Taft Benson, "Our Immediate Responsibility," devotional address to students of Brigham Young University, 25 Oct. 1966, available from BYU Media Services in 1992.; Ezra Taft Benson, "Our Immediate Responsibility," Speeches of the Year (Provo, UT: Extension Publications, Division of Continuing Education, Brigham Young University, 1966), esp. 8,13-14.; Dew, Ezra Taft Benson, 372, 385; Dew, "Ezra Taft Benson," in Daniel H. Ludlow, ed., Encyclopedia of Mormonism: The History Scripture, Doctrine, and Procedure of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5 vols. (New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1992), 1:102-103. 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.]
55 years ago today - Oct 25, 1966
[David O. McKay]
Reference was made ... that someone had said that he had seen on the desk of the president of the Manti Temple a book regarding second anointings. President [Hugh B.] Brown had conferred with President Petersen of the Manti Temple who said that he has such a book, that he has always kept it in the vault in the Temple and that no one has access to it. The Brethren had not understood that there were copies of this book in the Temples other than one in the Salt Lake Temple. I asked President Joseph Fielding Smith to look into this situation and if there is such a book, it should be brought here. President Tanner mentioned that following this discussion the question was raised about individuals in the Quorum of the Twelve who haven't received their second endowments. I asked that I be given a list of the names of the Brethren of the Twelve who have not received these blessings.
[David O. McKay diary, Oct. 25, 1966, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
Reference was made ... that someone had said that he had seen on the desk of the president of the Manti Temple a book regarding second anointings. President [Hugh B.] Brown had conferred with President Petersen of the Manti Temple who said that he has such a book, that he has always kept it in the vault in the Temple and that no one has access to it. The Brethren had not understood that there were copies of this book in the Temples other than one in the Salt Lake Temple. I asked President Joseph Fielding Smith to look into this situation and if there is such a book, it should be brought here. President Tanner mentioned that following this discussion the question was raised about individuals in the Quorum of the Twelve who haven't received their second endowments. I asked that I be given a list of the names of the Brethren of the Twelve who have not received these blessings.
[David O. McKay diary, Oct. 25, 1966, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
120 years ago today - Friday, Oct 25, 1901
Jos. F. Smith. Pres. Smith said in substance: ... When word reached us of the death of Pres. Wilford Woodruff, I took the news to Pres. Snow at the temple. He remarked that it was very sad and, addressing himself to me, said: Brother Joseph, Pres. Cannon will not live to lead the church but you will. I say to you that whenever the First Presidency become disorganized, it is the duty of the Twelve to effect a reorganization at the earliest possible moment. It is the will of the Lord that such action should be taken. ... There will always be some among us to find fault, I suppose.
... Now, as to the selection of my son to fill the vacancy in the quorum of Apostles, I will say that it was done by the united action of the quorum. If there be those who will find fault, they do it as against the united action of the Twelve, and yet it was my action, too, for I heartily approved it and felt thankful to the Lord that I had a son worthy to be ordained to the apostleship. I believe he will prove himself worthy of his appointment. I shall be very happy to see the sons of my brethren, also, advanced in the authority of the priesthood to the quorum of Apostles and to other quorums.
...Remarks, Horace Cummings. Brother Horace Cummings said in part that he had a feeling in his heart some time ago, or rather a manifestation while in the temple at prayer circle meeting, that Brother Hyrum M. Smith, who was present and who impressed him as very much resembling his uncle [grandfather] Hyrum Smith, the patriarch, would one day be an apostle. ...
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
... Now, as to the selection of my son to fill the vacancy in the quorum of Apostles, I will say that it was done by the united action of the quorum. If there be those who will find fault, they do it as against the united action of the Twelve, and yet it was my action, too, for I heartily approved it and felt thankful to the Lord that I had a son worthy to be ordained to the apostleship. I believe he will prove himself worthy of his appointment. I shall be very happy to see the sons of my brethren, also, advanced in the authority of the priesthood to the quorum of Apostles and to other quorums.
...Remarks, Horace Cummings. Brother Horace Cummings said in part that he had a feeling in his heart some time ago, or rather a manifestation while in the temple at prayer circle meeting, that Brother Hyrum M. Smith, who was present and who impressed him as very much resembling his uncle [grandfather] Hyrum Smith, the patriarch, would one day be an apostle. ...
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
120 years ago today - Oct 25, 1901
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Was present with Pres[ident]. [Joseph F.] Smith in Office. He read me portion of manuscript from Lucy Smith Book. Her story I always understood was false. Geo[rge]. Q. C[annon]. in Life of Prophet was correct. Pres[ident]. Smith doubted Bro[ther]. Cannon.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Was present with Pres[ident]. [Joseph F.] Smith in Office. He read me portion of manuscript from Lucy Smith Book. Her story I always understood was false. Geo[rge]. Q. C[annon]. in Life of Prophet was correct. Pres[ident]. Smith doubted Bro[ther]. Cannon.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
130 years ago today - Oct 25, 1891
[President Wilford Woodruff]
I wish to mak the following remarks upon the principal of Revelation. Some had thought that Revelation had sceased, But this is not the Case. The Lord is with us & gives us Revelation. But I will say for myself that I wish to Avoid saying Thus Saith the Lord as far as I Can when I give the will of the Lord to the people. In the Days of Joseph Smith it was Thus saith the Lord almost Daily untill the Revelations now embodied in the Book of Doctrins & Covenants had Been given. Since that day President Brigham Young John Taylor & myself have seldom used the words (Thus saith the Lord) when giving the word of the Lord to the people.
... I have Received a Revelation and a Commandment from the Lord which I have not revealed to any man which I shall reveal to this assembly and the Command of the Lord I shall give to this people which is this. The Lord has revealed to me that there are many in the Church who feel badly tried about the Manifesto and also about the Testimony of the Presidency and Apostls before the Master in Chancery. The Lord has Commanded me to put the following question to the Saints and those who will give Attention to it shall have the Holy Ghost to be with them to inspire them to Answer that question for themselves and the Lord has promised that the Answer will be to all alike. The question is this. Which is the wisest course for the latter Day Saints to persue, to Continue to attempt to practice plural Marriage with the Laws of the Nation against it and the opposition of 60,000,000 of People and at the Cost of Confiscation and loss of all the Temples and the stoping of all the ordinances therein both for the living & the Dead And the imprisinment of the First Presidency and Twelve and the leaders or heads of family in the Church And the Confiscation of the personal property of the People (All of which of themselve would stop the Practice? Finished on Nov 5th.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I wish to mak the following remarks upon the principal of Revelation. Some had thought that Revelation had sceased, But this is not the Case. The Lord is with us & gives us Revelation. But I will say for myself that I wish to Avoid saying Thus Saith the Lord as far as I Can when I give the will of the Lord to the people. In the Days of Joseph Smith it was Thus saith the Lord almost Daily untill the Revelations now embodied in the Book of Doctrins & Covenants had Been given. Since that day President Brigham Young John Taylor & myself have seldom used the words (Thus saith the Lord) when giving the word of the Lord to the people.
... I have Received a Revelation and a Commandment from the Lord which I have not revealed to any man which I shall reveal to this assembly and the Command of the Lord I shall give to this people which is this. The Lord has revealed to me that there are many in the Church who feel badly tried about the Manifesto and also about the Testimony of the Presidency and Apostls before the Master in Chancery. The Lord has Commanded me to put the following question to the Saints and those who will give Attention to it shall have the Holy Ghost to be with them to inspire them to Answer that question for themselves and the Lord has promised that the Answer will be to all alike. The question is this. Which is the wisest course for the latter Day Saints to persue, to Continue to attempt to practice plural Marriage with the Laws of the Nation against it and the opposition of 60,000,000 of People and at the Cost of Confiscation and loss of all the Temples and the stoping of all the ordinances therein both for the living & the Dead And the imprisinment of the First Presidency and Twelve and the leaders or heads of family in the Church And the Confiscation of the personal property of the People (All of which of themselve would stop the Practice? Finished on Nov 5th.
[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 - Oct 25, 1841
Already married, 19 year-old Zina Huntington remained conflicted with Smith's polygamy proposal "until a day in October, apparently, when Joseph sent [her older brother] Dimick to her with a message: an angel with a drawn sword had stood over Smith and told him that if he did not establish polygamy, he would lose "his position and his life." Zina, faced with the responsibility for his position as prophet, and even perhaps his life, finally acquiesced." They were secretly married within days.
[Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm]
[Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm]
190 years ago today - Oct 25, 1831
Section 66. A ... note in the "Kirtland Revelation Book" states that section 66 is, "a Revelation given to William E. McLelin a true decendent from Joseph that was sold in Egypt down through the loins of Ephraim his son.".
[Cook, Lyndon, Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
[Cook, Lyndon, Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
190 years ago today - Oct 25, 1831
The office of deacon is first introduced. Although deacon is referred to in a published revelation of 6 Apr. 1830, the earliest manuscript does not seem to date before 1831.
[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]
[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]
190 years ago today - Oct 25, 1831 (Sunday)
... Br. Joseph Smith jr. said that the order of the Highpriesthood [sic] is that they have power given them to seal up the Saints to eternal life. And said it was the privilege of every Elder present to be ordained to the Highpriesthood [i.e., a high priest].
Brother Hyrum Smith said that he thought best that the information of the coming forth of the book of Mormon be related by Joseph himself to the Elders present that all might know for themselves.
Br. Joseph Smith jr. said that it was not intended to tell the world all the particulars of the coming forth of the book of Mormon, & also said that it was not expedient for him to relate these things &c.
Br. Joseph Smith Jr said ... that the promises of God was that the greatest blessings which God had to bestow should be given to those who contributed to the support of his family while translating the fulness of the Scriptures, ...
[Oliver Cowdery Record Copied into the Far West Record -Far West Record, 20-21, 23]
Brother Hyrum Smith said that he thought best that the information of the coming forth of the book of Mormon be related by Joseph himself to the Elders present that all might know for themselves.
Br. Joseph Smith jr. said that it was not intended to tell the world all the particulars of the coming forth of the book of Mormon, & also said that it was not expedient for him to relate these things &c.
Br. Joseph Smith Jr said ... that the promises of God was that the greatest blessings which God had to bestow should be given to those who contributed to the support of his family while translating the fulness of the Scriptures, ...
[Oliver Cowdery Record Copied into the Far West Record -Far West Record, 20-21, 23]
40 years ago today - Oct 24, 1981
Elder Thomas S. Monson and business and community leaders in Salt Lake City meet with U.S. President Ronald Reagan, who praises the Church's welfare program.
75 years ago today - Oct 24, 1946
Letter read from June B. Sharp of the South African Mission regarding a letter that has been forwarded to him by the office of the First Presidency and the correspondence that President Sharp had had with O.J. Umordak of Afaha Ofiong, Mbiaso Post Office, Uyo District, Nigeria, in which Mr. Umordak pleads for missionaries to be sent to Nigeria and also asks for literature regarding the Church. These people are Africans of the black race. President Sharp asks if he should comply with [the] man's request to send literature to him.
After some discussion regarding our responsibility in proclaiming the Gospel to the world, Council decided to give the matter further consideration before making reply.
[Minutes of the Council of the Twelve and of the First Presidencyat Marquardt, Adam S. Bennion Papers, at H. Michael, Mormon Central: Excerpts From Minutes of the Council of the Twelve and of the First Presidency, 1879-1947 http://www.xmission.com/~research/central/chorg2.htm]
After some discussion regarding our responsibility in proclaiming the Gospel to the world, Council decided to give the matter further consideration before making reply.
[Minutes of the Council of the Twelve and of the First Presidencyat Marquardt, Adam S. Bennion Papers, at H. Michael, Mormon Central: Excerpts From Minutes of the Council of the Twelve and of the First Presidency, 1879-1947 http://www.xmission.com/~research/central/chorg2.htm]
115 years ago today - Oct 24, 1906
[Thomas A. Clawson Diary]
"Had talk with bro Thomas Hull over the political situation and learned that Wm H. King had told Judge Lewis in open court that the Church was interfering in politics and that in a Secret Priesthood Meeting all the brethren had been told that those who voted against Reed Smoot were against the Church &c. I also learned the [that] Prest. John Taylor just before he died and while in exile called some of the brethren to him and said in the name of the Lord that this people would divide on party lines and that there would be trouble between them. That they should watch the democrats for they would be found fighting against the Priesthood. This prediction has been literally fulfilled for the democrats are fighting against the Priesthood of God."
[Diary Excerpts of Thomas A. Clawson, Signature Books Library, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
"Had talk with bro Thomas Hull over the political situation and learned that Wm H. King had told Judge Lewis in open court that the Church was interfering in politics and that in a Secret Priesthood Meeting all the brethren had been told that those who voted against Reed Smoot were against the Church &c. I also learned the [that] Prest. John Taylor just before he died and while in exile called some of the brethren to him and said in the name of the Lord that this people would divide on party lines and that there would be trouble between them. That they should watch the democrats for they would be found fighting against the Priesthood. This prediction has been literally fulfilled for the democrats are fighting against the Priesthood of God."
[Diary Excerpts of Thomas A. Clawson, Signature Books Library, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
120 years ago today - Oct 24, 1901
[William H. Smart]
Bro[ther]. Geo[rge]. Reynolds informed me at 3 P.M. that the vacancy existing in the Twelve Apostles was to be filled by the appointing of Hyrum M. Smith son of Pres[ident] Joseph F Smith. It is said that Pres[ident]. Smith knew nothing about it as the Twelve nominated him, but as in many other cases, the Pres[ident]. of the church did not fail to accept the suggestion. It was no doubt done to favor Bro[ther]. Joseph, as his son Hyrum has done nothing to bring him so prominently to the front. I call to mind the fact that Pres[ident] Brigham Young looked to it, and required my father to ordain his sons apostles. Pres[ident]. John Taylor and [Wilford] Woodruff had sons placed in the Quorum of the Twelve and from what I have heard Pres[ident]. [Lorenzo] Snow intended to do the same. Pres[ident]. Jos[eph] F Smith has not been a president but a few days when we are informed that the Twelve nominated his son without his knowledge. I know these men hold the Apostleship and have divine authority, but I question their appointments sometimes. God permits men to do many things but does not give revelation and say, 'Thus saith the Lord.' Why is the silent on these most important matters? Why this long continuous Silence? Is the Lord far distant? I confess I am tried over this appointment. Learned since that Pres[ident]. Smith nominated his son etc. etc.
[William H. Smart, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Bro[ther]. Geo[rge]. Reynolds informed me at 3 P.M. that the vacancy existing in the Twelve Apostles was to be filled by the appointing of Hyrum M. Smith son of Pres[ident] Joseph F Smith. It is said that Pres[ident]. Smith knew nothing about it as the Twelve nominated him, but as in many other cases, the Pres[ident]. of the church did not fail to accept the suggestion. It was no doubt done to favor Bro[ther]. Joseph, as his son Hyrum has done nothing to bring him so prominently to the front. I call to mind the fact that Pres[ident] Brigham Young looked to it, and required my father to ordain his sons apostles. Pres[ident]. John Taylor and [Wilford] Woodruff had sons placed in the Quorum of the Twelve and from what I have heard Pres[ident]. [Lorenzo] Snow intended to do the same. Pres[ident]. Jos[eph] F Smith has not been a president but a few days when we are informed that the Twelve nominated his son without his knowledge. I know these men hold the Apostleship and have divine authority, but I question their appointments sometimes. God permits men to do many things but does not give revelation and say, 'Thus saith the Lord.' Why is the silent on these most important matters? Why this long continuous Silence? Is the Lord far distant? I confess I am tried over this appointment. Learned since that Pres[ident]. Smith nominated his son etc. etc.
[William H. Smart, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
120 years ago today - Oct 24, 1901
[J. Golden Kimball]
Attended the regular meeting of the Pres[iden]tcy, and Apostles in the Temple at 10.30 a.m. ... Pres[iden]t. Jos[eph]. F. Smith mentioned the name of his oldest son Hyrum M. Smith to fill the vacancy in the Quo[rum]. of Twelve. His recommendation was unanimously sustained, though the wisdom of this action at this time was questioned by some of the brethren. I also stated that Jos[eph]. F[ielding]. [Smith] Jr. was my favorite among Pres[iden]t. Smith's sons.
[J. Golden Kimball, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Attended the regular meeting of the Pres[iden]tcy, and Apostles in the Temple at 10.30 a.m. ... Pres[iden]t. Jos[eph]. F. Smith mentioned the name of his oldest son Hyrum M. Smith to fill the vacancy in the Quo[rum]. of Twelve. His recommendation was unanimously sustained, though the wisdom of this action at this time was questioned by some of the brethren. I also stated that Jos[eph]. F[ielding]. [Smith] Jr. was my favorite among Pres[iden]t. Smith's sons.
[J. Golden Kimball, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
120 years ago today - Thursday, Oct 24, 1901
President [Joseph F.] Smith arose and said, I believe in being frank with my brethren. I am going to make a suggestion and leave the result in your hands. I would be glad if we all had sons worthy of the apostleship, for I would like to see the sons of the apostles brought forward as far as possible. I feel that this is right. I now nominate, as it is my privilege so to do, my son, Hyrum M. Smith, to fill the vacancy in the quorum of Apostles and will leave the matter entirely with the brethren. All present spoke, one by one, and endorsed the nomination. Apostle Jno. H. Smith said that while he heartily endorsed the nomination, he felt that doubtless some fault would be found with our action, but at the same time he realized that there would be some to find fault with any action that might be taken in the premises. Pres. Smith made brief remarks. Was profoundly thankful to the brethren for the unanimity that had been manifested. No doubt some might find fault with the action of today, but faultfinders will always be in evidence among the people. He felt that it was his right to do as he had done. Hyrum is a good, honest, faithful, virtuous boy, and he had no doubt but that he would magnify the apostleship.
... At this juncture Elder Hyrum M. Smith came in, and Apostle Jno. H. Smith by request informed him that he had been chosen an apostle and proceeded to deliver the usual charge, in brief as follows, to wit:
Brother Hyrum Smith, it is presumed that you are a moral man, that you observe the word of wisdom, that you subscribe to the principles of the gospel, that you accept the principle of plural marriage, and that you uphold and sustain in your heart the First Presidency, the Twelve, the patriarch, and other general authorities of the church. You are to be ready at any time to go and to come at the call of the Presidency. Your heart must be given to your God, your loyalty must never be questioned. You must be God-fearing, honest, just, and a tithe-payer.
President Smith said in part, I want to impress upon your mind that the law of God is the supreme law and that the will of God is the supreme will and that no authority on the earth is entitled to develop the law, as aforesaid, but the First Presidency and Twelve Apostles. You must be loyal and true to themâ€"you must never falter or rebel. President Young told me upon one occasion that no man in the quorum of Apostles who falters or rebels can ever attain to the presidency of the church. And because they faltered, Orson Pratt and Orson Hyde lost their place of seniority in the quorum, and were consequently thrown out of the line to the presidency. Elder Smith said he know[s] this to be the work of God and would endeavor to [do] his duty, if ordained an apostle. Elder Hyrum Smith was then ordained a high priest and an apostle in the quorum of the Twelve Apostles, under the hands of all present, Pres. Jos. F. Smith being mouth. Benediction by President Brigham Young.
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
... At this juncture Elder Hyrum M. Smith came in, and Apostle Jno. H. Smith by request informed him that he had been chosen an apostle and proceeded to deliver the usual charge, in brief as follows, to wit:
Brother Hyrum Smith, it is presumed that you are a moral man, that you observe the word of wisdom, that you subscribe to the principles of the gospel, that you accept the principle of plural marriage, and that you uphold and sustain in your heart the First Presidency, the Twelve, the patriarch, and other general authorities of the church. You are to be ready at any time to go and to come at the call of the Presidency. Your heart must be given to your God, your loyalty must never be questioned. You must be God-fearing, honest, just, and a tithe-payer.
President Smith said in part, I want to impress upon your mind that the law of God is the supreme law and that the will of God is the supreme will and that no authority on the earth is entitled to develop the law, as aforesaid, but the First Presidency and Twelve Apostles. You must be loyal and true to themâ€"you must never falter or rebel. President Young told me upon one occasion that no man in the quorum of Apostles who falters or rebels can ever attain to the presidency of the church. And because they faltered, Orson Pratt and Orson Hyde lost their place of seniority in the quorum, and were consequently thrown out of the line to the presidency. Elder Smith said he know[s] this to be the work of God and would endeavor to [do] his duty, if ordained an apostle. Elder Hyrum Smith was then ordained a high priest and an apostle in the quorum of the Twelve Apostles, under the hands of all present, Pres. Jos. F. Smith being mouth. Benediction by President Brigham Young.
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
180 years ago today - 1841. October 24
In fulfillment of a prophecy by Joseph Smith and of his own 1840 vision, Hyde ascended the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem and dedicated Palestine for the future return of the Jews:
[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]
190 years ago today - Oct 24, 1831
[Joseph] Smith is the only person at present, to my knowledge, who pretends to hold converse with the inhabitants of the celestial world. It seems from his statements, that he can have access to them, when and where he pleases. He does not pretend that he sees them with his natural, but with his spiritual eyes; and he says he can see them as well with his eyes shut, as with them open. So also in translating.-The subject stands before his eyes in print, but it matters not whether his eyes are open or shut; he can see as well one way as the other.
...Smith describes an angel, as having the appearance of a "tall, slim, well built, handsome man, with a bright pillar upon his head." The Devil once, he says, appeared to him in the same form, excepting upon his head he had a "black pillar," and by this mark, he was able to distinguish him from the former.
It passes for a current fact in the Mormonite church, that there are immense treasures in the earth, especially in those places in the State of N.Y. from whence many of the Mormonites emigrated last spring: and when they become sufficiently purified, these treasures are to be poured into the lap of their church; and then, to use their own language, they are to be the richest people in the world. These treasures were discovered several years since, by means of the dark glass, the same with which Smith says he translated most of the Book of Mormon-Several of those persons, together with Smith, who were formerly unsuccessfully engaged in digging and searching for these treasures, now reside in this county, and from themselves I received this information.
[Ezra Booth to Ira Eddy, 24 October 1831, in Larry E. Morris, I Should Have an Eye Single to the Glory of God: Joseph Smith's Account of the Angel and the Plates]
...Smith describes an angel, as having the appearance of a "tall, slim, well built, handsome man, with a bright pillar upon his head." The Devil once, he says, appeared to him in the same form, excepting upon his head he had a "black pillar," and by this mark, he was able to distinguish him from the former.
It passes for a current fact in the Mormonite church, that there are immense treasures in the earth, especially in those places in the State of N.Y. from whence many of the Mormonites emigrated last spring: and when they become sufficiently purified, these treasures are to be poured into the lap of their church; and then, to use their own language, they are to be the richest people in the world. These treasures were discovered several years since, by means of the dark glass, the same with which Smith says he translated most of the Book of Mormon-Several of those persons, together with Smith, who were formerly unsuccessfully engaged in digging and searching for these treasures, now reside in this county, and from themselves I received this information.
[Ezra Booth to Ira Eddy, 24 October 1831, in Larry E. Morris, I Should Have an Eye Single to the Glory of God: Joseph Smith's Account of the Angel and the Plates]
190 years ago today - Oct 24, 1831
[Ezra Booth]
... "Being carried away in the spirit" and "I know it to be so by the spirit," are well known phrases, and in common use in the Mormonite church. We will first notice the gift of tongues, exercised by some when carried away in the spirit. These persons were apparently lost to all surrounding circumstances, and wrapt up in the contemplation of things, and in communicating with persons not present. -- They articulated sounds, which but few present professed to understand; and those few, declared them to be the Indian language. A merchant, who had formerly been a member of the Methodist society, observed, he had formerly traded with the Indians, and he knew it to be their dialect. Being myself present on some of these occasions, a person proffered his services as my interpreter, and translated these sounds, which to me were unintelligible, into English language. One individual could read any chapter of the Old or New-Testament, in several different languages. This was known to be the case by a person who professed to understand those languages. In the midst of this delirium, they would, at times, fancy themselves addressing a congregation of their red brethren; and mounted upon a stump, or the fence, or from some elevated situation, would harangue their assembly, until they had convinced and converted them. They would then lead them into the water, and baptize them, and pronounce their sins forgiven. In this exercise, some of them actually went into the water; and in the water, performed the ceremony used in baptizing. These actors assumed the visage of the savage, and so nearly imitated him, not only in language, but in gestures and actions, that it seemed the soul and body were completely metamorphosed into the Indian. ...
A new method for obtaining authority to preach the Gospel was introduced into the church. One declared he had received a commission, directly from Heeven [sic], written upon parchment. Another, that it was written upon the palm of his hand, and upon the lid of his Bible, &c. Three witnesses, and they were formerly considered persons of veracity, testified, that they saw the parchment, or something like it, when put into the hands of the candidate. These commissions, when transcribed upon a piece of paper, were read to the church, and the persons who had received them, were ordained to the Elder's office, and sent out into the world to preach. ...
... The visionary, at times, imagined he saw the City of New-Jerusalem; unlocked its gate, and entered within the walls; passed through its various apartments, and then returned, locked the gate, and put the key into his pocket. When this tour was finished, he would entertain his admiring friends, with a detailed description of the Heavenly City.
The condition of the ten tribes of Israel since their captivity, unto the present time, has excited considerable anxiety, and given rise to much speculation among the learned. But after all the researches which have been made, the place of their residence has never been satisfactorily ascertained. But these visionaries have discovered their place of residence to be contiguous to the north pole; separated from the rest of the world by impassable mountains of ice and snow. In this sequestered residence, they enjoy the society of Elijah the Prophet, and John the Revelator, and perhaps the three immortalized Nephites. -- By and by, the mountains of ice and snow are to give way, and open a passage for the return of these tribes, to the land of Palestine....
Smith is the only one at present, to my knowledge, who pretends to hold converse with the inhabitants of the celestial world. It seems from his statements, that he can have access to them, when and where he pleases. He does not pretend that he sees them with his natural, but with his spiritual, eyes; and he says he can see them as well with his eyes shut, as with them open. So also in translating. -- The subject stands before his eyes in print, but it matters not whether his eyes are open or shut; he can see as well one way as the other....
Smith describes an angel, as having the appearance of "a tall, slim, well built, handsome man, with a bright pillar upon his head." The Devil once, he says, appeared to him in the same form, excepting upon his head he had a "black pillar," and by this mark, he was able to distinguish him from the former.
It passes for a current fact in the Mormonite church, that there are immense treasures in the earth, especially in those places in the State of N. Y. from whence many of the Mormonites emigrated last spring: and when they become sufficiently purified, these treasures are to be poured into the lap of their church; and then, to use their own language, they are to be the richest people in the world. These treasures were discovered several years since, by means of the dark glass, the same with which Smith says he translated most of the Book of Mormon. -- Several of those persons, together with Smith, who were formerly unsuccessfully engaged in digging and searching for these treasures, now reside in this county, and from themselves I received this information. Yours, affectionately,
EZRA BOOTH.
[Ohio Star]
... "Being carried away in the spirit" and "I know it to be so by the spirit," are well known phrases, and in common use in the Mormonite church. We will first notice the gift of tongues, exercised by some when carried away in the spirit. These persons were apparently lost to all surrounding circumstances, and wrapt up in the contemplation of things, and in communicating with persons not present. -- They articulated sounds, which but few present professed to understand; and those few, declared them to be the Indian language. A merchant, who had formerly been a member of the Methodist society, observed, he had formerly traded with the Indians, and he knew it to be their dialect. Being myself present on some of these occasions, a person proffered his services as my interpreter, and translated these sounds, which to me were unintelligible, into English language. One individual could read any chapter of the Old or New-Testament, in several different languages. This was known to be the case by a person who professed to understand those languages. In the midst of this delirium, they would, at times, fancy themselves addressing a congregation of their red brethren; and mounted upon a stump, or the fence, or from some elevated situation, would harangue their assembly, until they had convinced and converted them. They would then lead them into the water, and baptize them, and pronounce their sins forgiven. In this exercise, some of them actually went into the water; and in the water, performed the ceremony used in baptizing. These actors assumed the visage of the savage, and so nearly imitated him, not only in language, but in gestures and actions, that it seemed the soul and body were completely metamorphosed into the Indian. ...
A new method for obtaining authority to preach the Gospel was introduced into the church. One declared he had received a commission, directly from Heeven [sic], written upon parchment. Another, that it was written upon the palm of his hand, and upon the lid of his Bible, &c. Three witnesses, and they were formerly considered persons of veracity, testified, that they saw the parchment, or something like it, when put into the hands of the candidate. These commissions, when transcribed upon a piece of paper, were read to the church, and the persons who had received them, were ordained to the Elder's office, and sent out into the world to preach. ...
... The visionary, at times, imagined he saw the City of New-Jerusalem; unlocked its gate, and entered within the walls; passed through its various apartments, and then returned, locked the gate, and put the key into his pocket. When this tour was finished, he would entertain his admiring friends, with a detailed description of the Heavenly City.
The condition of the ten tribes of Israel since their captivity, unto the present time, has excited considerable anxiety, and given rise to much speculation among the learned. But after all the researches which have been made, the place of their residence has never been satisfactorily ascertained. But these visionaries have discovered their place of residence to be contiguous to the north pole; separated from the rest of the world by impassable mountains of ice and snow. In this sequestered residence, they enjoy the society of Elijah the Prophet, and John the Revelator, and perhaps the three immortalized Nephites. -- By and by, the mountains of ice and snow are to give way, and open a passage for the return of these tribes, to the land of Palestine....
Smith is the only one at present, to my knowledge, who pretends to hold converse with the inhabitants of the celestial world. It seems from his statements, that he can have access to them, when and where he pleases. He does not pretend that he sees them with his natural, but with his spiritual, eyes; and he says he can see them as well with his eyes shut, as with them open. So also in translating. -- The subject stands before his eyes in print, but it matters not whether his eyes are open or shut; he can see as well one way as the other....
Smith describes an angel, as having the appearance of "a tall, slim, well built, handsome man, with a bright pillar upon his head." The Devil once, he says, appeared to him in the same form, excepting upon his head he had a "black pillar," and by this mark, he was able to distinguish him from the former.
It passes for a current fact in the Mormonite church, that there are immense treasures in the earth, especially in those places in the State of N. Y. from whence many of the Mormonites emigrated last spring: and when they become sufficiently purified, these treasures are to be poured into the lap of their church; and then, to use their own language, they are to be the richest people in the world. These treasures were discovered several years since, by means of the dark glass, the same with which Smith says he translated most of the Book of Mormon. -- Several of those persons, together with Smith, who were formerly unsuccessfully engaged in digging and searching for these treasures, now reside in this county, and from themselves I received this information. Yours, affectionately,
EZRA BOOTH.
[Ohio Star]
30 years ago today - Oct 23, 1991
Paul H. Dunn sends an "open letter to the members of the Church." It states: "I confess that I have not always been accurate in my public talks and writings. Furthermore, I have indulged in other activities inconsistent with the high and sacred office which I have held. For all of these I feel a deep sense of remorse, and ask forgiveness of any whom I may have offended. My brethren of the General Authorities, over a long period of time, have conducted in-depth investigations of the charges made against me. They have weighed the evidence. They have censured me and placed a heavy penalty upon me. I accept their censure and the imposed penalty, and pledge to conduct my life in such a way as to merit their confidence and full fellowship. In making these acknowledgements, I plead for the understanding of my brethren and sisters throughout the Church and give assurance of my determination so to live as to bring added respect to the cause I deeply love, and honor to the Lord who is my Redeemer. Sincerely, Paul H. Dunn." The letter is the lead news story on all three Salt Lake City TV News programs and was reported in the SALT LAKE TRIBUNE and the DESERET NEWS. Elder Dunn's statement that for a "long period of time" Church leaders "conducted in-depth investigations" of his actions appears to contradict a previous First Presidency statement responding to the Arizona Republic story that it had "no way of fully or finally verifying the accuracy or inaccuracy" of the allegations. Church spokesperson Don LeFevre tells the DESERET NEWS that the nature of Elder Dunn's penalty is "an internal matter, and we don't discuss such matters" publicly.
75 years ago today - Oct 23, 1946
BYU campus newspaper reports that professor of religion Richard Thomson, announced in a class that "during a vision last night, it was made known to me that 'you bet' is the anglicization of "hubet," the pure Adamic word for "you're welcome." Either the word has survived relatively intact for many millennia, or else it was revealed to the true Saints in the nineteenth century as part of the restoration of all things. Personally, I support the latter view." This announcement leads to the creation of the "Hubet Society of BYU" (HSBYU), which in turn leads to an attempt to create an Adamic 101 course. The entire movement is crushed when Jesse Wright, Provo Central Stake president, speaks at a BYU fireside and calls Professor Thomson, who lived in the stake, "insane," "an apostate and a heretic." Professor Thomson soon disappears from BYU.
110 years ago today - Oct 23, 1911; Monday
[Joseph F. Smith & Anthon Lund]
In the first place you should know that the second anointing is not intended for every male member of the Church, and goodness alone is not a sufficient recommendation to receive the higher blessings.
Recommends for the second anointing should only be given to men and women who have lived together as husband and wife, and who through long years of faithfulness are still found to be worthy before the Lord and their brethren. They should be men of good report, men whose faith has never been shaken, whose integrity to the Lord and his servants has been beyond question, men who have been valiant for the truth, men who have either defended the servants of the Lord or would do so at all hazards should circumstances require it at their hands. They should be men who have done what they could whether in preaching or working or otherwise helping their file leaders in the building up of Zion, and who are every ready and willing to labor in the interests of Zion at home or abroad. And all those thus recommended must be in harmony with the First Presidency and general authorities of the Church, also those immediately presiding over them. And this spirit also must characterize their wives in order to make them eligible to be associated with their husbands in receiving these blessings.
... it is not for you to take your bishops into your confidence in having them recommend brethren to you for these blessings, because they are in no wise responsible for such recommends. It is you as stake president, and you alone, who are held responsible ... all brethren recommended by you should be instructed to regard this matter in the utmost privacy. ... neither should they take the liberty of advising any to ask you to be likewise recommended, as it is not for any man to seek for these blessings, but for those worthy of them to be sought out.
You must be exceedingly careful in recommending for the second anointing, careful as to the character of the men recommended, also careful with a view to maintaining privacy, and in order to avoid attention being drawn to recommends of this character, we suggest that you do not recommend more than one couple at a time, and that not more than one couple from your stake come to the temple during any one week.
... Deceased men or women recommended by you must of course also be likewise worthy ...
P.S. We take it for granted that you and your counselors have received higher blessings.
[Joseph F. Smith and Anthon H. Lund, letter to President William C. Partridge, Kenney Papers, original in LDS Archives]
In the first place you should know that the second anointing is not intended for every male member of the Church, and goodness alone is not a sufficient recommendation to receive the higher blessings.
Recommends for the second anointing should only be given to men and women who have lived together as husband and wife, and who through long years of faithfulness are still found to be worthy before the Lord and their brethren. They should be men of good report, men whose faith has never been shaken, whose integrity to the Lord and his servants has been beyond question, men who have been valiant for the truth, men who have either defended the servants of the Lord or would do so at all hazards should circumstances require it at their hands. They should be men who have done what they could whether in preaching or working or otherwise helping their file leaders in the building up of Zion, and who are every ready and willing to labor in the interests of Zion at home or abroad. And all those thus recommended must be in harmony with the First Presidency and general authorities of the Church, also those immediately presiding over them. And this spirit also must characterize their wives in order to make them eligible to be associated with their husbands in receiving these blessings.
... it is not for you to take your bishops into your confidence in having them recommend brethren to you for these blessings, because they are in no wise responsible for such recommends. It is you as stake president, and you alone, who are held responsible ... all brethren recommended by you should be instructed to regard this matter in the utmost privacy. ... neither should they take the liberty of advising any to ask you to be likewise recommended, as it is not for any man to seek for these blessings, but for those worthy of them to be sought out.
You must be exceedingly careful in recommending for the second anointing, careful as to the character of the men recommended, also careful with a view to maintaining privacy, and in order to avoid attention being drawn to recommends of this character, we suggest that you do not recommend more than one couple at a time, and that not more than one couple from your stake come to the temple during any one week.
... Deceased men or women recommended by you must of course also be likewise worthy ...
P.S. We take it for granted that you and your counselors have received higher blessings.
[Joseph F. Smith and Anthon H. Lund, letter to President William C. Partridge, Kenney Papers, original in LDS Archives]
120 years ago today - Oct. 23rd, 1901
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Pres. [Joseph F.] Smith is about to publish Lucy Smith's book which was suppressed by Father because of its untruthfulness. He, Jos. will carefully revise it before publishing it in the "Era." I regret it for so many are dead who knew more than the living about this matter.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Pres. [Joseph F.] Smith is about to publish Lucy Smith's book which was suppressed by Father because of its untruthfulness. He, Jos. will carefully revise it before publishing it in the "Era." I regret it for so many are dead who knew more than the living about this matter.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
125 years ago today - Oct 23, 1896; Friday
Brother John M. Cannon as attorney for Elder Edward Stevenson, informed Presidents [Wilford] Woodruff and [Joseph F.] Smith that he had been instructed by Brother Stevenson to draw up a deed transferring to the Latter Day Saints' College of the Salt Lake Stake, a piece of land 80 x 100 feet, facing on First West and South Temple street. In answer to questions as to the feeling of Brother Stevenson's family concerning this donation, Brother Cannon said that the matter had been talked about for some time, and the family had finally become united in regard to the matter. President Woodruff sent word to Brother Stevenson that the Lord and the church would accept of his offering.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
135 years ago today - Oct 23, 1886 (Saturday)
The new political party of Idaho, consisting mainly of "Mormon" citizens and known as the Independent Party, held a Territorial convention at Franklin, Oneida Co., where a platform and resolutions were adopted.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
180 years ago today - Oct 23, 1841
The Nauvoo City Council votes to remove the "house on the hill, a brothel with connections to John C. Bennett.
[Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2013 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]
[Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2013 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]
180 years ago today - Oct 23, 1841
[Brigham Young]
We taught the brethren on the necessity of finishing and completing the House of the Lord in preference to anything else. The brethren unanimously voted to devote one-tenth of their time and property to the building of the Temple at Nauvoo, under the superintendence of President Isaac Morley and his counsellors.
[Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).]
We taught the brethren on the necessity of finishing and completing the House of the Lord in preference to anything else. The brethren unanimously voted to devote one-tenth of their time and property to the building of the Temple at Nauvoo, under the superintendence of President Isaac Morley and his counsellors.
[Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).]
15 years ago today - Oct 22, 2006
Married couples who share religious beliefs and practices are better able to prevent, resolve and reconcile marital conflict, according to a new BYU study.
[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php]
[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php]
45 years ago today - 1976-10-22
First Presidency statement against the ERA
The First Presidency issues its first of several statements on the ERA. While they "deplore" the "injustices" women have experienced and acknowledge that "there are additional rights to which women are entitled," they conclude that the ERA "could indeed bring [women] far more restraints and repressions. We fear it will even stifle many God-given feminine instincts. It would strike at the family, humankind's basic institution. ERA would bring ambiguity and possibly invite extensive litigation. Passage of ERA, some legal authorities contend, could nullify many accumulated benefits to women in present statutes. We recognize men and women as equally important before the Lord, but with differences biologically, emotionally, and in other ways."
[Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]
The First Presidency issues its first of several statements on the ERA. While they "deplore" the "injustices" women have experienced and acknowledge that "there are additional rights to which women are entitled," they conclude that the ERA "could indeed bring [women] far more restraints and repressions. We fear it will even stifle many God-given feminine instincts. It would strike at the family, humankind's basic institution. ERA would bring ambiguity and possibly invite extensive litigation. Passage of ERA, some legal authorities contend, could nullify many accumulated benefits to women in present statutes. We recognize men and women as equally important before the Lord, but with differences biologically, emotionally, and in other ways."
[Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]
135 years ago today - Friday, Oct 22, 1886
In the evening a number of the brethren met at the house of President Hendricks and talked over the situation in Idaho and came to the conclusion our people could not vote in that Territory. Bro. F. M. Lyman and I gave some instructions in regard to duties in the Priesthood.
[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]
[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]
135 years ago today - Oct 22, 1886 (Friday)
In the Third District Court, a writ of habeas corpus was applied for in the case of Apostle Lorenzo Snow, who was confined in the Penitentiary. The application was refused and the case taken before the U.S. Supreme Court.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
155 years ago today - Oct 22, 1866
Dr. J. King Robinson is murdered in Salt Lake City. Witnesses see seven men leaving the scene of the crime, but claim the inability to identify them. Brigham Young publicly condemns the act, offers a $500 reward on 23 Oct. for the arrest of the murderers. After three Salt Lake City police officers (all Mormons) are charged with murder, Young withdraws the reward on 1 Feb. 1872 because he has "no desire to endanger the lives of innocent men."
[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)]]
155 years ago today - Oct 22, 1866
A 2nd group of Masons in Salt Lake City ... petitioned the Montana Grand Lodge for a dispensation which they received dated 22 October 1866.
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Freemasonry in Utah, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Freemasonry in Utah, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
160 years ago today - Oct 22, 1861
The Deseret News publishes first regular News with telegraph accounts from the East, containing a message from President Lincoln.
[Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
[Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
160 years ago today - Oct 22, 1861
The President [Brigham Young] mentioned the Telegram had brought news of a fight in Missouri and the prospect of a big fight tomorrow, the President further remarked that now the contending parties in the States were using Guns and Cannons, but in time they would become so bloodthirsty that they would be ready to tie their left hands behind and fight with Knives until they Killed each other. -- Salt Lake City
[Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
50 years ago today - Oct 21, 1971
First Presidency secretary Joseph Anderson writes that conscientious objectors can teach, partake of the sacrament, hold church offices, and receive temple recommends.
[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)]]
105 years ago today - Oct 21, 1916
"The Lecture," which is given in the Temple from time to time, as circumstances require, was first delivered by President [Brigham] Young in this [St. George] Temple. It was written down as he spoke it, and was subsequently revised by him. The ordinances were written [down] by Presidents Wilford Woodruff and George Q. Cannon, under the direction of President Young[,] and, when completed, he said "Now you have before you an ensample to carry on the endowments in all the Temples, until the coming of the Son of Man."
[David H. Cannon to Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, and Charles W. Penrose, Oct. 21, 1916, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[David H. Cannon to Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, and Charles W. Penrose, Oct. 21, 1916, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
130 years ago today - Oct 21, 1891
President [George Q.] Cannon had a conversation with President [Wilford] Woodruff on the meaning and scope of the manifesto. Certain answers of Pres[iden]ts. J[oseph]. F. Smith and L[orenzo]. Snow made before the 'Master [in Chancery]' on this subject, prompted this conversation. President Cannon remarked to President Woodruff that his mind was perfectly clear that anything that needed to favor temporizing with the state of things which now confronted us, only tended to delay the deliverance we longed for. He believed that just as soon as the nation through its leading men believed that we had met the issue and succumbed to the nation's will in good faith, that just as soon a reaction would set it in our favor; that the nation required convincing proof on our part, and that wisdom suggested that it was to our own interest to satisfy the nation in this respect, and he believed it to be our duty to do this.... President Smith came in towards the close of this conversation, and remarked that Brother George Reynolds was feeling badly on account of certain answers made by President Woodruff before the 'master' regarding unlawful cohabitation, President Woodruff having stated that the manifesto covered such cases as well as polygamous marriages. Presidents Cannon and Woodruff had a conversation with Brother [George] Reynolds with regard to this matter, in which the President told him that the manifesto was just as authoritative and binding as though it had been given in the form of 'Thus saith the Lord,' and that its affecting unlawful cohabitation cases was but the logical sequence of its scope and intent regarding polygamous marriages, as the laws of the land forbid both, and that therefore, although he himself at the time did not perceive the far-reaching effect it would have, no other ground could be taken than that which he had taken and be consistent with the position the manifesto had place us in.
[First Presidency Office Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[First Presidency Office Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Oct 24, 1831
[Ezra Booth]
... "Being carried away in the spirit" and "I know it to be so by the spirit," are well known phrases, and in common use in the Mormonite church. We will first notice the gift of tongues, exercised by some when carried away in the spirit. These persons were apparently lost to all surrounding circumstances, and wrapt up in the contemplation of things, and in communicating with persons not present. -- They articulated sounds, which but few present professed to understand; and those few, declared them to be the Indian language. A merchant, who had formerly been a member of the Methodist society, observed, he had formerly traded with the Indians, and he knew it to be their dialect. Being myself present on some of these occasions, a person proffered his services as my interpreter, and translated these sounds, which to me were unintelligible, into English language. One individual could read any chapter of the Old or New-Testament, in several different languages. This was known to be the case by a person who professed to understand those languages. In the midst of this delirium, they would, at times, fancy themselves addressing a congregation of their red brethren; and mounted upon a stump, or the fence, or from some elevated situation, would harangue their assembly, until they had convinced and converted them. They would then lead them into the water, and baptize them, and pronounce their sins forgiven. In this exercise, some of them actually went into the water; and in the water, performed the ceremony used in baptizing. These actors assumed the visage of the savage, and so nearly imitated him, not only in language, but in gestures and actions, that it seemed the soul and body were completely metamorphosed into the Indian. ...
A new method for obtaining authority to preach the Gospel was introduced into the church. One declared he had received a commission, directly from Heeven [sic], written upon parchment. Another, that it was written upon the palm of his hand, and upon the lid of his Bible, &c. Three witnesses, and they were formerly considered persons of veracity, testified, that they saw the parchment, or something like it, when put into the hands of the candidate. These commissions, when transcribed upon a piece of paper, were read to the church, and the persons who had received them, were ordained to the Elder's office, and sent out into the world to preach. ...
... The visionary, at times, imagined he saw the City of New-Jerusalem; unlocked its gate, and entered within the walls; passed through its various apartments, and then returned, locked the gate, and put the key into his pocket. When this tour was finished, he would entertain his admiring friends, with a detailed description of the Heavenly City.
The condition of the ten tribes of Israel since their captivity, unto the present time, has excited considerable anxiety, and given rise to much speculation among the learned. But after all the researches which have been made, the place of their residence has never been satisfactorily ascertained. But these visionaries have discovered their place of residence to be contiguous to the north pole; separated from the rest of the world by impassable mountains of ice and snow. In this sequestered residence, they enjoy the society of Elijah the Prophet, and John the Revelator, and perhaps the three immortalized Nephites. -- By and by, the mountains of ice and snow are to give way, and open a passage for the return of these tribes, to the land of Palestine....
Smith is the only one at present, to my knowledge, who pretends to hold converse with the inhabitants of the celestial world. It seems from his statements, that he can have access to them, when and where he pleases. He does not pretend that he sees them with his natural, but with his spiritual, eyes; and he says he can see them as well with his eyes shut, as with them open. So also in translating. -- The subject stands before his eyes in print, but it matters not whether his eyes are open or shut; he can see as well one way as the other....
Smith describes an angel, as having the appearance of "a tall, slim, well built, handsome man, with a bright pillar upon his head." The Devil once, he says, appeared to him in the same form, excepting upon his head he had a "black pillar," and by this mark, he was able to distinguish him from the former.
It passes for a current fact in the Mormonite church, that there are immense treasures in the earth, especially in those places in the State of N. Y. from whence many of the Mormonites emigrated last spring: and when they become sufficiently purified, these treasures are to be poured into the lap of their church; and then, to use their own language, they are to be the richest people in the world. These treasures were discovered several years since, by means of the dark glass, the same with which Smith says he translated most of the Book of Mormon. -- Several of those persons, together with Smith, who were formerly unsuccessfully engaged in digging and searching for these treasures, now reside in this county, and from themselves I received this information. Yours, affectionately,
EZRA BOOTH.
[Ohio Star]
... "Being carried away in the spirit" and "I know it to be so by the spirit," are well known phrases, and in common use in the Mormonite church. We will first notice the gift of tongues, exercised by some when carried away in the spirit. These persons were apparently lost to all surrounding circumstances, and wrapt up in the contemplation of things, and in communicating with persons not present. -- They articulated sounds, which but few present professed to understand; and those few, declared them to be the Indian language. A merchant, who had formerly been a member of the Methodist society, observed, he had formerly traded with the Indians, and he knew it to be their dialect. Being myself present on some of these occasions, a person proffered his services as my interpreter, and translated these sounds, which to me were unintelligible, into English language. One individual could read any chapter of the Old or New-Testament, in several different languages. This was known to be the case by a person who professed to understand those languages. In the midst of this delirium, they would, at times, fancy themselves addressing a congregation of their red brethren; and mounted upon a stump, or the fence, or from some elevated situation, would harangue their assembly, until they had convinced and converted them. They would then lead them into the water, and baptize them, and pronounce their sins forgiven. In this exercise, some of them actually went into the water; and in the water, performed the ceremony used in baptizing. These actors assumed the visage of the savage, and so nearly imitated him, not only in language, but in gestures and actions, that it seemed the soul and body were completely metamorphosed into the Indian. ...
A new method for obtaining authority to preach the Gospel was introduced into the church. One declared he had received a commission, directly from Heeven [sic], written upon parchment. Another, that it was written upon the palm of his hand, and upon the lid of his Bible, &c. Three witnesses, and they were formerly considered persons of veracity, testified, that they saw the parchment, or something like it, when put into the hands of the candidate. These commissions, when transcribed upon a piece of paper, were read to the church, and the persons who had received them, were ordained to the Elder's office, and sent out into the world to preach. ...
... The visionary, at times, imagined he saw the City of New-Jerusalem; unlocked its gate, and entered within the walls; passed through its various apartments, and then returned, locked the gate, and put the key into his pocket. When this tour was finished, he would entertain his admiring friends, with a detailed description of the Heavenly City.
The condition of the ten tribes of Israel since their captivity, unto the present time, has excited considerable anxiety, and given rise to much speculation among the learned. But after all the researches which have been made, the place of their residence has never been satisfactorily ascertained. But these visionaries have discovered their place of residence to be contiguous to the north pole; separated from the rest of the world by impassable mountains of ice and snow. In this sequestered residence, they enjoy the society of Elijah the Prophet, and John the Revelator, and perhaps the three immortalized Nephites. -- By and by, the mountains of ice and snow are to give way, and open a passage for the return of these tribes, to the land of Palestine....
Smith is the only one at present, to my knowledge, who pretends to hold converse with the inhabitants of the celestial world. It seems from his statements, that he can have access to them, when and where he pleases. He does not pretend that he sees them with his natural, but with his spiritual, eyes; and he says he can see them as well with his eyes shut, as with them open. So also in translating. -- The subject stands before his eyes in print, but it matters not whether his eyes are open or shut; he can see as well one way as the other....
Smith describes an angel, as having the appearance of "a tall, slim, well built, handsome man, with a bright pillar upon his head." The Devil once, he says, appeared to him in the same form, excepting upon his head he had a "black pillar," and by this mark, he was able to distinguish him from the former.
It passes for a current fact in the Mormonite church, that there are immense treasures in the earth, especially in those places in the State of N. Y. from whence many of the Mormonites emigrated last spring: and when they become sufficiently purified, these treasures are to be poured into the lap of their church; and then, to use their own language, they are to be the richest people in the world. These treasures were discovered several years since, by means of the dark glass, the same with which Smith says he translated most of the Book of Mormon. -- Several of those persons, together with Smith, who were formerly unsuccessfully engaged in digging and searching for these treasures, now reside in this county, and from themselves I received this information. Yours, affectionately,
EZRA BOOTH.
[Ohio Star]
35 years ago today - Oct 20, 1986
LDS Lt-Gen. Robert C. Oaks is the commander of the Allied air forces in southern Europe. He is the uncle of the recently sustained apostle Dallin H. Oaks.
[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)]]
50 years ago today - Oct 19, 1971
The Genesis Group is organized for the Salt Lake Valley's 200 LDS African-Americans to meet for auxiliary organizations, while attending sacrament meetings in their respective wards. Apostle Gordon B. Hinckley sets apart Ruffin Bridgeforth Jr. as president, with Darius Gray and Eugene Orr as counselors.
[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)]]
95 years ago today - Oct 19, 1926
[First Presidency to Joseph W. McMurrin]
We find upon inquiry that it has been some years since ordinances bestowing second blessings have been performed in cases where both parties are dead. Where people are sealed in the temple for and on behalf of the dead, or in cases where people who are dead were themselves sealed while living, the feeling has always been that every privilege, power and blessing of every description will be given to them, if they have lived worthy of same, and that they could not have more even if they had additional blessings sealed upon them. We, therefore, feel that there is no necessity of performing the ordinances that Sister Smith requests.
[Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, and Charles W. Nibley to Joseph W. McMurrin, Oct. 19, 1926, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
We find upon inquiry that it has been some years since ordinances bestowing second blessings have been performed in cases where both parties are dead. Where people are sealed in the temple for and on behalf of the dead, or in cases where people who are dead were themselves sealed while living, the feeling has always been that every privilege, power and blessing of every description will be given to them, if they have lived worthy of same, and that they could not have more even if they had additional blessings sealed upon them. We, therefore, feel that there is no necessity of performing the ordinances that Sister Smith requests.
[Heber J. Grant, Anthony W. Ivins, and Charles W. Nibley to Joseph W. McMurrin, Oct. 19, 1926, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
130 years ago today - Oct 19, 1891
(19-20) The First Presidency and Lorenzo Snow, the Twelve's president, and Apostle Anthon H. Lund testify in court that the Manifesto prohibits new plural marriages anywhere in the world and prohibits cohabitation with wives married before the Manifesto and that the church will excommunicate violators. Although the testimony is published in various editions of the Deseret News, all polygamous general authorities violate this by continuing to cohabit with their plural wives after 1891.
[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)]]
130 years ago today - 1891. October 19
(Wilford Woodruff) The Church had been disincorporated and all its property in excess of $50,000 confiscated by the federal government; more than a thousand men had been sentenced to prison for unlawful cohabitation. In February the Supreme Court had upheld the Idaho law which disfranchised anyone unwilling to take an oath denouncing plural marriage.
1891. October 19: Church leaders hoped that the Manifesto would unlock the door to statehood for Utah and provide relief from federal legislation. But testifying before the Master in Chancery for the return of escheated Church property, President Woodruff extended the Manifesto beyond its original intent. When asked if the Manifesto prohibited "living or associating in plural marriage by those already in the status," he replied, "I intended the proclamation to cover the whole ground—to obey the laws of the land entirely."
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
1891. October 19: Church leaders hoped that the Manifesto would unlock the door to statehood for Utah and provide relief from federal legislation. But testifying before the Master in Chancery for the return of escheated Church property, President Woodruff extended the Manifesto beyond its original intent. When asked if the Manifesto prohibited "living or associating in plural marriage by those already in the status," he replied, "I intended the proclamation to cover the whole ground—to obey the laws of the land entirely."
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Oct 19, 1856
[Wilford Woodruff]
In the afternoon President H. C Kimball J M. Grant F D. Richards & Z Pulsipher occupied the time. President Kimball & Grant flung the Arrows of God into the Hearts of the Transgressor. The spirit & power of God was upon them.
I attended the Council prayer Circle. ...
President B. Young said to J. C. Little I wish you would see Hosea Stout & see if their is any Law whareby I can Handle Judge Drummand for He has trampelled over all Law of this Territory walked over the Legislature of this Territory & all their Enactments & if their is any Law that I can get hold of I want to send for him & Judg him up. He has said there was no Marriage in this Territory that was Legal whether a man had one wife or more ...
President Young said I have got a Letter from Elder Hyde. He officiated as Clerk in [non-Mormon] Drummonds Court & wrote things there day after Day against God our religion & the people for a few dimes. He ought to be Cut off from the Quorum of the Twelve & the Church. He is no more fit to stand at the Head of the Quorum of the Twelve than a dog. His soul is entirely occupied with a few dimes & it is much more in his eyes than God Heaven & Eternal Life. He is a stink in my norstrels.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
In the afternoon President H. C Kimball J M. Grant F D. Richards & Z Pulsipher occupied the time. President Kimball & Grant flung the Arrows of God into the Hearts of the Transgressor. The spirit & power of God was upon them.
I attended the Council prayer Circle. ...
President B. Young said to J. C. Little I wish you would see Hosea Stout & see if their is any Law whareby I can Handle Judge Drummand for He has trampelled over all Law of this Territory walked over the Legislature of this Territory & all their Enactments & if their is any Law that I can get hold of I want to send for him & Judg him up. He has said there was no Marriage in this Territory that was Legal whether a man had one wife or more ...
President Young said I have got a Letter from Elder Hyde. He officiated as Clerk in [non-Mormon] Drummonds Court & wrote things there day after Day against God our religion & the people for a few dimes. He ought to be Cut off from the Quorum of the Twelve & the Church. He is no more fit to stand at the Head of the Quorum of the Twelve than a dog. His soul is entirely occupied with a few dimes & it is much more in his eyes than God Heaven & Eternal Life. He is a stink in my norstrels.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Oct 19, 1856
U.S. postmaster general James Campbell awards a Utah mail contract to Hiram Kimball, representing Brigham Young's newly formed BYX Company, for $23,000. The company name had been reduced to initials to conceal Young's involvement. Kimball and Young does not learn of their good fortune for some time because of a delay in the mail. This delay postpones the first BYX mail departure from the valley until 8 February 1857. Young chose Bill Hickman and O. Porter Rockwell to be his main mailmen ("pony express" riders). Hickman did not want to go but Young told him it was his duty. When Hickman returned to the Valley 4 months later he lamented that he was $1000 poorer than when he started. Brigham Young did not pay him for his part in the project.
165 years ago today - Oct 19, 1856
Blizzard strikes Willie Company near Seventh Crossing of the Sweetwater and the Martin Company at the Upper Crossing of the Platte.
[Handcart Timeline, Will Bagley]
[Handcart Timeline, Will Bagley]
180 years ago today - Oct 19, 1841
[Wilford Woodruff]
I felt to rejoice to spend a night with my family under a roof of my own it being the first time that I have ever injoyed such a privilege since we were married. +
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I felt to rejoice to spend a night with my family under a roof of my own it being the first time that I have ever injoyed such a privilege since we were married. +
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
60 years ago today - Oct 18, 1961
An associate director] of an LDS institute of religion [George T. Boyd] wrote: "May a dumb spirit possess Bro. E.T.B. [Ezra Taft Benson]"
[George T. Boyd to "Dick" (Richard D. Poll), undated but written ca. 18 Oct. 1961 and answered 24 Oct. 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.]
[George T. Boyd to "Dick" (Richard D. Poll), undated but written ca. 18 Oct. 1961 and answered 24 Oct. 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.]
70 years ago today - Oct 18, 1951
[J. Reuben Clark]
Henry D. Moyle'Gordon Hinckley had finished the book of his father; asked Pres. Clark to look over a couple of chapters. Pres. Clark said the only thing he would suggest that there would be nothing in it that would attack the honor or integrity of the Brethren. Bro. Moyle said he thought Gordon had been super-cautious about that. Pres. Clark said he would be happy to look them over.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
Henry D. Moyle'Gordon Hinckley had finished the book of his father; asked Pres. Clark to look over a couple of chapters. Pres. Clark said the only thing he would suggest that there would be nothing in it that would attack the honor or integrity of the Brethren. Bro. Moyle said he thought Gordon had been super-cautious about that. Pres. Clark said he would be happy to look them over.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
110 years ago today - Oct 18, 1911
[John M. Whittaker]
I said, 'President Smith, this is Nichol Hood, the man who has made the charge against you that you gave your consent for his brother John Hood, to take a plural wife.' What a surprize to most of the brethren and what a spirit it at once aroused. President Smith was calm and very gracious to Nichol Hood and said, 'Brother Hood, bring your chair close to me and let me talk with you. Who and where is your brother John Hood, and tell me just what he said.' Nichol Hood said, 'My brother John Hood told me that you personally told him you had no objection for him to take a plural wife.' And then President Smith said, 'Nichol I don't know your brother, I never remember of ever having seen him and if he said such a thing to you, he is a liar and the truth is not in him. The man is not living, or the man is not dead that could say I ever gave my consent for any one to take a plural wife since the Manifesto.' ...
[John M. Whittaker, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
I said, 'President Smith, this is Nichol Hood, the man who has made the charge against you that you gave your consent for his brother John Hood, to take a plural wife.' What a surprize to most of the brethren and what a spirit it at once aroused. President Smith was calm and very gracious to Nichol Hood and said, 'Brother Hood, bring your chair close to me and let me talk with you. Who and where is your brother John Hood, and tell me just what he said.' Nichol Hood said, 'My brother John Hood told me that you personally told him you had no objection for him to take a plural wife.' And then President Smith said, 'Nichol I don't know your brother, I never remember of ever having seen him and if he said such a thing to you, he is a liar and the truth is not in him. The man is not living, or the man is not dead that could say I ever gave my consent for any one to take a plural wife since the Manifesto.' ...
[John M. Whittaker, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
160 years ago today - Oct 18, 1861
Brigham Young sends first message on newly completed Overland Telegraph line to president of Pacific Telegraph Company in Ohio: "Utah has not seceded, but is firm for the Constitution and laws of our once happy country."
160 years ago today - Oct 18, 1861
... our beloved President Brigham Young said, that a city was to be built north of the junction of the Rio Virgin and Santa Clara, and that, out of respect to George A. Smith, the Pioneer of the South, the new city should be named St. George. -- SLC School House
[James G. Bleak. "Annals of the Southern Utah Mission," Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[James G. Bleak. "Annals of the Southern Utah Mission," Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
170 years ago today - Oct 18, 1851
[Hosea Stout]
The case of U. S. Vs Egan came up as pr adjt[.] George A. Smith first made his plea. He justified Egan for what he had done said it was the duty of the nearest kin to a female who was seduced to take the life of the seducer[.] He made an able plea & was followed by the prosecuting attorney when the jury retired and was absent about 15 minutes when they returned with a virdict of not guilty as found in the Indictment whereupon the court discharged Egan.
This is like to be a precident for any one who has his wife, sister, or daughter seduced to take the law into his own hands and slay the seducer & I expect it will go still farther but of that at the time
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
The case of U. S. Vs Egan came up as pr adjt[.] George A. Smith first made his plea. He justified Egan for what he had done said it was the duty of the nearest kin to a female who was seduced to take the life of the seducer[.] He made an able plea & was followed by the prosecuting attorney when the jury retired and was absent about 15 minutes when they returned with a virdict of not guilty as found in the Indictment whereupon the court discharged Egan.
This is like to be a precident for any one who has his wife, sister, or daughter seduced to take the law into his own hands and slay the seducer & I expect it will go still farther but of that at the time
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
170 years ago today - Oct 18, 1851
Trial of confessed murderer (and newly returned LDS missionary) Howard Egan. His lawyer Apostle George A. Smith popularizes phrase "mountain common law" and argues: "The man who seduces his neighbor's wife must die, and her nearest relative must kill him!" Fifteen minutes later jury finds Egan not guilty of murder. Church authorities print Smith's closing argument in Deseret News, in two pamphlets, and later in the Journal of Discourses 1:97. Egan is one of Brigham Young's enforcers.
[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)]]
185 years ago today - Oct 18, 1836
[Wilford Woodruff]
<I felt constrained by the spirit of prophecy to inform father and mother Thomas that they would stand in sin before the dead.>
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
<I felt constrained by the spirit of prophecy to inform father and mother Thomas that they would stand in sin before the dead.>
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
185 years ago today - (Tue) Oct 18, 1836
The first installment for proposed bank stock was transacted. Sidney Rigdon paid $12.00 as an initial installment for 2000 shares of the proposed Kirtland Safety Society stock.
[Dale W. Adams; BYU Studies Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 468-470., in Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
[Dale W. Adams; BYU Studies Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 468-470., in Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
30 years ago today - Oct 17, 1991.
At a B. H. Roberts Society meeting, David Knowlton discusses his situation, identifies the issues he feels are involved, and concludes, "It is simply a bad habit for authorities to engage in generalized intimidation. . . . We intellectuals should . . . stop looking over our shoulders to see if the Brethren are going to disagree with us, call us to repentance, hassle us, limit our access to information, or challenge us. In many ways that is their job--although it is indeed ours to critique all those actions, . . . to protect ourselves and argue for what we think important. We should act with security of purpose as thoughtful people who have a necessary role to play within the Church as community. . . . Some day people will quote with reverence the ancient texts from Dialogue, Sunstone, the Journal of Mormon History, Exponent II, the Mormon Women's Forum, the B. H. Roberts Society, BYU Studies, FARMS, and the Ensign, among others."
Michael Quinn, presenting in the same meeting, explains that general authorities have "typically attacked the messenger" who brings "unauthorized exposure of Mormonism's checkered past. . . . These attacks have usually been harsher when the messenger was a participant in the uncomfortable truths she or he revealed about Mormonism." Tactics include "excommunication," the label of "apostate," and "character assassination." He cites both nineteenth- and twentieth-century examples.
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
Michael Quinn, presenting in the same meeting, explains that general authorities have "typically attacked the messenger" who brings "unauthorized exposure of Mormonism's checkered past. . . . These attacks have usually been harsher when the messenger was a participant in the uncomfortable truths she or he revealed about Mormonism." Tactics include "excommunication," the label of "apostate," and "character assassination." He cites both nineteenth- and twentieth-century examples.
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
120 years ago today - Thursday, Oct 17, 1901
... At this point President Smith arose and said in part that he would deplore the necessity of doing anything that might have the appearance of being premature, but he felt that it was urgent that some action be taken with reference to the reorganization of the First Presidency. Complications might arise. The church property which some years ago escheated to the United States was returned to the First Presidency, and the law did not contemplate a condition arising where there would be no First Presidency. Furthermore, the trustee-in-trust should be appointed without unneces-sary delay to properly execute deeds and other official church documents and to hold the church property. He said that he did not know how the brethren of the Twelve viewed this matter, but remarked that if they were ready for immediate action, he was.
Apostle Brigham Young said that he was heartily in favor of reorganizing the First Presidency, and nominated Pres. Jos. F. Smith as president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world. Carried by unanimous vote. Pres. Smith accepted the action of the brethren and remarked that the time was ripe to sustain Brigham Young as president of the Twelve Apostles.
Pres. Smith said that he had selected his counselors and named Bp. Jno. R. Winder as the first and Apostle Anthon H. Lund as the second counselor. Sustained by unanimous vote. Apostle Lund, who was greatly surprised and deeply moved, said that he was willing to accept the appointment and expressed the hope that he might be equal to the responsibility.
It was moved and carried that Apostle Brigham Young be sustained as president of the Twelve Apostles. It was moved that President Jos. F. Smith be sustained as trustee-in-trust. Carried. It was moved that Pres. Jos. F. Smith be sustained as president of the Salt Lake Temple, with Jno. R. Winder as his first assistant. Carried.
At this point Bp. Winder was called in and notified by President Smith of his appointment. Was much affected. Remembered when Pres. Woodruff told him of his approaching appointment as 1st assistant to Pres. Snow in the temple, and asked him to say how he felt about it. In reply said he did not feel that he was qualified for the place. "Never mind," said the president, "I will appoint you and the Lord will qualify you." That is how I feel, said he, in regard to the present appointment.
It was moved that a general conference of the church be called for the 2nd Sunday in Nov. (the 10th) to ratify the said several actions as already taken. Carried.
Apostle Woodruff referred to the prophecy of his father to the effect that Jos. F. Smith would one day be president of the church. Apostle Woodruff predicted that his administration would be eventful.
The brethren were then set apart under the hands of the Twelve and patriarch, as follows: Joseph F. Smith, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world, Jno. Smith, patriarch, being mouth; Jno. R. Winder, 1st counselor to Pres. Smith, Jos. F. Smith, mouth; Anthon H. Lund, 2nd counselor to Pres. Smith, Brigham Young, mouth; Brigham Young, president of the Twelve Apostles, Jos. F. Smith, mouth.
Upon motion Rudger Clawson and Reed Smoot were appointed as an auditing committee. Benediction by Pres. Jno. R. Winder.
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
Apostle Brigham Young said that he was heartily in favor of reorganizing the First Presidency, and nominated Pres. Jos. F. Smith as president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world. Carried by unanimous vote. Pres. Smith accepted the action of the brethren and remarked that the time was ripe to sustain Brigham Young as president of the Twelve Apostles.
Pres. Smith said that he had selected his counselors and named Bp. Jno. R. Winder as the first and Apostle Anthon H. Lund as the second counselor. Sustained by unanimous vote. Apostle Lund, who was greatly surprised and deeply moved, said that he was willing to accept the appointment and expressed the hope that he might be equal to the responsibility.
It was moved and carried that Apostle Brigham Young be sustained as president of the Twelve Apostles. It was moved that President Jos. F. Smith be sustained as trustee-in-trust. Carried. It was moved that Pres. Jos. F. Smith be sustained as president of the Salt Lake Temple, with Jno. R. Winder as his first assistant. Carried.
At this point Bp. Winder was called in and notified by President Smith of his appointment. Was much affected. Remembered when Pres. Woodruff told him of his approaching appointment as 1st assistant to Pres. Snow in the temple, and asked him to say how he felt about it. In reply said he did not feel that he was qualified for the place. "Never mind," said the president, "I will appoint you and the Lord will qualify you." That is how I feel, said he, in regard to the present appointment.
It was moved that a general conference of the church be called for the 2nd Sunday in Nov. (the 10th) to ratify the said several actions as already taken. Carried.
Apostle Woodruff referred to the prophecy of his father to the effect that Jos. F. Smith would one day be president of the church. Apostle Woodruff predicted that his administration would be eventful.
The brethren were then set apart under the hands of the Twelve and patriarch, as follows: Joseph F. Smith, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in all the world, Jno. Smith, patriarch, being mouth; Jno. R. Winder, 1st counselor to Pres. Smith, Jos. F. Smith, mouth; Anthon H. Lund, 2nd counselor to Pres. Smith, Brigham Young, mouth; Brigham Young, president of the Twelve Apostles, Jos. F. Smith, mouth.
Upon motion Rudger Clawson and Reed Smoot were appointed as an auditing committee. Benediction by Pres. Jno. R. Winder.
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
120 years ago today - Thursday, Oct 17, 1901
[John Henry Smith]
... After we had transacted our business, I moved that we proceed at once to the organization of the first Presidency and after some remarks by Joseph F. Smith it was carried unanimously.
On motion of Brigham Young Seconded by the whole body, Joseph F. Smith was sustained as president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, the vote being unanimous. He Chose for his Councillors John R. Winder and Anthon Henrik Lund. Brigham Young president of the Twelve Apostles. All three were unanimously sustained.
John Smith Patriarch was mouth in setting apart Joseph F. Smith as President of the church. John R. Winder was called in and ordained an Apostle under the hands of us all, President Smith being mouth and also set apart as first Councillor. Anthon H. Lund was set apart as second Councillor by Joseph F. Smith and Brigham Young as the President of the Twelve.
The spirit of Lord was with us in power. J. F. S. was made President of the Temple and Trustee [in Trust] of the church.
[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]
... After we had transacted our business, I moved that we proceed at once to the organization of the first Presidency and after some remarks by Joseph F. Smith it was carried unanimously.
On motion of Brigham Young Seconded by the whole body, Joseph F. Smith was sustained as president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, the vote being unanimous. He Chose for his Councillors John R. Winder and Anthon Henrik Lund. Brigham Young president of the Twelve Apostles. All three were unanimously sustained.
John Smith Patriarch was mouth in setting apart Joseph F. Smith as President of the church. John R. Winder was called in and ordained an Apostle under the hands of us all, President Smith being mouth and also set apart as first Councillor. Anthon H. Lund was set apart as second Councillor by Joseph F. Smith and Brigham Young as the President of the Twelve.
The spirit of Lord was with us in power. J. F. S. was made President of the Temple and Trustee [in Trust] of the church.
[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]