I wrote Pres[iden]t Heber J. Grant as fol[lows]: Dear Pres[ident] Grant: If the following named brethren, General Authorities of the Church, and their wives have received their Second blessings, the Salt Lake Temple Records do not disclose that fact. I therefore conclude that they have not except possibly Pres[ident] Hart who may have received his blessings in the Logan Temple: J. Reuben Clark Jr., Charles H. Hart, Antoine R. Ivins, Samuel O. Bennion, John H. Taylor[.] I understand that it is in order for a member of the Council of Twelve to recommend worthy members to the President of the Church to receive their Second blessings. Accordingly, I recommend that these brethren and their wives be invited to receive their blessings.
[Source: George F. Richards diary, Apr. 19, 1934 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
80 years ago today - Apr 19, 1934
Apostle George F. Richards writes to President Heber J Grant, "If the following named brethren, General Authorities of the Church, and their wives have received their Second blessings, the Salt Lake Temple Records do not disclose that fact, I therefore conclude that they have not except possibly Pres Hart who may have received his blessings in the Logan Temple: J. Reuben Clark Jr.[,] Charles H. Hart[,] Antoine R. Ivins[,] Samuel 0. Bennion[, and] John H. Taylor[.] I understand that it is in order for a member of the Council of Twelve to recommend worthy members to the President of the Church to receive their Second blessings. Accordingly, I recommend that these brethren and their wives be invited to receive their blessings."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
80 years ago today - Apr 19, 1934
Apostle George F. Richards writes to President Heber J Grant, "If the following named brethren, General Authorities of the Church, and their wives have received their Second blessings, the Salt Lake Temple Records do not disclose that fact, I therefore conclude that they have not except possibly Pres Hart who may have received his blessings in the Logan Temple: J. Reuben Clark Jr.[,] Charles H. Hart[,] Antoine R. Ivins[,] Samuel 0. Bennion[, and] John H. Taylor[.] I understand that it is in order for a member of the Council of Twelve to recommend worthy members to the President of the Church to receive their Second blessings. Accordingly, I recommend that these brethren and their wives be invited to receive their blessings."
110 years ago today - Apr 19, 1904
[L. John Nuttall] Met Pres[ident] Jos[eph] F Smith. he is well he wants me to make an inventory of effects at Salt Air & of the Railroad. [April 20, 1904] It is my desire to carry out instructions of Pres[ident]. Jos[eph]. F. Smith in listening to the Attorneys, yet I am inclined to resist, in case they seek to extort from me a knowledge of my wives. Pres[ident]. Smith said:''We should consider the interests of the Church rather than our own.' This I feel inclined to do.
[Source: L. John Nuttall 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]
[Source: L. John Nuttall 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]
110 years ago today - Apr 19, 1904; Tuesday
Met Pres[ident] Jos[eph] F Smith.
he is well he wants me to make an inventory of effects at Salt Air & of the Railroad.
[Source: L. John Nuttall, Diary]
he is well he wants me to make an inventory of effects at Salt Air & of the Railroad.
[Source: L. John Nuttall, Diary]
115 years ago today - Apr 19, 1899
Presidents [Lorenzo] Snow, [George Q.] Cannon and [Joseph F.] Smith were at the Office. Elder Seymour B. Young, the senior President in the First Council of Seventies, called and saw President Snow about the matter of Elder Joseph W. McMurrin's ordination as one of that body, the subject so exhaustively considered at the last meeting of the Apostolic Council. Brother Young wanted to know if Brother McMurrin had been actually and properly ordained, since the word 'ordain' was not used, but the words 'set apart' at the time of his ordination. President Snow explained to Brother Young that inasmuch as the intent was to ordain Brother McMurrin, and the word used on the occasion not only set him apart, but conferred upon him all the authority, keys and privileges of the office and calling, it was a complete and valid ordination, and had been so decided by the Presidency and the Apostles in council. At the same time President Snow remarked that if it had to be done over again, his mind would be that the word ordain should be used.
[Source: Journal History, 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]
[Source: Journal History, 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 - Apr 19, 1899; Wednesday
From 2 p.m. till 5 p.m. I was in a meeting where all the presidency several of the apostles and brother John M. and Geo. M. Cannon, President Orson Smith, N[ephi]. W. Clayton, Jerry Langford Asahel Woodruff and others were present. A General discussion of the affairs of the Stirling Mining Co[mpany]. was indulged in and President [Lorenzo] Snow finally agreed to assume a note of One hundred and odd thousand dollars due the Zions Savings Bank and Trust Co[mpany]., signed by the Stirling Mining Co[mpany]. and indorsed by Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon and Joseph F.
Smith. Presidents Cannon and Smith and Asahel Woodruff all testified that although the indorsement was a personal one it was made on behalf of the first presidency and not as individuals. The loss to the church on account of the Stirling mining Co[mpany]. will be between 3 and 4 hundred thousand dollars. In my heart of hearts I cannot help but feel that in as much as this business was originally a personal one and turned out a failure that President George Q. Cannon who has been wonderfully successful in other mining ventures should at least make good one sixth of the loss sustained by the Church, as his original interest in the Stirling Mine was one sixth. I would feel just the same as this regarding [?] able to reimburse the Church, but I think it would be a great hardship to ask them to do so under their present fin[anci]al circumstances. Brother Orson Smith remarked that if he were able he would consider it his duty to pay one sixth of the Stirling mine losses.
[Source: Heber J. Grant, Diary]
Smith. Presidents Cannon and Smith and Asahel Woodruff all testified that although the indorsement was a personal one it was made on behalf of the first presidency and not as individuals. The loss to the church on account of the Stirling mining Co[mpany]. will be between 3 and 4 hundred thousand dollars. In my heart of hearts I cannot help but feel that in as much as this business was originally a personal one and turned out a failure that President George Q. Cannon who has been wonderfully successful in other mining ventures should at least make good one sixth of the loss sustained by the Church, as his original interest in the Stirling Mine was one sixth. I would feel just the same as this regarding [?] able to reimburse the Church, but I think it would be a great hardship to ask them to do so under their present fin[anci]al circumstances. Brother Orson Smith remarked that if he were able he would consider it his duty to pay one sixth of the Stirling mine losses.
[Source: Heber J. Grant, Diary]
115 years ago today - Apr 19, 1899; Wednesday
Presidents [Lorenzo] Snow, [George Q.] Cannon and [Joseph F.] Smith were at the Office. Elder Seymour B. Young, the senior President in the First Council of Seventies, called and saw President Snow about the matter of Elder Joseph W. McMurrin's ordination as one of that body, the subject so exhaustively considered at the last meeting of the Apostolic Council. Brother Young wanted to know if Brother McMurrin had been actually and properly ordained, since the word "ordain" was not used, but the words "set apart" at the time of his ordination. President Snow explained to Brother Young that inasmuch as the intent was to ordain Brother McMurrin, and the word used on the occasion not only set him apart, but conferred upon him all the authority, keys and privileges of the office and calling, it was a complete and valid ordination, and had been so decided by the Presidency and the Apostles in council. At the same time President Snow remarked that if it had to be done over again, his mind would be that the word ordain should be used.
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
115 years ago today - Wednesday, Apr 19, 1899
[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] Salt Lake City
Heber J. Grant, W. Madsen, Chas. S. Burton, Geo. T. Odell and myself met and agreed to pay Zions Savings bank and Trust Co. $2,200.00 each on a Grant Bros. Livery note. Hyrum & Joshua Grant, Wm. H. Rowe, and Elias W. Smith to pay or give their notes for $1,450.00 each.
The Sterling Mining co. board of Directors, Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Myself, Heber J. Grant, and Rudger Clawson considered a debt owing to the Zions Savings Bank and Trust Co. by the Sterling mining Co. and endorsed by Wilford Woodruff, Geo. Q. Cannon, and Joseph F. Smlith. After hearing all of the facts to be reached, President Lorenzo Snow decided to accept and pay one note and interest amounting to $107,000,00.
I went with President Joseph F. Smith to the Theatre.
President Lorenzo Snow read Prest. Geo. Q. Cannon's settlement of the Bullion Beck & Champion M. Co. dedicated stock matter to Joseph F. Smith, Francis M. Lyman and myself. He had read it to me before. I advised him to accept it.
[Source: 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]
Heber J. Grant, W. Madsen, Chas. S. Burton, Geo. T. Odell and myself met and agreed to pay Zions Savings bank and Trust Co. $2,200.00 each on a Grant Bros. Livery note. Hyrum & Joshua Grant, Wm. H. Rowe, and Elias W. Smith to pay or give their notes for $1,450.00 each.
The Sterling Mining co. board of Directors, Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Myself, Heber J. Grant, and Rudger Clawson considered a debt owing to the Zions Savings Bank and Trust Co. by the Sterling mining Co. and endorsed by Wilford Woodruff, Geo. Q. Cannon, and Joseph F. Smlith. After hearing all of the facts to be reached, President Lorenzo Snow decided to accept and pay one note and interest amounting to $107,000,00.
I went with President Joseph F. Smith to the Theatre.
President Lorenzo Snow read Prest. Geo. Q. Cannon's settlement of the Bullion Beck & Champion M. Co. dedicated stock matter to Joseph F. Smith, Francis M. Lyman and myself. He had read it to me before. I advised him to accept it.
[Source: 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 - Apr 19, 1899
[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] From 2 p.m. till 5 p.m. I was in a meeting where all the presidency several of the apostles and brother John M. and Geo. M. Cannon, President Orson Smith, N.W. Clayton, Jerry Langford Asahel Woodruff and others were present. A General discussion of the affairs of the Stirling Mining Co. was indulged in and President Snow finally agreed to assume a note of One hundred and odd thousand dollars due the Zions Savings Bank and Trust Co., signed by the Stirling Mining Co. and indorsed [sic] by Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith. Presidents Cannon and Smith and Asahel Woodruff all testified that although the indorsement was a personal one it was made on behalf of the first presidency and not as individuals. The loss to the church on account of the Stirling mining Co. will be between 3 and 4 hundred thousand dollars. In my heart of hearts I cannot help but feel that in as much as this buinsess [sic] was originally a personal one and turned out a failure that President George Q. Cannon who has been wonderfully successful in other mining ventures should at least make good one sixth of the loss sustained by the Church. as his original interest in the Stirling Mine was one sixth. I would feel just the same as this refaridng [sic] able to reimburse the Church, but I think it would be a great hardship to ask them to do so under their present finincal [sic] circumstances. Brother Orson Smith remarked that if he were able he would consider it his duty to pay one sixth of the Stirling mine losses.
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
120 years ago today - Apr 19, 1894
Howard Egan's wife committed adultery with James Monroe. Howard Egan killed Monroe on account of the crime. W[illia]m M. Egan is the issue of the adultery. Question. * To whom does W[illia]m M. Egan go as a child * to Howard Egan or his father? Decision of the First Presidency and 12 [Apostles][,] April 19, 1894. He belongs to Howard Egan, by virtue of the mother being Howard Egan's sealed wife, and no ordinances needed.
[Source: Book of Temple Ordinances, Apr. 19, 1894; p. 37 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Source: Book of Temple Ordinances, Apr. 19, 1894; p. 37 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
120 years ago today - Apr 19, 1894
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill Diary] I wrote to Olonzo and sent him currency $5.00 today.
[Source: Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
120 years ago today - Thursday, Apr 19, 1894
[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] Salt Lake City
Prest. W. Woodruff, Jos. F. Smith, Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Moses Thatcher, F. M. Lyman, H. J. Grant, Geo. Teasdale, Abraham H. Cannon and myself met in Council. G. F. Gibbs was also present.
Prest. W. Woodruff said at one time Prest. Joseph Smith said in the Kirtland Temple many years the saints will go to the Rocky Mountains and settle there.
The Directors of the C. W. & M. Co. met and decided to take the south part of the Livery Stable and pay $30,000.00 in our Capitol stock.
[Source: 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]
Prest. W. Woodruff, Jos. F. Smith, Lorenzo Snow, Franklin D. Richards, Moses Thatcher, F. M. Lyman, H. J. Grant, Geo. Teasdale, Abraham H. Cannon and myself met in Council. G. F. Gibbs was also present.
Prest. W. Woodruff said at one time Prest. Joseph Smith said in the Kirtland Temple many years the saints will go to the Rocky Mountains and settle there.
The Directors of the C. W. & M. Co. met and decided to take the south part of the Livery Stable and pay $30,000.00 in our Capitol stock.
[Source: 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]
120 years ago today - Apr 19, 1894
[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] [Meeting of Apostles and Presidency] Prest. Woodruff spoke of the first time he had ever been in a meeting witht the Prophet Joseph and said that Joseph had said to the few men in the room at the time that they had no more idea of the magnitude of the work of God than babes. Among other things Joseph had said that there would yet be tens of thousands of saints in the Rocky Mountains. Referred to hearing a large number speak in tongues in the Kirtland Temple and that a sister Hman Hyde interpreted most of what was said and there was more in the talk about the Rocky Mountains than any other subject. He did not then understand that the saints were to be located in these valleys.
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
120 years ago today - Apr 19, 1894
[Apostle Abraham H. Cannon Journal] At 2 o'clock I was at my Quorum meeting in the temple. Present: W[ilford] Woodruff, J[oseph] F. Smith, L[orenzo] Snow, F[ranklin] D. Richards,
[Source: Diary of Apostle Abraham H. Cannon, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
[Source: Diary of Apostle Abraham H. Cannon, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
125 years ago today - Saturday, Apr 19, 1889
[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] Salt Lake City and Nephi
I was with Jos. F. Smith part of the day. H. J. Grant and I went to Nephi to attend conference. We put up with Sister Teasdale.
[Source: 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]
I was with Jos. F. Smith part of the day. H. J. Grant and I went to Nephi to attend conference. We put up with Sister Teasdale.
[Source: 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]
125 years ago today - Apr 19, 1889
[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] A telegram from FSR at WDC says Wilson & Jenks argued our case yesterday & he is to close Mon.
[Source: Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Apr 19, 1884
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 19 I took Cars & rode to Nephi and attended Meeting at 11 oclok. 95 miles. The bishops made verbal reports. I dined with Br Teasdale. Statistics read & showed Officers & Members 1,941, Children 700, Total Souls 2,649. C R Savage spoke 44 M. Afternoon. G Teasdale spoke 57 M W Woodruff 30. I attended the Primary & spoke to the Children. I attended the Priesthood Meeting in the Evening. W Woodruff spoke 65 M G Teasdale 15 M Br Paxman 15 M. 217 of the Priesthood was present.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Apr 19, 1884; Saturday
[Anthony Ivins Journal] Reached Leeds today after a very tiresome days travel on account of the mud. Anto[i]ne was a little restless tonight. Rather more so than usual.
[Source: Anderson, Elizabeth Oberdick, editor, Cowboy Apostle: The Diaries of Anthony W. Ivins: 1875-1932, Signature Books, Salt Lake City in association with the Smith-Pettit Foundation (2013)]
[Source: Anderson, Elizabeth Oberdick, editor, Cowboy Apostle: The Diaries of Anthony W. Ivins: 1875-1932, Signature Books, Salt Lake City in association with the Smith-Pettit Foundation (2013)]
135 years ago today - Apr 19, 1879 (Saturday)
The steamship Wyoming sailed from Liverpool, England, with 170 Saints, in charge of Chas. W. Nibley. The company arrived at New York April 30th, and at Salt Lake City May 8th.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
135 years ago today - Apr 19, 1879
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 19 Drove to Grand falls and nooned. We visited the falls which were about 100 feet in the main falls. We drove 8 Miles & Camped for the night. 16 Miles.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: 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 - Apr 19, 1874
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 19 Sunday I met with my Quorum at Noon & Preached in the 14 ward in the Afternoon and also attended a meeting there in the Evening. Father Shearen & Brother Pear[l/t?] are both dead.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: 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 - Apr 19, 1869
[Hosea Stout Diary] Monday 19. In my office and looking after Hoopers house vacated to day by A. Gilbert[.] In the afternoon a man performed the feate of walking a tight rope across Main street and trapezing &c.
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
145 years ago today - Apr 19, 1869
Brigham Young says, " I require all under 100 years old to stop using tobaco & drinking whiskey. If they do not we will soon make it a test of fellow[ship] in the Church."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
145 years ago today - Apr 19, 1869
Brigham Young says, " I require all under 100 years old to stop using tobaco & drinking whiskey. If they do not we will soon make it a test of fellow[ship] in the Church."
145 years ago today - Apr 19, 1869
[Brigham Young Sermon] President Brigham Young spoke 38 Minutes. A synopsis on the following page. President Young said I require all under 100 years old to stop using tobacco & drinking whiskey. If they do not we will soon make it a test of fellowship in the Church. You should keep the word of wisdom. I have laid the Benefit of this Course before the Saints many times. The people injure their health. Tea injures the stomach. Tobacco, whiskey, tea, & Coffee injures the Health & shortens the lives of the peoples. Babylon is going to Fall. In the Millennium all will be filled with the knowledge of God. Then all the people will keep the word of wisdom & take delight in it. Shame on the person who will not overcome all their Evil appetites for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Let all the Saints save what they give for tobacco, whiskey tea, & Coffee & give it for the Emigration of the poor. There is nothing worth Possessing in Heaven Earth or Hell Except what the Gospel Brings. -- Nephi, Utah [Wilford WoodruffÂ's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 6:462-463]
[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
145 years ago today - Apr 19, 1869
[Brigham Young Sermon] At 4 p.m. the people assembled in the meeting-house and listened to able and instructive discourses from President Young and Elders Woodruff and Cannon: the Word of Wisdom, Co-operation, the necessity of the people becoming self-sustaining, and union in temporal and spiritual things were the subjects treated on. -- Nephi, Utah [Deseret News. Also Deseret Evening News, Deseret News Weekly, Deseret News Semi- Weekly, and Deseret News Extra, Salt Lake City; 1850-current. 18:137]
[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
145 years ago today - Apr 19, 1869
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 19 A Cold Morning. Roads Heavy. We left Pason at 9 oclok & travelled to Nephi & spent the night at Brother Oakeys. 25 M. We held a Meeting at the Meeting House at 5 oclok. B Young jr Prayed. W. Woodruff spoke 24 M, G Q Cannon 36. Presidet Brigham Young spoke 38 Minuts. A synopsis on the following page.
Presidet Young said I require all under 100 years old to stop using tobaco & drinking whiskey. If they do not we will soon make it a test of fellow[ship] in the Church. You should keep the word of wisdom. I have laid the Benefit of this Course before the Saints many times. The people injure their health. Tea injures the stomach. Tobaco, whiskey, tea, & Coffee injures the Health & shortens the lives of the peoples.
Babylon is going to Fall. In the Millinnium all will be filled with the knowledge of God. Then all the people will keep the word of wisdom & take delight in it. Shame on the person who will not overcome all their Evil appetites for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Let all the Saints save what they give for tobaco, whiskey tea, & Coffee & give it for the Emigration of the poor. There is nothing worth Possessing in Heaven Earth or Hell Except what the Gospel Brings.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Presidet Young said I require all under 100 years old to stop using tobaco & drinking whiskey. If they do not we will soon make it a test of fellow[ship] in the Church. You should keep the word of wisdom. I have laid the Benefit of this Course before the Saints many times. The people injure their health. Tea injures the stomach. Tobaco, whiskey, tea, & Coffee injures the Health & shortens the lives of the peoples.
Babylon is going to Fall. In the Millinnium all will be filled with the knowledge of God. Then all the people will keep the word of wisdom & take delight in it. Shame on the person who will not overcome all their Evil appetites for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Let all the Saints save what they give for tobaco, whiskey tea, & Coffee & give it for the Emigration of the poor. There is nothing worth Possessing in Heaven Earth or Hell Except what the Gospel Brings.
[Source: 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 - Apr 19, 1864
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 19, 20, 21 I spent the time at the Agricultural Gardens putting up a House & ploughing. I Attended a Gardners Club Meeting and divided a large Quantity of Peach plum & Cherry Cuttings. I received a Letter from Wm. C Stanes.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: 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 - Apr 19, 1859
[Hosea Stout Diary] Tuesday 19 April 1859. To day Blair returned from Camp Floyd[.] Judge Snow not being at home he could not try the virtue of the Habeas Corpus.
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
155 years ago today - Apr 19, 1859
Wilford Woodruff records in his journal: " I accompanied [Second Counselor Daniel H. Wells] to the House of George Alley. Soon the surgeons Came to Cut his right Eye out. He had tumor grown in the back part of his Eye which had pushed his Eye out of [his] head about an inch & bursted the ball. They gave him Cloriform. In 10 minutes he was insensible. They took his Eye out in about 10 minutes more. He lay asleep all the time & was not sensible of any thing during the operation. When he Came to Brother Wells asked him if he knew what they had been doing. He did not know. Brother Wells told him they had taken his Eye. He said thank God for it."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
155 years ago today - Apr 19, 1859
Wilford Woodruff records in his journal: " I accompanied [Second Counselor Daniel H. Wells] to the House of George Alley. Soon the surgeons Came to Cut his right Eye out. He had tumor grown in the back part of his Eye which had pushed his Eye out of [his] head about an inch & bursted the ball. They gave him Cloriform. In 10 minutes he was insensible. They took his Eye out in about 10 minutes more. He lay asleep all the time & was not sensible of any thing during the operation. When he Came to Brother Wells asked him if he knew what they had been doing. He did not know. Brother Wells told him they had taken his Eye. He said thank God for it."
155 years ago today - Apr 19, 1859
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] April 19 I laid hands upon Brother Hawkins & blessed him. He looks as well as Could be expected after such an awful operation.
I washed brined & limed 10 bushels of wheat to put on 5 acres.
I spent a short time in the office & President D H. Wells Called in & I accompanied him to the House of George Alley. Soon the surgeons Came to Cut his right Eye out. He had tumor grown in the back part of his Eye which had pushed his Eye out of [his] head about an inch & bursted the ball. They gave him Cloriform. In 10 minutes he was insensible. They took his Eye out in about 10 minutes more. He lay asleep all the time & was not sensible of any thing during the operation.
When he Came to Brother Wells asked him if he knew what they had been doing. He did not know. Brother Wells told him they had taken his Eye. He said thank God for it. I annointed him. Brother Wells was mouth in administering to him. He rather felt as though he would get well. A hard substance had form about 2 inches long & about 2 inches in Circumference. The bone was Effected & they were afraid it was a Canser. If so there may be danger of its forming again.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I washed brined & limed 10 bushels of wheat to put on 5 acres.
I spent a short time in the office & President D H. Wells Called in & I accompanied him to the House of George Alley. Soon the surgeons Came to Cut his right Eye out. He had tumor grown in the back part of his Eye which had pushed his Eye out of [his] head about an inch & bursted the ball. They gave him Cloriform. In 10 minutes he was insensible. They took his Eye out in about 10 minutes more. He lay asleep all the time & was not sensible of any thing during the operation.
When he Came to Brother Wells asked him if he knew what they had been doing. He did not know. Brother Wells told him they had taken his Eye. He said thank God for it. I annointed him. Brother Wells was mouth in administering to him. He rather felt as though he would get well. A hard substance had form about 2 inches long & about 2 inches in Circumference. The bone was Effected & they were afraid it was a Canser. If so there may be danger of its forming again.
[Source: 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 - Apr 19, 1854
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 19th We had a shower of rain. I spent the time at home writing.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: 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 - Apr 19, 1849
[Hosea Stout Diary] Thurs & Friday April 19 & 20 1849. Worked for Foote on the Bridge again. On Friday morning the Little Chief with some 15 men passed by here on his way to attact Wanship to recover his horses which they had taken in the fight last week. Little Chief was accompanied by another chief who lived on the Spanish Fork.
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
165 years ago today - Apr 19, 1849
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 19th I preached in the evening to a full House. My Cold & lungs were better. I talked vary plain to the people.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Apr 19, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 19th I was severely afflicted with a cold through the day.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: 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 - Apr 19, 1839
[Brigham Young] --19-- We rode 34 miles and spent the night at the town of Clinton.
[Source: Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).]
[Source: Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).]
180 years ago today - 1834 19 Apr.
Joseph Smith authorizes first counselor Rigdon to preside over the church in his absence.
[Source: 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]
[Source: 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 - Apr 19, 1834
[Joseph Smith Diary] 19th Next morning, 19 [April 1834] [we] started and arrived at Brother Joseph Bozworth's /in/ Copley, Medina County, [Ohio?] where we took dinner. Bro[ther] J[oseph] Bozworth was strong in the faith. He is a good man and may, if faithful, do much good. After resting awhile, we left, and soon arrived at Brother Johnathan Tayler's, in Norton, where we were received with kindness.
We soon retired to the wilderness where we united in prayer and sup[p]lication for the blessings of the Lord to be given unto his Church. We called upon the Father in the name of Jesus to go with the breth[r]en who were going up to the land of Zion. To give Brother Joseph strength and wisdom, and understanding sufficient to lead the people of the Lord, and to gather back and establish the Saints upon the land of their inheritances, and [to] organize them according to the will of heaven, that they be no more cast down forever.
We then united and laid on hands. Brothers Sidney, Oliver, and Zebedee laid hands upon Bro[ther] Joseph and confirmed upon him all the blessings necessary to qualify him to do /stand/ before the Lord in his high calling. He return[ed] again in peace and triumph to enjoy the society of his breth[r]en.
Brothers Joseph, Sidney, and Zebedee then laid hands upon Bro[ther] Oliver and confirmed upon him the blessings of wisdom and understanding sufficient for his station. That he be qualified to assist Brother Sidney in arranging the Church Covenants [Doctrine and Covenants] which are to be soon published and to have intelligence in all things to do the work of printing.
Brother[s] Joseph, Oliver, [and] Zebedee then laid hands upon Bro[ther] Sidney and confirmed upon him the blessings of wisdom and knowledge to preside over the Church in the abscence of Brother Joseph. To have the spirit to assist Bro[ther] Oliver in conducting the [Evening and Morning] Star, and to arrange the Church covenants [Doctrine and Covenants], and the blessing of old age and peace, till Zion is built up and Kirtland established, till all his enemies are under his feet, and of a crown of eternal life at the /in the/Kingdom of God with us.
We, Joseph, Sidney, and Oliver then laid hands upon Bro[ther] Zebedee and confirmed the blessing of wisdom to preach the gospel, even till it spreads to the islands of the sea, and to be spared to see three score years and ten, and see Zion built up and Kirtland established forever, and even at last to recieve a crown of life.
Our hearts rejoiced and we were comforted with the Holy Spirit. Amen.
[Source: Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1832-34, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
We soon retired to the wilderness where we united in prayer and sup[p]lication for the blessings of the Lord to be given unto his Church. We called upon the Father in the name of Jesus to go with the breth[r]en who were going up to the land of Zion. To give Brother Joseph strength and wisdom, and understanding sufficient to lead the people of the Lord, and to gather back and establish the Saints upon the land of their inheritances, and [to] organize them according to the will of heaven, that they be no more cast down forever.
We then united and laid on hands. Brothers Sidney, Oliver, and Zebedee laid hands upon Bro[ther] Joseph and confirmed upon him all the blessings necessary to qualify him to do /stand/ before the Lord in his high calling. He return[ed] again in peace and triumph to enjoy the society of his breth[r]en.
Brothers Joseph, Sidney, and Zebedee then laid hands upon Bro[ther] Oliver and confirmed upon him the blessings of wisdom and understanding sufficient for his station. That he be qualified to assist Brother Sidney in arranging the Church Covenants [Doctrine and Covenants] which are to be soon published and to have intelligence in all things to do the work of printing.
Brother[s] Joseph, Oliver, [and] Zebedee then laid hands upon Bro[ther] Sidney and confirmed upon him the blessings of wisdom and knowledge to preside over the Church in the abscence of Brother Joseph. To have the spirit to assist Bro[ther] Oliver in conducting the [Evening and Morning] Star, and to arrange the Church covenants [Doctrine and Covenants], and the blessing of old age and peace, till Zion is built up and Kirtland established, till all his enemies are under his feet, and of a crown of eternal life at the /in the/Kingdom of God with us.
We, Joseph, Sidney, and Oliver then laid hands upon Bro[ther] Zebedee and confirmed the blessing of wisdom to preach the gospel, even till it spreads to the islands of the sea, and to be spared to see three score years and ten, and see Zion built up and Kirtland established forever, and even at last to recieve a crown of life.
Our hearts rejoiced and we were comforted with the Holy Spirit. Amen.
[Source: Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1832-34, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
180 years ago today - Apr 19, 1834
They travel to Norton, Ohio. Elders Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery, and Zebedee Coltrin give Joseph a blessing. Those present then lay their hands upon the head of Sidney and "confirm upon him the blessings of wisdom and knowledge to preside over the Church in [Joseph's] absence." Elders Cowdery and Coltrin are also given blessings. (History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 2:51.)
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
180 years ago today - Apr 19, 1834
En route to New Portage, Ohio. Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery, and Zebedee Coltrin gave one another priesthood blessings to gain strength and wisdom for their upcoming labors. According to Coltrin's account, they saw Adam and Eve in vision.
[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
180 years ago today - Apr 19, 1834
Joseph Smith authorizes first counselor Sidney Rigdon to preside over the church in his absence. In New Portage, Ohio, Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery and Zebedee Coltrin have a vision: "They all three prayed in turn-Joseph, Oliver, and Zebedee. Brother Joseph than [sic] said, 'now brethren we will see some visions.' Joseph lay down on the ground on his back and stretched out his arms and the two brethren lay on them. The heavens gradually opened, and they saw a golden throne, on a circular foundation, something like a lighthouse, and on the throne were two aged personages, having white hair, and clothed in white garments. They were the two most beautiful and perfect specimens of mankind he ever saw. Joseph said, They are our first parents, Adam and Eve. Adam was a large broadshouldered man, and Eve a woman, was large in proportion."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
180 years ago today - Apr 19, 1834
Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery hands upon bro. Sidney and confirmed upon him the blessings wisdom and knowledge to preside over the in the absence of brother (Joseph Smith Diary, 19 Apr. Church Archives; Jessee, Papers of Smith, vol. 2, pp. 31-32).
[Source: Lisle G Brown, compiler, "A Chronology of the Development of Apostolic Succession of the First Presidency, 1831-1848"]
[Source: Lisle G Brown, compiler, "A Chronology of the Development of Apostolic Succession of the First Presidency, 1831-1848"]
180 years ago today - Apr 19, 1834
Sidney Rigdon: "confirmed" by Zebedee Coltrin , Joseph Smith Jr. , and Oliver Cowdery 19 Apr. 1834 "to preside over the Church in the abscence [sic] of Brother Joseph"
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
180 years ago today - Apr 19, 1834
Philadelphia's Saturday Courier publishes the "tragical story of a Mormon preacher" provided "by the editor of the Independent Messenger on the authority of a gentleman from the western part of the state of New York" about townspeople who discover a hoax intended to convince them the Mormon could walk on water. They foil the plot and the Mormon drowns. The church paper reprints the article with the introductory note that "Some two or three years since, a milliard story was hatched up by (we presume) the priests, or their dupes; but we had supposed that it had either gone back to its native region to dwell with its author the father of lies, or like its first promulgator from him, sunk into disgrace to rise no more." Editor Oliver Cowdery challenges the Courier to publish the name of its source.
[Source: Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Source: Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
180 years ago today - Apr 19, 1834
At Norton, Ohio, Joseph's party prays for Joseph and bless one another.
[Source: Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Source: Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
180 years ago today - Apr 19, 1834
Joseph Smith authorizes first counselor Sidney Rigdon to preside over the church in his absence. In New Portage, Ohio, Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery and Zebedee Coltrin have a vision: "They all three prayed in turn-Joseph, Oliver, and Zebedee. Brother Joseph than [sic] said, 'now brethren we will see some visions.' Joseph lay down on the ground on his back and stretched out his arms and the two brethren lay on them. The heavens gradually opened, and they saw a golden throne, on a circular foundation, something like a lighthouse, and on the throne were two aged personages, having white hair, and clothed in white garments. They were the two most beautiful and perfect specimens of mankind he ever saw. Joseph said, They are our first parents, Adam and Eve. Adam was a large broadshouldered man, and Eve a woman, was large in proportion."
185 years ago today - 1829 mid-Apr.
Joseph Smith, Jr. (at Harmony, Susquehanna, PA) claimed to receive a message from God directed to Oliver Cowdery (LDS D&C Sec. 9). Cowdery was told in the text that God said "... it is not expedient that you should translate at this present time." Apparently Cowdery had begun to "translate" some part of the "golden plates" or some supplemental record associated with them and had thus disregarded his primary work "to write for my servant Joseph."
[Source: Broadhurst, Dale R., Oliver Cowdery Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/Cdychrn1.htm]
[Source: Broadhurst, Dale R., Oliver Cowdery Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/Cdychrn1.htm]
115 years ago today - Apr 18, 1899
[Franklin D. Richards] I was permitted a look through the statement of Pres[iden]t. G[eorge] Q C[annon], as to his 'dedicated Stock' committed to him by President John Taylor. a strangely interesting documentary statement involving more than three a quarters of Million of Dollars.
[Source: Franklin D. Richards 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]
[Source: Franklin D. Richards 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]
120 years ago today - Apr 18, 1894
[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] In Company with J F Smith we visited the Temple and saw the ordinances of the Endowments Performed for the first time since the Dedication of the Temple.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
120 years ago today - Apr 18, 1894
Revelation to Wilford Woodruff-the Law of Adoption-- Historical Magazine 13:145-152 (October, 1922).
"I have not felt satisfied, neither did President Taylor, neither has any man since the Prophet Joseph who has attended to the ordinance of adoption in the temples of our God. We have felt that there was more to be revealed upon the subject than we had received. Revelations were given to us in the St. George Temple, which President Young presented to the Church of God. Changes were made there, and we still have more changes to make, in order to satisfy our Heavenly Father, satisfy our dead and ourselves. I will tell you what some of them are. I have prayed over this matter, and my brethren have. We have felt as President Taylor said, that we have got to have more revelation concerning sealing under the law of adoption."
President Woodruff then announced to the General Conference and particularly to the presidents of the four temples in Utah that he had gone "before the Lord" to know who he should be adopted to and that the "Spirit of God" instructed him that he should be sealed to his natural father. Prior to this time it had been the practice to be sealed to the "prophets and apostles" in the Church. President Woodruff now pronounced the prior practice an incorrect procedure and called upon the membership of the church to accept as a revelation this announcement, which incidentally he had previously presented to his counselors and to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.
This revelation on the Law of Adoption, with its accompanying explanation by President Woodruff, sets forth quite clearly a philosophy of a developmental process in the establishment of L.D.S. Church doctrine and procedure over an historical or chronological continuum-or to put it in scriptural terminology-"We believe all that God has revealed, all that he does now reveal, and we believe that he will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God." (L.D.S. Ninth Article of Faith)
Perhaps the best commentary on this new revelation on temple work given in 1894 remains in the Conference Report for April, 1894 and the reference given in the heading above this note.
In these two sources both the discourse and announcement of the will of the Lord by President Wilford Woodruff and a commentary by President George Q. Cannon, one of his counselors are given in full. The reader might well study carefully both statements of Presidents Woodruff and Cannon.
There are several other very interesting points brought out by President Woodruff in this discourse that are worthy of particular notice.
President Woodruff states rather categorically that the chronological age of a person or prophet is not a determining factor in his ability to receive revelation, citing as his two extremes the revelations to Adam at the age of 927 years and the revelations to Joseph Smith at this age of 14 years.
He also accepts as authentic and literal the advanced ages of the Old Testament patriarchs and prophets, stating that when they were "four or five hundred years old they took wives, begat children, and raised up posterity."
THE LAW OF ADOPTION
Discourses Delivered at the General Conference of the Church, the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Utah, Sunday, April 18, 1894.
PRESIDENT WILFORD WOODRUFF
I feel thankful for the privilege of meeting with so many of the Latter-day Saints this morning. In order to present my position before the Saints I wish to say that I have been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over sixty years, a member of the quorum of the Apostles fifty-five years, and the President of the Church for a short time. During all these years, and in all my travels, I have never seen a moment when I have had the power to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ or to administer in any of the ordinances of the House of the Lord, acceptable to God or to myself, only by the assistance of the Holy Ghost; and I do not know of any other man that could ever do this. Even the Son of God, in referring to His work, said: "I do nothing of myself, but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things." So it has been with all the prophets and patriarchs in every age of the world; they have had to be assisted by the power of God. I occupy that position today before this assembly. Therefore, as the Lord commanded us not to speak only as we are moved upon by the Holy Ghost, I desire that, and in order to obtain it I want the prayers and faith of the Latter-day Saints.
I have some things resting upon me that I wish to present before the Latter-day Saints, and in order to do this I will call upon President George Q. Cannon to read from the Book of Doctrine and Covenants concerning the subject which I wish to speak upon. (President Cannon read from Sec. 128, of Doc. and Cov. Resuming, President Woodruff said:)
Thus you have before you the subject which is resting upon us, and which we wish to present to the Latter-day Saints. Let me say that age has very little to do with revelation. In an early age of the world, old Father Adam, three years previous to his death-he being nearly one thousand years of age-called together his posterity in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and he stood upon his feet for hours, clothed with the power of God and the revelations of heaven, and blessed his posterity, some seven of whom, each representing a generation, were High Priests. Among them were Enoch and Methusaleh, both great men of their day and generation. He prophesied upon them what should transpire with their posterity unto the end of time. His old age did not have any effect whatever upon the revelations of God to him. Joseph Smith, when fourteen years of age, while calling upon God in the wilderness, had the heavens opened unto him. Both the Father and Son presented themselves unto him in the clouds of heaven, and the Father said, "This is my beloved Son; hear him." The age of man is very short indeed in this day to what it was in ancient days. Men anciently lived to a very great age. When four or five hundred years old they took wives, begat children, and raised up posterity. Today our age is limited to something like three score years and ten.
I wish to say to the Latter-day Saints that we live in a very important generation. We are blessed with power and authority, holding the Holy Priesthood by the commandment of God, to stand upon the earth and redeem both the living and the dead. If we did not do it, we should be damned and cut off from the earth, and the God of Israel would raise up a people who would do it. The Lord would not permit me to occupy this position one day of my life, unless I was susceptible to the Holy Spirit and to the revelations of God. It is too late in the day for this Church to stand without revelation. Not only the President of the Church should possess this gift and give it unto the people, but his counselors and the Apostles and all men that bear the Holy Priesthood, if they magnify their calling, although they may not be called to give revelations to lead and direct the Church. The spirit of revelation belongs to the Priesthood.
But to come to the subject before us. Perhaps it may be said by the inquiring or the objecting mind, What have you to say about redeeming the dead, or about baptism for the dead, or the work of the Temples of our God, that is not already revealed? I will say this: When the Prophet Joseph had this revelation from heaven, what did he do? There are witnesses here of what he did. He never stopped till he got the fulness of the word of God to him concerning the baptism for the dead. But before doing so he went into the Mississippi river, and so did I, as well as others, and we each baptized a hundred for the dead, without a man to record a single act that we performed. Why did we do it? Because of the feeling of joy we had, to think that we in the flesh could stand and redeem our dead. We did not wait to know what the result of this would be, or what the whole of it should be. Finally the Lord told the Prophet: "When any of you are baptized for your dead, let there be a recorder, and let him be eye witness of your baptisms; let him hear with his ears, that he may testify of a truth, saith the Lord; that in all your recordings it may be recorded in heaven; whatsoever you bind on earth may be bound in heaven; whatsoever you loose on earth, may be loosed in heaven." That was the beginning of this work.
Joseph Smith, instead of living to be nearly a thousand years of age, as Adam did, lived to be about thirty-eight years of age. He brought forth the record of the stick of Joseph in the hands of Ephraim-the history of the ancient inhabitants of this continent. By the power of God he translated that, and it has been published in many languages. Besides this, he organized the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus being the chief corner stone. Men were ordained to the Priesthood and sent forth, from the various occupations of life, to carry this gospel to the world. God informed Joseph Smith that he was called to prune the vineyard once more for the last time before the coming of the Son of Man. Since that, thousands of Elders of Israel have been sent into the world to preach the Gospel. Joseph Smith did all this during the fifteen years he held the Priesthood. Let any man read the revelations in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, which were given through him during the little time he spent here in the flesh. It is one of the greatest records that any man ever gave to the human family. Not only this, but he organized the endowments and did a great deal of other work. Who could expect him, during the short time he lived in the flesh, to do more than he did? I received my endowment from under his hands. He brought forth all these ordinances that have been given unto the Latter-day Saints. In fact, it is a marvel and a wonder that he performed as much as he did.
I want to say, as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that we should now go on and progress. We have not got through revelation. We have not got through the work of God. But at this period we want to go on and fulfillthis commandment of God given through Malachi that the Lord should send Elijah the prophet, "and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." Ye sons of men, I say unto you, in the name of Israel's God, those very principles that God has revealed are what have stayed the judgment of the Almighty on the earth. Were it not for these principles, you and I would not be here today. We have had prophets and apostles. President Young who followed President Joseph Smith, led us here. He organized these Temples and carried out the purposes of his calling and office. He laid the foundation of this great Temple on this block, as well as others in the mountains of Israel. What for? That we might carry out these principles of redemption for the dead. He accomplished all that God required at his hands. But he did not receive all the revelations that belong to this work; neither did President Taylor, nor has Wilford Woodruff. There will be no end to this work until it is perfected.
I want to lay before you what there is for us to do at the present time; and in doing this I desire particularly the attention of President Lorenzo Snow, of the Salt Lake Temple; President M. W. Merrill, of the Logan Temple; President J. D. T. McAllister of the Manti Temple, and President D. H. Cannon, of the St. George Temple, and those associated with them. You have acted up to all the light and knowledge that you have had; but you have now something more to do than you have done. We have not fully carried out those principles in fulfillment of the revelations of God to us, in sealing the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers. I have not felt satisfied, neither did President Taylor, neither has any man since the Prophet Joseph who has attended to the ordinance of adoption in the temples of our God. We have felt that there was more to be revealed upon the subject than we had received. Revelations were given to us in the St. George Temple, which President Young presented to the Church of God. Changes were made there, and we still have more changes to make, in order to satisfy our Heavenly Father, satisfy our dead and ourselves. I will tell you what some of them are. I have prayed over this matter, and my brethren have. We have felt as President Taylor said, that we have got to have more revelation concerning sealing under the law of adoption. Well, what are these changes? One of them is the principle of adoption.
Now, what are the feelings of Israel? They have felt that they wanted to be adopted to somebody. President Young was not satisfied in his mind with regard to the extent of this matter; President Taylor was not. When I went before the Lord to know who I should be adopted to (we were then being adopted to prophets and apostles), the Spirit of God said to me, "Have you not a father, who begot you?" "Yes, I have." "Then why not honor him? Why not be adopted to him?" "Yes," says I, "that is right." I was adopted to my father, and should have had my father sealed to his father, and so on back; and the duty that I want every man who presides over a Temple to see performed from this day henceforth and forever, unless the Lord Almighty commands otherwise, is, let every man be adopted to his father. When a man receives the endowment, adopt him to his father; not to Wilford Woodruff, nor to any other man outside the lineage of his fathers. That is the will of God to this people. I want all men who preside over these temples in these mountains of Israel to bear this in mind. What business have I to take away the rights of the lineage of any man? What right has any man to do this? No; I say let every man be adopted to his father; and then you will do exactly what God said when he declared He would send Elijah the prophet in the last days. Elijah the prophet appeared unto Joseph Smith and told him the day had come when this principle must be carried out. Joseph Smith did not live long enough to enter any further upon these things. His soul was wound up with this work before he was martyred for the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ. He told us that there must be a welding link of all dispensations and of the work of God from one generation to another. This was upon his mind more than most any other subject that was given to him. In my prayers the Lord revealed to me, that it was my duty to say to all Israel to carry this principle out, and in fulfillment of that revelation I lay it before this people. I say to all men who are laboring in these temples, carry out this principle, and then we will make one step in advance of what we have had before. Myself and counselors conversed upon this and were agreed upon it, and afterwards we laid it before all the Apostles who were here (two were absent-Brothers Thatcher and Lund, the latter being in England,) and the Lord revealed to every one of these men-and they would bear testimony of it if they were to speak-that that was the word of the Lord to them. I never met with anything in my life in this Church that there was more unity upon than there was upon that principle. They all feel right about it, and that it is our duty. That is one principle that should be carried out from this time henceforth. "But," says one, "suppose we come along to a man who perhaps is a murderer." Well, if he is a murderer, drop him out and connect with the next man beyond him. But the Spirit of God will be with us in this matter. We want the Latter-day Saints from this time to trace their genealogies as far as they can, and to be sealed to their fathers and mothers. Have children sealed to their parents, and run this chain through as far as you can get it. * * * This is the will of the Lord to his people, and I think when you come to reflect upon it you will find it to be true.
Another principle connected with this subject I want to talk about. A man has married a woman, and they have a family of children. The man lays down in death without ever hearing the Gospel. The wife afterwards hears the Gospel and embraces it. She comes to the temple and she wants to be sealed to her husband, who was a good man. The feeling has been to deny this and to say, "No, he is not in the Church, and you cannot be sealed to your husband." Many a woman's heart has ached because of this, and as a servant of God I have broken that chain a good while ago. I have laid before every woman this principle and let her have her choice. Why deprive a woman of being sealed to her husband because he never heard the Gospel? What do any of us know with regard to him? Will he not hear the Gospel and embrace it in the spirit world? Look at Joseph Smith. Not one of Joseph Smith's fathers or brothers or sisters were in the covenant when he received the keys of the kingdom of God and translated the Book of Mormon. They afterwards received it. Every brother and sister that he had, and his father and his father's brothers, except Uncle Jesse Smith, embraced the Gospel. Now, suppose that any of these had died before they had the opportunity of entering into the covenant with the Lord through the Gospel, as his brother Alvin did; they would have been in the same position as Alvin, concerning whom the Lord, when Joseph saw him in the celestial kingdom, said: "All who have died without a knowledge of this Gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom, for I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts."
So it will be with your fathers. There will be very few, if any, who will not accept the Gospel. Jesus while His body lay in the tomb, went and preached to the spirits in prison, who were destroyed in the days of Noah. After so long an imprisonment, in torment, they doubtless gladly embraced the Gospel, and if so they will be saved in the kingdom of God. The fathers of this people will embrace the Gospel. It is my duty to honor my father who begot me in the flesh. It is your duty to do the same. When you do this, the Spirit of God will be with you. And we shall continue this work, the Lord adding light to that which we have already received. I have had friends adopted to me. We all have, more or less. But I have had peculiar feelings about it, especially lately. There are men in this congregation who wish to be adopted to me. I say to them, if they can hear me, Go and be adopted to your fathers, and save your fathers, and stand at the head of your father's house, as saviors upon Mount Zion and God will bless you in this. This is what I want to say, and what I want carried out in our temples.
The Almighty is with this people. We shall have all the revelations that we will need, if we will do our duty and obey the commandments of God. When any of us get so that we cannot receive these revelations, the Lord will take us out of the way and put someone in our places who can. I am here today, on borrowed time, I may say. I would have been in the spirit world today, mingling with the spirits in the presence of God, had it not been for the cry of this people for my life when I lay at the gates of death a year ago. I have been preserved by the power of God. How long I shall live I do not know. It does not make any difference to me. But while I do live I want to do my duty. I want the Latter-day Saints to do their duty. Here is the Holy Priesthood in these mountains. Their responsibility is great and mighty. The eyes of God and all the holy prophets are watching us. This is the great dispensation that has been spoken of ever since the world began. We are gathered together in these mountains of Israel by the power and commandment of God. We are doing the work of God. This is not our home, as far as mortality is concerned. We shall soon pass away. But while here let us fill our mission. I want to say to Brother L. Snow, Brother M. W. Merrill, Brother J. D. T. McAllister and Brother D. H. Cannon, and all associated with you, carry these things before the Lord and see for yourselves. If you are not satisfied with this order of things, go and ask the Lord about it, and the Holy Ghost will reveal to you the truth of these principles.
This is all I ought to say at this time, perhaps upon this subject. I am glad to meet with you. I have had a great anxiety, over this matter. I have had a great desire that I might live to deliver these principles to the Latter-day Saints, for they are true. They are one step forward in the work of the ministry and in the work of the endowment in these temples of our God. * * * A man may say: "I am an Apostle, or I am a High Priest, or I am an Elder in Israel, and if I am adopted to my father, will it take any honor from me." I would say not. If Joseph Smith was sealed to his father, with whom many of you were acquainted, what effect will that have upon his exaltation and glory? None at all. Joseph Smith will hold the keys of this dispensation to the endless ages of eternity. It is the greatest dispensation God ever gave to man, and he was ordained before the world was to stand in the flesh and organize this work. He was martyred for the word of God and testimony of Jesus, and when he comes in the clouds of heaven he will wear a martyr's crown. Those of you who stand here-I do not care whether you are apostles or what you are-by honoring your father you will not take any honor from your heads; you will hold the keys of the salvation of your father's house, as Joseph Smith does. You will lose nothing by honoring your fathers and redeeming your dead. It is a glorious work.
When I returned from England in 1841 and heard Joseph Smith give this revelation, that we had power to redeem our dead, one of the first things I thought was, "I have a mother in the spirit world." My father was in the flesh. I baptized and ordained him and brought him up to Zion, where he is buried. But I never saw my mother to know her. She died when I was an infant. I had power to seal my mother to my father. Was that not a satisfaction? It was to me. I have gone to work with the assistance of my friends and redeemed my father's and my mother's house. When I went to inquire of the Lord how I could redeem my dead, while I was in St. George, not having any of my family there, the Lord told me to call upon the Saints in St. George and let them officiate for me in that temple, and it should be acceptable unto Him. Brother McAllister and the brethren and sisters there have assisted me in this work, and I felt to bless them with every feeling of my heart. This is a revelation to us. We can help one another in these matters, if we have not relatives sufficient to carry this on, and it will be acceptable unto the Lord.
Brethren and sisters, lay these things to heart. Let us go on with our records, fill them up righteously before the Lord, and carry out this principle, and the blessings of God will attend us, and those who are redeemed will bless us in days to come. I pray God that as a people our eyes may be opened to see, our ears to hear, and our hearts to understand the great and mighty work that rests upon our shoulders, and that the God of heaven requires at our hand. Great and glorious are these principles which God has revealed to us concerning the redemption of our dead. I tell you when the prophets and apostles go to preach to those who are shut up in prison, and who have not received the Gospel, thousands of them will there embrace the Gospel. They know more in that world than they do here. I pray God that as a people we may have power to magnify our calling in this great and mighty dispensation while we dwell in the flesh that when our work is done we may be satisfied with this life and this work. This is my prayer and the desire of my heart, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
"I have not felt satisfied, neither did President Taylor, neither has any man since the Prophet Joseph who has attended to the ordinance of adoption in the temples of our God. We have felt that there was more to be revealed upon the subject than we had received. Revelations were given to us in the St. George Temple, which President Young presented to the Church of God. Changes were made there, and we still have more changes to make, in order to satisfy our Heavenly Father, satisfy our dead and ourselves. I will tell you what some of them are. I have prayed over this matter, and my brethren have. We have felt as President Taylor said, that we have got to have more revelation concerning sealing under the law of adoption."
President Woodruff then announced to the General Conference and particularly to the presidents of the four temples in Utah that he had gone "before the Lord" to know who he should be adopted to and that the "Spirit of God" instructed him that he should be sealed to his natural father. Prior to this time it had been the practice to be sealed to the "prophets and apostles" in the Church. President Woodruff now pronounced the prior practice an incorrect procedure and called upon the membership of the church to accept as a revelation this announcement, which incidentally he had previously presented to his counselors and to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.
This revelation on the Law of Adoption, with its accompanying explanation by President Woodruff, sets forth quite clearly a philosophy of a developmental process in the establishment of L.D.S. Church doctrine and procedure over an historical or chronological continuum-or to put it in scriptural terminology-"We believe all that God has revealed, all that he does now reveal, and we believe that he will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God." (L.D.S. Ninth Article of Faith)
Perhaps the best commentary on this new revelation on temple work given in 1894 remains in the Conference Report for April, 1894 and the reference given in the heading above this note.
In these two sources both the discourse and announcement of the will of the Lord by President Wilford Woodruff and a commentary by President George Q. Cannon, one of his counselors are given in full. The reader might well study carefully both statements of Presidents Woodruff and Cannon.
There are several other very interesting points brought out by President Woodruff in this discourse that are worthy of particular notice.
President Woodruff states rather categorically that the chronological age of a person or prophet is not a determining factor in his ability to receive revelation, citing as his two extremes the revelations to Adam at the age of 927 years and the revelations to Joseph Smith at this age of 14 years.
He also accepts as authentic and literal the advanced ages of the Old Testament patriarchs and prophets, stating that when they were "four or five hundred years old they took wives, begat children, and raised up posterity."
THE LAW OF ADOPTION
Discourses Delivered at the General Conference of the Church, the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City, Utah, Sunday, April 18, 1894.
PRESIDENT WILFORD WOODRUFF
I feel thankful for the privilege of meeting with so many of the Latter-day Saints this morning. In order to present my position before the Saints I wish to say that I have been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints over sixty years, a member of the quorum of the Apostles fifty-five years, and the President of the Church for a short time. During all these years, and in all my travels, I have never seen a moment when I have had the power to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ or to administer in any of the ordinances of the House of the Lord, acceptable to God or to myself, only by the assistance of the Holy Ghost; and I do not know of any other man that could ever do this. Even the Son of God, in referring to His work, said: "I do nothing of myself, but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things." So it has been with all the prophets and patriarchs in every age of the world; they have had to be assisted by the power of God. I occupy that position today before this assembly. Therefore, as the Lord commanded us not to speak only as we are moved upon by the Holy Ghost, I desire that, and in order to obtain it I want the prayers and faith of the Latter-day Saints.
I have some things resting upon me that I wish to present before the Latter-day Saints, and in order to do this I will call upon President George Q. Cannon to read from the Book of Doctrine and Covenants concerning the subject which I wish to speak upon. (President Cannon read from Sec. 128, of Doc. and Cov. Resuming, President Woodruff said:)
Thus you have before you the subject which is resting upon us, and which we wish to present to the Latter-day Saints. Let me say that age has very little to do with revelation. In an early age of the world, old Father Adam, three years previous to his death-he being nearly one thousand years of age-called together his posterity in the valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman, and he stood upon his feet for hours, clothed with the power of God and the revelations of heaven, and blessed his posterity, some seven of whom, each representing a generation, were High Priests. Among them were Enoch and Methusaleh, both great men of their day and generation. He prophesied upon them what should transpire with their posterity unto the end of time. His old age did not have any effect whatever upon the revelations of God to him. Joseph Smith, when fourteen years of age, while calling upon God in the wilderness, had the heavens opened unto him. Both the Father and Son presented themselves unto him in the clouds of heaven, and the Father said, "This is my beloved Son; hear him." The age of man is very short indeed in this day to what it was in ancient days. Men anciently lived to a very great age. When four or five hundred years old they took wives, begat children, and raised up posterity. Today our age is limited to something like three score years and ten.
I wish to say to the Latter-day Saints that we live in a very important generation. We are blessed with power and authority, holding the Holy Priesthood by the commandment of God, to stand upon the earth and redeem both the living and the dead. If we did not do it, we should be damned and cut off from the earth, and the God of Israel would raise up a people who would do it. The Lord would not permit me to occupy this position one day of my life, unless I was susceptible to the Holy Spirit and to the revelations of God. It is too late in the day for this Church to stand without revelation. Not only the President of the Church should possess this gift and give it unto the people, but his counselors and the Apostles and all men that bear the Holy Priesthood, if they magnify their calling, although they may not be called to give revelations to lead and direct the Church. The spirit of revelation belongs to the Priesthood.
But to come to the subject before us. Perhaps it may be said by the inquiring or the objecting mind, What have you to say about redeeming the dead, or about baptism for the dead, or the work of the Temples of our God, that is not already revealed? I will say this: When the Prophet Joseph had this revelation from heaven, what did he do? There are witnesses here of what he did. He never stopped till he got the fulness of the word of God to him concerning the baptism for the dead. But before doing so he went into the Mississippi river, and so did I, as well as others, and we each baptized a hundred for the dead, without a man to record a single act that we performed. Why did we do it? Because of the feeling of joy we had, to think that we in the flesh could stand and redeem our dead. We did not wait to know what the result of this would be, or what the whole of it should be. Finally the Lord told the Prophet: "When any of you are baptized for your dead, let there be a recorder, and let him be eye witness of your baptisms; let him hear with his ears, that he may testify of a truth, saith the Lord; that in all your recordings it may be recorded in heaven; whatsoever you bind on earth may be bound in heaven; whatsoever you loose on earth, may be loosed in heaven." That was the beginning of this work.
Joseph Smith, instead of living to be nearly a thousand years of age, as Adam did, lived to be about thirty-eight years of age. He brought forth the record of the stick of Joseph in the hands of Ephraim-the history of the ancient inhabitants of this continent. By the power of God he translated that, and it has been published in many languages. Besides this, he organized the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus being the chief corner stone. Men were ordained to the Priesthood and sent forth, from the various occupations of life, to carry this gospel to the world. God informed Joseph Smith that he was called to prune the vineyard once more for the last time before the coming of the Son of Man. Since that, thousands of Elders of Israel have been sent into the world to preach the Gospel. Joseph Smith did all this during the fifteen years he held the Priesthood. Let any man read the revelations in the Book of Doctrine and Covenants, which were given through him during the little time he spent here in the flesh. It is one of the greatest records that any man ever gave to the human family. Not only this, but he organized the endowments and did a great deal of other work. Who could expect him, during the short time he lived in the flesh, to do more than he did? I received my endowment from under his hands. He brought forth all these ordinances that have been given unto the Latter-day Saints. In fact, it is a marvel and a wonder that he performed as much as he did.
I want to say, as the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that we should now go on and progress. We have not got through revelation. We have not got through the work of God. But at this period we want to go on and fulfillthis commandment of God given through Malachi that the Lord should send Elijah the prophet, "and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." Ye sons of men, I say unto you, in the name of Israel's God, those very principles that God has revealed are what have stayed the judgment of the Almighty on the earth. Were it not for these principles, you and I would not be here today. We have had prophets and apostles. President Young who followed President Joseph Smith, led us here. He organized these Temples and carried out the purposes of his calling and office. He laid the foundation of this great Temple on this block, as well as others in the mountains of Israel. What for? That we might carry out these principles of redemption for the dead. He accomplished all that God required at his hands. But he did not receive all the revelations that belong to this work; neither did President Taylor, nor has Wilford Woodruff. There will be no end to this work until it is perfected.
I want to lay before you what there is for us to do at the present time; and in doing this I desire particularly the attention of President Lorenzo Snow, of the Salt Lake Temple; President M. W. Merrill, of the Logan Temple; President J. D. T. McAllister of the Manti Temple, and President D. H. Cannon, of the St. George Temple, and those associated with them. You have acted up to all the light and knowledge that you have had; but you have now something more to do than you have done. We have not fully carried out those principles in fulfillment of the revelations of God to us, in sealing the hearts of the fathers to the children and the children to the fathers. I have not felt satisfied, neither did President Taylor, neither has any man since the Prophet Joseph who has attended to the ordinance of adoption in the temples of our God. We have felt that there was more to be revealed upon the subject than we had received. Revelations were given to us in the St. George Temple, which President Young presented to the Church of God. Changes were made there, and we still have more changes to make, in order to satisfy our Heavenly Father, satisfy our dead and ourselves. I will tell you what some of them are. I have prayed over this matter, and my brethren have. We have felt as President Taylor said, that we have got to have more revelation concerning sealing under the law of adoption. Well, what are these changes? One of them is the principle of adoption.
Now, what are the feelings of Israel? They have felt that they wanted to be adopted to somebody. President Young was not satisfied in his mind with regard to the extent of this matter; President Taylor was not. When I went before the Lord to know who I should be adopted to (we were then being adopted to prophets and apostles), the Spirit of God said to me, "Have you not a father, who begot you?" "Yes, I have." "Then why not honor him? Why not be adopted to him?" "Yes," says I, "that is right." I was adopted to my father, and should have had my father sealed to his father, and so on back; and the duty that I want every man who presides over a Temple to see performed from this day henceforth and forever, unless the Lord Almighty commands otherwise, is, let every man be adopted to his father. When a man receives the endowment, adopt him to his father; not to Wilford Woodruff, nor to any other man outside the lineage of his fathers. That is the will of God to this people. I want all men who preside over these temples in these mountains of Israel to bear this in mind. What business have I to take away the rights of the lineage of any man? What right has any man to do this? No; I say let every man be adopted to his father; and then you will do exactly what God said when he declared He would send Elijah the prophet in the last days. Elijah the prophet appeared unto Joseph Smith and told him the day had come when this principle must be carried out. Joseph Smith did not live long enough to enter any further upon these things. His soul was wound up with this work before he was martyred for the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ. He told us that there must be a welding link of all dispensations and of the work of God from one generation to another. This was upon his mind more than most any other subject that was given to him. In my prayers the Lord revealed to me, that it was my duty to say to all Israel to carry this principle out, and in fulfillment of that revelation I lay it before this people. I say to all men who are laboring in these temples, carry out this principle, and then we will make one step in advance of what we have had before. Myself and counselors conversed upon this and were agreed upon it, and afterwards we laid it before all the Apostles who were here (two were absent-Brothers Thatcher and Lund, the latter being in England,) and the Lord revealed to every one of these men-and they would bear testimony of it if they were to speak-that that was the word of the Lord to them. I never met with anything in my life in this Church that there was more unity upon than there was upon that principle. They all feel right about it, and that it is our duty. That is one principle that should be carried out from this time henceforth. "But," says one, "suppose we come along to a man who perhaps is a murderer." Well, if he is a murderer, drop him out and connect with the next man beyond him. But the Spirit of God will be with us in this matter. We want the Latter-day Saints from this time to trace their genealogies as far as they can, and to be sealed to their fathers and mothers. Have children sealed to their parents, and run this chain through as far as you can get it. * * * This is the will of the Lord to his people, and I think when you come to reflect upon it you will find it to be true.
Another principle connected with this subject I want to talk about. A man has married a woman, and they have a family of children. The man lays down in death without ever hearing the Gospel. The wife afterwards hears the Gospel and embraces it. She comes to the temple and she wants to be sealed to her husband, who was a good man. The feeling has been to deny this and to say, "No, he is not in the Church, and you cannot be sealed to your husband." Many a woman's heart has ached because of this, and as a servant of God I have broken that chain a good while ago. I have laid before every woman this principle and let her have her choice. Why deprive a woman of being sealed to her husband because he never heard the Gospel? What do any of us know with regard to him? Will he not hear the Gospel and embrace it in the spirit world? Look at Joseph Smith. Not one of Joseph Smith's fathers or brothers or sisters were in the covenant when he received the keys of the kingdom of God and translated the Book of Mormon. They afterwards received it. Every brother and sister that he had, and his father and his father's brothers, except Uncle Jesse Smith, embraced the Gospel. Now, suppose that any of these had died before they had the opportunity of entering into the covenant with the Lord through the Gospel, as his brother Alvin did; they would have been in the same position as Alvin, concerning whom the Lord, when Joseph saw him in the celestial kingdom, said: "All who have died without a knowledge of this Gospel, who would have received it if they had been permitted to tarry, shall be heirs of the celestial kingdom of God; also all that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that kingdom, for I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts."
So it will be with your fathers. There will be very few, if any, who will not accept the Gospel. Jesus while His body lay in the tomb, went and preached to the spirits in prison, who were destroyed in the days of Noah. After so long an imprisonment, in torment, they doubtless gladly embraced the Gospel, and if so they will be saved in the kingdom of God. The fathers of this people will embrace the Gospel. It is my duty to honor my father who begot me in the flesh. It is your duty to do the same. When you do this, the Spirit of God will be with you. And we shall continue this work, the Lord adding light to that which we have already received. I have had friends adopted to me. We all have, more or less. But I have had peculiar feelings about it, especially lately. There are men in this congregation who wish to be adopted to me. I say to them, if they can hear me, Go and be adopted to your fathers, and save your fathers, and stand at the head of your father's house, as saviors upon Mount Zion and God will bless you in this. This is what I want to say, and what I want carried out in our temples.
The Almighty is with this people. We shall have all the revelations that we will need, if we will do our duty and obey the commandments of God. When any of us get so that we cannot receive these revelations, the Lord will take us out of the way and put someone in our places who can. I am here today, on borrowed time, I may say. I would have been in the spirit world today, mingling with the spirits in the presence of God, had it not been for the cry of this people for my life when I lay at the gates of death a year ago. I have been preserved by the power of God. How long I shall live I do not know. It does not make any difference to me. But while I do live I want to do my duty. I want the Latter-day Saints to do their duty. Here is the Holy Priesthood in these mountains. Their responsibility is great and mighty. The eyes of God and all the holy prophets are watching us. This is the great dispensation that has been spoken of ever since the world began. We are gathered together in these mountains of Israel by the power and commandment of God. We are doing the work of God. This is not our home, as far as mortality is concerned. We shall soon pass away. But while here let us fill our mission. I want to say to Brother L. Snow, Brother M. W. Merrill, Brother J. D. T. McAllister and Brother D. H. Cannon, and all associated with you, carry these things before the Lord and see for yourselves. If you are not satisfied with this order of things, go and ask the Lord about it, and the Holy Ghost will reveal to you the truth of these principles.
This is all I ought to say at this time, perhaps upon this subject. I am glad to meet with you. I have had a great anxiety, over this matter. I have had a great desire that I might live to deliver these principles to the Latter-day Saints, for they are true. They are one step forward in the work of the ministry and in the work of the endowment in these temples of our God. * * * A man may say: "I am an Apostle, or I am a High Priest, or I am an Elder in Israel, and if I am adopted to my father, will it take any honor from me." I would say not. If Joseph Smith was sealed to his father, with whom many of you were acquainted, what effect will that have upon his exaltation and glory? None at all. Joseph Smith will hold the keys of this dispensation to the endless ages of eternity. It is the greatest dispensation God ever gave to man, and he was ordained before the world was to stand in the flesh and organize this work. He was martyred for the word of God and testimony of Jesus, and when he comes in the clouds of heaven he will wear a martyr's crown. Those of you who stand here-I do not care whether you are apostles or what you are-by honoring your father you will not take any honor from your heads; you will hold the keys of the salvation of your father's house, as Joseph Smith does. You will lose nothing by honoring your fathers and redeeming your dead. It is a glorious work.
When I returned from England in 1841 and heard Joseph Smith give this revelation, that we had power to redeem our dead, one of the first things I thought was, "I have a mother in the spirit world." My father was in the flesh. I baptized and ordained him and brought him up to Zion, where he is buried. But I never saw my mother to know her. She died when I was an infant. I had power to seal my mother to my father. Was that not a satisfaction? It was to me. I have gone to work with the assistance of my friends and redeemed my father's and my mother's house. When I went to inquire of the Lord how I could redeem my dead, while I was in St. George, not having any of my family there, the Lord told me to call upon the Saints in St. George and let them officiate for me in that temple, and it should be acceptable unto Him. Brother McAllister and the brethren and sisters there have assisted me in this work, and I felt to bless them with every feeling of my heart. This is a revelation to us. We can help one another in these matters, if we have not relatives sufficient to carry this on, and it will be acceptable unto the Lord.
Brethren and sisters, lay these things to heart. Let us go on with our records, fill them up righteously before the Lord, and carry out this principle, and the blessings of God will attend us, and those who are redeemed will bless us in days to come. I pray God that as a people our eyes may be opened to see, our ears to hear, and our hearts to understand the great and mighty work that rests upon our shoulders, and that the God of heaven requires at our hand. Great and glorious are these principles which God has revealed to us concerning the redemption of our dead. I tell you when the prophets and apostles go to preach to those who are shut up in prison, and who have not received the Gospel, thousands of them will there embrace the Gospel. They know more in that world than they do here. I pray God that as a people we may have power to magnify our calling in this great and mighty dispensation while we dwell in the flesh that when our work is done we may be satisfied with this life and this work. This is my prayer and the desire of my heart, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
125 years ago today - Thursday, Apr 18, 1889
[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] Salt Lake City
President Joseph F. Smith requested me to go before the Grand Jury and give testimony to indict him for unlawfull cohabitation. I consented to do so through friendship alone.
[Source: 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]
President Joseph F. Smith requested me to go before the Grand Jury and give testimony to indict him for unlawfull cohabitation. I consented to do so through friendship alone.
[Source: 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]
145 years ago today - Apr 18, 1869
[Brigham Young Sermon] He then discoursed on the promises of the Lord to those who kept the Word of Wisdom, spoke very pointedly against the use of narcotics, which was the cause of much disease and early death, and spoke against the folly of some parents who teach their children the use of tea, coffee, etc.
[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
155 years ago today - Apr 18, 1859
Thomas Coleman murders fellow-slave Shep,
Two of the shots took effect one striking and breaking the collar bone and inflicting a severe wound in his right shoulder, and the other passing through one of his hands. The villain then fled and has not yet been found." (Deseret News) Thomas Coleman and Shep had been in a long-standing feud over the "damsel", who was owned by Thomas S. Williams.
[Source: http://www.xtimeline.com/timeline/Chronology-Pertaining-to-Blacks-and-the-LDS-Church]
Two of the shots took effect one striking and breaking the collar bone and inflicting a severe wound in his right shoulder, and the other passing through one of his hands. The villain then fled and has not yet been found." (Deseret News) Thomas Coleman and Shep had been in a long-standing feud over the "damsel", who was owned by Thomas S. Williams.
[Source: http://www.xtimeline.com/timeline/Chronology-Pertaining-to-Blacks-and-the-LDS-Church]
170 years ago today - Apr 18, 1844
[Quorum of Twelve] ... "Kimball said men on the Hill say Foster has spoke of Joseph as murdered, Bogus maker, counterfeiter, adu[l]terer and [publicized ?]
H. Kimball — moved R. D. Foster be cut off from the church [2nd ?] by Wm Clayton and [J. ?] P. Green.--
Cahoon — Foster had stated on the hill he had been called to women when/where the father was Joseph.
... went to Wm wife to attempt to seduce him. Joseph wanted her to come into the order. not privilege to seld [sic] unless he obed [sic]
Privilege sealed to him — watch his opportunity Wm out in bedroom attempt to take [her or him ?] abed. — [repent or serpent ?] & kill him spare his life she told her husband — got [time ?] told William. — Joseph swore [?] Wm told Joseph Wm wife some [lied ?] when. Joseph said you did Joseph acknowledged & seal[e]d William & wife
Was not a more gallant scoundrel ever hung between the heavens and the earth
Vote carried unanimously, — Wilson Law, Clayton moved Wm Law be cut off 2nd ...
[Source: Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Minutes of Meetings and Other Documents--Excerpts, 1835-1896, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
H. Kimball — moved R. D. Foster be cut off from the church [2nd ?] by Wm Clayton and [J. ?] P. Green.--
Cahoon — Foster had stated on the hill he had been called to women when/where the father was Joseph.
... went to Wm wife to attempt to seduce him. Joseph wanted her to come into the order. not privilege to seld [sic] unless he obed [sic]
Privilege sealed to him — watch his opportunity Wm out in bedroom attempt to take [her or him ?] abed. — [repent or serpent ?] & kill him spare his life she told her husband — got [time ?] told William. — Joseph swore [?] Wm told Joseph Wm wife some [lied ?] when. Joseph said you did Joseph acknowledged & seal[e]d William & wife
Was not a more gallant scoundrel ever hung between the heavens and the earth
Vote carried unanimously, — Wilson Law, Clayton moved Wm Law be cut off 2nd ...
[Source: Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Minutes of Meetings and Other Documents--Excerpts, 1835-1896, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Apr 18, 1844
Joseph meets with 32 leading Church brethren (22 of whom belong to the Council of Fifty) to make a ruling about certain Church dissidents. Robert D. Foster, Wilson Law, William Law, Jane Law, and Howard Smith are excommunicated for "unchristianlike conduct." These men did not reject Mormonism, but regarded Joseph as a fallen, not a false, prophet, and planned to set up their own church. They made various charges against Joseph's character. William Law accused Joseph of propositioning Law's wife. Joseph claimed that when he told Jane Law that her husband, William, was unworthy of celestial sealing due to admitted adultery, she then begged to be sealed to Joseph. Several months later Jesse Price would testify that on April 18, 1844, William Law had gone out with pistols determined to blow Joseph's "infernal brains out," saying that he was determined to kill Joseph at first opportunity.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
170 years ago today - Apr 18, 1844
Willam Law planned to shoot Joseph Smith but didn't get a chance [per affidavit of Jesse Price].
[Source: Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"]
[Source: Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"]
170 years ago today - Apr 18, 1844
William Miller's 2nd predicted date for the end of the world. Miller writes "I confess my error, and acknowledge my disappointment; yet I still believe that the day of the Lord is near, even at the door."
[Source: Brooke, John L. The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1994. p.276]
[Source: Brooke, John L. The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1994. p.276]
170 years ago today - Apr 18, 1844 - 27 June 1844
[1st Presidency Changes] Joseph Smith, Jr. Hyrum Smith (Assistant President) Sidney Rigdon (never ordained an apostle) John Smith (never ordained an apostle, Assistant Counselor) Amasa M. Lyman (Counselor) Apostasy of William Law (never ordained an apostle)
[Source: Wikipedia, First Presidency (LDS Church), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Presidency_(LDS_Church)#Chronology_of_the_First_Presidency]
[Source: Wikipedia, First Presidency (LDS Church), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Presidency_(LDS_Church)#Chronology_of_the_First_Presidency]
180 years ago today - Apr 18, 1834
[Joseph Smith Diary] After dark were hailed by a man who desired to ride. We were checked by the Spirit and refused. He professed to be sick, but in a few minutes was joined by two others who followed us hard, cursing and swearing. We were successful in escaping their hands through the providence of the Lord, and stayed at a tavern where we were treated with civility.
[Source: Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1832-34, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
[Source: Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1832-34, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
45 years ago today - Apr 17, 1969
The Church announces the construction of the new twenty-eight-story Church Office Building in Salt Lake City, Utah.
[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
150 years ago today - Apr 17, 1864
President Young said I am going to tell you something that I have never before mentioned to any other Person ['-] I have ordained my sons Joseph A.[,] Brigham & John W. Apostles and my Counsellors. Have you any objections? J[ohn]. Taylor & G[eorge]. A. Smith said they had not, that it was his own affair & they considered it under his own direction. He further stated In ordaining my sons I have done no more than I am perfectly willing that you should do with yours. And I am now determined to put my sons into active service in the Spiritual Affairs of the Kingdom and keep them thare just as long as possible ['-] you have the same privilege. [s] John Taylor [s] Geo[rge]. A. Smith
[Source: 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]
[Source: 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]
175 years ago today - Apr 17, 1839
[Wilford Woodruff Journal] 17th I settled my family in Quincy & prepared myself to accompany the twelve to fulfill a certain revelation & commandment of the Lord which required us to take our leave of the Saints at far west on the 26th day of April 1839 for the nations of the earth.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: 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 - Apr 17, 1839
Brigham Young, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, decides that the Twelve would return to Far West, Missouri, to fulfill the Lord's commandment for the Twelve to leave on their mission to Great Britain from the temple site at Far West (D&C 118:4â€"5).
[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
180 years ago today - Apr 17, 1834
Sidney Rigdon speaks in the Kirtland Temple about the redemption of Zion, and Joseph asks members to contribute all they can. They receive $29.68 for the redemption of Zion.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
55 years ago today - Thu Apr 16, 1959
[David O. McKay Office Journal] Met by appointment Dr. Ernest L. Wilkinson, President of the Brigham Young University, who took up the following with me: 1. The question of whether President Wilkinson should have access to the tithing records of the faculty of the Brigham Young University. The faculty itself has already voted that compliance with Church standards is one of the criterions [sic] for promotion. This question was discussed at our meeting of the First Presidency today.
[Source: McKay, David O., Office Journal]
[Source: McKay, David O., Office Journal]
100 years ago today - Apr 16, 1914; Thursday
...Copy of the confession made by a man named A. W. Lundstrom was read, which had been sent to President [Joseph F.] Smith by Pres[iden]t. Lewis S. Pond.
A. W. Lundstrom was one of the apostates who testified against Senator [Reed] Smoot in what is known as the Smoot Hearings ...
It became the sense of the Council, on motion of Pres[iden]t. Lyman, that Lundstrom be thoroughly examined as to his moral character, and Pres[iden]t. Lyman, on invitation of Pres[iden]t. Penrose, appointed Elders Rudger Clawson, Joseph F[ielding]. Smith Jr. and James E. Talmage to investigate Lundstrom as to his worthiness to regain his standing in the Church.12 ...
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
A. W. Lundstrom was one of the apostates who testified against Senator [Reed] Smoot in what is known as the Smoot Hearings ...
It became the sense of the Council, on motion of Pres[iden]t. Lyman, that Lundstrom be thoroughly examined as to his moral character, and Pres[iden]t. Lyman, on invitation of Pres[iden]t. Penrose, appointed Elders Rudger Clawson, Joseph F[ielding]. Smith Jr. and James E. Talmage to investigate Lundstrom as to his worthiness to regain his standing in the Church.12 ...
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
110 years ago today - Apr 16, 1904 (Saturday)
Dr. George H. Brimhall, after acting for some time as temporary president of the B.Y. University at Provo was appointed permanent president of that institution.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
110 years ago today - Apr 16, 1904
Apostle Rudger Clawson records in his journal: "At 8 p.m. I attended a debate at the Beaver church school building between three of the Beaver boys and three young men from Fillmore. Subject of debate [was] 'Should the Negro be disfranchised.' The young men from Fillmore took the negative side and won. It was quite interesting and entertaining."
115 years ago today - Sunday, Apr 16, 1899
[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] .... The wind blew with such force we were obliged to stop in the road for an hour, and as we were then about 7 miles from our journey's end and the wind still blowing a gale, we decided to return home, arriving at 4 p.m. I felt somewhat condemned in starting out, as we did, on Sunday, my only reason for doing so being a desire to return to Salt Lake tomorrow morning (Monday) to finish up some special work that I am preparing for Prest. Snow. The manner in which our trip ended, however, made it clear to my mind that I was in the wrong.
[Source: 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]
[Source: 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]
160 years ago today - Apr 16, 1854
[Brigham Young Sermon] I really wanted to give [Elder Hyde] a joke, I think I will venture to do so. In his first remarks he told us, if it were necessary and he felt as though he could not well do without a good spree, he would get a bottle of right down good spirits and retire to his closet; I recommend his choice of good spirits, and perfectly agree with him on that point, with only one exception; I should want some of the best boys along to enjoy it with me. ...
Elder Hyde and myself ... have got old and cunning, we do not let the folks see our freaks, we do it in secret so that they cannot know it, but the boys have their freaks in the broad daylight. When we old and experienced ones want to skylark, we know how to do it without exposing ourselves, but the boys have not had the experience we have, and they do what they do openly....
If ... too much labor is exacted from the mind of a child, it will break down the constitution of the intellect. This is certainly so. This declaration presents an idea before the mind of the people that seemingly conflicts with the antiquated doctrine and practice of '"bring up your children as strictly as possible.'" This is all right; but what parent knows precisely when, and how often to free the child from restriction, that the wild burst of inexperienced young may have vent...
[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
Elder Hyde and myself ... have got old and cunning, we do not let the folks see our freaks, we do it in secret so that they cannot know it, but the boys have their freaks in the broad daylight. When we old and experienced ones want to skylark, we know how to do it without exposing ourselves, but the boys have not had the experience we have, and they do what they do openly....
If ... too much labor is exacted from the mind of a child, it will break down the constitution of the intellect. This is certainly so. This declaration presents an idea before the mind of the people that seemingly conflicts with the antiquated doctrine and practice of '"bring up your children as strictly as possible.'" This is all right; but what parent knows precisely when, and how often to free the child from restriction, that the wild burst of inexperienced young may have vent...
[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
175 years ago today - Apr 16, 1839
Joseph's guard gets purposely intoxicated and tells Joseph he has been instructed never to reach Boone County with the prisoners. Three of the guards get drunk, while the fourth helps Joseph and the other prisoners saddle horses and escape. When the sheriff returns to Gallatin, the people become very angry, and ride the sheriff out of town on a rail. Joseph and the others head for Quincy, Ill.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
175 years ago today - 1839. April 16
(Hyrum Smith) November 28: After three weeks chained in a Richmond, Missouri, log cabin, the Smiths and five other prisoners were taken to the jail in Liberty. "Poison was administered to us three or four times. The effect it had upon our system was that it vomited us almost to death, and then we would lie some two or three days in a torpid stupid state, not even caring or wishing for life."
1839. April 16: The prisoners were allowed to escape en route to Boone County on a change of venue. Hyrum's seven-year-old son John later recalled his father returned with "a full beard, his hair was long, and he was riding a small bay horse."
[Source: Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
1839. April 16: The prisoners were allowed to escape en route to Boone County on a change of venue. Hyrum's seven-year-old son John later recalled his father returned with "a full beard, his hair was long, and he was riding a small bay horse."
[Source: Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
185 years ago today - about Apr 16, 1829
Harmony, Pennsylvania. Joseph Smith received Doctrine & Covenants 9, a revelation urging Oliver Cowdery to be content to write rather than attempt to translate.
[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
185 years ago today - Mid-Late April 1829
Through revelation (D&C 7), Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery settle a dispute about the ancient apostle John.
[Source: Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
[Source: Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
15 years ago today - Apr 15, 1999
In Salt Lake City, Utah, Sergei Babarin (70) entered the Mormon Church's Family History Library and opened fire. He killed 2 people, Patricia Frengs of Pleasant Hill, Ca. and security guard Donald Thomas (62). He wounded 4 others and was shot dead by police.
[Source: Ratnikas, Algis, TimelinesDb, http://www.timelinesdb.com/listevents.php?subjid=201title=Utah]
[Source: Ratnikas, Algis, TimelinesDb, http://www.timelinesdb.com/listevents.php?subjid=201title=Utah]
50 years ago today - Apr 15,1964
Daryl Chase, Mormon president of Utah State University, confides that "the LDS church has a greater strangle hold on the people and institutions of the state now than they had in Brigham's time. Complete academic freedom is actually non-existent."
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]
75 years ago today - Apr 15, 1939
[President Heber J. Grant Diary] I told Mr. Jackling today that I was listening one Saturday night before the election when Franklin D. Roosevelt was reelected, to Roosevelt's speech, and that I listened only a few minutes when I closed off the radio and said "If that man is not making a talk to array the masses against the classes I am no judge of the tone of his voice or the language he is using, and I do not care to listen to him." Mr. Jackling smiled and said, "That is exactly what I did, closed off the radio, and told my wife I would not listen to him."
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
110 years ago today - Apr 15, 1904
Church attorney Franklin S. Richards "urged upon Prest. Smith to not present Apostles J[ohn] W. Taylor's or [Matthias F.] Cowley's name to Conference, [for sustaining] to make any explanation he desired, and if they did not come and take the full responsibility of their conduct . . . to cut them off of the Quorum, and if necessary, to excommunicate them." The federal government was using lack of discipline against Taylor and Cowley as evidence that the church was not serious about relinquishing the practice of polygamy.
120 years ago today - Apr 15,1894
[Utah] Juvenile Instructor publishes hymn "Our Mother in Heaven," which is phrased as prayer to the goddess.
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]
150 years ago today - Apr 15, 1864
Brigham Young tells John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff in private, "I am going to tell you something that I have never before mentioned to any other person. I have ordained my sons, Joseph A., Brigham, and John W., apostles and my counsellors, have you any objections?" Taylor and Smith say that they have none. Young further states that in ordaining "my sons I have done no more than I am perfectly willing that you do with yours and I am now determined to put my sons into active service in the spiritual affairs of the Kingdom and keep them there just as long as possible, that you have the same privilege."
170 years ago today - Apr 15, 1844
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith settled with Dan Jones for the purchase of the Maid of Iowa steamer.
[Source: Joseph Smith Resource Center: Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith, http://josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e581001cfb340010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRDlocale=0]
[Source: Joseph Smith Resource Center: Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith, http://josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e581001cfb340010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRDlocale=0]
170 years ago today - Apr 15, 1844
The Twelve draw up a list of upcoming conferences throughout the East and appoint over 300 missionaries to go on political missions throughout those states electioneering for Joseph. By this date, Dr. Foster is told that he will be tried in a Church court on the charges made by Joseph on April 13. The trial is to take place April 20, 1844. Foster begins gathering witnesses to testify in his behalf.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
170 years ago today - Apr 15, 1844
Presidential candidate Joseph Smith publishes a letter in the TIMES AND SEASONS in which he says "I go emphatically, virtuously, and humanely, for a THEODEMOCRACY, where God and the people hold the power to conduct the affairs of men in righteousness."
William Law writes in his journal: "Since [general] Conference Almon Babbit[t] came to me, and said, that Joseph Smith wished a reconciliation and that if I would let all drop and say nothing about it, and be friendly, he would restore me to my office of the First Presidency and raise me higher than ever, & would send me a writing to that effect. I told Mr. Babbit[t] that I could not be bought, that if J. Smith wanted reconciliation with me he must make public acknowledgement and cease from his abominations &c"
William Law writes in his journal: "Since [general] Conference Almon Babbit[t] came to me, and said, that Joseph Smith wished a reconciliation and that if I would let all drop and say nothing about it, and be friendly, he would restore me to my office of the First Presidency and raise me higher than ever, & would send me a writing to that effect. I told Mr. Babbit[t] that I could not be bought, that if J. Smith wanted reconciliation with me he must make public acknowledgement and cease from his abominations &c"
175 years ago today - Apr 15, 1839
Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Alexander McRae, and Caleb Baldwin escape while being transported from Liberty jailhouse (after getting their guard intoxicated).
[Source: Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"]
[Source: Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"]
185 years ago today - 1829 mid-Apr.
Joseph Smith, Jr. (at Harmony, Susquehanna, PA) claimed to receive a message from God directed to Oliver Cowdery (LDS D&C Sec. 6). Cowdery was told in the text that God had given him a "gift" by which he (Oliver) would "assist in bringing to light" "those parts of the scriptures which have been hidden..." He was further told that his "gift" would allow him "to translate, even as my servant Joseph" and that he would receive no greater witness of the supposedly ancient record. It is possible that the "gift" mentioned in the "revelation" pertained in some way to Oliver's using a diving rod to locate and/or "translate" ancient scriptural records.
[Source: Broadhurst, Dale R., Oliver Cowdery Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/Cdychrn1.htm]
[Source: Broadhurst, Dale R., Oliver Cowdery Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/Cdychrn1.htm]
45 years ago today - Apr 14, 1969
First Presidency makes official statement on birth control which omits any reference to their own feelings about birth control as "a personal matter," and states: "We believe that those who practice birth control will reap disappointment by and by," and repeated earlier letter's emphasis on "self control as a dominant factor" in marriage.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
75 years ago today - Apr 14, 1939
An article by West German Mission President Alfred C. Rees entitled "In the Land of the Mormons" appears in a special issue of the Nazi Party organ DER VOLKISCHE BEOBATCHTER. In the Editor's Preface to the article, President Rees is called "the representative of the Church in Germany," who "paints for our readers a portrait of Mormonism today, a church which views the New Germany with sympathy and friendship." Whether President Rees originally wrote the article in German or not, the language of the piece abounds in such loaded terms as Volk and Rasse (race); and a picture of Brigham Young bears the caption, "Fuhrer der historischen Mormonenpioniere." disturbing in hindsight is the way President Rees blatantly parallels Mormonism with Nazism. As Rees warms to his topic, Mormonism begins to sound like a fulfillment of Nazi teachings, providing "the practical realization of the German ideal: 'the common good takes precedence over the individual good.' " Rees concluded by assuring his readers that "Mormons are people who put this healthy doctrine into action."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
110 years ago today - Apr 14,1904
[Utah] First Presidency and apostles decide to resume sale of liquor at church resort of Saltair due to need for non-Mormon patronage.
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]
[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]
110 years ago today - Apr 14, 1904 (Thursday)
The Trustee in Trust of the Church purchased from Mrs. Maggie C. Swope 25 acres of land at Independence, Jackson Co., Mo. Part of the land was a portion of the 63 acres originally acquired for the Church by Bishop Edw. Partridge in 1831 and of which the Temple lot is a part. The new purchase lies adjacent to the Temple lot.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
110 years ago today - Thursday, Apr 14, 1904
[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] Pres. Smith announced that the Presidency had about completed a bargain for the purchase of 25 acres of the original temple lot at Independence, Jackson County, Mo.
[Source: 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]
[Source: 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]
115 years ago today - Apr 14, 1899; Friday
The following telegram was received this morning from Elder W. L. Worsencroft, President of the Samoan Mission: "Hold Elders; headquarters looted; gathering to Apia for safety. All well".
/... a graphophone, or talking machine, and that Brother Wood had already sent a message to the Samoan Saints through this machine, and these brethren now requested Presidents Snow and Cannon to send a few words of greeting to them. They consented, the machine was brought in, and after President Cannon had spoken, President Snow spoke as follows:
"My dear brethren and sisters in Samoa: -- I have just heard what President Cannon has said to you, and I hope you will not forget it. I should be pleased to have the privilege of seeing you, and talking to you face to face, but hardly expect to have this opportunity; but I say to you, if you will live faithful and keep the commandments of the Lord and follow the counsels of the Elders whom we send to you, I shall have the pleasure of meeting you and talking with you in the other life. The Elders we send to you you can trust; they will tell you what is for your best good, and you will be perfectly safe and be greatly blessed in following their counsels. We are very much pleased at hearing from you from time to time, and learning you are faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord and treating his servants so kindly. I constantly keep you in my mind, and pray for you at the family altar; and hope to have your prayers and faith to sustain me in the high and sacred position which the Lord has called me to occupy. God bless you. Amen."
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
/... a graphophone, or talking machine, and that Brother Wood had already sent a message to the Samoan Saints through this machine, and these brethren now requested Presidents Snow and Cannon to send a few words of greeting to them. They consented, the machine was brought in, and after President Cannon had spoken, President Snow spoke as follows:
"My dear brethren and sisters in Samoa: -- I have just heard what President Cannon has said to you, and I hope you will not forget it. I should be pleased to have the privilege of seeing you, and talking to you face to face, but hardly expect to have this opportunity; but I say to you, if you will live faithful and keep the commandments of the Lord and follow the counsels of the Elders whom we send to you, I shall have the pleasure of meeting you and talking with you in the other life. The Elders we send to you you can trust; they will tell you what is for your best good, and you will be perfectly safe and be greatly blessed in following their counsels. We are very much pleased at hearing from you from time to time, and learning you are faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord and treating his servants so kindly. I constantly keep you in my mind, and pray for you at the family altar; and hope to have your prayers and faith to sustain me in the high and sacred position which the Lord has called me to occupy. God bless you. Amen."
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
135 years ago today - Apr 14, 1879 (Monday)
The corner stones of the Manti Temple were laid.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
185 years ago today - Apr 14, 1829
Harmony, Pennsylvania. Joseph Smith commenced the second week of dictating the translation of the Book of Mormon to Oliver Cowdery.
[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
185 years ago today - Apr 13, 1829
'Light on Masonry' is published by an "anti-Mason Mason" or one who believed that original Masonry had been corrupted. "However holy our mysteries may have been, the lodges are now profaned and sullied. Brethren and companions, attired in your mourning robes, attend and let us seal up the gates of our temple, for the profane have found means of penetrating into them - they have converted them into retreats for their impiety, into dens of conspirators."
A full page engraving at the beginning of the book shows a man with sword in one hand and the decapitated head of William Morgan in the other with his body as his feet. [See 1 Nephi 4:18]
Details of the masonic ceremonies are given, including grips, special words, the tree of life, cherubims, Michael giving a "sign" to lodge members, Urim and Thummim, seven days of creation, a white and green apron, a sash with instructions on how it is worn, and the imparting of divine knowledge from God to Adam. ['Light on Masonry: A Collection of All the Most Important Documents on the Subject of Speculative Free Masonry,' (referred to as 'the Bible of Antimasonry')]
[Source: Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]
A full page engraving at the beginning of the book shows a man with sword in one hand and the decapitated head of William Morgan in the other with his body as his feet. [See 1 Nephi 4:18]
Details of the masonic ceremonies are given, including grips, special words, the tree of life, cherubims, Michael giving a "sign" to lodge members, Urim and Thummim, seven days of creation, a white and green apron, a sash with instructions on how it is worn, and the imparting of divine knowledge from God to Adam. ['Light on Masonry: A Collection of All the Most Important Documents on the Subject of Speculative Free Masonry,' (referred to as 'the Bible of Antimasonry')]
[Source: Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]
170 years ago today - Apr 13, 1844
Several officers-of-the-law attend a meeting in Nauvoo. "Elder [John] Taylor gave them to understand that if they made an attempt to serve writs on him it would cost them their lives, . . ."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
115 years ago today - Apr 13, 1899; Thursday
... A question as to the proper use of the terms "ordain" and "set apart" came up and was discussed at length, the main speakers being Presidents Snow, Cannon and Smith, Apostles Richards, Lund, Smith, Woodruff and Clawson. The question was sprung by Brother Lund, who stated that on his arrival from Liverpool [England], homeward bound from Palestine, he received a message by cable, requesting and authorizing him to ordain Joseph W. Mcmurrin as one of the First Presidents of Seventies. He attended to the matter, but in the ordination the word "ordain" was not used, though the words "set apart" were, and all the rights, privileges and powers pertaining to that office were conferred upon Brother McMurrin. He had since learned that it was held, especially by the Seventies, that their presiding officers should be ordained, and some of them had queries in their minds as to whether or not this had been done in the case of Brother McMurrin. The latter being already a Seventy, at the time of his call to be one of the Presidents over the Seventies, the thought had passed through the mind of Brother Lund that it was not necessary to ordain him to preside, and he had therefore used the words "set apart" instead of "ordain". He had since looked up the definition of the word ordain, and found that one of its definitions was "to set apart". He had concluded in his own mind that it was really not necessary to reordain Brother McMurrin, but he desired the mind of the Council upon the matter.
President Snow having asked the brethren to express their views upon the question, President Cannon referred to a remark which had been made to the effect that in organizing the Presidency of a Deacon's quorum the Presidents were not ordained but set apart to preside. He then said that in his opinion the case of a President of a Deacon's quorum and that of one of the First Presidents of Seventies were not parallel, for the reason that the latter was a prominent office and the other was not. He thought there was a difference between ordaining and setting apart, and that a President of Seventies, like Brother McMurrin, should be ordained to that office. According to all the views heretofore entertained, if such a thing should occur as the breaking up of the Quorum of the First Presidency and that of the Apostles, the authority of this Church would rest on the First Seven Presidents of Seventies, and no doubt they would proceed to organize the Church. Therefore, while the word ordain meant setting apart, there was a distinction in our minds between the two proceedings. The ordaining of a man seemed to confer a more definite authority than the setting apart. Moses Thatcher had held that in the case of a Bishop all that was necessary was the setting apart, but from this view the speaker dissented. In the matter referred to by Brother Lund, President Cannon thought it would be unfortunate for Brother McMurrin's ordination to be questioned, as men upon whom the latter had laid his hands might question the legality of their ordination. President Cannon said that as Brother Lund's intent was to ordain Brother McMurrin and confer upon him all the keys of the office in question, it ought to cover the case and his ordination should therefore not be
questioned.
President Snow said that President Cannon had expressed his views exactly, although, after conversing with Brother Lund upon the subject, he had thought it better to bring up the matter before the council. He favored the use of the word ordain in Brother McMurrin's case, but at the same time he held that the conferring of all the rights, keys and powers of the office was equivalent to an ordination, and the term used really embodied all the meaning that the word ordain could convey. He thought that it would be very unwise to question the ordination.
President Richards moved that it be the sense of the Council that the action taken with Bro[ther]. McMurrin as to the office named was a competent act and that there should be no revision of it. The motion was seconded and carried.
President Cannon further remarked that when a man holds a Priesthood and he is called to labor within that Priesthood to preside, the words "set apart" should be used, but the office of President of Seventies being a prominent office the Word "ordain" should be used.
President Smith: The Presidency of the Church is a prominent office, but the First Presidency are not ordained.
President Cannon: They are already Apostles, and no new power is conferred upon them by reason of their calling to act in the Presidency.
President Smith thought that the words "set apart" used in the case of a President of Seventies were just as proper and appropriate as in the case of the Presidency of the Church, or in that of a Stake President, since it conferred no higher Priesthood upon either of them to call them to act in the Presidency of these several organizations.
President Cannon rejoined that he would not feel satisfied, if called to act as a President of Seventies unless the word "ordain" were used; that is, if it were intentionally omitted and the words "set apart" substituted; but if other brethren felt to use the words set apart instead of the word "ordain", he would not question their right to so express themselves. Yet if he were the subject for ordination, and Brother Lund, after this consideration of the question, were to ordain him and use the words "set apart" instead of "ordain", he would not feel satisfied with his action.
President Snow remarked that he would not feel satisfied either.
President Richards stated that the Josephites asked the question, by way of criticism, if Brigham Young was ordained to preside, holding that all such officers should be ordained.
President Cannon referred to the revelation providing for the Presidency of the Church, in which revelation the words "appointed and ordained" are used. He then said that in speaking to President Young, after he had selected additional counselors, he asked him if he was going to set them apart. The President answered No, that their priesthood, the Apostleship, entitled them to officiate without further action.
Brother Woodruff here remarked that there was an
understanding among the people that the word "ordain" should be used in all prominent offices, and the words "set apart" in case of temporary callings.
President Snow put this question: "Suppose a man were ordained an Elder in the following manner, `I appoint you to be an Elder, and confer upon you all the rights and keys of this office and calling in the Melchizedek Priesthood, etc.'; and this language were used with the intent of ordaining him an Elder. I hold that such a man would be in every sense of the word ordained."
President Cannon stated that he was told by the late Apostle Parley P. Pratt that the first Elders of the Church, in confirming new members, laid their hands upon them and confirmed them, but that the language was not spoken audibly, and that the prophet Joseph told them they had better speak audibly. But the people received the Holy Ghost all the same.
President Smith asked if the use of the word "ordain" should be confined to the First Seven Presidents of Seventies. A high Priest, he said, was called to preside over a Stake, but the word "ordain" as not used in setting him apart.
President Snow replied that he did not care particularly whether the word "ordain" were used or not, so long as other words were used bestowing all the rights, keys and powers of the office intended to be bestowed upon the person. Such language, with the intent, would in the judgement of the President be all sufficient.
President Smith remarked that this expressed his feelings exactly, and he further said that he was heartily in accord with the action taken upon the matter of the ordination of Brother McMurrin by Brother Lund. He did not believe it would be right to question that ordination. Brother Lund was an Apostle, and was authorized to ordain or set apart Brother McMurrin, and his intent was all right before the Lord, Even if he did not use all the words that some one else would have used, the act was just as acceptable before the Lord, and his mind was that no one should be permitted to call in question Brother McMurrin's ordination. This, he understood to be the substance of the action taken. He believed that the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. He did not favor a uniform ceremony any more than he favored a uniform suit of clothes for missionaries, so long as the language used in ordaining was that prescribed by revelation. In the sacramental prayer and in the form of baptism the Church had a definite guide, but he did not think, even if we failed to confine ourselves strictly to those prescribed forms, that it would vitiate our actions, if the intent was pure; as the authority and intent would govern in such cases; still it would be better to be exact in all such cases. Referring to the Lord's prayer, President Smith said that he did not believe for a moment that it was the intention of the Savior to have the Apostles always using that exact form of prayer; but the object evidently was to impress upon them the need of simplicity and directness in presenting their petitions to the Father. Where this was done, and the dictates of the Spirit faithfully followed, all would be acceptable before the Lord. The
"Josephites" had compiled a book of rules, and the result was that they were all the time quarreling as to how things should be done. Referring to the ceremonies of the various sectarian churches, the speaker said he believed they were all of the devil. He regarded the man of authority as the constitution, and whatever he did by the promptings of the Holy Spirit would be acceptable to the Lord.
Brother John Henry Smith held in the main with President Smith, but it seemed to him that if the Church was to be run by the operation of the Spirit upon the Elders, or rather by what some of the Elders deem operations of the Spirit, the result would be a grand conglomeration of various views. He then went on to say that it was already understood that a Bishop should be ordained; this being so, why not determine which of the officers of the Church should be ordained, and which set apart, defining the distinctions between them. He held that if the Apostles were not united in such matters, confusion must result. Speaking of the ceremony of baptism, he said that it had gone out that the words "forgiveness of your sins" should be added to the ceremony, as published in the Doctrine and Covenants, but that had since been corrected. The speaker held that uniform views on all such subjects should exist in this council.
Brother Lund remarked that if Presidents of Stakes and all officers having special callings were ordained, the sacredness of the word "ordain" would be lost. It was only as to the Presidents of Seventies that the use of this word had been called in question, or rather the omission of it, and he did not think that any difficulty would arise from the present understanding.
President Snow expressed the belief that no further light would be obtained by discussing the question any longer at the present time, and remarked that if the Council preferred the First Presidency to further consider the matter, it would be done.
Brother Clawson moved that this be the sense of the meeting, and the motion was seconded and carried. ...
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
President Snow having asked the brethren to express their views upon the question, President Cannon referred to a remark which had been made to the effect that in organizing the Presidency of a Deacon's quorum the Presidents were not ordained but set apart to preside. He then said that in his opinion the case of a President of a Deacon's quorum and that of one of the First Presidents of Seventies were not parallel, for the reason that the latter was a prominent office and the other was not. He thought there was a difference between ordaining and setting apart, and that a President of Seventies, like Brother McMurrin, should be ordained to that office. According to all the views heretofore entertained, if such a thing should occur as the breaking up of the Quorum of the First Presidency and that of the Apostles, the authority of this Church would rest on the First Seven Presidents of Seventies, and no doubt they would proceed to organize the Church. Therefore, while the word ordain meant setting apart, there was a distinction in our minds between the two proceedings. The ordaining of a man seemed to confer a more definite authority than the setting apart. Moses Thatcher had held that in the case of a Bishop all that was necessary was the setting apart, but from this view the speaker dissented. In the matter referred to by Brother Lund, President Cannon thought it would be unfortunate for Brother McMurrin's ordination to be questioned, as men upon whom the latter had laid his hands might question the legality of their ordination. President Cannon said that as Brother Lund's intent was to ordain Brother McMurrin and confer upon him all the keys of the office in question, it ought to cover the case and his ordination should therefore not be
questioned.
President Snow said that President Cannon had expressed his views exactly, although, after conversing with Brother Lund upon the subject, he had thought it better to bring up the matter before the council. He favored the use of the word ordain in Brother McMurrin's case, but at the same time he held that the conferring of all the rights, keys and powers of the office was equivalent to an ordination, and the term used really embodied all the meaning that the word ordain could convey. He thought that it would be very unwise to question the ordination.
President Richards moved that it be the sense of the Council that the action taken with Bro[ther]. McMurrin as to the office named was a competent act and that there should be no revision of it. The motion was seconded and carried.
President Cannon further remarked that when a man holds a Priesthood and he is called to labor within that Priesthood to preside, the words "set apart" should be used, but the office of President of Seventies being a prominent office the Word "ordain" should be used.
President Smith: The Presidency of the Church is a prominent office, but the First Presidency are not ordained.
President Cannon: They are already Apostles, and no new power is conferred upon them by reason of their calling to act in the Presidency.
President Smith thought that the words "set apart" used in the case of a President of Seventies were just as proper and appropriate as in the case of the Presidency of the Church, or in that of a Stake President, since it conferred no higher Priesthood upon either of them to call them to act in the Presidency of these several organizations.
President Cannon rejoined that he would not feel satisfied, if called to act as a President of Seventies unless the word "ordain" were used; that is, if it were intentionally omitted and the words "set apart" substituted; but if other brethren felt to use the words set apart instead of the word "ordain", he would not question their right to so express themselves. Yet if he were the subject for ordination, and Brother Lund, after this consideration of the question, were to ordain him and use the words "set apart" instead of "ordain", he would not feel satisfied with his action.
President Snow remarked that he would not feel satisfied either.
President Richards stated that the Josephites asked the question, by way of criticism, if Brigham Young was ordained to preside, holding that all such officers should be ordained.
President Cannon referred to the revelation providing for the Presidency of the Church, in which revelation the words "appointed and ordained" are used. He then said that in speaking to President Young, after he had selected additional counselors, he asked him if he was going to set them apart. The President answered No, that their priesthood, the Apostleship, entitled them to officiate without further action.
Brother Woodruff here remarked that there was an
understanding among the people that the word "ordain" should be used in all prominent offices, and the words "set apart" in case of temporary callings.
President Snow put this question: "Suppose a man were ordained an Elder in the following manner, `I appoint you to be an Elder, and confer upon you all the rights and keys of this office and calling in the Melchizedek Priesthood, etc.'; and this language were used with the intent of ordaining him an Elder. I hold that such a man would be in every sense of the word ordained."
President Cannon stated that he was told by the late Apostle Parley P. Pratt that the first Elders of the Church, in confirming new members, laid their hands upon them and confirmed them, but that the language was not spoken audibly, and that the prophet Joseph told them they had better speak audibly. But the people received the Holy Ghost all the same.
President Smith asked if the use of the word "ordain" should be confined to the First Seven Presidents of Seventies. A high Priest, he said, was called to preside over a Stake, but the word "ordain" as not used in setting him apart.
President Snow replied that he did not care particularly whether the word "ordain" were used or not, so long as other words were used bestowing all the rights, keys and powers of the office intended to be bestowed upon the person. Such language, with the intent, would in the judgement of the President be all sufficient.
President Smith remarked that this expressed his feelings exactly, and he further said that he was heartily in accord with the action taken upon the matter of the ordination of Brother McMurrin by Brother Lund. He did not believe it would be right to question that ordination. Brother Lund was an Apostle, and was authorized to ordain or set apart Brother McMurrin, and his intent was all right before the Lord, Even if he did not use all the words that some one else would have used, the act was just as acceptable before the Lord, and his mind was that no one should be permitted to call in question Brother McMurrin's ordination. This, he understood to be the substance of the action taken. He believed that the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. He did not favor a uniform ceremony any more than he favored a uniform suit of clothes for missionaries, so long as the language used in ordaining was that prescribed by revelation. In the sacramental prayer and in the form of baptism the Church had a definite guide, but he did not think, even if we failed to confine ourselves strictly to those prescribed forms, that it would vitiate our actions, if the intent was pure; as the authority and intent would govern in such cases; still it would be better to be exact in all such cases. Referring to the Lord's prayer, President Smith said that he did not believe for a moment that it was the intention of the Savior to have the Apostles always using that exact form of prayer; but the object evidently was to impress upon them the need of simplicity and directness in presenting their petitions to the Father. Where this was done, and the dictates of the Spirit faithfully followed, all would be acceptable before the Lord. The
"Josephites" had compiled a book of rules, and the result was that they were all the time quarreling as to how things should be done. Referring to the ceremonies of the various sectarian churches, the speaker said he believed they were all of the devil. He regarded the man of authority as the constitution, and whatever he did by the promptings of the Holy Spirit would be acceptable to the Lord.
Brother John Henry Smith held in the main with President Smith, but it seemed to him that if the Church was to be run by the operation of the Spirit upon the Elders, or rather by what some of the Elders deem operations of the Spirit, the result would be a grand conglomeration of various views. He then went on to say that it was already understood that a Bishop should be ordained; this being so, why not determine which of the officers of the Church should be ordained, and which set apart, defining the distinctions between them. He held that if the Apostles were not united in such matters, confusion must result. Speaking of the ceremony of baptism, he said that it had gone out that the words "forgiveness of your sins" should be added to the ceremony, as published in the Doctrine and Covenants, but that had since been corrected. The speaker held that uniform views on all such subjects should exist in this council.
Brother Lund remarked that if Presidents of Stakes and all officers having special callings were ordained, the sacredness of the word "ordain" would be lost. It was only as to the Presidents of Seventies that the use of this word had been called in question, or rather the omission of it, and he did not think that any difficulty would arise from the present understanding.
President Snow expressed the belief that no further light would be obtained by discussing the question any longer at the present time, and remarked that if the Council preferred the First Presidency to further consider the matter, it would be done.
Brother Clawson moved that this be the sense of the meeting, and the motion was seconded and carried. ...
[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
170 years ago today - Apr 13, 1844
Joseph Smith prophecies "the entire overthrow of this nation in a few years."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
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