Apostle Reed Smoot turns down an offer to be the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury in President Warren G. Harding's cabinet: "I would prefer to remain in the Senate."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
125 years ago today - Jun 14, 1900
First Presidency and apostles agree to give $3,600 to Brigham Y. Hampton for his prior "detective work" in which he paid prostitute to allow him and nearly thirty LDS "Home Missionaries" and policemen to spy on anti-Mormons engaging in sex acts in Salt Lake City brothels in 1885. Although first counselor denies it at this meeting, in private meetings of First Presidency George Q. Cannon refers to Hampton's brothel work as "services rendered the Church" and "work in behalf of the Church." Hampton has been set apart as a Salt Lake temple worker since 1893, and another coordinator of brothel spying is the temple doorkeeper (1893-1910).
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - Jun 14, 1900
The First Presidency and apostles agree to give $3,600 to Brigham Y. Hampton for his prior "detective work" in which he paid prostitutes to allow him and nearly thirty LDS "Home Missionaries" and policemen to spy on anti-Mormons engaging in sex acts in the Salt Lake City brothel in 1885. Although the first counselor denies it at this meeting, in private meetings of the First Presidency, George Q. Cannon refers to Hampton's brothel work as "services rendered the Church" and "work in behalf of the Church." Hampton has been set apart as a Salt Lake temple worker since 1893, and another coordinator of brothel-spying is the temple doorkeeper (1893-1910).
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
130 years ago today - Jun 14, 1895
[Apostle Francis M. Lyman]
[Tooele] At 10:30 P.M. met with a woman suffrage meeting in meeting and occupied considerable time exploding the argument against the question.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Tooele] At 10:30 P.M. met with a woman suffrage meeting in meeting and occupied considerable time exploding the argument against the question.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
140 years ago today - Jun 14, 1885
[Wilford Woodruff]
.... E Snow who spoke 40 minuts and gave a history of Judge Zane's desision in A.M. Cannons Case and represented that a Gentile was brought up for seducing a girl while He had a wife But the Judge ruled that the Law was not meant for Gentiles & nobody Els but the Mormons. The gentile foots must be kept out of the trap & the Mormon foot kept in.
... Also Brother Harriman wanted me to Ordain him the Senior President of the 7 Presidet of the Seventies. I laid my Hands upon Henry Harriman & ordained him the senior President of the first Seven Presidts of the seventies. That is I Confirmed this Ordination upon his Head. He had been holding the office for many years. ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
.... E Snow who spoke 40 minuts and gave a history of Judge Zane's desision in A.M. Cannons Case and represented that a Gentile was brought up for seducing a girl while He had a wife But the Judge ruled that the Law was not meant for Gentiles & nobody Els but the Mormons. The gentile foots must be kept out of the trap & the Mormon foot kept in.
... Also Brother Harriman wanted me to Ordain him the Senior President of the 7 Presidet of the Seventies. I laid my Hands upon Henry Harriman & ordained him the senior President of the first Seven Presidts of the seventies. That is I Confirmed this Ordination upon his Head. He had been holding the office for many years. ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
145 years ago today - Jun 14, 1880
[Wilford Woodruff]
June 14, 1880 What strange things one will dream when asleep. I dreamed this morning that Queen Victoria had received the gospel and Been Baptized. She appeared vary humble, none of which is likely to happen in this world. I also thought of Prince Albert. Is Richard or Robert Connected with his Name? <I dreamed that Queen Victoria was sealed to me and she bid me an [-] thanks. This is not likely to happen.>
[Note angled brackets <> are in code - shorthand]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
June 14, 1880 What strange things one will dream when asleep. I dreamed this morning that Queen Victoria had received the gospel and Been Baptized. She appeared vary humble, none of which is likely to happen in this world. I also thought of Prince Albert. Is Richard or Robert Connected with his Name? <I dreamed that Queen Victoria was sealed to me and she bid me an [-] thanks. This is not likely to happen.>
[Note angled brackets <> are in code - shorthand]
[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 - 1845 14 Jun.
"i cant support the twelve as the first presidency," George J. Adams writes. "i cant do it when I know that it belongs to Josephs Son--Young Joseph who was ordained by his father before his Death." In May Adams had organized a church with Joseph Smith III as the intended president and himself as spokesman.
[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]
185 years ago today - Jun 14, 1840. Sunday.
[William Clayton]
In the P.M. Sister Pool spake in tongues then Rich[ard] Hardman James Mahon Sister Heath. We confirmed 4. Christiana Crooks and Jemima Whittaker spake in tongues.
[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]
In the P.M. Sister Pool spake in tongues then Rich[ard] Hardman James Mahon Sister Heath. We confirmed 4. Christiana Crooks and Jemima Whittaker spake in tongues.
[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]
185 years ago today - Jun 14, 1840
Wilford Woodruff attends a meeting at the Gadfield Elm Chapel of the United Brethren, where they unanimously pass a resolution that henceforth they will be known as the Brand Green and Gadfield Elm Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Woodruff remains in this area until August, by which time he will have converted approximately 800 members.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
145 years ago today - Jun 13, 1880
Apostle Orson Pratt preaches: "There are some, however, so foolish in their ideas that they suppose that it does not require time for the Almighty to go from world to world, or for any celestial messenger to do so. But this is a grand mistake. Time is included in all motion. Time is included between the event of a heavenly being leaving the celestial abode, where he dwells, and going to some other abode at a distance."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
185 years ago today - Jun 13, 1840. Saturday.
About 2 o'clock this A.M. Elizabeth Crooks began in her sleep to sing in tongues. She spake and sung in about 7 languages occupying about 2 hours. During the day Betsy Pool got the gift of tongues.
[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]
195 years ago today - Circa 13-Jun 25, 1830
Joseph Smith begins his revision of Genesis, dictating to Oliver Cowdery the text of Moses 1:1-5:23a. The heading of the first chapter reads: "A Revelation given to Joseph the Revelator June 1830."
[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 - Jun 12, 1900
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill]
Brought my wife Maria and daughter Lenora Eveline to be baptized for the cure of her eye, which has been afflicted all winter.
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Brought my wife Maria and daughter Lenora Eveline to be baptized for the cure of her eye, which has been afflicted all winter.
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Jun 12, 1890
Secretary of state James G. Blaine gives a paper to First Counselor George Q. Cannon who was visiting in Washington, D.C., for the "leading authorities of the church to sign in which they make a virtual renunciation of plural marriage." Cannon's son Abraham said that his "feelings revolt at signing such a document."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
165 years ago today - Jun 12, 1860
[Heber C. Kimball]
/ We often sing, "This earth was once a garden place," where God our Father dwelt, and took possession and a stand that mankind will take who attain to that honour. . . . When he (Adam) planted the garden, he planted it with seeds he brought with him; and he also brought the animals from the earth he lived upon, where his Father dwelt.
[J. D. 8:243-244]
/ We often sing, "This earth was once a garden place," where God our Father dwelt, and took possession and a stand that mankind will take who attain to that honour. . . . When he (Adam) planted the garden, he planted it with seeds he brought with him; and he also brought the animals from the earth he lived upon, where his Father dwelt.
[J. D. 8:243-244]
165 years ago today - Jun 12, 1860
President Young told the following drem which he had last night. He said I dreamed that I was in a room with Phineas Young and I saw a smooth faced young man setting beside him. I asked Phineas who it was. He replyed this is the saviour. (I did not believe it.) I smiled and said I wonder if he is the saviour. Phineas said he was. I then asked the person if he was the Savior. He said he was. I asked him if [so] how long have you been here? He said 14 days. I said have you a wife? He said yes this is my wife pointing to a woman dressed in black with a thick dark veil over her face. Said this is my wife. I thought it a funny idea. I felt that I wanted to prove him. Soon the woman vanished and he turned into a woman himself. Then I awoke and the thought Came to me that it was a representation of young Joseph & Emma Smith who had undertook to Esstablished a Church but it was upon fals ground & principles in oposition to the true Church of Christ. I was satisfied he was not the saviour.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Jun 12, 1860
J. D. 8:243-244; President Heber C. Kimball delivered at Willow Creek; June 12, 1860.
We often sing, "This earth was once a garden place," where God our Father dwelt, and took possession and a stand that mankind will take who attain to that honour. . . . When he (Adam) planted the garden, he planted it with seeds he brought with him; and he also brought the animals from the earth he lived upon, where his Father dwelt.
[Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
We often sing, "This earth was once a garden place," where God our Father dwelt, and took possession and a stand that mankind will take who attain to that honour. . . . When he (Adam) planted the garden, he planted it with seeds he brought with him; and he also brought the animals from the earth he lived upon, where his Father dwelt.
[Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
180 years ago today - Jun 12, 1845
[Wilford Woodruff]
I returned to Brother Booths & took tea. ... several uneasy spirits showed themselves I addressed the Saints for a few moments in the power of God & the Priesthood & rebuked those who would not harken to Council.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I returned to Brother Booths & took tea. ... several uneasy spirits showed themselves I addressed the Saints for a few moments in the power of God & the Priesthood & rebuked those who would not harken to Council.
[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 - Thursday, June 12th, 1845
[John Taylor]
This day [Thursday] was appointed for a fast day. I had went with some others security for the payment of damage sustained by the Expositor; and to avoid being entangled in the law at the present time, I had to hide up and not be present at the fast meeting; they having acted dishonorably I thought it best to let it lie over, for some other Court, where we would have justice done us.
['The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee]
This day [Thursday] was appointed for a fast day. I had went with some others security for the payment of damage sustained by the Expositor; and to avoid being entangled in the law at the present time, I had to hide up and not be present at the fast meeting; they having acted dishonorably I thought it best to let it lie over, for some other Court, where we would have justice done us.
['The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee]
185 years ago today - Jun 12, 1840. Friday.
At Council meeting a number of the saints attended. Brother Green almost got the gift of tongues. Brother Young spake in tongues.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
195 years ago today - Jun 12, 1830
The Palmyra Reflector prints a satire of the Book of Mormon entitled "The Book of Pukei". It refers to "Walters the Magician" (Luman Walter). The "idle and slothful" send for "Walters", who "has strange books, and deals with familiar spirits", in the hope that he would lead them to Nephite treasure. "Walters" led them to a dark grove in Manchester, where he drew a magic circle with a rusty sword, sacrificed a chicken, and allowed his party to commence digging over several nights. However, their excavation was unsuccessful. When the party tires and suspects deception, "Walters" flees with his book, rusty sword, and stuffed Toad back to Great Sodus Bay (near Luman Walter's home), "where he holds communion with the Devil, even to this day." However, "his mantle fell upon the prophet Jo. Smith Jun.", who "made a league with the spirit, who afterwards turned out to be an angel."
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
110 years ago today - Jun 11, 1915
[George F. Gibbs]
Yours April 20 to President Richard W. Young of the Ensign Stake was referred by him to the First Presidency, in which you state that Gottlieb Wuethrich, who was excommunicated for participating in taking interior views of the temple by stealth for public purposes, had sought to regain his standing in the Church by baptism.
The presidency endorse the position taken by you in regard to this matter, in effect, that the nature of the offense was so grave that no particular rush need be indulged in to extend to him our fellowship; and that it will be in order for him to manifest to the fullest extent the fruits of repentance. And it is understood of course that nothing shall hereafter be done in his case by way of permitting him to regain his standing in the Church without the written authority of the presidency.
[George F. Gibbs, Letter to H. W. Valentine, Basel, Switzerland, 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]
Yours April 20 to President Richard W. Young of the Ensign Stake was referred by him to the First Presidency, in which you state that Gottlieb Wuethrich, who was excommunicated for participating in taking interior views of the temple by stealth for public purposes, had sought to regain his standing in the Church by baptism.
The presidency endorse the position taken by you in regard to this matter, in effect, that the nature of the offense was so grave that no particular rush need be indulged in to extend to him our fellowship; and that it will be in order for him to manifest to the fullest extent the fruits of repentance. And it is understood of course that nothing shall hereafter be done in his case by way of permitting him to regain his standing in the Church without the written authority of the presidency.
[George F. Gibbs, Letter to H. W. Valentine, Basel, Switzerland, 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]
120 years ago today - Sunday, Jun 11, 1905
[John Henry Smith]
Moroni, Sanpete County
We drove to Moroni and President Anthon H. Lund dedicated the new Relief Society Hall and also a Prayer Circle Room and organized a Prayer Circle.
We both spoke. The house is very nice and Cost $3,500.00.
[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]
Moroni, Sanpete County
We drove to Moroni and President Anthon H. Lund dedicated the new Relief Society Hall and also a Prayer Circle Room and organized a Prayer Circle.
We both spoke. The house is very nice and Cost $3,500.00.
[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]
160 years ago today - Jun 11, 1865
Schuyler Colfax, a representative from Indiana and the speaker of the House (later to become the vice president of the United States), and J.M. Ashley, chairman of the House Committee on Territories, arrive in Salt Lake City on a fact-finding mission for the U.S. government. They are to obtain information on the Saints' practice of plural marriage and the Church's attitude toward the federal government.
55 years ago today - Jun 10, 1970
in a letter from the First Presidency to all stake, mission, branch, and district leaders, it explained that the Relief Society would not longer raise their own money, but that activities would be financed out of the [local] budgets. This meant that bazaars or other events to raise funds were discontinued, because the First Presidency stated that "the duty of fund-raising where it belongs, on the Priesthood."
[Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
[Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
60 years ago today - Jun 10, 1965
[McKay Presidency to temple presidents]
This will advise you that approval has been granted for limited modification in the design of the garment used in the temple to allow for better fit and greater wearing comfort. The approved modified design for women has a button front rather than string ties, a brassiere top patterned after the brassiere top of garments used for day-time wear, a helanca stretch insert in the back at the waist, and widened overlapping back panels with a helanca stretch piece at the top of each panel and a button to assure [the] panels remaining closed. All other features of the garment, including the collar, long legs, and long sleeves, remain the same as heretofore. The approved modified design of the garment for men has a button front, closed crotch, helanca stretch insert piece in the back at the waist, widened overlapping back panels with a helanca stretch piece at the top of each panel and a button to assure [the] panels remaining closed. All other features of the men's garment also, including
the collar, long legs and long sleeves, remain the same as heretofore. Both the button-front and the string-tie-front designs for men and wo men are approved for temple wear; either design may be used. You will note that the basic specifications for the garment remain unaltered.
[[David O. McKay, Hugh B. Brown, and N. Eldon Tanner to temple presidents, June 10, 1965; emphasis in original, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
This will advise you that approval has been granted for limited modification in the design of the garment used in the temple to allow for better fit and greater wearing comfort. The approved modified design for women has a button front rather than string ties, a brassiere top patterned after the brassiere top of garments used for day-time wear, a helanca stretch insert in the back at the waist, and widened overlapping back panels with a helanca stretch piece at the top of each panel and a button to assure [the] panels remaining closed. All other features of the garment, including the collar, long legs, and long sleeves, remain the same as heretofore. The approved modified design of the garment for men has a button front, closed crotch, helanca stretch insert piece in the back at the waist, widened overlapping back panels with a helanca stretch piece at the top of each panel and a button to assure [the] panels remaining closed. All other features of the men's garment also, including
the collar, long legs and long sleeves, remain the same as heretofore. Both the button-front and the string-tie-front designs for men and wo men are approved for temple wear; either design may be used. You will note that the basic specifications for the garment remain unaltered.
[[David O. McKay, Hugh B. Brown, and N. Eldon Tanner to temple presidents, June 10, 1965; emphasis in original, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
85 years ago today - Jun 10, 1940
[Rudger Clawson] asked my opinion as to whether a man was violating his covenants who having once married a wife in the temple, wife being now dead, he married a second wife civilly. I asked what he thought. He said he thought he was not violating his covenants but was weak in the faith. I agreed.
[J. Reuben Clark office diary, June 10, 1940 , Perry Special Collections, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[J. Reuben Clark office diary, June 10, 1940 , Perry Special Collections, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
105 years ago today - Jun 10, 1920
U.S. Department of Justice files charges against church president Heber J. Grant and Presiding Bishop Charles W. Nibley for illegal profiteering on behalf of the church's Utah-Idaho Sugar Company. Nibley is already under indictment on a related charge of conspiracy in restraint of trade. The federal grand jury excludes Grant but includes Nibley in its indictments on 21 Aug. Grant speaks in Nibley's defense at general conferences, and the government eventually drops the charges.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
135 years ago today - Jun 10, 1890
Brigham Young Jr. Marries 6th wife in direct conflict with Wilford's message that no new plural marriages are performed
[Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
[Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
140 years ago today - Wednesday, Jun 10, 1885
[John Henry Smith]
Salt Lake City
After our Council was over Prest. G. Q. Cannon said to Bros. F. D. Richards, B. Young, F. M. Lyman, H.J. Grant and I that Prest. J. Taylor desired the Apostles to refrain from telling vulgar stories and all light minded-ness as it grieved the spirit of the Lord.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
Salt Lake City
After our Council was over Prest. G. Q. Cannon said to Bros. F. D. Richards, B. Young, F. M. Lyman, H.J. Grant and I that Prest. J. Taylor desired the Apostles to refrain from telling vulgar stories and all light minded-ness as it grieved the spirit of the Lord.
[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]
150 years ago today - Jun 10, 1875
[Heber J. Grant]
Accepts a call to serve in the presidency of the Salt Lake City 13th Ward Young Mens Mutual Improvement Association.
[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, Salt Lake City, Utah]
Accepts a call to serve in the presidency of the Salt Lake City 13th Ward Young Mens Mutual Improvement Association.
[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Heber J. Grant, Salt Lake City, Utah]
150 years ago today - Jun 10, 1875
Young Mens Mutual Improvement Association organized, forerunner of Young Men program.
[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Chronology of Church History, http://scriptures../ldsorg.org/chchrono/contents]
[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Chronology of Church History, http://scriptures../ldsorg.org/chchrono/contents]
170 years ago today - Jun 10, 1855
Brigham Young (aged 54) marriage to Catherine Reese (1804-1860) (aged 51) widow of Zephaniah Clawson
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
190 years ago today - Jun 10, 1835
Joseph Smith is tried for assault and battery on his brother-in-law, Calvin W. Stoddard. The trouble likely stemmed from Stoddard calling Joseph "a d-d false prophet". Witnesses testified that Stoddard had been the first aggressor. The court dismissed the case, stating that "there could be no cause for further prosecution; that the assault might perhaps be justified on the principle of self-defense."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
195 years ago today - 10/Jun 11, 1830
A prayer meeting held in Fayette (NY), during which Oliver Cowdery confirms those who were baptized the previous day. There are various spiritual manifestations; Newell Knight feels overwhelmed and faints twice.
[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]
40 years ago today - Jun 9, 1985.
Bishoprics in Idaho, Utah, and Arizona receive telephoned instructions from church headquarters early Sunday morning not to invite Linda King Newell and Valeen Tippetts Avery, co-authors of a biography on Emma Smith, to speak on historical topics in church meetings. Neither Linda nor Val is officially informed of this decision.
At their own request Linda and Jack meet with Elders Neal A. Maxwell and Dallin H. Oaks, who tell her that "some aspects of the portrayal of Joseph Smith" are the problem. The month before, the book has won the best book award from the Mormon History Association and the John Whitmer Historical Association. It later co-wins the prestigious $10,000 Evans Biography Award, sharing the honor with Richard L. Bushman. BYU president and future general authority Jeffrey R. Holland presents the award.
Linda feels particularly hurt by this decision because of what appear to be misrepresentations of cause. (Because the instructions are transmitted verbally, reports that reach her of what is said in various bishopric meetings vary widely.) One of the frequently repeated charges is that she "is going around peddling the book at sacrament meetings." In fact Linda has spoken at only one sacrament meeting (in the first week the book came out) and then decided it was crucial to speak only in settings where people could ask questions. As a matter of policy, she does not have copies of her book available for sale at the firesides she gives and asks those who introduce her not to refer to her as the book's coauthor. These instructions are not always followed.
The ban, which lasts for ten months, promptly triples sales. The book is reprinted seven times by Doubleday. In 1992 the University of Illinois Press buys the copyright for $4,000, reportedly the highest price Illinois ever paid for reprint rights.
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
At their own request Linda and Jack meet with Elders Neal A. Maxwell and Dallin H. Oaks, who tell her that "some aspects of the portrayal of Joseph Smith" are the problem. The month before, the book has won the best book award from the Mormon History Association and the John Whitmer Historical Association. It later co-wins the prestigious $10,000 Evans Biography Award, sharing the honor with Richard L. Bushman. BYU president and future general authority Jeffrey R. Holland presents the award.
Linda feels particularly hurt by this decision because of what appear to be misrepresentations of cause. (Because the instructions are transmitted verbally, reports that reach her of what is said in various bishopric meetings vary widely.) One of the frequently repeated charges is that she "is going around peddling the book at sacrament meetings." In fact Linda has spoken at only one sacrament meeting (in the first week the book came out) and then decided it was crucial to speak only in settings where people could ask questions. As a matter of policy, she does not have copies of her book available for sale at the firesides she gives and asks those who introduce her not to refer to her as the book's coauthor. These instructions are not always followed.
The ban, which lasts for ten months, promptly triples sales. The book is reprinted seven times by Doubleday. In 1992 the University of Illinois Press buys the copyright for $4,000, reportedly the highest price Illinois ever paid for reprint rights.
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
130 years ago today - Jun 09, 1895
The Alberta Stake, the first stake in Canada and the first stake outside of the United States, is organized, with Charles Ora Card as president.
165 years ago today - Jun 9, 1860
Presidet Young said ... I wish to say a word about the thieveing that is going on in this Territory. I say stop this Stealing that is going on here and if you Cannot Stop it in any other way stop it by stoping their breath. I would say the best way to stop both white & red men From stealing is to take them with a write of Habeas Corpus by led from the muzzle of a gun. That will settle matter & stop all Expens.
When an Indian steals your property you want to kill him while he has been taught to steal all his life. But you will let the white man go who has always been taught not to steal & he knows better. This stealing must be stoped. I would rather men would not be killed. I would Chuse to have them quit stealing or leave the Country but I want Stealing stoped & it must be stoped.... President Young said I want you to build a substantial stockade or Fort so that 10 Indians will not massacre the whole place.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
When an Indian steals your property you want to kill him while he has been taught to steal all his life. But you will let the white man go who has always been taught not to steal & he knows better. This stealing must be stoped. I would rather men would not be killed. I would Chuse to have them quit stealing or leave the Country but I want Stealing stoped & it must be stoped.... President Young said I want you to build a substantial stockade or Fort so that 10 Indians will not massacre the whole place.
[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 - [Patriarchal blessing of Charles Willden Sr. by John Albiston]//... Thou shalt be a true worshiper in the temple of the Lord and have sweet communion with the admiring saints, witness the winding up scene and join the reigning church in the great millen[ni]um. Thou art of the faithfull seed of Abraham and I seal these blessings upon thy head in the name of Jesus Christ even so Amen and Amen.
[June 9, 1845]
195 years ago today - Jun 9, 1830
The first church conference is held with twelve officers called "apostles" by common appellation in their elders certificates and elsewhere. Eleven are among the special witnesses to the Book of Mormon in 1829. At the conference Joseph Smith performs the church's first miracle by casting the devil out of Newel Knight who afterward sees a vision of the Father and Son. This month Satan also appears to Smith as "an angel of light" and is exposed by the Archangel Michael, and Smith dictates a revelation on the "vision of Moses" which describes a visionary deception by Satan anciently.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
195 years ago today - Jun 9, 1830
Doctrine and Covenants 20. ... This section has the most complicated history of all sections in the Doctrine and Covenants. In the second half of 1829, Oliver Cowdery writes out a revelation, known as "the articles of the Church of Christ," which provides directions for running the church. It draws on wording from D&C 17, June 14-30, and D&C 18, June 1-14, 1830. The first conference of the church, on June 9, 1830, ratifies the Articles and Covenants of the Church of Christ, presumably prepared by Joseph Smith. In the spring of 1831, Martin Harris sends a copy of this document to Painesville Telegraph editor and publisher, E. B. Howe, who publishes it under the headline, "The Mormon Creed. " The church publishes it in the Evening and Morning Star in 1832 and then again in 1834 due to certain "errors" in the previous release. It is published as Book of Commandments 24. Most changes were made for the 1835 Doctrine and Covenants. ...
[Kenney, Scott; Saints Without Halos, 'Doctrine and Covenants,' http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/s/_dc.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott; Saints Without Halos, 'Doctrine and Covenants,' http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/s/_dc.phtml]
15 years ago today - 6/8/2010
[Prop 8 fine against church, and church explanation]
"A Stipulation in the matter of whether the LDS Church reported non-monetary contributions on time during the 2008 election has been completed and will be submitted for final action on June 10th. The Stipulation fines the Church $5,539.00. This is equal to 15% of the amount of money deemed to have been reported late. The 13 separate counts at issue totaled $36,928.00. The stipulation notes the dates and amounts of the late-reported donations."
A Church press release backgrounder identifies the non-monetary contributions as: "In response to a complaint filed by a member of the public, the FPPC initiated an investigation into how the Church publicly reported its support of the Yes on 8 campaign. The complaint alleged that the Church had failed to report numerous contributions totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. "The Church has fully cooperated over the last year with the FPPC's investigation, which is now concluded. The investigation revealed that the Church unintentionally failed to file daily reports detailing approximately $37,000 in non-monetary contributions. This represented the cost of staff time spent by Church employees on activities to help the Yes on 8 committee during the final two weeks of the election. "Given the technical and unintentional nature of the Church's violation, the FPPC has chosen to process the Church's matter through its streamlined-enforcement, 'traffic ticket' program. The
formula for setting a penalty under this program is 15% of the amount not timely reported, which comes out to $5,539 in this case. This fine is similar to fines imposed on other campaign contributors for filing reports after an applicable deadline."
[FAIR POLITICAL PRACTICES COMMISSION STIPULATION, DECISION AND ORDER LATE CONTRIBUTION VIOLATIONS, https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5IILxCHTVLuNWM5MWFjMDYtYmU0Ny00NDgxLWJlYjItNTdiM2NhYjNhZjlm/edit?ddrp=1&pli=1&hl=en,http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/background-information-on-the-fppcs-enforcement-process]
"A Stipulation in the matter of whether the LDS Church reported non-monetary contributions on time during the 2008 election has been completed and will be submitted for final action on June 10th. The Stipulation fines the Church $5,539.00. This is equal to 15% of the amount of money deemed to have been reported late. The 13 separate counts at issue totaled $36,928.00. The stipulation notes the dates and amounts of the late-reported donations."
A Church press release backgrounder identifies the non-monetary contributions as: "In response to a complaint filed by a member of the public, the FPPC initiated an investigation into how the Church publicly reported its support of the Yes on 8 campaign. The complaint alleged that the Church had failed to report numerous contributions totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. "The Church has fully cooperated over the last year with the FPPC's investigation, which is now concluded. The investigation revealed that the Church unintentionally failed to file daily reports detailing approximately $37,000 in non-monetary contributions. This represented the cost of staff time spent by Church employees on activities to help the Yes on 8 committee during the final two weeks of the election. "Given the technical and unintentional nature of the Church's violation, the FPPC has chosen to process the Church's matter through its streamlined-enforcement, 'traffic ticket' program. The
formula for setting a penalty under this program is 15% of the amount not timely reported, which comes out to $5,539 in this case. This fine is similar to fines imposed on other campaign contributors for filing reports after an applicable deadline."
[FAIR POLITICAL PRACTICES COMMISSION STIPULATION, DECISION AND ORDER LATE CONTRIBUTION VIOLATIONS, https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5IILxCHTVLuNWM5MWFjMDYtYmU0Ny00NDgxLWJlYjItNTdiM2NhYjNhZjlm/edit?ddrp=1&pli=1&hl=en,http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/background-information-on-the-fppcs-enforcement-process]
125 years ago today - Jun 08, 1900
The First Presidency announces the beginning of missionary training classes, one of the foundation stones of future missionary training programs.
155 years ago today - Jun 8, 1870 (Afternoon)
[Brigham Young]
President Young spoke 25 minutes. He said all the affliction upon this People will be for our Good. I do not think we should have been visited with grasshoppers if the people had harkened to Council in laying up their Grain. ... What is a kingdom? A King People & Territory. Without these things there Can be No kingdom.
[Wilford Woodruff Journal, 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]
President Young spoke 25 minutes. He said all the affliction upon this People will be for our Good. I do not think we should have been visited with grasshoppers if the people had harkened to Council in laying up their Grain. ... What is a kingdom? A King People & Territory. Without these things there Can be No kingdom.
[Wilford Woodruff Journal, 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]
160 years ago today - Jun 8, 1865 (Thursday)
Col. O.H. Irish, superintendent of Indian affairs, made a treaty with the principal Indian chiefs in Utah, at Spanish Fork Reservation farm, in the presence of Brigham Young and other leading men.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
160 years ago today - Jun 8, 1865 (Afternoon)
[Brigham Young]
The President then made some remarks on the book entitles '"Joseph Smith and his Progenitors,'" [by Lucy Mack Smith] requesting those who had copies to let him have them, and receive value for them if they desired it. [Young was unhappy with some of the content of the book and sought to prevent its circulation]
[Deseret News, 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]
The President then made some remarks on the book entitles '"Joseph Smith and his Progenitors,'" [by Lucy Mack Smith] requesting those who had copies to let him have them, and receive value for them if they desired it. [Young was unhappy with some of the content of the book and sought to prevent its circulation]
[Deseret News, 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 - Jun 8, 1845
[Heber C. Kimball]
.... In the even the Holy Order met at W. Richards. We praid fore rain as the Earth was drie and fore the sick.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
.... In the even the Holy Order met at W. Richards. We praid fore rain as the Earth was drie and fore the sick.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
180 years ago today - Jun 8, 1845
[Anointed Quorum]
Sunday prayer circle meeting at 4 p.m. of "the Holy Order" at Willard Richards's office... "We decided that Elder Orson Hyde go to the east and buy canvas for a Tabernacle (tent), and type to print the History of Joseph Smith" .
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
Sunday prayer circle meeting at 4 p.m. of "the Holy Order" at Willard Richards's office... "We decided that Elder Orson Hyde go to the east and buy canvas for a Tabernacle (tent), and type to print the History of Joseph Smith" .
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
50 years ago today - 40 years - Jun 7, 1975
President Spencer W. Kimball announces his resignation from management positions of church corporations to more fully serve spiritual needs of church. His associates in Presidency and Twelve continue extensive corporate management roles until 1996.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - 115 years - Jun 7, 1900; Thursday
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Attended Circle & Council meeting in Temple 8 [of] Twelve present. Pres[idents]. Geo[rge]. Q. [Cannon] & Jos[eph]. F [Smith] presiding. The twelve met at 10 oclock much talk about B[righam]. Y[oung]. Trust Co[mpany] running a whore house on Commercial St[reet]. Pres[ident]. G[eorge] Q. C[annon] president & B[righam]. Y[oung]. [Jr.] Vice president Jos[eph]. F. S[mith]. director on B[righam] Y[oung] board. We all disapprove of it and I expressed myself as determined to get out of it.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]
Attended Circle & Council meeting in Temple 8 [of] Twelve present. Pres[idents]. Geo[rge]. Q. [Cannon] & Jos[eph]. F [Smith] presiding. The twelve met at 10 oclock much talk about B[righam]. Y[oung]. Trust Co[mpany] running a whore house on Commercial St[reet]. Pres[ident]. G[eorge] Q. C[annon] president & B[righam]. Y[oung]. [Jr.] Vice president Jos[eph]. F. S[mith]. director on B[righam] Y[oung] board. We all disapprove of it and I expressed myself as determined to get out of it.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]
135 years ago today - 125 years - Jun 7, 1890
Ten couples accompanied by Apostle Brigham Young, Jr., and his intended polygamous wife arrive in Mexico. Young started from Logan on a train bound for Mexico and "sent word through the grapevine that if there was any couples up in this area, these stakes, that contemplated marrying into polygamy that they were to catch this train. They went down to Cache Junction. They caught the train there and went to Salt Lake. There was others that went with them. They went down there [to Mexico] and Brigham Young Jr. married another polygamous wife and he had several wives." The day they arrive Alexander F. Macdonald performs the polygamous marriages for all eleven couples.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
190 years ago today - 180 years - Jun 7, 1835
[Patriarchal Blessing of Burr Riggs given by Joseph Smith, Sr.]
.... I seal thee up unto eternal life. Thou shalt be mighty: the heavens shall be opened unto thee while thou art in the flesh, and thine shall behold the upper worlds; and thou shalt stand upon the earth, in the flesh, when the Savior comes.
Thou shalt go forth to gather the people to Zion. Thy heart shall be enlarged, thy tongue shall be loosed, and thou shalt have great power in proclaiming the gospel: and thou shalt gather many, and shalt return to Zion with them, with songs of everlasting joy upon thy head. Thou shalt have power over thy enemies, and if need so be thou shalt have power to call down fire from heaven and destroy them, so as thou mayest be delivered out of their hands; for none shall have power over thy life to take it away, unless thou shalt choose to lay it down thyself. Be faithful and thou shalt see the winding up scene of this generation. Amen.
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:26-27, quoted in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
.... I seal thee up unto eternal life. Thou shalt be mighty: the heavens shall be opened unto thee while thou art in the flesh, and thine shall behold the upper worlds; and thou shalt stand upon the earth, in the flesh, when the Savior comes.
Thou shalt go forth to gather the people to Zion. Thy heart shall be enlarged, thy tongue shall be loosed, and thou shalt have great power in proclaiming the gospel: and thou shalt gather many, and shalt return to Zion with them, with songs of everlasting joy upon thy head. Thou shalt have power over thy enemies, and if need so be thou shalt have power to call down fire from heaven and destroy them, so as thou mayest be delivered out of their hands; for none shall have power over thy life to take it away, unless thou shalt choose to lay it down thyself. Be faithful and thou shalt see the winding up scene of this generation. Amen.
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:26-27, quoted in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
130 years ago today - Thursday, Jun 6, 1895
[Apostle John Henry Smith]
Salt Lake City
Prest. W. Woodruff, Jos. F. Smith, Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Abraham H. Cannon, and I met at the Temple and had prayers and talked over some business matters. Nathan Tanner, Jr. had written an insulting letter to the first Presidency of the Church. It was agreed that the matter should be refered to the Bishop of his ward to pass upon and if he did not make reperation to be delt with for his fellowship.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
Salt Lake City
Prest. W. Woodruff, Jos. F. Smith, Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Brigham Young, Abraham H. Cannon, and I met at the Temple and had prayers and talked over some business matters. Nathan Tanner, Jr. had written an insulting letter to the first Presidency of the Church. It was agreed that the matter should be refered to the Bishop of his ward to pass upon and if he did not make reperation to be delt with for his fellowship.
[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]
185 years ago today - Jun 6, 1840
[Joseph Smith]
The first British converts arrive at Nauvoo.
[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]
The first British converts arrive at Nauvoo.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
185 years ago today - Jun 6, 1840
Forty-one Saints set sail from Liverpool, England on the ship Britannia, en route to Nauvoo; these are the first Saints to gather from Europe.
[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]
[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]
190 years ago today - Jun 6, 1835
Painesville Telegraph prints of court case against Joseph Smith for beating Calvin Stoddard (his brother-in-law).
[Mormon Chronology, N. R. Tidd, http://www.exmormon.org/mhistory.html]
[Mormon Chronology, N. R. Tidd, http://www.exmormon.org/mhistory.html]
30 years ago today - Jun 5, 1995
[Hugh W. Nibley]
"I wrote the priesthood manual for 1957, you know, 'An approach to the Book of Mormon.' Well, there was a reading committee on it. Adam S. Bennion was the head of the committee. . . . The reading committee wiped out every lesson in that book. Now this is one thing which I'm greatly obliged to President McKay. They kicked out every lesson in the book. They said it was way over peoples's heads. And every time, president McKay overruled them. The book is exactly as i wrote it. They wanted to make hundreds of changes and get rid of the the whole thing entirely, and President McKay said, "No. If it is beyond their reach, let them reach for it." Adam S. Bennion said "It's over their heads." And President McKay said "Let them reach for it." Now there's a great man. I liked that.'
[Prince, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism, by Greg Prince at 160, Interview, Hugh W. Nibley, June 5, 1995.]
"I wrote the priesthood manual for 1957, you know, 'An approach to the Book of Mormon.' Well, there was a reading committee on it. Adam S. Bennion was the head of the committee. . . . The reading committee wiped out every lesson in that book. Now this is one thing which I'm greatly obliged to President McKay. They kicked out every lesson in the book. They said it was way over peoples's heads. And every time, president McKay overruled them. The book is exactly as i wrote it. They wanted to make hundreds of changes and get rid of the the whole thing entirely, and President McKay said, "No. If it is beyond their reach, let them reach for it." Adam S. Bennion said "It's over their heads." And President McKay said "Let them reach for it." Now there's a great man. I liked that.'
[Prince, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism, by Greg Prince at 160, Interview, Hugh W. Nibley, June 5, 1995.]
55 years ago today - Jun 05, 1970
The Church sends six thousand pounds of supplies to earthquake victims in Peru.
60 years ago today - Jun 5, 1965
"When the Lord commands us to become like Him, He really intends that we shall do so. But since He never changes, and since human nature is always the same, identical conditions are required to bring that human nature into harmony with the unchangeable God. "For that reason, the Gospel must always be the same in all its parts. "To say that the Gospel may be changed is to say that either God has changed, or that human nature is no longer human nature. "It is obvious, therefore that no one change change the Gospel, and that if they attempt to do so, they only set up a man-made system which is not the Gospel, but is merely a reflection of their own views. And since only God can save, only His Gospel can save, and if se substitute 'any other Gospel,' there is no salvation in it." Editorial - Church News, p. 16
[Instutite for Religious Research, http://www.irr.org/mit/wdist/authority-nonscriptual-writings.html]
[Instutite for Religious Research, http://www.irr.org/mit/wdist/authority-nonscriptual-writings.html]
65 years ago today - Jun 5, 1960
First counselor J. Reuben Clark writes, "Sec'y [Ezra Taft] Benson's policies have about extinguished the small farmer and small cattleman." Benson has been Secretary of Agriculture in the Eisenhower administration.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
140 years ago today - Jun 5, 1885
DESERET NEWS editorial says that any seeking to use D&C 124:49 as precedent for discontinuing polygamy were moral weaklings and needed "a ramrod fastened parallel with their spinal column." Five years later First Counselor George Q. Cannon quotes D&C 124:49 in conference when presenting the manifesto (discontinuing polygamy) to the congregation.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
155 years ago today - Jun 5, 1870
Presidt Young spoke 46 Minuts. He said when any man was Called at the Head of a New Dispensation his Blood was shed to seal his Testimony. Then his Testament was in force the same as with Jesus on the Cross Joseph Smith in Carthage Jail, his Testiment has been more in force since his death than before.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Jun 5, 1855
[Wilford Woodruff]
5th I planted Potatoes, corn, squashes, pumpkins &c on the ground whare the grass hoppers had eat up my wheat.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
5th I planted Potatoes, corn, squashes, pumpkins &c on the ground whare the grass hoppers had eat up my wheat.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
195 years ago today - 5, Jun 12, 1830
Palmyra (NY) Reflector, 3rd ser., 5, 12 June 1830, 36-37
-1. And it came to pass in the latter days, that wickedness did much abound in the land, and the "Idle and slothful said one to another, let us send for Walters the Magician, who has strange books, and deals with familiar spirits; peradventure he will inform us where the Nephites, hid their treasure, so be it, that we and out vagabond van, do not perish for lack of sustenance.
-2. Now Walters, the Magician, was a man unseemly to look upon, and to profound ignorance added the most consummate impudence,-he obeyed the summons of the idle and slothful, and produced an old book in an unknown tongue, (Cicero's Orations in latin,) from whence he read in the presence of the Idle and Slothful strange stories of hidden treasures and of the spirit who had the custody thereof.
-3. And the Idle and Slothful paid tribute unto the Magician, and besought him saying, Oh! thou who art wise above all men, and can interpret the book that no man understandeth, and can discover hidden things by the power of thy enchantments, lead us, we pray thee to the place where the Nephites buried their treasure, and give us power over "the spirit," and we will be thy servants forever.
-4. And the Magician led the rabble into a dark grove, in a place called Manchester, where after drawing a Magic circle, with a rusty sword, and collecting his motley crew of latter-demallions, within the centre, he sacrificed a Cock (a bird sacred to Minerva) for the purpose of propiciating the prince of spirits.
-5. All things being ready, the Idle and Slothful fell to work with a zeal deserving a better cause, and many a live long night was spent in digging for "the root of all evil."
-6. Howbeit, owing to the wickedness and hardness of their hearts, these credulous and ignorant knaves, were always disappointed, till finally, their hopes, although frequently on the eve of consummation-like that of [t]he hypocrite perished, and their hearts became faint within them.
-7. And it came to pass, that when the Idle and Slothful became weary of their nightly labors, they said one to another, lo! this imp of the Devil, hath deceived us, let us no more of him, or peradventure, ourselves, our wives, and our little ones, will become chargeable on the town.
-8. Now when Walters the Magician heard these things, he was sorely grieved, and said unto himself, lo! mine occupation is gone, even these ignorant vagabonds, the idle and slothful detect mine impostures. I will away and hide myself, lest the strong arm of the law should bring me to justice.
-9. And he took his book, and his rusty sword, and his magic stone, and his stuffed Toad, and all his implements of witchcraft and retired to the mountains near Great Sodus Bay, where he holds communion with the Devil, even unto this day.
10. Now the rest of the acts of the magician, how his mantle fell upon the prophet Jo. Smith Jun. and how Jo. made a league with the spirit, who afterwards turned out to be an angel, and how he obtained the "Gold Bible," Spectacles, and breast plate-will they not be faithfully recorded in the book of Pukei?
[Larry E. Morris, I Should Have an Eye Single to the Glory of God: Joseph Smith's Account of the Angel and the Plates]
-1. And it came to pass in the latter days, that wickedness did much abound in the land, and the "Idle and slothful said one to another, let us send for Walters the Magician, who has strange books, and deals with familiar spirits; peradventure he will inform us where the Nephites, hid their treasure, so be it, that we and out vagabond van, do not perish for lack of sustenance.
-2. Now Walters, the Magician, was a man unseemly to look upon, and to profound ignorance added the most consummate impudence,-he obeyed the summons of the idle and slothful, and produced an old book in an unknown tongue, (Cicero's Orations in latin,) from whence he read in the presence of the Idle and Slothful strange stories of hidden treasures and of the spirit who had the custody thereof.
-3. And the Idle and Slothful paid tribute unto the Magician, and besought him saying, Oh! thou who art wise above all men, and can interpret the book that no man understandeth, and can discover hidden things by the power of thy enchantments, lead us, we pray thee to the place where the Nephites buried their treasure, and give us power over "the spirit," and we will be thy servants forever.
-4. And the Magician led the rabble into a dark grove, in a place called Manchester, where after drawing a Magic circle, with a rusty sword, and collecting his motley crew of latter-demallions, within the centre, he sacrificed a Cock (a bird sacred to Minerva) for the purpose of propiciating the prince of spirits.
-5. All things being ready, the Idle and Slothful fell to work with a zeal deserving a better cause, and many a live long night was spent in digging for "the root of all evil."
-6. Howbeit, owing to the wickedness and hardness of their hearts, these credulous and ignorant knaves, were always disappointed, till finally, their hopes, although frequently on the eve of consummation-like that of [t]he hypocrite perished, and their hearts became faint within them.
-7. And it came to pass, that when the Idle and Slothful became weary of their nightly labors, they said one to another, lo! this imp of the Devil, hath deceived us, let us no more of him, or peradventure, ourselves, our wives, and our little ones, will become chargeable on the town.
-8. Now when Walters the Magician heard these things, he was sorely grieved, and said unto himself, lo! mine occupation is gone, even these ignorant vagabonds, the idle and slothful detect mine impostures. I will away and hide myself, lest the strong arm of the law should bring me to justice.
-9. And he took his book, and his rusty sword, and his magic stone, and his stuffed Toad, and all his implements of witchcraft and retired to the mountains near Great Sodus Bay, where he holds communion with the Devil, even unto this day.
10. Now the rest of the acts of the magician, how his mantle fell upon the prophet Jo. Smith Jun. and how Jo. made a league with the spirit, who afterwards turned out to be an angel, and how he obtained the "Gold Bible," Spectacles, and breast plate-will they not be faithfully recorded in the book of Pukei?
[Larry E. Morris, I Should Have an Eye Single to the Glory of God: Joseph Smith's Account of the Angel and the Plates]
60 years ago today - Jun 4, 1965
[David O. McKay]
President [Hugh B.] Brown reported that at the Council Meeting in the Temple yesterday, Brother [Harold B.] Lee, who is head of the Garment Committee, had raised a question about authorizing ZCMI to mark Munsingwear and other union suits as Temple Garments, which practice they have been following for some time. It was the sentiment of the Garment Committee that inasmuch as the distribution of Temple Garments has been turned over to the Relief Society[,] anyone desiring to use union suits or underwear other than the authorized pattern garment should take this underwear to the Relief Society for marking, or should mark it themselves. I agreed with this sentiment.
[David O. McKay diary, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
President [Hugh B.] Brown reported that at the Council Meeting in the Temple yesterday, Brother [Harold B.] Lee, who is head of the Garment Committee, had raised a question about authorizing ZCMI to mark Munsingwear and other union suits as Temple Garments, which practice they have been following for some time. It was the sentiment of the Garment Committee that inasmuch as the distribution of Temple Garments has been turned over to the Relief Society[,] anyone desiring to use union suits or underwear other than the authorized pattern garment should take this underwear to the Relief Society for marking, or should mark it themselves. I agreed with this sentiment.
[David O. McKay diary, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
125 years ago today - Monday, Jun 4, 1900
[Apostle John Henry Smith]
I had a peculiar dream this morning. I dreamed that I was standing in front of some building where some kind of a meeting was being held. A tall dark complexioned man Picked my pocket, taking my watch. I captured him and gave him a very severe choking and recovered what he had taken.
[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 had a peculiar dream this morning. I dreamed that I was standing in front of some building where some kind of a meeting was being held. A tall dark complexioned man Picked my pocket, taking my watch. I captured him and gave him a very severe choking and recovered what he had taken.
[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]
140 years ago today - Jun 4, 1885
First Presidency and Apostles meet while "a number of the brethren stood guard outside. . . . It was decided we would form a colony in Old Mexico by unanimous vote of those present . . " This is during time of severe prosecutions for violations of anti-polygamy laws by U.S. officials.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
140 years ago today - Jun 4, 1885 (Thursday)
Elder John P. Ibsen was brought on board the steamer Milo, at Copenhagen, Denmark, by the police-officers, having been banished from the country for preaching the gospel.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
165 years ago today - Jun 4, 1860
4 We obtained the mail to day. I learned that Dr Hickman Brother to Wm. Hickman was shot dead through the Head at Pikes Peak.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Jun 4, 1845
[Nauvoo Neighbor]
.... Reprinted Story: "The Mormons" - Kentucky Legislature -- The Frankfort Common-- -- Describes a special session of the Kentucky Legislature designed to set aside land for the Mormons to reside in.
- Reprinted Story: "A New Species of Lynching" - The Whistling and Whittling Brigade -- Phi. Dollar Newspaper -- Announces the Mormon's new way to rid their town of undesirables. ...
[http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
.... Reprinted Story: "The Mormons" - Kentucky Legislature -- The Frankfort Common-- -- Describes a special session of the Kentucky Legislature designed to set aside land for the Mormons to reside in.
- Reprinted Story: "A New Species of Lynching" - The Whistling and Whittling Brigade -- Phi. Dollar Newspaper -- Announces the Mormon's new way to rid their town of undesirables. ...
[http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
180 years ago today - Jun 4, 1845
Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball learn that Warren Snow and Dominicus Carter have been jailed in Quincy, Illinois, for passing counterfeit money. Bishop Joseph L. Heywood confirms that they are guilty. In Utah Snow would become a bishop and Carter a member of a stake presidency.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
90 years ago today - Jun 3, 1935
In your letter of June 1 you ask whether or not the Church has changed its attitude towards the playing of cards.
In reply will say that there has been no change and the advice given by President Smith, to which you refer, has been reiterated by myself and others of the General Authorities from time to time.
Card-playing is a waste of time and frequently leads to quarreling and cheating, and sometimes worse evils.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Anna Brown, 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]
In reply will say that there has been no change and the advice given by President Smith, to which you refer, has been reiterated by myself and others of the General Authorities from time to time.
Card-playing is a waste of time and frequently leads to quarreling and cheating, and sometimes worse evils.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Anna Brown, 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 - Jun 3, 1900
[Heber J. Grant]
After meeting, Brother [Frank Y.] Taylor and I drove to South Cottonwood where we met Bishop Rawlins and I requested that he do not issue a recommend to a brother whose name I have now forgotten, who is about to move to Canada. This man recently married a young lady from the Tirteenth [sic] Ward, and he promised before going to secure an obligation which was owing a young lady also of the Thirteenth Ward, and to whom he had been engaged. Learning that he was going to Canada without making good his promise I felt that he was unworthy of a recommend and that his promise should be fulfilled before he was allowed to secure a recommend.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
After meeting, Brother [Frank Y.] Taylor and I drove to South Cottonwood where we met Bishop Rawlins and I requested that he do not issue a recommend to a brother whose name I have now forgotten, who is about to move to Canada. This man recently married a young lady from the Tirteenth [sic] Ward, and he promised before going to secure an obligation which was owing a young lady also of the Thirteenth Ward, and to whom he had been engaged. Learning that he was going to Canada without making good his promise I felt that he was unworthy of a recommend and that his promise should be fulfilled before he was allowed to secure a recommend.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Jun 3, 1895
[Apostle Francis M. Lyman]
I spoke 75 minutes upon rebaptism, Statehood and woman suffrage.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I spoke 75 minutes upon rebaptism, Statehood and woman suffrage.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Jun 3, 1890
First Presidency sets apart John Hafen, Lorus Pratt, and John B. Fairbanks as "art missionaries" to study in France in order to paint murals in interior of Salt Lake temple. They reach Paris on Jul 24. They are joined by Edwin Evans and Herman H. Haag. Enrolled in Julian Acadamy, the art missionaries return to Salt Lake City in 1892 and complete the temple murals. They are not first formally trained Mormon artists, because C. C. A. Christensen (b. 1831) and Danquart A. Weggeland (b. 1827) borh trained at Royal Academy of Art in Copenhagen. Contemporary with these art missionaries are three Julian Academy sculptors of Mormon background. Brigham Young's grandson Mahonri M. Young wins silver medal at Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915, creates statue of Brigham Young in U. S. Capitol, and sculpts Salt Lake Temple Square monuments to Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, and Miracle of the Seagulls. Cyrus E. Dallin wins gold medal at Panama Exposition and sculpts Angel Moroni statue
atop Salt Lake temple and also creates pioneer monument. Least identified with his Mormon parentage of the three, Gutzon Borglum designs and sculpts Mt. Rushmore National Memorial.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
atop Salt Lake temple and also creates pioneer monument. Least identified with his Mormon parentage of the three, Gutzon Borglum designs and sculpts Mt. Rushmore National Memorial.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
135 years ago today - Jun 3, 1890
The First Presidency sets apart John Hafen, Lorus Pratt, and John B. Fairbanks as "art missionaries" to study in France in order to paint murals on the interior of the Salt Lake temple. They reach Paris on 24 July. They are joined by Edwin Evans and Herman H. Haag. Enrolled in the Julian Academy, the art missionaries return to Salt Lake City in 1892 and complete the temple murals. They are not the first formally trained Mormon artists, because C.C.A. Christensen (b. 1831) and Danquart A. Weggeland (b. 1827) both trained at the Royal Academy of Art in Copenhagen. Contemporary with these art missionaries are three Julian Academy sculptors of Mormon background. Brigham Young's grandson, Mahonri M. Young, wins the silver medal at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915, creates a statue of Brigham Young in the U.S. Capitol, and sculpts the Salt Lake Temple Square monuments to Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, and the Miracle of the Seagulls. Cyrus E. Dallin wins the gold medal at
the Panama Exposition and sculpts the Angel Moroni statue atop the Salt Lake temple, and also creates the pioneer monument. Least identified with his Mormon parentage of the three, Gutzon Borglum designs and sculpts Mt. Rushmore National Memorial. Mary Teasdel joins the Julian Academy in 1899. She is the first female Mormon artist whose work eventually becomes part of a collection at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
the Panama Exposition and sculpts the Angel Moroni statue atop the Salt Lake temple, and also creates the pioneer monument. Least identified with his Mormon parentage of the three, Gutzon Borglum designs and sculpts Mt. Rushmore National Memorial. Mary Teasdel joins the Julian Academy in 1899. She is the first female Mormon artist whose work eventually becomes part of a collection at the National Gallery in Washington, D.C.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
170 years ago today - Jun 3, 1855 (Evening)
Joseph prophesied that Lyman Johnson would go into the kingdom of heaven, but he has got to go to hell first, burn out and then come out. A man has got to go down, just as far as he had light.
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
170 years ago today - Jun 3, 1855 (Morning)
[Brigham Young]
In my fullest belief, it was the design of the Lord that Adam should partake of the forbidden fruit, and I believe that Adam knew all about it before he came to this earth. I believe there was no other way leading to thrones and dominions only for him to transgress
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
In my fullest belief, it was the design of the Lord that Adam should partake of the forbidden fruit, and I believe that Adam knew all about it before he came to this earth. I believe there was no other way leading to thrones and dominions only for him to transgress
[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 - Jun 3, 1840
[Wilford Woodruff]
A notable miracle was wrought by faith & the power of God in the person of Sister Mary Pitt at Dymok. She had been Confined 6 years to her bed, with the spine which mostly deprived her of the use of her feet & ancles, & had not walked for 11 years ownly with the use of crutches. Elders Young Richards & Woodruff lade hands upon her & rebuked her infirmity & her ancle bones received strength & she now walks without the aid of crutch or staff.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
A notable miracle was wrought by faith & the power of God in the person of Sister Mary Pitt at Dymok. She had been Confined 6 years to her bed, with the spine which mostly deprived her of the use of her feet & ancles, & had not walked for 11 years ownly with the use of crutches. Elders Young Richards & Woodruff lade hands upon her & rebuked her infirmity & her ancle bones received strength & she now walks without the aid of crutch or staff.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
145 years ago today - Jun 2, 1880
Br Joseph Young Senr. Said he was going to lay the subject of taking the Seventies and ordaining them High Priests before the Twelve. He wished to report to them the language of Brother Brigham and of Joseph the Prophet. He (Joseph) said, You could not take a Seventy and make a High Priest of him. He referred to the case of Gladden Bishop, who was ordained from a Seventy to a High Priest by Hyrum his brother and he Br Hyrum received a severe rebuke for taking such an unwarrantable [sic] course. Said also that Brother Brigham was asked on one occasion whether he should take an Apostle and ordain him an High Priest? He answered that no reason for it. He referred to many things that were [told] him by Brigham and the Prophet Joseph Smith against the ranks of these Quorums being broken up; whose ordinations were placed upon them as special witnesses and travelling ministers to the nations of the earth and against making them local officers.
[Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015, Appendix 1: Minutes of the Seventies, 1837-1933, Excerpts]
[Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015, Appendix 1: Minutes of the Seventies, 1837-1933, Excerpts]
165 years ago today - Jun 2, 1860
In the evening Pres[ident] Joseph Young came in and had some conversation with the President [Brigham Young] upon the Science of music. The President [said] a great deal of the music now played by the world have been composed to play at whore houses, and as the virtues of Nations declined the music sinks with it. he also remarked the music compositors of the present day introduce as much discord as possible into their compositions, without actually destroying the rules of music. -- 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]
175 years ago today - Jun 2, 1850
President Young recommended this method and for brethren to try their difficulties first in the church and not go to law until a man will not abide the decision of the church tribunals. -- Salt Lake City
[On the Mormon Frontier, the Diaries of Hosea Stout. Juanita Brooks, ed. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1964. 2:370, 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]
[On the Mormon Frontier, the Diaries of Hosea Stout. Juanita Brooks, ed. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 1964. 2:370, 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]
195 years ago today - Jun 2, 1830
[Newspaper story]
"New Bible--A fellow by the name of Joseph Smith, who resides in the upper part of Susquehanna county, has been, for the last two years we are told, employed in dictating, as he says, by inspiration, a new Bible. He pretended that he had been entrusted by God with a golden bible which had been always hidden from the world. Smith would put his face into a hat in which he had a white stone, and pretend to read from it, while his coadjutor transcribed. The book purports to give an account of the "ten tribes" and strange as it may seem, there are some who have full faith in his divine commission. The book, it seems is now published."
[Cincinnati Advertiser, Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
"New Bible--A fellow by the name of Joseph Smith, who resides in the upper part of Susquehanna county, has been, for the last two years we are told, employed in dictating, as he says, by inspiration, a new Bible. He pretended that he had been entrusted by God with a golden bible which had been always hidden from the world. Smith would put his face into a hat in which he had a white stone, and pretend to read from it, while his coadjutor transcribed. The book purports to give an account of the "ten tribes" and strange as it may seem, there are some who have full faith in his divine commission. The book, it seems is now published."
[Cincinnati Advertiser, Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
45 years ago today - Jun 1, 1980
Apostle Bruce R. McConkie preaches at BYU against "Seven Deadly Heresies." First heresy: "There are those who say God is progressing in knowledge and is learning new truths." Second heresy is organic evolution. Fifth heresy; "There are those who say that there is progression from one kingdom to another in the eternal worlds." Sixth "Deadly Heresy" is the Adam-God doctrine preached by Brigham Young. McConkie says those who have been through the temple who believe the Adam-God doctrine "do not deserve to be saved."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
60 years ago today - Jun 1, 1965
Apostle Richard L. Evans is elected president of Rotary International, with its 560,000 community leaders and business executives in 127 nations.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
75 years ago today - Jun 1, 1950
[George Albert Smith]
while in Washington, he meets with a Sister from Mesa, Arizona, who feels "that she was to be the mother of the Holy Ghost; that the Holy Ghost was to receive a mortal body and that she, as Mary of old, the mother of Jesus, had been selected to be the mother of the Holy Ghost."
[Journals of George Albert Smith]
while in Washington, he meets with a Sister from Mesa, Arizona, who feels "that she was to be the mother of the Holy Ghost; that the Holy Ghost was to receive a mortal body and that she, as Mary of old, the mother of Jesus, had been selected to be the mother of the Holy Ghost."
[Journals of George Albert Smith]
75 years ago today - Jun 1, 1950
President George Albert Smith dedicated a statue of Brigham Young at the nation's Capitol.
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
80 years ago today - Jun 1, 1945
The Improvement Era, states: "When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done." This is the ward teacher's message to all members for the month. To an inquiring Unitarian minister George Albert Smith writes that "not a few members of the Church have been upset in their feelings, and General Authorities have been embarrassed" by the above statement. "Even to imply that members of the Church are not to do their own thinking is grossly to misrepresent the true ideal of the Church," he continues. However, the church president's retraction reaches one non-Mormon, while the original statement reaches the entire LDS population without a similar correction.
[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 - Jan 6, 1870
Women of the Salt Lake City Fifteenth Ward met to protest the Cullom Bill, proposed federal legislation designed to punish polygamists and limit the church's power. In the next three months, thousands of other Mormon women met in similar protest (or "indignation") meetings.
[Matthew J. Grow, Kate Holbrook, Carol Cornwall Madsen, Jill Mulvay Derr, The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women's History, Chronology. https://churchhistorianspress.org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/events]
[Matthew J. Grow, Kate Holbrook, Carol Cornwall Madsen, Jill Mulvay Derr, The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women's History, Chronology. https://churchhistorianspress.org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/events]
165 years ago today - Jun 1, 1860
1860 Census lists 29 slaves in Utah,
[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]
180 years ago today - Jun 1, 1845
An official "clarification" appears in the TIMES AND SEASONS defining William Smith's position as Patriarch TO the Church, not OVER the Church, an obvious restriction. William sees this as yet another attempt to undermine his position.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
180 years ago today - Jun 1, 1845
[Brigham Young Sermon]
I believe that Ghosts will haunt them [murders of Joseph & Hyrum], but Joseph will not take the pains to their haunt them in his visions and dreams, but he will send some of the meanest spirits in the eternal world.
[Leonard J. Arrington Papers, 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]
I believe that Ghosts will haunt them [murders of Joseph & Hyrum], but Joseph will not take the pains to their haunt them in his visions and dreams, but he will send some of the meanest spirits in the eternal world.
[Leonard J. Arrington Papers, 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]
195 years ago today - between 1 June and Jun 9, 1830
In Fayette, New York, Smith drafts the "Articles and Covenants of the church of Christ". Both Smith and Oliver Cowdery are described as "an apostle of Jesus Christ, an elder of this church". In the earliest possible reference to Smith's First Vision, it says that "after that it truly was manifested unto this first elder, that he had received a remission of his sins, he was entangled again in the vanities of the world; [b]ut after truly repenting, God ministered unto him by an holy angel...." The document refers to the new office of deacon.
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
195 years ago today - Jun 1, 1830
The first proselytizing mission is conceived and is to be directed toward native Americans. The PALMYRA REFLECTOR calls Oliver Cowdery "the apostle to the NEPHITES." Cowdery and others of the "Lamanite mission" leave New York Oct. 1830 and preach to the Catteragus tribe in New York, the Wyandot tribe in Ohio, the Shawnee tribe in Missouri, and the Delaware tribe in what is now Kansas. Instead of native Americans, the most prominent converts of this 1830-1831 mission are Sidney Rigdon, Frederick G. Williams, and Newel K. Whitney.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
195 years ago today - Jun 1, 1830
The Church held its first Conference, in Fayette, Seneca County, New York.
[Richards, Franklin Dewey and Little, James A., Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel, Church Chronology, Ch.66, p.306, http://www.amazon.com/Compendium-Doctrines-Gospel-ebook/dp/B002LTY4Z0?ie=UTF8tag=mormonchronic-20link_code=btlcamp=213689creative=392969]
[Richards, Franklin Dewey and Little, James A., Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel, Church Chronology, Ch.66, p.306, http://www.amazon.com/Compendium-Doctrines-Gospel-ebook/dp/B002LTY4Z0?ie=UTF8tag=mormonchronic-20link_code=btlcamp=213689creative=392969]
75 years ago today - May 31, 1950
[David O. McKay]
At the office at 7 a.m.'Busy with office affairs until 9 a.m., at which time I met with Brother Stephen L. Richards who has been appointed a member of a committee to study a plan for Priesthood insurance. I told Brother Richards that I would call Brother Virgil Smith of the Beneficial Life Insurance Company who I am sure, will be able to give some valuable advice regarding this matter. I later reached Brother Smith by telephone and asked him if he would meet with Brother Stephen L. Richards. I explained to him that for twenty or twenty-five years we have been trying to work out some plan for Priesthood insurance for the Quorums of the Church; that the Council of the First Presidency and the Twelve the other day approved of a committee's working a plan out, and approved of the committee's getting such help as will be necessary to get it on a sound basis. I told him, also, that Brother Stephen L. Richards had met with me this morning on it, and said that he would appreciate very much
receiving his advice regarding it. Brother Smith said that he would be very happy to render whatever help he could, and that he would get in touch with Brother Stephen L. Richards immediately.
[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]
At the office at 7 a.m.'Busy with office affairs until 9 a.m., at which time I met with Brother Stephen L. Richards who has been appointed a member of a committee to study a plan for Priesthood insurance. I told Brother Richards that I would call Brother Virgil Smith of the Beneficial Life Insurance Company who I am sure, will be able to give some valuable advice regarding this matter. I later reached Brother Smith by telephone and asked him if he would meet with Brother Stephen L. Richards. I explained to him that for twenty or twenty-five years we have been trying to work out some plan for Priesthood insurance for the Quorums of the Church; that the Council of the First Presidency and the Twelve the other day approved of a committee's working a plan out, and approved of the committee's getting such help as will be necessary to get it on a sound basis. I told him, also, that Brother Stephen L. Richards had met with me this morning on it, and said that he would appreciate very much
receiving his advice regarding it. Brother Smith said that he would be very happy to render whatever help he could, and that he would get in touch with Brother Stephen L. Richards immediately.
[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]
90 years ago today - May 31, 1935
Dr. George W. Middleton and Heber Sears ask 'the opinion of the Church regarding sterilization of criminals, incompetents, etc." Heber J. Grant replies that "the Church had taken no stand whatever on this matter up to date."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - May 31, 1900
In a meeting of the Twelve Apostles it is decided that Apostle Reed Smoot should try for a seat on the Republican National Committee.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - May 31, 1900; Thursday
Brother [Heber J.] Grant reported that in visiting the Granite [Utah] Stake it was evident to him that Bishop Apollos Driggs was not a fit man to preside over the Sugar House Ward. He found that he had paid five dollars tithing last year and his clerk ten cents, and for several years previous Brother Driggs had paid no tithing at all. It looks on the face of it that by himself and clerk paying a little tithing they realized that they would escape being put on the list of non-tithe payers. ... Brother Grant stated that he had decided in his mind that Brother Driggs should be asked for his resignation ...
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
150 years ago today - May 31, 1875
[Wilford Woodruff]
During the Evening My Brother Azmon Woodruff & his wife Elizabeth Pierce Woodruff arived at my house. I should not have been much more surprised if an Angel from Heaven had Called upon me. It had been 38 years since we had met before.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
During the Evening My Brother Azmon Woodruff & his wife Elizabeth Pierce Woodruff arived at my house. I should not have been much more surprised if an Angel from Heaven had Called upon me. It had been 38 years since we had met before.
[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 - May 31, 1845, Saturday
[William Clayton]
[Regarding the trail of the murders of Joseph & Hyrum Smith] From the testimony of brother Watt it appears the Judge Young is favorable to the mobocrats and manifests a disposition to acquit the murderers rather than bring them to justice. Calvin A. Warren also said if the prisoners were guilty of murder he himself was guilty, alleging that it was the public opinion that the Smiths ought to be killed, and public opinions make laws, and consequently it was not murder to kill the Smiths. Esqr. Browing also railed hard against the saints. In fact the whole proceedings of the court is nothing more than a farce, and it is evident there is no disposition on the part of the people to avenge the blood of the servents of God and it will yet be left for God himself to do it, in his own time and in his own way.
[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]
[Regarding the trail of the murders of Joseph & Hyrum Smith] From the testimony of brother Watt it appears the Judge Young is favorable to the mobocrats and manifests a disposition to acquit the murderers rather than bring them to justice. Calvin A. Warren also said if the prisoners were guilty of murder he himself was guilty, alleging that it was the public opinion that the Smiths ought to be killed, and public opinions make laws, and consequently it was not murder to kill the Smiths. Esqr. Browing also railed hard against the saints. In fact the whole proceedings of the court is nothing more than a farce, and it is evident there is no disposition on the part of the people to avenge the blood of the servents of God and it will yet be left for God himself to do it, in his own time and in his own way.
[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 - May 31, 1835
[Patriarchal Blessing of George A. Smith given by John Smith]
.... thou shalt be a mighty man in the earth, even like unto Alma of old, who by faith caused prison walls to fall to the ground, that they could not hold him, and like Ammon who by the power of his words caused Kings to fall prostrate before him, and even the man who raised his sword to slay him fell dead at his feet; thou shalt preach before the wise and the learned even kings and rulers, many shall bow down before you, and some will even worship you, if you do not tell them better; thou shalt be an instrument in the hands of the Lord, in bringing thousands to the knowledge of the truth and lead them to Zion; you shall do mighty miracles in the name of the Lord, to the astonishment of all who are about you; ... Angels shall minister unto you and console you in time of trouble;
... if you desire it, you shall see the winding up scene when the Heavens shall be unveiled, and you shall see the the face of the Lord and fly to meet him in the cloud; and from this hour your mind shall begin to expand and continue so to do, until you shall comprehend all things; you shall also be healed of all thy bodily infirmities ...
[Early Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:143-144, quoted in Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
.... thou shalt be a mighty man in the earth, even like unto Alma of old, who by faith caused prison walls to fall to the ground, that they could not hold him, and like Ammon who by the power of his words caused Kings to fall prostrate before him, and even the man who raised his sword to slay him fell dead at his feet; thou shalt preach before the wise and the learned even kings and rulers, many shall bow down before you, and some will even worship you, if you do not tell them better; thou shalt be an instrument in the hands of the Lord, in bringing thousands to the knowledge of the truth and lead them to Zion; you shall do mighty miracles in the name of the Lord, to the astonishment of all who are about you; ... Angels shall minister unto you and console you in time of trouble;
... if you desire it, you shall see the winding up scene when the Heavens shall be unveiled, and you shall see the the face of the Lord and fly to meet him in the cloud; and from this hour your mind shall begin to expand and continue so to do, until you shall comprehend all things; you shall also be healed of all thy bodily infirmities ...
[Early Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:143-144, quoted in Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
50 years ago today - May 30, 1975
Maxine Conder is the second woman in U.S. Navy history to be promoted to admiral. In her biographical sketch for 'Who's Who in America,' Admiral Conder writes: "I am eternally grateful for my Mormon heritage."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
75 years ago today - May 30, 1950
[George Albert Smith]
I learned this evening that there has been a good deal of difficulty over the Brigham Young Monument dedication services. ... [political maneuvering over which senator should receive the monument is described] ... I am fearful that there was some politics involved in the matter but feel very keenly the fact that on such a sacred occasion such as the dedication of the monument to Brigham Young that any of the people from Utah would stoop to playing politics over such an event. ... Senator Watkins came up to the room after I had gone to bed and visited with Arthur and Emily and talked about the difficulty over the dedication. He is quite embarrassed and disturbed because the announcement was given to all the newspapers and was printed in papers over the country, particularly in Utah, indicating that he will receive the monument on behalf of the Senate and is at a loss to know just what he should do. I am very much disturbed over 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]
I learned this evening that there has been a good deal of difficulty over the Brigham Young Monument dedication services. ... [political maneuvering over which senator should receive the monument is described] ... I am fearful that there was some politics involved in the matter but feel very keenly the fact that on such a sacred occasion such as the dedication of the monument to Brigham Young that any of the people from Utah would stoop to playing politics over such an event. ... Senator Watkins came up to the room after I had gone to bed and visited with Arthur and Emily and talked about the difficulty over the dedication. He is quite embarrassed and disturbed because the announcement was given to all the newspapers and was printed in papers over the country, particularly in Utah, indicating that he will receive the monument on behalf of the Senate and is at a loss to know just what he should do. I am very much disturbed over 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]
110 years ago today - May 30, 1915
William Paul Daniels is the first black African to join the LDS church. An Elder in the Dutch Reformed Church of South Aftrica, he accepts baptism in Salt Lake City without opportunity for the LDS priesthood. He returns to Cape Town where he dies in 1936. Exactly sixty-five years after his baptism, Daniels receives his temple endowment by proxy.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
135 years ago today - May 30, 1890
Apostle Lorenzo Snow tells a meeting of the apostles, "I have thought of the necessity of establishing a mission in Jerusalem and to have a colony established there who should water their lands from the river Jordan."
Heber J. Grant also tells apostles that "he had never had an inspired dream in his life and that although he had always desired to see his father in a dream or vision that he had never been allowed to enjoy this great privilege." Decades later as church president, Grant often speaks publicly of an 1883 manifestation where he saw and heard a heavenly council meeting of his deceased father with Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith. However, he first describes this experience to other apostles as simply "the whisperings of the spirit to him" that he was called as an apostle because of such a meeting.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
Heber J. Grant also tells apostles that "he had never had an inspired dream in his life and that although he had always desired to see his father in a dream or vision that he had never been allowed to enjoy this great privilege." Decades later as church president, Grant often speaks publicly of an 1883 manifestation where he saw and heard a heavenly council meeting of his deceased father with Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith. However, he first describes this experience to other apostles as simply "the whisperings of the spirit to him" that he was called as an apostle because of such a meeting.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
135 years ago today - May 30, 1890
[John W. Taylor:] I have seen the power of God in vision. I have seen the Prophet Joseph [Smith] also Brother Brigham Young and my own father [i.e., John Taylor] since his death. I almost fear when I stop to think that I have seen the Lord Jesus Christ, knowing as I do that others who have similar manifestations have fallen away from the truth, and I am fearful lest Ifall. ...
Bro[ther] Jno. [John] H[enry]. Smith said last U[nited]. O[rder]. resembled communism too much, though present system of Cooperations would unite the people, perhaps better. I could not agree with him but said nothing. There is too much time given, to Cooperations, stocks, bonds, politics etc by leaders to please me. We are in all kinds of business interests, even the members of the Twelve represent businesses which are jealous of each other and almost readyto fight each other.
[Minutes, 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]
Bro[ther] Jno. [John] H[enry]. Smith said last U[nited]. O[rder]. resembled communism too much, though present system of Cooperations would unite the people, perhaps better. I could not agree with him but said nothing. There is too much time given, to Cooperations, stocks, bonds, politics etc by leaders to please me. We are in all kinds of business interests, even the members of the Twelve represent businesses which are jealous of each other and almost readyto fight each other.
[Minutes, 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 - May 30, 1845
Nearly a year after the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph Smith and Patriarch Hyrum Smith, the nine defendants charged with the murder of Joseph and Hyrum are acquitted.
185 years ago today - May 30, 1840
[Wilford Woodruff]
Yes glory Hallelujah I have now got a letter from Phebe. It is the first letter I have received from her since I have been in England. Her letter contained much intelligence of Interest. She informed me she was blessed with the birth of a Son, on the morn of the 22 of March 1840 at 6 oclock. His Name is WILLFORD WOODRUFF Jr. May he be preserved blameless unto the comeing of the Lord Jesus Christ for which I will ever Pray.
One letter was from Elder Brigham Young at Manchester informing us that the first No of the Millenial Star was out of press & that the Hymn Book & Book of Mormon would soon be in tipe. One letter was from Sister Richards, & one from Elder Whitehead & their was so much glorious news in thes letters that it drove sleep from our eyes for the night & I felt more like going out into the street & shouting glory Hallelujah than any thing els. <Elder Turley is> out <of prison.>
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Yes glory Hallelujah I have now got a letter from Phebe. It is the first letter I have received from her since I have been in England. Her letter contained much intelligence of Interest. She informed me she was blessed with the birth of a Son, on the morn of the 22 of March 1840 at 6 oclock. His Name is WILLFORD WOODRUFF Jr. May he be preserved blameless unto the comeing of the Lord Jesus Christ for which I will ever Pray.
One letter was from Elder Brigham Young at Manchester informing us that the first No of the Millenial Star was out of press & that the Hymn Book & Book of Mormon would soon be in tipe. One letter was from Sister Richards, & one from Elder Whitehead & their was so much glorious news in thes letters that it drove sleep from our eyes for the night & I felt more like going out into the street & shouting glory Hallelujah than any thing els. <Elder Turley is> out <of prison.>
[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 - May 26, 1835
[Martin Harris]
to be the first individual to receive an inheritance in Zion
[Martin Harris Chronology, Michael Marquardt, Sunstone Symposium 2016]
to be the first individual to receive an inheritance in Zion
[Martin Harris Chronology, Michael Marquardt, Sunstone Symposium 2016]
20 years ago today - May 28, 2005
The Church News reports comments from Elder Marlin Jensen:
"[W]e're working on what I think will be the single most significant historical project of our generation: the Joseph Smith papers. With the help of scholars at the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Church History and our own staff here, we have under way a project that will collect all of the papers of Joseph Smith's lifetime: his journals, his diaries, his correspondence, articles, notices, everything of a written nature that he generated."The result of the 10-to-15-year project, he said, will be a work of up to 35 volumes that will enhance the collective scholarship about the Prophet in that no credible historian will be able "to write about early Church history or Joseph Smith without showing a mastery of this material."
[R. Scott Lloyd, "'Historian by yearning' collects, preserves: Elder Marlin K. Jensen is historian/recorder," Church News, May 28, 2005, Z12, quoted in Joseph Smith Papers Timeline: History of the Joseph Smith Papers Project, MormonWasp Blog (defunct)]
"[W]e're working on what I think will be the single most significant historical project of our generation: the Joseph Smith papers. With the help of scholars at the Joseph Fielding Smith Institute for Church History and our own staff here, we have under way a project that will collect all of the papers of Joseph Smith's lifetime: his journals, his diaries, his correspondence, articles, notices, everything of a written nature that he generated."The result of the 10-to-15-year project, he said, will be a work of up to 35 volumes that will enhance the collective scholarship about the Prophet in that no credible historian will be able "to write about early Church history or Joseph Smith without showing a mastery of this material."
[R. Scott Lloyd, "'Historian by yearning' collects, preserves: Elder Marlin K. Jensen is historian/recorder," Church News, May 28, 2005, Z12, quoted in Joseph Smith Papers Timeline: History of the Joseph Smith Papers Project, MormonWasp Blog (defunct)]
100 years ago today - May 28, 1925
[Heber J. Grant]
At 6:30 this morning I met Elder Reed Smoot. He has just returned from Los Angeles with Bishop Nibley. I told Reed that I had decided to select Brother [Charles W.] Nibley [not ordained an apostle] as my second counselor, promoting Brother [Anthony] Ivins to First Counselor, succeeding Brother Penrose.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
At 6:30 this morning I met Elder Reed Smoot. He has just returned from Los Angeles with Bishop Nibley. I told Reed that I had decided to select Brother [Charles W.] Nibley [not ordained an apostle] as my second counselor, promoting Brother [Anthony] Ivins to First Counselor, succeeding Brother Penrose.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - May 28, 1860 (Monday)
The Indians attacked the mail station at Deep Creek, Tooele Co., shot a man and stole several horses.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
175 years ago today - May 28, 1850
[Nauvoo Temple]
Nauvoo city officials "declared that the southern and eastern walls would soon fall down, and that to avoid any serious accident, it was better to destroy them." The walls were then razed, leaving only the west facade standing.
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
Nauvoo city officials "declared that the southern and eastern walls would soon fall down, and that to avoid any serious accident, it was better to destroy them." The walls were then razed, leaving only the west facade standing.
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
180 years ago today - May 28, 1845
[Heber C. Kimball]
My wife under tem[p]tation had a dream. Sau [Saw] Evels Spirrits winding strings around hur neck, but I brock them and rent them a sunder, and she was delivered.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
My wife under tem[p]tation had a dream. Sau [Saw] Evels Spirrits winding strings around hur neck, but I brock them and rent them a sunder, and she was delivered.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
180 years ago today - May 28, 1845, Wednesday
On Wednesday the 28th of May the first ``bent'' of the attic story of the [Nauvoo] temple was raised by the carpenters, and up to this time they continued to raise the timber works with pleasing rapidity.
Thus the work of this temple has progressed from the beginning to the present time without any serious accident except in the incident which happened at the stone quarry. The blessing of God has attended the whole progress of the work, and it has advanced beyond our most sanguine expectations. Our enemines have threatened all the time, and for the last two years we have had very little cessation from writs and other efforts of the enemy to prevent our finishing it. Many prophecies have been uttered against it; but the Saints have invariably pursued a steady course of perseverance. As the building has progressed, the Saints have increased their donations and tithings; and this Spring has exceeded all past times for liberality and donations from the brethern.
[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]
Thus the work of this temple has progressed from the beginning to the present time without any serious accident except in the incident which happened at the stone quarry. The blessing of God has attended the whole progress of the work, and it has advanced beyond our most sanguine expectations. Our enemines have threatened all the time, and for the last two years we have had very little cessation from writs and other efforts of the enemy to prevent our finishing it. Many prophecies have been uttered against it; but the Saints have invariably pursued a steady course of perseverance. As the building has progressed, the Saints have increased their donations and tithings; and this Spring has exceeded all past times for liberality and donations from the brethern.
[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]
195 years ago today - May 28, 1830
The Indian Removal Act was a law passed by Congress during the presidency of Andrew Jackson. It authorized the president to negotiate with the "Five Civilized Tribes" in the Southern United States for their removal to federal territory west of the Mississippi River in exchange for their homelands. It paved the way for the reluctant migration of tens of thousands of American Indians to the West, an event widely known as the "Trail of Tears," a resettlement of the native population.
[Indian Removal Act]
[Indian Removal Act]
35 years ago today - May 27, 1990
Missionary Gale Stanley Critchfield, age twenty, is stabbed to death in Dublin by an eighteen-year-old Irishman who follows the missionaries to their apartment for the sole purpose of the attack. "We wonder why, when a young man is called to serve the Lord, he isn't watched over so closely [that] his life is protected," says First Presidency counselor Gordon B. Hinckley at the funeral. "We don't know why some things happen."
[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 - May 27, 1870
[Wilford Woodruff]
I spent most of the day drawing a waggon she[et/af?] through my grain to ketch grass hoppers. We caught many bushels but still the Earth was nearly Covered. It seems a vary hard method to save any grain this season on my farm they have Eat my wheat Barley oats & Corn & it looks as though we [will] not raise any thing. But I would rather have a grass hopper war than a gentile war.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I spent most of the day drawing a waggon she[et/af?] through my grain to ketch grass hoppers. We caught many bushels but still the Earth was nearly Covered. It seems a vary hard method to save any grain this season on my farm they have Eat my wheat Barley oats & Corn & it looks as though we [will] not raise any thing. But I would rather have a grass hopper war than a gentile war.
[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 - May 27, 1870
During 1869 and 1870, Latter-day Saint women developed a distinct organization for young women, the first such organization in the church's history. This organization, the Young Ladies' Department of the Ladies' Cooperative Retrenchment Association, was initiated in response to Brigham Young's call for simplification in meal preparation, housekeeping, and clothing. The Young Ladies' Department operated both in connection with and separately from the Relief Society.
The first young ladies' organization consisted of Brigham Young's adolescent and young adult daughters (ranging in age from fourteen to twenty-two), both married and unmarried. ...
On May 27, 1870, which should be considered the formal founding date of the young ladies' organization, Young's daughters organized themselves as the First Young Ladies' Department of the Ladies' Cooperative Retrenchment Association and adopted resolutions composed by Eliza R. Snow, one of Young's plural wives and an avid proponent of reform. ... The young ladies' departments soon became known as the Young Ladies' Retrenchment Association; in 1877 the organization was officially renamed the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association, often abbreviated Y.L.M.I.A.
RESOLUTIONS
Adopted by the First Young Ladies' Department of the Ladies' Co-operative Retrenchment Association, S.L. City, organized May 27, 1870.
Resolved.—That, realizing ourselves to be wives and daughters of Apostles, Prophets and Elders of Israel, and, as such, that high responsibilities rest upon us...
Resolved.—That, inasmuch as the Saints have been commanded to gather out from Babylon and "n[o]t partake of her sins, that they receive not of her plagues," we feel that we should not condescend to imitate the pride, folly and fashions of the world...
Resolved.—That we will respect ancient and modern apostolic instructions. St. Paul exhorted Timothy to teach "the women to adorn themselves in modest apparel—not with braided hair, or gold or pearls, or costly array... Peter, also, in his first epi[s]tle, in speaking of women, says, "Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and wearing of gold, or of putting on apprrel...
Resolved.—That, with a firm and settled determination to honor the foregoing requirements, and being deeply sensible of the sinful ambition and vanity in dress among the daughters of Zion, which are calculated to foster the pride of the world, and shut out the spirit of God from the heart, we mutually agree to exert our influence, both by precept and by example, to suppress, and to eventually eradicate these evils.
Resolved.—That, admitting variety has its charms, we know that real beauty appears to greater advantage in a plain dress than when bedizened with finery, and while we disapprobate extravagance and waste, we would not, like the Quakers, recommend a uniform, but would have each one to choose the style best adapted to her own taste and person: at the same time we shall avoid, and ignore as obsolete with us, all extremes which are opposed to good sense, or repulsive to modesty.
Resolved.—That, inasmuch as cleanliness is a characteristic of a Saint, and an imperative duty, we shall discard the dragging skirts, and, for decency's sake, those disgustingly short ones, extending no lower than the boot tops. We also regard "paniers," and whatever approximates in appearance toward the "Grecian Bend," a burlesque on the natural beauty and dignity of the human female form, and will not disgrace our persons by wearing them. And, also, as fast as it shall be expedient, we shall adopt the wearing of home-made articles, and exercise our united influence in rendering them fashionable. ...
[3.18 Young Ladies' Department of the Ladies' Cooperative Retrenchment Association, Resolutions, May 27, 1870, as quoted in Matthew J. Grow, Jill Derr, Carol Madsen, and Kate Holbrook, editors, The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women's History, The Church Historian's Press, 2016, https://churchhistorianspress.org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/]
The first young ladies' organization consisted of Brigham Young's adolescent and young adult daughters (ranging in age from fourteen to twenty-two), both married and unmarried. ...
On May 27, 1870, which should be considered the formal founding date of the young ladies' organization, Young's daughters organized themselves as the First Young Ladies' Department of the Ladies' Cooperative Retrenchment Association and adopted resolutions composed by Eliza R. Snow, one of Young's plural wives and an avid proponent of reform. ... The young ladies' departments soon became known as the Young Ladies' Retrenchment Association; in 1877 the organization was officially renamed the Young Ladies' Mutual Improvement Association, often abbreviated Y.L.M.I.A.
RESOLUTIONS
Adopted by the First Young Ladies' Department of the Ladies' Co-operative Retrenchment Association, S.L. City, organized May 27, 1870.
Resolved.—That, realizing ourselves to be wives and daughters of Apostles, Prophets and Elders of Israel, and, as such, that high responsibilities rest upon us...
Resolved.—That, inasmuch as the Saints have been commanded to gather out from Babylon and "n[o]t partake of her sins, that they receive not of her plagues," we feel that we should not condescend to imitate the pride, folly and fashions of the world...
Resolved.—That we will respect ancient and modern apostolic instructions. St. Paul exhorted Timothy to teach "the women to adorn themselves in modest apparel—not with braided hair, or gold or pearls, or costly array... Peter, also, in his first epi[s]tle, in speaking of women, says, "Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and wearing of gold, or of putting on apprrel...
Resolved.—That, with a firm and settled determination to honor the foregoing requirements, and being deeply sensible of the sinful ambition and vanity in dress among the daughters of Zion, which are calculated to foster the pride of the world, and shut out the spirit of God from the heart, we mutually agree to exert our influence, both by precept and by example, to suppress, and to eventually eradicate these evils.
Resolved.—That, admitting variety has its charms, we know that real beauty appears to greater advantage in a plain dress than when bedizened with finery, and while we disapprobate extravagance and waste, we would not, like the Quakers, recommend a uniform, but would have each one to choose the style best adapted to her own taste and person: at the same time we shall avoid, and ignore as obsolete with us, all extremes which are opposed to good sense, or repulsive to modesty.
Resolved.—That, inasmuch as cleanliness is a characteristic of a Saint, and an imperative duty, we shall discard the dragging skirts, and, for decency's sake, those disgustingly short ones, extending no lower than the boot tops. We also regard "paniers," and whatever approximates in appearance toward the "Grecian Bend," a burlesque on the natural beauty and dignity of the human female form, and will not disgrace our persons by wearing them. And, also, as fast as it shall be expedient, we shall adopt the wearing of home-made articles, and exercise our united influence in rendering them fashionable. ...
[3.18 Young Ladies' Department of the Ladies' Cooperative Retrenchment Association, Resolutions, May 27, 1870, as quoted in Matthew J. Grow, Jill Derr, Carol Madsen, and Kate Holbrook, editors, The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women's History, The Church Historian's Press, 2016, https://churchhistorianspress.org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/]
170 years ago today - May 27, 1855
[Wilford Woodruff]
.... we found that nearly all the wheat crops & other vegitable were eat up by the grass hoppers through the Territory as far as we went & most of the crops & vegitables in the city gardens were also destroyed..
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
.... we found that nearly all the wheat crops & other vegitable were eat up by the grass hoppers through the Territory as far as we went & most of the crops & vegitables in the city gardens were also destroyed..
[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 - May 27, 1855
[Brigham Young]
I have asked this people not to sell their grain, but to preserve it to a day of need ...
[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 2:279-284, 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]
I have asked this people not to sell their grain, but to preserve it to a day of need ...
[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 2:279-284, 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]
175 years ago today - May 27, 1850
[Nauvoo Temple]
During 1849-1850 the Icarians had begun to repair the Temple, placing a series of new piers in the basement, planning on refurbishing the building for their use. On this day, as they were working, a tornado suddenly arose and toppled the north wall, leaving the east and south walls severely damaged. The workmen barely escaped with their lives, scrambling out of the ruins in stinging hail, pouring rain, thunder and lightening, all accompanied by violent winds.
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
During 1849-1850 the Icarians had begun to repair the Temple, placing a series of new piers in the basement, planning on refurbishing the building for their use. On this day, as they were working, a tornado suddenly arose and toppled the north wall, leaving the east and south walls severely damaged. The workmen barely escaped with their lives, scrambling out of the ruins in stinging hail, pouring rain, thunder and lightening, all accompanied by violent winds.
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
180 years ago today - May 27, 1845
Brigham Young receives "a respectful letter from Governor [Thomas] Drew in reply to our Memorial to him as governor of Arkansas; stating his inability to protect us in the state of Arkansas, and suggesting the propriety of our settling in Oregon, California, Nebraska or some other country where we will be out of the reach of our persecutors." Young's "Memorial" to Drew, sent May 1, asked, "Will it be too much to ask you to convene a special session of your State Legislature, and furnish us an asylum where we can enjoy our rights of conscience and religion unmolested?"
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
185 years ago today - May 27, 1840
In England, Parley P. Pratt issues the first number of The Latter-day Saints' Millennial Star, which would become the longest-running publication in the Church (1840-1970).
80 years ago today - May 26, 1945
"When our leaders speak, the thinking has been done. When they propose a plan — it is God's plan. When they point the way, there is no other which is safe. When they give direction, it should mark the end of controversy. God works in no other way."
[Ward Teachers Message, Desert News, Church Section, p. 5]
[Ward Teachers Message, Desert News, Church Section, p. 5]
110 years ago today - May 26, 1915
[Letter to Joseph F. Smith]
....The anti-Mormon crusade in the East is still somewhat active, and resolutions are passed occasionally urging congressional action, particularly for an anti-polygamy amendment to the Constitution, with a caution not to include in it a general regulation of the marriage question, but to confine it to the 'crime' of polygamy. This does however appear to create very much of a furor. ...
[Anthon H. Lund and Charles W. Penrose, Letter to Joseph F. Smith, Honolulu, 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]
....The anti-Mormon crusade in the East is still somewhat active, and resolutions are passed occasionally urging congressional action, particularly for an anti-polygamy amendment to the Constitution, with a caution not to include in it a general regulation of the marriage question, but to confine it to the 'crime' of polygamy. This does however appear to create very much of a furor. ...
[Anthon H. Lund and Charles W. Penrose, Letter to Joseph F. Smith, Honolulu, 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 - May 26, 1890
[Letter to Wilford Woodruff]
The rule has been, for the woman to be Sealed to a man in the Priesthood, and the children Sealed to them, and the former husband be Adopted into the family. And where Such Sealings have taken place heretofore, the matters have been Submitted and [the] former Sealing Cancelled * We do not now Seal women to men out of the Church, but some few cases were done in the Endowment House Sometime Ago. Whatever you may feel pleased to direct in these matters, we will carry out.
[Daniel H. Wells to Wilford Woodruff, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
The rule has been, for the woman to be Sealed to a man in the Priesthood, and the children Sealed to them, and the former husband be Adopted into the family. And where Such Sealings have taken place heretofore, the matters have been Submitted and [the] former Sealing Cancelled * We do not now Seal women to men out of the Church, but some few cases were done in the Endowment House Sometime Ago. Whatever you may feel pleased to direct in these matters, we will carry out.
[Daniel H. Wells to Wilford Woodruff, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
135 years ago today - May 26, 1890
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Appraisers of B[righam]. Y[oung]. Estate met with me at 2 p.m. in parlour. Appraised the estate in one hour. Footed up according to Judge Elias Smith & Jesse Fox Jr. to $595,930.00 These apprisers are perhaps as well posted as any men in the City. This is an increase of something like $440,000.00 since it passed into our hands a little over twelve years ago. If one is not talented he can be honest.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Appraisers of B[righam]. Y[oung]. Estate met with me at 2 p.m. in parlour. Appraised the estate in one hour. Footed up according to Judge Elias Smith & Jesse Fox Jr. to $595,930.00 These apprisers are perhaps as well posted as any men in the City. This is an increase of something like $440,000.00 since it passed into our hands a little over twelve years ago. If one is not talented he can be honest.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
175 years ago today - May 26, 1850
[Brigham Young]
Now to the sons of Joseph, the children of Manasseh mixed with a very few of Ephraim - that is a key to the Lamanites - you know they have fallen in every respect in habits custom, flesh, spirit, blood, desire, all is fallen - at the commencement of the work the vision of my mind was open, but my natural disposition and taste it loathes the sight of those degraded Indians - but the Spirit of the Lord shews the state they must come into the Book of Mormon says not many generations will pass away until they become a delightsome people - We have got to do something - sometimes when God curses a man woman or nation - sometimes it comes sudden - sometimes gradual - when they are ripened in iniquity then the Lord will sweep them out of existence ...
[Thomas Bullock Minutes, 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]
Now to the sons of Joseph, the children of Manasseh mixed with a very few of Ephraim - that is a key to the Lamanites - you know they have fallen in every respect in habits custom, flesh, spirit, blood, desire, all is fallen - at the commencement of the work the vision of my mind was open, but my natural disposition and taste it loathes the sight of those degraded Indians - but the Spirit of the Lord shews the state they must come into the Book of Mormon says not many generations will pass away until they become a delightsome people - We have got to do something - sometimes when God curses a man woman or nation - sometimes it comes sudden - sometimes gradual - when they are ripened in iniquity then the Lord will sweep them out of existence ...
[Thomas Bullock Minutes, 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]
190 years ago today - May 26, 1835
W. W. Phelps sends his wife, Sally, the first six printed forms of the Doctrines and Covenants and writes that when Zion is redeemed, Martin Harris will receive the first inheritance, Joseph the second, and W. W. the 16th. Joseph preached a 3 1/2-hour sermon, "and unfolded more mysteries than I can write at this time." [I]f you and I continue faithful to the end, we are certain to be one in the Lord throughout eternity."
[He also writes "They keep the word of wisdom, drink cold water, and don't even mention tea and coffee; they pray night and morning."]
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[He also writes "They keep the word of wisdom, drink cold water, and don't even mention tea and coffee; they pray night and morning."]
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
195 years ago today - May 26 1830
Congress passes Indian Removal Act, forcing Indians west of Mississippi. Mormons view displacement as "God's work", fulfilling prophecy of a literal gathering.
[Chronology of Mormon History (Mormon Stories), http://www.mormonstories.org/truth-claims/chronology-of-mormon-history/]
[Chronology of Mormon History (Mormon Stories), http://www.mormonstories.org/truth-claims/chronology-of-mormon-history/]
195 years ago today - May 26, 1830
Indian Removal Act relocates the Indians east of the Mississippi River
[Kirtland Timeline - Kirtland Safety Society, the Bank of Monroe, Temple Dedication, Consecration, and significant historical events related, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/kirtland-timeline-kirtland-safety-society-the-bank-of-monroe-temple-dedication-consecration-and-significant-historical-events-related/]
[Kirtland Timeline - Kirtland Safety Society, the Bank of Monroe, Temple Dedication, Consecration, and significant historical events related, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/kirtland-timeline-kirtland-safety-society-the-bank-of-monroe-temple-dedication-consecration-and-significant-historical-events-related/]
50 years ago today - May 25, 1975
At a special early-morning "Adults only" fireside in the Seattle East Stake Apostle Mark E. Petersen states that oral sex in an "abomination." Peterson also tells the congregation, "I've been married to my wife for 44 years, and never once have seen her body uncovered".
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
85 years ago today - May 25, 1940
CHURCH SECTION prints Mrs. Horace Eaton's 1881 account that the prophet's mother Lucy Mack Smith performed various forms of divination, including palmistry. Apostle David O. McKay writes to N. B. Lundwall: "Regarding your proposed new book on "Temples of the Most High", I suggest that you confine your statistics to those which have already been approved by the General Authorities for publicity. Even some already published by the Arizona Temple, by Brother Frank T. Pomeroy, are now withheld from the general public. No statistics should be given out by any of the Temples until the items are first submitted to the First Presidency."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
110 years ago today - May 25, 1915; Saturday
[James E. Talmage]
This evening's issue of the Deseret News contained the official announcement on reverse side of this sheet. This is the outcome of a report which I recently made to the First Presidency
and Twelve, copy of which follows:
Salt Lake City, Utah.
May 11, 1915.
President Joseph F. Smith and Counselors,
City.
Dear Brethren:
I have received an inquiry from the Presiding Bishop's Office relative to the correct or approved spelling of the proper name by which the Higher Priesthood is distinctively designated. Numerous questions relating to the same subject have come to me from unofficial sources. I venture to suggest, inasmuch as uniformity in the matter is greatly to be desired, that a ruling be made as to the approved spelling of the name to be used in our Church literature.
I submit for your consideration the following facts:
In the Old Testament MELCHIZEDEK, and in the New Testament MELCHISEDEC appear.
In literature other than scriptural both the foregoing forms are used with a decided preponderance in favor of the first.
Funk and Wagnalls "Standard Encyclopedia", the Encyclopedia Britannica, Smith's Bible Dictionary, and the Standard Bible Dictionary all give preference to MELCHIZEDEK.
The Century Dictionary adopts the same spelling but gives as an alternative form the New Testament spelling MELCHISEDEC.
The only work of recognized authority examined by me which gives the New Testament form first place is the New Standard Dictionary; and this specifies the more common MELCHIZEDEK as correct.
The Book of Mormon spelling is the same as that in the Old Testament, MELCHIZEDEK.
The Doctrine and Covenants introduces a spelling found nowhere else except in the writings of some of our own people, namely, MELCHISEDEK. Another variant form used only by some of our own writers is MELCHIZEDEC.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the spelling almost universally used by Theologians and writers in general outside of our Church is MELCHIZEDEK; and this is the form given in both the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon.
I respectfully recommend that this last spelling be adopted as the approved form of the name to be used in the publications of the Church.
It is interesting to note that nowhere outside the Doctrine and Covenants, and the writings of our own people is the name used as an adjective. We so use it in speaking of the MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD. The New Standard Dictionary gives MELCHISEDICIAN and MELCHIZEDEKIAN. as the adjective forms derived from the proper nouns MELCHISEDEC and MELCHIZEDEK. I do not think a departure from our usage in this particular is advisable.
Should you deem it wise to make a ruling as to an approved form of spelling, I respectfully suggest that notice thereof be sent to each of our Church publications, at home and abroad, and, if deemed advisable, that a brief article on the subject be published.
Respectfully your brother in the Gospel,
(Signed)
[James E. Talmage, Diary]
This evening's issue of the Deseret News contained the official announcement on reverse side of this sheet. This is the outcome of a report which I recently made to the First Presidency
and Twelve, copy of which follows:
Salt Lake City, Utah.
May 11, 1915.
President Joseph F. Smith and Counselors,
City.
Dear Brethren:
I have received an inquiry from the Presiding Bishop's Office relative to the correct or approved spelling of the proper name by which the Higher Priesthood is distinctively designated. Numerous questions relating to the same subject have come to me from unofficial sources. I venture to suggest, inasmuch as uniformity in the matter is greatly to be desired, that a ruling be made as to the approved spelling of the name to be used in our Church literature.
I submit for your consideration the following facts:
In the Old Testament MELCHIZEDEK, and in the New Testament MELCHISEDEC appear.
In literature other than scriptural both the foregoing forms are used with a decided preponderance in favor of the first.
Funk and Wagnalls "Standard Encyclopedia", the Encyclopedia Britannica, Smith's Bible Dictionary, and the Standard Bible Dictionary all give preference to MELCHIZEDEK.
The Century Dictionary adopts the same spelling but gives as an alternative form the New Testament spelling MELCHISEDEC.
The only work of recognized authority examined by me which gives the New Testament form first place is the New Standard Dictionary; and this specifies the more common MELCHIZEDEK as correct.
The Book of Mormon spelling is the same as that in the Old Testament, MELCHIZEDEK.
The Doctrine and Covenants introduces a spelling found nowhere else except in the writings of some of our own people, namely, MELCHISEDEK. Another variant form used only by some of our own writers is MELCHIZEDEC.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the spelling almost universally used by Theologians and writers in general outside of our Church is MELCHIZEDEK; and this is the form given in both the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon.
I respectfully recommend that this last spelling be adopted as the approved form of the name to be used in the publications of the Church.
It is interesting to note that nowhere outside the Doctrine and Covenants, and the writings of our own people is the name used as an adjective. We so use it in speaking of the MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD. The New Standard Dictionary gives MELCHISEDICIAN and MELCHIZEDEKIAN. as the adjective forms derived from the proper nouns MELCHISEDEC and MELCHIZEDEK. I do not think a departure from our usage in this particular is advisable.
Should you deem it wise to make a ruling as to an approved form of spelling, I respectfully suggest that notice thereof be sent to each of our Church publications, at home and abroad, and, if deemed advisable, that a brief article on the subject be published.
Respectfully your brother in the Gospel,
(Signed)
[James E. Talmage, Diary]
140 years ago today - May 25, 1885 (Monday)
Elders Wiley G. Cragun and Franklin A. Fraughton were mobbed in South Carolina; Fraughton received forty lashes with a whip and Cragun was shot in the chin.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
165 years ago today - May 25, 1860
The [Pony] Express arived From Calafornia Bringing a report that Indians have Commenced war upon the whites & have killed sixty men somewhare about the sink of the Carson. They have broaken up the mail Stations on the middle route From Camp Floyd to Carson & have killed some of the men one of the Streep[an/er?] Boys who lived in the 14 ward. The Mail Carriers & Mail is said to have been destroyed. The Express Boy was also shot at who brought word.
The Eastern Express also arived this Morning 5 days From St Joseph's & News 6 days From washington.
President Young got a letter From Capt Hooper saying that the Bills to organize Five New Territories was rejected in the House. The Homestead Bill was killed in the senate. Abram Lincoln of Illinois was nominated By the republican Convention For President & Hannibal Hamblin of Maine For Vice President. The ship Tapscott was Chartered by the Saints in Liverpool to bring 700 Saints to New York. Asa Calkings will Come with them.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The Eastern Express also arived this Morning 5 days From St Joseph's & News 6 days From washington.
President Young got a letter From Capt Hooper saying that the Bills to organize Five New Territories was rejected in the House. The Homestead Bill was killed in the senate. Abram Lincoln of Illinois was nominated By the republican Convention For President & Hannibal Hamblin of Maine For Vice President. The ship Tapscott was Chartered by the Saints in Liverpool to bring 700 Saints to New York. Asa Calkings will Come with them.
[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 - May 25, 1855
The grasshoppers are doing very much damage to the crops yet there are much wheat which looks well and bids fair for a good crop[.] The people seem to be in good spirits fighting grasshoppers and planting & sowing where the crops are eaten up.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
80 years ago today - May 24, 1945
[Joseph Fielding Smith]
The regular council meeting of the First Presidency and the Apostles was held in the Temple with President Smith presiding. For several years we have held these meetings without the presence of President Grant, only occasionally, and during the past two years scarcely at all.
[Joseph Fielding 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]
The regular council meeting of the First Presidency and the Apostles was held in the Temple with President Smith presiding. For several years we have held these meetings without the presence of President Grant, only occasionally, and during the past two years scarcely at all.
[Joseph Fielding 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]
130 years ago today - May 24, 1895
[Apostle Francis M. Lyman]
I was told that my talk on statehood would hurt the cause. Riley Huntsman said "it was that same old church influence being used"
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I was told that my talk on statehood would hurt the cause. Riley Huntsman said "it was that same old church influence being used"
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - May 24, 1870
[Wilford Woodruff]
24 I went to the farm & spent the day fighting grass hoppers & choreing.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
24 I went to the farm & spent the day fighting grass hoppers & choreing.
[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 - Saturday, May 24th, 1845
[John Taylor]
.... we repaired to the Temple with great secrecy for the purpose of laying the [capstone] corner stone, there were but few that knew about it; the band playing on the walls and the people hearing it, hurried up. About six o'clock A.M., the brethren being assembled, we proceeded to lay the stone; at quarter past six the stone was laid; after which Bro. Young prayed, his voice being heard distinctly, by the congregation below; and the congregation shouted Hossanna, Hossanna, Hossanna to God and the Lamb, Amen, Amen, and Amen. ...
['The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee]
.... we repaired to the Temple with great secrecy for the purpose of laying the [capstone] corner stone, there were but few that knew about it; the band playing on the walls and the people hearing it, hurried up. About six o'clock A.M., the brethren being assembled, we proceeded to lay the stone; at quarter past six the stone was laid; after which Bro. Young prayed, his voice being heard distinctly, by the congregation below; and the congregation shouted Hossanna, Hossanna, Hossanna to God and the Lamb, Amen, Amen, and Amen. ...
['The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee]
180 years ago today - May24, 1845
Sister Young came in & brought a bottle of wine from Sister Clark The president [Brigham Young] gave a toast.- and all responded.-
Wm [William] Smith asked the views of the council about his patriarchal office.- Prest Young said it was his right.-
Wm Smith received his patriarchal blessing by Prest Young.- [Apostle William Smith becomes Patriarch to the Church, even though the previous day, the Twelve had discussed his "improper course" and as "the greatest danger". He is the first Presiding Patriarch ordained by apostolic authority, rather than by patriarchal ordination within the Smith family.]
[Minutes of Quorum of Twelve Apostles, May 24, 1845 [Willard Richards]]
Wm [William] Smith asked the views of the council about his patriarchal office.- Prest Young said it was his right.-
Wm Smith received his patriarchal blessing by Prest Young.- [Apostle William Smith becomes Patriarch to the Church, even though the previous day, the Twelve had discussed his "improper course" and as "the greatest danger". He is the first Presiding Patriarch ordained by apostolic authority, rather than by patriarchal ordination within the Smith family.]
[Minutes of Quorum of Twelve Apostles, May 24, 1845 [Willard Richards]]
50 years ago today - May 23, 1975-Friday
[Leonard Arrington]
This morning we met from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. with the advisors to the department from the Twelve-Elders [Delbert L.] Stapley and [Howard W.] Hunter. ...
(1) There is no response yet on our letters regarding studies of plural marriage and Indian history. ...
(3) The Quorum of Twelve had discussed our proposal on doing biographical studies of Brigham Young. The general sentiment there, according to Brother Stapley and Brother Hunter, was favorable. One or two members cautioned about putting in matters that might reflect unfavorably on the Church. Brother Hunter and Brother Stapley were not able to obtain any minutes giving the final conclusion on the matter and so they have withheld their approval pending receipt of approval from the First Presidency. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
This morning we met from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. with the advisors to the department from the Twelve-Elders [Delbert L.] Stapley and [Howard W.] Hunter. ...
(1) There is no response yet on our letters regarding studies of plural marriage and Indian history. ...
(3) The Quorum of Twelve had discussed our proposal on doing biographical studies of Brigham Young. The general sentiment there, according to Brother Stapley and Brother Hunter, was favorable. One or two members cautioned about putting in matters that might reflect unfavorably on the Church. Brother Hunter and Brother Stapley were not able to obtain any minutes giving the final conclusion on the matter and so they have withheld their approval pending receipt of approval from the First Presidency. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
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