15 years ago today - 2011-03-01

The "Book of Mormon" musical opens on Broadway

[Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]

60 years ago today - Mar 1, 1966

[David O. McKay]

In response to an inquiry from a brother as to whether his 34 year old son, who is suffering from cerebral palsy, might be permitted to refrain from wearing his garments after receiving his endowments in the Temple, it was decided to tell this brother that we think it inadvisable for his son to receive his endowments at this time under the circumstances.

[David O. McKay diary, Mar. 1, 1966, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]

135 years ago today - Mar 1, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff]

I did not know but I would be Called to die upon my Birth Day [due to severe illness that day].

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

145 years ago today - Mar 1, 1881

[Wilford Woodruff]

This is my birth day. I am this day 74 years of Age And I wish to bear my Testimony to all persons whomsoever may read this Journal that the God of Israel has sustained me and watched over me by his power or agency from the hour of my birth up to the present hour. I have spent my birthdays in this Temple of 1870, 71, 72, & 74. I spent my 73d birth day in Sunset Arizona.

This is one of the most glorious days of my life. This morning we had appeared at the Temple 239 for Endowments the greatest Number we Ever gave Endowments at any one day in this Temple since it was dedicated /Except one/ and 77 Male Members got Endowments for my Dead and 23 femals. Total 110 Endowments for my dead. Praise the Lord O my soul for this Blessing. What rejoicing in the spirit world. I sealed 1 Couple & adopted 1. We had a glorious day. The spirit of God was with us. I spent the Evening at an Entertainment in the City Hall.

[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 - Sunday, Mar 1, 1846.

The first wagons leave the encampment at Sugar Creek in Iowa, headed for the Great Salt Lake Valley. Heber C. Kimball addressed the camp:

"no doubt many would be tried, but he would see the kingdom of God established and all the kingdoms of this world become the kingdom of God and of his Christ. ... that we were not going out of the world, but out of his majesty's dominions. If Nauvoo has the most holy place, it will be the most wicked place. ... A plague came into our camp for disobedience when on our way to Missouri and our best men fell victims, and so it will be again under like circumstances. I want no man to touch any of my things without leave. If any man will come to me and say that he wants to steal, I will give him the amount. Cease all your loud laughter and light speeches, for the Lord is displeased with such things, and call upon the Lord with all your might.

About noon, the camp began to move ..."

[Apostle Willard Richards Journal]

180 years ago today - Mar 1, 1846

Lucy Mack Smith signs a published statement in support of the succession claim of James J. Strang.

[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]

185 years ago today - Mar 1, 1841

Nauvoo city ordinance that "the Catholics, Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, Latter-day Saints, Quakers, Episcopals, Universalists, Unitarians, Mohammedans, and all other religious sects and denominations, whatever, shall have free toleration, and equal privileges." This law provided for a $300 fine and 6-month imprisonment for anyone convicted of ridiculing a person's religious beliefs. At this time, several states of the U.S.A. prohibited Jews and other non-Christians from voting or holding public office.

[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]