[Wilford Woodruff]
I am sorry to have to record in my Journal that there is quite a Division in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Most of the younger Brethren are Bringing Accusations against G Q Cannon but He proves them all to be fals. We spent a painful Day. A spirit of Jealously has crept into the Quorum.
I presented the importance of organizing the first Presidency. The following Names sustained it: W. Woodruff Lorenzo Snow F D Richards B Young & John W Taylor /& D H Wells/ And the following Names opposed it: Erastus Snow Moses Thatcher F. M. Lyman John Henry Smith & Heber J Grant. We had a vary unpleasant day. I could not Sleep at night.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Today In Mormon History
Several curious tidbits that happened on this day in Mormon History
135 years ago today - Mar 20, 1888
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Pres[iden]t Woodruff proposed a first presidency which was not received with favor by younger members. In my turn to speak presented the necessity of the Quorum being one previous to consideration of said subject. I knew there existed much ill feeling towards Bro[ther] Cannon by younger members of quorum. Investigation of charges began Bro[ther]s M. Thatcher, F. M. Lyman, Jno. H. S. & H. J. Grant and a little by E. Snow. Much valuable time is wasted in these comparatively groundless charges and their generally successful refutation. I tremble for the future if we continue these unrighteous proceedings. It seems that we do not forgive each other when difficulties are apparently settled.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Pres[iden]t Woodruff proposed a first presidency which was not received with favor by younger members. In my turn to speak presented the necessity of the Quorum being one previous to consideration of said subject. I knew there existed much ill feeling towards Bro[ther] Cannon by younger members of quorum. Investigation of charges began Bro[ther]s M. Thatcher, F. M. Lyman, Jno. H. S. & H. J. Grant and a little by E. Snow. Much valuable time is wasted in these comparatively groundless charges and their generally successful refutation. I tremble for the future if we continue these unrighteous proceedings. It seems that we do not forgive each other when difficulties are apparently settled.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Mar 20, 1858
[Wilford Woodruff]
Presidents Young and Kimball spent about 4 hours with us in reading history. We read President Kimball synopsis of his history which has Cost us vast labour and perplexity. We also read Amasa Lymans History. Both was approved of. I feel vary thankful that we in a measure are getting through with the History of the Twelve for it has Cost me nearly a years hard brain labor.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Presidents Young and Kimball spent about 4 hours with us in reading history. We read President Kimball synopsis of his history which has Cost us vast labour and perplexity. We also read Amasa Lymans History. Both was approved of. I feel vary thankful that we in a measure are getting through with the History of the Twelve for it has Cost me nearly a years hard brain labor.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Mar 20, 1853
[Wilford Woodruff]
20th Sunday I attended meeting. P P. Pratt Preached. Was followed by David Whitmore. Brother Pratt Preached upon the first Principles of the gospel. Said the Ancient prophets had a knowledge of the gospel & of Jesus Christ & bore testimony of him And the Apostles were called to preach it to the nations. I always was Anxious to have the same gospel esstablished in my day. A methodist once asked me if I did not rejoice to see that denomination prosper so. I told him no. I said I wished that denomination & all other would come down. He asked why. I said so The Church of Christ might be built up in its stead.
I had a man a few days since come to me with a flying Roll [Zechariah 5:1-4] from Gladden Bishop [Mormon break-off prophet] & wished to teach me. I herd him awhile. I then asked him if He believed Joseph Smith was a prophet of God & set up the Kingdom of God on the Earth & ordained Twelve Apostles to build up that kingdom in all the world.
He said He did. I then told him as I was one of those Twelve Apostles that I should be damned if I was not in a situation to Judge him & all Other men that I come in contact with whether their work was of God or the Devil And I know your Roll & work is of the Devil & not of God while you say I shall be damned if I dont receive it.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
20th Sunday I attended meeting. P P. Pratt Preached. Was followed by David Whitmore. Brother Pratt Preached upon the first Principles of the gospel. Said the Ancient prophets had a knowledge of the gospel & of Jesus Christ & bore testimony of him And the Apostles were called to preach it to the nations. I always was Anxious to have the same gospel esstablished in my day. A methodist once asked me if I did not rejoice to see that denomination prosper so. I told him no. I said I wished that denomination & all other would come down. He asked why. I said so The Church of Christ might be built up in its stead.
I had a man a few days since come to me with a flying Roll [Zechariah 5:1-4] from Gladden Bishop [Mormon break-off prophet] & wished to teach me. I herd him awhile. I then asked him if He believed Joseph Smith was a prophet of God & set up the Kingdom of God on the Earth & ordained Twelve Apostles to build up that kingdom in all the world.
He said He did. I then told him as I was one of those Twelve Apostles that I should be damned if I was not in a situation to Judge him & all Other men that I come in contact with whether their work was of God or the Devil And I know your Roll & work is of the Devil & not of God while you say I shall be damned if I dont receive it.
[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 - Mar 20, 1843
[Wilford Woodruff]
The signs in the heavens are making theire appearance. Theire has been singular signs appeared in & about the sun for sever[al] days this week. O Pratt has taken a sketch of the same which will appear in the Time & Seasons. Their has also been other signs. The light that has been represented as a sword has made its appearance for several nights past in the same place & also on the opposite of the horizen has been seem A black streak about the size of the light one. While one is as black as darkness the other has considerable of the appearance of the blaze of a Comet & some have contended that it was a Comet. But it cannot be a comet for it appears about 7 o-clock & disappears about 9 oclock remaining about two hours. Thus it appears that the signs that Joel & Jesus spoke of are making their appearance.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The signs in the heavens are making theire appearance. Theire has been singular signs appeared in & about the sun for sever[al] days this week. O Pratt has taken a sketch of the same which will appear in the Time & Seasons. Their has also been other signs. The light that has been represented as a sword has made its appearance for several nights past in the same place & also on the opposite of the horizen has been seem A black streak about the size of the light one. While one is as black as darkness the other has considerable of the appearance of the blaze of a Comet & some have contended that it was a Comet. But it cannot be a comet for it appears about 7 o-clock & disappears about 9 oclock remaining about two hours. Thus it appears that the signs that Joel & Jesus spoke of are making their appearance.
[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 - Mar 20, 1843
James C. Brewster publishes his claim that as part of an 1836 Ohio treasure-quest, Presiding Patriarch Joseph Smith, Sr., "anointed the mineral rods and seeing stones with consecrated oil, and prayed over them in the house of the Lord in Kirtland."
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
85 years ago today - Mar 19, 1938
[Heber J. Grant]
I then had a talk, I think of fully two hours, with [future apostle] Brother Adam S. Bennion, and he finally concluded to pay his tithing for last year, and to be a tithe payer in the future, for which I am very grateful indeed, and withdrew his resignation as a member of the Church Board of Education, and also I told him I would have his resignation withdrawn as a member of the Sunday School board. I have a great respect for Adam S. Bennion, for his ability and his marvelous energy, and thank the Lord that he finally concluded to withdraw these resignations. I feel sure in my heart that had he not done so he would drift away and become indifferent to the Church. I now have strong hopes that from this day forward he will progress in the Gospel.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
I then had a talk, I think of fully two hours, with [future apostle] Brother Adam S. Bennion, and he finally concluded to pay his tithing for last year, and to be a tithe payer in the future, for which I am very grateful indeed, and withdrew his resignation as a member of the Church Board of Education, and also I told him I would have his resignation withdrawn as a member of the Sunday School board. I have a great respect for Adam S. Bennion, for his ability and his marvelous energy, and thank the Lord that he finally concluded to withdraw these resignations. I feel sure in my heart that had he not done so he would drift away and become indifferent to the Church. I now have strong hopes that from this day forward he will progress in the Gospel.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
140 years ago today - Monday, Mar 19, 1883
[John Henry Smith]
Bro. Lambert and myself visited the Anatomical Museum of Liverpool. It shows the effects of vanerial diseases upon the parents also upon children born of diseased parents. It also shows the frightfull effects of masterbation on both men and women. ... The bad effects of tight lacing was also shown. We saw the Florantine model of Louisse Lateau, born in Belgium. She bleeds from the same parts of the body our saviour did.
[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]
Bro. Lambert and myself visited the Anatomical Museum of Liverpool. It shows the effects of vanerial diseases upon the parents also upon children born of diseased parents. It also shows the frightfull effects of masterbation on both men and women. ... The bad effects of tight lacing was also shown. We saw the Florantine model of Louisse Lateau, born in Belgium. She bleeds from the same parts of the body our saviour did.
[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]
20 years ago today - Mar 18, 2003
[Utah]
In Salt Lake City, Brian Mitchell and Wanda Barzee were charged with aggravated kidnapping, sexual assault and burglary in the abduction of Elizabeth Smart, who was found with them six days earlier. Mitchell and Barzee were later found incompetent to stand trial.
[Ratnikas, Algis, TimelinesDb, http://www.timelinesdb.com/listevents.php?subjid=201title=Utah]
In Salt Lake City, Brian Mitchell and Wanda Barzee were charged with aggravated kidnapping, sexual assault and burglary in the abduction of Elizabeth Smart, who was found with them six days earlier. Mitchell and Barzee were later found incompetent to stand trial.
[Ratnikas, Algis, TimelinesDb, http://www.timelinesdb.com/listevents.php?subjid=201title=Utah]
115 years ago today - Mar 18, 1908; Wednesday
5 p.m. attended a Gen[eral]. Board Meeting of the Y.M.M.I.A. Quite a discussion on the question of Prohibition. Many of the brethren felt that it would be a big mistake to attempt to secure Prohibition. They believed it would fail. Local option seemed to meet with general approval. I am not sure but what their position is well taken. Perhaps to try to secure absolute Prohibition would fail, while local option might succeed. I always believed in accepting half a loaf where the chances are that you will not succeed in getting the full loaf if you will make a fight for it. What I want, is to restrict the liquor traffic and particularly to get rid of the low dives or cheap saloons.
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
130 years ago today - Mar 18, 1893
[President Wilford Woodruff]
I wrote some addition to the [Salt Lake Temple dedicatory] Prayer. I listened to a Communication from Prest Cannon to be published to the Saints before the dedication that they may Confess their sins and make reconciliation one with another befor they go to the Temple. I went to the Temple with my Councillors & went through it from top to Bottom. We are in hopes to get it ready for Dedication but it is a load upon us.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I wrote some addition to the [Salt Lake Temple dedicatory] Prayer. I listened to a Communication from Prest Cannon to be published to the Saints before the dedication that they may Confess their sins and make reconciliation one with another befor they go to the Temple. I went to the Temple with my Councillors & went through it from top to Bottom. We are in hopes to get it ready for Dedication but it is a load upon us.
[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 - Mar 18, 1888
[Wilford Woodruff]
I spent the day in the House. <I saw the [coward?] that told the lie [-]. I consecrated a seers stone that> Joseph <found in a well.> [Angled brackets indicate coded entries.]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I spent the day in the House. <I saw the [coward?] that told the lie [-]. I consecrated a seers stone that> Joseph <found in a well.> [Angled brackets indicate coded entries.]
[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 - Mar 18, 1888
First Presidency Secretary L.John Nuttall writes: "After our meeting the brethren met to consider the meetings of the Womens suffrage association &c commencing next Sunday and see if arrangements cannot be made to keep them from speaking against Utah and her people. Bro. Caine was requested to see Miss Susan B. Anthony on this subject tomorrow."
140 years ago today - Mar 18, 1883
First Counselor George Q. Cannon preaches: "So with regard to the periods occupied in the creation of the earth. Joseph taught that a day with God was not the twenty-four hours of our day; but that the six days of the creation were six periods of the Lord's time. This he taught half a century ago; it is now generally received as a great truth connected with the creation of the world. Geologists have declared it, and religious people are adopting it; and so the world is progressing."
165 years ago today - Mar 18, 1858
[Wilford Woodruff]
60 or 70 men Started on horsback and many baggage waggons followed with instructions to take the indians and bring them in to this City and try them and shut them up and keep them as hostages for the good Behavior of the other.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
60 or 70 men Started on horsback and many baggage waggons followed with instructions to take the indians and bring them in to this City and try them and shut them up and keep them as hostages for the good Behavior of the other.
[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 - Mar 18, 1858
[Hosea Stout]
Attended a general Council at the Historians office of the first Presidency, Twelve, and officers of the Legion[.] The object of which was to take into consideration the best plan of opperations to be adopted to counter act the purposes of our enemies, whether to attact them before they come near us or wait untill they come near, or whether it is yet best to fight at all only in unavoidable self defense or in case a large force is sent against us this spring whether to fight or burn our houses & destroy every thing in and around us and flee to the mountains & deserts &c &c &c
It appears that the course pursued hitherto by Gov Young in baffelling the oppressive purposes of Prest Buckhannan has redounded to the honor of Gov Young and the Saints and equally to the disgrace of the President & his cabinet[.] Mormonism is on the ascendancy and now what is the best policy to maintain that ascendency. If we whip out and use up the few troops at Bridger will not the excitement and sympathy which is now raising in our favor in the states, be turned against us. Whereas if we only anoy and impede their progress while we "Burn up" [Salt Lake City] and flee, the folly, and meanness of the President will be the more apparrant and he and his measures more unpopular &c[.] This was about a fair statement of the subject matter in council[.] There was no definite measures adoptedmany spoke on the subject and the council adjourned till 8th April at 2 p.m. at the Tabernacle.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Attended a general Council at the Historians office of the first Presidency, Twelve, and officers of the Legion[.] The object of which was to take into consideration the best plan of opperations to be adopted to counter act the purposes of our enemies, whether to attact them before they come near us or wait untill they come near, or whether it is yet best to fight at all only in unavoidable self defense or in case a large force is sent against us this spring whether to fight or burn our houses & destroy every thing in and around us and flee to the mountains & deserts &c &c &c
It appears that the course pursued hitherto by Gov Young in baffelling the oppressive purposes of Prest Buckhannan has redounded to the honor of Gov Young and the Saints and equally to the disgrace of the President & his cabinet[.] Mormonism is on the ascendancy and now what is the best policy to maintain that ascendency. If we whip out and use up the few troops at Bridger will not the excitement and sympathy which is now raising in our favor in the states, be turned against us. Whereas if we only anoy and impede their progress while we "Burn up" [Salt Lake City] and flee, the folly, and meanness of the President will be the more apparrant and he and his measures more unpopular &c[.] This was about a fair statement of the subject matter in council[.] There was no definite measures adoptedmany spoke on the subject and the council adjourned till 8th April at 2 p.m. at the Tabernacle.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
165 years ago today - Mar 18, 1858
Congress debates the massacre at Mountain Meadows. It orders an inquiry.
[Exploring Mormonism: Mountain Meadows Massacre Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/mountain-meadows-massacre-timeline/]
[Exploring Mormonism: Mountain Meadows Massacre Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/mountain-meadows-massacre-timeline/]
180 years ago today - Mar 18, 1843
[Joseph Smith]
Saturday, March 18th 1843 Most of the fore noon in the office in cheerful conversation. Closed letter to [James] Arlington Bennet. Laid down on the writing table with /back of the/ head on Law Books saying write and tell the world I acknowlidge myself a very great lawyer. I am going study law and this is the way I study and [then I] fell asleep and went to snoring. This was about noon.
In the afternoon rode out and about 4 [o'clock] took a game of ball east of Main street.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
Saturday, March 18th 1843 Most of the fore noon in the office in cheerful conversation. Closed letter to [James] Arlington Bennet. Laid down on the writing table with /back of the/ head on Law Books saying write and tell the world I acknowlidge myself a very great lawyer. I am going study law and this is the way I study and [then I] fell asleep and went to snoring. This was about noon.
In the afternoon rode out and about 4 [o'clock] took a game of ball east of Main street.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
190 years ago today - Mar 18, 1833
[At the School of the Prophets] Sidney requests that he and Frederick G. Williams be ordained presidents of the High Priesthood, equal to Joseph, as revealed March 8. Joseph ordains them (organization of what would become known as the First Presidency). Vision promised. Many see vision of the Savior and angels.
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
10 years ago today - 2013-03-17
Ordainwomen.org launches. The website calls for church leaders to consider the ordination of women.
[Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]
[Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]
35 years ago today - Mar 17, 1988
The SALT LAKE TRIBUNE reports of an appeal in a criminal case where two people were found guilty after a male in the jury "asserted his spiritual authority in the said religion [Mormonism]" and thereby "influenced his fellow adherents to submit the question of guilt to the will of God by joining him in group prayer" . . . . "Immediately following the prayer, the said juror expressed the "answer" to the prayer - that [the defendants] were guilty." After that all prayer participants changed their opinions, and a 6-2 vote in favor of acquittal became a 6-2 vote in favor of conviction without further evidentiary considerations.
75 years ago today - Mar 17, 1948
[J. Reuben Clark]
[When asked about making business investments:] I told him that the Lord had not given me any revelation about what He was going or intending to do, that I did not think the Lord gave revelations unless it was to serve the Cause which might be served by giving revelations to individuals, and that without that I could not tell him anything about what would happen ...
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
[When asked about making business investments:] I told him that the Lord had not given me any revelation about what He was going or intending to do, that I did not think the Lord gave revelations unless it was to serve the Cause which might be served by giving revelations to individuals, and that without that I could not tell him anything about what would happen ...
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
130 years ago today - Mar 17, 1893 • Friday
[George Q. Cannon]
To-day he [Wilford Woodruff] handed me the card which he had written for me. I shall preserve it in my safe, as it is written by himself. The following is the sentiment: "God has looked upon thee from all eternity and known thy blood. Thou wast ordained before thou wast born to hold the keys of the Apostleship and preside over thy father's house and the nation. Now fulfill thy destiny. Wilford Woodruff."
[The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
To-day he [Wilford Woodruff] handed me the card which he had written for me. I shall preserve it in my safe, as it is written by himself. The following is the sentiment: "God has looked upon thee from all eternity and known thy blood. Thou wast ordained before thou wast born to hold the keys of the Apostleship and preside over thy father's house and the nation. Now fulfill thy destiny. Wilford Woodruff."
[The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
155 years ago today - Mar 17, 1868
[Wilford Woodruff]
My Indian Boy Sarrowkeets was kicked in the Head with a Mule & Came near killing him. I washed his head in Cold water & put on tobaco & yarrow.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
My Indian Boy Sarrowkeets was kicked in the Head with a Mule & Came near killing him. I washed his head in Cold water & put on tobaco & yarrow.
[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 - Mar 17, 1858
Church historians wrote that Brigham Young "was attacked with the most violent fever [he] ever experienced" and after days of suffering and being administered to he "desired to be baptized in the river."
["History of Brigham Young," Deseret News, March 17, 1858, 9; Stapley, Jonathan and Wright, Kristine, '"They Shall Be Made Whole": A History of Baptism for Health,' Journal of Mormon History, Fall 2008]
["History of Brigham Young," Deseret News, March 17, 1858, 9; Stapley, Jonathan and Wright, Kristine, '"They Shall Be Made Whole": A History of Baptism for Health,' Journal of Mormon History, Fall 2008]
175 years ago today - Mar 17, 1848
Hosea Stout tells Salt Lake high council: "It has been my duty to hunt out the rotten spots in this Kingdom]. . . . even now I have a list [of] who will deny the faith." Stout reassures the council that "I av tried not to handle a man's case until it was right."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
180 years ago today - Mar 17, 1843 - Friday
[Joseph Smith]
settled with Father [Asahel] Perry gave him a deed of 80 acres of land & city lot & prophecied that it wo[u]ld not be 6 mo before he could sell it for cash
[Joseph Smith, "President Joseph Smith's Journal," 4 vols., Book 2, 10 March 1843–14 July 1843 (Willard Richards)]
settled with Father [Asahel] Perry gave him a deed of 80 acres of land & city lot & prophecied that it wo[u]ld not be 6 mo before he could sell it for cash
[Joseph Smith, "President Joseph Smith's Journal," 4 vols., Book 2, 10 March 1843–14 July 1843 (Willard Richards)]
55 years ago today - Mar 16, 1968
U.S. troops in the "Charlie Company" massacre 400-500 civilians at the village of My Lai, South Vietnam. One of the soldiers later says he does not participate until he sees his Mormon buddy, recently returned missionary, shooting Vietnamese women and children. Two days earlier, the other Mormon in the "Charlie Company wrote a letter about an unrelated incident in which his "friends" shot a woman working in a rice field, "kicked her to death," and then "emptied" their weapons into her head. "It was murder [and] I've seen it many times before," Greg Olsen wrote his father. "My faith in my fellow men is shot all to hell." After the remorseful participants and news media unravel the military's cover-up, the officer-in-charge is court-martialed and imprisoned for giving his troops a direct order to kill everyone in My Lai on suspicion that they are Communist sympathizers. Most published accounts emphasize the religious background of the two Mormons at My Lai but say nothing about the religion of the other soldiers involved in the massacre.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
135 years ago today - Mar 16, 1888
President Wilford Woodruff thought that as the Seventies have now over 100 quorums organized, it is time that they hold up and not select indiscriminately any and all but choose the best and most capable Elders in any and all the wards they visit. It was decided that the Presidents of the Seventy be instructed that it is inexpedient to continue further ordinations of other Seventies until otherwise instructed by the Twelve Apostles.
[Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
170 years ago today - Mar 16, 1853 (Wednesday)
After being confined in prison for several months, Svend Larsen was liberated from the Frederikstad jail, and ordered to preach "Mormonism" no more in Norway.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
185 years ago today - Mar 16, 1838
Motto of the Church of [Jesus] Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Constitution of our country formed by the Fathers of Liberty. Peace and good order in society. Love to God and good will to man. All good and wholesome Laws, And virtue and truth above all things, And Aristarchy live forever!!! But Wo to tyrants, Mobs, Aristocracy, Anarchy and Toryism, And all those who invent or seek out unrighteous and vexatious lawsuits under the pretext or color of law or office, either religious or political.
Exalt the standard of Democracy! Down with that of Priestcraft, and let all the people say Amen! That the blood of our Fathers may not cry from the ground against us.
Sacred is the Memory of that Blood which bought for us our liberty. ...
Quest[ions] on Scripture
1st Who is the stem of Jesse spoken of in the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th and 5th verses of the 11th Chap[ter] of Isaiah?
Ans[wer] Verily thus saith the Lord, It is Christ.
Q[uestion] 2d What is the Rod spoken of in the 1st verse of the 11th Chap[ter] that should come of the stem of Jessee?
Ans[wer] Behold thus saith /the Lord/, it is a servant in the hands of Christ, who is partly a de[s]cendant of Jessee as well as of Ephraim or of the house of Joseph, on whome thare is laid much power.
Q[u]est[ion] 3d What is the Root of Jessee spoken of in the 10th verse of the 11th Chap[ter]?
Ans[wer] Behold thus saith the Lord, it is a de[s]cendant of Jessee as well as of Joseph unto whom rightly belongs the Priesthood and the kees of the Kingdom for an ensign and for the geathering of my people in the Last days.
Questions by Elias Higby
=1st Q[uestion] What is me[a]nt by the command in Isaiah 52d Chap[ter], 1st verse which saith, "Put on thy strength O ZION," and what people has I[sa]iah referance to?
A[nswer] He had reference to those whome God should call in the last days who should hold the power of Priesthood to bring again Zion and the redemption of Israel. And to put on her strength is to put on the authority of the priesthood which She (Zion) has a right to by lineage. Also to return to that power which she had lost.
Q[ues[tion] 2d What are we to understand by Zions loosing herself from the bands of her neck, 2d verse?
A[nswer] We are to understand that the scattered remnants are ex[h]orted to return to the Lord from whence they have fal[l]en which if they do the promise of the Lord is that he will speak to them or give them revelation. See 6th, 7th, and 8th verses. The bands of her neck are the curses of God upon her or the remnants of Israel in their scattered condition among the Gentiles.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1838, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
The Constitution of our country formed by the Fathers of Liberty. Peace and good order in society. Love to God and good will to man. All good and wholesome Laws, And virtue and truth above all things, And Aristarchy live forever!!! But Wo to tyrants, Mobs, Aristocracy, Anarchy and Toryism, And all those who invent or seek out unrighteous and vexatious lawsuits under the pretext or color of law or office, either religious or political.
Exalt the standard of Democracy! Down with that of Priestcraft, and let all the people say Amen! That the blood of our Fathers may not cry from the ground against us.
Sacred is the Memory of that Blood which bought for us our liberty. ...
Quest[ions] on Scripture
1st Who is the stem of Jesse spoken of in the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th and 5th verses of the 11th Chap[ter] of Isaiah?
Ans[wer] Verily thus saith the Lord, It is Christ.
Q[uestion] 2d What is the Rod spoken of in the 1st verse of the 11th Chap[ter] that should come of the stem of Jessee?
Ans[wer] Behold thus saith /the Lord/, it is a servant in the hands of Christ, who is partly a de[s]cendant of Jessee as well as of Ephraim or of the house of Joseph, on whome thare is laid much power.
Q[u]est[ion] 3d What is the Root of Jessee spoken of in the 10th verse of the 11th Chap[ter]?
Ans[wer] Behold thus saith the Lord, it is a de[s]cendant of Jessee as well as of Joseph unto whom rightly belongs the Priesthood and the kees of the Kingdom for an ensign and for the geathering of my people in the Last days.
Questions by Elias Higby
=1st Q[uestion] What is me[a]nt by the command in Isaiah 52d Chap[ter], 1st verse which saith, "Put on thy strength O ZION," and what people has I[sa]iah referance to?
A[nswer] He had reference to those whome God should call in the last days who should hold the power of Priesthood to bring again Zion and the redemption of Israel. And to put on her strength is to put on the authority of the priesthood which She (Zion) has a right to by lineage. Also to return to that power which she had lost.
Q[ues[tion] 2d What are we to understand by Zions loosing herself from the bands of her neck, 2d verse?
A[nswer] We are to understand that the scattered remnants are ex[h]orted to return to the Lord from whence they have fal[l]en which if they do the promise of the Lord is that he will speak to them or give them revelation. See 6th, 7th, and 8th verses. The bands of her neck are the curses of God upon her or the remnants of Israel in their scattered condition among the Gentiles.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1838, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
180 years ago today - Mar 15, 1843 - Wednesday
Joseph prophecied in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that [Orrin] Porter Rockwell will get away from the Missourians, [Rockwell was arrested in St. Louis in early March 1843 for the attempted murder of Missouri's former governor Lilburn W. Boggs.] ...
Dream.— last night dreamed of swimming in a river of pure water clear as crystal, over a school of fish. of the largest <size> I ever saw. they were directly under my belly— I was astonished & felt afraid they might drown me or do me injury. they were the largest I ever saw
[Joseph Smith, "President Joseph Smith's Journal," 4 vols., Book 2, 10 March 1843–14 July 1843 (Willard Richards)]
Dream.— last night dreamed of swimming in a river of pure water clear as crystal, over a school of fish. of the largest <size> I ever saw. they were directly under my belly— I was astonished & felt afraid they might drown me or do me injury. they were the largest I ever saw
[Joseph Smith, "President Joseph Smith's Journal," 4 vols., Book 2, 10 March 1843–14 July 1843 (Willard Richards)]
180 years ago today - Mar 15, 1843 (Wednesday)
Joseph Smith prophesied that O. Porter Rockwell would get away honorably from the Missourians.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
180 years ago today - Mar 15, 1843
One week after Joseph Smith is sealed to his 20th plural wife TIMES AND SEASONS states: "We are charged with advocating a plurality of wives, and common property. Now this is as false as the many other ridiculous charges which are brought against us. No sect has a greater reverence for the laws of matrimony or the rights of private property; and we do what others do not, we practice what we preach."
185 years ago today - Mar 15, 1838
Meeting of the high council and bishopric in Zion: Joseph gives "a history of the ordination of David Whitmer, which took place in July 1834, to be a leader or a prophet to this church, which was on condition that he did not live to God himself."
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
190 years ago today - Mar 15, 1833
Doctrine and Covenants 92. 1835 heading: "Revelation to Enoch" (IE Joseph Smith). Fredrick. G. Williams should be received into the United firm.
[Kenney, Scott; Saints Without Halos, 'Doctrine and Covenants,' http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/s/_dc.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott; Saints Without Halos, 'Doctrine and Covenants,' http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/s/_dc.phtml]
190 years ago today - Mar 15, 1833
Brother Lake's preaching license is withdrawn because he claimed to receive revelations. He was under the influence of an evil spirit.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
175 years ago today - Mar 14, 1848
[Hosea Stout]
There was as much dissension now as ever I saw in Nauvoo or at any other period of the Church history.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
There was as much dissension now as ever I saw in Nauvoo or at any other period of the Church history.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
175 years ago today - Mar 14, 1848
[Brigham Young]
Just as Brother Joseph Smith said, now I prophecy that we can never be driven from the valley unless we drive our selves by mutiny. But he would be prepared for that
[DJLD 1:27, The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
Just as Brother Joseph Smith said, now I prophecy that we can never be driven from the valley unless we drive our selves by mutiny. But he would be prepared for that
[DJLD 1:27, The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
180 years ago today - Mar 14, 1843
[Wilford Woodruff]
14th At about half past Seven oclock in the evening the sword which had made its appearence for several evenings past moved up near the moon & formed itself into a large ring round the moon. Two Balls immediately appeared in the ring opposite of each other sumthing in the form of sundogs. Ann-other half ring is hung from those Balls sumthing in the shape of a horse shoe extending outside of the first ring with one line runing through the centre of the moon ... [Joseph Smith calls it "A union of power, combination of Nations" as signs of times.]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
14th At about half past Seven oclock in the evening the sword which had made its appearence for several evenings past moved up near the moon & formed itself into a large ring round the moon. Two Balls immediately appeared in the ring opposite of each other sumthing in the form of sundogs. Ann-other half ring is hung from those Balls sumthing in the shape of a horse shoe extending outside of the first ring with one line runing through the centre of the moon ... [Joseph Smith calls it "A union of power, combination of Nations" as signs of times.]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
195 years ago today - Mar 14, 1828
The Knight's Templar candidate swore "to advance my brother's best interest by always supporting his military fame, political preference in opposition to another" (Wayne Sentinel, 14 Mar. 1828). In the same issue the Royal Arch obligation for the candidate for the degree is printed: "Furthermore do I promise and swear, that I will vote for a companion Royal Arch mason before any other person of equal qualifications." Again, the candidate swore "that a companion Royal Arch mason's secret given me in charge as such, and I knowing him to be such, shall remain as secret and inviolate in my breast as in his own, when he communicated it to me, Murder and Treason, not excepted."
The New York County sheriffs had the power to select and summon grand juries for courts in their jurisdiction. In those counties where the Morgan incident took place and in which there were trials, the sheriffs were all Masons, possibly all Royal Arch Masons. The Genessee County grand jury met in February 1827, where the foreman was a Knight Templar and so were several jury members. In Niagara County, where Eli Bruce was sheriff, sixteen Masons and several friendly to the Lodge were summoned for jury selection in January 1827. In April Bruce summoned the grand jurors—of twenty-one members present several were friendly to the Lodge and sixteen were Masons—the Niagara County court of Oyer and Terminer. Two of the jurors were themselves later indicted for the Morgan conspiracy. A majority of Masons were on the jury at the May session and half of the September session jurors were Masons.
The following are some of the passages which deal with these topics. Combinations: 2 Ne. 9:9; 26:22; Alma 37:21-32. Secret oaths and covenants: 2 Ne. 26:22-23 (compare the contrast that Smith draws with God, who opens his courts to all, vs. 24-30); Alma 37:27, 29; Hel. 6:25; 4 Ne. 42. Masonic secrets already revealed and known: Alma 37:23-26; Ether 8:20; 2 Ne. 30:17; Mosiah 8:17, 19. Masonry out to take over and destroy the government and all freedoms: Alma 10:27; Hel. 6:39; Ether 8:9-25; 9:1, 5-6, 26; 10:33; 11:7; 3 Ne. 6:21-30. Masonic judges control the courts: Alma 11:20; Hel. 6:21, 23; Mosiah 29:28-32; 3 Ne. 6:21-30. Masons claim the right to punish their members according to their own laws and not the laws of the land: Hel. 6:21-24.
[Wayne Sentinel; Robert Hullinger, Joseph Smith's Response to Skepticism]
The New York County sheriffs had the power to select and summon grand juries for courts in their jurisdiction. In those counties where the Morgan incident took place and in which there were trials, the sheriffs were all Masons, possibly all Royal Arch Masons. The Genessee County grand jury met in February 1827, where the foreman was a Knight Templar and so were several jury members. In Niagara County, where Eli Bruce was sheriff, sixteen Masons and several friendly to the Lodge were summoned for jury selection in January 1827. In April Bruce summoned the grand jurors—of twenty-one members present several were friendly to the Lodge and sixteen were Masons—the Niagara County court of Oyer and Terminer. Two of the jurors were themselves later indicted for the Morgan conspiracy. A majority of Masons were on the jury at the May session and half of the September session jurors were Masons.
The following are some of the passages which deal with these topics. Combinations: 2 Ne. 9:9; 26:22; Alma 37:21-32. Secret oaths and covenants: 2 Ne. 26:22-23 (compare the contrast that Smith draws with God, who opens his courts to all, vs. 24-30); Alma 37:27, 29; Hel. 6:25; 4 Ne. 42. Masonic secrets already revealed and known: Alma 37:23-26; Ether 8:20; 2 Ne. 30:17; Mosiah 8:17, 19. Masonry out to take over and destroy the government and all freedoms: Alma 10:27; Hel. 6:39; Ether 8:9-25; 9:1, 5-6, 26; 10:33; 11:7; 3 Ne. 6:21-30. Masonic judges control the courts: Alma 11:20; Hel. 6:21, 23; Mosiah 29:28-32; 3 Ne. 6:21-30. Masons claim the right to punish their members according to their own laws and not the laws of the land: Hel. 6:21-24.
[Wayne Sentinel; Robert Hullinger, Joseph Smith's Response to Skepticism]
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