[Heber C. Kimball] Was called to Lay hands on Arther Millican. He was healled. I dremp the following dreames. I was on my wheel molding vessels on the wheel. They ware of a pure nature. Then an other thing is thare was a man come along to run, he went ahead of me, and run into a slow hole, and I on the drie land. He suak [sank] out of my sight.
[Source: Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
15 years ago today - Aug 19, 1999
The First Presidency announces that the massive new assembly building located north of Temple Square will be called the Conference Center.
35 years ago today - Aug 19, 1979.
Ann Kenney, a student at the University of Utah, is set apart as president of the University of Utah Second Stake Sunday School. Gilbert Sharffs, counselor in the stake presidency, assures her that he has been "strongly impressed" to issue the calling and also had a general authority approve the calling. On 24 September she is released. Sharffs explains that "in the past there has been no policy set. The quorum [of the Twelve] was divided on the issue, and the decision was left to the president." The president was Ezra Taft Benson.
[Source: Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
[Source: Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
100 years ago today - Aug 19, 1914
Circular is sent to all Stake Patriarchs from Presiding Patriarch Hyrum G. Smith: "You may accept a gift if it is offered, but do not permit anyone you have blessed to leave your presence feeling that they have paid for a blessing; Patriarchal blessings cannot be purchased, they are the free gifts of God to his children under the hands of His Patriarchs." Some Stake Patriarchs had been charging a fee for Patriarchal blessings.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
170 years ago today - Aug 19, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] ... [S]ome dreams rehearsed one of which I told as follows: I met with Br Joseph Smith in the Congregation of the Saints. He had his old Hebrew and Jerman Bible, and preached to the Saints. B[ut] he seemed to be to thronged by the people and he rose up lifted up a curtain and passed into another room where the people could not distirb him and there he was going to teach 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]
10 years ago today - 2004-08-18
[Women] "Feminist Mormon Housewives" blog established by Lisa Butterworth
[Source: Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]
[Source: Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]
60 years ago today - Aug 18, 1954
First Presidency rules that Apostle Joseph Fielding Smith's anti-evolutionary MAN: HIS ORIGIN AND DESTINY should not be used for study in LDS seminaries and institutes. McKay expresses from 1954 on: "On the subject of organic evolution the Church has officially taken no position. The book 'Man, His Origin and Destiny' was not published by the Church, and is not approved by the Church."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
65 years ago today - Aug 18, 1949
Apostle (and Salt Lake Temple President) George F. Richards reads a letter to the assembled First Presidency and Twelve Apostles decrying the lack of second anointings being performed. The letter states that to date 22,278 second anointings had been performed for living persons and 10,217 for the dead. Richards's letter states: "I have not been able to bring myself to feel that the Lord is pleased with us in neglecting such an important and sacred endowment, which He has given us to be administered in His holy temples to worthy members of His Church. The Second Anointings were given by revelation to the Prophet Joseph Smith to be administered to worthy members of the Church, both the living and the dead; and from the days of the Prophet Joseph to the days of President Heber J. Grant that practice continued. . . . When living members receive their Second blessings, or anointings, they are given a charge that they must not speak of those things to anybody; that only those who are invited by the President of the Church are to receive them, and that none others are supposed to know anything about them. . . . About 1928 an incident occurred which so incensed the First Presidency that they had all the recommend books brought in to the President's office, and instructions were given that no recommends of that character should be given by stake presidents thereafter. . . .The incident above mentioned which so exasperated the First Presidency was as follows: A brother who had received his Second Blessings, while speaking in a priesthood meeting in one of the Idaho stakes, told the brethren that they all should have their Second Blessings. Of course that was a serious infraction of the charge which he received when he had his Second Anointings; but I have never learned of any serious consequences to follow, except the action on the part of the Authorities, discontinuing the administration of those blessings in the Church. It appears to me that the mistake made by the good brother in Idaho was not so serious as to justify letting those sacred ordinances come into disuse in the Church. I think now is the time to act; with such modifications as to details as the brethren might feel to make, insuring that these blessings be administered only to those who are worthy to receive them." The letter quotes the endowment ceremony to say, "Brethren and Sisters, if you are true and faithful, the day will come when you will be chosen, called up and anointed kings and queens, priests and priestesses, whereas you are now anointed only to become such. The realization of these blessings depends upon your faithfulness." (Endowment Ceremonies, p. 1x2.}"
[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 - Aug 18, 1939
A case had been referred to us in which a woman whose father and mother had been through the Temple was applying to go through the Temple herself. She was from the Southern States Mission, and the Church records showed that opposite her name someone had placed the endorsement, "negro blood." Brother [David O.] McKay talked with me yesterday or the day before about it, and I suggested that he get her patriarchal blessing and see what the patriarch said her lineage was. Brother McKay did that, and found the blessing had been given by Elder George F. Richards, that he had told her she was of the lineage of Israel through Joseph and Ephraim. We decided that under those circumstances she could not be denied admission to the Temple.
[Source: J. Reuben Clark office diary, Aug. 18, 1939 , Perry Special Collections as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Source: J. Reuben Clark office diary, Aug. 18, 1939 , Perry Special Collections as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
105 years ago today - Wed., Aug 18, 1909
[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] ... We were Royally entertained. It is a most beautifull place. Coffee, Lemonade, Sandwichs, Cake and Ice cream went the Round, all seemed most happy. ...
[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]
[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 - Aug 18, 1894
The Church University referred to was neither the Brigham Young Academy (now University,) which the L.D.S. Church had established in 1875 in Provo, nor the Latter-day Saints College which the Church had established in Salt Lake City but a projected Church University which it was planned should become "the head of our Church School system." Evidently this Church University, according to this announcement had a short life of one academic year after which this announcement marked its demise. The L.D.S. First Presidency thereupon announced their support of the University of Utah, a "State" institution which had been funded by the "Mormons" less than three years after their arrival in Utah under the title of the University of Deseret.
The Latter-day Saint's College, then located adjacent to a "downtown" location of the University of Utah, was by this announcement to serve the students of the University of Utah and others with a religious education which they could not receive in the "State" institution. By this assigned function the Latter-day Saint's College thus became the forerunner of the present system of LDS Institutes of Religion adjacent to numerous State University campuses throughout North America.
[James E. Talmage noted in his diary, "Long interview with the Presidency, in which I asked them to consider the wisdom of issuing a letter to the Church announcing the closing of the Church University, and bespeaking the support of the people for the University of Utah."]
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
The Latter-day Saint's College, then located adjacent to a "downtown" location of the University of Utah, was by this announcement to serve the students of the University of Utah and others with a religious education which they could not receive in the "State" institution. By this assigned function the Latter-day Saint's College thus became the forerunner of the present system of LDS Institutes of Religion adjacent to numerous State University campuses throughout North America.
[James E. Talmage noted in his diary, "Long interview with the Presidency, in which I asked them to consider the wisdom of issuing a letter to the Church announcing the closing of the Church University, and bespeaking the support of the people for the University of Utah."]
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
170 years ago today - Aug 18, 1844
President Young arose and said that he had many things to speak of. ...
The report has gone forth through the city that the Twelve has a secret understanding with those men who are going away to take a company with them, that they shall take all they can but the Twelve will blow it up in public but privately wish it to go on. But if it was the last words I had to say before going into the Eternal world I would swear by the Holy Trinity that it was utterly fals and not a word of truth in it.
...And I tel you in the name of Jesus Christ, that if Lyman Wight & Geo Miller take a course contrary to our Council, and will not act in consert with us but take a course against us they will be damned and go to destruction. And if men will not stop striving to be great and exhalted and lead away parties from us and strive to weaken our hands they will fall and not rise again, and I will destroy their influence in this church with the help of God and my brethren.
...It has been whispered about that all that go into the wilderness with Wight and Miller will get their endowment. But they Cannot give an endowment in the wilderness. If we do not Carry out the plan Joseph has laid and the pattern he has given for us to work by we cannot get any further endowment. ...
We shall require the 10th of all your property for the tithing for the building of the Temples the poor and for the Priesthood. ...
The time has come now for bickerings to scease. Their must be a strict order of things, and we are no longer bound to harbor black legs, Counterfieters, boges makers. We know all about them.
They have been in our midst long enough. I advise all the Saints to have no dealing with such men. Let them alone. The time has come that they should be wiped out of our midst. ...
As to the doctors let them go. I can prove that a doctor in this place doctored a woman that was in the family way and did not know it untill she was deliverd, and both woman and Child died, and if you will employ them you will all die, but the time has come when you need no longer to support them.
...I had a dream which I will here relate. I saw a fruit tree, & I went into the tree in search of fruit. I soon discoverd that some of the main branches on top going from the main body was dead. It seemed necessary to cut off the dead branches in order to save the tree. So I told some person to help me cut them off & they steped on to a large green limb. They were afraid it would break, so I put my sholder under it & held it up while he cut off the dead branches. It cracked the green limb but it did not break. After we cut of the dry limbs the wounds healed up and the tree grew finely.) Now let us cut of the dead branches of the Church that good fruit may grow and the voice will soon be herd Go and build Zion and the great Temple of the Lord...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The report has gone forth through the city that the Twelve has a secret understanding with those men who are going away to take a company with them, that they shall take all they can but the Twelve will blow it up in public but privately wish it to go on. But if it was the last words I had to say before going into the Eternal world I would swear by the Holy Trinity that it was utterly fals and not a word of truth in it.
...And I tel you in the name of Jesus Christ, that if Lyman Wight & Geo Miller take a course contrary to our Council, and will not act in consert with us but take a course against us they will be damned and go to destruction. And if men will not stop striving to be great and exhalted and lead away parties from us and strive to weaken our hands they will fall and not rise again, and I will destroy their influence in this church with the help of God and my brethren.
...It has been whispered about that all that go into the wilderness with Wight and Miller will get their endowment. But they Cannot give an endowment in the wilderness. If we do not Carry out the plan Joseph has laid and the pattern he has given for us to work by we cannot get any further endowment. ...
We shall require the 10th of all your property for the tithing for the building of the Temples the poor and for the Priesthood. ...
The time has come now for bickerings to scease. Their must be a strict order of things, and we are no longer bound to harbor black legs, Counterfieters, boges makers. We know all about them.
They have been in our midst long enough. I advise all the Saints to have no dealing with such men. Let them alone. The time has come that they should be wiped out of our midst. ...
As to the doctors let them go. I can prove that a doctor in this place doctored a woman that was in the family way and did not know it untill she was deliverd, and both woman and Child died, and if you will employ them you will all die, but the time has come when you need no longer to support them.
...I had a dream which I will here relate. I saw a fruit tree, & I went into the tree in search of fruit. I soon discoverd that some of the main branches on top going from the main body was dead. It seemed necessary to cut off the dead branches in order to save the tree. So I told some person to help me cut them off & they steped on to a large green limb. They were afraid it would break, so I put my sholder under it & held it up while he cut off the dead branches. It cracked the green limb but it did not break. After we cut of the dry limbs the wounds healed up and the tree grew finely.) Now let us cut of the dead branches of the Church that good fruit may grow and the voice will soon be herd Go and build Zion and the great Temple of the Lord...
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - Aug 18, 1824
Universalist Hosea Ballou sermon:
- Apostasy and Restoration: "The falling away of the Christian Church, the corruptions of its doctrines by the inventions of an ignorant, superstitious priesthood, sanctioned by the authority of Synods and Councils, having introduced the man of sin into the Temple of God, who has for ages been worshiped as God, the glory which Jesus manifested departed, and the darkness of papal errors and abominations have succeeded.
But the reign of the beast may be said to have come to an end; the true testimony is received, and God is now carrying on the work ... and God is about to fill the [nations] with glory."
Original sin: "[why would God by] an act of his almighty power, gave us a totally depraved nature, laid the blame of it to Adam, and is determined to punish us everlastingly for the same!"
The Godhead: "the mystery of an invented Trinity, which has been the means of sore contentions and bitter animosities in the Church. This self contradictory doctrine of three infinite persons in but one infinite Being, has been so thoroughly shaken..."
[Source: Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]
- Apostasy and Restoration: "The falling away of the Christian Church, the corruptions of its doctrines by the inventions of an ignorant, superstitious priesthood, sanctioned by the authority of Synods and Councils, having introduced the man of sin into the Temple of God, who has for ages been worshiped as God, the glory which Jesus manifested departed, and the darkness of papal errors and abominations have succeeded.
But the reign of the beast may be said to have come to an end; the true testimony is received, and God is now carrying on the work ... and God is about to fill the [nations] with glory."
Original sin: "[why would God by] an act of his almighty power, gave us a totally depraved nature, laid the blame of it to Adam, and is determined to punish us everlastingly for the same!"
The Godhead: "the mystery of an invented Trinity, which has been the means of sore contentions and bitter animosities in the Church. This self contradictory doctrine of three infinite persons in but one infinite Being, has been so thoroughly shaken..."
[Source: Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]
65 years ago today - Aug 17, 1949
First Presidency statement: The attitude of the Church with reference to Negroes remains as it has always stood. It is not a matter of the declaration of a policy but of direct commandment from the Lord, on which is founded the doctrine of the Church from the days of its organization, to the effect that Negroes may become members of the Church but that they are not entitled to the priesthood at the present time.
The prophets of the Lord have made several statements as to the operation of the principle. President Brigham Young said: "Why are so many of the inhabitants of the earth cursed with a skin of blackness? It comes in consequence of their fathers rejecting the power of the holy priesthood, and the law of God. They will go down to death. And when all the rest of the children have received their blessings in the holy priesthood, then that curse will be removed from the seed of Cain, and they will then come up and possess the priesthood, and receive all the blessings which we now are entitled to."
President Wilford Woodruff made the following statement: "The day will come when all that race will be redeemed and possess all the blessings which we now have." The position of the Church regarding the Negro may be understood when another doctrine of the Church is kept in mind, namely, that the conduct of spirits in the premortal existence has some determining effect upon the conditions and circumstances under which these spirits take on mortality and that while the details of this principle have not been made known, the mortality is a privilege that is given to those who maintain their first estate; and that the worth of the privilege is so great that spirits are willing to come to earth and take on bodies no matter what the handicap may be as to the kind of bodies they are to secure; and that among the handicaps, failure of the right to enjoy in mortality the blessings of the priesthood is a handicap which spirits are willing to assume in order that they might come to earth. Under this principle there is no injustice whatsoever involved in this deprivation as to the holding of the priesthood by the Negroes.
The prophets of the Lord have made several statements as to the operation of the principle. President Brigham Young said: "Why are so many of the inhabitants of the earth cursed with a skin of blackness? It comes in consequence of their fathers rejecting the power of the holy priesthood, and the law of God. They will go down to death. And when all the rest of the children have received their blessings in the holy priesthood, then that curse will be removed from the seed of Cain, and they will then come up and possess the priesthood, and receive all the blessings which we now are entitled to."
President Wilford Woodruff made the following statement: "The day will come when all that race will be redeemed and possess all the blessings which we now have." The position of the Church regarding the Negro may be understood when another doctrine of the Church is kept in mind, namely, that the conduct of spirits in the premortal existence has some determining effect upon the conditions and circumstances under which these spirits take on mortality and that while the details of this principle have not been made known, the mortality is a privilege that is given to those who maintain their first estate; and that the worth of the privilege is so great that spirits are willing to come to earth and take on bodies no matter what the handicap may be as to the kind of bodies they are to secure; and that among the handicaps, failure of the right to enjoy in mortality the blessings of the priesthood is a handicap which spirits are willing to assume in order that they might come to earth. Under this principle there is no injustice whatsoever involved in this deprivation as to the holding of the priesthood by the Negroes.
115 years ago today - Thursday, Aug 17, 1899
[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] Prests. Lorenzo Snow, Joseph F. Smith, Myself, Geo. Teasdale, Heber J. Grant, Artthou [Anthon] H. Lund, and Rudger Clawson met at the Temple. It was determined to have a silk Temple apron with raised flowers woven.
[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]
[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]
140 years ago today - Aug 17, 1874,
William Clayton appears before notary public John T. Caine and swears out an affidavit giving in greater detail than any other document the circumstances surrounding the origin of the written revelation on polygamy later published as section 132 of the D&C. He does this to counter charges by Joseph Smith's son, Joseph Smith III, president of the RLDS church that polygamy was not started by his father..
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
150 years ago today - Aug 17, 1864
The Deseret News reports the setting up of a list of articles and prices in gold for Utah markets. Flour is put at $12 a hundred pounds, wheat $5 a bushel, and corn $4. This is, in reality, a form of price control.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
70 years ago today - Aug 16, 1944
First Presidency instructs its Hotel Utah to stop serving liquor.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
120 years ago today - Aug 16, 1894
Concerning the proper position of the altar in a prayer circle * as to whether it should face the east or south * there is no rule, though the custom is to generally have them face the south. Pres[ident] [Lorenzo] Snow says he always aims to face the chief temple in offering his prayers.
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon diary, Aug. 16, 1894 , Perry Special Collections as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon diary, Aug. 16, 1894 , Perry Special Collections as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
120 years ago today - Aug 16, 1894
Jewish boy gives his bar mitzvah talk in LDS stake conference "in confirmation of his faith in the Jewish religion."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
140 years ago today - Aug 16, 1874
[Brigham Young Sermon] President B. Young spoke One Hour & 2 Minutes & delivered one of the most interesting discourses I Ever heard in my life. Said it would take a whole life devoted to God & his work to get a full & Complete salvation and as much short as any person Came of this after receiving this work so much short would He be Clipped of a full & Complete salvation & none such would the Lord Choose when He made up his Jewels. -- Logan, Utah
[Source: Wilford WoodruffÂ's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 7:192; Journal History of the Church, Selected Collections from the Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints DVD 2 (2002) as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Source: Wilford WoodruffÂ's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 7:192; Journal History of the Church, Selected Collections from the Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints DVD 2 (2002) as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
180 years ago today - Aug 16, 1834
[Prophecy] Joseph Smith - the churches should "be in readiness to move to Jackson county in two years from the eleventh of September next, which is the appointed time for the redemption of Zion. ... you will learn by this we have a great work to do, and but little time to do it in;"
[Note, this is the 5th anniversary of D&C 64:21: "I will not that my servant Frederick G. Williams should sell his farm, for I, the Lord, will to retain a strong hold in the land of Kirtland, for the space of five years, in the which I will not overthrow the wicked, that thereby I may save some."]
[Source: History of the Church, vol. 2, p. 145, as quoted in Instutite for Religious Research]
[Note, this is the 5th anniversary of D&C 64:21: "I will not that my servant Frederick G. Williams should sell his farm, for I, the Lord, will to retain a strong hold in the land of Kirtland, for the space of five years, in the which I will not overthrow the wicked, that thereby I may save some."]
[Source: History of the Church, vol. 2, p. 145, as quoted in Instutite for Religious Research]
125 years ago today - Aug 15, 1889
Church pruchases ranch in Skull Valley, Tooele county, Utah for Hawaiian Mormon immigrants. They name the community Iosepa (Joseph). Colony continues until 1917.
170 years ago today - Aug 15, 1844. Thursday.
[William Clayton Journal] ... Sister Emma I know I don't lie and you know better what I know I know and although I never have told it to any soul on earth nor never intend to yet it is still the truth and I shall not deny it. She then several times called me a liar and said she knew I was her enemy and she never had been so abused in all her life. I told her I was not her enemy nor never had been. She said I neglected her and spent my time in the secret counsel of the Twelve and it was secret things which had cost Joseph and Hyrum their lives, and says she "I prophecy that it will cost you and the Twelve your lives as it has done them." She repeated this two or three times in a threatening manner, and said it in a manner that I understood that she intended to make it cost us our lives as she had done by President Smith. I told her that I would rather die than do anything to ruin the Church.... I went and told President Young the whole circumstances and he told me to fear not, but rejoice.
[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
170 years ago today - Aug 15, 1844
Epistle of Twelve to the Saints-- On August 8, 1844, a special meeting of the Church of Jesus Christ was held in Nauvoo, Illinois to determine who would lead the Church following the death of Joseph Smith. On August 9th, The Twelve Apostles were sustained in their Presidency of the Church. This was the first Epistle issued by the Twelve following their being sustained. ...
You are now without a prophet present with you in the flesh to guide you; but you are not without Apostles, who hold the keys of power to seal on earth that which shall be sealed in heaven, and to preside over all the affairs of the church in all the world...
On the subject of the gathering, let it be distinctly understood that the city of Nauvoo and the Temple of our Lord are to continue to be built up according to the pattern which has been commenced, and which has progressed with such rapidity thus far.
The city must be built up and supported by the gathering of those who have capital, and are willing to lay it out for the erection of every branch of industry and manufacture, which is necessary for the employment and support of the poor, or of those who depend wholly on this labor...
let every member proceed immediately to tithe himself or herself, a tenth of all their property and money ... for the building of the Temple for the support of the priesthood ... and then let them continue to pay in a tenth of their income from that time forth... And let this law or ordinance be henceforth taught to all who present themselves for admission into this church...
The United States and adjoining provinces will be immediately organized by the Twelve into proper districts...
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
You are now without a prophet present with you in the flesh to guide you; but you are not without Apostles, who hold the keys of power to seal on earth that which shall be sealed in heaven, and to preside over all the affairs of the church in all the world...
On the subject of the gathering, let it be distinctly understood that the city of Nauvoo and the Temple of our Lord are to continue to be built up according to the pattern which has been commenced, and which has progressed with such rapidity thus far.
The city must be built up and supported by the gathering of those who have capital, and are willing to lay it out for the erection of every branch of industry and manufacture, which is necessary for the employment and support of the poor, or of those who depend wholly on this labor...
let every member proceed immediately to tithe himself or herself, a tenth of all their property and money ... for the building of the Temple for the support of the priesthood ... and then let them continue to pay in a tenth of their income from that time forth... And let this law or ordinance be henceforth taught to all who present themselves for admission into this church...
The United States and adjoining provinces will be immediately organized by the Twelve into proper districts...
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
185 years ago today - Mid August 1829
Joseph Smith writes the Book of Mormon preface , with reference for the first time to an exact page count for "116 pages" that were lost. Because the printer's manuscript is 116 pages for First Nephi through Words of Mormon, the replacement portion, it can be assumed that the number 116 came from the printer's manuscript rather than from the original manuscript. It was an approximation, in other words--an assumption that the original manuscript occupied about the same number of pages for the same period covered. It can be further assumed that Oliver Cowdery would have copied at least 116 pages of the manuscript for the printer before the preface was written. Cowdery probably began copying the manuscript near the beginning of July and apparently reached Alma 36 by 6 November 1829 . Averaging the number of pages per day, he would have copied 116 pages by about the beginning of August. Thus, since the first signature included the Preface , Joseph Smith probably wrote the preface shortly before the printer began setting type in mid- or late-August.
[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]
85 years ago today - Aug 14, 1929
Elder Yeates of Church of Christ, Temple Lot, asks Heber J. Grant for permission to solicit donations for construction of temple at independence, Missouri. President Grant declines "to assist in erecting a temple for a church with which we have no connection whatever."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
150 years ago today - Aug 14, 1864
The so-called Dream Mine is located east of Salem in Utah County. The mine founder, John H. Koyle, was born August 14, 1864 at Spanish Fork, Utah County.
[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: Dream Mine, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: Dream Mine, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
170 years ago today - Aug 14, 1844
[Nauvoo Neighbor] Poetry: "Joseph Smith" - Praise to the Man -- The Times and Seasons -- To be sung to the tune of "Star in the East," what we now know as Praise to the Man.
- Poetry: "To Elder John Taylor" -- E.R. Snow -- Poem about John Taylor's survival of the martyrdom.
- Reprinted Story: "Joseph Smith, Mayor of Nauvoo, Murdered" -- The Philadelphia Sun -- Describes the martyrdom as a vicious crime, and lends support and credibility to the Church.
- Story: "The Next President" -- Editorial -- Says that the Saints will never find someone who shares Joseph Smith's views to support for president.
- Story: Joseph Smith's Successor -- Editorial -- Encourages the Saints to be patient while the successor is selected, but for now the church is in the hands of the Twelve.
- Ordinances: "An Ordinance Concerning Brothels and Disorderly Characters" -- Geo W. Harris -- Prohibits brothels and describes the fines for operating such establishments.
- Announcement: "Miniature Likenesses" - Daguerreotypes Available -- L.R. Foster -- Advertisement promoting taking photos with his equipment....
[Source: http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
- Poetry: "To Elder John Taylor" -- E.R. Snow -- Poem about John Taylor's survival of the martyrdom.
- Reprinted Story: "Joseph Smith, Mayor of Nauvoo, Murdered" -- The Philadelphia Sun -- Describes the martyrdom as a vicious crime, and lends support and credibility to the Church.
- Story: "The Next President" -- Editorial -- Says that the Saints will never find someone who shares Joseph Smith's views to support for president.
- Story: Joseph Smith's Successor -- Editorial -- Encourages the Saints to be patient while the successor is selected, but for now the church is in the hands of the Twelve.
- Ordinances: "An Ordinance Concerning Brothels and Disorderly Characters" -- Geo W. Harris -- Prohibits brothels and describes the fines for operating such establishments.
- Announcement: "Miniature Likenesses" - Daguerreotypes Available -- L.R. Foster -- Advertisement promoting taking photos with his equipment....
[Source: http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
170 years ago today - Aug 14, 1844
[Nauvoo Neighbor] - Poetry: "Joseph Smith" - Praise to the Man -- The Times and Seasons -- To be sung to the tune of "Star in the East," what we now know as Praise to the Man.
- Poetry: "To Elder John Taylor" -- E.R. Snow -- Poem about John Taylor's survival of the martyrdom.
- Reprinted Story: "Joseph Smith, Mayor of Nauvoo, Murdered" -- The Philadelphia Sun -- Describes the martyrdom as a vicious crime, and lends support and credibility to the Church.
- Story: "The Next President" -- Editorial -- Says that the Saints will never find someone who shares Joseph Smith's views to support for president.
- Story: Joseph Smith's Successor -- Editorial -- Encourages the Saints to be patient while the successor is selected, but for now the church is in the hands of the Twelve.
- Ordinances: "An Ordinance Concerning Brothels and Disorderly Characters" -- Geo W. Harris -- Prohibits brothels and describes the fines for operating such establishments.
- Announcement: "Miniature Likenesses" - Daguerreotypes Available -- L.R. Foster -- Advertisement promoting taking photos with his equipment....
[Source: http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
- Poetry: "To Elder John Taylor" -- E.R. Snow -- Poem about John Taylor's survival of the martyrdom.
- Reprinted Story: "Joseph Smith, Mayor of Nauvoo, Murdered" -- The Philadelphia Sun -- Describes the martyrdom as a vicious crime, and lends support and credibility to the Church.
- Story: "The Next President" -- Editorial -- Says that the Saints will never find someone who shares Joseph Smith's views to support for president.
- Story: Joseph Smith's Successor -- Editorial -- Encourages the Saints to be patient while the successor is selected, but for now the church is in the hands of the Twelve.
- Ordinances: "An Ordinance Concerning Brothels and Disorderly Characters" -- Geo W. Harris -- Prohibits brothels and describes the fines for operating such establishments.
- Announcement: "Miniature Likenesses" - Daguerreotypes Available -- L.R. Foster -- Advertisement promoting taking photos with his equipment....
[Source: http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
170 years ago today - 1844 14 Aug.
Lucien R. Foster, the first Mormon photographer, places an ad in Nauvoo Neighbor. President of the New York City branch (1841-43) and member of the Council of Fifty (1845-46), Foster's two daguerreotypes of the Nauvoo temple in 1846 are the most enduring images of the Mormon capital. He is excommunicated in 1846.
[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]
10 years ago today - Aug 13, 2004
At a Sunstone Symposium one of the speakers with the subject "Why We Stay" is Edward L. Kimball, son and biographer of Spencer W. Kimball. The talks are by people who have problems with the Church but decide to stay active anyway.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
140 years ago today - Aug 13, 1874
The Constitution of the United Order was still further discussed, and adopted, with very little variation, according to the printed form. Much good instruction was given by President Young in relation to the object of the United Order; he did not want any one to join the order, unless he would put into the same all his personal and real property, which was free from incumbrance, and be willing to be guided and dictated in his labors, or in the disposition of his time. He requested the Twelve to see that every branch of the Church in the Territory was organized, so far as the Saints were willing... The most of the Twelve present were each assigned to some specified part of the Territory ...
[Source: Church Historian's Office 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: Church Historian's Office 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]
170 years ago today - 1844: 13 August
[Patriarchal Blessings] ... Thou shalt be a savior upon Mt Zion and stand with the 144,000 clothed in white. Thou shalt have power to go from land to land and from sea to sea. From island to island and from Planet to Planet and visit the prisons where the spirits of the departed dwell proclaiming salvation thro all thy course and mighty power and success which cannot now be described. The number of thy years shall be according to thy faith even to see the curtains of Zion spread over all the continent of America with all the beauty and glory thereof. Thou shalt have thine inheritance with thy brethren in time and in eternity and thy companion and thy children with thee possessing all the riches of heaven and earth to thy full satisfaction if thou are faithful not one word shall fail for I seal it upon thee by the authority of the Priesthood and I seal thee up to Eternal Life ...
[Source: Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Aug 13, 1844
Apostle Orson Hyde arrives in Nauvoo. However he later gives elaborate personal reminiscences of a "transfiguration" he could not possibly have witnessed. Hyde reports, in 1869 that when Brigham Young began to speak to the Saints on Aug 8, 1844, "his words went through me like electricity." This is my testimony, Hyde added for special emphasis, "it was not only the voice of Joseph Smith but there were the features, the gestures and even the stature of Joseph before us in the person of Brigham." In 1877 Hyde declares in general conference, "I heard the voice of Joseph through him, and it was as familiar to me as the voice of my wife, the voice of my child, or the voice of my father. And not only the voice of Joseph did I distinctly and unmistakably hear, but I saw the very gestures of his person, the very features of his countenance, and if I mistake not, the very size of his person appeared on the stand. And it went through me with the thrill of conviction that Brigham was the man to lead this people."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
10 years ago today - Aug 12, 2004
[Joseph Smith Papers project] The Deseret News reports that the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, a division of the National Archives, has endorsed the project. The paper also reports that "upon completion the compiled documents will be available in libraries, homes and on a Web site that will launch in 2005."
[Source: Joseph Smith Papers Timeline: History of the Joseph Smith Papers Project, MormonWasp Blog (defunct)]
[Source: Joseph Smith Papers Timeline: History of the Joseph Smith Papers Project, MormonWasp Blog (defunct)]
30 years ago today - Aug 12, 1984
Harmon Killebrew is inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame. His career record of 573 home-runs is exceeded only by Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, and Frank Robinson. Larry H. Miller enters National Softball Hall of Fame in 1992.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
120 years ago today - Aug 12, 1894
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill] After the afternoon meeting Apostle Lyman put the High Council, Bishops, and Counselors under a rigid examination in regard to their private habits and the keeping of the Word of Wisdom.
[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]
150 years ago today - Aug 12, 1864
[RLDS Church] When the first two Reorganized Church missionaries left Utah on 12 August 1864 they were satisfied with their efforts. Briggs reported that he was "happy to inform that the work of the Lord in this territory is onward with rapid strides to the spiritual observer, and I feel every day more and more encouraged with the prospects before me of the triumph of the gospel of Jesus."
[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: R.L.D.S Church, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: R.L.D.S Church, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
170 years ago today - Aug 12, 1844
Lyman Wight: Commissioned by apostles 12 Aug. 1844 to "carry out the instructions he has received from Joseph.—to procure a location" in Texas
[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]
170 years ago today - Aug 12, 1844
[Wilford Woodruff] Voted that Amasa Lyman is one of the Apostles. Voted that the estate of Joseph Smith settle its own depts and the Church have nothing to do with it.
Voted to organize the Continant of America into districts and appoint High Priest to Preside over each district.
Voted that B Young H. C. Kimball and W Richards district the Continant of America and appoint Presidents over the several districts. ...
Moved by H. C. Kimball that Elder W. Woodruff take a mission to England and Preside over the Church and Printing esstablishment in England, Ireland, Scotland & the ajacent Islands and Continant. Carried.
Voted that the general Superintendance direction and control of the emigration in England to be at the disposal of Brigham Young President of the quorum of the Twelve.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Voted to organize the Continant of America into districts and appoint High Priest to Preside over each district.
Voted that B Young H. C. Kimball and W Richards district the Continant of America and appoint Presidents over the several districts. ...
Moved by H. C. Kimball that Elder W. Woodruff take a mission to England and Preside over the Church and Printing esstablishment in England, Ireland, Scotland & the ajacent Islands and Continant. Carried.
Voted that the general Superintendance direction and control of the emigration in England to be at the disposal of Brigham Young President of the quorum of the Twelve.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
15 years ago today - Aug 11, 1999
[Utah] a tornado ripped through downtown Salt Lake City doing over $100 million of dollars in damage.
[Source: History to Go, Utah Today, http://historytogo.utah.gov/timeline/utahtoday.html]
[Source: History to Go, Utah Today, http://historytogo.utah.gov/timeline/utahtoday.html]
140 years ago today - Aug 11, 1874
[Wilford Woodruff ] [The day after Young proclaims a revelation on the United Order] I spent these days in Council with the Presidency & Twelve in discussing the principle of the United Order that we might understand it alike & be prepared to teach it to the People. At the Close of the Meeting President Young wished the Twelve to go to now & organize the whole Church into the United Order.
[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]
180 years ago today - Aug 11, 1834
[General Smith] The Kirtland high council meets to investigate a charge by Sylvester Smith that, on the march of Zion's Camp, Joseph was a "Tyrantâ€"Popeâ€"Kingâ€"Usurperâ€"Abuser of menâ€"Angelâ€"False Prophetâ€"Prophesying lies in the name of the Lordâ€"Taking consecrated monies." This begins a long series of Church court proceedings with Joseph and Sylvester accusing each other of wrong actions. After several months the matter is finally resolved when Sylvester Smith publishes a public confession and apology of his shortcomings in the Messenger and Advocate, written on Oct. 28, 1834.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
185 years ago today - Aug 11, 1829
The anti-Masonic Palmyra Freeman calls the Book of Mormon "the greatest piece of superstition that has come to our knowledge." The article gives an account of how the plates were found by Joseph Smith, referring to three visits by "the spirit of the Almighty", "a huge pair of spectacles", golden plates of dimensions eight by eight by six inches, Harris' visit to Samuel Mitchill. The article reproduces the title page of the Book of Mormon. No known copies survive, but the article was reprinted in other newspapers such as the Niagara Courier (27 August 1829).
[Source: Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
[Source: Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
60 years ago today - Aug 10, 1954
The First Presidency issues a letter counseling members involved in the Indian student placement program to provide Indian children with all spiritual and cultural opportunities possible in addition to their education at public schools.
75 years ago today - Aug 10, 1939
[President Heber J. Grant Diary] I also called at Zion's Securities Company and had a nice long talk with Brother Parker Robison, Manager. He is very anxious to publish Orson Pratt's works again. I told him that I doubted the wisdom of doing this but that I believed Orson Pratt was the greatest scriptorian, mathematician, and astronomer the Church has ever known. I would like some of the Brethren to go over his writings, however, before they are published, because we have heard there were some complaints about them when I was first made an Apostle, and I thought it should be considered very carefully before publishing it. I also heard complaints about his grandfather's writing of 'The Voice of Warning.'
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Aug 10, 1884
Anti-Mormon mob attacks Sunday meeting of Mormons in Tennessee and murders four men, including missionaries William S. Berry and John H. Gibbs.
170 years ago today - August 10th 1844
[Nauvoo City Council] ...Moved & Second that Alderman [Heber C.] Kimball be instructed to settle for the [destruction of the] Nauvoo Expositor so soon as the proprietors of the press will indemnify the city council from all all further suits suits commenced or to be commenced by them or their influence in future time...
[Source: Nauvoo City Council Rough Book, http://amzn.to/uXAcJh%20]
[Source: Nauvoo City Council Rough Book, http://amzn.to/uXAcJh%20]
170 years ago today - Aug 10, 1844
According to divorce suit by legal husband Henry Cobb, Augusta Cobb (plural wife of Brigham Young) committed adultery with Brigham Young the first time on August 10, 1844 in Boston, and a 2nd time in Nauvoo on December 1, 1845.
Court testimony provided by Elder George J. Adams states she then told Henry she loved Brigham Young better than she did Mr. Cobb, and, live or die, she was going to live with him at all hazards. This was in the course of a conversation in which she used extravagant language in favor of Mr. Young, and against Mr. Cobb.
"To the Honorable the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court now holden at Boston within and for the County of Suffolk."
"Henry Cobb husband of Augusta Cobb of said Boston, libels and gives this Honorable Court to be informed, that on the twenty fifth day of December in the year Eighteen hundred and twenty two, at Charles town in the County of Middlesex, he was lawfully married to the said Augusta Cobb, and hath always behaved towards her as a chaste and faithful husband; yet the said Augusta neglecting her marriage vows & duty, since the said marriage, on the tenth day of August in the year Eighteen hundred & forty four, at said Boston, and on the first day of xxxxx December in the year Eighteen hundred and forty five, at Nauvou in the State of Illinois, committed the crime of adultery with one Brigham Young. Wherefore your libellant prays that the bonds of matrimony may be dissolved between himself and the said Augusta Cobb"
"Henry Cobb"
[Source: Marquardt Papers, Suffolkss Supreme Judicial Court]
Court testimony provided by Elder George J. Adams states she then told Henry she loved Brigham Young better than she did Mr. Cobb, and, live or die, she was going to live with him at all hazards. This was in the course of a conversation in which she used extravagant language in favor of Mr. Young, and against Mr. Cobb.
"To the Honorable the Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court now holden at Boston within and for the County of Suffolk."
"Henry Cobb husband of Augusta Cobb of said Boston, libels and gives this Honorable Court to be informed, that on the twenty fifth day of December in the year Eighteen hundred and twenty two, at Charles town in the County of Middlesex, he was lawfully married to the said Augusta Cobb, and hath always behaved towards her as a chaste and faithful husband; yet the said Augusta neglecting her marriage vows & duty, since the said marriage, on the tenth day of August in the year Eighteen hundred & forty four, at said Boston, and on the first day of xxxxx December in the year Eighteen hundred and forty five, at Nauvou in the State of Illinois, committed the crime of adultery with one Brigham Young. Wherefore your libellant prays that the bonds of matrimony may be dissolved between himself and the said Augusta Cobb"
"Henry Cobb"
[Source: Marquardt Papers, Suffolkss Supreme Judicial Court]
185 years ago today - Aug 10, 1829
Oliver Cowdery buys a 1828 H. & E. Phinney Bible with the Apocryphia at E. Phinney Bible with the Apocryphia at Egbert B. Grandin's book store in Palmyra, NY for $3.75.
[Source: Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology, Rev 01 Volume 01" http://bit.ly/tiddchron]
[Source: Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology, Rev 01 Volume 01" http://bit.ly/tiddchron]
70 years ago today - Aug 9, 1944
Reading standards committee ... is to pass upon and approve all materials, other than those that are purely secular, to be used by our Church Priesthood, Educational, Auxiliary, and Missionary organizations in their work of instructing members of the Church ....
To meet the required standards for use by Church organizations, such materials must:
1. Clearly set forth or be fully consistent with the principles of the Restored Gospel.
2. Be wholly free from any taint of sectarianism and also of all theories and conclusions destructive of faith in the simple truths of the Restored Gospel, and especially be free from the teachings of the so-called "higher criticism." Worldly knowledge and speculation have their place; but they must yield to revealed truth.
3. Be so framed and written as affirmatively to breed faith and not to raise doubts. "Rationalizing" may be most destructive of faith. That the Finite cannot fully explain the Infinite casts no doubt upon the Infinite. Truth, not error, must be stressed.
4. Be so built in form and substance as to lead to definite conclusions that accord with the principles of the Restored Gospel, which conclusions must be expressed and not left to possible deduction by the students. When truth is involved there is no place for student preference or choice. Youth must be taught that truth cannot be blinked or put aside; it must be accepted.
5. Be filled with a spirit of deepest reverence. They should give no place for the slightest levity. They should be so written that those who teach from them will so understand.
6. Be so organized and written that the matter may be effectively taught by men and women untrained in teaching and without the background equipment given by such fields of learning as psychology, pedagogy, philosophy, and ethics. The great bulk of our teachers are in this untrained group.
Courses on "comparative religion" have no place otherwise than in the Post-Graduate School to be established at the Brigham Young University and there only for the purpose of developing and demonstrating the truth of the Restored Gospel and the falsity of the other religions of the world, and thereby build the faith and knowledge of post-graduate scholars. The subject is one for careful, prayerful study by the mature mind, not for the framing of the thought and belief of the youthful mind.
... All texts written and lessons prepared are to bear the name of those who write or prepare them.
In the preparation of all these materials prime consideration should be given, by those undertaking it, to our own Church history and doctrinal literature. In the rather recent past these sources have been too little considered. Sectarian views and doctrines have had too large a place and consideration; the paganistic theories and tenets of the so-called "higher criticism' have not been without their influence; none of these have a place in our Church. They should be wholly eliminated from our literature.
... The discussion of mysteries and of doctrines upon which there is not a recognized accepted view, should be avoided. The aim should be to present the simple truths of the Restored Gospel in as plain and understandable a way as possible.
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
To meet the required standards for use by Church organizations, such materials must:
1. Clearly set forth or be fully consistent with the principles of the Restored Gospel.
2. Be wholly free from any taint of sectarianism and also of all theories and conclusions destructive of faith in the simple truths of the Restored Gospel, and especially be free from the teachings of the so-called "higher criticism." Worldly knowledge and speculation have their place; but they must yield to revealed truth.
3. Be so framed and written as affirmatively to breed faith and not to raise doubts. "Rationalizing" may be most destructive of faith. That the Finite cannot fully explain the Infinite casts no doubt upon the Infinite. Truth, not error, must be stressed.
4. Be so built in form and substance as to lead to definite conclusions that accord with the principles of the Restored Gospel, which conclusions must be expressed and not left to possible deduction by the students. When truth is involved there is no place for student preference or choice. Youth must be taught that truth cannot be blinked or put aside; it must be accepted.
5. Be filled with a spirit of deepest reverence. They should give no place for the slightest levity. They should be so written that those who teach from them will so understand.
6. Be so organized and written that the matter may be effectively taught by men and women untrained in teaching and without the background equipment given by such fields of learning as psychology, pedagogy, philosophy, and ethics. The great bulk of our teachers are in this untrained group.
Courses on "comparative religion" have no place otherwise than in the Post-Graduate School to be established at the Brigham Young University and there only for the purpose of developing and demonstrating the truth of the Restored Gospel and the falsity of the other religions of the world, and thereby build the faith and knowledge of post-graduate scholars. The subject is one for careful, prayerful study by the mature mind, not for the framing of the thought and belief of the youthful mind.
... All texts written and lessons prepared are to bear the name of those who write or prepare them.
In the preparation of all these materials prime consideration should be given, by those undertaking it, to our own Church history and doctrinal literature. In the rather recent past these sources have been too little considered. Sectarian views and doctrines have had too large a place and consideration; the paganistic theories and tenets of the so-called "higher criticism' have not been without their influence; none of these have a place in our Church. They should be wholly eliminated from our literature.
... The discussion of mysteries and of doctrines upon which there is not a recognized accepted view, should be avoided. The aim should be to present the simple truths of the Restored Gospel in as plain and understandable a way as possible.
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
105 years ago today - Aug 9, 1909
[Joseph F. Smith] There is a fund established known as the Jackson County [Missouri] Redemption Fund, the trustee of which is the trustee in trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
[Source: Joseph F. Smith, Letter to J. Z. Stewart, 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: Joseph F. Smith, Letter to J. Z. Stewart, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
140 years ago today - Aug 9, 1874
[Brigham Young Revelation] With regard to those who wish to have new revelation they will please to accommodate themselves and call this a new revelation. On this occasion I will not repeat anything particular in respect to the language of revelation, further than to say
'" Thus saith the Lord unto my servant Brigham, Call ye, call ye, upon the inhabitants of Zion, to organize themselves in the Order of Enoch, in the New and Everlasting Covenant, according to the Order of Heaven, for the furtherance of my kingdom upon the earth, for the perfecting of the Saints, for the salvation of the living and the dead.
You can accommodate yourselves by calling this a new revelation, if you choose; it is no new revelation, but it is the express word and will of God to this people.
[Source: Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 17:154-160; Deseret News. Also Deseret Evening News, Deseret News Weekly, Deseret News Semi- Weekly, and Deseret News Extra, Salt Lake City as quote in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses. The entry has been reformated.]
'" Thus saith the Lord unto my servant Brigham, Call ye, call ye, upon the inhabitants of Zion, to organize themselves in the Order of Enoch, in the New and Everlasting Covenant, according to the Order of Heaven, for the furtherance of my kingdom upon the earth, for the perfecting of the Saints, for the salvation of the living and the dead.
You can accommodate yourselves by calling this a new revelation, if you choose; it is no new revelation, but it is the express word and will of God to this people.
[Source: Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 17:154-160; Deseret News. Also Deseret Evening News, Deseret News Weekly, Deseret News Semi- Weekly, and Deseret News Extra, Salt Lake City as quote in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses. The entry has been reformated.]
170 years ago today - Aug 9, 1844
The day after he had exacted a vote of confidence from the Nauvoo Saints, Brigham Young and the Quorum of Apostles begin to take firm control of the affairs of the Church by issuing a series of executive orders. On this and ensuing days they 1) appoint Bishops Newel Whitney and George Miller to assume the duties of the Trustee-in-Trust "and settle the affairs of the late Trustee"; 2) order the Nauvoo House Association to "wind up their business and report"; 3) strengthen the city police force; 4) take Amasa Lyman back into the Twelve; 5) put the Nauvoo Neighbor and the Times and Seasons under the personal management of John Taylor; 6) order that "the general superintendancies' [sic] direction and control of emigration from England be in the name of Brigham Young, President of the Quorum of Twelve"; 7) divid the North American Continent into administrative districts presided over by high priests under the direction of Apostles Young, Kimball, and Richards; 8) ordain that "Willard Richards continue the history of the Church and be supported"; 9) say that Lyman Wight and George Miller be allowed to take their company to Texas "if they desire to go"; 10) order an increased wage for some Temple workers; 11) decree that Nauvoo was still the place of gathering and would continue to be so; 12) urge all Saints to "proceed immediately to tithe [themselves of] a tenth of all their property and money-and then let them continue to pay in a tenth of their income-"; and 13) order them to have nothing to do with "politics, voting, or president making at present."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
40 years ago today - Aug 08, 1974
U.S. President Richard M. Nixon announces his resignation, which was a result of the Watergate investigation, in which several Latter-day Saints played a significant role. Among those involved in the investigation was future member of the [Twelve] D. Todd Christofferson, law clerk to Judge John J. Sirica. Christofferson and Sirica were the first to hear the Nixon tapes, which ultimately brought about the president's resignation.
105 years ago today - Aug 8, 1909
[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] -while recuperating in Ocean Park, Calif attends Methodist Sunday School
[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]
[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]
120 years ago today - Aug 8, 1894
[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] I met with Col Isaac Trumbo for 2 Hours. He give me an account of the Great Labor He and Gen Clarkson had in getting the Utah Bill Through Congress & to get it Signed by the President. <It cost the [-] three hundred and thirty thousand dollars to get that bill passed.> It has Been a great Labor to get Utah admitted into the Union.
... I am worked altogether to hard. I dont sleep Nights and am weary by day. As Trustee in trust and the Presidency of the Church we have taken such a load upon us it is Difficult to Carry it.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
... I am worked altogether to hard. I dont sleep Nights and am weary by day. As Trustee in trust and the Presidency of the Church we have taken such a load upon us it is Difficult to Carry it.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
125 years ago today - Aug 8, 1889
[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] I wonder what on earth the good is of my keeping a journal. I would dislike to be under the necessity of reading it and there is certainly no one that I can think of who would take any interest in reading over the same thing comparatively, from year to year.
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
150 years ago today - Aug 8, 1864
[Brigham Young Sermon] If [I] can have attention [to] preach, '"Except ye are one ye are not mine.'" ... - In a political point of view we must become of one heart and of one mind as well as the gospel. At first gathering, Bishops appointed to deal out the inheritances of this people '- but never observed. This revelation [common consent] will yet be fulfilled. ... Is there one Territory in all our nation that is laying up grain for the poor and needy but Utah? No.
[Source: General Church Minutes. Selected Collections from the Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints DVD 1 (2002) as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Source: General Church Minutes. Selected Collections from the Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints DVD 1 (2002) as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
170 years ago today - Aug 8, 1844
[Brigham Young Journal] August the 8th 1844 this day is long to be remembered by me, it is the first time I have met with the Church at Nauvoo sence Brs Joseph and Hyrum was kild -- and the occasion on which the church was Cause somewhat painful to me, Br Rigdon had com from Pitsburge to see the Brotherin and find out if they would sustain him as the leader of the saints, I perseved a spirit to hurray business to get a Trustee & Trust and a Presedecy over the Church Priesthood or no Priesthood right or rong & this grevied my hart, now Joseph is gon it seamd as though menny wanted to draw off a party and be leders, but thir cannot be, the church must be one or they are not the Lords; the saints looked as though they had lost.
a frend that was able and willing to councel them in all things in this time of sorrow my hart was fild with compastion, after Br Rigdon had made a long spech to the saints (I should think 5 thousand) I arose and spoke to the people, my hart was swolen with compassion towards them and by the power of the Holy gost even the spirit of the Prophets I was enabled to comfort the harts of the Saints.
in the afternoon a cordaen to my request the people assembld by thousands I lade before them the order of the church and the Power of the Priesthood, after a long and laboras talk of a bout two ours in the open air with the wind blowing, the Church was of one hart and one mind they wanted the twelve to lead the Church as Br Joseph had dun in his day.
Br Rigdon was cauld upon to make som remarks but refused to due so I cauld upon the church to expres their wishes by vote if they wanted Br Rigdon for their President on which moshin Br Rigdon objected and wanted the vote cauld to see if the church wanted the twelve to Be Preside it was don, and the Church with one hart and voice lifted up their hands for the Twelve to Preside & in this meeting the Quorums was organized the high counsel high Priest seventies /Elders &c--&c
[Source: Brigham Young Journal (1801-1877) Journal #2 July, 1837- Mar. 1845]
a frend that was able and willing to councel them in all things in this time of sorrow my hart was fild with compastion, after Br Rigdon had made a long spech to the saints (I should think 5 thousand) I arose and spoke to the people, my hart was swolen with compassion towards them and by the power of the Holy gost even the spirit of the Prophets I was enabled to comfort the harts of the Saints.
in the afternoon a cordaen to my request the people assembld by thousands I lade before them the order of the church and the Power of the Priesthood, after a long and laboras talk of a bout two ours in the open air with the wind blowing, the Church was of one hart and one mind they wanted the twelve to lead the Church as Br Joseph had dun in his day.
Br Rigdon was cauld upon to make som remarks but refused to due so I cauld upon the church to expres their wishes by vote if they wanted Br Rigdon for their President on which moshin Br Rigdon objected and wanted the vote cauld to see if the church wanted the twelve to Be Preside it was don, and the Church with one hart and voice lifted up their hands for the Twelve to Preside & in this meeting the Quorums was organized the high counsel high Priest seventies /Elders &c--&c
[Source: Brigham Young Journal (1801-1877) Journal #2 July, 1837- Mar. 1845]
170 years ago today - Aug 8, 1844
A special Nauvoo conference sustains the Twelve as the acting church presidency. Some years later report witnessing a transfiguration of Brigham Young into the image of Joseph Smith.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
175 years ago today - Aug 8, 1839
Joseph Smith declares that angels have flesh and bones.
[Source: Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology, Rev 01 Volume 01" http://bit.ly/tiddchron]
[Source: Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology, Rev 01 Volume 01" http://bit.ly/tiddchron]
65 years ago today - Aug 7, 1949
[President George Albert Smith] he visits with former President Herbert Hoover in SLC
[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]
[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]
170 years ago today - Aug 7, 1844
Lyman Wight: Told other apostles 7 Aug. 1844 he wanted no one's instructions except Joseph Smith Jr. 's and his only enemies were at church headquarters
[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]
170 years ago today - Aug 7, 1844
[Upon the Twelve returning to Nauvoo after Joseph Smith's death] 4 P.M. Meeting of the Twelve apostles, High Council, & High Priests /at the/ Seventies Hall Prest. William Marks Prayed. Prest. B. Young called upon Prest. Rigdon to make a statement to the church concerning his message to the Saints, and the /vision &/ revelation he had received, inasmuch as the leading authorities of Prest Rigdon stated that [said] 'The object of this mission was [is] to visit the Saints, and offer Myself to them as a Guardian: I had a vision at Pittsburgh June 27, this was presented to my mind not as an open vision, but rather a continuation of the vision mentioned in the Book of Doc. & Cov., it was shewn to me that this church mus be built up to Joseph, and that all the blessings we recieve must come through him. I have been ordained a spokesman to Joseph, and I must come to Nauvoo and see that the church was governed in a proper manner. Joseph sustains the same relationship to this church as he ever has always done, no man can be the successor of Joseph. The kingdom is to be built up to Jesus Christ through Joseph, there must be Revelation still. The matryred Prophet is still the head of this church, every Quorum should stand as you have stood in your washings and consecrations. I have been consecrated a spokesman to Joseph and I was commanded to speak for him'the church is not disorganized, tho' our head is gone....
Prest. B. Young followed with a few said H I do not care who leads the Church, even tho it were Ann Lee but one thing I must know, and that is what God says about it. I have the keys and the means of obtaining the mind of God on the subject. I know there are those in our midst who seek the lives of the Twelve, as they did the lives of Joseph and Hyrum. We shall ordain others a nd give the fulness of the Priesthood so that if we are killed the fulness of the Priesthood may remain. Joseph conferred upon our heads all the keys and powers belonging to the Apostleship, which he himself held before he was taken away, and no man or set of men can get between Joseph and the Twelve in this world or the world to come. How often has Joseph said to the Twelve, Ihave laid the foundation; and you must build thereon, for upon your shoulders the kingdom rests. The Twelve as a Quorum will not be permitted to tarry here long, they will go away abroad and bear off the kingdom to the nations of the earth, and baptize the people faster than mobs can kill them off..
[Source: Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
Prest. B. Young followed with a few said H I do not care who leads the Church, even tho it were Ann Lee but one thing I must know, and that is what God says about it. I have the keys and the means of obtaining the mind of God on the subject. I know there are those in our midst who seek the lives of the Twelve, as they did the lives of Joseph and Hyrum. We shall ordain others a nd give the fulness of the Priesthood so that if we are killed the fulness of the Priesthood may remain. Joseph conferred upon our heads all the keys and powers belonging to the Apostleship, which he himself held before he was taken away, and no man or set of men can get between Joseph and the Twelve in this world or the world to come. How often has Joseph said to the Twelve, Ihave laid the foundation; and you must build thereon, for upon your shoulders the kingdom rests. The Twelve as a Quorum will not be permitted to tarry here long, they will go away abroad and bear off the kingdom to the nations of the earth, and baptize the people faster than mobs can kill them off..
[Source: Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
175 years ago today - Aug 7, 1839
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff] I spent the day in preparing to leave home to go on my long mission to England. I make a sacrafice of my all for Christ sake to do his work. It is no small trial of faith to leave my family & my all & to start on a mission of four thousand miles to preach the gospel to the nations of the earth & that to without money purs or scrip with the power of desease resting upon me even a shock of the fever & aque every other day but yet I do this freely for Christ Sake trusting in him for the recompence of reward. May the Lord give me grace according [to] my day & a safe return to my family which favor I ask in the name of JESUS CHRIST.
[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]
1914, 100 years ago this year.
(Amy Brown Lyman) Named assistant business manager of the Relief Society Magazine, she became its editor seven years later. After twenty-eight years with the magazine, she said, "It is a dearly-loved child to me."
[Source: Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - 6 August 1844, Tuesday
[William Clayton Writings] Fortunately, on Tuesday, the 6th of August, five of the Twelve returned home, viz: Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Lyman Wight, Orson Pratt and Wilford Woodruff. This event appeared very providential. They were just in time to frustrate Elder Rigdon's plans. This they did effectively.
[Source: Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries]
[Source: Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries]
25 years ago today - Aug 5, 1989
"100 Million Names Processed In Stake Extraction Program," which CHURCH NEWS explains "helps keep the Church's 41 operating temples busy" performing vicarious ordinances for the dead. This program includes hundreds of thousands of Jews who died in Nazi holocaust, which Apostle Boyd K. Packer acknowledges to Israeli officials in explaining church's offer to microfilm records of Yad VaShem.
45 years ago today - Aug 5, 1969
LDS church's World Conference on Records whose hundreds of participants include representatives of national archives of Soviet Union, Jewish Historical Archives in Jerusalem, UNESCO, U.S. national archives, and Japan's parlimentary library. Internationally famous for his book ROOTS, Alex Haley (Also ghost-writer of AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MALCOLM X) speaks at World Conference on Records in 1980.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
130 years ago today - Aug 5, 1884
DESERET NEWS editorializes that "as a synonym for quietude and lackadaisical apathy, yesterday's election ought to be placed in the museum and handed down to succeeding ages."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
170 years ago today - Aug 5, 1844. Monday.
[William Clayton Journal] This last night I dreamed that Joseph and Emma came to me and appeared very much dissatisfied and displeased because I had kept back the money sent by Brother [Heber C.] Kimball. I thought I explained the reason and told them I had been councilled to do so.
[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
170 years ago today - 1844 5 Aug.
James J. Strang announces to his Michigan branch that he is Joseph Smith's successor through a letter of appointment. The branch president denounces the letter as a forgery and excommunicates Strang.
[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]
185 years ago today - Aug 5, 1829
[Oliver Cowdery] Martin Harris mortgaged his farm for $3,000 in order to pay Egbert B. Grandin the printing costs for the Book of Mormon.
[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]
110 years ago today - Thursday, Aug 4, 1904
[Apostle Rudger Clawson] Hyrum Kay wrote, desiring to know if it were necessary for a brother who moves from one quorum to another to take a recommend of standing. The answer was "no." He should take a recommend of removal to the new ward and should have a certificate of ordination to the priesthood, and that would admit him to his quorum: It was also decided that a certificate of ordination should be issued to the Presidency and apostles and that the apostles and others in the future, when they ordain to the priesthood, should give certificates of ordination.
[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 - Aug 4, 1899
[Angus M. Cannon] I received a letter from the First Presidency asking me to give my personal attention to obtaining, in a quiet way, the number of families living in this stake, where I preside, that are pol[y]gamous, that we may determine the relative number, compared with what existed at the time the [Wilford Woodruff] Manifesto was proclaimed.
[Source: Angus M. Cannon Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[Source: Angus M. Cannon Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
130 years ago today - Aug 4, 1884
During my absence from the city I have authorized President Joseph F. Smith to sign all recommends for temple work with the exception of those for second anointings which I prefer to attend to myself and wish them forwarded directly to me, or have them postponed until after my return.
[Source: John Taylor to John D. T. McAllister and Marriner Wood Merrill, Aug. 4, 1884 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Source: John Taylor to John D. T. McAllister and Marriner Wood Merrill, Aug. 4, 1884 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
135 years ago today - Aug 4, 1879 (Monday)
Geo. Q. Cannon, Albert Carrington and Brigham Young, executors of the estate of Pres. Brigham Young, executors of the estate of Pres. Brigham Young, were confined in the Utah Penitentiary, for alleged contempt of court.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
155 years ago today - Aug 4, 1859
President Young ... Said if there was a man that had a spark of fire in him either the Twelve or any body Els he wished they would blow it into a flame that others might keep it lest the fire go out. He was followed by H.C.K. John Young, Joseph Young, Elijah Everet several other Brethren & 2 women also spoke & the meeting dismissed.
[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 - August 4, 1844. Sunday.
[William Clayton ] ... [Sidney Rigdon] related a vision which the Lord had shown him concerning the situation of the Church and said there must be a Guardian appointed to build the Church up to Joseph as he has begun it. ... Brother Marks had notified the public that next Thursday there would be a meeting to choose a Guardian inasmuch as Mr. Rigdon was in a hurry to go home again. I do not feel satisfied with this move because it is universally understood that the Twelve have been sent for and are expected here every day and it seems a plot laid for the saints to take advantage of their situation.
[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
15 years ago today - August 3. 1999
[Mountain Meadows] A back hoe’s claw exposes the skeletal remains of men, women, and children massacred in 1857.
[Source: Exploring Mormonism: Mountain Meadows Massacre Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/mountain-meadows-massacre-timeline/]
[Source: Exploring Mormonism: Mountain Meadows Massacre Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/mountain-meadows-massacre-timeline/]
80 years ago today - Aug 3, 1934
[First Presidency Letter] Letter indicating a decision by the First Presidency that changed the Church program for girls ages 12-16. Prior to this time, they had been the joint responsibility of the Primary Association and the Y.W.M.I.A. organization. Henceforth, they were to be the responsibility of the Y.W.M.I.A., thus placing both boys and girls of this age group under the same direction.
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
115 years ago today - Thursday, Aug 3, 1899
[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] A letter from Geo. D. Pyper, Sec. Sunday School Union, was read by the clerk. He reported that the Sunday School board was contemplating the propriety of publishing some cards with the Lord's Prayer printed on them. A question, however, had arisen as to whether Joseph Smith's version or the Bible version should be adopted. The difference in the two versions, he said, was this. In the Bible version it says, "Lead us not into temptation" [Matthew 6:13]; in Joseph's version, "Suffer us not to be led into temptation." After some discussion, it was decided to leave the matter open until the First Presidency should all be present with the Twelve to take action.
[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]
140 years ago today - Aug 3, 1874 (Monday)
An attempt was made by the "Liberal Party" to get possession of the polls of election in Salt Lake City. U.S. Marshal Maxwell and a horde of armed assistants rendered aid. Mayor Daniel H. Wells was mobbed, and considerable rioting done at the City Hall, but the plot proved a failure.
At the general election, Geo. Q. Cannon was re-elected Utah's delegate to Congress. He received 22,260 votes, and Robert N. Baskin, the Liberal candidate, 4,513.
[Governor George L. Woods, a Liberal sympathizer and foe of Mormonism, refuses to issue an election certificate. When Wood's successor, moderate Samuel B. Axtell, issues the certificate to Cannon in early 1875, Baskin immediately protests, charging that Cannon is not an American citizen (he was born in England), is a polygamist, and regards his obligation to the Mormon hierarchy as superior to his allegiance to national law. To support his charges, Baskin obtains the testimony of several prominent anti-polygamy Mormon women, including Heber C. Kimball's granddaughter, Bella Kimball, Emmeline Smith, and Sarah Pratt. In Sarah's deposition she affirms that Cannon had violated the 1862 Morrill Anti-bigamy Law.]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
At the general election, Geo. Q. Cannon was re-elected Utah's delegate to Congress. He received 22,260 votes, and Robert N. Baskin, the Liberal candidate, 4,513.
[Governor George L. Woods, a Liberal sympathizer and foe of Mormonism, refuses to issue an election certificate. When Wood's successor, moderate Samuel B. Axtell, issues the certificate to Cannon in early 1875, Baskin immediately protests, charging that Cannon is not an American citizen (he was born in England), is a polygamist, and regards his obligation to the Mormon hierarchy as superior to his allegiance to national law. To support his charges, Baskin obtains the testimony of several prominent anti-polygamy Mormon women, including Heber C. Kimball's granddaughter, Bella Kimball, Emmeline Smith, and Sarah Pratt. In Sarah's deposition she affirms that Cannon had violated the 1862 Morrill Anti-bigamy Law.]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
35 years ago today - 35 years - Aug. 2, 7, 1979
[Alfonso G.] P[ia]: It was during the same period too, in the early '60s * '62, '63, right in there * that the question of dividing the initiatory ordinances from the endowment took place, which was very controversial. It came about as a result of recommendations made that tied into computerization. * It was done in Salt Lake and it was done in Los Angeles initially. * I'm inclined to believe that the first separation of the initiatory work was done in the Los Angeles Temple. Well, to my knowledge, in the early stages as the Church commenced doing records tabulation work, it was played down and wasn't made public. As it became broader and broader, I think in the late '60s in reports you would start to see so many endowments performed, so many names submitted by [the] membership, and so many others, but undefined. I believe the reports came out with an "others" category. I'm not sure what the ratio is now, but I understand that well over half the work comes in through records tabulation.
[Source: Alfonso G. Pia oral history, Aug. 2; 7, 1979; pp. 13-14; excerpt in Buerger Papers as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Source: Alfonso G. Pia oral history, Aug. 2; 7, 1979; pp. 13-14; excerpt in Buerger Papers as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
135 years ago today - 135 years - Aug 2, 1879
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] Petone wanted me to go with him. He Painted himself up with white Clay and striped his limbs like an Antelope then Put on a shirt striped like an Antelope then put on an artificial Antelope's Head & horns on his head. He was then ready for a hunt. He started out on a run both of us mounted on good horses.
... we Came in sight of a Buck Antelope Petone immediately dismounted & went of on a trot on all fours, pretending to Eat grass & with his Antelope head & horns walked up within 100 yards of his game & shot him dead in his tracks. ...
One of the Antelope He killed this forenoon he wounded and would not waste a second Ball But run onto him with his horse & larrietted him & Cut his throat. We arived in Camp about 12 oclok having run our horses some 20 miles and Brought in on one horse 3 venison. I was vary weary when I arived in Camp I got some Dinner & spent the Afternoon mostly in Camp. Petone was out again in the afternoon. They killed 5 old ones & 2 young ones.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
... we Came in sight of a Buck Antelope Petone immediately dismounted & went of on a trot on all fours, pretending to Eat grass & with his Antelope head & horns walked up within 100 yards of his game & shot him dead in his tracks. ...
One of the Antelope He killed this forenoon he wounded and would not waste a second Ball But run onto him with his horse & larrietted him & Cut his throat. We arived in Camp about 12 oclok having run our horses some 20 miles and Brought in on one horse 3 venison. I was vary weary when I arived in Camp I got some Dinner & spent the Afternoon mostly in Camp. Petone was out again in the afternoon. They killed 5 old ones & 2 young ones.
[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 - 155 years - Aug 2, 1859
Seventy-three-year-old Elizabeth Watson wanders away from a handcart company and is not found despite day-long search. The camp moves on without her, only to be amazed on Aug 15 when she meets them at a trading post west of Independence Rock.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]
165 years ago today - 165 years - Aug 2, 1849
At a special conference in the Bowery on Temple Square, Hosea Stout and two companions are called to go to China. They arrived in Hong Kong in Apr 1853. They become ill from the oppressive heat and the unusual food. Their message falls on deaf ears. There is no response other than ridicule. In four months they return home.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]
170 years ago today - 170 years - Aug 2, 1844
[Patriarchal Blessing of Joseph C. Kingsbury] ... The weakest of thy sons shall be like David of old. Thy daughters also shall be honorable amongst the Saints. I seal this blessing also upon their heads throughout all their generations. Thy name shall be had in honorable remembrance to the end of time.
... thousands shall obey the Gospel through thy teachings and no power shall stay thine hand, no enemies shall prevail against thee for the angels of the Lord shall chase them away. Kings and Rulers and great men of the earth shall tremble at thy word. Thou shalt bring thy tens of thousands to Zion and thy Companion shall be there and shall spread a table for she shall have an abundance of the good things of the earth and thou shalt sit at the head of the table and bless the food with all thy believing children that thou has gathered out from among the nations in the name of the Lord.
Thou shalt live to see the Temple which the Lord hath said shall be built in this generation. ... I seal thee up to eternal life, Amen.
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
... thousands shall obey the Gospel through thy teachings and no power shall stay thine hand, no enemies shall prevail against thee for the angels of the Lord shall chase them away. Kings and Rulers and great men of the earth shall tremble at thy word. Thou shalt bring thy tens of thousands to Zion and thy Companion shall be there and shall spread a table for she shall have an abundance of the good things of the earth and thou shalt sit at the head of the table and bless the food with all thy believing children that thou has gathered out from among the nations in the name of the Lord.
Thou shalt live to see the Temple which the Lord hath said shall be built in this generation. ... I seal thee up to eternal life, Amen.
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
170 years ago today - 170 years - Aug 2, 1844 (Friday)
A political meeting of the citizens of Hancock County, Ill., was held near the Temple at Nauvoo. Great excitement prevailed throughout the county. The mob party was determined to elect officers who would screen the murderers of Joseph and Hyrum Smith and exterminate the "Mormons."
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
10 years ago today - Aug 1, 2004
Mexico became the first nation, outside the United States, to reach one million members of the Church.
[Source: Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
[Source: Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
35 years ago today - Aug 01, 1979
[U.S. Religious History] Linda Joy Holtzman became the rabbi for the Conservative Beth Israel congregation in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. She was thus the female rabbi to lead a Jewish congregation in the USA.
[Source: Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline]
[Source: Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline]
100 years ago today - Aug 1, 1914; Saturday
Told Pres[iden]t. [Joseph F.] Smith I would like to sell the Church $5.000 theatre stock. He did not care to purchase. I am sorry and disapp[oin]t[e]d.
[Source: Heber J. Grant, Diary]
[Source: Heber J. Grant, Diary]
125 years ago today - Aug 1, 1889
[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] I visited the [Logan] Temple in the Afternoon & made arangments to attend to some Adoptions in the Temple.
] 2d [Aug] Brother Wm. H Thompson & family were adopted into his Fathers family and his Father & family were adopted into the family of Wilford Woodruff. These adoptions are to be recorded into Wilford Woodruff family Record. George Q Cannon arived to day and Attended to Adoptions.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
] 2d [Aug] Brother Wm. H Thompson & family were adopted into his Fathers family and his Father & family were adopted into the family of Wilford Woodruff. These adoptions are to be recorded into Wilford Woodruff family Record. George Q Cannon arived to day and Attended to Adoptions.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Aug 1, 1879
[John Nuttle Diary] The court & attorneys for Pltff [plaintiff] appears very vindictive against Prest. Taylor & the Executors it is not Known what course may be pursued in the event of extreme Measures. Prest. Taylor feels that he will rather go to prison than submit to the base demands made upon him by these persons for in his position he feels himself amensable to the people and to God for his Trusts & not to them.
[Source: Diary Excerpts of L. John Nuttall, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Diary Excerpts of L. John Nuttall, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
145 years ago today - Aug 1, 1869
Joseph Smith's widow Emma writes to her son Joseph Smith III, "I do not like to have my children's feelings abused, but I do like that Brigham shows to all, both Saint and sinner that there is not the least particle of friendship existing between him and myself."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]
180 years ago today - Aug 1, 1834
[Orson Pratt Journal] The high council gave their sanction for me to travel eastward towards Kirtland, preaching by the way. I accordingly united in the ministry with my brother, Wm. [William] D. Pratt, and in a few days left, traveling on the north side of the Missouri River. Overexertion in traveling brought on the fever and ague, which continued to afflict me at intervals for months. Sometimes I lay down upon the wet prairies, many miles from any house, being unable to travel. ... At Terre Haute I preached a few times, and baptized George W. Harris and his wife [Lucinda Morgan Harris, widow of Masonic marter William Morgan (1826), probably became a wife of Joseph Smith (1838)]
[Source: http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/OPratt.html]
[Source: http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/OPratt.html]
180 years ago today - Aug 1, 1834
Kirtland, Ohio. Joseph Smith arrived in Kirtland from Missouri "after a tedious journey from the midst of enemies, mobs, cholera, and excessively hot weather."
[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]
180 years ago today - Aug 1, 1834
... (About this time) Truman O. Angell relates Carpenter Rolph’s conversation with Joseph Smith, in which Smith states that he and his counselors saw the temple in vision, “to a minutiaâ€
[Source: Exploring Mormonism: Kirtland Safety Society Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/kirltand-safety-society-timeline-note-this-was-built-back-in-january-2013/]
[Source: Exploring Mormonism: Kirtland Safety Society Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/kirltand-safety-society-timeline-note-this-was-built-back-in-january-2013/]
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