[Wilford Woodruff] This Evening train Brought the Emperor of Brazill Dom Pedro From Ogden to Salt Lake City. "And their Kings shall be brought" is being fulfilled. He took rooms at the waker House and went to the Theater in the Evening. He is the first Emperor that Ever Visited Utah Territory in our day. [Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
160 years ago today - Apr 22, 1866
[Wilford Woodruff] At the Close of the meeting President Young & Wells & John Taylor W. Woodruff F. D. Richards & G. Q. Cannon met at the Historians Office for Prayer. The subject of the History of Joseph the Prophet as Published by Mother Smith was taken up & President Young said Brother Woodruff as soon as G A Smith Comes home I want you to get Elias Smith & set down & Correct the Errors in the History of Joseph Smith as published by Mother Smith & then let it be published to the world. [Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Apr 21, 1891
[Brigham Young Jr.] I have had curious feelings lately. When father [Brigham Young] was verysick in St. George [Utah] in the spring of [18]77 previous to his death, he was taking a vapor bath in his house when he called for me to take him out of the box; 'quick, quick' he said. He fell into my arms fainting I laid him in his easy chair, he gasped twice, his eyes set, underjaw fell, his Bowels gave away and he lay as if dead I looked over and beyond him and saw a deep dark gulf, I was terrified and the horrible depths seemed to represent what was before us if father died. I believed him dead and my very soul cried out 'You must not die father,' the future was too terrible to contemplate. I laid my palsied hands upon his head and in a quivering voice prayed God to restore my father to life. At the end I opened my eyes and looked upon his face. His eyes were wide open and were clear and glittered like blue steel and in his natural voice he quietly said 'Well your not much of a soldier.' Twice within the last week I have been perfectly unmaned, for perhaps ten seconds each time, and the same sensations experienced on the occasion when I believed my father dead and I was gazing over his body into that gulf of dispair have the same feelings of despair assailed me. I never knew the torture of terror but these three times. I was wide awake each time and it took all the power I have in the priesthood to overcome this unknown terror. I know to some extent what the prophet Joseph [Smith] experienced when seized upon in the woods by that soul destroying power just previous to the appearing of our God & his Christ. [Brigham Young Jr. Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
60 years ago today - Apr 21, 1966
BYU president Ernest L. Wilkinson gives what he, himself calls a "powerful address" that would "rock the campus from one end to the other." Wilkinson designs the speech to be controversial and hopes that it will generate discussion on campus, especially among "liberal" professors. He then instructs the newly-formed student spy ring to solicit and report on the "liberal" professors's reactions to the speech. One professor of political science, Ray Hillam, a target of the spy ring, learns about the spy ring and requests a formal hearing which Wilkinson uses to formally charge Hillam with being pro-communist and disloyal to BYU. Hillam, in the process of defending himself exposes the spy-ring and precipitates a major scandal for Wilkinson. Wilkinson privately confesses his role to the Board of Trustees but publicly denies it.
90 years ago today - Apr 21, 1936
[As pre-WWII tensions regarding Germany increased] President Clark called attention to the heavy deposits in the German-Austrian and SwissGerman Missions and recommended that steps be taken to get the deposits out of Germany. He thought it could be done by an exchange in Germany for Swiss money. The matter was discussed at some length and President Clark asked that he be reminded to take up the matter when he visits New York next. [First Presidency, Meeting with Presiding Bishopric, Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
105 years ago today - Apr 21, 1921
The IMPROVEMENT ERA publishes an article by James E. Talmadge on church discipline which says, "Should knowledge of any case of wrongdoing, or lack of harmony between or among members, come to the attention of the Bishopric of a Ward, it is their duty to delegate two or more priests or teachers to visit the parties concerned, and to try by brotherly mediation to bring about a reconciliation."
165 years ago today - Apr 21, 1861
[Wilford Woodruff] I +***** found on the Table A Deseret Extra News Containing the latest pony dispatch which says that war has Commenced. ... This is the Commencemet of the war at South Carolina in fulfillment of the Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet in 1832. ...Presidet Brigham Young in his instructions to the missionaries said now I want you to remember what I say to you. Now take care that you do not get to Sleep & let the devil take the advantage of you. You may do that in an hour that you cannot regain through all Eternity. ... And let the women alone, or it will prove a Curse to you. Here is George Grant. Has no wife. Now let him not think of a wife untill He gets back. This Corting women while you are abroad upon a mission is a miserable business. I would not give shucks for an Elder who Cannot go on a mission & keep Clean & Come back Clean. Now remember that. I have spent my Early life without women. ... Many Elders go out get to sleep & do wrong and they Come back and are good for Nothing & never will be. ... [Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
60 years ago today - Apr 20, 1966
Stephen Hays Russell organized a dozen other Birch students in a room of BYU's Wilkinson Center. A non-student chapter leader of the Birch Society acted as guard for this organizing meeting of the BYU spy ring, the only time all would be together at once. These student-spies included the president of BYU's Young Americans For Freedom, three other members of YAF, and also Cleon Skousen's nephew. Academically, their majors included economics, political science, history, Asian studies, math, and zoology. Stephen Hays Russell acknowledged choosing ten students to assist in the "monitoring," yet his reservation for the room was for twenty persons and chairs. Fellow-spy Ronald Ira Hankin consistently claimed that Russell selected fifteen to twenty students to monitor the BYU professors. However, less than fifteen student-spies have been identified. What linked all these student-spies was their participation in the Provo chapter of the John Birch Society. The student-organizer of [the BYU] 1966 surveillance emphasized his association with Ezra Taft Benson. "On one occasion, the head of the John Birch Society in Utah County took me to the Church Office Building at Salt Lake City to meet Apostle Ezra Taft Benson," Stephen Hays Russell later wrote. "I was introduced to Brother Benson as a `key conservative student at Brigham Young University.'" [Interview of Ronald Ira Hankin by Ray C. Hillam and Louis C. Midgley, 17 Sept. 1966, Provo, Utah, transcript, 4-5, signed at the bottom of each page by Ronald I. Hankin, folder 5, Hillam Papers, and box 34, Buerger Papers; "Birchers Spied On Professors, Hialeah Student Said," Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 1967, A-32; Bergera and Priddis, Brigham Young University, 208; Stephen Hays Russell, Personal History of Stephen Hays Russell (N.P., 1983), 99. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
100 years ago today - Apr 20, 1926
[George F. Richards] I met D[avid] O. McKay, Jos[eph] F[ielding] Smith, S[tephen] L. Richards and J[ohn] A. Widtsoe of the Twelve at the Temple as a committee at 8:00 A.M. where we spent about 1 1/2 hours in consideration of the Temple ordinances with the purpose of suggesting certain changes in the reading of the Ritual of End[owment] & the ceremonies of the Temple. [George F. Richards diary, Apr. 20, 1926, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
140 years ago today - Apr 20, 1886
[St. George Temple President] Advised all to get recommends from their Bishops signed by their President and by Pres[iden]t [John] Taylor and return[ed] to them before they leave home. Said those who marry outside of the church could attend to adoptions if they were recommended but should not [be] give[n] their endowments, because when they get their endowments they enter into covenants to have no sexual intercourse with the sons of Adam, except their lawful husbands, to whom they are given in the authority of the Holy Priesthood. (Pres[iden]t [John D. T.] McAllister Temple Pres[iden]t.) [Temple Minute Book, St. George, Apr. 20, 1886, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
170 years ago today - Apr 20, 1856
[Brigham Young] Though we have it in history that our father Adam was made of the dust of this earth, and that he knew nothing about his God previous to being made here, yet it is not so; and when we learn the truth we shall see and understand that he helped to make this world, and was the chief manager in that operation. He was the person who brought the animals and the seeds from other planets to this world, and brought a wife with him and stayed here. You may read and believe what you please as to what is found written in the Bible. Adam was made from the dust of an earth, but not from the dust of this earth. He was made as you and I are made, and no person was ever made upon any other principle. Do you not suppose that he was acquainted with his associates who came and helped to make this earth? Yes, they were just as familiar with each other as we are with our children and parents. *** Yet Enoch had to talk with and teach his people during a period of three hundred and sixty years, before he could get them prepared to enter into their rest, and then he obtained power to translate himself and his people, with the region they inhabited, their houses, gardens, fields, cattle, and all their possessions. He had learned enough from Adam and his associates to know how to handle the elements, and those who would not listen to his teachings were so wicked that they were fit to be destroyed, and he obtained power to take his portion of the earth and move out a little while, where he remains to this day. [Journal of Discourses 3:319-320; Discourse delivered by President Brigham Young in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City; April 20, 1856, quoted from Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
180 years ago today - Sunday, Apr 19, 1846.
[Brigham Young] "I will order in the name of the Lord, and my counsel shall be obeyed." [Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
190 years ago today - Apr 19, 1836
[Wilford Woodruff] .... Br Smoot related the news to me from Br Patten which was glorious in the first degree. He gave me an account of the endowment at Kirtland Ohio. The heavens Was opened unto them. Angels & Jesus Christ was seen of them sitting at the right hand of the father. He also informed me that ... the second seventy was chosen & that I was one of the number. O God prepare me for the Battle while combating error with everlasting truth. The above are great blessings indeed. ... [Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
120 years ago today - Apr 19, 1906
In view of the appalling accounts of distress resulting from the destruction by earthquake and fire of the city of San Francisco and other towns of California, it was decided, on motion of President [John R.] Winder, that the Church donate $10,000. towards the relief of the sufferers, and that Governor George C. Pardee be informed by telegraph that this amount has been placed to his credit for this purpose in the State Bank of Utah. [Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
135 years ago today - Apr 19, 1891
Six months after the Manifesto future apostle George F. Richards is told in a patriarchal blessing that he would "be blessed with wives and numerous prosperity." Richards does not enter into plural marriage, but he was sealed to six women "for eternity," two from consecutive monogamous marriages and four women after they were deceased.
195 years ago today - Apr 19, 1831
The Painesville Telegraph publishes a letter from Martin Harris that includes the earliest published version of the Articles and Covenants of the Church of Christ. Joseph and Oliver are each "called of God and ordained an apostle of Jesus Christ, an elder of the church." [Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
155 years ago today - Apr 18, 1871 (Tuesday)
Ralph Waldo Emerson, the eminent litterateur, arrived in Salt Lake City, on a visit. [Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
120 years ago today - Apr 18, 1906
[J. Golden Kimball to John W. Taylor] Our hearts go out to you in sympathy, love and esteem because of your integrity, loyalty and patriotism to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We know, just as well as we know anything, that both you and Brother [Matthias F.] Cowley would look into a cannon's mouth and are more than willing to place all that you have and are upon the alt[a]r of sacrifice for the Church. While it is true that we do not understand the action taken against you brethren and cannot believe you are out of harmony with the Twelve Apostles, yet we are under the necessity, as things now stand, to allow matters to go just as they are. The Presidency of the Church and the Twelve Apostles assumed the responsibility of the action without asking the people to give their consent, further than to sustain the brethren who were chosen to fill the vacancies in the Council of the Twelve. The only thing we can do is to keep our mouths shut and wait until these difficulties are made clear or until we can understand why such action was taken. [J. Golden Kimball, Letter to John W. Taylor, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
185 years ago today - Apr 18, 1841
[William Smith interview] .... About the year 1823, there was a revival of religion in that region, and Joseph was one of several hopeful converts. The others were joining, some one church, and some another in that vicinity, but Joseph hesitated between the different denominations. While his mind was perplexed with this subject, he prayed for divine direction; and afterwards was awaked one night by an extraordinary vision. The glory of the Lord filled the chamber with a dazzling light, and a glorious angel appeared to him, conversed with him, and told him that he was a chosen vessel unto the Lord to make known true religion. The next day he went into the field; but he was unable to work, his mind being oppressed by the remembrance of the vision. He returned to the house, and soon after sent for his father and brothers from the field; and then, in presence of the family, (my informant one of them,) he related all that had occurred. They were astounded, but not altogether incredulous. After this, he had other similar visions, in one of which the existence of certain metallic plates was revealed to him and their location described--about three miles off, in a pasture ground. The next day he went alone to the spot, and by digging discovered the plates in a sort of rude stone box. They were eight or ten inches long, less in width, about the thickness of panes of glass; and together, made a pile about five or six inches high. They were in a good state of preservation, had the appearance of gold, and bore inscriptions in strange characters on both sides. He brought them home, but was unable to read them. He afterwards made a facsimile of some parts of the inscription, and sent it to professor Anthon of New York city. The professor pronounced the characters to be ancient Hebrew corrupted, and the language to be degenerate Hebrew with a mixture of Egyptian. He could decypher only one entire word. After this Joseph Smith was supernaturally assisted to read and to understand the inscription; and he was directed to translate a great part of it. The pages which he was not to translate were found to be sealed together, so that he did not even read them and learn their contents. With an assistant to correct his English, he translated so much of the inscription as now makes the book of Mormon. He kept the plates a long time in his chamber, and after translating from them, he repeatedly showed them to his parents and to other friends. But my informant said, he had never seen them. At length he was directed by a vision to bury the plates again in the same manner; which he accordingly did. ... [James Murdock to Congregational Observer, 19 June 1841, "The Mormons and Their Prophet," Congregational Observer (Hartford and New Haven, Connecticut) 2 (3 July 1841): 1. Reprinted in Peoria Register and North-Western Gazetteer (Peoria, Illinois), 3 September 1841., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: William Smith Interview With James Murdock]
60 years ago today - Apr 16, 1966
A Birch member in Arizona wrote a letter to "all of the General Authorities," which said "Brother [Mark E.] Petersen's article was a tragic and regrettable mistake," and added a few lines later that the "Communists and their dupes have directed their attacks and smear campaign against the John Birch Society . . ." Petersen's editorial was "a shocking smear I'm sure the Church doesn't condone," according to a "Letter to the Editor" which the Deseret News refused to print. This Mormon Bircher concluded: "Elder Petersen owes an apology to the readers of the Church News for the unwarrantable and unauthorized innuendos." [Joe H. Ferguson to "All General Authorities," 16 Apr. 1966, 4, with postscript to "Mark" (Mark E. Anderson). From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
170 years ago today - Apr 15, 1856
While reading the revelation upon the patriarchal marriage & While reading that paragraph relating to the sheding of innocent Blood President Young remarked that that was a vary nice point to distinguish between innocent Blood & that which is not innocent. Were we now Commanded to go & avenge the Blood of the prophets whare it wood reach infants from the Cradle to the third & forth generation would they know what to do in such a case? They would not. But there is one thing that is a consolation to me And that is I am satisfied that the Lord will not require it of this people untill they become sanctifyed & are led by the spirit of God so as not to shed inocent Blood. Again what does the saying mean that sayes all shall be damned that does not keep this Law unto whom it is revealed? Does it mean that they shall take more wives than one? I think it includes the whole law with its covenants. ... President B. Young then wrote the following words to be put upon one of the Stones of the Temple: Holiness to the Lord The Temple of our God Built by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Commenced on the 6th day of April A.D. 1853. [Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
35 years ago today - Apr 17,1991
Chronicle of Higher Education reports that Utah "ranks last in proportion of students who are female" throughout the United States. This is result of Utah's "traditions that inhibit the educational progress of women." [Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]
45 years ago today - Apr 17, 1981-Friday
In almost every group to which I am invited to speak, the speaker introduces me as the Church Historian. When they ask me my position, I tell them of my BYU professorship and the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute directorship. And when they ask my secretary for a sheet to use in introducing me, I very clearly indicate the professorship and directorship. Yet they continually say Church Historian. I have finally developed a rationale for this. For me personally it is significant that I was sustained as Church Historian by the general conference in April 1972 and have never been released by the general conference. Elder [G. Homer] Durham says that I was released in 1978, and he and Earl Olson say that publicly, yet there has been no public statement from the First Presidency saying this, nor any letter to me saying so. My assumption is that Elder Durham wrote a letter for the First Presidency to himself, had them sign it, and this suggests in ambiguous terms that I was released in favor of the bureaucratic title Director, History Division. But in the minds of the Saints I am still the Church Historian. It now occurs to me that this is part of a general church practice of continuing to refer to people by titles they have held for a considerable period of time, and which it is tradition to continue to call them by. Thus, once a bishop always a bishop, and people continue to call him Bishop Jones long after he is released. Or President Smith long after his release from a stake presidency. Students of USU who used to know me as counselor to [stake] President Reed Bullen continue to call me President Arrington. In that same sense, then, people continue to call me Church Historian Leonard Arrington. From that point of view it is still true even if Elders Durham and Olson say it isn't. And who is the Church Historian? Elder Durham? People would never do it-he was never sustained as such, never called that, never will be unless formally sustained as such. Without a replacement, it is natural for them to assume that I must still be Church Historian. [Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
60 years ago today - Apr 16, 1966
Ezra Taft Benson met with McKay and described "The 1976 Committee," to be composed of 100 prominent men from throughout the country, which proposed to nominate Benson for president and Thurmond for vice president. McKay repeated his resistance to forming a third party, to which Benson replied that he also was "opposed to this, but this Committee and movement might result in a realignment between the two political parties." McKay responded "that this nation is rapidly moving down the road of soul-destroying socialism, and that I hoped and prayed that the efforts of the 1976 Committee would be successful in stemming the tide." He told Benson "to let them go ahead and wait and see what develops." Benson presented him with proposed statements that he and McKay might make if the committee moved as planned to propose his nomination, to which McKay agreed. McKay's statement ended with the words "his doing so has my full approval." [David O. McKay diary; Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
120 years ago today - Apr 16, 1906
[Angus M. Cannon] .... I called upon Pres[ident]. [Heber J.] Grant, in his bedroom, before he was up and talked matters over with him relating to the ordination of 2 additional members of the 'Twelve.' ... I feel that the two brethren [i.e., John W. Taylor and Matthias F. Cowley] who have been supplanted have only been suspended, temporarily, from necessity to keep the Church from persecution. He said:'I feel they have proved refractory after taking upon themselves the responsibility to marry people, if not to take wives themselves, without God's justification,'as witness: Abraham H. Cannon, A[braham]. O[wen]. Woodruff & M[arriner]. W[ood]. Merrill's early death, who evidently did take upon themselves, to do that which we agreed should not be done. I replied:'Bro[ther]. Grant,'the late President Brigham Young, once said:'Hansen Walker, a Bishop who lived at Pleasant Grove, Utah, had eaten so much stolen beef he could not talk and that is how I am situated. I know so much, that I cannot talk hence I will not say more, than that I cannot understand, knowing what I do, how brethren can vote to suspend those two brethren from their positions perm[a]n[e]ntly. He replied:''I do not blame brethren who have gone into that principle, through these two mens instrumentality or ministrations, for they cannot be held to be equally guilty, but I know: I could not get liberty to do what I wished without committing a breach of good faith, when I hoped to have a son to bear my name,'and now it appears as if I must have my name blotted out from the earth.' I dare say no more but realized he did not take in the scope of my thoughts. Hence I changed the subject. [Angus M. Cannon 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]
190 years ago today - Apr 16, 1836
Future-apostle Charles C. Rich describes his endowment ceremony-experience in the Kirtland Temple: "We then continued to fast and pray until the setting of the sun when we Broke Bread and Drank wine[.] we prophesied all night pronouncing blessings and cursings until the morning light[.] there was Great manifestations of the power of God . . . and I was filled with the spirit of prophesy and I was endued with power from on high."
180 years ago today - Apr 15, 1846. Wednesday.
[William Clayton] This morning Ellen Kimball came to me and wishes me much joy. She said Diantha [his wife, who had not yet joined the pioneers] has a son. I told her I was afraid it was not so but she said Brother [Samuel] Pond had received a letter. I went over to Pond's and he read that she had a fine fat boy on the 30th ult. but she was very sick with ague and mumps. Truly I feel to rejoice at this intelligence but feel sorry to hear of her sickness. ... This morning I composed a new song, "All is well." I feel to thank my heavenly father for my boy and pray that he will spare and preserve his life and that of his mother and so order it so that we may soon meet again. [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 - 1846 Apr 15
Warsaw Signal: Endowment exposé [https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
60 years ago today - Apr 13, 1966
Ernest Wilkinson and Skousen conversed about the John Birch Society: "We would probably agree with 90% of their principles but we both believe that Ezra Taft Benson has made some tactical or procedural errors in trying to vouch President McKay in on everything he has done . . ." [Wilkinson diary, 13 Apr. 1966. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
170 years ago today - Apr 13, 1856
[Orson Pratt] Our first parents through transgressing the law of God, brought death into the world, but through the death of Jesus Christ, life and immortality were introduced. The one brings into bondage; the other gives us hope of escape, of redemption, that we may come forth with the same kind of body that Adam had before the fall, a body of immortal flesh and bones. Adam and Eve were immortal, the same as resurrected beings, but previous to their transgression they had no knowledge of good and evil. After the redemption we will not only have the same kind of bodies that they possessed in the garden of Eden before the fall, but we will have a knowledge of good and evil through our experience. [J. D. 3:344; Discourse by Orson Pratt delivered in the Tabernacle, Great Salt Lake City; April 13, 1856, quoted in Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
130 years ago today - Apr 13, 1896
[Brigham Young jr.] [Ephraim, Sanpete Co. Considerable excitement over action on former apostle Moses Thatcher] People think he has been reigned up now in his sickness, when the fact is he has been rebellious since the death of Pres[iden]t Jno. Taylor. He has continued to seek to thwart his brethren of the Presidency and Twelve since, he became enraged about "Bullion Beck" business. His spite against Geo[rge] Q. Cannon--and unjustly too [as] far as I know--has soured his mind Pres[iden]t Woodruff says he has sought to rule over his brethren other apostles say Moses has sought to exercise unrighteous dominion over his brethren. How we have wept and prayed over this man. He has caused more tears to flow from my eyes than all my other griefs private & public since the death of Pres[ident] Jno. Taylor. I pray for Moses--for the Lord to soften his heart. Some say he has bad advisers. He is weak now in mind & body but his rebellion began when he was in health. [Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
125 years ago today - Thursday, Apr 11, 1901
At Eleven a.m. Presidents Lorenzo Snow and Joseph F. Smith joined us [the apostles]. We agreed to a Rule that we would rise and address the Presiding officer. [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]
170 years ago today - Apr 14, 1856
I hear that Jacob Lance who was under arrest in Lehi Utah County for an assault with an intent to commit a Rape? on a Danish woman, this morning while his guards were snoozing and he either asleep or nodding had his head split asunder by a woman supposed to be the injured one, who came in and split his head with an axe then gently retiring with out saying a word [Diaries of Hosea Stout]
100 years ago today - Apr 13, 1926
[Heber J. Grant] I know of no instance where the Lord has appeared to an individual since His appearance to the Prophet Joseph Smith. [Heber J. Grant, Letter to Mrs. Claud Peery, 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 - Apr 13, 1906
[James Henry Martineau] Lyman Sherman joined the church in 1831, Was the first who ever spoke in tongues in this dispensation. Prest [Heber C.] Kimball told me that L. R. S. was the sweetest singer in tongues in the church, and was Joseph's "right hand man." in Missouri. [An Uncommon Common Pioneer: The Journals of James Henry Martineau 1828-1918, edited by Donald G. Godfrey XXX Rebecca S. Martineau-McCarty]
160 years ago today - 1866. April 13
Butch Cassidy: Born Robert LeRoy Parker in Beaver, Utah, the eldest of thirteen children. He was baptized at the age of eight. Temple work was performed in his behalf by his brother-in-law in 1945. [Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
115 years ago today - Apr 11, 1911
Replying to Senator Reed Smoot's urgent appeal for an official statement on post-Manifesto polygamy, President [Joseph F.] Smith wired: "If the President inquire about new polygamy, tell him the truth, tell him that Prest. Cannon was the first to conceive the idea that the Church could consistently countenance polygamy beyond confines of the republic where there was no law against it, and consequently he authorized the solemnization of plural marriages in Mexico and Canada after manifesto of 1890, and the men occupying presiding positions who became polygamists since the manifesto married in good faith under those circumstances. This being the case could we consistently be expected to humiliate them by releasing them?" [Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
60 years ago today - April 12, 15 1966
McKay learned that his statement on communism was not to be published. Confronting the editor of the Church News, McKay said "Well it should go in. I made that statement to 85,000 Priesthood members; the press has it, and many recordings have been made of it. I think it had better go in." Hugh B. Brown and N. Elden Tanner had McKay's son Lawrence ask McKay to omit that portion. [David O. McKay diary as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
60 years ago today - Apr 12, 1966
[David O. McKay] Attention was called to the application of Sister I--- R------- P----- for permission to do the sealing work in the Temple for her father, Joseph E. Robinson, and his three wives. ... Attention was also called to a ruling made by me on March 3, 1964, [that] * "in the case of polygamous marriages performed in Mexico before the Manifesto, and there [is] no official record, the work should be done again." ... I stated that if the polygamous marriage took place prior to the state ment by President Joseph F. Smith in 1904 to the effect that polygamous marriages could not be solemnized anywhere in the world, * the work could be performed for the parties concerned or the President of the Church could ratify the marriages that had been performed. It was agreed that the simpler way would be to ratify the marriages * We reversed the decision made in our meeting of March 23, 1966, and ruled that it would be inadvisable to ratify purported sealings performed for Joseph E. Robinson and three women. In giving this matter further consideration, we had in mind that were the Church to adopt the policy of ratifying polygamous marriages that took place prior to the announcement by President Joseph F. Smith in 1904 * it would let down the flood gates and descendants of many polygamous marriages performed after the Manifesto would make application for permission to have the purported sealings of their parents or grandparents ratified, and perhaps in some cases where the individuals entering into these relationships have been excommunicated from the Church, there would be individuals such as cultists and others. The former action was therefore rescinded and it was decided to notify Sister I--- R------- P----- that the case of Joseph E. Robinson and the three women referred to would have to be left in the hands of the Lord for decision by Him in the Hereafter. [David O. McKay diary, Mar. 23, Apr. 12, 1966; hyphens added to conceal the individual's identity, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
105 years ago today - Apr 12, 1921
[George F. Richards] We also had an interview in my room with Sister Nellie Taylor widow of [excommunicated apostle] John W. Taylor who made quite a preachment and declared her loyalty to President Grant and after I had explained the three classes, the valient, the ne[u]tral, and the rebellious, she said that while she had felt that she sustained the authorities she now believes she was among the neutral. She hoped to be among the vali[a]nt in the future. [George F. Richards, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
160 years ago today - Apr 12, 1866
Deseret News reports the murder of S. Newton Brassfield on 2 Apr. He legally married a plural wife of an absent Mormon missionary, and the News editorializes that "the illegally [sic] married couple would probably have been suffered to pursue their way to their own liking," except that she files for custody of her children. News also reports Brigham Young's sermon about Brassfield's murder: "Were I absent from my home [on a mission], I would rejoice to know that I had friends there to protect and guard the virtue of my household; and I would thank God for such friends." [The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
165 years ago today - Apr 12, 1861
Officially, Governor Cumming was on a leave of absence, but the citizens of Utah knew that his hasty departure meant that he did not intend to return. General Albert Sidney Johnston, another leading figure in the territory, also left the area during the same period. Both men's actions were a result of events in South Carolina on 12 April 1861, when the Confederate Army attacked the federal garrison at Fort Sumter. [Utah History Encyclopedia: Civil War, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
180 years ago today - Apr 12, 1846
[Brigham Young] "There are men among us who are passing counterfeit money and have done it all the time since we left Nauvoo, and there men among who will steal and these things must be stopped. When we once get properly situated so where every man will have plenty, there will no more need to Steal and if a man does steal when he has no need, the law will be put in force. Some plead our suffering from our enemies and say they are justified in stealing from our enemies because they have robbed us, but suppose we suffer much to take this course, what effect will it have, it will destroy the Kingdom of God and from this time fourth I caution the brethren to watch those who pass counterfeit money and when they find them we will take care of them, and let them go to the Gentiles to bring destruction upon us. There are men who eat at my and feed their teams on my corn and the first opportunity pass a counterfeit bill to bring a mob upon us I want a stop put to this business. The United States are a perfect set of bogus themselves from the President down to the hog whiper in the street, and if a pure principle were come to them they would never cease their operation till they made bogus of it. ... " [Journal History of the Church, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
150 years ago today - Apr 11, 1876
Stake president and future apostle Francis M. Lyman spends the day studying Buddhism and Confucianism. Four days later he studies Hindu philosophy for half-day. [The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
165 years ago today - Apr 11, 1861
The President [Brigham Young] had some conversation with Pres- [ident] D.H. Wells about the Signs of the times. They were speaking of the Spirit of Secession that prevails in California. The President remarked the Lord will first disunite them. He could not establish his Kingdom while they were united together, so he separates them. ... This Nation continued the President will become like the Toes of the Image, and the toes will be ground first, then the ankles and so on. -- Salt Lake City [Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
170 years ago today - Apr 11, 1856
[Heber C. Kimball marriage] wife #42. Elizabeth Doty (Cravath Murray Brown), 1808-1889. Mother of Helen Mar's sister-wife, time only. [Hatch, Charles M. and Compton, Todd M. editors, 'A Widow's Tale: 1884-1896 Diary of Helen Mar Kimball Whitney' p. 37]
185 years ago today - Apr 11, 1841
Joseph Smith and Rigdon rebaptize each other for remission of sins and "renewal of covenants." Church leaders would promote rebaptism for all members during a religious reformation beginning May 1842. In the future, four temples would perform 7,788 baptisms for renewal of covenants from 1877 through 1893. This ordinance would be officially discontinued in 1922. [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]
30 years ago today - Apr 10, 1996
Mormon investors announce they are purchasing Southern Virginia College (SVC), four months after it loses accreditation as a two-year school and one month before its closing, to turn it into a Mormon school without official sponsorship by LDS headquarters. The likely success of this unprecedented idea is indicated by its announcement in the Church News and choice of David Ferrel as the college's new president. He is a senior employee of recently appointed general authority Richard B. Wirthlin who formally endorses the school. Having arranged for LDS congressmen to pressure the accrediting association to reconsider its decision, the newly installed Mormon trustees announce that SVC will be a four-year college with a starting freshman class of 400 students who meet the same standards of conduct and entrance requirements as at BYU. [The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
70 years ago today - Apr 10, 1956
[J. Reuben Clark] [During a telephone conversation with Utah Governor J. Bracken Lee:] Gov. Lee: I said to them [non-members] you are never going to have any success in Utah unless you let the leaders of the Church give you some advice. You better make it a point to talk with the Church officials to find out if they are going along with it or not. [The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
120 years ago today - Apr 10, 1906
[George F. Richards] "Pres[iden]t Lyman and John Henry Smith especially were emphatic in the denunciation of the actions of those brethren who had been teaching and practicing plural marriage since the issuance of the manifesto [illegible] and in sustaining Pres[iden]ts [Wilford] Woodruff, [Lorenzo] Snow & [Joseph F.] Smith in the attitude they have taken on that question. We by motion [e]ndorsed Pres[iden]t Lymans views." [George F. Richards, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
125 years ago today - Apr 10, 1901
The Oregon Shortline Railroad returned to the Church a check for $2,176.20, the amount charged on the freight for the material used in the reconstruction of the Tabernacle organ. This is done by the railroad to show appreciation for the many recitals and courtesies extended by the Church authorities in behalf of tourists traveling over that line and passing through Salt Lake City. [Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
135 years ago today - Apr 9, 1891
The polygamist [Hans] Jespersen, who is now in prison, and was married in the Endowment House just before it was demolished, threatens to tell who performed the ceremony unless something is done for him immediately. The person [Franklin D. Richards] is liable, if discovered, to two years' imprisonment and a $1,000.00 fine, for officiating in a plural marriage. It was decided that F[rancis] M. Lyman and James Jack visit him and others of the 18 brethren now imprisoned, tomorrow, and assure them that no pains shall be spared to effect their release. They will be advised to sign a dispatch to the U.S. Att[orne]y. Gen[era]'l in Washington [D.C.], promising hereafter to obey the law. Jespersen is to be counseled to telegraph to Utah Pros[ecuting] Att[orne]y [Charles S.] Varian, who is now in Washington, making a similar promise. Thus the effort will be made to immediately relieve these brethren, who are now confined in their cells for 22 out of 24 hrs., and are not by themselves, but mixed up with the "toughs." Warden [Oscar] Vandercook will be asked to authenticate the prisoners' messages. [Abraham H. Cannon (Author), Edward Leo Lyman (Editor), Candid Insights of a Mormon Apostle: The Diaries of Abraham H. Cannon, 1889-1895, Signature Books]
195 years ago today - Apr 9, 1831
A weekly Universalist paper in Utica publishes a letter from A. W. B. [Abram W. Benton] of South Bainbridge, New York about Joseph's 1826 and 1830 treasure seeking trials. In the first, "considering his youth, (he being then a minor,) and thinking he might reform his conduct, he was designedly allowed to escape." In the summer of 1830 Joseph was arraigned again. Oliver testified "that said Smith found with the plates, from which he translated his book, two transparent stones, resembling glass, set in silver bows. That by looking through these, he was able to read in English, the reformed Egyptian characters, which were engraved on the plates." Josiah Stowell testified that he and Joseph almost succeeded in treasure seeking, but "did not get quite to it!" Addison Austin testified that he asked Joseph "to tell him honestly whether he could see this money or not. Smith hesitated some time, but finally replied, 'to be candid, between you and me, I cannot, any more than you or any body else; but any way to get a living.'" [Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
145 years ago today - Friday, Apr 8, 1881
At 10 rode with Prest. [John] Taylor to the Council of 50-George Reynolds admitted a member. G[eorge] Q. C[annon] gave charge &c. etc. Prest Taylor occupied morning with a Discourse upon the nature & objects of the Council[.] Adj[ourned] till 2.p.m. 2 p.m. John R. Winder & John T. Ca[i]ne were admitted to membership & received charge obligation & pass word from the Secretary Geo Q. Cannon. Prest. J[oseph] F. Smith justified the course of the last Legislature [as] also did Prest L[orenzo] Snow[,] Prest of Legislative Council[.] Adjournd til May 18-10 a.m. to consider certain points. [Franklin D. Richards journal, as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
120 years ago today - Apr 6, 1906
Pres. Joseph F. Smith stated, "we expect to see the day, if we live long enough (and if some of us do not live long enough to see it, there are others who will), when every council of the Priesthood in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will understand its duty; will assume its own responsibility, will magnify its calling, and fill its place in the Church, to the uttermost, according to the intelligence and ability possessed by it. when that day shall come, there will not be so much necessity for work that is now being done by the auxiliary organizations, because it will be done by the regular quorums of the Priesthood." This statement became the "touchstone" for all future correlation efforts. [Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
75 years ago today - Sun Apr 8, 1951
[David O. McKay Office Journal] 4:30 p.m.--Special council meeting was held in the Salt Lake Temple. Presented to the Twelve the names of my counselors--Elder Stephen L. Richards as First Counselor, and Pres. J. Reuben Clark, Jr. as Second Counselor. [McKay, David O., Office Journal]
125 years ago today - Apr 8, 1901; Monday
Meeting of Presidency, Apostles & Church Officers. Prest. [Lorenzo] Snow said that persons who are recom- mended for second anointings should be those who have made an exceptional record, that they are persons who will never apostatize. Prests. of Stakes assume a great responsibility when they recommend persons for second anointings. ... Conference Report, Apr. 1901, 57-58. Now I [Lorenzo Snow] wish to say a word in regard to going back to Jackson County [Missouri]. The time is nearer than many of us suppose. I want to impress upon the minds of all that they cannot go back to Jackson Co. unless the[y] obey the law of tithing. Jos[eph] Smith had a book in which all of the names of tithe payers was recorded which was called the Book of the law of the Lord. This church as a church will never go back to Jackson Co. till the people learn to observe the law of the Lord. I fear that some of the bishops do not fully believe in the law of tithing. Excellent counsel. Heber [J. Grant] sang ["]The Holy City.["] Should Masquerade balls be permitted among the Saints? We do not approve of such parties but they should be controlled by kindness & persuasion & not by coer[c]ion. Bro. Jos[eph]. F. Smith said no man receives a fullness of the Melchisedec Priesthood till he has recd his second anointings. Men recommended for this sacred ordinance should be men of God whose faith & integrity are unquestioned. Heber J. Grant spoke. Referred to his singing as an example that a person can accomplish anything which he undertakes to do. ...Apostle John W. Taylor said when the Apostles or Priests. of 70 visited the stakes don't put 2 in 1 bed but give them a clean bad & good house keeper. He killed 143 bed bugs in one bed at one time. [Anderson, Elizabeth Oberdick, editor, Cowboy Apostle: The Diaries of Anthony W. Ivins: 1875-1932, Signature Books, Salt Lake City in association with the Smith-Pettit Foundation (2013) - http://bit.ly/AnthonyIvins]
130 years ago today - Apr 8, 1896
Elder Franklin D. Richards called on Presidents Woodruff and Smith, and presented to the President the key of the Nauvoo [Illinois] Temple. He had received it from sister Elizabeth E. Rice of Hooper [Utah], widow of Leonard G. Rice of Farmington [Utah]. She explained how the key came into her possession. The Committee left in charge of the Nauvoo temple, after the expulsion of the Saints, consisted of Almon Babbitt, brothers [Joseph L.] Heyw[oo]d, and [John S.] Fullmer. When the Temple was destroyed, the key was in the possession of brother Babbitt. Martha Babbitt, a cousin of A[lmon]. W. Babbitt and a sister of sister Rice, was living in the Babbitt family, and thus obtained the key. She came to Utah and lived in Farmington, but on going East on account of her health, she left some things in charge of her sister. Martha died at Kanesville [Iowa]. The key thus came into the possession of sister Rice, who had been solicited many times to sell the key, but she would not part with it even to her children, feeling that she would rather it should go to the President of the Church. President Woodruff was very pleased to receive it, and as sister Rice was in poor circumstances, he made her a present of $10. [Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
185 years ago today - Apr 8, 1841. Thursday.
[Revelation to Joseph Smith] Verily thus saith the Lord let all those my saints who are assaying to do my will gather themselves together upon the land opposite to Nauvoo and build a city unto my name and let the name of Zarahemla be named upon it. And all who come from the east and West and North and South who have desires let them settle in Zarahemla that they may be prepared for that which is in store for a time to come &c. [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]
130 years ago today - Apr 7, 1896
President Joseph F. Smith addressed the Assembly which filled the body of the hall. He dwelt on the importance of every officer of the Church being united in spirit and in harmony with the First Presidency and the Twelve. He thought it would be much better for such officers as were unable to be in harmony to ask to be released from their official positions, than to continue in office while entertaining feelings of hostility to those whom God had placed to lead and direct the Church. He expressed regret that he could not speak with that freedom which he desired in consequence of the feeling that there were some present in whom his confidence was not very strong... President Cannon ... gave some counsel on the subject of recommendations for second annointings. Worthy old people should be selected as a rule, and Bishops should select faithful persons and confer with their Stake Presidents before recommending them for that blessing. ... [Journal History, 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 - Apr 7, 1861
In the afternoon Presidet Brigham Young Spoke to the people in the spirit & power of God upon Principle. He spoke upon the subject of the Patriarchal Marriage. He said if a man took more than one wife upon the principle of passion instead of principle it will prove a Curse instead of a Blessing. If a woman is sealed to a good man she should be satisfied & attend to her own business & let her husband alone & not be watching him all the time. Women are sealed to men to bring forth Children & not to gratify passion & much was said upon this subjet. ... Before leaving the Circle room Presidet Young said I want to say a few words to Brother Orson Hyde. At the opening of this general Conference I was there one minute before the time, & Brother Hyde had opened the Conference had prayers & singing & I must say I was mortified. I am the president of the whole Church & it is my place to preside at a general Conference. Did you ever know me [to] step foreward in the days of Joseph & take his place & open a General Conference without he directed me to do it? Or did you ever know me interfere with the rights of any man? No you have not. I should have waited an hour after the time before I should have opened the Conference but Brother Hyde opened it before the time & he has served me the same several times and I dont want to see it any more. Elder Orson Hyde said it never Entered my heart that I was doing wrong. ... Presidet Young said Now I will ask all of you how would you feel if you had a work to do which God & the heavens held you responsible for & just as you was about to step forth to do it another man should rise up & take it out of your hands Before the people as though you was not qualifyed to Do it or was neglecting your duty. You would not like it. ... [Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Apr 6, 1861 (Afternoon, Conference)
[Brigham Young] .... Bro. Orson Hyde is the senior man now in the quorum of the Twelve Apostles, of those first chosen into that quorum. This calls him, by his age, to be the president of that quorum. Now, I will go a step further for your consideration. The oldest man'"the senior member of the first Quorum will preside, each in his turn, until every one of them has passed away. The next quorum that comes into action may take the senior man for a president, but not until the first Quorum if gone. ... [The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
185 years ago today - Apr 7, 1841
"In the afternoon the Twelve and all the American Brethren went to Br Millers & took tea & had an interesting visit together. Before we left the Twelve lade hands upon the head of Elder (Kimball) Orson Hyde & Blessed him in the name of the Lord, as he had ben set apart by the first Presidency to take a mission to the Holy land, the City of Jerrusalem whare Jesus Dwelt, for the purpose of laying the foundation of a great work in that land. This is the first mission that any man has taken to the land of Asia belonging to the church of Christ of Latter Day Saints." [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 - Apr 6, 1846
At a Strangite high council meeting, Jehiel Savage testifies against the conduct of the Twelve at Nauvoo: "There was an institution called Aunt Peggy, by means of which one Carl was whip[p]ed &...one Peck was annointed [with human excrement]." [Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
185 years ago today - Apr 6, 1841
[Nauvoo] Cornerstones were laid in a grand ceremony. Construction continued steadily with limestone rocks blasted from quarry and hauled to temple site by wagon. Workers were obtained as members tithed their time, giving one day in 10 for temple construction. Women provided food and clothing for the workers and also donated precious heirlooms and coins to fund the construction. Eventual total cost of the building was $750,000. [LDS Church News: Nauvoo -- The City of Joseph, http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58063/Church-history--Nauvoo.html]
185 years ago today - Apr 6, 1841
Cornerstones laid for Nauvoo Temple; among other books and items, a Bible is laid but only after the Apocryphia is added to it (torn from one of the member's family Bible) to make it complete [Samuel Miles]. Sidney Rigdon officiates at the ceremony and gives a hour long speech. This is practically Rigdon's last official act in the Church until the spring of 1844. [Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
60 years ago today - Apr 5, 1966
A former LDS mission president and current "section leader" of the Birch Society hand-carried a letter to McKay that "many people are confused and shocked by the recent editorial in the Church News, entitled: `Politics and Religion.' [regarding "Birchers"] "
[Mark E. Anderson to David O. McKay, 5 Apr. 1966, MS 3744, LDS archives. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
[Mark E. Anderson to David O. McKay, 5 Apr. 1966, MS 3744, LDS archives. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
85 years ago today - Apr 5, 1941
[Heber J. Grant]
After the Priesthood meeting I had a little talk with Harold B. Lee and told him we had decided that he should fill the vacancy in the quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He was overwhelmed and shed tears. I feel sure that we shall be very happy with his work.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
After the Priesthood meeting I had a little talk with Harold B. Lee and told him we had decided that he should fill the vacancy in the quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He was overwhelmed and shed tears. I feel sure that we shall be very happy with his work.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
120 years ago today - Apr 5, 1906
The regular meeting of the First Presidency and Twelve was held this morning as usual in the Temple. ... Some time was occupied on the question of filling the vacancies in the quorum of the Twelve Apostles created by the withdrawal of Bro[ther]s. [John W.] Taylor and [Matthias F.] Cowley, and the vacancy created through the death of Brother [Marriner Wood] Merrill. Also the vacancy in the First Council of Seventy through the death of Brother C[hristian]. D. Fjeldsted. President [Joseph F.] Smith had invited the Apostles to furnish him with a list of names of brethren suggested by them as eligible for these positions. From that list it was finally decided to select George F. Richards to fill the vacancy created by the death of Brother Merrill, and Orson F. Whitney and David O. McKay to fill the vacancies made by Bro[ther]s. Taylor and Cowley. It was also decided to select Charles H. Hart to fill the vacancy in the First Council of Seventy.
[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]
125 years ago today - Apr 5, 1901
Lorenzo Snow tells general conference that "we will continue on improving, advancing and increasing in wisdom, intelligence, power, and dominion, worlds without end." In 1908 John A. Widtsoe's 'Joseph Smith As a Scientist' (137) affirms: "God in 'Mormon' Theology is the greatest intelligence; yet it must of necessity, under the inexorable law of the universe, grow." In his 1910 'Seventies Course in Theology,' B.H. Roberts writes that "progress is eternal, even for the highest intelligences" (151). In his 1911 'Seventies' Course in Theology,' Roberts writes: "And is it too bold a thought that with this progress, even for the Mightiest, new thoughts, and new vistas may appear, inviting to new adventures and enterprises that will yield new experiences, advancement, and enlargement even for the Most High?"
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
130 years ago today - Apr 5, 1896
The Presidency and 12 met and considered a manifesto on the political situation to guide the eclesiastical authorities in accepting office. ... It was agreed to by all present.
[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]
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
130 years ago today - Apr 5, 1896
[Brigham Young Jr.]
[Regarding the political manifesto] "I was spoken to privately by Pres[iden]t Woodruff that he wanted me to carry it to M. Thatcher if he chooses to sign it. All seemed anxious that I should have a partner I wanted Pres[iden]t L. Snow." Thatcher was not up when they arrived and kept the document by permission and sent it to the office without his signature. "He could not coincide with the whole doctrine but hoped when he got better in health he might see it." Young notes that he has had the principles before him for two years; "I was full of sorrow so were all the Brethren." Document was read and accepted unanimously by the Conference.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Regarding the political manifesto] "I was spoken to privately by Pres[iden]t Woodruff that he wanted me to carry it to M. Thatcher if he chooses to sign it. All seemed anxious that I should have a partner I wanted Pres[iden]t L. Snow." Thatcher was not up when they arrived and kept the document by permission and sent it to the office without his signature. "He could not coincide with the whole doctrine but hoped when he got better in health he might see it." Young notes that he has had the principles before him for two years; "I was full of sorrow so were all the Brethren." Document was read and accepted unanimously by the Conference.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
145 years ago today - Apr 5, 1881
... At the Close of the Meeting we again met with the Twelve & voted unanimously that we would withhold the name of John W Young from being Presented to the Conference for Conformation untill he had made satisfaction. ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
150 years ago today - Apr 5, 1876
"This afternoon at about 5 oclok the great explosion of four powder magazene on the Hill north of the City took place, when forty tons of Blasting, sporting, & giant Powder was burned which shook the whole City to its foundations and done tens of thousands of Dollars of Damage in glass alone. I do not know of one house in the City that Entirely escaped damage. It was a miracle that the four building made of Rock, Cobble, Iron & Concrete was blown high into the air & scattered over the City for a circuit of more than a mile with a population of 20,000, and ownly four persons killed. The whole City shook like an Earthquake. Many escaped narrowly from death. Many women fainted. Nearly all the glass was blown out of the New Tabernacle."
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
185 years ago today - Apr 5, 1841
Louisa Beaman (single, age 26) marriage to Joseph Smith
Though Mormon history and press indicate Beaman was not baptized until May 11, 1843, she had migrated with Mormons to Nauvoo in 1839 or 1840. She has been called the "first plural wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith" [although he had at least one earlier relationship]. After Smith's death, Beaman remarried, becoming the ninth wife of Brigham Young. They had five children together, all of whom predeceased Beaman, who died young at age 35. Listed as a Smith plural wife by Joseph F. Smith, who noted 1869 affidavit of Beaman's brother-in-law Joseph B. Noble, stating he officiated at the wedding, William Clayton said Smith told him in February 1843 that Beaman was one of his plural wives. This would have been prior to her baptism.
[Wikipedia: List of the Wives of Joseph Smith, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_wives_of_Joseph_Smith]
Though Mormon history and press indicate Beaman was not baptized until May 11, 1843, she had migrated with Mormons to Nauvoo in 1839 or 1840. She has been called the "first plural wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith" [although he had at least one earlier relationship]. After Smith's death, Beaman remarried, becoming the ninth wife of Brigham Young. They had five children together, all of whom predeceased Beaman, who died young at age 35. Listed as a Smith plural wife by Joseph F. Smith, who noted 1869 affidavit of Beaman's brother-in-law Joseph B. Noble, stating he officiated at the wedding, William Clayton said Smith told him in February 1843 that Beaman was one of his plural wives. This would have been prior to her baptism.
[Wikipedia: List of the Wives of Joseph Smith, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_wives_of_Joseph_Smith]
45 years ago today - Apr 4, 1981
Conference sustains the first Hispanic Latin American as a general authority, the First Quorum of the Seventy's Angel Abrea.
[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)]]
75 years ago today - 1951. April 4
George Albert Smith died on his eighty-first birthday at his Yale Avenue home in Salt Lake City of lupuserythematosus disseminatus, a disease of the connective tissue which may have contributed to his mental collapse. Buried in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
As church president, he also was president of many church-controlled corporations: Beneficial Life Insurance Company, Utah Hotel Company, Utah Home Fire Insurance Company, Utah-Idaho Sugar Company, Utah First National Bank, Zion's Savings Bank and Trust, ZCMI, and Zions Securities Corporation. He was president of the Church Board of Education, which controlled LDS educational institutions, and was also editor of the church's official magazines. He expedited welfare shipments to Latter-day Saints in Europe at the end of World War II, supervised the reconciliation of 1,200 Latter-day Saints in Mexico who had formed a schismatic group, and expanded programs to help American Indians. A person of compassion, he worked especially in the interests of the youth of the church, the troubled, the poor, and the underprivileged.
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies;Utah History Encyclopedia: George Albert Smith, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
As church president, he also was president of many church-controlled corporations: Beneficial Life Insurance Company, Utah Hotel Company, Utah Home Fire Insurance Company, Utah-Idaho Sugar Company, Utah First National Bank, Zion's Savings Bank and Trust, ZCMI, and Zions Securities Corporation. He was president of the Church Board of Education, which controlled LDS educational institutions, and was also editor of the church's official magazines. He expedited welfare shipments to Latter-day Saints in Europe at the end of World War II, supervised the reconciliation of 1,200 Latter-day Saints in Mexico who had formed a schismatic group, and expanded programs to help American Indians. A person of compassion, he worked especially in the interests of the youth of the church, the troubled, the poor, and the underprivileged.
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies;Utah History Encyclopedia: George Albert Smith, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
95 years ago today - Apr 4, 1931
Heber J. Grant announces that the church will give whatever assistance it can to aid the criminal prosecution of polygamists.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
115 years ago today - Apr 4, 1911
[Orson F. Whitney]
Spent the day in Quarterly Meeting with the Apostles. Presented to the Council my proposition that a portion of our time in these meetings be devoted to the reading and discussion of leading questions of the day, religious, scientific, political, philosophical, &c. [including evolution], with a view to a common understanding and unanimity of view concerning the same. The brethren were pleased with the suggestion and it was adopted unanimously.
[Orson F. Whitney, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Spent the day in Quarterly Meeting with the Apostles. Presented to the Council my proposition that a portion of our time in these meetings be devoted to the reading and discussion of leading questions of the day, religious, scientific, political, philosophical, &c. [including evolution], with a view to a common understanding and unanimity of view concerning the same. The brethren were pleased with the suggestion and it was adopted unanimously.
[Orson F. Whitney, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
125 years ago today - Thursday, Apr 4, 1901
... There was some further discussion in regard to administering to the sick. It was clearly the mind of the brethren that it should be done in a simple manner, without display, according to the order of the church. A letter incorporating this view was addressed to Jas. Hall of Springville, who had been going about among the saints holding special fast meetings and administering to the sick; and although he may have been accomplishing good, his manner of doing was thought to be too much in the nature of display of the power of God. (The Presidency afterwards approved of said letter.)...
Apostle M. F. Cowley called attention to the labors of the Seven Presidents of Seventies. Said they had been very faithful and through their labors he was satisfied that the tithing of the church had been greatly increased. Inasmuch as some of them were in straightened circumstances, notably Brother B. H. Roberts (the latter was now acting as a life insurance agent), he felt that the compensation of the Seven Presidents of Seventies should be increased.
President Snow said that nothing could be done in the matter at present. We have not arrived at a point where we can say to the general authorities of the church: "Give up all your financial affairs, devote your whole time to the work, and the church will provide fully for you; but that time is coming."
[President Snow:] Said that there are many bishops in the church, who are not capable and efficient in their official calling, many of them not being naturally endowed with the qualifications for the bishopric. In all such cases they should be released and others planted in their stead. ...
The sacrament was then administered, Pres. J. F. Smith being month in pronouncing the blessing upon the bread and wine. ...
[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]
Apostle M. F. Cowley called attention to the labors of the Seven Presidents of Seventies. Said they had been very faithful and through their labors he was satisfied that the tithing of the church had been greatly increased. Inasmuch as some of them were in straightened circumstances, notably Brother B. H. Roberts (the latter was now acting as a life insurance agent), he felt that the compensation of the Seven Presidents of Seventies should be increased.
President Snow said that nothing could be done in the matter at present. We have not arrived at a point where we can say to the general authorities of the church: "Give up all your financial affairs, devote your whole time to the work, and the church will provide fully for you; but that time is coming."
[President Snow:] Said that there are many bishops in the church, who are not capable and efficient in their official calling, many of them not being naturally endowed with the qualifications for the bishopric. In all such cases they should be released and others planted in their stead. ...
The sacrament was then administered, Pres. J. F. Smith being month in pronouncing the blessing upon the bread and wine. ...
[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]
130 years ago today - Apr 4, 1896 (Saturday)
The sixty-sixth annual conference of the Church convened in Salt Lake City; In voting for the general Church authorities, ... Moses Thatcher, was not upheld as one of the Twelve, because of his refusal to sign a manifesto issued by the general authorities of the Church to the Saints, in which the leading men of the Church were requested to seek counsel before accepting political offices which would interfere with their ecclesiastical duties.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
145 years ago today - Apr 4, 1881
Joseph [F.] Smith spoke vary Strongly against the Saints sending their Children to Gentiles schools. ...
Report of Logen Temple was Given. Donations from Cache Stake was $143,433, Bear Lake $38,134.64 Box Elder $36,733.49, Trustee in trust $78,705.19, from other sources $660, Total $297,666.32. Sanpete [Manti] Temple Reported as having Received $250,235.40. Total in the two Temples $547,901.72.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Report of Logen Temple was Given. Donations from Cache Stake was $143,433, Bear Lake $38,134.64 Box Elder $36,733.49, Trustee in trust $78,705.19, from other sources $660, Total $297,666.32. Sanpete [Manti] Temple Reported as having Received $250,235.40. Total in the two Temples $547,901.72.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Apr 4, 1851
Upon recommendation by Brigham Young (the retiring "state" and incoming territorial leader), the General Assembly dissolved the State of Deseret on 4 April 1851.
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Deseret, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Deseret, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
185 years ago today - Apr 4, 1841
The Elders Quorum met in the Lords House according to appointment Bro [Otis] Hobart Reported to the quorum that Brother [Oliver] Granger refused to give up the Keys of the Lords House to the Trustees and sent a letter to be read before the quorum from Brother Joseph Smith on the subject of his holding the Keys.
the letter was read by the clerk the Brethren was still of the opinion that the Trustees ought to hold the Keys and furthermore it was agreed to let the subject rest at present where it was.
[Kirtland Elder's Quorum Record, http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=414]
the letter was read by the clerk the Brethren was still of the opinion that the Trustees ought to hold the Keys and furthermore it was agreed to let the subject rest at present where it was.
[Kirtland Elder's Quorum Record, http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=414]
195 years ago today - Apr 4, 1831
Edward Partridge is called to be the first bishop in the church. Sidney Rigdon anoints him an elder and sets him apart as a bishop.
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
45 years ago today - Apr 3, 1981
At the regional representatives meeting, President Spencer W. Kimball outlined three responsibilities to carry out the mission of the Church: Proclaim the gospel, perfect the saints and redeem the dead.
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
50 years ago today - Apr 3, 1976
Members attending general conference accepted Joseph Smith's Vision of the Celestial Kingdom and Joseph F. Smith's Vision of the Redemption of the Dead for addition to the Pearl of Great Price. These scriptures became part of the Doctrine and Covenants on June 6, 1979.
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
90 years ago today - Apr 3, 1936
The First Presidency restores full church and priesthood blessings to Matthias F. Cowley. He unsuccessfully asked for this since 1926. The Deseret News publishes this announcement.
[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 - Wednesday, Apr 3, 1901
Apostle M. W. Merrill ... Prophesied that in the due time of the Lord Pres. Snow would have power to save every soul in his family [Nine wives and 42 children].
Remarks, David H. Cannon. ... Said Pres. Snow had promised the people of the St. George country that, if they were faithful in honoring the law of tithing and other commandments of God, they should be visited by the early and latter rains. This promise had been literally fulfilled, for a recent drought of some 5 years had been broken by copious rains. Explained how he had been guided by revelation in his labors at the temple.
[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]
Remarks, David H. Cannon. ... Said Pres. Snow had promised the people of the St. George country that, if they were faithful in honoring the law of tithing and other commandments of God, they should be visited by the early and latter rains. This promise had been literally fulfilled, for a recent drought of some 5 years had been broken by copious rains. Explained how he had been guided by revelation in his labors at the temple.
[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]
130 years ago today - Apr 3, 1896
Apostle Franklin D. Richards tells the Relief Society conference that women have a right "to rebuke disease in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ & by virtue of the Holy Anointing which I have received."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
185 years ago today - Apr 3, 1841
[Charles Anthon]
NEW-YORK, April 3, 1841. Rev. and Dear Sir,--I have often heard that the Mormons claimed me for an auxiliary, but, as no one, until the present time, has ever requested from me any statement in writing, I have not deemed it worth while to say any thing publicly on the subject. ... Many years ago, the precise date I do not now recollect, a plain looking countryman called upon me with a letter from Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell, requesting me to examine, and give my opinion upon, a certain paper, marked with various characters which the Doctor confessed he could not decypher, and which the bearer of the note was very anxious to have explained. A very brief examination of the paper convinced me that it was a mere hoax, and a very clumsy one too. The characters were arranged in columns, like the chinese mode of writing, and presented the most singular medley that I had ever beheld. Greek, Hebrew, and all sorts of letters, more or less distorted, either through unskilfulness or from actual
design, were intermingled with sundry delineations of half moons, stars, and other natural objects, and the whole ended in a rude representation of the Mexican zodiac. The conclusion was irresistible, that some cunning fellow had prepared the paper in question, for the purpose of imposing upon the countryman who brought it, and I told the man so without any hesitation. ... To convince him the more clearly that there was no risk whatever in the matter, and that the work was actually what it claimed to be, he was told to take the paper, which purported to be a copy of one of the pages of the book, to the city of New York, and submit it to the learned in that quarter, who would soon dispel all his doubts, and satisfy him as to the perfect safety of the investment. As Dr. [Samuel L.] Mitchell was our "Magnus Apollo" in those days, the man called first upon him; but the Doctor, evidently suspecting some trick, declined giving any opinion about the matter, and sent the countryman down
to the college, to see, in all probability, what the "learned pundits" in that place would make of the affair. On my telling the bearer of the paper that an attempt had been made to impose upon him, and defraud him of his property, he requested me to give him my opinion in writing about the paper which he had shown to me. I did so without any hesitation, partly for the man's sake, and partly to let the individual "behind the curtain" see that his trick was discovered. The import of what I wrote was, as far as I can now recollect, simply this, that the marks in the paper appeared to be merely an imitation of various alphabetic characters, and had in my opinion no meaning at all connected with them. The countryman then took his leave, with many thanks, and with the express declaration that he would in no shape part with his farm or embark in the speculation of printing the golden book. The matter rested here for a considerable time, until one day, when I had ceased entirely to
think of the countryman and his paper, this same individual, to my great surprise, paid me a second visit. He now brought with him a duodecimo volume, which he said was a translation into English of the "Golden Bible." He also stated, that, notwithstanding his original determination, he had been induced eventually to sell his farm, and apply the money to the publication of the book, and had received the golden plates as a security for repayment. He begged my acceptance of the volume, assuring me that it would be found extremely interesting, and that it was already "making a great noise" in the upper part of the State. Suspecting, now, that some serious trick was on foot, and that my plain-looking visitor might be in fact a very cunning fellow, I declined his present, and merely contented myself with a slight examination of the volume while he stood by. The more I declined receiving it, however, the more urgent the man became in offering the book, until at last I told him plainly,
that if he left the volume, as he said he intended to do, I should most assuredly throw it after him as he departed. I then asked him how he could be so foolish as to sell his farm and engage in this affair; and requested him to tell me if the plates were really of gold. In answer to this latter enquiry, he said, that he had never seen the plates themselves, which were carefully locked up in a trunk, but that he had the trunk in his possession. I advised him by all means to open the trunk and examine its contents, and if the plates proved to be of gold, which I did not believe at all, to sell them immediately. His reply was, that if he opened the trunk the "curse of Heaven would descend upon him and his children." "However," added he, "I will agree to open it, provided you will take the `curse of Heaven' upon yourself, for having advised me to the step." I told him I was perfectly willing to do so, and begged him to hasten home and examine the trunk, for he would find he had been
cheated. He promised to do as I recommended, and left me taking his book with him. I have never seen him since. Such is a plain statement of all that I know respecting the Mormons. My impression now is, that the plain-looking countryman was none other than the prophet Smith himself, who assumed an appearance of great simplicity in order to entrap me, if possible, into some recommendation of his book. That the prophet aided me, by his inspiration, in interpreting the volume, is only one of the many amusing falsehoods which the Mormonites utter relative to my participation in their doctrines. Of these doctrines I know nothing whatever, nor have I ever heard a single discourse from any one of their preachers, although I have often felt a strong curiosity to become an auditor, since my friends tell me that they frequently name me in their sermons, and even go so far as to say that I am alluded to in the prophecies of Scripture! If what I have here written shall prove of any service in
opening the eyes of some of their deluded followers to the real designs of those who profess to be the apostles of Mormonism, it will afford me a satisfaction equalled, I have no doubt, only by that which you yourself will feel on this subject.
I remain very respectfully and truly,
Your friend,
CHAS. ANTHON. Rev. Dr. Coit, New Rochelle, N.Y.
[Charles Anthon to Thomas Winthrop Coit, 3 April 1841, Church Record (Flushing, New York) 1 (17 April 1841): 231-32. Reprinted in John A. Clark, Gleanings by the Way (Philadelphia: W. J. & J. K. Simon, 1842), 233-38., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Charles Anthon To Thomas Winthrop Coit]
NEW-YORK, April 3, 1841. Rev. and Dear Sir,--I have often heard that the Mormons claimed me for an auxiliary, but, as no one, until the present time, has ever requested from me any statement in writing, I have not deemed it worth while to say any thing publicly on the subject. ... Many years ago, the precise date I do not now recollect, a plain looking countryman called upon me with a letter from Dr. Samuel L. Mitchell, requesting me to examine, and give my opinion upon, a certain paper, marked with various characters which the Doctor confessed he could not decypher, and which the bearer of the note was very anxious to have explained. A very brief examination of the paper convinced me that it was a mere hoax, and a very clumsy one too. The characters were arranged in columns, like the chinese mode of writing, and presented the most singular medley that I had ever beheld. Greek, Hebrew, and all sorts of letters, more or less distorted, either through unskilfulness or from actual
design, were intermingled with sundry delineations of half moons, stars, and other natural objects, and the whole ended in a rude representation of the Mexican zodiac. The conclusion was irresistible, that some cunning fellow had prepared the paper in question, for the purpose of imposing upon the countryman who brought it, and I told the man so without any hesitation. ... To convince him the more clearly that there was no risk whatever in the matter, and that the work was actually what it claimed to be, he was told to take the paper, which purported to be a copy of one of the pages of the book, to the city of New York, and submit it to the learned in that quarter, who would soon dispel all his doubts, and satisfy him as to the perfect safety of the investment. As Dr. [Samuel L.] Mitchell was our "Magnus Apollo" in those days, the man called first upon him; but the Doctor, evidently suspecting some trick, declined giving any opinion about the matter, and sent the countryman down
to the college, to see, in all probability, what the "learned pundits" in that place would make of the affair. On my telling the bearer of the paper that an attempt had been made to impose upon him, and defraud him of his property, he requested me to give him my opinion in writing about the paper which he had shown to me. I did so without any hesitation, partly for the man's sake, and partly to let the individual "behind the curtain" see that his trick was discovered. The import of what I wrote was, as far as I can now recollect, simply this, that the marks in the paper appeared to be merely an imitation of various alphabetic characters, and had in my opinion no meaning at all connected with them. The countryman then took his leave, with many thanks, and with the express declaration that he would in no shape part with his farm or embark in the speculation of printing the golden book. The matter rested here for a considerable time, until one day, when I had ceased entirely to
think of the countryman and his paper, this same individual, to my great surprise, paid me a second visit. He now brought with him a duodecimo volume, which he said was a translation into English of the "Golden Bible." He also stated, that, notwithstanding his original determination, he had been induced eventually to sell his farm, and apply the money to the publication of the book, and had received the golden plates as a security for repayment. He begged my acceptance of the volume, assuring me that it would be found extremely interesting, and that it was already "making a great noise" in the upper part of the State. Suspecting, now, that some serious trick was on foot, and that my plain-looking visitor might be in fact a very cunning fellow, I declined his present, and merely contented myself with a slight examination of the volume while he stood by. The more I declined receiving it, however, the more urgent the man became in offering the book, until at last I told him plainly,
that if he left the volume, as he said he intended to do, I should most assuredly throw it after him as he departed. I then asked him how he could be so foolish as to sell his farm and engage in this affair; and requested him to tell me if the plates were really of gold. In answer to this latter enquiry, he said, that he had never seen the plates themselves, which were carefully locked up in a trunk, but that he had the trunk in his possession. I advised him by all means to open the trunk and examine its contents, and if the plates proved to be of gold, which I did not believe at all, to sell them immediately. His reply was, that if he opened the trunk the "curse of Heaven would descend upon him and his children." "However," added he, "I will agree to open it, provided you will take the `curse of Heaven' upon yourself, for having advised me to the step." I told him I was perfectly willing to do so, and begged him to hasten home and examine the trunk, for he would find he had been
cheated. He promised to do as I recommended, and left me taking his book with him. I have never seen him since. Such is a plain statement of all that I know respecting the Mormons. My impression now is, that the plain-looking countryman was none other than the prophet Smith himself, who assumed an appearance of great simplicity in order to entrap me, if possible, into some recommendation of his book. That the prophet aided me, by his inspiration, in interpreting the volume, is only one of the many amusing falsehoods which the Mormonites utter relative to my participation in their doctrines. Of these doctrines I know nothing whatever, nor have I ever heard a single discourse from any one of their preachers, although I have often felt a strong curiosity to become an auditor, since my friends tell me that they frequently name me in their sermons, and even go so far as to say that I am alluded to in the prophecies of Scripture! If what I have here written shall prove of any service in
opening the eyes of some of their deluded followers to the real designs of those who profess to be the apostles of Mormonism, it will afford me a satisfaction equalled, I have no doubt, only by that which you yourself will feel on this subject.
I remain very respectfully and truly,
Your friend,
CHAS. ANTHON. Rev. Dr. Coit, New Rochelle, N.Y.
[Charles Anthon to Thomas Winthrop Coit, 3 April 1841, Church Record (Flushing, New York) 1 (17 April 1841): 231-32. Reprinted in John A. Clark, Gleanings by the Way (Philadelphia: W. J. & J. K. Simon, 1842), 233-38., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Charles Anthon To Thomas Winthrop Coit]
190 years ago today - Apr 3, 1836
Mormon apostle Oliver Cowdery, as editor of the Latter Day Saint Messenger and Advocate, published an editorial on behalf of "our southern brethren", stating that "low indeed must be the mind, that would consent for a moment, to see his fair daughter, his sister, or perhaps, his bosom companion in the embrace of a NEGRO!"
[LDS (or related) Documents on Walker Lewis, the Lowell, Mass. Branch of the Mormon Church and its missionaries and members, and the Priesthood Ban against Blacks, Compiled by Connell O'Donovan, http://people.ucsc.edu/~odonovan/Mormon_Chronology.html]
[LDS (or related) Documents on Walker Lewis, the Lowell, Mass. Branch of the Mormon Church and its missionaries and members, and the Priesthood Ban against Blacks, Compiled by Connell O'Donovan, http://people.ucsc.edu/~odonovan/Mormon_Chronology.html]
190 years ago today - Apr 3, 1836
Sabbath, April 3rd He [Joseph Smith] attended meeting in the Lord's House [Kirtland Temple]... he retired to the pulpit, the vails being dropped, and bowed himself, with O[liver] Cowdery, in solemn but silent prayer to the Most High.
After rising from prayer the following vision was opened to both of them. The vail was taken from their minds and the eyes of their understandings were opened. They saw the Lord standing upon the breast work of the pulpit before them and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber. His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was like the pure snow. His countenance shone above the brightness of the sun, and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the Voice of Jehovah, saying, "I am the first and the last. I am he who liveth. I am he who was slain. I am your Advocate with the Father. Behold your sins are forgiven you. You are clean before me. Therefore lift up your heads and rejoice. Let the hearts of all my brethren /people/ rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name.
"For behold I have accepted this house and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people, in mercy, in this House. Yea, I will appear unto my servants and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments and do not pollute this Holy House. Yea, the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out and the endowment with which my servants have already been endowed and shall hereafter be endowed in this House. And the fame of this House shall spread to foreign lands, and this is the beginning of the blessing, which shall be poured out upon the heads of my people. Even so. Amen."
After this vision closed, the Heavens were again opened unto them and Moses appeared before them and committed unto them the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the Earth and the leading of the ten tribes from the Land of the North. After this Elias appeared and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying, that in them and their seed all generations after them should be blessed.
After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon them, for Elijah the Prophet, who was taken to Heaven without tasting death, also stood before them, and said, "Behold the time has fully come which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi, testifying, that he should be sent before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come, to turn the hearts of the Fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse. Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and the dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors." [See D&C 110]
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
After rising from prayer the following vision was opened to both of them. The vail was taken from their minds and the eyes of their understandings were opened. They saw the Lord standing upon the breast work of the pulpit before them and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber. His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was like the pure snow. His countenance shone above the brightness of the sun, and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the Voice of Jehovah, saying, "I am the first and the last. I am he who liveth. I am he who was slain. I am your Advocate with the Father. Behold your sins are forgiven you. You are clean before me. Therefore lift up your heads and rejoice. Let the hearts of all my brethren /people/ rejoice, who have, with their might, built this house to my name.
"For behold I have accepted this house and my name shall be here; and I will manifest myself to my people, in mercy, in this House. Yea, I will appear unto my servants and speak unto them with mine own voice, if my people will keep my commandments and do not pollute this Holy House. Yea, the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands shall greatly rejoice in consequence of the blessings which shall be poured out and the endowment with which my servants have already been endowed and shall hereafter be endowed in this House. And the fame of this House shall spread to foreign lands, and this is the beginning of the blessing, which shall be poured out upon the heads of my people. Even so. Amen."
After this vision closed, the Heavens were again opened unto them and Moses appeared before them and committed unto them the keys of the gathering of Israel from the four parts of the Earth and the leading of the ten tribes from the Land of the North. After this Elias appeared and committed the dispensation of the gospel of Abraham, saying, that in them and their seed all generations after them should be blessed.
After this vision had closed, another great and glorious vision burst upon them, for Elijah the Prophet, who was taken to Heaven without tasting death, also stood before them, and said, "Behold the time has fully come which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi, testifying, that he should be sent before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come, to turn the hearts of the Fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse. Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands; and by this ye may know that the great and the dreadful day of the Lord is near, even at the doors." [See D&C 110]
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
215 years ago today - Apr 3, 1811
Joseph Smith, Sr. tells his family about his first vision. He sees a field representing the barrenness of true religion upon the earth, and he sees a log containing a box. His spirit guide tells him that if he eats the contents of the box, he will be filled with "wisdom and understanding". He raises the lid of the box, but is unable to eat its contents because "all manner of beasts, horned cattle, and roaring animals, rose up on every side in the most threatening manner possible". Based on the vision, Smith, Sr. concludes, more than ever, that there is no true religion on the earth. He would have six other visions between 1811 and 1819.
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
40 years ago today - Apr 2, 1986
BYU's administration prepares a document for its external accreditation review, including: "BYU administrators are advised not to publish in 'Dialogue, a Journal of Mormon Thought,' nor to participate in 'Sunstone' symposia.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
45 years ago today - Apr 2, 1981-Thursday
[Leonard Arrington]
I have learned of an interesting development with respect to Nauvoo Restoration, Inc. When it was originally set up, the plan was to make it non-Church, non-Mormon, resembling Williamsburg. For that purpose the original advisory board included both non-Mormons and Mormons, and in order to insure historical integrity, it employed and consulted only with top-flight historians, archaeologists, and restorationists. This went on for a few years and then when vacancies in the advisory board appeared, an all-Mormon advisory board was created which included some general authorities. These included Elder Mark Petersen and Elder Delbert Stapley. Originally the corporation was to draw on private funds primarily-the donations of wealthy Mormons and grants from national philanthropic agencies, in addition to the pledged contributions of Dr. LeRoy Kimball. As time went on the Church became less concerned with the historical and artistic integrity and more interested in the proselyt[iz]ing
potential which it offered. It came to be, not a historical restoration, but a missionary tool for preaching the gospel to people who visit the site. This appears to have been primarily the objective of Elder Mark Petersen, who used his very considerable influence to downplay any aspect of the restoration which was not "positive" and helpful in the "missionary sale." For example, he prohibited them from putting up signs about the Masonic Hall and insisted that the sign simply say Cultural Hall. For that purpose also he did not wish any form of cooperation with the RLDS Church, which owned some of the properties and had its own tour guides. While the RLDS tour guides simply provided historical information, Elder Petersen insisted that our own tour guides be missionaries and that they did hard-sell proselyting in connection with the tour. This obviously created ill-will with the RLDS people. When Elder Stapley died, his place was taken by Elder [L.] Tom Parry. Elder Petersen remained
the senior member of the board.
Recently, with Dr. Kimball, who had been president both of the Nauvoo Mission and of Nauvoo Restoration, Inc., reaching 78, the Missionary Committee decided to release him as president of the mission. At the same time Elder Petersen decided that he should be released also as president of Nauvoo Restoration, Inc. This decision, according to my informant, was made without consultation with President [Spencer W.] Kimball. Elder Petersen wrote a beautiful letter of release which he submitted to the First Presidency for signature. They signed it as a perfunctory thing, as they sign many letters presented to them, and there was no discussion with them about the matter. Dr. Kimball was very hurt when he received the letter-not because he was being released, but because of the manner in which it was done, simply notifying him by letter without any advance warning or consultation. He had put several hundred thousand dollars of his own money into the project, and for him to be
released in this manner deeply injured his feelings. He finally decided, after weeping for a couple of days about it, to go to President Kimball to see if indeed President Kimball approved of this manner of doing things. President Kimball wept with him when Dr. Kimball explained all of this to President Kimball. President Kimball said he was not aware of it and did not approve of it, that he was very disappointed that a letter would be placed for him to sign without preliminary conversation about it.
President Kimball then called a meeting of those involved. This included Elder Petersen, who had written the letter, Elder [L. Tom] Parry, Dr. Kimball, President Kimball, and his two counselors, President [N. Eldon] Tanner and President [Marion G.] Romney. Both of the latter, it turned out, had also signed the letter without knowing the circumstances.
President Kimball said it was not his preference to have Dr. Kimball released as president of Nauvoo Restoration, Inc. He also said he did not approve of this manner of notification and chastened Elder Petersen, who apologized profusely. It became evident that Elder Petersen himself expected to be the president of Nauvoo Restoration, Inc., replacing Dr. Kimball. After the meeting Elder Petersen came up to Dr. Kimball and said, "Dr. Kimball, we love you and wouldn't do anything in the world to hurt you." (This reminds me of a similar action of Elder Petersen after the meeting at which he torpedoed The Story of the Latter-day Saints. He said, "Brother Arrington, we want you to know that we love you and wouldn't do anything to hurt you.") Apparently then[,] Dr. Kimball is back as president of Nauvoo Restoration, Inc. ...
Yesterday Grace and I attended the Women's History Symposium, jointly sponsored by the Women's Research Center at BYU and the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Church History. Both morning and afternoon papers were excellent... Here are the notes I made from these: Kate Kirkham
3. In early days, what women did [professionally was] perceived as positive because [it] came back to help the community. Different boundary today. [Back then][,] go out and get education and return [to Utah].
4. Change in tasks and in relationship [of women] to priesthood. [Women handling] grain storage v. [rules for] single and married ladies. Difference between initiating [tasks] and supervising [lifestyles]. Easier to coalesce around things you oppose than around something you want to do. Can't agree [today].
5. Relief Society as a change agent of Church. Taking on tasks, develop[ing], [then] turn[ing] [projects] over to Church. Often don't get credit or visibility....
In the evening we watched the address of Elder [Marion D.] Hanks at the fourteen BYU stakes, broadcast on KBYU. It was a truly outstanding talk.9
We noted the change in the sustaining of officers in which they sustained the new Seventy, Elder Abrea, and then simply asked us to sustain all other general authorities as previously constituted. That was a surprise. After Elder [Marion G.] Romney put that motion to the group, there was a delayed "No" shouted by one or two or three women in the rear, with something else being said like "No-because they are against ERA [Equal Rights Amendment]." Elder Romney either did not hear this or deliberately chose to ignore it. No attention was paid to it nor did the television switch to that part of the tabernacle nor was any mention made of it in the Conference news story in the Deseret News.
The News story did carry information about the fifty or sixty women who marched from the State Capitol to Temple Square and marched once around the grounds. They carried placards "Down with the Church That Opposes ERA." The TV news also had a shot of the airplane carrying a banner over the center of Salt Lake City with some inscription like "Mormons for ERA." There were no altercations in connection with the picketing. People seemed to be astonished or oblivious or with the attitude "Here we go again."
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
I have learned of an interesting development with respect to Nauvoo Restoration, Inc. When it was originally set up, the plan was to make it non-Church, non-Mormon, resembling Williamsburg. For that purpose the original advisory board included both non-Mormons and Mormons, and in order to insure historical integrity, it employed and consulted only with top-flight historians, archaeologists, and restorationists. This went on for a few years and then when vacancies in the advisory board appeared, an all-Mormon advisory board was created which included some general authorities. These included Elder Mark Petersen and Elder Delbert Stapley. Originally the corporation was to draw on private funds primarily-the donations of wealthy Mormons and grants from national philanthropic agencies, in addition to the pledged contributions of Dr. LeRoy Kimball. As time went on the Church became less concerned with the historical and artistic integrity and more interested in the proselyt[iz]ing
potential which it offered. It came to be, not a historical restoration, but a missionary tool for preaching the gospel to people who visit the site. This appears to have been primarily the objective of Elder Mark Petersen, who used his very considerable influence to downplay any aspect of the restoration which was not "positive" and helpful in the "missionary sale." For example, he prohibited them from putting up signs about the Masonic Hall and insisted that the sign simply say Cultural Hall. For that purpose also he did not wish any form of cooperation with the RLDS Church, which owned some of the properties and had its own tour guides. While the RLDS tour guides simply provided historical information, Elder Petersen insisted that our own tour guides be missionaries and that they did hard-sell proselyting in connection with the tour. This obviously created ill-will with the RLDS people. When Elder Stapley died, his place was taken by Elder [L.] Tom Parry. Elder Petersen remained
the senior member of the board.
Recently, with Dr. Kimball, who had been president both of the Nauvoo Mission and of Nauvoo Restoration, Inc., reaching 78, the Missionary Committee decided to release him as president of the mission. At the same time Elder Petersen decided that he should be released also as president of Nauvoo Restoration, Inc. This decision, according to my informant, was made without consultation with President [Spencer W.] Kimball. Elder Petersen wrote a beautiful letter of release which he submitted to the First Presidency for signature. They signed it as a perfunctory thing, as they sign many letters presented to them, and there was no discussion with them about the matter. Dr. Kimball was very hurt when he received the letter-not because he was being released, but because of the manner in which it was done, simply notifying him by letter without any advance warning or consultation. He had put several hundred thousand dollars of his own money into the project, and for him to be
released in this manner deeply injured his feelings. He finally decided, after weeping for a couple of days about it, to go to President Kimball to see if indeed President Kimball approved of this manner of doing things. President Kimball wept with him when Dr. Kimball explained all of this to President Kimball. President Kimball said he was not aware of it and did not approve of it, that he was very disappointed that a letter would be placed for him to sign without preliminary conversation about it.
President Kimball then called a meeting of those involved. This included Elder Petersen, who had written the letter, Elder [L. Tom] Parry, Dr. Kimball, President Kimball, and his two counselors, President [N. Eldon] Tanner and President [Marion G.] Romney. Both of the latter, it turned out, had also signed the letter without knowing the circumstances.
President Kimball said it was not his preference to have Dr. Kimball released as president of Nauvoo Restoration, Inc. He also said he did not approve of this manner of notification and chastened Elder Petersen, who apologized profusely. It became evident that Elder Petersen himself expected to be the president of Nauvoo Restoration, Inc., replacing Dr. Kimball. After the meeting Elder Petersen came up to Dr. Kimball and said, "Dr. Kimball, we love you and wouldn't do anything in the world to hurt you." (This reminds me of a similar action of Elder Petersen after the meeting at which he torpedoed The Story of the Latter-day Saints. He said, "Brother Arrington, we want you to know that we love you and wouldn't do anything to hurt you.") Apparently then[,] Dr. Kimball is back as president of Nauvoo Restoration, Inc. ...
Yesterday Grace and I attended the Women's History Symposium, jointly sponsored by the Women's Research Center at BYU and the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Church History. Both morning and afternoon papers were excellent... Here are the notes I made from these: Kate Kirkham
3. In early days, what women did [professionally was] perceived as positive because [it] came back to help the community. Different boundary today. [Back then][,] go out and get education and return [to Utah].
4. Change in tasks and in relationship [of women] to priesthood. [Women handling] grain storage v. [rules for] single and married ladies. Difference between initiating [tasks] and supervising [lifestyles]. Easier to coalesce around things you oppose than around something you want to do. Can't agree [today].
5. Relief Society as a change agent of Church. Taking on tasks, develop[ing], [then] turn[ing] [projects] over to Church. Often don't get credit or visibility....
In the evening we watched the address of Elder [Marion D.] Hanks at the fourteen BYU stakes, broadcast on KBYU. It was a truly outstanding talk.9
We noted the change in the sustaining of officers in which they sustained the new Seventy, Elder Abrea, and then simply asked us to sustain all other general authorities as previously constituted. That was a surprise. After Elder [Marion G.] Romney put that motion to the group, there was a delayed "No" shouted by one or two or three women in the rear, with something else being said like "No-because they are against ERA [Equal Rights Amendment]." Elder Romney either did not hear this or deliberately chose to ignore it. No attention was paid to it nor did the television switch to that part of the tabernacle nor was any mention made of it in the Conference news story in the Deseret News.
The News story did carry information about the fifty or sixty women who marched from the State Capitol to Temple Square and marched once around the grounds. They carried placards "Down with the Church That Opposes ERA." The TV news also had a shot of the airplane carrying a banner over the center of Salt Lake City with some inscription like "Mormons for ERA." There were no altercations in connection with the picketing. People seemed to be astonished or oblivious or with the attitude "Here we go again."
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
60 years ago today - Early April 1966
Apostle Lee's general conference talk publicly criticized Apostle Benson. Without naming his apostolic subordinate, Lee next told the April 1966 conference, "I would that all who are called to high places in the Church would determine, as did the Apostle to the Gentiles, to know and to preach nothing save Jesus Christ and him crucified." Then Lee darkly added: "The absolute test of the divinity of the calling of any officer in the Church is this: Is he in harmony with the brethren of that body to which he belongs? When we are out of harmony, we should look to ourselves first to find the way to unity." Apostles Joseph Fielding Smith, Harold B. Lee, and Mark E. Petersen had already indicated that Apostle Ezra Taft Benson was not in harmony with his quorum.
[Quinn's telephone conversation on 7 Nov. 1992 with L. Brent Goates. He described his father-in-law's April 1966 conference address as "an insinuation" concerning Benson but declined to comment further on the differences between the two apostles. Goates, Harold B. Lee, makes no reference to the dispute. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
[Quinn's telephone conversation on 7 Nov. 1992 with L. Brent Goates. He described his father-in-law's April 1966 conference address as "an insinuation" concerning Benson but declined to comment further on the differences between the two apostles. Goates, Harold B. Lee, makes no reference to the dispute. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
60 years ago today - early Apr 1966
During a four- month period, Quinn McKay attempted several times to get a statement from Reed Benson denying that he was the author of [the] September 1965 letter. McKay described the rumors of September 1965 and paraphrased the letter that "all who belong to this group do all they can to foster a whispering campaign that there would be a racial demonstration at General Conference."
[Quinn G. McKay statement, 25 Apr. 1966, in J. Kenneth Davies, Political Extremism Under the Spotlight (Provo, UT: Young Democrats and Young Republicans of Brigham Young University, 1966), 21. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
[Quinn G. McKay statement, 25 Apr. 1966, in J. Kenneth Davies, Political Extremism Under the Spotlight (Provo, UT: Young Democrats and Young Republicans of Brigham Young University, 1966), 21. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
75 years ago today - Mon Apr 2, 1951
[David O. McKay]
Received word from the doctor that President [George Albert] Smith was in a very serious condition. I went immediately to the house anda was shocked at his appearance. He did not seem to recognize me--the first time since his sickness. I realized that possibly the end was not far off. It came as quite a shock to my nervous system, for I fully sensed then what his passing means.
[McKay, David O., Office Journal]
Received word from the doctor that President [George Albert] Smith was in a very serious condition. I went immediately to the house anda was shocked at his appearance. He did not seem to recognize me--the first time since his sickness. I realized that possibly the end was not far off. It came as quite a shock to my nervous system, for I fully sensed then what his passing means.
[McKay, David O., Office Journal]
95 years ago today - Apr 2, 1931
[Heber J. Grant]
At the Council meeting today it was unanimously decided to prepare a statement to be read, refuting some of the lies in The New Era, among other things the declaration that Brother Widtsoe had married a plural wife and then discarded her while he was president of the University. A motion was made that the charge against Brother Widtsoe should be repudiated, and I requested Brother Stephen L. Richards who made the motion to prepare the article.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
At the Council meeting today it was unanimously decided to prepare a statement to be read, refuting some of the lies in The New Era, among other things the declaration that Brother Widtsoe had married a plural wife and then discarded her while he was president of the University. A motion was made that the charge against Brother Widtsoe should be repudiated, and I requested Brother Stephen L. Richards who made the motion to prepare the article.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
105 years ago today - Apr 02, 1921
Clarissa Smith Williams is called as the sixth general president of the Relief Society, with Jennie Brimhall Knight and Louise Yates Robison as counselors.
135 years ago today - Apr 2, 1891
PRESIDENT [of the Quorum of Twelve] LORENZO SNOW said ... the Savior would come to the temple in Missouri and lay his hands on Joseph and the brethren with him were pretty well supplied with Apostles and that he would not call any more of the Apostles to pass away from this life unless they wished to go. ...
Heber J. Grant, said that at the time that his brother George Smith Grant was accidentally killed that the impression came that his father had the whisperings of the spirit to him at the time he was in Arizona and wondering to himself while riding along in the Navajo reservation why he should be called as an Apostle. These whisperings were to the effect that his father Jedediah M. Grant and the Prophet Joseph to whom his mother had been sealed had asked that he be appointed to the position....
[President Woodruff] Referring to the Manifesto he said that he wished to say that the Lord was with us and he testified in the name of Israel's God that the heavens were not closed over our heads and the Lord had not left us to ourselves. If it had not been for the Manifesto all the work of the living and the dead in our temples would have to stop. Would not have taken the stand he did had he not been moved on by the inspiration of God. The Lord God will hold this Nation responsible for the persecutions the saints have had to pass through. He will et open doors that the principle of plural marriage can and will be restored.... The Presidency and Apostles should remain on the earth until the coming of the Son of God. ...
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
Heber J. Grant, said that at the time that his brother George Smith Grant was accidentally killed that the impression came that his father had the whisperings of the spirit to him at the time he was in Arizona and wondering to himself while riding along in the Navajo reservation why he should be called as an Apostle. These whisperings were to the effect that his father Jedediah M. Grant and the Prophet Joseph to whom his mother had been sealed had asked that he be appointed to the position....
[President Woodruff] Referring to the Manifesto he said that he wished to say that the Lord was with us and he testified in the name of Israel's God that the heavens were not closed over our heads and the Lord had not left us to ourselves. If it had not been for the Manifesto all the work of the living and the dead in our temples would have to stop. Would not have taken the stand he did had he not been moved on by the inspiration of God. The Lord God will hold this Nation responsible for the persecutions the saints have had to pass through. He will et open doors that the principle of plural marriage can and will be restored.... The Presidency and Apostles should remain on the earth until the coming of the Son of God. ...
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
130 years ago today - Apr 2, 1896
[Brigham Young Jr.]
.... Pres[iden]t Cannon presented change cash a/c [account] from B[isho]p. to Pres[iden]t. Church carried unanimously. Abrogate all salar[is]s paid to Church officials, carried unanimously. If apostles & others must be helped should be done as they need up to present limit, anything over requires special order of First Presidency. Thank God these questions are settled. Pres[iden]t. Woodruff blessed the brethren for being unanimous in righting wrong returning to proper method of managing Church business. Sacrament administered and we rejoiced before the Lord. ...
After meeting proposed to Cannon that the First Presidency & Twelve obtain a farm and operate it on the principle of United Order. My mind opens to visions of Presidents of Stakes High Councils B[isho]p. Etc. gradually'unsolicited'following our example, Coming to us for Council and thus a core of men and women who have received, through their faithfulness, all the blessings in the House of the Lord being prepared to inhabit and build up the Center stake of Zion in Jackson Co[unty], Miss[ouri].
[Brigham Young Jr. Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
.... Pres[iden]t Cannon presented change cash a/c [account] from B[isho]p. to Pres[iden]t. Church carried unanimously. Abrogate all salar[is]s paid to Church officials, carried unanimously. If apostles & others must be helped should be done as they need up to present limit, anything over requires special order of First Presidency. Thank God these questions are settled. Pres[iden]t. Woodruff blessed the brethren for being unanimous in righting wrong returning to proper method of managing Church business. Sacrament administered and we rejoiced before the Lord. ...
After meeting proposed to Cannon that the First Presidency & Twelve obtain a farm and operate it on the principle of United Order. My mind opens to visions of Presidents of Stakes High Councils B[isho]p. Etc. gradually'unsolicited'following our example, Coming to us for Council and thus a core of men and women who have received, through their faithfulness, all the blessings in the House of the Lord being prepared to inhabit and build up the Center stake of Zion in Jackson Co[unty], Miss[ouri].
[Brigham Young Jr. Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
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