15 years ago today - Jan 11, 2010

Two gay and lesbian couples are at the center of a federal trial on the constitutionality of Proposition 8 in San Francisco. The trial, the nation's first to examine if a ban on same-sex marriage violates the U.S. Constitution, was a media madhouse.

[Prop 8 Timeline, NBC San Diego, http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/politics/Proposition-8-Timeline-History-California--138796454.html]

35 years ago today - Feb 11, 1990-Sunday

[Leonard Arrington]

.... next to the last page of the book [David S. Hoopes and Ray Hoopes, The Making of a Mormon Apostle: The Story of Rudger Clawson] are some comments on Mormonism. Here is one: "Mormonism as a belief system does not foster the questioning mind. In most of the world's religions, there is a realm of mysticism or avenues of thought where religious beliefs can be adapted to individual needs. Mormonism has few if any such avenues."

This has not been my experience. I would say that my spirit of questioning arose from my Mormonism. Questions in Sunday School, in MIA [Mutual Improvement Association], in Priesthood quorums. Far more questioning than in school, where we were supposed to accept what the teacher said. And I have possessed a questioning spirit all my life and have never found it to conflict with my Mormonism. On the contrary, it led to my writing books and articles that, if they did not betray a questioning spirit, at least were the result of the pursuit of facts and meaning. The very first book I read on Mormon history, when I was 15, was Joseph Smith, An American Prophet, by John Henry Evans, which was given to me as a birthday present by Bertha Mae Thurgood Hansen, a neighbor. The book portrays Joseph Smith as a person with an open mind, a questioning mind, a person in pursuit of education and knowledge. I accepted this as representing the spirit of Mormonism, and still hold to it. This is
the way I have always looked at Joseph Smith in a favorable light and still do. The authors of the biography of Clawson then go on to quote [paraphrase] J. Reuben Clark that religious faith cannot be rationalized. Well, I have come to the entirely opposite conclusion. Not only can religious faith be rationalized, but it ought to be; every attempt should be made to rationalize it. It can be, without damage to the faith, and it ought to be to keep one's faith from degenerating into fanaticism, mental unbalance, incoherence, and unsoundness. Well, that's my testimony for the day. I react against those who see Mormonism as discouraging thought, reason, and intellectuality. I don't see it that way, although there are certainly some Mormons-those of little faith from my point of view-who join in that. Most of them, I think, are in the College of Religious Studies at BYU, though even most of them are not in the anti-intellectual camp.

[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]

40 years ago today - Feb 11, 1985

In a vote taken by residents of Carriage Cove Apartments in Provo, Utah, 221 tenants said "yes" to MTV. Only 167 voted "no," 188 didn't vote, and 4 said they didn't care. Four bishops had banded together to stop MTV availability in various off-campus BYU-approved housing complexes. Before the vote Bishop Leo Wiedner (also Carriage Cove's part-owner and manager), confident that BYU students will vote MTV down, says, "I think I pretty well know how it's going to turn out." At nearby Raintree Apartments a non-secret poll is taken at the bishop's request by manager Hyde Taylor. 27% return the polling letter with 13% against MTV and 14% in favor. Taylor concludes this is insufficient to restore MTV. The story is picked up by the national media and Weidner and Raintree Apartment bishop Jack Christensen appear on "Take Two" TV program from Salt Lake City to defend their actions. Christianson is the author of MUSIC: APPLES OR ONIONS?, a book that defends the LDS church position that hard
or "acid" rock music is harmful. Part of the research for this book involved listening to such rock groups as "Black Sabbath," and, he claims, such listening adversely affected him. "I was not as happy as I used to be," he recalls. "I was ornery and disagreeable." However, he adds, "Just because people don't have the same high standards I'm trying to uphold, I don't think less of them."

90 years ago today - Feb 11, 1935

'What attitude does the Church take toward common law marriages?'

In a country in which the common law marriage is recognized as legal, and the children resulting from such a marriage are recorded as legitimate offspring, the Church will recognize such marriage under the conditions attaching to recognition by the law of the land. However, in a country such as Holland, for instance, where conditions are as presented by President Lyon of the Netherlands Mission, where the children of such unions are registered in the records as 'bastard children and the mother as a prostitute, the father being recorded as unknown,' a couple so living are certainly not living in honorable wedlock, and therefore cannot be recognized by the Church as married people.

With reference to the case of the German sister called by President Kooyman to do local missionary work, who, it has since developed, has been living with a man to whom he is not legally married, obviously the proper course would be for this couple to marry. It appears this cannot be done because the man with whom she is living cannot get a legal divorce from his former wife. In this alternative the woman must of course be immediately released as a missionary.

We are keenly aware of the difficulties that such a situation presents in countries where not only the State but the established church and society wink at such irregularities. Where such relation are of very long standing, particularly if the relation existed at the time the people joined the Church, the Church should urge the legalizing of this union and should refrain from putting its stamp of approval upon such unions by placing in positions persons so living. every effort should be made so to treat such cases that the Church is understood as not sanctioning illicit sexual relations. The Church must always stand for sexual purity.

However, it is our view that persons should not be taken into the Church who are living in such relations, and that every effort should be made to learn before baptism whether such relation exit After persons became members of the Church, illicit sexual relations should no more be tolerated among Church members in Europe than in America, and they must be dealt with there as they are dealt with here. ...

[First Presidency, Letter to Joseph F. Merrill, 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 - Feb 11, 1935

[First Presidency Letter]

Must all opening and closing prayers in meetings in which the sacrament is administered be offered by those holding the Priesthood?'

Any member of the Church properly called by the presiding authority in a meeting may appropriately offer either the invocation or the benediction. It is preferable, however, to have the Priesthood officiate in prayer at a regular sacrament meeting. The one who presides holding as he does the Priesthood, is entitled to inspiration as to how the meeting should be conducted, and when he, by virtue of his office, feels impressed to call a boy or girl either to open or close a Sunday School or other auxiliary association, he is not violating any rule of the Church.

[First Presidency, Letter to Joseph F. Merrill, 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 - Feb 11, 1915; Thursday

Bro[ther]. Talmage reported that he attended temple fast meeting on Sunday, and was engaged the greater part of the remainder of the day working on his forthcoming book, Jesus the Christ. ...

The question of acting on the report of the Dee Hospital [later McKay-Dee Hospital] committee was now considered. Bro[ther]. Joseph F[ielding]. Smith Jr. moved that the recommendation of the committee be accepted, which meant the Church would have to meet its indebtedness, amounting to $7,115 and hereafter the hospital would be under the control of those suggested by the Church, and that the Church was to be responsible for half of any deficit or shortage which might occur in its running expenses. In connection with this motion, President Smith suggested that the committee continue their labors until a legal transfer shall be consummated and the property come to the Trustee-in-Trust. ...

[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]

110 years ago today - Feb 11, 1915

.... Bishop David A. Smith was present with an elevated plan of the new Church office building now being erected, showing Corinthian columns all around the building, and President Smith explained that the question had been put to the First Presidency as to whether the exterior of the building should be granite, terra cotta or brick, that bids had been received to supply granite for the exterior walls for the sum of $300,416, and for terra cotta $179,000 less, but that no bid had ye4t been received for brick. ...

Bro[ther]. Talmage reported that he attended temple fast meeting on Sunday, and was engaged the greater part of the remainder of the day working on his forthcoming book, Jesus the Christ. ...

The question of acting on the report of the Dee Hospital [later McKay-Dee Hospital] committee was now considered. Bro[ther]. Joseph F[ielding]. Smith Jr. moved that the recommendation of the committee be accepted, which meant the Church would have to meet its indebtedness, amounting to $7,115 and hereafter the hospital would be under the control of those suggested by the Church, and that the Church was to be responsible for half of any deficit or shortage which might occur in its running expenses. In connection with this motion, President Smith suggested that the committee continue their labors until a legal transfer shall be consummated and the property come to the Trustee-in-Trust. ...

[Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]

130 years ago today - Feb 11, 1895

The First Presidency of the Church declares Mormon Tabernacle Choir members to be acting missionaries and suggests they consider their choir responsibilities as their primary public duty.

[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Newsroom, http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=036eb2987ff92110VgnVCM100000176f620aRCRDvgnextchannel=9ae411154963d010VgnVCM1000004e94610aRCRD]

135 years ago today - Feb 11, 1890

[James E. Talmage]

In his journal Talmage writes the following comments regarding the previous day's elections:

The result of the election is known and the Liberals have succeed in stealing their way into power. This city, the central of the Saints, the seat of the First Presidency of the Church is now in the hands of the enemy. The Lord's will be done. He doubtless has His reasons for what is. Perhaps this will teach us humility, and liberality. As a people, we are not entirely free from bigotry or intolerance. If we are made better by the experience, then all is indeed well with us. [MSS 229, Journal]

[Chronology of the Life and Work of James E. Talmage, J. Trevor Antley, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MJsHY83JZL_n6CjWq11y1trT_CVXMMXAx2uYOWAwn0c/edit#heading=h.2zfdaoa]

160 years ago today - Feb 11, 1865

[Wilford Woodruff]

On my way to the office I Called into the office of Brother Sharp and stood by the side of Sister Marinda Hyde the wife of Orson Hyde while she had 15 teeth pulled all that she had in her mouth.

[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 - Feb 11, 1855

[Wilford Woodruff]

Sunday 11th I spent the day at the Tabernacle & evening at Prayer Circle. <I wrote a lengthy letter during the night to Emma upon the principle of obeying counsel.>

[Angled brackets indicate shorthand, used as code in Woodruff's journal . This was probably his wife Emma]

[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 - February 11, 1845. Tuesday.

[William Clayton]

At the Office all day copying records of the Kingdom [Council of Fifty].

[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]

15 years ago today - Feb 9, 2010

Trial watchers learn 9th District Court of Appeals Judge Vaughn Walker, assigned to the case randomly, is himself gay.

[Prop 8 Timeline, NBC San Diego, http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/politics/Proposition-8-Timeline-History-California--138796454.html]

80 years ago today - Feb 9, 1945

[First Presidency Letter]

Referring to your letter of December 21, this will advise you that there has been no change in the ruling of the Church regarding the bestowal of the Priesthood upon persons having colored blood. As to the ultimate fate of the colored people, the Prophet Joseph Smith is quoted as having said on one occasion:

'That the seed of Cain could not receive the Priesthood, nor act in any of the offices of the

Priesthood until the seed of Abel should come forward and take precedence over Cain's

offspring.'

[First Presidency, Letter to Graham H. Doxey, 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 - Feb 9, 1895

[Francis M. Lyman]

Bro[ther] P. A. Droubay called upon me and I gave him verbal answer to his letter asking if any one could now take a plural wife. I told no: It could not be done. any one could note take a plural wife. I told no, It could not be done.

[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

140 years ago today - Feb 9, 1885

[Wilford Woodruff]

We received a message this morning saying that Brother Teasdale was indicted By the Grand Jury on Poligamy and Cohabitation. So we like scores of others must make for the City of refuge. There is hardly a leading Man in Utah that Can Walk the Streets of Salt Lake in safety. Marshals are after him because He had obeyed the Patriarchal Law of Marriage.

[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

140 years ago today - Feb 9, 1885 (Monday)

A number of Saints going into exile because of their family relations [plural marriages], left Snowflake, Ariz., for Mexico. On their arrival at Luna Valley, New Mexico, on the 15th, they were organized into a traveling company, with E.A. Noble as captain. The company had increased to about seventy souls.

[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

155 years ago today - Feb 9, 1870

Formation of the anti-Mormon "Liberal Party" which opposes the LDS church's "People's Party" at every Utah election for more than twenty years. Presiding Bishopric counselor Jesse C. Little helps lead a group of Mormons who disrupt its first meeting.

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]

155 years ago today - Feb 9, 1870

Formation of anti-Mormon "Liberal Party" which opposes LDS church's "People's Party" at every Utah election for more than twenty years. Presiding Bishopric counselor Jesse C. Little helps lead group of Mormons who disrupt first meeting.

225 years ago today - Feb 9, 1800

Hyrum Smith is born to Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith in Tunbridge, Vermont.

[Jeffrey S. O'Driscoll, Hyrum Smith: A Life of Integrity, A Brief Chronology of the Life of Hyrum Smith: 1800-1844]

80 years ago today - Feb 8, 1945

Urgent call for Spanish-speaking missionaries-- Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah.

(An urgent call for Spanish-speaking missionaries.) {1945-February 8-Original circular letter, L.D.S.}

[Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]

110 years ago today - Feb 8, 1915

The request of the party referred to ... cannot be granted, that is, his name cannot be stricken from the Church records as a means of severing his connection with the Church. No Church member can be severed from the Church without trial and ex-communication. Special Teachers therefore might consistently be appointed to labor with the party ... and if he persists in his desire to be severed from the Church a formal charge of apostasy might be made against him by and by ...

[First Presidency, Letter to Heber Q. Hale, 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]

115 years ago today - Feb 8, 1910

[Apostle Heber J. Grant]

[At meeting in Temple of General Authorities and Stake Presidencies] A question was asked if it was proper for a man who had two wives to marry another in case his legal wife were to die. Prest Smith said it would not be right. He then spoke strongly that there must not be any more plural marriages performed. Urged all to aid in keeping our pledges with the Nation that there should be no more plural marriages. Was very strong.

[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

125 years ago today - Feb 8, 1900; Thursday

In the afternoon George P. Frisby and George D. Cole of "The Church of Christ," commonly known as "Hedrickites," called on the Presidency. They were accompanied by Elder Charles W. Penrose. these gentlemen stated that they had come from Independence, Missouri, for the purpose of ascertaining if it is not possible for a delegation of our Church, a delegation of the "Reorganite" church and a a delegation of their own organization could not meet together for the purpose of trying to harmonize their views on doctrine with a view to our coming together and uniting into one body. This, in brief, was stated as their object in coming here, but their conversation with the Presidency lasted fully an hour, during which time these men manifested a very good spirit. They freely admitted that they were but custodians of the Temple ground in Independence, and they said the Spirit seemed to manifest to them as a body that they ought to take some steps towards placing this ground so it can be used
for the purpose indicated in the revelations. President [Lorenzo] Snow appointed a meeting for tomorrow in the office for two thirty, at which President [George Q.] Cannon and whoever of the Apostles in reach may be present.

[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]

135 years ago today - Saturday, Feb 8, 1890

[John Henry Smith]

Salt Lake City

There are many strange faces in this City and much excitement over election matters. President W. Woodruff requested the Apostles present in the City to be at the Tabernacle tomorrow.

[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]

135 years ago today - Feb 8, 1890 (Saturday)

The third and last parade of the [church's] People's Party in Salt Lake City, took place.

[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

135 years ago today - Feb 8, 1890

Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon telegraphed: 'Should not Saturday's Deseret News & Salt Lake Herald publish John T. Caine's return as an example to all voters? Maud & Tobias telegraph they go to Salt Lake City next week. Ask earliest day I can meet them. They say Hyde & Richard Taylor are determined to make trouble & my presence would help matter greatly. What shall I answer them?' Answer: 'Leave you return here to your judgment. If you decide to do so it will be entirely agreeable to Pres[ident] [Wilford] Woodruff. James Jack.' Pres[iden]ts Woodruff & [Joseph F.] Smith witnessed the parade of the People's Party.

[First Presidency Office Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]

140 years ago today - Feb 8, 1885

[Wilford Woodruff]

We held a priesthood Meeting in the Evening to prepare the way for installing Isaiah Cox as Bishop and we had a stormy time in the midst of a great variety of spirits a great deal of division & but little union. I told the people to poor out all they had against the Bishop & nearly all the Hous spoke & when they got through I Called a vote and all voted for the Bishop but 2.

[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

175 years ago today - Feb 8, 1850 (Friday)

On this and the following day a battle was fought between the "minute men" and about seventy Indian warriors under Big Elk, close to Utah Fort (now Provo), in which several were killed and wounded on both sides. The Indians subsequently retreated to the mountains.

[Brigham Young had ordered the Indians be removed from Utah Valley by force]

[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

190 years ago today - Feb 08, 1835

Joseph Smith tells Brigham and Joseph Young of a vision in which he saw those who had passed away in Zion's Camp: "If I get a mansion as bright as theirs, I ask no more."

[History of the Church, 2:180-81]

190 years ago today - Feb 8, 1835

Brigham and Joseph Young sing for Joseph. "The Spirit of the Lord was poured out upon us, and I told them I wanted to see those brethren together, who went up to Zion in the camp, the previous summer, for I had a blessing for them."

[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]

40 years ago today - Feb 7, 1985

A First Presidency letter to all presiding officers "on the subject of rape," includes the following: "Persons who consciously invite sexual advances also have a share of responsibility for the behavior that follows. But persons who are truly forced into sexual relations are victims and are not guilty of any sexual sin... The extent of resistance required to establish that the victim has not willingly consented is left to the judgment of the victim, who is best acquainted with the total circumstances and their effect on his or her will."

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]

40 years ago today - Feb 7, 1985

First Presidency letter to all presiding officers "on the subject of rape," includes following: "Persons who consciously invite sexual advances also have a share of responsibility for the behavior that follows. But persons who are truly forced into sexual relations are victims and are not guilty of any sexual sin-.The extent of resistance required to establish that the victim has not willingly consented is left to the judgment of the victim, who is best acquainted with the total circumstances and their effect on his or her will."

45 years ago today - Feb 7,1980

Dallin H. Oaks, president of BYU, is chair of board for television's Public Broadcasting Service. He continues as PBS Chair after his appointment to Twelve in Apr 1984.

[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]

90 years ago today - Feb 7, 1935

.... President Grant was ordained a Apostle by Elder George Q. Cannon, who was ordained by President Brigham Young, and Brigham Young was ordained by one of the Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon. We do not have any record as to which one of the Three Witnesses was voice in ordaining Brigham Young, but inasmuch as these three me were instructed by direct revelation from the Lord to choose the Twelve Apostles, and they assisted in their ordination, in connection with the First Presidency, the line of authority back to the Prophet Joseph Smith is complete.

[Joseph Anderson, Letter to Marian E. Taylor, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]

120 years ago today - Feb 7, 1905

Bro[ther]s. Lorenzo Stohl and John Stringham, connected with the Heber J. Grant Company office, called and met the Presidency about establishing a life insurance company. After due consideration, President [Joseph F.] Smith gave his consent to become president of the company, should it be organized.

[Journal History, 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 - Feb 7, 1900

[Minutes of the Seventies]

[B. H. Roberts speaking:] During the summer of 1898 a number of Elder Roberts' friends urged him to become a candidate for Congress. Complying with the rule of the Church, that before accepting any nomination for political office or engaging in other business that would interfere with their work in the ministry, the brethren should obtain the consent of the authorities of the Church, the matter of Elder Roberts being released from his duties in the ministry in order to accept the aforesaid nomination, was presented to the Presidency and to the Council of the Apostles, and they unanimously approved of his being released for this purpose, whereupon Elder Roberts became a candidate before the Democratic Convention, and was nominated on the first ballot. The convention was a stormy one, and much opposition developed against Elder Roberts on the part of a number of Gentiles, who were in the convention. Indeed, it had been intimated before the convention convened that open war would be
made upon him on account of his plural family relations. At the time Elder Roberts heard of this threat, he called at the office of the Presidency of the Church, with the view of presenting the matter to the brethren and ascertaining if such a controversy should be risked. At the time Presidents Woodruff and Cannon were in California, but the matter was presented to President Joseph F. Smith, who, in substance, said that he did not think we were under the necessity of paying any attention to the threats of our enemies with relation to that subject; and stated that the same matter had been brought up in the office the day previous, when several of the Apostles were present, and they also were of that mind; and, hence, Elder Roberts continued his efforts among his political friends, and secured the nomination, as above stated.

[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]

135 years ago today - Feb 7, 1890

Black Mormon Jane Manning James requests proxy polygamous sealing,

Dear Brother - - Please excuse me taking the Liberty of Writing to you - but be a Brotherby answering my questions - There by satisfying my mind - - First, as Brother James [her husband Isaac] has Left me 21 years - And a Coloured Brother, Brother Lewis wished me to be sealed to Him, He has been dead 35 or 36 years - can i be sealed to him - parley P Pratt or dained Him an Elder. When or how[?] can i ever be sealed to Him.

Although not named, this refers to Elder Walker Lewis, during his visit to Utah in 1851-2. She also incorrectly stated that Parley P. Pratt ordained him an elder, when it was William Smith. Perhaps Pratt baptized Lewis a Mormon and she confused the two events.

150 years ago today - Feb 7, 1875

Orson Pratt was teaching that only a few of those who were driven from Jackson County would return to receive their inheritances: "We need not expect, from what God has revealed, that a very great number of those who were then in the Church and who were driven, will have the privilege of returning to that land. …There will be some that will live to behold that day, and will return ... according to the promise" (see D&C 84:1-5,31,32)

[Journal of Discourses, vol. 17, p. 291-292 http://journalofdiscourses.com/17/41, as quoted in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]

165 years ago today - Feb 7, 1860

[Wilford Woodruff]

7 I attended the trial of several young men at the policee station for breaking up a party last [ ]. Drew Pistols threatened life and broke the peace in many ways. While hearing the testimony it was shown that while one of the party broke into the room and was in the act of striking Joseph [F.] Smith (the son of Hyram) when Samuel Smith (son of Samuel B Smith) struck the man and knocked him against the wall. This was the ownly blow given on Either side. They threatened to kill Samuel Smith. The trial was conducted at Jeter Clintons office [in] the police Station.

At the Close of the testimony Justice Clinton Called upon me to speak. I addressed them some 15 minutes in giving them a morral lesson to the young Men who were present and had Committed wrongs upon there Neighbors and at the Close The Justice Approved of the Course of Samuel Smith in not going out to fight with the rowdies when they threatened him. Be fined the boys who had raised the row five dollars Each.

[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 - Feb 7, 1860

This afternoon a grand party came off at the Social Hall [grand reopening]. commencing at 4 p. m[.] Prest B. Young and councillors & the Twelve Gov Cumming and Col Stambaugh & Staff were present[.] I and my wife attended[.] Tickets $10supper at Eleven p. m. Dancing till 5 a. m. fine time this and is the Grand Ball of the "Season"

[Diaries of Hosea Stout]

185 years ago today - Feb 7, 1840

In England British Mission President Joseph Fielding and John Taylor take turns blessing each other. John Taylor "afterwards gave an address in tongues and interpreted."

185 years ago today - Feb 7, 1840. Friday.

Brother [John] Taylor gave me [William Clayton] his blessing. He blessed me with wisdom and utterance so that I should be a wonder to myself and others. By the spirit. Ministering angels. He blessed Brother [Joseph] Fielding and then Brother F. blessed Brother Taylor. Brother T[aylor] afterwards give an address in tongues and interpreted.

[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]

70 years ago today - Feb 6, 1955

The Bensons invited Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower to join them at the Virginia ranch of J. Willard Marriott, a successful hotelier and Washington DC Stake president. The Bensons treated their guests to a Mormon-oriented evening of singing, poem recitations, and humorous skits.

[Gary James Bergera, "Weak-Kneed Republicans and Socialist Democrats": Ezra Taft Benson as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, 1953-61, Part 2, Dialogue : A Journal of Mormon Thought, (Winter 2008, vol 41)]

75 years ago today - Feb 6, 1950

[David O. McKay]

4:30 p.m. President Casper H. Parker of Hillsdale Stake called at the office. We discussed the old problem of removal of the Liquor Store at 17th East and 17th South. It seems that W. W. Seegmiller, a member of the Liquor Commission, is opposing the removal of this store, even though Governor J. Bracken Lee has given his promise that it should be moved.

While Pre. Parker was in my office, I telephoned to Governor Lee. He said there is no change in his attitude toward the removal of that store: that he has been trying to work it out, but that his trouble has been with two of the commissioners who do not want it moved, and that W. W. Seegmiller is one of them. The Governor then asked, 'What's the matter with Seegmiller? I said that I would call him into the office again, and ask him. The Governor, answered, 'I wish you would, because I told Seegmiller frankly that the only man who could release me from my promise is President McKay.' I answered that I am obligated to Pres. Parker and the people in that district; that we had promised them this store would be removed.

[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 - Feb 6, 1935

[Heber J. Grant]

In your letter of February 4 you ask 'When Elder David O. McKay was chosen to fill the vacancy in the Presidency did he, or did he not lose his right to seniority in the Council of the Twelve?'

The answer is no. When a member of the Council of the Twelve is called into the quorum of the First Presidency he retains his place of seniority in the Council of the Twelve.

[Heber J. Grant and David O. McKay, Letter to Jesse W. Richins, 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 - Feb 6, 1900

Joseph F. Smith writes to Anthony W. Ivins concerning a post-manifesto plural marriage: "the less I know about some things the better for me at least and perhaps for others concerned.... my motto is and always has been to protect to the uttermost in my power the rights and the secrets, if secrets there may be, of my friends and the friends of the kingdom of God." He adds that he believes in "all the revelations" of the Prophet Joseph Smith, a phrase that becomes a code for polygamy after the Manifesto.

170 years ago today - Feb 6, 1855 (Tuesday)

A grand festival, lasting two days, was commenced in G.S.L. City, in honor of the Mormon Battalion.

[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

180 years ago today - Feb 6, 1845, Thursday

[William Clayton]

Thursday 6th. ... Evening clothed [in temple robes] to offer prayers for Wm. H. & Vilate R. who are both very sick.

[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]

185 years ago today - c. (Thr) Feb 6, 1840

Smith reportedly had a second interview with Martin Van Buren, who supposedly told the Mormons: "Gentlemen, your cause is just, but I can do nothing for you;" and "If I take up for you I shall lose the vote of Missouri."

[Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]

190 years ago today - Feb 6, 1835

W. W. Phelps says Ham married "a black wife",

[http://www.xtimeline.com/timeline/Chronology-Pertaining-to-Blacks-and-the-LDS-Church]

45 years ago today - Feb 5, 1980-Tuesday

[Leonard Arrington]

.... Ed Ashment and Melodie Charles [Church Translation Department] informed us what we've already heard, that it is impossible to quote from The Mormon Experience and The Story of the Latter-day Saints in Church publications. That is because neither was cleared through Church Correlation.

[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]

55 years ago today - Feb 5, 1970

A BYU basketball game is disrupted by a protest against the LDS church's policy of denying priesthood ordination to African-Americans. While 150 Colorado State University student demonstrators scuffle with campus police and twenty Fort Collins policemen during half-time, someone throws a Molotov cocktail on the playing floor. When the game resumes, spectators throw raw eggs at BYU's players.

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]

55 years ago today - Feb 5, 1970

BYU basketball game is disrupted by protest against LDS church's policy of denying priesthood ordination to African-Americans. While 150 Colorado State University student demonstrators scuffle with campus police and twenty Fort Collins policemen during half-time, someone throws Molotov cocktail on playing floor. When game resumes spectators throw raw eggs at BYU's players.

70 years ago today - Feb 5, 1955

The first headline reference in the Church News since 1931 to a living LDS president as the "Prophet." Apparently due to Counselor J. Reuben Clark's criticism of the adulation implied by using this title for the living president, "the Prophet" is associated with the founder Joseph Smith in the Church News headlines until after Clark's death in 1961.

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]

70 years ago today - Feb 5, 1955

First headline reference in CHURCH NEWS since 1931 to living LDS president as the "Prophet." Apparently due to Counselor J. Reuben Clark's criticism of adulation implied by using this title for the living president, "the Prophet" is associated with founder Joseph Smith in Church News headlines until after Clark's Death in 1961.

145 years ago today - Feb 5, 1880

[Wilford Woodruff]

I wrote a letter to Presidet John Taylor and the Twelve Apostles. I gave them an Account of the Revelation the Lord gave unto me in the shepherds tent in the wilderness and I sent them a Copy of the same.

[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 - Feb 5, 1855

[Chief Walker]

News has arrived that Walker the Great Utah Chief died on the 29 Jan at the Meadow Creek some six miles beyond Fillmore, and that the Utahs had killed 2 piede squaws & 2 piede children and some 12 or 15 of Walkers Horses and intended to kill 2 Pauvans & 3 mormons. This is done on the death of a great chief as a sacrifice I understand.

[Walker had been baptized a member of the church]

[Diaries of Hosea Stout]

185 years ago today - Feb 5, 1840

[Wilford Woodruff]

Read two papers. Found much talk about the Queen Victoria wedding. It had taken more than 200 persons 9 months to make her Bridal Dress, & all the weavers 6 weeks to make her veil.

[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

185 years ago today - Feb 5, 1840

[Description of Joseph Smith]

My Dear Mary:--I went last evening to hear "Joe Smith," the celebrated Mormon, expound his doctrine. ... He is not an educated man; but he is a plain, sensible, strong minded man. Everything he says, is said in a manner to leave an impression that he is sincere. There is no levity, no fanaticism, no want of dignity in his deportment. He is apparently from forty to forty-five years of age, rather above the middle stature, and what you ladies would call a very good looking man. In his garb there are no peculiarities; his dress being that of a plain, unpretending citizen. He is by profession a farmer, but is evidently well read.

... We teach nothing but what the Bible teaches. We believe nothing, but what is to be found in this book. ... He then entered into some details, the result of which tended to show his total unbelief of what is termed original sin. He believes that it is washed away by the blood of Christ, and that it no longer exists. As a necessary consequence, he believes that we are all born pure and undefiled. That all children dying at an early age (say eight years) not knowing good from evil, were incapable of sinning; and that all such assuredly go to heaven. ...

I believe that the soul is eternal; and had no beginning; it can have no end. ... the idea seemed to be that the soul of man, the spirit, had existed from eternity in the bosom of Divinity; and so far as he was intelligible to me, must ultimately return from whence it came. He said very little of rewards and punishments; ...

Towards the close of his address, he remarked that he had been represented as pretending to be a Savior, a worker of miracles, etc. All this was false. He made no such pretensions. He was but a man, he said; a plain, untutored man; seeking what he should do to be saved. He performed no miracles. He did not pretend to possess any such power. He closed by referring to the Mormon Bible, which he said, contained nothing inconsistent or conflicting with the Christian Bible, and he again repeated that all who would follow the precepts of the Bible, whether Mormon or not, would assuredly be saved.

Throughout his whole address, he displayed strongly a spirit of charity and forbearance. The Mormon Bible, he said, was communicated to him, direct from heaven. If there was such a thing on earth, as the author of it, then he (Smith) was the author; but the idea that he wished to impress was, that he had penned it as dictated by God. ...

[M. L. Davis, Christian Advocate and Journal (6 March 1840) as quoted in Times and Seasons 1 (March 1840): 79 and The Words of Joseph Smith by Joseph Smith by Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook]

45 years ago today - Feb 4, 1980-Monday

[Leonard Arrington]

.... At 10:00 was the news, followed at 10:15 by [local talk show] Take Two, which featured an interview between [journalist] Pat Greenlaw and Sonia Johnson. ...

Sonia clearly was trying to be more humble and sincere and sympathetic toward the Utah climate than when she appeared on the Donahue show in December. She handled herself well and became flustered during only one moment.

The station had invited a representative of the LDS Church to appear with her on the program, and they had appointed a woman to do so (name unannounced). But Sonia had refused to appear with that person. When Pat asked her why she refused to appear with the LDS person she said she refused to appear with anybody who was not a policy-making authority, meaning presumably a member of the First Presidency or Quorum of the Twelve. She did not want to give the impression, she said, that women were against women. She would appear only if a man were present! One of the listeners telephoned in to ask if that wasn't sexist. In her comments and responses she specifically mentioned "[Gordon B.] Hinckley, [Boyd K.] Packer, [Neal A.] Maxwell." Apparently, according to her information those are the people who are directing the Mormon efforts against ERA.

Sonia said she was continuing to visit in states where Mormons were conducting campaigns against ERA in the legislature and trying to make clear to the legislatures that these are not representative citizens but Mormons told to lobby by the Church.

Sonia said she still had a testimony of the gospel and still believed she was a Mormon, although excommunicated. When asked if President [Spencer W.] Kimball announced that his opposition to ERA was based on revelation would she then accept his view, she fumbled around a while and said she couldn't imagine this happening and she would have to think very hard before she would give up her intense belief in ERA as the instrument for bringing about equality. She was asked about women being drafted and she said she thought it would happen with or without ERA. ...

[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]

50 years ago today - Feb 4, 1975-Tuesday

[Leonard Arrington]

At the meeting with the [Historical Department] advisors, Brother Hunter and Brother McConkie, I took occasion to mention the difficult position we are in having in mind two goals which are sometimes incompatible: (a) Writing informative and inspiring history for members of the Church; (b) writing sound books and articles for professional and university use. I mentioned the importance of the latter by indicating what sources on the Mormons are presently being used in university classes. I mentioned examples of articles in Encyclopedia Britannica and other such basic reference works. I pointed out that we are often criticized both by the scholarly world for being too pro church and by the Church people for bending over too far to get the support of the scholarly community.

Brother McConkie said, "Don't worry, we are not criticizing you; we're not being critical of what you do."

After the meeting Sister Florence Jacobsen was asked by us to tell us what the basis was for the release of Brother Jay Welch as director of the Tabernacle Choir. She said that several years ago [Jay Welsh began receiving a $12,000 salary for some of the tedious work he had been asked to do]. ...

After discontinuance of the MIA, the Mormon Youth Symphony was made an independent agency not part of the MIA which was now being dropped, so it was placed in the hands of Brother Welch.

After Brother Welch was appointed director of the Tabernacle Choir, they went through an auditing of his accounts-that is, the accounts of the Mormon Youth Symphony. This was done under the direction of Elder Boyd Packer. Elder Packer discovered through the auditing that Brother Welch had received something in the neighborhood of $12,000 a year at the time when he was administrator of the funds of the Mormon Youth Symphony. Without giving him or Sister Jacobson or Brother [Carlos] Smith the opportunity of defending or explaining this policy and action, Brother Packer went to the president of the Church and demanded Brother Welch resign, which was done. Apparently the First Presidency did not investigate this matter and simply accepted the recommendation of Elder Packer. Florence now indicates that she may go to President Kimball to explain to him just what happened so that they would be more forgiving and more understanding of Brother Welch. She said it was her belief
and the belief of many people who were connoisseurs of music that he was head and shoulders above any other person in the Church as director of the Tabernacle Choir and far more devoted to the Church and his calling than many others. And anyway, now that Brother Welch is not available to do these arrangements, they are having to pay others to do them. She thinks Brother Welch will be reappointed director of the Choir at April conference. ...

Sister Jacobsen said Elder Packer was very millennialistic in his thinking-very idealistic and severe in his standards of theology and deportment. This sometimes made him seem harsh, judgmental, and impractical in dealing with real people and real problems. Perhaps also (I add) he feels a little insecurity in dealing with people and problems.

[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]

65 years ago today - Thu Feb 4, 1960

[David O. McKay]

The First Presidency had an interview with Governor George D. Clyde at his request. The Governor reported this visit with other governors with President Eisenhower and others on Civil Defense projects, having particular reference to air-raid shelters from atomic and hydrogen bombs and fall-out from such bombs. Governor Clyde's report was not a very encouraging one as to the improbability of an attack. The entire hour was occupied entirely with discussing the necessity of securing bomb shelters, not only in government, but in our own Church buildings and in private dwellings. Steps will be taken not only by the government, but by other organizations and by the Church to have bomb shelters in new buildings that are being erected.

[McKay, David O., Office Journal]

140 years ago today - Feb 4, 1885

[Minutes of the Quorum of Twelve]

Prests. John Taylor & Geo. Q. Cannon having been secluded since Sundayevening word had been given to [other leaders] to meet in Council this evening ... Soon after 8. p.m. Prests Taylor & Cannon met the seven of the 12 first named at End[owment] house... President Taylor stated the object of the council. directed Br Nuttall to read a Revelation which he said he received more than a year ago requiring him to be anointed & set apart as a King Priest and Ruler over Israel on the Earth'over Zion & the Kingdom under Christ our King of Kings. He also read some extracts from minutes of the Council of the Kingdom after which the President called for any remarks when several spoke their mind and F. M. L. motioned that we proceed to obey the requirement of the Revelation. when we clothed in our Priestly attire. E Snow offered prayer, when after the usual ceremony F. M. Lyman prayed in the circle. L. Snow consecrated a bottle of oil. Counselor Cannon anointed President John Taylor and we all
laid hand on the Prest. & Geo. Q. sealed the anointing according to a written form which had been prepared. We continued together until shortly after eleven when we separated ... Prst Jno Taylor was anointed K[ing]. P[riest]. R[uler]. of C[hurch]. Z[ion]. & K[ingdom]. ...

[Note this was on the 40th anniversary of Brigham Young's reorganization of the Council of Fifty. Young's coronation date is unknown, but Feb 4, 1845 is a likely date.]

[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]

140 years ago today - 1885. February 4

[George Q. Cannon]

"The Council of Fifty met in the old City Hall, and Moses opposed the proposition to anoint John Taylor as Prophet, Priest and King."

[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

145 years ago today - Feb 4, 1880

[Wilford Woodruff]

4 I spent the day in writing in my Journal the Revelation given me in the Mountains. The Thermometer showed the Cold 6 degrees below zero, the Coldest morning of the Season.

[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

160 years ago today - Feb 4, 1865

Orson Pratt publishes an installment of his autobiography in the MILLENNIAL STAR: "Towards the last of autumn [1836] I commenced the study of Algebra without a teacher, occupying leisure hrs in the evening. I soon went through Day's Algebra. . . . From 1836 to 1844, I occupied much of my leisure time in study, and made myself thoroughly acquainted with algebra, geometry, trigonometry, conic sections, differential and integral calculus, astronomy, and most of the physical sciences. These studies I pursued without the assistance of a teacher." In May of 1866, in London, Pratt published his 151-page treatise, PRATT'S CUBIC AND BIQUADRATIC EQUATIONS: "New and easy method of solution of the cubic and biquadratic equations, embracing several new formulas, greatly simplifying this department of mathematical science."

170 years ago today - Feb 4, 1855

[Wilford Woodruff]

President [Heber C.] Kimball ... said that He would withdraw fellowship from any sister that would run after any of the gentiles & He would withdraw fellowship from any mother that would give her consent for their daughters to go & associate with the gentile or from the father if He gave his consent and if He caught any man commiting Adultery with one of his daughters He would kill them both & so ought any righteous man. But let not any person that has commit Adultery ever kill another person for commiting the same act

[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 - Feb 4, 1855

Apostle Wilford Woodruff describes "some of the strongest preaching ever delivered to the Saints." First rebaptisms of Utah Reformation occur in wards (like Payson) as early as 14 April 1855.

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]

180 years ago today - Feb 4, 1845. Tuesday.

[William Clayton]

Met at the 70s Hall with the Council of the Kingdom [Quorum of Fifty]. ... This is the first time we met since the massacre of President Joseph and Hyrum Smith. The Council was reorganized and President B. Young appointed standing chairman as successor to President Joseph Smith by unanimous vote. [Voting proceeds to retain some members, and drop those not loyal to Brigham Young]. President Joseph and Hyrum two of the members were martyred for the truth and John P. Green is dead, so that there is only 40 members left in the Council. It was voted to fill up the Council at some future time.

[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]

180 years ago today - Feb 4, 1845 - Tuesday

[Council of Fifty]

On February 1845, twenty-five members of the council convened from 11:00 a.m. to :30 p.m. in the Seventies Hall for the first meeting of the council since 31 May 1844. Brigham Young stated in his journal, "Had a councel with the fifty righted up & organized we droped a number of the members." According to the minutes, Young called this meeting to "know the brethrens minds whether we shall reorganize according to the rules in the beginning," to "know whether it is the minds of the council to fill up the places of those who are gone," and to learn if the council wished "that I should take the place of brother Joseph as chairman." Members present spoke on these issues in turn by age, though with slight deviation from the order in William Clayton's May 1844 list. Clayton summarized the meeting in his journal: "This is the first time we met since the massacre of President Joseph & Hyrum Smith. The council was reorganized and president B. Young appointed standing chairman as
successor to prest. Joseph Smith by unanimous vote. The vote was then taken in ancient order on each one present & all were received by unanimous vote.." The twenty-five members who were present were sustained as council members, as were fifteen members who were absent. Of these fifteen members, six were in Nauvoo or the surrounding area at the time of this council.4 It is unclear whether this meeting was hastily called, such that word did not reach all the members, or whether pressing business kept some of the men from attending.

Following the sustaining votes, eleven of the original council members were "rejected" and dropped from the council. Those rejected were the three non-Mormon members of the council; Sidney Rigdon and one of his followers; Lyman Wight and James Emmett, both of whom had led companies of church members out of Nauvoo against the instructions of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; and four other men whose loyalties to the Twelve as the leaders of the church were questioned. With the eleven men rejected and the earlier deaths of three council members—JS, Hyrum Smith, and John P. Greene—the council stood at forty members, including Willard Richards, the recorder; and Clayton, the clerk. Clayton wrote, "It was voted to fill up the council at some future time." Young's invitation for nominations to fill the vacancies produced eighteen names, but no new members were admitted at this time. ...

[Joseph Smith Papers: Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844-January 1846]

185 years ago today - Feb 4 1840

The Nauvoo Legion militia is organized.

[Chronology of Mormon History (Mormon Stories), http://www.mormonstories.org/truth-claims/chronology-of-mormon-history/]

200 years ago today - Feb 4, 1825

Jabez B. Hyde, in Eden, N.Y., writes to Ethan Smith: "I have been in the sentiment of your book, [VIEW OF THE HEBREWS, 1823 edition] that the natives of our country are the outcasts of Israel. It cannot well be doubted by any one, who has become acquainted with the religious ceremonies of the Indians, but that they have a manifest shadow of the Mosaic rituals."

65 years ago today - Wed Feb 3, 1960

[David O. McKay]

"I referred to a letter which I had just received from the First Presidency asking me to obtain all tithing information concerning faculty members from the First Presidency. I reminded him that in April of last year he consented that I obtain this information direct from the Presiding Bishopric. I asked if there had been complaints that I had been obtaining the information from local Bishops. He told me that they had received a letter of criticism to the effect that all secretaries in my office and other places knew the amounts paid by faculty members. I assure him there was no truth of any kind to that statement, that no one had the information except me. He said he had himself assumed that fact but that he was glad to have this assurance. He suggested I take this up with the First Presidency when I met with them."

7. Richard Durham. I told President McKay that I understood Richard Durham, a seminary teacher who was taking courses on our campus this summer, had written him a letter complaining about the orthodoxy of teachers at the BYU. As I started to explain to President McKay that, in my opinion, Brother Durham was an extremist in this respect and that his criticisms were much overstated, President McKay replied that I need not fear about his reaction to the letter, that anyone who wrote a letter as partisan as the letter of Brother Durham did not make any impression on him at all, that things couldn't be as bad at the BYU as Brother Durham said they were."

[Part of a memo by Ernest L. Wilkinson concerning a meeting held with McKay on this date, McKay, David O., Office Journal]

75 years ago today - Feb 3, 1950

[George Albert Smith]

Golden R. Buchanan, coordinator on Indian Affairs and assistant to Brother Kimball on the Indian work, was there discussing with Brother Kimball Indian matters. We sat in the Hotel room for some time discussing various problems with reference to their work. Unfortunately, there seems to be some stake presidents and mission presidents, and even one or two of the Brethren of the presiding council of the Church, who seem not fully to appreciate the real importance of this Indian work, and who feel somewhat, as expressed by Brother Kimball, that it is like a ship passing in the night. I have made a note of this point and plan to discuss it further with the brethren and perhaps take it up at General Conference.

[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]

100 years ago today - Feb 3, 1925

President Heber J. Grant dedicated a remodeled home at 31 N. State St. in Salt Lake City as the Church's missionary home, offering the first organized training for missionaries in gospel topics, Church procedures, personal health and proper manners.

[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]

130 years ago today - Feb 3, 1895

Emmeline B. Wells cancels her appointment to speak at Bethel Church in Atlanta because it is "a colored people's church [and] the Southern people consider it unwise."

130 years ago today - Feb 3, 1895

[Francis M. Lyman]

[Castle Dale] Pres[ident] Larson's first wife just died. He gave me account of his wives sudden death. I answered his questions about his family affairs. Counseled him to take home his next wife Annie and not to marry her by the law to give her advantage over his other two wives. If he were pressed by the law till he was arrested then could relieve himself by marrying at any moment. He accepted my advice in proper spirit.

[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

135 years ago today - Feb 3, 1890

US SC sustains Idaho Test Oath

United States Supreme Court Sustains the Idaho Voting "Test Oath", denying Idaho Mormons the right to vote or hold office it they admitted to merely believing in plural marriage.

[Tungate, Mel, Mormon Polygamy, http://www.tungate.com/polygamy.htm]

135 years ago today - Feb 3, 1890 (Monday)

The new baptismal font, located in the basement of the southwest portion of the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, was dedicated.

[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

140 years ago today - Feb 3, 1885

Idaho Test Oath

Idaho's Test Oath Law "practically disfranchised all Mormons simply because of membership in the Church" and was "sustained by the supreme court of the territory four years later." ( USSC Feb 3, 1890 ). Approximately 2,000 eligible Idaho voters were denied the opportunity of voting and holding office. (Larson, pp. 112-113.)

[Tungate, Mel, Mormon Polygamy, http://www.tungate.com/polygamy.htm]

150 years ago today - Feb 3, 1875

On a ferry across the Mersey river in Liverpool, England Apostles Joseph Fielding Smith, John Henry Smith and secretary L. John Nuttall "got a joke on one another." They find seats in a cabin that they did not realize was marked for ladies only. As the cabin fills with women and no men they gradually realize their error John Henry Smith "sneaked out & J[oseph] F[ielding] S[mith] and L. J[ohn] N[uttall] followed all feeling as if we had been in some mischief."

170 years ago today - Feb 3, 1855

In Salt Lake City the Universal Scientific Society adopts a constitution and elects Wilford Woodruff president. The USS eventually included eighty men and one woman. Beginning with the Apr 14, 1855, meeting, lectures included: George D. Watt and Woodruff on the Deseret alphabet; John Hyde on natural philosophy; George A. Smith on chopping wood and Saracen history; William W. Phelps on the ten tribes of Israel; John Lyon on poetry; Thomas Hawkins on conserving natural resources; David Candland on public opinion, determining personal character through various methods including phrenology, and the Crimean War; Jonathan Grimshaw on music; Darwin Richardson and William France on genetics; Gilbert Clements on disciplining the mind; Orson Pratt on the planets; Almon W. Babbitt on American government; Woodruff on home manufacture and horticulture; and William Paul and Brigham Young on architecture. After a year the USS disbanded.

190 years ago today - early Feb 1835

The Northern Times, a Democratic newspaper at Kirtland, began regular publication, with F. G. Williams as publisher and Oliver Cowdery as its editor. Its stated goal was to help projected presidential candidate Martin Van Buren (then Vice President under Andrew Jackson) win the 1836 election.

[Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]

120 years ago today - Feb 2, 1905; Thursday

[Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund to Charles Woolfenden]

After President Francis M. Lyman returned from attending the Beaver [Utah] Conference he reported to us an interview he had with you in which you confessed to him in detail your unfortunate experiences necessitating your return home from England, including an illicit intercourse with a lewd woman.

This interview, we learn, took place after the conference, and after you had been sustained as a member of the High Council, and as President of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations of the Stake.

In considering your unfortunate case we have unanimously concluded that your name should not have been presented to the conference for the sustaining vote of the saints for these positions, and that therefore you should now resign them.

[Joseph F. Smith, John R. Winder, and Anthon H. Lund to Charles Woolfenden, LDS Archives]

125 years ago today - Feb 2, 1900; Friday

Had interview with the First Presidency on a matter which has been under informal consideration for some time, viz: that of preparing a revised edition of the "Pearl of Great Price," one of the standard works of the Church. I was appointed today to prepare the same, the text to be divided into paragraphs or verses, with references. I undertake this as I have attempted other labors in connection with church work, in a missionary spirit without hope or expectation of reward. Indeed I doubt that I will be known as the reviser even if the work be completed, and a revised edition published.

[Minutes of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve note for this day: Elder James E. Talmage called at the President's office and had a talk with the Presidency regarding the edition of the Pearl of Great Price which he is to publish with foot note references. President Cannon suggested that it would be perfectly proper to make references to chapters and verses, but nothing should be done in the way of foot notes in this edition in the way of explaining the meaning of any passages as this might lead to difficulty.]

[James E. Talmage, Diary]

125 years ago today - Feb 2, 1900; Friday

[First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve minutes]

Sisters Priscilla Jennings and Emily S. Richards called at the President's Office and had a talk with President [Lorenzo] Snow desiring to learn his mind and will in relation to them continuing their work in connection with the Utah State Council of Women organization. They explained that when this organization was first organized, members of the National society objected to Mormons being connected with it, but had since become friendly and quite cordial in their feelings towards the Mormon members, and they had invited the State society to send delegates to the convention to be held shortly in Washington, and Sister Richards had been appointed with Mrs. Gilmer to attend that convention as delegates. President Snow advised these sisters that it was his opinion that it would be politic for us to take advantage of every opportunity that would likely bring honor to Utah, and he encouraged Sister Richards in the desire to attend the National Woman's Suffrage Convention at Washington,
D.C.

Presidents Snow, [George Q.] Cannon and [Joseph F.] Smith were at the office. ...

Benjamin Cluff, Jr., who is organizing an expedition to go to Central and South America for the purpose of exploring Book of Mormon lands, called at the office in relation to the expedition. President Snow, who approved of the plan, authorized Brother Cluff to use his name to assist him to obtain contributions in the shape of financial help. Brother Cluff proposed that six young men be called on a mission to accompany the expedition with the understanding that they go for the purpose of learning the languages of the people and studying their myths, as he was of the opinion that the Maya people had traditions regarding the extraordinary physical disruptions of the earth at the time of the crucifixion of the Savior, as noted in the Book of Mormon. He had been impressed with this idea from the writings of [Augustus] LePlongeon, the author and explorer, and felt that a study of these people by a number of capable young men would confirm the writings of the Book of Mormon in
various ways. Moreover, LePlongeon states that the Maya people were acquainted with the Egyptian language and the writings engraved on their temples go to show it. The Presidency consented to call young men for this purpose...

[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]

135 years ago today - Feb. 2nd, 1890

[Abraham H. Cannon]

A.H. says that Jared and the barges left Asia and landed "on the western coast of North America."

[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]

185 years ago today - Feb 2, 1840

Brigham Young writes in his journal: "Passing from Brooklyn to New York, I jumped on to the ferry-boat with my left arm extended, meaning to catch hold of the stanchion, but I fell on a large iron ring on the deck, which put my shoulder out of joint. I asked brother Hedlock to roll me over on my back, which he did. I directed brothers Kimball and Hedlock to lay hold of my body, and brother Pratt to take hold of my hand and pull, putting his foot against my side, while I guided the bone with my right hand back to its place. The brethren would my handkerchief round my shoulder and helped me up. When I came to a fire I fainted."

45 years ago today - Feb 1, 1980

(Feb.) LDS church magazines, the Ensign and the New Era, insert the pamphlet 'The Church and the Proposed Equal Rights Amendment: A Moral Issue,' which includes previous statements against the ERA and also a new set of arguments against it. This same month, the Exponent II publishes the results of a survey showing that 66 percent of this feminist periodical's readers define themselves as "very active" in the LDS church.

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]

45 years ago today - Feb 1, 1980

Consolidated meeting plan announced for meeting a three-hour time block on Sunday in the United States and Canada. This replaced the Sunday morning Sunday Schools and the Sunday evening Sacrament Meetings. Such long-standing traditions as the Sunday School's half-hour opening exercises was eliminated, as well as the administration of the Sacrament during the opening exercises of the Junior Sunday School when it was amalgamated with the Primary. Auxiliary meetings formerly held on weekdays now were held on Sundays. One block was reserved for Sacrament Meeting; and second block for Sunday School and Primary; and the third block for Priesthood, Relief Society, Young Men and Young women, with Primary continuing through the third block. Individual units could decide whether to begin or end with Sacrament Meeting. Only weekly youth activity nights, monthly Release Society homemaking meetings, or occasional activities for children were held on weekdays. Although the new plan had obvious
energy-saving advantages, the First Presidency and explained that a more basic consideration was to give families more time for Scripture study and activities at home. Later in the year the oversees the establishment of the consolidated meeting schedule was also adopted.

[Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]

50 years ago today - Feb 1, 1975

(Winter) The first issue of 'Sunstone: A Quarterly Journal of Mormon Experience, Scholarship, Issues and Art.' This is the first Mormon publication with interfaith focus as well as emphasis on controversial Mormon topics. Six years later BYU establishes an institutional version of an interfaith journal in 'Literature and Belief.'

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]

60 years ago today - Feb 1, 1965

(February) Italy's government permits LDS missionaries to proselytize for the first time since 1862.

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]

65 years ago today - Feb 1, 1960

[Harold B. Lee]

With reference to your letter concerning the sealings of your parents [by Matthias F. Cowley in Mexico in 1902], as I have indicated to you, I took this matter up with the First Presidency and they have written a reply thereto as follows:

'Sister Christensen seems to be under the impression that her father and mother were not sealed. It is our understanding, and we have so answered others, that these marriages performed under the circumstances indicated in this sister's letter to you were real sealings. It appears that sometimes these sealings were later confirmed in the temple, but that has never been considered as necessary, and the First Presidency seem always to have ruled that they were valid marriages under the laws of the Church governing celestial marriages and sealings. Under these circumstances the children were, of course, born under the covenant. You may so advise this sister.

'Furthermore, it has been the understanding over the years in the First Presidency's office that whereas, not infrequently, it was suggested to people so married in Mexico that they should go to the temple if they had the opportunity and have these sealings recorded, that suggestion was made that there might be a temple record of the sealings, and not because the temple ceremony, whatever it was, was necessary to make the marriages legal and valid under Church law.

'Faithfully your brethren, [signed] 'David O. McKay

'J. Reuben Clark, Jr.

'Henry D. Moyle

'The First Presidency'

Sincerely yours,



[Harold B. Lee, Letter to Maude Lillywhite Christensen, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015, Appendix 8: The Reinstatements of Matthias F. Cowley and John W. Taylor]

65 years ago today - Mon Feb 1, 1960

[David O. McKay]

One letter I dictated was to a woman in answer to her question about the wearing of the garments while sun bathing. I said to her: "The wearing of the garment is a personal responsibility, and conditions that justify temporary removal should be determined by each person."

[McKay, David O., Office Journal]

120 years ago today - Feb 1, 1905

Former U. S. Senator from Utah and son of a former First Counselor to four Church presidents, Frank J. Cannon publishes the second of two articles in which he declares that he no longer believes in the divinity of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Six weeks later he is excommunicated.

140 years ago today - Feb 1, 1885

Speaking of the recently passed Edmunds Anti-polygamy act President John Taylor preaches: "Yet by their action they are interfering with my rights, my liberty and my religion, and with those sacred principles that bind me to my God, to my family, to my wives and my children; and shall I be recreant to all these noble principles that ought to guide and govern men? No, Never! No, NEVER! NO, NEVER! I can endure more than I have done, and all that God will enable me to endure, I can die for the truth; but I cannot as an honorable man disobey my God at their behest, forsake my wives and my children, and trample these holy and eternal obligations under foot, that God has given me to keep, and which reach into the eternities that are to come. I won't do it, so help me, God." Taylor then "vigorously struck the book on the desk" to which the congregation responded with a loud "Amen."

Taylor (along with First Counselor George Q. Cannon and First Presidency Secretary L. John Nuttall) then goes into hiding to escape arrest and remains in the "Mormon underground" until his death two and one-half years later.

145 years ago today - Feb 1, 1880

[Wilford Woodruff]

According to his Record, He had 336 dead single women sealed to him.

[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

150 years ago today - Feb 1, 1875

Emily D. Partridge Young, Brigham Young's plural wife of thirty years, confides to her diary: "I feel rather dispirited and a good cry might do me good. I feel quite ashamed to be known as a wife of the richest man in the territory, and yet we are so poor. I do not know why he is so loth to provide for me. My children are his children. He provides sumptuously for some of his family... He manifests a desire to cast me off, and I cannot ask him for anything." She is with him at his death two years later and writes: "I believe Pr. Young has done his whole duty towards Joseph Smith's family. They have sometimes felt that their lot was hard, but no blame or censure rests upon him. And I feel grateful to him and bless his name forever." She had been one of Smith's plural wives.

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]

160 years ago today - Feb 1, 1865

Abraham Lincoln signed the document abolishing slavery in the United States. After ratification by 27 states. The measure became the 13th Amendment to the Constitution on Dec. 18, 1865.

[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]

165 years ago today - Feb 1, 1860

The Deseret News reports that Orrin Porter Rockwell shoots Martin Oats to death after Oats accuses him of stealing cattle. Rockwell reports the incident to Lehi authorities who dismiss him without further action.

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]

165 years ago today - Feb 1, 1860

DESERET NEWS reports that Orrin Porter Rockwell shoots Martin Oats to death after Oats accuses him of stealing cattle. Rockwell reports incident to Lehi authorities who dismiss him without further action.

190 years ago today - Feb 1, 1835

Oliver Cowdery writes in a history of the Church in the MESSENGER AND ADVOCATE, "You will recollect that I mentioned the time of a religious excitement, in Palmyra and vicinity to have been in the 15th year of our brother J. Smith Jr's, age that was an error in the type - it should have been in the 17th. - You will please remember this correction, as it will be necessary for the full understanding of what will follow in time. This would bring the date down to the year 1823. . . . [Joseph] was urged forward and strengthened in the determination to know for himself of the certainty and reality of pure and holy religion. And it is only necessary for me to say, that while this excitement continued, he continued to call upon the Lord in secret for a full manifestation of divine approbation, and for, to him, the all important information, if a Supreme being did exist, to have an assurance that he was accepted of him. . . . On the evening of the 21st of Sep, 1823, previous to retiring to
rest, our brother's mind was unusually wrought up on the subject which had so long agitated his mind - his heart was drawn out in fervent prayer, . . . and in a moment a personage stood before him. . . . The stature of this personage was a little above the common size of men in this age; his garment was perfectly white, and had the appearance of being without seam. . . . he heard him declare himself to be a messenger sent by commandment of the Lord, to deliver a special message, and to witness to him that his sins were forgiven, and that his prayers were heard . . . He then proceeded and gave a general account of the promises made to the fathers, and also gave a history of the aborigines of this country, and said they were literal descendants of Abraham. He represented them as once being an enlightened and intelligent people, possessing a correct knowledge of the gospel, and the plan of restoration and redemption. He said this history was written and deposited not far from that
place, and that it was our brother's privilege, if obedient to the commandments of the Lord, to obtain, and translate the same by the means of the Urim and Thummim, which were deposited for that purpose with the record."

50 years ago today - Jan 31, 1975-Friday

[Leonard Arrington]

[Brother Hartley reported that Legrand Richards said]: "Well, I know one that you probably won't want in your history. President Grant was asked if Rudger Clawson would be the next president of the Church-at the time he was president of the Quorum of the Twelve." President Grant said, "If the Lord wants Brother Clawson to be president of the Church, then it's goodbye Heber." Then he paused, and paused a little longer and then said, "I don't think the Lord wants Rudger Clawson [[Clawson preceded Grant in death by two years, so that George Albert Smith became president in 1945.]] to be president of the Church." LeGrand Richards said, "Now that wouldn't go into a biography of President Grant, would it?"

[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]

65 years ago today - Jan 31, 1960

LDS Vernon Law receives the Cy Young Award for best pitcher in baseball from the Baseball Writers Association of America, and he wins the Lou Gehrig award (1965). Harmon Killebrew is voted the Most Valuable Player of the American League (1969), and Dale Murphy is MVP of the National League (1982, 1983).

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]

120 years ago today - January 31-Feb 2, 1905; Tuesday-Thursday

[Rudger Clawson]

I returned to Salt Lake Tuesday, Jan[uary]. 31, and found that the Salt Lake Tribune had published a special dispatch from Logan [Utah] wherein it was charged that Elder [J.] Golden Kimball and myself had defended and advocated the principle of polygamy at the Cache conference. [Because of sensitivities during the Smoot hearings, they publish the notes of the conference in the Deseret News to demonstrate they had not talked about polygamy.]

[Rudger Clawson, Diary]

130 years ago today - Jan 31, 1895

[Apostle Francis M. Lyman]

The application of C. R. Savage to ignore his plural wife and to marry another in the Temple was denied after much talk. If he marries a legal wife and casts out his present wife it must be upon his own responsibility.

[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

135 years ago today - Fri, Jan 31st, 1890

[Abraham H. Cannon]

"At the Gardo Houae the question arose this morning as to whether the face of a woman who has had her endowments should be veiled or not when her coffin is closed on her dead body. Pres. Woodruff did not decide in absence of any written law on the subject, but Bro. Joseph F. thought the face should covered as this was the course pursued in early days of the Church, and it was doubtless done in accordance with some instructions of the Prophet."

[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]

150 years ago today - Jan 31, 1875

[Brigham Young]

.... spoke on the '"United Order,'" showing that this was the last dispensation, and the last time that the Lord would establish this Order on the earth, and that it would not prove a failure, only by the perversity of man. -- St. George, Utah

[Deseret News. Also Deseret Evening News, Deseret News Weekly, Deseret News Semi- Weekly, and Deseret News Extra, Salt Lake City; 1850-current. 24:17 as 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]

Jan 31, 1860

[Brigham Young]

The President said he had never differed with him [Orson] only on points of doctrine, and he never had had any personal feelings, but he was anxious that correct doctrines should be taught for the benefit of the Church and the Nations of the earth. Prest said in one thing he had felt vexed that he did not consult them before he published the M.S. [Millenial Star] writings he got from Mother Smith. about the life of the Prophet. Orson admitted that he had done wrong and he now saw it but did not at the time of his purchasing and publishing it. President observed the brethren would have made it a matter of fellowship. The President said he did not have it in his heart to disfellowship but merely to correct men in their views. Prest also remarked to Orson he had been willing to go on a Mission to any place at the drop of the Hat, and observed you might as well question my authority to send you on a Mission as to dispute my views in doctrine; Bro Orson said he had never felt
unwillingness in the discharge of his practical duties. -- Salt Lake City

[Lucy Mack Smith

[Brigham Young Office Journals, Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan.; Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah.; New Mormon Studies CD-ROM as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009); Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book]

165 years ago today - Jan 31, 1860

[Brigham Young]

The President said he had never differed with him [Orson] only on points of doctrine, and he never had had any personal feelings, but he was anxious that correct doctrines should be taught for the benefit of the Church and the Nations of the earth. Prest said in one thing he had felt vexed that he did not consult them before he published the M.S. [Millenial Star] writings he got from Mother Smith. about the life of the Prophet. Orson admitted that he had done wrong and he now saw it but did not at the time of his purchasing and publishing it. President observed the brethren would have made it a matter of fellowship. The President said he did not have it in his heart to disfellowship but merely to correct men in their views. Prest also remarked to Orson he had been willing to go on a Mission to any place at the drop of the Hat, and observed you might as well question my authority to send you on a Mission as to dispute my views in doctrine; Bro Orson said he had never felt
unwillingness in the discharge of his practical duties. -- Salt Lake City

[Lucy Mack Smith

[Brigham Young Office Journals, Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan.; Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah.; New Mormon Studies CD-ROM as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009); Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book]

175 years ago today - Jan 31, 1850

[Minutes of the Quorum of Twelve]

.... bro Is Higbee[:] the [Timpanogos] Indians are continually killing our cattle & stealing horses. & they shot at out boys'-we have lost between 50 & 60 head. they cannot sustain themselves there. we drive our cattle down in the morning & bring them up at night'-the Indians fired two guns at our boys'-& they found one ox with 4 arrows'-another with a tomahawk in it'-they say the mormons have no captn'-they want to fight & will live on our cattle. they say they mean to keep our Cattle'-& go & get the other Indians to kill us'

- P. P. P. [Parley P. Pratt:] my own mind is I can only see 3 ways'-the place be abandoned'-& then they wo[ul]d. ransack all the o[the]r. frontiers'-or we have to defend them'-or leave them to destruction.

I. Higbee[:] we can not defend our Cattle unless there is a company of men'-there are 25 /men/ close by'-& 50 or 75 /men/ on the other side of Lake'-

P. P. P.[:] I felt it b/es/t to kill the Indians, but when I saw the instr[ucti]ons I said hold on till you can get instructions'

- I. Higbee[:] every man & boy help up their hand to kill them off'-we have 60 men to bear arms'-they say we are afraid to kill them'

- P. P. P.[:] Walkers men are different Indians to these'-there can be no communication without a settlement at Utah'

- W R [Williard Richards:] my voice is for War, & exterminate them'

- B. Y. [Brigham Young:] I say go & kill them'-(all hands held up) [Brigham] Young, [Heber C.] Kimball, [Willard] Richards, [George A.] Smith, [Ezra T.] Benson. J. [John] Young, D. Spencer'-O[rson] Spencer D[aniel]. H. Wells, Van Cott Higbee & T B'-A[aron]. Farr. I. Higbee'

-We thought we should want help to do it.

B. Y. [Brigham Young] Tell D[imik]. Huntington to go & kill them'-also Barney Ward. let the Women & children live if they will behave themselves'

- P. P. P. I wo[ul]d. take the women & chil[dren]. & clothe them & dictate them & make them do what we want & dont let them prowl about'

- B. Y. We shall have no peace until the men are killed off'-never treat an Indian as your equal there was a cap of 50 men'-get them & take them up with you'-they have strengthened up the past year & they gather men from other tribes to come & steal our cattle & horses'-it is the Western tribe that come & steal in this Valley'- ...

[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]

185 years ago today - Jan 31, 1840. Friday.

[William Clayton]

.... Brother Burgess' wife and child poorly. I anointed her breasts and prayed with them. ...

[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]

50 years ago today - Jan 30, 1975-Thursday

[Leonard Arrington]

Yesterday afternoon Dallin Oaks telephoned and said that he had in his office at the same time Bob Thomas, his academic vice president, and Frank Fox, a young professor of history. We conducted a 20-30 minute conversation over the telephone. In essence Dallin was asking the three of us to serve as a committee to read and critique the portions of the BYU history that deal with the [Ernest L.] Wilkinson and Oaks administrations. The thought was that we were an objective third party group and would be able to assure balance and objective treatment of those administrations. This would protect Ernest Wilkinson and Dallin. This suggestion had been approved by Neal Maxwell-in fact, urged by him. It had been accepted by Ernest Wilkinson with three stipulations: (1) That we accept the view that this is the Lord's church and that BYU is the Lord's university; (2) That we are willing to make a statement for the introduction of volumes two and three that we have read the material and approved
it; (3) That we submit to Ernest all of our suggestions so he [would have] had a chance to negotiate with us on any that he disapproves of; (4) We are not to tell anybody that we are doing this.

I accepted the assignment as did the other brethren ...

[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]

55 years ago today - Jan 30, 1970

First Presidency letter urges Church members to have their sons and daughters attend post-high school institutions of learning near their home, "so that our young can benefit from the influence of the home, especially during their first two years of post-high school education." It also urges leaders and parents to make full use of seminary and institute programs to supplement the home. In addition, the letter says that the Presidency believes the enrollment at BYU should not exceed 25,000.

CHRISTIANITY TODAY article, "Mormons and Blacks", commends the Church for "refusing to let popular protest shape its doctrines." However it says blacks should not feel deprived because they are not eligible for the Mormon priesthood since the Church itself is "tragically misguided."

135 years ago today - Jan 30, 1890

[Patriarchal Blessing of Susan E. J. Martineau]

.... before the earth was thou didst shout hosanna that it would be thy privilege to come forth in this dispensation to assist in bringing forth and establishing Zion preparatory to a reign of peace upon the earth. To this end the Father blessed thee and sent thee as with a crown of glory upon thy head, that through thee mighty men and women should live upon the earth to be prophets, seers and mighty men ...

Thou has earnestly sought to fulfill the Law of Sarah ... of the mothers and matrons of Zion thou shalt stand among those who are the most honored, because of the words of wisdom and comfort that as rubies shall fall from thy lips. ... when the meek shall flee unto Zion in the great day of tribulation, thou shalt feed the hungry, clothe the naked and give shelter to the homeless...

And when because of wickedness the cities of the land shall become desolate, thou, together with thy husband and all thy family shall go forth to inhabit the cities that are desolate, and to inhabit the waste places. ... his angels shall camp around thee, to be as thy companions. His arms shall sustain thee, his hand shall lead thee. His spirit shall fill thy heart with consolation and joy continually, while the visions of heaven shall be opened unto thee, to rebuke aff[l]iction, to command the Destroyer that no power shall invade thy habitation to destroy thy peace or take away thy loved ones.

Years shall be multiplied upon thy head, and thou shalt live even to the fullness of thy desires; and it is thy privilege to assist in the work both for the living and the dead, in the holy temple that shall be reared in Zion; to strike hands with the Son of Man when He shall descend to his holy temple ... Thy inheritance shall be forever in Zion, which thou shalt receive with thy companion and family when the Ancient of Days shall sit. ...

[Patriarchal Blessing of Susan E. J. Martineau by Benjamin F. Johnson on January 30, 1890]

135 years ago today - Jan 30, 1890

[Patriarchal Blessing of S. Elvira M. Johnson]

.... for thou shalt see the holy temple reared in Zion, shall strike hands with the Son of Man when He shall descent to the earth, and shall minister therein when His glory shall fill its courts.

... The angels shall camp around thee, if thou wilt be admonished to call upon the name of the Lord ... thou art among the most favored of the daughters of Abraham, and entitled to every privilege that belongs to the wives, the mothers and the matrons in Zion, to stand in thy place as a counsellor to admonish, to teach, and to cultivate the younger of thy sex; and all who hear thy voice shall cleave unto thee and love thee; and all thy kindred shall rejoice in thee because of the wisdom and spirit of consolation and blessing which shall drop as pearls from thy lips ...

[Patriarchal Blessing of S. Elvira M. by Johnson F. Johnson on January 30, 1890]

135 years ago today - Jan 30, 1890

[Patriarchal Blessing of James Henry Martineau]

.... And from the days of thy birth His angel had charge concerning thee ... thou shalt become a Prince and a Patriarch, a Prophet and a Seer: and thou and thy Sons shall be an arm of power, even to be as the horns of Ephraim in assisting to push together the people, and to establish them upon the land of their inheritance. And when the cities of the Gentiles are waste, behold thou shalt go forth with thy children and they children's children to redeem the waste places ... they shall rise up and call thee blessed all the days of thy life, and carry thy name and thy fame in honor throughout all generations of Time.

The treasures of the earth shall be unto thee in great fullness, whereby thou shalt be able to assist in bringing to pass the redemption of Zion, the rearing of His holy temple ... it is even thy privilege to live to see the holy temple reared in Zion, and the glory of the Lord resting upon its towers, and to minister therein ...

[Patriarchal Blessing of James Henry Martineau by Benjamin F. Johnson on January 30, 1890]

140 years ago today - Jan 30, 1885

[Wilford Woodruff]

I was sealed for 24 Couple of Dead friends & had 10 Adoptions to me. I sealed 1 Couple.

[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 - Jan 30, 1845

[Anointed Quorum]

Thursday prayer circle meeting; anointing and endowment for Joseph B. Noble, Zina D. Huntington (Jacobs, Smith, Young), and--probably also on this date--Mary Elizabeth Rollins (Lightner, Smith) . Between 30 January and 20 March, Sylvia P. Sessions (Lyon, Smith, Kimball), Harriet Page Wheeler (Decker), and Mary A. Be(a)man (Noble) were anointed and endowed. [Half of those involved in these early anointings were plural wives 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]

185 years ago today - Jan 30, 1840

About this time, Joseph leaves Philadelphia for Washington with Orrin Porter Rockwell, Judge Higbee, and Dr. Foster, having left Sidney Rigdon sick in Philadelphia. During his stay in Philadelphia, Joseph had met with some of the Twelve on their way to England, and had held a conference wherein he "arose like a lion about to roar; and being full of the Holy Ghost, spoke in great power. . . . The entire congregation were astounded; electrified, as it were, and overwhelmed with the sense of the truth and power by which he spoke, and the wonders which he related. . . . Multitudes were baptized in Philadelphia and in the regions around."

[Parley Parker Pratt, Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt 297-99 as quoted in Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]

50 years ago today - Jan 30, 1975-Thursday

[Leonard Arrington]

Yesterday afternoon Dallin Oaks telephoned and said that he had in his office at the same time Bob Thomas, his academic vice president, and Frank Fox, a young professor of history. We conducted a 20-30 minute conversation over the telephone. In essence Dallin was asking the three of us to serve as a committee to read and critique the portions of the BYU history that deal with the [Ernest L.] Wilkinson and Oaks administrations. The thought was that we were an objective third party group and would be able to assure balance and objective treatment of those administrations. This would protect Ernest Wilkinson and Dallin. This suggestion had been approved by Neal Maxwell-in fact, urged by him. It had been accepted by Ernest Wilkinson with three stipulations: (1) That we accept the view that this is the Lord's church and that BYU is the Lord's university; (2) That we are willing to make a statement for the introduction of volumes two and three that we have read the material and approved
it; (3) That we submit to Ernest all of our suggestions so he [would have] had a chance to negotiate with us on any that he disapproves of; (4) We are not to tell anybody that we are doing this.

I accepted the assignment as did the other brethren ...

[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]