[Leonard Arrington]
I had a chance to talk with Milt Backman, author of The Heavens Resound, the Ohio experience of the church. ... Milt says the manuscript that was published was essentially the way he submitted it, except that the Deseret Book people insisted that he leave out all references to polygamy in Kirtland [Ohio]. Deseret Book told him they had no objection to including it. But they had so much difficulty in getting approval of church authorities to include mention of polygamy in Nauvoo in the footnotes to Dean Jessee's book that they were sure they would never get approval to include mention of its practice in Kirtland. So all references to polygamy in Kirtland were deleted by Deseret Book.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
50 years ago today - Nov 30, 1973
In response to U.S. President Richard Nixon's request to conserve energy during the energy crisis, the Church announces that Christmas lights on Temple Square will not be turned on this year.
165 years ago today - Nov 30, 1858
[Wilford Woodruff]
We Called upon the Presidet [Brigham Young]. We were informed that the Court was trying to get him to appear as a witness on the morrow. It was expected that there was a plan laid to kill him But God will ward off the Blow. ...
I spent the evening with the President & the Committee on the Deseret Alphabet. We laboured till near 11 oclok on the word Rule. The brethren Could not agree upon the sound of it. Most of the Company wanted it <rool> others want it <riool> [in Deseret].
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
We Called upon the Presidet [Brigham Young]. We were informed that the Court was trying to get him to appear as a witness on the morrow. It was expected that there was a plan laid to kill him But God will ward off the Blow. ...
I spent the evening with the President & the Committee on the Deseret Alphabet. We laboured till near 11 oclok on the word Rule. The brethren Could not agree upon the sound of it. Most of the Company wanted it <rool> others want it <riool> [in Deseret].
[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 - Nov 30, 1838
Joseph and the other prisoners begin their trip to the Liberty jail. During this time former apostle Wm. E. McLellin and others rob the homes of some of the Saints, including that of Sidney Rigdon. McLellin asks for the privilege of flogging Joseph, but the sheriff only agrees to a fair fight between the two, and McLellin backs down.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
40 years ago today - Nov 30, 1983-Wednesday
[Leonard Arrington]
I had a chance to talk with Milt Backman, author of The Heavens Resound, the Ohio experience of the church. ... Milt says the manuscript that was published was essentially the way he submitted it, except that the Deseret Book people insisted that he leave out all references to polygamy in Kirtland [Ohio]. Deseret Book told him they had no objection to including it. But they had so much difficulty in getting approval of church authorities to include mention of polygamy in Nauvoo in the footnotes to Dean Jessee's book that they were sure they would never get approval to include mention of its practice in Kirtland. So all references to polygamy in Kirtland were deleted by Deseret Book.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
I had a chance to talk with Milt Backman, author of The Heavens Resound, the Ohio experience of the church. ... Milt says the manuscript that was published was essentially the way he submitted it, except that the Deseret Book people insisted that he leave out all references to polygamy in Kirtland [Ohio]. Deseret Book told him they had no objection to including it. But they had so much difficulty in getting approval of church authorities to include mention of polygamy in Nauvoo in the footnotes to Dean Jessee's book that they were sure they would never get approval to include mention of its practice in Kirtland. So all references to polygamy in Kirtland were deleted by Deseret Book.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
50 years ago today - Nov 30, 1973
In response to U.S. President Richard Nixon's request to conserve energy during the energy crisis, the Church announces that Christmas lights on Temple Square will not be turned on this year.
165 years ago today - Nov 30, 1858
[Wilford Woodruff]
We Called upon the Presidet [Brigham Young]. We were informed that the Court was trying to get him to appear as a witness on the morrow. It was expected that there was a plan laid to kill him But God will ward off the Blow. ...
I spent the evening with the President & the Committee on the Deseret Alphabet. We laboured till near 11 oclok on the word Rule. The brethren Could not agree upon the sound of it. Most of the Company wanted it <rool> others want it <riool> [in Deseret].
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
We Called upon the Presidet [Brigham Young]. We were informed that the Court was trying to get him to appear as a witness on the morrow. It was expected that there was a plan laid to kill him But God will ward off the Blow. ...
I spent the evening with the President & the Committee on the Deseret Alphabet. We laboured till near 11 oclok on the word Rule. The brethren Could not agree upon the sound of it. Most of the Company wanted it <rool> others want it <riool> [in Deseret].
[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 - Nov 30, 1838
Joseph and the other prisoners begin their trip to the Liberty jail. During this time former apostle Wm. E. McLellin and others rob the homes of some of the Saints, including that of Sidney Rigdon. McLellin asks for the privilege of flogging Joseph, but the sheriff only agrees to a fair fight between the two, and McLellin backs down.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
125 years ago today - Nov 29, 1898; Tuesday
Elder Orson Smith, President of the Cache [Utah] Stake, called upon President Snow, and conversed with him in relation to a matter of personal business with the Logan Tithing Office. He (Elder Smith) having drawn a large amount from that office without authority. The Presiding Bishop had recently had a conversation with Pres[iden]t. Snow about this same matter, he suggesting that Bro[ther]. Smith give security as best he could for the amount of his overdraft, to which Pres[iden]t. Snow assented. The President, having this in mind, now referred Bro[ther]. Smith to Bishop Preston.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
130 years ago today - Nov 29, 1893
[Marriner W. Merrill]
Wednesday. I went to Salt Lake today. Met and talked with the First Presidency. Got my son Heber's mission changed from Samoa to Europe as he desired. Brought my bronzed statue back with me representing the Angel Moroni blowing a trumpet.
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Wednesday. I went to Salt Lake today. Met and talked with the First Presidency. Got my son Heber's mission changed from Samoa to Europe as he desired. Brought my bronzed statue back with me representing the Angel Moroni blowing a trumpet.
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Nov 29, 1893
Presidents Wilford Woodruff and George Q. Cannon meet with three apostles and James E. Talmage: "That there will also be daughters of Perdition there is no doubt in the minds of the brethren." He is giving 'Articles of Faith' as LDS University lectures. The First Presidency and apostles decide that frequent rebaptisms "will not be allowed, and that this sacred ordinance is becoming too common." After 1893 the Salt Lake temple performs no rebaptisms for a renewal of covenants. The First Presidency and apostles again discuss on 19 May 1898 whether to stop rebaptisms completely but they reach no decision. The St. George temple stops rebaptisms after 1900. The Manti and Logan temples perform only thirteen in 1910 and continue sporadically until the First Presidency ends the practice in 1922.
[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 - Nov 29, 1843 (Wednesday Afternoon)
[Joseph Smith]
said he rose to make a confession, that he used all his influence to prevent the brethren from fighting when mobbed in Missouri. If I did wrong I will not do so any more. It was a suggestion of the head, he would never do so again, but when the Mobs came upon you, kill them; I never will restrain you again but will go and help you. . . . if I do not stand with those who will stand by me in the hour of trouble and danger, without faltering I give you leave to shoot me.
Mayor read the Memorial to Congress--The State rights doctrine are what feed mobs,--they are a dead carcass, a stink and they shall ascend up as a stink offering in the nose of the Almighty.
[The Woodland Institute, http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
said he rose to make a confession, that he used all his influence to prevent the brethren from fighting when mobbed in Missouri. If I did wrong I will not do so any more. It was a suggestion of the head, he would never do so again, but when the Mobs came upon you, kill them; I never will restrain you again but will go and help you. . . . if I do not stand with those who will stand by me in the hour of trouble and danger, without faltering I give you leave to shoot me.
Mayor read the Memorial to Congress--The State rights doctrine are what feed mobs,--they are a dead carcass, a stink and they shall ascend up as a stink offering in the nose of the Almighty.
[The Woodland Institute, http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
180 years ago today - Nov 29, 1843
A meeting is held over Joseph Smith's store to discuss the petitions to be given to Frierson and to discuss the grievances concerning Missouri in general. Joseph has prepared an appeal to his home state of Vermont, a pamphlet titled "An Appeal to the Freemen of the State of Vermont, the 'Brave Green Mountain Boys,' and Honest Men," in which Joseph remembers his birth in Vermont, relates the persecutions in Missouri, remarks on the lack of protection from the government, relates his imprisonment in Missouri, "where they tried to feed us with human flesh," and ends with an appeal for understanding from the "Green Mountain Boys" of his native state.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
15 years ago today - 2008-11-28
In a letter to priesthood leaders, the First Presidency announced the addition of "virtue" to the Young Women theme. The letter read, in part, "We are pleased to announce the addition of the attribute of "virtue" to the Young Women theme. This addition will assist young women in developing high moral standards. We invite parents and leaders to teach the doctrine of chastity and moral purity to help each young woman to be virtuous and worthy to make and keep sacred covenants and receive the ordinances of the temple."
[Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]
[Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]
125 years ago today - Nov 28, 1898
Many questions come up from theological classes--questions that are, to say the least, somewhat abstruse, and concerning which there is no written revelation; questions, too, that are not pertinent at all to the work of the schools. I was stopped yesterday afternoon by a young man, who wanted to know whether Adam was the father of our Lord and Savior--whether he was the being we worshiped, etc. Now, we can get ourselves very easily puzzled, if we choose to do so, by speculating upon doctrines and principles of this character. The Lord has said through His Prophet that there are two personages in the Godhead. That ought to be sufficient for us at the present time. ...
Concerning the doctrine in regard to Adam and the Savior, the Prophet Brigham taught some things concerning that; but the First Presidency and the Twelve do not think it wise to advocate these matters. ...
[Proceedings of the First Sunday School Convention; "Things That Should and Things That Should Not Be Taught In Our Sunday School"; General Superintendent George Q. Cannon; Salt Lake City, Utah; November 28, 1898; Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
Concerning the doctrine in regard to Adam and the Savior, the Prophet Brigham taught some things concerning that; but the First Presidency and the Twelve do not think it wise to advocate these matters. ...
[Proceedings of the First Sunday School Convention; "Things That Should and Things That Should Not Be Taught In Our Sunday School"; General Superintendent George Q. Cannon; Salt Lake City, Utah; November 28, 1898; Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
125 years ago today - Nov 28, 1898; Monday
Pres[iden]t. Lorenzo Snow, as President of Zion's Savings Bank, was served by a deputy-marshal with papers of garnishment, garnishing any moneys in the bank belonging or salaries due to Geo[rge]. M. Cannon, John M. Cannon and Angus M. Cannon their father...
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
145 years ago today - Nov 28, 1878
The Apostle Orson Hyde died this day at 6 oclok P.M. [in Spring City.] Thus has departed Another of the first Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of this last dispensation. This leaves but one alive in the first quorum of the Twelve Apostles viz Orson Pratt and two of the seconed quorum viz John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff the latter being the oldest man in the present Quorum of the Twelve and we know not how long we shall remain in the flesh.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
145 years ago today - 1878. November 28
Martin Harris: Died in Spring City on Thanksgiving Day at the age of seventy-three. Buried in Spring City Cemetery.
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Nov 28, 1858
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
I met with the Twelve in the Prayer Circle. G. A. Smith Prayed & C. C Rich was mouth. The subjects of our prayers were for the President & for the Lord to overthrow the evil designs of our enemies against us & to divide them in their Councils that they may do us no harm.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I met with the Twelve in the Prayer Circle. G. A. Smith Prayed & C. C Rich was mouth. The subjects of our prayers were for the President & for the Lord to overthrow the evil designs of our enemies against us & to divide them in their Councils that they may do us no harm.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - Nov 28, 1833
[George W. Stoddard]
.... I have been acquainted with Martin Harris, about thirty years. As a farmer, he was industrious and enterprising, so much so, that he had, (previous to his going into the Gold Bible speculation) accumulated, in real estate, some eight or ten thousand dollars. Although he possessed wealth, his moral and religious character was such, as not to entitle him to respect among his neighbors. He was fretful, peevish and quarrelsome, not only in the neighborhood, but in his family. He was known to frequently abuse his wife, by whipping her, kicking her out of bed and turning her out of doors &c. Yet he was a public professor of some religion. He was first an orthadox Quaker, then a Universalist, next a Restorationer, then a Baptist, next a Presbyterian, and then a Mormon. By his willingness to become all things to all men, he has attained a high standing among his Mormon brethren. ...
G. W. STODARD.
I hereby concur in the above statement.
RICHARD H. FORD.
[Eber D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed (Painesville, Ohio: E. D. Howe, 1834), 260-61., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: G. W. Stoddard Statement]
.... I have been acquainted with Martin Harris, about thirty years. As a farmer, he was industrious and enterprising, so much so, that he had, (previous to his going into the Gold Bible speculation) accumulated, in real estate, some eight or ten thousand dollars. Although he possessed wealth, his moral and religious character was such, as not to entitle him to respect among his neighbors. He was fretful, peevish and quarrelsome, not only in the neighborhood, but in his family. He was known to frequently abuse his wife, by whipping her, kicking her out of bed and turning her out of doors &c. Yet he was a public professor of some religion. He was first an orthadox Quaker, then a Universalist, next a Restorationer, then a Baptist, next a Presbyterian, and then a Mormon. By his willingness to become all things to all men, he has attained a high standing among his Mormon brethren. ...
G. W. STODARD.
I hereby concur in the above statement.
RICHARD H. FORD.
[Eber D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed (Painesville, Ohio: E. D. Howe, 1834), 260-61., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: G. W. Stoddard Statement]
45 years ago today - Nov 27, 1978
U.S. President Jimmy Carter speaks in the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City, Utah.
105 years ago today - Nov 27, 1918
[Anthon H. Lund Chronology]
Appointed president of Salt Lake temple.
[Danish Apostle: The Diaries of Anthon H. Lund, 1890–1921, Chronology]
Appointed president of Salt Lake temple.
[Danish Apostle: The Diaries of Anthon H. Lund, 1890–1921, Chronology]
130 years ago today - Nov 27, 1893 (Monday)
The Pioneer Electric Power Company was organized, with Geo. Q. Cannon as president.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
165 years ago today - Nov 27, 1858
[Hosea Stout]
"Mr Blair having eaten nearly a whole rooster for breakfast this morning appeared in court quite well and ready to crow, finished his speech and court adjourned till half past three ..."
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
"Mr Blair having eaten nearly a whole rooster for breakfast this morning appeared in court quite well and ready to crow, finished his speech and court adjourned till half past three ..."
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
100 years ago today - Nov 26, 1923
The Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a corporation sole was formed: "The object of this corporation shall be to acquire, hold and dispose of such real and personal property as may be conveyed to or acquired by said corporation for the benefit of the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a religious society, for the benefit of religion, for works of charity and for public worship. Such real and personal property may be situated, either within the State of Utah, or elsewhere, and this corporation shall have power, without any authority or authorization from the members of said Church or religious society, to grant, sell, convey, rent, mortgage, exchange, or otherwise dispose of any part or all of such property."
[Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
[Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
130 years ago today - Nov 26, 1893
[James E. Talmage]
I brought before the Presidency, asking for rulings, the following subjects:—
1. The changing of Article 4 of the Articles of Faith from the old form:
4. We believe that these ordinances are: First, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of Hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
so as to designate faith and repentance in some other way than as ordinances which they are not. The following form was adopted
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: (1) Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; (2) Repentance; (3) Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; (4) Laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
2. The proper form and ceremony of baptism whether in case of rebaptism or in any other occasion, additions to the revealed formula, such as, "for the remission of your sins" or "for the renewal of your covenants." The decision was that any additions to the revealed form, or any other departure therefrom is unauthorized, and to be deprecated. The authorized form is that given in the Doctrine and Covenants.
3. The authority for rebaptisms:—The authorities were unanimous in declaring that rebaptism is not recognized as a regularly constituted principle of the Church; and that the current practice of requiring rebaptism as a prerequisite for admission to the temples, etc. is unauthorized. Nothing should be put in the way of anyone receiving his covenants by rebaptism if he feels the necessity of so doing: and of course, in cases of disfellowship, or excommunication, a repetition of the baptism is required, but the making of rebaptism a uniform procedure is not proper. It was declared to be at variance with the order of true government in the Church to require baptism of those who come from foreign branches to Zion, bringing with them certificates of membership and of full standing. Pres. Geo. Q. Cannon expressed the opinion that the practice of repeating baptism came from the example and teaching of Pres. Brigham Young in the days of first migration to these parts: when the journey meant a long separation from organized branches and wards of the Church: and consequently an interruption in the observance of regular Church duties. The conditions are changed now: and the counsel given for special circumstances should not be made applicable to general procedure under all circumstances. Danger was seen in the practice of repeated baptisms:—such may be made like the confessional of the Catholics: a premium on sinning [?].
Several minor points were ruled upon, comprising—unpardonable sin: murder and shedding of innocent blood.
In the afternoon a meeting of the Presidency and the Twelve was held at the Temple, at which all the points named above were ratified as set forth.
[The Journals of James E. Talmage—Excerpts, Compiled by J. Trevor Antley, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dOE6pgN6OkBJIq-X73JGpCdt0p5b8_UdfTfLREz4uTg/]
I brought before the Presidency, asking for rulings, the following subjects:—
1. The changing of Article 4 of the Articles of Faith from the old form:
4. We believe that these ordinances are: First, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of Hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
so as to designate faith and repentance in some other way than as ordinances which they are not. The following form was adopted
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: (1) Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; (2) Repentance; (3) Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; (4) Laying on of hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
2. The proper form and ceremony of baptism whether in case of rebaptism or in any other occasion, additions to the revealed formula, such as, "for the remission of your sins" or "for the renewal of your covenants." The decision was that any additions to the revealed form, or any other departure therefrom is unauthorized, and to be deprecated. The authorized form is that given in the Doctrine and Covenants.
3. The authority for rebaptisms:—The authorities were unanimous in declaring that rebaptism is not recognized as a regularly constituted principle of the Church; and that the current practice of requiring rebaptism as a prerequisite for admission to the temples, etc. is unauthorized. Nothing should be put in the way of anyone receiving his covenants by rebaptism if he feels the necessity of so doing: and of course, in cases of disfellowship, or excommunication, a repetition of the baptism is required, but the making of rebaptism a uniform procedure is not proper. It was declared to be at variance with the order of true government in the Church to require baptism of those who come from foreign branches to Zion, bringing with them certificates of membership and of full standing. Pres. Geo. Q. Cannon expressed the opinion that the practice of repeating baptism came from the example and teaching of Pres. Brigham Young in the days of first migration to these parts: when the journey meant a long separation from organized branches and wards of the Church: and consequently an interruption in the observance of regular Church duties. The conditions are changed now: and the counsel given for special circumstances should not be made applicable to general procedure under all circumstances. Danger was seen in the practice of repeated baptisms:—such may be made like the confessional of the Catholics: a premium on sinning [?].
Several minor points were ruled upon, comprising—unpardonable sin: murder and shedding of innocent blood.
In the afternoon a meeting of the Presidency and the Twelve was held at the Temple, at which all the points named above were ratified as set forth.
[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 - Nov 26, 1888
Apostle Lorenzo Snow speaks concerning "N. K. Whitney and wife and H.C. Kimball, who, he said, the Prophet Joseph told his sister Eliza [R. Snow], were descendants of the Savior."
[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 - Nov 26, 1843
Joseph, Hyrum, and the Twelve, among others, meet with Col. Frierson concerning sending a petition to Congress for the redress of grievances and losses in Missouri. Frierson is a representative of John C. Calhoun, who is suddenly interested in helping the Mormons now that he (Calhoun) is running for U. S. President.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
120 years ago today - Nov 25, 1903; Wednesday
By letter from the Presidents of the 55th Quorum of Seventy they ask the following question: "Brother James H. Linford, one of the Presidents of the 55th Quorum of Seventy, was ordained by one of the Apostles as a Patriarch. Inasmuch as he was not ordained a High Priest is he still a Seventy?" Brother [B. H.] Roberts moved that Brother [George] Reynolds be a committee of one to present this question to the President of the Church to be answered, with instructions to explain that two of the First Council of the Seventy were ordained Patriarchs and still retained their position as members of the First Council. Carried.
[Excerpt from the Minutes of the First Council of the Seventy]
[Excerpt from the Minutes of the First Council of the Seventy]
150 years ago today - Nov 25, 1873 (Tuesday)
A grand celebration was held in Provo, on the event of the Utah Southern Railway being completed to that city.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
180 years ago today - Nov 25, 1843
[Wilford Woodruff]
.... I found the High Council sitting on a case of Harrison Sagers for some improper Conduct or offer towards some female.
... President Joseph Smith ... [said] That the Church had not received any license from him to commit adultery fornication or any such thing but to the contrary if any man Commit adultery He Could not receive the Ceslestial kingdom of God. Even if he was saved in any kingdom it could not be the Celestial kingdom.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
.... I found the High Council sitting on a case of Harrison Sagers for some improper Conduct or offer towards some female.
... President Joseph Smith ... [said] That the Church had not received any license from him to commit adultery fornication or any such thing but to the contrary if any man Commit adultery He Could not receive the Ceslestial kingdom of God. Even if he was saved in any kingdom it could not be the Celestial kingdom.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
120 years ago today - Nov 24, 1903
[First Presidency to Benjamin Cluff Jr.]
Your letter of the 18th inst., announcing your conclusion to resign your position as president of the Brigham Young University to accept the position of manager of the Utah Mexican Rubber Company at Tobasco received attention at our regular Council meeting last Thursday. Your determination to leave the school was a great surprise, especially to the brethren the apostles who had received no intimation of it until hearing your letter read; ... But we are pleased to inform you that the Council, while regretting your action, accepted of your resignation with sentiments of appreciation for your efficient labors as principal of the Brigham Young University, and with the best of feelings toward you personally, as well as the best of wishes for your success in your new field of labor, in which we ourselves heartily join.
[First Presidency, Letter to Benjamin Cluff Jr., as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Your letter of the 18th inst., announcing your conclusion to resign your position as president of the Brigham Young University to accept the position of manager of the Utah Mexican Rubber Company at Tobasco received attention at our regular Council meeting last Thursday. Your determination to leave the school was a great surprise, especially to the brethren the apostles who had received no intimation of it until hearing your letter read; ... But we are pleased to inform you that the Council, while regretting your action, accepted of your resignation with sentiments of appreciation for your efficient labors as principal of the Brigham Young University, and with the best of feelings toward you personally, as well as the best of wishes for your success in your new field of labor, in which we ourselves heartily join.
[First Presidency, Letter to Benjamin Cluff Jr., as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
60 years ago today - Nov 22, 1963
Counselor Hugh B. Brown wrote that Reed Benson "is entirely out of order, does not represent the Church's position, although he claims to do so because his father [Ezra Taft Benson] has the position he has . . ."
[Hugh B. Brown to Ernest Cook, 22 Nov. 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.]
[Hugh B. Brown to Ernest Cook, 22 Nov. 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.]
105 years ago today - Nov 22, 1918
[Thomas A. Clawson Diary]
"At 10 A.M. today in a Special Meeting in the Temple of the Council of the Twelve and Presiding Patriarch the First Presidency was reorganized with Heber J. Grant President and Anthon H. Lund and Chas. W. Penrose as his Counselors. Anthon H Lund was set apart as President of the Twelve and Rudger Clawson as Acting Prest of the Twelve Apostles. This is perfectly satisfactory to me and I am quite sure that no matter how energetic and forceful Heber may have been in some of his political views and in his likes and dislikes the Lord will modify and mellow him down and prepare him for the great responsibilities he is called upon to assume."
[Diary Excerpts of Thomas A. Clawson, Signature Books Library, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
"At 10 A.M. today in a Special Meeting in the Temple of the Council of the Twelve and Presiding Patriarch the First Presidency was reorganized with Heber J. Grant President and Anthon H. Lund and Chas. W. Penrose as his Counselors. Anthon H Lund was set apart as President of the Twelve and Rudger Clawson as Acting Prest of the Twelve Apostles. This is perfectly satisfactory to me and I am quite sure that no matter how energetic and forceful Heber may have been in some of his political views and in his likes and dislikes the Lord will modify and mellow him down and prepare him for the great responsibilities he is called upon to assume."
[Diary Excerpts of Thomas A. Clawson, Signature Books Library, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
105 years ago today - Nov 22, 1918
Heber J. Grant presides at the graveside services held for President Joseph F. Smith. Because of a nationwide influenza epidemic, no public funerals were allowed during this time.
145 years ago today - Nov 22, 1878
[Franklin D. Richards]
.... Snow continued his interesting representation of the new missions in Arizona especially Br[other] Llewellyn Harris of Panguitch [Utah] labors in the Zuna tribe in administering to 460 cases of Small Pox & God healed all that refrained from taking Medicine.
[Franklin D. Richards, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
.... Snow continued his interesting representation of the new missions in Arizona especially Br[other] Llewellyn Harris of Panguitch [Utah] labors in the Zuna tribe in administering to 460 cases of Small Pox & God healed all that refrained from taking Medicine.
[Franklin D. Richards, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
165 years ago today - Nov 22, 1858 (Monday)
The police in G.S.L. City were attacked and fired upon by a party of rowdies. Disturbances of the peace, robberies and stealing occurred frequently in the city at that time.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
180 years ago today - Nov 22, 1843
[Anointed Quorum]
Prayer circle meeting at Joseph Smith's old house; second anointing for Brigham and Mary Ann Young. ... Elden Jay Watson, [ed., Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968] claim Young's second anointing was on 14 Jan. 1844, which indicates that this ceremony was performed again on Young's behalf the day before the other apostles began receiving the second anointing.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
Prayer circle meeting at Joseph Smith's old house; second anointing for Brigham and Mary Ann Young. ... Elden Jay Watson, [ed., Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968] claim Young's second anointing was on 14 Jan. 1844, which indicates that this ceremony was performed again on Young's behalf the day before the other apostles began receiving the second anointing.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
45 years ago today - Nov 21, 1978
The frist official LDS baptisms in Nigeria. LDS missionaries baptize less than 10 percent of the previously self-converted Mormon Nigerians from the 1960s. Prior to 1978, mosot former converts became tired of waiting for official recognition or abandoned the LDS church due to its priesthood rerstriction against those of black African "blood." Many joined the RLDS church which allowed the ordination of blacks and temporarily baptizes Third World polygamists. Now that LDS proselyting has begun, still other self-converted Nigerians refuse to abandon polygamy as the price for LDS baptism or ordination. Since polygamy is legal according to "the laws of the land" in Africa, Nigerian polygamists are in compliance with the 1890 Manifesto.
[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 - Nov 21, 1938
[Heber J. Grant]
[In conversation with 'Brother Lyman and Brother Ward'] I told of John W. Taylor's prophesying on me when I was called to go to Japan. Told of the Miraculous blessings of the Lord that I should make $46,000. in four months.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
[In conversation with 'Brother Lyman and Brother Ward'] I told of John W. Taylor's prophesying on me when I was called to go to Japan. Told of the Miraculous blessings of the Lord that I should make $46,000. in four months.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
125 years ago today - Nov 21, 1898; Monday
The sum of $372.84 was appropriated by the Presidency in favor of the four wards of Provo [Utah], for the purpose of clearing off an indebtedness of some nine years standing on the books of the Tithing Office against them.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
=?utf-8?q?140 years ago today - Nov 21, 1883 =E2=80=A2 Wednesday?=
[George Q. Cannon]
I took the opportunity of expressing to him our views concerning plural marriage, that it was impossible for us to abandon it. I related my own case, that I had taken wives because I believed it to be a command of the Lord and that my salvation depended upon it.
[The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
I took the opportunity of expressing to him our views concerning plural marriage, that it was impossible for us to abandon it. I related my own case, that I had taken wives because I believed it to be a command of the Lord and that my salvation depended upon it.
[The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
180 years ago today - Nov 21, 1843, Tuesday
[William Clayton Writings]
P.M. went to J[oseph]'s to ask him to come to my house & marry Margt. Butterfield to her first husband. He could not come but sent Hyrum. I learned from H[yrum]. that E[mma]. had power to prevent my being admitted to J[oseph]'s Lodge for the present for which I feel somewhat sorry but yet believe that innocence will finally triumph[.] I stood as proxy for Edwd. Lawrence. ... Evening I attended the [Masonic] Lodge
[Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries]
P.M. went to J[oseph]'s to ask him to come to my house & marry Margt. Butterfield to her first husband. He could not come but sent Hyrum. I learned from H[yrum]. that E[mma]. had power to prevent my being admitted to J[oseph]'s Lodge for the present for which I feel somewhat sorry but yet believe that innocence will finally triumph[.] I stood as proxy for Edwd. Lawrence. ... Evening I attended the [Masonic] Lodge
[Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries]
80 years ago today - Nov 20, 1943
... Brethren of draft age [World War II] should not be recommended [for missionary service]. ...
... The policy heretofore announced not to call sisters into the mission field during the emergency and in the absence from the missions of brethren of the Priesthood to take the lead in missionary service, still obtains. There are three possible exceptions:
... Stenographers Sisters who have had practical stenographic experience, that is, those who have demonstrated their ability to take dictation with reasonable speed and accuracy, may be needed from time to time to take the places of released missionaries in the office forces of the mission. ...
... Sisters engaged as professional school teachers, being personally fitted and having acquired through experience and training in the Church the ability creditably to represent the Church in the proclamation of the Gospel, may be recommended to spend their vacations in the mission field as short-term missionaries, paying their own transportation and other expenses. ...
... Sisters of mature age, wives of brethren beyond the draft age, may be recommended with their husbands to perform missions.
Men Beyond the Draft Age Men beyond the draft age may be recommended for long or short-term missions. ...
... Sincerely your brethren, HEBER J. GRANT, J. REUBEN CLARK, JR., DAVID O. MCKAY First Presidency.
[1943-November 20-Original circular letter, L.D.S.; Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
... The policy heretofore announced not to call sisters into the mission field during the emergency and in the absence from the missions of brethren of the Priesthood to take the lead in missionary service, still obtains. There are three possible exceptions:
... Stenographers Sisters who have had practical stenographic experience, that is, those who have demonstrated their ability to take dictation with reasonable speed and accuracy, may be needed from time to time to take the places of released missionaries in the office forces of the mission. ...
... Sisters engaged as professional school teachers, being personally fitted and having acquired through experience and training in the Church the ability creditably to represent the Church in the proclamation of the Gospel, may be recommended to spend their vacations in the mission field as short-term missionaries, paying their own transportation and other expenses. ...
... Sisters of mature age, wives of brethren beyond the draft age, may be recommended with their husbands to perform missions.
Men Beyond the Draft Age Men beyond the draft age may be recommended for long or short-term missions. ...
... Sincerely your brethren, HEBER J. GRANT, J. REUBEN CLARK, JR., DAVID O. MCKAY First Presidency.
[1943-November 20-Original circular letter, L.D.S.; Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
160 years ago today - Nov 20, 1863 (Friday)
The first number of the Union Vidette, a bitter anti-Mormon newspaper, was issued at Camp Douglas, Utah.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
160 years ago today - Nov 20, 1863
[Female Administration]
At midnight I was Called up to go down to the farm & visit my daughter Susan who thought her youngest Child was dying. I took Mrs Woodruff down to see the Child. We laid hands upon & rebuked the desease & the Child began to amend.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
At midnight I was Called up to go down to the farm & visit my daughter Susan who thought her youngest Child was dying. I took Mrs Woodruff down to see the Child. We laid hands upon & rebuked the desease & the Child began to amend.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
15 years ago today - 11/19/2008
California Supreme Court denies a request to stay the implementation and enforcement of Proposition 8 and asks plaintiffs and defendants in the relevant cases three questions: 1 - Is the proposition invalid because it is a revision, rather than an amendment, to the state constitution? 2 - Does the proposition violate the separation-of-powers doctrine under the state constitution? 3 - If the proposition is not unconstitutional, what is its effect, if any, on the same-sex marriages performed already?
[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]
25 years ago today - Nov 19, 1998
President Gordon B. Hinckley commences a three-day tour of storm-ravaged Nicaragua and Honduras, bringing comfort and humanitarian relief to victims of Hurricane Mitch.
105 years ago today - Nov 19, 1918
Joseph F. Smith died on 19 November 1918. He had six wives and forty-eight children, including apostles Hyrum M. and Joseph Fielding, and David A., a member of the Presiding Bishopric of the Church.
Smith dies. His last words are to Apostle Heber J. Grant: "Always remember this is the Lord's work, and not man's. The Lord is greater than any man. He knows who He wants to lead His Church, and never makes any mistakes." Smith is the only LDS president to be buried without a public funeral (due to the epidemic of the "Spanish Influenza").
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Joseph F. Smith, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
Smith dies. His last words are to Apostle Heber J. Grant: "Always remember this is the Lord's work, and not man's. The Lord is greater than any man. He knows who He wants to lead His Church, and never makes any mistakes." Smith is the only LDS president to be buried without a public funeral (due to the epidemic of the "Spanish Influenza").
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Joseph F. Smith, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
105 years ago today - Nov 19, 1918
BEQUEST of property made to the church this date by the Estate of President Joseph F. Smith: ... Dear President Grant: President Joseph F. Smith left an undistributed estate in the hands of five sons Executors, which estate was appraised by the State of Utah and District Court Appraisers at a little over $82,000.00. The Government Estate and State Inheritance taxes, costs of administration, etc., have cost in the neighborhood of $55,000.00, leaving a comparatively small balance in the Estate; but what there is, the Executors feel (and this feeling in concurred in by all members of the family) should be turned over to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, without reservation as to it use; but with the hope that it might be devoted to temple work or temple building. ...
[Bequest, March 10, 1921, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Bequest, March 10, 1921, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
175 years ago today - Nov 19, 1848
The Nauvoo Temple was burned.
[Richards, Franklin Dewey and Little, James A., Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel, Church Chronology, Ch.66, p.306, http://www.amazon.com/Compendium-Doctrines-Gospel-ebook/dp/B002LTY4Z0?ie=UTF8tag=mormonchronic-20link_code=btlcamp=213689creative=392969]
[Richards, Franklin Dewey and Little, James A., Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel, Church Chronology, Ch.66, p.306, http://www.amazon.com/Compendium-Doctrines-Gospel-ebook/dp/B002LTY4Z0?ie=UTF8tag=mormonchronic-20link_code=btlcamp=213689creative=392969]
190 years ago today - Nov 19, 1833
[Joseph Smith]
This day my /h[e]art/ is somewhat sorrowfull but [I] feel to trust in the Lord the God of Jacob. I have learned in my travels that man is treche[r]ous and selfish but few excepted.
Brother /Sidney/ [Rigdon] is a man whom I love but [he] is not capa[b]le of that pure and ste[a]dfast love for those who are his benefactors as should p/o/sess the breast of a man /a/ President of the Chu/r/ch of Christ. ...
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1832-34, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
This day my /h[e]art/ is somewhat sorrowfull but [I] feel to trust in the Lord the God of Jacob. I have learned in my travels that man is treche[r]ous and selfish but few excepted.
Brother /Sidney/ [Rigdon] is a man whom I love but [he] is not capa[b]le of that pure and ste[a]dfast love for those who are his benefactors as should p/o/sess the breast of a man /a/ President of the Chu/r/ch of Christ. ...
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1832-34, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
200 years ago today - Nov 19, 1823
Death of Joseph Smith's brother Alvin from a physician's overdose of calomel. Shortly thereafter the family lost their farm. "One of the pivotal events in the lives of Smith family members was the death of Alvin Smith. Both Joseph Smith and Lucy Smith perpetuated an incorrect date for Alvin's death, believing that it had occurred in 1824. Alvin Smith's gravestone at Palmyra's General John Swift Memorial Cemetery confirms his death date as 19 November 1823."
[Alvin Smith Gravestone, 19 November 1823, General John Swift Memorial Cemetery, Palmyra, New York., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Alvin Smith Gravestone]
[Alvin Smith Gravestone, 19 November 1823, General John Swift Memorial Cemetery, Palmyra, New York., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Alvin Smith Gravestone]
35 years ago today - Nov 18, 1988
U.S. President Ronald Reagan awards the Church a President's Historical Preservation Award for restoring the Newel K. Whitney Store in Kirtland, Ohio.
75 years ago today - Nov 18, 1948
Notification of a working agreement reached between the First Presidency of the Church and Colonel Oscar W. Gray of the Selective Service relative to young men of draft age who are or may he called for missionary service by the Church.
[Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
[Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
115 years ago today - Nov 18, 1908
Special to The Tribune.
PROVO, Nov. 17—An order has been issued by the Mormon church officials prohibiting the game of football at all the Mormon schools. The matter has been under discussion for more than a year. A petition, signed by a majority of the students here asking that football be allowed, was presented to the church authorities, but the petition has been set aside, and this morning the announcement was made in the B. Y. U. by President George H. Brimhall that no football would be tolerated.
It is said that the students are opposed to the order, but that they will submit without further effort.
[Salt Lake Tribune 11/2 "Mormon Church is Against Football" (provided by Joseph Johnstun)]
PROVO, Nov. 17—An order has been issued by the Mormon church officials prohibiting the game of football at all the Mormon schools. The matter has been under discussion for more than a year. A petition, signed by a majority of the students here asking that football be allowed, was presented to the church authorities, but the petition has been set aside, and this morning the announcement was made in the B. Y. U. by President George H. Brimhall that no football would be tolerated.
It is said that the students are opposed to the order, but that they will submit without further effort.
[Salt Lake Tribune 11/2 "Mormon Church is Against Football" (provided by Joseph Johnstun)]
130 years ago today - Nov 18, 1893
[President Wilford Woodruff]
18 I spent the day at home. Done some Choreing. I tied up my Jappan wine buries &c.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
18 I spent the day at home. Done some Choreing. I tied up my Jappan wine buries &c.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Nov 18, 1858
President Young said we have sent Elders for several years to go among the Indians marry their squaws & identify themself with the Indians go and live with them but up to this day I Could not get an Elder to do it. I have said if any man Could get appointed to take my place I would show them how it was done. He said when an Elder goes among the Lamanites & finds a good spirited young squaw let him take her & make a wife of her & if any of the Brethren in the South want to take a squaw to wife let him go to Amasa while He is in the South & let him seal them the same as any body.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
185 years ago today - Nov 18, 1838
Richmond, Missouri. All of the witnesses Joseph Smith and his brethren requested for their trial (between 40 and 50 persons) were arrested, thrown in prison, and prohibited from testifying.
[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 - Nov 16, 1993
Church leaders applaud the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, passed and signed into law by the U.S. Congress. The U.S. Supreme Court later declares the law unconstitutional.
120 years ago today - Nov 16, 1903; Monday
"We return herewith [a] recommend, endorsed for second blessings, in favor of Sister Dorthy Tompsen."
"We note that you say that this sister is making a desperate effort [to do] some temple work this winter. The question has arisen in our minds, whether or not she now has, or has had a husband; and if a married woman, whether her husband has had his second anointing. If not, her husband, dead or alive, if worthy, should also be recommended, as she cannot have hers alone."
[Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthony H. Lund to Thomas E. Bassett, LDS Archives]
"We note that you say that this sister is making a desperate effort [to do] some temple work this winter. The question has arisen in our minds, whether or not she now has, or has had a husband; and if a married woman, whether her husband has had his second anointing. If not, her husband, dead or alive, if worthy, should also be recommended, as she cannot have hers alone."
[Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthony H. Lund to Thomas E. Bassett, LDS Archives]
145 years ago today - Nov 16, 1878
In the Salt Lake Theater, some two thousand Latter-day Saint women protest the federal government's interference with religious practice in Utah.
185 years ago today - Nov 16, 1838
[Fanny Algers, first plural wife of Joseph Smith: marriage to Solomon Custer]
"The deceased [Fanny Algers] was united in holy wedlock to Solomon Franklin Custer, in this place, at the old tavern stand, that used to occupy the site of the late Benjamin Cruil's residence in the east part of town, on Nov. 16th, 1838. As the result of this union, she had born to her nine children, two of whom survive her. With the exception of a very short period at two different times, aunt Fannie had made "Dublin her home, since first coming to the settlement; then just forming, away back in the 20's. ..."
"She joined the Universalist church on the evening of the 10th of Octrober, 1874, and until her last, held to that belief. ..."
[Fanny Algers W. Custer obituary found in the Adolphus Barnes Family Bible (also known as the Stephen Barnes Family Bible), http://www.algerclan.org/getperson.php?personID=I135&tree=alger]
"The deceased [Fanny Algers] was united in holy wedlock to Solomon Franklin Custer, in this place, at the old tavern stand, that used to occupy the site of the late Benjamin Cruil's residence in the east part of town, on Nov. 16th, 1838. As the result of this union, she had born to her nine children, two of whom survive her. With the exception of a very short period at two different times, aunt Fannie had made "Dublin her home, since first coming to the settlement; then just forming, away back in the 20's. ..."
"She joined the Universalist church on the evening of the 10th of Octrober, 1874, and until her last, held to that belief. ..."
[Fanny Algers W. Custer obituary found in the Adolphus Barnes Family Bible (also known as the Stephen Barnes Family Bible), http://www.algerclan.org/getperson.php?personID=I135&tree=alger]
30 years ago today - Nov 16, 1993
Church leaders applaud the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, passed and signed into law by the U.S. Congress. The U.S. Supreme Court later declares the law unconstitutional.
120 years ago today - Nov 16, 1903; Monday
"We return herewith [a] recommend, endorsed for second blessings, in favor of Sister Dorthy Tompsen."
"We note that you say that this sister is making a desperate effort [to do] some temple work this winter. The question has arisen in our minds, whether or not she now has, or has had a husband; and if a married woman, whether her husband has had his second anointing. If not, her husband, dead or alive, if worthy, should also be recommended, as she cannot have hers alone."
[Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthony H. Lund to Thomas E. Bassett, LDS Archives]
"We note that you say that this sister is making a desperate effort [to do] some temple work this winter. The question has arisen in our minds, whether or not she now has, or has had a husband; and if a married woman, whether her husband has had his second anointing. If not, her husband, dead or alive, if worthy, should also be recommended, as she cannot have hers alone."
[Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthony H. Lund to Thomas E. Bassett, LDS Archives]
145 years ago today - Nov 16, 1878
In the Salt Lake Theater, some two thousand Latter-day Saint women protest the federal government's interference with religious practice in Utah.
185 years ago today - Nov 16, 1838
[Fanny Algers, first plural wife of Joseph Smith: marriage to Solomon Custer]
"The deceased [Fanny Algers] was united in holy wedlock to Solomon Franklin Custer, in this place, at the old tavern stand, that used to occupy the site of the late Benjamin Cruil's residence in the east part of town, on Nov. 16th, 1838. As the result of this union, she had born to her nine children, two of whom survive her. With the exception of a very short period at two different times, aunt Fannie had made "Dublin her home, since first coming to the settlement; then just forming, away back in the 20's. ..."
"She joined the Universalist church on the evening of the 10th of Octrober, 1874, and until her last, held to that belief. ..."
[Fanny Algers W. Custer obituary found in the Adolphus Barnes Family Bible (also known as the Stephen Barnes Family Bible), http://www.algerclan.org/getperson.php?personID=I135&tree=alger]
"The deceased [Fanny Algers] was united in holy wedlock to Solomon Franklin Custer, in this place, at the old tavern stand, that used to occupy the site of the late Benjamin Cruil's residence in the east part of town, on Nov. 16th, 1838. As the result of this union, she had born to her nine children, two of whom survive her. With the exception of a very short period at two different times, aunt Fannie had made "Dublin her home, since first coming to the settlement; then just forming, away back in the 20's. ..."
"She joined the Universalist church on the evening of the 10th of Octrober, 1874, and until her last, held to that belief. ..."
[Fanny Algers W. Custer obituary found in the Adolphus Barnes Family Bible (also known as the Stephen Barnes Family Bible), http://www.algerclan.org/getperson.php?personID=I135&tree=alger]
30 years ago today - Nov 15, 1993
After ninety-six years, the statue of Brigham Young is moved from the intersection of South Temple and Main Streets in Salt Lake City, Utah, to a location eighty-two feet to the north.
145 years ago today - Nov 15, 1878
Elizabeth Ann Whitney (counselor to Emma Smith in the Relief Society Presidency, wife of the Church's first bishop) received her authority to bless through ordination. "I was ordained and set ... apart under the hand of Joseph Smith the Prophet to administer to the sick and comfort the sorrowful. Several other sisters were also ordained and set apart to administer in these holy ordinances."
[Elizabeth Whitney Autobiography, published in the Woman's Exponent, 15 Nov. 1878, p. 91, as quoted at http://ordainwomen.org/quotes. See Quinn, "Mormon Political Conflicts" for full cite and context.]
[Elizabeth Whitney Autobiography, published in the Woman's Exponent, 15 Nov. 1878, p. 91, as quoted at http://ordainwomen.org/quotes. See Quinn, "Mormon Political Conflicts" for full cite and context.]
160 years ago today - Nov 15, 1863
LDS Apostle George A. Smith preached:"When Joseph Smith was about fourteen or fifteen years old…the Lord answered his prayer, and revealed to Joseph, by the ministration of angels, the true condition of the religious world. When the holy angel appeared, Joseph inquired which of all these denominations was right and which he should join, and was told they were all wrong…"
["Journal of Discourses", Vol. 12, pp.333-334; A Documented History of Joseph Smith's First Vision, http://beggarsbread.org/2013/04/01/a-documented-history-of-joseph-smiths-first-vision/]
["Journal of Discourses", Vol. 12, pp.333-334; A Documented History of Joseph Smith's First Vision, http://beggarsbread.org/2013/04/01/a-documented-history-of-joseph-smiths-first-vision/]
180 years ago today - Nov 15, 1843
Joseph Smith told the brethren of his intention to write a proclamation to the kings of the earth.
[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]
190 years ago today - Nov 15, 1833
[Joshua Stafford (neighbor to the Smiths)]
I, Joshua Stafford, became acquainted with the family of Joseph Smith, Sen. about the year 1819 or 20. They then were laboring people, in low circumstances. A short time after this, they commenced digging for hidden treasures, and soon after they became indolent, and told marvellous stories about ghosts, hob-goblins, caverns, and various other mysterious matters. Joseph once showed me a piece of wood which he said he took from a box of money, and the reason he gave for not obtaining the box, was, that it moved. At another time, he, (Joseph, Jr.) at a husking, called on me to become security for a horse, and said he would reward me handsomely, for he had found a box of watches, and they were as large as his fist, and he put one of them to his ear, and he could hear it "tick forty rods."
[Joshua Stafford affidavit in Eber D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed (Painesville, Ohio: E. D. Howe, 1834), 258., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Joshua Stafford Statement]
I, Joshua Stafford, became acquainted with the family of Joseph Smith, Sen. about the year 1819 or 20. They then were laboring people, in low circumstances. A short time after this, they commenced digging for hidden treasures, and soon after they became indolent, and told marvellous stories about ghosts, hob-goblins, caverns, and various other mysterious matters. Joseph once showed me a piece of wood which he said he took from a box of money, and the reason he gave for not obtaining the box, was, that it moved. At another time, he, (Joseph, Jr.) at a husking, called on me to become security for a horse, and said he would reward me handsomely, for he had found a box of watches, and they were as large as his fist, and he put one of them to his ear, and he could hear it "tick forty rods."
[Joshua Stafford affidavit in Eber D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed (Painesville, Ohio: E. D. Howe, 1834), 258., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Joshua Stafford Statement]
200 years ago today - Nov 15, 1823
[Joseph Smith's brother] Alvin gets sick and the doctors attending him administer a "heavy dose of Calomel," which results in his death four days later.
[Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
[Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
15 years ago today - Nov 14, 2008
Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are very disappointed over statements made in a media advisory from Mr. Ernest Michel, honorary chairman of the American Gathering of Holocaust Survivors.
[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php]
[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php]
15 years ago today - 11/14/2008
The Seattle Times reports on LDS Church involvement in Proposition 8, including Jeff Flint's observation that - Of the approximately $40 million raised by the Yes on 8 campaign, roughly half came from Mormons.
[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]
105 years ago today - Nov 14, 1918
The First Presidency and Twelve vote to accept Joseph F. Smith's revelation on the spirit world, even though several apostles have misgivings about it. Church officials publish this vision and add it to the Standard Works in 1976.
[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 )]]
110 years ago today - Nov 14, 1913 (Friday)
Elder Anson B. Call was seized by red flaggers at Colonia Dublan, Chihuahua, Mexico, and requested to pay $2,000 as a ransom for himself; he was kept a prisoner for several days and threatened with death; finally he bought his release for $200.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
115 years ago today - Nov 14, 1908
To whom it may concern:-Among the vices of the present age gambling is very generally condemned, ... Nevertheless, in numerous guises the demon of chance is welcomed in the home, in fashionable clubs, and at entertainments for worthy charities, even within the precincts of sacred edifices. Devices for raising money by appealing to the gambling instinct are common accessories at church sociables, ward fairs, and the like.
... we say again to the people that no kind of chance game, guessing-contest, or raffling device, can be approved in any entertainment under the auspices of our Church organizations.
[1908-November 14-Improvement Era 12:143-145 (December, 1908); Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
... we say again to the people that no kind of chance game, guessing-contest, or raffling device, can be approved in any entertainment under the auspices of our Church organizations.
[1908-November 14-Improvement Era 12:143-145 (December, 1908); Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
135 years ago today - Nov 14, 1888
Sisters Zina D H Young, Jane S. Richards & Emily Richards accompanied by apostle Franklin D. Richards called this evening. Sis[ter] Emily S. Richards submitted topic of enrolling the ladies of this territory who are in favor of women suffrage for the purposes of organizing under the National Suffrage Association. Mrs Froiseth being the acredited vice president, it was not know how she will act in the matter. Mrs Richards was requested to find out so that if she will not act that steps may be taken to have the ladies properly enrolled.
[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]
40 years ago today - Nov 13, 1983-Sunday
[Leonard Arrington]
I learned this morning from Brent Metcalfe's stake president, David Grant, that he (Prest. Grant) regretted very much the firing of Brent by Church Security. He said that Brent had a fine attitude and spirit and a firm testimony, and that it was not improper for young people like him to speculate on doctrinal and historical matters. He said he had discussed the matter with President [Gordon B.] Hinckley and that President Hinckley had written Brent a personal letter apologizing to him on behalf of the Church, for what seemed a precipitous and unfair action. President Grant said that he (Grant) thought Church Security did him a favor by firing him, for Brent is too smart and well educated a person to spend his life working for Church Security.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
I learned this morning from Brent Metcalfe's stake president, David Grant, that he (Prest. Grant) regretted very much the firing of Brent by Church Security. He said that Brent had a fine attitude and spirit and a firm testimony, and that it was not improper for young people like him to speculate on doctrinal and historical matters. He said he had discussed the matter with President [Gordon B.] Hinckley and that President Hinckley had written Brent a personal letter apologizing to him on behalf of the Church, for what seemed a precipitous and unfair action. President Grant said that he (Grant) thought Church Security did him a favor by firing him, for Brent is too smart and well educated a person to spend his life working for Church Security.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
50 years ago today - Nov 13, 1973-Tuesday
[Leonard Arrington]
The Personnel Division proposed a reorganization of the Historical Department ...
Personally I could not accept the idea. I protested that we were getting along fine and why change our present structure. I also raised questions about having Earl as my superior, fearful that he might interfere with our programs of writing and research through his administrative superiority, but Earl gave strong assurances, as did Don Schmidt and as did Brother Anderson, and it looks like it is going through regardless. It seems it will be going through so it is now my intention to attempt to get some written qualifications introduced that will protect my position as the reorganization takes place.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
The Personnel Division proposed a reorganization of the Historical Department ...
Personally I could not accept the idea. I protested that we were getting along fine and why change our present structure. I also raised questions about having Earl as my superior, fearful that he might interfere with our programs of writing and research through his administrative superiority, but Earl gave strong assurances, as did Don Schmidt and as did Brother Anderson, and it looks like it is going through regardless. It seems it will be going through so it is now my intention to attempt to get some written qualifications introduced that will protect my position as the reorganization takes place.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
70 years ago today - Nov 13, 1953
[Stephen L. Richards]
[Ten years to the day after his excommunication for adultry, former Apostle] Richard R. Lyman Dr. Lyman came in to confer with President Richards concerning his petition for reinstatement in the Church.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah 2015, Appendix 2, The Diaries of Marion G. Romney, 1941-1961, Abridged]
[Ten years to the day after his excommunication for adultry, former Apostle] Richard R. Lyman Dr. Lyman came in to confer with President Richards concerning his petition for reinstatement in the Church.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah 2015, Appendix 2, The Diaries of Marion G. Romney, 1941-1961, Abridged]
145 years ago today - Nov 13, 1878
Three unidentified men attack John C. Young, editor of the anti-Mormon Salt Lake Tribune, as he leaves its office near midnight and breaks his nose with "brass knuckles." On 12 Feb. 1878 Deseret News reported Counselor George Q. Cannon's statement about Young: "I consider the fellow without character, who deserves kicking, and who would not resent the insult if kicked."
[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 )]]
165 years ago today - Nov 13, 1858
[Wilford Woodruff]
I met in the evening at President Young with the Legislature. An arangement was made by the members to assemble at the social Hall on the 2d Monday in Dec & organize & adjourn to Fillmore. This was done to sustain our own acts. Then at Fillmore we would organize to Accomodate Gov Cummings as he Considered that the Seat of Government. Then we would adjourn back to Great Salt Lake City to spend the session to accomodate all parties.
Gov. Cummings thought our adjournment to Great Salt Lake City was illegal because it was done by a Joint resolution of both Houses in Joint Session. ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I met in the evening at President Young with the Legislature. An arangement was made by the members to assemble at the social Hall on the 2d Monday in Dec & organize & adjourn to Fillmore. This was done to sustain our own acts. Then at Fillmore we would organize to Accomodate Gov Cummings as he Considered that the Seat of Government. Then we would adjourn back to Great Salt Lake City to spend the session to accomodate all parties.
Gov. Cummings thought our adjournment to Great Salt Lake City was illegal because it was done by a Joint resolution of both Houses in Joint Session. ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Nov 13, 1858
[Heber C. Kimball:] We have the true Masonry. The Mason[ry] of the day is received from the apostasy which took place in the days of Solomon and David. They know[,] now and then[,] a thing that is correct[,] but we know the real thing[;] but how many comprehend it and see the propriety of being true to each other[?]
[Journal History, Nov. 13, 1858, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Journal History, Nov. 13, 1858, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
170 years ago today - Nov 13, 1853 (Sunday)
The mail train was attacked by Indians six miles from Laramie, and three men were killed. C.A. Kinkead, of G.S.L. City, was robbed of $10,500.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
185 years ago today - Nov 13, 1838
Sampson Avard testifies the First Presidency directed Danite activities. Other prosecution witnesses include John Corrill, Reed Peck, W. W. Phelps, George M. Hinkle, Burr Riggs, and John Whitmer.
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
190 years ago today - Nov 13, 1833
November 13th Nothing of note transpired from the 4th of Nove[m]ber u[n]til this day. In the morning at 4 Oh clock I was awoke by Brother Davis knocking at /my/ door saying "Brother Joseph come git /up/ and see the signs in the heavens." I arrose and beheld to my great Joy the stars fall from heaven. Yea they fell like hail stones. A litteral fullfillment of the word of God as recorded in the holy scriptures and a sure sign that the coming of Christ is clost [close] at hand.
Oh how marvellous are thy works Oh Lord and I thank thee for thy me[r]cy u/n/to me thy servent. Oh Lord save me in thy kingdom for Christ['s] sake. Amen.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1832-34, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
Oh how marvellous are thy works Oh Lord and I thank thee for thy me[r]cy u/n/to me thy servent. Oh Lord save me in thy kingdom for Christ['s] sake. Amen.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1832-34, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
15 years ago today - Nov 12, 2008
San Diegans protested outside the Mormon Temple near La Jolla, angered over reports that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints contributed millions in support of Prop 8. The Mormon Church released a statement saying, in part, "It is wrong to target the church and its sacred places of worship for being part of the Democratic process."
[Prop 8 Timeline, NBC San Diego, http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/politics/Proposition-8-Timeline-History-California--138796454.html]
[Prop 8 Timeline, NBC San Diego, http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/politics/Proposition-8-Timeline-History-California--138796454.html]
135 years ago today - Nov 12, 1888
Jacob Spori is appointed the first principal (president) of the Fremont or Bannock Stake Academy (the forerunner to Ricks College, later BYU-I) in Rexburg, Idaho.
165 years ago today - Nov 12, 1858
Brother Wall related a Circumstance of an officer of the Armey who ask him if he was a Mormon. Yes. I suppose you are an out & in mormon Just as it suits you? I am a thorough mormon. I believe in all their principles. What poligamy and all? Yes. How many wives have you? I have three & Twelve Children. How do you suppose those Children will look upon you when they get Grown up? I will tell you how they will look upon me. They will point to me & say theire is my Father who has raised me fed, Clothed & Educated me and owned me through persecution oppression & scorn and I will own honor & obey him, while your Children at Fort Levensworths St Louis & all places whare you have been which you will not own nor provide for they will not own you & their mothers will point to you as they see you pass & will say there is your father but dont say a word about it for the world. Those Children will both Hate & despise you & the vary Ground upon which you tread. Capt Wolf replied scratching his head By … that is true but I never looked upon it in that light. [The ellipses are Woodruff's.]
"What would you do if the Government should give orders to put you to death if you did not put away your wives? I would take my wives & children & go to some secluded spot of Earth whare I Could enjoy my wives & Children & liberty. "What if the Government should pounce onto you & not give you the privilege? Then I would take my family into the mountains & I would fight you over evry hill & dale as long as I lived. Capt Woolf replyed I will not shoot at you.
Capt Woolf said Governor Young ought to be the next President for He is the smartest man in the United States. He has been playing a game of Ucre with the United States and has beat them. He had gained five points while the United States has ownly had a march & he ought to be president & I would vote for him.
The man who was a waggon master of the train which Lot Smith burned said Capt Smith & his men were Gentlemen. It was the best thing for me & your people that Could have been done. It released me & sent me back to the States or I should have suffered with the rest in the mountains And it was well for the mormons for if this train had not been burned the Armey would probably have pushed on had a fight & blood been spiled.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
"What would you do if the Government should give orders to put you to death if you did not put away your wives? I would take my wives & children & go to some secluded spot of Earth whare I Could enjoy my wives & Children & liberty. "What if the Government should pounce onto you & not give you the privilege? Then I would take my family into the mountains & I would fight you over evry hill & dale as long as I lived. Capt Woolf replyed I will not shoot at you.
Capt Woolf said Governor Young ought to be the next President for He is the smartest man in the United States. He has been playing a game of Ucre with the United States and has beat them. He had gained five points while the United States has ownly had a march & he ought to be president & I would vote for him.
The man who was a waggon master of the train which Lot Smith burned said Capt Smith & his men were Gentlemen. It was the best thing for me & your people that Could have been done. It released me & sent me back to the States or I should have suffered with the rest in the mountains And it was well for the mormons for if this train had not been burned the Armey would probably have pushed on had a fight & blood been spiled.
[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 - Nov 12, 1848
Oliver Cowdery: Rebaptized by Orson Hyde 12 November 1848 at Kanesville, Iowa.
[Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
[Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
180 years ago today - Nov 12, 1843
[Anointed Quorum]
Sunday evening prayer Circle; second anointing "at S.E. Room, Joseph's old house" for Reynolds and Thirza Cahoon, and for Lucy Mack (Smith) and her deceased husband Joseph, Sr., by proxy, .
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
Sunday evening prayer Circle; second anointing "at S.E. Room, Joseph's old house" for Reynolds and Thirza Cahoon, and for Lucy Mack (Smith) and her deceased husband Joseph, Sr., by proxy, .
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
185 years ago today - Nov 12, 1838
Judge Austin A. King holds a court of inquiry on the so-called Mormon War in Missouri. Following the hearing, some sixty-four Mormon defendants are examined. Five (including Parley P. Pratt) are committed to the Richmond Jail, and six (Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Caleb Baldwin, and Alexander McRae) are committed to the Liberty Jail while they await further trial.
15 years ago today - Nov 11, 2008
Holocaust survivors said they are through trying to negotiate with the Mormon church over posthumous baptisms of Jews killed in Nazi concentration camps, saying the church has repeatedly violated a 13-year-old agreement barring the practice. Leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints say they are making changes to their massive genealogical database to make it more difficult for names of Holocaust victims to be entered for posthumous baptism by proxy, a rite that has been a common Mormon practice for more than a century.
But Ernest Michel, honorary chairman of the American Gathering of Holocaust Survivors, said that is not enough. "We ask you to respect us and our Judaism just as we respect your religion," Michel said in a statement. "We ask you to leave our six million Jews, all victims of the Holocaust, alone, they suffered enough." Posthumous baptism by proxy allows faithful Mormons to have their ancestors baptized into the 178-year-old church, which they believe reunites families in the afterlife.
[washingtonpost.com, "Jewish Group Exhorts Mormons"; A chronicle of the Mormon-Jewish controversy; The LDS Agreement: A JewishGen InfoFile, http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/ldsagree.html]
But Ernest Michel, honorary chairman of the American Gathering of Holocaust Survivors, said that is not enough. "We ask you to respect us and our Judaism just as we respect your religion," Michel said in a statement. "We ask you to leave our six million Jews, all victims of the Holocaust, alone, they suffered enough." Posthumous baptism by proxy allows faithful Mormons to have their ancestors baptized into the 178-year-old church, which they believe reunites families in the afterlife.
[washingtonpost.com, "Jewish Group Exhorts Mormons"; A chronicle of the Mormon-Jewish controversy; The LDS Agreement: A JewishGen InfoFile, http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/ldsagree.html]
75 years ago today - Nov 11, 1948
Belle Smith Spafford, general president of the Relief Society, is elected vice-president of the National Council of Women. Subsequent LDS vice-presidents are Florence Smith Jacobson, formerly the general president of LDS Young Women (1974) and Elaine Anderson Cannon, general president of the Young Women (1982).
[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 )]]
80 years ago today - Nov 11, 1943
[Joseph Fielding Smith]
At 6 p.m. I was engaged with Brother Harold B. Lee and others including officers of the law which resulted in bringing charges against [apostle] Richard R. Lyman of a most serious nature [adultry].
[Joseph Fielding Smith, 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. I was engaged with Brother Harold B. Lee and others including officers of the law which resulted in bringing charges against [apostle] Richard R. Lyman of a most serious nature [adultry].
[Joseph Fielding Smith, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
80 years ago today - Nov 11, 1943
Joseph Fielding [Smith] and H[arold] B Lee called at home ... reported findings.
[George Albert Smith, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[George Albert Smith, 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 - Nov 11, 1903
[Marriner W. Merrill]
We had our family Reunion, 35 of my own children present and 126 grandchildren ... this being the 50th anniversary of our wedding day caused the occasion.
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
We had our family Reunion, 35 of my own children present and 126 grandchildren ... this being the 50th anniversary of our wedding day caused the occasion.
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
125 years ago today - Nov 11, 1898
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill]
Friday. Richmond. I left home at 6:10 a. m. and had a cold ride to Logan. I went down and paid my County, State and School taxes amounting to $619.16.
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Friday. Richmond. I left home at 6:10 a. m. and had a cold ride to Logan. I went down and paid my County, State and School taxes amounting to $619.16.
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
185 years ago today - Nov. 11-28, 1838
Over 50 Latter-day Saint prisoners are kept in the Richmond jail, chained together in an unroofed courthouse. Sidney Rigdon gets very sick from exposure and loses his powers of reasoning. One night during this time the guards blaspheme and boast about their treatment, rapings, and murder of the Saints, and Joseph arises in his chains and rebukes the guards with might and power, causing them to quail and beg before him.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
185 years ago today - Nov 11, 1838
[Abraham O. Smoot]
He married his first wife, Margaret Thompson McMeans Adkinson, on 11 November 1838 in Missouri.
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Abraham O. Smoot, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
He married his first wife, Margaret Thompson McMeans Adkinson, on 11 November 1838 in Missouri.
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Abraham O. Smoot, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
15 years ago today - Nov 10, 2008
Jewish group wants Mormons to stop proxy baptisms
NEW YORK - Holocaust survivors said Monday they were abandoning negotiations with the Mormon church over its posthumous baptisms of Jews who were killed in Nazi death camps.
Survivors claim elders of the Salt Lake City-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have refused to systemically search for and remove the names of Holocaust victims from their master genealogical database and have failed to prevent "zealots" from adding thousands of new Jewish names to the list in recent years - including thousands lifted from Yizkor books of Jews massacred at Berdichev in Ukraine.
"We are not going to continue meeting with the Mormon Church," said Auschwitz survivor Ernest Michel, head of the American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors, who has spearheaded efforts to scrub the Mormon lists since discovering in the 1990s that his parents were among 380,000 Holocaust victims having been baptized into the Christian faith.
Gary Motokoff, a Jewish genealogist who participated in meetings with Mormon leaders, described the negotiations as "fruitless." ...
["Jewish group wants Mormons to stop proxy baptisms, "Allison Hoffman, Jerusalem Post Correspondent, New York, THE JERUSALEM POST; A chronicle of the Mormon-Jewish controversy; The LDS Agreement: A JewishGen InfoFile, http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/ldsagree.html]
NEW YORK - Holocaust survivors said Monday they were abandoning negotiations with the Mormon church over its posthumous baptisms of Jews who were killed in Nazi death camps.
Survivors claim elders of the Salt Lake City-based Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have refused to systemically search for and remove the names of Holocaust victims from their master genealogical database and have failed to prevent "zealots" from adding thousands of new Jewish names to the list in recent years - including thousands lifted from Yizkor books of Jews massacred at Berdichev in Ukraine.
"We are not going to continue meeting with the Mormon Church," said Auschwitz survivor Ernest Michel, head of the American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors, who has spearheaded efforts to scrub the Mormon lists since discovering in the 1990s that his parents were among 380,000 Holocaust victims having been baptized into the Christian faith.
Gary Motokoff, a Jewish genealogist who participated in meetings with Mormon leaders, described the negotiations as "fruitless." ...
["Jewish group wants Mormons to stop proxy baptisms, "Allison Hoffman, Jerusalem Post Correspondent, New York, THE JERUSALEM POST; A chronicle of the Mormon-Jewish controversy; The LDS Agreement: A JewishGen InfoFile, http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/ldsagree.html]
100 years ago today - Nov 10, 1923
Relief Societies across North America collect and repair clothes and shoes, to ease the distress the Latter-day Saints in Germany were facing, after World War 1.
[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php]
[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php]
120 years ago today - Tuesday, Nov 10, 1903
[John Henry Smith]
Word was received to night a writ had been issued to arrest heber J. Grant before he leaves for his mission. He left tonight.
[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]
Word was received to night a writ had been issued to arrest heber J. Grant before he leaves for his mission. He left tonight.
[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]
130 years ago today - Nov 10, 1893
[Franklin D. Richards]
Bro[ther]. John Rushton favored me with a view of the 'Seer Stone' which he became possessed of in Nauvoo [Illinois] & related how & where he found it. Says it is part of one of the stones that Jared's brother 'Mahonri Moriancumr' asked the Lord to touch that theymight give light to those in the Barges while they should cross the Sea.
[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]
Bro[ther]. John Rushton favored me with a view of the 'Seer Stone' which he became possessed of in Nauvoo [Illinois] & related how & where he found it. Says it is part of one of the stones that Jared's brother 'Mahonri Moriancumr' asked the Lord to touch that theymight give light to those in the Barges while they should cross the Sea.
[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]
135 years ago today - Nov 10, 1888 (Saturday)
In the First District Court, at Provo, William R. Webb, of American Fork, was sentenced by Judge Judd to 18 months' imprisonment, for adultery.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
150 years ago today - Nov 10, 1873
[John D. T. McAllister]
... It is my desire to be buried in the garments and Robes of the Holy Priesthood, everything pertaining thereto properly made and put on my body. [I] do not want any extravagance, a medium coffin[,] no expense for funeral clothing such as the gentiles mourn in. [I] would like my Brethren of the Priesthood to dictate [to] my family in this matter, and see me buried as I ought to be, that my body can rest in peace. [I] do not want my coffin short or too long, deep enough to lay in without mashing my nose, and cramping my arms or crushing my stomach, a good strong one that it will hold together. I pray that I may so live that the Holy Priesthood will feel it a pleasure to put me away, and a pleasure to receive me in their society in the morning of the glorious resurrection.
[John D. T. McAllister, statement dated Nov. 10, 1873, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
... It is my desire to be buried in the garments and Robes of the Holy Priesthood, everything pertaining thereto properly made and put on my body. [I] do not want any extravagance, a medium coffin[,] no expense for funeral clothing such as the gentiles mourn in. [I] would like my Brethren of the Priesthood to dictate [to] my family in this matter, and see me buried as I ought to be, that my body can rest in peace. [I] do not want my coffin short or too long, deep enough to lay in without mashing my nose, and cramping my arms or crushing my stomach, a good strong one that it will hold together. I pray that I may so live that the Holy Priesthood will feel it a pleasure to put me away, and a pleasure to receive me in their society in the morning of the glorious resurrection.
[John D. T. McAllister, statement dated Nov. 10, 1873, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
185 years ago today - Nov 10, 1838
The other 56 prisoners are put in Richmond jail with Joseph and his fellow prisoners. Joseph learns that during the mobbings about 30 Saints were killed, many more were wounded, 100 are missing, and approximately 60 prisoners are waiting trial at Richmond for an unknown charge. In Adam-ondi-Ahman a three-day board of inquiry concludes, Adam Black having been judge, and all Saints are honorably acquitted. General Wilson orders every family out of Adam-ondi-Ahman within ten days. He gives them permission to go to Caldwell County until spring, but says they must leave the state by then or be exterminated.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
15 years ago today - 11/9/2008
[Proposition-8]
Peaceful protesters gather in front of the Oakland temple [after passage of Prop-8].
[Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
Peaceful protesters gather in front of the Oakland temple [after passage of Prop-8].
[Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
45 years ago today - Nov 9, 1978
Latter-day Saints missionaries enter the African republic of Nigeria for the first time.
[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]
[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]
70 years ago today - Nov 9, 1953
"Except for the President," Ezra Taft Benson lamented to concerned Mormons toward the end of his first year in office, I am assured that no man in public life has a heavier responsibility at the present time [than I]. I feel the weight of it very keenly. The cross fires, pressures and political maneuvering associated with the office make the burden almost unbearable at times. I know that I have the faith and prayers of millions of people who are hoping and praying that the philosophies and principles which I am trying to advocate will prevail.
Of course, the Church is on trial. ... I hope you will not become unduly depressed when you read items deeply critical of me and my activities.
[Benson, Open letter to "My Brothers and Sisters," November 9, 1953, in Benson Scrapbooks.; Gary James Bergera, '"Rising above Principle": Ezra Taft Benson as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, 1953-61, Part 1', Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought (Fall 2008, v 41)]
Of course, the Church is on trial. ... I hope you will not become unduly depressed when you read items deeply critical of me and my activities.
[Benson, Open letter to "My Brothers and Sisters," November 9, 1953, in Benson Scrapbooks.; Gary James Bergera, '"Rising above Principle": Ezra Taft Benson as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, 1953-61, Part 1', Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought (Fall 2008, v 41)]
80 years ago today - Nov 9, 1943
[George Albert Smith]
R[ichard] R Lyman called to my attention. Shocked. [It was discovered that Apostle Lyman was having an affair with another woman.]
[George Albert Smith 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]
R[ichard] R Lyman called to my attention. Shocked. [It was discovered that Apostle Lyman was having an affair with another woman.]
[George Albert Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
85 years ago today - Nov 9, 1938
Nazis in Germany being Kristallnacht ("Night of Broken Glass") in which they pillage Jewish businesses, burn synagogues, and arrest thousands of Jews. Max Reschke, a non-Jewish Mormon in Hannover, rescues some Jewish friends from armed guards and helps the family escape to Switzerland. However, as an example of the polarization of German Mormons about "the Jewish question," one Hamburg branch president prohibits Jewish Mormons from attending LDS services, while another Hamburg branch welcomes these rejected Mromons, defies the Gestapo (Nazi secret police), and give religious encouragement to a Jewish Mormon who refuses to wear the yellow Star of David. Later imprisoned for hiding a Jew in his home, Reschke survives the Nazi regime.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
120 years ago today - Nov 9, 1903; Monday
B. H. Roberts called and read a letter to the Presidency from a gentleman who had given the Book of Mormon a close reading. He called Brother Roberts' attention to the fact that the passages quoted in the Book of Mormon from Isaiah are identically the same as the Bible text; and as no two persons could possibly translate in precisely the same language, this man asked for an explanation in regard to this matter. Brother Roberts had prepared an answer to the same, and now read it to the Presidency, who approved of Brother Roberts' views regarding this matter as perhaps the best reasons that could be given in the absence of a knowledge of the facts.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
130 years ago today - Thurs., Nov 9, 1893
[Abraham H. Cannon]
Pres. Woodruff told of himself and David Patten being in Tennessee on a mission. While there Bro. Patten had a journey of 40 miles to make one day, but when he went out to get the mule he had procured for this labor, he was on the ground nearly dead with the colic. Bro. Patten said: "See here, old fellow, this won't do! You have got to carry me 40 miles today, and with these words he stepped up to the animal, laid his hands on the animal, and blessed him. The mule immediately arose, and made the journey. Pres. Woodruff said that was the only time in his life when his faith had been tried, but he thought it strange for an Elder to administer to a mule, and thus do what seemed sacrilege in his mind at that time.
Bro. Joseph F. Smith told of his mother having one of her oxen become sick when she was coming to the valley with her family. The captain of the company said the animal would die, but she got out a bottle of consecrated oil, and got two of the brethren to administer to the ox, and it recovered.
Father also had one of his cattle healed by the laying on of hands by himself. The animal accidentally got its leg badly hurt, and it looked as though it could no more travel, but Father slipped out after dark and administered to it, and it recovered and made the journey home.
Bro. J. F. Smith told about David Patten having seen and walked with Cain. Cain is described as being a very large man, his head being even with that of David Patten when the latter was seated on his animal. I always entertained the idea that Cain was dead, but my attention was called to the passage of scripture concerning the curse of God which should fall upon whoever should slay Cain. I supposed this meant whoever should kill his seed.
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
Pres. Woodruff told of himself and David Patten being in Tennessee on a mission. While there Bro. Patten had a journey of 40 miles to make one day, but when he went out to get the mule he had procured for this labor, he was on the ground nearly dead with the colic. Bro. Patten said: "See here, old fellow, this won't do! You have got to carry me 40 miles today, and with these words he stepped up to the animal, laid his hands on the animal, and blessed him. The mule immediately arose, and made the journey. Pres. Woodruff said that was the only time in his life when his faith had been tried, but he thought it strange for an Elder to administer to a mule, and thus do what seemed sacrilege in his mind at that time.
Bro. Joseph F. Smith told of his mother having one of her oxen become sick when she was coming to the valley with her family. The captain of the company said the animal would die, but she got out a bottle of consecrated oil, and got two of the brethren to administer to the ox, and it recovered.
Father also had one of his cattle healed by the laying on of hands by himself. The animal accidentally got its leg badly hurt, and it looked as though it could no more travel, but Father slipped out after dark and administered to it, and it recovered and made the journey home.
Bro. J. F. Smith told about David Patten having seen and walked with Cain. Cain is described as being a very large man, his head being even with that of David Patten when the latter was seated on his animal. I always entertained the idea that Cain was dead, but my attention was called to the passage of scripture concerning the curse of God which should fall upon whoever should slay Cain. I supposed this meant whoever should kill his seed.
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
155 years ago today - Nov 9, 1868
Unable to work with the grand Lodge of Nevada over Mormon admittence to lodges, Obed F. Strickland and Reuben H. Robertson, looked elsewhere for authorization. They applied, unsuccessfully, to Colorado and Montana. Finally, they turned to Kansas and received a dispensation, and later a charter on 9 November 1868. This aroused nationwide criticism for the Kansas Grand Lodge, but the furor subsided.
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Freemasonry in Utah, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Freemasonry in Utah, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
165 years ago today - Nov 9, 1858
On 9 November 1858, amid gun fire and patriotic music, the soldiers of Camp Floyd, Utah Territory, raised the United States flag above their newly completed garrison. Named for Secretary of War, John B. Floyd, the post housed the largest concentration of U.S. troops to that time, in what immediately became the third largest city in Utah.
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Camp Floyd, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Camp Floyd, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
170 years ago today - Nov 9, 1853
[Patriarchal Blessing of Sophia Pollard] ... You shall have faith to heal the sick in your own house and among your sex ... [you] shall live to see the winding up scene, see your Redeemer descend in the clouds of heaven, fly to meet him in the cloud and enjoy all the blessings and glories of his Kingdom with all your father's house. Even so, Amen.
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
185 years ago today - Nov 9, 1838
Joseph Smith and fellow prisoners arrived at Richmond, MO, and put in chains. Joseph rebuked guards.
[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]
30 years ago today - Nov 08, 1993
The First Presidency announces TempleReady, a software program designed to speed up the process of clearing names obtained from family history research for temple work. Also, "A Member's Guide to Temple and Family History Work" is introduced to general and local Church officers.
85 years ago today - Nov 8, 1938
Culbert L. Olson is elected Calfornia's governor, the first Mormon governor outside the state of Utah. Other governors with a Mormon background: Idaho's Arnold Williams (1945-47), California's Goodwin J. Knight (1953-59), American Samoa's H. Rex Lee (1961-67), Michigan's George W. Romney (1963-69), Idaho's John V. Evans (1977-87), Arizona's Evan Mecham (1987-88), and Massachusettes' Willard Mitt Romney (2003-07). Knight does not claim Mormonism as a politician, and in 1952 the Church News retracts its statement that he is an LDS governor. LDS Luis Alberto Ferrizo is elected to Uruguay's equivalent of governor (1990), and Jien-Nien Chen is elected as governor in Taiwan (1993).
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
135 years ago today - Nov 8, 1General
First Presidency and Twelve discuss a payment ranging from $10,000 to $25,000 to Frank Dyer, receiver in church suits. Dyer wanted $25,000 in compensation, and church leaders were afraid that not compensating him enough would result in further harassment of Mormons in the form of anti-polygamy law enforcement. Several of the brethren felt this requested compensation was a form of blackmail. Rumors suggest Dyer is compensating deputies for each arrest they make.
[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]
180 years ago today - Nov 8, 1843
[Nauvoo Neighbor]
Guardianship Announced -- Hyrum Smith -- announced that he has been appointed guardian of Joel Bulard of Nauvoo, who was considered by the court to be insane.
[http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
Guardianship Announced -- Hyrum Smith -- announced that he has been appointed guardian of Joel Bulard of Nauvoo, who was considered by the court to be insane.
[http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
185 years ago today - Nov 8, 1838
General Wilson surrounds Adam-ondi-Ahman, Adam Black convenes a court of inquiry. Joseph and other prisoners in Independence start for Richmond with three guards who get drunk. Prisoners take their arms and horses but apparently do not attempt to escape.
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
190 years ago today - Nov 8, 1833
[Joseph Capron (neighbor to the Smiths)]
.... The family of Smiths held Joseph Jr. in high estimation on account of some supernatural power, which he was supposed to possess. This power he pretended to have received through the medium of a stone of peculiar quality. The stone was placed in a hat, in such a manner as to exclude all light, except that which emanated from the stone itself. This light of the stone, he pretended, enabled him to see any thing he wished. Accordingly he discovered ghosts, infernal spirits, mountains of gold and silver, and many other invaluable treasures deposited in the earth. He would often tell his neighbors of his wonderful discoveries, and urge them to embark in the money digging business. ...
The sapient Joseph discovered, north west of my house, a chest of gold watches; but, as they were in the possession of the evil spirit, it required skill and stratagem to obtain them. Accordingly, orders were given to stick a parcel of large stakes in the ground, several rods around, in a circular form. This was to be done directly over the spot where the treasures were deposited. A messenger was then sent to Palmyra to procure a polished sword: after which, Samuel F. Lawrence, with a drawn sword in his hand, marched around to guard any assault which his Satanic majesty might be disposed to make. Meantime, the rest of the company were busily employed in digging for the watches. ... the devil came off victorious, and carried away the watches. ...
[Eber D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed (Painesville, Ohio: E. D. Howe, 1834), 258-60., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Joseph Capron Statement]
.... The family of Smiths held Joseph Jr. in high estimation on account of some supernatural power, which he was supposed to possess. This power he pretended to have received through the medium of a stone of peculiar quality. The stone was placed in a hat, in such a manner as to exclude all light, except that which emanated from the stone itself. This light of the stone, he pretended, enabled him to see any thing he wished. Accordingly he discovered ghosts, infernal spirits, mountains of gold and silver, and many other invaluable treasures deposited in the earth. He would often tell his neighbors of his wonderful discoveries, and urge them to embark in the money digging business. ...
The sapient Joseph discovered, north west of my house, a chest of gold watches; but, as they were in the possession of the evil spirit, it required skill and stratagem to obtain them. Accordingly, orders were given to stick a parcel of large stakes in the ground, several rods around, in a circular form. This was to be done directly over the spot where the treasures were deposited. A messenger was then sent to Palmyra to procure a polished sword: after which, Samuel F. Lawrence, with a drawn sword in his hand, marched around to guard any assault which his Satanic majesty might be disposed to make. Meantime, the rest of the company were busily employed in digging for the watches. ... the devil came off victorious, and carried away the watches. ...
[Eber D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed (Painesville, Ohio: E. D. Howe, 1834), 258-60., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Joseph Capron Statement]
15 years ago today - 11/7/2008
[Proposition-8]
[After passage of prop-8] Protesters march peacefully around Salt Lakes Temple Square
[Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
[After passage of prop-8] Protesters march peacefully around Salt Lakes Temple Square
[Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
165 years ago today - Nov 7, 1858
[Wilford Woodruff]
An opposition paper is being published in this City by Kirk Anderson. It is Called Kirk Andersons valley Tan. The first peace strikes out against Polygamy in Strong terms.
They are seting at liberty a thousand or more teamsters at Col Johnsons Camp which are filling our Cities & towns with rowdyism & Crime to get up a fuss with the Saints.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
An opposition paper is being published in this City by Kirk Anderson. It is Called Kirk Andersons valley Tan. The first peace strikes out against Polygamy in Strong terms.
They are seting at liberty a thousand or more teamsters at Col Johnsons Camp which are filling our Cities & towns with rowdyism & Crime to get up a fuss with the Saints.
[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 - Nov 7, 1848
[Wilford Woodruff]
Election. This day decides who is Elected President of the United States for the next four years to come. I have not cast A vote for A President since this nation Shed the Blood of the Prophets Joseph And Hiram Smith Neither do I expect to. I spent the day at home while most men went to the Election.
The Electric telegraph has become so perfect And universal through the United States that citizens of New York recieved the returns of many of the States of the Union before they did the returns of the City itself, And before the papers went to press next morning after the Election, returns had been recieved enough to show that Gen Taylor was Elected President of the United States by an overwhelming majority.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Election. This day decides who is Elected President of the United States for the next four years to come. I have not cast A vote for A President since this nation Shed the Blood of the Prophets Joseph And Hiram Smith Neither do I expect to. I spent the day at home while most men went to the Election.
The Electric telegraph has become so perfect And universal through the United States that citizens of New York recieved the returns of many of the States of the Union before they did the returns of the City itself, And before the papers went to press next morning after the Election, returns had been recieved enough to show that Gen Taylor was Elected President of the United States by an overwhelming majority.
[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 - Nov 7, 1843
According to the NAUVOO NEIGHBOR (Nov 8) August Cobb Young's child, Brigham Cobb, dies at age 5 months. This was five days after her plural marriage to Brigham Young on November 2, 1843. Augusta was still legally married to the father, non-Mormon Henry Cobb.
[Nauvoo Neighbor (Nov 8)]
[Nauvoo Neighbor (Nov 8)]
190 years ago today - Nov 7, 1833
[Parley P. Pratt]
"About two o'clock the next morning we were called up by the cry of signs in the heavens. We arose, and to our great astonishment all the firmament seemed enveloped in splendid fireworks, as if every star in the broad expanse had been hurled from its course, and sent lawless through the wilds of ether. Thousands of bright meteors were shooting through space in every direction, with long trains of light following in their course. This lasted for several hours, and was only closed by the dawn of the rising sun. Every heart was filled with joy at this majestic display of signs and wonders, showing the near approach of the coming of the Son of God."
[Autobiography of Parley Parker Prat, as quoted in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]
"About two o'clock the next morning we were called up by the cry of signs in the heavens. We arose, and to our great astonishment all the firmament seemed enveloped in splendid fireworks, as if every star in the broad expanse had been hurled from its course, and sent lawless through the wilds of ether. Thousands of bright meteors were shooting through space in every direction, with long trains of light following in their course. This lasted for several hours, and was only closed by the dawn of the rising sun. Every heart was filled with joy at this majestic display of signs and wonders, showing the near approach of the coming of the Son of God."
[Autobiography of Parley Parker Prat, as quoted in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]
190 years ago today - Nov 7, 1833
The Saints are driven from Jackson County to Clay County, Ray County, Van Buren County (and from Van Buren County to Lafayette County). On both sides of the Missouri River, 1200 homeless Saints gather, destitute, camping out in tents.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
60 years ago today - Nov 6, 1963
Congressman Harding wrote that "prospects in the Church do look brighter with the assignment of Ezra Taft Benson to Europe."
[Ralph Harding to Richard D. Poll, 6 Nov. 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.]
[Ralph Harding to Richard D. Poll, 6 Nov. 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.]
125 years ago today - Nov 6, 1898; Sunday
[Heber J. Grant]
.... B H Roberts' reply to Gov[ernor]. [Heber M.] Wells in this morning's [Salt Lake] Herald disgusts me almost if not quite as much as the Governor's speech did. Politics is a good thing to have nothing to do with. ... I met Apostle Brigham Young [Jr.] ... and we chatted together on the political situation. He agreed with me perfectly that Bro[ther] Wells had made a great mistake and that Bro[ther] Roberts had done equally as bad in replying the way that he had. ...
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
.... B H Roberts' reply to Gov[ernor]. [Heber M.] Wells in this morning's [Salt Lake] Herald disgusts me almost if not quite as much as the Governor's speech did. Politics is a good thing to have nothing to do with. ... I met Apostle Brigham Young [Jr.] ... and we chatted together on the political situation. He agreed with me perfectly that Bro[ther] Wells had made a great mistake and that Bro[ther] Roberts had done equally as bad in replying the way that he had. ...
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
165 years ago today - Nov 6, 1858
Kirk Anderson's Valley Tan begins in Great Salt Lake City – Deseret News' first opposition paper. It ran for 16 months.
[Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
[Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
185 years ago today - Nov 6, 1838
General Clark addresses the Saints in Far West, telling them that it is only out of kindness that he is allowing them to leave the state instead of murdering them, and that "as for your leaders, do not once think—do not imagine for a moment—do not let it enter your mind that they will be delivered, or that you will see their faces again, for their fate is fixed—their die is cast—their doom is sealed." He then takes the new prisoners from Far West and heads for Richmond under a large guard..
The brethren were compelled to sign deeds of trust for paying the expense of the mob. About sixty men were retained as prisoners, and the remainder of the Saints ordered to leave the State, according to the exterminating order of Gov. Boggs.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology; Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
The brethren were compelled to sign deeds of trust for paying the expense of the mob. About sixty men were retained as prisoners, and the remainder of the Saints ordered to leave the State, according to the exterminating order of Gov. Boggs.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology; Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
15 years ago today - 11/5/2008
[Proposition-8]
[The day after Prop-8 passes] Proposition 8 opponents file the first lawsuits questioning the legality of the proposition's passge. Ruth Youth proclaim International Mormon Appreciation Day
[Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
[The day after Prop-8 passes] Proposition 8 opponents file the first lawsuits questioning the legality of the proposition's passge. Ruth Youth proclaim International Mormon Appreciation Day
[Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
110 years ago today - Nov 05, 1913
Ground is broken for the Alberta Temple (later the Cardston Alberta Temple), the first temple outside of the United States.
120 years ago today - Thursday, Nov 5, 1903
[Rudger Clawson]
Elder Clawson said that he had been approached by a bishop who wanted to know the view of the council in regard to the Word of Wisdom, as to whether it was now binding upon the church as a commandment, as thus saith the Lord. Pres. Smith replied that it is so regarded. Benediction.
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
Elder Clawson said that he had been approached by a bishop who wanted to know the view of the council in regard to the Word of Wisdom, as to whether it was now binding upon the church as a commandment, as thus saith the Lord. Pres. Smith replied that it is so regarded. Benediction.
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
120 years ago today - Nov 5, 1903 (Thursday)
The authorities of the Church purchased the old Carthage jail in which the Prophet Joseph Smith and Patriarch Hyrum Smith were assassinated. The cost of the building and the grounds (two acres) was $4,000.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
120 years ago today - Nov 5, 1903; Thursday
[Anthony Ivins]
When someone wanted to move from one ward to another, they were supposed to obtain a "recommend" from their bishop indicating their standing in the church, which they could carry with them to their new bishop. The Deseret News Press had apparently just printed the new forms.
[Anderson, Elizabeth Oberdick, editor, Cowboy Apostle: The Diaries of Anthony W. Ivins: 1875-1932, Signature Books, Salt Lake City in association with the Smith-Pettit Foundation (2013) - http://bit.ly/AnthonyIvins]
When someone wanted to move from one ward to another, they were supposed to obtain a "recommend" from their bishop indicating their standing in the church, which they could carry with them to their new bishop. The Deseret News Press had apparently just printed the new forms.
[Anderson, Elizabeth Oberdick, editor, Cowboy Apostle: The Diaries of Anthony W. Ivins: 1875-1932, Signature Books, Salt Lake City in association with the Smith-Pettit Foundation (2013) - http://bit.ly/AnthonyIvins]
180 years ago today - Nov 5, 1843
Joseph Smith becomes violently ill at dinner and assumes that his wife Emma has poisoned him due to her opposition to polygamy. At the prayer circle meeting that evening Joseph Smith accuses her, and Brigham Young regards her shocked silence as proof of her guilt.
[Joseph Smith Diary] [Joseph] Was taken suddenly sick at the dinner table. Went to the door and vomited /all [his] dinner/. [His] jaws [were] dislocated and raised fresh blood. Every symptom of poison. [several lines left blank]
Prayer Meeting eve at the Hall over the store. <Joseph did not dress [in robes of the priesthood, as customary], nor Emma> [several lines left blank]
[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;Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
[Joseph Smith Diary] [Joseph] Was taken suddenly sick at the dinner table. Went to the door and vomited /all [his] dinner/. [His] jaws [were] dislocated and raised fresh blood. Every symptom of poison. [several lines left blank]
Prayer Meeting eve at the Hall over the store. <Joseph did not dress [in robes of the priesthood, as customary], nor Emma> [several lines left blank]
[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;Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
185 years ago today - Nov 5, 1838
Joseph and the other prisoners are kept under a small guard. Parley P. Pratt escapes; but fearing reprisals against Joseph and the others, he decides to return voluntarily. General Clark arrives in Far West to arrest 56 additional prisoners.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
190 years ago today - Nov 5, 1833
Early in the morning A. S. Gilbert, Isaac Morley, and John Corrill are taken to prison and shot at on the way. Rumors spread that Lt. Gov. Boggs is behind the mob. Rumors also spread that the three prisoners will be shot, and 100 Saints gather to protect them. Before a full-scale war breaks out, however, the Saints decide to surrender their arms if the Missourians also promise to disarm. The Mormons later discover that the leaders of these harassers seem to be Lt. Gov. Boggs, the Rev. Isaac McCoy, Judge S. D. Lucas, and almost every other local government official. In the evening of November 5 and 6 about 150 women and children flee to the prairie with only six men to protect them.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
15 years ago today - Nov 4, 2008
California voters adopted the constitutional amendment [Prop-8] outlawing same-sex marriage, overturning the state Supreme Court decision just months earlier giving gay couples the right to wed.
[Prop 8 Timeline, NBC San Diego, http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/politics/Proposition-8-Timeline-History-California--138796454.html]
[Prop 8 Timeline, NBC San Diego, http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/politics/Proposition-8-Timeline-History-California--138796454.html]
15 years ago today - Nov 4, 2008
Prop 8 passes in California
[History of The Proclamation on the Family, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vRDUS68wfgWtZqdNv67AqfYGGfHrJiZi-B6dlDhDClQOatExFZDFt73srGQoul3U4_iXiTuYIqW57gs/pubhtml]
[History of The Proclamation on the Family, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vRDUS68wfgWtZqdNv67AqfYGGfHrJiZi-B6dlDhDClQOatExFZDFt73srGQoul3U4_iXiTuYIqW57gs/pubhtml]
75 years ago today - Nov 4, 1948
Mission president Frederick S. Williams baptizes Avelino Juan Rodriguez and his wife, Maria Esther, the first converts in Uruguay.
[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]
[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]
80 years ago today - Nov 4, 1943
I attended the council meetings of the Twelve and later the First Presidency. With Brother Lee and others later in the evening.
[Joseph Fielding Smith, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Joseph Fielding Smith, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
125 years ago today - Nov 4, 1898
[Heber J. Grant]
Long chat with Pres Snow on the financial condition of the Church ... Called on John M. Cannon and had a chat with him in regard to N W Clayton's claim against [member of the Twelve] A[braham] H Cannon's estate. F M Lyman, J F Smith & Jas H. Moyle claim. chat with Bros Lyman & Smith and suggested that I arrange the payment of their donation to the Utah Loan and Trust Co. by their paying party and cancelling their claims against A H Cannon's Estate and they were glad to do this. I explained that John M. Cannon administrator was on hand to make an extra payment of 4000 to Ogden Bank on this basis.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
Long chat with Pres Snow on the financial condition of the Church ... Called on John M. Cannon and had a chat with him in regard to N W Clayton's claim against [member of the Twelve] A[braham] H Cannon's estate. F M Lyman, J F Smith & Jas H. Moyle claim. chat with Bros Lyman & Smith and suggested that I arrange the payment of their donation to the Utah Loan and Trust Co. by their paying party and cancelling their claims against A H Cannon's Estate and they were glad to do this. I explained that John M. Cannon administrator was on hand to make an extra payment of 4000 to Ogden Bank on this basis.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
185 years ago today - Nov 4, 1838
If I do not meet you again in this life may God grant that we may somehow meet in heaven.- Letter to Emma from Carthage Jail
[The Temple Timeline (Masons, Ancient Temples, Garments and a Lot More), http://www.exploringmormonism.com/the-temple-timeline-masons-ancient-temples-garments-and-a-lot-more/]
[The Temple Timeline (Masons, Ancient Temples, Garments and a Lot More), http://www.exploringmormonism.com/the-temple-timeline-masons-ancient-temples-garments-and-a-lot-more/]
185 years ago today - Nov 4, 1838
General Clark arrives in Far West with 1600 men and 500 more on the way. (Six thousand men had thus visited Far West within a week, when it only had 500 men to defend it.) Clark forbids anyone to leave the city, and the starving Saints are forced to live on parched corn. Joseph and the other prisoners arrive in Independence. One lady asks which of the prisoners is the one the Saints worship as Lord and Savior. When Joseph replies that he is nothing but a man sent by Jesus Christ to preach the gospel, he is able to preach a sermon to the lady and the others, thus fulfilling his own prophecy of a few months previous that an elder would preach a sermon in Jackson County before the close of 1838.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
190 years ago today - Nov 4, 1833
In compliance with the Aug revelation, Mormons engage in their first war-like confrontation in the so-called "Battle of Blue River," near Independence, Missouri. Led by Book of Mormon witness David Whitmer, the Mormons kill two mobbers. Of the one Mormon death during battle, the official History of the Church calls Andrew Barber "the first direct martyr to the cause," despite the previous murder of missionary Brackenbury.
The mobs, 40 or 50 with guns, begin their destruction. They meet 30 Mormons, with 17 guns, led by David Whitmer. At sunset there is a battle, and two of the Missourians are killed (including one who had claimed, "With ten fellows, I will wade to my knees in blood, but that I will drive the Mormons from Jackson County"). Andrew Barber is also shot and dies the next day. Philo Dibble is wounded and lies dying for several days until Newel Knight administers to him; then Dibble immediately vomits up several quarts of blood and the bullet with which he was wounded. That evening the Gilbert and Whitney store is totally demolished, and several of the Saints are advised to go to jail, as that is the only safe place in town. Later that night, however, they return home.
[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; Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
The mobs, 40 or 50 with guns, begin their destruction. They meet 30 Mormons, with 17 guns, led by David Whitmer. At sunset there is a battle, and two of the Missourians are killed (including one who had claimed, "With ten fellows, I will wade to my knees in blood, but that I will drive the Mormons from Jackson County"). Andrew Barber is also shot and dies the next day. Philo Dibble is wounded and lies dying for several days until Newel Knight administers to him; then Dibble immediately vomits up several quarts of blood and the bullet with which he was wounded. That evening the Gilbert and Whitney store is totally demolished, and several of the Saints are advised to go to jail, as that is the only safe place in town. Later that night, however, they return home.
[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; Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
45 years ago today - Nov 3, 1978
Democratic president Jimmy Carter signs the repeal of the provision in the 1862 Morrill anti-polygamy law which prohibits the church from owning more than $50,000 worth of real estate in U.S. territory. LDS leaders ask Congressmen to enact this as a protection for the LDS temple in American Samoa, yet one of the bill's Democratic co-sponsors is Roman Catholic Dennis Deconcini of New 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 )]]
115 years ago today - Nov 3, 1908
George Reynolds is legally committed to the Utah Insane Asylum, the first Mormon general authority to be hospitalized in a mental institution. The previous June, the First Council of the Seventy recommended that Reynolds be sent to the Oregon "sanitarium" because of his "physical and mental condition." It is unknown if he actually spent time in the Portland asylum, but Reynolds is a patient in the Utah asylum until 7 Feb. 1909. He dies six months later.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
135 years ago today - Nov 3, 1888
Apostles Francis M. Lyman and John W. Taylor begin meetings with members of Canada's parliament and cabinet and with Premier John A. Macdonald himself. Canadian government informs them that it doesn't care if Mormon settlers are polygamists, but a man can have only one wife in Canada. Apostles agree to this condition.
[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 - Nov 3, 1843 (Friday)
Knowlton F. Hanks, one of the missionaries to the Pacific Islands, died. He was the first Latter-day Saint Elder who died and was buried at sea.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
185 years ago today - Nov 3, 1838
Joseph prophesies to Parley P. Pratt: "The word of the Lord came to me last night that our lives should be given us, and that whatsoever we may suffer during this captivity, not one of our lives should be taken."
[Parley Parker Pratt, Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt 192; Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Parley Parker Pratt, Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt 192; Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
15 years ago today - November 2
[Proposition-8]
Mormons end services with "keys of the priesthood" prayer for the passage of Prop 8, an extremely unusual act that causes some controversy in congregations.
[Latter-Day Army: Details of Mormons and Prop 8, http://www.stopthemormons.com/?p=486]
Mormons end services with "keys of the priesthood" prayer for the passage of Prop 8, an extremely unusual act that causes some controversy in congregations.
[Latter-Day Army: Details of Mormons and Prop 8, http://www.stopthemormons.com/?p=486]
165 years ago today - Nov 2, 1858
[Wilford Woodruff]
President Young said while speaking of the Indian war that it was better for us not to fight them but feed them well treat them kindly & they would kill far less of our people & die much Faster themselves than they would to fight them & drive them to subsist upon their former living upon roots & herbs. ...
The Brethren then went to Willow Creek to Settle a Difficulty with Elder A Cordon the President & Bishop Dives. There were three or Four Charges brought against Brother Cordon but when they were all investigated they did not amount to any thing as a fault. All the Branch voted to sustain him as Presidet the Bishops Councellor for the men who accused him four of his accusers were cut off from the Church. The people did not like to vote for Bishop Dives unless he would go by the Council given him.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
President Young said while speaking of the Indian war that it was better for us not to fight them but feed them well treat them kindly & they would kill far less of our people & die much Faster themselves than they would to fight them & drive them to subsist upon their former living upon roots & herbs. ...
The Brethren then went to Willow Creek to Settle a Difficulty with Elder A Cordon the President & Bishop Dives. There were three or Four Charges brought against Brother Cordon but when they were all investigated they did not amount to any thing as a fault. All the Branch voted to sustain him as Presidet the Bishops Councellor for the men who accused him four of his accusers were cut off from the Church. The people did not like to vote for Bishop Dives unless he would go by the Council given him.
[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 - Nov 2, 1843
Nauvoo Masonic Lodge met to discuss the Grand Lodge's revocation of its dispensation. It voted to continue to meet and work as a lodge.
[Homer, Michael W., Joseph's Temples: The Dynamic Relationship between Freemasonry and Mormonism, Chronology]
[Homer, Michael W., Joseph's Temples: The Dynamic Relationship between Freemasonry and Mormonism, Chronology]
180 years ago today - Nov 2, 1843
Brigham Young (aged 42) marriage to Augusta Adams (1802-1886) (aged 40) married to non-Mormon Henry Cobb (divorced in 1847) Young later married her son's ex-wife, Mary Van Cott Cobb (No. 51). Grandmother of architect Henry Ives Cobb.
Brigham Young (aged 42) marriage to Harriet Elizabeth Cook (1824-1898) (aged 19) first marriage 1 child.
Joseph has Brigham Young seal him to Brigham's fifty-six-year-old twice-widowed sister, Fanny Young Carr Murray. She is the stepmother of Heber C. Kimball's wife Vilate and apparently Joseph's last-married plural wife.
Marriage - Joseph to Fanny Young Murray, age 56, already married. Fanny was already married to a living husband, Roswell Murray. Brigham Young reported the marriage of his sister to Joseph Smith in the Journal of Discourse:
"Now, don't talk to me; when I get into the celestial kingdom, if I ever get there, I shall request the privilege of being a ministering angel; that is the labor I wish to perform. I don't want any companion in that world; and if the Lord will make me a ministering angel, it is all I want." Joseph replied, "Sister, you talk very foolishly, you do not know what you will want." and then turned to Brigham, "Here, Brother Brigham, you seal this lady to me." Brigham said that Fanny submitted to Joseph's impromptu proposal and he "sealed her to him."
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives;Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m..com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm;Journal of Discourses, vol. 16, pg. 166-167)]
Brigham Young (aged 42) marriage to Harriet Elizabeth Cook (1824-1898) (aged 19) first marriage 1 child.
Joseph has Brigham Young seal him to Brigham's fifty-six-year-old twice-widowed sister, Fanny Young Carr Murray. She is the stepmother of Heber C. Kimball's wife Vilate and apparently Joseph's last-married plural wife.
Marriage - Joseph to Fanny Young Murray, age 56, already married. Fanny was already married to a living husband, Roswell Murray. Brigham Young reported the marriage of his sister to Joseph Smith in the Journal of Discourse:
"Now, don't talk to me; when I get into the celestial kingdom, if I ever get there, I shall request the privilege of being a ministering angel; that is the labor I wish to perform. I don't want any companion in that world; and if the Lord will make me a ministering angel, it is all I want." Joseph replied, "Sister, you talk very foolishly, you do not know what you will want." and then turned to Brigham, "Here, Brother Brigham, you seal this lady to me." Brigham said that Fanny submitted to Joseph's impromptu proposal and he "sealed her to him."
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives;Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m..com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm;Journal of Discourses, vol. 16, pg. 166-167)]
185 years ago today - Nov 2, 1838
Sampson Avard is captured and begins to testify that Daniteism is an order from the Church. Joseph and the other prisoners are taken into town to bid a quick goodbye to their wives and children. The Saints are ordered to surrender all arms and sign away all possessions. Hyrum, who is very sick, is forced to march with the other prisoners. General S. D. Lucas writes the details of the conquest to Gov. Boggs. Prisoners are then put in covered wagons for a 60-mile journey to Independence, where they are to be sentenced.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
190 years ago today - Nov 2, 1833
The Saints in Independence move a half mile away from the city into the wilderness and camp there in groups of 30. Another mob attacks the Saints located on the Big Blue River, six miles from Independence. David Bennett, who has been sick in bed, is beaten terribly, and one of the mob receives a bullet in his thigh.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
105 years ago today - Nov 1, 1918
Joseph F. Smith dictates a "thus saith the Lord" revelation concerning the disbursement of tithing funds. This revelation is not presented to a meeting of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve until 8 Apr. 1943. Text available but never published or canonized.
[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 )]]
110 years ago today - Nov 1, 1913
[George F. Gibbs]
What are known as temple ages are 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys; that is, when boys and girls have attained these years they are eligible to receive their endowments, provided of course they bring to the temple regular temple recommends.
[George F. Gibbs, Letter to Mrs. M. E. Corbet, Nov. 1, 1913, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
What are known as temple ages are 18 years for girls and 21 years for boys; that is, when boys and girls have attained these years they are eligible to receive their endowments, provided of course they bring to the temple regular temple recommends.
[George F. Gibbs, Letter to Mrs. M. E. Corbet, Nov. 1, 1913, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
170 years ago today - Nov 1, 1853
First issue of British Mission's Journal of Discourses, most famous collection of Mormon sermons which had been published previously in Deseret News.
[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 - Nov 01, 1843
Joseph Smith republishes in the Times and Seasons an earlier 1831 revelation, which includes these commandments: Smith republishes condemnation of adultery. "Thou shalt not lie; he that lieth and will not repent shall be cast out. Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shall cleave unto her and none else; and he that looketh upon a woman to lust after her, shall deny the faith, and shalt not have the spirit, and if he repents not he shall be cast out. Thou shalt not commit adultery; and he that commiteth adultery and repenteth not, shall be cast out but he that has committed adultery and repents with all his heart, and forsaketh it, and doeth it no more, thou shalt forgive; but if he doeth it again, he shall not be forgiven, but shall be cast out. Thou shalt not speak evil of thy neighbor, nor do him any harm. Thou knowest my laws concerning these things are given in my scriptures: he that sinneth and repenteth not, shall be cast out."
[Times and Seasons, Vol.4, No.24, p.369; Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm]
[Times and Seasons, Vol.4, No.24, p.369; Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm]
180 years ago today - Nov 1, 1843
[Anointed Quorum]
Prayer circle at the Mansion House in the evening, "29 present," anointing and endowment for Mercy R. Fielding (Thompson Smith), Jennetta Richards (Richards), Leonora Cannon (Taylor), Mary Ann Angel (Young), and Vilate Murray (Kimball) . Mercy, Hyrum Smith's secret plural wife, is often confused in references to "Sis Fielding" with Hannah Greenwood (Fielding) whose husband would not join the quorum for five weeks. Emma Hale Smith performed the washings and anointings for the women.
Brigham Young records in his journal: "Mary A. young admited in to the piest orderer Priesthood"
This is the last known occasion in which Emma Smith performs the washing and anointing for women receiving the endowment ceremony.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power; Brigham Young Journal #3, typescript; 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]
Prayer circle at the Mansion House in the evening, "29 present," anointing and endowment for Mercy R. Fielding (Thompson Smith), Jennetta Richards (Richards), Leonora Cannon (Taylor), Mary Ann Angel (Young), and Vilate Murray (Kimball) . Mercy, Hyrum Smith's secret plural wife, is often confused in references to "Sis Fielding" with Hannah Greenwood (Fielding) whose husband would not join the quorum for five weeks. Emma Hale Smith performed the washings and anointings for the women.
Brigham Young records in his journal: "Mary A. young admited in to the piest orderer Priesthood"
This is the last known occasion in which Emma Smith performs the washing and anointing for women receiving the endowment ceremony.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power; Brigham Young Journal #3, typescript; 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]