-- 175 years ago today - Dec 7, 1836
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith wrote a letter to Esquires Browning and Bushnell. (2)
-- 170 years ago today - Dec 7, 1841
President [David H.] Cannon read [a] letter received 6 November 1896 from the Presidency of the Church in regard to apparel to be worn in the temple by those being endowed. This does not apply, he said, to Prayer Circles of the Brethren. There must be no innovation of these things from the instructions herein given, except it come through the proper source. He also spoke in relation to taking our shoes from our feet before entering the temple. A habit is obtaining contrary to this and it is not right. He read a letter from [the] Presidency of the Church in regard to the same and said, none but aged or sick persons are exempt from obedience to this given rule; but who will be the judge? The Doorkeeper must be the judge. Speaker did not wish to assume the r[o]le of grumbler, but let us do as we should and rejoice in the contemplation and reception of blessings that are ours united to enjoy. [Temple Minute Book, St. George, Dec. 7, 1911] (3)
-- 100 years ago today - Dec 7, 1911
1 - Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith
2 - Joseph Smith Resource Center: Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith, http://josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e581001cfb340010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRDlocale=0
3 - Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship
Followers of Mormon history who want another perspective might be interested in a historical novel called Odysseys of the Saints which is available at Amazon or direct from the Publishers.
ReplyDeleteThe Mormons are a singularly American religion. They are optimistic, expansive and generous with an outlook that has attracted millions of believers. But the distinct Mormon beliefs have also created repeated controversy over time. Odysseys of the Saints tells "how and why" from the viewpoint of both fiction and fact.
This book was extensively researched, with sources noted, not only on Mormon history, but on matters of ritual and theology. Neither of the authors is Mormon or ex-Mormon, so there is no religious agenda, either positively or negatively. More information is available on the book website www. http://odysseysofthesaints.com.