[Leonard Arrington]
Reminiscence about Dialogue
[The quarterly journal] Dialogue is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. ... I first heard of Dialogue in the summer of 1965. A group of us were planning the formation of the Mormon History Association, which we did formally in December 1965. We had given serious consideration to the establishment of a quarterly journal. ... He [England] approached me about Dialogue. I told him about our plans for a Journal of Mormon History. He said the Dialogue people would (a) welcome articles on Mormon history; (b) give special emphasis to running articles on Mormon history; (c) allow us to edit a special issue on history occasionally.
Gene mentioned the intended title, Dialogue. I was not so sure I liked it. I preferred Latter-day Saints Review or Mormon Humanities Review or Latter-day Saints Quarterly. I wanted the journal to carry primarily responsible articles that were positive in tone, but scholarly. Assured on this I presented the matter to our Mormon History Association people and they agreed to support Dialogue. Wes Johnson appeared before the Mormon History Assn. Meeting in San Francisco in Dec. 1965 and presented the case and the group voted to support Dialogue.
At that early stage, I think in the fall of 1965, the Dialogue founders asked me to be one of the advisory editors. I think they did this to insure support by the Mormon historians. I told them I was inclined to accept but wanted to be sure it was all right with my ecclesiastical colleagues. I asked my stake president, Reed Bullen, to whom I was a counselor. Was it consistent with my position as a counselor in the stake presidency? He said he had no personal objection, but thought it would be appropriate for me to clear with "the people in Salt Lake," meaning Church Headquarters. I then wrote to President Hugh B. Brown who, I thought, would be understanding of Mormon intellectuals. He wrote back that he was very busy, but he advised that I talked with President Harvey Taylor of BYU (a Vice President under Ernest Wilkinson). Whatever he recommended was what President Brown would recommend. I was teaching summer school at BYU at the time, as I recall. I wrote to ask for an appointment with him, and he set up a Friday afternoon. We spent at least an hour. Basically, he counseled as follows:
He thought Mormon intellectuals did need an outlet for their thoughts. He thought BYU Studies was too in-house to serve as an adequate outlet for the free thought of Mormon intellectuals. He thought a magazine edited responsibly would be a good thing. He thought someone like me could exert a good influence. He urged me to accept and to be a force for good as an advisor.
So I accepted. I was encouraged by Gene England's positive point of view and by the appointment of Lowell Bennion as another advisory editor.
I was elated upon receiving the first issue. It was of far higher quality than anything I had imagined. The paper, the cover, the design, the print, the articles, the art work-everything was far superior to anything I had envisioned. I was so proud! And pleased!
And then came the second issue. I knew at once we would have trouble because of the appearance of the article by J. D. Williams on Church and State. I was disappointed in two respects. I thought it too negative and that it could have been edited to make it less negative; why didn't they do so? And second, I was disappointed that they didn't tell me or ask my counsel. Why was I an advisory editor if I wasn't asked for advice? Counterbalancing that feeling was the thrill of other articles in that second issue, particularly "Every Soul Has Its South" by Karl Keller and the poems by Carol Lynn Wright (now Pearson).
Shortly after the appearance of the second issue a Logan stake was visited by President N. Eldon Tanner, second counselor in the First Presidency. I made an opportunity to talk with him privately about Dialogue and my serving as an advisor. His reply was that so long as they asked my advice occasionally and so long as they took that advice occasionally, he thought I should remain. I thought long and hard: they aren't asking my advice. But I stayed with them because I thought the positive outweighed the negative.
As the president of the Mormon History Association in its first year, I was in touch with a large number of historians. I knew how much they appreciated Dialogue. I was also in touch with a large number of faculty in other disciplines at USU, BYU, and the U of U. They also very much appreciated Dialogue. Finally, as a counselor in the stake presidency with a president who was gone a great deal, I was in touch with many students who had problems, some intellectual problems and some social. Many of them expressed how they had been helped by Dialogue. So I felt the journal had a positive impact and I was glad to be lending it support.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
40 years ago today - Feb 28, 1982.
At a meeting of the B. H. Roberts Society, James L. Clayton of the University of Utah denounces the archival restrictions and challenges Elder Packer's position: "Selecting only those topics and historians that are comfortable in order to lead the membership more easily into the promised land is, to put it bluntly, intellectually and morally irresponsible from the historians' point of view."
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
55 years ago today - Feb 28, 1967
A Brigham Young University student publicly admits that under the direction of BYU's president, he and ten other undergraduates ocmmitted classroom "espionage" on eight professors to document their liberal "political convictions." All student-spies are members of the John Birch Society and of BYU's on-campus Young Americans for Freedom. After the immediate, official denial by BYU's administration, two weeks later President Ernest L. Wilkinson tells a faculty meeting, "I must accept responsibility," but claims "there is misinformation in the charges." Political science professor Edwin B. Morrell resigns as the department chair in protest, remains on the faculty, and later becomes the First Presidency's representative in helping to establish missions in Communist eastern Europe.
[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)]]
120 years ago today - Feb 28, 1902
President David H. Cannon * read a letter that he wrote to the First Presidency and also one in answer to his, to the effect that persons, who have had endowments and afterwards wish to be married for time only must go to a temple to be married or they will violate the law of chastity and the children born to such parents will not be in the covenant.
[Temple Minute Book, St. George, Feb. 28, 1902, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Temple Minute Book, St. George, Feb. 28, 1902, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
125 years ago today - Feb 28, 1897
[Merriner w. Merrill]
Bro[ther] Lyman Hurt My feeling by asking Me some important Questions of a private Character. evidently some one had been Lying to Him about Me.
[Marriner Wood Merrill, 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] Lyman Hurt My feeling by asking Me some important Questions of a private Character. evidently some one had been Lying to Him about Me.
[Marriner Wood Merrill, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
125 years ago today - Feb 28, 1897
Lecture held in the Salt Lake Tabernacle: "Latter-Day Saints As Modern Children of Israel" by Madame Lydia Mamreoff Von Finkelstein Mountford in honor of President Wilford Woodruff s Ninetieth Birthday. Woodruff and Madame Mountford are so close that later historians suspect that they were secretly married. Madame Mountford is sealed by proxy to Wilford Woodruff on Nov 23, 1920 in the Salt Lake Temple. In conjunction with President Woodruff's 90th birthday celebration his chronological chart is done and the results published in the PHRENOLOGICAL JOURNAL.
125 years ago today - Feb 28, 1897
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Pres[ident] Wilford Woodruff spoke for 30 m[inutes] in clear loud voice and his ideas were clear & forcible. He denied that the church had ever been in politics. The prophet Joseph Smith said "If I were the emperor of the world I would protect men in their worship of God so long as they respected the rights of others, in every nation upon the earth." Brigham Young, John Taylor nor himself had ever attempted, in any form, to unite church and state. Those who stated to the contrary were stating that which is untrue before God angels and men. ... Pres[ident] W. W. & wife shook hands with four or five thousand people.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Pres[ident] Wilford Woodruff spoke for 30 m[inutes] in clear loud voice and his ideas were clear & forcible. He denied that the church had ever been in politics. The prophet Joseph Smith said "If I were the emperor of the world I would protect men in their worship of God so long as they respected the rights of others, in every nation upon the earth." Brigham Young, John Taylor nor himself had ever attempted, in any form, to unite church and state. Those who stated to the contrary were stating that which is untrue before God angels and men. ... Pres[ident] W. W. & wife shook hands with four or five thousand people.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Feb 28, 1847
[Brigham Young]
On Wednesday morning I was taken ill and it has been asked if I had a vision. I was taken so suddenly sick just as I was getting out of my bed that I could not go out. I tried to return to the bed again but could not even get back. As to how I felt no one can tell how I felt until he dies and goes through the vail and when he does that he can then tell how I felt. All that I know is what my wife said. She said that I said I had been where Joseph and Hyrum is and again I said that it is hard coming to life again. But I know that I went to the world of spirits but what I saw I know not for the vision went away from me as a dream which you loose when you awake. The next day I had a dream. I dreamed that I saw Joseph sitting in a room in the southwest corner near a bright window he sat in a chair with his feet both on the lower round. I took him by the hand and kissed him on both cheeks and wanted to know why we could not be together as we once was. He said that it was all right that we should not be together yet. We must be separated for a season. I said it was hard to be separated from him. He said it was all right and put his feet down on the floor. Now all you who know how he looks when he used to give council knows all about it. I told him that the Latter-Day Saints was very anxious to know about the law of adoption and the sealing power and he desired a word of council from him. Joseph said '- do you be sure and tell the people one thing. Do you be sure and tell the brethren that it is all important from them to keep the spirit of the Lord. To keep the quiet spirit of Jesus and he explained how the spirit of the Lord reflected on the spirit of man and set him to pondering on any subject, and how to know the spirit of the Lord from the spirit of the enemy. The mind of man must be opened to receive all spirits in order to be prepared to receive the spirit of the Lord otherwise it might be barred so as not to receive the spirit of the Lord, which always brings peace and makes one happy, and takes away every other spirit. When the small still voice speaks always receive it and if the people will do these things when they come up to the Father, all will be as in the beginning and every person stand as at the first. He saw how we were organized before we took tabernacles and every man will be restored to what he had then and all will be satisfied. I turned away and saw Joseph was in the edge of the light but where I had to go was as midnight darkness. He said I must go back so I went back in the darkness. I know we ought to be good and honest men and women. Will the brethren let us go and prepare a place that where we are they may be also. I feel very week since I died. I want you to remember my dream, for I know it is a vision of God and was revealed through the spirit of Joseph. -- Winter Quarters, Nebraska
[WQ High Council Minutes, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
On Wednesday morning I was taken ill and it has been asked if I had a vision. I was taken so suddenly sick just as I was getting out of my bed that I could not go out. I tried to return to the bed again but could not even get back. As to how I felt no one can tell how I felt until he dies and goes through the vail and when he does that he can then tell how I felt. All that I know is what my wife said. She said that I said I had been where Joseph and Hyrum is and again I said that it is hard coming to life again. But I know that I went to the world of spirits but what I saw I know not for the vision went away from me as a dream which you loose when you awake. The next day I had a dream. I dreamed that I saw Joseph sitting in a room in the southwest corner near a bright window he sat in a chair with his feet both on the lower round. I took him by the hand and kissed him on both cheeks and wanted to know why we could not be together as we once was. He said that it was all right that we should not be together yet. We must be separated for a season. I said it was hard to be separated from him. He said it was all right and put his feet down on the floor. Now all you who know how he looks when he used to give council knows all about it. I told him that the Latter-Day Saints was very anxious to know about the law of adoption and the sealing power and he desired a word of council from him. Joseph said '- do you be sure and tell the people one thing. Do you be sure and tell the brethren that it is all important from them to keep the spirit of the Lord. To keep the quiet spirit of Jesus and he explained how the spirit of the Lord reflected on the spirit of man and set him to pondering on any subject, and how to know the spirit of the Lord from the spirit of the enemy. The mind of man must be opened to receive all spirits in order to be prepared to receive the spirit of the Lord otherwise it might be barred so as not to receive the spirit of the Lord, which always brings peace and makes one happy, and takes away every other spirit. When the small still voice speaks always receive it and if the people will do these things when they come up to the Father, all will be as in the beginning and every person stand as at the first. He saw how we were organized before we took tabernacles and every man will be restored to what he had then and all will be satisfied. I turned away and saw Joseph was in the edge of the light but where I had to go was as midnight darkness. He said I must go back so I went back in the darkness. I know we ought to be good and honest men and women. Will the brethren let us go and prepare a place that where we are they may be also. I feel very week since I died. I want you to remember my dream, for I know it is a vision of God and was revealed through the spirit of Joseph. -- Winter Quarters, Nebraska
[WQ High Council Minutes, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
180 years ago today - Feb 28, 1842
A man sends Joseph a note stating that Joseph has been honest and fair in his financial dealings with the man. Joseph immediately publishes the rare but welcome compliment in the Times and Seasons.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
190 years ago today - Feb 28, 1832
W.W. Phelps & Co. issued the "Prospects" the Church's first newspaper, The Evening and the Morning Star. The broadside indicated the newspaper would print the revelations, but lack of paper prevented further publication.
[Lisle G Brown, "Chronology of the Literary Firm"]
[Lisle G Brown, "Chronology of the Literary Firm"]
35 years ago today - Feb 27, 1987
Forger/murderer Mark Hofmann meets with prosecutors to be interviewed as per his plea agreement. He describes his feelings in Apr 1980 when he took the forged "Anthon transcript" to President Spencer W. Kimball and other Mormon officials: "I believed it would pass their inspection as far as being in Joseph Smith's handwriting. And, as far as how I felt, probably a combination of emotions. There was, of course, a little bit of fear involved since, of course, it was a forged document. There was some excitement involved, a feeling of duping them, I guess. . . . I wasn't fearful of the church inspiration detecting the forgery, . . ."
120 years ago today - Thursday, Feb 27, 1902
[Rudger Clawson]
The clerk read a letter from Thos. E. Bassett, in which he said that they had concluded to change the name of the Fremont Stake Academy [Now BYU-I] to that of the Smith Academy—in honor of Jos. and Hyrum Smith—if agreeable to the council. Some of the brethren expressed the view that the said academy was hardly of sufficient importance to bear the name of the Prophet and also that an action of this kind now would detract somewhat from the contemplated memorial building to memory of Joseph Smith. Upon motion of Apostle Jno. H. Smith it was decided that we recommend the name of the Ricks Academy.
The clerk read a letter from Pres. A. W. Ivins of the Juarez Stake, who wrote concerning the missionary work in the city of Mexico and vicinity. Much good, he said, was being accomplished, and the cause prospered.
[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]
The clerk read a letter from Thos. E. Bassett, in which he said that they had concluded to change the name of the Fremont Stake Academy [Now BYU-I] to that of the Smith Academy—in honor of Jos. and Hyrum Smith—if agreeable to the council. Some of the brethren expressed the view that the said academy was hardly of sufficient importance to bear the name of the Prophet and also that an action of this kind now would detract somewhat from the contemplated memorial building to memory of Joseph Smith. Upon motion of Apostle Jno. H. Smith it was decided that we recommend the name of the Ricks Academy.
The clerk read a letter from Pres. A. W. Ivins of the Juarez Stake, who wrote concerning the missionary work in the city of Mexico and vicinity. Much good, he said, was being accomplished, and the cause prospered.
[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 - Feb 27, 1902
[Joseph F. Smith]
... What is called the Adam God doctrine may properly be classed among the mysteries. The full truth concerning it has not been revealed to us; and until it is revealed all wild speculations, sweeping assertions and dogmatic declarations relative thereto, are out of place and improper. ... /s/ Jos. F. Smith
[First Presidency Letterpress Copybooks, pp. 26-7; Church Archives, Ms/f/271/9; Feb. 27, 1902, in Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
... What is called the Adam God doctrine may properly be classed among the mysteries. The full truth concerning it has not been revealed to us; and until it is revealed all wild speculations, sweeping assertions and dogmatic declarations relative thereto, are out of place and improper. ... /s/ Jos. F. Smith
[First Presidency Letterpress Copybooks, pp. 26-7; Church Archives, Ms/f/271/9; Feb. 27, 1902, in Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
120 years ago today - Feb 27, 1902
Joseph F. Smith rules that a stake president has the authority to ordain bishops, but only if authorized by the First Presidency. He instructs an apostle to re-ordain a man who has been ordained bishop by his stake president.
[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)]]
150 years ago today - Feb 27, 1872
The LDS Millennial Star editorial, "Motherhood Of God," repeats a child's question: "Why don't you tell me 'bout the Heavenly Mother? Don't she give us anything?" Editorial speaks of those who "yearn to adore her" and expresses approval of praying to "Father and Mother God." Conclusion: "When we draw nearer the Divine Man, lo! we shall find a Divine Woman smiling upon us... In the Father's many mansions, we shall find her and be satisfied."
[http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/MStar/id/25052 The Millennial Star , [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/MStar/id/25052 The Millennial Star , [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
30 years ago today - Feb 26, 1992
A BYU DAILY UNIVERSE editorial criticizes a recent memo from the sociology department to University president Rex E. Lee. The editorial upholds the concept of a ban on BYU faculty speaking at unauthorized symposia such as the Sunstone Symposium. "In this case, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has said where it doesn't want research being presented. Is it a case of limited academic freedom? Yes, but any university or organization can limit expression to accomplish its institutional purpose." Professors Edward Kimball (son of Spencer W. Kimball) and Eugene England write a response rebutting the three major points of the editorial.
135 years ago today - Feb 26, 1887
Utah Supreme Court rules that a legal wife is required to testify against her polygamous husband. As a result several legal wives are imprisoned for refusing to testify against their polygamous husbands. U.S. Supreme Court waits to reverse this decision until 22 Dec. 1890, after the LDS church has publicly abandoned polygamy.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
135 years ago today - Feb 26, 1887
[John W. Taylor:] It has taken quite a time to school the Latter-day Saints to what we believe to day. And I find that it is getting to be believed that Pres[iden]t. Taylor will yet receive a revelation to cancel the revelation on Celestial Marriage. And you let anything officially be given about this, and it will create quite a stir among the people. ...
['Remarks of the Brethren on Scott Amendment', as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
['Remarks of the Brethren on Scott Amendment', as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
135 years ago today - Saturday, Feb 26, 1887
[Council of Fifty, Franklin D. Richards]
I this morning met at the Presidents office in Council at 8.a.m. ... to deliberate as to the best means of securing the Church property in view of the chances that the Edmunds Tucker bill may become a law.
[Franklin D. Richards journal, as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
I this morning met at the Presidents office in Council at 8.a.m. ... to deliberate as to the best means of securing the Church property in view of the chances that the Edmunds Tucker bill may become a law.
[Franklin D. Richards journal, as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
155 years ago today - Feb 26, 1867
Brigham Young revises the procedure for Second Anointings: "We should not anoint ownly one man & his family at one meeting. if any other women are to be anointed to another man it must be a separate meeting, there may [be] two meetings in a day at one place." Eight weeks previously Young had decided to "only anoint one man & his wives in one day at one place."
160 years ago today - Feb 26, 1862
Wilford Woodruff records "Joseph A Young had made a Complaint to hie Father [Brigham Young] that He was in the Historians office & took a Book upon sealings & Brother Bullock told him He should not Examine it, as he had orders that no one should see it, and that it had been under his Care ever since it was delivered to him. This was the cause of the order to deliver [various] books into the hands of Preside[n]t Young. They of Course belong to him, as do all Historical Church records documents & papers to dispose of & Controll as his pleasure."
175 years ago today - Feb 26, 1847
[Wilford Woodruff]
we recieved a visit from A man from New orleans formally. He professed to be an Indian. Most of persons believed him to be a descendant of Ham. Br Hyde Baptized him in Nauvoo. He was an eccentric character. He was the most perfect natural musician I ever saw on a flute fife, sauce pan, ratler, whistle &c. He was invited into the Council spent a few moments & returned to Br Youngs. He married Br Stantons daughter for a wife. He went to Br Bensons to spend the night. We want to hear him make some music but he was some disappointed angry & sullen & would not make any music. His name was Wm [William] Carey. [Carey would influence Brigham Young's thinking on blacks]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
we recieved a visit from A man from New orleans formally. He professed to be an Indian. Most of persons believed him to be a descendant of Ham. Br Hyde Baptized him in Nauvoo. He was an eccentric character. He was the most perfect natural musician I ever saw on a flute fife, sauce pan, ratler, whistle &c. He was invited into the Council spent a few moments & returned to Br Youngs. He married Br Stantons daughter for a wife. He went to Br Bensons to spend the night. We want to hear him make some music but he was some disappointed angry & sullen & would not make any music. His name was Wm [William] Carey. [Carey would influence Brigham Young's thinking on blacks]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Feb 26, 1847
Joseph [Smith?] did not give a description of size shape, & colors. [I]t was commenced out of White cloth the day before Joseph died.
A[lbert]. R[ockwood].[: T]he idea was to be erected some where else.
W[illiam]. C[layton].[:] It was got on the Friday. J[oseph]. gave himself up on Sunday'[The flag could be] ab[ou]t. 16 feet long.
B[righam]. Y[oung].[:] What of a fl[ag]. [W]ould 16 feet by 8 put on a mountain'5 mi[les]. off. I think 90 by 30 [is] better.
G[eorge]. M[iller].[:] You could hoist [it] by pulleys'as high as 100 feet. B[righam]. Y[oung].[:] You would have to hoist a tower'[S]uppose you build a tower 100 feet higher & the mast sunk 30 feet into it.
G[eorge]. M[iller].[: H]ave a ring with a collar to work it.
W[illiam]. C[layton].[: T]he colors [can be] blue & red'letters red shaded with blue.
B[righam]. Y[oung].[: T]he proper colors could be up.
W[illard]. R[ichards].[:] Silk & Linen will wearer longer.
B[righam]. Y[oung].[: Y]ou can raise a f[lag] under the U.S. [who] have the motto 'religious toleration' [that the group] wants blue white & red. [They have] generally used linen for the army.
O[rson]. P[ratt].[: T]he higher you get, the thinner strata of Air'
B[righam]. Y[oung].[: O]n the mountains pleasant. below thunder & lightning'below that a perfect Sea of Water.
G[eorge]. A. S[mith].[: G]et goods 35 feet long. B[righam]. Y[oung].[: U]se Alman Oil or Water to paint with'want Silk ab[ou]t 6 bits a yard, 10 y[ar]d[s]. by 5.
H[eber]. K[imball]. Motioned that we have one, put it up & then dream about it.
N[ewel]. K. W[hitney].[: S]omething like Gamboon, only not ribbed. [I]t waves but [does] not snap. B[righam]. Y[oung].[:] I want your Council that you may not [travel] 1000 miles [and] wish you had tho[ugh]t. of it.
H[eber]. C. K[imball]. Motioned that we have the best stuff in the Eastern Markets.
B[righam]. Y[oung].[:] I go in for purple & scarlet wtih red, blue, & white'
...N[ewel]. K. W[hitney]. Mov[e]d. that we write to bro[ther] [Orson] Hyde to get the Stuff'red, blue, white, scarlet, & purple' H[eber]. C. K[imball]. motioned that we have the five colors. [S]ec[onde]d. & carr[ie]d. G[eorge]. A. S[mith]. motioned that the W[illard]. R[ichards]. motioned that this Council dictate & instruct the Clerk....
[Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
A[lbert]. R[ockwood].[: T]he idea was to be erected some where else.
W[illiam]. C[layton].[:] It was got on the Friday. J[oseph]. gave himself up on Sunday'[The flag could be] ab[ou]t. 16 feet long.
B[righam]. Y[oung].[:] What of a fl[ag]. [W]ould 16 feet by 8 put on a mountain'5 mi[les]. off. I think 90 by 30 [is] better.
G[eorge]. M[iller].[:] You could hoist [it] by pulleys'as high as 100 feet. B[righam]. Y[oung].[:] You would have to hoist a tower'[S]uppose you build a tower 100 feet higher & the mast sunk 30 feet into it.
G[eorge]. M[iller].[: H]ave a ring with a collar to work it.
W[illiam]. C[layton].[: T]he colors [can be] blue & red'letters red shaded with blue.
B[righam]. Y[oung].[: T]he proper colors could be up.
W[illard]. R[ichards].[:] Silk & Linen will wearer longer.
B[righam]. Y[oung].[: Y]ou can raise a f[lag] under the U.S. [who] have the motto 'religious toleration' [that the group] wants blue white & red. [They have] generally used linen for the army.
O[rson]. P[ratt].[: T]he higher you get, the thinner strata of Air'
B[righam]. Y[oung].[: O]n the mountains pleasant. below thunder & lightning'below that a perfect Sea of Water.
G[eorge]. A. S[mith].[: G]et goods 35 feet long. B[righam]. Y[oung].[: U]se Alman Oil or Water to paint with'want Silk ab[ou]t 6 bits a yard, 10 y[ar]d[s]. by 5.
H[eber]. K[imball]. Motioned that we have one, put it up & then dream about it.
N[ewel]. K. W[hitney].[: S]omething like Gamboon, only not ribbed. [I]t waves but [does] not snap. B[righam]. Y[oung].[:] I want your Council that you may not [travel] 1000 miles [and] wish you had tho[ugh]t. of it.
H[eber]. C. K[imball]. Motioned that we have the best stuff in the Eastern Markets.
B[righam]. Y[oung].[:] I go in for purple & scarlet wtih red, blue, & white'
...N[ewel]. K. W[hitney]. Mov[e]d. that we write to bro[ther] [Orson] Hyde to get the Stuff'red, blue, white, scarlet, & purple' H[eber]. C. K[imball]. motioned that we have the five colors. [S]ec[onde]d. & carr[ie]d. G[eorge]. A. S[mith]. motioned that the W[illard]. R[ichards]. motioned that this Council dictate & instruct the Clerk....
[Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
10 years ago today - Feb 25, 2012
Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert performs a mock posthumous conversion of Mormons to Judaism
[Comedy Central]
[Comedy Central]
40 years ago today - Feb 25, 1982.
Jack and Linda Newell accept the editorship of Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought, effective that summer. Lavina Fielding Anderson agrees to be associate editor.
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
115 years ago today - Feb 25, 1907
[David O. McKay]
Polygamous marriages, cohabitation, and 'Church in politics' have been important subjects. ... B. H. Roberts is the most able man on the committee when it comes to able analysis of conditions, and the power to express himself extemporaneously. He hasn't so much faith in the Gospel and especially in the present leaders as has Elder Whitney. Bro[ther] Roberts is a stronger man every way than Dr. Talmage. Orson F. Whitney comes second. He is not so practical as Bro[ther]. Roberts; but he has more spirituality. He has been conservative on nearly all questions, and has invariably been true to the leaders past and present. (I am judging feeling now. Nothing has been said in the committee that would indicate that the others are not also true.[)] Dr. Talmage is a good deal of a pretender, though he has a good vocabulary and is a keen critic. LeGrande Young thinks LeGrande is alright. His heart is in the Church though. Jos[eph]. F[ielding]. Smith Jr. is an excellent young man. He is unassuming and true. Richard W. Young is a fine man, good spirited, and fairly good at analysis, but he is not specific enough, not definite enough until after a good deal of thought. He is true to the church. Bro[ther]. Morris is a pretty solid man, a man of good judgment.
[David O. McKay, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Polygamous marriages, cohabitation, and 'Church in politics' have been important subjects. ... B. H. Roberts is the most able man on the committee when it comes to able analysis of conditions, and the power to express himself extemporaneously. He hasn't so much faith in the Gospel and especially in the present leaders as has Elder Whitney. Bro[ther] Roberts is a stronger man every way than Dr. Talmage. Orson F. Whitney comes second. He is not so practical as Bro[ther]. Roberts; but he has more spirituality. He has been conservative on nearly all questions, and has invariably been true to the leaders past and present. (I am judging feeling now. Nothing has been said in the committee that would indicate that the others are not also true.[)] Dr. Talmage is a good deal of a pretender, though he has a good vocabulary and is a keen critic. LeGrande Young thinks LeGrande is alright. His heart is in the Church though. Jos[eph]. F[ielding]. Smith Jr. is an excellent young man. He is unassuming and true. Richard W. Young is a fine man, good spirited, and fairly good at analysis, but he is not specific enough, not definite enough until after a good deal of thought. He is true to the church. Bro[ther]. Morris is a pretty solid man, a man of good judgment.
[David O. McKay, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
125 years ago today - Feb 25, 1897; Thursday
The First Presidency went this morning to the Power House of the Salt Lake City Railway, on invitation of Brother Francis Armstrong, and witnessed the turning on of power conveyed by wire from the works of the Utah Power Company, with which Brother Armstrong is connected, in Cottonwood Canyon. From today this power so conveyed, is to be used for propelling the street cars in Salt Lake City.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
140 years ago today - Feb 25, 1882
After a bitter dispute between George Q. Cannon (who won a decisive victory) and Liberal Party candidate Allen G. Campbell over who was allowed to represent Utah territory in the House of Representatives, both are denied the position. George Q. Cannon's practice of polygamy was the deciding issue and re-sparks national controversy on the topic.
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
145 years ago today - Feb 25, 1877
[Orson Pratt]
This place, Spring Hill, is alluded to by the Lord, in this revelation, as being anciently called Adam-ondi-Ahman, because it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his children, or the place where the Ancient of Days shall sit. . . . We have then an understanding that it was the place where Adam dwelt. Perhaps you may be anxious to know what "Ondi-Ahman" means. It means the place where Adam dwelt. "Ahman" signifies God. The whole term means Valley of God, where Adam dwelt. It is in the original language spoken by Adam, as revealed to the Prophet Joseph.
[J. D. 18:342-343; Orson Pratt; Eighteenth Ward Meeting House, Salt Lake City; Sunday afternoon, February 25, 1877, in Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
This place, Spring Hill, is alluded to by the Lord, in this revelation, as being anciently called Adam-ondi-Ahman, because it is the place where Adam shall come to visit his children, or the place where the Ancient of Days shall sit. . . . We have then an understanding that it was the place where Adam dwelt. Perhaps you may be anxious to know what "Ondi-Ahman" means. It means the place where Adam dwelt. "Ahman" signifies God. The whole term means Valley of God, where Adam dwelt. It is in the original language spoken by Adam, as revealed to the Prophet Joseph.
[J. D. 18:342-343; Orson Pratt; Eighteenth Ward Meeting House, Salt Lake City; Sunday afternoon, February 25, 1877, in Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
155 years ago today - Feb 25, 1867
[Wilford Woodruff]
I met at the prayer room at 2 oclok & W Woodruff anointed [second anointing] {Charles F Jones & wife} to there seconed Anointing. I had an interview with Presidet Young. He told me not to Anoint ownly one man & his wives at any one meeting. If we anointed other women appoint a meeting for that purpose.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I met at the prayer room at 2 oclok & W Woodruff anointed [second anointing] {Charles F Jones & wife} to there seconed Anointing. I had an interview with Presidet Young. He told me not to Anoint ownly one man & his wives at any one meeting. If we anointed other women appoint a meeting for that purpose.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
160 years ago today - Feb 25, 1862
During the Civil war Brigham Young writes: "The South at this time is being worsted. The sympathies of our brethren are divided some for the Union and some for the South, but the South gets the greatest share. The wise among us read the programme of the war in the revelations of Joseph and the escapes and reverses of our common foe never leads us to the conclusion that peace will again be restored among the enemies of truth and workers of unrighteousness whether belonging to the North or South."
175 years ago today - Feb 25, 1847
Mary Ellen Woodward, divorced plural wife of Brigham Young who has returned to her first husband writes Young: "If I do all I can and after this he treats me bad, will you let me leave him and live with my children?"
55 years ago today - Feb 24, 1967
David O. McKay received a twelve-page letter from John Birch Society president Robert Welch, "a cursory glance of which indicates or pleads for permission for Ezra Taft Benson to serve on the National Council of the Society." In his conclusion, Welch indicated that Benson had already agreed to serve on the council, subject only to McKay's consent.
"It was agreed that Elder Benson would answer Mr. Welch and tell him that it would be impossible for him to serve on the Council at this time."
[David O. McKay diary, ; Robert Welch to David O. McKay, February 21, 1967; David O. McKay diary, March 22, 1967 as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
"It was agreed that Elder Benson would answer Mr. Welch and tell him that it would be impossible for him to serve on the Council at this time."
[David O. McKay diary, ; Robert Welch to David O. McKay, February 21, 1967; David O. McKay diary, March 22, 1967 as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
60 years ago today - Feb 24, 1962
The Church News reports that 3,500 teams and 50,000 players are involved in an all-church basketball tournament. For the final playoffs the teams come to Salt Lake City from throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Basketball is the most popular of the all-church team sports which also includes softball and volleyball. However, from 1958 to 1971 more than thirty stakes have been organized outside of North America, and their youth obviously cannot participate in such tournaments. In 1971 church headquarters ends the "all-Church" sports competitions.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
135 years ago today - Feb 24, 1887 (Thursday)
Geo. Taylor and G.H. Peterson, of Almy, Uinta Co., Wyo., were arrested for u.c. [Unlawful Cohabitation, I.E. living with a polygamous wife], and, after a preliminary examination before Judge Corn, of Evanston, admitted to bail in the sum of $300 each. These were the first cases under the Edmunds law in Wyoming.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
145 years ago today - Feb 24, 1877
[Henry Eyring]
[M]yself and wives received our sec[on]d anointing under the hands of Elder Wilford Woodruff, to whom we were subsequently adopted as son and daughter[s].
[Henry Eyring diary, Feb. 24, 1877 , Perry Special Collections, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[M]yself and wives received our sec[on]d anointing under the hands of Elder Wilford Woodruff, to whom we were subsequently adopted as son and daughter[s].
[Henry Eyring diary, Feb. 24, 1877 , Perry Special Collections, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
150 years ago today - February 24th 1872
[Paris, Idaho School of the Prophets]
A question was then asked by Elder Isaac Dunford. Is it proper to use oil (after it has been consecrated) for any other purpose but what it was consecrated for? Bp. Budge answered when oil is consecrated for any specific purpose it ought to be used for that purpose, but no harm will accrue from its use in other things.
For the information of some Brethren who had retained works written by Orson Pratt [Sen.?]: Bp. Budge read some letters from the First Presidency, published in the Millennial Star, condemning the same, and also giving instructions to destroy them. ...
[Paris ward - Bear Lake Stake - School of the Prophets minutes 1869-72, typescript by Michael Nielsen]
A question was then asked by Elder Isaac Dunford. Is it proper to use oil (after it has been consecrated) for any other purpose but what it was consecrated for? Bp. Budge answered when oil is consecrated for any specific purpose it ought to be used for that purpose, but no harm will accrue from its use in other things.
For the information of some Brethren who had retained works written by Orson Pratt [Sen.?]: Bp. Budge read some letters from the First Presidency, published in the Millennial Star, condemning the same, and also giving instructions to destroy them. ...
[Paris ward - Bear Lake Stake - School of the Prophets minutes 1869-72, typescript by Michael Nielsen]
160 years ago today - Feb 4, 1862
[Augusta Adams Cobb Young (plural wife of Brigham Young)]
Now B Br[righam] [sic] Young Can you not see how all this disgrace and distress might have been avoided? Most assuredly you can[.] If you had allowed me to have gone up to Nauvoo free and untrameled In my Spiret I should have seen Br Joseph the first thing. But instead of that you exacted a promise of me that I would not see him alone Saying he would certainly over come me[.] I replied if he did he would be the first man. You then Said I had never had to deal with a Prophet of the Lord[.] Now suppose he had over come me And I should by that means have raised up a Son or a King if you please[.] Who would have been the wiser?
[Augusta Adams Cobb Young to Brigham Young (typescript: Connell O'Donavan)]
Now B Br[righam] [sic] Young Can you not see how all this disgrace and distress might have been avoided? Most assuredly you can[.] If you had allowed me to have gone up to Nauvoo free and untrameled In my Spiret I should have seen Br Joseph the first thing. But instead of that you exacted a promise of me that I would not see him alone Saying he would certainly over come me[.] I replied if he did he would be the first man. You then Said I had never had to deal with a Prophet of the Lord[.] Now suppose he had over come me And I should by that means have raised up a Son or a King if you please[.] Who would have been the wiser?
[Augusta Adams Cobb Young to Brigham Young (typescript: Connell O'Donavan)]
165 years ago today - Feb 24, 1857
[Brigham Young]
Young dismissed Orson Hyde's views showing him the danger of holding these ideas even if he does not teach them. Would like him to preach these doctrines before a conference of Elders, and let him reply and correct them. Then showed in much plainness the doctrine of the resurrection of the elements of this body to unite with the spirit, that has honored and exalted it, as every element pertaining to the earth, however diffused in gas, smoke, vapor, etc., belongs to this earth and not to the moon [and] sun etc., and will forever remain associated with this planet. So with the elements of a human body are associated with the spirit, and ever will belong to one another. -- 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]
Young dismissed Orson Hyde's views showing him the danger of holding these ideas even if he does not teach them. Would like him to preach these doctrines before a conference of Elders, and let him reply and correct them. Then showed in much plainness the doctrine of the resurrection of the elements of this body to unite with the spirit, that has honored and exalted it, as every element pertaining to the earth, however diffused in gas, smoke, vapor, etc., belongs to this earth and not to the moon [and] sun etc., and will forever remain associated with this planet. So with the elements of a human body are associated with the spirit, and ever will belong to one another. -- 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]
170 years ago today - Feb 24, 1852
Utah's first permanent craft guild to evolve into a full-fledged labor union was established at least as early as 24 February 1852 when Brigham Young opened the First Annual Printers' Festival with prayer.
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Labor in Utah, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Labor in Utah, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
175 years ago today - Wednesday, Feb 24, 1847.
Dr. [Willard Richards] asked what are these [checks] for, President Young says for the burning. I [?] said I would rather give all that I am worth, etc., and two duplicates of the same date, $80 each, in favor of and signed by James Pollock. President Young said I swore by the Eternal God, I will cut every man's throat who will not stop this cursed work of stealing and counterfeiting. I promised to do right for time to come.
[Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
[Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
40 years ago today - Feb 23, 1982.
Don Schmidt announces to the Archives Search Room staff that nobody will see any papers of former apostles until further notice. Although this policy is later modified, rules governing access continue to bob and weave over the next ten years.
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
140 years ago today - Feb 23, 1882
[Wilford Woodruff]
I attended the Council in the Evening and it was voted for the Legislature to get a Joint Resolution passed to appoint a Committee of both Houses to organize a State Governmet & ask for Admission into the union. Remarks were mad by Presidet Taylor & Erastus Snow.
He said we should Claim of the Governmet Evry right that the Constitution gave us and if the Nation rejected us they must bear the Blame of it. This was our duty as a matter of History & to our Children & to Posterity.
[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 Council in the Evening and it was voted for the Legislature to get a Joint Resolution passed to appoint a Committee of both Houses to organize a State Governmet & ask for Admission into the union. Remarks were mad by Presidet Taylor & Erastus Snow.
He said we should Claim of the Governmet Evry right that the Constitution gave us and if the Nation rejected us they must bear the Blame of it. This was our duty as a matter of History & to our Children & to Posterity.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
145 years ago today - Feb 23, 1877
Wilford Woodruff, while in "meeting at the altar" in the St. George temple receives a revelation: "Let my servant Wilford Call upon the virgins Maidens, Daughters, & Mothers in Zion and let them Enter into my /Holy/ Temple on the 1 day of Mar the day that my servant Wilford has seen the time alloted to man, Three score years and Ten, and there let them received their washing and Anointing and Endowments for and behalf of the wives who are dead and have been sealed to my servant Wilford, or those who are to be Sealed to him, and this shall be acceptable unto me Saith the Lord, and the dead of my servant shall be redeemed in the spirit world and be prepared to meet my servant at the time of his Coming which shall be at the time appointed unto him, though not revealed to man in the flesh. Now go to and perform this work and all shall be accomplished according to the desire of your heart."
160 years ago today - Feb 23, 1862
Brigham Young preaches "The idea that the Lord our God is not a personage of tabernacle is entirely a mistaken notion. He was once a man. Brother Kimball quoted a saying of Joseph the Prophet, that he would not worship a God who had not a Father; and I do not know that he would if he had not a mother; the one would be as absurd as the other. If he had a Father, he was made in his likeness. And if he is our Father we are made after his image and likeness. He once possessed a body, as we now do; and our bodies are as much to us, as his body to him."
160 years ago today - Feb 23, 1862
[Brigham Young]
The baby resurrection as taught by OH [Orson Hyde] was a fals doctrin & no truth in it.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The baby resurrection as taught by OH [Orson Hyde] was a fals doctrin & no truth in it.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Feb 23, 1847
[Brigham Young]
I related the following dream:
While sick and asleep about noonday of the 17th inst., I dreamed that I went to see Joseph. He looked perfectly natural, sitting with his feet on the lower round of his chair. I took hold of his right hand and kissed him many times, and said to him: "Why is it that we cannot be together as we used to be? You have been from us a long time, and we want your society and I do not like to be separated from you."
Joseph rising from his chair and looking at me with his usual, earnest, expressive and pleasing countenance replied, "It is all right." I said, "I do not like to be away from you."
Joseph said, "It is all right; we cannot be together yet; we shall be by and by; but you will have to do without me a while, and then we shall be together again."
I then discovered there was a hand rail between us, Joseph stood by a window and to the southwest of him it was very light. I was in the twilight and to the north of me it was very dark. I said, "Brother Joseph, the brethren you know well, better than I do; you raised them up, and brought the Priesthood to us. The brethren have a great anxiety to understand the law of adoption or sealing principles; and if you have a word of counsel for me I should be glad to receive it."
Joseph stepped toward me, and looking very earnestly, yet pleasantly said, "Tell the people to be humble and faithful, and be sure to keep the spirit of the Lord and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the small still voice; it will teach you what to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom. Tell the brethren to keep their hearts open to conviction, so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them, their hearts will be ready to receive it. They can tell the Spirit of the Lord from all other spirits; it will whisper peace and joy to their souls; it will take malice, hatred, strife and all evil from their hearts; and their whole desire will be to do good, bring forth righteousness and build up the kingdom of God. Tell the brethren if they will follow the spirit of the lord they will go right. Be sure to tell the people to keep the Spirit of the Lord; and if they will, they will find themselves just as they were organized by our Father in Heaven before they came into the world. Our Father in Heaven organized the human family, but they are all disorganized and in great confusion."
Joseph then showed me the pattern, how they were in the beginning. This I cannot describe, but I saw it, and saw where the Priesthood had been taken from the earth and how it must be joined together, so that there would be a perfect chain from Father Adam to his latest posterity. Joseph again said, "Tell the people to be sure to keep the Spirit of the Lord and follow it, and it will lead them just right."
[MHBY 529-530, in Elden J. Watson, ed. Brigham Young Addresses, 1801-1877: A Chronological Compilation of Known Addresses of the Prophet Brigham Young, 6 vols. (Salt Lake City: Privately published, 1971)]
I related the following dream:
While sick and asleep about noonday of the 17th inst., I dreamed that I went to see Joseph. He looked perfectly natural, sitting with his feet on the lower round of his chair. I took hold of his right hand and kissed him many times, and said to him: "Why is it that we cannot be together as we used to be? You have been from us a long time, and we want your society and I do not like to be separated from you."
Joseph rising from his chair and looking at me with his usual, earnest, expressive and pleasing countenance replied, "It is all right." I said, "I do not like to be away from you."
Joseph said, "It is all right; we cannot be together yet; we shall be by and by; but you will have to do without me a while, and then we shall be together again."
I then discovered there was a hand rail between us, Joseph stood by a window and to the southwest of him it was very light. I was in the twilight and to the north of me it was very dark. I said, "Brother Joseph, the brethren you know well, better than I do; you raised them up, and brought the Priesthood to us. The brethren have a great anxiety to understand the law of adoption or sealing principles; and if you have a word of counsel for me I should be glad to receive it."
Joseph stepped toward me, and looking very earnestly, yet pleasantly said, "Tell the people to be humble and faithful, and be sure to keep the spirit of the Lord and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the small still voice; it will teach you what to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom. Tell the brethren to keep their hearts open to conviction, so that when the Holy Ghost comes to them, their hearts will be ready to receive it. They can tell the Spirit of the Lord from all other spirits; it will whisper peace and joy to their souls; it will take malice, hatred, strife and all evil from their hearts; and their whole desire will be to do good, bring forth righteousness and build up the kingdom of God. Tell the brethren if they will follow the spirit of the lord they will go right. Be sure to tell the people to keep the Spirit of the Lord; and if they will, they will find themselves just as they were organized by our Father in Heaven before they came into the world. Our Father in Heaven organized the human family, but they are all disorganized and in great confusion."
Joseph then showed me the pattern, how they were in the beginning. This I cannot describe, but I saw it, and saw where the Priesthood had been taken from the earth and how it must be joined together, so that there would be a perfect chain from Father Adam to his latest posterity. Joseph again said, "Tell the people to be sure to keep the Spirit of the Lord and follow it, and it will lead them just right."
[MHBY 529-530, in Elden J. Watson, ed. Brigham Young Addresses, 1801-1877: A Chronological Compilation of Known Addresses of the Prophet Brigham Young, 6 vols. (Salt Lake City: Privately published, 1971)]
180 years ago today - Feb 23, 1842 - Wednesday
[Joseph Smith]
visited the printing office . & gave R. Hadlock [Reuben Hedlock] instructions concerning the cut for the altar & gods in the Records of Abraham. as designed for the Times and Seasons[[The "cut for the altar & gods" refers to the woodcut used to print a facsimile for the Book of Abraham.]]
[Joseph Smith Journal, Dec. 1841–Dec. 1842 in "The Book of the Law of the Lord," Record Book, 1841–1845]
visited the printing office . & gave R. Hadlock [Reuben Hedlock] instructions concerning the cut for the altar & gods in the Records of Abraham. as designed for the Times and Seasons[[The "cut for the altar & gods" refers to the woodcut used to print a facsimile for the Book of Abraham.]]
[Joseph Smith Journal, Dec. 1841–Dec. 1842 in "The Book of the Law of the Lord," Record Book, 1841–1845]
15 years ago today - Feb 22, 2007
SALT LAKE CITY, USA: In an official statement from Bruce Olsen the Managing Director of Public Affairs, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the release today of four kidnapped missionaries in Nigeria.
[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]
35 years ago today - Feb 22, 1987
President Ezra Taft Benson speaks at a televised "Fireside for Parents." In his talk (which is later published as a pamphlet, "To the Mothers in Zion") he states, "Contrary to conventional wisdom, a mothers calling is in the home, not in the marketplace." He quotes Spencer W. Kimball: "It was never intended by the Lord that married women should compete with men in employment."
60 years ago today - Feb 22, 1962
Ezra Taft Benson cancelled at the last minute his appearance on a television program titled, "Thunder on the Right." Some Mormons credited this to [Hugh B.] Brown's influence.
[Buchanan diary, 22 Feb. 1962. 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.]
[Buchanan diary, 22 Feb. 1962. 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.]
110 years ago today - Feb 22, 1912
President David H. Cannon remarks at a meeting in the St. George Temple:
"He [Temple President David H. Cannon] had been asked to explain the law of retribution: The law of retribution is: To pray the Father to avenge the blood of the prophets and righteous men that has been shed, etc. In the endowment house this is given but as persons went there only once, it was not so strongly impressed upon their minds, but in the setting in order the endowments for the dead it was given as it is written in Chapter 9 of Revelation and in that language we importune our Father, not that we may, but that He, our Father, will avenge the blood of martyrs shed for the testimony of Jesus.
[St. George Temple Minute Book, February 22, 1912, p. 110, HISTORICAL DEPARTMENT CONFIDENTIAL RESEARCH FILES, vol. 8, p. 97, as quoted in Sources on the Oath of Vengeance or Law of Retribution, Christopher C. Smith, privately circulated]
"He [Temple President David H. Cannon] had been asked to explain the law of retribution: The law of retribution is: To pray the Father to avenge the blood of the prophets and righteous men that has been shed, etc. In the endowment house this is given but as persons went there only once, it was not so strongly impressed upon their minds, but in the setting in order the endowments for the dead it was given as it is written in Chapter 9 of Revelation and in that language we importune our Father, not that we may, but that He, our Father, will avenge the blood of martyrs shed for the testimony of Jesus.
[St. George Temple Minute Book, February 22, 1912, p. 110, HISTORICAL DEPARTMENT CONFIDENTIAL RESEARCH FILES, vol. 8, p. 97, as quoted in Sources on the Oath of Vengeance or Law of Retribution, Christopher C. Smith, privately circulated]
110 years ago today - Feb 22, 1912; Thursday
Brother Whitney brought to the attention of the Council the manner in which the editors of the Catholic Encyclopedia had distorted the article prepared for him for its columns, which article was fathered or signed by the Rev[erend]. Dean Harris, who accepted it, expressing the hope that it would be published in its entirety, without the crossing of a t, or the dotting of an i, but who, it was learned later, so changed the article as to make it palpably untrue, in some essential particulars, and when pressed for an explanation, Dean Harris, it had been told Brother Whitney by Mr. Geoghegan, claimed that he had to make the changes referred to in order to get it published in the encyclopedia at all. Among other changes made in the article was one to the effect that the three witnesses to the divinity and authenticity of the Book of Mormon had later denied the testimony given by them as published in the frontispiece of the book itself.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
125 years ago today - Monday, Feb 22, 1897
[John Henry Smith]
Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua
M[iles] P. Romney [grandfather of Mitt Romney] had Emily Eyring Snow sealed to him by H[eber] J. Grant. H[enry] Eyring witness.
[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]
Colonia Juarez, Chihuahua
M[iles] P. Romney [grandfather of Mitt Romney] had Emily Eyring Snow sealed to him by H[eber] J. Grant. H[enry] Eyring witness.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
140 years ago today - Feb 22, 1882
[Wilford Woodruff]
I met in Council in the forenoon & Prayer Circle & a Council at 3 oclok to take into Consideration the importance of organizing a State Govornmet & asking for admission into the union.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I met in Council in the forenoon & Prayer Circle & a Council at 3 oclok to take into Consideration the importance of organizing a State Govornmet & asking for admission into the union.
[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 - Feb 22, 1857
Apostle Wilford Woodruff publicly prophesies that there are “women present who would assist in giving endowments to the Ten Tribes of Israel-for they have to receive their endowments in the New Jerusalem [at Independence, Missouri]."
[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)]]
175 years ago today - Monday, Feb 22, 1847.
[Willard Richards]
Fifteen or twenty men were engaged in cutting the ice at the mill dam, there being two layers of ice 28 inches thick and then a layer of snow and ice about a foot thick. They have got to cut through. Soil about three foot solid frozen. ... At 2 p.m., the Twelve and Gents [gentlemen] met to learn to dance in the council house.
[Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
Fifteen or twenty men were engaged in cutting the ice at the mill dam, there being two layers of ice 28 inches thick and then a layer of snow and ice about a foot thick. They have got to cut through. Soil about three foot solid frozen. ... At 2 p.m., the Twelve and Gents [gentlemen] met to learn to dance in the council house.
[Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
185 years ago today - Feb 22, 1837
[Patriarchal Blessing of Willard Richards]
"Thou shalt become mighty to the pulling down the strong holds of Satan, and building up the Redeemer's kingdom in the Last days…Thou shalt have great possessions, for the treasures of the earth shall be at thy command… Death shall have no power over thee, for thou shalt tarry and behold thy Redeemer coming in the clouds, and shall see him in the flesh; shall have power to bring thy kindred into the kingdom, who shall acknowledge thee a man of God…"
[Patriachal Blessings by Joseph Smith Sr., between 1834-184, as quoted in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]
"Thou shalt become mighty to the pulling down the strong holds of Satan, and building up the Redeemer's kingdom in the Last days…Thou shalt have great possessions, for the treasures of the earth shall be at thy command… Death shall have no power over thee, for thou shalt tarry and behold thy Redeemer coming in the clouds, and shall see him in the flesh; shall have power to bring thy kindred into the kingdom, who shall acknowledge thee a man of God…"
[Patriachal Blessings by Joseph Smith Sr., between 1834-184, as quoted in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]
185 years ago today - 1837: 22 February
[Patriarchal Blessing]
Willard Richards. (Given by Joseph Smith, Sen.)
... God will cause the earth to tremble for thy good. ... The nations of the Earth shall greatly fear thee, for thou shalt be a terror unto them, for their wicked deeds shall be made manifest to them, through thy organ.
Thou shalt have great possessions, for the treasures of the earth shall be at thy command. ... No one shall have power to harm thee or thy posterity, if thou will put thy trust in God. Death shall have no power over thee, for thou shalt tarry and behold thy Redeemer coming in the clouds, and shall see him in the flesh ...
[Typescript, referencing Patriarchal Blessing Book, volume 2, page 223; William L. Knecht Family Records.) [Age, 33; Scribe, Frederick G. Williams, in Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Willard Richards. (Given by Joseph Smith, Sen.)
... God will cause the earth to tremble for thy good. ... The nations of the Earth shall greatly fear thee, for thou shalt be a terror unto them, for their wicked deeds shall be made manifest to them, through thy organ.
Thou shalt have great possessions, for the treasures of the earth shall be at thy command. ... No one shall have power to harm thee or thy posterity, if thou will put thy trust in God. Death shall have no power over thee, for thou shalt tarry and behold thy Redeemer coming in the clouds, and shall see him in the flesh ...
[Typescript, referencing Patriarchal Blessing Book, volume 2, page 223; William L. Knecht Family Records.) [Age, 33; Scribe, Frederick G. Williams, in Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
10 years ago today - Feb 21, 2012
Church Statement on Violations of Proxy Baptism Policy, Mormon Newsroom
The Church keeps its word and is absolutely firm in its commitment to not accept the names of Holocaust victims for proxy baptism. ...
[Mormon Newsroom]
The Church keeps its word and is absolutely firm in its commitment to not accept the names of Holocaust victims for proxy baptism. ...
[Mormon Newsroom]
10 years ago today - Feb 21, 2012
The Huffington Post story reports the recent baptism of Anne Frank. "Mormons have submitted versions of her name at least a dozen times for proxy rites and carried out the ritual at least nine times from 1989 to 1999."
[Huffington Post]
[Huffington Post]
65 years ago today - Feb 21, 1957
[David O. McKay]
Elder Richard L. Evans came in and reported that he is very much in favor of putting in all the Temples the new presentation of the endowment ceremony as now given in the Swiss Temple, and as will be given in the New Zealand Temple and the London Temple.
[David O. McKay diary, Feb. 21, 1957; emphasis in original, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
Elder Richard L. Evans came in and reported that he is very much in favor of putting in all the Temples the new presentation of the endowment ceremony as now given in the Swiss Temple, and as will be given in the New Zealand Temple and the London Temple.
[David O. McKay diary, Feb. 21, 1957; emphasis in original, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
115 years ago today - Feb 21, 1907
[Carl Badger, secretary to Reed Smoot]
I must confess that the situation is beyond me. The Senator [i.e., Reed Smoot] has just said that he intends to tell the brethren when he gets home that if they want to continue this 'polygamy business' they must leave the United States. I asked if he meant unlawful cohabitation, and he said no. Well, I am dumbfounded that there should be the least suggestion of the possibility of the Church attempting to establish polygamy; that it should be thought of for a moment. The Senator also says that if [John W.] Taylor and [Matthias F.] Cowley are brought back and placed in the quorum of the apostles nothing will save us from the wrath of the American people. I cannot entertain the thought that such a thing is possible. To think of it as being possible is to make the Church out a hypocritical fraud; but here is the Senator talking about the calamity as though it were a possibility.
[Carl A. Badger, Letter to Rose Badger, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
I must confess that the situation is beyond me. The Senator [i.e., Reed Smoot] has just said that he intends to tell the brethren when he gets home that if they want to continue this 'polygamy business' they must leave the United States. I asked if he meant unlawful cohabitation, and he said no. Well, I am dumbfounded that there should be the least suggestion of the possibility of the Church attempting to establish polygamy; that it should be thought of for a moment. The Senator also says that if [John W.] Taylor and [Matthias F.] Cowley are brought back and placed in the quorum of the apostles nothing will save us from the wrath of the American people. I cannot entertain the thought that such a thing is possible. To think of it as being possible is to make the Church out a hypocritical fraud; but here is the Senator talking about the calamity as though it were a possibility.
[Carl A. Badger, Letter to Rose Badger, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
125 years ago today - Feb 21, 1897
[Brigham Young Jr.]
I am somewhat surprised at the stand Mrs. Sen[ator]. [Martha Hughes] Cannon has taken and also the women of the legislature. I was remarked by one of my friends that so far womens sufferage seemed to be a failure. I am disgusted that Mrs. C[annon]. voted so persistently for judge [Orlando W.] Powers and wound up her false position by voting for and influencing to cast their in favor [former apostle] Moses Thatcher.
The Lord will over rule in all these things but I fear many of our sisters will prove to as big fools in the political arena as many of the brethren have proved themselves.
[Brigham Young Jr. Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
I am somewhat surprised at the stand Mrs. Sen[ator]. [Martha Hughes] Cannon has taken and also the women of the legislature. I was remarked by one of my friends that so far womens sufferage seemed to be a failure. I am disgusted that Mrs. C[annon]. voted so persistently for judge [Orlando W.] Powers and wound up her false position by voting for and influencing to cast their in favor [former apostle] Moses Thatcher.
The Lord will over rule in all these things but I fear many of our sisters will prove to as big fools in the political arena as many of the brethren have proved themselves.
[Brigham Young Jr. Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
140 years ago today - Feb 21, 1882
[Franklin D. Richards]
Spent the day getting information secured E[rastus]. Snow's affidavit about Mountain Meadow Massacre'- J[ohn]. D. Lee, Isaac C Haight & Geo[rge]. Wood were cut off the Church by Presidency & we Apostles Oct[ober]. 8-1870 in the Presidents office between meetings.
[Franklin D. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
Spent the day getting information secured E[rastus]. Snow's affidavit about Mountain Meadow Massacre'- J[ohn]. D. Lee, Isaac C Haight & Geo[rge]. Wood were cut off the Church by Presidency & we Apostles Oct[ober]. 8-1870 in the Presidents office between meetings.
[Franklin D. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
180 years ago today - Feb 21, 1842
[Wilford Woodruff]
... we prepared A plate for making a cut at the commencement of the Book of Abraham which is to be published in the 9 no. of the 3 Vol of the Times & Seasons which will be interesting to many of the inhabitants of the earth.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
... we prepared A plate for making a cut at the commencement of the Book of Abraham which is to be published in the 9 no. of the 3 Vol of the Times & Seasons which will be interesting to many of the inhabitants of the earth.
[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 - Feb 21, 1842
Brigham Young writes "a letter calling upon the churches to forward their Tithings and donations to the Trustee-in-Trust [Joseph Smith], that the Temple may go on, and the new translation of the Bible."
45 years ago today - Feb 20, 1977
In Monterrey, Mexico President Spencer W. Kimball preaches: "I mentioned to your brothers and sisters in Mexico City last week that in 1947 I was in Arizona at the temple. As thought and prayed and studied, I had what I thought was a dream, maybe a vision. There were many Mexican people in the temple on that same day. As I looked into the future, I saw that the Lamanites were going to grow and develop. As my vision continued, I saw great numbers of Lamanites and Nephites now in beautiful homes with all the comforts that science can give. I see you Lamanite people grown to cover a thousand hills with your flocks and herds."
70 years ago today - Wed Feb 20, 1952
[David O. McKay Office Journal]
at Presidency meeting: I called attention to a growing tendency in the Church to feel that no member of the Church should hold the sacrament while he himself partakes of it; further, that it is a breach of proper procedure to partake of it with the left hand. The Brethren felt we should keep away from formalities and leave it to the custom or development of the custom. They felt that while the partaking of the sacrament is a covenant and it is the custom to use the right hand in making covenants, failure to do so would not vitiate the covenant.
[McKay, David O., Office Journal]
at Presidency meeting: I called attention to a growing tendency in the Church to feel that no member of the Church should hold the sacrament while he himself partakes of it; further, that it is a breach of proper procedure to partake of it with the left hand. The Brethren felt we should keep away from formalities and leave it to the custom or development of the custom. They felt that while the partaking of the sacrament is a covenant and it is the custom to use the right hand in making covenants, failure to do so would not vitiate the covenant.
[McKay, David O., Office Journal]
110 years ago today - Feb 20, 1912
A First Presidency letter denies the essentials of Brigham Young's Adam-God teachings, by focusing exclusively on his first 1852 sermon, and makes no reference to his Adam-God sermons during the remaining twenty-five years of Young's life.
[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)]]
115 years ago today - Feb 20, 1907
[George F. Richards]
This day after a hard fight for four years Senator Reed Smoot won out & retains his [U.S. Senate] Seat on a vote of 43 to 27 [after three years of hearings]. Cost to the Government of $50,000. The Church is vindicated at last. The Devil suffers defeat, Zion prospers. There are more people investigating the Gospel, more tithing being paid, more temple work being done than ever before. We never were so numerous & never so strong before. There is absolute unity with the Presidency and Twelve and the other General Authorities so far as I have been able to discover.
[George F. Richards, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
This day after a hard fight for four years Senator Reed Smoot won out & retains his [U.S. Senate] Seat on a vote of 43 to 27 [after three years of hearings]. Cost to the Government of $50,000. The Church is vindicated at last. The Devil suffers defeat, Zion prospers. There are more people investigating the Gospel, more tithing being paid, more temple work being done than ever before. We never were so numerous & never so strong before. There is absolute unity with the Presidency and Twelve and the other General Authorities so far as I have been able to discover.
[George F. Richards, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
120 years ago today - Thursday, Feb 20, 1902
Pres. Smith requested the clerk to read a dispatch, cable, from Apostle Heber J. Grant as follows, to wit: "Grant will leave Friday midday unless advised to contrary. We cannot too strongly recommend. Grant." Answer: "We are placed in a very awkward position. Don't come home at present. You had better write. Smith." Both telegrams were couched in a cipher, and the action of the Presi[dency] was concurred in by the council. The Presidency knew nothing, they said, as to Heber's purpose in coming home.
[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]
[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]
125 years ago today - Feb 20, 1897
[[Calls on [former apostle Moses] Thatcher at home and told him that business at Brigham Young College was languishing; would he resign his position as per written request of President W. W. [Wilford Woodruff]? Said no, that he preferred to be put out than to voluntarily resign a trust Brigham Young Sr. had given him. Brigham Young Jr. asked that as W. W. had the same authority on the premises that the deed of trust gave Brigham Young Sr. would not W. W.'s request be all sufficient? Thatcher replied perhaps, but he would rather be put out. "Then I handed him Pres[ident] Woodruff written document dispensing with his services which stated that best interests of College demanded, and Bro[ther] M. W. Merrill will succeed Moses. All was done amicably."]]
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
150 years ago today - Feb 20, 1872
Unsuccessful statehood convention which drafts a proposed constitution that allows Congress to add an anti-polygamy clause. Of this, his non-Mormon friend Thomas L. Kane writes Brigham Young: "I will not probably be able to recommend the pretended acceptance by your citizens of a Constitution containing features repugnant to their principles. As regards the actual abandonment of polygamy, that is a question between you and your God. And I have naught to say on it. But Duplicity, I see, without a shadow, will not be good policy for you."
[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)]]
65 years ago today - Tue Feb 19, 1957
[David O. McKay]
In telephone conversation with Stephen L Richards from Nevada: President Richards stated that he had something to report to me. He had attended church at Logandale Sunday upon invitation of the peoplee, and while there he learned that the members of the Church had just finished one of these "store strikes," and had tried to live for two weeks on the supplies they had on hand, not buying anything from the store. I asked President Richards how this had affected the little store in that locality, and he answered that the store did not sell much for two weeks. Then President Richards went on to say further that he had learned that the members of the Church in Las Vegas are just about to go on a "store strike," and live for a period of two weeks without buying anything from the store. I told President Richards to tell the people at this place not to do it. These projects have gone to the extreme, and have been carried too far. President Richards felt that the Welfare Committee should send out instructions pertaining to this, that the people in the stakes have apparently gotten this idea from some of the Welfare Committee visitors at the Stake Conferences. He felt that it would be better for the General Welfare Committee to send out instructions. He said it is his feeling that these visitors had gone to the Conferences with such enthusiasm that the people had obtained these ideas from them. I said that I felt that the rumors which have been circulated about the revelation I had supposedly had has also contributed to this situation. President Richards said that this is all stimulating to a feeling that the end of things is very near.
[McKay, David O., Office Journal]
In telephone conversation with Stephen L Richards from Nevada: President Richards stated that he had something to report to me. He had attended church at Logandale Sunday upon invitation of the peoplee, and while there he learned that the members of the Church had just finished one of these "store strikes," and had tried to live for two weeks on the supplies they had on hand, not buying anything from the store. I asked President Richards how this had affected the little store in that locality, and he answered that the store did not sell much for two weeks. Then President Richards went on to say further that he had learned that the members of the Church in Las Vegas are just about to go on a "store strike," and live for a period of two weeks without buying anything from the store. I told President Richards to tell the people at this place not to do it. These projects have gone to the extreme, and have been carried too far. President Richards felt that the Welfare Committee should send out instructions pertaining to this, that the people in the stakes have apparently gotten this idea from some of the Welfare Committee visitors at the Stake Conferences. He felt that it would be better for the General Welfare Committee to send out instructions. He said it is his feeling that these visitors had gone to the Conferences with such enthusiasm that the people had obtained these ideas from them. I said that I felt that the rumors which have been circulated about the revelation I had supposedly had has also contributed to this situation. President Richards said that this is all stimulating to a feeling that the end of things is very near.
[McKay, David O., Office Journal]
75 years ago today - Feb 19, 1947
[Frank Evans]
Attended meeting of BYU Board of Trustees. At the commencement of this meeting, President Clark stated to those present in substance that the present attitude of spending agencies throughout the Church indicates clearly that restraints should be built up and that the sentiment and favor of free spending (in some cases reckless spending) should be changed; and he expressed the firm conviction that unless such a change were brought about the Church might easily run into financial difficulties which might be hard to remedy.
[Frank Evans Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
Attended meeting of BYU Board of Trustees. At the commencement of this meeting, President Clark stated to those present in substance that the present attitude of spending agencies throughout the Church indicates clearly that restraints should be built up and that the sentiment and favor of free spending (in some cases reckless spending) should be changed; and he expressed the firm conviction that unless such a change were brought about the Church might easily run into financial difficulties which might be hard to remedy.
[Frank Evans Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
85 years ago today - Feb 19, 1937
Wilford C. Wood purchases the first of ten lots eventually acquired by the Church of the original Nauvoo Temple site.
90 years ago today - Feb 19, 1932
[Heber J. Grant]
I am supposed to be a wealthy man drawing an immense salary, neither of which is true. Outside of my little bungalow home of a storey and a half, the present market value of my assets would not reach ten thousand dollars. It so happens that out of my fifty years of business life, because of losses in the panic of 1893 and subsequent losses through having endorsed notes for friends and corporations, I have spent thirty-two years of my life with every dollar lost before I made it. Some of my nearest and dearest relatives are in financial distress and I am helping them to the very best of my ability.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to J. Cheever Cowdin, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
I am supposed to be a wealthy man drawing an immense salary, neither of which is true. Outside of my little bungalow home of a storey and a half, the present market value of my assets would not reach ten thousand dollars. It so happens that out of my fifty years of business life, because of losses in the panic of 1893 and subsequent losses through having endorsed notes for friends and corporations, I have spent thirty-two years of my life with every dollar lost before I made it. Some of my nearest and dearest relatives are in financial distress and I am helping them to the very best of my ability.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to J. Cheever Cowdin, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
115 years ago today - Feb 19, 1907
Apostle and U.S. Senator Abraham Smoot declares to the Senate that cases of "new" polygamy are rare; that they are not sanctioned by the Church; that every case since 1890 "has the express condemnation of the Church;" and that he himself had always opposed polygamy. The last two claims are false.
145 years ago today - Feb 19, 1877
[Word of Wisdom]
The Deseret News reports, "The Provo Brewery burnt up last night, supposedly the work of an incendiary."
[Harward, Randy; Utah Brewing Timeline, Salt Lake City Weekly, Aug 24, 2011]
The Deseret News reports, "The Provo Brewery burnt up last night, supposedly the work of an incendiary."
[Harward, Randy; Utah Brewing Timeline, Salt Lake City Weekly, Aug 24, 2011]
145 years ago today - Mon 19.
[John Nuttle]
Bro Bunting started for Kanab I sent by him 2 gallons Win(e) ... -at the Temple writing-called up to Prest Youngs office the Prestdent (sic) ...
[Diary Excerpts of L. John Nuttall, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Bro Bunting started for Kanab I sent by him 2 gallons Win(e) ... -at the Temple writing-called up to Prest Youngs office the Prestdent (sic) ...
[Diary Excerpts of L. John Nuttall, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Feb 19, 1842
[Wilford Woodruff]
The Lord is Blessing Joseph with Power to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom of God; to translate through the urim & Thummim Ancient records & Hyeroglyphics as old as Abraham or Adam, which causes our hearts to burn within us while we behold their glorious truths opened unto us.
Joseph the Seer has presented us some of the Book of Abraham which was written by his own hand but hid from the knowledge of man for the last four thousand years but has now come to light through the mercy of God. Joseph has had these records in his possession for several years but has never presented them before the world in the english language untill now.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The Lord is Blessing Joseph with Power to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom of God; to translate through the urim & Thummim Ancient records & Hyeroglyphics as old as Abraham or Adam, which causes our hearts to burn within us while we behold their glorious truths opened unto us.
Joseph the Seer has presented us some of the Book of Abraham which was written by his own hand but hid from the knowledge of man for the last four thousand years but has now come to light through the mercy of God. Joseph has had these records in his possession for several years but has never presented them before the world in the english language untill now.
[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 - Feb 19, 1837
Joseph Smith returns to Kirtland after purchasing the charter of the bank of Monroe. While he was gone opposition to him builds based mostly on the Kirtland Bank fiasco. He takes the pulpit and preaches: "I am still the President, Prophet, Seer, Revelator and Leader of the Church of Jesus Christ. God, and not man, has appointed and placed me in this position, and no man or set of men have power to remove me, or appoint another in my stead; and those who undertake this, if they do not speedily repent, will burn their fingers and go to hell."
80 years ago today - Feb 18, 1942
[Heber J. Grant]
Wrote a long-winded letter to a woman who wanted me to sell tickets to a concert given by a negro woman.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
Wrote a long-winded letter to a woman who wanted me to sell tickets to a concert given by a negro woman.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
155 years ago today - Feb 18, 1867
I met at the prayer room H.O. at 2 oclok & we gave {John Picknel & 2 wives} also Sister [plural wife of Joseph Smith] {Viena Jaques} there second Anointings. W Woodruff Anointed.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[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 - Feb 18, 1857
[Wilford Woodruff]
President Kimball Said that I dont want to see the Presidents of the seventies in the stand untill they get more of the spirit of God for they are dead & the seventies have to receive their food through them. Brother Young said I do not wish to have Father Morley not to seal any more men & women without my Consent.
[An earlier "Report from the Presidency" as copied into Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
President Kimball Said that I dont want to see the Presidents of the seventies in the stand untill they get more of the spirit of God for they are dead & the seventies have to receive their food through them. Brother Young said I do not wish to have Father Morley not to seal any more men & women without my Consent.
[An earlier "Report from the Presidency" as copied into 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 - Feb 18, 1857
Presiding Patriarch John Smith takes a plural wife. His legal wife, Helen, writes to her brother-in-law: "Well, John has got another wife, perhaps you know her, her name is Milisa Lemins. Dear Joseph it was a trial to me but thank the Lord it is over with .... I care not how many he gits now, the ice is broke as the old saing is, the more the greater glory.... All of the girls is a giting maried from 10 to 18. If there is any left till theyre are 18 they are on the oald maids list."
165 years ago today - Feb 18, 1857
DESERET NEWS publishes a sermon by Brigham Young: "Will you love your brothers or sisters likewise when they have committed a sin that cannot be alerted for without the shedding of their blood? Will you love that man or woman well enough to shed their blood? That is what Jesus Christ meant-I could refer you to plenty of instances where men have been righteously slain in order to atone for their sins. I have seen scores and hundreds of people for whom there would have been a chance in the last resurrection if their lives had been taken and their blood spilled on the ground as a smoking incense to the almighty-I have known a great many men who have left this church for whom there is no chance whatever for exaltation; but if their blood had been spilled it would have been better for them. This is loving our neighbor as ourselves; if he needs help, help him; and if he wants salvation, and it is necessary to spill his blood on the earth in order that he may be saved, spill it."
170 years ago today - Feb 18, 1852
Lorenzo Snow writes from Italy: "Nor can I express the delight which I experienced in gazing upon Mount Brigham, on whose rocky brow we had organized La Chiesa di Gesu Christo dei Santi degli Ultimi Gioni, in Italia." The peak which Snow had renamed Mount Brigham when dedicating the Italian Mission was known to the Italians as Monte Vandalino.
30 years ago today - Feb 17, 1992
Newsweek' reports: "Now the [Central Intelligence] agency recruiters jump at the chance to snare a Mormon. Young Mormons tend to have squeaky-clean backgrounds and, thanks to their work as Third World missionaries, they often have a skill the CIA desperately needs these days: knowledge of a foreign language."
[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 - Feb 17, 1972
Actor Vincent Price, who played Joseph Smith in the film "Brigham Young" tells of his role 32 years earlier "I greatly enjoyed the part of Joseph Smith, I read a great deal about him and with the help of the late Heber [J.] Grant kept on finding more material on the subject after the film was released. I have always had the utmost admiration for the Mormon Church which I's sure stems from my fascination with Joseph Smith-what an extraordinary man!. . . [President Heber J. Grant] wrote me several interesting letters; He felt that the picture might have been about Joseph Smith instead of Brigham but of course realized that the great appeal to the public (and of course to the producers) was the difficult trek and the miracle of the gulls, etc."
110 years ago today - Feb 17, 1912
Members of the Church who join secret societies after having been made acquainted with the attitude of the Church with respect to secret organizations bar themselves from the temple * [T]hey also render themselves ineligible to hold presiding positions in the priesthood, and should not be used as Teachers of the people, for the simple reason that an unwritten rule of the Church forbids its members from teaching to others that which they themselves do not practice.
[Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, and Charles W. Penrose to Robert D. Young and counselors, Feb. 17, 1912, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, and Charles W. Penrose to Robert D. Young and counselors, Feb. 17, 1912, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
130 years ago today - Feb 17, 1892
The University of Deseret is renamed the 'University of Utah' by the Territorial Legislature.
[Chronology of the Life and Work of James E. Talmage, J. Trevor Antley, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MJsHY83JZL_n6CjWq11y1trT_CVXMMXAx2uYOWAwn0c/edit#heading=h.2zfdaoa]
[Chronology of the Life and Work of James E. Talmage, J. Trevor Antley, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MJsHY83JZL_n6CjWq11y1trT_CVXMMXAx2uYOWAwn0c/edit#heading=h.2zfdaoa]
135 years ago today - Feb. 17-18, 1887
Following passage of the anti-polygamy Edmunds-Tucker Act by the U.S. Congress, the church is disincorporated and much of its property and assets are seized by federal officials. Church property is eventually returned on Oct. 25, 1893, about three years after the church had formally renounced the practice of polygamy. In 1896, a few months after Utah is admitted to the Union as the 45th state, church real estate holdings are also restored.
At the time of the disincorporation of the church in 1887, the Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company is also dissolved, never to be reformed. It is estimated that, over the lifetime of the program, the church expended about $12.5 million in goods, livestock and currency to assist Latter-day Saints in traveling to the Utah Territory from points around the globe.
[http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/282148/]
At the time of the disincorporation of the church in 1887, the Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company is also dissolved, never to be reformed. It is estimated that, over the lifetime of the program, the church expended about $12.5 million in goods, livestock and currency to assist Latter-day Saints in traveling to the Utah Territory from points around the globe.
[http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/282148/]
165 years ago today - Feb 17, 1857
[Wilford Woodruff]
I told the Bishops to impress upon the minds of the people the necessity of living their Religion after this date for if the people again Commit sin after being forgiven as they now were they would not again be forgiven but the Justice of the Law would be brought against them & they would have to pay the penalty or be cut off from the Church again. I told them they should not boast of their authority & power or that a Seventy was greater than a High Priest or that a High Priest was greater than a seventy. No man should boast of the power of the priesthood untill he obtained some of that power & it was manifested upon him & when that was upon him he certainly would not boast of it for the Holy spirit would teach him sens enough to know better.
It is vary seldom that I have known the power of the priesthood made manifest upon the Children of men in our [time] to a vary great Degree but in some instances it was manifest as in the Case of the prophet Joseph at the time his [house] was full of the sick & dying & his door Yard & they were Strewed along the bank of the River for 2 miles & Joseph Rose up & shook himself like an old Lyon & commenced at his own tent door & healed all the people who were not dead on both sides of the river by the power of God. His voice was as the voice of God & the earth almost trembled under his feet as he commanded the sick to arise & be made whole.
...Again this power was manifest with President Brigham Young on the bank of the Missouri River at winter Quarters when the merchants brought up goods to sell to the brethren who were going to the mountains. Old Major Miller the Indian Agent was surrounded by officers & Miller in order to show his great power He told the merchants that owned some Alcohol not to roll a Barrel off from the boat. That He would knock the head in & spill it upon the ground. Presidet Young steped up & told the man to roll it out & if Miller spilled it that moment I will spill his clarrett. He & all the officers turned pale. The liquor was rolled out & nobody hurt. And other instances might be named whare the power of the priesthood has been manifest but these men have never boasted of it nor never will.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I told the Bishops to impress upon the minds of the people the necessity of living their Religion after this date for if the people again Commit sin after being forgiven as they now were they would not again be forgiven but the Justice of the Law would be brought against them & they would have to pay the penalty or be cut off from the Church again. I told them they should not boast of their authority & power or that a Seventy was greater than a High Priest or that a High Priest was greater than a seventy. No man should boast of the power of the priesthood untill he obtained some of that power & it was manifested upon him & when that was upon him he certainly would not boast of it for the Holy spirit would teach him sens enough to know better.
It is vary seldom that I have known the power of the priesthood made manifest upon the Children of men in our [time] to a vary great Degree but in some instances it was manifest as in the Case of the prophet Joseph at the time his [house] was full of the sick & dying & his door Yard & they were Strewed along the bank of the River for 2 miles & Joseph Rose up & shook himself like an old Lyon & commenced at his own tent door & healed all the people who were not dead on both sides of the river by the power of God. His voice was as the voice of God & the earth almost trembled under his feet as he commanded the sick to arise & be made whole.
...Again this power was manifest with President Brigham Young on the bank of the Missouri River at winter Quarters when the merchants brought up goods to sell to the brethren who were going to the mountains. Old Major Miller the Indian Agent was surrounded by officers & Miller in order to show his great power He told the merchants that owned some Alcohol not to roll a Barrel off from the boat. That He would knock the head in & spill it upon the ground. Presidet Young steped up & told the man to roll it out & if Miller spilled it that moment I will spill his clarrett. He & all the officers turned pale. The liquor was rolled out & nobody hurt. And other instances might be named whare the power of the priesthood has been manifest but these men have never boasted of it nor never will.
[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 - Feb 17, 1857
Brigham Young writes in a letter: "The doctrine of adoption, the Patriarchal order, has not been taught of late, but will be attended to in its season as soon as we have another Temple built to the most High. You belong to the Kingdom of God, but may make your own choice, to whom you will be adopted, and when you have made this choice you may report it that it may be put on record, and in the event of death; because of this record the adoption would be attended to for the dead in the proper time and place. This is for the purpose of having an unbroken Chain of Priesthood from the present time back through Joseph, the apostles to the Jesus - -Jesus-even back to Adam."
175 years ago today - Feb 17, 1847
John D. Lee writes in his diary: "About 11 a vote of the house was taken and decided in favor of shucking off some of their traditions by dancing. I replied that I could not participate with them in the evening's recreation from the fact that I did not consider it a time to dance but a day with me of deep solemnity and prayer for the recovery of the health of my file leader and father [Brigham Young] who this day has been near yielding up the ghost. Having made those remarks I left the room and entered the place where the afflicted lay."
180 years ago today - Feb 17, 1842
Nauvoo city council sets legal age of marriage to 14 for women
"All male persons over the age of seventeen years, and females over the age of fourteen years, may contract and be joined in marriage, provided, in all cases where either party is a minor, the consent of parents or guardians be first had."
["Nauvoo Records," "An Ordinance Concerning Marriages passed February 17, 1842," MS 16800, CHL, in Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
"All male persons over the age of seventeen years, and females over the age of fourteen years, may contract and be joined in marriage, provided, in all cases where either party is a minor, the consent of parents or guardians be first had."
["Nauvoo Records," "An Ordinance Concerning Marriages passed February 17, 1842," MS 16800, CHL, in Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
185 years ago today - (Fri) Feb 17, 1837
At about this time Joseph and Hyrum Smith returned to Kirtland from their trip to the west. Brigham Young and William Smith met their stagecoach, (probably near Mentor) and informed Joseph of a possible plot against his life. William took Joseph's place in the coach, and all arrived in Kirtland without incident. Once back in the town, Joseph and Hyrum met Solomon W. Denton in the Kirtland Bank and confronted him with accusations saying that he had borrowed a pair of pistols with the intention of ambushing and killing Joseph Smith upon his return to Kirtland. Denton denied the accusations.
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
10 years ago today - Feb 16, 2012
In view of reported proxy baptisms of some prominent Jews, concerned Hindus have urged The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) to set-up a mechanism to avoid baptizing by proxy their deceased ancestors without their will. Hindu statesman Rajan Zed (President of the Universal Society of Hinduism) in a statement said that although they had not received any reports yet of such proxy baptisms of deceased Hindus by LDS, but they were simply concerned after learning of posthumous baptizing of parents of a well known Jew, whose names were not submitted for baptism.
[Hindus concerned at proxy baptism of Jews by Mormon Church, Baltic Review]
[Hindus concerned at proxy baptism of Jews by Mormon Church, Baltic Review]
50 years ago today - Feb 16, 1972
The First Presidency writes: "For your information we may say that some years ago the First Presidency and the brethren of the Twelve authorized certain modifications in the style of the temple garment. These modifications consisted of the following changes: (1) collar eliminated, (2) closed crotch, (3) buttons instead of strings, (4) legs to knee, and (5) short sleeves. . . . However, in order that there may be uniformity in temple work and that expedition in the administration of the ordinances of the House of the Lord may not be impeded, the brethren have recommended that people doing temple work wear the old style garment."
110 years ago today - Feb 16, 1912
At a meeting of the First Presidency and Twelve held January 25th last, it was unanimously decided to ask each of the temples to keep a card index of the names of families for whom work is being done; also that a duplicate of each card be sent to the Genealogical Society of Utah that they, as a central office, may keep on file all information of this character for the use of those interested who are constantly making inquiry, and to aid the society in their work as well.
The proposed card index will also subserve another good purpose, that of enabling the different temples to prevent in future the duplication of temple work, as each temple, by this means, will be kept posted as to the names of the families for which work is being done in other temples.
[First Presidency, Letter to Lewis Anderson, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
The proposed card index will also subserve another good purpose, that of enabling the different temples to prevent in future the duplication of temple work, as each temple, by this means, will be kept posted as to the names of the families for which work is being done in other temples.
[First Presidency, Letter to Lewis Anderson, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
140 years ago today - Feb 16, 1882
the U.S. Senate passed the Edmunds Act, and it was approved in the House on March 14 and soon signed by Chester A. Arthur. It made the offense of unlawful cohabitation much easier to prove than polygamy misdemeanor and made it illegal for polygamists or cohabitants to vote, hold public office, or serve on juries. It also provided for a five-man Utah Commission appointed by the president to supervise all aspects of the electoral process in Utah Territory.
[Thatcher, Linda, History to Go, Statehood Chronology, http://www.onlineutah.com/statehoodchronology.shtml]
[Thatcher, Linda, History to Go, Statehood Chronology, http://www.onlineutah.com/statehoodchronology.shtml]
175 years ago today - Feb 16, 1847
[Wilford Woodruff]
This was one of the most interesting days of my life. I attended the family meeting of President Brigham Young And he addressed the meeting at great length during the day and evening upon many interesting principles. ...
There is another principle that has Caused considerable uneasiness and trouble ie the Idea of some mens having more wives than one. Such tremen-dious fears take hold of some that they hardly know how to live. Still they cant die. [They] begin to whisper and talk around [I] Am actually afraid to go on a mission for fear some man will be sealed to my wife, & when they return home some will be babbing about, you dont know but what you have got another mans wife, are afraid to speak to a young woman for fear that she belongs to somebody els or for fear somebody els wants her. ...
Admitting the Lord Created the same number of women as men at the begining and were Commanded to multiply & replenish the earth & to fill up the measure of there Creation in righteousness; the question is did they do it? Answer No. They soon disobeyed every commandment & plunged themselves into wickedness and rendered themselves unworthy to raise up seed unto the Lord & in fact used every means in there power to cut of life & hinder woman answering the end for which they were created; nine tenth of them would rebel against the vary thing he was created to do. Hence you see the propriety of the Lord's Calling upon men who bears the priesthood to take to themselves wives from among the daughters of men & raise up a righteous seed unto him that he might fill up the measure of there creation and hasten the consumation of his purposes in righteousness in this dispensation according to his words previously spoken through his servents the prophets.
But those who suffer fears & jealousey to aris in there bosoms either back right out or get to be mighty Righteous & for fear that they are sleeping with other mens wife they Kick up a dust or broil at home & perhaps abuse there own Companion through jealousy then go off to some woman that does not understand what is right or wrong & tell her that he has she cannot be saved without a man and he has almighty power & can exhalt & save her & likely tell that there is no harm for them to sleep together before they are sealed then go to some doe head of an Elder & get him to say the ceremony all done without the knowledge of the Authority of this Church. This is not right & will not be suffered. The God I serve will reward every man openly without his being under the necessity of going secretly & privately palming himself on the credulity of innocent ignorant females.
Such jealeousies do exhist & were I to say to the Elders you now have the liberty to build up your kingdoms one half of them would lie, swear, steal, & fight like the vary devil, to get men & women sealed to them. They would even try to pass right by me & go to Joseph thinking to get between him & the Twelve. Some have already tryed to used an influence against me but such jealeouses & selfishness shall be stoped & if the brethren do not stop it I will blow it to the four winds by making them all come & be sealed to me & I to my Father & He and all this Church to Joseph.
When I go astray & give wrong council & lead this people astray then is time enough to pull me down & then God will remove me as he has done all others who has turned from the faith.
But to return, I have gatherd a number of families around me by the law of adoption & sealed the covenant according to the order of Adoption the priesthood and others have done likewise it being the means of salvation left to bring us back to God. But had the keys of the priesthood been retained & handed down from father to son throughout all generations up to the present time then there would have been no necessity of the law of Adoption for we would have all been included in the covenant without it & would have been legal heirs instead of being heirs according to promise. ...
I am entitled to the Keys of the Priesthood according to linage & Blood. ... This we would have taught in the Temple if time had permitted. Joseph Smith was entitled to the Keys of the Priesthood according to Blood. Still He was the fourth son. But when we get another Temple built then we will teach you concerning those things....
Those that are Adopted into my family & take me for their Councellor if I Continue faithful I will preside over them throughout all Eternity. I will stand at their head, and Joseph will stand at the head of this Church & will be there President Prophet & God to the People in this dispensation....
There was then an intermission untill after supper. The table was well furnished & supplyed. 40 persons could be seated at the Table at a time. The men were seated to the right with there companion oposite them commencing with the Twelve President Young at there head. Then in order the adopted Children begining with the 1st that was adopted. ...
President Young arose & continued his remarks upon the law of adoption. ... The Lord introduced the law of adoption for the benefit of the children of men as a school master to bring them back into the covenant of the Priesthood....
Before I close I will answer one question that has been asked me repetedly. Should I have A father Dead that has never herd this gospel, would it be required of me to redeem him & have him adopted unto some roans family And I be adopted unto my Father? I answer No. ...
I know that the women generally rule there Husbands & the Children their Mothers. But when A woman under takes to rule me I want Her to be so secret about it that I Cannot Catch Her at it. Now I do not want the Brethren from my remarks to abuse there wives but treat them kindly: Do there Heavy luging but dont wash there dishes as some men do. ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
This was one of the most interesting days of my life. I attended the family meeting of President Brigham Young And he addressed the meeting at great length during the day and evening upon many interesting principles. ...
There is another principle that has Caused considerable uneasiness and trouble ie the Idea of some mens having more wives than one. Such tremen-dious fears take hold of some that they hardly know how to live. Still they cant die. [They] begin to whisper and talk around [I] Am actually afraid to go on a mission for fear some man will be sealed to my wife, & when they return home some will be babbing about, you dont know but what you have got another mans wife, are afraid to speak to a young woman for fear that she belongs to somebody els or for fear somebody els wants her. ...
Admitting the Lord Created the same number of women as men at the begining and were Commanded to multiply & replenish the earth & to fill up the measure of there Creation in righteousness; the question is did they do it? Answer No. They soon disobeyed every commandment & plunged themselves into wickedness and rendered themselves unworthy to raise up seed unto the Lord & in fact used every means in there power to cut of life & hinder woman answering the end for which they were created; nine tenth of them would rebel against the vary thing he was created to do. Hence you see the propriety of the Lord's Calling upon men who bears the priesthood to take to themselves wives from among the daughters of men & raise up a righteous seed unto him that he might fill up the measure of there creation and hasten the consumation of his purposes in righteousness in this dispensation according to his words previously spoken through his servents the prophets.
But those who suffer fears & jealousey to aris in there bosoms either back right out or get to be mighty Righteous & for fear that they are sleeping with other mens wife they Kick up a dust or broil at home & perhaps abuse there own Companion through jealousy then go off to some woman that does not understand what is right or wrong & tell her that he has she cannot be saved without a man and he has almighty power & can exhalt & save her & likely tell that there is no harm for them to sleep together before they are sealed then go to some doe head of an Elder & get him to say the ceremony all done without the knowledge of the Authority of this Church. This is not right & will not be suffered. The God I serve will reward every man openly without his being under the necessity of going secretly & privately palming himself on the credulity of innocent ignorant females.
Such jealeousies do exhist & were I to say to the Elders you now have the liberty to build up your kingdoms one half of them would lie, swear, steal, & fight like the vary devil, to get men & women sealed to them. They would even try to pass right by me & go to Joseph thinking to get between him & the Twelve. Some have already tryed to used an influence against me but such jealeouses & selfishness shall be stoped & if the brethren do not stop it I will blow it to the four winds by making them all come & be sealed to me & I to my Father & He and all this Church to Joseph.
When I go astray & give wrong council & lead this people astray then is time enough to pull me down & then God will remove me as he has done all others who has turned from the faith.
But to return, I have gatherd a number of families around me by the law of adoption & sealed the covenant according to the order of Adoption the priesthood and others have done likewise it being the means of salvation left to bring us back to God. But had the keys of the priesthood been retained & handed down from father to son throughout all generations up to the present time then there would have been no necessity of the law of Adoption for we would have all been included in the covenant without it & would have been legal heirs instead of being heirs according to promise. ...
I am entitled to the Keys of the Priesthood according to linage & Blood. ... This we would have taught in the Temple if time had permitted. Joseph Smith was entitled to the Keys of the Priesthood according to Blood. Still He was the fourth son. But when we get another Temple built then we will teach you concerning those things....
Those that are Adopted into my family & take me for their Councellor if I Continue faithful I will preside over them throughout all Eternity. I will stand at their head, and Joseph will stand at the head of this Church & will be there President Prophet & God to the People in this dispensation....
There was then an intermission untill after supper. The table was well furnished & supplyed. 40 persons could be seated at the Table at a time. The men were seated to the right with there companion oposite them commencing with the Twelve President Young at there head. Then in order the adopted Children begining with the 1st that was adopted. ...
President Young arose & continued his remarks upon the law of adoption. ... The Lord introduced the law of adoption for the benefit of the children of men as a school master to bring them back into the covenant of the Priesthood....
Before I close I will answer one question that has been asked me repetedly. Should I have A father Dead that has never herd this gospel, would it be required of me to redeem him & have him adopted unto some roans family And I be adopted unto my Father? I answer No. ...
I know that the women generally rule there Husbands & the Children their Mothers. But when A woman under takes to rule me I want Her to be so secret about it that I Cannot Catch Her at it. Now I do not want the Brethren from my remarks to abuse there wives but treat them kindly: Do there Heavy luging but dont wash there dishes as some men do. ...
[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 - Feb 16, 1832
Section 76. Referring to the occasion, Dibble stated,.
Joseph would, at intervals, say: "What do I see?" Then he would relate what he had seen or what he was looking at. Then Sidney replied, "I see the same." Presently Sidney would say, "What do I see?" and would repeat what he had seen or was seeing, and Joseph would reply, "I see the same." This manner of conversation was repeated at short intervals to the end of the vision, and during the whole time not a word was spoken by any other person. Not a sound nor motion made by anyone but Joseph and Sidney, and it seemed to me that they never moved a joint or limb during the time I was there, which I think was over an hour, and to the end of the vision. Joseph sat firmly and calmly all the time in the midst of a magnificent glory, but Sidney sat limp and pale, apparently as limber as a rag, observing which Joseph remarked, smilingly, "Sidney is not used to it as I am.".
According to some of the early journals, this revelation was not well received by all members of the church because it conflicted with their previous notions of heaven and hell; much missionary work was required to keep unity among the Saints.
In February 1843, as a rejoinder to a poem written by William W. Phelps, Joseph Smith wrote a poetic version of section 76. This important writing, which clarified some passages in this revelation, was published in Nauvoo, Illinois, in February 1843.
[Cook, Lyndon, Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
Joseph would, at intervals, say: "What do I see?" Then he would relate what he had seen or what he was looking at. Then Sidney replied, "I see the same." Presently Sidney would say, "What do I see?" and would repeat what he had seen or was seeing, and Joseph would reply, "I see the same." This manner of conversation was repeated at short intervals to the end of the vision, and during the whole time not a word was spoken by any other person. Not a sound nor motion made by anyone but Joseph and Sidney, and it seemed to me that they never moved a joint or limb during the time I was there, which I think was over an hour, and to the end of the vision. Joseph sat firmly and calmly all the time in the midst of a magnificent glory, but Sidney sat limp and pale, apparently as limber as a rag, observing which Joseph remarked, smilingly, "Sidney is not used to it as I am.".
According to some of the early journals, this revelation was not well received by all members of the church because it conflicted with their previous notions of heaven and hell; much missionary work was required to keep unity among the Saints.
In February 1843, as a rejoinder to a poem written by William W. Phelps, Joseph Smith wrote a poetic version of section 76. This important writing, which clarified some passages in this revelation, was published in Nauvoo, Illinois, in February 1843.
[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 - Feb 16, 1832
Joseph returns to Hiram, Ohio, and continues translating the New Testament with Sidney Rigdon as scribe. While translating John 5:29, they wonder if there isn't some sort of gradation in rewards in the next life because of people's varied degrees of righteousness. In response to this question they receive a series of visions, known as D&C 76. About this vision Joseph writes, "The sublimity of the ideas; the purity of the language; the scope for action; . . . the rewards for faithfulness, and the punishments for sins, are so much beyond the narrow-mindedness of men, that every honest man is constrained to exclaim: 'It came from God. "'According to Philo Dibble, this vision was given in the presence of about 12 others. Joseph and Sidney would stare into space. One would say "What do I see?" And then he would say what he was seeing and the other would say "I see the same"; and then they would repeat the process. At the end of the vision, Dibble reports that Joseph sat calmly and firmly while Sidney was pale and limp, and that Joseph remarked with a smile, "Sidney is not used to it as I am." Sidney stayed up that night recording the vision.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
35 years ago today - Feb 15, 1987
The Tabernacle Choir marked its 3,000th radio broadcast in a series that had become the longest-running network program in the free world.
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
40 years ago today - Feb 15, 1982.
A story by Kenneth L. Woodward, religion editor of Newsweek, reports the Packer/Quinn conflict, pointing out that Quinn "violated the Mormon taboo that proscribes the faithful from publicly criticizing `the Lord's Anointed' by name." Elder Packer's address, originally scheduled to appear in the February issue of the Ensign, is withdrawn but is later published in Brigham Young University Studies.
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
60 years ago today - Feb 15, 1962
Ezra Taft Benson's anti-Communist activities became the focus of an hour-long discussion within the First Presidency. McKay's two counselors, both of whom were Democrats, felt that Benson was too extreme in his tactics. Henry D. Moyle felt that it was not proper to discuss such controversial matters in church meetings, particularly when "the people were not well enough informed to discuss it" and when there had not yet been an official First Presidency statement on the subject to guide church members. Referring to Benson's talk in the October general conference, he noted that it had taken on the stature of an official church position without having been formally endorsed. McKay, who was consistently more concerned with the overall fight against Communism than with tactics, deflected this concern: he "knew nothing wrong with Elder Benson's talk, and thought it to be very good." Brown pointed out one consequence for church members of Benson's broad-brush attack: "All the people in Scandinavia and other European countries are under Socialistic governments and certainly are not Communists. Brother Benson's talk ties them together and makes them equally abominable. If this is true, our people in Europe who are living under a Socialist government are living out of harmony with the Church."
[McKay diary; Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
[McKay diary; Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
65 years ago today - Feb 15, 1957
President David O. McKay writes: "On the subject of organic evolution the Church has officially taken no position. The book 'Man, His Origin and Destiny' was not published by the Church, and is not approved by the Church. The book contains expressions of the author's views for which he alone is responsible."
80 years ago today - Feb 15, 1942
In Hamburg, Germany, Branch President Arnold Zollner writes "Ex-communicated" on 17-year-old Helmuth Hubener's membership record. Hubener had been arrested 10 days previously for distributing anti-Nazi propaganda. Zollner had previously posted "JUDEN IST DER EINTRITT VERBOTEN!" (Jews not allowed to enter.) on the door of the branch meeting-house and would bring his radio to church whenever Hitler or Goebbels were scheduled to speak. Heubner is beheaded by the Nazis on Oct 27, 1942. On Nov 11, 1946, District President Otto Berndt,and the new mission president, Max Zimmer, write "excommunication done by mistake" on Hubener's membership record. Later, Zimmer's successor, Jean Wunderlich, notifies the Salt Lake leadership of the affair, and on 24 Jan 24, 1948, the First Presidency orderes a similar notation placed on the membership record.
95 years ago today - Feb 15, 1927
[George F. Richards to the President of the St. George Temple]
At request of President Grant we have already adopted some of the changes decided upon, and it will be in order for you to do the same. . . . Omit from the prayer in the circles all reference to avenging the blood of the Prophets. Omit from the ordinance and lecture all reference to retribution. The last change can be made with a day's notice to those taking the parts that contain such reference. This letter is written with the approval of the Presidency.
[George F. Richards to the President of the St. George Temple, February 15, 1927, Historical Department Confidential Research Files, CR 100 14, as quoted in Sources on the Oath of Vengeance or Law of Retribution, Christopher C. Smith, privately circulated]
At request of President Grant we have already adopted some of the changes decided upon, and it will be in order for you to do the same. . . . Omit from the prayer in the circles all reference to avenging the blood of the Prophets. Omit from the ordinance and lecture all reference to retribution. The last change can be made with a day's notice to those taking the parts that contain such reference. This letter is written with the approval of the Presidency.
[George F. Richards to the President of the St. George Temple, February 15, 1927, Historical Department Confidential Research Files, CR 100 14, as quoted in Sources on the Oath of Vengeance or Law of Retribution, Christopher C. Smith, privately circulated]
140 years ago today - Feb 15, 1882
Helen Mar Kimball recalling letters from her mother written from Nauvoo]
In another letter I find an interesting item concerning the Prophet Joseph's receiving a visit from one of the Nephites, who told him he had been through England, Ireland and that the work of the Lord would be short and powerful in those places. He also told him many things about this land (America), many of which have been fulfilled.
[Woman's Exponent, vol. 10, no. 18, in Whitney, Helen Mar, Jeni Broberg Holzapfel, and Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, A Woman's View: Helen Mar Whitney's Reminiscences of Early Church History, Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1997]
In another letter I find an interesting item concerning the Prophet Joseph's receiving a visit from one of the Nephites, who told him he had been through England, Ireland and that the work of the Lord would be short and powerful in those places. He also told him many things about this land (America), many of which have been fulfilled.
[Woman's Exponent, vol. 10, no. 18, in Whitney, Helen Mar, Jeni Broberg Holzapfel, and Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, A Woman's View: Helen Mar Whitney's Reminiscences of Early Church History, Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1997]
140 years ago today - Feb 15, 1882
[Franklin D. Richards]
... Voted that I get together material in vindication of Pres[iden]t. B[righam]. Young & the Church against the charge of perpetuating the 'Mountain Meadow Massacre.'
[Franklin D. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
... Voted that I get together material in vindication of Pres[iden]t. B[righam]. Young & the Church against the charge of perpetuating the 'Mountain Meadow Massacre.'
[Franklin D. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
145 years ago today - Feb 15, 1877
At the Saint George Temple two veils are used for "the first time in this generation."
165 years ago today - Feb 15, 1857
[Wilford Woodruff]
I had the spirit of the Lord upon me & had a good meeting.
<I spoke to President Young about my [14-year-old] daughter Phebe. He did not wish to take any more young wives but would see that she was take up in due time.> [Angled brackets indicate shorthand / code]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I had the spirit of the Lord upon me & had a good meeting.
<I spoke to President Young about my [14-year-old] daughter Phebe. He did not wish to take any more young wives but would see that she was take up in due time.> [Angled brackets indicate shorthand / code]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Feb 15, 1847
[Wilford Woodruff]
In the evening I met with the quorum of the Twelve & others to learn to take the proper Steps in dancing.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
In the evening I met with the quorum of the Twelve & others to learn to take the proper Steps in dancing.
[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 - Feb 15, 1842
Joseph becomes the editor of the Nauvoo paper, The Times and Seasons.
[More Good Foundation, Timeline, http://www.prophetjosephsmith.org/joseph_smith_timeline]
[More Good Foundation, Timeline, http://www.prophetjosephsmith.org/joseph_smith_timeline]
180 years ago today - Feb 15, 1842
The Church's official newspaper Times and Seasons formally apologized for a sexual joke that had appeared within a wedding announcement the month before. Blaming "the boys" who had previously been compositor and typesetter, this apology insisted that Joseph Smith (the newspaper's new editor) had never written "a single indecent or unbecoming word or sentence" in his life. Referring to the bride and groom, the newspaper's offending word-play had stated: "... and they find a peaceful abode in the `narrow house,' may the many outs and ins they have made, leave to the world an abundant posterity to celebrate their glorious example".
["MARRIED--In this city on the 6th inst. by the Rev. Erastus H. Derby, Mr. Gilbert H. Rolfe, to Miss Eliza Jane Bates," Times and Seasons 3 (15 February 1842): 701, with the following statement on page 702: "The Times and Seasons, IS EDITED BY Joseph Smith" (emphasis in original). This announcement was immediately followed by another "MARRIED"-notice, signed "Ed."]" in Evidence For The Sexual Side of Joseph Smith's Polygamy," Comments by D. Michael Quinn on Session #2A "Reconsidering Joseph Smith's Marital Practices," Mormon History Association's Annual Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 29 June 2012 (unabbreviated version, revised during July)]
["MARRIED--In this city on the 6th inst. by the Rev. Erastus H. Derby, Mr. Gilbert H. Rolfe, to Miss Eliza Jane Bates," Times and Seasons 3 (15 February 1842): 701, with the following statement on page 702: "The Times and Seasons, IS EDITED BY Joseph Smith" (emphasis in original). This announcement was immediately followed by another "MARRIED"-notice, signed "Ed."]" in Evidence For The Sexual Side of Joseph Smith's Polygamy," Comments by D. Michael Quinn on Session #2A "Reconsidering Joseph Smith's Marital Practices," Mormon History Association's Annual Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 29 June 2012 (unabbreviated version, revised during July)]
30 years ago today - Feb 14, 1992
The BYU Department of Sociology writes a memo to university president Rex E. Lee: "We wish to express concern over the possibility that disciplinary action, whether through ecclesiastical or university channels, might be taken against BYU faculty members for scholarly discussion of Mormonism, . . . We wish to express concern over the possibility that disciplinary action, whether through ecclesiastical or university channels, might be taken against BYU faculty members for scholarly discussion of Mormonism, . . . For example, if one of us presents at the Sunstone Symposium next year and our bishop or stake president judges us unworthy of a temple recommend or as deserving disciplinary action, such action could affect our position at the University given current policies as we understand them. . . . A serious professional contribution to the scientific knowledge concerning the Church, even one that is highly supportive of Church positions, is viewed as having the potential of costing one his or her position at BYU."
70 years ago today - Feb 14, 1952
[J. Reuben Clark]
Conversation with Dr. G. Homer Durham of the University of Utah, regarding the proferred honorarium of $125.00 in connection with the talk "Our Dwindling Sovereignty," 4th Annual Pi Sigma Alpha Lectureship, Feb. 13, 1952.
Pres. Clark: I was stunned with this check business here. ...
Pres. Clark: It is clear out of all proportion. Where do you get this money from?
Dr. Durham: This is an appropriation to the Institute of Government in the field of promoting political science. We have a small sum each year from the Board of Regents.
Pres. Clark: It is state money then.
Dr. Durham: Yes.
Pres. Clark: It being state money I will keep it. But if I can turn it back to you and have you accept it for some special purpose I will be happy to do that. I have never taken an honorarium. I went down to Arizona and turned it back and let them use it for some needy students. ...
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
Conversation with Dr. G. Homer Durham of the University of Utah, regarding the proferred honorarium of $125.00 in connection with the talk "Our Dwindling Sovereignty," 4th Annual Pi Sigma Alpha Lectureship, Feb. 13, 1952.
Pres. Clark: I was stunned with this check business here. ...
Pres. Clark: It is clear out of all proportion. Where do you get this money from?
Dr. Durham: This is an appropriation to the Institute of Government in the field of promoting political science. We have a small sum each year from the Board of Regents.
Pres. Clark: It is state money then.
Dr. Durham: Yes.
Pres. Clark: It being state money I will keep it. But if I can turn it back to you and have you accept it for some special purpose I will be happy to do that. I have never taken an honorarium. I went down to Arizona and turned it back and let them use it for some needy students. ...
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
85 years ago today - Feb 14, 1937
[George F. Richards]
We went to the Tecalco Branch, about 50 miles from here at the base of the volcano Popocatapetal where we went to the meeting, but when we saw their program, which was evidently intended to humiliate us and a threat to turn us over to the law if we did not approve their action in appointing a Mission President, we walked out and got out of the Republic as quickly as possible.
[George F. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
We went to the Tecalco Branch, about 50 miles from here at the base of the volcano Popocatapetal where we went to the meeting, but when we saw their program, which was evidently intended to humiliate us and a threat to turn us over to the law if we did not approve their action in appointing a Mission President, we walked out and got out of the Republic as quickly as possible.
[George F. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
110 years ago today - Feb 14, 1912
President Samuel O. Bennion, Independence [Missouri].
Dear Brother:
Your question concerning Adam has not been answered before because of a pressure of important business. We now respond briefly, but, we hope, plainly. You speak of 'the assertion made by Brigham Young that Jesus was begotten of the Father in the Flesh by our father Adam, and that Adam is the father of Jesus Christ and not the Holy Ghost,' and you say the Elders are challenged by certain critics to prove this.
If you will carefully examine the sermon to which you refer, in the Journal of Discourses, Vol[ume]. 1, you will discover that, while President Young denied that Jesus was 'begotten by the Holy Ghost,' he did not affirm, in so many words, that 'Adam is the father of Jesus Christ in the flesh.' He said, 'Jesus, our elder brother, was begotten in the flesh by the same character that was in the garden of Eden and who is our Father in Heaven.' ....
Your brethren,
(Signed) Joseph F. Smith
Anthon H. Lund
Charles W. Penrose.
First Presidency
[Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
Dear Brother:
Your question concerning Adam has not been answered before because of a pressure of important business. We now respond briefly, but, we hope, plainly. You speak of 'the assertion made by Brigham Young that Jesus was begotten of the Father in the Flesh by our father Adam, and that Adam is the father of Jesus Christ and not the Holy Ghost,' and you say the Elders are challenged by certain critics to prove this.
If you will carefully examine the sermon to which you refer, in the Journal of Discourses, Vol[ume]. 1, you will discover that, while President Young denied that Jesus was 'begotten by the Holy Ghost,' he did not affirm, in so many words, that 'Adam is the father of Jesus Christ in the flesh.' He said, 'Jesus, our elder brother, was begotten in the flesh by the same character that was in the garden of Eden and who is our Father in Heaven.' ....
Your brethren,
(Signed) Joseph F. Smith
Anthon H. Lund
Charles W. Penrose.
First Presidency
[Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
135 years ago today - Feb 14, 1887 (Monday)
In the Third District Court, Salt Lake City, Bishop Ishmael Phillips, of Union, and Henry Reiser, of Salt Lake City, were each sentenced by Judge Zane to six months' imprisonment and $300 fine, for u.c. [Unlawful Cohabitation, I.E. living with a polygamous wife] The cases against Wm. H. Haigh, of West Jordan, and John Tate, of Tooele, were continued for the term. Wm. J. Hooper plead guilty by saying, "If it is a crime to support my family, I am guilty of u.c. [Unlawful Cohabitation, I.E. living with a polygamous wife]" Joseph Blunt also plead guilty.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
170 years ago today - Feb 14, 1852 (Saturday)
The legislative assembly of Utah Territory memorialized Congress for the construction of a great national central railroad from the Missouri river to the Pacific Coast. The memorial was approved on the 3rd of March following. At the same session, the legislature petitioned Congress for the establishment of a telegraph line across the continent.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
175 years ago today - Feb 14, 1847
[Hosea Stout]
In the evening I regulated the guard and met the High Council at six as usual. Here the subject of the police was taken up by myself & a long debate ensued which resulted in good for us, for it was understood by the council for us to do our duty & they sustain us in it & stop the noise of the boys in the streets if we had to use the lash &c[.] It was the first time that the Council had investigated our case[.] After Council a lot of Indians came in and staid all night.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
In the evening I regulated the guard and met the High Council at six as usual. Here the subject of the police was taken up by myself & a long debate ensued which resulted in good for us, for it was understood by the council for us to do our duty & they sustain us in it & stop the noise of the boys in the streets if we had to use the lash &c[.] It was the first time that the Council had investigated our case[.] After Council a lot of Indians came in and staid all night.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
80 years ago today - Feb 13, 1942
[Heber J. Grant]
At 12:15 I attended a dinner party in Temple Square Hotel. ... I told of my experience of the past with the Japanese, that I was there nearly two years, and we baptized three people. The first one was guilty of burglarizing mission headquarters, the second one wanted to be crucified to help the work along, and he later asked to have his name taken from the record, and the third one my successor in office cut him off the Church for lying. That was the grand total of conversions while I was there. They have afterwards converted people who have been faithful members of the Church ever since.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
At 12:15 I attended a dinner party in Temple Square Hotel. ... I told of my experience of the past with the Japanese, that I was there nearly two years, and we baptized three people. The first one was guilty of burglarizing mission headquarters, the second one wanted to be crucified to help the work along, and he later asked to have his name taken from the record, and the third one my successor in office cut him off the Church for lying. That was the grand total of conversions while I was there. They have afterwards converted people who have been faithful members of the Church ever since.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
85 years ago today - Feb 13, 1937
A Deseret News Church Section photograph of LDS missionaries in Tahiti, with all males wearing white suit-and-pants, the custom in Tahiti. Issues of 23 July and 30 July 1938 have similar photographs of missionaries and their mission president in Tonga and Samoa.
[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)]]
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