Meridian Magazine ("LDS Magazine") publishes an online article, "Are You a Liberal Mormon?" by Joni Hilton. Due to a large number of complaints, the article was pulled from Meridan's website. An official from Meridan Magazine called the artcle "extremely offensive" noting that "James E. Faust was a liberal Mormon too." Of liberal Mormons, Hilton said:
They decided which aspects of our faith to accept or reject, from honoring the Sabbath to wearing less than modest clothing. Basically, it described people who were members of convenience. When they didn't like something the Prophet said, they felt perfectly fine skirting around that one, and writing their own rules.
... Jack Mormons are obvious about it, too—you see them staggering out of a bar, or heading into the shopping mall on Sundays.
Liberal Mormons are more slippery. They often attend church, but they're the ones who dodge Gospel Doctrine class because the teacher is "so by-the-book." ... why should I attend a class taught by someone so narrow-minded?...
They disagree with several points in the Proclamation to the World (sic), say no to callings that insult their intelligence, and create their own spin on how God will ultimately judge us (very leniently, usually). ...
Invariably liberal Mormons do not read their scriptures every day. They do not attend the temple, they do not show up to help someone move, and they do not Home Teach or Visit Teach with regularity. They view those who do as quaint minions who never question authority and who follow the rules like mindless sheep. ...
Former Young Women President, Elaine Cannon, once said, "When the Prophet speaks, the debate is over." This is because the prophet is speaking for God and telling us what He would have us hear. He is not just the president of a corporation, giving us his personal views. ...
[Meridian Magazine (LDS Magazine), "Are You a Liberal Mormon"]
60 years ago today - Oct 31, 1963
The Missionary Training Institute president (a son-in-law of Apostle Harold B. Lee) expressed concern about covert efforts to convert LDS missionaries to the Birch Society. He indicated that "he will resist efforts on the part of some of the young zealots among the missionaries to indoctrinate their colleagues in political extremism."
[Reported in Richard D. Poll to Ralph Harding, 31 Oct. 1963. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
[Reported in Richard D. Poll to Ralph Harding, 31 Oct. 1963. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
10 years ago today - 1 year ago - Oct 31, 2013
Meridian Magazine ("LDS Magazine") publishes an online article, "Are You a Liberal Mormon?" by Joni Hilton. Due to a large number of complaints, the article was pulled from Meridan's website. An official from Meridan Magazine called the artcle "extremely offensive" noting that "James E. Faust was a liberal Mormon too." Of liberal Mormons, Hilton said:
They decided which aspects of our faith to accept or reject, from honoring the Sabbath to wearing less than modest clothing. Basically, it described people who were members of convenience. When they didn't like something the Prophet said, they felt perfectly fine skirting around that one, and writing their own rules.
... Jack Mormons are obvious about it, too—you see them staggering out of a bar, or heading into the shopping mall on Sundays.
Liberal Mormons are more slippery. They often attend church, but they're the ones who dodge Gospel Doctrine class because the teacher is "so by-the-book." ... why should I attend a class taught by someone so narrow-minded?...
They disagree with several points in the Proclamation to the World (sic), say no to callings that insult their intelligence, and create their own spin on how God will ultimately judge us (very leniently, usually). ...
Invariably liberal Mormons do not read their scriptures every day. They do not attend the temple, they do not show up to help someone move, and they do not Home Teach or Visit Teach with regularity. They view those who do as quaint minions who never question authority and who follow the rules like mindless sheep. ...
Former Young Women President, Elaine Cannon, once said, "When the Prophet speaks, the debate is over." This is because the prophet is speaking for God and telling us what He would have us hear. He is not just the president of a corporation, giving us his personal views. ...
[Meridian Magazine, "Are You a Liberal Mormon"]
They decided which aspects of our faith to accept or reject, from honoring the Sabbath to wearing less than modest clothing. Basically, it described people who were members of convenience. When they didn't like something the Prophet said, they felt perfectly fine skirting around that one, and writing their own rules.
... Jack Mormons are obvious about it, too—you see them staggering out of a bar, or heading into the shopping mall on Sundays.
Liberal Mormons are more slippery. They often attend church, but they're the ones who dodge Gospel Doctrine class because the teacher is "so by-the-book." ... why should I attend a class taught by someone so narrow-minded?...
They disagree with several points in the Proclamation to the World (sic), say no to callings that insult their intelligence, and create their own spin on how God will ultimately judge us (very leniently, usually). ...
Invariably liberal Mormons do not read their scriptures every day. They do not attend the temple, they do not show up to help someone move, and they do not Home Teach or Visit Teach with regularity. They view those who do as quaint minions who never question authority and who follow the rules like mindless sheep. ...
Former Young Women President, Elaine Cannon, once said, "When the Prophet speaks, the debate is over." This is because the prophet is speaking for God and telling us what He would have us hear. He is not just the president of a corporation, giving us his personal views. ...
[Meridian Magazine, "Are You a Liberal Mormon"]
40 years ago today - Oct 30, 1983
The Church News reports that 70 percent of Gallup Survey respondents have "a highly favorable" view of LDS, and only 10 percent have "a highly unfavorable opinion."
[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 )]]
45 years ago today - Oct 30, 1978
First Presidency announces emeritus status for general authorities due to age, physical infirmity, or other reasons. Members of First Quorum of Seventy are first general authorities to receive this retirement.
50 years ago today - Oct 30, 1973-Tuesday
[Leonard Arrington]
This morning at 9:00 a.m. the executives of the Historical Department were invited to meet with the First Presidency on the matter of exchanging documents with the RLDS Historian's Department. ... Earl [Olson, RLDS] will furnish Brother McConkie with xeroxes of the Kirtland Book of Revelations and xeroxes of other revelations which have been printed but are not in the Doctrine and Covenants. ... Brother McConkie said, "This opens the door I have looked forward to; namely, the opportunity of considering additional revelations in a new edition of the Doctrine and Covenants." He specifically mentioned two or three that he knew about that he has long felt should be included in the D&C and this will give him an opportunity of making a recommendation of that to the First Presidency. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
This morning at 9:00 a.m. the executives of the Historical Department were invited to meet with the First Presidency on the matter of exchanging documents with the RLDS Historian's Department. ... Earl [Olson, RLDS] will furnish Brother McConkie with xeroxes of the Kirtland Book of Revelations and xeroxes of other revelations which have been printed but are not in the Doctrine and Covenants. ... Brother McConkie said, "This opens the door I have looked forward to; namely, the opportunity of considering additional revelations in a new edition of the Doctrine and Covenants." He specifically mentioned two or three that he knew about that he has long felt should be included in the D&C and this will give him an opportunity of making a recommendation of that to the First Presidency. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
60 years ago today - Oct 30, 1963
Joseph Fielding Smith ... wrote to Senator Harding on 30 October: "I think it is time that Brother Benson forgot all about politics and settled down to his duties as a member of the Council of the Twelve." Smith concluded this letter, "He is going to take a mission to Europe in the near future and by the time he returns I hope he will get all of the political notions out of his system."
[Smith to Harding, 30 Oct. 1963, photocopy in folder 2, box 4, King Papers, and in folder 22, box 5, Buerger Papers. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
[Smith to Harding, 30 Oct. 1963, photocopy in folder 2, box 4, King Papers, and in folder 22, box 5, Buerger Papers. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
60 years ago today - Oct 30, 1963
Student conflict erupted at the University of Utah over Ezra Taft Benson's speech to the New Orleans Stake against federal integration of schools. One of Benson's defenders accused the university's newspaper of an "anti-rightist crusade." For almost a month the Utah Chronicle's editorial page was dominated by the Benson controversy, until President John F. Kennedy's assassination in November finally superseded it.
[Clark King and Richard Littlefield in Daily Utah Chronicle, 30 Oct. 1963, 4, answered by Frank G. Adams and Gary Henrichsen (who used the phrase) in 4 Nov. 1963, 2, rebutted by King and Littlefield in 6 Nov. 1963,4, who were in turn rebutted by Corydon Hammond in 8 Nov. 1963, 4, who was answered by King and Littlefield in 14 Nov. 1963,: 2. Editorially, the Daily Utah Chronicle published a cartoon (31 Oct. 1963,4) which depicted Benson's mission assignment as a banishment by Uncle Sam, not the LDS church presidency, which Gary Henrichsen then criticized in his letter to the editor of 4 November. In response the editors published an even more insulting cartoon of Benson (21 Nov. 1963, 2). 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.]
[Clark King and Richard Littlefield in Daily Utah Chronicle, 30 Oct. 1963, 4, answered by Frank G. Adams and Gary Henrichsen (who used the phrase) in 4 Nov. 1963, 2, rebutted by King and Littlefield in 6 Nov. 1963,4, who were in turn rebutted by Corydon Hammond in 8 Nov. 1963, 4, who was answered by King and Littlefield in 14 Nov. 1963,: 2. Editorially, the Daily Utah Chronicle published a cartoon (31 Oct. 1963,4) which depicted Benson's mission assignment as a banishment by Uncle Sam, not the LDS church presidency, which Gary Henrichsen then criticized in his letter to the editor of 4 November. In response the editors published an even more insulting cartoon of Benson (21 Nov. 1963, 2). 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.]
100 years ago today - Oct 30, 1923
[George F. Richards]
Elders Jos[eph] F. Smith Jr & Stephen L. Richards spent an hour with me in going over some suggestions I have to offer of change[s] in the ordinances[,] including a rewriting of them.
[George F. Richards diary, Oct. 30, 1923, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
Elders Jos[eph] F. Smith Jr & Stephen L. Richards spent an hour with me in going over some suggestions I have to offer of change[s] in the ordinances[,] including a rewriting of them.
[George F. Richards diary, Oct. 30, 1923, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
125 years ago today - Oct 30, 1898 (Sunday)
Elders B.F. Duffin and Chas. A. Haacke were taken out of the Methodist Episcopal church at Henry, Coddington Co, S.D. (where they were sleeping during the night), by a mob of five men, led by Quin McMullen. The Elders were followed out of town, threatened with tar and feathers and otherwise abused. The night was a bitterly cold one, and the Elders nearly perished through exposure.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
180 years ago today - Oct 30, 1843
Brigham Young's diary states: "Monday evening Baptized Sisters Cuoub [Auga Adams Cobb] & Hari[e]tt Cook." Two days later Joseph Smith marries these two women to Young. Auga Adams Cobb married Henry Cobb of Boston, Mass., in 1822. She left him five of her seven children to join with the Mormons. Her husband divorced her in 1847- four years after she married Brigham Young.
He baptized Sister Cobb and Harriet Cook, possibly in preparation for his plural marriage to them two days later.
[Quinn, D. Michael, "The Practice of Rebaptism at Nauvoo," BYU Studies (1978), 18:2:226]
He baptized Sister Cobb and Harriet Cook, possibly in preparation for his plural marriage to them two days later.
[Quinn, D. Michael, "The Practice of Rebaptism at Nauvoo," BYU Studies (1978), 18:2:226]
185 years ago today - Oct 30, 1838
Haun's Mill Massacre. At about four P.M. approximately 240 men ride up to the small community of Haun's Mill (which has fewer than 15 buildings) and open fire on a flag of truce. Many of the Saints gather in the blacksmith's shop; guns are stuck through the cracks in the logs and fired until most in the building are dead. A few escape across the river into the hills. By the end of the massacre, 1600 rounds of ammunition have been fired at 40 people; 18 or 19 have been killed, and about 15 wounded. Among those killed are boys under 10 and men over 75 years old.As soon as Governor Boggs's exterminating order is received, General Atchison withdraws from the army at Richmond, Mo. At evening a state militia force of about 2,000 approaches and surrounds the city of Far West. They are led by General Lucas. The Saints spend the night building up fortifications and preparing for a massive battle in the morning.
Thomas McBride, the oldest victim, is "cut to pieces with a corn cutter...literally mangled from head to foot." Sardius Smith, one of the youngest victims, begs for his life from a militiaman who put "his rifle near the boy's head, and literally blowed off the upper part of it." Although her son Sardius and husband are dead, Amanda Barnes Smith is preoccupied with one of her surviving sons, because "the entire hip joint of my wounded boy [Alma] had been shot away." She reports obtaining "a vision" from God about the way to care for the injury and tells her son that "the Lord will make you another hip." She would later write: "It is now nearly forty years ago, but Alma has never been the least crippled during his life."
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology; 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]
Thomas McBride, the oldest victim, is "cut to pieces with a corn cutter...literally mangled from head to foot." Sardius Smith, one of the youngest victims, begs for his life from a militiaman who put "his rifle near the boy's head, and literally blowed off the upper part of it." Although her son Sardius and husband are dead, Amanda Barnes Smith is preoccupied with one of her surviving sons, because "the entire hip joint of my wounded boy [Alma] had been shot away." She reports obtaining "a vision" from God about the way to care for the injury and tells her son that "the Lord will make you another hip." She would later write: "It is now nearly forty years ago, but Alma has never been the least crippled during his life."
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology; Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
190 years ago today - Oct 30, 1833
The Saints receive an offer from lawyers Wood, Reese, Doniphan, and Atchison to defend the Saints for the sum of one thousand dollars (two hundred and fifty dollars each).
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
70 years ago today - Oct 29, 1953
President McKay mentioned another matter which he said is one of great importance, and that is the new method of presenting the Endowment in our Temple that will be constructed in Europe. There will be no change in the endowment ceremonies but instead of having the members move from one room to another, we will bring the rooms to the people. He explained that that involves a great deal of study and preparation, and it will all have to be done here, undoubtedly in this [Salt Lake] temple before we introduce it there. The First Presidency feel that a committee should be appointed, who will be recommended by the Temple Committee ...
[Minutes, meeting of the First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve, Oct. 1, 1953, included in David O. McKay diary, Oct. 29, 1953, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Minutes, meeting of the First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve, Oct. 1, 1953, included in David O. McKay diary, Oct. 29, 1953, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
100 years ago today - Oct 29, 1923
[George F. Richards]
I spent the day at the Temple. Jos[eph] F. Smith Jr. & Stephen L. Richards spent two hrs. with me in the Temple going over the Temple ordinances, considering proposed changes. Adjourned until 2 P.M. tomorrow.
[George F. Richards diary, Oct. 29, 1923, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
I spent the day at the Temple. Jos[eph] F. Smith Jr. & Stephen L. Richards spent two hrs. with me in the Temple going over the Temple ordinances, considering proposed changes. Adjourned until 2 P.M. tomorrow.
[George F. Richards diary, Oct. 29, 1923, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
125 years ago today - Oct 29, 1898
[J. Golden Kimball]
Bro[ther] [Heber J.] Grant told me how Rudger Clawson was called to the Apostleship. The Apostles handed in names to fill vacancy. The Presidency considered these names. It is thought that his name was not mentioned by the Apostles. Pres[ident] [Lorenzo] Snow suggested Bro[ther] Clawsons name and said it was the will of the Lord and all united in accepting him. I can readily see that if the Prophet of the Lord suggests a man to fill any vacancy, it is the will of the Lord, yet I am in doubt that a direct revelation was given.
[J. Golden Kimball, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Bro[ther] [Heber J.] Grant told me how Rudger Clawson was called to the Apostleship. The Apostles handed in names to fill vacancy. The Presidency considered these names. It is thought that his name was not mentioned by the Apostles. Pres[ident] [Lorenzo] Snow suggested Bro[ther] Clawsons name and said it was the will of the Lord and all united in accepting him. I can readily see that if the Prophet of the Lord suggests a man to fill any vacancy, it is the will of the Lord, yet I am in doubt that a direct revelation was given.
[J. Golden Kimball, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
130 years ago today - Oct 29, 1893
[James E. Talmage]
This is the appointed day for the organization of the Theological Class in connection with the Church University. ... So many applicants had to be denied admission that it was decided on the recommendation of Prest. Angus M. Cannon to adjourn the class at its close to meet next Sunday in the Stake Assembly Hall.
The work outlined for the class is the consideration of the "Articles of Faith" of our Church: the Presidency having directed that I present to the class in the form of lectures the matter which I am preparing with a view to eventual publication as a text book for the theological organizations of our church schools, and such classes. May divine blessings rest upon the effort.
[The Journals of James E. Talmage—Excerpts, Compiled by J. Trevor Antley, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dOE6pgN6OkBJIq-X73JGpCdt0p5b8_UdfTfLREz4uTg/]
This is the appointed day for the organization of the Theological Class in connection with the Church University. ... So many applicants had to be denied admission that it was decided on the recommendation of Prest. Angus M. Cannon to adjourn the class at its close to meet next Sunday in the Stake Assembly Hall.
The work outlined for the class is the consideration of the "Articles of Faith" of our Church: the Presidency having directed that I present to the class in the form of lectures the matter which I am preparing with a view to eventual publication as a text book for the theological organizations of our church schools, and such classes. May divine blessings rest upon the effort.
[The Journals of James E. Talmage—Excerpts, Compiled by J. Trevor Antley, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dOE6pgN6OkBJIq-X73JGpCdt0p5b8_UdfTfLREz4uTg/]
135 years ago today - Monday, Oct 29, 1888
[John Henry Smith]
It was learned our brethren were withdrawing from the church in Idaho in order to vote. After consideration it was concluded we could do nothing and they better go on and vote.
[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]
It was learned our brethren were withdrawing from the church in Idaho in order to vote. After consideration it was concluded we could do nothing and they better go on and vote.
[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 - Oct 29, 1843
Brigham Young wrote that Thirza Cahoon, Lois Cutler, and Phebe Woodworth were "taken into the order of the priesthood."
[Brigham Young Diary, Weber State Archives, as quoted at http://ordainwomen..org/quotes. See Quinn, "Mormon Political Conflicts" for full cite and context.]
[Brigham Young Diary, Weber State Archives, as quoted at http://ordainwomen..org/quotes. See Quinn, "Mormon Political Conflicts" for full cite and context.]
15 years ago today - 10/28/2008
A surge of donations from Texas, New Mexico, Idaho and Illinois begins flooding into protectmarriage.com's bank accounts following a $1,000,000 donation by Mormon Alan Ashton (who contributed a sum to match Bruce Bastian's $1,000,000 earlier donation to the No on 8 side). [Aston and Bastian co-created the popular Wordperfect software.]
[Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
[Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
125 years ago today - Oct 28, 1898
Lorenzo Snow opposes plural marriage. President Cannon says "Prest Snow had decided that Plural marriages must cease throughout the entire Church and that was absolute and affected Mexico as well as elsewhere".. President Snow almost always opposed plural marriages, but administratively it was very tough to stop.
[Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
[Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
60 years ago today - Oct 27, 1963
In an address to southern whites of the New Orleans Stake on 27 October, [Ezra Taft Benson] condemned U.S. presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy for sending federal troops to aid school integration of African-Americans in the South. Then the apostle praised the Birch Society to the Louisiana conference.
["Stake Conference Assignments," Deseret News "Church News," 19 Oct. 1963, 4; "Benson, Graham Rip Wheat Sale," Deseret News, 28 Oct. 1963, A-6; "Benson Says Black is Red," Daily Utah Chronicle, 29 Oct. 1963,1. 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.]
["Stake Conference Assignments," Deseret News "Church News," 19 Oct. 1963, 4; "Benson, Graham Rip Wheat Sale," Deseret News, 28 Oct. 1963, A-6; "Benson Says Black is Red," Daily Utah Chronicle, 29 Oct. 1963,1. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
125 years ago today - Oct 27, 1898; Thursday
Elder Brigham Young feared that the business of running the College [in Logan] and the B[righam]. Y[oung]. Academy [in Provo] had been left too much with the Presidents of those institutions, and this had resulted in extravagance. He feared also that the spirit of rivalry between the two schools was indulged in to the detriment of the students and at a sacrifice of their faith. This was contrary to the spirit of the deed of trust given to those institutions. ...
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
185 years ago today - Oct 27, 1838
A funeral is held for David Patten. Joseph testifies, "There lies a man that has done just as he said he would—he has laid down his life for his friends." Governor Boggs's exterminating order is issued. Hearing the many rumors of the destruction and insurrection of the Saints, Boggs orders that "the Mormons must be treated as enemies and must be exterminated or driven from the state, if necessary for the public good. Their outrages are beyond all description."
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
20 years ago today - Oct 26, 2003
Spencer LeVan Kimball, retired University of Chicago law professor and former executive director of the American Bar Association, dies in Salt Lake City at age 85. According to Illinois Bar Association Obituary: "A veteran of service as a Navy lieutenant during World War II and a Rhodes Scholar, Mr. Kimball graduated from the University of Utah Law School and became its dean at age 35. He later was a law professor and legal research director at the University of Michigan and dean of the University of Wisconsin. Mr. Kimball was director of the Wisconsin Statutes Revision Project, a model for insurance codes, and a founder of an international insurance law association." Spencer LeVan Kimball's disbelief in Mormonism is discussed in the official biography of his father Spencer W. Kimball.
60 years ago today - Oct 26, 1963
In introducing [under-secretary of state] Harriman to BYU students, [Hugh B.] Brown [said] ... "A lot of this nonsense gets disseminated by the professional, self-styled anti-Communists who make a comfortable living scaring people all over the country and who have a financial stake in making the Communists look stronger than we."
["President Brown Supports U.N., Hits Extremists," Deseret News, 26 Oct. 1963, B-l. 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.]
["President Brown Supports U.N., Hits Extremists," Deseret News, 26 Oct. 1963, B-l. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
90 years ago today - Oct 26, 1933
At a temple council meeting his counselors and the Twelve persuade Heber J. Grant not to distribute his Apr. and Oct. conference talks against the repeal of the national Prohibition. On 7 Nov. Utah's voters elect the anti-Prohibition candidates who time their convention on 5 Dec. to make Utah the final state necessary to end the Prohibition.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
130 years ago today - Oct 26, 1893
[James E. Talmage]
Today, Elder Wm. J. Smith, one of the Patriarchs of the Stake, called at my office on business, and while there told me that he had for me a blessing. ...
"... And the Lord shall be with thee in dreams and visions in different languages and the interpretation of the same. ... your eye shall be like the eye of the eagle to see near by and afar off, with power to discern every false spirit under the whole heavens, that thou may'st not be deceived thereby: that thou may'st have power over devils and demons and that cruel and wicked monster that fell before the throne of God, that thou may'st escape his grasp. ... and thy faith shall be like unto Moses, and the brother of Jared; and thou shalt have power to perform any miracle that was ever wrought by man upon the earth, for the salvation and deliverance of Israel. ... Thou shalt live to see Israel gathered from the four quarters of the earth, to assist in the redemption of Zion, and be gathered to the center Stake, and be a minister in that Holy Temple or Temples of thy Father's house, for thy ancestors and also the house of Israel.. ... I seal thee upon Eternal Life to come forth in the morning of the First Resurrection with all thy Father's house with their inheritance in the New Heavens and upon the New Earth, when it is sanctified and made the eternal abode of the righteous. ..."
[The Journals of James E. Talmage—Excerpts, Compiled by J. Trevor Antley, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dOE6pgN6OkBJIq-X73JGpCdt0p5b8_UdfTfLREz4uTg/]
Today, Elder Wm. J. Smith, one of the Patriarchs of the Stake, called at my office on business, and while there told me that he had for me a blessing. ...
"... And the Lord shall be with thee in dreams and visions in different languages and the interpretation of the same. ... your eye shall be like the eye of the eagle to see near by and afar off, with power to discern every false spirit under the whole heavens, that thou may'st not be deceived thereby: that thou may'st have power over devils and demons and that cruel and wicked monster that fell before the throne of God, that thou may'st escape his grasp. ... and thy faith shall be like unto Moses, and the brother of Jared; and thou shalt have power to perform any miracle that was ever wrought by man upon the earth, for the salvation and deliverance of Israel. ... Thou shalt live to see Israel gathered from the four quarters of the earth, to assist in the redemption of Zion, and be gathered to the center Stake, and be a minister in that Holy Temple or Temples of thy Father's house, for thy ancestors and also the house of Israel.. ... I seal thee upon Eternal Life to come forth in the morning of the First Resurrection with all thy Father's house with their inheritance in the New Heavens and upon the New Earth, when it is sanctified and made the eternal abode of the righteous. ..."
[The Journals of James E. Talmage—Excerpts, Compiled by J. Trevor Antley, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dOE6pgN6OkBJIq-X73JGpCdt0p5b8_UdfTfLREz4uTg/]
155 years ago today - Oct 26, 1868
[Wilford Woodruff]
In looking over my papers I found Presidet Heber C Kimball remarks at the funeral of his wife Vilate Kimball. ...
Heber C Kimball's Remarks
... She has been true to me always and never left Nor forsook me. I have taken 40 wives & many without her knowledge but she afterwards gave them to me in the Temple. She has passed through many trials but she has been always true to me. When Vilate was first taken sick the spirits took advantage of her. When I went to lay hands upon her I saw a Devil in the room meeting me & I saw it several times. I felt indignant by the spirit of God.
There is many fals spirits that are trying to destroy our Children and will destroy all they Can. We should strive to overcome them. She sympathized with me untill her last Breath. Br Brigham & I have stood By Joseph unto the End, & he will never forsake or forget us. No never. No more than God will forget his ownly Begotton Son. ...
The Following is a synopsis of remarks of Presidet Brigham Young at the Commencement of the Funeral of Vilate Kimball. He said when I buried my first wife I do not think there was a tear shed ...
I Expect Joseph Smith will be the first man resurrected. Then He will resurrect his family Just when he pleases & if we live so as to Come forth in the first Resurrection we shall rejoice to all Eternity.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
In looking over my papers I found Presidet Heber C Kimball remarks at the funeral of his wife Vilate Kimball. ...
Heber C Kimball's Remarks
... She has been true to me always and never left Nor forsook me. I have taken 40 wives & many without her knowledge but she afterwards gave them to me in the Temple. She has passed through many trials but she has been always true to me. When Vilate was first taken sick the spirits took advantage of her. When I went to lay hands upon her I saw a Devil in the room meeting me & I saw it several times. I felt indignant by the spirit of God.
There is many fals spirits that are trying to destroy our Children and will destroy all they Can. We should strive to overcome them. She sympathized with me untill her last Breath. Br Brigham & I have stood By Joseph unto the End, & he will never forsake or forget us. No never. No more than God will forget his ownly Begotton Son. ...
The Following is a synopsis of remarks of Presidet Brigham Young at the Commencement of the Funeral of Vilate Kimball. He said when I buried my first wife I do not think there was a tear shed ...
I Expect Joseph Smith will be the first man resurrected. Then He will resurrect his family Just when he pleases & if we live so as to Come forth in the first Resurrection we shall rejoice to all Eternity.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Oct 26, 1843
The following named deceased persons were sealed to me (John M. Bernhisel) on Oct[ober] 26th 1843, by President Joseph Smith: Maria Bernhisel, sister; Brother Samuel's wife, Catherine Kremer; Mary Shatto, (Aunt); Madalena Lupferd, (distant relative); Catherine Bernhisel, Aunt; Hannah Bower, Aunt; Elizabeth Sheively, Aunt; Hannah Bower, cousin; Maria Lawrence, (intimate friend); Sarah Crosby, intimate friend, /died May 11[th] 1839/; Mary Ann Bloom, cousin.
6 John M. Bernhisel
7 Recorded by Rob[er]t L. Campbell, July 29th 1868.
The marriage ceremony between Maria Lawrence and John M. Bernhisel was ostensibly to shield her and Joseph's relationship the from suspicion.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries; Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2013 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]
6 John M. Bernhisel
7 Recorded by Rob[er]t L. Campbell, July 29th 1868.
The marriage ceremony between Maria Lawrence and John M. Bernhisel was ostensibly to shield her and Joseph's relationship the from suspicion.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries; Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2013 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]
120 years ago today - Oct 25, 1903
Issue of the New York Times: "The imprisonment of Jacob Cochrane [sic] checked the spread of his dogma, but as the time of his release drew near his disciples grew rampant and received a new command to take "spiritual wives"... There were a few divorces, some marriages, and several elopements of spiritual partners, and finally emigration to Salt Lake City. Cochrane returned to his legal wife, broken in health and spirit, a "back number." One of Brigham Young's first "plurals," Augusta Adams Cobb (1802-1886) was a former Cochranite, or was influenced by the teachings of that sect, prior to her 1843 elopement with Brigham. Other prominent early Mormons who were possibly influenced by Cochranism include Mary Bailey (1808-1841) who married Elder Samuel H. Smith, and (even more likely) Agnes Moultin (1811-1876) who married Samuel's brother, Elder Don Carlos Smith.
[Brooke, John L. The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1994. p.282; http://www.truthandgrace.com/1828polygamy.htm]
[Brooke, John L. The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1994. p.282; http://www.truthandgrace.com/1828polygamy.htm]
15 years ago today - October 25
[Proposition-8]
Media reporting that due to criticism, the LDS church pulls the plug on out of state phone banks.
[Latter-Day Army: Details of Mormons and Prop 8, http://www.stopthemormons.com/?p=486]
Media reporting that due to criticism, the LDS church pulls the plug on out of state phone banks.
[Latter-Day Army: Details of Mormons and Prop 8, http://www.stopthemormons.com/?p=486]
60 years ago today - Oct 25, 1963
U.S. under-secretary of state W. Averill Harriman asked Hugh B. Brown how long [Ezra Taft] Benson would be on this European mission. Brown reportedly replied: "If I had my way, he'd never come back!"
[Brown statement to Harriman and Richard D. Poll in Salt Lake City, 25 Oct. 1963, quoted in Poll's letter to D. Michael Quinn, 13 Aug. 1992. For the visit of Harriman, Brown, and Poll in Provo, see photograph in Provo Daily Herald, 27 Oct. 1963, 3. 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.]
[Brown statement to Harriman and Richard D. Poll in Salt Lake City, 25 Oct. 1963, quoted in Poll's letter to D. Michael Quinn, 13 Aug. 1992. For the visit of Harriman, Brown, and Poll in Provo, see photograph in Provo Daily Herald, 27 Oct. 1963, 3. 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.]
60 years ago today - Oct 25, 1963
Hugh B. Brown warned a BYU audience against "extremists and self-styled patriots who label all those who disagree with them as Communists." Then in a more obvious allusion to Benson, he said that the First Presidency "deplore any attempt made by individuals to ascribe to the Church personal beliefs which they entertain." Newspapers observed that Brown's "remarks were taken as a rebuff to Mormon apostle Ezra Taft Benson who has repeatedly expressed his admiration for the John Birch Society and its founder, Robert Welch."
["Church Leader Rebuffs Self-Styled Patriots," Ogden Standard-Examiner, 26 Oct. 1963,9; also "President Brown Supports U.N., Hits Extremists," Deseret News, 26 Oct. 1963, B-l. 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.]
["Church Leader Rebuffs Self-Styled Patriots," Ogden Standard-Examiner, 26 Oct. 1963,9; also "President Brown Supports U.N., Hits Extremists," Deseret News, 26 Oct. 1963, B-l. 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.]
185 years ago today - Oct 25, 1838
The Battle of Crooked River. Rumors spread throughout the state that the Mormons are fighting back in strength. Citizens organize a militia under Samuel Bogart, who rides to drive the Mormons from the southern part of Caldwell County. When Captain David Patten (known as Captain Fear-Naught) hears this, he assembles 70 elders [Danites] and marches to Bogart's camp on the Crooked River. At dawn they attack and Bogart's men flee across the river. The Saints take the supplies left behind by the Missourians, but seven Saints are wounded and three eventually die, including Patten himself, the first martyred apostle.
Apostle Parley P. Pratt kills a militiaman, and wounds another who (while unconscious on the ground) is mutilated by enraged Danites.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology; 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]
Apostle Parley P. Pratt kills a militiaman, and wounds another who (while unconscious on the ground) is mutilated by enraged Danites.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology; 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]
125 years ago today - Oct 25, 1898
[Eight and ten years after the Manifesto] Apostle George Teasdale, married 5th wife, Marion E. Scholes. 1900 May 17: married 6th wife, Letita Thomas. Marriage to Marion performed "upon the high seas" by Apostle Anthon Henrik Lund.
[Tungate, Mel, Mormon Polygamy, http://www.tungate.com/polygamy.htm]
[Tungate, Mel, Mormon Polygamy, http://www.tungate.com/polygamy.htm]
130 years ago today - Oct 25, 1893
[Francis M. Lyman]
Pres[ident] Cleveland signed the Bill to return the personal property of the Church, $300,000. This sounds like a little justice ... At 7:30 P.M. attended the citizens rally at the Theatre. I was fairly good but not near enthusiastic as I thought it would be.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Pres[ident] Cleveland signed the Bill to return the personal property of the Church, $300,000. This sounds like a little justice ... At 7:30 P.M. attended the citizens rally at the Theatre. I was fairly good but not near enthusiastic as I thought it would be.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
15 years ago today - October 24
[Proposition-8]
Salt Lake Tribune states "literature written by Proposition 8 proponents is freely distributed in Mormon wards, giving the impression the church approves it, but much of it is "misinformation," said Morris Thurston, an LDS attorney in Orange County. Thurston has circulated a point-by-point refutation to an anonymously authored document that has been widely disseminated by Mormons, "Six Consequences . . . If Proposition 8 Fails." Thurston argues that most of its arguments are either untrue or misleading."
[Latter-Day Army: Details of Mormons and Prop 8, http://www.stopthemormons.com/?p=486]
Salt Lake Tribune states "literature written by Proposition 8 proponents is freely distributed in Mormon wards, giving the impression the church approves it, but much of it is "misinformation," said Morris Thurston, an LDS attorney in Orange County. Thurston has circulated a point-by-point refutation to an anonymously authored document that has been widely disseminated by Mormons, "Six Consequences . . . If Proposition 8 Fails." Thurston argues that most of its arguments are either untrue or misleading."
[Latter-Day Army: Details of Mormons and Prop 8, http://www.stopthemormons.com/?p=486]
55 years ago today - Oct 24, 1968
The First Presidency announced they were assigning Benson to preside over the church's European mission in December. The media immediately described this as a "reprisal" or "exile" for Benson's virtual endorsement of the Birch Society at general conference.
[Meeting Minutes:] Reference was made to questions that have been raised by presidents of stakes and mission presidents in Germany, the British Isles, etc., and also by the [Improvement] Era, regarding talks that have been given in conference by the brethren of the Authorities such as the one given by Brother Benson at the recent General Conference regarding the responsibilities we have to oppose socialism, etc. ... He explains that over half of the members of his stake in England vote socialist and that members of the stake presidency, high council and bishoprics support that cause, that there is therefore some confusion in regard to how they should accept these statements.
... President Tanner mentioned that during the past three years we have had questions and complaints about talks given in General Conference that seem to be offensive to the German people or the British people, or whoever it may be, by just building up the United States of America and referring to things that are going on here...
[Summarized in David O. McKay Papers; verbatim report in Clare Middlemiss, Minutes of a Meeting of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, "Notes" as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005); "Elder Benson To Direct Europe Mission," Deseret News, 24 Oct. 1963, A-l; Improvement Era 66 (Dec. 1963): 1065; "Mormons To Send Benson Overseas," New York Times, 25 Oct. 1963,18; "Apostle Benson Denies Being Sent Into 'Exile' for Political Views," Ogden Standard-Examiner, 29 Oct. 1963, A-7; "Mormon Church Sends Benson to Europe," U.S. News and World Report 55 (Nov. 1963): 12; "Mormon Church Is Gaining in Strength Despite Tensions," New York Times, 27 Dec. 1965,18. 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.]
[Meeting Minutes:] Reference was made to questions that have been raised by presidents of stakes and mission presidents in Germany, the British Isles, etc., and also by the [Improvement] Era, regarding talks that have been given in conference by the brethren of the Authorities such as the one given by Brother Benson at the recent General Conference regarding the responsibilities we have to oppose socialism, etc. ... He explains that over half of the members of his stake in England vote socialist and that members of the stake presidency, high council and bishoprics support that cause, that there is therefore some confusion in regard to how they should accept these statements.
... President Tanner mentioned that during the past three years we have had questions and complaints about talks given in General Conference that seem to be offensive to the German people or the British people, or whoever it may be, by just building up the United States of America and referring to things that are going on here...
[Summarized in David O. McKay Papers; verbatim report in Clare Middlemiss, Minutes of a Meeting of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, "Notes" as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005); "Elder Benson To Direct Europe Mission," Deseret News, 24 Oct. 1963, A-l; Improvement Era 66 (Dec. 1963): 1065; "Mormons To Send Benson Overseas," New York Times, 25 Oct. 1963,18; "Apostle Benson Denies Being Sent Into 'Exile' for Political Views," Ogden Standard-Examiner, 29 Oct. 1963, A-7; "Mormon Church Sends Benson to Europe," U.S. News and World Report 55 (Nov. 1963): 12; "Mormon Church Is Gaining in Strength Despite Tensions," New York Times, 27 Dec. 1965,18. 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.]
135 years ago today - Oct 24, 1888
Pres[ident] [Wilford] Woodruff signed a check on Zions Savings Bank & Trust Co for 20,000 payable to James Sharp which was handed to Bro[ther] Ja[me]s Sharp with instructions to get the money & have the amount telegraphed to Hon[orable] John T. Caine through Koontz Bros at New York as soon as possible'- [Telegram Caine to same effect:] 'You are requested to say to the proper parties that we are in on [no] way connected with nor in any manner responsible for the financial or political doings or obligations of John W. Young. They must understand he is action in his own behalf & his own responsibility, & not by our authority. ...'
This money was for bribing politicians to further Mormon interests, and to help elect Grover Cleveland.
[First Presidency Office Journal, 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]
This money was for bribing politicians to further Mormon interests, and to help elect Grover Cleveland.
[First Presidency Office Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
140 years ago today - 1883. October 24
Hugh B. Brown: Born in Granger, Utah, the fifth of fourteen children. He married Zina Young Card, a granddaughter of Brigham Young, in 1908.
As a young boy he acquired the nickname "Dutch" because of a speech impediment. He later became one of Mormonism's most respected orators.
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
As a young boy he acquired the nickname "Dutch" because of a speech impediment. He later became one of Mormonism's most respected orators.
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Oct 24, 1858
[Wilford Woodruff]
I met with my Prayer Circle at 10 oclok. J C. Little gave an account of a Row last night. Henry C. Phelps with several others knocked down a man in the streets & robed him of $165. Then a company Gathered & threatened to kill a policeeman if he did not go & releace a prisioner. He did so. Several policeemen Gatherd & the mob fired upon them & Bishop Wiler shot himself in the calf of the leg. Many shots were fired by the mob.
During this morning a man Caught Brigham H Young Horse by the bit & tried to steal his horse from him or the Bridel. Brother Pickston knocked him down with his policee stick.
[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 my Prayer Circle at 10 oclok. J C. Little gave an account of a Row last night. Henry C. Phelps with several others knocked down a man in the streets & robed him of $165. Then a company Gathered & threatened to kill a policeeman if he did not go & releace a prisioner. He did so. Several policeemen Gatherd & the mob fired upon them & Bishop Wiler shot himself in the calf of the leg. Many shots were fired by the mob.
During this morning a man Caught Brigham H Young Horse by the bit & tried to steal his horse from him or the Bridel. Brother Pickston knocked him down with his policee stick.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
185 years ago today - 1838. October 24
(David Patton) : Captain Samuel Bogard of the Caldwell County militia ordered a number of Mormon families to leave the state and took three men into custody. When word reached Far West, "Captain Fearnaught" Patten rallied seventy-five Mormons and set out to rescue the prisoners. Under cover of darkness, they attacked the encamped militia at Crooked River. In his white duster, Patten was an easy target. He was wounded in the bowels and died the next day at the age of thirty-eight.?
Patten's comrade-in-arms John D. Lee later wrote, "I admit up to this time that I frankly believed what the Prophet and his apostles had said on the subject. I had considered that I was bullet proof, that no Gentile ball could ever harm me, or any Saint, and I had believed that a Danite could not be killed by Gentile hands. I thought that one Danite could chase a thousand Gentiles, and two could put ten thousand to flight. Alas! my dreams of security were over. One of our mighty men had fallen, and that by Gentile hands!"
Erroneous intelligence communications, coupled with a Thomas B. Marsh-Orson Hyde affidavit confirming the existence of the Danites, led Governor Lilburn W. Boggs to believe reports that Patten's company had "massacred Captain Bogard and all his company," and that Richmond was "laid in ashes this morning." The governor issued his infamous "Mormon Extermination Order" on October 27: "The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the state if necessary for the public peace—their outrages are beyond all description."
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn..to/newmormonstudies]
Patten's comrade-in-arms John D. Lee later wrote, "I admit up to this time that I frankly believed what the Prophet and his apostles had said on the subject. I had considered that I was bullet proof, that no Gentile ball could ever harm me, or any Saint, and I had believed that a Danite could not be killed by Gentile hands. I thought that one Danite could chase a thousand Gentiles, and two could put ten thousand to flight. Alas! my dreams of security were over. One of our mighty men had fallen, and that by Gentile hands!"
Erroneous intelligence communications, coupled with a Thomas B. Marsh-Orson Hyde affidavit confirming the existence of the Danites, led Governor Lilburn W. Boggs to believe reports that Patten's company had "massacred Captain Bogard and all his company," and that Richmond was "laid in ashes this morning." The governor issued his infamous "Mormon Extermination Order" on October 27: "The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the state if necessary for the public peace—their outrages are beyond all description."
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn..to/newmormonstudies]
185 years ago today - Oct 24, 1838
Thomas B. Marsh, President of the Quorum of the Twelve, having fled the violence in Daviess and Caldwell counties, testifies in Richmond, Ray county, that a company of Mormons under Apostle David Patten had burned Gallatin, that Danites planned to burn Buncombe and perhaps Liberty and Richmond; that Joseph believes his prophecies are superior to the laws of the land, and so forth. Orson Hyde states he knows most of Marsh's statements to be true and believes the rest. He accused Joseph of secretly backing the Danites in their many works of destruction, saying that Joseph claimed "he would be a second Mohammed to this generation, and that he would make it one gore of blood from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic ocean; that like Mohammed, whose motto in treating for peace was, 'the Alcoran or the Sword.' So should it be eventually with us, 'Joseph Smith or the sword.'"
Bogart and his troops harass Mormon settlers in Ray and Caldwell counties. They capture two Mormon spies and threaten to execute them.
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml; LeSueur, Stephen C., The 1838 Mormon War in Missouri, Appendix: Chronology of Events in Missouri, 1838-1839; Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
Bogart and his troops harass Mormon settlers in Ray and Caldwell counties. They capture two Mormon spies and threaten to execute them.
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml; LeSueur, Stephen C., The 1838 Mormon War in Missouri, Appendix: Chronology of Events in Missouri, 1838-1839; Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
135 years ago today - Oct 24, 1888
Pres[ident] [Wilford] Woodruff signed a check on Zions Savings Bank & Trust Co for 20,000 payable to James Sharp which was handed to Bro[ther] Ja[me]s Sharp with instructions to get the money & have the amount telegraphed to Hon[orable] John T. Caine through Koontz Bros at New York as soon as possible'- [Telegram Caine to same effect:] 'You are requested to say to the proper parties that we are in on [no] way connected with nor in any manner responsible for the financial or political doings or obligations of John W. Young. They must understand he is action in his own behalf & his own responsibility, & not by our authority. ...'
This money was for bribing politicians to further Mormon interests, and to help elect Grover Cleveland.
[First Presidency Office Journal, 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]
This money was for bribing politicians to further Mormon interests, and to help elect Grover Cleveland.
[First Presidency Office Journal, 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 - Oct 24, 1858
[Wilford Woodruff]
I met with my Prayer Circle at 10 oclok. J C. Little gave an account of a Row last night. Henry C. Phelps with several others knocked down a man in the streets & robed him of $165. Then a company Gathered & threatened to kill a policeeman if he did not go & releace a prisioner. He did so. Several policeemen Gatherd & the mob fired upon them & Bishop Wiler shot himself in the calf of the leg. Many shots were fired by the mob.
During this morning a man Caught Brigham H Young Horse by the bit & tried to steal his horse from him or the Bridel. Brother Pickston knocked him down with his policee stick.
[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 my Prayer Circle at 10 oclok. J C. Little gave an account of a Row last night. Henry C. Phelps with several others knocked down a man in the streets & robed him of $165. Then a company Gathered & threatened to kill a policeeman if he did not go & releace a prisioner. He did so. Several policeemen Gatherd & the mob fired upon them & Bishop Wiler shot himself in the calf of the leg. Many shots were fired by the mob.
During this morning a man Caught Brigham H Young Horse by the bit & tried to steal his horse from him or the Bridel. Brother Pickston knocked him down with his policee stick.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
185 years ago today - Oct 24, 1838
Thomas B. Marsh, President of the Quorum of the Twelve, having fled the violence in Daviess and Caldwell counties, testifies in Richmond, Ray county, that a company of Mormons under Apostle David Patten had burned Gallatin, that Danites planned to burn Buncombe and perhaps Liberty and Richmond; that Joseph believes his prophecies are superior to the laws of the land, and so forth. Orson Hyde states he knows most of Marsh's statements to be true and believes the rest. He accused Joseph of secretly backing the Danites in their many works of destruction, saying that Joseph claimed "he would be a second Mohammed to this generation, and that he would make it one gore of blood from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic ocean; that like Mohammed, whose motto in treating for peace was, 'the Alcoran or the Sword.' So should it be eventually with us, 'Joseph Smith or the sword.'"
Bogart and his troops harass Mormon settlers in Ray and Caldwell counties. They capture two Mormon spies and threaten to execute them.
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml; LeSueur, Stephen C., The 1838 Mormon War in Missouri, Appendix: Chronology of Events in Missouri, 1838-1839; Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
Bogart and his troops harass Mormon settlers in Ray and Caldwell counties. They capture two Mormon spies and threaten to execute them.
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml; LeSueur, Stephen C., The 1838 Mormon War in Missouri, Appendix: Chronology of Events in Missouri, 1838-1839; Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
185 years ago today - 1838. October 24
(David Patton) : Captain Samuel Bogard of the Caldwell County militia ordered a number of Mormon families to leave the state and took three men into custody. When word reached Far West, "Captain Fearnaught" Patten rallied seventy-five Mormons and set out to rescue the prisoners. Under cover of darkness, they attacked the encamped militia at Crooked River. In his white duster, Patten was an easy target. He was wounded in the bowels and died the next day at the age of thirty-eight.?
Patten's comrade-in-arms John D. Lee later wrote, "I admit up to this time that I frankly believed what the Prophet and his apostles had said on the subject. I had considered that I was bullet proof, that no Gentile ball could ever harm me, or any Saint, and I had believed that a Danite could not be killed by Gentile hands. I thought that one Danite could chase a thousand Gentiles, and two could put ten thousand to flight. Alas! my dreams of security were over. One of our mighty men had fallen, and that by Gentile hands!"
Erroneous intelligence communications, coupled with a Thomas B. Marsh-Orson Hyde affidavit confirming the existence of the Danites, led Governor Lilburn W. Boggs to believe reports that Patten's company had "massacred Captain Bogard and all his company," and that Richmond was "laid in ashes this morning." The governor issued his infamous "Mormon Extermination Order" on October 27: "The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the state if necessary for the public peace—their outrages are beyond all description."
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn..to/newmormonstudies]
Patten's comrade-in-arms John D. Lee later wrote, "I admit up to this time that I frankly believed what the Prophet and his apostles had said on the subject. I had considered that I was bullet proof, that no Gentile ball could ever harm me, or any Saint, and I had believed that a Danite could not be killed by Gentile hands. I thought that one Danite could chase a thousand Gentiles, and two could put ten thousand to flight. Alas! my dreams of security were over. One of our mighty men had fallen, and that by Gentile hands!"
Erroneous intelligence communications, coupled with a Thomas B. Marsh-Orson Hyde affidavit confirming the existence of the Danites, led Governor Lilburn W. Boggs to believe reports that Patten's company had "massacred Captain Bogard and all his company," and that Richmond was "laid in ashes this morning." The governor issued his infamous "Mormon Extermination Order" on October 27: "The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exterminated or driven from the state if necessary for the public peace—their outrages are beyond all description."
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn..to/newmormonstudies]
15 years ago today - October 24
[Proposition-8]
Salt Lake Tribune states "literature written by Proposition 8 proponents is freely distributed in Mormon wards, giving the impression the church approves it, but much of it is "misinformation," said Morris Thurston, an LDS attorney in Orange County. Thurston has circulated a point-by-point refutation to an anonymously authored document that has been widely disseminated by Mormons, "Six Consequences . . . If Proposition 8 Fails." Thurston argues that most of its arguments are either untrue or misleading."
[Latter-Day Army: Details of Mormons and Prop 8, http://www.stopthemormons.com/?p=486]
Salt Lake Tribune states "literature written by Proposition 8 proponents is freely distributed in Mormon wards, giving the impression the church approves it, but much of it is "misinformation," said Morris Thurston, an LDS attorney in Orange County. Thurston has circulated a point-by-point refutation to an anonymously authored document that has been widely disseminated by Mormons, "Six Consequences . . . If Proposition 8 Fails." Thurston argues that most of its arguments are either untrue or misleading."
[Latter-Day Army: Details of Mormons and Prop 8, http://www.stopthemormons.com/?p=486]
135 years ago today - Oct 23, 1888
The question of the propriety of Bro[ther] John W Young being considered as authorized to act for and in behalf of the Church in financial, state and political matters with the Leaders of the Democratic National Committy and others in the East [for bribes] was talked over by Pres[iden]t Woodruff & Jos[eph] F. Smith and it was decided to send to Hon[orable] John T. Caine at New York $20,000.00 by telegraph tomorrow morning also to request him to inform the proper parties, who sends this money, and of the position of Br[other]. John W. Young as not being authorized to act for the Church &c.
[First Presidency Office Journal, 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]
[First Presidency Office Journal, 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]
120 years ago today - Oct 23, 1903
The name of the Church academy in Provo is changed from Brigham Young Academy to Brigham Young University (BYU).
170 years ago today - Oct 23, 1853
You believe Adam was made of the dust of this earth. This I do not believe, though it is supposed that it is so written in the Bible; but it is not, to my understanding. . . . I do not believe that portion of the Bible as the Christian world do. I never did, and I never want to. What is the reason I do not? Because I have come to understanding, and banished from my mind all the baby stories my mother taught me when I was a child.
[J.D 2:6; Delivered in the Tabernacle, SLC, Utah; Brigham Young; October 23, 1853; "Concepts Quotations Dealing With the Origin, Identity Position of Adam Eve"]
[J.D 2:6; Delivered in the Tabernacle, SLC, Utah; Brigham Young; October 23, 1853; "Concepts Quotations Dealing With the Origin, Identity Position of Adam Eve"]
180 years ago today - Oct 23, 1843
[Brigham Young]
With Elders H. [Heber] C. Kimball and Geo. [George] A. Smith I visited the Prophet Joseph, who was glad to see us. We paid him every cent of the means we had collected for the temple and Nauvoo House. He taught us many principles illustrating the doctrine of celestial marriage concerning which God had given him a revelation, July 12th [1843] [D&C 132].
[Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).]
With Elders H. [Heber] C. Kimball and Geo. [George] A. Smith I visited the Prophet Joseph, who was glad to see us. We paid him every cent of the means we had collected for the temple and Nauvoo House. He taught us many principles illustrating the doctrine of celestial marriage concerning which God had given him a revelation, July 12th [1843] [D&C 132].
[Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).]
185 years ago today - Oct 23, 1838
Albert P. Rockwood writes, "the Mob disperse by hundreds on the approach of the Danites (Brethren)."
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
190 years ago today - Oct 23, 1833
"A company of money diggers consisting of two men, a boy, and al old woman, armed with mining rods, crowbars, and the Bible, were employed on Saturday and Sunday nights in digging for money, over on Seavy's point."
"A huge misshapen ghost stood before him, as he says, at least 20 feet high. "... 'Dad,' said the courageous boy, 'maydn't I thow a stone at him?' But the old man silenced the boy, and with blanched lips and chattering teeth addressed the ghost in the name of the Lord Jesus and demanded to know how much he would take for interest in the money; the ghost replied in a very surly tone that he wouldn't soul out and was about to make a semonstration [sic] of his power when the money diggers gave way to their fears and fled, closely pursued by more than five hundred ghosts, leaving the Bible on the spot. The old man says next he'll have a 'clinch for it.' He begins to suspect the ghosts are made of tangible materials."
["Money Diggers," Eastern Argus, (Portland, ME), 23 October 1833, as quoted in A Topical Guide of Treasure-Seeking Rituals From the American Northeast during the 18th and 19th Centuries, Compiled by Joseph T. Antley (2010)]
"A huge misshapen ghost stood before him, as he says, at least 20 feet high. "... 'Dad,' said the courageous boy, 'maydn't I thow a stone at him?' But the old man silenced the boy, and with blanched lips and chattering teeth addressed the ghost in the name of the Lord Jesus and demanded to know how much he would take for interest in the money; the ghost replied in a very surly tone that he wouldn't soul out and was about to make a semonstration [sic] of his power when the money diggers gave way to their fears and fled, closely pursued by more than five hundred ghosts, leaving the Bible on the spot. The old man says next he'll have a 'clinch for it.' He begins to suspect the ghosts are made of tangible materials."
["Money Diggers," Eastern Argus, (Portland, ME), 23 October 1833, as quoted in A Topical Guide of Treasure-Seeking Rituals From the American Northeast during the 18th and 19th Centuries, Compiled by Joseph T. Antley (2010)]
30 years ago today - Oct 22, 1993-Friday
[Leonard Arrington]
We have been saddened by the excommunications. We simply cannot regard Lavina [Fielding Anderson] and Mike [Quinn] as apostates. Both are splendid, honest writers and historians, both have been active believers. We can't see the justice of excommunicating someone who writes honest, sincere, history. We were counseled by Presidents [N. Eldon] Tanner, [Harold B.] Lee, and [Spencer W.] Kimball to write honest history, and now two of us are excommunicated for doing what the Prophets have counseled us to do. I keep thinking that Bill Nelson will pull out my file and send it to my stake president one of these days.
I am beginning to feel old. I don't have as much energy as I used to have. I am not as enthusiastic as I used to be. I get depressed every time I read the newspaper-so much conflict, so much cruelty, so much evil. Maybe that's why I like [television courtroom drama] Matlock-he always finds the culprit and wins. Or opera, where depth of emotion is expressed in music in a way that creates catharsis and healing.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
We have been saddened by the excommunications. We simply cannot regard Lavina [Fielding Anderson] and Mike [Quinn] as apostates. Both are splendid, honest writers and historians, both have been active believers. We can't see the justice of excommunicating someone who writes honest, sincere, history. We were counseled by Presidents [N. Eldon] Tanner, [Harold B.] Lee, and [Spencer W.] Kimball to write honest history, and now two of us are excommunicated for doing what the Prophets have counseled us to do. I keep thinking that Bill Nelson will pull out my file and send it to my stake president one of these days.
I am beginning to feel old. I don't have as much energy as I used to have. I am not as enthusiastic as I used to be. I get depressed every time I read the newspaper-so much conflict, so much cruelty, so much evil. Maybe that's why I like [television courtroom drama] Matlock-he always finds the culprit and wins. Or opera, where depth of emotion is expressed in music in a way that creates catharsis and healing.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
55 years ago today - Oct 22, 1968
The Church received official recognition in Spain. The first missionaries arrived in June, 1969.
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
120 years ago today - Oct 22,1903
First Presidency and Twelve authorize purchase of twenty five acres of the original temple lot at Independence, Jackson County, Missouri. Purchase is complete on 14 Apr 1904. These purchases continue throughout twentieth century.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]
135 years ago today - Oct 22, 1888
[Wilford Woodruff to Willard G. Smith]
Your pencil memoranda, dated Oct[.] 18th, showing a list of names of persons in Morgan Stake deemed worthy to receive their second anointings, came duly to hand. There seems to be some misunderstanding in these matters by you in sending such a formidable list, and in such a manner as the one received. In such an important matter as second anointings it is not expected that the Stake or the Wards are to be hunted over to find names to recommend for such an ordinance. It is only contemplated that we be furnished with the names of those who are deemed worthy by the Presidency of the Stake, and who are quite aged, and whose life and labors in the Church have been such as to entitle them to this blessing. When such names are submitted[,] the ages of the parties should be noted, and you will be informed as to their acceptance before the parties receive any information or their recommends are endorsed to go to the Temple.
[Wilford Woodruff to Willard G. Smith, Oct. 22, 1888, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
Your pencil memoranda, dated Oct[.] 18th, showing a list of names of persons in Morgan Stake deemed worthy to receive their second anointings, came duly to hand. There seems to be some misunderstanding in these matters by you in sending such a formidable list, and in such a manner as the one received. In such an important matter as second anointings it is not expected that the Stake or the Wards are to be hunted over to find names to recommend for such an ordinance. It is only contemplated that we be furnished with the names of those who are deemed worthy by the Presidency of the Stake, and who are quite aged, and whose life and labors in the Church have been such as to entitle them to this blessing. When such names are submitted[,] the ages of the parties should be noted, and you will be informed as to their acceptance before the parties receive any information or their recommends are endorsed to go to the Temple.
[Wilford Woodruff to Willard G. Smith, Oct. 22, 1888, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
165 years ago today - Oct 22, 1858
[Wilford Woodruff]
I traveled to Lehi & spent the night at Bishop Evans. I Collected 10 bushels of wheat which was due me for trees. Brother Evans treated me vary kindly. He showed me 500 bushels of tithing potatoes. He had about 1,000 Bushels of wheat of his own.
He said he had not sold a Bushel of any Grain to the armey. An Officer told him that A Council of Doctors had decided that the army was in an unhealthy situation & most of the officers were going to the states on furlough ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I traveled to Lehi & spent the night at Bishop Evans. I Collected 10 bushels of wheat which was due me for trees. Brother Evans treated me vary kindly. He showed me 500 bushels of tithing potatoes. He had about 1,000 Bushels of wheat of his own.
He said he had not sold a Bushel of any Grain to the armey. An Officer told him that A Council of Doctors had decided that the army was in an unhealthy situation & most of the officers were going to the states on furlough ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
30 years ago today - Oct 22, 1993-Friday
[Leonard Arrington]
We have been saddened by the excommunications. We simply cannot regard Lavina [Fielding Anderson] and Mike [Quinn] as apostates. Both are splendid, honest writers and historians, both have been active believers. We can't see the justice of excommunicating someone who writes honest, sincere, history. We were counseled by Presidents [N. Eldon] Tanner, [Harold B.] Lee, and [Spencer W.] Kimball to write honest history, and now two of us are excommunicated for doing what the Prophets have counseled us to do. I keep thinking that Bill Nelson will pull out my file and send it to my stake president one of these days.
I am beginning to feel old. I don't have as much energy as I used to have. I am not as enthusiastic as I used to be. I get depressed every time I read the newspaper-so much conflict, so much cruelty, so much evil. Maybe that's why I like [television courtroom drama] Matlock-he always finds the culprit and wins. Or opera, where depth of emotion is expressed in music in a way that creates catharsis and healing.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
We have been saddened by the excommunications. We simply cannot regard Lavina [Fielding Anderson] and Mike [Quinn] as apostates. Both are splendid, honest writers and historians, both have been active believers. We can't see the justice of excommunicating someone who writes honest, sincere, history. We were counseled by Presidents [N. Eldon] Tanner, [Harold B.] Lee, and [Spencer W.] Kimball to write honest history, and now two of us are excommunicated for doing what the Prophets have counseled us to do. I keep thinking that Bill Nelson will pull out my file and send it to my stake president one of these days.
I am beginning to feel old. I don't have as much energy as I used to have. I am not as enthusiastic as I used to be. I get depressed every time I read the newspaper-so much conflict, so much cruelty, so much evil. Maybe that's why I like [television courtroom drama] Matlock-he always finds the culprit and wins. Or opera, where depth of emotion is expressed in music in a way that creates catharsis and healing.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
200 years ago today - Oct 22, 1823
The WAYNE SENTINAL in Palmyra, New York publishes an account of a vision "seen and received by Asa Wild, of Amsterdam, (N. Y.)" In the vision "the Great Jehovah" appeared and "He also told me, that every denomination of professing christians had become extremely corrupt; . . .He told me further, that he had raised up, and was now raising up, that class of persons signified by the angel mentioned by the Revelator XIV. 6, 7, which flew in the midst of heaven; having the everlasting gospel to preach, that these persons are of an inferior [social] class, and small learning; that they were rejected by every denomination as a body; but soon, God will open their way, by miracles, judgments, &c. that they will have higher authority, greater power, superior inspiration, and a greater degree of holiness than was ever experienced before . . ."
55 years ago today - Oct 22, 1968
The Church received official recognition in Spain. The first missionaries arrived in June, 1969.
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
120 years ago today - Oct 22,1903
First Presidency and Twelve authorize purchase of twenty five acres of the original temple lot at Independence, Jackson County, Missouri. Purchase is complete on 14 Apr 1904. These purchases continue throughout twentieth century.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]
135 years ago today - Oct 22, 1888
[Wilford Woodruff to Willard G. Smith]
Your pencil memoranda, dated Oct[.] 18th, showing a list of names of persons in Morgan Stake deemed worthy to receive their second anointings, came duly to hand. There seems to be some misunderstanding in these matters by you in sending such a formidable list, and in such a manner as the one received. In such an important matter as second anointings it is not expected that the Stake or the Wards are to be hunted over to find names to recommend for such an ordinance. It is only contemplated that we be furnished with the names of those who are deemed worthy by the Presidency of the Stake, and who are quite aged, and whose life and labors in the Church have been such as to entitle them to this blessing. When such names are submitted[,] the ages of the parties should be noted, and you will be informed as to their acceptance before the parties receive any information or their recommends are endorsed to go to the Temple.
[Wilford Woodruff to Willard G. Smith, Oct. 22, 1888, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
Your pencil memoranda, dated Oct[.] 18th, showing a list of names of persons in Morgan Stake deemed worthy to receive their second anointings, came duly to hand. There seems to be some misunderstanding in these matters by you in sending such a formidable list, and in such a manner as the one received. In such an important matter as second anointings it is not expected that the Stake or the Wards are to be hunted over to find names to recommend for such an ordinance. It is only contemplated that we be furnished with the names of those who are deemed worthy by the Presidency of the Stake, and who are quite aged, and whose life and labors in the Church have been such as to entitle them to this blessing. When such names are submitted[,] the ages of the parties should be noted, and you will be informed as to their acceptance before the parties receive any information or their recommends are endorsed to go to the Temple.
[Wilford Woodruff to Willard G. Smith, Oct. 22, 1888, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
165 years ago today - Oct 22, 1858
[Wilford Woodruff]
I traveled to Lehi & spent the night at Bishop Evans. I Collected 10 bushels of wheat which was due me for trees. Brother Evans treated me vary kindly. He showed me 500 bushels of tithing potatoes. He had about 1,000 Bushels of wheat of his own.
He said he had not sold a Bushel of any Grain to the armey. An Officer told him that A Council of Doctors had decided that the army was in an unhealthy situation & most of the officers were going to the states on furlough ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I traveled to Lehi & spent the night at Bishop Evans. I Collected 10 bushels of wheat which was due me for trees. Brother Evans treated me vary kindly. He showed me 500 bushels of tithing potatoes. He had about 1,000 Bushels of wheat of his own.
He said he had not sold a Bushel of any Grain to the armey. An Officer told him that A Council of Doctors had decided that the army was in an unhealthy situation & most of the officers were going to the states on furlough ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
200 years ago today - Oct 22, 1823
The WAYNE SENTINAL in Palmyra, New York publishes an account of a vision "seen and received by Asa Wild, of Amsterdam, (N. Y.)" In the vision "the Great Jehovah" appeared and "He also told me, that every denomination of professing christians had become extremely corrupt; . . .He told me further, that he had raised up, and was now raising up, that class of persons signified by the angel mentioned by the Revelator XIV. 6, 7, which flew in the midst of heaven; having the everlasting gospel to preach, that these persons are of an inferior [social] class, and small learning; that they were rejected by every denomination as a body; but soon, God will open their way, by miracles, judgments, &c. that they will have higher authority, greater power, superior inspiration, and a greater degree of holiness than was ever experienced before . . ."
"50 years ago today - Oct 21, 1973"
A First Presidency letter urges 78,800 Mormons in Washington state to vote against a referendum to allow nineteen-year-olds to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
"175 years ago today - Oct 21, 1848"
[Wilford Woodruff]
Sister Tuttle recieved A Blessing by the laying on of hands. Most of her friends had expected she would die but she was healed by the laying on of hands. A number of Comforters like Jobs had called upon her And reproached her because she was sick inasmuch as she professed to believe in God And asked why [she] did not Call upon her Elders to heal her. This was done to reproach her. And she spoke out And said O that the Lord would send Br Woodruff here. It was but A few minutes before she recieve A note from me stateing that I was coming And when I laid hands upon her she was healed indeed And felt to Praise the Lord.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Sister Tuttle recieved A Blessing by the laying on of hands. Most of her friends had expected she would die but she was healed by the laying on of hands. A number of Comforters like Jobs had called upon her And reproached her because she was sick inasmuch as she professed to believe in God And asked why [she] did not Call upon her Elders to heal her. This was done to reproach her. And she spoke out And said O that the Lord would send Br Woodruff here. It was but A few minutes before she recieve A note from me stateing that I was coming And when I laid hands upon her she was healed indeed And felt to Praise the Lord.
[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 - Oct 21, 1848"
"Friends and brethren my name is Cowdrey, oliver Cowdery. . . . I wrote with my own pen the entire book of Mormon (save a few pages) as it fell from the lips of the prophet [Joseph Smith], As he trans=lated <<it>> by the gift and power of god, By [the] means of the urim and thummim, or as it is called by that book ["]holy Interpreters." I beheld with my eyes. And handled with my ha=nds the gold plates from which it was translated. I also beheld the Interpreters. That book is true.... I was present with Joseph when an holy angle [angel] from god came down from heaven and confered or restored the Aronic priesthood, And said at the same time that it should remain upon the earth while the earth stands. I was also present with Joseph when the Melchis=ideck priesthood was confered by the holy angles [angels] of god--<<this was the more [-] and in order that>> which we then confirmed on each other by the will and com=mandment of god. ...
{Editorial Note: At a special church conference held on 21 October 1848 at Council Bluffs, Iowa, and presided over by Apostle Orson Hyde, Oliver Cowdery spoke to the congregation expressing his desire for rebaptism....}
[Reuben Miller, Journal, 21 October 1848, 1:[12], LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah.]
{Editorial Note: At a special church conference held on 21 October 1848 at Council Bluffs, Iowa, and presided over by Apostle Orson Hyde, Oliver Cowdery spoke to the congregation expressing his desire for rebaptism....}
[Reuben Miller, Journal, 21 October 1848, 1:[12], LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah.]
"190 years ago today - (Mon) Oct 21, 1833"
Kirtland Township Overseer of the Poor, Roswell D. Cottrill, began serving a writ of "warning out of town" upon 49 Mormon families in Kirtland. The process was not completed until Dec. 20. Among the first names on his list were Joseph Smith, Jr., Hyrum Smith, and Sidney Rigdon
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
15 years ago today - 10/20/2008
[Proposition-8]
Yes on 8 sends out letters to several businesses that had donated to the No on 8 campaign, explaining that unless those businesses donated a similar amount to the Yes on 8 campaign, the ProtectMarriage.com website would have to assume that "it would be a clear indication that you are in opposition to traditional marriage.... The names of any companies and organizations that choose not to donate in like manner to ProtectMarriage.com but have given to Equality California will be published. It is only fair for Proposition 8 supporters to know which companies and organizations oppose traditional marriage."
[Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
Yes on 8 sends out letters to several businesses that had donated to the No on 8 campaign, explaining that unless those businesses donated a similar amount to the Yes on 8 campaign, the ProtectMarriage.com website would have to assume that "it would be a clear indication that you are in opposition to traditional marriage.... The names of any companies and organizations that choose not to donate in like manner to ProtectMarriage.com but have given to Equality California will be published. It is only fair for Proposition 8 supporters to know which companies and organizations oppose traditional marriage."
[Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
45 years ago today - Oct 20, 1978-Friday
[Leonard Arrington]
I sat across the aisle from a close friend, well along in years, and closely acquainted with high church and government officials. Here are some of his statements to me:
1. [Apostle] Jim Faust ... was a protege of President [Henry D.] Moyle, close to President [Hugh B.] Brown, to Franklin Richards, and to President [N. Eldon] Tanner. In short, well known by the Democrats. President Tanner, in particular, had proposed him for the apostle vacancy when Hugh Brown died, but Elder [Ezra Taft] Benson was opposed and Elder [David B.] Haight was sustained instead. This time, he was pushed again by Elder Tanner, and Elder Benson was not so vigorous, and so the appointment went through.
2. Elder Benson was brought into the Quorum [of Twelve] through the influence of President [J. Reuben] Clark, although President Clark did not like him, and distrusted him because of his support of [farm] cooperatives. He [Clark] regarded these as, somehow, one step in the direction of Communism. He was not close to Elder Benson and often argued with him. Elder Clark was a brilliant and persuasive man and, ultimately, may have won Elder Benson over to a conservative position. Brother Benson's swing to ultra conservatism after his service in the [Dwight D.] Eisenhower cabinet [as Secretary of Agriculture] was probably [due to] his disillusionment and disgust with the climate in Washington. He didn't like dealing with the blacks and the Jews, the Commies and ultra liberals and others. And thought their influence satanic and inordinately strong. He was deeply impressed with the revelations of the [Joseph] McCarthy era, and apparently believed most of the charges made by McCarthy, J. Edgar Hoover, and others. He'd seen enough of this sort of thing in Washington to believe it.
3. President Tanner says he is tired, tired, and would like to be released. My friend thinks there is good likelihood that Presidents Tanner and [Marion G.] Romney may be put on emeritus status at the next conference. [[Tanner remained a member of the First Presidency until his death in November 1982, Romney until two and a half years before his death in May 1988.]] Leave them in the Twelve to soften things a little.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
I sat across the aisle from a close friend, well along in years, and closely acquainted with high church and government officials. Here are some of his statements to me:
1. [Apostle] Jim Faust ... was a protege of President [Henry D.] Moyle, close to President [Hugh B.] Brown, to Franklin Richards, and to President [N. Eldon] Tanner. In short, well known by the Democrats. President Tanner, in particular, had proposed him for the apostle vacancy when Hugh Brown died, but Elder [Ezra Taft] Benson was opposed and Elder [David B.] Haight was sustained instead. This time, he was pushed again by Elder Tanner, and Elder Benson was not so vigorous, and so the appointment went through.
2. Elder Benson was brought into the Quorum [of Twelve] through the influence of President [J. Reuben] Clark, although President Clark did not like him, and distrusted him because of his support of [farm] cooperatives. He [Clark] regarded these as, somehow, one step in the direction of Communism. He was not close to Elder Benson and often argued with him. Elder Clark was a brilliant and persuasive man and, ultimately, may have won Elder Benson over to a conservative position. Brother Benson's swing to ultra conservatism after his service in the [Dwight D.] Eisenhower cabinet [as Secretary of Agriculture] was probably [due to] his disillusionment and disgust with the climate in Washington. He didn't like dealing with the blacks and the Jews, the Commies and ultra liberals and others. And thought their influence satanic and inordinately strong. He was deeply impressed with the revelations of the [Joseph] McCarthy era, and apparently believed most of the charges made by McCarthy, J. Edgar Hoover, and others. He'd seen enough of this sort of thing in Washington to believe it.
3. President Tanner says he is tired, tired, and would like to be released. My friend thinks there is good likelihood that Presidents Tanner and [Marion G.] Romney may be put on emeritus status at the next conference. [[Tanner remained a member of the First Presidency until his death in November 1982, Romney until two and a half years before his death in May 1988.]] Leave them in the Twelve to soften things a little.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
115 years ago today - Oct 20, 1908
[George F. Richards]
... I attended the wedding reception of my niece May Grover and one Mr. Nott ... The marriage ceremony was performed by B[isho]p. Morris of the 11th Ward, the ward in which Bro[ther]. Nott has his standing. They had requested me to perform the ceremony but the First Presidency had recently ruled that the Twelve should not solemnize marriages outside the temples I had to excuse myself.
[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 attended the wedding reception of my niece May Grover and one Mr. Nott ... The marriage ceremony was performed by B[isho]p. Morris of the 11th Ward, the ward in which Bro[ther]. Nott has his standing. They had requested me to perform the ceremony but the First Presidency had recently ruled that the Twelve should not solemnize marriages outside the temples I had to excuse myself.
[George F. Richards, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
120 years ago today - Oct 20, 1903
Death of Green Flake [in Idaho Falls], African-American slave who drove Brigham Young into the Salt Lake Valley on Jul 24, 1847. Green was owned by Mormon James M. Flake who lent him along with a wagon and two mules to the Church for the 1847 trek west. Upon the death of James M. Flake in 1850 his widow moved to California, a free state, but before leaving gave her "Negro slave Green Flake" to the Church as tithing. Green worked two years for Brigham Young and for Heber C. Kimball, and was then granted his freedom. After his wife's death he moved to Idaho. He returned to Salt Lake in 1897 to attend the 50th anniversary "jubilee" celebration of the arrival of the pioneers, where he received a certificate honoring him as a surviving member of the Brigham Young pioneer company. He is one of three slaves listed on the plaque on the Brigham Young monument in downtown Salt Lake City under the category of "Colored Servants."
125 years ago today - Oct 20, 1898
The first plural marriage is performed in Salt Lake City by Apostle Matthias F. Cowley by authorization of Counselor George Q. Cannon who allows him to perform plural marriages in the U.S. for high-ranking church officers not required to travel to Mexico.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
130 years ago today - Oct 20, 1893
[Franklin D. Richards]
At 11-30 L[orenzo]. S[now]. F[ranklin] D R[ichards], F[rancis] M L[yman], J[ohn]. H[enry]. S[mith]. Geo[rge]. T[easdale]. A[braham] H Cannon'-met the 3 Presidency at their office. A telegram states that 5 persons therein named are reported up to the Attorney General with necessary proof offered of violation of Edmunds Tucker act & warning us to keep clear of any violation thereof. Decided to try & head off prosecutions even at heavy cost [bribing Utah's non-LDS attorney general to prevent indictment of general authorities] for varied & most important reasons of public importance. Spent till after 4. p.m. in considering condition & prospects of Mexican Colonies'-which number 2,008 souls.
[Franklin D. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
At 11-30 L[orenzo]. S[now]. F[ranklin] D R[ichards], F[rancis] M L[yman], J[ohn]. H[enry]. S[mith]. Geo[rge]. T[easdale]. A[braham] H Cannon'-met the 3 Presidency at their office. A telegram states that 5 persons therein named are reported up to the Attorney General with necessary proof offered of violation of Edmunds Tucker act & warning us to keep clear of any violation thereof. Decided to try & head off prosecutions even at heavy cost [bribing Utah's non-LDS attorney general to prevent indictment of general authorities] for varied & most important reasons of public importance. Spent till after 4. p.m. in considering condition & prospects of Mexican Colonies'-which number 2,008 souls.
[Franklin D. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
180 years ago today - Oct 20, 1843
William Clayton writes: "Joseph gave us much instruction, showing the advantages of the E[verlasting] C[ovenant]. He said there was two seals in the Priesthood. The first was that which was placed upon a man and woman when they made the covenant and the other was the seal which alloted to them their particular mansion. After his discourse B. F. Johnson and his wife were united in an everlasting covenant."
25 years ago today - 10/19/1998
BYU Prof Lynn Wardle writes memo to Elder Marlin K. Jensen (Chair, SGM Committee), David E. Sorensen, Loren C. Dunn, Lance B. Wickman (Office of Legal Services), and Richard B. Wirthlin regarding "A Proposal to Amend the U.S. Constitution to Prohibit Same-Sex Marriage" Wardle writes that hed attended a "strategic consultation" about same-sex marriage in which a bunch of anti-same-sex organizations were involved. "We heard very informative reports about the current situation in Hawaii (from Friz Rohlfing), Alaska (from Kevin Clarkson), Vermont (from Tom McCormick), and California (from Andy Pugno), and a summary of the pending lawuit[sic] in New York (from Bill Duncan). There were repeated expressions of appreciation from these persons for the leadership, support and efforts of the LDS Church in responding to the threat of same-sex marriage in those states." Wardle opposed the idea of a national amendment, but was not particularly well-received: "I was listened to politely, but little support (only from Andy Pugno) was expressed for my position." "If there is any bad news in November in Alaska (where things look very favorable at present, thanks largely to the Church's financial support) or Hawaii (where the matter was described as being very close),... or if same-sex marriage is legalized in any other state, some of our allies who oppose same-sex marriage may immediately call for a U.S. constitutional amendment to prohibit same-sex marriage. I thought that you should be aware of that and begin thinking about how the affected agencies and representatives of the Church might respond to that kind of a proposal."
[Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
[Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
135 years ago today - Oct 19, 1888
The following telegram was sent to him [i.e., John T. Caine] in cipher viz. 'John W. Young states leaders Democratic party think we should contribute twenty five thousand to the campaign. Pres[iden]t. [Wilford] Woodruff thinks he should have it direct from them or through one in whom he has more confidence regarding money matters. Pres[iden]t Woodruff absent will be home Monday, when conclusion might be reached. We think $25,000. is more than we can raise in present state of finances, owing to the suits, but are willing to do our best. Will you see what do they expect of us and let us know. Wait till Pres[iden]t Woodruff returns. Joseph F. Smith, James Jack.'
[First Presidency Office Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[First Presidency Office Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
180 years ago today - Oct 19, 1843. Thursday.
[William Clayton]
"[Joseph Smith] began to tell me that E[mma] was turned quite friendly and kind. She had been anointed and he also had been a[nointed] K[ing]. He said that it was her advice that I should keep M[argaret] [Clayton's plural wife who had become pregnant] at home and it was also his council. Says he just keep her at home and brook it and if they raise trouble about it and bring you before me I will give you an awful scourging and probably cut you off from the church and then I will baptise you and set you ahead as good as ever."
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
"[Joseph Smith] began to tell me that E[mma] was turned quite friendly and kind. She had been anointed and he also had been a[nointed] K[ing]. He said that it was her advice that I should keep M[argaret] [Clayton's plural wife who had become pregnant] at home and it was also his council. Says he just keep her at home and brook it and if they raise trouble about it and bring you before me I will give you an awful scourging and probably cut you off from the church and then I will baptise you and set you ahead as good as ever."
[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]
30 years ago today - Oct 17, 1993
The First Presidency issues a statement concerning procedures for disfellowshipment and excommunication. The 1995-1996 Church Almanac states that this was in response to "extensive publicity given to six recent Church disciplinary councils in Utah." Coordinated by instruction from the Strengthening the Members Committee and Apostle Boyd K. Packer to their stake presidents, six scholars and feminists had been excommunicated or disfellowshipped in September.
[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 )]]
55 years ago today - Oct 17, 1968
Belle Smith Spafford, general president of the Relief Society, is elected president of the National Council of Women in its eightieth anniversary year. She serves to 1970.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
85 years ago today - Oct 17, 1938
[Heber J. Grant Presidency]
[Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark Jr., and David O. McKay to Stake and Mission Presidents, Oct. 17, 1938, in MFP, 6:60-61; emphasis in original] Some unfortunate and untoward incidents following the giving of endowments to wives of Church members who have not been through the temple, and to the wives of non-members, have brought this matter again in review by the Council of the First Presidency and the Twelve. ... Hereafter you will not give a recommend, under any circumstances, to a wife whose husband is not a member of the Church. ... You will give recommends to wives of members of the Church who have not had their endowments only if the husband is absolutely willing that the endowment should be given to his wife. You will therefore be expected personally to interview the husband in order to assure yourself that he has no objection whatever, and, in addition, he must express his willingness and consent in writing. This written consent must be attached to the recommend itself, which must be signed by the Bishop of the Ward and the President of the Stake, or, in the case of people living in the missions, by the President of the Branch and the President of the Mission. Unless these requirements are fully complied with, it will not be possible for the woman so recommended to go into the Temple. ...
[Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark Jr., and David O. McKay to Stake and Mission Presidents, Oct. 17, 1938, in MFP, 6:60-61; emphasis in original] Some unfortunate and untoward incidents following the giving of endowments to wives of Church members who have not been through the temple, and to the wives of non-members, have brought this matter again in review by the Council of the First Presidency and the Twelve. ... Hereafter you will not give a recommend, under any circumstances, to a wife whose husband is not a member of the Church. ... You will give recommends to wives of members of the Church who have not had their endowments only if the husband is absolutely willing that the endowment should be given to his wife. You will therefore be expected personally to interview the husband in order to assure yourself that he has no objection whatever, and, in addition, he must express his willingness and consent in writing. This written consent must be attached to the recommend itself, which must be signed by the Bishop of the Ward and the President of the Stake, or, in the case of people living in the missions, by the President of the Branch and the President of the Mission. Unless these requirements are fully complied with, it will not be possible for the woman so recommended to go into the Temple. ...
[Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
125 years ago today - Oct 17, 1898
[Abraham Owen Woodruff]
Delivered the Seer-stone that was used by the Prophet Joseph [Smith] and handed down from him to Brigham [Young], John [Taylor] and then to my Father [i.e., Wilford Woodruff] to Pres[iden]t. Lorenzo Snow.
[Abraham Owen Woodruff 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]
Delivered the Seer-stone that was used by the Prophet Joseph [Smith] and handed down from him to Brigham [Young], John [Taylor] and then to my Father [i.e., Wilford Woodruff] to Pres[iden]t. Lorenzo Snow.
[Abraham Owen Woodruff Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
130 years ago today - Oct 17, 1893
[President Wilford Woodruff]
I Met with GQC. JFS with several of the Twelve & McCallister, D. H. Cannon M W Merrill who preside over the Three Temples & L Snow of Salt Lake Temple & spent three hours in harmanizing the Different M[ode?]s of Ceremonies in giving Endowments.
<I burned up> $10,000,000 Notes.
[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 GQC. JFS with several of the Twelve & McCallister, D. H. Cannon M W Merrill who preside over the Three Temples & L Snow of Salt Lake Temple & spent three hours in harmanizing the Different M[ode?]s of Ceremonies in giving Endowments.
<I burned up> $10,000,000 Notes.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Oct 17, 1893
The Democratic Salt Lake Herald (of which Apostle Heber J. Grant is vice-president) reportsthe meeting of an "Afro-American Club, recently organized here for the purpose of promoting the social and political interests of the colored people of this city." The club's leader comments that "the [anti-Mormon] Liberal party had always treated the Afro-Americans WITH DISDAIN."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
185 years ago today - Oct. 17-19, 1838
A snowstorm hits Missouri. Col. Hinkle and his 100 men march to Adam-ondi-Ahman to join forces with Lyman Wight. There they hear that the nearby town of Millport has been attacked and several houses burned. General Parks of the state militia gives Lyman Wight official orders to disperse any mobs around Adam-ondi-Ahman and Millport. Lyman Wight and Captain David Patten each command a force of about 60 men, and Wight takes his and heads for Millport, while Patten heads for Gallatin. Patten's men find a cannon left by the mobs. Houses and stores are burned, the mobs blaming the Mormons and the Mormons saying the mobs burned their own houses in order to blame the Mormons.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
30 years ago today - Oct 17, 1993
The First Presidency issues a statement concerning procedures for disfellowshipment and excommunication. The 1995-1996 Church Almanac states that this was in response to "extensive publicity given to six recent Church disciplinary councils in Utah." Coordinated by instruction from the Strengthening the Members Committee and Apostle Boyd K. Packer to their stake presidents, six scholars and feminists had been excommunicated or disfellowshipped in September.
[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 )]]
55 years ago today - Oct 17, 1968
Belle Smith Spafford, general president of the Relief Society, is elected president of the National Council of Women in its eightieth anniversary year. She serves to 1970.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
85 years ago today - Oct 17, 1938
[Heber J. Grant Presidency]
[Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark Jr., and David O. McKay to Stake and Mission Presidents, Oct. 17, 1938, in MFP, 6:60-61; emphasis in original] Some unfortunate and untoward incidents following the giving of endowments to wives of Church members who have not been through the temple, and to the wives of non-members, have brought this matter again in review by the Council of the First Presidency and the Twelve. ... Hereafter you will not give a recommend, under any circumstances, to a wife whose husband is not a member of the Church. ... You will give recommends to wives of members of the Church who have not had their endowments only if the husband is absolutely willing that the endowment should be given to his wife. You will therefore be expected personally to interview the husband in order to assure yourself that he has no objection whatever, and, in addition, he must express his willingness and consent in writing. This written consent must be attached to the recommend itself, which must be signed by the Bishop of the Ward and the President of the Stake, or, in the case of people living in the missions, by the President of the Branch and the President of the Mission. Unless these requirements are fully complied with, it will not be possible for the woman so recommended to go into the Temple. ...
[Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark Jr., and David O. McKay to Stake and Mission Presidents, Oct. 17, 1938, in MFP, 6:60-61; emphasis in original] Some unfortunate and untoward incidents following the giving of endowments to wives of Church members who have not been through the temple, and to the wives of non-members, have brought this matter again in review by the Council of the First Presidency and the Twelve. ... Hereafter you will not give a recommend, under any circumstances, to a wife whose husband is not a member of the Church. ... You will give recommends to wives of members of the Church who have not had their endowments only if the husband is absolutely willing that the endowment should be given to his wife. You will therefore be expected personally to interview the husband in order to assure yourself that he has no objection whatever, and, in addition, he must express his willingness and consent in writing. This written consent must be attached to the recommend itself, which must be signed by the Bishop of the Ward and the President of the Stake, or, in the case of people living in the missions, by the President of the Branch and the President of the Mission. Unless these requirements are fully complied with, it will not be possible for the woman so recommended to go into the Temple. ...
[Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
125 years ago today - Oct 17, 1898
[Abraham Owen Woodruff]
Delivered the Seer-stone that was used by the Prophet Joseph [Smith] and handed down from him to Brigham [Young], John [Taylor] and then to my Father [i.e., Wilford Woodruff] to Pres[iden]t. Lorenzo Snow.
[Abraham Owen Woodruff 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]
Delivered the Seer-stone that was used by the Prophet Joseph [Smith] and handed down from him to Brigham [Young], John [Taylor] and then to my Father [i.e., Wilford Woodruff] to Pres[iden]t. Lorenzo Snow.
[Abraham Owen Woodruff Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
130 years ago today - Oct 17, 1893
[President Wilford Woodruff]
I Met with GQC. JFS with several of the Twelve & McCallister, D. H. Cannon M W Merrill who preside over the Three Temples & L Snow of Salt Lake Temple & spent three hours in harmanizing the Different M[ode?]s of Ceremonies in giving Endowments.
<I burned up> $10,000,000 Notes.
[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 GQC. JFS with several of the Twelve & McCallister, D. H. Cannon M W Merrill who preside over the Three Temples & L Snow of Salt Lake Temple & spent three hours in harmanizing the Different M[ode?]s of Ceremonies in giving Endowments.
<I burned up> $10,000,000 Notes.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Oct 17, 1893
The Democratic Salt Lake Herald (of which Apostle Heber J. Grant is vice-president) reportsthe meeting of an "Afro-American Club, recently organized here for the purpose of promoting the social and political interests of the colored people of this city." The club's leader comments that "the [anti-Mormon] Liberal party had always treated the Afro-Americans WITH DISDAIN."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
185 years ago today - Oct. 17-19, 1838
A snowstorm hits Missouri. Col. Hinkle and his 100 men march to Adam-ondi-Ahman to join forces with Lyman Wight. There they hear that the nearby town of Millport has been attacked and several houses burned. General Parks of the state militia gives Lyman Wight official orders to disperse any mobs around Adam-ondi-Ahman and Millport. Lyman Wight and Captain David Patten each command a force of about 60 men, and Wight takes his and heads for Millport, while Patten heads for Gallatin. Patten's men find a cannon left by the mobs. Houses and stores are burned, the mobs blaming the Mormons and the Mormons saying the mobs burned their own houses in order to blame the Mormons.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
20 years ago today - Oct 16, 2003
Utah's Attorney General Mark Shurtleff, backed by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, announces his intention to investigate the Hildale police force and recommends decertification for all officers who have multiple wives.
[Gartner, Hana, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Timeline: History of Polygamy]
[Gartner, Hana, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Timeline: History of Polygamy]
115 years ago today - Oct 16, 1908
[James Henry Martineau]
Attended a reunion of Temple workers, at which the wid. of W. W. Phelps was present and spoke in tongues.
[An Uncommon Common Pioneer: The Journals of James Henry Martineau 1828-1918, edited by Donald G. Godfrey XXX Rebecca S. Martineau-McCarty]
Attended a reunion of Temple workers, at which the wid. of W. W. Phelps was present and spoke in tongues.
[An Uncommon Common Pioneer: The Journals of James Henry Martineau 1828-1918, edited by Donald G. Godfrey XXX Rebecca S. Martineau-McCarty]
125 years ago today - Oct 16, 1898
[Heber J. Grant]
"Related special manifestations to me at the time of my son Heber's death, also my wifes'."
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
"Related special manifestations to me at the time of my son Heber's death, also my wifes'."
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
135 years ago today - Oct 16, 1888
[Heber J. Grant]
... Prest Cannon's atty had a private interview with him and he was decidedly in favor of our aiding in the election of Grover Cleveland for President.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
... Prest Cannon's atty had a private interview with him and he was decidedly in favor of our aiding in the election of Grover Cleveland for President.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
155 years ago today - Oct 16, 1868 (Friday)
Zion's Co-operative Mercantile Institution commenced operation in Salt Lake City, with Brigham Young as president. Co-operative stores were shortly afterwards opened in most of the towns and settlements of the Territory.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
55 years ago today - Oct 15, 1968
[David O. McKay]
It was reported that requests have been received for permission to issue temple recommends to women to go to the temple to receive their endowments who are not divorced but have been separated from their husbands for some years and have not heard from them during that period of separation, nor do they know where they are. President [N. Eldon] Tanner said it was his feeling that where the law of the state where the parties reside says that a man who has deserted his wife and has not been heard of for a designated number of years is considered dead, that the woman in such a case should be given a recommend to the temple to receive her endowments. I concurred that under conditions of this kind the woman should be granted permission to go to the Temple to receive her endowments if she is otherwise worthy.
[David O. McKay diary, Oct. 15, 1968, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
It was reported that requests have been received for permission to issue temple recommends to women to go to the temple to receive their endowments who are not divorced but have been separated from their husbands for some years and have not heard from them during that period of separation, nor do they know where they are. President [N. Eldon] Tanner said it was his feeling that where the law of the state where the parties reside says that a man who has deserted his wife and has not been heard of for a designated number of years is considered dead, that the woman in such a case should be given a recommend to the temple to receive her endowments. I concurred that under conditions of this kind the woman should be granted permission to go to the Temple to receive her endowments if she is otherwise worthy.
[David O. McKay diary, Oct. 15, 1968, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
120 years ago today - Oct 15, 1903
Brigham Young Academy became Brigham Young University.
[Ludlow, Daniel H. editor, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Macmillan Publishing, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 4, Appendix 2: A Chronology of Church History, http://amzn.to/eG0DIp]
[Ludlow, Daniel H. editor, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Macmillan Publishing, Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Vol. 4, Appendix 2: A Chronology of Church History, http://amzn.to/eG0DIp]
125 years ago today - Oct 15, 1898
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Had a private and pleasant interview with Pres[ident]. L[orenzo]. Snow on U[nited]. O[rder]. I bel[ie]ve the Lord has something for us concerning this principle for Pres[ident]. L[orenzo]. is well qualified to be the medium to His people in begin[in]g to establish this order preparatory to 'Redeeming Zion' God grant we may have a little of this principle as we can stand it, and work into it understandingly. How I long for this day to come when Zion shall be redeemed. God grant I may grow with it and be with the Redeemed of the Lord.
[Brigham Young Jr. Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
Had a private and pleasant interview with Pres[ident]. L[orenzo]. Snow on U[nited]. O[rder]. I bel[ie]ve the Lord has something for us concerning this principle for Pres[ident]. L[orenzo]. is well qualified to be the medium to His people in begin[in]g to establish this order preparatory to 'Redeeming Zion' God grant we may have a little of this principle as we can stand it, and work into it understandingly. How I long for this day to come when Zion shall be redeemed. God grant I may grow with it and be with the Redeemed of the Lord.
[Brigham Young Jr. Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
135 years ago today - Oct 15, 1888
[Heber J. Grant]
This evening in company with Chas W. Penrose I called on Bro Joseph F. Smith and we talked with him regarding the necessity of our people paying $25,000 to the Democratic fund to aid in the election of Pres Cleveland. He was decidedly in favor of our doing so and suggested that I remain and make a second collection from our statehood funds instead of going to Emery County on Wednesday as per my former programme.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
This evening in company with Chas W. Penrose I called on Bro Joseph F. Smith and we talked with him regarding the necessity of our people paying $25,000 to the Democratic fund to aid in the election of Pres Cleveland. He was decidedly in favor of our doing so and suggested that I remain and make a second collection from our statehood funds instead of going to Emery County on Wednesday as per my former programme.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
150 years ago today - Oct 15, 1873 (Wednesday)
A.H. Brown, chief of police in Provo, was shot by Harrison Carter, a notorious renegade, who escaped, but was afterwards caught in Nevada, brought to Salt Lake City and imprisoned.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
170 years ago today - Oct 15, 1853
[Hosea Stout]
News from Salt Lake says the indians have killed two whites & still hostile. Salt Lake being walled in
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
News from Salt Lake says the indians have killed two whites & still hostile. Salt Lake being walled in
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Oct 15, 1843
Joseph Smith preaches, "The only fault I find with the Constitution is, it is not broad enough to cover the whole ground. Although it provides that all men shall enjoy religious freedom, yet it does not provide the manner by which that freedom can be preserved, nor for the punishment of Government officers who refuse to protect the people in their religious rights, or punish those mobs, states, or communities who interfere with the rights of the people on account of their religion."
[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 - (Mon) Oct 15, 1838
Joseph Smith formed a military company which marched to Daviess County under command of David W. Patten. Parley P. Pratt and others.
Battle of Crooked Creek between Mormons and Samuel Bogart's troop of State Militia. Three Mormons (David W. Patten, Gideon Carter, and Patrick O'Banion) were killed trying to rescue captives. One of Bogart's men was killed.
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
Battle of Crooked Creek between Mormons and Samuel Bogart's troop of State Militia. Three Mormons (David W. Patten, Gideon Carter, and Patrick O'Banion) were killed trying to rescue captives. One of Bogart's men was killed.
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
125 years ago today - Oct 14, 1898; Friday
[Brigham Young Jr.]
The gentiles are awfully made angry at me for preaching at Con[ference]. "beware of the leaven of the gentiles." and gentile leaven is like ink poured in pure water to the faith of the saints. My, what a row my sermon has created. If the brethren will keep their hand off me as true as the Lord liveth I will preach what He gives me.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]
The gentiles are awfully made angry at me for preaching at Con[ference]. "beware of the leaven of the gentiles." and gentile leaven is like ink poured in pure water to the faith of the saints. My, what a row my sermon has created. If the brethren will keep their hand off me as true as the Lord liveth I will preach what He gives me.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]
185 years ago today - 14-Oct 15, 1838
Joseph Smith made his "... religion by the sword" statement at Far West, MO. Rigdon said that any Mormon who refused fight the Missourians should be forced to do just that, in the front ranks of battle.
He and Sidney Rigdon call upon Mormon troops to ride to Diahman to protect the Saints. Four hundred soldiers march to Daviess County.
[LeSueur, Stephen C., The 1838 Mormon War in Missouri, Appendix: Chronology of Events in Missouri, 1838-1839;Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
He and Sidney Rigdon call upon Mormon troops to ride to Diahman to protect the Saints. Four hundred soldiers march to Daviess County.
[LeSueur, Stephen C., The 1838 Mormon War in Missouri, Appendix: Chronology of Events in Missouri, 1838-1839;Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
15 years ago today - October 13
[Proposition-8]
Idaho television reports about organizing by the Mormon church in their area to operate phone banks to reach California voters.
[Latter-Day Army: Details of Mormons and Prop 8, http://www.stopthemormons.com/?p=486]
Idaho television reports about organizing by the Mormon church in their area to operate phone banks to reach California voters.
[Latter-Day Army: Details of Mormons and Prop 8, http://www.stopthemormons.com/?p=486]
15 years ago today - October 13
[Propisition-8]
Sacramento Bee reports "[Mormon] Church members have donated about 40 percent of the $22.8 million raised to pass the initiative since July, according to Frank Schubert, campaign manager for ProtectMarriage.com, the primary backer of the "yes" campaign." Some have said that this article, and the Mormon couple interviewed, was a "wake up call" to the No on 8 campaign about the depth of individual Mormon participation.
[Latter-Day Army: Details of Mormons and Prop 8, http://www.stopthemormons.com/?p=486]
Sacramento Bee reports "[Mormon] Church members have donated about 40 percent of the $22.8 million raised to pass the initiative since July, according to Frank Schubert, campaign manager for ProtectMarriage.com, the primary backer of the "yes" campaign." Some have said that this article, and the Mormon couple interviewed, was a "wake up call" to the No on 8 campaign about the depth of individual Mormon participation.
[Latter-Day Army: Details of Mormons and Prop 8, http://www.stopthemormons.com/?p=486]
150 years ago today - Oct 13, 1873
The Salt Lake City School of the Prophets discusses the practice of Patriarch John Smith and others who ordain infant boys to priesthood. Second counselor Daniel H. Wells "said some had ordained children when they thought they would die-this had been a comfort to some parents, though there was no law or revelation given for or against it, consequently he could not see any harm or wrong in having it done, neither could he think there was any particular virtue in it."
[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 - Oct 13, 1843
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith allowed Dr. Turner, a phrenologist, to examine his head for about an hour.
15 years ago today - October 12
[Proposition-8]
Mormon Jyl Holiday makes comment on blog that in her congregation "they have us knocking doors to warn people about it. Calling like telemarketers, and EVERY talk is about Prop 8, every RS, priesthood class is based around the proposition, it is starting to deterr members from even going to church. I TOTALLY see why the general presidency is asking for us to fight here in CA, but some of the members feel that it is just too much of shoving down the throught for them to handle."
[Latter-Day Army: Details of Mormons and Prop 8, http://www.stopthemormons.com/?p=486]
Mormon Jyl Holiday makes comment on blog that in her congregation "they have us knocking doors to warn people about it. Calling like telemarketers, and EVERY talk is about Prop 8, every RS, priesthood class is based around the proposition, it is starting to deterr members from even going to church. I TOTALLY see why the general presidency is asking for us to fight here in CA, but some of the members feel that it is just too much of shoving down the throught for them to handle."
[Latter-Day Army: Details of Mormons and Prop 8, http://www.stopthemormons.com/?p=486]
30 years ago today - Oct 12, 1993-Tuesday
[Leonard Arrington]
Let me here record that I was told by an "insider" that Elder [Boyd K.] Packer, some time ago, had told Jon Huntsman, president of Monument Park Stake [Salt Lake City], that he must excommunicate a certain person. President Huntsman said he would not like to do it. They argued a little. Finally, insistent on having his way, Elder Packer told him, "Excommunicate that person or I will excommunicate you." President Huntsman held the trial and excommunicated him....
We had Mike Quinn for dinner at our house last evening and were assured that he will continue to work on his two books and on articles dealing with Mormon history. He did not seem to be upset particularly; he seemed to think it was inevitable. These excommunications are the worst examples of blaming the messenger for the message. What a perversion of apostasy, to regard as apostates individuals who are as loyal and believing as Mike, Lavina [Fielding Anderson], Paul [Toscano], and [Avraham] Gileadi. (I don't know [Lynne] Whitesides or Maxine Hanks enough to know what their beliefs are.) I feel like singing, "Oh Say What is Truth?"
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Let me here record that I was told by an "insider" that Elder [Boyd K.] Packer, some time ago, had told Jon Huntsman, president of Monument Park Stake [Salt Lake City], that he must excommunicate a certain person. President Huntsman said he would not like to do it. They argued a little. Finally, insistent on having his way, Elder Packer told him, "Excommunicate that person or I will excommunicate you." President Huntsman held the trial and excommunicated him....
We had Mike Quinn for dinner at our house last evening and were assured that he will continue to work on his two books and on articles dealing with Mormon history. He did not seem to be upset particularly; he seemed to think it was inevitable. These excommunications are the worst examples of blaming the messenger for the message. What a perversion of apostasy, to regard as apostates individuals who are as loyal and believing as Mike, Lavina [Fielding Anderson], Paul [Toscano], and [Avraham] Gileadi. (I don't know [Lynne] Whitesides or Maxine Hanks enough to know what their beliefs are.) I feel like singing, "Oh Say What is Truth?"
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
60 years ago today - Oct 12, 1963
The Polynesian Cultural Center, located near the Church College of Hawaii and the temple in Laie, Hawaii, was dedicated.
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
65 years ago today - Oct 12, 1958
Regarding suggestions that Benson run for President, McKay said "A Just keep on as you are, and we'll wait for the Lord to tell us what the future holds." "A Do not seek the candidacy; let them come to you and if they do, we shall consider it."
[Gary James Bergera, "Weak-Kneed Republicans and Socialist Democrats": Ezra Taft Benson as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, 1953-61, Part 2, Dialogue : A Journal of Mormon Thought, (Winter 2008, vol 41)]
[Gary James Bergera, "Weak-Kneed Republicans and Socialist Democrats": Ezra Taft Benson as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, 1953-61, Part 2, Dialogue : A Journal of Mormon Thought, (Winter 2008, vol 41)]
125 years ago today - Oct 12, 1898
[J. Golden Kimball]
At 6 P.M. met with the General Board of the Y.M.M.I.A. at the Presidents office. ... We got along very nicely, until Bro[ther Grant wanted his brother B[righam] F. Grant to be assistant manager of the 'Improvement Era,' and unintentionally said, if I can get him there, the Gen[era]'l Board will find him so useful that they will want him to be one of the General Board. B[righam] F. Grant was a wicked man about a year ago and because he has repented and is a brother to Heber J Grant we have to have him crowded on us, and hear of him on all occasions. My brother Solomon has repented for sixteen years and received no recognition at all.
[J. Golden Kimball, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
At 6 P.M. met with the General Board of the Y.M.M.I.A. at the Presidents office. ... We got along very nicely, until Bro[ther Grant wanted his brother B[righam] F. Grant to be assistant manager of the 'Improvement Era,' and unintentionally said, if I can get him there, the Gen[era]'l Board will find him so useful that they will want him to be one of the General Board. B[righam] F. Grant was a wicked man about a year ago and because he has repented and is a brother to Heber J Grant we have to have him crowded on us, and hear of him on all occasions. My brother Solomon has repented for sixteen years and received no recognition at all.
[J. Golden Kimball, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
135 years ago today - Oct 12, 1888
Wilford Woodruff and apostles vote to allow Idaho Mormons to be excommunicated in order to vote. They regret this decision within three weeks.
[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 - Oct 12, 1883
[Wilford Woodruff]
This was a day of fasting and Prayer with the leaders of the Church. I took a Bath and wash in the Morning and went to the Endowment House at 9 oclok to receive the washing of feet as it was done in Kirtland 47 years ago By the Prophet Joseph Smith as an Initiatory ordinance into the school of the Prophets. Remarks were made By the Presidency & others. President John Taylor washed the feet of Zebedee Coltrin as He was the ownly man living that was in the first school of the Prophets organized by Joseph Smith in Kirtland /in 1833/. Then Zebedee Coultrin washed the feet of Presidet Taylor. Then Presidet Taylor washed the feet of his two Councillors & all the Twelve Apostles except C. C. Rich who was sick & John Henry Smith in England. He washed the feet of 38 in all. At the Close of this Ceremony we partook of Bread & wine as a sacrament as they did in the Temple in Kirtland which Closed the labor of the day.
[Heber J. Grant] At 9 A.M. met as per appointment in the Endowment House with the First Presidency, Twelve, Counselor Wells, Prests of Stakes & 4 others'we had met together fasting and for the purpose of organizing the School of the Prophets'Last evening or this morning all had taken a bath & put on clean cloth garments'excepting Bros Wells and Smoot, they knew nothing of this requirement. Prest Taylor requested them to bathe and change their garments.
[J.D.T. McAllister] President Taylor addressed us on the order of the School of the Prophets, and washed, our feet pronouncing us clean from the blood of this generation and sealing upon us all the rights powers and priveleges associated with this ordinance. we then partook of the Sacrement. bread and wine. enough to eat and drink. He went through the form of receiving the members of the School Himself Counselors G.Q. Cannon J F Smith chosen President. Teacher of the school and assistant retained to Moroni.
[George Q. Cannon diary, Church Historian's Press]: We all met fasting [148 words redacted relating to a sacred ritual]. The spirit of God was powerfully poured out, and all felt subdued and to rejoice. After this ceremony was finished, bread and wine were brought in. Prest. Taylor, myself, and Bro. Joseph F. Smith proceeded to break the bread, dividing a loaf into about three pieces, which Prest. Taylor invoked a blessing upon. Bro. Joseph F. Smith and myself distributed the bread to the brethren. After sitting [and] eating at the bread for a while, we then proceeded to distribute a gallon of wine for those who were present, there being thirty[-]eight of us. This gave each a small wine-glass-ful, upon which, also, President Taylor invoked a blessing. This is a day long to be remembered. I never had such feelings in my life. All felt the power of God to a wonderful extent. We felt linked together in the bonds of love, and that we were brethren united together by the holiest of covenants and the strongest of ties. After having partaken of the sacrament all the brethren withdrew into the celestial room with the exception of Prest. Taylor. We remained there about five minutes to give him time to offer up prayer, and then we proceeded up stairs and he delivered to us the salutation found in section 88 of the Book of Doctrine & Covenants with uplifted hands to heaven, and in response I, in behalf of the brethren, gave him the salutation with all our hands uplifted to heaven; after which we adjourned.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies;The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015;Diary Excerpts of J.D.T. McAllister, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies;The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
This was a day of fasting and Prayer with the leaders of the Church. I took a Bath and wash in the Morning and went to the Endowment House at 9 oclok to receive the washing of feet as it was done in Kirtland 47 years ago By the Prophet Joseph Smith as an Initiatory ordinance into the school of the Prophets. Remarks were made By the Presidency & others. President John Taylor washed the feet of Zebedee Coltrin as He was the ownly man living that was in the first school of the Prophets organized by Joseph Smith in Kirtland /in 1833/. Then Zebedee Coultrin washed the feet of Presidet Taylor. Then Presidet Taylor washed the feet of his two Councillors & all the Twelve Apostles except C. C. Rich who was sick & John Henry Smith in England. He washed the feet of 38 in all. At the Close of this Ceremony we partook of Bread & wine as a sacrament as they did in the Temple in Kirtland which Closed the labor of the day.
[Heber J. Grant] At 9 A.M. met as per appointment in the Endowment House with the First Presidency, Twelve, Counselor Wells, Prests of Stakes & 4 others'we had met together fasting and for the purpose of organizing the School of the Prophets'Last evening or this morning all had taken a bath & put on clean cloth garments'excepting Bros Wells and Smoot, they knew nothing of this requirement. Prest Taylor requested them to bathe and change their garments.
[J.D.T. McAllister] President Taylor addressed us on the order of the School of the Prophets, and washed, our feet pronouncing us clean from the blood of this generation and sealing upon us all the rights powers and priveleges associated with this ordinance. we then partook of the Sacrement. bread and wine. enough to eat and drink. He went through the form of receiving the members of the School Himself Counselors G.Q. Cannon J F Smith chosen President. Teacher of the school and assistant retained to Moroni.
[George Q. Cannon diary, Church Historian's Press]: We all met fasting [148 words redacted relating to a sacred ritual]. The spirit of God was powerfully poured out, and all felt subdued and to rejoice. After this ceremony was finished, bread and wine were brought in. Prest. Taylor, myself, and Bro. Joseph F. Smith proceeded to break the bread, dividing a loaf into about three pieces, which Prest. Taylor invoked a blessing upon. Bro. Joseph F. Smith and myself distributed the bread to the brethren. After sitting [and] eating at the bread for a while, we then proceeded to distribute a gallon of wine for those who were present, there being thirty[-]eight of us. This gave each a small wine-glass-ful, upon which, also, President Taylor invoked a blessing. This is a day long to be remembered. I never had such feelings in my life. All felt the power of God to a wonderful extent. We felt linked together in the bonds of love, and that we were brethren united together by the holiest of covenants and the strongest of ties. After having partaken of the sacrament all the brethren withdrew into the celestial room with the exception of Prest. Taylor. We remained there about five minutes to give him time to offer up prayer, and then we proceeded up stairs and he delivered to us the salutation found in section 88 of the Book of Doctrine & Covenants with uplifted hands to heaven, and in response I, in behalf of the brethren, gave him the salutation with all our hands uplifted to heaven; after which we adjourned.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies;The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015;Diary Excerpts of J.D.T. McAllister, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies;The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
180 years ago today - Oct 12, 1843
Date given by William Law (on May 23, 1844) when indicting Joseph Smith as the beginning of adulterous relations between him and his plural wife Maria Lawrence. (The reason for choosing this date is unclear according to current research.)
[Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2013 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]
[Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2013 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]
190 years ago today - Oct 12, 1833
Perrysburg, New York. While at Freeman Nickerson's, Joseph Smith received Doctrine & Covenants 100, a revelation concerning his and Sidney Rigdon's missionary labors.
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
30 years ago today - Oct 11, 1993
Steve Benson goes public concerning a conversation he had earlier with Apostle Dallin Oaks concerning Apostle Boyd K. Packer contacting Paul Toscano's stake president, Kerry Heinz, concerning Toscano's disciplinary council. Oaks had publicly stated that "if Elder Packer is having any conversation with" President Heinz, "it is contrary to what I know about Elder Packer and how he operates." Benson states that Oaks had previously told him that Packer had contacted Heinz and that, "You can't stage manage a grizzly bear," adding that "it was a mistake for Packer to meet with Heinz and a mistake for Heinz to ask for the meeting."
55 years ago today - Oct 11, 1968
Brother Garff [of the building commitee] mentioned that ... There are 30%, or 785,000 people who do not have access to a temple. ... Elder Garff said that he felt that what we should do is bring the temple to the additional membership of the Church. He said it was the committee's proposal that we buy a ship and outfit the ship and make it a temple ship and that we take this ship to the ports of the earth where our people are. He said that with a ship we could outfit a temple and take that temple to 30%. Included in the 30% would be people in the United States who are not accessible to the temple and those throughout the world. He said that this could be done for between a million and a half and two million dollars, that a ship could be purchased and remodeled and that we could get the crew and could sail the seas at about a half a million dollars a year. ... He said that such a ship could travel up the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers and that the entire inland part of the United States could be covered. ... He expressed the view that once every year or every eighteen or nineteen months we could touch all of these particular areas with the vessel. ...
Elder [Alvin R.] Dyer mentioned a matter that he said bothered him somewhat[,] and that was [that] in the very early days of the Church the Prophet Joseph had said that the waters would be cursed, that he did not know exactly what that might mean but that we should not be insensible to that. ...
The brethren said that they should not do this at the present time. The brethren were agreed that the matter was deserving of careful consideration.
[Alvin R. Dyer, minutes of a meeting with the First Presidency, President McKay's apartment, recorded in Elder Dyer's diary, Oct. 11, 1968, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
Elder [Alvin R.] Dyer mentioned a matter that he said bothered him somewhat[,] and that was [that] in the very early days of the Church the Prophet Joseph had said that the waters would be cursed, that he did not know exactly what that might mean but that we should not be insensible to that. ...
The brethren said that they should not do this at the present time. The brethren were agreed that the matter was deserving of careful consideration.
[Alvin R. Dyer, minutes of a meeting with the First Presidency, President McKay's apartment, recorded in Elder Dyer's diary, Oct. 11, 1968, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]