[Brigham Young Jr.]
My health is not good probably if I observed the word of wisdom more stric[t]ly would feel stronger good thing for me to try experiment of coma [?] I do keep it very well, but take cup of tea occasionally. I am sure this weakens my heart.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
140 years ago today - Jan 31, 1886
The Saints living at what would later be known as Colonia Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, hold the first meeting in their newly erected chapel, the first built in Mexico. The Mexican colonies were setup so that polygamy could be practiced in a more tolerant political environment.
155 years ago today - Jan 31, 1871
[Former apostle Amasa M. Lyman]
"Held private seance at which we received some pleasant communications from Br Joseph Smith and a deceased wife of br Edholm after which I returned to br Williams. Received the folowing from Brother Joseph through Mrs Elizabeth Crouch[:]
Brother Lyman, I am most hapy to meet you here; I have been list[e]ning to you all the evening. It does my Soul good to hear you advance the principles that I would have taught had I been permitted to stay on Earth. But it is all right; the truth will spread outward. Humanity will be lifted up from their narrowmindedness; and many Souls will be elevated through your instrumentality.
Keep on in the good work; follow out your own councel. Give my kindest love to Brothers [Elias L. T.] Harison and [William S.] Godbe and accept the same yourself. Altho I have passed away from your midst stil I retain all the good feeling I had for my felow men. I heard you speak to night about ^the^ avenging of my blood. No! I answer it a thousand times no! I almost spoke through the medium and told you so but could not quite controll her. Farewell my Brethren and Sisters have courage, from your friend and brother Joseph Smith."
[Amasa M. Lyman diary]
"Held private seance at which we received some pleasant communications from Br Joseph Smith and a deceased wife of br Edholm after which I returned to br Williams. Received the folowing from Brother Joseph through Mrs Elizabeth Crouch[:]
Brother Lyman, I am most hapy to meet you here; I have been list[e]ning to you all the evening. It does my Soul good to hear you advance the principles that I would have taught had I been permitted to stay on Earth. But it is all right; the truth will spread outward. Humanity will be lifted up from their narrowmindedness; and many Souls will be elevated through your instrumentality.
Keep on in the good work; follow out your own councel. Give my kindest love to Brothers [Elias L. T.] Harison and [William S.] Godbe and accept the same yourself. Altho I have passed away from your midst stil I retain all the good feeling I had for my felow men. I heard you speak to night about ^the^ avenging of my blood. No! I answer it a thousand times no! I almost spoke through the medium and told you so but could not quite controll her. Farewell my Brethren and Sisters have courage, from your friend and brother Joseph Smith."
[Amasa M. Lyman diary]
165 years ago today - Jan 31, 1861
At the funeral of Charles Little, a child who had drowned the day before, Brigham Young says, "The question has often been asked how is it with little children? Will they grow or not after death? Joseph once said they would, and then he said they would not. He never had any revelation upon the subject, and I have no doctrine to give upon the subject. . . . Some have thought that it was ordained that children should die. But this is not true doctrine. It is not ordained of God that children should die, but it is the will of God that all children should live and grow up to manhood and fill up the measure of their days, . . ."
165 years ago today - Jan 31, 1861
[Brigham Young]
If I bury a Child that is two years old, I dont want him or her to Come to me in a tabernacle 80 or 100 years old or at any other age ownly the age it left me and that is the way I believe it will be. We shall see there spirits before we see there bodies. Whare shall we go to find them? In the spirit world. But whare is that? Right here on the Earth whare they lived & whare we live.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
If I bury a Child that is two years old, I dont want him or her to Come to me in a tabernacle 80 or 100 years old or at any other age ownly the age it left me and that is the way I believe it will be. We shall see there spirits before we see there bodies. Whare shall we go to find them? In the spirit world. But whare is that? Right here on the Earth whare they lived & whare we live.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Jan 31, 1856
At the Philosophical Juvenile Society in Salt Lake City "the children speak their pieces and read their compositions." Presiding Patriarch John Smith writes to his half-brother Joseph F. Smith and shares his annoyance that William Pierce had married John's sister, Jerusha Smith, without his permission. Brigham Young had appointed John guardian of the family after Mary Fielding died. In his letter John refers to the nineteenth-century Mormon practice of adoption, the sealing of members to church leaders "for eternity" He comments, "I know the Pierce family belongs in Brother Brigham's family, and he would like it first rate to get one of Father's [Hyrum Smith] daughters into his family and leave Father without any kingdom .... I do not believe that Bill married Jerusha because he loved her... it was the name more than anything else."
180 years ago today - Jan 31, 1846
[Hosea Stout]
Prest J. P. Harmon notified me that the Eleventh Quorum was going to have their endowment to day and wanted me and wife to attend[.] I went home and brought her down and after staying awhile went with John Scott to see Br A. Cutler about the dissension of the Police and wanted him to and have the matter laid in a proper manner before the Twelve[.] This was about noon. I think some thing is wrong in the minds of the Twelve in relation to this matter but how it appears to them I know not. But I feel that I have done my duty in protecting their lives from their enemies both from within and without which thing has brought down the indignation of the mob and also false brethren upon me & my life is threatened by both and diligently sought for as I walk in the streets but whether I live or die I am determined to sustain the Twelve and the Authorities of this kingdom although I feel that some very unexpected catastrophe is going to happen because of false brethren
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Prest J. P. Harmon notified me that the Eleventh Quorum was going to have their endowment to day and wanted me and wife to attend[.] I went home and brought her down and after staying awhile went with John Scott to see Br A. Cutler about the dissension of the Police and wanted him to and have the matter laid in a proper manner before the Twelve[.] This was about noon. I think some thing is wrong in the minds of the Twelve in relation to this matter but how it appears to them I know not. But I feel that I have done my duty in protecting their lives from their enemies both from within and without which thing has brought down the indignation of the mob and also false brethren upon me & my life is threatened by both and diligently sought for as I walk in the streets but whether I live or die I am determined to sustain the Twelve and the Authorities of this kingdom although I feel that some very unexpected catastrophe is going to happen because of false brethren
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Jan 31, 1846
Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Rhoda Richards (1784-1879) (aged 61) plural widow of Joseph Smith, Jr. sealed to Joseph Smith, Jr. for eternity and Young for time
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
180 years ago today - Jan 31, 1846
Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Mary Eliza Nelson (1812-1885) (aged 33) widow of John P. Greene sealed to John P. Greene for eternity and Young for time; divorced by 1850
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
180 years ago today - 31st [Jan 1846]
[Brigham Young]
.... at 11 in the morning I attended a Publick meeting in the 2nd story of the Temple- Elder O. Pratt & myself addressed the meeting- at the close of our remarks- one Moses A. Smith an Apostate from our Faith arose and claimed the liberty of defending or rather investigate what he called Strangism & after holding his claims to the Presidency forth to the assembly which was that Jo- gave him (Strang) the Keys & rights of Presidency over the church by a letter directed to him from Jo Smith previous to his Martyrdom & so on- all of which was a simple fabricating thing-- without the least shadow of evidence to sustain all his- position- Bro. O. Hyde & myself then arose gave Strangism an entire blowing up & also excluded W. A. Smith - & Samuel C. Shaw from, the church and- also an action was taken upon J. J. Strang & Aaron Smith- who had been cut off Previously- for attempting to palm of a deception- upon the church by his Pretended Revelation- all of which was Sanctioned by a hearty
Amen- The meeting closed at 3 O clock evening I Then walked up- into the atic story of the Temple- & took some refreshments after which I walked into the celestial Room where I in company with my wife remained- assisting to individual needs for attending to the adoption of persons into my Family- the alter having been placed into the celestial Room- the better to See it the convenance of all present-at candle light-the ordinances of adoption commenced & ended at 33 minets past 8 in the evening- during which time about 65 persons who were adopted to Elder H. C. Kimball A. Lyman, & to myself- 48 of that No were adopted into my family February 1st 1846
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
.... at 11 in the morning I attended a Publick meeting in the 2nd story of the Temple- Elder O. Pratt & myself addressed the meeting- at the close of our remarks- one Moses A. Smith an Apostate from our Faith arose and claimed the liberty of defending or rather investigate what he called Strangism & after holding his claims to the Presidency forth to the assembly which was that Jo- gave him (Strang) the Keys & rights of Presidency over the church by a letter directed to him from Jo Smith previous to his Martyrdom & so on- all of which was a simple fabricating thing-- without the least shadow of evidence to sustain all his- position- Bro. O. Hyde & myself then arose gave Strangism an entire blowing up & also excluded W. A. Smith - & Samuel C. Shaw from, the church and- also an action was taken upon J. J. Strang & Aaron Smith- who had been cut off Previously- for attempting to palm of a deception- upon the church by his Pretended Revelation- all of which was Sanctioned by a hearty
Amen- The meeting closed at 3 O clock evening I Then walked up- into the atic story of the Temple- & took some refreshments after which I walked into the celestial Room where I in company with my wife remained- assisting to individual needs for attending to the adoption of persons into my Family- the alter having been placed into the celestial Room- the better to See it the convenance of all present-at candle light-the ordinances of adoption commenced & ended at 33 minets past 8 in the evening- during which time about 65 persons who were adopted to Elder H. C. Kimball A. Lyman, & to myself- 48 of that No were adopted into my family February 1st 1846
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
205 years ago today - Jan 31, 1821
Zina Diantha Huntington (Young), later the third general president of the Relief Society, is born in Watertown, New York.
30 years ago today - Jan 30, 1996
The Utah Senate closes a bi-partisan caucus billed as a discussion of a state education fund. Those present include about twenty senators, state commissioner of higher education, state superintendent of public education, and attorneys from the governor's and attorney general's offices. No vote is taken to close the meeting nor are minutes kept, though both are required by Utah's Open Meeting Act. Behind the closed doors, LDS senators Howard Stephenson and Charles Stewart level charges that public schools are promoting homosexuality and undermining family values. The meeting had been arranged after ten students petitioned to use a classroom at East High School for a gay and lesbian support group "to increase awareness about homosexuality in high schools, to decrease homophobia, and to help gay, lesbian, and bisexual students feel safe and welcome in their school environment". The students did not request meeting announcements or advertising, "we feel doing so would attract unwanted
attention. We are extremely concerned for the safety and well-being of our members." The resulting controversy reaches national headlines when, with a four-to-three vote, the Salt Lake City school board bans all extracurricular clubs rather than allow the gay and lesbian support group.
attention. We are extremely concerned for the safety and well-being of our members." The resulting controversy reaches national headlines when, with a four-to-three vote, the Salt Lake City school board bans all extracurricular clubs rather than allow the gay and lesbian support group.
75 years ago today - Jan 30, 1951
[Spencer W. Kimball]
I reached the office at 9:30 to attend a special meeting of The Presidency and the Council of The Twelve, to consider the matter of the missionary work. Inasmuch as there has been great confusion and misunderstanding and opposition on the part of many of the draft boards, it seemed best that we discontinue calling missionaries of draft age for the time being. [As result, there is increase of missionary callings to young, married men who serve two or more years separated from their wives.]
[Spencer W. Kimball, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
I reached the office at 9:30 to attend a special meeting of The Presidency and the Council of The Twelve, to consider the matter of the missionary work. Inasmuch as there has been great confusion and misunderstanding and opposition on the part of many of the draft boards, it seemed best that we discontinue calling missionaries of draft age for the time being. [As result, there is increase of missionary callings to young, married men who serve two or more years separated from their wives.]
[Spencer W. Kimball, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
100 years ago today - Jan 30, 1926
President Heber J. Grant writes to a stake president regarding a letter he received from a "Brother Arthur Bradder making application for his Second Blessings. Second blessings are only given by the President of the Church upon recommendation of a member of the Council of the Twelve. At some time when one of the Apostles is in your stake, if he feels to properly recommend Brother Bradder, the matter will be taken under advisement." This signals a policy change which greatly curtails the performance of Second Anointings during Grant's administration making them extremely rare after 1930. According to Apostle George F. Richards, the policy change was a result of an incident in which a "brother had received his Second Blessings, [and] while speaking in a priesthood meeting in one of the Idaho stakes, told the brethren that they all should have their Second Blessings. Of course that was a serious infraction of the charge which he received when he had his Second Anointings; but I have
never learned of any serious consequences to follow, except the action on the part of the Authorities, discontinuing the administration of these blessings in the Church."
never learned of any serious consequences to follow, except the action on the part of the Authorities, discontinuing the administration of these blessings in the Church."
130 years ago today - Jan 30, 1896
The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve decide that women should not have their own prayer circles or participate with their husbands in prayer circle meetings.
[https://byustudies.byu.edu/PDFLibrary/19.1QuinnLatter-day-dd60c2d0-159f-4238-84c7-42658a35d6ce.pdf Latter-day Saint Prayer Circles, BYU Studies 19 no. 1 (1978) by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[https://byustudies.byu.edu/PDFLibrary/19.1QuinnLatter-day-dd60c2d0-159f-4238-84c7-42658a35d6ce.pdf Latter-day Saint Prayer Circles, BYU Studies 19 no. 1 (1978) by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
130 years ago today - Jan 30, 1896; Thursday
Meeting in Temple of Pres[idency]. & Twelve at 11 a.m. Talked over general demonstration which is being made in honor of Aunt Zina [D. H. Young]'s birthday. Was appointed chairmain [sic] of Committee to investigate this furor concerning Aunt Zina's birthday. Pres[iden]t [George Q.] Cannon was afterward added who will be pres[ident]. of Com[mittee]. I believe that there is a religious and political significance in so general movement among the women of the church.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]
135 years ago today - Jan 30, 1891
After some little discussion it was decided that it will be best for Z.C.M.I. and other corporations to cease paying tithing on their earnings but leave the stockholders to pay from their dividends. The custom, however, of deducting the tithing from the wages of employees was not discontinued. It was thought proper in some instances to induce eastern Gentiles of respectability to take stock with us in some of our large corporations. They would thus feel interested in protecting us in case of attack on our institutions. It was reported that there are many thieves working in Z.C.M.I. whose thefts have been discovered. Whether to make public examples of them or merely discharge them, was referred to the Board of Directors.
[Abraham H. Cannon (Author), Edward Leo Lyman (Editor), Candid Insights of a Mormon Apostle: The Diaries of Abraham H. Cannon, 1889-1895, Signature Books]
[Abraham H. Cannon (Author), Edward Leo Lyman (Editor), Candid Insights of a Mormon Apostle: The Diaries of Abraham H. Cannon, 1889-1895, Signature Books]
165 years ago today - Jan 30, 1861
Brigham Young's office journal records: "Pres. Joseph Young related a dream he had to his brother the President as follows. He saw the first Presidency dealing out land and sections of land to the Brethren. In his dream he frequently saw the President with a Compass and chain in his hand, and sometimes working with it. Br. Joseph remarked he was sure he had dreamed this dream as often as one hundred times. Some of the brethren remarked it looked as if our inheritances would be dealt out to us in Jackson County. The President also related a dream In his dream he saw the children singing and dancing unusually merry, and the people also dancing and merry making with extraordinary energy."
180 years ago today - Jan 30, 1846
[Nauvoo Temple]
Weather vane placed on the steeple of the temple. The weather vane was a "representation of an angel in his priestly robes with a book of Mormon in one hand and a trumpet in the other which [was] over laid with gold." [It also included the masonic symbols of a compass and square, which are also used in Mormon temple worship.]
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
Weather vane placed on the steeple of the temple. The weather vane was a "representation of an angel in his priestly robes with a book of Mormon in one hand and a trumpet in the other which [was] over laid with gold." [It also included the masonic symbols of a compass and square, which are also used in Mormon temple worship.]
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
180 years ago today - Jan 30, 1846
John Taylor: Nauvoo Temple sealing for time to Lydia Dibble 30 January 1846.
[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 - Jan 30, 1846
[Hosea Stout]
[Alpheus Cutler] informed me that a company was organized to steal our waggons as fast as we got them done to prevent us from moving west. I then gave him a full statement of the nature of the dissension in the "Old Police"[.] He had a better understanding of it than any man which I had before talked with and seemed to comprehend the Spirit by which they were actuated and informed me of evil plotting against me which I had not heard of and also that my life was threatened by some in very positive terms. I felt that he was my friend.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[Alpheus Cutler] informed me that a company was organized to steal our waggons as fast as we got them done to prevent us from moving west. I then gave him a full statement of the nature of the dissension in the "Old Police"[.] He had a better understanding of it than any man which I had before talked with and seemed to comprehend the Spirit by which they were actuated and informed me of evil plotting against me which I had not heard of and also that my life was threatened by some in very positive terms. I felt that he was my friend.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
185 years ago today - Jan 30, 1841
Joseph Smith is elected sole Trustee-in-rust for church, the legal entity for directing church finances until 1923. This enables Smith "to receive, acquire, manage or convey property, real, personal, or mixed, for the sole use and benefit of said church". Smith uses the office to combine corporate and personal affairs in an intricate manner never entirely unraveled after his death. Later Brigham Young, as Trustee-in-Trust does the same on an even larger scale requiring the Church to sue his estate after his death.
190 years ago today - Jan 30, 1836
[Joseph Smith]
In the evening went to the upper rooms of the Lord's House and set the different quorems in order. Instructed the Presidents of the Seventy concerning the order of their anointing and requested them to proceed and anoint the Seventy. Having set all the quorems in order, I returned to my house being weary with continual anxiety and labour in put[t]ing all the Authorities in and in striving to purify them for the Solemn Assembly according to the commandment of the Lord.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
In the evening went to the upper rooms of the Lord's House and set the different quorems in order. Instructed the Presidents of the Seventy concerning the order of their anointing and requested them to proceed and anoint the Seventy. Having set all the quorems in order, I returned to my house being weary with continual anxiety and labour in put[t]ing all the Authorities in and in striving to purify them for the Solemn Assembly according to the commandment of the Lord.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
195 years ago today - Jan 30, 1831
Sidney Rigdon preaches in Kirtland, Ohio that Joseph Smith, their latter-day oracle, is en route to Kirtland. During his sermon he challenges the world to "refute the divine pretensions of the Book of Mormon." In the audience is the father of Alexander Campbell, who writes to his son. Alexander Campbell, Ridgon's former mentor, writes to Rigdon taking up the challenge: "I, therefore, as in duty bound, accept the challenge, and shall hold myself in readiness, if the Lord permit, to meet you publicly, in any place, either in Mentor or Kirtland, or in any of the adjoining towns that may appear most eligible for the accommodation of the public. The sooner the investigation takes place the better for all concerned." When the letter is delivered to Rigdon he, after coming to the line "the infernal book of Mormon" throws the letter into the fire. Rigdon never meets Campbell in open debate.
50 years ago today - Jan. 29-30, 1976
[George H.] F[udge]: About this same time, in 1961, we were down to a point where we were so short of names [of the dead for proxy ordinances] that literally we were running backwards and forwards to the Salt Lake Temple almost on a daily basis taking the names for the next day. The alternatives were that we would have to do something drastic in providing names or we would have to close the temples or decrease the number of sessions they had. When that was placed before the Brethren, President [David O.] McKay said that the temples must not close. Therefore the Genealogical Society would be responsible for keeping those temples open and supplying names. We could not go out then with the whip and tell the Saints, "Do more and more research." The alternative was that we would begin with an extraction program ourselves. * So then really what we were doing is performing ordinances and these were being held [in abeyance in the spirit world] until a person proved himself worthy to accept
them. Now if that was a true concept, then why couldn't we go ahead and perform ordinances not necessarily in the same sequence as we had been doing for the living? This concept would enable us to take a christening record and not only perform the baptism and endowment, but also seal the child to his parents from that one record. In doing that[,] we would be sure that the child was sealed to his correct parents. We wouldn't have to worry about grouping them. In other words, if we sealed every child to his parents and assumed we had all the records of the whole world, in the end we would have sealed everyone in the world. Well, I took that concept to the Brethren. Elder [Theodore M.] Burton was then the managing director [of the Genealogical Department]. President [N. Eldon] Tanner had been made an apostle and was not a member of the First Presidency. In turn we went to Elder [How- ard W.] Hunter, who was the president of the [Genealogical] Society. Brother Burton was the managing
director, or the general manager at that time. Brother Hunter felt it was a good concept, so he went to the First Presidency with it. After some deliberation by the Brethren they decided that it was a correct concept and that we should pursue it. They sent us a written statement accordingly to approve us going ahead. ...
[George H. Fudge oral history, Jan. 29-30, 1976; pp. 15 17 19; excerpt in Buerger Papers, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
them. Now if that was a true concept, then why couldn't we go ahead and perform ordinances not necessarily in the same sequence as we had been doing for the living? This concept would enable us to take a christening record and not only perform the baptism and endowment, but also seal the child to his parents from that one record. In doing that[,] we would be sure that the child was sealed to his correct parents. We wouldn't have to worry about grouping them. In other words, if we sealed every child to his parents and assumed we had all the records of the whole world, in the end we would have sealed everyone in the world. Well, I took that concept to the Brethren. Elder [Theodore M.] Burton was then the managing director [of the Genealogical Department]. President [N. Eldon] Tanner had been made an apostle and was not a member of the First Presidency. In turn we went to Elder [How- ard W.] Hunter, who was the president of the [Genealogical] Society. Brother Burton was the managing
director, or the general manager at that time. Brother Hunter felt it was a good concept, so he went to the First Presidency with it. After some deliberation by the Brethren they decided that it was a correct concept and that we should pursue it. They sent us a written statement accordingly to approve us going ahead. ...
[George H. Fudge oral history, Jan. 29-30, 1976; pp. 15 17 19; excerpt in Buerger Papers, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
125 years ago today - Tuesday, Jan 29, 1901
[Rudger Clawson]
Pres. Snow stated that a very serious charge had been made by The Salt Lake Tribune against the Presidency of the church to the effect that they had sold out or bargained away for a money consideration the United States senatorship to Thos. Kearns. The purpose of the meeting, therefore, was to consider the wisdom and propriety of starting a suit for libel against the publishers of that paper. By request of Pres. Snow, Elder C. W. Penrose read a number of excerpts from different issues of the Tribune covering the change.
In the opinion of the attorneys present there was good ground for a libel suit and this view was shared by all present. After some discussion it was unanimously decided that it would not be wisdom for President Snow to institute the suit, but that this should be done by Thos. Kearns, who was equally interested in the matter, and that Pres. Snow could bring suit later on, if deemed advisable.
Many, if not all of the brethren present, felt that if by this arrangement Thos. Kearns was vindicated before the courts and the public, the Presidency also would naturally share in said vindication. It is sufficient to say that there is not the least coloring of truth in the charge, but it is a malicious libel on the part of the Tribune. Pres. G. Q. Cannon was delegated to confer with Thos. Kearns relative to the matter.
[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]
Pres. Snow stated that a very serious charge had been made by The Salt Lake Tribune against the Presidency of the church to the effect that they had sold out or bargained away for a money consideration the United States senatorship to Thos. Kearns. The purpose of the meeting, therefore, was to consider the wisdom and propriety of starting a suit for libel against the publishers of that paper. By request of Pres. Snow, Elder C. W. Penrose read a number of excerpts from different issues of the Tribune covering the change.
In the opinion of the attorneys present there was good ground for a libel suit and this view was shared by all present. After some discussion it was unanimously decided that it would not be wisdom for President Snow to institute the suit, but that this should be done by Thos. Kearns, who was equally interested in the matter, and that Pres. Snow could bring suit later on, if deemed advisable.
Many, if not all of the brethren present, felt that if by this arrangement Thos. Kearns was vindicated before the courts and the public, the Presidency also would naturally share in said vindication. It is sufficient to say that there is not the least coloring of truth in the charge, but it is a malicious libel on the part of the Tribune. Pres. G. Q. Cannon was delegated to confer with Thos. Kearns relative to the matter.
[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]
135 years ago today - Thursday, Jan 29, 1891
[John Henry Smith]
Salt Lake City
We met in Council [Twelve Apostles] again today, Bro. A. H. Lund being with us. We fasted and partook of the sacrament after we had voted to forgive each other's trespasses.
[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]
Salt Lake City
We met in Council [Twelve Apostles] again today, Bro. A. H. Lund being with us. We fasted and partook of the sacrament after we had voted to forgive each other's trespasses.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
135 years ago today - Jan 29, 1891
[Heber J. Grant]
[At apostles' meeting] President Lorenzo Snow. Said he was astonished to hear that Brother Joseph had ever imagined that he lacked confidence in him. When in the Saint George Temple the Lord had showed to him that Prest. Taylor should soon pass away and that Prest. Woodruff would be selected as the President of the Church and that Bro. Cannon would be his First and Brother
Smith his second Counselor. Had the most perfect confidence in brother Joseph and always had had. ...
After our meeting I had a very nice chat with Prest. Cannon and explained more fully that at the present time he had my perfect confidence and respect and that I loved him and was simply confessing my own sins at the time I spoke about my efforts to see that he did not get the position of Vice Prest. of Z.C.M.I. I expressed my great pleasure that he should be willing to be a Director of the Coop. Wagon and Machine Co. with me as the President. After our chat as we were starting away and shaking hands he leaned over and kissed me and I felt the tears of gratitude coming to my eyes as I returned the kiss. I hope and pray with all my hart that the day will never come again when I will lack confidence in any of my brethren.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
[At apostles' meeting] President Lorenzo Snow. Said he was astonished to hear that Brother Joseph had ever imagined that he lacked confidence in him. When in the Saint George Temple the Lord had showed to him that Prest. Taylor should soon pass away and that Prest. Woodruff would be selected as the President of the Church and that Bro. Cannon would be his First and Brother
Smith his second Counselor. Had the most perfect confidence in brother Joseph and always had had. ...
After our meeting I had a very nice chat with Prest. Cannon and explained more fully that at the present time he had my perfect confidence and respect and that I loved him and was simply confessing my own sins at the time I spoke about my efforts to see that he did not get the position of Vice Prest. of Z.C.M.I. I expressed my great pleasure that he should be willing to be a Director of the Coop. Wagon and Machine Co. with me as the President. After our chat as we were starting away and shaking hands he leaned over and kissed me and I felt the tears of gratitude coming to my eyes as I returned the kiss. I hope and pray with all my hart that the day will never come again when I will lack confidence in any of my brethren.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
150 years ago today - Jan 29, 1876
Apostle Charles C. Rich asks bishops of the Bear Lake Stake to follow Brigham Young's counsel by doing away with round dancing [waltzing] entirely. Four years later at stake priesthood meeting the following rules are accepted by unanimous vote: "We will not practice waltzes or any other round dances in our assemblies. . . ."Swinging with one arm around the lady's waist shall not be permitted in our assemblies."
190 years ago today - Jan 29, 1836
Administered and received ritual washing of feet with priesthood leaders in temple, Kirtland.
[Jessee, Dean, Esplin, Ronald and Bushman, Richard Lyman (editors), The Joseph Smith Papers: Journals, Vol. 1: 1832-1839, Chronology for the Years 1832-1839, http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Smith-Papers-Journals-1832-1839/dp/1570088497]
[Jessee, Dean, Esplin, Ronald and Bushman, Richard Lyman (editors), The Joseph Smith Papers: Journals, Vol. 1: 1832-1839, Chronology for the Years 1832-1839, http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Smith-Papers-Journals-1832-1839/dp/1570088497]
190 years ago today - Jan 29, 1836
Joseph Smith Senior gives six patriarchal blessings. Charles H. Smith is blessed: "Thou shalt stand on earth till thy Redeamer comes." Marietta Carter is blessed: "Thou shalt see thy Redeamer come in the clouds of heaven and be caught up to meet him and be ever with him." Joanna Carter is blessed: "Thou shalt see the end of this generation. Nancy Carter is blessed: "Thou shalt live to see the winding up of this generation."
30 years ago today - Jan 28, 1996
North America West Area Presidency (Loren C. Dunn, President) sends a letter to be read in all California wards, urging members to express their support for legislation against recognition of same-sex marriages being considered in the state.
[Crapo, Richley, Chronology Of Mormon / LDS Involvement In Same-Sex Marriage Politics http://www.mormonsocialscience.org/?q=node/59]
[Crapo, Richley, Chronology Of Mormon / LDS Involvement In Same-Sex Marriage Politics http://www.mormonsocialscience.org/?q=node/59]
70 years ago today - Jan 28, 1956
DESERET NEWS editorializes in favor of forced removal of polygamous children from their Fundamentalist parents and into monogamous foster-homes. The editorial states that although "separating children from their parents is a heart-breaking and difficult thing to do," in this case it was warranted: "The continued teaching of children to break the law is an extreme provocation. This practice on the part of parents, as much as abandonment or neglect, justifies the state's intervention both for the welfare of the children and of society." The NEWS thought the removal of the children worth the disruption of the home if "the practice of polygamy can be entirely ended among those who still practice it."
125 years ago today - Jan 28, 1901
The Presidency made an appointment with the Church attorneys to meet tomorrow to consider certain charges made by the Salt Lake Tribune in which President Snow is accused of selling his influence for 'a consideration' for the election of Thomas Kearns. $23,533.19 in the form of an order was issued in favor of the Bishop's office to cover expenditures made in the purchase of property in Bear Lake county, Idaho.
[Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Journal History, 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 - Jan 28, 1851
This morning quite a company went out with the Band to meet the governor B. Young & others who were gone to Weber County Davis & the settlements North to preach visit & organize the County of Davis.
The went to congratulate him on the news of his appointment of Gov. by the President of the U. S. They returned about and were recieved here by the firing of artillery and the shouts of a large concourse of citizens and a display of fire works at Messrs Kinkead & Levingstons Store. The whole scene was joyful peaceable and quiet[.] The Gov when he was escorted home delivered a short address to the people assembled.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
The went to congratulate him on the news of his appointment of Gov. by the President of the U. S. They returned about and were recieved here by the firing of artillery and the shouts of a large concourse of citizens and a display of fire works at Messrs Kinkead & Levingstons Store. The whole scene was joyful peaceable and quiet[.] The Gov when he was escorted home delivered a short address to the people assembled.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Jan 28, 1846
Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Phebe Morton (1776-1854) (aged 59) widow of James W. Angel sealed to Angel for eternity and Young for time
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
180 years ago today - Jan 28, 1846
Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Jemima Angel (1803-1869) (aged 42) divorced from Valentine Young (no relation)
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
180 years ago today - Jan 28, 1846
Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Cynthia Porter (1783-1861) (aged 62) married to William Weston (unknown if she was widowed, divorced, or separated)
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
180 years ago today - Jan 28, 1846
Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Abigail Marks (1781-1846) (aged 69) widow of Asa Works sealed to Works for eternity and Young for time; Abigail Marks was the mother of Young's first wife, Miriam Works
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
180 years ago today - Jan 28, 1846
Don Carlos Smith: Sealed to Agnes Moulton Coolbrith, by proxy, 28 January 1846 in Nauvoo Temple. [His death left Agnes a widow, who then became one of Joseph Smith's plural wives].
[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 - 28 [Jan 1846]
[Brigham Young]
I spent officiating at the Holy Alter or most of the time-- Through the day--- a 1/2 after 9 at Night the operations of the day closed - I staied over Night in the Temple the evening being remarkably - Rainy blustery--
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
I spent officiating at the Holy Alter or most of the time-- Through the day--- a 1/2 after 9 at Night the operations of the day closed - I staied over Night in the Temple the evening being remarkably - Rainy blustery--
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
190 years ago today - Jan 28, 1836
As Joseph Smith is organizing the Twelve Apostles in the assembly room of the Kirtland temple "Pres[ident] Sylvester Smith saw a pillar of fire rest down and abide upon the heads of the quorem . . ." After Sidney Rigdon gives a hosanna shout "Eld[er] Roger Orton saw a mighty Angel riding upon a horse of fire with a flaming sword in his hand followed by five others encircle the house and protect the Saints . . . Pres[ident] William Smith, one of the Twelve, saw the heavens op[e]ned and the Lord's host protecting the Lord's anointed. Pres[ident] Z[ebedee] Coltrin, one of the seven [presidents of the Seventy], saw the Saviour extended before him as upon the cross and crowned with a glory upon his head above the brightness of the sun."
130 years ago today - Jan 15, 1896; Wednesday
Considerable excited comment followed the open letter on the Senatorial question by President George Q. Cannon, and much regret was expressed that he did not see his way clear to the acceptance of a nomination. ...
The following letter was received by the Presidency:
Washington, D.C. Jan[uary] 11th,
President Wilford Woodruff:
Dear Sir: -- The Republican Party in its present platform of 1895, asked the return of the real property escheated to the U.S. under the Acts of Congress heretofore passed upon this subject. The demand was made in response to the prevailing sentiment of the people of Utah irrespective of Church relations. I think I am within the fact when I assert that the Gentiles of Utah never favored the Legislation which deprived your Church of its property. Elected upon that platform and also believing that this demand was grounded in justice, I stand ready to do all in my power to accomplish the end sought. Therefore I would suggest that you have your Attorneys prepare a bill which shall meet the case in every particular, and forward the same to me and I will introduce the same and push it so far as I may be able. I had intended to draft a bill for this purpose myself, but upon mature consideration it seemed better to call your attention to the matter, and proceed as I have suggested.
Yours truly,
Clarence E. Allen.
Brother F[ranklin]. S. Richards, Attorney for the Church, was instructed to draw up a measure to meet Mr. Allen's suggestions.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
The following letter was received by the Presidency:
Washington, D.C. Jan[uary] 11th,
President Wilford Woodruff:
Dear Sir: -- The Republican Party in its present platform of 1895, asked the return of the real property escheated to the U.S. under the Acts of Congress heretofore passed upon this subject. The demand was made in response to the prevailing sentiment of the people of Utah irrespective of Church relations. I think I am within the fact when I assert that the Gentiles of Utah never favored the Legislation which deprived your Church of its property. Elected upon that platform and also believing that this demand was grounded in justice, I stand ready to do all in my power to accomplish the end sought. Therefore I would suggest that you have your Attorneys prepare a bill which shall meet the case in every particular, and forward the same to me and I will introduce the same and push it so far as I may be able. I had intended to draft a bill for this purpose myself, but upon mature consideration it seemed better to call your attention to the matter, and proceed as I have suggested.
Yours truly,
Clarence E. Allen.
Brother F[ranklin]. S. Richards, Attorney for the Church, was instructed to draw up a measure to meet Mr. Allen's suggestions.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
150 years ago today - Jan 15, 1876
Andrew J. Allen reported that two elders told a congregation in one of the Salt Lake Valley wards to avoid the gentiles and their dress, and to "look forward to the time when the saviour would come on the earth which would be soon not more than sixteen years according to the revelations Joseph Smith had received."
[The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]
[The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]
150 years ago today - Jan 15, 1876
In the evening J. F. Smith gave a lecture upon the history of Joseph Smith the Prophet. He said in 15 years the time would be up when the Lord told Joseph that he should see him, but it must be by him going to him in the spirit world.
[Diary Excerpts of Henry Ballard, Signature Books Library, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Diary Excerpts of Henry Ballard, Signature Books Library, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Jan 15, 1851
First of Brigham Young's formal divorces from plural wives. He is only one formally dívorced while serving as church presídent. Joseph Smith informally ended several plural mariages, and four LDS presidents are formally divorced as apostles (John Taylor, Wilford Woodruff, Lorenzo Snow, and Joseph F. Smith).
[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 - Jan 15, 1846
[Hosea Stout]
I Stopped at home & put on an under garment for the first time to wear it& then met the Lodge at six it was a Regular Communication then went to the Temple & Staid all night
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
I Stopped at home & put on an under garment for the first time to wear it& then met the Lodge at six it was a Regular Communication then went to the Temple & Staid all night
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Jan 15, 1846
Mary Fielding Smith, widow of Hyrum Smith and Mother of Joseph F. Smith, sixth president of the church and grandmother of Joseph Fielding Smith, tenth president of the church, is sealed to Heber C. Kimball as a plural wife "for time" in the Nauvoo Temple. She had married him in Sep of 1844 (his eighth wife) but the marriage was not "sealed" at that time.
180 years ago today - Jan 15, 1846
Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Olive Andrews (1818-?) (aged 27) posthumous plural wife of Joseph Smith, Jr. sealed to Joseph Smith, Jr. for eternity and Young for time
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
180 years ago today - Jan 15, 1846
Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Emily Haws (1823-?) (aged 22) widow of William Whitmarsh
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
185 years ago today - Jan 15, 1841
[Wilford Woodruff]
I fell a sleep & dreamed of Cetching fish many large ones with my hands. I thought I told my Dream to a man who was putting up a gate post & he told me the interpretation was for me to make hast & Baptize as many as I Could in London, & organize & set in order the Church, Seal up my testimony in the City & return home in the Spring.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I fell a sleep & dreamed of Cetching fish many large ones with my hands. I thought I told my Dream to a man who was putting up a gate post & he told me the interpretation was for me to make hast & Baptize as many as I Could in London, & organize & set in order the Church, Seal up my testimony in the City & return home in the Spring.
[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 - Jan 15, 1841
[Heber C. Kimball]
She [Mrs. Sangivanah] gave me 2 silk Hankerchief one fore me the other to Elder W. We felt to say in the name of the Lord She shall Recieve an hundred fold in this life and Eternal life which is to come. We also ask The[e] O Lord in the name of Jesus Christ to open hur way that she may obay Thy gospell and be gethered to Zion with they peopl, and let us see it and Thy name shall have all the glory amen and amen.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
She [Mrs. Sangivanah] gave me 2 silk Hankerchief one fore me the other to Elder W. We felt to say in the name of the Lord She shall Recieve an hundred fold in this life and Eternal life which is to come. We also ask The[e] O Lord in the name of Jesus Christ to open hur way that she may obay Thy gospell and be gethered to Zion with they peopl, and let us see it and Thy name shall have all the glory amen and amen.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
195 years ago today - Jan 15, 1831
[W. W. Phelps (while investigating the church)]
.... [Martin Harris] is honest, and sincerely declares upon his soul's salvation that the book is true, and was interpreted by Joseph Smith, through a pair of silver spectacles, found with the plates. The places where they dug for the plates, in Manchester, are to be seen. When the plates were said to have been found, a copy of one or two lines of the characters, were taken by Mr. Harris to Utica, Albany and New York; at New York, they were shown to Dr. Mitchell, and he referred to professor Anthon who translated and declared them to be the ancient shorthand Egyptian. So much is true. The family of Smiths is poor, and generally ignorant in common learning. ...
[W. W. Phelps to E. D. Howe, 15 January 1831, in Larry E. Morris, I Should Have an Eye Single to the Glory of God: Joseph Smith's Account of the Angel and the Plates]
.... [Martin Harris] is honest, and sincerely declares upon his soul's salvation that the book is true, and was interpreted by Joseph Smith, through a pair of silver spectacles, found with the plates. The places where they dug for the plates, in Manchester, are to be seen. When the plates were said to have been found, a copy of one or two lines of the characters, were taken by Mr. Harris to Utica, Albany and New York; at New York, they were shown to Dr. Mitchell, and he referred to professor Anthon who translated and declared them to be the ancient shorthand Egyptian. So much is true. The family of Smiths is poor, and generally ignorant in common learning. ...
[W. W. Phelps to E. D. Howe, 15 January 1831, in Larry E. Morris, I Should Have an Eye Single to the Glory of God: Joseph Smith's Account of the Angel and the Plates]
195 years ago today - Early 1831
John Whitmer said Satan "took a notion to blind the minds of some of the weaker ones, and made them think that an angel of the Lord appeared to them and showed them writings on the outside of the Bible, and on parchment, which flew through the air, and on the back of their hands, and many such foolish and vain thingsothers lost their strength, and some slid on the floor, and such like maneuvers, which proved greatly to the injury of the cause."
[F. Mark McKiernan and Roger D. Launius, eds., An Early Latter Day Saint History: The Book of John Whitmer, Kept by Commandment (Independence: Herald House, 1980), 36, in Dan Vogel and Scott C. Dunn, '"The Tongue of Angels": Glossolalia among Mormonism's Founders,' Journal of Mormon History Vol. 19, No. 2, 1993]
[F. Mark McKiernan and Roger D. Launius, eds., An Early Latter Day Saint History: The Book of John Whitmer, Kept by Commandment (Independence: Herald House, 1980), 36, in Dan Vogel and Scott C. Dunn, '"The Tongue of Angels": Glossolalia among Mormonism's Founders,' Journal of Mormon History Vol. 19, No. 2, 1993]
195 years ago today - about Jan 15, 1831
Fayette, New York. Joseph Smith reportedly saw in vision the face of Newel K. Whitney, who would later receive him and his wife, Emma Smith, in Kirtland, Ohio, on February 1.
[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]
50 years ago today - Jan 14, 1976
Church president Spencer W. Kimball and other officials learn of the discovery of a 150-pound set of brass plates, bound by rings, that a man in England claims were brought from South America by his grandfather. The man, Bert Fuchs, also claims to have some parchments from ancient Hawaii (which had no written language), a sword with a jeweled handle, and an odd pair of spectacles. The artifacts are given to the Church. Fuchs and his family are baptized, later move to the United States, meet with President Kimball and are sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. Paul Cheesman, a BYU religion professor interested in Book of Mormon artifacts, goes to England to collect the relics for investigation and brings them to Salt Lake City. The investigation of the relics is kept secret even from the Church Historian's Department and their existence is never announced publicly. After it is found that the supposed relics are fraudulent, modern creations, Fuchs is excommunicated.
65 years ago today - Jan 14, 1961
[Joseph Fielding Smith]
Why did Adam come here? Not subject to death when he was placed upon the earth, there had to come a change in his body through the partaking of this element---whatever you want to call it, fruit---that brought blood into his body; and blood became the life of the body instead of spirit. And blood has in it the seeds of death, some mortal element. Mortality was created through the eating of the forbidden fruit, if you want to call it forbidden, but I think the Lord has made it clear that it was not forbidden. He merely said to Adam, if you want to stay here this is the situation. If so, don't eat it.
[Address given at LDS Institute of Religion; Joseph Fielding Smith; Salt Lake City, Utah; January 14, 1961, in Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
Why did Adam come here? Not subject to death when he was placed upon the earth, there had to come a change in his body through the partaking of this element---whatever you want to call it, fruit---that brought blood into his body; and blood became the life of the body instead of spirit. And blood has in it the seeds of death, some mortal element. Mortality was created through the eating of the forbidden fruit, if you want to call it forbidden, but I think the Lord has made it clear that it was not forbidden. He merely said to Adam, if you want to stay here this is the situation. If so, don't eat it.
[Address given at LDS Institute of Religion; Joseph Fielding Smith; Salt Lake City, Utah; January 14, 1961, in Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
70 years ago today - Jan 14, 1956
[David O. McKay]
At 4 p.m. went to the Salt Lake Temple where I went over the temple ceremony in the master book and also the various parts used by those taking part. Gord[o]n Hinckley who is getting a book ready for the Los Angeles Temple called my attention to minor discrepancies between the master book and the parts used by the various participants. Found that a few errors have been made in re-typing the parts.
[David O. McKay diary, Jan. 14, 1956, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
At 4 p.m. went to the Salt Lake Temple where I went over the temple ceremony in the master book and also the various parts used by those taking part. Gord[o]n Hinckley who is getting a book ready for the Los Angeles Temple called my attention to minor discrepancies between the master book and the parts used by the various participants. Found that a few errors have been made in re-typing the parts.
[David O. McKay diary, Jan. 14, 1956, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
80 years ago today - Jan 14, 1946
European relief and call of Ezra Taft Benson as European Mission President...
In this position Elder Benson will attend to the spiritual affairs of the Saints in Europe as well as direct the work to make available food, clothing, and bedding for the members of the Church in these distressed areas. In excess of thirteen thousand packages have been shipped by the Church Welfare Program during the past several weeks. Plans are now being effected to send articles in carload quantities. Elder Benson takes to Europe his experience gained as secretary of the National Council of Farm Cooperatives.
[1946-January 14-Improvement Era 49:67, February, 1946, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
In this position Elder Benson will attend to the spiritual affairs of the Saints in Europe as well as direct the work to make available food, clothing, and bedding for the members of the Church in these distressed areas. In excess of thirteen thousand packages have been shipped by the Church Welfare Program during the past several weeks. Plans are now being effected to send articles in carload quantities. Elder Benson takes to Europe his experience gained as secretary of the National Council of Farm Cooperatives.
[1946-January 14-Improvement Era 49:67, February, 1946, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
105 years ago today - Jan 14, 1921
[James E. Talmage]
In addition to other committee work I attended an afternoon session of the Book of Mormon committee, at which preliminary arrangements were made for hearing some of the proponents of different views on Book of Mormon geography. Many varied and conflicting views concerning the location of Book of Mormon lands have been advocated amongst our people; and not a few maps have been put out. With all the precautions taken to make plain the fact that these maps have been intended as suggestive presentations only, we find some people accepting one map and others another as authoritative. The matter was brought before the Council through the receipt of a communication from Elder Joel Ricks of Logan, who several years ago published a map, of which over 6000 have been disposed of. Brother Ricks and several other good brethren have voiced a sort of complaint that they have had no opportunity to present their views, with the fulness they would desire, before the Church authorities. The entire
matter was referred to the Book of Mormon committee; and today appointments were made for the beginning of the series of hearings.
[James E. Talmage, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
In addition to other committee work I attended an afternoon session of the Book of Mormon committee, at which preliminary arrangements were made for hearing some of the proponents of different views on Book of Mormon geography. Many varied and conflicting views concerning the location of Book of Mormon lands have been advocated amongst our people; and not a few maps have been put out. With all the precautions taken to make plain the fact that these maps have been intended as suggestive presentations only, we find some people accepting one map and others another as authoritative. The matter was brought before the Council through the receipt of a communication from Elder Joel Ricks of Logan, who several years ago published a map, of which over 6000 have been disposed of. Brother Ricks and several other good brethren have voiced a sort of complaint that they have had no opportunity to present their views, with the fulness they would desire, before the Church authorities. The entire
matter was referred to the Book of Mormon committee; and today appointments were made for the beginning of the series of hearings.
[James E. Talmage, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
140 years ago today - Jan 14, 1886
Had an important meeting at Bro[ther] Jos[eph] F. Smith, Pres[iden]t Cannon & Woodruff, E[rastus]. Snow, F[ranklin]. D. Richard Richards B[righam]. Y[oung]. [Jr.] M[oses]. T[hatcher]. F[rancis]. M. L[yman]. J[ohn]. H[enry]. S[mith]. H[eber]. J. G[rant]. Jno. [John] W. Taylor talked business of saving church property from Gov[ernment] thieves.
[They decide "it was best to get rid of the Church property." Subsequently church property throughout Utah was put into newly formed corporations to avoid seizure by the federal government.]
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[They decide "it was best to get rid of the Church property." Subsequently church property throughout Utah was put into newly formed corporations to avoid seizure by the federal government.]
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
165 years ago today - Jan 14, 1861
Brigham Young's office journal records: "Bp Edward E. Hunter asked the President if he did not think our dancing parties were Kept open too late. The President said he should say no more about it. He formerly had wished the Bps to close early and he had always left the dances early by way of example of himself but he did know that a Bp knew a word about it."
155 years ago today - Jan. 14th 1871
... Elder Sutton inquired if the fact of no issue justified divorcement giving his opinion that it did not.
Prest. Rich said in case of impotency in the man it is sometimes the practice for a woman to obtain a divorce and none of us he thought had the authority to say it is wrong. ...
[Paris ward - Bear Lake Stake - School of the Prophets minutes 1869-72, typescript by Michael Nielsen]
Prest. Rich said in case of impotency in the man it is sometimes the practice for a woman to obtain a divorce and none of us he thought had the authority to say it is wrong. ...
[Paris ward - Bear Lake Stake - School of the Prophets minutes 1869-72, typescript by Michael Nielsen]
180 years ago today - Jan 14, 1846
[Hosea Stout]
.... Just as dinner was ready an express came from the Temple for me forthwith whereupon Scott and I went immediately with out waiting for dinner. I was there notified by President B. Young to send spies out in different parts of the country to watch and report the proceedings of the mob -
I committed the business of sending spies out in Iowa to Sanford Porter who lives in Iowahe was to send some three or dour in different directions to watch their movements and let us know when anythings is going on among them against us...
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
.... Just as dinner was ready an express came from the Temple for me forthwith whereupon Scott and I went immediately with out waiting for dinner. I was there notified by President B. Young to send spies out in different parts of the country to watch and report the proceedings of the mob -
I committed the business of sending spies out in Iowa to Sanford Porter who lives in Iowahe was to send some three or dour in different directions to watch their movements and let us know when anythings is going on among them against us...
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Jan 14, 1846
John Taylor: Nauvoo Temple sealing to Elizabeth Kaighin (born 1811 in Isle of Man) 14 January 1846.
[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 - Jan 14, 1846
Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Margaret Alley (1825-1852) (aged 20) first marriage 2 children
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
190 years ago today - Jan 14, 1836
Joseph Smith writes of performing a marriage ceremony after which "We then took some refreshment and our hearts were made glad with the fruit of the vine. This is according to pattern Set by our Saviour himself and we feel disposed to patronize all the institutions of heaven."
165 years ago today - Jan 13, 1861
In speaking of the Government President Young said the United States Goverment was in the fix that the man was that had to swim a river or meet a Lion. If He swam the river He would drown. If he met the Lion he would be devoured. So with the United States they are bound to be destroyed. Those things which [they] wished to bring Upon us shall Come upon them.
...President Young spoke of one Bally who Cursed Joseph Smith & the God that Called him to be a prophet & the man was taken Crazy on the Ground was taken home & died insane.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
...President Young spoke of one Bally who Cursed Joseph Smith & the God that Called him to be a prophet & the man was taken Crazy on the Ground was taken home & died insane.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Jan 13, 1856
[Wilford Woodruff]
On the return of the brethren from meeting they informed me that President Brigham Young had preached one of the greatest sermons he had ever deliverd on earth.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
On the return of the brethren from meeting they informed me that President Brigham Young had preached one of the greatest sermons he had ever deliverd on earth.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Jan 13, 1856
Brigham Young preaches: "The Lamanites on this Continent are Manassehites almost exclusively. There is but little of the seed of Ephraim among them. They are counted as the seed of Abraham and they must be saved or they would not have become so loathsome as they are. They are punished in the flesh to make attonement in the flesh for their sins & transgressions . . . The seed of Abraham has not been counted for many years NOR NEVER WILL BE AGAIN. If an Angel as to commence now to number them all when he had got the numbers together before they could be compiled there would be a great number more born during the time of there numeration so they could not be numbered & this is the reason why his seed Cannot be numbered. . . . We will administer in the Temple which we have now begun & that is one point gained & we will seal men to men by the highest keys of the Holy Priesthood. This is the highest ordinance. It is the last ordinance of the kingdom of God on the earth and aboe all the
endowments that can be given you. It is a finall sealing an Eternal Principle and when once made cannot be broaken by the Devel."
endowments that can be given you. It is a finall sealing an Eternal Principle and when once made cannot be broaken by the Devel."
180 years ago today - Tuesday, Jan 13, 1846
Nauvoo Temple Attic
said that ["]the saying of the Prophets would never be verified unless the House of the Lord be reared in the Tops of the Mountains & the Proud Banner of Liberty wave over the Valley's that are within the Mountains & I know where the spot is & I know how to make the Flag. Jos[eph Smith] sent out the coulours (colors)-& said where ever the coulours settled there would be the spot. There is another thing that I wish to say to this council[,] let an influence go out = we intend that every worthy man will recieve his endowment if not here [Nauvoo] he will have it in the wilderness.["]
[John D. Lee diary, "1844 Supplement", as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
said that ["]the saying of the Prophets would never be verified unless the House of the Lord be reared in the Tops of the Mountains & the Proud Banner of Liberty wave over the Valley's that are within the Mountains & I know where the spot is & I know how to make the Flag. Jos[eph Smith] sent out the coulours (colors)-& said where ever the coulours settled there would be the spot. There is another thing that I wish to say to this council[,] let an influence go out = we intend that every worthy man will recieve his endowment if not here [Nauvoo] he will have it in the wilderness.["]
[John D. Lee diary, "1844 Supplement", as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
180 years ago today - Tuesday, Jan 13, 1846
Nauvoo Temple Attic
said that ["]the saying of the Prophets would never be verified unless the House of the Lord be reared in the Tops of the Mountains & the Proud Banner of Liberty wave over the Valley's that are within the Mountains & I know where the spot is & I know how to make the Flag. Jos[eph Smith] sent out the coulours (colors)-& said where ever the coulours settled there would be the spot. There is another thing that I wish to say to this council[,] let an influence go out = we intend that every worthy man will recieve his endowment if not here [Nauvoo] he will have it in the wilderness.["]
[John D. Lee diary, "1844 Supplement", as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
said that ["]the saying of the Prophets would never be verified unless the House of the Lord be reared in the Tops of the Mountains & the Proud Banner of Liberty wave over the Valley's that are within the Mountains & I know where the spot is & I know how to make the Flag. Jos[eph Smith] sent out the coulours (colors)-& said where ever the coulours settled there would be the spot. There is another thing that I wish to say to this council[,] let an influence go out = we intend that every worthy man will recieve his endowment if not here [Nauvoo] he will have it in the wilderness.["]
[John D. Lee diary, "1844 Supplement", as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
180 years ago today - Tuesday, Jan 13, 1846
Nauvoo Temple Attic
A council was held in the Temple. The Captains of Fifties and Tens made reports of the number in their respective companies, who were prepared to start West immediately, should the persecutions of our enemies compel us to do so: one hundred and forty horses and seventy wagons were reported ready for immediate service.
[Historian's Office history, as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
A council was held in the Temple. The Captains of Fifties and Tens made reports of the number in their respective companies, who were prepared to start West immediately, should the persecutions of our enemies compel us to do so: one hundred and forty horses and seventy wagons were reported ready for immediate service.
[Historian's Office history, as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
190 years ago today - Jan 13, 1836
Joseph meets in council with the Missouri and Kirtland stake presidencies. Various changes in assignments in priesthood are made at this time; vacancies are filled. New officers are then set apart. Sidney Rigdon is administered to and healed from an ailment. Sidney then speaks on the subject of endowment and the meeting is concluded. Joseph records, "This has been one of the best days that I ever spent." (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 2:364-68.)
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
195 years ago today - Jan 13, 1831
Missionaries arrive at Independence. Peter Whitmer works as a tailor and Ziba Peterson as a teacher to support the mission while Oliver, Parley, and Frederick cross into Indian territory to convert the Lamanites. (They are expelled in a few days by an Indian agent enforcing federal laws prohibiting unauthorized whites in the territory.)
[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]
45 years ago today - Jan 12, 1981-Monday
[Leonard Arrington]
Lowell Durham and I have now conducted conversations with 10 of the 16 scholars appointed to do volumes for the Sesquicentennial series. Here is a brief summary, as I remember it, of these.
Richard Bushman, who has finished his manuscript in final form, will be paid in full $20,000 for his work. I strongly encouraged him to submit his manuscript to Johns Hopkins University Press for possible publication by them, or, alternatively, with Cornell University Press. I told him I thought he owed it to the Church and to the Mormon community to have it published as soon as possible so as to provide an alternative to [Fawn M.] Brodie's No Man Knows My History, which is used as a basic source for early Mormon history. If he does so and if they agree to publish the manuscript, they are to understand that Deseret Book will also reserve the right to publish the book eventually in a series, and Richard will agree to share royalties he may receive from such university press publication with Deseret Book, up to the amount of $10,000. Of course he'll never receive any such amount, but this is Deseret Book's way of trying to recoup on paying him the full amount if it is
published elsewhere first. [[Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism was published by the University of Illinois Press in 1986.]]
Mick Backman. Since his manuscript [on the Kirtland era] has been completed and approved, he has already been paid the $20,000-or received part of the payment spread over several years-and will leave his manuscript with Deseret Book to be published eventually by them. [[The Heavens Resound: A History of the Latter-Day Saints in Ohio, 1830-1838, pub- lished by Deseret Book in 1983.]]
Max Parkin has essentially finished his research for his volume on Missouri and will be given a payment of $10,000 from Deseret Book. He will expect to finish the volume on his own good time-perhaps within two years-and have it published by Deseret Book. He does not expect to submit it elsewhere. [[Parkin never finished the manuscript, although he wrote several articles and contrib- uted to other books on the subject.]]
Glen Leonard, representing also the Ed Lyon family. An agreement had already been made at the time of the death of Ed Lyon that Glen was to receive $15,000 and the Lyon family $ [[Nauvoo: A Place of Peace, A People of Promise, published by Deseret Book in 2002.]],000. Glen expects to suggest to Deseret Book that payment of $5,000 be made to the Lyon family. He, Glen, will then work on the volume [on the Nauvoo era] during the next couple of years and expect to finish it and expect to give the manuscript to Deseret Book, which will then hold it until they are ready to publish it. Gene Campbell brought his manuscript [on early pioneer Utah] with him, something like 24 chapters in rough form and roughly 3 chapters in finished form. He has done all the research. He will expect Deseret Book to give him $15,000 for all that he has done. He will then put in finished form all of the chapters, expecting that task to be completed by July, and the manuscript will go to Deseret Book
which will then hold it for possible publication sometime in the future. [[Establishing Zion: The Mormon Church in the American West, 1847-69, published by Signature Books in 1988.]]
Richard Cowan was assigned the period 1930 to 1950. He says he has completed one draft and has received suggestions from Maureen [Ursenbach Beecher] and us about improving the manuscript. He will be given $15,000 by Deseret Book and will then put the manuscript on the shelf, and in a matter of 2 or 3 years when Deseret Book is ready to consider publication he will complete the job using Maureen's suggestions and others that come up in the meantime and leave it to them to publish. ... [[The Church in the Twentieth Century, published by Bookcraft in 1985.]]
Jim Allen has not yet indicated definitely his plan, but essentially he wants to finish the book [on the late pioneer period] in a matter of a year or two and then receive the full payment from Deseret Book and leave it to them to publish.
Doug Tobler has done all the research and one hundred pages of the manuscript for his book [on the church in Europe]. Lowell estimated this to be roughly 3/4 completed and therefore suggested it would give him $15,000 and the remaining $5,000 when he delivers the manuscript which he said he would do within two years. He would leave the publication up to Deseret Book. If he should consider publishing it earlier through BYU Press, he will work out an arrangement with Deseret Book. [[Tobler's book was never published, though he authored several articles on the topic.]]
Lanier Britsch has finished both of his manuscripts [on Asia and Oceania]; one of them has been approved, the other being reworked by Maureen. Lanier has already received part of the full payment of $20,000. He will expect both manuscripts to be published by Deseret Book. Lowell indicated that he will submit one of Lanier's manuscripts to his board within a year and that will hopefully be the first volume of the sesquicentennial history to be published. While Lowell is now thinking in terms of Asian history, I am thinking that when Maureen finishes the South Sea islands history, which I expect will be within a month, we will urge Lowell to publish that one first. He will be so excited about having the book that I think he will do so. [[Unto the Islands of the Sea: A History of the Latter-day Saints in the Pacific, published in 1986; From the East: The History of the Latter-day Saints in Asia, 1851-1996, published in 1999, both from Deseret Book. Britsch was originally asked
to do one volume, and he divided the topic in two.]]
Davis Bitton has not yet indicated his own feelings, but I expect he will settle for half of the total payment and finish his volume [on social and cultural issues] within the next year or two [[Bitton's book was never published.]] and leave it to Deseret Book to publish. [[Originally the sixteen-volume series was to be titled "The History of the Latter-day Saints, 1830-1980," with Arrington as the general editor. The other volumes were to have been Reed C. Durham on the early pioneer experience, never published; Charles S. Peterson on the later pioneer period, never published; Thomas G. Alexander on the early twentieth century, published as Mormonism in Transition by University of Illinois Press; F. LaMond Tullis on Central/South America, covered in part by his work from Utah State University Press as Mormons in Mexico; S. George Ellsworth on the expansion of the church through missionary outreach, never published; and John L. Sorenson on twentieth-century social]]
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Lowell Durham and I have now conducted conversations with 10 of the 16 scholars appointed to do volumes for the Sesquicentennial series. Here is a brief summary, as I remember it, of these.
Richard Bushman, who has finished his manuscript in final form, will be paid in full $20,000 for his work. I strongly encouraged him to submit his manuscript to Johns Hopkins University Press for possible publication by them, or, alternatively, with Cornell University Press. I told him I thought he owed it to the Church and to the Mormon community to have it published as soon as possible so as to provide an alternative to [Fawn M.] Brodie's No Man Knows My History, which is used as a basic source for early Mormon history. If he does so and if they agree to publish the manuscript, they are to understand that Deseret Book will also reserve the right to publish the book eventually in a series, and Richard will agree to share royalties he may receive from such university press publication with Deseret Book, up to the amount of $10,000. Of course he'll never receive any such amount, but this is Deseret Book's way of trying to recoup on paying him the full amount if it is
published elsewhere first. [[Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism was published by the University of Illinois Press in 1986.]]
Mick Backman. Since his manuscript [on the Kirtland era] has been completed and approved, he has already been paid the $20,000-or received part of the payment spread over several years-and will leave his manuscript with Deseret Book to be published eventually by them. [[The Heavens Resound: A History of the Latter-Day Saints in Ohio, 1830-1838, pub- lished by Deseret Book in 1983.]]
Max Parkin has essentially finished his research for his volume on Missouri and will be given a payment of $10,000 from Deseret Book. He will expect to finish the volume on his own good time-perhaps within two years-and have it published by Deseret Book. He does not expect to submit it elsewhere. [[Parkin never finished the manuscript, although he wrote several articles and contrib- uted to other books on the subject.]]
Glen Leonard, representing also the Ed Lyon family. An agreement had already been made at the time of the death of Ed Lyon that Glen was to receive $15,000 and the Lyon family $ [[Nauvoo: A Place of Peace, A People of Promise, published by Deseret Book in 2002.]],000. Glen expects to suggest to Deseret Book that payment of $5,000 be made to the Lyon family. He, Glen, will then work on the volume [on the Nauvoo era] during the next couple of years and expect to finish it and expect to give the manuscript to Deseret Book, which will then hold it until they are ready to publish it. Gene Campbell brought his manuscript [on early pioneer Utah] with him, something like 24 chapters in rough form and roughly 3 chapters in finished form. He has done all the research. He will expect Deseret Book to give him $15,000 for all that he has done. He will then put in finished form all of the chapters, expecting that task to be completed by July, and the manuscript will go to Deseret Book
which will then hold it for possible publication sometime in the future. [[Establishing Zion: The Mormon Church in the American West, 1847-69, published by Signature Books in 1988.]]
Richard Cowan was assigned the period 1930 to 1950. He says he has completed one draft and has received suggestions from Maureen [Ursenbach Beecher] and us about improving the manuscript. He will be given $15,000 by Deseret Book and will then put the manuscript on the shelf, and in a matter of 2 or 3 years when Deseret Book is ready to consider publication he will complete the job using Maureen's suggestions and others that come up in the meantime and leave it to them to publish. ... [[The Church in the Twentieth Century, published by Bookcraft in 1985.]]
Jim Allen has not yet indicated definitely his plan, but essentially he wants to finish the book [on the late pioneer period] in a matter of a year or two and then receive the full payment from Deseret Book and leave it to them to publish.
Doug Tobler has done all the research and one hundred pages of the manuscript for his book [on the church in Europe]. Lowell estimated this to be roughly 3/4 completed and therefore suggested it would give him $15,000 and the remaining $5,000 when he delivers the manuscript which he said he would do within two years. He would leave the publication up to Deseret Book. If he should consider publishing it earlier through BYU Press, he will work out an arrangement with Deseret Book. [[Tobler's book was never published, though he authored several articles on the topic.]]
Lanier Britsch has finished both of his manuscripts [on Asia and Oceania]; one of them has been approved, the other being reworked by Maureen. Lanier has already received part of the full payment of $20,000. He will expect both manuscripts to be published by Deseret Book. Lowell indicated that he will submit one of Lanier's manuscripts to his board within a year and that will hopefully be the first volume of the sesquicentennial history to be published. While Lowell is now thinking in terms of Asian history, I am thinking that when Maureen finishes the South Sea islands history, which I expect will be within a month, we will urge Lowell to publish that one first. He will be so excited about having the book that I think he will do so. [[Unto the Islands of the Sea: A History of the Latter-day Saints in the Pacific, published in 1986; From the East: The History of the Latter-day Saints in Asia, 1851-1996, published in 1999, both from Deseret Book. Britsch was originally asked
to do one volume, and he divided the topic in two.]]
Davis Bitton has not yet indicated his own feelings, but I expect he will settle for half of the total payment and finish his volume [on social and cultural issues] within the next year or two [[Bitton's book was never published.]] and leave it to Deseret Book to publish. [[Originally the sixteen-volume series was to be titled "The History of the Latter-day Saints, 1830-1980," with Arrington as the general editor. The other volumes were to have been Reed C. Durham on the early pioneer experience, never published; Charles S. Peterson on the later pioneer period, never published; Thomas G. Alexander on the early twentieth century, published as Mormonism in Transition by University of Illinois Press; F. LaMond Tullis on Central/South America, covered in part by his work from Utah State University Press as Mormons in Mexico; S. George Ellsworth on the expansion of the church through missionary outreach, never published; and John L. Sorenson on twentieth-century social]]
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
60 years ago today - Jan 12, 1966
[David O. McKay]
Consideration was given to a letter from H---- B---- de E----, also a letter from Bishop K----F-------- S----- and Counselors * , these letters having reference to the problems involved in this sister's marriage to a Negro. She became a member in 1961, received her endowments in 1963, and was divorced from her former husband in 1965. She has subsequently married a Negro non-member, and has been told by the Bishopric that no further Temple visits would be allowed her, and that because of her marriage to a Negro her Temple endowments are ineffective. It was decided to write the bishopric asking that they inform this sister that the fact of her marriage to a Negro does not cancel her endowments; that, however, under the circumstances she should not be recommended to the Temple for further ordinance work. The Bishopric also are to be told that any children born of this marriage cannot hold the Priesthood; however, there is no reason why she cannot be active in the Ward and Stake.
[David O. McKay diary, Jan. 12, 1966; hyphens added to conceal names, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
Consideration was given to a letter from H---- B---- de E----, also a letter from Bishop K----F-------- S----- and Counselors * , these letters having reference to the problems involved in this sister's marriage to a Negro. She became a member in 1961, received her endowments in 1963, and was divorced from her former husband in 1965. She has subsequently married a Negro non-member, and has been told by the Bishopric that no further Temple visits would be allowed her, and that because of her marriage to a Negro her Temple endowments are ineffective. It was decided to write the bishopric asking that they inform this sister that the fact of her marriage to a Negro does not cancel her endowments; that, however, under the circumstances she should not be recommended to the Temple for further ordinance work. The Bishopric also are to be told that any children born of this marriage cannot hold the Priesthood; however, there is no reason why she cannot be active in the Ward and Stake.
[David O. McKay diary, Jan. 12, 1966; hyphens added to conceal names, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
140 years ago today - Wednesday, Jan. 12th, 1886
[General Authority Abraham H. Cannon]
Bro. Thatcher prophesied that if the people would do right they would be prospered here and would. . .
I dwelt on the return of the Saints to Jackson Co. and their final destiny. I felt quite free after getting started and several of the brethren said they were glad I had touched upon the subjects I did, for many of the Saints are beginning to lose sight of the fact that we are to return to Jackson Co. and there build up the Center Stake.
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
Bro. Thatcher prophesied that if the people would do right they would be prospered here and would. . .
I dwelt on the return of the Saints to Jackson Co. and their final destiny. I felt quite free after getting started and several of the brethren said they were glad I had touched upon the subjects I did, for many of the Saints are beginning to lose sight of the fact that we are to return to Jackson Co. and there build up the Center Stake.
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
145 years ago today - Jan 12, 1881
[Franklin D. Richards]
J[oseph]. F. S[mith]. Prayed and appointed next Wednesday to meet and wash our feet against certain of our enemies, and bearing witness against them before the Lord.
[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]
J[oseph]. F. S[mith]. Prayed and appointed next Wednesday to meet and wash our feet against certain of our enemies, and bearing witness against them before the Lord.
[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]
175 years ago today - Jan 12, 1851
President Brigham Young, preaching against "swareing or takeing the name of God in vain," says "the time might Come when the Lord would require him & the Elders of Israel to sharpen up their swords & go fourth & hew down the wicked in their midst. He said any Righteous man that Herd any one of his Children take the name of God in vain that He might whip them until He was satisfied."
[Wilford Woodruff Journal Vol 4, pg 3, also http://ogdenkraut.com/Wilford%20Woodruff%20Journal%20Excerpts.htm quoted here , [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Wilford Woodruff Journal Vol 4, pg 3, also http://ogdenkraut.com/Wilford%20Woodruff%20Journal%20Excerpts.htm quoted here , [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
175 years ago today - Jan 12, 1851 (Afternoon)
[Brigham Young]
"I think more of men who are polite and do not come into the church - than those who do come in "
[Thomas Bullock Minutes, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
"I think more of men who are polite and do not come into the church - than those who do come in "
[Thomas Bullock Minutes, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
180 years ago today - Jan 12, 1846
[Hosea Stout]
This morning about 2 oclock A. m. I was awoke by Joseph Taylor who had come from the Temple to let me know that the troops from Carthage were coming in and I immediately arose and went to the Temple and found some of the guard present[.] The Twelve were some of them up and on the ground and so I sent out spies to see where they had gone to. Near daylight I was informed that they had taken Andrew Colton and sent him to carthage and a party remained till day for what we knew not. In the mein time I had sent for all the guard to be called together at the Temple and there be ready for an emergency...
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
This morning about 2 oclock A. m. I was awoke by Joseph Taylor who had come from the Temple to let me know that the troops from Carthage were coming in and I immediately arose and went to the Temple and found some of the guard present[.] The Twelve were some of them up and on the ground and so I sent out spies to see where they had gone to. Near daylight I was informed that they had taken Andrew Colton and sent him to carthage and a party remained till day for what we knew not. In the mein time I had sent for all the guard to be called together at the Temple and there be ready for an emergency...
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Jan 12, 1846
Apostle Parley P Pratt: accused by Apostle Orson Pratt the 12 Jan. 1846 before Twelve that while on mission he (Parley P Pratt ) would "seduce girls or females and sleep & have connexion with them contrary to the law of God," Parley P Pratt said this was a misunderstanding of cohabiting with plural wives, though he did not inform Brigham Young of an unauthorized relationship with Phoebe Soper
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
180 years ago today - Jan 12, 1846
Young tells a temple congregation that General instructed him in the colors and design of a flag that he intends to unfurl in the "valleys that are within the Mountains." The Flag of the Kingdom of God proved to be similar to the American flag but with twelve white stars encircling one large star, and blue and white stripes.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
180 years ago today - 12 [Jan 1846]
[Brigham Young]
The remainder of the day I spent at the alter officiating in the ordinances of sealing -- In the evening Evan M. Greene: my clerk through sickness was compelled to retire from his labour Br. John D. Lee I appointed to take his place there being a few records to be kept sepperately & apart containing the first Sealings of the living & of Proxy of adoptions & also that of the 2nd anointings which I found to be quite a task for one man to perform therefore I employed Bro. Franklin D. Richard to assist in keeping those Records above aluded too- Such was the anxiety manifested by the Saints to receive the ordinances of Endowment & no less on our part to have them get the keys of the Priesthood- that I gave myself up entirely to the work of the Lord in the Temple almost night & Day I have spent not taking more than 4 hours upon an average out of 24 to Sleep- - - & but seldom ever allowing myself the the time & opportunity of going home once in a week---
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
The remainder of the day I spent at the alter officiating in the ordinances of sealing -- In the evening Evan M. Greene: my clerk through sickness was compelled to retire from his labour Br. John D. Lee I appointed to take his place there being a few records to be kept sepperately & apart containing the first Sealings of the living & of Proxy of adoptions & also that of the 2nd anointings which I found to be quite a task for one man to perform therefore I employed Bro. Franklin D. Richard to assist in keeping those Records above aluded too- Such was the anxiety manifested by the Saints to receive the ordinances of Endowment & no less on our part to have them get the keys of the Priesthood- that I gave myself up entirely to the work of the Lord in the Temple almost night & Day I have spent not taking more than 4 hours upon an average out of 24 to Sleep- - - & but seldom ever allowing myself the the time & opportunity of going home once in a week---
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
185 years ago today - Jan 12, 1841
Joseph Smith teaches that not all sin is vice and that murders cannot be redeemed in this life.
[http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parallel/1841/12Jan41.html The McIntire Minute Book , [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[http://www.boap.org/LDS/Parallel/1841/12Jan41.html The McIntire Minute Book , [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
190 years ago today - Jan 12, 1836
The Kirtland High Council nominates a committee to draft rules for the soon-to-be-dedicated Kirtland temple. The committee consists of Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, W.W. Phelps, David Whitmer, and Hyrum Smith. The rules drafted include: "1st It is according to the rules and regulations of regular & legal organized bodies to have a president to keep order. "2nd The body thus organized are under obligations to be in subjection to that authority." ". . .No man shall be interrupted who is appointed to speak by permission of the Church, by any individual person or persons in the congregation, by whispering, by laughing, by talking, by menacing gestures, by getting up and running out in a disorderly manner, or by offering indignity to the manner of worship, or the religion, or to any officer of said Church while officiating in his office, in any wise whatever by any display of ill manners or ill breeding from old or young, rich or poor, male or female, bond or free, black or white,
believer or unbeliever and if any of the above insults are offered, such measures will be taken as are lawful to punish the aggressor or aggressors and eject them out of the House. . . ." "6th All persons are prohibited [from] cutting, marking or maiming the inside or outside of the House with a knife, pencil or any other instrument whatever, under pain of such penalty as the law shall inflict. "7th all children are prohibited from assembling in the House above or below or in any part of it to play or for recreation at any time and all parents, guardians or masters shall be amenable for all damage that shall occur in consequence of their children. "8th All persons whether believer or unbelievers shall be treated with due respect by the authorities of the Church."
believer or unbeliever and if any of the above insults are offered, such measures will be taken as are lawful to punish the aggressor or aggressors and eject them out of the House. . . ." "6th All persons are prohibited [from] cutting, marking or maiming the inside or outside of the House with a knife, pencil or any other instrument whatever, under pain of such penalty as the law shall inflict. "7th all children are prohibited from assembling in the House above or below or in any part of it to play or for recreation at any time and all parents, guardians or masters shall be amenable for all damage that shall occur in consequence of their children. "8th All persons whether believer or unbelievers shall be treated with due respect by the authorities of the Church."
195 years ago today - Jan 12, 1831
Dispatched from New York in accordance with a now-unknown revelation, John Whitmer arrives in Kirtland with the newly revealed book of Moses and other revelations designating Kirtland as the eastern edge of the land of Zion—which extends to the Pacific Ocean—and directing the Saints not to sell their lands, but rather to purchase as much as they can.
[Painesville [Ohio] Telegraph, Eber D. Howe, ed.http://www.sidneyrigdon.com/dbroadhu/OH/paintel2.htm#011831 copy here , [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Painesville [Ohio] Telegraph, Eber D. Howe, ed.http://www.sidneyrigdon.com/dbroadhu/OH/paintel2.htm#011831 copy here , [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
45 years ago today - Jan 10, 1981
Fawn McKay Brodie, niece of David O. McKay and author of NO MAN KNOWS MY HISTORY (for which she was excommunicated) dies of cancer in Santa Monica, California at age 65. During her last months she refuses pain medication fearing that it will interfere with her final work - a biography of Richard Nixon. She does, however, ask for and receive a blessing from her active, LDS brother. This later leads to the false rumor that she returned to the Church at the end. At the time she states, "any exaggeration about my requests for a blessing meaning that I was asking to be taken back into the Church at that moment I strictly repudiate and would for all time." Her remains are cremated and the ashes scattered to the wind over the Pacific Palisades area she loved and protected.
95 years ago today - Jan 10, 1931
[Joseph Fielding Smith]
At the H[istorian's] O[ffice] preparing reply to B H Roberts' paper on the Pre-Adamites.
[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 the H[istorian's] O[ffice] preparing reply to B H Roberts' paper on the Pre-Adamites.
[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]
120 years ago today - Jan 10, 1906
First Council of Seventy instructs B.H. Roberts to go to Los Angeles for "recuperation" from "a weakness for liquor that had fastened itself upon him." Roberts confessed his problem to the Council in 1901, and its senior president writes in 1908 that he "has been many times much the worse for Liquor in so much that his brethren of the Council have had to take up a labor with him."
[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)]]
125 years ago today - Thursday, Jan 10, 1901
Apostle Reed Smoot ... Referred to some of the fast meetings in Provo last Sunday and said the spirit and power of testimony rested upon the people and the gifts of the gospel were manifested. One brother spoke in tongues to the effect that the impressions given to Pres. Snow of late regarding the redemption of the center stake of Zion and the building of the great temple were from the Lord and such event would transpire much sooner than many supposed.
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
180 years ago today - Jan 10, 1846
Two twelve year olds sealed together in Nauvoo Temple each married other spouses in Utah
"On about January 10, 1846, I was privileged to go in the temple… I was sealed to a lovely young girl named Mary, who was about my age, but it was with the understanding that we were not to live together as man and wife until we were 16 years of age. The reason that some were sealed so young was because we knew that we would have to go West and wait many a long time for another temple".
[Mosiah Lyman Hancock Autobiography (1834-1865), typescript, BYU-S; published version by Pioneer Press, Salt Lake City, undated, 20-21; Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
"On about January 10, 1846, I was privileged to go in the temple… I was sealed to a lovely young girl named Mary, who was about my age, but it was with the understanding that we were not to live together as man and wife until we were 16 years of age. The reason that some were sealed so young was because we knew that we would have to go West and wait many a long time for another temple".
[Mosiah Lyman Hancock Autobiography (1834-1865), typescript, BYU-S; published version by Pioneer Press, Salt Lake City, undated, 20-21; Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
185 years ago today - Jan 10, 1841
[Wilford Woodruff]
Sister Redman thinks it is the hand of God to bring her to London to help rool on the work of God in this city. She has tried to find us many days, but no one would tell her. On Saturday night she dreamed if she would go to Goswell Road she would see two women & if she followed them it would lead her to the place of meeting. She did so & herd my voice while I was speaking & came into meeting & communed with us. It was a joyful meeting indeed.
She had a vision a few nights since of being called before her Majesty, the Queen Victoria & confined in London Tower because of her religion.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Sister Redman thinks it is the hand of God to bring her to London to help rool on the work of God in this city. She has tried to find us many days, but no one would tell her. On Saturday night she dreamed if she would go to Goswell Road she would see two women & if she followed them it would lead her to the place of meeting. She did so & herd my voice while I was speaking & came into meeting & communed with us. It was a joyful meeting indeed.
She had a vision a few nights since of being called before her Majesty, the Queen Victoria & confined in London Tower because of her religion.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
195 years ago today - Before Jan 10, 1831
John Corrill, later a convert, visited Kirtland where he said he heard Mormons "speak in tongues unknown to me," and was informed by some non-Mormons who were present "that the tongues were regular Indian dialects, which I was also informed, on inquiry, the persons who spoke had never learned."
[John Corrill, A Brief History of the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, (Commonly Called Mormons) . . . (St. Louis: John Corrill, 1839), 9; Dan Vogel and Scott C. Dunn, '"The Tongue of Angels": Glossolalia among Mormonism's Founders,' Journal of Mormon History Vol. 19, No. 2, 1993]
[John Corrill, A Brief History of the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints, (Commonly Called Mormons) . . . (St. Louis: John Corrill, 1839), 9; Dan Vogel and Scott C. Dunn, '"The Tongue of Angels": Glossolalia among Mormonism's Founders,' Journal of Mormon History Vol. 19, No. 2, 1993]
130 years ago today - Jan 9, 1896
[Marriner W. Merrill]
Thursday. I went to Savage's Art Gallery and paid $6.00 cash for a picture frame for my photo to hang up in the Annex of the Salt Lake Temple, the Twelve Apostles all having their photos there. I went to the President's office to get my over shoes, as President Woodruff had taken them in mistake and left his, which were too small for me. I found he had gone home and worn them, so I had to buy another pair at Z. C. M. I., which cost me $1.50.
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Thursday. I went to Savage's Art Gallery and paid $6.00 cash for a picture frame for my photo to hang up in the Annex of the Salt Lake Temple, the Twelve Apostles all having their photos there. I went to the President's office to get my over shoes, as President Woodruff had taken them in mistake and left his, which were too small for me. I found he had gone home and worn them, so I had to buy another pair at Z. C. M. I., which cost me $1.50.
[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 - Jan 9, 1896
Apostle John W. Taylor is assigned by the Quorum of Twelve to speak to fellow apostle Moses Thatcher "and talk over with him his condition or views on the question of insubordination in regard to running for office without an understanding with his brethren." Three months later Thatcher is dropped from the quorum for refusing to sign the "political manifesto" which requires every leading official to get permission from the proper authorities before accepting any position "political or otherwise." The "political manifesto" was seen as aimed at Moses Thatcher and B. H. Roberts, democrats, who had run for office without first getting permission from the brethren, while leaving certain other church officers free to engage in republican politics.
135 years ago today - Jan 9, 1891
Refutation of falsehoods appearing in the Illustrated American-- also Der Stern 21:97-116 (April 1, 1891).
This document or article is an answer to a series of articles which had appeared in the magazine, Illustrated American. The author of the articles (seemingly unsigned) claimed to be a "Mormon." Wilford Woodruff, as President of the Church, points out the historical inaccuracies and plagiarisms in the articles. The articles and President Woodruff's reply devote considerable space to the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
Salt Lake City, Utah, January 9th, 1891.
Editor Illustrated American:
My attention has been called to articles in your magazine of December 27th and January 3rd concerning the "Mormon" Church. I have neither the time nor the inclination to notice the numerous misstatements and vile aspersions that frequently appear in the public prints in reference to the "Mormons." ...
We do not believe, as stated by the pretended "Mormon," that divulging the secrets of the Endowment House, marital unfaithfulness on the part of the wife, leaving the Mormon Church, are unpardonable, or that "the only atonement that can be made for any of these offences is the atonement of blood." The statement that "this doctrine is part of our duty" is another proof that the writer is not a "Mormon," and that he does not understand, or else that he wilfully misrepresents the faith which he pretends to explain.
The connection drawn between this alleged doctrine and the murders committed at Mountain Meadows, also proves the falsity of the claim that the writer is a "Mormon," and demonstrates his misapprehension of his own subject. The company that fell victims to Indian ferocity and white vengeance and rapacity were not "Mormons." They had revealed no secrets, they had not left the Church, they had done nothing to justify their slaughter, even on the false theory of Blood Atonement copied by the writer in the American from old newspaper fiction. This should be evident even to the casual reader.
... There is no pretext for a collision between the Mormons and the government. The only dispute that has arisen of late years between them was a question of law. That has been settled by the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States and the action of the Church in general conference. Plural marriage has been judicially decided to be unlawful. The Church has accepted the decision as legally final, and by my official advice as President of the Church has in the most solemn and authoritative manner decided not to enter into any marriages in future that are contrary to the laws of the land. ...
WILFORD WOODRUFF. President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
[Typewritten letter, Church Historian's Library, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
This document or article is an answer to a series of articles which had appeared in the magazine, Illustrated American. The author of the articles (seemingly unsigned) claimed to be a "Mormon." Wilford Woodruff, as President of the Church, points out the historical inaccuracies and plagiarisms in the articles. The articles and President Woodruff's reply devote considerable space to the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
Salt Lake City, Utah, January 9th, 1891.
Editor Illustrated American:
My attention has been called to articles in your magazine of December 27th and January 3rd concerning the "Mormon" Church. I have neither the time nor the inclination to notice the numerous misstatements and vile aspersions that frequently appear in the public prints in reference to the "Mormons." ...
We do not believe, as stated by the pretended "Mormon," that divulging the secrets of the Endowment House, marital unfaithfulness on the part of the wife, leaving the Mormon Church, are unpardonable, or that "the only atonement that can be made for any of these offences is the atonement of blood." The statement that "this doctrine is part of our duty" is another proof that the writer is not a "Mormon," and that he does not understand, or else that he wilfully misrepresents the faith which he pretends to explain.
The connection drawn between this alleged doctrine and the murders committed at Mountain Meadows, also proves the falsity of the claim that the writer is a "Mormon," and demonstrates his misapprehension of his own subject. The company that fell victims to Indian ferocity and white vengeance and rapacity were not "Mormons." They had revealed no secrets, they had not left the Church, they had done nothing to justify their slaughter, even on the false theory of Blood Atonement copied by the writer in the American from old newspaper fiction. This should be evident even to the casual reader.
... There is no pretext for a collision between the Mormons and the government. The only dispute that has arisen of late years between them was a question of law. That has been settled by the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States and the action of the Church in general conference. Plural marriage has been judicially decided to be unlawful. The Church has accepted the decision as legally final, and by my official advice as President of the Church has in the most solemn and authoritative manner decided not to enter into any marriages in future that are contrary to the laws of the land. ...
WILFORD WOODRUFF. President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
[Typewritten letter, Church Historian's Library, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
135 years ago today - Jan 9, 1891
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill]
I received from Samuel Roskelly, Temple Recorder, the yearly bulletin showing the amount of work done in Logan Temple for 1890, which is as follows: Baptisms, 30,788; endowments, 12,748; ordinations, 4,465; sealings, 3,831, children to parents, 1,492; adoptions, 53; second anointings, 207.
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I received from Samuel Roskelly, Temple Recorder, the yearly bulletin showing the amount of work done in Logan Temple for 1890, which is as follows: Baptisms, 30,788; endowments, 12,748; ordinations, 4,465; sealings, 3,831, children to parents, 1,492; adoptions, 53; second anointings, 207.
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Jan 9, 1851
Salt Lake City was incorporated.
[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]
180 years ago today - Jan 9, 1846
[Hosea Stout]
When we came to the Temple some what a considerable number of the guard were assembled and among them was William Hibbard son of the old man Hibbard. He was evidently come as a spy. When I saw him I told Scott that we must "bounce a stone off of his head."to which he agreedwe prepared accordingly & I got an opportunity & hit him on the back of his head which came very near taking his life[.] But few knew any thing about what was the matter he left the ground out of his senses when he came to himself he could not tell what had happened to him &c
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
When we came to the Temple some what a considerable number of the guard were assembled and among them was William Hibbard son of the old man Hibbard. He was evidently come as a spy. When I saw him I told Scott that we must "bounce a stone off of his head."to which he agreedwe prepared accordingly & I got an opportunity & hit him on the back of his head which came very near taking his life[.] But few knew any thing about what was the matter he left the ground out of his senses when he came to himself he could not tell what had happened to him &c
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Jan 9, 1846
[Brigham Young]
I observed to the brethren that it was my wish that all dancing and merriment should cease, lest the brethren and sisters be carried away by levity; and that the name of the Deity should be held in reverence, with all the due deference that belongeth to an infinite being of his character.
[Elden J. Watson, ed. Brigham Young Addresses, 1801-1877: A Chronological Compilation of Known Addresses of the Prophet Brigham Young, 6 vols. (Salt Lake City: Privately published, 1971)]
I observed to the brethren that it was my wish that all dancing and merriment should cease, lest the brethren and sisters be carried away by levity; and that the name of the Deity should be held in reverence, with all the due deference that belongeth to an infinite being of his character.
[Elden J. Watson, ed. Brigham Young Addresses, 1801-1877: A Chronological Compilation of Known Addresses of the Prophet Brigham Young, 6 vols. (Salt Lake City: Privately published, 1971)]
190 years ago today - Jan 9, 1836
Saturday, 9th Attended School in the fore noon. At about 11 o'clock received the following note:
Thus saith the voice of the Spirit to me, if try Brother Joseph Smith, J[unio]r will attend the feast at thy house this day (at 12 o'cl[ock]) the poor and lame will rejoice at his presence and also think themselves honored.
Yours in friendship and Love,
N[ewel] K. W[hitney]
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
Thus saith the voice of the Spirit to me, if try Brother Joseph Smith, J[unio]r will attend the feast at thy house this day (at 12 o'cl[ock]) the poor and lame will rejoice at his presence and also think themselves honored.
Yours in friendship and Love,
N[ewel] K. W[hitney]
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
50 years ago today - Jan 07, 1976
The Religious Studies Center at Brigham Young University is established to publish scholarly work dealing with topics of interest to Latter-day Saints.
95 years ago today - Jan 7, 1931
B. H. Roberts defends his position which favors the theory of evolution and the existence of "preadamites" before a council of the Twelve Apostles. In a letter to Church President Heber J. Grant Roberts had previously criticized a dogmatic anti-evolution pronouncement by Apostle Joseph Fielding Smith: "If Elder Smith is merely putting forth his own position I call in question his competency to utter such dogmatism either as scholar or as an apostle. I am sure he is not competent to speak in such a manner from general learning or special research work on the subject; nor as an Apostle as in that case he would be in conflict with the plain implication of the scriptures, both ancient and modern and with the teaching of a more experienced and learned and earlier apostle [Orson Hyde], and a contemporary of the prophet Joseph Smith-whose public discourse on the subject appears in the Journal of Discourses and was publicly endorsed by president Brigham Young, all of which would have more
weight in setting forth doctrine than this last dictum of Elder Smith." Two weeks later Joseph Fielding Smith presents his view, a defense of scriptural literalism: "The doctrine of organic evolution which pervades the modern day sciences proclaiming the edict that man has evolved from the lower forms of life through the Java skull, the Heidelberg jaw, the Piltdown man, the Neanderthal skull and last but not least the Peiping man who lived millions of years ago is as false as their author who lives in hell." The Apostles referred the matter back to the First Presidency noting only Roberts' language is "very offensive . . . failing to show the deference due from one brother to another brother of higher rank in the priesthood.- The First Presidency decides that "Neither side of the controversy has been accepted as a doctrine at all" but cautions that general authorities should be more careful when speaking publicly on controversial topics.
weight in setting forth doctrine than this last dictum of Elder Smith." Two weeks later Joseph Fielding Smith presents his view, a defense of scriptural literalism: "The doctrine of organic evolution which pervades the modern day sciences proclaiming the edict that man has evolved from the lower forms of life through the Java skull, the Heidelberg jaw, the Piltdown man, the Neanderthal skull and last but not least the Peiping man who lived millions of years ago is as false as their author who lives in hell." The Apostles referred the matter back to the First Presidency noting only Roberts' language is "very offensive . . . failing to show the deference due from one brother to another brother of higher rank in the priesthood.- The First Presidency decides that "Neither side of the controversy has been accepted as a doctrine at all" but cautions that general authorities should be more careful when speaking publicly on controversial topics.
120 years ago today - Ca. Jan 7, 1906
[Apostle/Senator Reed smoot to President Joseph F. Smith]
.... it was agreed that I should see President [Theodore] Roosevelt on my return to Washington [D.C.] and tell him that the quorum of Apostles had investigated [John W.] Taylor and [Matthias F.] Cowley's case and they had admitted taking plural wives since the Manifesto but it was done not in this country and they never considered the Manifesto applied to any place outside the US. To tend their resignations and ask his advise as to making them public and tell him the reason of the delay. ... The more I studied it and followed the action taken to its logical conclusion the more I became convinced I am either wrong in my conclusions of the Brethren were at home agreeing upon the policy adopted. I could not help but think if I went to President Roosevelt and told him Taylor and Cowley had admitted their guilt, the President in his blunt, honest, and personal way would immediately ask me whether they had been excommunicated, and if not, why not; that the action agreed upon would not
have the desired result, but just the opposite. A mere resignation just before the resuming of the case would be looked upon as a mere subterfuge and worthy of the severest condemnation. ... The fact that they had admitted their guilt and the church knowing it and not excommunicating them would be proof positive of our undoing. ... I decided in my own mind rather than go to President R[oosevelt] I would first talk with George Sutherland and [bind] him to secrecy. I knew if I spoke to the President [he] would have to act and perhaps he would be displeased with our action in the matter.
[Reed Smoot, Draft of letter to Joseph F. Smith, 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]
.... it was agreed that I should see President [Theodore] Roosevelt on my return to Washington [D.C.] and tell him that the quorum of Apostles had investigated [John W.] Taylor and [Matthias F.] Cowley's case and they had admitted taking plural wives since the Manifesto but it was done not in this country and they never considered the Manifesto applied to any place outside the US. To tend their resignations and ask his advise as to making them public and tell him the reason of the delay. ... The more I studied it and followed the action taken to its logical conclusion the more I became convinced I am either wrong in my conclusions of the Brethren were at home agreeing upon the policy adopted. I could not help but think if I went to President Roosevelt and told him Taylor and Cowley had admitted their guilt, the President in his blunt, honest, and personal way would immediately ask me whether they had been excommunicated, and if not, why not; that the action agreed upon would not
have the desired result, but just the opposite. A mere resignation just before the resuming of the case would be looked upon as a mere subterfuge and worthy of the severest condemnation. ... The fact that they had admitted their guilt and the church knowing it and not excommunicating them would be proof positive of our undoing. ... I decided in my own mind rather than go to President R[oosevelt] I would first talk with George Sutherland and [bind] him to secrecy. I knew if I spoke to the President [he] would have to act and perhaps he would be displeased with our action in the matter.
[Reed Smoot, Draft of letter to Joseph F. Smith, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
130 years ago today - Jan 7, 1896; Tuesday
Elder C[harles]. W. Penrose called the attention of the Presidency to a prediction concerning Statehood made by President Brigham Young forty years ago, and suggested its publication, as a refutation of assertions made by several persons that President Young had declared that Utah would never be a State in the Union. It was accordingly published in the Deseret Evening News of this date. ....
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
140 years ago today - Jan 7, 1886
U.S. Supreme Court sustains Utah judges' definition of "cohabitation" as not requiring proof of sexual intercourse but rather of marital relationship. Justices Miller and Field dissent on grounds that Congress intended law to prohibit "unlawful habitual sexual intercourse" with more than one woman. Justice Field is on a secret payroll of the First Presidency.
[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 - Jan 7, 1846
[Nauvoo Temple]
The first sealings of husbands and wives administered. Sealings were performed for living, as well as for the dead, but only where one spouse was living and the other was deceased.
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
The first sealings of husbands and wives administered. Sealings were performed for living, as well as for the dead, but only where one spouse was living and the other was deceased.
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
180 years ago today - Jan 7, 1846. Wednesday.
This morning there was an immense crowd at the reception room waiting for admission into the washing and anointing rooms. The brethren as they came along bearing Baskets, Pails and other vessels filled with all kinds of provisions, for the use of those who are attending on the ordinances of the Lord's House. The supply is much greater than the consumption . . .
This afternoon and evening the new altar was used, for the first time, and four individuals and their wives were sealed. The altar is about 2 1/2 feet high, and 2 1/2 feet long, and about one foot wide, rising from a platform about 8 or 9 inches high and extending out on all sides about a foot, forming a convenient place to kneel upon. The top of the altar and the kneeling place are covered with cusions of scarlet damask cloth. The sides of the upright part, or body of the altar are covered with white linen.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
This afternoon and evening the new altar was used, for the first time, and four individuals and their wives were sealed. The altar is about 2 1/2 feet high, and 2 1/2 feet long, and about one foot wide, rising from a platform about 8 or 9 inches high and extending out on all sides about a foot, forming a convenient place to kneel upon. The top of the altar and the kneeling place are covered with cusions of scarlet damask cloth. The sides of the upright part, or body of the altar are covered with white linen.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
180 years ago today - 7 [Jan 1846]
[Brigham Young]
Spent this day also in assisting about the alter which completed & arranged my room. In the evening the council met after sing & prayers we put on our robes & proceeded to dedicate the alter and I pronounced the following dedication prayer, 7 Jan. 1846 Bro. H. C. K. and others received the ordinances according to the law of the Lord upon the alter followed by John Taylor and N. K. Whitney. [Taylor was married to his wife Leonora, and Whitney was married to multiple women].
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
Spent this day also in assisting about the alter which completed & arranged my room. In the evening the council met after sing & prayers we put on our robes & proceeded to dedicate the alter and I pronounced the following dedication prayer, 7 Jan. 1846 Bro. H. C. K. and others received the ordinances according to the law of the Lord upon the alter followed by John Taylor and N. K. Whitney. [Taylor was married to his wife Leonora, and Whitney was married to multiple women].
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
185 years ago today - Jan 7, 1841
[Wilford Woodruff]
DREAM I fell asleep. Soon found myself in the wilderness of wild pair trees which were bending with wild pairs which were the most beautiful of all fruit I ever saw. I tasted of it & found it delicious, & while I was gazing with wonder & admiration upon it evry pare instantly turned into a nice fat dressed sheep hung on the limbs head downwards. I awoke & the spirit said this is a token of fruit among the Lamanites.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
DREAM I fell asleep. Soon found myself in the wilderness of wild pair trees which were bending with wild pairs which were the most beautiful of all fruit I ever saw. I tasted of it & found it delicious, & while I was gazing with wonder & admiration upon it evry pare instantly turned into a nice fat dressed sheep hung on the limbs head downwards. I awoke & the spirit said this is a token of fruit among the Lamanites.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
20 years ago today - 2006-01-06
Founding of the Exponent Blog (http://www.the-exponent.com/2006/01/06/the-exponent-ii-blog-begins)//Building on the tradition of "The Woman's Exponent" and "Exponent II," Mormon feminists Caroline Kline, Jana Remy, and Deborah Kris start the blog to create an online presence for Mormon feminism.
[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]
55 years ago today - Jan 6, 1971
Any temples now manufacturing ceremonial clothing or other items of clothing for temple wear are requested to discontinue doing so. Sewing rooms in temples should be maintained only for the repair or reconditioning of clothing.
[Joseph Fielding Smith, Harold B. Lee, and N. Eldon Tanner to temple presidents, Jan. 6, 1971, copy in Buerger Papers, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Joseph Fielding Smith, Harold B. Lee, and N. Eldon Tanner to temple presidents, Jan. 6, 1971, copy in Buerger Papers, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
100 years ago today - Jan 6, 1926
[Heber J. Grant]
Brother Adam Bennion called and we had a long confidential talk regarding the situation of the Church Schools. Brother Bennion is rather inclined to think that we should discontinue all church school education that is duplicated by the state. ... It is worthy of the greatest consideration whether we ought not to discontinue the Brigham Young University, Brigham Young College, and Latter Day Saints University in this city, and devote our entire educational work to having seminaries established in the vicinity of all the high schools and also in the vicinity of the University of Utah and the Utah Agricultural College. Brother Bennion feels that in the very near future we cannot maintain our present educational system short of a million dollars of Church funds each year, to say nothing of the tuition paid by the Saints who patronize the Church schools.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
Brother Adam Bennion called and we had a long confidential talk regarding the situation of the Church Schools. Brother Bennion is rather inclined to think that we should discontinue all church school education that is duplicated by the state. ... It is worthy of the greatest consideration whether we ought not to discontinue the Brigham Young University, Brigham Young College, and Latter Day Saints University in this city, and devote our entire educational work to having seminaries established in the vicinity of all the high schools and also in the vicinity of the University of Utah and the Utah Agricultural College. Brother Bennion feels that in the very near future we cannot maintain our present educational system short of a million dollars of Church funds each year, to say nothing of the tuition paid by the Saints who patronize the Church schools.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
125 years ago today - Jan 6, 1901; Sunday
[Fast meeting in the temple:] ...--Rev[e]l[a]t[ion]. on Plural Marriage--And as a servant of God I warn you not rej[ec]t this princ[i]p[le] or you will be damned & Jno. [John] Taylor has told me own lips that Jos[eph Smith] com[mande]d me to entd [enter] into plur[al marriage.]
As God is true as Christ is true as Jos[eph Smith] the prophet is true this principle is true--I warn u [you] not to rej[ec]t this princ[i]p[le]--if you do as God loves He will reject u [you]. Geo[rge] A Smith told me P[rophe]t Joseph [Smith] seemed to be impelled to ins[is]t this principle before his death--What God is doing in this world is not childs play. ...
Those women that God show[e]d the P[rophe]t that He had res[er]v[e]d to be his--Will be his through out all eternity & infamous to teach every man to have his mate & absurd to seal for time & eternity only to be dissolved in eternity.
--Sister Bathsheba [Smith] told that Jos[eph] P[rophe]t. said we were mated before we came into this temple.
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
As God is true as Christ is true as Jos[eph Smith] the prophet is true this principle is true--I warn u [you] not to rej[ec]t this princ[i]p[le]--if you do as God loves He will reject u [you]. Geo[rge] A Smith told me P[rophe]t Joseph [Smith] seemed to be impelled to ins[is]t this principle before his death--What God is doing in this world is not childs play. ...
Those women that God show[e]d the P[rophe]t that He had res[er]v[e]d to be his--Will be his through out all eternity & infamous to teach every man to have his mate & absurd to seal for time & eternity only to be dissolved in eternity.
--Sister Bathsheba [Smith] told that Jos[eph] P[rophe]t. said we were mated before we came into this temple.
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
125 years ago today - Jan 6, 1901; Sunday
Elder John W. Taylor said: some strong minded women say every woman will have her own husband to herself which was the doctrine of Devils.
Elder H[eber]. J. Grant spoke feelingly of his motehr. A[nthon]. H. Lund bore testimony to the truth.
M[atthias]. F. Cowley & A[braham]. O[wen]. Woodruff each spoke also Rudger Clawson, of the Twelve. Pres[ident]. Jos[eph]. F. Smith bore a powerful testimony of Celestial Marriage and that any one rejecting it God will reject.
[Angus M. Cannon, Diary]
Elder H[eber]. J. Grant spoke feelingly of his motehr. A[nthon]. H. Lund bore testimony to the truth.
M[atthias]. F. Cowley & A[braham]. O[wen]. Woodruff each spoke also Rudger Clawson, of the Twelve. Pres[ident]. Jos[eph]. F. Smith bore a powerful testimony of Celestial Marriage and that any one rejecting it God will reject.
[Angus M. Cannon, Diary]
125 years ago today - Jan 6, 1901
Went to the Temple fast meeting at 10 a.m. Pres[iden]t. Jos[eph]. F. Smith and John W. Taylor denounced the doctrine that in Eternity one man will have but one wife [as] a 'Doctrine of Devils.' Elder John W. Taylor said: some strong minded women say every woman will have her own husband to herself which was the doctrine of Devils. ... Jos[eph]. F. Smith bore a powerful testimony of Celestial Marriage and that any one rejecting it God will reject.
[Abraham Owen Woodruff Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Abraham Owen Woodruff Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
130 years ago today - Jan 6, 1896
Apostle Brigham Young Jr. notes in his diary concerning Governor Heber M. Wells' inaugural address: "Polygamy was cuffed about too much in it and in my heart I said Can I take an oath to support a Constitution and men in office who stamp upon that sacred principle to support which I would give my life-at least I think so. That spirit does not harmonize with mine."
130 years ago today - Jan 6, 1896; Monday
President Woodruff was heartily congratulated today by Non-Mormons as well as Mormons, as the oldest living pioneer, in having lived to see and participate in the ceremonies of this glorious day. On leaving the office he said to those present, "Brethren I am happy, my cares do not worry me at all today".
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
165 years ago today - Jan 6, 1861
Bro. Brigham ... Said when our spirits came on this earth they were pure as the Gods and as the angels of heaven, but by reason of the fall we were subject to the weakness of the flesh; but it was for us to overcome and to bring our bodies in subjection to the will of the spirit and to have our whole soul, mind and will swallowed up in the will of Christ.
[Diary of Charles Lowell Walker, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Diary of Charles Lowell Walker, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
170 years ago today - Jan 6, 1856
President Young spoke to the people ... if a man had the exact glory that Jesus had he would have to die in the same way & if a man passed through this world without passing through the dregs of poverty he would have to pass through it hereafter before he could be exhalted to Eternal riches in their fulness.
Their is no other way for men to get an exhaltation but to follow their file Leader. The Twelve have no right to ask the Presidency why they do this or that or why they tell the Twelve to do this or that ownly go & do as they are told & this same principle should go through evry quorum in the Church & kingdom of God on Earth & when this rule is observed then the kingdom will be ours.
...Lorenzo Snow spoke to the people first & was followed by president Young. Brother Snow spoke upon the subject of obeying Council & following their leaders without inquiring why they are called to do it.
...He was followed by J. C. Wright. ... He spoke of the Law of God. A woman was under the Law of her husband & no other. If she obeyed his Law she was under no transgression because her husband was her head & evry man & woman had a head. The Presidency of the church is the head of the Church on Earth & if we obey them we shall be saved.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Their is no other way for men to get an exhaltation but to follow their file Leader. The Twelve have no right to ask the Presidency why they do this or that or why they tell the Twelve to do this or that ownly go & do as they are told & this same principle should go through evry quorum in the Church & kingdom of God on Earth & when this rule is observed then the kingdom will be ours.
...Lorenzo Snow spoke to the people first & was followed by president Young. Brother Snow spoke upon the subject of obeying Council & following their leaders without inquiring why they are called to do it.
...He was followed by J. C. Wright. ... He spoke of the Law of God. A woman was under the Law of her husband & no other. If she obeyed his Law she was under no transgression because her husband was her head & evry man & woman had a head. The Presidency of the church is the head of the Church on Earth & if we obey them we shall be saved.
[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 - Jan 6, 1846. Tuesday.
...Elder H. C. Kimball came into the temple at 5 minutes before 11 o clock and in a few moments called upon all the others of the Twelve to unite with him in consecrating some oil for the anointing. ...
At 20 minutes past 11, President Young came in with Mrs. Young, his health not very good, but being quite comfortable. He slept at home and dreamed the same dream three times in the course of the night.
Elder Babbitt came in at 15 minutes before 12, bringing a letter, written by Gov. Thomas Ford, to J. B. Backenstos, dated Springfield, Dec. 29, in which he refers, among other matters to the probability that the U.S. Government would send a military force to Nauvoo to assist in arresting the Twelve, who are charged with counterfeiting...
The Quorum of Seventies, met in room No. 9 clothed, and offered up prayers for the preservation of the Twelve and all the different quorums, and for the continuation of the blessings of the endowment.
After the business of the day was over the brethren and Sisters, indulged in a dance. ... After dancing two figures, Joseph Young addressed the party at considerable length, and made a prayer in which all joined after which the music and dancing was continued to a late hour, say 12 o clock.
President B. Young returned to the Temple a few minutes after 10, and took part in the exercises. By his directions, Lucian R. Foster and Ann Maria, his wife, and Stephen Markham and his wife, danced a French four. This was the first time that L. R. Foster and his wife danced together.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
At 20 minutes past 11, President Young came in with Mrs. Young, his health not very good, but being quite comfortable. He slept at home and dreamed the same dream three times in the course of the night.
Elder Babbitt came in at 15 minutes before 12, bringing a letter, written by Gov. Thomas Ford, to J. B. Backenstos, dated Springfield, Dec. 29, in which he refers, among other matters to the probability that the U.S. Government would send a military force to Nauvoo to assist in arresting the Twelve, who are charged with counterfeiting...
The Quorum of Seventies, met in room No. 9 clothed, and offered up prayers for the preservation of the Twelve and all the different quorums, and for the continuation of the blessings of the endowment.
After the business of the day was over the brethren and Sisters, indulged in a dance. ... After dancing two figures, Joseph Young addressed the party at considerable length, and made a prayer in which all joined after which the music and dancing was continued to a late hour, say 12 o clock.
President B. Young returned to the Temple a few minutes after 10, and took part in the exercises. By his directions, Lucian R. Foster and Ann Maria, his wife, and Stephen Markham and his wife, danced a French four. This was the first time that L. R. Foster and his wife danced together.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
180 years ago today - Jan 6 [1846]
[Brigham Young]
1846 This morning I came to the Temple with my wife spent the day in assisting her about preparing the alter. In the evening met the council.
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
1846 This morning I came to the Temple with my wife spent the day in assisting her about preparing the alter. In the evening met the council.
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
185 years ago today - Jan 6, 1841
[Heber C. Kimball]
In the evning we went to Deacons Spencers, and preached and was apposed by one Mr. Cammon a Minister, perssessed [possessed] with the devle.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
In the evning we went to Deacons Spencers, and preached and was apposed by one Mr. Cammon a Minister, perssessed [possessed] with the devle.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
185 years ago today - Jan 6, 1841
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
.... we cannot go to teach in the City of London but what the Devil comes also to oppose us. This accounts for my dreams about serpents.
I returned home fell asleep & again dreamed of vast Serpents both dead & alive. Some were of Antique turned into stone, & many were alive about 20 feet long & Pitched at me like Draggons & I fled from them & arose into the air & sailed a great distance with the greatest ease & delight singing Victory. I also saw large fruit. Tasted of it & it was good, & a man tried to set his dog on me, but he soon repented of his conduct. ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
.... we cannot go to teach in the City of London but what the Devil comes also to oppose us. This accounts for my dreams about serpents.
I returned home fell asleep & again dreamed of vast Serpents both dead & alive. Some were of Antique turned into stone, & many were alive about 20 feet long & Pitched at me like Draggons & I fled from them & arose into the air & sailed a great distance with the greatest ease & delight singing Victory. I also saw large fruit. Tasted of it & it was good, & a man tried to set his dog on me, but he soon repented of his conduct. ...
[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 - Jan 6, 1836
Joshua Seixas, author of "Manual of Hebrew Grammar for the Use of Beginners" (1833, second edition 1834) and former Hebrew instructor of Lorenzo Snow, is "hired" for a term of seven weeks, to teach "forty scholars," beginning in about fifteen days. It is reported that he will "give us sufficient knowledge during this term to start us in reading and translating the language." He does not actually arrive in Kirtland until Jan 26.
195 years ago today - Jan 6, 1831
The Palmyra Reflector writes of "Legends, or traditions respecting hidden treasures, with the SPIRIT, to whom ignorance has formerly given them in charge."
[Abner Cole, "Gold Bible," Reflector, (Palmyra, NY), 6 January 1831, as quoted in A Topical Guide of Treasure-Seeking Rituals From the American Northeast during the 18th and 19th Centuries, Compiled by Joseph T. Antley (2010)]
[Abner Cole, "Gold Bible," Reflector, (Palmyra, NY), 6 January 1831, as quoted in A Topical Guide of Treasure-Seeking Rituals From the American Northeast during the 18th and 19th Centuries, Compiled by Joseph T. Antley (2010)]
195 years ago today - Jan 6, 1831
Joseph Smith accused of using the sacrament to administer a visionary substance (Jan. 6, 1831 edition of the Palmyra Reflector)
[Kirtland Timeline - Kirtland Safety Society, the Bank of Monroe, Temple Dedication, Consecration, and significant historical events related, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/kirtland-timeline-kirtland-safety-society-the-bank-of-monroe-temple-dedication-consecration-and-significant-historical-events-related/]
[Kirtland Timeline - Kirtland Safety Society, the Bank of Monroe, Temple Dedication, Consecration, and significant historical events related, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/kirtland-timeline-kirtland-safety-society-the-bank-of-monroe-temple-dedication-consecration-and-significant-historical-events-related/]
115 years ago today - Jan 5, 1911; Thursday
Pres[iden]t. Lund reported that on Sunday the First Presidency met in the Beehive House, on which occasion Sister Emmeline B. Wells was set apart as President of the Relief Society, with Sisters Clarissa Williams and Julina L. Smith as first and second counselors. Sister Wells was set apart by President Smith, Sister Williams by President Lund, and Sister Smith by President John Henry Smith.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
120 years ago today - Jan 5, 1906
[Heber J. Grant to Joseph F. Smith]
.... A Tribune came to the office the other day and never have I read anything like the vile attack on you and the charge that you are the one responsible for all the crime in Salt Lake. Your remark 'I am sorry for two of the brethren' [Apostles Cowley and Taylor] etc. has caused me a great amount of thought and much anxiety. When I wake up in the night I have thought of these brethren and your statement 'I scarcely see how they can escape,' has worried me. ... With all my heart I plead for these two brethren that they may be protected no matter what the enemy may ask. What they have done I also have done or intended to do, and in so doing I would have done what I thought had the approval of my brethren. ... But for my mission I had intended to get another wife and was going to ask no questions. Your Sec[re]t[ar]y. Gave me to understand that I was a fool, having no sons and with the great city of Liverpool [England] in which to hide a wife, if I did not get one. I had just come
home from a mission and took it for granted he knew what he was talking about. One of the Apostles, old enough to be my father told [Abraham] Owen [Woodruff] and me in the Temple that we should not fail in laying the foundation of our Kingdom in this life. Before I went to Japan my President intimated that I had better take the action needed to increase my family. ... John W. [Taylor] stopped me and as an Apostle in the name of our Master promised that the Lord would deliver me from my financial troubles and that I would make money so rapidly I should be amazed. My tithing in four months was 4,650 dollars nearly 1,200 dollars a month.'the tithing alone being more than I had been making for years. It is no wonder I love John when I think of the blessings he has been the instrument in God's hands of bestowing upon me. It is very tiresome to write as I doing and I do not want to weary you, but from the bottom of my heart I plead for my brethren even if Reed [Smoot] has to resign, if
that would do any good in their case. You are on the ground and I trust and sustain you fully in all you have done or may do, but with my love for my brethren I feel I would be untrue to my own heart if I failed to admit my debt to them, and also acknowledge that they have done no more than I intended to do.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Joseph F. Smith, 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]
.... A Tribune came to the office the other day and never have I read anything like the vile attack on you and the charge that you are the one responsible for all the crime in Salt Lake. Your remark 'I am sorry for two of the brethren' [Apostles Cowley and Taylor] etc. has caused me a great amount of thought and much anxiety. When I wake up in the night I have thought of these brethren and your statement 'I scarcely see how they can escape,' has worried me. ... With all my heart I plead for these two brethren that they may be protected no matter what the enemy may ask. What they have done I also have done or intended to do, and in so doing I would have done what I thought had the approval of my brethren. ... But for my mission I had intended to get another wife and was going to ask no questions. Your Sec[re]t[ar]y. Gave me to understand that I was a fool, having no sons and with the great city of Liverpool [England] in which to hide a wife, if I did not get one. I had just come
home from a mission and took it for granted he knew what he was talking about. One of the Apostles, old enough to be my father told [Abraham] Owen [Woodruff] and me in the Temple that we should not fail in laying the foundation of our Kingdom in this life. Before I went to Japan my President intimated that I had better take the action needed to increase my family. ... John W. [Taylor] stopped me and as an Apostle in the name of our Master promised that the Lord would deliver me from my financial troubles and that I would make money so rapidly I should be amazed. My tithing in four months was 4,650 dollars nearly 1,200 dollars a month.'the tithing alone being more than I had been making for years. It is no wonder I love John when I think of the blessings he has been the instrument in God's hands of bestowing upon me. It is very tiresome to write as I doing and I do not want to weary you, but from the bottom of my heart I plead for my brethren even if Reed [Smoot] has to resign, if
that would do any good in their case. You are on the ground and I trust and sustain you fully in all you have done or may do, but with my love for my brethren I feel I would be untrue to my own heart if I failed to admit my debt to them, and also acknowledge that they have done no more than I intended to do.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Joseph F. Smith, 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]
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