Church headquarters standardizes monthly support for full-time missionaries throughout the world at $350 (or 400 Canadian dollars). This equalizes financial burden for U.S. and Canadian families who struggle to support missionaries in cities or countries with far higher cost-of-living than missionary's family. LDS church funds continue to supplement of fully pay for support of 1/3 of LDS missionaries whose families live outside of the U.S. and Canada.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
50 years ago today - Jan 1, 1976
LDS church has float in California's Rose Parade, first time in fifty years that invitation is extend to any church by parade organizers.
55 years ago today - 1971-01-01
"The Relief Society Magazine" is discontinued in favor of "The Ensign"
[Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]
[Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]
135 years ago today - Jan 1, 1891
[President Wilford Woodruff]
Jan 1, 1891 This is New Years day And the year that has been looked upon by many as one of the most important years of the world. There is a Combination of all the wicked Men & Devels through the press and pulpit to destroy the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day [Saints] from off the Earth. Wickedness of Every kind is increasing throughout the World.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Jan 1, 1891 This is New Years day And the year that has been looked upon by many as one of the most important years of the world. There is a Combination of all the wicked Men & Devels through the press and pulpit to destroy the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day [Saints] from off the Earth. Wickedness of Every kind is increasing throughout the World.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
140 years ago today - Jan 1, 1886
The persecution of the Government against the Latter Day Saints has Commenced in the year 1885 And there is a prosper of its being vary severe during 1886. It seems as if the whole government had turned Mob including the Presidet the Supreme Court the Cabinet & Congress all seem determind to mob & rob the Latter Day Saints under the form of Law But we still maintain that God Reigns & will untill He puts all Enemies under his feet, and He will fight the battles of his saints and He will bring Judgment upon our Enemies & destroy them in his own due time. This is the Testimony of Wilford Woodruff.
[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]
155 years ago today - Jan 1, 1871
[Wilford Woodruff]
I refered to the various periods & years which we had looked forward to with interest. I refered to 1831, the great Eclips upon the Sun, Also 1860, the great division in the United States the 4 years war the Earth deluged in Blood Before 1866. This war was Prophesied of By Joseph Smith some 25 years before it took place. I spoke of 1870, and we had now approached a period when Evry year was big with Events. The fullfillment of Prophesy & Revelation was at our doors. Zion was destined to arise, the Kingdom of God to be Esstablished, Great Babylon to Fall, the Plagues & Judgmets of God to be poured out upon the Christian world, the Jews to be gathered home to Zion Jerusalem to rebuild their City & Temple The Ten tribes to return from the North Country & the rivers to be turned to Blood as John the Revelator saw them & the way prepared for the Coming of the Son of Man. I Bore my Testimony of the Calling of Joseph Smith & Brigham Young & the Prophets & Apostles in the latter days. The
spirit of God rested upon me.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I refered to the various periods & years which we had looked forward to with interest. I refered to 1831, the great Eclips upon the Sun, Also 1860, the great division in the United States the 4 years war the Earth deluged in Blood Before 1866. This war was Prophesied of By Joseph Smith some 25 years before it took place. I spoke of 1870, and we had now approached a period when Evry year was big with Events. The fullfillment of Prophesy & Revelation was at our doors. Zion was destined to arise, the Kingdom of God to be Esstablished, Great Babylon to Fall, the Plagues & Judgmets of God to be poured out upon the Christian world, the Jews to be gathered home to Zion Jerusalem to rebuild their City & Temple The Ten tribes to return from the North Country & the rivers to be turned to Blood as John the Revelator saw them & the way prepared for the Coming of the Son of Man. I Bore my Testimony of the Calling of Joseph Smith & Brigham Young & the Prophets & Apostles in the latter days. The
spirit of God rested upon me.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
160 years ago today - Jan 1, 1866
[Wilford Woodruff]
Brother Kimball blessed us & prophesied upon our heads. He told Br Orson Hyde that He should overcome all things & come out with a clean sheet in the End without spot or Blemish, & should be Crowned in Glory in the presence of God & his Brethren as Joseph saw him 30 years ago. And I pronounce the Same Blessing upon all the Quorum of the Twelve & any man who attempts to ride you will be rode himself & any man who opposes you will fall & I say to you Brother Franklin that you shall Come off Clear in the End. You have passed through trials as well as the rests of us. And I will say Concerning Sehyler Colfax who is trying to go into the Presidential Chair on the down fall of the Latter day Saints I will say in the name of the Lord that He shall go under as Douglass did & the Curs of God shall rest upon our Enemies who seek our destruction.
He blessed us all & prophesid much good upon Israel & Evil upon her Enemies.
...I spent the Evening at the Historians Office writing the procedings of the day & listening to G. A. Smith giving his views of the dividing the Earth in the days of Peleg & the kind of Barges the Jaredites made to Cross the ocian in to the Land of America & many items of the History of the Jaredites Nephites & Lamanites.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Brother Kimball blessed us & prophesied upon our heads. He told Br Orson Hyde that He should overcome all things & come out with a clean sheet in the End without spot or Blemish, & should be Crowned in Glory in the presence of God & his Brethren as Joseph saw him 30 years ago. And I pronounce the Same Blessing upon all the Quorum of the Twelve & any man who attempts to ride you will be rode himself & any man who opposes you will fall & I say to you Brother Franklin that you shall Come off Clear in the End. You have passed through trials as well as the rests of us. And I will say Concerning Sehyler Colfax who is trying to go into the Presidential Chair on the down fall of the Latter day Saints I will say in the name of the Lord that He shall go under as Douglass did & the Curs of God shall rest upon our Enemies who seek our destruction.
He blessed us all & prophesid much good upon Israel & Evil upon her Enemies.
...I spent the Evening at the Historians Office writing the procedings of the day & listening to G. A. Smith giving his views of the dividing the Earth in the days of Peleg & the kind of Barges the Jaredites made to Cross the ocian in to the Land of America & many items of the History of the Jaredites Nephites & Lamanites.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
160 years ago today - Jan 1, 1866
The first edition of the Juvenile Instructor, the official organ of the Sunday School, was published. Its name was changed to the Instructor in 1930, and it continued publication until 1970.
[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]
165 years ago today - Jan 1, 1861
[Wilford Woodruff]
Joseph Smith the Prophet said whoever lived to see 1860 would live to see the foundation laid for some most awful bloody wars and whoever lived to see those two figures Come together 1866 would live to see a day when the Earth would be deluged in blood in many places & there would be such awful distress & Calamity that it would be a vexation to hear the report of it. We may prepare ourselves for an awful time in the United States. The hand writing has been seen upon the wall And our Nations is doomed to destruction. The United States will be visited this year with much affliction more than they have ever seen since they have been a Free Government and it will increase yearly untill they are destroyed.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Joseph Smith the Prophet said whoever lived to see 1860 would live to see the foundation laid for some most awful bloody wars and whoever lived to see those two figures Come together 1866 would live to see a day when the Earth would be deluged in blood in many places & there would be such awful distress & Calamity that it would be a vexation to hear the report of it. We may prepare ourselves for an awful time in the United States. The hand writing has been seen upon the wall And our Nations is doomed to destruction. The United States will be visited this year with much affliction more than they have ever seen since they have been a Free Government and it will increase yearly untill they are destroyed.
[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 - Jan 1, 1861 (Afternoon)
[Brigham Young]
He spoke of Drunkenness and said if a man must drink to buy his liquor and shut himself up and get drunk alone and not curse anybody or Commit sin when you are drunk. Always bless those around you and not curse them but it is better not to get drunk at all. -- SLC 13th Ward
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 5:537, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
He spoke of Drunkenness and said if a man must drink to buy his liquor and shut himself up and get drunk alone and not curse anybody or Commit sin when you are drunk. Always bless those around you and not curse them but it is better not to get drunk at all. -- SLC 13th Ward
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 5:537, 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 - Jan 1, 1846
[Wilford Woodruff]
Jan 1st I wrote Elder Samuel Downs A letter And sent him as A New years gift some Hair from the Heads of Joseph Smith the Prophet And all the Smith family of Male members also Mother Smith And from most all the quorum of the Twelve Also A peace of Joseph Smith Handkerchief.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Jan 1st I wrote Elder Samuel Downs A letter And sent him as A New years gift some Hair from the Heads of Joseph Smith the Prophet And all the Smith family of Male members also Mother Smith And from most all the quorum of the Twelve Also A peace of Joseph Smith Handkerchief.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Jan 1, 1846. Thursday.
At 10 minutes past 3 o clock P.M. in President Brigham Young's room No. 1 in the Attic Story of the Lord's House, Truman Leonard Jun[io]r and Ortensia White were united in the bonds of matrimony, by President Brigham Young, and were sealed for time and for eternity, in the presence of George A. Smith, and Parley P. Pratt, as Witnesses. [This is the first "time and eternity sealing in the Nauvoo temple]
...After a little time had elapsed, the whole company were assembled together in the east room, in number about fifty and all kneeled down upon the carpet and united with Elder H. C. Kimball .. that God would bless our wives and give unto them strength of body, that they might live and administer to the servants of God that they might see three score years and ten, and behold the kingdom of God established in the earth. ...
William G. Young and Adelia C. Clark were then married by President Brigham Young, in the following order, viz; chairs were placed for them near the west side of the room by Phineas H. Young in which they were seated, and Brigham H. Young and Cedenia O. Clark officiated as Groomsman and Bridesmaid. President Young then asked the Groom if it was the understanding that they were to be married for time and for eternity and receiving an answer in the affirmative, asked the Bride the same question, and received the same answer. He then asked Hazen Kimball and his wife if the Bride's parents understood their intentions and approved of them and received the same answer. He also asked the Bride how old she was, and was answered that she would be 20 years old the 28th of this month. These questions having all been satisfactorily answered, he requested them to stand up, and they did so, and by his direction joined their right hands together. He then said nearly as follows, William
G. Young, you take Adelia C. Clark by the right hand to be your lawful wedded wife, and promise, in the presence of God and Angels, and these witnesses to observe all the laws and obligations and duties pertaining or belonging to this order of the Priesthood, do You? to which the Groom answered Yes Sir. He then asked the same question or nearly so of the Bride, and received a like answer. He then pronounced them Husband and Wife, and sealed them together as such for time and for all eternity, and also sealed them up to eternal life, against all sins, except the sin of the Holy Ghost, which is the shedding of innocent blood, and pronounced various blessings upon them, and when he had done, told William to kiss his wife.
Two or three songs were then sung, and President Young invited the company to supper, which had been prepared in another part of the hall, viz; the garden. Bishop N. K. Whitney and his wife led the way, and were followed by about half the company, the table not being extensive enough to accommodate more than that number. Supper was soon ended and the sound of Hanson's violin and Brother Averett's flute in the east room gave notice that business of a different nature would soon be attended to. The floor was cleared of chairs and tables, and filled up with two sets of dancers, one on each side of the stove. ...
The question was then put, the President invited all those who were willing to covenant that they would keep themselves from mingling with the wicked to rise upon their feet, whereupon all rose up. ...
The Spirit of the Lord was present, and the spirit of meekness and humility and gratitude to God, for the great privileges we enjoy, that tears came into the eyes of many of those present. Love and union, peace and harmony prevailed, the utmost decorum was observed, not a loud laugh, nor a rude jest saluted the ear. All were in the most perfect subjection to the word of the President, and when he told them at about half past 2 o clock that it was time to quit and seek repose the whole company assented without a murmur, although many would have been glad to have continued the exercise longer.
The sisters retired to the side rooms, and the brethren stretched themselves on the floor, or on the sofas and all were soon in the embraces of "tired nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep," with the exception of the Bridegroom and Bride, and a few of their friends who, being unable to close their eyes in sleep, from the abundance of their joy, passed the short hours of the morning, in agreeable conversation, in the office . . .
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
...After a little time had elapsed, the whole company were assembled together in the east room, in number about fifty and all kneeled down upon the carpet and united with Elder H. C. Kimball .. that God would bless our wives and give unto them strength of body, that they might live and administer to the servants of God that they might see three score years and ten, and behold the kingdom of God established in the earth. ...
William G. Young and Adelia C. Clark were then married by President Brigham Young, in the following order, viz; chairs were placed for them near the west side of the room by Phineas H. Young in which they were seated, and Brigham H. Young and Cedenia O. Clark officiated as Groomsman and Bridesmaid. President Young then asked the Groom if it was the understanding that they were to be married for time and for eternity and receiving an answer in the affirmative, asked the Bride the same question, and received the same answer. He then asked Hazen Kimball and his wife if the Bride's parents understood their intentions and approved of them and received the same answer. He also asked the Bride how old she was, and was answered that she would be 20 years old the 28th of this month. These questions having all been satisfactorily answered, he requested them to stand up, and they did so, and by his direction joined their right hands together. He then said nearly as follows, William
G. Young, you take Adelia C. Clark by the right hand to be your lawful wedded wife, and promise, in the presence of God and Angels, and these witnesses to observe all the laws and obligations and duties pertaining or belonging to this order of the Priesthood, do You? to which the Groom answered Yes Sir. He then asked the same question or nearly so of the Bride, and received a like answer. He then pronounced them Husband and Wife, and sealed them together as such for time and for all eternity, and also sealed them up to eternal life, against all sins, except the sin of the Holy Ghost, which is the shedding of innocent blood, and pronounced various blessings upon them, and when he had done, told William to kiss his wife.
Two or three songs were then sung, and President Young invited the company to supper, which had been prepared in another part of the hall, viz; the garden. Bishop N. K. Whitney and his wife led the way, and were followed by about half the company, the table not being extensive enough to accommodate more than that number. Supper was soon ended and the sound of Hanson's violin and Brother Averett's flute in the east room gave notice that business of a different nature would soon be attended to. The floor was cleared of chairs and tables, and filled up with two sets of dancers, one on each side of the stove. ...
The question was then put, the President invited all those who were willing to covenant that they would keep themselves from mingling with the wicked to rise upon their feet, whereupon all rose up. ...
The Spirit of the Lord was present, and the spirit of meekness and humility and gratitude to God, for the great privileges we enjoy, that tears came into the eyes of many of those present. Love and union, peace and harmony prevailed, the utmost decorum was observed, not a loud laugh, nor a rude jest saluted the ear. All were in the most perfect subjection to the word of the President, and when he told them at about half past 2 o clock that it was time to quit and seek repose the whole company assented without a murmur, although many would have been glad to have continued the exercise longer.
The sisters retired to the side rooms, and the brethren stretched themselves on the floor, or on the sofas and all were soon in the embraces of "tired nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep," with the exception of the Bridegroom and Bride, and a few of their friends who, being unable to close their eyes in sleep, from the abundance of their joy, passed the short hours of the morning, in agreeable conversation, in the office . . .
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
180 years ago today - Jan 1, 1846
[Brigham Young]
Verily thus saith the voice of the Spirit to you: This is mine holy house which I have caused to be built in my holy name. Therefore let no person go forth in the dance unless they will covenant to separate themselves from the world and never again mingle in their society nor participate in their mirth or amusements from this time forth and for ever. I have sent children here and should they transcend these bounds they may expect to meet the frowns of an affectionate Father that holds the Keys of the Priesthood. Mirth and recreation belong to the people of God. It does not belong to the unbelievers and they participate in them they usurp that privilege or prerogative that belongs to the saints alone. Now dance and enjoy yourselves but first learn to reverence and advance the Name of the most high in all your devotions and recreation.
[Seventies Record Minutes, B 177, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
Verily thus saith the voice of the Spirit to you: This is mine holy house which I have caused to be built in my holy name. Therefore let no person go forth in the dance unless they will covenant to separate themselves from the world and never again mingle in their society nor participate in their mirth or amusements from this time forth and for ever. I have sent children here and should they transcend these bounds they may expect to meet the frowns of an affectionate Father that holds the Keys of the Priesthood. Mirth and recreation belong to the people of God. It does not belong to the unbelievers and they participate in them they usurp that privilege or prerogative that belongs to the saints alone. Now dance and enjoy yourselves but first learn to reverence and advance the Name of the most high in all your devotions and recreation.
[Seventies Record Minutes, B 177, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
190 years ago today - Jan 1, 1836
The Smith family meets with Martin Harris to help reconcile the differences between Joseph and William. Joseph Smith, Sr., opens with a powerful prayer. William confesses his faults and asks for Joseph's forgiveness. Joseph asks for forgiveness from William. The women are then called in and they all promise to support and uphold each other. "While gratitude swelled our bosoms, tears flowed from our eyes." Joseph closes the meeting with prayer. The men then unitedly lay their hands on the head of George A. Smith, and he is immediately healed of a very painful rheumatic infection that covered his body.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology; History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 2:353-54.]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology; History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 2:353-54.]