National broadcast of "Mr. Krueger's Christmas," dramatic production starring James Stewart and produced by LDS church with proselytizing message at end. It is rebroadcast a year later on 125 commercial U.S. stations in all major markets, on PBS in Spanish, on 136 Spanish International Network stations, and on Turner Broadcasting Network. This rebroadcast airs in every Latin American country, as well as in Italy, Australia, the Philippines, and Iceland. Stewart later donates his papers to BYU.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
105 years ago today - Dec 24, 1920
The First Presidency announces the release of a new edition of the Book of Mormon with footnotes and new chapter introductions. The text of this version is set in two columns on each page rather than one.
155 years ago today - Dec 24, 1870
Patriarchal Blessing given by John Smith, Patriarch, upon the head of [future apostle] Moses Thatcher... he [God] hath given thine Angel charge concerning thee; He hath protected thee from the Destroyer, and hath preserved thy life for a wise purpose; therefore seek wisdom and thou shalt know the will of the Lord concerning thee. Thy course shall be made clear and thou shalt comprehend future events. ... Live up to thy priviledges [privileges] and thou shalt become a mighty man in Israel and thy name shall be heard among the nations of the earth, and the wicked shall tremble at the sound of thy voice, and if necessary thou shalt command elements, and the waves of the sea shall obey thy voice. Thou shalt also assist in avenging the blood of the saints and Prophets which was shed by the ungodly; Be prudent and thou shalt live to a good old age; thy posterity shall be numerous and bear thy name in honorable remembrance from generation to generation. This Blessing I seal upon thy head,
and I seal thee up unto eternal life ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
and I seal thee up unto eternal life ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Dec 24, 1845. Wednesday.
[William Clayton]
.... And being clothed in the Robes of Priesthood, offered up prayers to God for our prosperity, the preservation of the Twelve, for means to remove from this place, for the welfare of all the honest in heart, our wives and children &c &c . . .
At 20 minutes past 12, William Miller who was arrested yesterday, came into the Temple, having been liberated from arrest at Carthage last evening, when they found out that he was not Brigham Young. He was not ill treated . . .
at about 20 minutes past eleven, President Young and H. C. Kimball came in and remained the rest of the night. The labors of this day have been very arduous 122 persons having been washed and anointed and received into the upper department. It was expected that troops would be in, with officers and writs, for the purpose of arresting the Twelve, who are mostly charged with counterfeiting the current coin of the United States, but no signs of troops, writs or officers have appeared to molest our peace. ...
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
.... And being clothed in the Robes of Priesthood, offered up prayers to God for our prosperity, the preservation of the Twelve, for means to remove from this place, for the welfare of all the honest in heart, our wives and children &c &c . . .
At 20 minutes past 12, William Miller who was arrested yesterday, came into the Temple, having been liberated from arrest at Carthage last evening, when they found out that he was not Brigham Young. He was not ill treated . . .
at about 20 minutes past eleven, President Young and H. C. Kimball came in and remained the rest of the night. The labors of this day have been very arduous 122 persons having been washed and anointed and received into the upper department. It was expected that troops would be in, with officers and writs, for the purpose of arresting the Twelve, who are mostly charged with counterfeiting the current coin of the United States, but no signs of troops, writs or officers have appeared to molest our peace. ...
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
185 years ago today - Dec 24, 1840
[Wilford Woodruff]
.... in addition to some bread & Cheese & a pint of beer we made out a supper & went to bed, & I dreamed of falling among thieves & robbers, who tried to rob us under pretence that we had done sumthing wrong in London some years since. I told them we never had been in London untill within few months that we were Americans & had a family there, & we had come to preach the gospel & we would preach to them, if they would open their doors & after bothering awhile with them I awoke, & found it to be the first Christmas Eve I ever Spent in London.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
.... in addition to some bread & Cheese & a pint of beer we made out a supper & went to bed, & I dreamed of falling among thieves & robbers, who tried to rob us under pretence that we had done sumthing wrong in London some years since. I told them we never had been in London untill within few months that we were Americans & had a family there, & we had come to preach the gospel & we would preach to them, if they would open their doors & after bothering awhile with them I awoke, & found it to be the first Christmas Eve I ever Spent in London.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
30 years ago today - Dec 23, 1995
190th birthday of Mormon founder Joseph Smith; First Presidency announces new logo for church's name, with larger letters for JESUS CHRIST.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
85 years ago today - Dec 23, 1940
[Frank Evans]
Conferred with office attaches re persons entering vault. Understood by all that one person only shall have combination and that sealed copy of combination shall be kept in secure place; that no one shall enter vault except by consent of person holding key.
[Frank Evans 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]
Conferred with office attaches re persons entering vault. Understood by all that one person only shall have combination and that sealed copy of combination shall be kept in secure place; that no one shall enter vault except by consent of person holding key.
[Frank Evans 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]
115 years ago today - Dec 23, 1910; Friday
[George F. Richards]
My brother Fred came down from Logan [Utah] and I spent an hour with him and my mother at her home and after his departure at 3:30 to go down town and attend to business, I talked with Mother upon a subject about which we have never before conversed.
She told me about President Brigham Young's treatment of Father Willard [Richards]'s family after his death. Father Willard as Church Historian had his office in his home where my mother and his sister Sarah lived. At his death the office effects, papers, records &c were removed from there and when certain papers were wanted and could not be found Brigham came over to their home and charged them with having purloined them for the purpose of getting money out of them later "as did Emma Smith." Mother and Aunt Sarah disclaimed any knowledge of them and he in a gruff manner insisted that they had them and commanded them to tear open their feather beds, which of course they did not do, and when they shed the tears of broken hearts and wounded spirits he charged them with shedding crocodile tears. Bro[ther]. Robert Campbell later told the folks that the papers had been found but no apology was ever offered. The women took in sewing and did what they could at maintaining
themselves and raised what they could in their garden. It was in a conspicuous place where the present Des[eret]. News building stands & in the rear. Brigham told Tho[ma]s. L. Kane the administrator of the estate that that family must be moved from there. Brigham told him to have them moved to Farmington [Utah] and it was done to the sorrow and almost breaking of their hearts. This the cause of the move because these widows were seen working in the garden which was a shame and a disgrace, to whom? After property had been recovered, Brigham instructed B[isho]p. J. W. Hess to not let the Doctor's widows be baptized at time of the reformation and it became known and they were under a cloud in Farmington in consequence, but later word was sent to them that they might be baptized. At one time the properties were consecrated to the Church. Brigham told our folks they owned nothing it all belonged to the Church but when he came to try & sell the property he found the title vested in the
family (Estate) Jennings Corner. I allude to particularly as it was he who was trying to buy the property. Mother's justification for speaking of these things even now for the first time when I am in my fiftieth year is as a partial paliation for the weak faith of Heber, Willard & Joseph, not justifying them but accounting for their condition of faith.
[George F. Richards, Diary]
My brother Fred came down from Logan [Utah] and I spent an hour with him and my mother at her home and after his departure at 3:30 to go down town and attend to business, I talked with Mother upon a subject about which we have never before conversed.
She told me about President Brigham Young's treatment of Father Willard [Richards]'s family after his death. Father Willard as Church Historian had his office in his home where my mother and his sister Sarah lived. At his death the office effects, papers, records &c were removed from there and when certain papers were wanted and could not be found Brigham came over to their home and charged them with having purloined them for the purpose of getting money out of them later "as did Emma Smith." Mother and Aunt Sarah disclaimed any knowledge of them and he in a gruff manner insisted that they had them and commanded them to tear open their feather beds, which of course they did not do, and when they shed the tears of broken hearts and wounded spirits he charged them with shedding crocodile tears. Bro[ther]. Robert Campbell later told the folks that the papers had been found but no apology was ever offered. The women took in sewing and did what they could at maintaining
themselves and raised what they could in their garden. It was in a conspicuous place where the present Des[eret]. News building stands & in the rear. Brigham told Tho[ma]s. L. Kane the administrator of the estate that that family must be moved from there. Brigham told him to have them moved to Farmington [Utah] and it was done to the sorrow and almost breaking of their hearts. This the cause of the move because these widows were seen working in the garden which was a shame and a disgrace, to whom? After property had been recovered, Brigham instructed B[isho]p. J. W. Hess to not let the Doctor's widows be baptized at time of the reformation and it became known and they were under a cloud in Farmington in consequence, but later word was sent to them that they might be baptized. At one time the properties were consecrated to the Church. Brigham told our folks they owned nothing it all belonged to the Church but when he came to try & sell the property he found the title vested in the
family (Estate) Jennings Corner. I allude to particularly as it was he who was trying to buy the property. Mother's justification for speaking of these things even now for the first time when I am in my fiftieth year is as a partial paliation for the weak faith of Heber, Willard & Joseph, not justifying them but accounting for their condition of faith.
[George F. Richards, Diary]
120 years ago today - Saturday, Dec 23, 1905
[John Henry Smith]
South Royalton, Vermont
The Prophet Joseph Smith is one hundred years old today.
... At 11 a.m. services were held in the Cottage owing to the storm. ...President Joseph F. Smith offered the Dedicatory Prayer.
Singing by Choir. Benediction by George Albert Smith. ..
The monument wont cost less than $25,000.00. It is of gray granite polished and about 53 feet high....
[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]
South Royalton, Vermont
The Prophet Joseph Smith is one hundred years old today.
... At 11 a.m. services were held in the Cottage owing to the storm. ...President Joseph F. Smith offered the Dedicatory Prayer.
Singing by Choir. Benediction by George Albert Smith. ..
The monument wont cost less than $25,000.00. It is of gray granite polished and about 53 feet high....
[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]
180 years ago today - Dec 23, 1845. Tuesday.
[William Clayton]
.... At 3 o clock John Scott informed George D. Grant that an officer and assistants were watching for President Young and others at the front door of the Temple. Brother Grant carried the information to President Young, who soon devised a scheme by which their intentions to carry him off might be frustrated.
He directed William Miller who was present at the time, to put on Elder Kimball's cloak, and go down with Geo. D. Grant to his carriage, at the door. They accordingly went down, and as Mr. Miller was about to get into the carriage, with Elder Grant, the officer and 5 or 6 of his assistants arrested him, supposing it to be President B. Young. They were about to drive away with him, having made their boasts that they would get as many of the Twelve as they could, take them down to Warsaw, and have a new Years frolic killing them, but were persuaded to drive to the Nauvoo Mansion and tarry until tomorrow morning when the validity of the writ would be tested.
They were kept in profound ignorance of their mistake all the time. ...
Esquire Babbitt came in at 5 o clock and reports that the Officer who arrested Wm. Miller (supposing it to be President Young) has left the city, and gone to Carthage, with the prisoner, continuing ignorant of his mistake. Mr. Edmonds, a partner of Mr. Babbitts, has gone with them to act as counsel for the prisoner. The Officer has writs for B. Young, P. P. Pratt, H. C. Kimball, John Taylor, Geo. A. Smith, Amasa Lyman and T[heodore] Turley who are all charged with counterfeiting the coin of the United States with President Young . . .
At 20 minutes past 8 o clock, President Brigham Young, H. C. Kimball, P. P. Pratt, George A. Smith and Amasa Lyman left the Temple, nearly at the same time, disguised with other mens Hats and Coats. The reason of this is that their enemies are seeking their lives charging them with high crimes &c . . .
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
.... At 3 o clock John Scott informed George D. Grant that an officer and assistants were watching for President Young and others at the front door of the Temple. Brother Grant carried the information to President Young, who soon devised a scheme by which their intentions to carry him off might be frustrated.
He directed William Miller who was present at the time, to put on Elder Kimball's cloak, and go down with Geo. D. Grant to his carriage, at the door. They accordingly went down, and as Mr. Miller was about to get into the carriage, with Elder Grant, the officer and 5 or 6 of his assistants arrested him, supposing it to be President B. Young. They were about to drive away with him, having made their boasts that they would get as many of the Twelve as they could, take them down to Warsaw, and have a new Years frolic killing them, but were persuaded to drive to the Nauvoo Mansion and tarry until tomorrow morning when the validity of the writ would be tested.
They were kept in profound ignorance of their mistake all the time. ...
Esquire Babbitt came in at 5 o clock and reports that the Officer who arrested Wm. Miller (supposing it to be President Young) has left the city, and gone to Carthage, with the prisoner, continuing ignorant of his mistake. Mr. Edmonds, a partner of Mr. Babbitts, has gone with them to act as counsel for the prisoner. The Officer has writs for B. Young, P. P. Pratt, H. C. Kimball, John Taylor, Geo. A. Smith, Amasa Lyman and T[heodore] Turley who are all charged with counterfeiting the coin of the United States with President Young . . .
At 20 minutes past 8 o clock, President Brigham Young, H. C. Kimball, P. P. Pratt, George A. Smith and Amasa Lyman left the Temple, nearly at the same time, disguised with other mens Hats and Coats. The reason of this is that their enemies are seeking their lives charging them with high crimes &c . . .
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
180 years ago today - Dec 23, 1845
Apostle Willard Richards and a new bride entered into a mutual covenant of marriage for time and eternity, without having Young or anyone else perform this as an ordinance. Richards (who was official Church Recorder of all temple ordinances) recorded the words of the ceremony, as the couple holds each other by the hand: "of our own free will and avow[, we] mutually acknowledge each other [as] husband & wife, in a covenant not to be broken in time or Eternity for time and for all Eternity, to all intents & purposes as though the seal of the covenant had been placed upon us. for time & all Eternity." He did not have this ceremony re-performed in the temple.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
180 years ago today - Dec 23, 1845
["Bogus Brigham" arrest]
About two oclock a company of the governors troops came in the city with a United States writ for some of 12 and came to the Temple and while they were there not knowing what to do Br William Miller & G. D. Grant came down out of the Temple and started to Brigham carriage and as they were going Br Grant called Br Miller President Young & asked him if he did not want to take a ride and the officer hearing what was said immediately arrested Br Miller and took him down to the Mansion House and from thence to Carthage not knowing but they had Br Young until they had got there.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
About two oclock a company of the governors troops came in the city with a United States writ for some of 12 and came to the Temple and while they were there not knowing what to do Br William Miller & G. D. Grant came down out of the Temple and started to Brigham carriage and as they were going Br Grant called Br Miller President Young & asked him if he did not want to take a ride and the officer hearing what was said immediately arrested Br Miller and took him down to the Mansion House and from thence to Carthage not knowing but they had Br Young until they had got there.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
220 years ago today - Dec 23, 1805
Smith is born in Sharon, Vermont to Joseph Smith, Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith. Vermont residents recall that Smith, Sr. told them the young Joseph was born with a caul (a sign of good luck), and that Smith, Sr. "intended to procure a stone for [him] to see all over the world with".
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
40 years ago today - Dec 22, 1985
The First Presidency issued a special invitation to those members who had ceased activity or become critical of the Church to "come back", and they opened the temples to worthy members married to unendowed spouses.
["Ezra Taft Benson." In Encyclopedia of Mormonism, edited by Daniel H. Ludlow, by Reed Benson and Sheri Dew. New York: Macmillan, 1992; Church News, Dec. 22, 1985, p. 3]
["Ezra Taft Benson." In Encyclopedia of Mormonism, edited by Daniel H. Ludlow, by Reed Benson and Sheri Dew. New York: Macmillan, 1992; Church News, Dec. 22, 1985, p. 3]
65 years ago today - Dec 22, 1960
David O. McKay warns Twelve against growing power of LDS bureaucracy.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
80 years ago today - Dec 22, 1945
Having received permission from U.S. President Harry S. Truman to send aid to the Saints in war-torn Europe, the First Presidency assigns Elder Ezra Taft Benson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles to go immediately to Europe to assess the spiritual and temporal needs of the thirty thousand members of the Church there.
125 years ago today - Dec 22, 1900
With respect to Zadok K. Judd's letter (herewith enclosed) asking for second blessings [second anointings] for his father and grandfather, Pres[iden]t [Lorenzo] Snow says that many faithful people have gone into the spirit world without those blessings, and they will lose nothing by it; and all such cases he prefers to refer to the future than to undertake to endorse recommends for persons who cannot be regularly recommended.
[George F. Gibbs to David H. Cannon, Dec. 22, 1900, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[George F. Gibbs to David H. Cannon, Dec. 22, 1900, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
135 years ago today - Dec 22, 1890 (Monday)
The U.S. Supreme Court rendered a decision in William E. Bassett's case, reversing the decision of the Utah courts, and declaring it illegal for a lawful wife to testify against her husband.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
145 years ago today - Dec 22, 1880
[Wilford Woodruff]
The Devil is stired up in washington against Mormonism. I drew out a list of our persecutors.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The Devil is stired up in washington against Mormonism. I drew out a list of our persecutors.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
145 years ago today - Dec 22, 1880
[Joseph F. Smith]
At the Presidents Office I had a long talk with Brother Andrew Burt on city matters relative to our policy respecting the treatment of gamblers, prostitutes and liquor dealers. He advocates a change of policy and more rigor. I sincerely concur. P.M. at council in the E[ndowment]. H[ouse]. I brought up marshal Burt's suggestion, but Brother [John] Taylor seemed unconcerned and uninterested so the matter dropped. I also recalled the subject of setting apart the officers of the Y[oung] M[ens] M[utual] I[mprovement] A[ssociation]. Brother Taylor objected to it so the matter dropped.
[Joseph F. Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
At the Presidents Office I had a long talk with Brother Andrew Burt on city matters relative to our policy respecting the treatment of gamblers, prostitutes and liquor dealers. He advocates a change of policy and more rigor. I sincerely concur. P.M. at council in the E[ndowment]. H[ouse]. I brought up marshal Burt's suggestion, but Brother [John] Taylor seemed unconcerned and uninterested so the matter dropped. I also recalled the subject of setting apart the officers of the Y[oung] M[ens] M[utual] I[mprovement] A[ssociation]. Brother Taylor objected to it so the matter dropped.
[Joseph F. Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
160 years ago today - Dec 22, 1865
[Wilford Woodruff]
.... I will say unto Sister Jane [Blackhurst] in the name of Jesus Christ as an Appostle that all the Blessings which have been promised you by the Apostles shall be fulfilled upon your head & when you get through with the toils of this life you shall Come forth in the Morning of the first resurrection Clothed with glory immortality & Eternal Life & you shall have the privilege of associating in the Celestial kingdom of God with these vary Apostles & Prophets whom you have been feeding Annually for the last fifteen years. ...
I care not what Congress or the Nation attempts to do against us. God will overthrow them & hedge up their way. ...
Elder Taylor Prophesyed that the Twelve should be delivered from the bondage of the poverty under which they had been weltering for years. ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
.... I will say unto Sister Jane [Blackhurst] in the name of Jesus Christ as an Appostle that all the Blessings which have been promised you by the Apostles shall be fulfilled upon your head & when you get through with the toils of this life you shall Come forth in the Morning of the first resurrection Clothed with glory immortality & Eternal Life & you shall have the privilege of associating in the Celestial kingdom of God with these vary Apostles & Prophets whom you have been feeding Annually for the last fifteen years. ...
I care not what Congress or the Nation attempts to do against us. God will overthrow them & hedge up their way. ...
Elder Taylor Prophesyed that the Twelve should be delivered from the bondage of the poverty under which they had been weltering for years. ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Dec 22, 1845
.... Mr. Kimball came to the room; some other persons were then present; he, K., asked if We understood the signs, and Was answered, "We did not." He explained them . . . "Are these not hard sayings?" said he, "you are bound to obey the Heads of the Church; avenge the blood of your brethren in every way possible, and strive to build up the kingdom; if you do not, you must suffer the penalties before mentioned." . . .
[Catherine Lewis, Narrative of Some of the Proceedings of the Mormons; Giving an Account of Their Iniquities, with Particulars Concerning the Training of the Indians by Them, Description of the Mode of Endowment, Plurality of Wives, (19)c., (19)c. (Lynn, Mass.: Catherine Lewis, 1848), 11, 17, as quoted in Sources on the Oath of Vengeance or Law of Retribution, Christopher C. Smith, privately circulated]
[Catherine Lewis, Narrative of Some of the Proceedings of the Mormons; Giving an Account of Their Iniquities, with Particulars Concerning the Training of the Indians by Them, Description of the Mode of Endowment, Plurality of Wives, (19)c., (19)c. (Lynn, Mass.: Catherine Lewis, 1848), 11, 17, as quoted in Sources on the Oath of Vengeance or Law of Retribution, Christopher C. Smith, privately circulated]
190 years ago today - 22 December 1835 - Tuesday
.... Continued my studys [of Hebrew] O may God give me learning even Language and indo [endue] me with qualifycations to magnify his name while I live I also deliv[er]ed an ad dress to the Church this Evening the Lord blessed my Soul, my scribe also is un well O my God heal him and for his kindness to me O my soul be thou greatful to him and bless him and he shall be blessed of for ever of God for ever I believe him to be a faithful friend to me therefore my soul delighteth in him Amen Joseph Smith Jr
[Joseph Smith, “Sketch Book for the use of Joseph Smith, jr.,†Journal, Sept. 1835â€"Apr. 1836]
[Joseph Smith, “Sketch Book for the use of Joseph Smith, jr.,†Journal, Sept. 1835â€"Apr. 1836]
190 years ago today - Dec 22, 1835
"my scribe also is unwell O my God heal him and for his kindness to me O my Soul be thou greatful to him and bless him and he Shall be blessed of for ever of God forever I believe him to be a faithful friend to me therefore my Soul delighteth in him Amen / Joseph Smith Jr"
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
145 years ago today - Tuesday, Dec 21, 1880
[John Henry Smith]
J. F. S. [Joseph Fielding Smith] blessed my wife Sarah who is about to be confined [in anticipation of child birth] and to leave her was one of the severest trials of my life. But she said go and do my duty she would not stand in my way.
[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]
J. F. S. [Joseph Fielding Smith] blessed my wife Sarah who is about to be confined [in anticipation of child birth] and to leave her was one of the severest trials of my life. But she said go and do my duty she would not stand in my way.
[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]
165 years ago today - Dec 21, 1860
Bishop Hunter called in for counsel about having dances in the Ward School houses. The President [Brigham Young] told him they could have Some dancing, provided the B[isho]ps would see there was no drinking going, and the B[isho]ps should refrain from drinking themselves, and should in every case refuse it when offered to them by any of the Members of their wards. If the Bishops saw any of them with a jug of whiskey in their hands they should smash it.
[Brigham Young Office Journals, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Brigham Young Office Journals, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
180 years ago today - Dec 21, 1845. Sunday.
[William Clayton]
According to appointment on Sunday last, a meeting was held in the east room this day of all those who could clothe themselves in the garments of Priesthood, 75 persons were present, Elder H. C. Kimball presiding . . .
Father John Smith then made a few remarks, blessed the bread and it handed round by Bishop Geo. Miller, the Wine was blessed by Geo. Miller and handed round by him. While the wine was passing round, Elder George A. Smith arose and addressed the congregation. He thanked God for the privileges this day enjoyed and spoke of the difficulties under which the church had labored to attain the blessings we now enjoy. ...
He then related an instance of some children being healed and cured of the whooping cough in one night, through the prayers of himself and Elder Woodruff, in Michigan, while they were there on a mission. Said that whenever they could get an opportunity they retired to the wilderness or to an upper room, they did so and offered up the signs, and were always answered. It would be a good thing for us to put on our garments every day and pray to God, and in private circles, when we can do so with safety.
We are now different from what we were before we entered into this quorum. Speedy vengeance will now overtake the transgressor. ...
Elder Kimball next addressed the meeting. He concurred in all that had been said, the observation of these things is most essential. About 4 years ago next May nine persons were admitted into the Holy order 5 are now living. B. Young W. Richards George Miller N. K. Whitney and H. C. Kimball two are dead, and two are worse than dead. You have not got all you will have if you are faithful and keep your tongue in your mouth. You are pronounced clean, but were you pronounced clean from the blood of this generation? No! not all of you, only some few who have deserved it. Females were not received when we first received the Holy order. Men apostatized, being led by their wives, if any such cases occur again, no more women will be admitted. He spoke of the Necessity of Women being in subjection to their husbands. I am subject to my God, my wife is in subjection to me and will reverence me in my place and I will make her happy. I do not want her to step forward and dictate to me
any more than I dictate to President Young. In his absence I take his place according to his request. ... In the coming week we will take through 100 a day, we want no man to come in here unless he is invited, or on business. Let those having cloth to make up send it here and we will make it up and put it to good use. Women should be appointed to attend to the washing and anointings of the High Priests wives. There is a large lot ahead. You are not yet ordained to any thing, but we have the clay here, it is mellow and we shall soon put it on the wheel. ... We cannot rest day nor night until we put you in possession of the Priesthood. We want you now to make up garments for yourselves. I want my own robe back again. If we have made you clean every whit, now go to work and make others clean. ...
Let women wait upon women and let men wait upon men, then no jealousies will arise.
...Elder Kimball showed the right fashion for a leaf, spoke of Elder Richards being protected at Carthage Jail, having on the robe, while Joseph and Hyrum and Elder Taylor were shot to pieces, said the Twelve would have to leave shortly, for a charge of treason would be brought against them for swearing us to avenge the blood of the anointed ones, and some one would reveal it and we shall have to part some say between sundown and dark.
George Miller said that when near the camp of Gen[eral] Hardin, he was shot at, and the Sentinel who was near him was killed, but he escaped unhurt, having on his garment. He then spoke of the design and purpose for which all the Symbols in the garden were given &c. Paul said he bore in his body the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ, which was as plainly as he dare allude to these things in writing. But the marks Paul alluded to were just such as we now have on our garments. He spoke of the signs, tokens and penalties and of the work in general, said it was the work of God, by which he designs to reinstitute man into his presence &c.
Elder John Taylor confirmed the saying that Joseph and Hyrum and himself were without their robes in the jail at Carthage, while Doctor Richards had his on, but corrected the idea that some had, that they had taken them off through fear. W. W. Phelps said Joseph told him one day about that time, that he had laid aside his garment on account of the hot weather.
Elder Kimball said word came to him and to all the Twelve about that time to lay aside their garments, and take them to pieces, or cut them up so that they could not be found.
The Sisters ought not to gather together in schools to pray unless their husbands, or some man be with them, every evening at 5 o clock the High Priests meet for prayer by themselves. Clothed in their robes of Priesthood. Also the High Council and the Seventies.
There are from seven to twelve persons who have met together every day to pray ever since Joseph's death, and this people have been sustained upon this principle. Here is brother [Theodore] Turley has been liberated by the power of God and not of man, and I have covenanted, and never will rest nor my posterity after me until those men who killed Joseph and Hyrum have been wiped out of the earth.
...The whole assembly were then formed into 2 circles one within the other, the signs and tokens were given, the proper attitude for prayer assumed, and Elder Taylor being mouth, the whole congregation united with him in prayer to God, at 10 minutes past 2 the meeting was dismissed and all unclothed themselves of their robes and another congregation which had been waiting in the vestibule of the temple was admitted into the east room, not being clothed in the garments of Priesthood.
... You have now learned how to pray. You have been taught how to approach God and be recognized. This is the principle by which the Church has been kept together, and not the power of arms. ...
Elder H. C. Kimball said ... We have been taken as it were from the earth, and have travelled until we have entered the Celestial Kingdom and what is it for, it is to personify Adam. And you discover that our God is like one of us, for he created us in his own image. Every man that ever came upon this earth, or any other earth will take the course we have taken. ... You have got to honor and reverence your brethren, for if you do not you never can honor God. The man was created, and God gave him dominion over the whole earth, but he saw that he never could multiply, and replenish the earth, without a woman. And he made one and gave her to him. He did not make the man for the woman; but the woman for the man, and it is just as unlawful for you to rise up and rebel against your husband, as it would be for man to rebel against God.
When the man came to the vail, God gave the key word to the man, and the man gave it to the woman. But if a man dont use a woman well and take good care of her, God will take her away from him, and give her to another.
Perfect order and consistency makes Heaven but we are now deranged, and the tail has become the head.
We have now come to this place, and all your former covenants are of no account, and here is the place where we have to enter into a new covenant, and be sealed, and have it recorded. One reason why we bring our wives with us, is, that they make a covenant with us to keep these things sacred. You have been anointed to be kings and priests, but you have not been ordained to it yet, and you have got to get it by being faithful. You can't sin so cheap now as you could before you came to this order. It is not for you to reproach the Lord's anointed nor to speak evil of him. You have covenanted not to do it.
... You have been washed and pronounced clean, but not from the blood of this generation.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
According to appointment on Sunday last, a meeting was held in the east room this day of all those who could clothe themselves in the garments of Priesthood, 75 persons were present, Elder H. C. Kimball presiding . . .
Father John Smith then made a few remarks, blessed the bread and it handed round by Bishop Geo. Miller, the Wine was blessed by Geo. Miller and handed round by him. While the wine was passing round, Elder George A. Smith arose and addressed the congregation. He thanked God for the privileges this day enjoyed and spoke of the difficulties under which the church had labored to attain the blessings we now enjoy. ...
He then related an instance of some children being healed and cured of the whooping cough in one night, through the prayers of himself and Elder Woodruff, in Michigan, while they were there on a mission. Said that whenever they could get an opportunity they retired to the wilderness or to an upper room, they did so and offered up the signs, and were always answered. It would be a good thing for us to put on our garments every day and pray to God, and in private circles, when we can do so with safety.
We are now different from what we were before we entered into this quorum. Speedy vengeance will now overtake the transgressor. ...
Elder Kimball next addressed the meeting. He concurred in all that had been said, the observation of these things is most essential. About 4 years ago next May nine persons were admitted into the Holy order 5 are now living. B. Young W. Richards George Miller N. K. Whitney and H. C. Kimball two are dead, and two are worse than dead. You have not got all you will have if you are faithful and keep your tongue in your mouth. You are pronounced clean, but were you pronounced clean from the blood of this generation? No! not all of you, only some few who have deserved it. Females were not received when we first received the Holy order. Men apostatized, being led by their wives, if any such cases occur again, no more women will be admitted. He spoke of the Necessity of Women being in subjection to their husbands. I am subject to my God, my wife is in subjection to me and will reverence me in my place and I will make her happy. I do not want her to step forward and dictate to me
any more than I dictate to President Young. In his absence I take his place according to his request. ... In the coming week we will take through 100 a day, we want no man to come in here unless he is invited, or on business. Let those having cloth to make up send it here and we will make it up and put it to good use. Women should be appointed to attend to the washing and anointings of the High Priests wives. There is a large lot ahead. You are not yet ordained to any thing, but we have the clay here, it is mellow and we shall soon put it on the wheel. ... We cannot rest day nor night until we put you in possession of the Priesthood. We want you now to make up garments for yourselves. I want my own robe back again. If we have made you clean every whit, now go to work and make others clean. ...
Let women wait upon women and let men wait upon men, then no jealousies will arise.
...Elder Kimball showed the right fashion for a leaf, spoke of Elder Richards being protected at Carthage Jail, having on the robe, while Joseph and Hyrum and Elder Taylor were shot to pieces, said the Twelve would have to leave shortly, for a charge of treason would be brought against them for swearing us to avenge the blood of the anointed ones, and some one would reveal it and we shall have to part some say between sundown and dark.
George Miller said that when near the camp of Gen[eral] Hardin, he was shot at, and the Sentinel who was near him was killed, but he escaped unhurt, having on his garment. He then spoke of the design and purpose for which all the Symbols in the garden were given &c. Paul said he bore in his body the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ, which was as plainly as he dare allude to these things in writing. But the marks Paul alluded to were just such as we now have on our garments. He spoke of the signs, tokens and penalties and of the work in general, said it was the work of God, by which he designs to reinstitute man into his presence &c.
Elder John Taylor confirmed the saying that Joseph and Hyrum and himself were without their robes in the jail at Carthage, while Doctor Richards had his on, but corrected the idea that some had, that they had taken them off through fear. W. W. Phelps said Joseph told him one day about that time, that he had laid aside his garment on account of the hot weather.
Elder Kimball said word came to him and to all the Twelve about that time to lay aside their garments, and take them to pieces, or cut them up so that they could not be found.
The Sisters ought not to gather together in schools to pray unless their husbands, or some man be with them, every evening at 5 o clock the High Priests meet for prayer by themselves. Clothed in their robes of Priesthood. Also the High Council and the Seventies.
There are from seven to twelve persons who have met together every day to pray ever since Joseph's death, and this people have been sustained upon this principle. Here is brother [Theodore] Turley has been liberated by the power of God and not of man, and I have covenanted, and never will rest nor my posterity after me until those men who killed Joseph and Hyrum have been wiped out of the earth.
...The whole assembly were then formed into 2 circles one within the other, the signs and tokens were given, the proper attitude for prayer assumed, and Elder Taylor being mouth, the whole congregation united with him in prayer to God, at 10 minutes past 2 the meeting was dismissed and all unclothed themselves of their robes and another congregation which had been waiting in the vestibule of the temple was admitted into the east room, not being clothed in the garments of Priesthood.
... You have now learned how to pray. You have been taught how to approach God and be recognized. This is the principle by which the Church has been kept together, and not the power of arms. ...
Elder H. C. Kimball said ... We have been taken as it were from the earth, and have travelled until we have entered the Celestial Kingdom and what is it for, it is to personify Adam. And you discover that our God is like one of us, for he created us in his own image. Every man that ever came upon this earth, or any other earth will take the course we have taken. ... You have got to honor and reverence your brethren, for if you do not you never can honor God. The man was created, and God gave him dominion over the whole earth, but he saw that he never could multiply, and replenish the earth, without a woman. And he made one and gave her to him. He did not make the man for the woman; but the woman for the man, and it is just as unlawful for you to rise up and rebel against your husband, as it would be for man to rebel against God.
When the man came to the vail, God gave the key word to the man, and the man gave it to the woman. But if a man dont use a woman well and take good care of her, God will take her away from him, and give her to another.
Perfect order and consistency makes Heaven but we are now deranged, and the tail has become the head.
We have now come to this place, and all your former covenants are of no account, and here is the place where we have to enter into a new covenant, and be sealed, and have it recorded. One reason why we bring our wives with us, is, that they make a covenant with us to keep these things sacred. You have been anointed to be kings and priests, but you have not been ordained to it yet, and you have got to get it by being faithful. You can't sin so cheap now as you could before you came to this order. It is not for you to reproach the Lord's anointed nor to speak evil of him. You have covenanted not to do it.
... You have been washed and pronounced clean, but not from the blood of this generation.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
180 years ago today - Dec 21, 1845
Mention of oath by Heber C. Kimball during a priesthood meeting and recorded in the journal of William Clayton:
[Heber C. Kimball] said the Twelve would have to leave shortly, for a charge of treason would be brought against them for swearing us to avenge the blood of the anointed ones, and some one would reveal it and we shall have to part some say between sundown and dark. . . . [He also said] I have covenanted, and never will rest nor my posterity after me until those men who killed Joseph and Hyrum have been wiped out of the earth.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle: The Journals of William Clayton (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1995), 223-24, as quoted in Sources on the Oath of Vengeance or Law of Retribution, Christopher C. Smith, privately circulated]
[Heber C. Kimball] said the Twelve would have to leave shortly, for a charge of treason would be brought against them for swearing us to avenge the blood of the anointed ones, and some one would reveal it and we shall have to part some say between sundown and dark. . . . [He also said] I have covenanted, and never will rest nor my posterity after me until those men who killed Joseph and Hyrum have been wiped out of the earth.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle: The Journals of William Clayton (Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1995), 223-24, as quoted in Sources on the Oath of Vengeance or Law of Retribution, Christopher C. Smith, privately circulated]
195 years ago today - about Dec 21, 1830
Fayette, New York. Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon received Doctrine & Covenants 37, a revelation calling the Saints to gather in Ohio.
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
30 years ago today - Dec 20, 1995
[Gordon B. Hinckley]
Announced new logo design for the name of the Church
[LDS Newsroom, Time line of Significant Events as President, http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/time-line-of-significant-events-as-president]
Announced new logo design for the name of the Church
[LDS Newsroom, Time line of Significant Events as President, http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/time-line-of-significant-events-as-president]
60 years ago today - Dec 20, 1965
It has come to our attention that in some wards marriage ceremonies have been performed for couples following their marriage in the temple, in order that non-member relatives and friends might be privileged to witness such a pretended marriage. We are also informed that in other instances relatives and friends of the newly married couple have gathered in the ward house or elsewhere following the temple marriage in a service somewhat similar to a wedding, where prayer has been offered, remarks made by the bishop or others, and at times pomp and ceremony introduced somewhat aping sectarian weddings. These practices make a mockery of the temple marriage; they are unauthorized and contrary to Church procedures and must not be encouraged or permitted. This does not have reference to the wedding reception which customarily follows civil and temple marriages. We shall appreciate your accepting this letter as a directive for your guidance in matters of this kind.
[David O. McKay, Hugh B. Brown, N. Eldon Tanner, Joseph Fielding Smith, and Thorpe B. Isaacson, circular letter, Dec. 20, 1965, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[David O. McKay, Hugh B. Brown, N. Eldon Tanner, Joseph Fielding Smith, and Thorpe B. Isaacson, circular letter, Dec. 20, 1965, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
65 years ago today - Dec 20, 1960
Adewole Ogunmokun writes LDS headquarters requesting that LDS missionaries be sent to Nigeria to officially baptize and formally organize Nigerians who have converted to Mormonism after reading LDS publications. In this unprecedented development in Mormonism, a dozen groups of self-converted Nigerians have already organized, calling themselves "Latter-day Saints" and baptizing themselves as sign of their conversion. Within five years one of these Nigerian groups has "seventy-five congregations with nearly ten thousand baptized adult members and six thousand children," many of whom are living in polygamous families and few of whom know about LDS church's policy of denying priesthood to black Africans. This situation creates a quandary with which LDS leaders struggle for years.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
115 years ago today - Dec 20, 1910; Tuesday
[Anthony Ivins]
I have been in council with my quorum considering various matters which came before us. The question of plural marriages were discussed & it was decided that cases rising where plural mar- riages were entered into prior to 1904 the parties to such marriages should not be molested unless they be cases where the interests of the Church are involved. Where men are in prominence in the Church who have taken wives plural wives since Prest. [Wilford] Woodruff manifesto be removed where it can be done without giv- ing unnecessary offence.
[Anderson, Elizabeth Oberdick, editor, Cowboy Apostle: The Diaries of Anthony W. Ivins: 1875-1932, Signature Books, Salt Lake City in association with the Smith-Pettit Foundation (2013) - http://bit.ly/AnthonyIvins]
I have been in council with my quorum considering various matters which came before us. The question of plural marriages were discussed & it was decided that cases rising where plural mar- riages were entered into prior to 1904 the parties to such marriages should not be molested unless they be cases where the interests of the Church are involved. Where men are in prominence in the Church who have taken wives plural wives since Prest. [Wilford] Woodruff manifesto be removed where it can be done without giv- ing unnecessary offence.
[Anderson, Elizabeth Oberdick, editor, Cowboy Apostle: The Diaries of Anthony W. Ivins: 1875-1932, Signature Books, Salt Lake City in association with the Smith-Pettit Foundation (2013) - http://bit.ly/AnthonyIvins]
185 years ago today - Dec 20, 1840
[Wilford Woodruff]
We retired to rest & I dreamed of ketching fish, fowl, geese & Turkies, in nets, & seeing a house on fire. Elder Kimball also Dreamed of casting a net & ketching a good hall of fish, two large ones, & gathering fruit. So I think sumthing will be done soon.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
We retired to rest & I dreamed of ketching fish, fowl, geese & Turkies, in nets, & seeing a house on fire. Elder Kimball also Dreamed of casting a net & ketching a good hall of fish, two large ones, & gathering fruit. So I think sumthing will be done soon.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
200 years ago today - Dec 20, 1825
The Smiths run into financial difficulty, partially through the connivings of others, and are unable to come up with their final house payment. On this date, a Quaker, Lemuel Durfee, takes over ownership of the house, but allows the Smiths to keep residence in it for at least three more years.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
45 years ago today - Dec 19, 1980
The BYU football team wins the 1980 Holiday Bowl, the team's first bowl victory, over Southern Methodist University. In the final minutes, the Cougars make an impressive comeback capped by quarterback Jim McMahon's forty-six-yard "hail Mary" touchdown pass to tight end Clay Brown in the closing seconds of the game. The game is later called the "Miracle Bowl."
90 years ago today - Dec 19, 1935
[First Presidency to Sterling B. Talmage]
We have your letter of December 7, with reference to your father's sermon, 'The Earth and Man,' and to the statement made to you by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith regarding the same. You ask certain categorical questions concerning the sermon.
Inasmuch as categorical answers to your questions would not give ' even if it were possible to make them (which it is not)'a true picture of the situation, we feel it due you and your inquiry to advise you of exactly what happened, for your confidential information, regarding you father's sermon above referred to.
There were some antecedents to the preaching of the sermon, of which you may not be fully advised. Briefly they were as follows:
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith had preached a sermon expressing a view different from that later expressed in your father's sermon. The preaching of the sermon by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith brought some controversy between Brother Brigham H. Roberts and Brother Smith, which, after various exchanges, resulted in both brethren being told that they should cease their discussion of the matter.
Thereafter the matter seems to have been taken up with President Ivins by persons near to him who were not willing that the matter should be allowed to rest where it was. As a result of these activities, your father delivered the sermon, 'The Earth and Man.' It would seem that this was brought about through an arrangement between President Ivins and your father. The sermon was delivered at a meeting over which President Ivins presided.
Thereafter the sermon was brought to the attention of the Council of the Twelve, where it was the unanimous view, minus one, that the sermon should not be published. The one not fully approving of this decision asked that the opportunity be give your father so to recast the sermon as to make it acceptable. Accordingly there were some changes made in the sermon, and it was again submitted to the quorum of the Council of the Twelve. Upon this second submission it was again determined by the Twelve, one excepting, that the sermon should not be published. The member making the exception again pleaded that the sermon be further changed in order to make its publication possible.
At this point President Ivins withdrew the sermon from the consideration of the Council and himself decided that it should be published. It was printed within two or three days thereafter.
At the time this final decision was made, President Grant was not at home, and was not consulted.
The foregoing are the recorded facts with reference to the publication and 'approval' of the sermon, 'The Earth and Man.'
The later publication of the sermon in pamphlet form was made without president Grant's knowledge or consent, though, it is understood, with the approval of President Ivins.
You will see from the foregoing that the sermon 'The Earth and Man' cannot be regarded as an official expression of the Church, binding upon the Church and covering the subject matter discussed in the sermon. Its publication was never approved by the President of the Church.
We make this foregoing statement without making any comment at all upon the matters discussed in the sermon. The whole point of this explanation is that the sermon cannot be regarded as the official pronouncement of the Church. ...
[First Presidency, Letter to Sterling B. Talmage, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
We have your letter of December 7, with reference to your father's sermon, 'The Earth and Man,' and to the statement made to you by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith regarding the same. You ask certain categorical questions concerning the sermon.
Inasmuch as categorical answers to your questions would not give ' even if it were possible to make them (which it is not)'a true picture of the situation, we feel it due you and your inquiry to advise you of exactly what happened, for your confidential information, regarding you father's sermon above referred to.
There were some antecedents to the preaching of the sermon, of which you may not be fully advised. Briefly they were as follows:
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith had preached a sermon expressing a view different from that later expressed in your father's sermon. The preaching of the sermon by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith brought some controversy between Brother Brigham H. Roberts and Brother Smith, which, after various exchanges, resulted in both brethren being told that they should cease their discussion of the matter.
Thereafter the matter seems to have been taken up with President Ivins by persons near to him who were not willing that the matter should be allowed to rest where it was. As a result of these activities, your father delivered the sermon, 'The Earth and Man.' It would seem that this was brought about through an arrangement between President Ivins and your father. The sermon was delivered at a meeting over which President Ivins presided.
Thereafter the sermon was brought to the attention of the Council of the Twelve, where it was the unanimous view, minus one, that the sermon should not be published. The one not fully approving of this decision asked that the opportunity be give your father so to recast the sermon as to make it acceptable. Accordingly there were some changes made in the sermon, and it was again submitted to the quorum of the Council of the Twelve. Upon this second submission it was again determined by the Twelve, one excepting, that the sermon should not be published. The member making the exception again pleaded that the sermon be further changed in order to make its publication possible.
At this point President Ivins withdrew the sermon from the consideration of the Council and himself decided that it should be published. It was printed within two or three days thereafter.
At the time this final decision was made, President Grant was not at home, and was not consulted.
The foregoing are the recorded facts with reference to the publication and 'approval' of the sermon, 'The Earth and Man.'
The later publication of the sermon in pamphlet form was made without president Grant's knowledge or consent, though, it is understood, with the approval of President Ivins.
You will see from the foregoing that the sermon 'The Earth and Man' cannot be regarded as an official expression of the Church, binding upon the Church and covering the subject matter discussed in the sermon. Its publication was never approved by the President of the Church.
We make this foregoing statement without making any comment at all upon the matters discussed in the sermon. The whole point of this explanation is that the sermon cannot be regarded as the official pronouncement of the Church. ...
[First Presidency, Letter to Sterling B. Talmage, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
145 years ago today - Dec 19, 1880
[Wilford Woodruff]
Sunday I for the first time in my life talked with Elder Taylor through a telephone One Mile. Surly men have sought out many inventions.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Sunday I for the first time in my life talked with Elder Taylor through a telephone One Mile. Surly men have sought out many inventions.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - Dec 19, 1835
[Joseph Smith]
I have had many sollam /solemn/ feelings this day Concerning my Brothe[r] William [with whom he fought with a few days earlier] and have prayed in my heart to fervently that the Lord will not him /cast him/ off, but he may return to the God of Jacob and magnify his apostleship and calling. May this be his happy lot for the Lord of Glory's Sake. Amen.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
I have had many sollam /solemn/ feelings this day Concerning my Brothe[r] William [with whom he fought with a few days earlier] and have prayed in my heart to fervently that the Lord will not him /cast him/ off, but he may return to the God of Jacob and magnify his apostleship and calling. May this be his happy lot for the Lord of Glory's Sake. Amen.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
30 years ago today - Dec 18, 1995
Gordon B. Hinckley interviewed by Mike Wallace on CBS's ―60 Minutes.
[Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
[Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
125 years ago today - Dec 18, 1900
[Brigham Young Jr.]
I am sixty-four years old today. I look back upon the experiences of my life with singular feelings. Often have I been on the verge of breaking my covenants when a merciful Father has snatched me as a brand from the burning and He has bought me with a price and saved me from myself. No man in this generation or in any other has been more miraculously preserved than I. When all was lost and I
had yielded to temptation, God has been there to intervene; again and again has this transpired. When leaden messengers have been showered like hail around me, a calmness has passed me'boon of the Holy Spirit. Thrown from a wild mule, my foot passed thru the stirrup firmly fixed to have dragged the life out of me a hundred times. Suddenly, I was torn loose and no harm ensued. My lower jaw and teeth shattered, my spine injured to death, God heard the prayer of His servants and I live unmaimed. How thankful I am to Him who hears and answers prayers and gives me daily breath who have been at point of death so often in the last four years.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
I am sixty-four years old today. I look back upon the experiences of my life with singular feelings. Often have I been on the verge of breaking my covenants when a merciful Father has snatched me as a brand from the burning and He has bought me with a price and saved me from myself. No man in this generation or in any other has been more miraculously preserved than I. When all was lost and I
had yielded to temptation, God has been there to intervene; again and again has this transpired. When leaden messengers have been showered like hail around me, a calmness has passed me'boon of the Holy Spirit. Thrown from a wild mule, my foot passed thru the stirrup firmly fixed to have dragged the life out of me a hundred times. Suddenly, I was torn loose and no harm ensued. My lower jaw and teeth shattered, my spine injured to death, God heard the prayer of His servants and I live unmaimed. How thankful I am to Him who hears and answers prayers and gives me daily breath who have been at point of death so often in the last four years.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
135 years ago today - Thursday, Dec. 18th, 1890
[Abraham H. Cannon]
Father [George Q. Cannon] holds that we who live on the earth now and are faithful, will stand at the head of our lineage and will thus become Saviors as has been promised us. Pres. John Taylor was not sealed to his parents though they died in the Church, as he felt that it was rather lowering himself to be thus sealed when he was an apostle and his father was a high priest; but this is rather a questionable proceeding.
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
Father [George Q. Cannon] holds that we who live on the earth now and are faithful, will stand at the head of our lineage and will thus become Saviors as has been promised us. Pres. John Taylor was not sealed to his parents though they died in the Church, as he felt that it was rather lowering himself to be thus sealed when he was an apostle and his father was a high priest; but this is rather a questionable proceeding.
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
140 years ago today - Dec 18, 1885
Patriarchal Blessing of Samuel RosKelley by Zebedee Coltrin ... thou whall [shall] have power over the elements insomuch that thou shall be able to control the waves of the sea and the winds, and they shall obey thy voice... the kings and the nobles of the earth shall tremble before thee, and the wicked shall flee away at thy presence, for thy voice shall be mighty before the Lord thy God, like that of a lion roaring from the forest that the earth shall tremble and the wicked shall flee, and the righteous shall rejoice before the Lord ... and thy sons shall become mighty men before the Lord, they shall be filled with the wisdom of heaven, and the knowledge of the Lord shall rest upon them, many of them shall be prophets, Seers and Revelators and Kings and Priests of the most High and their possessions shall become very great dwelling in the midst of the Zion of the Lord. Thy daughters shall become women of great renown, filled with wisdom of the heavens, and mighty power of
Jehovah shall rest down upon them, and upon their posterity, which shall become as the sands upon the sea shore for multitude, and they shall have great power before the Lord thy God, and thy children-'s children shall dwell among the sanctified and shall behold the Lord when he shall come in the Clouds of Heaven with all his Saints, and many of thy sons shall be of that number of the One Hundred and forty four thousand that shall be clother [clothed] upon with mighty power of Jehovah, and shall be his ministers in his Holy Sanctuary. ... and thou shalt behold the Lord when he shall come to his Temple, and shall do a great work upon the earth both for the living and the dead and shall assist in the redemption of thy father-'s house, and thou shalt become a mighty Prophet in the midst of the Sons of Zion, and thou shalt proclaim unto them the mighty word of God and the Angels shall administer unto you for they eventually shall be thy daily companions, in thy old age they shall be
around and about thee by day and by night and shall converse with thee face to face, and thou shall behold the visions of the heavens... and thou shall have power to heal the sick, and it shall be a gift unto thee that whomsoever thou shall command to make whole shall arise and be made well before the Lord. ... if necessary to raise the dead or to do anything that shall be pleasing unto the Spirit of the Lord thy God to dictate thee. ... and thy wives will honor thee ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
Jehovah shall rest down upon them, and upon their posterity, which shall become as the sands upon the sea shore for multitude, and they shall have great power before the Lord thy God, and thy children-'s children shall dwell among the sanctified and shall behold the Lord when he shall come in the Clouds of Heaven with all his Saints, and many of thy sons shall be of that number of the One Hundred and forty four thousand that shall be clother [clothed] upon with mighty power of Jehovah, and shall be his ministers in his Holy Sanctuary. ... and thou shalt behold the Lord when he shall come to his Temple, and shall do a great work upon the earth both for the living and the dead and shall assist in the redemption of thy father-'s house, and thou shalt become a mighty Prophet in the midst of the Sons of Zion, and thou shalt proclaim unto them the mighty word of God and the Angels shall administer unto you for they eventually shall be thy daily companions, in thy old age they shall be
around and about thee by day and by night and shall converse with thee face to face, and thou shall behold the visions of the heavens... and thou shall have power to heal the sick, and it shall be a gift unto thee that whomsoever thou shall command to make whole shall arise and be made well before the Lord. ... if necessary to raise the dead or to do anything that shall be pleasing unto the Spirit of the Lord thy God to dictate thee. ... and thy wives will honor thee ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
145 years ago today - Dec 18, 1880
[Wilford Woodruff]
We Met with the Presidency of the [Ogden] Stake & High Council most of the Priesthood. Their has Exhisted a difficulty between the Authorities of the Church in that Place for a good while and the fore noon was taken up in teaching them and some Sharp Chastisements were given and I think the harts of Some were made to quake before the two Edged sword of truth by the Power of God. The spirit of God was with us.
We Met in the Afternoon and Organized 7 Prayer Circles but many of the Company had to settle their difficulties before they Could Enter the Prayer Circle. It was a profitable time.
Meeting opened by Prayer by W Woodruff. F D Richards spoke 15 M John Taylor 50, Joseph F Smith 50 M W Woodruff 20 m. The first Presidency & High Council formed one Circle The High Priest one. The 4 Bishops of the 4 wards of Ogden Each furnish a Circle And the Presidency of the Stake with the Bishop furnish another Circle and Br F D Richards organized the 7 Prayer Circls. We had an interesting time.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
We Met with the Presidency of the [Ogden] Stake & High Council most of the Priesthood. Their has Exhisted a difficulty between the Authorities of the Church in that Place for a good while and the fore noon was taken up in teaching them and some Sharp Chastisements were given and I think the harts of Some were made to quake before the two Edged sword of truth by the Power of God. The spirit of God was with us.
We Met in the Afternoon and Organized 7 Prayer Circles but many of the Company had to settle their difficulties before they Could Enter the Prayer Circle. It was a profitable time.
Meeting opened by Prayer by W Woodruff. F D Richards spoke 15 M John Taylor 50, Joseph F Smith 50 M W Woodruff 20 m. The first Presidency & High Council formed one Circle The High Priest one. The 4 Bishops of the 4 wards of Ogden Each furnish a Circle And the Presidency of the Stake with the Bishop furnish another Circle and Br F D Richards organized the 7 Prayer Circls. We had an interesting time.
[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 - Dec 18, 1860
[Brigham Young]
Pres. [Heber C.] Kimball and [Daniel H.] Wells called in they [were] with Hosea Stout had some conversation about [U.S.] President Buchanan's Message, in which he had remarked that Utah was in a State of rebellion when he came into Office. The President felt justly indignant at this accusation, and said he should like to tell Buchanan he would have his portion with the liars and hypocrites.
[Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
Pres. [Heber C.] Kimball and [Daniel H.] Wells called in they [were] with Hosea Stout had some conversation about [U.S.] President Buchanan's Message, in which he had remarked that Utah was in a State of rebellion when he came into Office. The President felt justly indignant at this accusation, and said he should like to tell Buchanan he would have his portion with the liars and hypocrites.
[Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
180 years ago today - Dec 18, 1845. Thursday.
In consequence of the great pressure of business during the week past it has been decided to devote Saturday to the purpose of washing the robes and other garments, which had been used in the business of initiating those who had come in through the vail, but there being a general desire in the minds of all those who had officiated in the ordinances particularly the Sisters, that the work should not cease, it was afterwards determined that the clothes should be washed this night, and it was accordingly done, by the labors of several sisters, taking up the greater part of the night.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
190 years ago today - Dec 18, 1835
William Smith submits a letter to Hyrum, begging for forgiveness because of the fight with Joseph and asking to be released from his apostleship because of his temper. Joseph answers, encouraging him to keep his apostleship, to control his temper, and "if at any time you should consider me to be an imposter, for heaven's sake leave me in the hands of God, and not think to take vengeance on me yourself. . . . David sought not to kill Saul, although he was guilty of crimes that never entered my heart."
[History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 2:338-43, referenced in Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 2:338-43, referenced in Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
90 years ago today - Dec 17, 1935
Bishop Cannon discussed with President McKay the subject of anointing with consecrated oil. The statement was made that Elder John A. Widtsoe had directed that the elders in Europe should anoint the head only. It was felt that if the sick person desires to be anointed by the elders on the afflicted part, this may be done and the sick person allowed to drink some of the consecrated oil. President McKay suggested that the matter be brought up again on the return of President Grant.
[First Presidency, Meeting with Presiding Bishopric, 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]
[First Presidency, Meeting with Presiding Bishopric, 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]
130 years ago today - Dec 17, 1895
I am directed by the First Presidency to say in answer to your favor of [the] 10th inst., that in the cases to which you refer, the same rule holds good with regard to both living and dead. For those who have associated with any upon whom rests the curse of Cain[,] baptisms can be performed, but endowments cannot be received. The fact of them being dead does not make any difference in regard to this law.
[George Reynolds to Levi Savage, Dec. 17, 1895, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[George Reynolds to Levi Savage, Dec. 17, 1895, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
140 years ago today - Dec 17, 1885 (Thursday)
Bishop David K. Udall, of St. Johns, Ariz., who on a trumped up charge of perjury had been sentenced to imprisonment in Detroit, Michigan, was pardoned by Pres. Cleveland and immediately released.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
165 years ago today - Dec 17, 1860
The President [Brigham Young] had some conversation with him upon the Character of Pres[ident] James Buchanan and Daniel Webster, he noticed that Pres[ident] Buchanan would do things that would sacrifice his friends for ever and he would scarcely know why they had deserted him; he was wanting in a knowledge of men and things, whatever claim, he may have to ability in some things. He was a Keen shrewd politician to these remarks Mr. Edward Creighton courteously acquiesced....
[Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
180 years ago today - Dec 17, 1845. Wednesday.
[William Clayton]
At 35 m[inutes] past 7, President B. Young came in, and at 9, appointed each man his particular duty for the day.
At 9, commenced washing . . .
At 20 minutes past 2 o clock P.M. Bishop Miller perfumed 45 Bottles of Oil after which the following brethren, viz. Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, Amasa Lyman, George A. Smith, W. W. Phelps, and Joseph Young clothed themselves and retired to Elder Kimballs room, where after offering up the signs of the Holy Priesthood they dedicated and consecrated the whole for the anointing in the following order, viz: ... after which they consecrated 2 Bottles to the healing of the sick. They then offered up prayers for the sick and other subjects, according to our daily custom, Geo. A. Smith being mouth, at 3 o clock they undressed . . .
About 6 o dock, P.M. President Young selected the following persons to work on Thursday and notified them to be present . . .
He also selected a list of names of persons to be present on Friday to receive their washing and anointing; and put the list into the hands of John Pack to give notice to the individuals. About 20 minutes past 10, about 16 or 18 persons assembled in the east room and sung a hymn, and joined in prayer with President Young. He slept in the Temple, also his son Joseph and 10 or 12 other persons.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
At 35 m[inutes] past 7, President B. Young came in, and at 9, appointed each man his particular duty for the day.
At 9, commenced washing . . .
At 20 minutes past 2 o clock P.M. Bishop Miller perfumed 45 Bottles of Oil after which the following brethren, viz. Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, Amasa Lyman, George A. Smith, W. W. Phelps, and Joseph Young clothed themselves and retired to Elder Kimballs room, where after offering up the signs of the Holy Priesthood they dedicated and consecrated the whole for the anointing in the following order, viz: ... after which they consecrated 2 Bottles to the healing of the sick. They then offered up prayers for the sick and other subjects, according to our daily custom, Geo. A. Smith being mouth, at 3 o clock they undressed . . .
About 6 o dock, P.M. President Young selected the following persons to work on Thursday and notified them to be present . . .
He also selected a list of names of persons to be present on Friday to receive their washing and anointing; and put the list into the hands of John Pack to give notice to the individuals. About 20 minutes past 10, about 16 or 18 persons assembled in the east room and sung a hymn, and joined in prayer with President Young. He slept in the Temple, also his son Joseph and 10 or 12 other persons.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
180 years ago today - Dec 17, 1845. Wednesday.
[William Clayton]
....Brother Lucian R. Foster is now appointed to keep the Records of the endowment. Margaret came with me to the Temple this morning and received her washing and anointing. She was washed by Sister Patty Sessions and anointed by Sister Mary Ann Pratt wife of Elder Parley P. Pratt one of the Twelve. I conducted her through the remaining ceremonies and also received her through into the upper or Celestial department. I feel grateful for this privilege and for all the blessings I receive from day to day for the mercies of the Lord to me are great and many of them. I instructed Brother [Lucien R.] Foster in regard to keeping the Record and in the evening assisted Elder Young and Kimball to collect a list of brethren to come here on Saturday . . .
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
....Brother Lucian R. Foster is now appointed to keep the Records of the endowment. Margaret came with me to the Temple this morning and received her washing and anointing. She was washed by Sister Patty Sessions and anointed by Sister Mary Ann Pratt wife of Elder Parley P. Pratt one of the Twelve. I conducted her through the remaining ceremonies and also received her through into the upper or Celestial department. I feel grateful for this privilege and for all the blessings I receive from day to day for the mercies of the Lord to me are great and many of them. I instructed Brother [Lucien R.] Foster in regard to keeping the Record and in the evening assisted Elder Young and Kimball to collect a list of brethren to come here on Saturday . . .
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
185 years ago today - 1840 Dec 17
The Council of Revision passes the Nauvoo charter. It will take effect on Feb. 1, 1841. The charter is then signed by Governor Carlin. It includes provisions for the city of Nauvoo, the Nauvoo Legion, the University of the City of Nauvoo, and all other municipal necessities. In addition to Governor Carlin, Stephen A. Douglas, Illinois secretary of state, signs it. The charter was written by Joseph Smith, John C. Bennett, and Robert B. Thompson. Once the charter was complete, Bennett took it to the state legislature and pushed it through in 21 days. Bennett pushes through ordinance that all crime charges must be backed by 2-3 witnesses, allowing spiritual wifery to flourish.
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
190 years ago today - Dec 17, 1835
Joseph discusses Orson's letter with him "and satisfyed his mind upon every point." Joseph Sr. and Lucy, "sorely afflicted in mind" by the difficulty between Joseph and William, call on Joseph. He persuades them that "I was not to blame" and invites them to move in with him. They agree. I told Elder Cahoon, of the Temple committee, that we must sustain the Twelve, and not let them go down; if we do not, they must go down, for the burden is on them, and is coming on them heavier and heavier. If the Twelve go down, we must go down, and we must sustain them.
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
195 years ago today - 1830 Dec 17
Oliver Cowdery mentions temple to be built in Independence
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
60 years ago today - Dec 16, 1965
By the end of December 1965 other general authorities vetoed an effort by one of Benson's intermediaries to have the Birch Society's president speak at Brigham Young University. Those voting against the proposal were Apostles Joseph Fielding Smith, Harold B. Lee, Delbert L. Stapley, Marion G. Romney, and LeGrand Richards. That unanimous vote reflected First Presidency counselor N. Eldon Tanner's statement to a political science professor: "We certainly don't want the Birch Society to get a hold on the BYU campus." Tanner had served as a counselor for the past two years since Henry D. Moyle's death.
[Board of Trustees, Executive Committee minutes, 16 Dec. 1965, archives, Brigham Young University; Wilkinson diary, 21 Dec. 1965; Bergera and Priddis, Brigham Young University, 197; N. Eldon Tanner statement in the mid-1960s to J. Kenneth Davies as reported in Davies interview by Gary James Bergera, 24 Dec. 1984.However, Apostle Delbert L. Stapley's vote against the Birch Society president as a BYU speaker should not be construed as evidence of his disagreement with Benson's political views. For example, Stapley wrote a woman that "we are drifting towards the socialized state," and sent her copies of Benson's conference talks on Communism (Stapley to Mrs. W. E. Daddow, 19 Feb. 1965, LDS archives). From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
[Board of Trustees, Executive Committee minutes, 16 Dec. 1965, archives, Brigham Young University; Wilkinson diary, 21 Dec. 1965; Bergera and Priddis, Brigham Young University, 197; N. Eldon Tanner statement in the mid-1960s to J. Kenneth Davies as reported in Davies interview by Gary James Bergera, 24 Dec. 1984.However, Apostle Delbert L. Stapley's vote against the Birch Society president as a BYU speaker should not be construed as evidence of his disagreement with Benson's political views. For example, Stapley wrote a woman that "we are drifting towards the socialized state," and sent her copies of Benson's conference talks on Communism (Stapley to Mrs. W. E. Daddow, 19 Feb. 1965, LDS archives). From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
125 years ago today - Dec 16, 1900
Second counselor Joseph F. Smith tells Mormons of St. Johns, Arizona, that Jesus was married to the Mary who anointed his feet.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
125 years ago today - Dec 16, 1900
[In St. Johns, Arizona:] Pres[ident] Jos[eph] F Smith on the Sacred Law of Marriage Said that Jesus fulfilled every Law of God while on the earth and that the loving Mary who came into minister to him in Simonds House and who anointed his feet with costly ointment and bathed his feet also, with her tears and wiped them with the hairs of her head was not a strumpet to him but infer[r]ed plainly that she was his wife.
[Seymour B. Young, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Seymour B. Young, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
155 years ago today - Dec 16, 1870
Patriarchal Blessing of Samuel RosKelley ... thy Guardian Angel hath warded off the shafts of the Adversary which has been hurled at thee. He hath protected thee for a wise purpose ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
165 years ago today - Dec 16, 1860
Bro. Brigham then spoke and showed that none of us, not even He, had as yet learned the first principles of the Gospel. Explained the passages of scripture where Christ says, other sheep I have which are not of this fold, explained it thus: other sheep I have which are not of this fold. Also where it reads Ephraim shall become a multitude of nations was wrong, ought to be, Ephraim is in the midst of a multitude of nations. Said the Anglo Saxon Race were the pure Ephraimites and they might kick and flounce like the Wild Bull in the net, but the Lord would cuff [them] from one side to the other and chasten them and finally gather them out, for they were of the seed of Abraham. Touched on the Celestial law. -- SLC Tabernacle
[Diary of Charles Lowell Walker, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Diary of Charles Lowell Walker, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
180 years ago today - Dec 16, 1845. Tuesday.
[William Clayton]
.... At a quarter after 8 o clock A.M. commenced washing...At 9 o clock President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, George A. Smith, Amasa Lyman retired to President Youngs Room, and without dressing consecrated and dedicated a new horn which has been prepared for the anointing, praying that we may be permitted to use it for this purpose for many years to come and that the spirit and power of God may attend it whenever it shall be used.
At 20 minutes after 10 o clock A.M. President Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, George Miller, Amasa Lyman and George A. Smith clothed themselves and retired to President Youngs room and consecrated 13 bottles of Oil which had been prepared and perfumed by Bishops Whitney and Miller. After consecrating the Oil a letter which had been written by Elder Hyde was dedicated to God with prayer that the desired object may be accomplished by it. At half after 10 they got through and undressed . . .
During the day the 29th quorum of Seventies brought in 44 bottles of Oil for the anointing which was delivered into the care of Bishop Whitney.
President Young has been very busy through the day, dictating the order of business, appointing men to work in the various offices and giving much important and beneficial instruction, at different intervals, in connection with Elder H. C. Kimball who has also taken a very active part in conducting matters . . .
Sisters Whitney and Kimball have been very busy through the day overseeing the washings and anointings in the female department, and instructing the Sisters in cutting and making robes and garments.
President Young retired at 5 minutes past 7, and Elder Kimball at 17 M[inutes] past 7.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
.... At a quarter after 8 o clock A.M. commenced washing...At 9 o clock President Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, George A. Smith, Amasa Lyman retired to President Youngs Room, and without dressing consecrated and dedicated a new horn which has been prepared for the anointing, praying that we may be permitted to use it for this purpose for many years to come and that the spirit and power of God may attend it whenever it shall be used.
At 20 minutes after 10 o clock A.M. President Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, George Miller, Amasa Lyman and George A. Smith clothed themselves and retired to President Youngs room and consecrated 13 bottles of Oil which had been prepared and perfumed by Bishops Whitney and Miller. After consecrating the Oil a letter which had been written by Elder Hyde was dedicated to God with prayer that the desired object may be accomplished by it. At half after 10 they got through and undressed . . .
During the day the 29th quorum of Seventies brought in 44 bottles of Oil for the anointing which was delivered into the care of Bishop Whitney.
President Young has been very busy through the day, dictating the order of business, appointing men to work in the various offices and giving much important and beneficial instruction, at different intervals, in connection with Elder H. C. Kimball who has also taken a very active part in conducting matters . . .
Sisters Whitney and Kimball have been very busy through the day overseeing the washings and anointings in the female department, and instructing the Sisters in cutting and making robes and garments.
President Young retired at 5 minutes past 7, and Elder Kimball at 17 M[inutes] past 7.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
185 years ago today - Dec 16, 1840
The governor of Illinois signs the Nauvoo charter which Joseph Smith uses to make the Mormon capital an independent theocracy. Abraham Lincoln votes for the charter, even though Nauvoo's Mormons had voted as a bloc against him in the previous election.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
185 years ago today - 1840 Dec 16
Nauvoo charter conceived. The Charter was essentially a copy and paste of the Springfield City Charter, but there were a few subtle additions which enshrined the city of Nauvoo as a sanctuary to Jo and the Mormons, and created a separate military arm, the Nauvoo Legion, as the law enforcement agency through which Jo exercised nothing short of martial law under the banner of his newly founded theocracy. Joseph was untouchable. Nauvoo could now collect taxes on the citizens to be dedicated to the overall city fund. They could issue writs of habeas corpus, to any prisoner, in any jurisdiction, to extradite them to be tried in Nauvoo-s jurisdiction (or just let go like Joseph Smith was). Nauvoo Legion was created as a militia under the control of the mayor, to carry out will of city leadership ...
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
190 years ago today - Dec 16, 1835 (Wednesday)
[Joseph Smith]
Elder McLellen Elder B. Young and Elder J. Carter called and paid me a visit, with which I was much gratified. I exibited and explaind the Egyptian Records to them, and explained many things to them concerning the dealings of God with the ancients and the formation of the planetary System, they seemed much pleased with the interview.
[The Woodland Institute, http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
Elder McLellen Elder B. Young and Elder J. Carter called and paid me a visit, with which I was much gratified. I exibited and explaind the Egyptian Records to them, and explained many things to them concerning the dealings of God with the ancients and the formation of the planetary System, they seemed much pleased with the interview.
[The Woodland Institute, http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
190 years ago today - Dec 16, 1835
Patriarchal Blessing of Jesse Hitchcock given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... nothing shall be to hard for thee: the rivers shall obey thy voice, and the wicked shall tremble at the power and greatness of thy deeds if thou continuest to magnify thyself before the Lord in righteousness. I seal upon thee this blessing in the name of Jesus. Amen. Wm. W. Phelps, Clerk.
Given in Kirtland, Dec. 16, 1835, and recorded in this book the 22nd of the same month. O. Cowdery, R[ecorder] [Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:26]
[Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
Given in Kirtland, Dec. 16, 1835, and recorded in this book the 22nd of the same month. O. Cowdery, R[ecorder] [Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:26]
[Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
190 years ago today - (Wed) Dec 16, 1835
William Smith resumed his semi-public debate with Joseph Smith, Jr. at their parents' home in Kirtland. Following its conclusion, William wished to carry on the controversy It seems that Joseph did not wish to continue the debate and was seriously beaten by William Smith -- so much so that he was "unwell" the next day.
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
65 years ago today - Dec 15, 1960
At a temple meeting of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve, first counselor Henry D. Moyle reports on the "baseball baptism program," which began targeting pre-adolescent and adolescent boys during the summer of 1959. Moyle reports that this is occurring "not only in England but all over the Continent." Missions choose their preferred recreational approach for teenage converts. For example, it is basketball in the Northwestern States Mission and beach parties in the Gulf States Mission.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
70 years ago today - Dec 15, 1955
[First Presidency to Stake Presidents]
It has been called to our attention that there has accumulated in the various temples of the Church a large number of male names for which endowment work has not been done. Ordinances have been performed for the corresponding female names in the families thus represented, but as you realize, families cannot be sealed until all members are endowed. To equalize the situation and make it possible to complete this work we desire to call upon worthy holders of the Melchizedek Priesthood to assist. With this in mind, we propose [various steps to increase male temple work]...
[David O. McKay, Stephen L. Richards, and J. Reuben Clark Jr. to stake presidents, Dec. 15, 1955, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
It has been called to our attention that there has accumulated in the various temples of the Church a large number of male names for which endowment work has not been done. Ordinances have been performed for the corresponding female names in the families thus represented, but as you realize, families cannot be sealed until all members are endowed. To equalize the situation and make it possible to complete this work we desire to call upon worthy holders of the Melchizedek Priesthood to assist. With this in mind, we propose [various steps to increase male temple work]...
[David O. McKay, Stephen L. Richards, and J. Reuben Clark Jr. to stake presidents, Dec. 15, 1955, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
75 years ago today - Dec 15, 1950
[J. Reuben Clark]
Talked with Robert D. Young [president of the Salt Lake Temple] about the talk going around regarding a visit of the Three Nephites at the Temple, so far as he knows the report is untrue.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
Talked with Robert D. Young [president of the Salt Lake Temple] about the talk going around regarding a visit of the Three Nephites at the Temple, so far as he knows the report is untrue.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
95 years ago today - Dec 15, 1930
[B. H. Roberts]
I am writing you to ask if the article published in the Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine of October, 1930, under the title 'Faith Leads to a Fulness of Truth and Righteousness', dealing mainly with the antiquity of the life and death upon the earth and treated as a discourse by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith on the 5th of April, 1930, is a treatise on that subject that was submitted to and approved by the Council of the First Presidency and perhaps the Quorum of the Twelve? And is it put forth as the official declaration of the Church on the subject treated? Or is it the unofficial and personal declaration of the opinion only of Elder Smith? In the latter event then I feel that that fact should have been expressed in the discourse; or if it is an official pronouncement of the Church then that fact should have been avowed; for the strictly dogmatical and the pronounced finality of the discourse demand the suggested explanation in either case.
If the discourse of Elder Smith is merely his personal opinion, while not questioning his right to such opinions, and also the right to express them, when so avowed as his personal opinions, yet I object to the dogmatism and finality spirit of the pronouncement and the apparent official announcement of them, as if speaking with final authority.
If Elder Smith is merely putting forth his own opinions I call in question his competency to utter such dogmatism either as a scholar or as an Apostle. I am sure he is not competent to speak in such manner from general learning or special research work on the subject; nor as an Apostle, as in that case he would be in conflict with the plain implication at least of the scriptures, both ancient and modern, and with the teaching of a more experienced and learned and earlier Apostle than himself, and a contemporary of the Prophet Joseph Smith ' whose public discourse on the subject appears in the Journal of Discourses and was publicly endorsed by President Brigham Young, all which would have more weight in setting forth doctrine tan this last dictum of Elder Smith.
My question is important as effecting, finally the faith and status of a very large portion of the priesthood and educated membership of the Church. I am sure and I trust this matter will receive early consideration.
[B. H. Roberts, Letter to the First Presidency, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
I am writing you to ask if the article published in the Utah Genealogical and Historical Magazine of October, 1930, under the title 'Faith Leads to a Fulness of Truth and Righteousness', dealing mainly with the antiquity of the life and death upon the earth and treated as a discourse by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith on the 5th of April, 1930, is a treatise on that subject that was submitted to and approved by the Council of the First Presidency and perhaps the Quorum of the Twelve? And is it put forth as the official declaration of the Church on the subject treated? Or is it the unofficial and personal declaration of the opinion only of Elder Smith? In the latter event then I feel that that fact should have been expressed in the discourse; or if it is an official pronouncement of the Church then that fact should have been avowed; for the strictly dogmatical and the pronounced finality of the discourse demand the suggested explanation in either case.
If the discourse of Elder Smith is merely his personal opinion, while not questioning his right to such opinions, and also the right to express them, when so avowed as his personal opinions, yet I object to the dogmatism and finality spirit of the pronouncement and the apparent official announcement of them, as if speaking with final authority.
If Elder Smith is merely putting forth his own opinions I call in question his competency to utter such dogmatism either as a scholar or as an Apostle. I am sure he is not competent to speak in such manner from general learning or special research work on the subject; nor as an Apostle, as in that case he would be in conflict with the plain implication at least of the scriptures, both ancient and modern, and with the teaching of a more experienced and learned and earlier Apostle than himself, and a contemporary of the Prophet Joseph Smith ' whose public discourse on the subject appears in the Journal of Discourses and was publicly endorsed by President Brigham Young, all which would have more weight in setting forth doctrine tan this last dictum of Elder Smith.
My question is important as effecting, finally the faith and status of a very large portion of the priesthood and educated membership of the Church. I am sure and I trust this matter will receive early consideration.
[B. H. Roberts, Letter to the First Presidency, 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 - Dec 15, 1910; Thursday
Brother Penrose reported Bear Lake [Idaho/Utah] Stake Conference. ... Held meeting with the Bishops of Garden City, Laketown and a representative from Round Valley on the contemplated move of joining them to Woodruff [Wyoming/Utah] Stake, and learned that a majority of the people opposed the change for the reason that they would be separated from the new stake by a high mountain, very difficult to travel in the winter. The change therefore was not made. ...
Consideration was given to a special communion service for sacramental meetings, which had been procured by the Bishop of the 18th Ward, and known as the individual service, distinct from the service of other meeting houses, in this, that it consisted of about three dozen exceedingly small glasses set on the silver castor. It seems that the Parents' Class of the Ward had discussed the way in which our sacrament was being administered, and in order to avoid so many people drinking from the same cups, this individual service was suggested, and was submitted by the Eighteenth Ward Bishopric for permission to use it at the 18th Ward meeting house, if deemed advisable.
The sense of the Council was, on motion of Pres[iden]t. John Henry Smith, that the Eighteenth Ward Bishopric be at liberty to test the use of the service. It was thought however that they might deem it advisable to use larger glasses. ...
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
Consideration was given to a special communion service for sacramental meetings, which had been procured by the Bishop of the 18th Ward, and known as the individual service, distinct from the service of other meeting houses, in this, that it consisted of about three dozen exceedingly small glasses set on the silver castor. It seems that the Parents' Class of the Ward had discussed the way in which our sacrament was being administered, and in order to avoid so many people drinking from the same cups, this individual service was suggested, and was submitted by the Eighteenth Ward Bishopric for permission to use it at the 18th Ward meeting house, if deemed advisable.
The sense of the Council was, on motion of Pres[iden]t. John Henry Smith, that the Eighteenth Ward Bishopric be at liberty to test the use of the service. It was thought however that they might deem it advisable to use larger glasses. ...
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
125 years ago today - Saturday, Dec 15, 1900
[Apostle Rudger Clawson]
I was engaged most of the day in entering up the cash payments on the bills payable liability of the church for Sept., Oct., and Nov. 1900. During the three months named the church indebtedness has been reduced, in round numbers, $148,000 and now stands as follows:
Bonded indebtedness
$1,000,000
Note indebtedness
551,000
Total indebtedness
$1,551,000
In the evening Lydia and myself went to the theatre.
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
I was engaged most of the day in entering up the cash payments on the bills payable liability of the church for Sept., Oct., and Nov. 1900. During the three months named the church indebtedness has been reduced, in round numbers, $148,000 and now stands as follows:
Bonded indebtedness
$1,000,000
Note indebtedness
551,000
Total indebtedness
$1,551,000
In the evening Lydia and myself went to the theatre.
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
180 years ago today - Dec 15, 1845. Monday.
[William Clayton]
At 5 minutes to 9 o clock A.M. commenced washing and anointing . . .
At a quarter to 10 o clock the president called the brethren together who had Volunteered to assist in administering the ordinances this day and made the following appointments...
At a quarter to 11 o clock the bell was rung and commenced receiving those washed and anointed this morning through the lower and middle departments, the following persons officiating, viz. In the upper department John Taylor as Number 1 Amasa Lyman as number 2 Erastus Snow as number 3. In the middle department. Orson Hyde as number 1 Franklin D. Richards as number 2 Lucius N. Scovil as Number 3 W. W. Phelps as number 4 And George A. Smith as prompter . . .
About half after 8 o clock the president made a selection of men to assist in the ordinances tomorrow and also a list of brethren to be here on Wednesday to receive their endowment.
At 20 minutes to 10 President B. Young, H. C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, John Taylor, Amasa Lyman, George Miller, George A. Smith, John D. Lee and Franklin D. Richards retired to President Young's room being clothed and having offered up the signs of the Holy Priesthood offered up prayers President Young being mouth. At 5 minutes after 10 o clock they dismissed part retiring to their homes and ...
As on the days previous the most perfect harmony and good feeling prevailed. President Young superintended and directed all the movements of the day also selected those who should come on Wednesday assisted by Elder Kimball ...
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
At 5 minutes to 9 o clock A.M. commenced washing and anointing . . .
At a quarter to 10 o clock the president called the brethren together who had Volunteered to assist in administering the ordinances this day and made the following appointments...
At a quarter to 11 o clock the bell was rung and commenced receiving those washed and anointed this morning through the lower and middle departments, the following persons officiating, viz. In the upper department John Taylor as Number 1 Amasa Lyman as number 2 Erastus Snow as number 3. In the middle department. Orson Hyde as number 1 Franklin D. Richards as number 2 Lucius N. Scovil as Number 3 W. W. Phelps as number 4 And George A. Smith as prompter . . .
About half after 8 o clock the president made a selection of men to assist in the ordinances tomorrow and also a list of brethren to be here on Wednesday to receive their endowment.
At 20 minutes to 10 President B. Young, H. C. Kimball, Orson Pratt, John Taylor, Amasa Lyman, George Miller, George A. Smith, John D. Lee and Franklin D. Richards retired to President Young's room being clothed and having offered up the signs of the Holy Priesthood offered up prayers President Young being mouth. At 5 minutes after 10 o clock they dismissed part retiring to their homes and ...
As on the days previous the most perfect harmony and good feeling prevailed. President Young superintended and directed all the movements of the day also selected those who should come on Wednesday assisted by Elder Kimball ...
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
180 years ago today - Dec 15, 1845
The Great Proclamation of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to all the Kings of the world, to the Presidents, Governors, Rulers, and People of all nations The saints must be already aware that they are conjointly engaged in a work, on the accomplishment of which hang important events; and, also that, according to the testimony of the ancients who have spoken of it, but little time is to be given for its fulfillment-- This proclamation is of vast importance to the Saints of God, to the whole Gentile world, as well as to all the house of Israel. It is made in fulfillment of the commandments and revelations of God of both ancient and modern times... Such a call and proclamation is necessary, in order that the present generation may be left without excuse ... This proclamation bears testimony to the nations of the earth that the kingdom of God has come, as has been predicted by the ancient prophets, and prayed for in all ages, even that kingdom
which shall fill the whole earth and stand forever. WILFORD WOODRUFF.
[TIMES AND SEASONS. "TRUTH WILL PREVAIL." VOL. VI, NO. 19, City of Nauvoo, ILL. Dec. 15, 1845. http://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v6n19.htm, as quoted in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]
which shall fill the whole earth and stand forever. WILFORD WOODRUFF.
[TIMES AND SEASONS. "TRUTH WILL PREVAIL." VOL. VI, NO. 19, City of Nauvoo, ILL. Dec. 15, 1845. http://www.centerplace.org/history/ts/v6n19.htm, as quoted in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]
185 years ago today - Dec 15, 1840
Joseph announces Hyrum as the patriarch of the Church in a letter to the Quorum of the Twelve and elders in England.
[Jeffrey S. O'Driscoll, Hyrum Smith: A Life of Integrity, A Brief Chronology of the Life of Hyrum Smith: 1800-1844]
[Jeffrey S. O'Driscoll, Hyrum Smith: A Life of Integrity, A Brief Chronology of the Life of Hyrum Smith: 1800-1844]
190 years ago today - Dec 15, 1835
Orson Hyde visits Joseph to hand him a letter explaining certain grievances. He feels the temple committee store (the committee that was in charge of building the temple also ran a store in Kirtland) has been more lenient with credit toward William Smith than toward Hyde. He thought that the Twelve were to be equal in all things, either richness or poverty. Joseph is very upset about Hyde's complaint.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
195 years ago today - Mid-Dec. 1830
In response to a visit from Sidney Rigdon and Edward Partridge, the Lord reveals to Joseph D&C 35 and 36. To encourage the small flock of 70 members in Colesville and surrounding areas, the Lord reveals to Joseph some of the lost books of the Bible. Joseph records the Prophecy of Enoch (what is now Moses 7:1-69). Joseph also receives D&C 37. ___
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
80 years ago today - Dec 14, 1945
The church expresses opposition to Universal Compulsory Military Training
[1945-December 14-Improvement Era 49:76-77, February, 1946, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
[1945-December 14-Improvement Era 49:76-77, February, 1946, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
140 years ago today - Dec 14, 1885 (Monday)
The Supreme Court of the United States affirmed the judgment of the Supreme Court of Utah, against Pres. Angus M. Cannon. He had been imprisoned some two months longer than his sentence called for, awaiting the court decision from Washington, D.C., in his appeal case, was released from the Utah Penitentiary.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
150 years ago today - Dec 14, 1875
Patriarchal Blessing of Samuel RosKelley by Lorenzo Hill Hatch ... thou shalt stand and officiate as a savious [savior] upon Mount Zion for thy Fathers and Mothers until the Priesthood shall be connected back until the time when it was upon the Earth and there shall be a perfect chain in thy linage. As a King and a Prince thou shalt have dominion as a Priest also for it has been by the faith of thy Fathers and agreeable to the desires of thy heart that thou hast received these glad tidings. Thou hast received and obeyed the C[e]lestial Law and thy wives shall be exhalted [exalted] with thee agreeable to their rights for thou are of the house of Joseph through the loins of Ephraim and thy ministry shall be in helping to build Cities and Temples in Zion...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
150 years ago today - Dec 14, 1875
Patriarchal Blessing of Rebecca RosKelley by Lorenzo Hill Hatch ... If thou desirest it thou shall be caught up in the clouds of heaven and be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and thou shall minister until this great redemption shall be finished [a]nd the hosts of the wicked consumed, and have an inheritance upon Mount Zion with the sa[n]ctified and reign as a Queen with thy husband for ever and ever. Amen.
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
150 years ago today - Dec 14, 1875
Patriarchal Blessing of Hiram Abiff Watson by Lorenzo Hill Hatch ... I seal thee up unto Eternal Life to reign as a King, and have Joy and rejoicing with thy wives and posterity and thy departed dead. I seal these blessings upon thee and say that thou shalt live until Israel is redeemed and clime, and visit judgement upon those that have shed the Blood of the Prophets, and have an inheritance upon Mount Zion in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Dec 14, 1845
[Brigham Young]
.... He then observed that he should henceforth have all the cloth, which was intended for robes, garments and aprons, brought and either cut or made in this Temple under the superintendence of those who know how to do it right. There are now scarcely two aprons alike nor two garments cut or marked right, and it is necessary to observe perfect order in this thing and it never can be done unless we take this course.
A conversation then ensued on the distinction of office or power, between a president of Seventies, and a member of the High Council or a High Priest. It arose in consequence of some of the High Council having been washed and anointed by some of the Presidents of Seventies & inasmuch as there had been some considerable difference in the views of the brethren in regard to the difference of authority between the High Council and Seventies Presidents. Young concluded it would be wisdom to have the subject understood at this early stage of business so as to prevent any feelings or disputes arising on the subject hereafter.
He stated that the Seventies are ordained Apostles, and when they go forth into the ministry, they are sent with power to build up the kingdom in all the world, and consequently they have power to ordain High Priests, and also to ordain and organize a High Council.
Some of the High Priests have been ready to quarrel on the subject, supposing they had power and authority above the seventies, and some in their zeal for power, have abused and trampled on the feelings of some of the seventies.
There is too much covetousness in the church and too much disposition among the brethren to seek after power and has been from the beginning, but this feeling is diminishing and the brethren begin to know better. In consequence of such feelings Joseph left the people in the dark on many subjects of importance and they still remain in the dark. We have got to rid such principles from our hearts.
He then referred to the manner in which the cornerstones of this temple were laid as published in the Times and Seasons, and then stated that the perfect order would have been for the Presidency of the Stake to lay the first, or southeast corner. The High Council the 2nd, or South West corner. The Bishops, the north west corner and the Priests the North East Corner, but added the High Priests laid the South West, corner, but they had no right to do it.
He then introduced the subject of the brethren making objections to any person being permitted to receive their ordinances and added that when objections were made he should feel bound to determine whether the person making the objections was a responsible person, if he was not he should do as he pleased about listening to the objection, but if he was a responsible person he should then listen to the objections.
To make a man a responsible man he must have the power and ability not only to save himself but to save others, but there are those who are not capable of saving themselves and will have to be saved if they are saved at all by those who are capable of doing it--an objection from such would have no weight on his mind.
When a man objects to another receiving the ordinances he becomes responsible to answer to God for that man's salvation. And who knows but if he received the ordinances he would be saved, but if we refuse to give him the means he cannot be saved and we are responsible for it.
There is no law to prevent any man from obtaining all the blessings of the priesthood if he will walk according to the commandments, pay his tithes, and seek after salvation, but he may deprive himself of them.
[Heber C. Kimball journal (kept by WIlliam Clayton), in Elden J. Watson, ed. Brigham Young Addresses, 1801-1877: A Chronological Compilation of Known Addresses of the Prophet Brigham Young, 6 vols. (Salt Lake City: Privately published, 1971)]
.... He then observed that he should henceforth have all the cloth, which was intended for robes, garments and aprons, brought and either cut or made in this Temple under the superintendence of those who know how to do it right. There are now scarcely two aprons alike nor two garments cut or marked right, and it is necessary to observe perfect order in this thing and it never can be done unless we take this course.
A conversation then ensued on the distinction of office or power, between a president of Seventies, and a member of the High Council or a High Priest. It arose in consequence of some of the High Council having been washed and anointed by some of the Presidents of Seventies & inasmuch as there had been some considerable difference in the views of the brethren in regard to the difference of authority between the High Council and Seventies Presidents. Young concluded it would be wisdom to have the subject understood at this early stage of business so as to prevent any feelings or disputes arising on the subject hereafter.
He stated that the Seventies are ordained Apostles, and when they go forth into the ministry, they are sent with power to build up the kingdom in all the world, and consequently they have power to ordain High Priests, and also to ordain and organize a High Council.
Some of the High Priests have been ready to quarrel on the subject, supposing they had power and authority above the seventies, and some in their zeal for power, have abused and trampled on the feelings of some of the seventies.
There is too much covetousness in the church and too much disposition among the brethren to seek after power and has been from the beginning, but this feeling is diminishing and the brethren begin to know better. In consequence of such feelings Joseph left the people in the dark on many subjects of importance and they still remain in the dark. We have got to rid such principles from our hearts.
He then referred to the manner in which the cornerstones of this temple were laid as published in the Times and Seasons, and then stated that the perfect order would have been for the Presidency of the Stake to lay the first, or southeast corner. The High Council the 2nd, or South West corner. The Bishops, the north west corner and the Priests the North East Corner, but added the High Priests laid the South West, corner, but they had no right to do it.
He then introduced the subject of the brethren making objections to any person being permitted to receive their ordinances and added that when objections were made he should feel bound to determine whether the person making the objections was a responsible person, if he was not he should do as he pleased about listening to the objection, but if he was a responsible person he should then listen to the objections.
To make a man a responsible man he must have the power and ability not only to save himself but to save others, but there are those who are not capable of saving themselves and will have to be saved if they are saved at all by those who are capable of doing it--an objection from such would have no weight on his mind.
When a man objects to another receiving the ordinances he becomes responsible to answer to God for that man's salvation. And who knows but if he received the ordinances he would be saved, but if we refuse to give him the means he cannot be saved and we are responsible for it.
There is no law to prevent any man from obtaining all the blessings of the priesthood if he will walk according to the commandments, pay his tithes, and seek after salvation, but he may deprive himself of them.
[Heber C. Kimball journal (kept by WIlliam Clayton), in Elden J. Watson, ed. Brigham Young Addresses, 1801-1877: A Chronological Compilation of Known Addresses of the Prophet Brigham Young, 6 vols. (Salt Lake City: Privately published, 1971)]
190 years ago today - Dec 14, 1835
[Joseph Smith]
To day Samuel Branum came to my house much afflicted with a swelling on his left arm which was occasioned by a bruise on his elbow. We had been called to pray for him and anoint him with oil, but his faith was not sufficient to effect a cure.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
To day Samuel Branum came to my house much afflicted with a swelling on his left arm which was occasioned by a bruise on his elbow. We had been called to pray for him and anoint him with oil, but his faith was not sufficient to effect a cure.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
195 years ago today - Dec 14, 1830
Joseph Sr., released from prison, joins his family at Waterloo. (If he was arrested in early October, he should have been released in early November after serving a thirty-day sentence. Either Lucy has misremembered the date of the arrest, the term of imprisonment, or the date of his release.)
[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]
[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]
25 years ago today - Dec 13, 2000
[Hinckley]
Visited San Juan, Puerto Rico, for the first time and spoke to thousands of members who gathered at a fireside
[LDS Newsroom, Time line of Significant Events as President, http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/time-line-of-significant-events-as-president]
Visited San Juan, Puerto Rico, for the first time and spoke to thousands of members who gathered at a fireside
[LDS Newsroom, Time line of Significant Events as President, http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/time-line-of-significant-events-as-president]
110 years ago today - Dec 13, 1915
[Apostle Heber J. Grant]
Called on McCornick and had a long talk with him regarding the Sevier River Co. I made him an offer to give him $30,000 Implement stock for $15,000 Utah-Idaho Sugar stock. Several years ago I gave him $30,000 Utah-Idaho for $30,000 Implement. I told him that I would be very grateful to give him all of his stock back and get half of mine back. He laughed at me. I don't blame him. He told me at the time I made the trade that the stock was at par. I did not investigate but made the trade. I deserve to have $20,000 worth of experience for making such a ridiculous trade.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Called on McCornick and had a long talk with him regarding the Sevier River Co. I made him an offer to give him $30,000 Implement stock for $15,000 Utah-Idaho Sugar stock. Several years ago I gave him $30,000 Utah-Idaho for $30,000 Implement. I told him that I would be very grateful to give him all of his stock back and get half of mine back. He laughed at me. I don't blame him. He told me at the time I made the trade that the stock was at par. I did not investigate but made the trade. I deserve to have $20,000 worth of experience for making such a ridiculous trade.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Dec 13, 1890
Prest McArthur stated that this is something that has been agatated for a number of years and it is not on account of any feelings, but thought from what he knew of the principles of the gospel that Bp. Bunker as wrong and preaching erronious doctrine. Said Father Bunker said he did not believe Adam was our God. He did not worship him as his God and Bp. Bunker said he thought that some of the ceremonies in the Temple were wrong especially the Lecture at the vail. ... Bp Bunker stated that Bro Abbott's statements were incorrect. Bro Abbott's views were that our spirits in the eternal world were begotten in the spirit world the same as we are begotten here and that Adam is the father of our spirits and as he is the father of all flesh he is our father and our Go and the only God with whom we have any thing to do. And that Adam was the Father of Jesus Christ and that all the ceremonies in the Temple are right. Father Bunker told him that our spirit were not begotten by God but was
created out of the elements on the same principle that Jesus made wine out of water, and that Jesus Christ was the Father of Adam and that Jesus Christ and God was the same self person. He asked him if he thought that Jesus Christ begat himself through the Virgin Mary and he answered 'That is just what I think.' ...
Coun Smith asked 'What do you understand by how the spirits come into existence?' Bp Bunker said he could not say. Could not go so deep. Did not know how these spirits were created ... But if Pres Woodruff or any one else preached anything conflicting with what was revealed through Joseph Smith he would not accept it for he thought it would be wrong. In regard to Lecture at the Vail in the Temple it is certainly wrong. It teaches that Eve was an immortal being and was brought here by Adam. Did not believe this, thought that Adam was not a resurrected being. From questions by Coun Cannon believed that Adam was the Archangle and that Jehovah and Michael were persons of spirit, that Elohiem was a person of Tabernacle and the head of all. ... The Lecture says Adam was an immortal being and Eve the Mother of all living bore those spirits in the Celestial World and Adam and Eve came here to form tabernacles for them to dwelling. Adam was made of the dust of the earth but not of
this earth. Prest Snow read from Contributor page 283 bearing upon this matter. Coun Chas. Smith said that the Lecture at the vail teaches us that Adam was created on another earth and that he was resurrected and came upon this earth an immortal being and begat tabernacles for the spirits they had crated in the spirit world. Coun Cannon continued is quotations from the vail lecture. ...
Bro Abbott said if he was in the wrong, wanted to be set right. Said he had done wrong and was willing to acknowledge he had done wrong. Bp Bunker said that there was an evil and that w had done wrong and would quit it. Moved by Coun Smith. Sec by Coun Cannon that it is the sense of this Council that 'it is an error to teach that Adam was not an immortal or resurrected being when he came to this earth. Also that we pray to Adam as our God, and it is wrong to teach that Adam is one of the Godhead' Seconded by Coun D. H. Cannon. Carried unanimously.
[Saturday, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
created out of the elements on the same principle that Jesus made wine out of water, and that Jesus Christ was the Father of Adam and that Jesus Christ and God was the same self person. He asked him if he thought that Jesus Christ begat himself through the Virgin Mary and he answered 'That is just what I think.' ...
Coun Smith asked 'What do you understand by how the spirits come into existence?' Bp Bunker said he could not say. Could not go so deep. Did not know how these spirits were created ... But if Pres Woodruff or any one else preached anything conflicting with what was revealed through Joseph Smith he would not accept it for he thought it would be wrong. In regard to Lecture at the Vail in the Temple it is certainly wrong. It teaches that Eve was an immortal being and was brought here by Adam. Did not believe this, thought that Adam was not a resurrected being. From questions by Coun Cannon believed that Adam was the Archangle and that Jehovah and Michael were persons of spirit, that Elohiem was a person of Tabernacle and the head of all. ... The Lecture says Adam was an immortal being and Eve the Mother of all living bore those spirits in the Celestial World and Adam and Eve came here to form tabernacles for them to dwelling. Adam was made of the dust of the earth but not of
this earth. Prest Snow read from Contributor page 283 bearing upon this matter. Coun Chas. Smith said that the Lecture at the vail teaches us that Adam was created on another earth and that he was resurrected and came upon this earth an immortal being and begat tabernacles for the spirits they had crated in the spirit world. Coun Cannon continued is quotations from the vail lecture. ...
Bro Abbott said if he was in the wrong, wanted to be set right. Said he had done wrong and was willing to acknowledge he had done wrong. Bp Bunker said that there was an evil and that w had done wrong and would quit it. Moved by Coun Smith. Sec by Coun Cannon that it is the sense of this Council that 'it is an error to teach that Adam was not an immortal or resurrected being when he came to this earth. Also that we pray to Adam as our God, and it is wrong to teach that Adam is one of the Godhead' Seconded by Coun D. H. Cannon. Carried unanimously.
[Saturday, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
150 years ago today - Dec 13, 1875
Sister Lucy Brimhall who later became one of the first single sister missionaries in the Church is born. Lucy and her companion Amanda Knight were set apart to serve in the British Mission on 1 April 1898.
[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php]
[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php]
180 years ago today - Dec 13, 1845. Saturday.
[William Clayton]
Last evening an arrangement was made establishing better order in conducting the endowment. Under this order it is the province of Eloheem, Jehovah and Michael to create the world, plant the Garden and create the man and give his help meet. Eloheem gives the charge to Adam in the Garden and thrusts them into the telestial kingdom or the world. Then Peter assisted by James and John conducts them through the Telestial and Terrestrial kingdom administering the charges and tokens in each and conducts them to the vail where they are received by the Eloheem and after talking with him by words and tokens are admitted by him into the Celestial kingdom . . .
After the brethren had mostley left the Room, W. W. Phelps draughted the following to be observed in this House under the dictation of the President.
RULES OF ORDER
Rule 1st. No person allowed to enter these apartments without changing or cleansing shoes in the Vestry.
Rule 2nd. No person allowed to wear his hat or cap, while in these rooms.
Rule 3rd. No person allowed to enter further than the reception or washing and anointing rooms till he or she has been washed and anointed.
Rule 4th. No person allowed to pass from one room to another while receiving the ordinances without being conducted by a superintendant.
Rules for those who have received the ordinances.
Rule 1st. No person allowed in the rooms without an invitation while in the hours of labor, excepting at the hour of prayer.
Rule 2nd. All persons who are invited are requested to remain in their rooms during the hours of labor.
Rule 3rd. At the ringing of the bell, all walking about, and loud talking, must cease.
Rule 4th. No person allowed to remove things from one room to another without permission of the owner, and to be returned immediately when done with.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
Last evening an arrangement was made establishing better order in conducting the endowment. Under this order it is the province of Eloheem, Jehovah and Michael to create the world, plant the Garden and create the man and give his help meet. Eloheem gives the charge to Adam in the Garden and thrusts them into the telestial kingdom or the world. Then Peter assisted by James and John conducts them through the Telestial and Terrestrial kingdom administering the charges and tokens in each and conducts them to the vail where they are received by the Eloheem and after talking with him by words and tokens are admitted by him into the Celestial kingdom . . .
After the brethren had mostley left the Room, W. W. Phelps draughted the following to be observed in this House under the dictation of the President.
RULES OF ORDER
Rule 1st. No person allowed to enter these apartments without changing or cleansing shoes in the Vestry.
Rule 2nd. No person allowed to wear his hat or cap, while in these rooms.
Rule 3rd. No person allowed to enter further than the reception or washing and anointing rooms till he or she has been washed and anointed.
Rule 4th. No person allowed to pass from one room to another while receiving the ordinances without being conducted by a superintendant.
Rules for those who have received the ordinances.
Rule 1st. No person allowed in the rooms without an invitation while in the hours of labor, excepting at the hour of prayer.
Rule 2nd. All persons who are invited are requested to remain in their rooms during the hours of labor.
Rule 3rd. At the ringing of the bell, all walking about, and loud talking, must cease.
Rule 4th. No person allowed to remove things from one room to another without permission of the owner, and to be returned immediately when done with.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
180 years ago today - Dec 13, 1845
Young adds Peter, James, and John to the cast of the acted portion of the endowment ceremony.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
190 years ago today - Dec 13, 1835
Joseph Smith writes that he "sealed" a matrimonial ceremony "in the name of God." This conventional use of the word "seal" would gain specialized meaning in Mormonism seven years later.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
50 years ago today - Dec 12, 1975
[Spencer W. Kimball letter]
This is an official invitation to you to present yourself and your wife to receive your Second Anointings. This is the last and greatest of the ordinances of this life. No mention should be made to anyone. It is most sacred. This will be given Monday, January 12, 1976, at 3:00 p.m. The place will be the St. George Temple. Please advise me by return mail or telephone if you desire this blessing and can arrange to be present. You should be prepared with your regular temple clothing.
[Spencer W. Kimball, letter dated Dec. 12, 1975, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
This is an official invitation to you to present yourself and your wife to receive your Second Anointings. This is the last and greatest of the ordinances of this life. No mention should be made to anyone. It is most sacred. This will be given Monday, January 12, 1976, at 3:00 p.m. The place will be the St. George Temple. Please advise me by return mail or telephone if you desire this blessing and can arrange to be present. You should be prepared with your regular temple clothing.
[Spencer W. Kimball, letter dated Dec. 12, 1975, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
180 years ago today - Dec 12, 1845
[George Laub]
Now in this time I attached myself to John D. Lee's family to become his adopted son in the order of God and obedience of the gospel and in this time the Endowment commenced in the house of the Lord, the Temple in Nauvoo. John D. Lee was one amongst the first that was chosen to receive his Endowment.
[George Laub Diary diary excerpts, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Now in this time I attached myself to John D. Lee's family to become his adopted son in the order of God and obedience of the gospel and in this time the Endowment commenced in the house of the Lord, the Temple in Nauvoo. John D. Lee was one amongst the first that was chosen to receive his Endowment.
[George Laub Diary diary excerpts, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Dec 12, 1845. Friday.
.... At a quarter after 10 A.M. we again commenced the washings and anointings to the presidents of the seventies and their wives and also to Elder Orson Pratt and his wife...He was washed and anointed by George A. Smith and Amasa Lyman who did the washing and President Young and H. C. Kimball attended to anointing.
Sarah Marinda Pratt was washed and anointed by V[ilate] Kimball.
At half past 12 o clock all things being prepared to take these through the remaining ceremonies they commenced President Young acting as Eloheem P. P. Pratt as Jehovah Orson Hyde as Michael Wm. W. Phelps as the serpent H. C. Kimball assisted through the whole. President Young gave all the charges and received Orson Pratt through the Vail. The remainder of the men were received through by O. Hyde, the females by their husbands . . .
During the whole of the three days already spent in the endowment, President Brigham Young presided and dictated the ordinances and also took an active part in nearly every instance except when entirely overcome by fatigue through his constant labors to forward the work.
Perfect peace and harmony prevail during the whole time, except in one case which happened this afternoon, wherein Phebe Woodworth interfered with business which did not belong to her, and in the presence of those who are higher in authority than her, and undertook to dictate and control those who were legally and righteously appointed to superintend and adminster the ordinance of washing and anointing of the females.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
Sarah Marinda Pratt was washed and anointed by V[ilate] Kimball.
At half past 12 o clock all things being prepared to take these through the remaining ceremonies they commenced President Young acting as Eloheem P. P. Pratt as Jehovah Orson Hyde as Michael Wm. W. Phelps as the serpent H. C. Kimball assisted through the whole. President Young gave all the charges and received Orson Pratt through the Vail. The remainder of the men were received through by O. Hyde, the females by their husbands . . .
During the whole of the three days already spent in the endowment, President Brigham Young presided and dictated the ordinances and also took an active part in nearly every instance except when entirely overcome by fatigue through his constant labors to forward the work.
Perfect peace and harmony prevail during the whole time, except in one case which happened this afternoon, wherein Phebe Woodworth interfered with business which did not belong to her, and in the presence of those who are higher in authority than her, and undertook to dictate and control those who were legally and righteously appointed to superintend and adminster the ordinance of washing and anointing of the females.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
180 years ago today - Dec 12, 1845
[Anointed Quorum]
At 10:15 a.m., the general membership of the LDS church began receiving the anointing and endowment ordinances in the Nauvoo temple, and the apostles continued the initiations until midnight. Every, Sunday morning until he closed the Nauvoo temple in February 1846, Brigham Young conducted a prayer circle meeting to which all endowed persons were imvited. Continuing the previous terminology, he told these newly endowed people that they were also members of the "First Quorum" established by the martyred prophet. However, when the newly endowed numbered in the hundreds, it was no longer possible for every interested person to participate in the prayer circle. Within weeks thousands had been endowed, and the temple was too small to accommodate a meeting of everyone who had joined the "First Quorum." After the Mormons left Nauvoo, the term became a nostalgic memory, especially for those initiated during Joseph Smith's administration.
[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]
At 10:15 a.m., the general membership of the LDS church began receiving the anointing and endowment ordinances in the Nauvoo temple, and the apostles continued the initiations until midnight. Every, Sunday morning until he closed the Nauvoo temple in February 1846, Brigham Young conducted a prayer circle meeting to which all endowed persons were imvited. Continuing the previous terminology, he told these newly endowed people that they were also members of the "First Quorum" established by the martyred prophet. However, when the newly endowed numbered in the hundreds, it was no longer possible for every interested person to participate in the prayer circle. Within weeks thousands had been endowed, and the temple was too small to accommodate a meeting of everyone who had joined the "First Quorum." After the Mormons left Nauvoo, the term became a nostalgic memory, especially for those initiated during Joseph Smith's administration.
[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]
190 years ago today - (Sat) Dec 12, 1835
William Smith (then no longer a member of the Church) challenged his brother Joseph to a debate on whether or not "it was necessary for God to reveal Himself to mankind..." William was apparently denying the validity of his brother's claims to receiving divine manifestations.
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
130 years ago today - Dec 11, 1895; Wednesday
[Anthony Ivins]
I slept at Bro. Henry Lunts last night in the same bed with Apostle [Francis M.] Lyman. I dreamed that I was at a meeting where Apostle Lyman was talking and that in the course of his remarks he said that I had been called by the Lord to preside over the Mexican Mission and that I would in the future be called to the Apostleship and that it would be my special duty to labor among the people of Arizona and Mexico.
[Anderson, Elizabeth Oberdick, editor, Cowboy Apostle: The Diaries of Anthony W. Ivins: 1875-1932, Signature Books, Salt Lake City in association with the Smith-Pettit Foundation (2013) - http://bit.ly/AnthonyIvins]
I slept at Bro. Henry Lunts last night in the same bed with Apostle [Francis M.] Lyman. I dreamed that I was at a meeting where Apostle Lyman was talking and that in the course of his remarks he said that I had been called by the Lord to preside over the Mexican Mission and that I would in the future be called to the Apostleship and that it would be my special duty to labor among the people of Arizona and Mexico.
[Anderson, Elizabeth Oberdick, editor, Cowboy Apostle: The Diaries of Anthony W. Ivins: 1875-1932, Signature Books, Salt Lake City in association with the Smith-Pettit Foundation (2013) - http://bit.ly/AnthonyIvins]
135 years ago today - Dec 11, 1890
Anson Bowen Call, married 2nd wife, Harriet Cazier. 1898 Mar 11: married 3rd wife, Dora Pratt. 1903 Jan 12: married 4th wife, Julia Sarah Abegg. He was Bishop of Colonial Dublan for 30 years and Patriarch for 10. His son, Eran, is currently a new GA as of Oct 1997). 262 post-Manifesto plural marriages have been recorded, including among the top leadership of the church.
[Tungate, Mel, Mormon Polygamy, http://www.tungate.com/polygamy.htm]
[Tungate, Mel, Mormon Polygamy, http://www.tungate.com/polygamy.htm]
180 years ago today - Dec 11, 1845
[Heber C. Kimball]
His description of the telestial room in the newly operational Nauvoo Temple matches aspects of Masonic ceremonies. The couple are thrust out into a "dark" room on the "north" side of the temple. "They are then thrust out into a room which is dark being the one on the North side between the fourth and fifth division of the arch which represents the telestial kingdom or the world." The celestial room includes "a small table opposite the large Window on the East end of the room on which stands the Celestial and terrestrial Globes."
[Heber C. Kimball diary (kept by William Clayton]
His description of the telestial room in the newly operational Nauvoo Temple matches aspects of Masonic ceremonies. The couple are thrust out into a "dark" room on the "north" side of the temple. "They are then thrust out into a room which is dark being the one on the North side between the fourth and fifth division of the arch which represents the telestial kingdom or the world." The celestial room includes "a small table opposite the large Window on the East end of the room on which stands the Celestial and terrestrial Globes."
[Heber C. Kimball diary (kept by William Clayton]
180 years ago today - Thursday, December 11,1845
In the order of Endowment, a list is made out the day previous, of those who wish to take their endowments. Every person is required to wash himself clean, from head to foot. Also to prepare and bring a good supply of food, of the best quality, for themselves and those who labor in the house of the Lord. In the latter about twenty-five persons are required in the different departments to attend to the washing, anointing, blessing, ordaining, and sealing. From twenty-five to fifty persons are passed through in twenty-four hours.
I was among the first to receive my washings and anointings [on December 11, 1845], and even received my second anointing [on January 14, 1846], which made me an equal in the order of the Priesthood, with the right and authority to build up the kingdom in all the earth, and power to fill any vacancy that might occur. ...
I was the second one adopted to Brigham Young. I should have been his first adopted son, being the first that proposed it to him, but always ready to give preference to those in authority, I placed A[lbert]. P. Rockwood's name first on the list. I also had my children adopted to me in the Temple. Brigham Young had his children adopted to himself, and we were the only ones, to my knowledge, that had our children so adopted at the Temple at Nauvoo [Illinois].
[John D. Lee,Mormonism Unveiled, in Devery S. Anderson and Gary James Bergera, Editors, The Nauvoo Endowment Companies, 1845-1846: A Documentary History (Signature Books), http://www.amazon.com/Nauvoo-Endowment-Companies-1845-1846-Documentary/dp/1560851872]
I was among the first to receive my washings and anointings [on December 11, 1845], and even received my second anointing [on January 14, 1846], which made me an equal in the order of the Priesthood, with the right and authority to build up the kingdom in all the earth, and power to fill any vacancy that might occur. ...
I was the second one adopted to Brigham Young. I should have been his first adopted son, being the first that proposed it to him, but always ready to give preference to those in authority, I placed A[lbert]. P. Rockwood's name first on the list. I also had my children adopted to me in the Temple. Brigham Young had his children adopted to himself, and we were the only ones, to my knowledge, that had our children so adopted at the Temple at Nauvoo [Illinois].
[John D. Lee,Mormonism Unveiled, in Devery S. Anderson and Gary James Bergera, Editors, The Nauvoo Endowment Companies, 1845-1846: A Documentary History (Signature Books), http://www.amazon.com/Nauvoo-Endowment-Companies-1845-1846-Documentary/dp/1560851872]
180 years ago today - Dec 11, 1845. Thursday.
Brigham Young and wife, H. C. Kimball and G. A. Smith, also Sister Mary Smith, Mercy R. Thompson, W. W. Phelps and his wife tarried in the Temple all night. We only obtained about an hour and a half sleep. ...We commenced a little before one o clock. George A. Smith and myself washed the brethren and B. Young and Amasa Lyman anointed them assisted by George Miller. Sister Vilate Kimball and Elizabeth Ann Whitney attended to washing the females. At 2 o clock they also washed and anointed Mercy R. Thompson.
... The men were washed by G[eorge] A. Smith and John Taylor, and anointed by myself and B. Young. The sisters were washed and anointed by Sister Whitney, Mary Ann Young and Elizabeth Ann Whitney.
About half past 1 o clock mother Lucy Smith arrived. The weather is cold and some inclined to snow.
A little before three Sister Elizabeth Ann Whitney and my wife got through washing the sisters . . .
The first charge was given in the garden by President Young, the other two charges by H. C. Kimball, who also received most of them through the vail and Amasa Lyman received the remainder...It was about 5 o clock P.M., when they commenced washing and anointing these.
A little before six we commenced taking them through the ceremonies, Heber C. Kimball acting as Eloheem, George A. Smith as Jehovah, Orson Hyde as Michael, W. W. Phelps as the serpent. We were also assisted by P. P. Pratt . . .
President having gone out some time ago returned while we were in the garden. The signs and tokens were all given by H. C. Kimball. He also received them through the vail. It was about half past seven when we got through. Those last who were taken through were then instructed farther regarding the signs by Elder Orson Hyde.
The President then called all those who were present into the Celestial room. We formed a circle, offered up the signs, and then offered up prayers for the sick; for our families and that the Lord would frustrate the plans of our enemies. Elder John E. Page being mouth.
...We offered up the signs of the Holy priesthood and prayed that the Lord would defeat and frustrate all the plans of our enemies and inasmuch as they make plots and lay plans to exterminate this people and destroy the priesthood from off the earth that the curse of God may come upon them even all the evil which they design to bring upon this people. And that the Lord would preserve the lives of his servants and lead us out of this ungodly nation in peace.
After we got through there was a unanimous feeling that the Lord would answer our prayers and defeat our enemies. President Young said we should go away from here in peace in spite of our enemies.
It was now a little after 9 o clock and we soon after retired to our homes. President Young and Amasa Lyman tarried in the Temple all the night.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
... The men were washed by G[eorge] A. Smith and John Taylor, and anointed by myself and B. Young. The sisters were washed and anointed by Sister Whitney, Mary Ann Young and Elizabeth Ann Whitney.
About half past 1 o clock mother Lucy Smith arrived. The weather is cold and some inclined to snow.
A little before three Sister Elizabeth Ann Whitney and my wife got through washing the sisters . . .
The first charge was given in the garden by President Young, the other two charges by H. C. Kimball, who also received most of them through the vail and Amasa Lyman received the remainder...It was about 5 o clock P.M., when they commenced washing and anointing these.
A little before six we commenced taking them through the ceremonies, Heber C. Kimball acting as Eloheem, George A. Smith as Jehovah, Orson Hyde as Michael, W. W. Phelps as the serpent. We were also assisted by P. P. Pratt . . .
President having gone out some time ago returned while we were in the garden. The signs and tokens were all given by H. C. Kimball. He also received them through the vail. It was about half past seven when we got through. Those last who were taken through were then instructed farther regarding the signs by Elder Orson Hyde.
The President then called all those who were present into the Celestial room. We formed a circle, offered up the signs, and then offered up prayers for the sick; for our families and that the Lord would frustrate the plans of our enemies. Elder John E. Page being mouth.
...We offered up the signs of the Holy priesthood and prayed that the Lord would defeat and frustrate all the plans of our enemies and inasmuch as they make plots and lay plans to exterminate this people and destroy the priesthood from off the earth that the curse of God may come upon them even all the evil which they design to bring upon this people. And that the Lord would preserve the lives of his servants and lead us out of this ungodly nation in peace.
After we got through there was a unanimous feeling that the Lord would answer our prayers and defeat our enemies. President Young said we should go away from here in peace in spite of our enemies.
It was now a little after 9 o clock and we soon after retired to our homes. President Young and Amasa Lyman tarried in the Temple all the night.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
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