A letter from the First Presidency announced that the Primary Association had been assigned the duty of establishing the Cub Scout program of the Boy Scouts of America for boys of the Church.
[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]
80 years ago today - Dec 31, 1942
[George F. Richards]
I have been instrumental during the year in the getting the Patriarchal line changed from the John Smith line to the Joseph F. Smith line, and in getting a patriarch to the Church selected, which released me from being the acting patriarch to the Church, a position I held for four and a half years. I have also been instrumental in reviewing the former practice in the Church of administering Second Anointings to faithful members, the practice having gone practically into disuse, only eight such blessings having been administered in the past twelve years. Up to twelve years ago there had been administered in the Church thirty-two thousand plus of such blessings. The day before Christmas I was instrumental in getting Pres. Grant to sign recommends for thirteen of the general authorities and their wives and the wives of two others of the Council to their husbands; also a recommend for Stephen L. Chipman and wife, he having had his previously. I am sure that the Lord has inspired what I have been able to do along these lines. Pres. Grant, in our council meeting of a few weeks ago appointed me to administer these blessings and at my request appointed Elder Jos. Fielding Smith to assist me. We are the only ones in the Church having this authority by appointment.
[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]
I have been instrumental during the year in the getting the Patriarchal line changed from the John Smith line to the Joseph F. Smith line, and in getting a patriarch to the Church selected, which released me from being the acting patriarch to the Church, a position I held for four and a half years. I have also been instrumental in reviewing the former practice in the Church of administering Second Anointings to faithful members, the practice having gone practically into disuse, only eight such blessings having been administered in the past twelve years. Up to twelve years ago there had been administered in the Church thirty-two thousand plus of such blessings. The day before Christmas I was instrumental in getting Pres. Grant to sign recommends for thirteen of the general authorities and their wives and the wives of two others of the Council to their husbands; also a recommend for Stephen L. Chipman and wife, he having had his previously. I am sure that the Lord has inspired what I have been able to do along these lines. Pres. Grant, in our council meeting of a few weeks ago appointed me to administer these blessings and at my request appointed Elder Jos. Fielding Smith to assist me. We are the only ones in the Church having this authority by appointment.
[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]
90 years ago today - Dec 31, 1932
[George Albert Smith]
"Met with David O. McKay and Bp. Cannon. Regret inability to make them feel further responsibility."
[Journals of George Albert Smith]
"Met with David O. McKay and Bp. Cannon. Regret inability to make them feel further responsibility."
[Journals of George Albert Smith]
120 years ago today - Dec 31, 1902
[John McAllister]
HIGHER BLESSING For females. In cases of those who are not members of the Church at their death. On evidence of their chaste and moral conduct in life any Woman who has been sealed, in life or by proxy to a worthy man, whether she has lived with him or not may have the privilege of being anointed to him, provided he has had his second blessings. Signed by the First Presidency under date of 11 June 1902.
[John D. T. McAllister journal, Dec. 31, 1902 , Perry Special Collections, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
HIGHER BLESSING For females. In cases of those who are not members of the Church at their death. On evidence of their chaste and moral conduct in life any Woman who has been sealed, in life or by proxy to a worthy man, whether she has lived with him or not may have the privilege of being anointed to him, provided he has had his second blessings. Signed by the First Presidency under date of 11 June 1902.
[John D. T. McAllister journal, Dec. 31, 1902 , Perry Special Collections, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
135 years ago today - Dec 31, 1887
[Wilford Woodruff]
Thus Ends the year 1887 which has been a peculiar year for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The prisions are filled with Elders of Israel Because they will not abondon their wives & Children. It will be all right with the Saints of God if they will ownly commit Adultry fornication & whoredom as the Gentile Christians do and not Marry their women. But the whole Christian world seem to be persecuting the Saints of God and seeking their destruction. We will see what 1888 will bring forth.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Thus Ends the year 1887 which has been a peculiar year for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The prisions are filled with Elders of Israel Because they will not abondon their wives & Children. It will be all right with the Saints of God if they will ownly commit Adultry fornication & whoredom as the Gentile Christians do and not Marry their women. But the whole Christian world seem to be persecuting the Saints of God and seeking their destruction. We will see what 1888 will bring forth.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Dec 31, 1887
Because of government actions during the federal antipolygamy persecutions, the Church is forced to stop work on the Salt Lake Temple.
145 years ago today - Dec 31, 1877
[John Nuttall]
The 12 held a council to day & considered the right of appeal from High councils. Decided that an Appeal can be had to the first presidency wherein an unrighteous decision is given, and then only as to the decision not as to hearing the case'if the case has to be heard again the 1st president decides, who shall hear it. whether the same high council with 1 or 2 of the 12 present. or by arbitration'or by the Church in Conference assembled and Stake with all the priesthood of the Stake'or by the general Conference assembled.
[L. John Nuttall, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
The 12 held a council to day & considered the right of appeal from High councils. Decided that an Appeal can be had to the first presidency wherein an unrighteous decision is given, and then only as to the decision not as to hearing the case'if the case has to be heard again the 1st president decides, who shall hear it. whether the same high council with 1 or 2 of the 12 present. or by arbitration'or by the Church in Conference assembled and Stake with all the priesthood of the Stake'or by the general Conference assembled.
[L. John Nuttall, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
180 years ago today - Dec 31, 1842
Joseph also meets with James Collins Brewster, a teenage boy, who shows him a book of revelations he has been writing. Joseph replies, "If God ever called me, or spake by my mouth, or gave me a revelation, he never gave revelations to that Brewster boy or any of the Brewster race." (The Brewsters had been disfellowshipped on charges of receiving false revelations on Nov. 20, 1837.)
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
90 years ago today - Dec 30, 1932
[George Albert Smith]
"Had a long visit with David O. McKay. I fear he doesn't realize the attitude he assumes may be wrong."
[Journals of George Albert Smith]
"Had a long visit with David O. McKay. I fear he doesn't realize the attitude he assumes may be wrong."
[Journals of George Albert Smith]
125 years ago today - Dec 30, 1897; Thursday
Meeting of the Presidency and Apostles at the Presidents' Office ...
The subject of round dancing was discussed with the result that while the Council were averse to the practice it was thought better not to establish any rigid rule in relation to it, as if that were done some Bishops would apply it irrespective of circumstances and results.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
The subject of round dancing was discussed with the result that while the Council were averse to the practice it was thought better not to establish any rigid rule in relation to it, as if that were done some Bishops would apply it irrespective of circumstances and results.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
140 years ago today - Dec 30, 1882
[Wilford Woodruff]
30 {Wm. H Hooper Died 20 to 8 Dec 30} 1882 I dreamed last night that Capt Wm. H Hooper was Dead. I told my family this morning that when I heard from him I should hear he was /dead/ And Br Jaques informed me at the Historians office, that He died at 20 minuts to 8 oclok. I saw Capt Hooper in the spirit world in my dream. I saw his location and the limits by which he was bound and Could not pass. I had a view of mansions in the Celestial Kingdom of God which were Composed of beautiful stones and materials, and were actual Buildings as any on the Earth and that the Best Architects in heaven were imployed in their building.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
30 {Wm. H Hooper Died 20 to 8 Dec 30} 1882 I dreamed last night that Capt Wm. H Hooper was Dead. I told my family this morning that when I heard from him I should hear he was /dead/ And Br Jaques informed me at the Historians office, that He died at 20 minuts to 8 oclok. I saw Capt Hooper in the spirit world in my dream. I saw his location and the limits by which he was bound and Could not pass. I had a view of mansions in the Celestial Kingdom of God which were Composed of beautiful stones and materials, and were actual Buildings as any on the Earth and that the Best Architects in heaven were imployed in their building.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - Dec 30, 1867
[Wilford Woodruff]
I went to the Endowment House & assisted D. H. Wells in Anointing {Silas Richards & wife}. When we come to the Altar his seconed wife refused to be sealed to him.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I went to the Endowment House & assisted D. H. Wells in Anointing {Silas Richards & wife}. When we come to the Altar his seconed wife refused to be sealed to him.
[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 - Dec 30, 1857
Brigham Young and other LDS leaders are indicted for treason. This does not surprise them, since Apostle George A. Smith had told Utah Legislature on 21 Dec.: "we may prepare our neck for the halter if our enemies catch us."
[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 )]]
180 years ago today - Dec 30, 1842 - Friday
Joseph [Smith] said he had decided that he would not vote for a Slave holder— it is giving them power & if they could obtain sufficent power & get a religious peak [pique?] against any religionists— they would subdue them & compel our children to mix with their slaves.
By Elder [Orson] Hyde . what would you advice a man to do who came in the having a hundred Slaves? Joseph [:] I have always advised such to bring their slaves into a free county— & set them free— Educate them & give them equal Rights. ... should the slaves be organizd into an independent governme[n]t they would become quarrelsome it would not be wisdom ...
Joseph said to Judge Adams that christ & the Resurrected saints will reign over the earth, but not dwell on the earth visit it when go they please or when necessary to govern it. There will be wicked men <on> the earth during the 1000 years. The heathen nations who will not come up to worship will be destroyed. Joseph gave a lecture on med[ic]ine salt vinegar & pepper given internally. & plunging in the river when the parozyism [paroxysm] begin. will cure the Cholera
[Joseph Smith, "President Joseph Smith's Journal," 4 vols., Book 1, 21 December 1842–10 March 1843 (Willard Richards)]
By Elder [Orson] Hyde . what would you advice a man to do who came in the having a hundred Slaves? Joseph [:] I have always advised such to bring their slaves into a free county— & set them free— Educate them & give them equal Rights. ... should the slaves be organizd into an independent governme[n]t they would become quarrelsome it would not be wisdom ...
Joseph said to Judge Adams that christ & the Resurrected saints will reign over the earth, but not dwell on the earth visit it when go they please or when necessary to govern it. There will be wicked men <on> the earth during the 1000 years. The heathen nations who will not come up to worship will be destroyed. Joseph gave a lecture on med[ic]ine salt vinegar & pepper given internally. & plunging in the river when the parozyism [paroxysm] begin. will cure the Cholera
[Joseph Smith, "President Joseph Smith's Journal," 4 vols., Book 1, 21 December 1842–10 March 1843 (Willard Richards)]
210 years ago today - Winter 1812-13
Joseph turns seven in December 1812. After an aggressive operation for osteomyelitis, Joseph recuperates at Salem, Massachusetts, with Jesse Smith, his brother's uncle. He is still walking on crutches in 1816.
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book]
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book]
110 years ago today - Dec 29, 1912
N.Y. Times proclaims Joseph a fraud for Book of Abraham, as several scholars and Egyptologists agree "authenticity has been destroyed completely."
[Chronology of Mormon History, http://followtheprophets.com/chronology-of-mormon-history/]
[Chronology of Mormon History, http://followtheprophets.com/chronology-of-mormon-history/]
120 years ago today - Dec 29, 1902; Monday
A Mrs. Shepherd of this city, representing the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, called and met the Presidency. She stated that the society she represents were about to undertake to reform the morals of this city, and especially what is known as Victoria Alley, where prostitutes carry on their nefarious traffic and seduce young boys. She said she had conferred with some persons in regard to the matter, and among them the Ministerial Association who stood ready to do what they could, and she now asked that President [Joseph F.] Smith appoint some one or two representing our Church to co-operate with her in this reform movement. After some conversation John E. Hansen of the [Deseret] News, and Brigham F. Grant were named as very agreeable to her, and these brethren were telephoned to in regard to the matter and expressed their willingness to co-operate with Mrs. Shepherd.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
125 years ago today - Dec 29, 1897; Wednesday
Bro[ther]. Ramsayer a French Brother enquired if Eloheim was the personal father of Jesus Christ &c. I told him we must avoid speculations!
[Franklin D. Richards, Diary]
[Franklin D. Richards, Diary]
135 years ago today - Dec 29, 1887 • Thursday
[George Q. Cannon]
We have received letters from Bros. J W Young & C W Penrose, proposing to us to give the Gentiles in this city a share in the representation of the City Council. Bro. Penrose had written an editorial for the News, to be published if we should decide on doing anything in this matter.... After this was introduced the matter was thoroughly discussed and there seemed to be a unanimous feeling on the subject. Mayor Armstrong expressed himself rather strongly, but he did not seriously object to the policy, only he hated the idea of our people voting for members of the Loyal League and other open enemies of ours – a feeling in which all present, no doubt, shared. ...
It was then decided, on motion, that the minority be tendered one Alderman and two Councilors, with the idea that perhaps they would ask for more, and that we could allow them two Aldermen and two Councilors, making four in all. ...
[The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
We have received letters from Bros. J W Young & C W Penrose, proposing to us to give the Gentiles in this city a share in the representation of the City Council. Bro. Penrose had written an editorial for the News, to be published if we should decide on doing anything in this matter.... After this was introduced the matter was thoroughly discussed and there seemed to be a unanimous feeling on the subject. Mayor Armstrong expressed himself rather strongly, but he did not seriously object to the policy, only he hated the idea of our people voting for members of the Loyal League and other open enemies of ours – a feeling in which all present, no doubt, shared. ...
It was then decided, on motion, that the minority be tendered one Alderman and two Councilors, with the idea that perhaps they would ask for more, and that we could allow them two Aldermen and two Councilors, making four in all. ...
[The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
150 years ago today - Dec 29, 1872 (Afternoon)
[Brigham Young]
President Young ... Related some of his early experience and stated that in 1833 the word of the Lord through the Prophet Joseph was, not to go anywhere to build up the cities of the gentiles, but to build up Zion, henceforth and forever.
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
President Young ... Related some of his early experience and stated that in 1833 the word of the Lord through the Prophet Joseph was, not to go anywhere to build up the cities of the gentiles, but to build up Zion, henceforth and forever.
[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 - Dec 29, 1852. Wednesday.
[William Clayton]
About 4 o'clock this morning the door was again burst open by the force of the waves. Two large casks filled with barrel heads had broke from their lashings, and were hurled by the water on deck from side to side of the ship like a sledge hammer. One of these had struck the door and broke it down. The gale appeared to be somewhat abating, and as I could get no help to fasten up the doorway again it had to take its chance. I had slept none all night and felt very weary and uncomfortable. To get myself warm I commenced bailing the water out of the cabin, and continued at intervals until 6 o'clock, when several of the brethren and other passengers came to my help. The gale was evidently abating, but the ship looked gloomy enough. The empty barrels and barrel heads were floating from side to side of the deck. The sides of the ship were pretty well shattered. The force of the barrels had knocked the plank off her sides for 8 or 10 feet in length, and from 2 to 3 feet high. Through these holes the seas were continually washing in and out of the ship, rendering it dangerous for any person to attempt to go outside of the cabin door.
The Captain and mates consider that we are now in the utmost danger, as the wind has abated considerable and the tremendous swell of the sea, is liable to break away the masts, or founder the ship between the mountain waves. However we were mercifully preserved, and did not lose as much as a spar or [sail], neither was there a sail damaged. The Captain says he has been on the sea 20 years but he never witnessed such a gale before. Twice we were fairly in the trough of the sea, with mountain waves running on each side, when it appeared impossible to avoid being engulfed and sunk by them; but the Lord bore up the vessel and caused her to ride nobly on their angry bosom without any material accident. The Captain and all hands, regard our preservation as a miracle, and we feel to give glory and gratitude to our Father in Heaven, for this manifestation of his preserving care over us.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
About 4 o'clock this morning the door was again burst open by the force of the waves. Two large casks filled with barrel heads had broke from their lashings, and were hurled by the water on deck from side to side of the ship like a sledge hammer. One of these had struck the door and broke it down. The gale appeared to be somewhat abating, and as I could get no help to fasten up the doorway again it had to take its chance. I had slept none all night and felt very weary and uncomfortable. To get myself warm I commenced bailing the water out of the cabin, and continued at intervals until 6 o'clock, when several of the brethren and other passengers came to my help. The gale was evidently abating, but the ship looked gloomy enough. The empty barrels and barrel heads were floating from side to side of the deck. The sides of the ship were pretty well shattered. The force of the barrels had knocked the plank off her sides for 8 or 10 feet in length, and from 2 to 3 feet high. Through these holes the seas were continually washing in and out of the ship, rendering it dangerous for any person to attempt to go outside of the cabin door.
The Captain and mates consider that we are now in the utmost danger, as the wind has abated considerable and the tremendous swell of the sea, is liable to break away the masts, or founder the ship between the mountain waves. However we were mercifully preserved, and did not lose as much as a spar or [sail], neither was there a sail damaged. The Captain says he has been on the sea 20 years but he never witnessed such a gale before. Twice we were fairly in the trough of the sea, with mountain waves running on each side, when it appeared impossible to avoid being engulfed and sunk by them; but the Lord bore up the vessel and caused her to ride nobly on their angry bosom without any material accident. The Captain and all hands, regard our preservation as a miracle, and we feel to give glory and gratitude to our Father in Heaven, for this manifestation of his preserving care over us.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
175 years ago today - Dec 29, 1847
B. Y.[:] It is against [the] law for a woman to take an Indian husband'[T]hat curse was taken off the Lamanites when the B[ook] of Mormon came forth'Joseph committed to me the keys to open the Gospel to every Lamanite nation' H C K[:] I was present' O. P.[:] There is a rev[elatio]n. in D[octrine]. & C[ovenants]. that permits a man to take an Indian woman' B. Y.[:] Where a man gets a dau[ghte]r out of a family, he is entitled to the whole family. H. C. K.[: I]f you take a white apple [and] graft & plant it in a red apple tree it will bring forth a White Apple. B. Y.[:] The governing principle is in the husband'& by prayer they will bring forth white children'
[Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
175 years ago today - Dec 29, 1847
[Brigham Young]
It is against [the] law for a woman to take an Indian husband. That curse was taken off the Lamanites when the Book of Mormon came forth. Joseph committed to me the keys to open the gospel to every Lamanite nation'-Where a man gets a dower out of a family, he is entitled to the whole family'-The governing principle is in the husband, and by prayer they will bring forth white children [from Indians]'-take them and baptize them, baptize all creation. -- Winter Quarters, Nebraska
[Thomas Bullock 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]
It is against [the] law for a woman to take an Indian husband. That curse was taken off the Lamanites when the Book of Mormon came forth. Joseph committed to me the keys to open the gospel to every Lamanite nation'-Where a man gets a dower out of a family, he is entitled to the whole family'-The governing principle is in the husband, and by prayer they will bring forth white children [from Indians]'-take them and baptize them, baptize all creation. -- Winter Quarters, Nebraska
[Thomas Bullock 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 - Dec 29, 1842 - Thursday
[Joseph Smith (Willard Richards)]
... after Supper Gen [Wilson] Law asked why the Sun was masculine & <moon> femini[n]e? <Joseph> The root of masculine is stronger & of femini[n]e weaker Sun is a govening planet to certain planets [[The idea that the sun is a "governing planet" is found in the Book of Abraham, which JS had recently published.]] while the moon borrows her light from the Sun & is less or weaker &c— ...
I went into a tavern & plead our cause to get admission. The Landlord said he could not keep us for love or money. I told him we must & would stay let the consequence be what it might, for we must stay or perish. the Landlord said they had heard the mormons were very bad people & the inhabitants of the Paris had combined not to have any thing to do with them but we might stay. I told him we would stay but no thanks to him & we went in & all the taverns, I have boys Men enough to take the town & if we must freeze we will freeeze by the burn ing of these houses— The taverns were then opened & we were accom modatd. & recived many apologies in the morni[n]g from the inhabita[n]ts for their abusive treatment. ...
[Joseph Smith, "President Joseph Smith's Journal," 4 vols., Book 1, 21 December 1842–10 March 1843 (Willard Richards)]
... after Supper Gen [Wilson] Law asked why the Sun was masculine & <moon> femini[n]e? <Joseph> The root of masculine is stronger & of femini[n]e weaker Sun is a govening planet to certain planets [[The idea that the sun is a "governing planet" is found in the Book of Abraham, which JS had recently published.]] while the moon borrows her light from the Sun & is less or weaker &c— ...
I went into a tavern & plead our cause to get admission. The Landlord said he could not keep us for love or money. I told him we must & would stay let the consequence be what it might, for we must stay or perish. the Landlord said they had heard the mormons were very bad people & the inhabitants of the Paris had combined not to have any thing to do with them but we might stay. I told him we would stay but no thanks to him & we went in & all the taverns, I have boys Men enough to take the town & if we must freeze we will freeeze by the burn ing of these houses— The taverns were then opened & we were accom modatd. & recived many apologies in the morni[n]g from the inhabita[n]ts for their abusive treatment. ...
[Joseph Smith, "President Joseph Smith's Journal," 4 vols., Book 1, 21 December 1842–10 March 1843 (Willard Richards)]
170 years ago today - Dec 28, 1852. Tuesday.
[William Clayton]
This day the atmosphere looks very stormy. Heavy, black clouds gathering in the North West, and white vapors flying into their surface with rapid speed. The Captain says we are going to have a terrific gale. The mate says he never knew the Barometer so low as it is today. He does not understand the meaning of it, but apprehends a dreadful time. The wind has been blowing fresh from the S.W. all day, till between 3 and 4 o'clock P.M. when it shifted to the N.W. All the sails were close secured, except just sufficient to give her headway to steer with. At 4 o'clock the gale commenced, and increased in force for several hours. We united in prayer, and nearly all of us put up our petitions to him who controls the elements by the word of his power. 6 o'clock P.M. I was standing at the cabin doorway, reflecting that it was time to make the door fast, as the wind was blowing exceeding strong, and the ship flying before it over the mountain waves, at a rapid speed. While standing here a vast wave dashed over the bulwarks, burying me for an instant in the briny element. The force of the water broke the door from its hinges, and dashing it on the deck, also broke about half of one side of the frame off. The cabin was then about a foot deep in water. The mate immediately sent the carpenter and some of the hands down to nail the door fast, which was done, and a lot of pieces of boards were nailed over it to strengthen it.
I felt very uncomfortable, being thoroughly drenched with water and chilled with cold. The brethren who occupied the upper births went to bed, but the one in which Brother Glover and myself slept being the lower one, and running parallel with the side of the ship, the water washed up into it, every time the ship rolled, wetting it so that we felt no disposition to go to bed.
10 o'clock the gale seemed to be at the heighth of its fury. The moon once in a while be visible showed that the clouds were hurled past with fearful rapidity, and everything betokened the most awful danger. The Captain governed the helm himself, and mates and all hands were obliged to screen themselves from the fury of the tempest by taking shelter in the wheel House. It was impossible to stand on deck as the waves were continually sweeping over the vessel, and nothing could be done but to keep her fair before the wind, and steer her so as to'ride over the foaming, mountain waves, and keep her out of the trough of the sea. About this time most of the passengers were gone to bed and I was standing along near the cabin door. A heavy sea, more furious than usual, dashed over the bulwarks, and again dashed down the door, pouring its flood into the cabin and again burying me completely over. It was sometime before I could get any help to fasten up the doorway. None of the passengers seemed disposed to come to my assistance, and it appeared that the Carpenter and hands did not feel disposed to risk coming to our assistance. However after half an hours delay, they came down and again secured the part of the door that was left, in its places and nailed pieces of board across more firmly than before. I also put two strong props against it on the inside to support it.
The births and cabin now looked awful indeed, the water for sometime being near two feet deep, and the scuttle holes, by some means, being nearly choked up it lessened very slowly. Our bottom chests of provisions were deep in the water, which sometimes washed completely over them saturating our crackers &c. with the sea salt water. The passengers in the after part of the cabin, most of whom were Irish, were very much frightened and instead of the vulgar oaths and blasphemy which in ordinary times constantly saluted our ears, we could frequently hear their groans and petitions to God for mercy.
For ourselves, we felt to trust in the promises of God, and altho' I realized we were in the greatest possible danger, I never felt calmer in my life, nor a greater asssurance in the mercies of our heavenly father that he would bring us through safe and unhurt. Being the only person now up in the cabin, I sat me down on a bail of cotton to watch the door and keep my feet out of the water.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
This day the atmosphere looks very stormy. Heavy, black clouds gathering in the North West, and white vapors flying into their surface with rapid speed. The Captain says we are going to have a terrific gale. The mate says he never knew the Barometer so low as it is today. He does not understand the meaning of it, but apprehends a dreadful time. The wind has been blowing fresh from the S.W. all day, till between 3 and 4 o'clock P.M. when it shifted to the N.W. All the sails were close secured, except just sufficient to give her headway to steer with. At 4 o'clock the gale commenced, and increased in force for several hours. We united in prayer, and nearly all of us put up our petitions to him who controls the elements by the word of his power. 6 o'clock P.M. I was standing at the cabin doorway, reflecting that it was time to make the door fast, as the wind was blowing exceeding strong, and the ship flying before it over the mountain waves, at a rapid speed. While standing here a vast wave dashed over the bulwarks, burying me for an instant in the briny element. The force of the water broke the door from its hinges, and dashing it on the deck, also broke about half of one side of the frame off. The cabin was then about a foot deep in water. The mate immediately sent the carpenter and some of the hands down to nail the door fast, which was done, and a lot of pieces of boards were nailed over it to strengthen it.
I felt very uncomfortable, being thoroughly drenched with water and chilled with cold. The brethren who occupied the upper births went to bed, but the one in which Brother Glover and myself slept being the lower one, and running parallel with the side of the ship, the water washed up into it, every time the ship rolled, wetting it so that we felt no disposition to go to bed.
10 o'clock the gale seemed to be at the heighth of its fury. The moon once in a while be visible showed that the clouds were hurled past with fearful rapidity, and everything betokened the most awful danger. The Captain governed the helm himself, and mates and all hands were obliged to screen themselves from the fury of the tempest by taking shelter in the wheel House. It was impossible to stand on deck as the waves were continually sweeping over the vessel, and nothing could be done but to keep her fair before the wind, and steer her so as to'ride over the foaming, mountain waves, and keep her out of the trough of the sea. About this time most of the passengers were gone to bed and I was standing along near the cabin door. A heavy sea, more furious than usual, dashed over the bulwarks, and again dashed down the door, pouring its flood into the cabin and again burying me completely over. It was sometime before I could get any help to fasten up the doorway. None of the passengers seemed disposed to come to my assistance, and it appeared that the Carpenter and hands did not feel disposed to risk coming to our assistance. However after half an hours delay, they came down and again secured the part of the door that was left, in its places and nailed pieces of board across more firmly than before. I also put two strong props against it on the inside to support it.
The births and cabin now looked awful indeed, the water for sometime being near two feet deep, and the scuttle holes, by some means, being nearly choked up it lessened very slowly. Our bottom chests of provisions were deep in the water, which sometimes washed completely over them saturating our crackers &c. with the sea salt water. The passengers in the after part of the cabin, most of whom were Irish, were very much frightened and instead of the vulgar oaths and blasphemy which in ordinary times constantly saluted our ears, we could frequently hear their groans and petitions to God for mercy.
For ourselves, we felt to trust in the promises of God, and altho' I realized we were in the greatest possible danger, I never felt calmer in my life, nor a greater asssurance in the mercies of our heavenly father that he would bring us through safe and unhurt. Being the only person now up in the cabin, I sat me down on a bail of cotton to watch the door and keep my feet out of the water.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
180 years ago today - Dec 28, 1842 - Wednesday
[Joseph Smith journal (Willard Richards)]
slept with sec— on buffaloes after retiring. J: stated that the peryfying [purifying] of the sons of Levi was by giving unto them inteligince— that we are not capable of meditating <on> & reciving an all the inteligence which belongs to an immortal state. it is to[o] powerful for our faculties. ... Joseph retoled his [dream?]— was by a beautiful stream of water. saw a noble handsome fish. threw it out. soon after saw more threw them out & soon a great many & threw out a gr[e]at abundance. & sent for salt to salt them down. & salted them— ... — Joseph stated that to touch the Nauvoo charter was no better than highway robbery that since the creation there never had been a repeal of a perpetual charter by God, Angels, or men. & that he never would submit to lowering our charter— ... Joseph was measurd 6 feet Hiram [Hyrum Smith] 6. [Edward] Hunter 6. Wilson Law . 6¾ in— Moffitt [Levi Moffet] 6½
[Joseph Smith, "President Joseph Smith's Journal," 4 vols., Book 1, 21 December 1842–10 March 1843 (Willard Richards)]
slept with sec— on buffaloes after retiring. J: stated that the peryfying [purifying] of the sons of Levi was by giving unto them inteligince— that we are not capable of meditating <on> & reciving an all the inteligence which belongs to an immortal state. it is to[o] powerful for our faculties. ... Joseph retoled his [dream?]— was by a beautiful stream of water. saw a noble handsome fish. threw it out. soon after saw more threw them out & soon a great many & threw out a gr[e]at abundance. & sent for salt to salt them down. & salted them— ... — Joseph stated that to touch the Nauvoo charter was no better than highway robbery that since the creation there never had been a repeal of a perpetual charter by God, Angels, or men. & that he never would submit to lowering our charter— ... Joseph was measurd 6 feet Hiram [Hyrum Smith] 6. [Edward] Hunter 6. Wilson Law . 6¾ in— Moffitt [Levi Moffet] 6½
[Joseph Smith, "President Joseph Smith's Journal," 4 vols., Book 1, 21 December 1842–10 March 1843 (Willard Richards)]
195 years ago today - Dec 28, 1827
Philosophy of a future state published by Thomas Dick. Joseph Smith possessed a copy. Book of Abraham numbers, stars, counting and philosophy are similar, including stars populated by -various orders of intelligences.- These intelligences are -progressive beings- headed towards perfection.
[http://www.exploringmormonism.com/possible-sources-for-plagiarism-for-joseph-smith/]
[http://www.exploringmormonism.com/possible-sources-for-plagiarism-for-joseph-smith/]
135 years ago today - Dec 27, 1887
Patriarchal Blessing of John Henry Smith given by John Oakley
... you shall live until you are satisfied with life and be changed in the twinkling of an eye. Not long hence and you shall see and take hold of the hand of your Savior.
Your joy shall be increased as your days and your years increase, and you shall have this to add to your testimony that you have seen the Lord. ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
... you shall live until you are satisfied with life and be changed in the twinkling of an eye. Not long hence and you shall see and take hold of the hand of your Savior.
Your joy shall be increased as your days and your years increase, and you shall have this to add to your testimony that you have seen the Lord. ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
165 years ago today - Dec 27, 1857
Before the gospel revealed the introduction of sin to this planet, it was a great marvel even to the most learned, and they would ask, "Why was it so? ... The starting point they have not learned, that no intelligent being could be exalted with the Gods without being subjected to the temptation of sin, that he might know and understand the power of the adversary, the opposite to goodness; for it is written that "there must needs be an opposition in all things."
[J. D. 6:145; Discourse by President Brigham Young, delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City; December 27, 1857, in Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
[J. D. 6:145; Discourse by President Brigham Young, delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City; December 27, 1857, in Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
175 years ago today - Dec 27, 1847
[Wilford Woodruff]
We learned from Presidents Youngs teaching that it was necessary to keep up A full organization of the Church through all time as far as could be. At least the three first Presidency quorum of the Twelve Seventies, and Patriarch over the whole Church &c so that the devil could take no Advantage of us.
The subject was discused or spoke upon by O. Pratt concerning the Appointing of the first Presidency And Patriarch over the whole Church. Others spoke upon the subject. It ws then moved seconded and carried universally that Brigham Young be the President over the whole Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. President Young then Nominated Heber C. Kimball to be his first Councellor which was seconded And carried unanimously. President Young then Nominated Wilard Richards as his second councellor which was seconded And Carried universally. It was then moved seconded And carried universally that President John Smith be the Patriarch over the whole church. ...
During the evening the people met with the band of music at the tabernacle & spent the evening in music, singing & dancing.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
We learned from Presidents Youngs teaching that it was necessary to keep up A full organization of the Church through all time as far as could be. At least the three first Presidency quorum of the Twelve Seventies, and Patriarch over the whole Church &c so that the devil could take no Advantage of us.
The subject was discused or spoke upon by O. Pratt concerning the Appointing of the first Presidency And Patriarch over the whole Church. Others spoke upon the subject. It ws then moved seconded and carried universally that Brigham Young be the President over the whole Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. President Young then Nominated Heber C. Kimball to be his first Councellor which was seconded And carried unanimously. President Young then Nominated Wilard Richards as his second councellor which was seconded And Carried universally. It was then moved seconded And carried universally that President John Smith be the Patriarch over the whole church. ...
During the evening the people met with the band of music at the tabernacle & spent the evening in music, singing & dancing.
[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 - Dec 27, 1847
[Norton Jacob]
The conference was closed by all the congregation uniting to praise the Lord with loud Hosanahs according to the order of the Priesthood in [the] manner following, Striking the right hand into the Palm of the left at the end of each word, Hosanah! Hosanah! Hosanah! To God and the Lamb! Amen! Amen! Amen! and Amen! Repeated three times. -- Winter Quarters, Nebraska
[Norton Jacob Diary, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
The conference was closed by all the congregation uniting to praise the Lord with loud Hosanahs according to the order of the Priesthood in [the] manner following, Striking the right hand into the Palm of the left at the end of each word, Hosanah! Hosanah! Hosanah! To God and the Lamb! Amen! Amen! Amen! and Amen! Repeated three times. -- Winter Quarters, Nebraska
[Norton Jacob Diary, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
175 years ago today - Dec 27, 1847
[Brigham Young upon organizing a First Presidency and being sustained president]
This is one of the happiest days of my life; it's according as Heber prophesied yesterday, our teachings today have been good. I never heard better. Is not the bliss of heaven and the breezes of Zion wafted here? ... As the Lord's will is my will all the time, as he dictates so I will perform. If he don't guide the ship, we'll go down in the whirlpool. Joseph told the Twelve, the year before he died, "there is not one key or power to be bestowed on this church to lead the people into the celestial gate but I have given you, showed you, and talked it over to you; the kingdom is set up, and you have the perfect pattern, and you can go and build up the kingdom and go in at the celestial gate, taking your train with you."
[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)]
This is one of the happiest days of my life; it's according as Heber prophesied yesterday, our teachings today have been good. I never heard better. Is not the bliss of heaven and the breezes of Zion wafted here? ... As the Lord's will is my will all the time, as he dictates so I will perform. If he don't guide the ship, we'll go down in the whirlpool. Joseph told the Twelve, the year before he died, "there is not one key or power to be bestowed on this church to lead the people into the celestial gate but I have given you, showed you, and talked it over to you; the kingdom is set up, and you have the perfect pattern, and you can go and build up the kingdom and go in at the celestial gate, taking your train with you."
[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)]
175 years ago today - Dec 27, 1847
[Brigham Young]
... on the resurrection Jesus raised before he saw corruption ... you know Mary run to the sepulcher just as a woman ought to - she saw a man in the garden, she ran along and found that an angel who holds the keys of the resurrection, who has received his body ... Mary knew his voice - she fell right down at this feet - every woman will come right to her husband's feet same as Mary
... I realize my enjoyments today - my soul is happy and can cry aloud - and shout Hallelujah the privilege of seeing the people of God - it fills be with fire - and my soul with consolation - this is the best day I have seen in my life - this is a heavenly day - a day of Zion - the air is impregnated with peace - and feel as ready to go to heaven if I am wanted - I am at peace with all heaven, all earth, and all hell if they will keep out of my road - but if they wont I have waged war with them right strait
[Thomas Bullock 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 the resurrection Jesus raised before he saw corruption ... you know Mary run to the sepulcher just as a woman ought to - she saw a man in the garden, she ran along and found that an angel who holds the keys of the resurrection, who has received his body ... Mary knew his voice - she fell right down at this feet - every woman will come right to her husband's feet same as Mary
... I realize my enjoyments today - my soul is happy and can cry aloud - and shout Hallelujah the privilege of seeing the people of God - it fills be with fire - and my soul with consolation - this is the best day I have seen in my life - this is a heavenly day - a day of Zion - the air is impregnated with peace - and feel as ready to go to heaven if I am wanted - I am at peace with all heaven, all earth, and all hell if they will keep out of my road - but if they wont I have waged war with them right strait
[Thomas Bullock 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 - Dec 27, 1842
Joseph Smith is arrested again as an accessory in the attempted murder of Gov. Boggs. He is taken into custody again in Nauvoo (5 Jan. 1843) out of the hands of arresting officers and is again acquitted.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
185 years ago today - Dec 27, 1837
Brigham Young flees Kirtland, Ohio. His life was threatened for vigorously defending Joseph Smith.
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
190 years ago today - Dec 27, 1832
This date marks the first anniversary of the beginning of a violent slave revolt in Jamaica known as the Baptist War. Sectarian missionaries were blamed for inciting the revolt, which led to the deaths of numerous slaves.
[Mark Lyman Staker, Hearken, O Ye People: The Historical Setting of Joseph Smith's Ohio Revelations: A Selective Chronology of Significant Events in Ohio's LDS History]
[Mark Lyman Staker, Hearken, O Ye People: The Historical Setting of Joseph Smith's Ohio Revelations: A Selective Chronology of Significant Events in Ohio's LDS History]
190 years ago today - December 27 and 28, 1832
Doctrine and Covenants 88: ... It was designated by the Prophet as the -"olive leaf . . . plucked from the Tree of Paradise, the Lord's message of peace to us.-" It appears from the historical records that portions of this revelation were received on December 27 and 28, 1832, and January 3, 1833.
1-5, Faithful saints receive that Comforter which is the promise of eternal life; 6-13, All things are controlled and governed by the light of Christ; 14-16, The resurrection comes through the redemption; 17-31, Obedience to celestial, terrestrial, or telestial law prepares men for those respective kingdoms and glories; 32-35, Those who will to abide in sin remain filthy still; 36-41, All kingdoms are governed by law; 42-45, God hath given a law unto all things; 46-50, Man shall comprehend even God; 51-61, The parable of the man sending his servants into the field and visiting them in turn; 62-73, Draw near unto the Lord, and ye shall see his face; 74-80, Sanctify yourselves and teach one another the doctrines of the kingdom; 81-85, Every man who hath been warned should warn his neighbor; 86-94, Signs, upheavals of the elements, and angels prepare the way for the coming of the Lord; 95-102, Angelic trumps call forth the dead in their order; 103-116, Angelic trumps proclaim the restoration of the gospel, the fall of Babylon, and the battle of the great God; 117-126, Seek learning, establish a house of God [a temple], and clothe yourselves with the bond of charity; 127-141, Order of the school of the prophets set forth, including the ordinance of washing of feet.
[Doctrine and Covenants]
1-5, Faithful saints receive that Comforter which is the promise of eternal life; 6-13, All things are controlled and governed by the light of Christ; 14-16, The resurrection comes through the redemption; 17-31, Obedience to celestial, terrestrial, or telestial law prepares men for those respective kingdoms and glories; 32-35, Those who will to abide in sin remain filthy still; 36-41, All kingdoms are governed by law; 42-45, God hath given a law unto all things; 46-50, Man shall comprehend even God; 51-61, The parable of the man sending his servants into the field and visiting them in turn; 62-73, Draw near unto the Lord, and ye shall see his face; 74-80, Sanctify yourselves and teach one another the doctrines of the kingdom; 81-85, Every man who hath been warned should warn his neighbor; 86-94, Signs, upheavals of the elements, and angels prepare the way for the coming of the Lord; 95-102, Angelic trumps call forth the dead in their order; 103-116, Angelic trumps proclaim the restoration of the gospel, the fall of Babylon, and the battle of the great God; 117-126, Seek learning, establish a house of God [a temple], and clothe yourselves with the bond of charity; 127-141, Order of the school of the prophets set forth, including the ordinance of washing of feet.
[Doctrine and Covenants]
100 years ago today - Dec 26, 1922
Letter from Bishop Arnold D. Miller, Jr., of the Parker Ward, stating that there had moved into his ward a man one-half negro who had married a white woman, whose children were therefore onefourth negro, and asking for the ruling of the church concerning the children by this marriage, as to their holding the priesthood, was submitted. The Presiding Bishopric were instructed to advise Bishop Miller that no person with negro blood is entitled to the priesthood; such persons may be baptized and become members of this church but cannot hold the priesthood.
[First Presidency, Meeting with Presiding Bishopric, Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[First Presidency, Meeting with Presiding Bishopric, Minutes, 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 - Dec 26, 1902
Pres[iden]t [David H.] Cannon wanted to talk to the workers: When we come to the vail, a list of names is generally prepared or one for each vail. I want Peter, James and John to call up to the vail the first name of the list given to each one of them, then hand it to the sister and let her call the next; while she is going through another can be called and so on until all on the papers are through. This is the Lord's House and as such is a house of order. We are responsible for all that we do. We should be united as the heart of one.
[Temple Minute Book, St. George, Dec. 26, 1902, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Temple Minute Book, St. George, Dec. 26, 1902, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
125 years ago today - Dec 26, 1897
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Note from Pres[ident] L. Snow informed me he Jno. H[enry] S[mith] & H[eber] J. G[rant] would call at noon. Our chat was a long one decided that the presidency should admit us the Twelve into their confidence. Pres[ident] Cannon carries Pres[ident] Woodruff with him, Jos[eph] F. is obliged to succumb to what he believes to be wrong in financial matters. It is our opinion that Pres[ident] C[annon] will bankrupt the church if allowed to prese men he places before all others in money matters and they have more say in the disposition of church funds than everybody else combined. I believe the Lord desires those upon whom the burden will soon fall to regulate this matter. If the quorum of the First presidency were going to remain it would be a different thing, but a short time and the Twelve will be the presiding authority. I exclaim in my heart what holes Pres[ident] C[annon] is preparing for us to drop into. God help us or we are financially ruined. Pres[iden]t C[annon]'s wild schemes have done it.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Note from Pres[ident] L. Snow informed me he Jno. H[enry] S[mith] & H[eber] J. G[rant] would call at noon. Our chat was a long one decided that the presidency should admit us the Twelve into their confidence. Pres[ident] Cannon carries Pres[ident] Woodruff with him, Jos[eph] F. is obliged to succumb to what he believes to be wrong in financial matters. It is our opinion that Pres[ident] C[annon] will bankrupt the church if allowed to prese men he places before all others in money matters and they have more say in the disposition of church funds than everybody else combined. I believe the Lord desires those upon whom the burden will soon fall to regulate this matter. If the quorum of the First presidency were going to remain it would be a different thing, but a short time and the Twelve will be the presiding authority. I exclaim in my heart what holes Pres[ident] C[annon] is preparing for us to drop into. God help us or we are financially ruined. Pres[iden]t C[annon]'s wild schemes have done it.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
140 years ago today - Tuesday, Dec 26, 1882
[John Henry Smith]
Jane Pond told me this morning that Mary J. Nowlan told her that she found Bro. Carrington [Apostle, former First Presidency member & president of the European Mission] laying on the lounge and Sarah Kirkman lying on top of him. On board of one of Guions steamers in the cabin and in the presence of G. Ramsden and Moroni Brown and others Sarah Kirkman put her arms around Bro. Carringtons neck and laid her head upon his bosom.
He took this same woman to London paying her way, and they were gone 9 days. She stoped in the prayer room evenings and they drank beer and had good times together. She bit his nose untill it was red for several days. They played on the floor like children and he kissed and cudled her. He gave her his bed and slept upon the lounge when their were plenty of beds in the house, and when he was wanted he could not be found although he was in the House.
[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]
Jane Pond told me this morning that Mary J. Nowlan told her that she found Bro. Carrington [Apostle, former First Presidency member & president of the European Mission] laying on the lounge and Sarah Kirkman lying on top of him. On board of one of Guions steamers in the cabin and in the presence of G. Ramsden and Moroni Brown and others Sarah Kirkman put her arms around Bro. Carringtons neck and laid her head upon his bosom.
He took this same woman to London paying her way, and they were gone 9 days. She stoped in the prayer room evenings and they drank beer and had good times together. She bit his nose untill it was red for several days. They played on the floor like children and he kissed and cudled her. He gave her his bed and slept upon the lounge when their were plenty of beds in the house, and when he was wanted he could not be found although he was in the House.
[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]
180 years ago today - Dec 26, 1842
Joseph, having been assured of safety by Gov. Ford, allows himself to be arrested on the requisition from Missouri by General Wilson Law of the Nauvoo Legion. This ends the period of Joseph's hiding from law officers.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
205 years ago today - Dec 26, 1817
Joseph Smith Sr.: Possibly Mason 26 Dec. 1817, Ontario Lodge No. 23, Canandaigua, New York
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
105 years ago today - Dec 25, 1917
According to Apostle David O. McKay, is "one of the most glorious celebrations of our Lord for over 1600 years," because of British government's Balfour Declaration establishing Palestine as homeland for Jews.
[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 )]]
140 years ago today - Monday, Dec 25, 1882
[John Henry Smith]
I was busy all day over the trouble in the house. R. R. Anderson insulted me most shamefully. I threatened him with personal violence and was on the eve of administering it, but the Lord gave me power to hold myself and I asked Anderson's pardon for loosing my temper with him. ... Anderson gave no evidence of a desire to make right with me for the language he had used. I cannot bear his insults and slurs anymore.
[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]
I was busy all day over the trouble in the house. R. R. Anderson insulted me most shamefully. I threatened him with personal violence and was on the eve of administering it, but the Lord gave me power to hold myself and I asked Anderson's pardon for loosing my temper with him. ... Anderson gave no evidence of a desire to make right with me for the language he had used. I cannot bear his insults and slurs anymore.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
160 years ago today - Dec 25, 1862 • Thursday
[George Q. Cannon]
In the evening we all attended a tea party in the Chapel, and had an excellent evening's enjoyment in listening to the singing recitations and acting.
[The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
In the evening we all attended a tea party in the Chapel, and had an excellent evening's enjoyment in listening to the singing recitations and acting.
[The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
165 years ago today - Dec 25, 1857
[Patriarchal Blessing of Brigham Young by John Young]
... Your mind shall expand, the visions of the heavens shall be opened before you that you may comprehend the fulness of the truths of heaven. ... you are a chosen vessel to bear the weight of the kingdom and the vessels of the Lord, to stand as a mighty man upon the earth. ... the revelations of Jesus shall be with you ... and the time also shall come when you shall not only have power over the United States, but over the nations of the earth... you shall rise in the scale of intelligence until you become associated with the Gods. From your loins apostles, prophets and kings shall spring; ... and you shall yet converse with the Lord as did the brother of Jared; ... If you keep humble, which you will, you shall have a fulness of joy, live on the earth many years, even till your head is white as the pure wool or as snow, and your mouth shall continue to speak words of life to thousands and millions of the inhabitants of the earth ...
[Brigham Young Collection, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
... Your mind shall expand, the visions of the heavens shall be opened before you that you may comprehend the fulness of the truths of heaven. ... you are a chosen vessel to bear the weight of the kingdom and the vessels of the Lord, to stand as a mighty man upon the earth. ... the revelations of Jesus shall be with you ... and the time also shall come when you shall not only have power over the United States, but over the nations of the earth... you shall rise in the scale of intelligence until you become associated with the Gods. From your loins apostles, prophets and kings shall spring; ... and you shall yet converse with the Lord as did the brother of Jared; ... If you keep humble, which you will, you shall have a fulness of joy, live on the earth many years, even till your head is white as the pure wool or as snow, and your mouth shall continue to speak words of life to thousands and millions of the inhabitants of the earth ...
[Brigham Young Collection, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
175 years ago today - Dec 25, 1847
Joseph Young: Unsuccessfully nominated 27 June 1846 and 25 Dec. 1847 for apostleship (but Heber C Kimball had once prophesied he "was to be Prest. of the 70 in time & all Eternity")
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
185 years ago today - Dec 25, 1837 (Monday)
The first general conference by Latter-day Saints in England was held in the "Cock Pit," at Preston. The Church in England numbered already about one thousand members. At this conference the Word of Wisdom was first publicly taught in England.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
190 years ago today - Dec 25, 1832
[Prophecy]
Civil War - This prophecy predicted war between the northern states and the southern states beginning in South Carolina, and that war will be "poured out on all nations", and that nations will be fighting against other nations, and that "slaves shall rise up against their masters, who shall be marshaled and disciplined for war", and that war will end with "plague, and earthquake" culminating in the "full end of all nations". D&C 87
16 months earlier, Nat Turner led about seventy slaves on a killing spree across the plantations of Southampton, Virginia, leaving fifty-five whites dead, escalating fears that and increasing rhetoric over the slave issue.
[Wikipedia, Prophesies of Joseph Smith, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophecies_of_Joseph_Smith,_Jr.; Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]
Civil War - This prophecy predicted war between the northern states and the southern states beginning in South Carolina, and that war will be "poured out on all nations", and that nations will be fighting against other nations, and that "slaves shall rise up against their masters, who shall be marshaled and disciplined for war", and that war will end with "plague, and earthquake" culminating in the "full end of all nations". D&C 87
16 months earlier, Nat Turner led about seventy slaves on a killing spree across the plantations of Southampton, Virginia, leaving fifty-five whites dead, escalating fears that and increasing rhetoric over the slave issue.
[Wikipedia, Prophesies of Joseph Smith, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophecies_of_Joseph_Smith,_Jr.; Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]
70 years ago today - Wed Dec 24, 1952
[David O. McKay Office Journal]
The First Presidency met with the Executive Committee of the Board of Education--Joseph Fielding Smith, Harold B. Lee, Marion G. Romney, Adam S. Bennion, and Franklin L. West--I said that the First Presidency had learned from one or two sources, seminary teachers and others, that they are not to use any books that we have in the libraries. Pres. Smith said the Committee had given instructions against the use of certain books and some of these books were considered before the Board several years ago. After some discussion it was decided that the correspondence that has gone out to Seminary teachers on this matter should be examined and if erroneous impressions are going out, as they seem to be, they should be corrected.
[McKay, David O., Office Journal]
The First Presidency met with the Executive Committee of the Board of Education--Joseph Fielding Smith, Harold B. Lee, Marion G. Romney, Adam S. Bennion, and Franklin L. West--I said that the First Presidency had learned from one or two sources, seminary teachers and others, that they are not to use any books that we have in the libraries. Pres. Smith said the Committee had given instructions against the use of certain books and some of these books were considered before the Board several years ago. After some discussion it was decided that the correspondence that has gone out to Seminary teachers on this matter should be examined and if erroneous impressions are going out, as they seem to be, they should be corrected.
[McKay, David O., Office Journal]
80 years ago today - Dec 24, 1942
[George F. Richards]
I obtained permission of Pres[ident] [Heber J.] Grant to see him at his home. I found him in bed and his condition seemed worse than I had expected to find. I gave him a blessing, and recommended that he issue recommends to all the General Authorities and their wives who have not received their second blessings and give it [to] them for Christmas which he approved and authorized[,] also approved Stephen L. Chipman & Wife whom I recommended. I reported to Joseph Anderson, who had recommends made. These I took to the President and he signed them. I returned the signed recommends to Joseph Anderson, the President's Secretary, for distribution. I feel that this day's accomplishment has been inspired and is a wonderful accomplishment. May the Lord be praised for ever. This is one of the most happy days of my life. I am sure it will endure over Christmas.
[George F. Richards diary, Dec. 24, 1942, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
I obtained permission of Pres[ident] [Heber J.] Grant to see him at his home. I found him in bed and his condition seemed worse than I had expected to find. I gave him a blessing, and recommended that he issue recommends to all the General Authorities and their wives who have not received their second blessings and give it [to] them for Christmas which he approved and authorized[,] also approved Stephen L. Chipman & Wife whom I recommended. I reported to Joseph Anderson, who had recommends made. These I took to the President and he signed them. I returned the signed recommends to Joseph Anderson, the President's Secretary, for distribution. I feel that this day's accomplishment has been inspired and is a wonderful accomplishment. May the Lord be praised for ever. This is one of the most happy days of my life. I am sure it will endure over Christmas.
[George F. Richards diary, Dec. 24, 1942, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
80 years ago today - Dec 24, 1942
Heber J. Grant signs recommends for thirteen general authorities to receive second anointing ceremony. President Grant withdrew all second anointing recommend books from stake presidents in 1928 after Idaho Mormon told priesthood meeting about ordinance. From 1930 to 1942 Grant allows only eight such ordinances, compared with performance of 3,419 living second anointings from 1877 through 1893. This 1942 renewal occurs at strenuous urging of Apostle George F. Richards.
[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 - Wednesday, Dec 24, 1902
[Rudger Clawson]
Elder Smoot said that there was a diversity of opinion in Utah Stake as to who would sit in judgment if the President of the church were placed on trial. Some claimed that it would be the right of the Presiding Bishopric to try him. Elder Smoot said he did not coincide with this view. The matter might be considered inappropriate for discussion, but he thought the council ought to be agreed as touching this question. Elder Smoot said that the revelation which directed that in case the President of the High Priesthood should [be] put upon trial, the Presiding Bishop associated with twelve high priests should constitute the trial court, was given before the church was fully organized and before the Twelve had been chosen.
Pres. Smith suggested that the matter be taken under advisement for one week, which was done.
[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]
Elder Smoot said that there was a diversity of opinion in Utah Stake as to who would sit in judgment if the President of the church were placed on trial. Some claimed that it would be the right of the Presiding Bishopric to try him. Elder Smoot said he did not coincide with this view. The matter might be considered inappropriate for discussion, but he thought the council ought to be agreed as touching this question. Elder Smoot said that the revelation which directed that in case the President of the High Priesthood should [be] put upon trial, the Presiding Bishop associated with twelve high priests should constitute the trial court, was given before the church was fully organized and before the Twelve had been chosen.
Pres. Smith suggested that the matter be taken under advisement for one week, which was done.
[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 - Dec 24, 1902; Wednesday
President [Joseph F.] Smith remarked by way of comment that he had felt for some time that there was too great a tendency among us to use the word Prophet, and Prophet, Seer and Revelator, and Apostle, by way of addressing or speaking of the President of the Church and members of the quorum of Twelve; and he added that when he came to think about it this was not so in earlier days; and that when he made his remarks he knew nothing at all about the action taken by the Council in December, 1892, he having forgotten all about it.
The consideration of this subject resulted in a motion by Bro[ther]. John Henry Smith, which was seconded and carried, that the title of elder be hereafter used with reference to the apostles ...
Bro[ther]. [Matthias F.] Cowley reported attending Parowan [Utah] Conference. One of the sessions of the conference was a memorial service in honor of the Prophet Joseph Smith. There were five persons present who were personally acquainted with the Prophet Joseph, and among them was Sister Paulina Lyman, who bore testimony to the fulfilment of a prediction made upon her head
when seven years of age by the Prophet himself, which was to the effect that she should live to go beyond the Rocky Mountains and dwell there, &c. She said she did not know at that time what it meant and she remembered conceiving the idea that perhaps she might be stolen and carried off.
President Smith remarked that what Bro[ther]. Cowley had said in regard to the testimony of Sister Lyman reminded him of what the late Porter Rockwell told him, which was in effect that Patriarch Joseph Smith [Sr.] on a certain occasion laid his hands upon his head and blessed him, even upon the tops of the mountains, and that Porter commenting on this, said whenever thought anything about it at the time, "but, here I am, said he, being hunted as was told me." ...
Pres[iden]t. Smith reported having attended the Sixteenth Ward ... Another speaker was Sister Lucy Walker Smith Kimball, who testified that she was sealed to the Prophet and lived with him as his wife in 1842. And that Samuel W. Richards bore testimony to a move made by the Prophet Joseph to send an expedition to the Rocky Mountains to look up a gathering place for the saints, and that a company of young men, numbering twenty-five, was chosen for this purpose, he being one of them. And Bro[ther]. Homer Duncan corroborated the testimony of Bro[ther]. Richards, as to the organization of the exploring expedition ...
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
The consideration of this subject resulted in a motion by Bro[ther]. John Henry Smith, which was seconded and carried, that the title of elder be hereafter used with reference to the apostles ...
Bro[ther]. [Matthias F.] Cowley reported attending Parowan [Utah] Conference. One of the sessions of the conference was a memorial service in honor of the Prophet Joseph Smith. There were five persons present who were personally acquainted with the Prophet Joseph, and among them was Sister Paulina Lyman, who bore testimony to the fulfilment of a prediction made upon her head
when seven years of age by the Prophet himself, which was to the effect that she should live to go beyond the Rocky Mountains and dwell there, &c. She said she did not know at that time what it meant and she remembered conceiving the idea that perhaps she might be stolen and carried off.
President Smith remarked that what Bro[ther]. Cowley had said in regard to the testimony of Sister Lyman reminded him of what the late Porter Rockwell told him, which was in effect that Patriarch Joseph Smith [Sr.] on a certain occasion laid his hands upon his head and blessed him, even upon the tops of the mountains, and that Porter commenting on this, said whenever thought anything about it at the time, "but, here I am, said he, being hunted as was told me." ...
Pres[iden]t. Smith reported having attended the Sixteenth Ward ... Another speaker was Sister Lucy Walker Smith Kimball, who testified that she was sealed to the Prophet and lived with him as his wife in 1842. And that Samuel W. Richards bore testimony to a move made by the Prophet Joseph to send an expedition to the Rocky Mountains to look up a gathering place for the saints, and that a company of young men, numbering twenty-five, was chosen for this purpose, he being one of them. And Bro[ther]. Homer Duncan corroborated the testimony of Bro[ther]. Richards, as to the organization of the exploring expedition ...
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
125 years ago today - Friday, Dec 24, 1897
[John Henry Smith]
I called upon Prest. Joseph F. Smith and talked over the financial condition of the church. The church is in debt about two million two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
[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]
I called upon Prest. Joseph F. Smith and talked over the financial condition of the church. The church is in debt about two million two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
175 years ago today - Dec 24, 1847
[Hosea Stout]
Went to the General Conference at Millers Point, in company with Zera Pulcifer. ...
O. Pratt spoke at length on the policy of electing a First President. That God had saw proper to govern the Church by the Twelve since the death of Joseph the Prophet and that he could govern it by whatever authority he was proper even by teachers and deacons. There was a time when this Church was governed by the Lesser Priesthood[.] But now the Lord manifested by his Spirit that it was best to appoint a First Presidency again that the organization of the Church might be perfected and the Twelve have a chance to spread abroad again to the nations &c. ....
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Went to the General Conference at Millers Point, in company with Zera Pulcifer. ...
O. Pratt spoke at length on the policy of electing a First President. That God had saw proper to govern the Church by the Twelve since the death of Joseph the Prophet and that he could govern it by whatever authority he was proper even by teachers and deacons. There was a time when this Church was governed by the Lesser Priesthood[.] But now the Lord manifested by his Spirit that it was best to appoint a First Presidency again that the organization of the Church might be perfected and the Twelve have a chance to spread abroad again to the nations &c. ....
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
185 years ago today - 1837 December [24-31]
[Assistant President John Smith]
I called the [Kirtland] High Council together last week and laid before them the case of dissenters, 28 persons were, upon mature discussion cut off from the Church. ... We have cut off between 40 and 50 from the Church since you left. Thus you will see the Church has taken a mighty pruning and we think she will rise in the greatness of her strength, and I rejoice, for the Lord is good and He will cut his work short in righteousness. ... I will rejoice for the Lord will purify His Church.
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
I called the [Kirtland] High Council together last week and laid before them the case of dissenters, 28 persons were, upon mature discussion cut off from the Church. ... We have cut off between 40 and 50 from the Church since you left. Thus you will see the Church has taken a mighty pruning and we think she will rise in the greatness of her strength, and I rejoice, for the Lord is good and He will cut his work short in righteousness. ... I will rejoice for the Lord will purify His Church.
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
125 years ago today - Dec 23, 1897; Thursday
[Heber J. Grant]
We endulged in a free and frank talk at our meeting and I found that I was not the only one who felt hurt that Frank Cannon was being employed as the agent for the First Presidency in financial matters. The feeling was that Pres[iden]t [Lorenzo] Snow should have a free and full chat with Pres[ident] Jos[eph] F. Smith and let him know just how we felt and then report to us, and perhaps we would then tell Pres[iden]t [Wilford] Woodruff how we felt about this matter.
I could not help a feeling of great relief when I learned that the brethren of the apostles generally shared my feeling of distrust in regard to the way that Pres[iden]t [George Q.] Cannon was managing the financial affairs of the Church through his son Frank. I had felt more or less condemned to feel to distrust one of the First Presidency and it is a relief to my feelings to find I am not along in this matter. I told the Brethren in our meeting that what I objected to more than anything else was the putting of words into the mouth of Pres[iden]t Woodruff by Pres[ident] Cannon Pres[iden]t Woodruff had expressed himself as willing to aid me after the brethren had spoken in favor of his doing so, and then Pres[iden]t Cannon had claimed that his opposition to aiding me with the endorsement of the Trustee in Trust was based on Pres[iden]t Woodruff's opposition.
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
We endulged in a free and frank talk at our meeting and I found that I was not the only one who felt hurt that Frank Cannon was being employed as the agent for the First Presidency in financial matters. The feeling was that Pres[iden]t [Lorenzo] Snow should have a free and full chat with Pres[ident] Jos[eph] F. Smith and let him know just how we felt and then report to us, and perhaps we would then tell Pres[iden]t [Wilford] Woodruff how we felt about this matter.
I could not help a feeling of great relief when I learned that the brethren of the apostles generally shared my feeling of distrust in regard to the way that Pres[iden]t [George Q.] Cannon was managing the financial affairs of the Church through his son Frank. I had felt more or less condemned to feel to distrust one of the First Presidency and it is a relief to my feelings to find I am not along in this matter. I told the Brethren in our meeting that what I objected to more than anything else was the putting of words into the mouth of Pres[iden]t Woodruff by Pres[ident] Cannon Pres[iden]t Woodruff had expressed himself as willing to aid me after the brethren had spoken in favor of his doing so, and then Pres[iden]t Cannon had claimed that his opposition to aiding me with the endorsement of the Trustee in Trust was based on Pres[iden]t Woodruff's opposition.
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
175 years ago today - Dec 23, 1847
Emma Hale Smith marries non-Mormon Lewis Bidamon on the birthday of her deceased husband, and begins attending the Methodist church with her children.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
175 years ago today - Dec 23, 1847
Brigham Young (now back in Winter Quarters) and Apostles publish a General Epistle from the Council of the Twelve Apostles, to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Abroad, Dispersed Throughout the Earth. It is written ―to the scattered saints reviewing the status of the Church and identifying the location of the new gathering place, ultimately letting people know that the Church was still intact and functioning. ―With thirty dollars in borrowed funds, thirty-five hundred copies of the manuscript are published in St. Louis, Missouri, by the St. Louis Republican. First printed communication to scattered Saints after long period (since evacuation of Nauvoo).
[Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
[Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
185 years ago today - Dec 23, 1837
[Wilford Woodruff]
The Power of God rested upon me. I spoke in tongues & Interpeted & some cryed aloud & one wished to be baptized.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The Power of God rested upon me. I spoke in tongues & Interpeted & some cryed aloud & one wished to be baptized.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
125 years ago today - Dec 22, 1897; Wednesday
[Heber J. Grant]
Pres[iden]t Jos[eph] F. Smith took lunch with us today. I had a chat with him and among other things he said that Pres[iden]t [George Q.] Cannon blamed me that Spencer Clawson had secured the forty thousand dollars from the money advanced by Claflin and Co[mpany] some four years ago. I was surprised to learn this and I confess that it annoys me to think that Pres[iden]t Cannon should think have it in his heart to think I would unload a bad debt on the Church so as to protect the State Bank. ... I told Pres[iden]t. Smith with the utmost frankness that I did not have the confidence in Pres[iden]t Cannon's financial methods that I wished I had, had I supposed he returned my feelings of distrust with those of distrust in me and my ability, and I supposed we would have to let the matter rest there. Pres[iden]t Smith told me in confidence of a number of business matters in connection with Frank J. Cannon that he wished were otherwise, and I only had my lack of confidence in the methods of Pres[iden]t Cannon decreased by what Pres[iden]t Smith told me. I do not hesitate to put in on record that I consider it an outrage pure and simply that a man who had made such a record as Frank J. Cannon should be used by the First Presidency to do business for the church...
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
Pres[iden]t Jos[eph] F. Smith took lunch with us today. I had a chat with him and among other things he said that Pres[iden]t [George Q.] Cannon blamed me that Spencer Clawson had secured the forty thousand dollars from the money advanced by Claflin and Co[mpany] some four years ago. I was surprised to learn this and I confess that it annoys me to think that Pres[iden]t Cannon should think have it in his heart to think I would unload a bad debt on the Church so as to protect the State Bank. ... I told Pres[iden]t. Smith with the utmost frankness that I did not have the confidence in Pres[iden]t Cannon's financial methods that I wished I had, had I supposed he returned my feelings of distrust with those of distrust in me and my ability, and I supposed we would have to let the matter rest there. Pres[iden]t Smith told me in confidence of a number of business matters in connection with Frank J. Cannon that he wished were otherwise, and I only had my lack of confidence in the methods of Pres[iden]t Cannon decreased by what Pres[iden]t Smith told me. I do not hesitate to put in on record that I consider it an outrage pure and simply that a man who had made such a record as Frank J. Cannon should be used by the First Presidency to do business for the church...
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
130 years ago today - Dec 22, 1892 • Thursday
[George Q. Cannon]
The First Presidency spent about an hour at the Temple, and were greatly pleased with a suggestion to finish the walls of the celestial room in white and gold. The ceiling is elaborately colored and looks very well; but we did not think the walls would look so well if they were so highly colored. Brother Midgley, however, thought that complete harmony could be obtained between the ceiling and the walls by proper toning down and finishing in white and gold. ...
At 2 o'clock The First Presidency and Elders Lyman, Taylor and Cannon, of the Twelve, met as usual. Abraham H. Cannon was mouth in prayer. I spoke of the fashion which had grown up of late of attaching the title of Apostle to the names of the members of the Twelve. It struck me as being inappropriate, and that the use of the title "Elder" was more suitable. I referred to the revelation given the day of the organization of the church in which the Prophet Joseph was called the first elder and Oliver Cowdery the second elder, though they were Apostles. It would be quite as appropriate to prefix the word "High Priest" to a man's name, or "Seventy", as to prefix the word "Apostle".... The brethren present all acquiesced in the view that it would be more appropriate to use the word "Elder", and as Brother Lyman's discourse will be the next one probably that will be published, he said he would like that title to be attached to his name.
The First Presidency and Apostles previously named had an interview with Brother John M. Cannon, the attorney whom we have desired to take interest in the case of the Hedrickites. I moved that it was a wise and proper thing to help the Hedrickites retain the ownership of the Temple Block at Independence. That was carried. I then moved that Brother John M. Cannon be instructed to see the attorneys who are members of our church and find out from them if they were willing to help with legal aid the Hedrickites in defending this, on condition that their expenses should be paid. Brother Jos. F. Smith then moved that $1000 be appropriated for the assistance of the Hedrickites, and that this be done through Brother John M. Cannon, and that he appear in this matter as though it was his personal affair, as we did not think it prudent to have the impression go out that the church was doing anything in its official capacity to assist these people.
[The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
The First Presidency spent about an hour at the Temple, and were greatly pleased with a suggestion to finish the walls of the celestial room in white and gold. The ceiling is elaborately colored and looks very well; but we did not think the walls would look so well if they were so highly colored. Brother Midgley, however, thought that complete harmony could be obtained between the ceiling and the walls by proper toning down and finishing in white and gold. ...
At 2 o'clock The First Presidency and Elders Lyman, Taylor and Cannon, of the Twelve, met as usual. Abraham H. Cannon was mouth in prayer. I spoke of the fashion which had grown up of late of attaching the title of Apostle to the names of the members of the Twelve. It struck me as being inappropriate, and that the use of the title "Elder" was more suitable. I referred to the revelation given the day of the organization of the church in which the Prophet Joseph was called the first elder and Oliver Cowdery the second elder, though they were Apostles. It would be quite as appropriate to prefix the word "High Priest" to a man's name, or "Seventy", as to prefix the word "Apostle".... The brethren present all acquiesced in the view that it would be more appropriate to use the word "Elder", and as Brother Lyman's discourse will be the next one probably that will be published, he said he would like that title to be attached to his name.
The First Presidency and Apostles previously named had an interview with Brother John M. Cannon, the attorney whom we have desired to take interest in the case of the Hedrickites. I moved that it was a wise and proper thing to help the Hedrickites retain the ownership of the Temple Block at Independence. That was carried. I then moved that Brother John M. Cannon be instructed to see the attorneys who are members of our church and find out from them if they were willing to help with legal aid the Hedrickites in defending this, on condition that their expenses should be paid. Brother Jos. F. Smith then moved that $1000 be appropriated for the assistance of the Hedrickites, and that this be done through Brother John M. Cannon, and that he appear in this matter as though it was his personal affair, as we did not think it prudent to have the impression go out that the church was doing anything in its official capacity to assist these people.
[The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
135 years ago today - Dec 22, 1887 • Thursday
[George Q. Cannon]
Brother Lorenzo Snow brought before the Council the appointment of Brother Rudger Clawson as President of the Box Elder Stake and gave his reasons for wishing him to fill that position. He had been valiant and his conduct in the penitentiary had been very exemplary. It was decided that he should be appointed to that position, and $500./ were appropriated to assist him, half in produce and half in better pay. ...
I felt impressed to bring up the question of giving brethren credit for their tithing in kind and not reducing the tithing that was paid in to cash rates, for them to be credited at cash prices. Bp. John R. Winder took the same view that I did of this matter. The point that I desired to make was, that brethren who lived in extremely remote settlements would be credited with small amounts, because their products would only market at small figures; whereas their tithing was as honestly paid as the tithing, probably, of many who lived close to market. What I desired was, that every man should be credited with that which he paid, regardless of its market price.
[The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
Brother Lorenzo Snow brought before the Council the appointment of Brother Rudger Clawson as President of the Box Elder Stake and gave his reasons for wishing him to fill that position. He had been valiant and his conduct in the penitentiary had been very exemplary. It was decided that he should be appointed to that position, and $500./ were appropriated to assist him, half in produce and half in better pay. ...
I felt impressed to bring up the question of giving brethren credit for their tithing in kind and not reducing the tithing that was paid in to cash rates, for them to be credited at cash prices. Bp. John R. Winder took the same view that I did of this matter. The point that I desired to make was, that brethren who lived in extremely remote settlements would be credited with small amounts, because their products would only market at small figures; whereas their tithing was as honestly paid as the tithing, probably, of many who lived close to market. What I desired was, that every man should be credited with that which he paid, regardless of its market price.
[The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
145 years ago today - 22-Dec 23, 1877
[Edward Stevenson interview of David Whitmer]
"Well as I know that the Sun Shines So do I know that I was Plowing one fore=noon & I he[a]rd a voice & Saw a personage Who Said [`]Blessed is the Lord & he that keepeth his Commandments['] & the very next Round Bro. Joseph & Oliver Came along & Said [`]Come David & be one of [p. 11] the witnesses of the Book of Mormon['] Wee walked through A clearing & all Sat on a log it was about 11 A.M. When A Light appeared & it Grew Brighter until an Angle Stood before us and on the appearance of A table Was laid the Plates[,] Urim & Thumin[,] Ball or Director[,] Sword of Laban &c & A voice Declared & Bore record of the truth of the Translation turning the Leaves over & thus the vision ended.["] ... <David Said that the Prophet translated first by the uirm & thumim & afterwards by A Seer Stone--E[dward] Stevenson.> ... Sunday [December] 23d [1877] ... Paid our Last visit to David W[hitmer]. ... <saw one of the Nephites> I wish to mention an Item of conversation with David Whitmer in regard to Seeing one of the Nephites. Zina Young, Desired me to ask about it. David Said. ["]Oliver [Cowdery], & the Prophet, & I were riding in a wagon, & an aged man about 5 feet 10 [inches] [tall], heavey Set & on his back an old fashioned Armey knapsack Strap[p]ed over his Shoulders & Something Square in it, & he walked alongside of the Wagon & Wiped the Sweat off his face, Smileing very Pleasant["] David asked him to ride and he replied ["]I am going across to the hill Comorah.["] Soon after they passed they felt Strangely & Stop[p]ed, but could See nothing of him all arround was clear & they asked the Lord about it[.] he Said that the Prophet Looked as White as a Sheet & Said that it was one of the Nephites & that he had the Plates. on arriveing at home they were impressed that the Same Person was under the Shed & again they were informed that it was So. they Saw whare <<he>> had been & the next Morning Davids Mother [Mary Musselman Whitmer] Saw the Person at the Shed and he took the Plates from A Box & Showed them to her[.] She Said that they Were fastened with Rings thus: D he turned the leaves over this was a Satisf[ac]t[io]n to her. ... It was likewise stated to me by David Whitmer in the year 1877 that Oliver Cowdery told him that the Prophet Joseph and himself had seen this room [in the Hill Cumorah] and that it was filled with treasure, and on a table therein were the breastplate and the sword of Laban, as well as the portion of gold plates not yet translated, and that these plates were bound by three small gold rings, and would also be translated, as was the first portion in the days of Joseph. When they are translated much useful information will be brought to light. But till that day arrives, no Rochester adventurers shall ever see them or the treasures, although science and mineral rods testify that they are there. ...
[Edward Stevenson, Journal, 14:10-18, entry of 22-23 December 1877, LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah.; Edward Stevenson to Orson Pratt, 23 December 1877, "Journal History," LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah.; Edward Stevenson to John Taylor, 7 January 1878, "Journal History," LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah.; Edward Stevenson to Salt Lake Herald, 21 January 1878, Salt Lake Herald, 2 February 1878, 3. 5.; Edward Stevenson, Reminiscences of Joseph, the Prophet and the Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon (Salt Lake City: Edward Stevenson, 1893), 15., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: David Whitmer Interview With Edward Stevenson]
"Well as I know that the Sun Shines So do I know that I was Plowing one fore=noon & I he[a]rd a voice & Saw a personage Who Said [`]Blessed is the Lord & he that keepeth his Commandments['] & the very next Round Bro. Joseph & Oliver Came along & Said [`]Come David & be one of [p. 11] the witnesses of the Book of Mormon['] Wee walked through A clearing & all Sat on a log it was about 11 A.M. When A Light appeared & it Grew Brighter until an Angle Stood before us and on the appearance of A table Was laid the Plates[,] Urim & Thumin[,] Ball or Director[,] Sword of Laban &c & A voice Declared & Bore record of the truth of the Translation turning the Leaves over & thus the vision ended.["] ... <David Said that the Prophet translated first by the uirm & thumim & afterwards by A Seer Stone--E[dward] Stevenson.> ... Sunday [December] 23d [1877] ... Paid our Last visit to David W[hitmer]. ... <saw one of the Nephites> I wish to mention an Item of conversation with David Whitmer in regard to Seeing one of the Nephites. Zina Young, Desired me to ask about it. David Said. ["]Oliver [Cowdery], & the Prophet, & I were riding in a wagon, & an aged man about 5 feet 10 [inches] [tall], heavey Set & on his back an old fashioned Armey knapsack Strap[p]ed over his Shoulders & Something Square in it, & he walked alongside of the Wagon & Wiped the Sweat off his face, Smileing very Pleasant["] David asked him to ride and he replied ["]I am going across to the hill Comorah.["] Soon after they passed they felt Strangely & Stop[p]ed, but could See nothing of him all arround was clear & they asked the Lord about it[.] he Said that the Prophet Looked as White as a Sheet & Said that it was one of the Nephites & that he had the Plates. on arriveing at home they were impressed that the Same Person was under the Shed & again they were informed that it was So. they Saw whare <<he>> had been & the next Morning Davids Mother [Mary Musselman Whitmer] Saw the Person at the Shed and he took the Plates from A Box & Showed them to her[.] She Said that they Were fastened with Rings thus: D he turned the leaves over this was a Satisf[ac]t[io]n to her. ... It was likewise stated to me by David Whitmer in the year 1877 that Oliver Cowdery told him that the Prophet Joseph and himself had seen this room [in the Hill Cumorah] and that it was filled with treasure, and on a table therein were the breastplate and the sword of Laban, as well as the portion of gold plates not yet translated, and that these plates were bound by three small gold rings, and would also be translated, as was the first portion in the days of Joseph. When they are translated much useful information will be brought to light. But till that day arrives, no Rochester adventurers shall ever see them or the treasures, although science and mineral rods testify that they are there. ...
[Edward Stevenson, Journal, 14:10-18, entry of 22-23 December 1877, LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah.; Edward Stevenson to Orson Pratt, 23 December 1877, "Journal History," LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah.; Edward Stevenson to John Taylor, 7 January 1878, "Journal History," LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah.; Edward Stevenson to Salt Lake Herald, 21 January 1878, Salt Lake Herald, 2 February 1878, 3. 5.; Edward Stevenson, Reminiscences of Joseph, the Prophet and the Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon (Salt Lake City: Edward Stevenson, 1893), 15., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: David Whitmer Interview With Edward Stevenson]
170 years ago today - Dec 22, 1852
[Wilford Woodruff]
P. P. Pratt expressed his feelings ... I feel as though the day is not far distant when men will stand among us in their Immorrtal Bodies holding the keys of death & Hell & that Brother Joseph would say if He was among us that we had suffered enough & that we should be numbered among his Jewels. ...
W. Woodruff next spoke & expressed his feelings upon the subject of this meeting of the Twelve Apostles a Blessing which He never before enjoyed in his life, As He never had met with Eleven of the Twelve Apostles. He Considered there had never been but two Bodies of men since the days of Adam who had met under such peculiar & interesting circumstances & those were the Twelve Apostle with Jesus in Jerrusalem & the Twelve Apostle with Jesus in America. ...
President O Hyde ... Prophesied in the name of God that we should all meet & come forth in the morning of the first Resurrection & receive our crowns in the celestial kingdom. It was confirmed by a good Amen by all the quorum.
John Taylor next spoke. ... Now [the Twelve] are full of intelligence & the Nations of the Earth will feel their influence. When I am with this quorum I feel as though I was with the Gods.
A Lyman said ... He has found out to his satisfaction what that love & affection for his brethren is that surpasses the love of women for he had a confidence in his quorum that was far greater than in his wives or Children for they have been brought up in the hard school of experience & have been tried in all things & proven to be true & I have been proven with them & I am wedded to my quorum with all my interest....
C. C. Rich said ... I had a dream while on my way home. I thought the Ancients in their resurrected bodies were associating with us in this place. ...
E T Benson said ... When I was first called to be an Apostle in this quorum I could not sleep for three days & nights. I feel now as though I could break a Nation to pieces. I felt renovated with the Holy Spirit while P P Pratt was speaking. No blessing is to great or to good for us & we shall possess them all. ... Ask whatsoever you will and it shall be ours. My love for the quorum of the Twelve Apostles & the First Presidency is far above the love of wom[e/a?]n. <You may take the most virtuous woman on earth into your bosom and there is something [-] in it.> There is not exhisting with the most virtuous man on Earth (while destitute of the priesthood & Holy Ghost) that spirit of life that there is with the servant of God. My ownly hope is with you. It is life when we met & life when we part. He closed with Thanksgiving & Blessing. ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
P. P. Pratt expressed his feelings ... I feel as though the day is not far distant when men will stand among us in their Immorrtal Bodies holding the keys of death & Hell & that Brother Joseph would say if He was among us that we had suffered enough & that we should be numbered among his Jewels. ...
W. Woodruff next spoke & expressed his feelings upon the subject of this meeting of the Twelve Apostles a Blessing which He never before enjoyed in his life, As He never had met with Eleven of the Twelve Apostles. He Considered there had never been but two Bodies of men since the days of Adam who had met under such peculiar & interesting circumstances & those were the Twelve Apostle with Jesus in Jerrusalem & the Twelve Apostle with Jesus in America. ...
President O Hyde ... Prophesied in the name of God that we should all meet & come forth in the morning of the first Resurrection & receive our crowns in the celestial kingdom. It was confirmed by a good Amen by all the quorum.
John Taylor next spoke. ... Now [the Twelve] are full of intelligence & the Nations of the Earth will feel their influence. When I am with this quorum I feel as though I was with the Gods.
A Lyman said ... He has found out to his satisfaction what that love & affection for his brethren is that surpasses the love of women for he had a confidence in his quorum that was far greater than in his wives or Children for they have been brought up in the hard school of experience & have been tried in all things & proven to be true & I have been proven with them & I am wedded to my quorum with all my interest....
C. C. Rich said ... I had a dream while on my way home. I thought the Ancients in their resurrected bodies were associating with us in this place. ...
E T Benson said ... When I was first called to be an Apostle in this quorum I could not sleep for three days & nights. I feel now as though I could break a Nation to pieces. I felt renovated with the Holy Spirit while P P Pratt was speaking. No blessing is to great or to good for us & we shall possess them all. ... Ask whatsoever you will and it shall be ours. My love for the quorum of the Twelve Apostles & the First Presidency is far above the love of wom[e/a?]n. <You may take the most virtuous woman on earth into your bosom and there is something [-] in it.> There is not exhisting with the most virtuous man on Earth (while destitute of the priesthood & Holy Ghost) that spirit of life that there is with the servant of God. My ownly hope is with you. It is life when we met & life when we part. He closed with Thanksgiving & Blessing. ...
[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 - Dec 22, 1847
["Fruits of Mormonism", Vermont Chronicle ]
"Henry Cobb, of Boston, has obtained a divorce from his wife Augusta, she having been converted to the 'spiritual wife' doctrines of a portion of the Mormons, and gone to live with Brigham Young, who claims to be the legitimate successor of Joe Smith. Elder Adams, theatrical performer and preacher, who was formerly connected with the Mormon sect, and one of their 'great guns,' was the principal witness against Mrs. Cobb."
["Fruits of Mormonism", Vermont Chronicle, (Bellows Falls, VT)]
"Henry Cobb, of Boston, has obtained a divorce from his wife Augusta, she having been converted to the 'spiritual wife' doctrines of a portion of the Mormons, and gone to live with Brigham Young, who claims to be the legitimate successor of Joe Smith. Elder Adams, theatrical performer and preacher, who was formerly connected with the Mormon sect, and one of their 'great guns,' was the principal witness against Mrs. Cobb."
["Fruits of Mormonism", Vermont Chronicle, (Bellows Falls, VT)]
180 years ago today - Dec 22, 1842 - Thursday
[Joseph Smith ]
Bro Shearer asked the meaning of the Little leaven in 3 measures of meal, [[See Matthew 13:33; and Luke 13:21.]] Joseph.— said it alludes exp[r]ess ly to the last days. when there should be little faith on the earth & it leaven the whole world. There shall be safity [safety] in Zion & Jerusalem & the remnants whom the Lord shall call. It refers to the Pristhood .— Truth springing up on a fixd prin[c]iple 3 measures refers to the 3 in the grand Presidency confining the oracles to a certain head on the principle of 3.
[Joseph Smith, "President Joseph Smith's Journal," 4 vols., Book 1, 21 December 1842–10 March 1843 (Willard Richards)]
Bro Shearer asked the meaning of the Little leaven in 3 measures of meal, [[See Matthew 13:33; and Luke 13:21.]] Joseph.— said it alludes exp[r]ess ly to the last days. when there should be little faith on the earth & it leaven the whole world. There shall be safity [safety] in Zion & Jerusalem & the remnants whom the Lord shall call. It refers to the Pristhood .— Truth springing up on a fixd prin[c]iple 3 measures refers to the 3 in the grand Presidency confining the oracles to a certain head on the principle of 3.
[Joseph Smith, "President Joseph Smith's Journal," 4 vols., Book 1, 21 December 1842–10 March 1843 (Willard Richards)]
185 years ago today - (Fri) Dec 22, 1837
Armed dissenters seized the Kirtland Temple. Apostle Brigham Young left Kirtland on account of the LDS reformers, who reportedly threatened to kill him because publicly supported Joseph Smith as a prophet.
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
30 years ago today - Dec 21, 1992
Mormon political extremists begin to be expelled from the church
["Mormon Church Has Begun To Expel Many Extremists," New York Times, 21 Dec. 1992,10. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
["Mormon Church Has Begun To Expel Many Extremists," New York Times, 21 Dec. 1992,10. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
130 years ago today - Dec 21, 1892
[Francis M. Lyman]
[Following the dismissal in district court of the indictments against Brigham Young Jr. and George Teasdale:] Now all the General Authorities of the Church are once more free men. We have been sifted now for nearly ten years and it is refreshing to be able to breathe free again.
[Francis M. Lyman Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Following the dismissal in district court of the indictments against Brigham Young Jr. and George Teasdale:] Now all the General Authorities of the Church are once more free men. We have been sifted now for nearly ten years and it is refreshing to be able to breathe free again.
[Francis M. Lyman Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
165 years ago today - Dec 21, 1857
[Wilford Woodruff]
I met with the Legislative Council most of the time in the Joint session Resolutions were offerd upon the merits of the Govornors Message which Resolutions were like a Declaration of independance against wicked and ungodly men. ...
G A. Smith said ... The United States are determined to destroy the Mormons if it is in their power. But we have to defend ourselves. ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I met with the Legislative Council most of the time in the Joint session Resolutions were offerd upon the merits of the Govornors Message which Resolutions were like a Declaration of independance against wicked and ungodly men. ...
G A. Smith said ... The United States are determined to destroy the Mormons if it is in their power. But we have to defend ourselves. ...
[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 - Dec 21, 1857
During a prayer circle meeting, Heber C. Kimball says,"telI br. [David] Pettegrew to tell the devil to kiss his arse and come to his circle meeting and play for the welfare of Israel.
[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 )]]
170 years ago today - Dec 21, 1852
In Washington, D.C., Elder Orson Pratt publishes the first issues of The Seer, a Church newspaper.
175 years ago today - Dec 21, 1847
[Wilford Woodruff]
Br H. C. Kimball Addressed the Council & said that He had been to the mountains & got an endowment & felt it in his bones & wanted to talk a little. He said the day had come when iniquity Could not be harboured in the church. And men because they belong to my family or Br Brigham Youngs family [through the law of adoption] will not be screened in wickedness. I would even turn over to the law of God sons out of my own loins if they done wrong. Will I suffer iniquity to go unpunished in others more than in my own sons? I tell you nay. Br Andrews has been adopted into my family. But let the law of God have its demand upon him if it takes his head off for A man had better enter into life maimed than into Hell with all his members....
[Brigham Young] said A man by seeking that which did not belong to him would loose that which He seemeth to have As in this case Br Andrews by unlawfully marrying this woman is now left without any wife. There is no Elder in this Church [who has] any right to marry A woman to a man who has A living wife.
Many men act like fools as soon as they get an idea that women should obey their husbands & be passive in their hands. They will go to the woods & get a bundle of sticks & commence whiping their wives to make them obey them. In the first place A Husband should be a righteous man A man of God & ruled his houshold in righteousness & govern his wife with kindness & love & not with A rod, club, or his fist. His conduct to his wife should be such that she will love him with all of her heart. And he should pray to God that his wife & children which are jewels given him might be saved & not taken from him that not any thing need be lost which the father hath given him.
He said that many men through their conduct would have [wives] taken from them that which they had & given to another. He said that when A man had A jewel given to him he ought to prize it & treasure it up & take good care of it & in process of time other jewels might be given him of the Lord. But He should not undertake to steal them for He could not keep them. ...
it was moved & carried that Milo Andrews be cut off from the Church for Adultery. It was Also moved And carried that the woman be cut off from the Church for Adultery. ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Br H. C. Kimball Addressed the Council & said that He had been to the mountains & got an endowment & felt it in his bones & wanted to talk a little. He said the day had come when iniquity Could not be harboured in the church. And men because they belong to my family or Br Brigham Youngs family [through the law of adoption] will not be screened in wickedness. I would even turn over to the law of God sons out of my own loins if they done wrong. Will I suffer iniquity to go unpunished in others more than in my own sons? I tell you nay. Br Andrews has been adopted into my family. But let the law of God have its demand upon him if it takes his head off for A man had better enter into life maimed than into Hell with all his members....
[Brigham Young] said A man by seeking that which did not belong to him would loose that which He seemeth to have As in this case Br Andrews by unlawfully marrying this woman is now left without any wife. There is no Elder in this Church [who has] any right to marry A woman to a man who has A living wife.
Many men act like fools as soon as they get an idea that women should obey their husbands & be passive in their hands. They will go to the woods & get a bundle of sticks & commence whiping their wives to make them obey them. In the first place A Husband should be a righteous man A man of God & ruled his houshold in righteousness & govern his wife with kindness & love & not with A rod, club, or his fist. His conduct to his wife should be such that she will love him with all of her heart. And he should pray to God that his wife & children which are jewels given him might be saved & not taken from him that not any thing need be lost which the father hath given him.
He said that many men through their conduct would have [wives] taken from them that which they had & given to another. He said that when A man had A jewel given to him he ought to prize it & treasure it up & take good care of it & in process of time other jewels might be given him of the Lord. But He should not undertake to steal them for He could not keep them. ...
it was moved & carried that Milo Andrews be cut off from the Church for Adultery. It was Also moved And carried that the woman be cut off from the Church for Adultery. ...
[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 - Dec 21, 1847
[Brigham Young]
Any man that has a woman and if he has not power to control one, he cant control a second - you must live in peace with the first one to begin with ... it is the privilege of a man to have more wives than one, but no man has a right to take a wife until he comes to me ... I never would have undertaken such things until Joseph gave me a commandment - do it - there is one principle I abhor it as the gates of hell - poor girls want to go to the west - men will get them into their wagons - cuddle around them and the first you know is they creep into bed and commit adultery, that is a damning sin ... in the judgment you will see them [wives] taken away and given to them who have an abundance - be careful that you have not them taken away ... it is the privilege of a woman to say to a man I love you, I want to be sealed to you.
[Thomas Bullock 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]
Any man that has a woman and if he has not power to control one, he cant control a second - you must live in peace with the first one to begin with ... it is the privilege of a man to have more wives than one, but no man has a right to take a wife until he comes to me ... I never would have undertaken such things until Joseph gave me a commandment - do it - there is one principle I abhor it as the gates of hell - poor girls want to go to the west - men will get them into their wagons - cuddle around them and the first you know is they creep into bed and commit adultery, that is a damning sin ... in the judgment you will see them [wives] taken away and given to them who have an abundance - be careful that you have not them taken away ... it is the privilege of a woman to say to a man I love you, I want to be sealed to you.
[Thomas Bullock 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]
105 years ago today - Dec 20, 1917
Julia N. Mavimbela, later the organizer of Women for Peace, an organization dedicated to helping in the peaceful transition from apartheid to majority rule in South Africa, and a recipient of a BYU presidential citation and medallion, is born in Standerton, South Africa.
130 years ago today - Dec 20, 1892 • Tuesday
[George Q. Cannon]
President Woodruff and myself went down to look at the [nearly completed Salt Lake] Temple and had a disagreeable interview with Brother Don Carlos Young, the architect. He was not in a pleasant mood. I talked very plainly to him in relation to several matters connected with the decoration of the rooms. [Wilford Woodruff described his conversation as "vary unchristian like."]
[The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
President Woodruff and myself went down to look at the [nearly completed Salt Lake] Temple and had a disagreeable interview with Brother Don Carlos Young, the architect. He was not in a pleasant mood. I talked very plainly to him in relation to several matters connected with the decoration of the rooms. [Wilford Woodruff described his conversation as "vary unchristian like."]
[The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
180 years ago today - Dec 20, 1842 (Tuesday)
Lorenzo D. Barnes died at Bradford, England. His was the first death of an Elder on a foreign mission.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
185 years ago today - Dec 20, 1837
[Wilford Woodruff]
Spent the morning in clearing away Ice in the long Cove to prepare a Place for Baptizing when the tide arose. I accordingly met at 3 PM & Baptized one person and Preached at Mr Isaac Crocket's & spent the night.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Spent the morning in clearing away Ice in the long Cove to prepare a Place for Baptizing when the tide arose. I accordingly met at 3 PM & Baptized one person and Preached at Mr Isaac Crocket's & spent the night.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
110 years ago today - Dec 18, 1912
[James E. Talmage]
... A point of seeming importance is that the oriental scholars whose opinions are quoted by Bishop Spalding all say that fac-simile #3, as it appears in the Pearl of Great Price, is a scene found in the 'Book of the Dead' and that representations of this scene are common in the documents found with the mummies of Egypt. This would seem rather to be a argument in favor of the genuineness of the Book of Abraham pictures than otherwise. It is stated, however, that such representations were not common in Abraham's day and really date from a time 500 to 1000 years after [A]braham. This again fails as evidence against the genuineness of the original records as writings of Abraham. From the present state of our knowledge it would appear as probable that the writing of Abraham constitute the original from which afterward arose the many and somewhat varied accounts and representations familiar to students of the Book of the Dead. Among those who have replied to Bishop Spalding, each one writing from a different point of view are Elder B. H. Roberts, whose article appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune of Sunday; Elder J[anne]. M. Sjodahl, Editor of the Deseret news, whose article appears in today's news; and Dr. Fred J. Pack, whose article is to appear in the Christmas News to be issued on the 21st.
[James E. Talmage, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
... A point of seeming importance is that the oriental scholars whose opinions are quoted by Bishop Spalding all say that fac-simile #3, as it appears in the Pearl of Great Price, is a scene found in the 'Book of the Dead' and that representations of this scene are common in the documents found with the mummies of Egypt. This would seem rather to be a argument in favor of the genuineness of the Book of Abraham pictures than otherwise. It is stated, however, that such representations were not common in Abraham's day and really date from a time 500 to 1000 years after [A]braham. This again fails as evidence against the genuineness of the original records as writings of Abraham. From the present state of our knowledge it would appear as probable that the writing of Abraham constitute the original from which afterward arose the many and somewhat varied accounts and representations familiar to students of the Book of the Dead. Among those who have replied to Bishop Spalding, each one writing from a different point of view are Elder B. H. Roberts, whose article appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune of Sunday; Elder J[anne]. M. Sjodahl, Editor of the Deseret news, whose article appears in today's news; and Dr. Fred J. Pack, whose article is to appear in the Christmas News to be issued on the 21st.
[James E. Talmage, 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, Dec 18, 1902
[Rudger Clawson]
The clerk read a letter from Aunt Lucy Walker Smith addressed to Pres. Smith, the gist of which was some reflections upon the work for the dead suggested to her mind in the temple. The question with her was this: were not her great grandparents, who died without a knowledge of the gospel, entitled to receive their second anointings. Pres. Smith added, and the further question is, how far back shall we go with this ordinance? The rule heretofore has been that none (whether living or dead) should be privileged to receive this blessing, unless they could be recommended from personal knowledge to be good and worthy.
Pres. Lund felt that the second anointings should be given as a reward of faithfulness. "If this rule were departed from," said he, "where could we stop?"
Pres. Smith said that the rule laid down by Pres. Young had been more or less departed from. At that time no two brethren could receive their 2nd anointings at the same meeting. In each case prayer and the signs were offered at the altar. Brother Geo. A. Smith remarked to the Prophet Joseph upon one occasion that, if the said ordinance were administered in that manner, the millennium would hardly be sufficient time to get through with it. He answered in the affirmative. Pres. Smith expressed the opinion that this work for the dead would be accomplished in the millennium.
... Apostle Merrill felt that ... the Lord would reveal to Aunt Lucy, or any woman, those of the dead, or any of the dead, for second anointings. This right belonged to the president of the church.
Pres. Smith said that all such matters should be decided here and by us, and it should be understood that it is not the privilege of individuals to ask for this ordinance. In relation to giving 2nd anointings to the dead, he thought, any man who had received the gospel and priesthood in the flesh and was faithful, and also had someone sealed to him, would be entitled to it. There might, however, be exceptions to that. As to the remote dead, who died without the gospel, they may be endowed for and sealed and be safely left there—at least until we get further light.
...Pres. Smith in his remarks [in a Stake Conference] said that the names, "Prophet, Seer, and Revelator," and "Apostle" were too sacred to be used as it is commonly done. The brethren should address each other as "Elder."
Apostles Teasdale and Smoot attended the Sevier Stake Conference. The subjects treated were appropriate to the prevailing conditions. Apostle Woodruff attended a ward reunion at Centerville last Saturday and in company with Pres. Lund attended the Morgan Stake Conference Sunday and Monday
[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 Aunt Lucy Walker Smith addressed to Pres. Smith, the gist of which was some reflections upon the work for the dead suggested to her mind in the temple. The question with her was this: were not her great grandparents, who died without a knowledge of the gospel, entitled to receive their second anointings. Pres. Smith added, and the further question is, how far back shall we go with this ordinance? The rule heretofore has been that none (whether living or dead) should be privileged to receive this blessing, unless they could be recommended from personal knowledge to be good and worthy.
Pres. Lund felt that the second anointings should be given as a reward of faithfulness. "If this rule were departed from," said he, "where could we stop?"
Pres. Smith said that the rule laid down by Pres. Young had been more or less departed from. At that time no two brethren could receive their 2nd anointings at the same meeting. In each case prayer and the signs were offered at the altar. Brother Geo. A. Smith remarked to the Prophet Joseph upon one occasion that, if the said ordinance were administered in that manner, the millennium would hardly be sufficient time to get through with it. He answered in the affirmative. Pres. Smith expressed the opinion that this work for the dead would be accomplished in the millennium.
... Apostle Merrill felt that ... the Lord would reveal to Aunt Lucy, or any woman, those of the dead, or any of the dead, for second anointings. This right belonged to the president of the church.
Pres. Smith said that all such matters should be decided here and by us, and it should be understood that it is not the privilege of individuals to ask for this ordinance. In relation to giving 2nd anointings to the dead, he thought, any man who had received the gospel and priesthood in the flesh and was faithful, and also had someone sealed to him, would be entitled to it. There might, however, be exceptions to that. As to the remote dead, who died without the gospel, they may be endowed for and sealed and be safely left there—at least until we get further light.
...Pres. Smith in his remarks [in a Stake Conference] said that the names, "Prophet, Seer, and Revelator," and "Apostle" were too sacred to be used as it is commonly done. The brethren should address each other as "Elder."
Apostles Teasdale and Smoot attended the Sevier Stake Conference. The subjects treated were appropriate to the prevailing conditions. Apostle Woodruff attended a ward reunion at Centerville last Saturday and in company with Pres. Lund attended the Morgan Stake Conference Sunday and Monday
[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]
165 years ago today - Dec 18, 1857
Some of the Brethren inquired upon Pres[ident] [Brigham] Young to make inquiries upon certain teachings of Joseph [Smith] concerning the endowments.
Elder Geo[rge] A. Smith said that Joseph taught that but one king and priest could be anointed at one meeting in a private room dedicated by permission to anoint in, and but one person could be anointed in a day, but in the Temple several could be anointed in a day, but at each anointing the meeting was dismissed and then came together again.
Pres[ident] Young said that Joseph taught him to take the quorum and anoint them kings and priests to God, and when he got through with that begin at the beginning again to administer for the dead. When the Temple is finished and a place duly prepared we should not be confined to any particular number in sealing and anointing. The rooms next to the east pulpit, or over it[,] will be the place to attend to the second anointings.
Under the pulpit in the west end will be the place to offer sacrifices; there will be an altar prepared for that purpose so that when any sacrifices are to be offered they should be offered there.
[Wendall Mace said he heard Joseph Smith give similar instructions to apostles in 1839: "Joseph told them they must go to Kirtland, and cleanse and purify a certain room in the Temple, that they must kill a lamb and a sacrifice unto the Lord, which shouìd prepare them to ordain Willard Richards a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles."]
[Journal History, Dec. 18, 1857, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
Elder Geo[rge] A. Smith said that Joseph taught that but one king and priest could be anointed at one meeting in a private room dedicated by permission to anoint in, and but one person could be anointed in a day, but in the Temple several could be anointed in a day, but at each anointing the meeting was dismissed and then came together again.
Pres[ident] Young said that Joseph taught him to take the quorum and anoint them kings and priests to God, and when he got through with that begin at the beginning again to administer for the dead. When the Temple is finished and a place duly prepared we should not be confined to any particular number in sealing and anointing. The rooms next to the east pulpit, or over it[,] will be the place to attend to the second anointings.
Under the pulpit in the west end will be the place to offer sacrifices; there will be an altar prepared for that purpose so that when any sacrifices are to be offered they should be offered there.
[Wendall Mace said he heard Joseph Smith give similar instructions to apostles in 1839: "Joseph told them they must go to Kirtland, and cleanse and purify a certain room in the Temple, that they must kill a lamb and a sacrifice unto the Lord, which shouìd prepare them to ordain Willard Richards a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles."]
[Journal History, Dec. 18, 1857, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
110 years ago today - Dec 18, 1912
[James E. Talmage]
... A point of seeming importance is that the oriental scholars whose opinions are quoted by Bishop Spalding all say that fac-simile #3, as it appears in the Pearl of Great Price, is a scene found in the 'Book of the Dead' and that representations of this scene are common in the documents found with the mummies of Egypt. This would seem rather to be a argument in favor of the genuineness of the Book of Abraham pictures than otherwise. It is stated, however, that such representations were not common in Abraham's day and really date from a time 500 to 1000 years after [A]braham. This again fails as evidence against the genuineness of the original records as writings of Abraham. From the present state of our knowledge it would appear as probable that the writing of Abraham constitute the original from which afterward arose the many and somewhat varied accounts and representations familiar to students of the Book of the Dead. Among those who have replied to Bishop Spalding, each one writing from a different point of view are Elder B. H. Roberts, whose article appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune of Sunday; Elder J[anne]. M. Sjodahl, Editor of the Deseret news, whose article appears in today's news; and Dr. Fred J. Pack, whose article is to appear in the Christmas News to be issued on the 21st.
[James E. Talmage, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
... A point of seeming importance is that the oriental scholars whose opinions are quoted by Bishop Spalding all say that fac-simile #3, as it appears in the Pearl of Great Price, is a scene found in the 'Book of the Dead' and that representations of this scene are common in the documents found with the mummies of Egypt. This would seem rather to be a argument in favor of the genuineness of the Book of Abraham pictures than otherwise. It is stated, however, that such representations were not common in Abraham's day and really date from a time 500 to 1000 years after [A]braham. This again fails as evidence against the genuineness of the original records as writings of Abraham. From the present state of our knowledge it would appear as probable that the writing of Abraham constitute the original from which afterward arose the many and somewhat varied accounts and representations familiar to students of the Book of the Dead. Among those who have replied to Bishop Spalding, each one writing from a different point of view are Elder B. H. Roberts, whose article appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune of Sunday; Elder J[anne]. M. Sjodahl, Editor of the Deseret news, whose article appears in today's news; and Dr. Fred J. Pack, whose article is to appear in the Christmas News to be issued on the 21st.
[James E. Talmage, 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, Dec 18, 1902
[Rudger Clawson]
The clerk read a letter from Aunt Lucy Walker Smith addressed to Pres. Smith, the gist of which was some reflections upon the work for the dead suggested to her mind in the temple. The question with her was this: were not her great grandparents, who died without a knowledge of the gospel, entitled to receive their second anointings. Pres. Smith added, and the further question is, how far back shall we go with this ordinance? The rule heretofore has been that none (whether living or dead) should be privileged to receive this blessing, unless they could be recommended from personal knowledge to be good and worthy.
Pres. Lund felt that the second anointings should be given as a reward of faithfulness. "If this rule were departed from," said he, "where could we stop?"
Pres. Smith said that the rule laid down by Pres. Young had been more or less departed from. At that time no two brethren could receive their 2nd anointings at the same meeting. In each case prayer and the signs were offered at the altar. Brother Geo. A. Smith remarked to the Prophet Joseph upon one occasion that, if the said ordinance were administered in that manner, the millennium would hardly be sufficient time to get through with it. He answered in the affirmative. Pres. Smith expressed the opinion that this work for the dead would be accomplished in the millennium.
... Apostle Merrill felt that ... the Lord would reveal to Aunt Lucy, or any woman, those of the dead, or any of the dead, for second anointings. This right belonged to the president of the church.
Pres. Smith said that all such matters should be decided here and by us, and it should be understood that it is not the privilege of individuals to ask for this ordinance. In relation to giving 2nd anointings to the dead, he thought, any man who had received the gospel and priesthood in the flesh and was faithful, and also had someone sealed to him, would be entitled to it. There might, however, be exceptions to that. As to the remote dead, who died without the gospel, they may be endowed for and sealed and be safely left there—at least until we get further light.
...Pres. Smith in his remarks [in a Stake Conference] said that the names, "Prophet, Seer, and Revelator," and "Apostle" were too sacred to be used as it is commonly done. The brethren should address each other as "Elder."
Apostles Teasdale and Smoot attended the Sevier Stake Conference. The subjects treated were appropriate to the prevailing conditions. Apostle Woodruff attended a ward reunion at Centerville last Saturday and in company with Pres. Lund attended the Morgan Stake Conference Sunday and Monday
[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 Aunt Lucy Walker Smith addressed to Pres. Smith, the gist of which was some reflections upon the work for the dead suggested to her mind in the temple. The question with her was this: were not her great grandparents, who died without a knowledge of the gospel, entitled to receive their second anointings. Pres. Smith added, and the further question is, how far back shall we go with this ordinance? The rule heretofore has been that none (whether living or dead) should be privileged to receive this blessing, unless they could be recommended from personal knowledge to be good and worthy.
Pres. Lund felt that the second anointings should be given as a reward of faithfulness. "If this rule were departed from," said he, "where could we stop?"
Pres. Smith said that the rule laid down by Pres. Young had been more or less departed from. At that time no two brethren could receive their 2nd anointings at the same meeting. In each case prayer and the signs were offered at the altar. Brother Geo. A. Smith remarked to the Prophet Joseph upon one occasion that, if the said ordinance were administered in that manner, the millennium would hardly be sufficient time to get through with it. He answered in the affirmative. Pres. Smith expressed the opinion that this work for the dead would be accomplished in the millennium.
... Apostle Merrill felt that ... the Lord would reveal to Aunt Lucy, or any woman, those of the dead, or any of the dead, for second anointings. This right belonged to the president of the church.
Pres. Smith said that all such matters should be decided here and by us, and it should be understood that it is not the privilege of individuals to ask for this ordinance. In relation to giving 2nd anointings to the dead, he thought, any man who had received the gospel and priesthood in the flesh and was faithful, and also had someone sealed to him, would be entitled to it. There might, however, be exceptions to that. As to the remote dead, who died without the gospel, they may be endowed for and sealed and be safely left there—at least until we get further light.
...Pres. Smith in his remarks [in a Stake Conference] said that the names, "Prophet, Seer, and Revelator," and "Apostle" were too sacred to be used as it is commonly done. The brethren should address each other as "Elder."
Apostles Teasdale and Smoot attended the Sevier Stake Conference. The subjects treated were appropriate to the prevailing conditions. Apostle Woodruff attended a ward reunion at Centerville last Saturday and in company with Pres. Lund attended the Morgan Stake Conference Sunday and Monday
[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]
165 years ago today - Dec 18, 1857
Some of the Brethren inquired upon Pres[ident] [Brigham] Young to make inquiries upon certain teachings of Joseph [Smith] concerning the endowments.
Elder Geo[rge] A. Smith said that Joseph taught that but one king and priest could be anointed at one meeting in a private room dedicated by permission to anoint in, and but one person could be anointed in a day, but in the Temple several could be anointed in a day, but at each anointing the meeting was dismissed and then came together again.
Pres[ident] Young said that Joseph taught him to take the quorum and anoint them kings and priests to God, and when he got through with that begin at the beginning again to administer for the dead. When the Temple is finished and a place duly prepared we should not be confined to any particular number in sealing and anointing. The rooms next to the east pulpit, or over it[,] will be the place to attend to the second anointings.
Under the pulpit in the west end will be the place to offer sacrifices; there will be an altar prepared for that purpose so that when any sacrifices are to be offered they should be offered there.
[Wendall Mace said he heard Joseph Smith give similar instructions to apostles in 1839: "Joseph told them they must go to Kirtland, and cleanse and purify a certain room in the Temple, that they must kill a lamb and a sacrifice unto the Lord, which shouìd prepare them to ordain Willard Richards a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles."]
[Journal History, Dec. 18, 1857, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
Elder Geo[rge] A. Smith said that Joseph taught that but one king and priest could be anointed at one meeting in a private room dedicated by permission to anoint in, and but one person could be anointed in a day, but in the Temple several could be anointed in a day, but at each anointing the meeting was dismissed and then came together again.
Pres[ident] Young said that Joseph taught him to take the quorum and anoint them kings and priests to God, and when he got through with that begin at the beginning again to administer for the dead. When the Temple is finished and a place duly prepared we should not be confined to any particular number in sealing and anointing. The rooms next to the east pulpit, or over it[,] will be the place to attend to the second anointings.
Under the pulpit in the west end will be the place to offer sacrifices; there will be an altar prepared for that purpose so that when any sacrifices are to be offered they should be offered there.
[Wendall Mace said he heard Joseph Smith give similar instructions to apostles in 1839: "Joseph told them they must go to Kirtland, and cleanse and purify a certain room in the Temple, that they must kill a lamb and a sacrifice unto the Lord, which shouìd prepare them to ordain Willard Richards a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles."]
[Journal History, Dec. 18, 1857, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
105 years ago today - Dec 17, 1917
[George F. Gibbs to J. Garfield Bastow, Dec. 17, 1917] [S]hould circumstances arise in your army experience to justify you in ceasing to wear the garment, such deprivation will in no way affect your religious status, living or dead, taking it for granted of course that your worthiness to wear the garment remains unchanged, as it is ceasing to wear it of one's own free will and choice that constitutes the wrong-doing, not from doing it in obedience to legitimate authority or from justifiable circumstances .
[Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
10 years ago today - 2012-12-16
Wear Pants to Church Day
This event attracted national media attention as women wore pants to church to highlight gender issues in the church. Some men wore purple ties and some women wore purple instead of wearing pants.
[Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]
This event attracted national media attention as women wore pants to church to highlight gender issues in the church. Some men wore purple ties and some women wore purple instead of wearing pants.
[Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]
45 years ago today - Dec 16, 1977
The mayor of Sao Paulo, Brazil, approves the naming of a street for Joseph Smith Jr.
[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 - Dec 16, 1907
President Woodruff, not long before his death, instructed the presiding priesthood in conference assembled that members of the Church allying themselves with secret societies after having been informed of the counsel of the Church against its members making such alliances, disqualified themselves from entering the temples of the Lord to receive blessings therein, and that therefore all such should not be recommended for temple ordinances.
In taking this position President Woodruff voiced the mind of the First Presidency from the beginning of the organization of the Church, ...
We desire you, and all others concerned or interested in this question, to know that, in taking this position the First Presidency have not for a moment considered the merits or demerits of the various secret orders, that it is entirely immaterial to us as to whether their ceremonials are based on biblical stories or otherwise, and that therefore as far as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is concerned they must stand or fall solely on their own merits without a word of criticism for or against them by us.
... all secret societies are man-made, and therefore of the world worldly, suitable only for the class of people that belong to them and who uphold and sustain them. ... [particupation in these societies is comparble to] ...
we are, Your Brethren and fellow-servants, JOSEPH F. SMITH, JOHN R. WINDER, ANTHON H. LUND, First Presidency.
[Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
In taking this position President Woodruff voiced the mind of the First Presidency from the beginning of the organization of the Church, ...
We desire you, and all others concerned or interested in this question, to know that, in taking this position the First Presidency have not for a moment considered the merits or demerits of the various secret orders, that it is entirely immaterial to us as to whether their ceremonials are based on biblical stories or otherwise, and that therefore as far as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is concerned they must stand or fall solely on their own merits without a word of criticism for or against them by us.
... all secret societies are man-made, and therefore of the world worldly, suitable only for the class of people that belong to them and who uphold and sustain them. ... [particupation in these societies is comparble to] ...
we are, Your Brethren and fellow-servants, JOSEPH F. SMITH, JOHN R. WINDER, ANTHON H. LUND, First Presidency.
[Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
125 years ago today - Dec 16, 1897
[George Q. Cannon]
The question also came up whether a white man who was married to a woman having negro blood in her veins could receive the Priesthood. I explained what President Taylor had taught me when I was a boy in Nauvoo concerning this matter; he had received it from the Prophet Joseph, who said that a man bearing the Priesthood who should marry or associate with a negress, or one of that seed, if the penalty of the law were executed upon him, he and her and the offspring would be killed; that it was contrary to the law of God for men bearing the Priesthood to have association with that seed. In this case submitted to us a white man had married a woman with negro blood in her ignorantly; yet if he were to receive the Priesthood and still continue his association with his wife the offspring of the marriage might make a claim or claims that would interfere with the purposes of the Lord and His curse upon the seed of Cain.
[George Q. Cannon, Journal, December 16, 1897, Church Historian's Press; Mormonr (mormonr.org/sources)]
The question also came up whether a white man who was married to a woman having negro blood in her veins could receive the Priesthood. I explained what President Taylor had taught me when I was a boy in Nauvoo concerning this matter; he had received it from the Prophet Joseph, who said that a man bearing the Priesthood who should marry or associate with a negress, or one of that seed, if the penalty of the law were executed upon him, he and her and the offspring would be killed; that it was contrary to the law of God for men bearing the Priesthood to have association with that seed. In this case submitted to us a white man had married a woman with negro blood in her ignorantly; yet if he were to receive the Priesthood and still continue his association with his wife the offspring of the marriage might make a claim or claims that would interfere with the purposes of the Lord and His curse upon the seed of Cain.
[George Q. Cannon, Journal, December 16, 1897, Church Historian's Press; Mormonr (mormonr.org/sources)]
125 years ago today - Dec 16, 1897
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Temple meeting 11 a.m. ... In discussion it was noted, "Adam is our father and God and no use to discuss it with Josephites [RLDS] or any one else." ... "Question on ceremony of marriage sealing couples who have never had their endowments; do their children need to be sealed to them in the Temple when they come to have their endowments. Answer, No. It is all done."
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Temple meeting 11 a.m. ... In discussion it was noted, "Adam is our father and God and no use to discuss it with Josephites [RLDS] or any one else." ... "Question on ceremony of marriage sealing couples who have never had their endowments; do their children need to be sealed to them in the Temple when they come to have their endowments. Answer, No. It is all done."
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
125 years ago today - Dec 16, 1897
[Brigham Young Jr.]
[[Temple meeting 11 a.m. ... In discussion it was noted, "Adam is our father and God and no use to discuss it with Josephites or any one else." ... "Question on ceremony of marriage sealing couples who have never had their endowments; do their children need to be sealed to them in the Temple when they come to have their endowments. Answer, No. It is all done."]]
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[[Temple meeting 11 a.m. ... In discussion it was noted, "Adam is our father and God and no use to discuss it with Josephites or any one else." ... "Question on ceremony of marriage sealing couples who have never had their endowments; do their children need to be sealed to them in the Temple when they come to have their endowments. Answer, No. It is all done."]]
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Dec 16, 1892
[James E. Talmage]
On the train en route to Ogden, I had a long and interesting conversation with Apostle Lorenzo Snow, President of the Quorum of the Twelve. .... Then, taking me by the hand, he pronounced over me words of counsel, and blessing, and that too by the spirit of prophecy; for so he declared to me; and so the testimony in my own heart bore record. ... Said he, 'I do not know exactly why, but I feel, and have always felt a deep interest in you. I want you to feel encouraged in your labors; and to cultivate a love for life and a desire to live, for I tell you, you shall live till you are satisfied with life; and if you so desire till you are a very old man. You shall attain to the very highest pinnacle of fame, that your heart may aspire toward; and you shall reach a position which very few men in the church will attain. The Lord has wondrously blessed you; you are endowed with talents many and great,'endowments for which many men would give a fortune of millions of dollars; and if you will continue to cultivate a spirit of humility, and fail not to give to God the glory for your successes, achieved through His favor, you shall be blessed of God, more and more; and your heart shall be filled with blessings indescribable. You are called to fulfill a mission of rare and great importance in the Church, and the Lord will assist you'.
I was deeply affected at his words; and I asked of him as a favor to offer criticism and instruction whenever he saw me wandering from the track of the Gospel, for I have seen so many men, highly favored of God, fall away through pride and arrogance. To this President Snow replied,' 'Brother Talmage, I will do so, but I prophecy to you, as Joseph Smith prophesied to me once,' though your weaknesses may be many, and your failings not a few, yet the Lord will not permit you to live to wander entirely from the path of right. God bless you, and you shall be blessed'. Oh! how can my heart contain the blessings of my Father! God grant me power to live for them and to resist the temptations that come in my path.
[James E. Talmage, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
On the train en route to Ogden, I had a long and interesting conversation with Apostle Lorenzo Snow, President of the Quorum of the Twelve. .... Then, taking me by the hand, he pronounced over me words of counsel, and blessing, and that too by the spirit of prophecy; for so he declared to me; and so the testimony in my own heart bore record. ... Said he, 'I do not know exactly why, but I feel, and have always felt a deep interest in you. I want you to feel encouraged in your labors; and to cultivate a love for life and a desire to live, for I tell you, you shall live till you are satisfied with life; and if you so desire till you are a very old man. You shall attain to the very highest pinnacle of fame, that your heart may aspire toward; and you shall reach a position which very few men in the church will attain. The Lord has wondrously blessed you; you are endowed with talents many and great,'endowments for which many men would give a fortune of millions of dollars; and if you will continue to cultivate a spirit of humility, and fail not to give to God the glory for your successes, achieved through His favor, you shall be blessed of God, more and more; and your heart shall be filled with blessings indescribable. You are called to fulfill a mission of rare and great importance in the Church, and the Lord will assist you'.
I was deeply affected at his words; and I asked of him as a favor to offer criticism and instruction whenever he saw me wandering from the track of the Gospel, for I have seen so many men, highly favored of God, fall away through pride and arrogance. To this President Snow replied,' 'Brother Talmage, I will do so, but I prophecy to you, as Joseph Smith prophesied to me once,' though your weaknesses may be many, and your failings not a few, yet the Lord will not permit you to live to wander entirely from the path of right. God bless you, and you shall be blessed'. Oh! how can my heart contain the blessings of my Father! God grant me power to live for them and to resist the temptations that come in my path.
[James E. Talmage, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
145 years ago today - Dec 16, 1877
A Vision of the Apostle John Taylor: "…Some of the brethren have been asking me concerning [The Second] Coming events, and I will now tell you some of the things which will shortly come to pass.
I then found myself wandering about the streets of Salt Lake City and noticed on the doors of every house, including my own, badges of mourning… No one seemed to be passing along the streets and everything was as still as death… I then looked over the country; in every direction as far as I could see, a similar condition of sickness and death prevailed. The inhabitants of Illinois and Missouri were in dreadful condition, the men and women killing each other in the most brutal manner.
Next I visited the City of Washington, D.C., and found the place deserted and in ruins. From there I went to Baltimore and on the square, where stands the monument of 1812, dead bodies of the inhabitants of the place were piled in heaps. While there I saw mothers cut the throats of their own children and drink the blood in order to quench their thirst. The waters of the Chesapeake Bay were so befouled from the effect of dead bodies that the water could not be used. Sickness and death prevailed throughout the city and the stench was something awful. I thought surely that this must be the end of suffering, but when I visited the City of Philadelphia, I found the place in ruins and the smell from dead bodies was beyond anything one could imagine.
In New York I saw men crawl out of cellars, ravish beautiful women, kill them and rob them of their jewels. I saw parents eating the flesh of their own offspring and then roll over and die. Looking back while on my way to Central Park, I saw fire break out and a heavy wind carried the flames over the city, and all the buildings, wharfs and ships in the harbor were burned. The stench from the burning bodies was carried by the wind across the Hudson River spreading death and destruction wherever it went. The sights that met my view on all sides were so horrible to look upon that it would be impossible for me to describe them.
After these scenes had passed, I found myself standing on the left bank of the Missouri River, just opposite to where stood the City of Independence and soon discovered that the states of Illinois, Missouri, and part of Iowa had been swept clean of its inhabitants and the surrounding country was a complete wilderness.
A short distance across the river, I beheld twelve men dressed in their temple robes standing in a square with their hands raised, and it was made known to me that they represented the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem. They then consecrated the grounds and laid the cornerstones of the city and temple; and while they were doing so, I saw myriads of heavenly angels hovering over them. I heard the most beautiful music and singing that I ever listened to and these were the words they repeated: "Now is established the Kingdom of our God and His Christ which shall no more be thrown down or given to another people."
I then saw a multitude of people coming from various directions to take part in the upbuilding of the city and temple and even the angels were on hand to assist in the glorious work. A great cloud arose above them and many of the saints were clothed in their temple robes. All of a sudden I found myself standing at the pulpit of the Ogden Tabernacle, yet I could see the building of the city of Zion and temple going on and the cloud that hovered above the place.
I had become so animated by this time that I called upon the congregation to listen to the sweet music and singing of the angels that seemed to fill the house. Then I heard a voice say, "Now has come to pass that which was spoken by the mouth of Isaiah the Prophet, where he declares that `Seven women shall take hold of one man saying, We will eat our own bread and wear our own apparel, only let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach.'"
By this time I was so exhausted that I staggered backwards, and Brother Franklin D. Richards and some of the other brethren caught me before I fell. I then asked Brother Richards to apologize for me stopping so abruptly in my remarks, and to tell them that I had not fainted, but was overcome from exhaustion. I then rolled over in bed and the clock in the City and County Building struck twelve."
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal, June 15, 1878, A Vision, Salt Lake City, Night of Dec 16, 1877, in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]
I then found myself wandering about the streets of Salt Lake City and noticed on the doors of every house, including my own, badges of mourning… No one seemed to be passing along the streets and everything was as still as death… I then looked over the country; in every direction as far as I could see, a similar condition of sickness and death prevailed. The inhabitants of Illinois and Missouri were in dreadful condition, the men and women killing each other in the most brutal manner.
Next I visited the City of Washington, D.C., and found the place deserted and in ruins. From there I went to Baltimore and on the square, where stands the monument of 1812, dead bodies of the inhabitants of the place were piled in heaps. While there I saw mothers cut the throats of their own children and drink the blood in order to quench their thirst. The waters of the Chesapeake Bay were so befouled from the effect of dead bodies that the water could not be used. Sickness and death prevailed throughout the city and the stench was something awful. I thought surely that this must be the end of suffering, but when I visited the City of Philadelphia, I found the place in ruins and the smell from dead bodies was beyond anything one could imagine.
In New York I saw men crawl out of cellars, ravish beautiful women, kill them and rob them of their jewels. I saw parents eating the flesh of their own offspring and then roll over and die. Looking back while on my way to Central Park, I saw fire break out and a heavy wind carried the flames over the city, and all the buildings, wharfs and ships in the harbor were burned. The stench from the burning bodies was carried by the wind across the Hudson River spreading death and destruction wherever it went. The sights that met my view on all sides were so horrible to look upon that it would be impossible for me to describe them.
After these scenes had passed, I found myself standing on the left bank of the Missouri River, just opposite to where stood the City of Independence and soon discovered that the states of Illinois, Missouri, and part of Iowa had been swept clean of its inhabitants and the surrounding country was a complete wilderness.
A short distance across the river, I beheld twelve men dressed in their temple robes standing in a square with their hands raised, and it was made known to me that they represented the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem. They then consecrated the grounds and laid the cornerstones of the city and temple; and while they were doing so, I saw myriads of heavenly angels hovering over them. I heard the most beautiful music and singing that I ever listened to and these were the words they repeated: "Now is established the Kingdom of our God and His Christ which shall no more be thrown down or given to another people."
I then saw a multitude of people coming from various directions to take part in the upbuilding of the city and temple and even the angels were on hand to assist in the glorious work. A great cloud arose above them and many of the saints were clothed in their temple robes. All of a sudden I found myself standing at the pulpit of the Ogden Tabernacle, yet I could see the building of the city of Zion and temple going on and the cloud that hovered above the place.
I had become so animated by this time that I called upon the congregation to listen to the sweet music and singing of the angels that seemed to fill the house. Then I heard a voice say, "Now has come to pass that which was spoken by the mouth of Isaiah the Prophet, where he declares that `Seven women shall take hold of one man saying, We will eat our own bread and wear our own apparel, only let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach.'"
By this time I was so exhausted that I staggered backwards, and Brother Franklin D. Richards and some of the other brethren caught me before I fell. I then asked Brother Richards to apologize for me stopping so abruptly in my remarks, and to tell them that I had not fainted, but was overcome from exhaustion. I then rolled over in bed and the clock in the City and County Building struck twelve."
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal, June 15, 1878, A Vision, Salt Lake City, Night of Dec 16, 1877, in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]
155 years ago today - Dec 16, 1867
[Wilford Woodruff]
... I met with the school of the Prophets in the Evening at the City Hall. This school was organized on the 9 Dec 1867 in the City Hall. President Brigham Young was appointed Presidet Heber C. Kimball & Daniel H Wells vice Presidents. ...
President Young spoke of the first organization of this school By Joseph Smith the Prophet. The word of wisdom was given in this school. Presidet Young said Adam was Michael the Ark angel & he was the Father of Jesus Christ & was our God & that Joseph taught this Principle.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
... I met with the school of the Prophets in the Evening at the City Hall. This school was organized on the 9 Dec 1867 in the City Hall. President Brigham Young was appointed Presidet Heber C. Kimball & Daniel H Wells vice Presidents. ...
President Young spoke of the first organization of this school By Joseph Smith the Prophet. The word of wisdom was given in this school. Presidet Young said Adam was Michael the Ark angel & he was the Father of Jesus Christ & was our God & that Joseph taught this Principle.
[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 - Dec 16, 1857
Ben Simons offered to give to President Young one half of the money He made [through sales to the U.S. army]. Presidet Young told him He did not want any of his money. He had Enough of his own. ...
Lines Written to Miss E. R. Snow
- = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =}
Eliza had I the talent of a poet, or the gifts which thou Hast I would write to Thee and spread my thoughts on paper. ... Thou hast spread thy thoughts on Paper for men to read: I have read them many an hour. They have stired my soul with thoughts, deep thoughts, thoughts which Could not be born. Thy soul hath been inspired with the spirit of God, and Eternal light and truth ...
Why hath this talent this Choice gift been given unto thee Eliza? Ah the spirit whispers it was to Cheer the heart of A Prophet A Patriarch, An Apostle in the dark hours of Gloom. It was to give the Lords Anointed a ray of light and a Consoleing thought while Hells dark Billows rolled around in the midst of wicked men and Devils who Continually cry out and say that no kingdom on the Earth shall belong to God....
But who can tell the best deeds of a true friend in time of need? No one. They are not told in time, but like gold in the mine are Concealed from human view. If known at all the Judgment must reveal them. Thou hast been a true Friend and Comforted the Heart of Joseph, Hiram, Brigham, Heber, Willard, Jedediah, Thy Brother Lorenzo and thousands of the saints. I need not name them. Thy words and testimony will live and speak in flames of Holy fire to inspire the Hearts of Prophets Apostles and Holy men of God to noble Deeds, and steel the nerve of many a Noble Son of Zion to avenge the Blood of the Prophets and martyrs of Jesus Christ, long after thou art with thy Father in heaven Clothed with Immortality and Crowned with Light.
Thy Pen hath pierced many a wicked heart with barbed darts which no Earthly power Could remove. ....
God Bless Thee Noble Muse. Thy soul is as pure as the crystle stream that flows from its snowy bed. ....
W. Woodruff
Great Salt Lake City July, AD 1857
- = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
{= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
To Elder Wilford Woodruff By E. R. Snow
- = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =}
With true respect and as a tribute due
To friendship Brother Woodruff unto you
As one more Blessed than most your fellow men
I now address the Effusion of my pen.
You was Appointed ere your mortal birth
To an Apostleship upon the Earth.
The Lord Our God has had his Eye on thee
With watchful Care from Earliest infancy.
You was preserved midst Babylonish night
From Atheistic and sectarian blight....
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Lines Written to Miss E. R. Snow
- = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =}
Eliza had I the talent of a poet, or the gifts which thou Hast I would write to Thee and spread my thoughts on paper. ... Thou hast spread thy thoughts on Paper for men to read: I have read them many an hour. They have stired my soul with thoughts, deep thoughts, thoughts which Could not be born. Thy soul hath been inspired with the spirit of God, and Eternal light and truth ...
Why hath this talent this Choice gift been given unto thee Eliza? Ah the spirit whispers it was to Cheer the heart of A Prophet A Patriarch, An Apostle in the dark hours of Gloom. It was to give the Lords Anointed a ray of light and a Consoleing thought while Hells dark Billows rolled around in the midst of wicked men and Devils who Continually cry out and say that no kingdom on the Earth shall belong to God....
But who can tell the best deeds of a true friend in time of need? No one. They are not told in time, but like gold in the mine are Concealed from human view. If known at all the Judgment must reveal them. Thou hast been a true Friend and Comforted the Heart of Joseph, Hiram, Brigham, Heber, Willard, Jedediah, Thy Brother Lorenzo and thousands of the saints. I need not name them. Thy words and testimony will live and speak in flames of Holy fire to inspire the Hearts of Prophets Apostles and Holy men of God to noble Deeds, and steel the nerve of many a Noble Son of Zion to avenge the Blood of the Prophets and martyrs of Jesus Christ, long after thou art with thy Father in heaven Clothed with Immortality and Crowned with Light.
Thy Pen hath pierced many a wicked heart with barbed darts which no Earthly power Could remove. ....
God Bless Thee Noble Muse. Thy soul is as pure as the crystle stream that flows from its snowy bed. ....
W. Woodruff
Great Salt Lake City July, AD 1857
- = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
{= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
To Elder Wilford Woodruff By E. R. Snow
- = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =}
With true respect and as a tribute due
To friendship Brother Woodruff unto you
As one more Blessed than most your fellow men
I now address the Effusion of my pen.
You was Appointed ere your mortal birth
To an Apostleship upon the Earth.
The Lord Our God has had his Eye on thee
With watchful Care from Earliest infancy.
You was preserved midst Babylonish night
From Atheistic and sectarian blight....
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
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