Leftist guerrillas bomb four LDS chapels in Chile to protest the arrival of U.S. president George Bush the next day. Later they order the congregation to leave the LDS chapel in Santiago, burn it to the ground, and scatter pamphlets condemning the U.S. role in the Persian Gulf War.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
75 years ago today - Dec 5, 1950
[David O. McKay]
I met pres. Parley A. Arave of the Blackfoot Stake who wanted to know whether he should take steps to have the woman who is secretary of the Draft Board at Bingham County, Idaho removed from her office. She has assumed authority which is not hers, and sent a letter to one of our missionaries demanding that he come home signing her name as a member of the Board. She is implying and charging that the Mormons are draft evaders. Pres. Arave said they have a petition signed by several hundred persons asking that she be ousted from her position.
I told Pres. Arave to go ahead. I so reported to President Clark who approved it.
[David O. McKay 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]
I met pres. Parley A. Arave of the Blackfoot Stake who wanted to know whether he should take steps to have the woman who is secretary of the Draft Board at Bingham County, Idaho removed from her office. She has assumed authority which is not hers, and sent a letter to one of our missionaries demanding that he come home signing her name as a member of the Board. She is implying and charging that the Mormons are draft evaders. Pres. Arave said they have a petition signed by several hundred persons asking that she be ousted from her position.
I told Pres. Arave to go ahead. I so reported to President Clark who approved it.
[David O. McKay 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]
80 years ago today - Dec 5, 1945
[Marion G. Romney]
From 5:00 to 6:30, was in a conference with President Clark, Harold B. Lee, Joseph L. Wirthlin, Joseph Anderson, in regard to shipping foodstuffs to Europe in bulk. The Catholic people are about to start a radio campaign for donations of canned goods to be shipped to Europe. This is going to be followed by some of the Protestant churches. We think we ought to move forward with our shipments if possible.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015, Appendix 2, The Diaries of Marion G. Romney, 1941-1961, Abridged]
From 5:00 to 6:30, was in a conference with President Clark, Harold B. Lee, Joseph L. Wirthlin, Joseph Anderson, in regard to shipping foodstuffs to Europe in bulk. The Catholic people are about to start a radio campaign for donations of canned goods to be shipped to Europe. This is going to be followed by some of the Protestant churches. We think we ought to move forward with our shipments if possible.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015, Appendix 2, The Diaries of Marion G. Romney, 1941-1961, Abridged]
125 years ago today - Wednesday, Dec 5, 1900
[Rudger Clawson]
.... The following is a copy of the article written by myself:
Standing upon the threshold of the twentieth century and glancing back along the hundred years that are gone, one is struck by the mighty changes that have been wrought among men. It has indeed been an era of progress and advancement—in the arts, in science, and in literature. The world has been startled from time to time by the creations of inventive genius. The railroad, the telegraph, and the telephone bring the children of men into close communion, and by the adoption of modern appliances life is made comparatively easy and the poor man of today has come into the enjoyment of comforts that were unknown even to potentates and rulers of other centuries. Electricity—that subtle, invisible, and all-powerful force—has been harnessed up and made to do service in a thousand different ways. Through its agency the world is flooded with light, and by its inherent power men are transported from place to place with an ease, rapidity, and comfort that would bewilder and
astonish our forefathers....
[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]
.... The following is a copy of the article written by myself:
Standing upon the threshold of the twentieth century and glancing back along the hundred years that are gone, one is struck by the mighty changes that have been wrought among men. It has indeed been an era of progress and advancement—in the arts, in science, and in literature. The world has been startled from time to time by the creations of inventive genius. The railroad, the telegraph, and the telephone bring the children of men into close communion, and by the adoption of modern appliances life is made comparatively easy and the poor man of today has come into the enjoyment of comforts that were unknown even to potentates and rulers of other centuries. Electricity—that subtle, invisible, and all-powerful force—has been harnessed up and made to do service in a thousand different ways. Through its agency the world is flooded with light, and by its inherent power men are transported from place to place with an ease, rapidity, and comfort that would bewilder and
astonish our forefathers....
[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]
125 years ago today - Dec 5, 1900 (Wednesday)
The Inter-Denominational Council of Women in New York passed a resolution, urging Congress to pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting polygamy and disfranchising all polygamists.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
180 years ago today - Dec 5, 1845
[Heber C. Kimball]
From thence to the Temple being the first on the ground being 10 in the morning... commenced work putting up canvase adorning alters and so forth.
At half past 11 My wife, Sister Whitney, Hellen my Daughter, Sarah Ann Kingsbury, Come in fore the purpus of Heming the Veil. My son Wm. and Heber P.. come with them. W. W. Phelps come in with some seders trees. They, the Sisters Vialte, My wife, Elizebeth Ann Whiteny, N. K. wife, Sarah Ann, His Dauther, and Hellen Mar My Daugther commenced going at 12 Oclcok at the Ringing of the Temple Bell. G. A. Smith just come in said Ezekel Roberts went to the River whare thare was a hole cut in the Ice whare he found a small child fastened by a small string. Misry be on the dower [doer]. Joseph Young and David Candland come in, Orson Spencer come in.... It is sunset the canvas is all put up and the Alters mostly done. Thare is three of them. The big Hall is converted in to six sepret [separate] rooms for the convienience of the Holy Preasthood, two Large ones and fore small and a Hall pasing through betwen the small ones, pasing from the west done [down] through the Center, and
dores in to each room. Josep Fielding has just come in fore the first time, he is one of the Holy Order. Its now dark and the Brethren are coming in fore prair and council... Elders B. Young is work on the alters. On Sunday Morning at 9 Oclock all of the Holy Order will assemble fore prair and council. Our wives will come and pertack [partake] with us. The Sacrament will be administer and spend the day in those thing that the Spirrit shall teach.. This was the advise of President B. Young–/this gave/ great joy to our wimmen. To morrow will finish our rooms fore buisness. ... Clohed [clothed ourselves] and praid, O. Spencer being mouth. Then [un]Clothed and went home about 7. When we left the room we asked the Lord to bless Isreal and hold us in safty till we could give some of His faithfull Elders thare Endowment, and to liberate Cherriff [Sherrif] Backenstos [being tried for the murder of Frank Worrell, one of the anti-Mormon vigilantes, and], Theradore Turly from thare bonds.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
From thence to the Temple being the first on the ground being 10 in the morning... commenced work putting up canvase adorning alters and so forth.
At half past 11 My wife, Sister Whitney, Hellen my Daughter, Sarah Ann Kingsbury, Come in fore the purpus of Heming the Veil. My son Wm. and Heber P.. come with them. W. W. Phelps come in with some seders trees. They, the Sisters Vialte, My wife, Elizebeth Ann Whiteny, N. K. wife, Sarah Ann, His Dauther, and Hellen Mar My Daugther commenced going at 12 Oclcok at the Ringing of the Temple Bell. G. A. Smith just come in said Ezekel Roberts went to the River whare thare was a hole cut in the Ice whare he found a small child fastened by a small string. Misry be on the dower [doer]. Joseph Young and David Candland come in, Orson Spencer come in.... It is sunset the canvas is all put up and the Alters mostly done. Thare is three of them. The big Hall is converted in to six sepret [separate] rooms for the convienience of the Holy Preasthood, two Large ones and fore small and a Hall pasing through betwen the small ones, pasing from the west done [down] through the Center, and
dores in to each room. Josep Fielding has just come in fore the first time, he is one of the Holy Order. Its now dark and the Brethren are coming in fore prair and council... Elders B. Young is work on the alters. On Sunday Morning at 9 Oclock all of the Holy Order will assemble fore prair and council. Our wives will come and pertack [partake] with us. The Sacrament will be administer and spend the day in those thing that the Spirrit shall teach.. This was the advise of President B. Young–/this gave/ great joy to our wimmen. To morrow will finish our rooms fore buisness. ... Clohed [clothed ourselves] and praid, O. Spencer being mouth. Then [un]Clothed and went home about 7. When we left the room we asked the Lord to bless Isreal and hold us in safty till we could give some of His faithfull Elders thare Endowment, and to liberate Cherriff [Sherrif] Backenstos [being tried for the murder of Frank Worrell, one of the anti-Mormon vigilantes, and], Theradore Turly from thare bonds.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
180 years ago today - Dec 5, 1845
William Smith: Dictated revelation 5 Dec. 1845 rejecting Brigham Young
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
195 years ago today - 1830 Dec 5
Joseph Smith Sr. released from jail, Samuel helps his parents relocate to -The Kingdom, an unincorporated village along the Seneca River between Waterloo and Seneca Falls
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
140 years ago today - Dec 4, 1885
To satisfy a feeling which has been on my mind for some time, I submit the following: My Son George Q. who died in this City when he was 18 years and 21 days old, was very faithful to us as a son. ... When on his death bed I asked him if there was anything that he would like me to do for him, he said "I would like you to have some wives sealed to me." According to this request I have had two girls who died in the Church sealed to him. Two others, apreciating his worth[,] have expressed a desire to have their daughters sealed to him, which will be done. These tokens of respect fills our hearts with joy feeling as we do, that our dear boy was worthy. Now the question is, do you think he was old enough to receive his 2d Anointing? Bro[ther] McAllister it is not my desire to seek blessings for my sons that they are not entitled to. But I had great hopes in this son, for I fully appreciated his worth, and would like to see that every blessing was put in his reach, to which his
faithfulness entitled him. You as the Pres[iden]t of the St George Stake knew him, hence I submit the question to you.
[David H. Cannon to John D. T. McAllister in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
faithfulness entitled him. You as the Pres[iden]t of the St George Stake knew him, hence I submit the question to you.
[David H. Cannon to John D. T. McAllister in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
165 years ago today - Dec 4, 1860
In the evening the President [Brigham Young] had some conversation about Br. H. C. Kimball's sons and remarked that himself & Br[other] Heber, would be able to draw their children to them again, even if they should turn away. All they had to do was to do right themselves. -- 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]
[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]
180 years ago today - Dec 4, 1845
[Heber C. Kimball]
P. Pratt, O. Hide ingaged in putting up canvas and other things to prepare our room [in the Nauvoo temple]. W. W. Phelps brought in some seders [cedar] trees to adorn our garden [room in the temple]. About sun set Bishop N. K.. come in with the [temple] Vail, the old one and new one. The holes ware cut by B. Young and others assisted. ...
Two nits that are past the Twelve have praid by them selves, and the High Preas by them selvs. This order will continue fore the present. .../ We Clothed our selvs half past 7. The Twelve and High Preas come to gether and sung two hymns, being 19 present. Br. B. Young praid—we all knelt before the Lord then offered up the sign. Isack Morly was mouth. Had a good time..
This day a Large Looking Glass fell in the room of the First Pridency of the Seventies and Brock all to preaces. Some thought is a token of the Seventies being scatterd in all the world. Praid again. P. P. Pratt being mouth.. We had a glorious time. The Brethren felt to prais the Lord for His goodness and great mercy, that we had got a place to worship and begin to give Endewments [endowments]. ...
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
P. Pratt, O. Hide ingaged in putting up canvas and other things to prepare our room [in the Nauvoo temple]. W. W. Phelps brought in some seders [cedar] trees to adorn our garden [room in the temple]. About sun set Bishop N. K.. come in with the [temple] Vail, the old one and new one. The holes ware cut by B. Young and others assisted. ...
Two nits that are past the Twelve have praid by them selves, and the High Preas by them selvs. This order will continue fore the present. .../ We Clothed our selvs half past 7. The Twelve and High Preas come to gether and sung two hymns, being 19 present. Br. B. Young praid—we all knelt before the Lord then offered up the sign. Isack Morly was mouth. Had a good time..
This day a Large Looking Glass fell in the room of the First Pridency of the Seventies and Brock all to preaces. Some thought is a token of the Seventies being scatterd in all the world. Praid again. P. P. Pratt being mouth.. We had a glorious time. The Brethren felt to prais the Lord for His goodness and great mercy, that we had got a place to worship and begin to give Endewments [endowments]. ...
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
195 years ago today - Circa Dec 4, 1830
Joseph Sr. is released from Canandaigua jail after thirty days.
[Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
[Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
125 years ago today - Dec 3, 1900
[Angus M. Cannon]
It was near 9 as I reached my office and was called on by Bro[ther]. Samuel Newton, who desired to know who he could get a plural wife: I told him I could not tell him! He was hard to convince that it would not be done, when he was told, by me to call on Presidency of Church if he did not believe me and let them tell him.
[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]
It was near 9 as I reached my office and was called on by Bro[ther]. Samuel Newton, who desired to know who he could get a plural wife: I told him I could not tell him! He was hard to convince that it would not be done, when he was told, by me to call on Presidency of Church if he did not believe me and let them tell him.
[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]
135 years ago today - Dec 3, 1890 (Wednesday)
In the Second District Court, at Beaver, Judge Thomas J. Anderson re-affirmed his former ruling, that alien "Mormons" were not entitled to American citizenship, he having no faith in the manifesto.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
135 years ago today - Dec 3, 1890
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill]
Wednesday. I went to our Quorum meeting at 10 a. m. fasting. Met in the Prayer Circle. Abram H. Cannon was prayer and I was mouth in the Circle. After prayer was over, meeting was continued until 12 noon, when bread was broken and we all partook of bread and wine, Apostle F. M. Lyman blessing the bread and wine. ...
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Wednesday. I went to our Quorum meeting at 10 a. m. fasting. Met in the Prayer Circle. Abram H. Cannon was prayer and I was mouth in the Circle. After prayer was over, meeting was continued until 12 noon, when bread was broken and we all partook of bread and wine, Apostle F. M. Lyman blessing the bread and wine. ...
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
150 years ago today - Dec 3, 1875; Friday
Today about Sixty Pima and Papago Indi- ans assembled and we held a meeting. The indians were very much interested. One man in particular he said he thanked God that he had lived to see this day. Said he knew us we were the people who were to be the conquerors of the country. He was very an^x^cious to when our people would be in his country. Bro. [Daniel] Jones told him he thought it would be a year or two. He said he had in- tended to move away but now he should remain untill they came.
[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]
[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]
155 years ago today - Saturday December 3, 1870
[Payson School of the Prophets]
.... We should cease fault finding, bickerings, and strife and cultivate peace, love and unity. If we will do this we will never again be driven from our homes. Let us be united lest we receive a scourge. Look at mens good qualities and not at his bad ones, and vindicate each others characters. Showed by several anecdotes the selfishness of humanity. Advised all to cease dealing with apostates. They are seeking for our blood and especially for the blood of President Young and the leaders of Israel. That is the spirit of apostasy and ever has been.
[A Record of Sayings and Doings in the School of the Prophets, organized by President Brigham Young September 19, 1868, In Payson City, Utah County, U.T., typescript by Michael Nielsen]
.... We should cease fault finding, bickerings, and strife and cultivate peace, love and unity. If we will do this we will never again be driven from our homes. Let us be united lest we receive a scourge. Look at mens good qualities and not at his bad ones, and vindicate each others characters. Showed by several anecdotes the selfishness of humanity. Advised all to cease dealing with apostates. They are seeking for our blood and especially for the blood of President Young and the leaders of Israel. That is the spirit of apostasy and ever has been.
[A Record of Sayings and Doings in the School of the Prophets, organized by President Brigham Young September 19, 1868, In Payson City, Utah County, U.T., typescript by Michael Nielsen]
180 years ago today - Dec 3, 1845
[Recently excommunicated apostle William] Wm. Smiths goods ware sold. J. [Jedediah] Grant bid [auctioned] them. This was done by the Twelve to save them from other Depts [debts]. They ware sold on Lalrifs dept [by sherrif's order]. It is now 1 Oclock. We are now putting up the petitions [partitions] in the big Hall [of the Nauvoo Temple]. ... J. M. Grant spent a chort time, he has not recieved his washings. Some part of petitions finished. The News come to us that Wm. Smith and George Adams was giving thare Affidavits against the Twelve, as being treaseners [treasonous] ... B. [Brigham] Young, H. C. K. [Heber C. Kimball], O. [Orson] Hide, P. [Parley] Pratt, G. [George] A. Smith, John Tailor, met in the 2 Room. Clothed and praid, Elder O. Hide being Mouth. Asked the Lord to bless His people and to open our way to go west, and to over come our enemies and let them fall in to the snars they lay for his servents.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
50 years ago today - Dec 02, 1975
Hugh B. Brown of the First Presidency passes away in Salt Lake City on the same day as Elder ElRay L. Christiansen, Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, passes away. This is the first time two General Authorities have died on the same day since the deaths of Joseph and Hyrum Smith.
135 years ago today - Tues., Dec. 2nd, 1890
[Abraham H. Cannon]
The question was asked if Temple work could be done for people who were once in the Church, but gradually grew cold and moved away. The answer was "Yes." This, of course, when they have not sinned against light and truth. By special permission of the President cases have even occurred of living wives who are in the Church being sealed to their husbands who died out of the Church. The question of forgiveness for the sin of adultery was considered at some length, and examples were given of the views entertained by the various Presidents who have led the Church. All consider it a most grievous sin, but the strictness with which the law of excommunication has been enforced has varied. There seems to be more leniency in this regard at present, and some of the brethren seem to feel that this laxity is doing injury among the people by causing them to look upon this sin as being of no very grave import. Bro. Snow said he expected to see the day when a man's blood will be shed for the crime
of adultery.
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
The question was asked if Temple work could be done for people who were once in the Church, but gradually grew cold and moved away. The answer was "Yes." This, of course, when they have not sinned against light and truth. By special permission of the President cases have even occurred of living wives who are in the Church being sealed to their husbands who died out of the Church. The question of forgiveness for the sin of adultery was considered at some length, and examples were given of the views entertained by the various Presidents who have led the Church. All consider it a most grievous sin, but the strictness with which the law of excommunication has been enforced has varied. There seems to be more leniency in this regard at present, and some of the brethren seem to feel that this laxity is doing injury among the people by causing them to look upon this sin as being of no very grave import. Bro. Snow said he expected to see the day when a man's blood will be shed for the crime
of adultery.
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
170 years ago today - Dec 2, 1855
[Wilford Woodruff]
<I gave to the Presidency which debts I had against them. President Young> $197, <Brother Kimball> $160, <Richards paid> $200. <President Young would not take his but gave me [credit?] in tithing.> [angled brackets in shorthand (code)]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
<I gave to the Presidency which debts I had against them. President Young> $197, <Brother Kimball> $160, <Richards paid> $200. <President Young would not take his but gave me [credit?] in tithing.> [angled brackets in shorthand (code)]
[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 - Dec 2, 1845
[Heber C. Kimball]
.... Recieved a leter from Phelidepha, forom a Company wishing to purchas our City. This is all in answer to the prairs of His Servents as they Call on His name dayly, that Men will come and purches our farms and lots. ...
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
.... Recieved a leter from Phelidepha, forom a Company wishing to purchas our City. This is all in answer to the prairs of His Servents as they Call on His name dayly, that Men will come and purches our farms and lots. ...
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
195 years ago today - Dec 2, 1830
Smith writes Hyrum warning to "beware of the freemasons…who care more for his body than the debt…heard were in Manchester, got a warrant."
[Natural Born Seer, Richard Van Wagoner p. 457; Chronology of Mormon History, http://followtheprophets.com/chronology-of-mormon-history/]
[Natural Born Seer, Richard Van Wagoner p. 457; Chronology of Mormon History, http://followtheprophets.com/chronology-of-mormon-history/]
55 years ago today - Dec 01, 1970
The last issues of five Church magazines, the Children's Friend (published by the Primary), the Relief Society Magazine, the Instructor (published by the Sunday School), the Improvement Era (originally published by the MIA but later a general Church magazine), and Impact (published by the seminaries and institutes) are released.
110 years ago today - Dec 1, 1915
About noon I received a call, as per prior arrangements, from James E. Homans. We lunched together and spent some time in the discussion of the [pro-Mormon] work on which Mr. Homans has been for some time engaged, the preparation of articles and books on subjects relating to Mormonism. Mr. Homans delivered to me today a copy of a 157 page work entitled 'The Case Against Mormonism' by himself. Instead of his own name he uses on the title page the pen-name, Robert C. Webb, under which he has written in this particular field of literature. The book is a reply to a little work which appeared somewhat over a year ago, entitled, 'A Fourfold Test of Mormonism' by Prof. Henry C. Sheldon, of Boston University. The Webb's reply is published by L. L. Walton of the Sturgis and Walton Company. In company with Mr. Homans I visited the offices of Sturgis and Walton, and ordered five hundred copies of 'The Case Against Mormonism' to be shipped at once to the office of the Deseret News, Salt Lake
City.
[James E. Talmage, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
City.
[James E. Talmage, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
115 years ago today - Thursday, Dec 1, 1910
[Counselor John Henry Smith]
At 3 p.m. I made a Call upon Joseph Smith, President of the Reorganized Church. He is nearly blind and also very Deaf. He is in good health and weighs 206 pounds.
[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]
At 3 p.m. I made a Call upon Joseph Smith, President of the Reorganized Church. He is nearly blind and also very Deaf. He is in good health and weighs 206 pounds.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
135 years ago today - Monday, Dec. 1st, 1890
[Abraham H. Cannon]
[U.S.] Pres. Harrison's message to Congress today expresses pleasure at the increase of the Gentiles in Utah, and at Pres. Woodruff's manifesto. He says, however, that the doctrine of polygamy is not abolished by this announcement, and while not wishing to see legislation against a mere belief he suggests that the Mormons be given no power whereby they may make this practice lawful.
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
[U.S.] Pres. Harrison's message to Congress today expresses pleasure at the increase of the Gentiles in Utah, and at Pres. Woodruff's manifesto. He says, however, that the doctrine of polygamy is not abolished by this announcement, and while not wishing to see legislation against a mere belief he suggests that the Mormons be given no power whereby they may make this practice lawful.
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
140 years ago today - Dec 1, 1885 (Tuesday)
Lorenzo and Seth Wright were killed by Indians, near Layton, Graham Co., Arizona, in their attempt to rescue stolen horses.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
170 years ago today - Dec 1, 1855
[Hosea Stout]
Saturday 1 Decr 1855. Court met at nine a. m...
The time having drawn nigh when the court would close, we all like officers of hope, concluded to have a fashionable adjournment, so we ordered a good oyster supper. Brandy and cherry brandy to the tune of some ten or twelve bottles. All pitched in court, officers and bystanders and all got gloriously drunk, and went it till mid night.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Saturday 1 Decr 1855. Court met at nine a. m...
The time having drawn nigh when the court would close, we all like officers of hope, concluded to have a fashionable adjournment, so we ordered a good oyster supper. Brandy and cherry brandy to the tune of some ten or twelve bottles. All pitched in court, officers and bystanders and all got gloriously drunk, and went it till mid night.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
195 years ago today - Dec 1, 1830
Joseph Smith continues to revise Genesis (Moses 6:19-7:2) written by Emma Smith.
[Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
[Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
195 years ago today - Dec 1, 1830
"Black Pete" joins the church in Kirtland,
[http://www.xtimeline.com/timeline/Chronology-Pertaining-to-Blacks-and-the-LDS-Church]
[http://www.xtimeline.com/timeline/Chronology-Pertaining-to-Blacks-and-the-LDS-Church]
35 years ago today - Nov 30, 1990
The government of Ghana gives the Church permission to resume public activities in that country. In June 1989, the government had expelled the Church's missionaries and confined worship services to private homes.
165 years ago today - Nov 30, 1860
The President [Brigham Young] observed is it not remarkable that the Government should follow us with a mob still; it is damnable of them. They came here but could not harm us. They grumbled at us burning up their wagons. What the Devil was their wagons here for. Perhaps they did not think of it, but we could have whipped all before us even in Missouri if our retreat had been as good as it was here. The President Continued his remarks, and gave an account of the mobbings and drivings this people had received from the United States. He then quoted the prophecy of Joseph Smith against the United States and remarked his prophecies are now in part being fulfilled. He then Spoke of the downfall of Senator Steven A. Douglass. ... The Pres[ident] remarked we shall have a western Empire formed. When the Conversation closed the Judge respectfully left the Office after he left the Pres[ident] remarked the poor fool, ought to have known better than to have Called upon me. -- Salt Lake City
[Brigham Young Office Journals, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Brigham Young Office Journals, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
180 years ago today - Nov 30, 1845. Sunday.
[William Clayton on Nauvoo temple attic dedication]
We then offered up the signs of the Holy Priesthood and repeated them to get them more perfect. I was requested to keep minutes. President offered up prayers and dedicated the Attic story, the male room and ourselves to God, and prayed that God would sustain and deliver from the hands of our enemies, his servants untill they have accomplished his will in this house. Elder Taylor then sang "A poor wayfaring man of grief &c." after which we again offered up the signs and Elder Kimball prayed that the Lord would hear and answer the prayers of his servant Brigham, break off the yoke of our enemies and inasmuch as they lay traps for the feet of his servants, that they may fall into them themselves and be destroyed, that God would bless his servant Joseph Young, heal his wife and bless his family, that God would bless and heal Elder Kimballs family and put the same blessings on all our families which he had asked for Joseph Young and himself.
Hans C. Hanson the door keeper reported that there were two officers waiting at the foot of the stairs for President Young. The President concluded that he could bear to tarry up in the warm as long as they could stay in the cold waiting for him. Brother Amasa Lyman requested hands to be laid on him that he may be healed. Five of the brethren laid hands on him.
We again offered up the signs and Joseph Young prayed that our enemies may have no power over our leaders. He prayed for our brethren in England, on the Islands, Brothers Babbit, Turley and Reddins, also that the Trustees may have means to liquidate all the debts.
At 3 o'clock we undressed.
The side rooms are occupied as follows. The 1 st on the south side by President B. Young. The 2nd by H. C. Kimball. 3rd and 4th others of the Twelve. 5th Joseph Young and presidency of 70's. 6 is a preparation room. On the north side 1st Bishops and Lesser Priesthood. 2nd, President of the Stake and High Council. 3 and 4, High Priests quorum. 5, Elders Quorum. 6 Preparation room.
Hans C. and Peter O. Hanson are appointed to see to the fires, keep watch and guard the doors &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]
We then offered up the signs of the Holy Priesthood and repeated them to get them more perfect. I was requested to keep minutes. President offered up prayers and dedicated the Attic story, the male room and ourselves to God, and prayed that God would sustain and deliver from the hands of our enemies, his servants untill they have accomplished his will in this house. Elder Taylor then sang "A poor wayfaring man of grief &c." after which we again offered up the signs and Elder Kimball prayed that the Lord would hear and answer the prayers of his servant Brigham, break off the yoke of our enemies and inasmuch as they lay traps for the feet of his servants, that they may fall into them themselves and be destroyed, that God would bless his servant Joseph Young, heal his wife and bless his family, that God would bless and heal Elder Kimballs family and put the same blessings on all our families which he had asked for Joseph Young and himself.
Hans C. Hanson the door keeper reported that there were two officers waiting at the foot of the stairs for President Young. The President concluded that he could bear to tarry up in the warm as long as they could stay in the cold waiting for him. Brother Amasa Lyman requested hands to be laid on him that he may be healed. Five of the brethren laid hands on him.
We again offered up the signs and Joseph Young prayed that our enemies may have no power over our leaders. He prayed for our brethren in England, on the Islands, Brothers Babbit, Turley and Reddins, also that the Trustees may have means to liquidate all the debts.
At 3 o'clock we undressed.
The side rooms are occupied as follows. The 1 st on the south side by President B. Young. The 2nd by H. C. Kimball. 3rd and 4th others of the Twelve. 5th Joseph Young and presidency of 70's. 6 is a preparation room. On the north side 1st Bishops and Lesser Priesthood. 2nd, President of the Stake and High Council. 3 and 4, High Priests quorum. 5, Elders Quorum. 6 Preparation room.
Hans C. and Peter O. Hanson are appointed to see to the fires, keep watch and guard the doors &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]
180 years ago today - Nov 30, 1845
[Heber C. Kimball on dedication of Nauvoo temple attic]
Went to the Temple at 10 in the Morning. ... At about 12 Oclock we clothed our selves for prair and council. Levi Richards come in at About Half past one in the after noon. We offered up the Signs of the Holy Presthood. Joseph Kingsbury, B. Young being Mouth offered up the dedacation of the Hall and small rooms. Set a chort time then H. C. Kimball was mouth, then praid once more [and] Joseph Young was mouth. We then clothed our selvs. The Twelve war called to gether By the President in his room. P. P. Pratt had maters to lay before the Twelve. Doctor Richards and A. Limon quite sick. They ware praid for and ware beter. We onclothed [unclothed] our selves. ...
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
Went to the Temple at 10 in the Morning. ... At about 12 Oclock we clothed our selves for prair and council. Levi Richards come in at About Half past one in the after noon. We offered up the Signs of the Holy Presthood. Joseph Kingsbury, B. Young being Mouth offered up the dedacation of the Hall and small rooms. Set a chort time then H. C. Kimball was mouth, then praid once more [and] Joseph Young was mouth. We then clothed our selvs. The Twelve war called to gether By the President in his room. P. P. Pratt had maters to lay before the Twelve. Doctor Richards and A. Limon quite sick. They ware praid for and ware beter. We onclothed [unclothed] our selves. ...
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
195 years ago today - Nov 30, 1830
George Washington Harris: A renouncing mason, married Lucinda Pendleton Morgan, widow of Masonic martyr William Morgan, 30 November 1830.
[Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
[Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
195 years ago today - Nov 30, 1830
Bible Translation of Manuscript: OT 1, 10-11
Text: Gen. 4:25-5:11 (Moses 5:52-6:18); Gen. 5:38-6:16 (JST)
Scribe: John Whitmer
[Marquardt, H. Michael, The Four Gospels According to Joseph Smith, Xulon Press (2007), Chronology: Joseph Smith's Bible Revision, 1830-1835]
Text: Gen. 4:25-5:11 (Moses 5:52-6:18); Gen. 5:38-6:16 (JST)
Scribe: John Whitmer
[Marquardt, H. Michael, The Four Gospels According to Joseph Smith, Xulon Press (2007), Chronology: Joseph Smith's Bible Revision, 1830-1835]
65 years ago today - Nov 29, 1960
Immediately after his official trip with [a] Birch council member in [November] 1960, Ezra Taft Benson proposed to Brigham Young University's president that his son Reed Benson be used for "espionage" on the church school campus. To Apostle Harold B. Lee, Reed explained that as a BYU faculty member, "he could soon find out who the orthodox teachers were and report to his father." After resisting Apostle Benson's proposal for Reed's employment, Ernest Wilkinson countered that "neither Brother Lee nor I want espionage of that character."
Apostle Benson's call in November 1960 for "espionage" at Brigham Young University reflected two dimensions of the national leadership of the John Birch Society. First, their long-time preoccupation with university professors as Communist- sympathizers ("Comsymps"). Second, the Birch program for covert "infiltration" of various groups. Apostle Benson's encouragement for espionage at BYU would be implemented periodically during the 1960s and 1970s by members and advocates of the John Birch Society.
Wilkinson's diary indicated that Ezra Taft Benson first made the proposal which Reed later outlined to Harold B. Lee.
[Wilkinson diary, 29 Nov. 1960. Gary James Bergera and Ronald Priddis, Brigham Young University: A House of Faith (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1985), 203, mention Reed Benson's offer but not his father's support of the "espionage" proposal. 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.]
Apostle Benson's call in November 1960 for "espionage" at Brigham Young University reflected two dimensions of the national leadership of the John Birch Society. First, their long-time preoccupation with university professors as Communist- sympathizers ("Comsymps"). Second, the Birch program for covert "infiltration" of various groups. Apostle Benson's encouragement for espionage at BYU would be implemented periodically during the 1960s and 1970s by members and advocates of the John Birch Society.
Wilkinson's diary indicated that Ezra Taft Benson first made the proposal which Reed later outlined to Harold B. Lee.
[Wilkinson diary, 29 Nov. 1960. Gary James Bergera and Ronald Priddis, Brigham Young University: A House of Faith (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1985), 203, mention Reed Benson's offer but not his father's support of the "espionage" proposal. 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 - Nov 29, 1950
[J. Reuben Clark]
Brother Petersen told about the teachings of Bro. Jakeman at the BYU about the geography of the Book of Mormon, two Hills Cumorah, entire Book of Mormon took place in Guatemala, neither the Jaredites or Nephites got up into New York, and the Hill was placed there for the convenience of the Prophet. Pres. Clark suggested that he drop a letter to Bro. Jakeman. They agreed that nobody knows anything definite about the geography of the Book of Mormon. Pres. Clark said that furthermore, there was a great disturbance at the time of the Crucifixion, so there is nothing definite about the geography in terms of modern times. He also mentioned the city at the bottom of the lake, in Mexico.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
Brother Petersen told about the teachings of Bro. Jakeman at the BYU about the geography of the Book of Mormon, two Hills Cumorah, entire Book of Mormon took place in Guatemala, neither the Jaredites or Nephites got up into New York, and the Hill was placed there for the convenience of the Prophet. Pres. Clark suggested that he drop a letter to Bro. Jakeman. They agreed that nobody knows anything definite about the geography of the Book of Mormon. Pres. Clark said that furthermore, there was a great disturbance at the time of the Crucifixion, so there is nothing definite about the geography in terms of modern times. He also mentioned the city at the bottom of the lake, in Mexico.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
80 years ago today - Nov 29, 1945
First counselor J. Reuben Clark instructs a stake president that the First Presidency has no objection to church funerals for suicides, who can also be buried in temple clothing. Clark explains, "[W]e permitted it usually in suicide cases on the theory that no person in his right mind would commit suicide and as he was not in his right mind there was no crime involved." He adds, "I told him that the idea was to be as comforting to the family as possible, in cases of suicide the family had double grief."
[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)]]
145 years ago today - Nov 29, 1880
[Joseph F. Smith]
Minutes of meetings read and corrected concerning the election of the First Presidency. Present: the First Presidency and W[ilford]. Woodruff and O[rson]. Pratt. It was unanimouslyagreed that members of the council of the Twelve should rank according to their ordination into the council and not by age nor previous ordination.
[Joseph F. Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
Minutes of meetings read and corrected concerning the election of the First Presidency. Present: the First Presidency and W[ilford]. Woodruff and O[rson]. Pratt. It was unanimouslyagreed that members of the council of the Twelve should rank according to their ordination into the council and not by age nor previous ordination.
[Joseph F. Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
180 years ago today - Nov 29, 1845. Saturday.
....Evening at President Youngs with The Band. President Young, H. C. Kimball, Joseph Young and Levi W. Hancock danced a french four together. The two former are the only two of the first twelve apostles who have never wavered since their appointment and the two latter are the only two of the first presidents of seventies who have never faltered. During the day the Twelve, Bishops Whitney and Miller and some others met in the Temple and laid the carpet on the main floor of the attic story, and also on several of the small rooms ready for the first quorum to meet in.
[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]
[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]
80 years ago today - Nov 27, 1945
Presiding Bishop LeGrand Richards coordinates the continued surveillance of the church-owned Belvedere Hotel and Temple Square Hotel to discover and stop the "evil practices" of tenants. For financial reasons this does not extend to the church's Hotel Utah.
[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 - Tuesday, Nov 27, 1900
A letter, addressed to Apostle F. M. Lyman by Elder Platte D. Lyman, president of the European Mission, was read. He spoke in reference to some deaf mutes in England, who professing belief in the gospel desired baptism. He was in doubt as to whether they should be given the privilege, as he feared they might possibly be disappointed in reference to some expectations they might have regarding the gift of healing. In such case the church would be injured. It was decided that if the mutes believe and have faith, they should not be denied baptism, and if they have sufficient faith to be healed, they could be healed.
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
125 years ago today - Nov 27, 1900
[African American]
Enoch Abel, son of Elijah Abel, ordained an Elder.
[Crapo, Richley, Chronology Pertaining to Blacks and the LDS Priesthood]
Enoch Abel, son of Elijah Abel, ordained an Elder.
[Crapo, Richley, Chronology Pertaining to Blacks and the LDS Priesthood]
185 years ago today - Nov 27, 1840
[Wilford Woodruff]
.... "The floods & inundations of France of late has been dreadful & loss of property immense. I was informed one River was turned entirely out of its course & a stone found in the bed of the River bearing the following inscription: (He that findeth me shall weep.)"
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
.... "The floods & inundations of France of late has been dreadful & loss of property immense. I was informed one River was turned entirely out of its course & a stone found in the bed of the River bearing the following inscription: (He that findeth me shall weep.)"
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - Nov 27, 1835
[Joseph Smith]
Much afflicted with my cold, yet able to be about. I am determined to overcom[e] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Spent the day in reading Hebrew at home.
The weather continues cold and unpleasant. Br[other] Parrish my scribe being afflicted with a cold asked me to lay my hands on him. In the name of the Lord I did so and in return I asked him to lay his hands on me. We were both relieved.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
Much afflicted with my cold, yet able to be about. I am determined to overcom[e] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Spent the day in reading Hebrew at home.
The weather continues cold and unpleasant. Br[other] Parrish my scribe being afflicted with a cold asked me to lay my hands on him. In the name of the Lord I did so and in return I asked him to lay his hands on me. We were both relieved.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
95 years ago today - Nov 26, 1930
[The Great Depression]
Transients were more and more in evidence. On 26 November 1930, according to the Deseret News, "More than 500 men who came to Salt lake City looking for work from other sections of the country have been picked up during the last three days by members of the police department and sent on their way". Unable to pay rent or meet mortgage payments, many families were dispossessed from their homes.
[Utah History Encyclopedia: The Great Depression, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
Transients were more and more in evidence. On 26 November 1930, according to the Deseret News, "More than 500 men who came to Salt lake City looking for work from other sections of the country have been picked up during the last three days by members of the police department and sent on their way". Unable to pay rent or meet mortgage payments, many families were dispossessed from their homes.
[Utah History Encyclopedia: The Great Depression, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
145 years ago today - Nov 26, 1880
Rev. Thomas DeWitt Talmage, a nationally known Protestant minister, preaches in Brooklyn, New York: "I tell you that Mormonism will never be destroyed until it is destroyed by the guns of the United States government. It would not be war. I hate war. It would be national police duty, executing the law against polygamy."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
165 years ago today - Nov 26, 1860
[Wilford Woodruff]
The New York Herrald of Nov 1 1860 Howls Bitterly at the prospet of the desolution of the American Union which is nigh [at] the door as the signs of the times indicate. South Carolina is the first to cecede according to the Revelation of the Lord through Joseph Smith given December 25 1835. Four other States have already signifyed their intention to follow. The papers are full of the speeches of Southern Statesmen Calling upon the South to arm themselves against the North & to secede from the Northern States. The times are quite warlike.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The New York Herrald of Nov 1 1860 Howls Bitterly at the prospet of the desolution of the American Union which is nigh [at] the door as the signs of the times indicate. South Carolina is the first to cecede according to the Revelation of the Lord through Joseph Smith given December 25 1835. Four other States have already signifyed their intention to follow. The papers are full of the speeches of Southern Statesmen Calling upon the South to arm themselves against the North & to secede from the Northern States. The times are quite warlike.
[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 - Nov 26, 1855
[Hosea Stout]
Court met at ten a. m. I commenced suit against Baker the prisoner and in favor of the perpetual Emmigrating Fund in the sum of $155.20. Mr Bair atty for defence who confessed judgement for the amount of the demand & execution issued.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Court met at ten a. m. I commenced suit against Baker the prisoner and in favor of the perpetual Emmigrating Fund in the sum of $155.20. Mr Bair atty for defence who confessed judgement for the amount of the demand & execution issued.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
145 years ago today - Nov 25, 1880
[Wilford Woodruff]
Thanksgiving day .... I heard a letter Read from James Blackburn a Missionary at Michigan ... He had received T a letter from B Palmer of Cleveland Ohio saying that the water Reservoy of the City had become so foul they Could not drink it. They drained the water off and they found in the bottom of it 700 dead infants all Probably begotten out of wedlock. How they Can as a Nation Stand with such Corruption in one Christian City Not ownly Evidence of 700 cases of whoredom in One City but of 700 Murders in one City and the inhabitants Drinking the water from their bodies.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Thanksgiving day .... I heard a letter Read from James Blackburn a Missionary at Michigan ... He had received T a letter from B Palmer of Cleveland Ohio saying that the water Reservoy of the City had become so foul they Could not drink it. They drained the water off and they found in the bottom of it 700 dead infants all Probably begotten out of wedlock. How they Can as a Nation Stand with such Corruption in one Christian City Not ownly Evidence of 700 cases of whoredom in One City but of 700 Murders in one City and the inhabitants Drinking the water from their bodies.
[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 - Nov 25, 1855 (Council Meeting)
[Brigham Young]
I want you [Orson Pratt] to let mysteries alone you made a gross mistake in printing Mother [Lucy Mack] Smith's history, there were too many thumping lies in it. Another was in publishing the marriage ceremony, and another was in diving into the mysteries of the Gods - Joseph said infants will remain in size and be filled, that is a great way this side of you - I expect to see an eternity variety... I cannot vouch for the truth of that book [Mother Smith's]- it mortifies me to see a bundle of lies printed no one of the Twelve ought to assume that authority or responsibility - I would not presume to do it myself there will be another addition - we shall leave out lots of things in it and many thing right to the reverse - I would rather every one was burnt up... You will find the Lord will put his hand over that [marriage ceremony] and hide it from the gentiles - if we hold our tongues about it.... suppose the Holy Ghost rested on you when you begat a child - it would rule the
fallen nature in the seed - Asked Orson Pratt if he did not believe that Jesus was begotten by the Holy Ghost? (No)... If we are faithful we shall know and we shall become Adams and hand down from generation to generation that we were formed of the dust of the earth - our father and our children can say it of us with all propriety - our bodies are actually organized here - We shall get our bodies from this earth and be exalted - I believe that the rib made Eve as much as I can make a baby out of that dais (pointing to one). -- Salt Lake City
[Leonard J. Arrington Papers, Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
I want you [Orson Pratt] to let mysteries alone you made a gross mistake in printing Mother [Lucy Mack] Smith's history, there were too many thumping lies in it. Another was in publishing the marriage ceremony, and another was in diving into the mysteries of the Gods - Joseph said infants will remain in size and be filled, that is a great way this side of you - I expect to see an eternity variety... I cannot vouch for the truth of that book [Mother Smith's]- it mortifies me to see a bundle of lies printed no one of the Twelve ought to assume that authority or responsibility - I would not presume to do it myself there will be another addition - we shall leave out lots of things in it and many thing right to the reverse - I would rather every one was burnt up... You will find the Lord will put his hand over that [marriage ceremony] and hide it from the gentiles - if we hold our tongues about it.... suppose the Holy Ghost rested on you when you begat a child - it would rule the
fallen nature in the seed - Asked Orson Pratt if he did not believe that Jesus was begotten by the Holy Ghost? (No)... If we are faithful we shall know and we shall become Adams and hand down from generation to generation that we were formed of the dust of the earth - our father and our children can say it of us with all propriety - our bodies are actually organized here - We shall get our bodies from this earth and be exalted - I believe that the rib made Eve as much as I can make a baby out of that dais (pointing to one). -- Salt Lake City
[Leonard J. Arrington Papers, Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan in 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 - Nov 25, 1840, Wednesday
[William Clayton]
.... The saints frequently told us that the devil was over the river ...
[Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries]
.... The saints frequently told us that the devil was over the river ...
[Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries]
190 years ago today - Nov 25, 1835
[Joseph Smith]
Spent the day in Translating [Egyptian records]. To day Harvey Redfield and Jesse Hitchcock ar[r]ived here from Missourie. The latter says that he has no doubt but that a dose of poison was administered to him in a boll [bowl] of milk, but God deli/vered him/.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
Spent the day in Translating [Egyptian records]. To day Harvey Redfield and Jesse Hitchcock ar[r]ived here from Missourie. The latter says that he has no doubt but that a dose of poison was administered to him in a boll [bowl] of milk, but God deli/vered him/.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
40 years ago today - Nov 24, 1985
The second LDS fast day for African famine-relief ($4 million more donations).
[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)]]
60 years ago today - Nov 24, 1965
[Clare Middlemiss, McKay's secretary note] "President [Hugh B.] Brown said, 'Why cannot we have harmony?'
Clare answered, 'Yes, why?'
[Brown:] 'You got off the wrong track with me over the John Birch Society and Brother Benson.'
[Middlemiss:] 'I have only wanted to fight Communism, and have answered letters on the John Birch Society the way President McKay has told me to.'
President Brown said, 'I have wanted to fight Communism also, but not the way Benson or the John Birch Society are doing it —everybody is against them.'"
[Clare Middlemiss, "Notes" 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)]
Clare answered, 'Yes, why?'
[Brown:] 'You got off the wrong track with me over the John Birch Society and Brother Benson.'
[Middlemiss:] 'I have only wanted to fight Communism, and have answered letters on the John Birch Society the way President McKay has told me to.'
President Brown said, 'I have wanted to fight Communism also, but not the way Benson or the John Birch Society are doing it —everybody is against them.'"
[Clare Middlemiss, "Notes" 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)]
190 years ago today - Nov 24, 1835
Joseph Smith (specifically prohibited from performing the ceremony by the local county court) married Newell Knight (recently widowed) to Lydia G. Bailey. A state licensed Mormon Elder was available to do the marriage. Lydia was not divorced from her non-Mormon husband at the time. Newell wrote in his journal that Joseph Smith said "I have done it by the authority of the holy priesthood and the Gentile law has no power to call me to account for it. It is my religious privilege, and even the Congress of the United States has no power to make a law that would abridge the rights of my religion."
Lydia remembered Joseph saying, "Our Elders have been wronged and prosecuted for marrying without a license. The Lord God of Israel has given me authority to unite the people in the holy bonds of matrimony."
Joseph would perform five more illegal marriages over the next two months, calling one the "ancient order of marriage."
[Brooke, John L. The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1994. p.212]
Lydia remembered Joseph saying, "Our Elders have been wronged and prosecuted for marrying without a license. The Lord God of Israel has given me authority to unite the people in the holy bonds of matrimony."
Joseph would perform five more illegal marriages over the next two months, calling one the "ancient order of marriage."
[Brooke, John L. The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1994. p.212]
115 years ago today - Wednesday, Nov 23, 1910
[Second Counselor John Henry Smith]
I also spoke upon the question of Morality advocating the same standard for men as women.
[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]
I also spoke upon the question of Morality advocating the same standard for men as women.
[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]
125 years ago today - Nov 23, 1900
Editorial in the Democratic Salt Lake Herald: "It is not likely that the active participation of church apostles in campaigns will ever be abandoned until the church realizes that such participation is injurious to church interests, as their best friends and a host of their own people believe."
[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)]]
155 years ago today - Nov 23, 1870
.... I will say concerning the plates, I do say that the angel did show to me the plates containing the Book of Mormon. Further, the translation that I carried to Prof. Anthon was copied from these same plates; also, that the Professor did testify to it being a correct translation. ...
[Martin Harris to H. B. Emerson, 23 November 1870, Saints' Herald 22 (15 October 1875): 630. Reprinted in Millennial Star 39 (1 January 1877): 5., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Martin Harris To H. B. Emerson]
[Martin Harris to H. B. Emerson, 23 November 1870, Saints' Herald 22 (15 October 1875): 630. Reprinted in Millennial Star 39 (1 January 1877): 5., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Martin Harris To H. B. Emerson]
170 years ago today - Nov 23, 1855
[Hosea Stout]
Court met. Grand Jury presented Indictment against James Hart, John and Thomas Hildreth, Andrew Tippetts & Robert Lazenby for murder of Too-ebe an Indian on Meadow Creek[.] This is the same Indian which Levi Abrams was indicted and tried for killing
The court adjourned and I wrote an Indictment against Naw-oo-guich et al. Indians for the murder of Capt Gunnison and party on the 26th Oct 1853
Snowing this evening at dark[.] Robison and King gave an Oyster Supper and party to their boarders and friends this evening at which we eat oysters and danced and danced and eat oyster untill one a. m.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Court met. Grand Jury presented Indictment against James Hart, John and Thomas Hildreth, Andrew Tippetts & Robert Lazenby for murder of Too-ebe an Indian on Meadow Creek[.] This is the same Indian which Levi Abrams was indicted and tried for killing
The court adjourned and I wrote an Indictment against Naw-oo-guich et al. Indians for the murder of Capt Gunnison and party on the 26th Oct 1853
Snowing this evening at dark[.] Robison and King gave an Oyster Supper and party to their boarders and friends this evening at which we eat oysters and danced and danced and eat oyster untill one a. m.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
195 years ago today - Circa Nov 23, 1830
About a couple of weeks since, three men, calling themselves Oliver Cowdry, David Whitmer and Martin Harris, appeared in our village, laden with a new revelation, which they claim to be a codicil to the New Testament. . . .
The account which they give is substantially as follows:--at a recent period an angel appeared to a poor ignorant man residing in or near Palmyra in Ontario County in the State of New York, directed him to open the earth at a place designated, where he would find the new revelation engraved on plates of metal. In obedience to the celestial messenger, Smith repaired to the spot, and on opening the ground discovered an oblong stone box tightly closed with cement. He opened the sacred depository and found enclosed a bundle of plates resembling gold, carefully united at one edge with three silver wires so that they opened like a book. The plates were about 7 inches long and 6 broad, and the whole pile was about 6 inches deep, each plate about the thickness of tin. They were engraved in a character unintelligible to the learned men of the United States, to many of whom it is said they have been presented. The angel afterwards appeared to the three individuals, and showed them
the plates. To Smith was given to translate the character[s] which he was enabled to do by looking through two semi-transparent stones, but as he was ignorant of the art of writing, Cowdry and the others wrote as Smith interpreted. They say that part of the plates escaped from them in a supernatural manner and are to be again revealed when the events of the time shall require them. . . .
["Delusion," Geauga (OH) Gazette, circa 23 November 1830, as reprinted in Morning Courier and New-York Enquirer, 7 December 1830., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Geauga (Oh) Gazette]
The account which they give is substantially as follows:--at a recent period an angel appeared to a poor ignorant man residing in or near Palmyra in Ontario County in the State of New York, directed him to open the earth at a place designated, where he would find the new revelation engraved on plates of metal. In obedience to the celestial messenger, Smith repaired to the spot, and on opening the ground discovered an oblong stone box tightly closed with cement. He opened the sacred depository and found enclosed a bundle of plates resembling gold, carefully united at one edge with three silver wires so that they opened like a book. The plates were about 7 inches long and 6 broad, and the whole pile was about 6 inches deep, each plate about the thickness of tin. They were engraved in a character unintelligible to the learned men of the United States, to many of whom it is said they have been presented. The angel afterwards appeared to the three individuals, and showed them
the plates. To Smith was given to translate the character[s] which he was enabled to do by looking through two semi-transparent stones, but as he was ignorant of the art of writing, Cowdry and the others wrote as Smith interpreted. They say that part of the plates escaped from them in a supernatural manner and are to be again revealed when the events of the time shall require them. . . .
["Delusion," Geauga (OH) Gazette, circa 23 November 1830, as reprinted in Morning Courier and New-York Enquirer, 7 December 1830., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Geauga (Oh) Gazette]
80 years ago today - Nov 22, 1945
[George Albert Smith]
.... We talked about the equality of the Negro and association of races. The Lord has the last decision and if we will be fair to all he will bless us.
[George Albert Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
.... We talked about the equality of the Negro and association of races. The Lord has the last decision and if we will be fair to all he will bless us.
[George Albert Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
125 years ago today - Nov 22, 1900; Thursday
.... After the opening exercises a letter from Professor Joshua H. Paul asking that the L.D.S. College be opened was read and on motion granted. The college was closed on account of the smallpox....
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
150 years ago today - Nov 22, 1875
[Patriarchal Blessing of Mary Ann Dowdle by Charles W. Hyde]
... I seal upon you health, from the crown of your head to the sole of your feet, that you may begin to amend from this very moment for the father has given his angels charge over thee, that you may live long upon earth, live until the winding up scene of this generation to accomplish every desire of thine heart in righteousness. ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
... I seal upon you health, from the crown of your head to the sole of your feet, that you may begin to amend from this very moment for the father has given his angels charge over thee, that you may live long upon earth, live until the winding up scene of this generation to accomplish every desire of thine heart in righteousness. ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
170 years ago today - Nov 22, 1855
Brigham Young secretly ordains his eleven-year-old son John W. an apostìe in connection with receiving the endowment. He also ordains his eighteen-year-old son Brigham Jr. as apostle, either this day or (more likely) at his namesake's endowment a few days earlier. The Twelve doesn't learn of these ordinations for almost nine years. In later years he secretly ordains two other sons as apostles.
[Wilford Woodruff related, "President Young said, 'I am going to tell you something that I have never before mentioned to any other person. I have ordained my sons, Joseph A., Brigham & John W., Apostles and My Counsellors. Have you any objections?' J. Taylor and G. A. Smith said they had not, that it was his own affair & they considered it under his own direction. He further stated, 'In ordaining my sons I have done no more than I am perfectly willing that you should do with yours. And I am determined to put my sons into active service in the Spiritual Affairs of the Kingdom and keep them there just as long as possible. You have the same privilege.'"]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Wilford Woodruff related, "President Young said, 'I am going to tell you something that I have never before mentioned to any other person. I have ordained my sons, Joseph A., Brigham & John W., Apostles and My Counsellors. Have you any objections?' J. Taylor and G. A. Smith said they had not, that it was his own affair & they considered it under his own direction. He further stated, 'In ordaining my sons I have done no more than I am perfectly willing that you should do with yours. And I am determined to put my sons into active service in the Spiritual Affairs of the Kingdom and keep them there just as long as possible. You have the same privilege.'"]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
125 years ago today - Nov 21, 1900; Wednesday
Governor [Frank] Steunenberg of Idaho called and paid his respects to President Snow and Cannon. He stated that there was a friendly feeling towards our people in his state and that the recent charge of the Church interfering in politics in that state were known by the people to have been unfounded.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
130 years ago today - Nov 21, 1895
Attended council at Temple as usual ... After closing prayer by J[oseph]. F. Smith, Some Secret operations were disclosed by Pres[iden]t. Smith-- concerning parties at work for Co[lonel]. [Isaac] Trumbo among members elect to the Legislature to get him elected as one Senator from Utah to Congress he being in the interest of Spreckles & the Southern Pacific Rail-Road. It is understood his Bail is open. J[ohn] W Taylor is to see Pres[iden]t Geo[rge] Parkinson of Oneida Stake & regulate his ideas.
[Franklin D. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Franklin D. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
140 years ago today - Nov 21, 1885
A deputy U.S. marshal is the first anti-Mormon to be arrested for the complaint of "lewd and lascivious conduct" signed by Brigham Y. Hampton, a Salt Lake City policeman. Hampton pays a professional madam to operate a brothel so that Mormon policemen can obtain evidence against those prominent in the anti-polygamy crusade. Hampton conducts his brothel espionage with the knowledge of the Salt Lake Presidency. A Deseret News editorial on 14 Dec 1885 argues in support of the brothel espionage: "It was the only way by which their guilt could be proven beyond question. It was disgusting business, no doubt. But which was the most disgusting, the detestation of their bestiality, or the acts which were witnessed?" Federal judge Charles S. Zane infuriates Mormons by quashing all those indictments with the argument: "A private act is not defined by the common law as a crime. When both parties go together out of the sight of everyone under the Connecticut law it is not an offense." Hampton is
then tried and sentenced to one year in the penitentiary for conspiracy and for operating a brothel. The First Presidency later compensates him financially.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
then tried and sentenced to one year in the penitentiary for conspiracy and for operating a brothel. The First Presidency later compensates him financially.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
140 years ago today - Nov 21, 1885 (Saturday)
Lorenzo Snow plead not guilty [to cohabitation] in the First District Court, in Ogden, and was admitted to bail.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
145 years ago today - Nov 21, 1880
Mary Elizabeth Rollins Lightner wrote in a letter to Emmeline B. Wells
"He [Joseph Smith Jr.] was commanded to take me for a wife," and ""I could tell you why I stayed with Mr. Lightner. Things the leaders of the Church does not know anything about. I did just as Joseph told me to do, as he knew what troubles I would have to contend with.""
[Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
"He [Joseph Smith Jr.] was commanded to take me for a wife," and ""I could tell you why I stayed with Mr. Lightner. Things the leaders of the Church does not know anything about. I did just as Joseph told me to do, as he knew what troubles I would have to contend with.""
[Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
150 years ago today - Nov 21, 1875
Local bishop reports that first counselor "George A. Smith preached in Salina, Sevier County last year and said that THE SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST will be here on Earth in 1891" (emphasis in original)
[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 - Nov 21, 1840. Saturday.
Elder Turley and some others camped in the wood. He spake much to them and [called] upon those who had had quarrels to forgive each and manifest it. Many acknowledged their faults and asked forgiveness. Some spake in tongues and Wm. Poole interpreted. It was a time of rejoicing.
[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]
[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]
190 years ago today - Nov 21, 1835
Joseph Smith begins to study on his own the Hebrew lexicon and Hebrew books he received from New York City the previous day. He decides to pay for the services of a qualified Jewish teacher.
[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]
40 years ago today - Nov 20, 1985
Mark Hofmann's attorney announces that Hofmann passed the polygraph test and thus did not kill Sheets and Christensen.
[Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,]
[Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,]
50 years ago today - Nov 20, 1975-Thursday
[Leonard Arrington]
After the meeting of executives I met with Elder Robert D. Hales for a period of 30 or 40 minutes. Here are random memories of the conversation. He said he is attempting to bring a little imagination, courage, and spontaneity into the church magazines. He feels that Doyle Green's regime [1970-72] has been autocratic, that he had been peremptory in what he would permit and not permit, and the result is loss of spontaneity. We end up with bland, milk-toast articles that are not creative and stimulating. Having been criticized and beaten down repeatedly, they quit fighting and publish[ed] lots of pretty pictures. ... "Why did you put in so many pictures in the New Era?" "Because it is simpler to put pictures than some text that they will get after us for!" Anyway, he encourages us to submit once more some teenager stories from Church History and thinks they will be a little more permissive of historical truth than they may have been in the past. The same goes true of the Ensign. Says
they are planning a special women's issue of the Ensign for March. This will feature an article by Claudia Bushman, poetry by Carol Lynn Pearson, and other things. ... he thinks they have got to be less paranoid in what they will accept for publication. There was a poem of Carol Lynn Pearson which they had accepted, ran it through Correlation, and Correlation came back with objection to a line which talked of people with spears. They didn't like that line "because she really means women libbers.["] He said he told them to get out of the office-that was ridiculous. They also suggested she change a line which said she had learned that her Heavenly Father was as smart as ... And she will [have to] change it to "smarter than ..." He said it is slow to change an institution-to get it moved where it needs to be, must be [aggressive]. ... Said he sympathized with our problems. Certain things are history-our history-but need they be said? Like the BY [Brigham Young] letters to his sons.
Did we need to mention that one of Brigham Young's sons had trouble with drugs, with the bottle? It's history, but need it be mentioned? He said he had given up the goal of getting unanimous feeling among the brethren. Among the 15 [First Presidency and Twelve Apostles] there are some who feel strongly on this, some on that, and he now feels that one can't be pushed by one person alone to do or not to do something. Must consider what the majority are willing to support.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
After the meeting of executives I met with Elder Robert D. Hales for a period of 30 or 40 minutes. Here are random memories of the conversation. He said he is attempting to bring a little imagination, courage, and spontaneity into the church magazines. He feels that Doyle Green's regime [1970-72] has been autocratic, that he had been peremptory in what he would permit and not permit, and the result is loss of spontaneity. We end up with bland, milk-toast articles that are not creative and stimulating. Having been criticized and beaten down repeatedly, they quit fighting and publish[ed] lots of pretty pictures. ... "Why did you put in so many pictures in the New Era?" "Because it is simpler to put pictures than some text that they will get after us for!" Anyway, he encourages us to submit once more some teenager stories from Church History and thinks they will be a little more permissive of historical truth than they may have been in the past. The same goes true of the Ensign. Says
they are planning a special women's issue of the Ensign for March. This will feature an article by Claudia Bushman, poetry by Carol Lynn Pearson, and other things. ... he thinks they have got to be less paranoid in what they will accept for publication. There was a poem of Carol Lynn Pearson which they had accepted, ran it through Correlation, and Correlation came back with objection to a line which talked of people with spears. They didn't like that line "because she really means women libbers.["] He said he told them to get out of the office-that was ridiculous. They also suggested she change a line which said she had learned that her Heavenly Father was as smart as ... And she will [have to] change it to "smarter than ..." He said it is slow to change an institution-to get it moved where it needs to be, must be [aggressive]. ... Said he sympathized with our problems. Certain things are history-our history-but need they be said? Like the BY [Brigham Young] letters to his sons.
Did we need to mention that one of Brigham Young's sons had trouble with drugs, with the bottle? It's history, but need it be mentioned? He said he had given up the goal of getting unanimous feeling among the brethren. Among the 15 [First Presidency and Twelve Apostles] there are some who feel strongly on this, some on that, and he now feels that one can't be pushed by one person alone to do or not to do something. Must consider what the majority are willing to support.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
140 years ago today - Nov 20, 1885
[Wilford Woodruff]
"I was Just informed that Lorenzo Snow was arested at Brigham City." [He was returning from a mission among Indian tribes in the Northwest, when arrested for unlawful cohabitation. After a trial and unsuccessful appeals, he was taken to the Utah Territorial Penitentiary on March 12, 1886.]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
"I was Just informed that Lorenzo Snow was arested at Brigham City." [He was returning from a mission among Indian tribes in the Northwest, when arrested for unlawful cohabitation. After a trial and unsuccessful appeals, he was taken to the Utah Territorial Penitentiary on March 12, 1886.]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - Nov 20, 1835
[Joseph Smith]
We spent the day in translating [from Egyptian papyri] and made rapid progress.
At evening, President [Oliver] Cowdery returned from New York bringing with him a quantity of Hebrew books for the benefit of the school. He presented me with a Hebrew Bible, lexicon and grammar, also a Greek Lexicon and Webster's English Lexicon.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
We spent the day in translating [from Egyptian papyri] and made rapid progress.
At evening, President [Oliver] Cowdery returned from New York bringing with him a quantity of Hebrew books for the benefit of the school. He presented me with a Hebrew Bible, lexicon and grammar, also a Greek Lexicon and Webster's English Lexicon.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
195 years ago today - Nov 20, 1830
Letter to the Editor: "You have probably heard of the Gold Bible taken from the earth by Joseph, the money-digger. This he has translated from the Egyptian reformed language to English, by a pair of stone spectacles (provided by an angel) and a dark hat before his eyes. The books have been printed, and J.S. [Josiah Stowell?] and Mr. N--s [Joseph Knight(s), Sr.?] are engaged in peddling the same. The society are increasing. Eighteen have been baptized in a day. ... The leaders pretend to cast out devils and work miracles, heal the sick, &c. We have seen none of their miracles here, except N.N. [Newel Knight] I heard say in meeting, that he had the devil cast out." I just add, that I have been almost in contact with these peddlers in different parts of this county, having my information from them only through most credible second hand informers, who state that they said, they know the book, and the manner in which it is said to have been found, was true; or that they did not
believe it, but know it. They are said to be respectable men. The wife of one of them, though immersed formerly by an Elder in this county, has been immersed or baptized again into this new system. I only state facts, and leave the judicious and pious to their own reflections.
CLERICUS.
[Letter to editor, Brattleboro' (VT) Messenger, 20 November 1830., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Brattleboro' (Vt) Messenger]
believe it, but know it. They are said to be respectable men. The wife of one of them, though immersed formerly by an Elder in this county, has been immersed or baptized again into this new system. I only state facts, and leave the judicious and pious to their own reflections.
CLERICUS.
[Letter to editor, Brattleboro' (VT) Messenger, 20 November 1830., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Brattleboro' (Vt) Messenger]
60 years ago today - Nov 19, 1965
David O. McKay met privately with Ezra Taft Benson, who "gave a report on the serious inroads the Communists have made in this country…. I am convinced that our country is already on the road to Socialism, and that the Communists are making gains here." Benson then suggested that McKay's new counselor, Thorpe Isaacson, be sent to a two-day John Birch Society seminar in December to learn about "Communism and conditions in our country." McKay agreed. Isaacson later elected not to go to the seminar.
[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)]
[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)]
105 years ago today - Nov 19, 1920; Friday
[Apostle Anthony Ivins]
Should children who are not in the church be permitted to partake of the sacrement.[?]
[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]
Should children who are not in the church be permitted to partake of the sacrement.[?]
[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]
110 years ago today - Nov 19, 1915
Joe Hill was executed on 19 November 1915 after appeals for clemency from Helen Keller, President Woodrow Wilson, and the Swedish ambassador were ignored, although there were many who believed Joe Hill was innocent.
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Capital Punishment, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Capital Punishment, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
135 years ago today - Nov 19, 1890
[President Wilford Woodruff]
I had an interview with Joseph L Lee a hunter and preacher of the Josephite [RLDS] Order. He wanted me to let him have our tabernacles to preach in & warn the people to go back to Jackson County & those who did not go would be Destroyed. I told him we did not believe in him or his mission.
A Colored woman Called upon me & wanted us to make a Donation to help them to build a Methodist Meeting House
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I had an interview with Joseph L Lee a hunter and preacher of the Josephite [RLDS] Order. He wanted me to let him have our tabernacles to preach in & warn the people to go back to Jackson County & those who did not go would be Destroyed. I told him we did not believe in him or his mission.
A Colored woman Called upon me & wanted us to make a Donation to help them to build a Methodist Meeting House
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - Nov. 19th 1870
Prest. Kimball made some energetic remarks on the first adoption of the principle of Co-operation in this valley. Gentile merchants took it for granted that the people would obey counsel and were glad to sell out but when Prest. Rich gave permission to some of the brethren to trade with the Gentiles on account of the circumstances surrounding them advantage was taken of it and Gentile trading was increased until now it was nearly as prevalent as ever. He called upon the brethren to repent of these things and take the gospel entire and not merely believe and practice a part of it. Prest. Rich said Co-operation was intended ultimately to do away with the importation of goods. Through the command of greater capital Gentiles were enabled to sell their goods a little cheaper than we can but if we had the faith in Prest. Young that we should have we would not think of attributing these little differences to dishonest workings.
[Paris ward - Bear Lake Stake - School of the Prophets minutes 1869-72, typescript by Michael Nielsen]
[Paris ward - Bear Lake Stake - School of the Prophets minutes 1869-72, typescript by Michael Nielsen]
170 years ago today - Nov 19, 1855
The grand jury presented ... indictments against John F. Coffman & Joseph Holman for trading with the Indians.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
50 years ago today - Nov 18, 1975-Tuesday
[Leonard Arrington]
Grace and I went to Cannon-Hinckley [study group] this evening and heard interesting talks by Jim and Gloria Brown ... We sat at the same table with Olive Kimball Mitchell and her husband [Ira] (she's a niece of President Kimball), Fern and Harvey Fletcher of BYU (she was formerly married to Carl Eyring), and Ray and Elva Olpin. Interesting conversation. Fern and Elva said they remembered Susa Young Gates. She was an outstanding woman, they admitted, but nobody liked her. She was too loud, too officious, too pushy, too imperious, too crude, too aggressive. Too much the woman libber type, they said. She was a vegetarian, they said. When invited to a banquet, she took along a little paper bag with raw carrots and other things to eat. She liked natural foods, like her daughter Leah Widtsoe. She liked to talk, talked too long, was very anxious to give her opinion and her advice. They remembered her speaking to the girls at BYU and telling the single girls to get married. The principal
object of life. ...
I asked Olive about the reaction of the Kimballs to the J. Golden book by Tom Cheney. Basically very favorable, she said. She knew Uncle Spencer Kimball liked it, enjoyed it. She likes biographies that tell about the whole man, warts and all. Thinks she will approve of my Edwin Woolley [biography]. Thinks Uncle Spencer will not object. He doesn't object when people tell J. Golden stories.
[Former University of Utah] President [A. Ray] Olpin said that he and wife, Homer Durham and wife [Eudora], etc. were at an affair at which President [Ernest] Wilkinson was also invited. As soon as the girls saw him coming they removed their rings and got prepared for his bone-crushing handshake and jerking them forward. Eudora tried to avoid shaking hands with him, but he grabbed her and just about cracked her hand. She then lifted her shoe with high heels and put it down squarely on his foot. That night he had his first heart attack. She wondered if her action had any influence.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Grace and I went to Cannon-Hinckley [study group] this evening and heard interesting talks by Jim and Gloria Brown ... We sat at the same table with Olive Kimball Mitchell and her husband [Ira] (she's a niece of President Kimball), Fern and Harvey Fletcher of BYU (she was formerly married to Carl Eyring), and Ray and Elva Olpin. Interesting conversation. Fern and Elva said they remembered Susa Young Gates. She was an outstanding woman, they admitted, but nobody liked her. She was too loud, too officious, too pushy, too imperious, too crude, too aggressive. Too much the woman libber type, they said. She was a vegetarian, they said. When invited to a banquet, she took along a little paper bag with raw carrots and other things to eat. She liked natural foods, like her daughter Leah Widtsoe. She liked to talk, talked too long, was very anxious to give her opinion and her advice. They remembered her speaking to the girls at BYU and telling the single girls to get married. The principal
object of life. ...
I asked Olive about the reaction of the Kimballs to the J. Golden book by Tom Cheney. Basically very favorable, she said. She knew Uncle Spencer Kimball liked it, enjoyed it. She likes biographies that tell about the whole man, warts and all. Thinks she will approve of my Edwin Woolley [biography]. Thinks Uncle Spencer will not object. He doesn't object when people tell J. Golden stories.
[Former University of Utah] President [A. Ray] Olpin said that he and wife, Homer Durham and wife [Eudora], etc. were at an affair at which President [Ernest] Wilkinson was also invited. As soon as the girls saw him coming they removed their rings and got prepared for his bone-crushing handshake and jerking them forward. Eudora tried to avoid shaking hands with him, but he grabbed her and just about cracked her hand. She then lifted her shoe with high heels and put it down squarely on his foot. That night he had his first heart attack. She wondered if her action had any influence.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
115 years ago today - Nov 18, 1910
[Joseph F. Smith & Anthon Lund]
This is in answer to President B[righam]. A. Hendricks' letter to you of the 4th ult. with respect to the right of Negroes to be baptized in behalf of their deceased ancestors. It is true, as intimated in yours of Oct[ober]. 25th to President Hendricks that no ordinances are being performed in the temple in behalf of deceased Negroes, neither can temple ordinances be performed in behalf of the Negro race involving the bestowal of the holy priesthood upon them. But inasmuch as Negroes living in the flesh can become members of the Church through baptism, we do not hesitate to say that Negroes may be baptized and confirmed in behalf of their kindred dead, which is all that can be done for tem until the Lord shall direct otherwise.
But in thus answering we do not wish President Hendricks or his successors in office to encourage the Negro saints of South Africa to emigrate to Zion in order that they may be in a position to do temple work in behalf of their dead. In fact, the same general instructions apply to our elders with respect to the Negro race as applies to them with respect to the whites, and that is not to preach the gathering or encourage any to emirate, but rather to leave this entirely with the saints themselves, so that they cannot truthfully blame the Church should any of them come here and become dissatisfied and want to return.
We note that President Hendricks says in his letter to you in effect that the labors of himself and elders are among the white class of people, and not the blacks. This is as it should be, and we trust that this understanding will be clearly had by all of our missionaries laboring in South Africa, and who may be called to labor there hereafter. In the Book of Moses (Pearl of Great Price) Chapter 7, verse 12, we learn that Enoch in his day called upon all the people to repent save the people of Canaan, and it is for us to do likewise. But at the same time where honest-hearted Negroes who perchance hear the gospel preached, become pricked in their hearts and ask for baptism, it would not by becoming in us to refuse to administer that ordinance in their behalf. And where such brethren and sisters desire to have their temple work done in behalf of their deceased kindred, let them furnish the Mission President with the names of their dead, together with the genealogy, as
fully as they may be able to give it, who may forward the same to us, and we will see that baptism is performed in their behalf, and we will instruct the temple recorder to inform the Mission President when the work shall have been done.
[Joseph F. Smith and Anthon H. Lund, Letter to Rudger Clawson, 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]
This is in answer to President B[righam]. A. Hendricks' letter to you of the 4th ult. with respect to the right of Negroes to be baptized in behalf of their deceased ancestors. It is true, as intimated in yours of Oct[ober]. 25th to President Hendricks that no ordinances are being performed in the temple in behalf of deceased Negroes, neither can temple ordinances be performed in behalf of the Negro race involving the bestowal of the holy priesthood upon them. But inasmuch as Negroes living in the flesh can become members of the Church through baptism, we do not hesitate to say that Negroes may be baptized and confirmed in behalf of their kindred dead, which is all that can be done for tem until the Lord shall direct otherwise.
But in thus answering we do not wish President Hendricks or his successors in office to encourage the Negro saints of South Africa to emigrate to Zion in order that they may be in a position to do temple work in behalf of their dead. In fact, the same general instructions apply to our elders with respect to the Negro race as applies to them with respect to the whites, and that is not to preach the gathering or encourage any to emirate, but rather to leave this entirely with the saints themselves, so that they cannot truthfully blame the Church should any of them come here and become dissatisfied and want to return.
We note that President Hendricks says in his letter to you in effect that the labors of himself and elders are among the white class of people, and not the blacks. This is as it should be, and we trust that this understanding will be clearly had by all of our missionaries laboring in South Africa, and who may be called to labor there hereafter. In the Book of Moses (Pearl of Great Price) Chapter 7, verse 12, we learn that Enoch in his day called upon all the people to repent save the people of Canaan, and it is for us to do likewise. But at the same time where honest-hearted Negroes who perchance hear the gospel preached, become pricked in their hearts and ask for baptism, it would not by becoming in us to refuse to administer that ordinance in their behalf. And where such brethren and sisters desire to have their temple work done in behalf of their deceased kindred, let them furnish the Mission President with the names of their dead, together with the genealogy, as
fully as they may be able to give it, who may forward the same to us, and we will see that baptism is performed in their behalf, and we will instruct the temple recorder to inform the Mission President when the work shall have been done.
[Joseph F. Smith and Anthon H. Lund, Letter to Rudger Clawson, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
135 years ago today - Nov 18, 1890
A saloon has been opened in Deseret by one of the brethren--Hawley. He has built a nice brick structure, and had a dance there last night and another tonight for opening. Nearly all the Saints attended[,] a notice of the parties having been given in Sunday meeting, and the proprietor of the saloon having been called to dismiss the meeting.
[Abraham H. Cannon (Author), Edward Leo Lyman (Editor), Candid Insights of a Mormon Apostle: The Diaries of Abraham H. Cannon, 1889-1895, Signature Books]
[Abraham H. Cannon (Author), Edward Leo Lyman (Editor), Candid Insights of a Mormon Apostle: The Diaries of Abraham H. Cannon, 1889-1895, Signature Books]
165 years ago today - Nov 18, 1860
[Brigham Young]
Right where the Prophet Joseph laid the foundation of the Temple, in the center stake of Zion, was where God commenced the garden of Eden, and there he will end or consummate his work, and the law will go forth from Zion that will govern every nation under the heavens. In the day of the Lord Jesus every man that remains will be filled with the spirit of judgment, and with the knowledge and power of God. The Lord opened the gold mines of California to make this people as a light upon a hill, and we did not come here, as some supposed, to be hid up from the world for ever.
[Deseret News, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
Right where the Prophet Joseph laid the foundation of the Temple, in the center stake of Zion, was where God commenced the garden of Eden, and there he will end or consummate his work, and the law will go forth from Zion that will govern every nation under the heavens. In the day of the Lord Jesus every man that remains will be filled with the spirit of judgment, and with the knowledge and power of God. The Lord opened the gold mines of California to make this people as a light upon a hill, and we did not come here, as some supposed, to be hid up from the world for ever.
[Deseret News, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
195 years ago today - Nov 18, 1830
Colesville, Nov: 18: 1830. Rev & Dear Sir ... I will relate a circumstance that has given me pain. A member of the church in Sandford, a young female, has renounced her connexion with the church, and joined a church <<another>> in Colesville founded by Joseph Smith. This man has been known, in these parts, for some time, as a kind of juggler, who has pretended, through a glass, to see money under ground &c, &c. The book, on which he founds his new religion, is called the "Book of Mormon." It contains not much, and is rather calculated to suit the marvelous, and unthinking. part of the world. No man in his right mind can think the Book or the doctrines it contains, worthy of the least notice, yet there are a number who profess to believe in it. Since the church was formed, which was some time in July, about twenty have gathered around their standard, and have [p. 2] subscribed themselves to be the followers [of] Christ; for they call themselves a church of Christ, and the
only church of Christ. All professing christians who do not adhere to their system, they consider as formalists; "having the form of Godliness, but denying the power." They have pretended to work miracles, such as casting out devils, and many other things, too blasphemous to mention.--It is believed, however, they have [atta]ined to about the zenith of their glory in this place. Their books remain unsold; <<; except>> [-] here and there an individual, none will buy them. It is thought the great speculation, which they probably anticipated, will prove a losing busi=ness. ... Yours in Bonds of christian Affection.
John Sherer
[John Sherer to Absalom Peters, 18 November 1830, American Home Missionary Society Archives, Amistad Research Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: John Sherer To Absalom Peters]
only church of Christ. All professing christians who do not adhere to their system, they consider as formalists; "having the form of Godliness, but denying the power." They have pretended to work miracles, such as casting out devils, and many other things, too blasphemous to mention.--It is believed, however, they have [atta]ined to about the zenith of their glory in this place. Their books remain unsold; <<; except>> [-] here and there an individual, none will buy them. It is thought the great speculation, which they probably anticipated, will prove a losing busi=ness. ... Yours in Bonds of christian Affection.
John Sherer
[John Sherer to Absalom Peters, 18 November 1830, American Home Missionary Society Archives, Amistad Research Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: John Sherer To Absalom Peters]
30 years ago today - Nov 17, 1995
Jim Hansen, US Representative from Utah, reads The Proclamation into the official records of Congress
[History of The Proclamation on the Family, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vRDUS68wfgWtZqdNv67AqfYGGfHrJiZi-B6dlDhDClQOatExFZDFt73srGQoul3U4_iXiTuYIqW57gs/pubhtml]
[History of The Proclamation on the Family, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vRDUS68wfgWtZqdNv67AqfYGGfHrJiZi-B6dlDhDClQOatExFZDFt73srGQoul3U4_iXiTuYIqW57gs/pubhtml]
80 years ago today - Nov 17, 1945
Because of age related issues, George Albert Smith replaced Elder's Widstoe and McKay with Ezra Taft Benson to head the European relief mission. Harold B. Lee remembered, "speculating as to who would be called. One of the first men I eliminated was Elder Benson, who had the largest family as well as the youngest."
[Gary James Bergera, "Ezra Taft Benson's 1946 Mission to Europe" Journal of Mormon History 34:2 (Spring 2008)]
[Gary James Bergera, "Ezra Taft Benson's 1946 Mission to Europe" Journal of Mormon History 34:2 (Spring 2008)]
100 years ago today - Nov 17, 1925
"Professor [Andrew] Neff, a graduate of the California University, desired to have free access to the original documents in the Historian's office as he was writing a history of Utah." The First Presidency rules that "under proper supervision, we had no objections." Although Neff is LDS, this is the first occasion in which an "outside" scholar and historian has "free access" to manuscripts of the LDS archives. Such access remains infrequent and exceptional until the appointment of Apostle Howard W. Hunter as church historian in 1970.
[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 - Nov 17, 1900; Saturday
Apostle John W. Taylor was present [at stake conference] and spoke powerfully upon the present condition and aspect of the work of the Lord. Said the three Nephite apostles would soon begin their labors among the nations and would break down the barriers that now prevent the carrying of the gospel to various nations. He said they would also visit the saints and many would not be able to recognize them because of the unfaithfulness of the people themselves. Said there were many in the congregation before him would would go upon missions to the various nations in the near future. He exhorted all to put themselves in order and for parents to have the patriarch to bless their children.
[James D. Cummings, Diary]
[James D. Cummings, Diary]
145 years ago today - Nov 17, 1880
Editor Deseret News:
For some time I have heard rumors of a document going the rounds, particularly in the Southern part of the Territory, purporting to be a "Vision by Joseph F. Smith." A copy of this document was to-day handed to me by a friend. Having read it, I deem it my duty to announce through the NEWS, that so far as this pretended vision has been connected with my name it is a fraud. I never had such a vision and am wholly ignorant of its author, and my name has been used in connection with it entirely without my knowledge. By inserting the above in the NEWS you will correct any false impressions which may have arisen in the minds of the people concerning this matter, and oblige your brother in the Gospel.
JOS. F. SMITH.
[Deseret Evening News, 17 November 1880 [Letter to the editor by Joseph F. Smith]]
For some time I have heard rumors of a document going the rounds, particularly in the Southern part of the Territory, purporting to be a "Vision by Joseph F. Smith." A copy of this document was to-day handed to me by a friend. Having read it, I deem it my duty to announce through the NEWS, that so far as this pretended vision has been connected with my name it is a fraud. I never had such a vision and am wholly ignorant of its author, and my name has been used in connection with it entirely without my knowledge. By inserting the above in the NEWS you will correct any false impressions which may have arisen in the minds of the people concerning this matter, and oblige your brother in the Gospel.
JOS. F. SMITH.
[Deseret Evening News, 17 November 1880 [Letter to the editor by Joseph F. Smith]]
180 years ago today - Nov 17, 1845, Monday
[William Clayton]
Monday 17th ... My heart is grieved to see the difference of spirit, feeling and courses of Bishops Whitney & Miller. They appear to be at antipodes with each other in nearly all their operations. They have placed me as a mark for both to shoot at, and it has placed me in a very unpleasant situation. Miller seems angry with me because I appear to give preference to Whitney & which I consider I ought to do inasmuch as he is the Senior Bishop and is far more careful in his management than brother Miller is. The latter is perfectly wasteful and wild in his business transactions and I if he had the management of the Temple business alone, he would soon wind it up and scatter it to ruin. ...
[Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries]
Monday 17th ... My heart is grieved to see the difference of spirit, feeling and courses of Bishops Whitney & Miller. They appear to be at antipodes with each other in nearly all their operations. They have placed me as a mark for both to shoot at, and it has placed me in a very unpleasant situation. Miller seems angry with me because I appear to give preference to Whitney & which I consider I ought to do inasmuch as he is the Senior Bishop and is far more careful in his management than brother Miller is. The latter is perfectly wasteful and wild in his business transactions and I if he had the management of the Temple business alone, he would soon wind it up and scatter it to ruin. ...
[Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries]
190 years ago today - Nov 17, 1835
[Wilford Woodruff]
.... I in company with Seth Utley & Br Loy & his family were called out in the night to view the signs in the heavens Which was three clouds having the appearance of fire & blood one in the North one in the East one in the West each about the size of an acre of ground. They arose from the Earth into the air. Frequently changed their places.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
.... I in company with Seth Utley & Br Loy & his family were called out in the night to view the signs in the heavens Which was three clouds having the appearance of fire & blood one in the North one in the East one in the West each about the size of an acre of ground. They arose from the Earth into the air. Frequently changed their places.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - Nov 17, 1835
Joseph exhibits the alphabet of the ancient records to Mr. Holmes, and goes with him and Frederick G. Williams to see the mummies.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
200 years ago today - Nov 17, 1825
Near South Bainbridge, New York. Joseph Smith continued his employment on Josiah Stowell's farm, although the mine excavation in Harmony, Pennsylvania, had ended.
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
50 years ago today - Nov 16, 1975
The Paris, France Stake was created. This was the first Stake created in France.
[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php]
[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php]
115 years ago today - Nov 16, 1910; Wednesday
[Apostle Rudger Clawson]
"... [it is] the obligation resting upon the elders to carry the gospel to the white race and perform ordinances for the ancestors of the white race. If a negro has faith in the Gospel, repents of his sins and applies ... for baptism, he cannot be denied this precious blessing. ... [The] progeny of a white man who mingles his seed with that of a negro, are to be regarded as negroes."
[Rudger Clawson, letter to Brigham A. Hendricks, October 25, 1910, LDS Archives, in Charles W. Penrose, Diary]
"... [it is] the obligation resting upon the elders to carry the gospel to the white race and perform ordinances for the ancestors of the white race. If a negro has faith in the Gospel, repents of his sins and applies ... for baptism, he cannot be denied this precious blessing. ... [The] progeny of a white man who mingles his seed with that of a negro, are to be regarded as negroes."
[Rudger Clawson, letter to Brigham A. Hendricks, October 25, 1910, LDS Archives, in Charles W. Penrose, Diary]
140 years ago today - Nov 16, 1885
[Wilford Woodruff]
.... sat up untill midnight reading Revelations, visions & Dreams & talking of the signs of the times.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
.... sat up untill midnight reading Revelations, visions & Dreams & talking of the signs of the times.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Nov 16, 1845
[Hosea Stout]
.... met the police and there was informed that Br Edmund Durfee had been shot dead by the mob on Bear Creek
The mob had set some straw on fire which would communicate with his barn & he on discovering the fire ran in company with some other brethren to put it out and was fired upon by the mob who concealed in the darkness one ball went through his breast and he died in a few moments. He had been driven into the City by the mob during their house burning in September last & had gone down there in company with some other brethren to take care of his grain and thus fell a martyr to his religion
I went to see. He was in a heart rending condition all steeped in his gore and his numerous family all weeping around him. The scene is one not to be forgotten. He was one of the oldes[t] in the church having been in the church almost from its rise and had passed through all the persecutions & vicissitudes of the Church & was a faithful Brother.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
.... met the police and there was informed that Br Edmund Durfee had been shot dead by the mob on Bear Creek
The mob had set some straw on fire which would communicate with his barn & he on discovering the fire ran in company with some other brethren to put it out and was fired upon by the mob who concealed in the darkness one ball went through his breast and he died in a few moments. He had been driven into the City by the mob during their house burning in September last & had gone down there in company with some other brethren to take care of his grain and thus fell a martyr to his religion
I went to see. He was in a heart rending condition all steeped in his gore and his numerous family all weeping around him. The scene is one not to be forgotten. He was one of the oldes[t] in the church having been in the church almost from its rise and had passed through all the persecutions & vicissitudes of the Church & was a faithful Brother.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
75 years ago today - Nov 15, 1950
[George Albert Smith]
Arthur [Haycock] brought up Dr. Thomas C. Romney and I talked to him about the book he intends to write about President Snow at the request of Le Roy Snow. I cautioned Brother Romney that there were some things I did not think fitting to have in the book. Brother Romney understands the situation.
[George Albert Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
Arthur [Haycock] brought up Dr. Thomas C. Romney and I talked to him about the book he intends to write about President Snow at the request of Le Roy Snow. I cautioned Brother Romney that there were some things I did not think fitting to have in the book. Brother Romney understands the situation.
[George Albert Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
145 years ago today - Nov 15, 1880
[Patriarchal Blessing of James E. Talmage]
Brother James, by virtue of the Holy Priesthood, I place my hands upon thy head, and seal the blessings of the New and Everlasting Covenant upon thee, with all the gifts and privileges promised unto the sons of Zion ... it is thy privilege and the will of the Lord that you should become a mighty man in Israel, and travel much for the gospel's sake, and assist in gathering the honest in heart from among the nations of the earth; ... for the spirit of the Lord shall direct thy course, strengthen thy memory and give thee power over thy enemies and peace shall be in thy circle... thy guardian angel will whisper in thy ear and warn thee of danger, and give thee power over the adversary, and prolong thy days and years upon the earth. ... Thou shalt also be prospered in the labor of thy hands, therefore, look forward to the future with pleasure, for thy last days shall be thy best days. ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
Brother James, by virtue of the Holy Priesthood, I place my hands upon thy head, and seal the blessings of the New and Everlasting Covenant upon thee, with all the gifts and privileges promised unto the sons of Zion ... it is thy privilege and the will of the Lord that you should become a mighty man in Israel, and travel much for the gospel's sake, and assist in gathering the honest in heart from among the nations of the earth; ... for the spirit of the Lord shall direct thy course, strengthen thy memory and give thee power over thy enemies and peace shall be in thy circle... thy guardian angel will whisper in thy ear and warn thee of danger, and give thee power over the adversary, and prolong thy days and years upon the earth. ... Thou shalt also be prospered in the labor of thy hands, therefore, look forward to the future with pleasure, for thy last days shall be thy best days. ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Nov 15, 1845
The Times and Seasons publishes Eliza R. Snow's poem, "My Father in Heaven." Now the most famous LDS hymn written by a woman, it proposes a Heavenly Mother equal in status to a male consort. General's 1843 revelation on the new and everlasting covenant of marriage declared that when a couple's marriage is sealed by the Holy Spirit: "then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them," implying the same.
[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]
190 years ago today - Nov 15, 1835
.. . . thus saith the the Lord unto my Servant Joseph concerning my servant Warren [Parish], behold his sins are forgiven him ... behold it shall come to pass in his day that he shall <see> great things shew forth themselves unto my people, he shall see much of my ancient records, and shall know of hiden things, and shall be endowed with a knowledge of hiden languages, and if he desires and Shall seek it at my hand, he shall be privileged with writing much of my word, as a scribe unto me for the benefit of my people, therefore this shall be his calling until I shall order it otherwise in my wisdom and it shall be said of him in a time to come, behold Warren the Lords Scribe, for the Lords Seer whom he hath appointed in Israel
[Joseph Smith Diary, quoted in Exploring Mormonism: Kirtland Safety Society Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/kirltand-safety-society-timeline-note-this-was-built-back-in-january-2013/]
[Joseph Smith Diary, quoted in Exploring Mormonism: Kirtland Safety Society Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/kirltand-safety-society-timeline-note-this-was-built-back-in-january-2013/]
195 years ago today - Nov 5, 1830
John Murdock reported that upon being baptized, "the spirit of the Lord sensibly attended the ministration, and I came out of the water rejoicing and singing praises to God [possibly singing in tongues] and the Lamb."
[John Murdock, "Autobiography," in Dan Vogel and Scott C. Dunn, '"The Tongue of Angels": Glossolalia among Mormonism's Founders,' Journal of Mormon History Vol. 19, No. 2, 1993]
[John Murdock, "Autobiography," in Dan Vogel and Scott C. Dunn, '"The Tongue of Angels": Glossolalia among Mormonism's Founders,' Journal of Mormon History Vol. 19, No. 2, 1993]
75 years ago today - Nov 15, 1950
[George Albert Smith]
Arthur [Haycock] brought up Dr. Thomas C. Romney and I talked to him about the book he intends to write about President Snow at the request of Le Roy Snow. I cautioned Brother Romney that there were some things I did not think fitting to have in the book. Brother Romney understands the situation.
[George Albert Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
Arthur [Haycock] brought up Dr. Thomas C. Romney and I talked to him about the book he intends to write about President Snow at the request of Le Roy Snow. I cautioned Brother Romney that there were some things I did not think fitting to have in the book. Brother Romney understands the situation.
[George Albert Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
145 years ago today - Nov 15, 1880
[Patriarchal Blessing of James E. Talmage]
Brother James, by virtue of the Holy Priesthood, I place my hands upon thy head, and seal the blessings of the New and Everlasting Covenant upon thee, with all the gifts and privileges promised unto the sons of Zion ... it is thy privilege and the will of the Lord that you should become a mighty man in Israel, and travel much for the gospel's sake, and assist in gathering the honest in heart from among the nations of the earth; ... for the spirit of the Lord shall direct thy course, strengthen thy memory and give thee power over thy enemies and peace shall be in thy circle... thy guardian angel will whisper in thy ear and warn thee of danger, and give thee power over the adversary, and prolong thy days and years upon the earth. ... Thou shalt also be prospered in the labor of thy hands, therefore, look forward to the future with pleasure, for thy last days shall be thy best days. ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
Brother James, by virtue of the Holy Priesthood, I place my hands upon thy head, and seal the blessings of the New and Everlasting Covenant upon thee, with all the gifts and privileges promised unto the sons of Zion ... it is thy privilege and the will of the Lord that you should become a mighty man in Israel, and travel much for the gospel's sake, and assist in gathering the honest in heart from among the nations of the earth; ... for the spirit of the Lord shall direct thy course, strengthen thy memory and give thee power over thy enemies and peace shall be in thy circle... thy guardian angel will whisper in thy ear and warn thee of danger, and give thee power over the adversary, and prolong thy days and years upon the earth. ... Thou shalt also be prospered in the labor of thy hands, therefore, look forward to the future with pleasure, for thy last days shall be thy best days. ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Nov 15, 1845
The Times and Seasons publishes Eliza R. Snow's poem, "My Father in Heaven." Now the most famous LDS hymn written by a woman, it proposes a Heavenly Mother equal in status to a male consort. General's 1843 revelation on the new and everlasting covenant of marriage declared that when a couple's marriage is sealed by the Holy Spirit: "then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them," implying the same.
[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]
190 years ago today - Nov 15, 1835
.. . . thus saith the the Lord unto my Servant Joseph concerning my servant Warren [Parish], behold his sins are forgiven him ... behold it shall come to pass in his day that he shall <see> great things shew forth themselves unto my people, he shall see much of my ancient records, and shall know of hiden things, and shall be endowed with a knowledge of hiden languages, and if he desires and Shall seek it at my hand, he shall be privileged with writing much of my word, as a scribe unto me for the benefit of my people, therefore this shall be his calling until I shall order it otherwise in my wisdom and it shall be said of him in a time to come, behold Warren the Lords Scribe, for the Lords Seer whom he hath appointed in Israel
[Joseph Smith Diary, quoted in Exploring Mormonism: Kirtland Safety Society Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/kirltand-safety-society-timeline-note-this-was-built-back-in-january-2013/]
[Joseph Smith Diary, quoted in Exploring Mormonism: Kirtland Safety Society Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/kirltand-safety-society-timeline-note-this-was-built-back-in-january-2013/]
195 years ago today - Nov 5, 1830
John Murdock reported that upon being baptized, "the spirit of the Lord sensibly attended the ministration, and I came out of the water rejoicing and singing praises to God [possibly singing in tongues] and the Lamb."
[John Murdock, "Autobiography," in Dan Vogel and Scott C. Dunn, '"The Tongue of Angels": Glossolalia among Mormonism's Founders,' Journal of Mormon History Vol. 19, No. 2, 1993]
[John Murdock, "Autobiography," in Dan Vogel and Scott C. Dunn, '"The Tongue of Angels": Glossolalia among Mormonism's Founders,' Journal of Mormon History Vol. 19, No. 2, 1993]
130 years ago today - Thursday, Nov 14, 1895
"[George Q. Cannon] felt that some investigation should be had of the conduct of [Apostle Moses] Thatcher & [Seventy B. H.] Roberts before they receive any ecclesiastical appointments in the Church. Pres. Snow said he could not fellowship them until they made things right, nor could any of the Quorum do so. It was decided to leave any investigation of their affairs until after Statehood, as trouble might otherwise ensue because of the exercise of church discipline."
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
190 years ago today - Nov 14, 1835
Joseph told his story to Erastus Holmes:"…I received the first visitation of Angels which was when I was about 14 years old…"("The Personal Writings of Joseph Smith", p.113, Also in "An American Prophet's Record", p. 59)
This account has been changed in the "History of the Church", Vol.2, p.312.. It now reads "my first vision" instead of "visitation of angels."
[A Documented History of Joseph Smith's First Vision, http://beggarsbread.org/2013/04/01/a-documented-history-of-joseph-smiths-first-vision/]
This account has been changed in the "History of the Church", Vol.2, p.312.. It now reads "my first vision" instead of "visitation of angels."
[A Documented History of Joseph Smith's First Vision, http://beggarsbread.org/2013/04/01/a-documented-history-of-joseph-smiths-first-vision/]
195 years ago today - Nov 14, 1830
Sidney S Rigdon: Baptized 14 November 1830, in Mentor, Ohio.
[Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
[Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
30 years ago today - Nov 13, 1995
[Hinckley]
Met with president of the United States at White House to discuss importance of families
[LDS Newsroom, Time line of Significant Events as President, http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/time-line-of-significant-events-as-president]
Met with president of the United States at White House to discuss importance of families
[LDS Newsroom, Time line of Significant Events as President, http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/time-line-of-significant-events-as-president]
35 years ago today - Nov 13, 1990
In 1991 Utah membership of the John Birch Society mushroomed as a result of U.S. president George Bush's proclaiming U.S. participation in a "New World Order." As part of the United Nations successful Gulf War, President Bush adopted a phrase used by ultra-conservatives for decades to identify the "collectivist" goal of the international conspiracy. By May 1991, Utah had 1,000 members of the Birch Society, an increase of nearly 50 percent from two years earlier.
[John F. McManus, "'A New World Order' Means World Government," The John Birch Society Bulletin (Nov. 1990): 3-14; "Birch Society Lauds 'Fertile Soil' In Utah," Deseret News, 13 May 1991, B-2; "Utah's Birchers Organizing To Fight Bush 'Conspiracy,'" Salt Lake Tribune, 27 May 1991, B-l; "John Birch Society Skeptical of Communist Party Demise," Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Sept. 1991, B-l; '"John Bircher' Recruits Join Fight Against New World Order," Salt Lake Tribune, 21 June 1992, B-l. 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.]
[John F. McManus, "'A New World Order' Means World Government," The John Birch Society Bulletin (Nov. 1990): 3-14; "Birch Society Lauds 'Fertile Soil' In Utah," Deseret News, 13 May 1991, B-2; "Utah's Birchers Organizing To Fight Bush 'Conspiracy,'" Salt Lake Tribune, 27 May 1991, B-l; "John Birch Society Skeptical of Communist Party Demise," Salt Lake Tribune, 8 Sept. 1991, B-l; '"John Bircher' Recruits Join Fight Against New World Order," Salt Lake Tribune, 21 June 1992, B-l. 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 - Nov 13, 1965
Ernest L. Wilkinson, President of BYU says in a talk that BYU did not intend to admit any homosexuals to campus. He continued, "if any of you have this tendency and have not completely abandoned it, may I suggest that you leave the university immediately after this assembly…we do not want others on this campus to be contaminated by your presence."
[Timeline of Mormon Thinking About Homosexuality, http://rationalfaiths.com/timeline-of-mormon-thinking-about-homosexuality/]
[Timeline of Mormon Thinking About Homosexuality, http://rationalfaiths.com/timeline-of-mormon-thinking-about-homosexuality/]
70 years ago today - Nov 12, 1955
Flora Benson, wife of Ezra Taft Benson, was named national "Home Maker of the Year."
[Church News, November 12, 1955; Gary James Bergera, "Weak-Kneed Republicans and Socialist Democrats": Ezra Taft Benson as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, 1953-61, Part 2, Dialogue : A Journal of Mormon Thought, (Winter 2008, vol 41)]
[Church News, November 12, 1955; Gary James Bergera, "Weak-Kneed Republicans and Socialist Democrats": Ezra Taft Benson as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, 1953-61, Part 2, Dialogue : A Journal of Mormon Thought, (Winter 2008, vol 41)]
140 years ago today - Nov 12, 1885
[Wilford Woodruff]
The funeral of my wife Phebe was attended to day at the 14 ward school House. I saw the procession as it Past the office. I saw the hearse that Carried my wife Phebe Whitemore Carter Woodruff to the grave. I was not permitted to attend her funeral without being arrested for my religin, & Imprisioned for Cohabitation with my wives as many others are.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The funeral of my wife Phebe was attended to day at the 14 ward school House. I saw the procession as it Past the office. I saw the hearse that Carried my wife Phebe Whitemore Carter Woodruff to the grave. I was not permitted to attend her funeral without being arrested for my religin, & Imprisioned for Cohabitation with my wives as many others are.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Nov 12, 1845
[Heber C. Kimball]
Last evening I dreamed of seeing a large quentity of honey Bees, they were following me being loaded heavily with honey; they were very peacibly with me. ... Clo[t]hed our selvs and praid as follows that our enimes be flustrated, to sell our posessions, and so forth. Brock up at dark. ...
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
Last evening I dreamed of seeing a large quentity of honey Bees, they were following me being loaded heavily with honey; they were very peacibly with me. ... Clo[t]hed our selvs and praid as follows that our enimes be flustrated, to sell our posessions, and so forth. Brock up at dark. ...
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
190 years ago today - Nov 12, 1835
Joseph tells the Twelve that he thought that he had placed the church on a permanent foundation by organizing the stake of Zion. But he is still alive, so there must be something more for him to do, and that is the ordinance of washing of feet, which he then administers.
[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]
120 years ago today - Nov 11, 1905
The following editorials are taken from the Deseret Evening News of this date: 'One Mighty and Strong.' The following has been issued by the Presidency of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in explanation of verses 7 and 8 of Section 85 of the Doctrine and Covenants, and is to be received as authoritative: ... Perhaps no other passage in the revelations of the Lord in this dispensation has given rise to so much speculation as this one. also, it has been sued by vain and foolish men to bolster up their vagaries of speculation and in some cases their pretensions to great power and high positions they were to attain in the Church. In a word, some have made claims that they were the particular individual mentioned in the revelation, the 'one mighty and strong, holding the sceptre of power in his hand, clothed with light for a covering, whose mouth shall utter words, eternal words; while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth to set in order the house of God, and to
arrange by lot the inheritances of the Saints.' ...
Indeed their insufferable ignorance and egotism have been at the bottom of all their pretensions, and the cause of all the trouble into which they have fallen. ...
[Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
arrange by lot the inheritances of the Saints.' ...
Indeed their insufferable ignorance and egotism have been at the bottom of all their pretensions, and the cause of all the trouble into which they have fallen. ...
[Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
140 years ago today - Nov 11, 1885
Salt Lake City police fine LDS Deputy Sheriff Andrew J. Burt $25 for the assault and battery on U.S. Deputy marshal Henry F. Collin. Three days later the district court sentences him to five days' imprisonment for the crime.
[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)]]
160 years ago today - Nov 11, 1865
New Masonic activity in Utah created a furor and presented a conflict between two unyielding Masonic groups over a basic principle. When fourteen Masons, led by James M. Ellis, met in Salt Lake City on 11 November 1865 they petitioned the Grand Lodge of Nevada for a dispensation (temporary authorization). Grand Master DeBell responded 25 January 1866, with the stipulation that "No Mormon be accepted for the Degrees," later adding, "or to be admitted as a visitor." These rigid provisions were due in part to the history of animosity against Mormons in other states, but were based largely on the experience of Nevadans with Mormons, especially at Genoa, formerly Mormon Station.
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Freemasonry in Utah, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Freemasonry in Utah, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
190 years ago today - 1835 Nov 11
Joseph Smith & Robert Matthews (Joshua the Jewish Minister) part ways, each discerning a devil in the other
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
40 years ago today - Nov 10, 1985
Non-Mormon journalists noted: "In the past Benson's heavy-handed political maneuvering has antagonized numerous members of the [LDS] church, leading to fears of a major schism if he became president."
When he ascended to that office in November 1985, church officials insisted that Benson's political activism was "in the past."
[Dew, Ezra Taft Benson, 486-87, 469-70 ; Bob Gottlieb and Peter Wiley, "Mormons to the Right," San Jose Mercury News, 1 Dec. 1985, 9; also "Possibility of Benson Heading Mormons Worries Some With Different Views," Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 1976, Pt. 1,32; "Mormon Church Faces A Fresh Challenge . . . But Now, A Change of Leaders May Bring A Split In Its Ranks," U.S. News & World Report 95 (21 Nov. 1983): 61; "Conservative Seeking Leadership Worries Some Mormons," Baltimore Sun, 11 Dec. 1983, A-3; Gottlieb and Wiley, America's Saints, 247, 257; "Mormon Church Council Meets To Pick New Leader," Dallas Morning News, 11 Nov. 1985, A-4; "New Chief of Mormons: Ezra Taft Benson," New York Times, 19 Nov. 1985, A-16; also Robert Lindsey, "The Mormons: Growth, Prosperity and Controversy," New York Times Magazine, 12 Jan. 1986, 46. 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.]
When he ascended to that office in November 1985, church officials insisted that Benson's political activism was "in the past."
[Dew, Ezra Taft Benson, 486-87, 469-70 ; Bob Gottlieb and Peter Wiley, "Mormons to the Right," San Jose Mercury News, 1 Dec. 1985, 9; also "Possibility of Benson Heading Mormons Worries Some With Different Views," Los Angeles Times, 1 Apr. 1976, Pt. 1,32; "Mormon Church Faces A Fresh Challenge . . . But Now, A Change of Leaders May Bring A Split In Its Ranks," U.S. News & World Report 95 (21 Nov. 1983): 61; "Conservative Seeking Leadership Worries Some Mormons," Baltimore Sun, 11 Dec. 1983, A-3; Gottlieb and Wiley, America's Saints, 247, 257; "Mormon Church Council Meets To Pick New Leader," Dallas Morning News, 11 Nov. 1985, A-4; "New Chief of Mormons: Ezra Taft Benson," New York Times, 19 Nov. 1985, A-16; also Robert Lindsey, "The Mormons: Growth, Prosperity and Controversy," New York Times Magazine, 12 Jan. 1986, 46. 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.]
40 years ago today - Nov 10, 1985
The Quorum of the Twelve sustains Ezra Taft Benson as the church president with Gordon B. Hinckley and Thomas S. Monson as counselors, and ordains President Benson. Benson is the first LDS church president with a graduate degree (M.S. from Iowa State University). Also, the First Presidency and apostles vote for Howard W. Hunter as Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve due to the incapacity of Marion G. Romney. Although 'non compos mentis,' Romney is now next in apostolic seniority to the church president and eligible for automatic succession in the event of Benson's death. This situation continues until Romney's death in 1988, during which time the church president has a heart attack.
[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)]]
50 years ago today - Nov 10, 1975-Monday
[Leonard Arrington]
Elder J. Golden Kimball and B. H. Roberts were intimate associates. Each was probably the best friend of the other. When Elder Roberts died [in 1933] the family and ecclesiastical officials didn't want J. Golden to speak at the funeral for fear he might tell some incriminating story about Brother Roberts, but since he was such a close friend, they couldn't very well overlook him, so they asked him to dedicate the grave. When they got to Centerville where he was to be buried, the cemetery wasn't in very good shape. When they called on him to dedicate the grave, he walked first in one direction looking hard and then in another direction and finally said, "This is a hell of a place to bury a damn good man." It was so obviously true that the next day the mayor and city council of Centerville met and appropriated all the money left in the treasury to fix up the cemetery. ...
There was tension in the Roberts home and this tension helps to explain why his children left the Church. Some of them joined other churches. One of the things they didn't like was him taking the Shipp woman [Margaret Curtis Shipp], his third wife, back with him when he was president of the Eastern States Mission.
Simon Bamberger, governor of Utah, elected in 1916, was of course German Jewish and spoke with a rather heavy accent and was very friendly toward Mormons. In fact he referred to himself as the "president of the Hebrew stake of Zion."
J. Golden Kimball was once visiting Ogden Stake along with two Smiths. The Smiths had managed to put everybody to sleep, and he was anxious to wake them up, so he started his sermon with some questions: "Anybody here that never tasted coffee?" Two old patriarchs in the back stood up. "Anybody here never tasted tobacco?"-same two patriarchs stood up. "Anybody here never had a good slug of whiskey?" Same two patriarchs stood up. "Well, brothers and sisters, I guess my sermon must be directed to all of you except these two older brethren in the rear, and my principle remarks to them is, "you sure have missed a lot!" With everybody now awake and feeling a sense of guilt, he gave them a beautiful sermon on the Word of Wisdom.
As a student at the University of Deseret B. H. Roberts walked all the way from Centerville to Salt Lake City every day. He wore homemade clothes-and not very good ones at that. Some of the students taunted him for the old farm clothes he wore. This continued for some days until he had stood it all he could. Finally someone started making remarks to him about it and he tore into him with all of his energy. He just about killed the poor fellow. They had to take him to the hospital and have a lot of repair work done on him. Query: Could that have been the occasion which caused him to be disfellowshipped from the 13th ward?
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Elder J. Golden Kimball and B. H. Roberts were intimate associates. Each was probably the best friend of the other. When Elder Roberts died [in 1933] the family and ecclesiastical officials didn't want J. Golden to speak at the funeral for fear he might tell some incriminating story about Brother Roberts, but since he was such a close friend, they couldn't very well overlook him, so they asked him to dedicate the grave. When they got to Centerville where he was to be buried, the cemetery wasn't in very good shape. When they called on him to dedicate the grave, he walked first in one direction looking hard and then in another direction and finally said, "This is a hell of a place to bury a damn good man." It was so obviously true that the next day the mayor and city council of Centerville met and appropriated all the money left in the treasury to fix up the cemetery. ...
There was tension in the Roberts home and this tension helps to explain why his children left the Church. Some of them joined other churches. One of the things they didn't like was him taking the Shipp woman [Margaret Curtis Shipp], his third wife, back with him when he was president of the Eastern States Mission.
Simon Bamberger, governor of Utah, elected in 1916, was of course German Jewish and spoke with a rather heavy accent and was very friendly toward Mormons. In fact he referred to himself as the "president of the Hebrew stake of Zion."
J. Golden Kimball was once visiting Ogden Stake along with two Smiths. The Smiths had managed to put everybody to sleep, and he was anxious to wake them up, so he started his sermon with some questions: "Anybody here that never tasted coffee?" Two old patriarchs in the back stood up. "Anybody here never tasted tobacco?"-same two patriarchs stood up. "Anybody here never had a good slug of whiskey?" Same two patriarchs stood up. "Well, brothers and sisters, I guess my sermon must be directed to all of you except these two older brethren in the rear, and my principle remarks to them is, "you sure have missed a lot!" With everybody now awake and feeling a sense of guilt, he gave them a beautiful sermon on the Word of Wisdom.
As a student at the University of Deseret B. H. Roberts walked all the way from Centerville to Salt Lake City every day. He wore homemade clothes-and not very good ones at that. Some of the students taunted him for the old farm clothes he wore. This continued for some days until he had stood it all he could. Finally someone started making remarks to him about it and he tore into him with all of his energy. He just about killed the poor fellow. They had to take him to the hospital and have a lot of repair work done on him. Query: Could that have been the occasion which caused him to be disfellowshipped from the 13th ward?
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
65 years ago today - Nov 10,1960
Brigham Young University's president tells Executive Committee of BYU's trustees "about a colored boy on campus having been a candidate for the vice presidency of a class and receiving a very large vote." The three apostles present want to exclude all African Americans from BYU. "If a granddaughter of mine should ever go the BYU and become engaged to a colored boy," Apostle Harold B. Lee fumes, "I would hold you responsible!"
[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]
[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]
80 years ago today - Nov 10, 1945
The last listing of causes in a weekly list of named excommunicants in the Church News. Up to now the most common reasons are apostasy and "violating the law of chastity."
[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)]]
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