[J. Reuben Clark]
[In conversation with Emily Smith Stewart, in part:] She talked about her father's [George Albert Smith's] health, and said that she thought he was going to die the night they were taking him down to California to start on the Hawaiian trip. I explained to her that I was trying to do all I could to help him, but that in some respects he was difficult to help. Called attention to the fact that he would read all these letters that we sent out, and also read the letters to which our letters were a reply. I said that President Grant would have one of the secretaries tell him what the letter was about, and the purport of it, and he would sign it. I observed that if her father could get confidence in us, it would save him a good deal of labor ...
She recalled to my mind that she had spoken to me after the last Conference indicating her desire that we should post some officer there to protect them against these cranks who may come there and apparently at times almost force an entry into the house to see her father. I told her that I would look after that. ...
We discussed at some length the condition of her father's health. I noted his apparent dislike of holidays, having the people away from the office, and his activation on holidays. She said that he never had learned how to take any relaxation. I noted that he seemed always to feel that he should he here on holidays. I thought maybe she might get something over to him that might make him feel a little easier.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
110 years ago today - Sep 15, 1915
[First Presidency letter]
[Yours of the 7th] occasioned both amazement and regret; surprise that one of your experience would undertake to teach a novel doctrine to the First Presidency, using terms both dogmatic and dictatorial, and sorrow that you place yourself in direct antagonism to an established and well-known principle of the Church. That which you pronounce 'a fallacy' and condemn as 'erroneous' is not new nor does it originate with the authorities whose names you mention, but is set forth in the revelations of God both ancient and modern. That the Jesus Christ of the New Testament was the Jehovah of the Old Testament is an accepted feature of the faith of the Latter-day Saints, and yet you presume to assail it as 'error' and call for its 'elimination' from a book that has been inspected and endorsed by the presidency of the Church and the council of the Twelve Apostles! We now pronounce your theory in opposition to it as wrong and misleading and unauthorized and forbid its promulgation as
doctrine.... The notion that Christ, the firstborn, could not possibly be a Creator before he received a body of flesh and passed through a mortal probation, is one of your own and is not a doctrine of the Church ...
[First Presidency, Letter to Ferdinand F. Hintze, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Yours of the 7th] occasioned both amazement and regret; surprise that one of your experience would undertake to teach a novel doctrine to the First Presidency, using terms both dogmatic and dictatorial, and sorrow that you place yourself in direct antagonism to an established and well-known principle of the Church. That which you pronounce 'a fallacy' and condemn as 'erroneous' is not new nor does it originate with the authorities whose names you mention, but is set forth in the revelations of God both ancient and modern. That the Jesus Christ of the New Testament was the Jehovah of the Old Testament is an accepted feature of the faith of the Latter-day Saints, and yet you presume to assail it as 'error' and call for its 'elimination' from a book that has been inspected and endorsed by the presidency of the Church and the council of the Twelve Apostles! We now pronounce your theory in opposition to it as wrong and misleading and unauthorized and forbid its promulgation as
doctrine.... The notion that Christ, the firstborn, could not possibly be a Creator before he received a body of flesh and passed through a mortal probation, is one of your own and is not a doctrine of the Church ...
[First Presidency, Letter to Ferdinand F. Hintze, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
140 years ago today - Sep 15, 1885
LDS political newspaper, the Salt Lake Herald, describes the "FILTHY OUTRAGE" committed against local leaders of the anti-polygamy crusade. Late Sunday night unidentified persons threw "a dozen fruit jars filled with a horrible mess of filth taken from privy vaults" through the glass windows of the residences of Prosecuting Attorney William H. Dickson, his assistant Charles S. Varian, and United States Commissioner William McKay. The Deseret News describes the weapons as "glass jars filled with human excrement and possibly some other nastiness" and blames the incident on anti-Mormons.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
185 years ago today - Sep 15, 1840
The funeral for Joseph Smith, Sr., is held. Governor Boggs of Missouri, having renewed his vengeance against Joseph because of Joseph's accusations against Boggs in Washington, and also because of the recent scandal concerning the kidnappings and river bottom thefts, asks Governor Carlin of Illinois to turn over Joseph, Sidney Rigdon, Lyman Wight, Parley P. Pratt, Caleb Baldwin, and Alanson Brown to Missouri officials, claiming they are escaped convicts and fugitives from justice.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
155 years ago today - Sep 15, 1870
[Franklin D. Richards]
At 9 eve met as notified and 4 of my wives received their 2d anointing.
[[Franklin D. Richards diary, Sept. 15, 1870, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
At 9 eve met as notified and 4 of my wives received their 2d anointing.
[[Franklin D. Richards diary, Sept. 15, 1870, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
190 years ago today - Sep 15, 1835
Patriarchal Blessing of Agnes Smith given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... I seal thy marriage covenant, it shall be sanctioned in heaven ... Satan shall not have power over thee nor thy offsprings to take away your lives. ...
Thou shalt stand to see thy Redeemer come in his glory.
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:8, quoted in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
Thou shalt stand to see thy Redeemer come in his glory.
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:8, quoted in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
190 years ago today - Sep 15, 1835
Patriarchal Blessing of Don Carlos Smith given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... Thou shalt remain to see the winding up scene of all things, and shall be numbered among the hundred and forty and four thousand. ... they [his children] shall grow up without sin unto salvation, and never be afflicted with sickness, nor be crippled. ... Thou shalt stand upon the earth at the coming of thy Redeemer, and be caught up to meet him in the cloud and ever be with the Lord. My dear son, if thou wilt be faithful I seal all these blessings upon thy head
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:7-8, quoted in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:7-8, quoted in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
190 years ago today - Mid-Sept. 1835
The first edition of the Doctrine and Covenants (Doctrine and Covenants of the Church of the Latter-day Saints: carefully selected from the Revelations of God) comes off the press, bound and printed (including the "Lectures on Faith"). This is an expanded version of the Book of Commandments, which had been destroyed on July 20, 1833.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
65 years ago today - Sep 14, 1960
BYU president Ernest Wilkinson records an incident in his journal. Wilkinson had called on President David O. McKay at his office. McKay's secretary, Clare Middlemiss, told Wilkinson that his wife had telephoned and that he was to return her call immediately. Middlemiss suggested that he use the telephone in the hall. "By the time I got this telephone [call] through," Wilkinson wrote, Middlemiss "had locked the door on me. There was no question that it was purposeful."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
75 years ago today - Sep 14, 1950
[Henry D. Moyle]
Wallace Bennett called at instance of Pres. Clark and apologized for his behavior the night before at the Alta Club.
[Henry D. Moyle 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]
Wallace Bennett called at instance of Pres. Clark and apologized for his behavior the night before at the Alta Club.
[Henry D. Moyle Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
90 years ago today - Sep 14, 1935
[Heber J. Grant]
Inasmuch as the young people to whom you refer in your letter of September 13 have confessed to you their transgression and manifest a spirit of repentance, we recommend that you keep the matter in confidence, and that you, yourself, perform the ceremony uniting them in marriage. Nothing should be said to the Bishop or any one else regarding their transgression, and if any one asks why you performed the marriage ceremony for them you can merely explain that they came to you and asked you to do so. Later, after their baby is born, if they have lived worthily in the meantime, they may go to the temple and be sealed for eternity and have their child sealed to them.
The very fact that they have confessed to you their wrongdoing is an indication of the right spirit on their part, and of course they will have to ace the embarrassment that may come to them as a result of their action. The Gospel is one of forgiveness ...
[Heber J. Grant and David O. McKay, Letter to H. W. Henderson, 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]
Inasmuch as the young people to whom you refer in your letter of September 13 have confessed to you their transgression and manifest a spirit of repentance, we recommend that you keep the matter in confidence, and that you, yourself, perform the ceremony uniting them in marriage. Nothing should be said to the Bishop or any one else regarding their transgression, and if any one asks why you performed the marriage ceremony for them you can merely explain that they came to you and asked you to do so. Later, after their baby is born, if they have lived worthily in the meantime, they may go to the temple and be sealed for eternity and have their child sealed to them.
The very fact that they have confessed to you their wrongdoing is an indication of the right spirit on their part, and of course they will have to ace the embarrassment that may come to them as a result of their action. The Gospel is one of forgiveness ...
[Heber J. Grant and David O. McKay, Letter to H. W. Henderson, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
90 years ago today - Sep 14, 1935
[Heber J. Grant]
Such a thing as a millionaire being made among the leading officials of the Church has never happened. I doubt if it ever will happen. Nearly all of the Authorities of the Church when they have passed away, have passed away as poor men. Some of them have been fortunate enough to make investment that have grown, and they have been prosperous. There is not today a single wealthy man in the Presidency of the Church or the Council of the Twelve Apostles, or the Seven Presidents of Seventies, or the Presiding Bishopric.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Mrs. T. William Rhoads, 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]
Such a thing as a millionaire being made among the leading officials of the Church has never happened. I doubt if it ever will happen. Nearly all of the Authorities of the Church when they have passed away, have passed away as poor men. Some of them have been fortunate enough to make investment that have grown, and they have been prosperous. There is not today a single wealthy man in the Presidency of the Church or the Council of the Twelve Apostles, or the Seven Presidents of Seventies, or the Presiding Bishopric.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Mrs. T. William Rhoads, 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 - Sep 14, 1895
[Francis M. Lyman]
At 2 P.M. met with stake Priesthood meeting. Regular business was attended. I then announced the call of bro[ther] A[nthony]. W. Ivins to preside in the Mexican Mission instead of bro[ther] [George] Teasdale. I said good things about him and strongly denounced the felling expressed by some that bro[ther] Ivins was called to get him out of the way in politics. Stated that no one suggested anything of that kind when bro[ther] Anthon H. Lund was called to preside over the European Mission. This church is not run in the interest of persons or parties.
[Francis M. Lyman 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 2 P.M. met with stake Priesthood meeting. Regular business was attended. I then announced the call of bro[ther] A[nthony]. W. Ivins to preside in the Mexican Mission instead of bro[ther] [George] Teasdale. I said good things about him and strongly denounced the felling expressed by some that bro[ther] Ivins was called to get him out of the way in politics. Stated that no one suggested anything of that kind when bro[ther] Anthon H. Lund was called to preside over the European Mission. This church is not run in the interest of persons or parties.
[Francis M. Lyman 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]
175 years ago today - Sep 14, 1850
Incorporation of Perpetual Emigratìng Company by General Assembly of State of Deseret. Before federal government forces its disincorporation in 1887, PEF assists more than third of all European to Utah.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
180 years ago today - Sep 14, 1845
[Hosea Stout]
I met the Eleventh Quorum near the Stand, and then in the afternoon attended meeting.it was a business meeting and all who were not in good fellowship were not allowed to be present and the police in keeping them away had to flog three who were determined to stay...
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
I met the Eleventh Quorum near the Stand, and then in the afternoon attended meeting.it was a business meeting and all who were not in good fellowship were not allowed to be present and the police in keeping them away had to flog three who were determined to stay...
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Sep 14, 1845
President Young prophesied on the stand this day that we would have a winter of peace in Nauvoo. -- Nauvoo, Illinois
[Willard Richards Journal, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Willard Richards Journal, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
185 years ago today - 1840 14 Sept.
On his deathbed, Joseph Smith, Sr., ordains his son Hyrum as Presiding Patriarch. This would be the last instance of patrilineal ordination which the hierarchy accepted for the office of patriarch. More than a decade later Young would reject a similar ordination by Presiding Patriarch John Smith for his son George A.
[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 - Sep 14, 1835
Under Joseph Smith's direction and in accordance with instructions in Doctrine & Covenants 25, the high council instructed Emma Smith, the Prophet's wife, to prepare a new selection of sacred hymns to be printed by William W. Phelps.
[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]
190 years ago today - Sep 14, 1835
Patriarchal Blessing of Phebe Rigdon given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... I seal thee up unto eternal life, and thou shalt receive an inheritance with the sanctified; even so. Amen.
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:32, quoted in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:32, quoted in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
190 years ago today - Sep 14, 1835
Patriarchal Blessing of Sidney Rigdon given by Joseph Smith, Sr. the earth shall tremble before thee, the rivers shall turn out of their course, and if it were needful, the lions shall roar out of the forest, while the enemies of the Lord shall stand afar off and tremble, having no power to harm the saints. Thou shalt have power to call thousands into the kingdom, who will rejoice that such a man was born.
Thou shalt receive an ordination not many days hence which shall surpass all human understanding; for thy Redeemer shall come down and stand before thee- thou shalt see his face and hear his voice and great shall be thy rejoicing. ... No enemy shall have power to harm thee; for though thy life has many times been in jeopardy, and once thy body marred, from henceforth thou shalt be protected, that no man shall mar thee. Thou shalt be saved in the day of calamity, when great vengeance falls upon the nations. And though thine eyes shall see cities overthrown and swallowed up, thou shalt stand like unto an angel of God, and nothing shall harm thee. Thou shalt be renewed in thy age and thy system shall be like the vigor of youth.
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:31-32, quoted in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
Thou shalt receive an ordination not many days hence which shall surpass all human understanding; for thy Redeemer shall come down and stand before thee- thou shalt see his face and hear his voice and great shall be thy rejoicing. ... No enemy shall have power to harm thee; for though thy life has many times been in jeopardy, and once thy body marred, from henceforth thou shalt be protected, that no man shall mar thee. Thou shalt be saved in the day of calamity, when great vengeance falls upon the nations. And though thine eyes shall see cities overthrown and swallowed up, thou shalt stand like unto an angel of God, and nothing shall harm thee. Thou shalt be renewed in thy age and thy system shall be like the vigor of youth.
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:31-32, quoted in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
190 years ago today - Sep 14, 1835
Patriarchal Blessing of Rebecca Williams given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... I seal thee up unto eternal life, and thou shalt have thy part and portion in the celestial kingdom, in the name of Jesus Christ; even so. Amen.
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:31, quoted in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:31, quoted in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
190 years ago today - Sep 14, 1835
Patriarchal Blessing of Frederick G. Williams given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... But thou shalt be a great man in the earth, and thou shalt be renewed, and have power to accomplish the will of the Lord, and when thou hast accomplished it thou shalt have power to be translated, that thou shalt not sleep in the grave
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:30-31, quoted in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:30-31, quoted in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
190 years ago today - Sep 14, 1835
Patriarchal Blessing of Elizabeth Ann Whitney given by Joseph Smith, Sr. on September 14, 1835
... for thou art bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh, and the Lord has so ordained that those of the same family and descent might be one to fulfil his purposes; for thou art of the same lineage of thy husband, thy life has been hid also, and thou mayest rejoice, for thy posterity shall be blessed. Thou hast a gift to sing the songs of Zion [sing in tongues], and if thou wilt be humble before the Lord & keep all his commandments, it shall be increased.
[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]
... for thou art bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh, and the Lord has so ordained that those of the same family and descent might be one to fulfil his purposes; for thou art of the same lineage of thy husband, thy life has been hid also, and thou mayest rejoice, for thy posterity shall be blessed. Thou hast a gift to sing the songs of Zion [sing in tongues], and if thou wilt be humble before the Lord & keep all his commandments, it shall be increased.
[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 - 1835: 14 September
Newel K. Whitney. (Given by Joseph Smith, Sen.) ... thou art a strange man, and thy ways have been unlike the ways of other men ...
[Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - Sep 14, 1835
A high council of the First Presidency calls Oliver Cowdery as Church Recorder and decides, "The laborer is worthy of his hire." Pay salary and expenses for Joseph Sr. (for patriarchal blessings [$10 per week plus expenses]), Frederick G. Williams (for recording blessings), Oliver and Emma to select hymns and W. W. Phelps edit. David Whitmer and Samuel H. Smith are appointed Literary firm agents.
[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]
200 years ago today - Sep 14, 1825
[Heber C. Kimball]
Joins Masonic Lodge, Victor Village, Victor Township, Ontario County, New York.
[Kimball, Stanley B. (editor), On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Chronology, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1987]
Joins Masonic Lodge, Victor Village, Victor Township, Ontario County, New York.
[Kimball, Stanley B. (editor), On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Chronology, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1987]
35 years ago today - Sep 13, 1990
Registration of the Leningrad Branch of the Church was approved by the Council on Religious Affairs of the Council of Ministers in the Soviet Union.
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
40 years ago today - Sep 13, 1985
[Mark Hofmann]
Admits to Wilding and Syd Jensen that their money had not purchased the "Oath of Freeman" or Dickens manuscript, that Brigham Young papers he had offered to sell did not exist, and that he cannot return their money. Hofmann spends the day trying to raise money. One angry investor hits Hofmann in face. Increasing pressure put on Hofmann.
[Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,]
Admits to Wilding and Syd Jensen that their money had not purchased the "Oath of Freeman" or Dickens manuscript, that Brigham Young papers he had offered to sell did not exist, and that he cannot return their money. Hofmann spends the day trying to raise money. One angry investor hits Hofmann in face. Increasing pressure put on Hofmann.
[Whittaker, David J., The Hofmann Maze, A Book Review Essay with a Chronology and Bibliography of the Hofmann Case, BYU Studies Vol. 29, No. 1, pg.80,]
65 years ago today - Sep 13, 1960
[David O. McKay]
I said [to his counselors] that protests are coming to permitting the use of the Tabernacle for political meetings. We considered the part to be taken by the brethren of the General Authorities in the political meetings. It was decided that individual members of the General Authorities may attend these meetings as they please, but that they be advised to take no part. I stated that I had advised Elder Hugh B. Brown not to participate by offering prayer or by introducing the speaker. It was suggested that Elder Ezra Taft Benson refrain from participating in the campaign.
[McKay, David O., Office Journal]
I said [to his counselors] that protests are coming to permitting the use of the Tabernacle for political meetings. We considered the part to be taken by the brethren of the General Authorities in the political meetings. It was decided that individual members of the General Authorities may attend these meetings as they please, but that they be advised to take no part. I stated that I had advised Elder Hugh B. Brown not to participate by offering prayer or by introducing the speaker. It was suggested that Elder Ezra Taft Benson refrain from participating in the campaign.
[McKay, David O., Office Journal]
75 years ago today - Sep 13, 1950
[Henry D. Moyle]
Went to Alta Club and very much out of place at a republican meeting of business men. I was invited by Fred Schulter of Thermoid Co'at Pres McKay's suggestion. Wallace Bennett was there & totally ignored me intentionally slighted me.
[Henry D. Moyle 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]
Went to Alta Club and very much out of place at a republican meeting of business men. I was invited by Fred Schulter of Thermoid Co'at Pres McKay's suggestion. Wallace Bennett was there & totally ignored me intentionally slighted me.
[Henry D. Moyle Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
125 years ago today - Thursday, Sep 13, 1900
Pres. Snow spoke of the movement now on foot to build a railroad from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles and said that it looked very much as if the enterprise would be carried through. He said that the promoters desired the church to join them in building the road. ... The brethren in expressing themselves upon the subject said they thought it a matter worthy of consideration as it was conceded that a new road running from Salt Lake to California would not only pay well but would be of great benefit to Utah....
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
170 years ago today - Sep 13, 1855 (Thursday)
The Horticultural Society was organized in G.S.L. City, with Wilford Woodruff as president. Various other societies were organized in the forepart of the year, among which were the "Universal Scientific Society", the "Polysophical Society", the Deseret Philharmonic Society and the "Deseret Typographical Association."
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
195 years ago today - Sept 13, 1830
Constable Nathan Harrington collects $12.81 from Hyrum Smith on an unpaid $21.07 court judgment. Two weeks later Harrington is again sent by court order to collect the rest but found "No property to be found Nor Boddy."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
50 years ago today - Sep 12, 1975-Friday
[Leonard Arrington]
Tuesday afternoon Jack Adamson died at his home of a heart attack. ...
When Jack went to the University of Idaho in the fall of 1936 he joined a fraternity and partook of the life of fraternity boys which included occasional smoking, drinking, and partying. After two years he went on a mission [to Scotland] and was a good missionary from all reports. After he returned, World War II had commenced and he volunteered for service, as I recall in the Air Corps. This was probably the period when he resumed occasional smoking, drinking, coffee, etc. After the war he returned to the University of Utah and then completed his Ph.D. in literature at Harvard University [in 1956]. He then became the outstanding professor that so many students came to love and admire.
Despite all the above, let it be recorded that he never regarded himself as outside the church. He taught Sunday School for many years and was a great teacher. He permitted exploration of unorthodox ideas and this caused church authorities (I think Apostle Harold B. Lee) to advise the bishop that he be released. I heard him myself make a public statement in response to a question that he did not believe in a personal God and he did not regard himself as an orthodox Mormon. I think he did not believe in a future life. Nevertheless, he never became bitter or rebellious and did not like people who did. He was proud to call himself a Mormon in a cultural and social sense-in every sense except orthodox in theology. He thought Mormonism to be a superior religion and having desirable values which should be perpetuated. Even the temple [ceremony] he regarded as providing desirable ritual and celebration which would influence people for good-or it had the potential of
influencing people for good....
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Tuesday afternoon Jack Adamson died at his home of a heart attack. ...
When Jack went to the University of Idaho in the fall of 1936 he joined a fraternity and partook of the life of fraternity boys which included occasional smoking, drinking, and partying. After two years he went on a mission [to Scotland] and was a good missionary from all reports. After he returned, World War II had commenced and he volunteered for service, as I recall in the Air Corps. This was probably the period when he resumed occasional smoking, drinking, coffee, etc. After the war he returned to the University of Utah and then completed his Ph.D. in literature at Harvard University [in 1956]. He then became the outstanding professor that so many students came to love and admire.
Despite all the above, let it be recorded that he never regarded himself as outside the church. He taught Sunday School for many years and was a great teacher. He permitted exploration of unorthodox ideas and this caused church authorities (I think Apostle Harold B. Lee) to advise the bishop that he be released. I heard him myself make a public statement in response to a question that he did not believe in a personal God and he did not regard himself as an orthodox Mormon. I think he did not believe in a future life. Nevertheless, he never became bitter or rebellious and did not like people who did. He was proud to call himself a Mormon in a cultural and social sense-in every sense except orthodox in theology. He thought Mormonism to be a superior religion and having desirable values which should be perpetuated. Even the temple [ceremony] he regarded as providing desirable ritual and celebration which would influence people for good-or it had the potential of
influencing people for good....
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
90 years ago today - Sep 12, 1935
[Heber J. Grant]
For your information, please be advised that the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a corporation sole, organized under the law of the State of Utah for religious, educational and charitable purposes. It is distinct from the ordinary business corporation in that it has no board of directors and no by-laws. The President of the Church is the corporation. As a corporation sole he is fully empowered and authorized by law to handle all financial and property matters pertaining to the Church, including depositing in banks and checking against the same.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Bishop National Bank, Honolulu, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
For your information, please be advised that the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a corporation sole, organized under the law of the State of Utah for religious, educational and charitable purposes. It is distinct from the ordinary business corporation in that it has no board of directors and no by-laws. The President of the Church is the corporation. As a corporation sole he is fully empowered and authorized by law to handle all financial and property matters pertaining to the Church, including depositing in banks and checking against the same.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Bishop National Bank, Honolulu, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
115 years ago today - Monday, Sep 12, 1910
[John Henry Smith]
Salt Lake City
Prest. A. H. Lund and I looked through the Temple and talked with several employes. We learned that several Keys to the doors are out and that two had been lost.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
Salt Lake City
Prest. A. H. Lund and I looked through the Temple and talked with several employes. We learned that several Keys to the doors are out and that two had been lost.
[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]
115 years ago today - Sep 12, 1910
[George Albert Smith]
at SLC, "Went to the Gray Sanitarium to take a course of treatment for my nerves."
[Journals of George Albert Smith]
at SLC, "Went to the Gray Sanitarium to take a course of treatment for my nerves."
[Journals of George Albert Smith]
135 years ago today - Sep 12, 1890
[George Q. Cannon]
[San Francisco] We had an interview with [pro-Mormon national republican comittee chair] Judge Estee. We told him we came to him as a friend, not as a paid attorney. We felt more free in coming to him in this way, because we knew that he was disinterested, an that we could expect to get his views uninfluenced by any other motives than to do us good. We went over the ground of our case very thoroughly. He referred to the necessity of our making some announcement concerning polygamy and the laying of it aside. I described to him the difficultythere was in writing such a document'-the danger there would be that we would either say too much or too little. He appreciated this difficulty, but nevertheless pressed the point as one that must be done sooner or later. [Republican leaders then promise to promote Utah's statehood in expectation that the church will work to have a majority of Mormons vote Republican.]
[George Q. Cannon Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[San Francisco] We had an interview with [pro-Mormon national republican comittee chair] Judge Estee. We told him we came to him as a friend, not as a paid attorney. We felt more free in coming to him in this way, because we knew that he was disinterested, an that we could expect to get his views uninfluenced by any other motives than to do us good. We went over the ground of our case very thoroughly. He referred to the necessity of our making some announcement concerning polygamy and the laying of it aside. I described to him the difficultythere was in writing such a document'-the danger there would be that we would either say too much or too little. He appreciated this difficulty, but nevertheless pressed the point as one that must be done sooner or later. [Republican leaders then promise to promote Utah's statehood in expectation that the church will work to have a majority of Mormons vote Republican.]
[George Q. Cannon Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
155 years ago today - Sep 12, 1870 (Morning)
[Brigham Young Sermon]
[Pres] Young, gave most wholesome instructions to the people living far out at sea, from other settlements from whom they could obtain help in times of Indian uprises, only when it would be too late to render any material assistance. The whites were cautioned to give the Indian full value for his skins, furs, pine nuts and labor, and not take advantage of his ignorance as to the value of articles. The Indians are to be taught the science of agriculture, and the young ones their letters, the phonetic way of spelling, and the english language. The spirit, teachings and examples, only in a far more liberal sense, of William Penn are to characterize the dealings of the Kanab and other settlements of the Saints, with their dark skinned brethren, the Lamanites. -- Kanab, Utah
[Deseret News, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Pres] Young, gave most wholesome instructions to the people living far out at sea, from other settlements from whom they could obtain help in times of Indian uprises, only when it would be too late to render any material assistance. The whites were cautioned to give the Indian full value for his skins, furs, pine nuts and labor, and not take advantage of his ignorance as to the value of articles. The Indians are to be taught the science of agriculture, and the young ones their letters, the phonetic way of spelling, and the english language. The spirit, teachings and examples, only in a far more liberal sense, of William Penn are to characterize the dealings of the Kanab and other settlements of the Saints, with their dark skinned brethren, the Lamanites. -- Kanab, Utah
[Deseret News, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
180 years ago today - Sep 12, 1845
Brigham Young writes to Solomon Hancock in Yelrome, where mobbers are burning Mormon houses, "The object of our enemies is to get opposition enough to raise popular excitement but we think it best to let them burn up our houses while we take care of our families and grain. . . . Be calm and patient till all things are ready. What is a little property or a few lives, compared with the properties and lives of a great people, and the house and ordinances on which the salvation of that people depend?"
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
180 years ago today - Sept 12 [1845]
[Brigham Young]
.... brother Earls came in with a letter from brother Hancock stating that five more houses had been burned, the brethren on the west side of the creek had been obliged to leave and come on to the East side many were sick, and their goods were scattered about the cornfields. Sept 12 in council A. Babbit Esq. proposed our organizing into militia companies, according to instructions of Gov. Ford last fall, and Col. J. B. Backenstos I then ask Gen. Rich & Col. Markham & other officers present if they wish such a move they all declared they would not act in such a capacity at all, I then told them I should feel myself more degraded in the eyes of the Lord to be acting under a comission from Gov ford, than should to be changed into an affrican ...
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
.... brother Earls came in with a letter from brother Hancock stating that five more houses had been burned, the brethren on the west side of the creek had been obliged to leave and come on to the East side many were sick, and their goods were scattered about the cornfields. Sept 12 in council A. Babbit Esq. proposed our organizing into militia companies, according to instructions of Gov. Ford last fall, and Col. J. B. Backenstos I then ask Gen. Rich & Col. Markham & other officers present if they wish such a move they all declared they would not act in such a capacity at all, I then told them I should feel myself more degraded in the eyes of the Lord to be acting under a comission from Gov ford, than should to be changed into an affrican ...
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
195 years ago today - Sep 12, 1830
Elmina Shepard (Taylor), later the first general president of the Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association (predecessor to the young Women organization), is born in Middlefield, New York.
50 years ago today - Sep 8, 1975-Monday
[Leonard Arrington]
Neal Maxwell telephoned me to warn me that one certain brother in the Twelve was a little upset about him offering Eugene England half time employment with the Institute and with us offering him "employment" in the Historical Department. He was fearful that this would cause Gene to turn down offers for permanent employment that might come to him. Neal was not giving me any advice-merely informing me that there was one authority who felt that Eugene should not be discouraged from accepting full time employment outside the Church and its educational system. He left no references who it was, but I thought it might be Elder [Boyd K.] Packer or Elder [Mark E.] Petersen.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Neal Maxwell telephoned me to warn me that one certain brother in the Twelve was a little upset about him offering Eugene England half time employment with the Institute and with us offering him "employment" in the Historical Department. He was fearful that this would cause Gene to turn down offers for permanent employment that might come to him. Neal was not giving me any advice-merely informing me that there was one authority who felt that Eugene should not be discouraged from accepting full time employment outside the Church and its educational system. He left no references who it was, but I thought it might be Elder [Boyd K.] Packer or Elder [Mark E.] Petersen.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
50 years ago today - Sep 8, 1975
LDS Air Force Sgt. Leonard P. Matlovich is featured on the cover of TIME Magazine with the headline, "I Am a Homosexual: The Gay Drive for Acceptance.- The accompanying article makes no mention of Matlovich's Mormonism. Two months later Matlovich is excommunicated. Matlovich served three tours of duty in Vietnam where he received the Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and an Air Force Meritorious Service Medal. Sgt Matlovich was discharged from the army for coming out. He sued and settled for $160,000. He became a gay-rights activist and died, from complications due to AIDS, on Jun 22, 1988. The epitaph carved in his tombstone in the District of Columbia-s Congressional Cemetery reads -When I was in the military, they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one.-
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
70 years ago today - Sep 08, 1955
Terry Tempest (Williams), later the author of several works and considered by Newsweek as one of the most influential persons on economic, political, and environmental issues in the western United States, is born in Corona, California.
85 years ago today - Sep 08, 1940
Quentin L. Cook, later a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, is born in Logan, Utah.
115 years ago today - Sep 8, 1910
Apostle (and U.S. Senator) Reed Smoot proposes to Apostles that "all new cases [of polygamy] should be excommunicated from the church and that action should be taken at once. Also that the church should not retain any man taking a plural wife after the Manifesto in a church position where people were asked to support him" The Apostles refer to this as "wholesale slaughter" and recommend a quieter approach.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - Sep 8, 1900
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Learn that Pres[iden]ts [George Q.] C[annon]. & [Joseph F.] S[mith]. leave tomorrow night for Cannada to visit officials and our people. How carefully I am excluded from participating in anything of a public nature when it is convenient to do so, not for personal dislike, but [illegible] others. Pres[ident]. [Lorenzo] Snow knows none of this feeling.
[Brigham Young Jr. 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]
Learn that Pres[iden]ts [George Q.] C[annon]. & [Joseph F.] S[mith]. leave tomorrow night for Cannada to visit officials and our people. How carefully I am excluded from participating in anything of a public nature when it is convenient to do so, not for personal dislike, but [illegible] others. Pres[ident]. [Lorenzo] Snow knows none of this feeling.
[Brigham Young Jr. Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
135 years ago today - Sep 8, 1890
Apostle John Henry Smith preaches that "married people who indulged their passions for any other purpose than to beget children, really committed adultery."
[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)]]
150 years ago today - Sep 8, 1875
[Wilford Woodruff]
I sealed 2 dead persons to <President Young>.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I sealed 2 dead persons to <President Young>.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
150 years ago today - Sep 8, 1875
George Goddard records that on his son's sixteenth birthday "his Mother and Myself, put our hands upon his head and pronounced a parents blessing upon him." Such "parents blessings" were common in the early church but have been replaced by "fathers blessings."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
150 years ago today - Sep 8, 1875
Reprimand by President Brigham Young to author and president the Women's Exponent -- Eliza R. Snow and editor Louisa L. Greene Richards. (Eliza R. Snow accepted the reprimand).
EDITOR, WOMAN'S EXPONENT:
SALT LAKE CITY, 8th Sept., 1875. EDITOR WOMAN'S EXPONENT:
In your issue of Sept. first, I notice an article written by Miss E. R. Snow, entitled "Mortal and Immortal Elements of the Human Body," republished from No. 13, Vol. 2, of your Journal. The cause assigned for its reproduction in your paper is, that "Saints and strangers were so interested" in its statements, and it had been so often called for that republication was decided upon.
I sincerely regret that this demand should have arisen. I had hoped that after its first publication it would have slept and never been awakened; but the fact of its having been so repeatedly called for, places me under obligations to correct the minds of the Latter-day Saints in relation to the doctrine contained therein.
On some future occasion when I have time I may possibly take up the article in detail, but at present shall simply say, as the prophet Joseph Smith once told an Elder who asked his opinion of a so-called revelation he had written,-"It has just one fault and that one fault is, it is not true." BRIGHAM YOUNG, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
[1875-September 8-Woman's Exponent, Sept. 15, 1875, quoted in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
EDITOR, WOMAN'S EXPONENT:
SALT LAKE CITY, 8th Sept., 1875. EDITOR WOMAN'S EXPONENT:
In your issue of Sept. first, I notice an article written by Miss E. R. Snow, entitled "Mortal and Immortal Elements of the Human Body," republished from No. 13, Vol. 2, of your Journal. The cause assigned for its reproduction in your paper is, that "Saints and strangers were so interested" in its statements, and it had been so often called for that republication was decided upon.
I sincerely regret that this demand should have arisen. I had hoped that after its first publication it would have slept and never been awakened; but the fact of its having been so repeatedly called for, places me under obligations to correct the minds of the Latter-day Saints in relation to the doctrine contained therein.
On some future occasion when I have time I may possibly take up the article in detail, but at present shall simply say, as the prophet Joseph Smith once told an Elder who asked his opinion of a so-called revelation he had written,-"It has just one fault and that one fault is, it is not true." BRIGHAM YOUNG, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
[1875-September 8-Woman's Exponent, Sept. 15, 1875, quoted in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
90 years ago today - Sep 7, 1935
[Heber J. Grant]
In answer I will say that in the resurrection there will be no physical defects; and inasmuch as you are the mother of two children, you may rest assured that in the resurrected state you will have the mother instinct and affections, and your bodily organs will be normal.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Alice Halladay, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
In answer I will say that in the resurrection there will be no physical defects; and inasmuch as you are the mother of two children, you may rest assured that in the resurrected state you will have the mother instinct and affections, and your bodily organs will be normal.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Alice Halladay, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
90 years ago today - Sep 7, 1935
The first excommunication of many Mormon Fundamentalists who refuse to sign a loyalty oath that, among other things, denies "any intimation that any one of the Presidency or Apostles of the church is living a double life." Later these excommunicants learn of Apostle Richard R. Lyman's polygamous "double life" at this time.
[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)]]
110 years ago today - Sep 7, 1915; Tuesday
[James E. Talmage]
Today the First Presidency renewed an appointment originally made about five years ago and suspended because of press of work---that I prepare as soon as possible a work dealing with the Restoration of the Gospel, the book to be in the nature of a companion volume to "The Great Apostasy."
[James E. Talmage, Diary]
Today the First Presidency renewed an appointment originally made about five years ago and suspended because of press of work---that I prepare as soon as possible a work dealing with the Restoration of the Gospel, the book to be in the nature of a companion volume to "The Great Apostasy."
[James E. Talmage, Diary]
120 years ago today - Sep 07, 1905
Ivy Baker (Priest), later the treasurer of the United States, is born in Kimberly, Utah.
175 years ago today - Sep 7, 1850 (Morning, Conference)
President Young then addressed the people on the business of the Conference, and the experience that this people had passed through, and showed that Mormonism circumscribes all truth, whether in heaven, on earth, or in hell, and will continue to revolutionize this world, until all the kingdoms of the earth are subject to the kingdom of Jesus Christ; and testified that Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and was as good a man as ever walked on the earth. -- Salt Lake City
[Millennial Star Supplement, Manchester- Liverpool, England, 1840-1970. 14:33, 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]
[Millennial Star Supplement, Manchester- Liverpool, England, 1840-1970. 14:33, 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]
45 years ago today - Sep 6, 1980
Latter-day Saint missionaries enter the African nation of Kenya for the first time.
[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]
[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]
60 years ago today - Sep 06, 1965
The U.S. government designates Nauvoo, Illinois, as a national historical landmark.
65 years ago today - Sep 6, 1960
Second Counselor Henry D. Moyle confides to BYU President Ernest Wilkinson that Apostles Joseph Fielding Smith and Harold B. Lee were in "real opposition" to his "accelerated missionary program." The program includes using baseball as a missionary tool to baptize teenage boys.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
90 years ago today - Sep 6, 1935
[Heber J. Grant]
A proper fast consists of refraining from eating two meals on Fast-day'breakfast and the noon-day meal. In practice the fat is usually broke after the Fast-meeting, which is generally held throughout the Church either at 1 or 2 p.m., on the first Sunday of the month.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Emma Zella Deeter, 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]
A proper fast consists of refraining from eating two meals on Fast-day'breakfast and the noon-day meal. In practice the fat is usually broke after the Fast-meeting, which is generally held throughout the Church either at 1 or 2 p.m., on the first Sunday of the month.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Emma Zella Deeter, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
125 years ago today - Thursday, Sep 6, 1900
Pres. Snow said that Apostle Merrill, president of the Logan Temple, had ruled that the baptism of a certain man who had been baptized a few days before he was 8 years of age was of no virtue. The effect of this decision would be to make null and void the ministrations in the priesthood of this brother in after life. Pres. Merrill had also ruled that he should be rebaptized and that his membership in the church should date from his second baptism. The matter was discussed and it was decided to set aside Pres. Merrill's ruling and to affirm the man's first baptism. To hold that a child in all cases must absolutely be eight years of age before administering the ordinance of baptism was regarded as rather too narrow and technical a view to take.
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
185 years ago today - Sep 6, 1840
[Vilate Kimball writes Heber C. Kimball]: "...Seymour Brunson is also dead, everything was done to save him that could be done, but the Lord had need of him. A short time before he died he told Joseph not to hold him any longer `for' said he, `I have seen David Patten and he wants me, and the Lord wants me, and I want to go.' They then gave him up; at one time as Joseph entered the room, he told him that there was a light encircled him above the brightness of the sun—he exclaimed, `The room is full of angels they have come to waft my spirit home.' He then bade his family and friends farewell and sweetly fell asleep in Jesus."
[Whitney, Helen Mar, Jeni Broberg Holzapfel, and Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, A Woman's View: Helen Mar Whitney's Reminiscences of Early Church History, Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1997]
[Whitney, Helen Mar, Jeni Broberg Holzapfel, and Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, A Woman's View: Helen Mar Whitney's Reminiscences of Early Church History, Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1997]
195 years ago today - September 1830 (before 26 September)
Sections 29 & 30, Place: Fayette, Seneca County, New York.
Historical Note: Section 30, given to David, Peter, Jr., and John Whitmer at Fayette, New York, was originally three separate revelations in the Book of Commandments. Among other matters, section 30 called Peter Whitmer, Jr., to accompany Oliver Cowdery on his mission to the Lamanites. Section 30 was first published as chapters 31, 32, and 33 in the Book of Commandments in 1833.
[Cook, Lyndon, Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
Historical Note: Section 30, given to David, Peter, Jr., and John Whitmer at Fayette, New York, was originally three separate revelations in the Book of Commandments. Among other matters, section 30 called Peter Whitmer, Jr., to accompany Oliver Cowdery on his mission to the Lamanites. Section 30 was first published as chapters 31, 32, and 33 in the Book of Commandments in 1833.
[Cook, Lyndon, Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
85 years ago today - Sep 5, 1940
[George F. Richards diary, Sept. 5, 1940] I had a meeting with the Temple Presidency of [the] Salt Lake Temple instructing them as counseled by the [First] Presidency & the Twelve this day to discontinue [the] ring service in sealing, i.e., marrying couples where such ring service, or ceremony is used; also to discontinue prayer rooms provided with altar &c for individual use.
[Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
100 years ago today - Sep 5, 1925
[Heber J. Grant]
Bishp Edward S. Rich of the East Mill Creek Ward called and gave us a copy of a blessing given by Patriarch Homer Brown to John T. Clark. Brother Clark is one of the men who has recently entered into so-called plural marriage. Brother Rich says that Brother Brown is making a specialty of blessing people who have entered into alleged plural marriage. He promised to furnish us some additional evidence of Brother Brown's improper methods. We cannot help but hope, on account of his life-long labors and having such a splendid son as the president of the Lethbridge Stake, that Brother Brown is not mixed up in giving comfort and consolation to people who are still insisting that plural marriage is the proper thing.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Bishp Edward S. Rich of the East Mill Creek Ward called and gave us a copy of a blessing given by Patriarch Homer Brown to John T. Clark. Brother Clark is one of the men who has recently entered into so-called plural marriage. Brother Rich says that Brother Brown is making a specialty of blessing people who have entered into alleged plural marriage. He promised to furnish us some additional evidence of Brother Brown's improper methods. We cannot help but hope, on account of his life-long labors and having such a splendid son as the president of the Lethbridge Stake, that Brother Brown is not mixed up in giving comfort and consolation to people who are still insisting that plural marriage is the proper thing.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Sep 5, 1895
[Heber J. Grant]
.... Several of the Delegates on the train assured me that I could have the nomination for Governor if I would accept it. The Utah Co. Delegates were solid for me. At Salt Lake I learned that all I needed to do was to say the word and I could have the nomination. I highly appreciate the compliment, and feel reasonably well assured that I could get the nomination were I to enter the fight, but I feel that it would be an unwise thing in view of the Church position which I hold. I called on Emily this AM and she was very much frightened for fear I was going to accept the nomination. I called at the office of the First Presidency and told them that I had been offered the nomination by a great many of the Delegates and that I had assured them that I would not accept. I intimated that I would do so if they desired it, and inasmuch as they said nothing to indicate that they would pleased to have me accept the nomination I wired to my cousin A. W. Ivins to use his influence to see that my
name did not come before the convention, I did not care to have a few votes cast for me seeing that I did not want and would not accept the offer of the nomination ...
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
.... Several of the Delegates on the train assured me that I could have the nomination for Governor if I would accept it. The Utah Co. Delegates were solid for me. At Salt Lake I learned that all I needed to do was to say the word and I could have the nomination. I highly appreciate the compliment, and feel reasonably well assured that I could get the nomination were I to enter the fight, but I feel that it would be an unwise thing in view of the Church position which I hold. I called on Emily this AM and she was very much frightened for fear I was going to accept the nomination. I called at the office of the First Presidency and told them that I had been offered the nomination by a great many of the Delegates and that I had assured them that I would not accept. I intimated that I would do so if they desired it, and inasmuch as they said nothing to indicate that they would pleased to have me accept the nomination I wired to my cousin A. W. Ivins to use his influence to see that my
name did not come before the convention, I did not care to have a few votes cast for me seeing that I did not want and would not accept the offer of the nomination ...
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Sep 5, 1895
[Francis M. Lyman]
[Orderville] Spoke of Statehood. I held that saints were a little thick headed and stupid who would not see that statehood is what the Lord has in store for us. I stated it as the will of the Lord that we should support statehood.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Orderville] Spoke of Statehood. I held that saints were a little thick headed and stupid who would not see that statehood is what the Lord has in store for us. I stated it as the will of the Lord that we should support statehood.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - Sep 5, 1870
Sister Josephene Ursenbak had been baptized for European Ladies, & Princes, &c & she officiated to day with Joseph F Smith & I sealed 9 to the Prophet Joseph Smith, [4/5?] to the Patriarch Joseph Smith, 5 to the Patriarch Hiram Smith 3 to Samuel Harrison Smith, 3 to Don Carlos Smith, 3 to Joseph F Smith & 3 to Samuel H. B. Smith. He officiated for His Father & Don Carloss Smith. Total 30 sealed to the Smith Family.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Sept 5, 1860
Brigham Young's office journal records: "The President observed he was prejudiced against many of the Elders who had labored in England their course had been oppresive to the people for the sake of living like gentlemen, coming home in carriages, and bringing [or buying] home Merchandize to trade with; he should enquire of other Elders into particulars, and do all he could to stop this system of begging from the Saints. The President alluded to his former travels in England and how little he had done upon. H. C. Kimball alluded to the little he had ever received from the Saints."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
185 years ago today - Sept 5, 1840
Joseph Smith brings charges against Almon W. Babbitt before the High Council. He charges Babbitt with "First . . . stating that Joseph Smith, Jun., had extravagantly purchased three suits of clothes while he was at Washington City, and that Sidney Rigdon had purchased four suits while at the same place, besides dresses in profusion for their families. Second. For having stated that Joseph Smith, Jun.: Sidney Rigdon and Elias Higbee had said that they were worth one hundred thousand dollars each, while they were at Washington, and that Joseph Smith, Jun., had repeated the same statement while in Philadelphia, and for saying that Oliver Granger had stated that he also was worth as much as they (that is, one hundred thousand dollars). Third. For holding secret councils in the Lord's House, in Kirtland, and for locking the doors of the house, for the purpose of prohibiting certain brethren in good standing in the Church, from being in the Council, thereby depriving them of the use of
the house. . . . The parties spoke at length, after which, Joseph Smith withdrew the charge."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
the house. . . . The parties spoke at length, after which, Joseph Smith withdrew the charge."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
30 years ago today - Sep 4, 1995-15
World Conference on Women, 1995 in Beijing, China. Elder Packer claims this was the impetus for writing The Proclamation: "Not too many years ago there came a movement in the world having to do with the family. The United Nations called a council on the family in Beijing, China. We sent delegations to that council on the family and to other councils that were held. And then it was announced that one of them would be held near our headquarters, and we thought, "Well, if they are coming here, we had better proclaim ourselves."
[History of The Proclamation on the Family, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vRDUS68wfgWtZqdNv67AqfYGGfHrJiZi-B6dlDhDClQOatExFZDFt73srGQoul3U4_iXiTuYIqW57gs/pubhtml]
[History of The Proclamation on the Family, https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vRDUS68wfgWtZqdNv67AqfYGGfHrJiZi-B6dlDhDClQOatExFZDFt73srGQoul3U4_iXiTuYIqW57gs/pubhtml]
75 years ago today - Sep 04, 1950
The first early-morning seminary, with 198 students, is organized in Southern California under the direction of Ray L. Jones.
75 years ago today - Sep 04, 1950
Latter-day Saint car racer Ab Jenkins shatters twenty-six world and American records on the Bonneville Salt Flats in his Mormon Meteor III.
95 years ago today - Sep 4, 1930
First counselor Anthony W. Ivins computes that the church lost $6 million in stock investments and $900,000 in loans and business transactions with the Presiding Bishop Charles W. Nibley before his appointment as the second counselor in the First Presidency in 1925.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
135 years ago today - Sep 4, 1890 (Thursday)
The Agricultural College at Logan [today: Utah State University] was dedicated.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
155 years ago today - Sep 4, 1870
[Martin Harris testimony]
.... in the year 1818--52 years ago I was Inspired of the Lord & Tought of the Spirit that I Should not Join Eny Church although I Was anxiousley Sought for by meny of the Sectarians[.] ... Previous to my being baptised I became A Witness of the Plates of the Book of mormon in [June] 1829. ... Rogers unknown to me had agreed to give my wife 100 Dollars if it was not A Deseption & had Whet his Nife to cut the covering of the Plates as the Lord had forbid Joseph exhibiting them openley[.] Martins Wife had hefted them & felt them under cover as had Martin &
["Testimony of Martin Harris Written by my hand from the Mouth of Martin Harris," dictated to Edward Stevenson 4 September 1870, Edward Stevenson Collection, Miscellaneous Papers, LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Martin Harris Testimony]
.... in the year 1818--52 years ago I was Inspired of the Lord & Tought of the Spirit that I Should not Join Eny Church although I Was anxiousley Sought for by meny of the Sectarians[.] ... Previous to my being baptised I became A Witness of the Plates of the Book of mormon in [June] 1829. ... Rogers unknown to me had agreed to give my wife 100 Dollars if it was not A Deseption & had Whet his Nife to cut the covering of the Plates as the Lord had forbid Joseph exhibiting them openley[.] Martins Wife had hefted them & felt them under cover as had Martin &
["Testimony of Martin Harris Written by my hand from the Mouth of Martin Harris," dictated to Edward Stevenson 4 September 1870, Edward Stevenson Collection, Miscellaneous Papers, LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Martin Harris Testimony]
155 years ago today - Sep 4, 1870
Edward Stephenson had been to Kirtland & Brought up old Father Martin Harris one of the 3 witnesses of the Book of Mormon. ... Then Martin Harris arose & bore testimony to the truth of the Book of Mormon. He is 88 years old & has finally Come up to Zion to lay his Body down with the Saints. He has been from the Church 33 years in a state of Apostacy & he is far behind the times yet he bears a strong testimony to the truth of the Book of Mormon.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Sep 4, 1860
On sunday Evening while in Conversation at the Historians office a Brother Williams & another man Called to get Council of Presidet Young Concerning Brother Williams of Union Fort who is possessed of the Devil & has been in the mountains 60 days to try to starve himself to death but came home a living skeleton & finally Cut his throat & that did not kill him & he now wanted to drown himself. The men that Came for Counsel want the heads of the Church to unite to gether & Cast the Devil out of him. The President said if he wants to Cut his throat or drown himself let him do it. The devil is determined to destroy his body any how. If you want the devil Cast out you may go to work & Cast him out if you Can. I shall not go down there to do it. We have devils enough to deal with up here without going abroad after them. If the devils destroy his body they will get through with him. That will be the end of there work with his tabernacle.
Brother Cannon Said there was a learned Doctor [ ] that wanted to be baptized. Believed in this work but wanted to close up his business in New York City first. Said when he was baptized that He should lay aside his practice of medicine as he believed the Lord had provided means for the healing of his Saints without the practice of medicine. He is satisfied that the doctrin of the plurality of God and that Adam is our Father is a true doctrin Revealed from God to Joseph & Brigham. For this same Doctrin is taught in some of the old Jewish records which have never been in print and I know Joseph Smith nor Brigham Young have never had access to and the Lord has revealed this doctrin unto them or they Could not have taught it.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Brother Cannon Said there was a learned Doctor [ ] that wanted to be baptized. Believed in this work but wanted to close up his business in New York City first. Said when he was baptized that He should lay aside his practice of medicine as he believed the Lord had provided means for the healing of his Saints without the practice of medicine. He is satisfied that the doctrin of the plurality of God and that Adam is our Father is a true doctrin Revealed from God to Joseph & Brigham. For this same Doctrin is taught in some of the old Jewish records which have never been in print and I know Joseph Smith nor Brigham Young have never had access to and the Lord has revealed this doctrin unto them or they Could not have taught it.
[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 - Sep 4, 1860
President [Brigham] Young said... I think if the Lord wants any steeling done he would reveal it to me as soon as to Bill Hickman, Ormus Bates, or any other thieves Bates has been ingaged with that Clan in steeling for a long time but if He will go now and behave himself I will let all pass ...
[Wilford Woodruff, Historian's Private Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Wilford Woodruff, Historian's Private Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
195 years ago today - Sep 4, 1830
Newel Knight and his wife visit Joseph Smith, Jr., in Harmony (PA). Joseph Smith receives a revelation (D&C 27:1-4) concerning use of wine in the sacrament. Joseph and Emma Smith, Newel and Sally Knight, and John Whitmer hold a sacrament meeting, after which Emma and Sally are confirmed . ... The absence of D&C 27:5-18 from the Book of Commandments indicates that these verses were more likely composed in 1835 prior to publication in the Doctrine and Covenants.
[Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
[Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
195 years ago today - Sep 4, 1830
[D&C 27]
Use whatever you want for the sacrament. Do not purchase alcohol from enemies -drink only what you produce yourselves. Soon I will drink with you and Moroni , other prophets and patriarchs who hold keys of restoration.
[Kenney, Scott; Saints Without Halos, 'Doctrine and Covenants,' http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/s/_dc.phtml]
Use whatever you want for the sacrament. Do not purchase alcohol from enemies -drink only what you produce yourselves. Soon I will drink with you and Moroni , other prophets and patriarchs who hold keys of restoration.
[Kenney, Scott; Saints Without Halos, 'Doctrine and Covenants,' http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/s/_dc.phtml]
15 years ago today - 2010 September 3
Documentary 'Tabloid' (directed by Errol Morris) released, dealing with the notorious Mormon sex in chains case and British tabloid war.
[Wikipedia, 21st Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_century_(Mormonism)]
[Wikipedia, 21st Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_century_(Mormonism)]
50 years ago today - Sep 3, 1975-Wednesday
[Leonard Arrington]
Last night Grace and I were invited to the Sterling Sills for dinner... Also at the dinner were: Theodore and Minnie Burton, Franklin D. and Helen Richards, ElRay and Luella Christiansen, and Joseph and Norma Anderson. It was an interesting evening for us since all were General Authorities and Assistants to the Twelve but us. ...
Elder [Franklin D.] Richards reminded Elder [Sterling W.] Sill of the occasion when they were at the end of a conference session and he gave a marvelous [two-minute] talk. This apparently happened at least three times. At the first, he induced President [David O.] McKay to "skip him" by saying he got to talk anyway on the radio every Sunday. [[Sill delivered a Sunday evening radio program from Temple Square on church- owned KSL radio from 1960 to 1977.]] "Let someone else talk." The next time, October 1961, they were already over time. Before the meeting, he told President [N. Eldon] Tanner he had a 15-minute talk, a one-minute talk, but thought they ought to skip him entirely because he had these other opportunities of talking. But when it came time, President Tanner called on him anyway for a few remarks. He got up and gave the famous "nut" talk that Elder Richards remembered. (Maybe as late as 1965 conference; perhaps not the October 1961). About picking up a black
walnut, hard, hard shell. But has within it a power to split it open and from it a great tree grows. [[The talk given by Sill on September 29, 1967, in general conference consisted of only 321 words. Conference Report, Oct. 1967, GospeLink Digital Library.]] Took 2 minutes 10 seconds. President Tanner said he took 50 seconds too long! Then another one minute talk on occasion. Check the conference proceedings for these gems. Elder Sill is hearty at repartee, always has a funny little remark or story. I noted one of two "Jewish" jokes.
Apparently the Brethren have trouble hearing some of their number in their meetings in the temple-brethren who do not project their voices. Apparently they have particular trouble hearing Bishop Victor Brown and Elder Bernard Brockbank....
We learned that many, if not all, the General Authorities still do home teaching and have regular assignments from their quorums. Also that it was relatively recent, perhaps under President McKay, that church procedures provide for passing the Sacrament first to the presiding authority. Also that President Grant, in the meetings in the temple, upon being offered the Sacrament first, passed it first to his first counselor, then to his second, then partook himself. To show that they were "equals." Shows the progressive institutionalization of the position of Prophet.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Last night Grace and I were invited to the Sterling Sills for dinner... Also at the dinner were: Theodore and Minnie Burton, Franklin D. and Helen Richards, ElRay and Luella Christiansen, and Joseph and Norma Anderson. It was an interesting evening for us since all were General Authorities and Assistants to the Twelve but us. ...
Elder [Franklin D.] Richards reminded Elder [Sterling W.] Sill of the occasion when they were at the end of a conference session and he gave a marvelous [two-minute] talk. This apparently happened at least three times. At the first, he induced President [David O.] McKay to "skip him" by saying he got to talk anyway on the radio every Sunday. [[Sill delivered a Sunday evening radio program from Temple Square on church- owned KSL radio from 1960 to 1977.]] "Let someone else talk." The next time, October 1961, they were already over time. Before the meeting, he told President [N. Eldon] Tanner he had a 15-minute talk, a one-minute talk, but thought they ought to skip him entirely because he had these other opportunities of talking. But when it came time, President Tanner called on him anyway for a few remarks. He got up and gave the famous "nut" talk that Elder Richards remembered. (Maybe as late as 1965 conference; perhaps not the October 1961). About picking up a black
walnut, hard, hard shell. But has within it a power to split it open and from it a great tree grows. [[The talk given by Sill on September 29, 1967, in general conference consisted of only 321 words. Conference Report, Oct. 1967, GospeLink Digital Library.]] Took 2 minutes 10 seconds. President Tanner said he took 50 seconds too long! Then another one minute talk on occasion. Check the conference proceedings for these gems. Elder Sill is hearty at repartee, always has a funny little remark or story. I noted one of two "Jewish" jokes.
Apparently the Brethren have trouble hearing some of their number in their meetings in the temple-brethren who do not project their voices. Apparently they have particular trouble hearing Bishop Victor Brown and Elder Bernard Brockbank....
We learned that many, if not all, the General Authorities still do home teaching and have regular assignments from their quorums. Also that it was relatively recent, perhaps under President McKay, that church procedures provide for passing the Sacrament first to the presiding authority. Also that President Grant, in the meetings in the temple, upon being offered the Sacrament first, passed it first to his first counselor, then to his second, then partook himself. To show that they were "equals." Shows the progressive institutionalization of the position of Prophet.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
130 years ago today - Sept 3: Tueaday. [1895]
[Abigail Cowley]
My husband took me to the Logan Temple where I was washed and anoited [sic] for my future health by Sisters Mary Richards and Sister Parry. Bro. Edlifsen administered to me.
[Abigail Cowley diary, Vol. 1, p. 220]
My husband took me to the Logan Temple where I was washed and anoited [sic] for my future health by Sisters Mary Richards and Sister Parry. Bro. Edlifsen administered to me.
[Abigail Cowley diary, Vol. 1, p. 220]
135 years ago today - Sep 3, 1890
The complete First Presidency left Utah so that they could not be subpoenaed to testify in a court case that would have meant the federal government would have taken the four Mormon temples either completed or nearly completed. They went to San Francisco to meet with Estee and make a deal.
[Tungate, Mel, Mormon Polygamy, http://www.tungate.com/polygamy.htm]
[Tungate, Mel, Mormon Polygamy, http://www.tungate.com/polygamy.htm]
145 years ago today - Sep 3, 1880
The Deseret News Company organized and incorporated with John Taylor as president. Entire LDS printing and publishing establishment purchased and transferred to the Deseret News Company.
[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]
165 years ago today - Sep 3, 1860
Brigham Young's office journal recoreds: "The President alluded to a joke between him and Dr Willard Richards. The Pres[ident] had [sic] once s[ai]d to him if you will make a gentleman of me I will make a real man of you."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
180 years ago today - Mar 9, 1845
In discourses to priesthood quorums, Brigham Young, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, expressed his opposition to further Relief Society meetings.
[Matthew J. Grow, Kate Holbrook, Carol Cornwall Madsen, Jill Mulvay Derr, The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women's History, Chronology. https://churchhistorianspress.org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/events]
[Matthew J. Grow, Kate Holbrook, Carol Cornwall Madsen, Jill Mulvay Derr, The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women's History, Chronology. https://churchhistorianspress.org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/events]
180 years ago today - 1845 3 Sept.
Nauvoo Neighbor reports the first suicide by a Mormon woman. She slit her throat with a straight-edged razor "in a state of mental aberration."
[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 - Sep 3, 1845
Newel K. Whitney gave William Clayton a list of Anointed Quorum members from 1843 to Joseph Smith's death in 1844. The list is organized according to their entry before or after 9 Dec. 1843 (rearranged the list and inadvertently obscured the significance of its chronological scheme).
[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]
[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]
60 years ago today - Sep 2, 1965
Son of Ezra Taft Benson -- Reed Benson escalated both the Birch conflict and racial tensions in Mormonism with a memorandum to all Birch Society chapters in Utah on 2 September 1965:
It is common knowledge that the Civil Rights Movement is Communist controlled, influenced and dominated. . . . Our founder and guide, Mr. Robert Welch, has instructed us that when necessary we must adopt the communist technique in our ever present battle against Godless Communism. It is urged that in the coming weeks the Utah Chapters begin a whispering campaign and foster rumors that the Civil Rights groups are going to organize demonstrations in Salt Lake City in connection with the forthcoming LDS conference. . . . A few well placed comments will soon mushroom out of control and before the conference begins there will be such a feeling of unrest and distrust that the populace will hardly know who to believe. The news media will play it to the very hilt. No matter what the Civil Rights leaders may try to say to deny it the seed will have been sown and again the Civil Rights movement will suffer a telling blow.
[Reed A. Benson, "Memo to the Utah Chapters," 2 Sept. 1965, on letterhead of the John Birch Society, photocopy in Williams Papers; Quinn G. McKay to J. D. Williams, 20 May 1966, Williams Papers. 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.]
It is common knowledge that the Civil Rights Movement is Communist controlled, influenced and dominated. . . . Our founder and guide, Mr. Robert Welch, has instructed us that when necessary we must adopt the communist technique in our ever present battle against Godless Communism. It is urged that in the coming weeks the Utah Chapters begin a whispering campaign and foster rumors that the Civil Rights groups are going to organize demonstrations in Salt Lake City in connection with the forthcoming LDS conference. . . . A few well placed comments will soon mushroom out of control and before the conference begins there will be such a feeling of unrest and distrust that the populace will hardly know who to believe. The news media will play it to the very hilt. No matter what the Civil Rights leaders may try to say to deny it the seed will have been sown and again the Civil Rights movement will suffer a telling blow.
[Reed A. Benson, "Memo to the Utah Chapters," 2 Sept. 1965, on letterhead of the John Birch Society, photocopy in Williams Papers; Quinn G. McKay to J. D. Williams, 20 May 1966, Williams Papers. 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.]
150 years ago today - Sep 2, 1875
The day after his father (George A. Smith, First Counselor to Brigham Young) dies Apostle John Henry Smith writes, "Father still lays in the ice and is keeping very nicely."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
170 years ago today - Sep 2, 1855 (Sunday)
The Ute and Shoshone Indians met in front of the Deseret News office, G.S.L. City, and entered into a treaty of peace.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
170 years ago today - Sep 2, 1855
P P Pratt[:] I told Sam Brannan's Mother in law, that Sam would never die, until he saw the time, that he wanted money to buy a piece of bread'- B Y[:] I sa[y] Amen to that'-H[eber] C K[imball]. Amen'- ... B Y[:] San Bernardino is the half way house this side of hell'-
[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]
[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]
175 years ago today - Sep 2, 1850
Joseph E. Johnson is on trial impregnating one of Apostle Lorenzo Snow's plural wives. A Church court in Kanesville, Iowa, had already decided that "his priesthood was required to be laid down [i.e., he was disfellowshipped] until he came here" to Salt Lake City. Johnson said "I never heard any conversation to say it was right to go to bed with a woman if not found out--I was aware the thing [with Mrs. Snow] was wrong." He told the court "He was familiar with the first frigging -- that was done in his house with his mother in law [Mary Heron Snyder (Snider)] -- by Joseph [Smith]." He added " I knew at the time I was doing wrong [with Mrs. Snow] -- I never av [have] taken any body as a[n] excuse -- I never plighted my faith on Joseph's transactions."
In 1850 Joseph E. Johnson was not an uninformed novice about Joseph Smith's polygamy a decade earlier. Two of his sisters (Delcena in 1842, then Almera in 1843) married the Prophet, who also performed the polygamous marriage for their brother Benjamin F. Johnson, after which Joseph Smith unsuccessfully asked to marry yet another of the Johnson family's daughters in the spring of 1843 (16-year-old Esther).
[Council meeting and trial of Joseph E. Johnson, 2 September 1850, Miscellaneous Minutes, Brigham Young Papers, referenced in "Evidence For The Sexual Side of Joseph Smith's Polygamy," Comments by D. Michael Quinn on Session #2A "Reconsidering Joseph Smith's Marital Practices," Mormon History Association's Annual Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 29 June 2012 (unabbreviated version, revised during July)]
In 1850 Joseph E. Johnson was not an uninformed novice about Joseph Smith's polygamy a decade earlier. Two of his sisters (Delcena in 1842, then Almera in 1843) married the Prophet, who also performed the polygamous marriage for their brother Benjamin F. Johnson, after which Joseph Smith unsuccessfully asked to marry yet another of the Johnson family's daughters in the spring of 1843 (16-year-old Esther).
[Council meeting and trial of Joseph E. Johnson, 2 September 1850, Miscellaneous Minutes, Brigham Young Papers, referenced in "Evidence For The Sexual Side of Joseph Smith's Polygamy," Comments by D. Michael Quinn on Session #2A "Reconsidering Joseph Smith's Marital Practices," Mormon History Association's Annual Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 29 June 2012 (unabbreviated version, revised during July)]
180 years ago today - Sep 2, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Polly Colten given by William Smith ... for of thy posterity shall spring up mighty men and they shall wield the sword in Zion[']s defence and go forth to avenge the blood of Prophets ...
[Marquardt Papers, U of U]
[Marquardt Papers, U of U]
30 years ago today - Sep 1, 1995
The Ensign magazine publishes the First Presidency message by second counselor James E. Faust which denounces "the false belief of inborn homosexual orientation." Next month's Ensign contains what appears as one apostle's direct challenge to the First Presidency's unequivical statement. In his October article "Same-Gender Attraction," Dallin H. Oaks writes: "There are also theories and some evidence that inheritance is a factor in susceptibilities to various behavior-related disorders like aggression, alcoholism, and obesity. It is easy to hypothesize that inheritance plays a role in sexual orientation."
[, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
60 years ago today - Sep 1, 1965
On 17 August the society's "Major Coordinators" sent instructions to all the Birch officers in California to take "immediate action" to "expose the so-called Civil Rights Movement." On 1 September 1965, the day before [apostle Ezra Taft Benson's son] Reed Benson's letter, a follow-up letter instructed Birch Society leaders in Los Angeles County to "take advantage of the current situation" as a means of repudiating civil rights activism.
[D. Richard Pine and Charles R. Armour to "All Coordinators, Section Leaders and Chapter Leaders in California," 17 Aug. 1965, and D. Richard Pine to "Coordinators, Section Leaders and Chapter Leaders—L.A. County," 1 Sept. 1965, in Harvey B. Schechter, How To Listen to a John Birch Society Speaker, 3d. ed. rev. (New York: Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, 1967), 25-26; Benjamin R. Epstein and Arnold Forster, The Radical Right: Report on the John Birch Society and Its Allies (New York: Random House, 1967), 12; Lipset and Raab, Politics of Unreason, 268. For the position of Major Coordinator, see Welch, The Blue Book of the John Birch Society, 152. 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.]
[D. Richard Pine and Charles R. Armour to "All Coordinators, Section Leaders and Chapter Leaders in California," 17 Aug. 1965, and D. Richard Pine to "Coordinators, Section Leaders and Chapter Leaders—L.A. County," 1 Sept. 1965, in Harvey B. Schechter, How To Listen to a John Birch Society Speaker, 3d. ed. rev. (New York: Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, 1967), 25-26; Benjamin R. Epstein and Arnold Forster, The Radical Right: Report on the John Birch Society and Its Allies (New York: Random House, 1967), 12; Lipset and Raab, Politics of Unreason, 268. For the position of Major Coordinator, see Welch, The Blue Book of the John Birch Society, 152. 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.]
115 years ago today - Sep 1, 1910
[Mormon Tabernacle Choir]
Under Evan Stephens, the first recording of the choir was made on 1 September 1910.
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Mormon Tabernacle Choir, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
Under Evan Stephens, the first recording of the choir was made on 1 September 1910.
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Mormon Tabernacle Choir, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
135 years ago today - Sep 1, 1890
Federal officials indicate that they intend to confiscate the LDS temples. Presidents Woodruff and Cannon soon leave for San Francisco to avoid a subpoena to testify.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
155 years ago today - Sep 1, 1870
Salt Lake City's 9th Ward reports that only thirty-one of its 181 families attends Sunday services regularly and 50 percent of families are "perfectly indifferent."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
185 years ago today - Sep 1, 1840
John C. Bennett arrives in Nauvoo. Within eight months he joins the Church, helps secure a city charter, is cited by revelation to "help [Joseph Smith] in your labor in sending my word to the kings and people of the earth, and stand by . . . Joseph Smith, in the hour of affliction, and its reward shall not fail, if he should receive counsel," is elected mayor of Nauvoo, becomes chancellor of the University of the City of Nauvoo, is appointed Major-General of the Nauvoo Legion, and becomes assistant president in the First Presidency.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
190 years ago today - Sep 1, 1835
Joseph writes a letter to the elders of the Church ...[which] outlines the problems in Missouri. Joseph admits that some members may have caused some of the problems in Missouri because "many, having a zeal not according to knowledge, and not understanding the pure principles of the doctrine of the Church, have no doubt, in the heat of enthusiasm, taught and said many things which were derogatory to the genuine character and principles of the Church; and for these things we are heartily sorry, and would apologize, if apology would do any good."
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
195 years ago today - Sep 1, 1830
W. W. Phelps is the Canandaigua, N.Y. seller of the 'Anti Masonic Almanac, for the year 1831.' It includes details of Masonic signs, grips, penalties, the five points of fellowship, etc...
[Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]
[Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]
130 years ago today - Aug 31, 1895 (Saturday)
The Utah Supreme Court decided that women were not entitled to vote at the November election.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
145 years ago today - Aug 31, 1880
Pres[iden]t [of St. George Temple] J[ohn] D. T. McAllister [said] ... With regard to new Names, give easy names to be understood: Scripture names or names not in the Scripture, there are many good names of those who have lived upon the earth which are easy to understand[;] don't give any fanciful names, [and] be Sure they get the New Name and that they understand it. ... During the time of the Endowments, there Should be no knitting or Sewing in any of the rooms, no loud talking or noise. ...
[Minutes, Meeting of Workers in St. George Temple, Aug. 31, 1880, typed excerpt, Buerger Papers, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Minutes, Meeting of Workers in St. George Temple, Aug. 31, 1880, typed excerpt, Buerger Papers, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
150 years ago today - Aug 31, 1875
The United Order of Salt Lake City No. 1 Met in the old Tabernacle at 10 oclok, being the first Presidency, Twelve Apostles, & some fifty others without wives. ...
He [Brigham Young] Said I am the Presidet of the Twelve Apostles & the Lord has Never acknowledged any other man as the Presidet of the Twelve except myself ownly what was said about Thomas B. Marsh and it is the duty of the Twelve to know the mind and will of God Concerning them and their duties as much as for me to know it. Our wives were received into the order and Children.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
He [Brigham Young] Said I am the Presidet of the Twelve Apostles & the Lord has Never acknowledged any other man as the Presidet of the Twelve except myself ownly what was said about Thomas B. Marsh and it is the duty of the Twelve to know the mind and will of God Concerning them and their duties as much as for me to know it. Our wives were received into the order and Children.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
90 years ago today - Aug 30, 1935
[Heber J. Grant]
.... I do not claim to have received any special revelation for the people, but I do claim that the Lord had directed me and helped me beyond my natural ability to accomplish the work evolving upon me as President of the Church....
So far as changing the language of the ordination to the Priesthood is concerned permit me to say that president Joseph F. Smith said it did not make a particle of difference s to the exact language in conferring the Priesthood, whether the one officiating said 'I ordain you to the Aaronic'or Melchizedek'Priesthood'; and then set the person apart to an office in the Priesthood; or whether he ordained him to an office in the Priesthood and gave him all the authority pertaining to that particular office. You need not worry as to whether you have the Priesthood, but you should see earnestly to the Lord to help you to magnify the Priesthood. ...
The Church is the principal stockholder in the Sugar Company, and under the inspiration of the Lord, in my judgment, to Wilford Woodruff, the Church borrowed money and loaned it to the Sugar Company to establish the first beet factory ever built in the United States with American machinery. Brother Woodruff said, 'When I think of not establishing this industry and pray about it, it is darkness; and when I think of the Church helping and getting the money and building this factory, it is light'; and I have followed the light all my life, and we are going to follow it in building the Lehi factory. ...
The Prophet Joseph Smith gave a key that the majority of the authorities would never go wrong. ... Brigham Young had said that anyone who would fool with a planchette would be led into spiritualism, and of course that meant apostasy. 'The fruits of the Gospel are health and vigor of body and mind; the fruits of spiritualism,' President young said, 'are suicide and insanity.' ...
I understand that Mr. Godbe's [of the Godbeite spiritualist breakoff] wife went insane. ... [Godbe's son] committed suicide.
One of my schoolmates who joined 'The New Movement' as the followers of Godbe were called one of the brightest and most intelligent young men in school, finally committed suicide.
Neither you nor any other man will ever go wrong if you follow the majority of the Presidency and the Apostles. ...
Any claim by any person that he received authority from President John Taylor to do that which is contrary to the decisions and counsel of the constituted Authorities of the Church, is an absolute falsehood. [Fundementalist leader] Lorin Woolley claimed to have this authority. He was a falsifier. He claimed to have followed me to a hotel in Los Angeles, and that while there he heard Anthony W. Ivins perform a ceremony marrying a wife to me. This was a falsehood, as Anthony W. Ivins and I were never in a hotel together in Los Angeles. Woolley was excommunicated from the Church for lieing, and he is now dead and gone. ...
There is no necessity ... for you to go without food and water for two days in order to get spiritual advice; all you need to do is keep the commandment of the Lord, and the Lord will bless you with wisdom and strength. I know any number of people who have fasted until they lost their minds. You will never feel more sure of yourself by shaking hands with me, as to whether or not I am a Prophet of God. The only way you can get that knowledge is by living the Gospel. All you need to do, my dear brother, is to be a trit observer of the Word of Wisdom and a tithe-payer, and to keep the promises that you made in the temple of God, to sustain the Authorities of the Church, and to keep all the commandments the Lord has given or may give.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Burton Dye, 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 do not claim to have received any special revelation for the people, but I do claim that the Lord had directed me and helped me beyond my natural ability to accomplish the work evolving upon me as President of the Church....
So far as changing the language of the ordination to the Priesthood is concerned permit me to say that president Joseph F. Smith said it did not make a particle of difference s to the exact language in conferring the Priesthood, whether the one officiating said 'I ordain you to the Aaronic'or Melchizedek'Priesthood'; and then set the person apart to an office in the Priesthood; or whether he ordained him to an office in the Priesthood and gave him all the authority pertaining to that particular office. You need not worry as to whether you have the Priesthood, but you should see earnestly to the Lord to help you to magnify the Priesthood. ...
The Church is the principal stockholder in the Sugar Company, and under the inspiration of the Lord, in my judgment, to Wilford Woodruff, the Church borrowed money and loaned it to the Sugar Company to establish the first beet factory ever built in the United States with American machinery. Brother Woodruff said, 'When I think of not establishing this industry and pray about it, it is darkness; and when I think of the Church helping and getting the money and building this factory, it is light'; and I have followed the light all my life, and we are going to follow it in building the Lehi factory. ...
The Prophet Joseph Smith gave a key that the majority of the authorities would never go wrong. ... Brigham Young had said that anyone who would fool with a planchette would be led into spiritualism, and of course that meant apostasy. 'The fruits of the Gospel are health and vigor of body and mind; the fruits of spiritualism,' President young said, 'are suicide and insanity.' ...
I understand that Mr. Godbe's [of the Godbeite spiritualist breakoff] wife went insane. ... [Godbe's son] committed suicide.
One of my schoolmates who joined 'The New Movement' as the followers of Godbe were called one of the brightest and most intelligent young men in school, finally committed suicide.
Neither you nor any other man will ever go wrong if you follow the majority of the Presidency and the Apostles. ...
Any claim by any person that he received authority from President John Taylor to do that which is contrary to the decisions and counsel of the constituted Authorities of the Church, is an absolute falsehood. [Fundementalist leader] Lorin Woolley claimed to have this authority. He was a falsifier. He claimed to have followed me to a hotel in Los Angeles, and that while there he heard Anthony W. Ivins perform a ceremony marrying a wife to me. This was a falsehood, as Anthony W. Ivins and I were never in a hotel together in Los Angeles. Woolley was excommunicated from the Church for lieing, and he is now dead and gone. ...
There is no necessity ... for you to go without food and water for two days in order to get spiritual advice; all you need to do is keep the commandment of the Lord, and the Lord will bless you with wisdom and strength. I know any number of people who have fasted until they lost their minds. You will never feel more sure of yourself by shaking hands with me, as to whether or not I am a Prophet of God. The only way you can get that knowledge is by living the Gospel. All you need to do, my dear brother, is to be a trit observer of the Word of Wisdom and a tithe-payer, and to keep the promises that you made in the temple of God, to sustain the Authorities of the Church, and to keep all the commandments the Lord has given or may give.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Burton Dye, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
90 years ago today - Aug 30, 1935
[Heber J. Grant]
I am in a good deal the same position as my beloved counselor, Brother [Charles W.] Penrose. I don't realize anything about old age. I often had to turn my head to keep from laughing in his face when we would be discussing somebody who was seventy-five years of age, and he would say very rapidly 'too old, too old; never do, never do; must get a younger man.' He didn't seem to realize when he made that remark that he was fifteen years older than the man we were discussing.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Mark Austin, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
I am in a good deal the same position as my beloved counselor, Brother [Charles W.] Penrose. I don't realize anything about old age. I often had to turn my head to keep from laughing in his face when we would be discussing somebody who was seventy-five years of age, and he would say very rapidly 'too old, too old; never do, never do; must get a younger man.' He didn't seem to realize when he made that remark that he was fifteen years older than the man we were discussing.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Mark Austin, 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 - Aug 30, 1870
Martin Harris, one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, arrives in Salt Lake City at the age of eighty-eight, after having been separated from the Church for nearly thirty-three years.
175 years ago today - Aug 30, 1850
This evening Milo Andrus and a company of about 50 waggons of saints arrived here all in good spirits it seems. Capt Andrus waggon bore a large flag with Holiness to the Lord inscribed on it. This is the first Co of Saints that has come in this year although several families have arrived previously.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
65 years ago today - Late August, 1960
At Presidential candidate Richard Nixon's urging, U.S. President Eisenhower agreed to absent his divisive Secretary of Agriculture Ezra Taft Benson from the unfolding political drama by sending him on several trade missions in exchange for which Nixon would not publicly disavow either Benson or his farm policy. At first, Benson apparently did not comprehend that he was being deliberately sidelined, for he returned from Europe and the Middle East in late August 1960 itching for partisan battle. He publicly charged Kennedy with "flip-flopping" on agriculture, proclaimed the Nixon ticket as "the nation's best hope," and even asserted—despite some private misgivings—that Nixon would be a "great and beloved President."
Later that fall, however, when asked to spearhead a second overseas mission, Benson realized that party leaders were intentionally snubbing him. Benson then quietly withdrew from active politicking and instead focused on his department affairs.
[Gary James Bergera, "Weak-Kneed Republicans and Socialist Democrats": Ezra Taft Benson as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, 1953-61, Part 2, Dialogue : A Journal of Mormon Thought, (Winter 2008, vol 41)]
Later that fall, however, when asked to spearhead a second overseas mission, Benson realized that party leaders were intentionally snubbing him. Benson then quietly withdrew from active politicking and instead focused on his department affairs.
[Gary James Bergera, "Weak-Kneed Republicans and Socialist Democrats": Ezra Taft Benson as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, 1953-61, Part 2, Dialogue : A Journal of Mormon Thought, (Winter 2008, vol 41)]
90 years ago today - Aug 29, 1935
[Heber J. Grant]
In answer to your letter of the 25th, will say that the advice of the Presidency of the Church from the days of Brigham Young until now has been that our people do not play cards, and I know of no change in the attitude of the Church toward this matter ...
Several of my daughters have been the only ones at social gatherings who did not play cards. One of the reasons why I am emphatically opposed to card playing is that it is a waste of time and creates such an appetite for the game, that people sometimes stay up until after midnight playing cards.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Ora Lee Knecht, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
In answer to your letter of the 25th, will say that the advice of the Presidency of the Church from the days of Brigham Young until now has been that our people do not play cards, and I know of no change in the attitude of the Church toward this matter ...
Several of my daughters have been the only ones at social gatherings who did not play cards. One of the reasons why I am emphatically opposed to card playing is that it is a waste of time and creates such an appetite for the game, that people sometimes stay up until after midnight playing cards.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Ora Lee Knecht, 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]
40 years ago today - Aug 28, 1985
The Restoration Church of Jesus Christ, and LDS offshoot, is organized in Los Angeles. Its membership is primarily gays and lesbians. It also condones gay polygamy. Temporary president of the church, Antonio A. Feliz (former LDS bishop) states: "If a group of people feels that a plural relationship is confirmed by the Lord and the presidency has no objection, a sealing will be performed."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
75 years ago today - Aug 28, 1950
[Joseph Fielding Smith]
This morning with Elders Harold B. Lee, Marion G. Romney and Thomas Romney, I had an argument and some difficulty with Dr. Heber C. Snell. Dr. Sterling McMurrin was with him at my invitation. He has been an instructor at the Institute in Logan for several years, and he previously taught in Pocatello and other places in the Church school system. For many years I have felt that his teachings were antagonistic, or to say the least, out of harmony with the fundamental teachings of the Church. Some time ago he wrote a book the title being 'Ancient Israel, Its Story and Meaning.' In my opinion this book is filled with doctrinal and historical errors. I had an interview with him one other time when he was mild and reasonable to some degree. Today he was almost defiant and in the course of the conversation we learned that he is antagonistic to the teachings of the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. He does not accept any revelation from the Prophet Joseph
Smith that is in conflict with the opinions of the higher critic scholars. Our meeting was not a pleasant one.
[Joseph Fielding Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
This morning with Elders Harold B. Lee, Marion G. Romney and Thomas Romney, I had an argument and some difficulty with Dr. Heber C. Snell. Dr. Sterling McMurrin was with him at my invitation. He has been an instructor at the Institute in Logan for several years, and he previously taught in Pocatello and other places in the Church school system. For many years I have felt that his teachings were antagonistic, or to say the least, out of harmony with the fundamental teachings of the Church. Some time ago he wrote a book the title being 'Ancient Israel, Its Story and Meaning.' In my opinion this book is filled with doctrinal and historical errors. I had an interview with him one other time when he was mild and reasonable to some degree. Today he was almost defiant and in the course of the conversation we learned that he is antagonistic to the teachings of the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants and Pearl of Great Price. He does not accept any revelation from the Prophet Joseph
Smith that is in conflict with the opinions of the higher critic scholars. Our meeting was not a pleasant one.
[Joseph Fielding Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
75 years ago today - Aug 28, 1950
At 3:30 I went to Dr. Ralph Rigby who operated on my throat some months ago. He said that it was practically healed and he was delighted to recommend that I be permitted to do rather complete and full work. I reported this to President Clark who seemed very pleased.
[Spencer W. Kimball, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Spencer W. Kimball, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
90 years ago today - Aug 28, 1935
[Heber J. Grant]
In your letter of August 18 you make inquiry regarding John H. Koyle and the 'Koyle' mine.
Koyle is not a bishop in the Church and has not been for many years. The 'Koyle Dream' mine has been mining for gold for some thirty-odd years, as I remember, but has never found any gold. I have talked with expert mining men regarding the mine, and they tell me there has never been any ore in it worthy of the expenditure of any money in a search for gold. I have understood that they abandoned some of their operations, and that Koyle received new revelations that they should start in a new direction.
I have never seen the mine, have merely had the location of the mine pointed out to me. The Church has frequently warned its members against investing in 'ream' mines.
... The 'Koyle' mine is a very splendid institution to let alone, in my judgment.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Mrs. John R. Allen, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
In your letter of August 18 you make inquiry regarding John H. Koyle and the 'Koyle' mine.
Koyle is not a bishop in the Church and has not been for many years. The 'Koyle Dream' mine has been mining for gold for some thirty-odd years, as I remember, but has never found any gold. I have talked with expert mining men regarding the mine, and they tell me there has never been any ore in it worthy of the expenditure of any money in a search for gold. I have understood that they abandoned some of their operations, and that Koyle received new revelations that they should start in a new direction.
I have never seen the mine, have merely had the location of the mine pointed out to me. The Church has frequently warned its members against investing in 'ream' mines.
... The 'Koyle' mine is a very splendid institution to let alone, in my judgment.
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Mrs. John R. Allen, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
135 years ago today - Aug 28, 1890
[Dedication Iosopa, west of Salt Lake for Hawaiian settlement - reported by Wilford Woodruff]
28 We held a Meeting with Saints. We had a procession of the people. I headed the procession followed by G Q Cannon J F Smith followed by all the people. The Native women from the Islands were all Dressed in beautiful white. One waggon Driven By Frank Knowlton loaded with Sage Brush & Indians representing Utah as it was. Another waggon Driven with wheat Corn oats & Barley & fruits representing Utah as it is. We marched around the flag pole in the City plot then down to the bowery whare we had a feast. The Meats were Cooked as the Kan[ackers?] Cook it on the Islands in a hole in the ground.
After our Dinner we Assembled together and had an oration Delive[re]d by one of the Natives. He was a powerfull Orator. W Woodruff then addressed them which was interpeted by J F Smith who also addressed them near one hour. When He Closed W Woodruff Dedicated the Land & place with all its Contents in the English Language. Then Joseph F Smith Dedicated it in the Hawaiion Language after which Wm. King Dismissed the Assembly. It was a Day long to be remembered by these Natives. In fact it was a vary interesting day to me.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
28 We held a Meeting with Saints. We had a procession of the people. I headed the procession followed by G Q Cannon J F Smith followed by all the people. The Native women from the Islands were all Dressed in beautiful white. One waggon Driven By Frank Knowlton loaded with Sage Brush & Indians representing Utah as it was. Another waggon Driven with wheat Corn oats & Barley & fruits representing Utah as it is. We marched around the flag pole in the City plot then down to the bowery whare we had a feast. The Meats were Cooked as the Kan[ackers?] Cook it on the Islands in a hole in the ground.
After our Dinner we Assembled together and had an oration Delive[re]d by one of the Natives. He was a powerfull Orator. W Woodruff then addressed them which was interpeted by J F Smith who also addressed them near one hour. When He Closed W Woodruff Dedicated the Land & place with all its Contents in the English Language. Then Joseph F Smith Dedicated it in the Hawaiion Language after which Wm. King Dismissed the Assembly. It was a Day long to be remembered by these Natives. In fact it was a vary interesting day to me.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
125 years ago today - Aug 28, 1900; Tuesday
Brother L. John Nuttall received a letter from [possible plural wife of the late Wilford Woodruff] Madam [Lydia Von Finklestein] Mountford, in which she expressed a desire to come out here from New York, for a short visit and rest, but that she did not feel herself financially able to pay her expenses. Brother Nuttall having represented that he would look after her during her stay here and board her in his family, it was concluded to appropriate her railroad fare and expenses.
Sister Susa Y. Gates had been invited to attend the National Household Economic Association Conference to be held at Toronto, and read a paper, but she could not afford to do so, but intimated a desire to respond to the invitation provided the Church could pay her railroad fares. It was decided to pay her fare.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
Sister Susa Y. Gates had been invited to attend the National Household Economic Association Conference to be held at Toronto, and read a paper, but she could not afford to do so, but intimated a desire to respond to the invitation provided the Church could pay her railroad fares. It was decided to pay her fare.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
145 years ago today - Aug 28, 1880
George Reynolds, incarcerated for plural marriage, decides to prepare a concordance to the Book of Mormon while in prison. Over the course of the project, Reynolds prepares and transcribes as many as 350 passages per day from the Book of Mormon and completes 25,000 entries by the time he is released in January 1881. The concordance is completed in 1899.
180 years ago today - 28 August 1845, Thursday
P.M. met at Dr Richards with Prest. B. Young, H.C. Kimball, P.P. Pratt, W. Richards, J. Taylor, G.A. Smith, A. Lyman, N.K. Whitney, G. Miller, O. Spencer and J. Young. It was voted to select three thousand men who are able to bear arms to prepare this winter to start to California next spring with their families. Prayers were offered up for the usual subjects.
[Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries]
[Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries]
180 years ago today - Aug 28 [1845]
[Brigham Young]
I went on to the hill got brother Parley came down to Geo. A. Smiths, from there to the Nauvoo House then to Bro. Nickersons, and then to Edward Meachaim's found him possessed of the devil, laid hands on him.
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
I went on to the hill got brother Parley came down to Geo. A. Smiths, from there to the Nauvoo House then to Bro. Nickersons, and then to Edward Meachaim's found him possessed of the devil, laid hands on him.
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
190 years ago today - late Aug 1835
Joseph Smith asked Levi Hancock to take Fanny Alger [probable first plural wife of Joseph Smith] to Missouri. She and her family left the following month, and after a lengthy stop-over in Indiana (for unclear reasons, perhaps her pregnancy), reached Missouri a year later. [Joseph Smith also preached this day about the duty of wives]
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
195 years ago today - 1830 late Aug.
Oliver wrote from Fayette to Joseph Smith, Jr. in Harmony and told Joseph that he must recant a portion of a "revelation." Apparently Oliver felt that Joseph was inserting his own words into divine communications and thus creating "priestcraft" within the Church of Christ.
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Oliver Cowdery Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/Cdychrn1.htm]
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Oliver Cowdery Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/Cdychrn1.htm]
40 years ago today - Aug 27, 1985.
Elder Russell M. Nelson, speaking at Brigham Young University, comments, "Some truths are best left unsaid. . . . Extortion by threat of disclosing truth is labelled `blackmail.' Is sordid disclosure for personal attention or financial gain not closely related?"
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
50 years ago today - Aug 27, 1975-Wednesday
[Leonard Arrington]
Yesterday President Ernest Wilkinson spent an hour with me in the late afternoon ... It appears that Bob Thomas and Dallin Oaks, sensing the problems involved in him writing about his and the Oaks administrations for the third volume of the BYU history had recommended that a co-editor be appointed with him for the third volume. Specifically they had recommended Frank Fox as the co-editor. ... he was totally opposed to a collaboration with Frank Fox. Frank Fox was too young and inexperienced. He had already indicated that his approach was completely different than that of President Wilkinson, and President Wilkinson had read his book on Madison Avenue and World War II, which was so sophisticated and so filled with "clever" words and sophisticated expressions that it was not lucid or understandable or even interesting to the people who will be reading the BYU history. After giving the matter careful thought, President Wilkinson had decided to ask me if he might suggest my name to
be co-editor with him. His reasons for doing this were (a) He was now inclined to agree with President Oaks and Dr. Thomas that readers of the third volume would assume his prejudicial point of view whether or not it existed and that it would be more believable if a co-author be also listed; (b) unlike Dr. Fox I had carefully read through all the chapters in volume one and volume two and was well acquainted with the first two volumes; (c) I had had lots of experience in these matters; and (d) he had built up respect for my competence and judgment. He almost pled with me to agree to this. He also said he had not mentioned it to anyone but Roy Bird and did not expect to do so until I responded one way or the other. He also said that he was putting $50,000 of his own money into support of the three-volume history and he thought he was entitled to some consideration whatever arrangements were determined upon. ... I responded to President Wilkinson that I would think the matter over and
talk to him later about it. ...
I must confess that despite our completely different social philosophy and despite some of his personal characteristics which I disdain, perhaps even loath, I have developed a genuine affection for him. Perhaps it is because of his forthright honesty, his sincerity, his pluck, and his courage in ignoring stupid bureaucratic procedures and policies. ...
When I returned to the office on Monday there was delivered a beautiful gold chrysanthemum with a note from Eugene England saying, "Welcome home: we missed you!"-a very nice and thoughtful thing for him to have done. He happens to be gone this week but finished before he left his second paper on Brigham Young. After having read it, I am inclined to suggest that he continue with additional essays on Brigham and submit a manuscript to Deseret Book or to BYU Press on Brigham Young. His essays are of outstanding literary and historical character and provide insights that are not found in any publications. ...
I have always thought it was unfortunate that we did not have any good LDS biographies-that the only really fine biographies, historically speaking, were Juanita Brooks' biography of John D. Lee and Hal Schindler's biography of Porter Rockwell. This seemed incredible in view of the meticulous journals kept by many of our important leaders and of the enormous interest in the lives of these people demonstrated by LDS readers. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Yesterday President Ernest Wilkinson spent an hour with me in the late afternoon ... It appears that Bob Thomas and Dallin Oaks, sensing the problems involved in him writing about his and the Oaks administrations for the third volume of the BYU history had recommended that a co-editor be appointed with him for the third volume. Specifically they had recommended Frank Fox as the co-editor. ... he was totally opposed to a collaboration with Frank Fox. Frank Fox was too young and inexperienced. He had already indicated that his approach was completely different than that of President Wilkinson, and President Wilkinson had read his book on Madison Avenue and World War II, which was so sophisticated and so filled with "clever" words and sophisticated expressions that it was not lucid or understandable or even interesting to the people who will be reading the BYU history. After giving the matter careful thought, President Wilkinson had decided to ask me if he might suggest my name to
be co-editor with him. His reasons for doing this were (a) He was now inclined to agree with President Oaks and Dr. Thomas that readers of the third volume would assume his prejudicial point of view whether or not it existed and that it would be more believable if a co-author be also listed; (b) unlike Dr. Fox I had carefully read through all the chapters in volume one and volume two and was well acquainted with the first two volumes; (c) I had had lots of experience in these matters; and (d) he had built up respect for my competence and judgment. He almost pled with me to agree to this. He also said he had not mentioned it to anyone but Roy Bird and did not expect to do so until I responded one way or the other. He also said that he was putting $50,000 of his own money into support of the three-volume history and he thought he was entitled to some consideration whatever arrangements were determined upon. ... I responded to President Wilkinson that I would think the matter over and
talk to him later about it. ...
I must confess that despite our completely different social philosophy and despite some of his personal characteristics which I disdain, perhaps even loath, I have developed a genuine affection for him. Perhaps it is because of his forthright honesty, his sincerity, his pluck, and his courage in ignoring stupid bureaucratic procedures and policies. ...
When I returned to the office on Monday there was delivered a beautiful gold chrysanthemum with a note from Eugene England saying, "Welcome home: we missed you!"-a very nice and thoughtful thing for him to have done. He happens to be gone this week but finished before he left his second paper on Brigham Young. After having read it, I am inclined to suggest that he continue with additional essays on Brigham and submit a manuscript to Deseret Book or to BYU Press on Brigham Young. His essays are of outstanding literary and historical character and provide insights that are not found in any publications. ...
I have always thought it was unfortunate that we did not have any good LDS biographies-that the only really fine biographies, historically speaking, were Juanita Brooks' biography of John D. Lee and Hal Schindler's biography of Porter Rockwell. This seemed incredible in view of the meticulous journals kept by many of our important leaders and of the enormous interest in the lives of these people demonstrated by LDS readers. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
125 years ago today - Monday-Wednesday, 27-Aug 29, 1900
[Rudger Clawson]
I spent these three days in Salt Lake, mostly at the President's office, working on various matters. I got up a comparative statement for Pres. Snow, showing the cash tithing paid during the first 6 months in 1899 and in 1900. The sum totals were as follows:
Cash tithing paid during 1st 6 months in 1899
$176,484.07
Cash tithing paid during 1st 6 months in 1900
$259,287.38
From this showing Pres. Snow assumed that the tithing for 1900 would be fully as much as paid in 1899, which I feel is a just conclusion.
[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 spent these three days in Salt Lake, mostly at the President's office, working on various matters. I got up a comparative statement for Pres. Snow, showing the cash tithing paid during the first 6 months in 1899 and in 1900. The sum totals were as follows:
Cash tithing paid during 1st 6 months in 1899
$176,484.07
Cash tithing paid during 1st 6 months in 1900
$259,287.38
From this showing Pres. Snow assumed that the tithing for 1900 would be fully as much as paid in 1899, which I feel is a just conclusion.
[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]
130 years ago today - Aug 27, 1895 (Tuesday)
By order of the war department, and in accordance with the enactment of Congress that a star should be added to the national flag for each State admitted into the Union, a new star was added for Utah. This increased the number of the stars in the national emblem to 45.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
180 years ago today - 1845 27 Aug.
Nauvoo Neighbor reports: "On Saturday last a large number of persons partook of a feast of melons, round a table 87 feet long, in the attic story of 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]
190 years ago today - Aug 27, 1835
Patriarchal Blessing of William W. Phelps given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... Says Father Smith, What shall I say unto you? My answer, what the Lord put into your heart to say.
Well the Lord has put it into my heart to say, that you are a strange man.
Reply,
That I Know.
[He then laid his hands upon my head ...]
... Thou art a pure descendant of Joseph, of the blood of Ephraim. Thou art a
speckled Bird,
and the Lord hath held thee up to be gazed at: Thou art a strange man. ...
Thou shalt see the city of Enoch. and shalt gaze upon it in all its glory: yea, thou shalt be exalted to the heavens; and thou shalt be able to comprehend all hidden mysteries which have been hid up from the foundation of the world; yea, thou shalt understand things that have not yet been revealed unto man. I seal upon thee a father's blessing; upon thee, and upon thy children and upon thy children's children: And thy wife, who is a pure descendant of Joseph, according to thy blood and lineage, shall be blessed with thee.-- ... thou shalt live through all the scenes of the last days, till the end, and then thou shalt be caught from the earth, up into the clouds, and meet thy Lord, as he comes in his glory, with all his holy angels with him; even so; for I seal these blessings upon you in the name of Jesus Christ: Amen. Oliver
[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]
Well the Lord has put it into my heart to say, that you are a strange man.
Reply,
That I Know.
[He then laid his hands upon my head ...]
... Thou art a pure descendant of Joseph, of the blood of Ephraim. Thou art a
speckled Bird,
and the Lord hath held thee up to be gazed at: Thou art a strange man. ...
Thou shalt see the city of Enoch. and shalt gaze upon it in all its glory: yea, thou shalt be exalted to the heavens; and thou shalt be able to comprehend all hidden mysteries which have been hid up from the foundation of the world; yea, thou shalt understand things that have not yet been revealed unto man. I seal upon thee a father's blessing; upon thee, and upon thy children and upon thy children's children: And thy wife, who is a pure descendant of Joseph, according to thy blood and lineage, shall be blessed with thee.-- ... thou shalt live through all the scenes of the last days, till the end, and then thou shalt be caught from the earth, up into the clouds, and meet thy Lord, as he comes in his glory, with all his holy angels with him; even so; for I seal these blessings upon you in the name of Jesus Christ: Amen. Oliver
[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 - Aug 27, 1835
Patriarchal Blessing of Newel Knight given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... Thou shalt proclaim the gospel with great power: thou shalt have power over Satan; shall have power to do miracles; shall outride the storm of adversity, and proclaim the gospel to the coming of the Son of Man. Thou shalt be delivered from pestilence; shall command all things upon the face of the earth, if needful to accomplish thy mission * the winds, the waves, and the tempests, according to thy faith. I[n] due time thou shalt receive the desire of thy heart, for thou shalt yet raise up children, that thy name may not be blotted out from among men. ...
[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]
[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 - Aug 27, 1835
Patriarchal Blessing of Morris Phelps given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... and if thou desirest it thou shalt be like unto Elijah, and be wafted away to the bosom of thy God, and rest in the celestial glory; even so. Amen.
[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]
[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 - Aug 27, 1835
Patriarchal Blessing of James Emmet given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... Thou shalt be mighty in the earth; for if thou art faithful thou shalt be like unto Enoch: the earth shall tremble at thy word in the name of the Lord, and the power of darkness shall flee from before thee. Thy faith shall wax stronger and stronger, until thou shalt obtain the ministering of holy angels, and thou shalt become a savior to some. ...
[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]
[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 - Aug 27, 1835
Patriarchal Blessing of Elias Higbee given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... Thou shalt have life as long as thou shalt desire it; and if thou shalt desire, thou mayest tarry till the coming of the Savior
[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]
[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 - Aug 27, 1835
Patriarchal Blessing of Caleb Baldwin given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... thou shalt be delivered from the hands of thy enemies by the power of God; for when thou art surrounded by them, if expedient, and there be no other way for thy escape, thou shalt call upon the Lord and he will answer the[e] by sending down fire.
[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]
[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 - Aug 27, 1835
"Note to the reader [from Oliver Cowdery], There were several other blessings pronounced on the 27th of August, 1835, but for the special accommodation of some who are about to journey to Zion, their blessings will now be recorded. It may be remembered that all blessings given through any one beside president Joseph Smith, sen. that that fact will be noticed, and unless a notice of that kind is given it may be understood that it was the voice of the Spirit through him. The Lord is good, and praised be his name. Amen."
[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]
[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 - 1835: 27 August
Patriarchal Blessing of Elisha H. Groves (Given by Joseph Smith, Sen.) ... Thy sins are at this time forgiven thee, and I confirm upon thy head the holy ministry unto which thou hast been ordained. Thy life shall be precious in the sight of the Lord, for thou shalt live to a good old age, and if thou wilt keep all the commandments of the Lord, and desire it with all thy heart, thou mayest be translated, that thou shalt never be brought down to the grave, but remember, that thou must become holy, like unto Enoch to obtain this great blessing--or thou mayest tarry. ... thou shalt see the winding up scene of this wicked generation.
[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]
[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 - Aug 27, 1835
Martin Harris, "Thou shalt stand upon the earth when the kingdoms of this world shall rend, and the kingdom of heaven come down, if thou art faithful ..."
[Patriachal Blessings by Joseph Smith Sr., between 1834-1840, as quoted in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]
[Patriachal Blessings by Joseph Smith Sr., between 1834-1840, as quoted in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]
190 years ago today - Aug 27, 1835
Martin Harris, "Thou shalt stand upon the earth when the kingdoms of this world shall rend, and the kingdom of heaven come down, if thou art faithful ..."
[Patriachal Blessings by Joseph Smith Sr., between 1834-1840, as quoted in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]
[Patriachal Blessings by Joseph Smith Sr., between 1834-1840, as quoted in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]
10 years ago today - 2015 August 26
The LDS Church announces it will stay in the national Boy Scouts of America program, despite concerns over permitting openly gay scout leaders.
[Wikipedia, 21st Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_century_(Mormonism)]
[Wikipedia, 21st Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_century_(Mormonism)]
85 years ago today - Aug 26, 1940
VARIETY reports on the Salt Lake City Premiere of the motion picture BRIGHAM YOUNG: "Huge 'Brigham' Preem Enthuses Zanuck Party"
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
165 years ago today - Aug 26, 1860
[Record of the Twelve Apostles]
.... lay our hands upon your head to ordain you [i.e., George Q. Cannon] and set you apart to be an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ in this last dispensation an Apostle and witness that Joseph Smith Jr., was called of God and sent forth to the children of men to establish the Kingdom of God on the earth for the last time ...
[Record of the Twelve Apostles, 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]
.... lay our hands upon your head to ordain you [i.e., George Q. Cannon] and set you apart to be an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ in this last dispensation an Apostle and witness that Joseph Smith Jr., was called of God and sent forth to the children of men to establish the Kingdom of God on the earth for the last time ...
[Record of the Twelve Apostles, 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]
165 years ago today - Aug 26, 1860
.... we proceded to ordain George Quayle Cannon unto the Apostleship and a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Presidet Brigham Young was mouth which makes thirteen Apostles of the Twelve which President Brigham Young has ordained. Brother Cannons ordination & Blessing was reported by G. D. Watt.
We repaired to the upper room for Prayer when President Young Called for the names for missions abroad, when 16 names was presented & Excepted. Among those names were Orson Pratt, Erastus Snow & George Q. Cannon of the Twelve & Richard Bentley & John L Smith from the office. Gilbert Clements was presented & Presidet Young said Cross his name of the List. When he goes to England let him go as an apostate. He will not have my Consent to go as a missionary.
Brother Edington name was presented. President Young said I do not know what good he Could do on a mission unless he had more wisdom in preaching than he has in business matters he would not do much good. He is a nice man & would do well in fitting up a room for a party or a show but he would not be worth a groat on a mission....
Brother Kimball asked how it would do to send Dr Anderson on a mission. President Young asked what for? He is a vary nice plesant man but he is thorough Infidel in his faith. He had a talk with me upon the subject and honestly acknowledged that he had no faith in spritual things. "I want nothing said out of the council about this. He likes to live with this people & thinks we have the best organization in the world...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
We repaired to the upper room for Prayer when President Young Called for the names for missions abroad, when 16 names was presented & Excepted. Among those names were Orson Pratt, Erastus Snow & George Q. Cannon of the Twelve & Richard Bentley & John L Smith from the office. Gilbert Clements was presented & Presidet Young said Cross his name of the List. When he goes to England let him go as an apostate. He will not have my Consent to go as a missionary.
Brother Edington name was presented. President Young said I do not know what good he Could do on a mission unless he had more wisdom in preaching than he has in business matters he would not do much good. He is a nice man & would do well in fitting up a room for a party or a show but he would not be worth a groat on a mission....
Brother Kimball asked how it would do to send Dr Anderson on a mission. President Young asked what for? He is a vary nice plesant man but he is thorough Infidel in his faith. He had a talk with me upon the subject and honestly acknowledged that he had no faith in spritual things. "I want nothing said out of the council about this. He likes to live with this people & thinks we have the best organization in the world...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
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