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)]
Today In Mormon History-fb
Several curious tidbits that happened on this day in Mormon History
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]
175 years ago today - Aug 26, 1850
[Wilford Woodruff]
26th Elder Whipple took some of my loading to carry one sack of Coffee from Bess wagon ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
26th Elder Whipple took some of my loading to carry one sack of Coffee from Bess wagon ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Aug 26, 1850
[Hosea Stout]
Capt Stansbury of the U. S. Topographical Engeneers started back to the [United] States to day having completed the survey of the G.[reat] S[alt] Lake[.]
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Capt Stansbury of the U. S. Topographical Engeneers started back to the [United] States to day having completed the survey of the G.[reat] S[alt] Lake[.]
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Aug 26, 1845
Patriarchal Blessing of Laurah Lavina Shimer given by William Smith ... all thy sins are forgiven thee ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
195 years ago today - Aug 26, 1830
Joseph Smith pays Isaac Hale the remaining balance of $86 for his home and thirteen-acre lot . This leaves Smith with $104.95 of the $190.95 he received the previous day from George H. Noble & Co., which on the 26th enters an "Amicable" action against Smith for the amount and puts a lien on Smith's property. Isaac and Elizabeth Hale appear before Justice Jesse Lane concerning the sale to Joseph Smith. The debt to George Noble & Co. will be satisfied sometime before 4 June 1831.
[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]
35 years ago today - Aug 25, 1990
Mugisa James Collins, the first convert to the Church in the central African country of Uganda, is baptized.
130 years ago today - Aug 25, 1895
[Francis M. Lyman]
"Denounced the ideas of the World in regard small families and the use of preventatives to avoid large families."
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
"Denounced the ideas of the World in regard small families and the use of preventatives to avoid large families."
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - August 25th, 1890
Pres. Peterson told of an incident which he often heard Zebedee Coltrin relate. One day the Prophet Joseph asked him and Sidney Rigdon to accompany him into the woods to pray. When they had reached a secluded spot, Joseph laid down on his back and stretched out his arms. He told the brethren to lie one on each arm, and then shut their eyes. After they had prayed he told them to open their eyes. They did so and saw a brilliant light surrounding a pedestal which seemed to rest on the earth. They closed their eyes and again prayed. They then saw, on opening them, the Father seated upon a throne; they prayed again and on looking saw the Mother also; after praying and looking the fourth time they saw the Savior added to the group. He had _____________ brown, rather long, wavy hair and appeared quite young.
[Journal of Abraham H. Cannon, Vol 13:89; August 25th, 1890, quoted in "Concepts Quotations Dealing With the Origin, Identity Position of Adam Eve"]
[Journal of Abraham H. Cannon, Vol 13:89; August 25th, 1890, quoted in "Concepts Quotations Dealing With the Origin, Identity Position of Adam Eve"]
180 years ago today - 1845 25 Aug.
Apostle Orson Pratt writes in the New York Messenger against Mormons who are teaching that the mortal body "of our martyred prophet and seer, or of any other person, was, or is the especial tabernacle of the Holy Ghost..." This is the earliest specific reference to a belief that Joseph Smith was the Holy Ghost in the flesh. Nearly fifty years later Wilford Woodruff would publicly indicate that this was a continued belief among some Mormons.
[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]
195 years ago today - Aug 25, 1830
The JOURNAL OF HEALTH, published semi-monthly at Philadelphia, concludes a year-long series of articles denouncing the use of ardent spirits, tobacco, tea, and coffee in the strongest terms. It claims, "The most deadly of all poisons, the prussic acid, has been detected in green tea." It also advises, "A substitution almost entire, of vegetable for animal substances . . ."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
195 years ago today - Aug 25, 1830
Isaac Hale signs over the Harmony property to Joseph Smith. John Whitmer signs as one of two witnesses to the transaction. ... Joseph Smith gives a promissory note to George H. Noble & Co. for $190.95.
[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]
180 years ago today - Aug 24, 1845 (Morning)
President Brigham Young ... said the devils had no dominion, only on this earth, and their power was to recede until they would have no power on the earth. Where would they be then?
[Franklin D. 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]
[Franklin D. 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]
40 years ago today - August 23, 1985
[Michael Quinn]
[From his 1988 and 2009 memoirs:]
Continuing work on Mormon controversies.
During the Sunstone Symposium, I gave a talk at the Hotel Utah about connections between the occult and early Mormonism. Learning that I planned to make a round-trip to BYU to print-out its reading-text, my friend Gordon A. Madsen very kindly invited me to use a computer in his home to prepare the talk. The Salt Lake Tribune featured it on the front page of its local section, along with a photo of one of the Joseph Smith Family's magic parchments (lamens). I would speak publicly on the same topic four times in 1986, coast-to-coast, and once in Cedar City, Utah, in May 1987. Then I would publish a book about it in August 1987. Nonetheless, Stake President [Hugh S.] West refused to follow the Apostolic
instructions to 'take further action' (disfellowshipping or excommunication) against me for my continuing to promote controversial history. - More than once in 1985, I left Stake President West's office knowing that the temple was not the only part of Mormonism I must learn to live without. Yet I still could not face the reality of total loss. November [From his 1988 memoir:]
Former mentor says I've gone too far.
Signature Books asked Davis Bitton to review the first draft of my book on early Mormonism's connections with occult traditions and folk magic [published as Early Mormonism and the Magic World View]. He made some helpful criticisms, but most of his review was a plea to me and the publisher to abandon this project. He said that my study was an assault on the faith of average Latter-day Saints. If I insisted on publishing this book, Davis instructed me not to mention in the acknowledgements that he had read the manuscript. His letter stunned me and I was in deep depression for weeks, while I reconsidered what to do. After telling Signature to put the book on hold, I decided to do an extensive revision to respond to the questions and criticisms by Davis, by Lavina Fielding Anderson, and by Allen D. Roberts. None of them particularly liked the study. This revision and new research took me another seven months. My second book, and now it's defenders of the New Mormon History
who want me not to publish! I guess I AM a radical, even though I've never felt like one. I had already resigned from Signature's board of directors, because I felt that it would be a conflict-of-interest for me to vote on financial matters at the same time I was submitting a manuscript for purchase and publication. I had served on its board for four years. When I wrote the preliminary manuscript's introduction during this Summer, I referred to the so-called 'Salamander Letter' as a possible forgery. Aside from passing references to it, my first draft excluded this '1830 Martin Harris Letter' because of serious questions then raised about its authenticity. Thus, I needed to revise only a few sentences and a paragraph for the upcoming Magic World View that would be published [in August 1987] after the police released their evidence of Mark Hofmann's forgeries. [Quinn's Early Mormonism and the Magic World View was published by Signature Books in 1987; a revised and expanded version
appeared in 1998.]
[From the diaries and memoirs of D. Michael Quinn, in 'On Writing Mormon History, 1972-95,' edited by Joseph Geisner, Signature Books, 2020]
[From his 1988 and 2009 memoirs:]
Continuing work on Mormon controversies.
During the Sunstone Symposium, I gave a talk at the Hotel Utah about connections between the occult and early Mormonism. Learning that I planned to make a round-trip to BYU to print-out its reading-text, my friend Gordon A. Madsen very kindly invited me to use a computer in his home to prepare the talk. The Salt Lake Tribune featured it on the front page of its local section, along with a photo of one of the Joseph Smith Family's magic parchments (lamens). I would speak publicly on the same topic four times in 1986, coast-to-coast, and once in Cedar City, Utah, in May 1987. Then I would publish a book about it in August 1987. Nonetheless, Stake President [Hugh S.] West refused to follow the Apostolic
instructions to 'take further action' (disfellowshipping or excommunication) against me for my continuing to promote controversial history. - More than once in 1985, I left Stake President West's office knowing that the temple was not the only part of Mormonism I must learn to live without. Yet I still could not face the reality of total loss. November [From his 1988 memoir:]
Former mentor says I've gone too far.
Signature Books asked Davis Bitton to review the first draft of my book on early Mormonism's connections with occult traditions and folk magic [published as Early Mormonism and the Magic World View]. He made some helpful criticisms, but most of his review was a plea to me and the publisher to abandon this project. He said that my study was an assault on the faith of average Latter-day Saints. If I insisted on publishing this book, Davis instructed me not to mention in the acknowledgements that he had read the manuscript. His letter stunned me and I was in deep depression for weeks, while I reconsidered what to do. After telling Signature to put the book on hold, I decided to do an extensive revision to respond to the questions and criticisms by Davis, by Lavina Fielding Anderson, and by Allen D. Roberts. None of them particularly liked the study. This revision and new research took me another seven months. My second book, and now it's defenders of the New Mormon History
who want me not to publish! I guess I AM a radical, even though I've never felt like one. I had already resigned from Signature's board of directors, because I felt that it would be a conflict-of-interest for me to vote on financial matters at the same time I was submitting a manuscript for purchase and publication. I had served on its board for four years. When I wrote the preliminary manuscript's introduction during this Summer, I referred to the so-called 'Salamander Letter' as a possible forgery. Aside from passing references to it, my first draft excluded this '1830 Martin Harris Letter' because of serious questions then raised about its authenticity. Thus, I needed to revise only a few sentences and a paragraph for the upcoming Magic World View that would be published [in August 1987] after the police released their evidence of Mark Hofmann's forgeries. [Quinn's Early Mormonism and the Magic World View was published by Signature Books in 1987; a revised and expanded version
appeared in 1998.]
[From the diaries and memoirs of D. Michael Quinn, in 'On Writing Mormon History, 1972-95,' edited by Joseph Geisner, Signature Books, 2020]
85 years ago today - Aug 23, 1940
Premiere of Twentieth-Century-Fox motion picture "Brigham Young" at the Centre Theater and six other theaters in Salt Lake City. All seven theaters completely sell out to nearly 9,000 people at the then high ticket price of $1.10. Such unprecedented response to a film premiere sets an industry record for the number of theatres used simultaneously for the premiere of one film.. Ten days previously, the First Presidency was given a private screening. Emerging from the screening, President Heber J. Grant says to waiting reporters. "I endorse it with all my heart and have no suggestions. This is one of the greatest days of my life. I can't say any more than 'God Bless You'." Utah's Governor Henry H. Blood and Salt Lake City Mayor Ab Jenkins declare the 23rd as "Brigham Young Day" complete with parade, window display competition amongst the downtown merchants, and special advertising campaigns based on the pioneer theme. Actor Dean Jagger, who played the part of Brigham Young, converts
to Mormonism later in life.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
to Mormonism later in life.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - Aug 23, 1900; Thursday
President [Lorenzo] Snow remarked that he could not feel to curtail the freedom of the Saints, in fact he felt like giving them the utmost freedom possible as long as it did not do wrong. ...
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
135 years ago today - Aug 23, 1890
DESERET WEEKLY NEWS reports that Jesus Christ appeared recently to Indian delegations gathered near Walker Lake and "showed scars on his hands and feet where he said the people had driven spikes, nailing him to the cross. He also had a bad wound in his side, where he said a spear had pierced his flesh."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
150 years ago today - Aug 23, 1875
Joseph F. Smith writes, "From my childhood-for twenty years and upwards I chewed the filthy weed. I never saw the moment during the whole time that I was not inwardly ashamed of it, insomuch I endeavored to keep it to myself, using great caution. One day I went into the president's [Brigham Young] office. He whispered to me, I was obliged to whisper back. He smelt my breath, and started in surprise. "Do you chew tobacco?" I could have shrunk out of existence, or anihilated myself from very shame, and he saw I was ashamed of myself, and pitying me said, "Keep it to yourself"!- In the 1860's Brigham Young also struggled with an addiction to chewing tobacco.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
150 years ago today - Aug 23, 1875
Apostle Wilford Woodruff is proxy in vicarious baptisms for all signers of Declaration of Independence (except John Hancock) and for all decesaed U.S. presidents, except James Buchanan and Martin Van Buren. This is first baptism for dead on behalf of U.S. president since 1840.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
155 years ago today - Aug 23, 1870
LDS political newspaper, the Salt Lake Herald, reports "The Outrage," in which four unidentified men "discharged the contents of a bottle filled with diluted excrements" upon Mormon apostates T.B.H. Stenhouse and his wife Fanny.
[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)]]
160 years ago today - Aug 23, 1865
The First Presidency and Twelve publish a proclamation against Lucy Mack Smith's Biographical Sketches of Joseph Smith the Prophet and against some of Apostle Orson Pratt's published teachings. Concerning Mother Smith's biography of her son: "Every one in the Church, male or female, if they have such a book, to dispose of it." Proclamation threatens excommunication against anyone espousing doctrines such as Pratt's statement: "The Father and Son do not progress in knowledge and wisdom, because they already know all things past, present, and to come" (reprinted Oct. 1865 in England).
[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)]]
165 years ago today - Aug 23, 1860
The President [Brigham Young] remarked that whenever any nation had commenced making arms and ammunition, it has always been with a view to the death of their fellow men and when was there a time when these implements of death were not used; and in a few years these murderous feelings will strengthen to such an extent that the work of death will commence. -- Salt Lake City
[Brigham Young Office Journals, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Brigham Young Office Journals, quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
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