Sunday Funerals Discouraged-- Salt Lake City, Utah.
The holding of funerals for L.D.S. Church members on Sundays should be discontinued for two reasons: interference with regular Church meetings and the necessity of Sunday work by morticians and their employees.
[1941-June 13-Original circular letter, L.D.S. Church Archives, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
115 years ago today - Jun 13, 1906
[Charles Penrose to Reed Smoot]
Excitement over removals, etc. has died out, but would you believe it, there are still efforts put forth to obtain consent to forbidden marriages.
[Charles W. Penrose, Letter to Reed Smoot, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Excitement over removals, etc. has died out, but would you believe it, there are still efforts put forth to obtain consent to forbidden marriages.
[Charles W. Penrose, Letter to Reed Smoot, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
120 years ago today - Thursday, Jun 13, 1901
[Rudger Clawson]
... I referred to the matter of non-tithe-payers and felt that some action should be taken relative to those who bear the priesthood, as by experience I had been led to believe that those who rejected the law of tithing, or failed to honor it, were indifferent, generally, to their duties in the church. The question was pretty fully discussed, and though no formal action was taken, it seemed to be the mind of the brethren that while it would be unwise and injudicious at present to relieve men of their priesthood, who failed to observe the law of tithing, it would certainly be proper to call for the resignation of non-tithe-payers, who were officiating in various prominent positions in the church.
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
... I referred to the matter of non-tithe-payers and felt that some action should be taken relative to those who bear the priesthood, as by experience I had been led to believe that those who rejected the law of tithing, or failed to honor it, were indifferent, generally, to their duties in the church. The question was pretty fully discussed, and though no formal action was taken, it seemed to be the mind of the brethren that while it would be unwise and injudicious at present to relieve men of their priesthood, who failed to observe the law of tithing, it would certainly be proper to call for the resignation of non-tithe-payers, who were officiating in various prominent positions in the church.
[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]
120 years ago today - Jun 13, 1901
[Marriner W. Merrill]
I attended meeting with the First Presidency and seven of the Apostles. It was decided to ordain High Councilmen as High Priests and set them apart as High Councilmen; also decided that it be the rule in the Church for those administering the sacrament, for only one to kneel when asking the blessing on the bread and water, as in our circumstances the whole congregation cannot kneel.
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I attended meeting with the First Presidency and seven of the Apostles. It was decided to ordain High Councilmen as High Priests and set them apart as High Councilmen; also decided that it be the rule in the Church for those administering the sacrament, for only one to kneel when asking the blessing on the bread and water, as in our circumstances the whole congregation cannot kneel.
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
140 years ago today - Jun 13, 1881
David Whitmer writes to the KANSAS CITY JOURNAL to correct some items in a recently-published interview: "I did not say that Smith used 'two small stones' as stated nor did I call the stone 'interpreters.' I stated that 'he used one stone (not two) and called it a sun stone.' . . .My statement was and is that in translating he put the stone in his hat and putting his face in the hat so as to exclude the light and that the light and characters appeared in the hat together with the interpretation which he uttered and was written by the scribe and which was tested at the time as stated."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
145 years ago today - Jun 13, 1876 (Tuesday)
The case of George Reynolds, convicted and sentenced to the penitentiary under the anti-bigamy law, was argued before the Supreme Court of the Territory, on appeal.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
65 years ago today - Jun 12, 1956
[David O. McKay]
Pres[ident] Joseph Fielding Smith telephoned about second anointings for some of the brethren. I told him to send the forms and we would take care of this at the next meeting of the Council.
[David O. McKay diary, June 12, 1956, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
Pres[ident] Joseph Fielding Smith telephoned about second anointings for some of the brethren. I told him to send the forms and we would take care of this at the next meeting of the Council.
[David O. McKay diary, June 12, 1956, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
120 years ago today - Wednesday, Jun 12, 1901
[Rudger Clawson]
'[5th Ward] L. S[now]. Addressing the audience he said, "Where will you be in 50 years hence?" Many of you will be in Jackson County and at that time, if not before, you will be looking for Jesus to come for he will be very near. Trials will come to you, but for every trial, every sacrifice, every suffering you will receive four-fold in reward. No man can receive a fullness of glory unless he has suffered a portion of bitterness. Said that Patriarch Joseph Smith [Sr.] in blessing him many years ago made use of this expression: "You shall be great, just as great as you want to be, as great as God himself, and you will not wish to be any greater than that." This truth was revealed to him later by the Spirit of the Lord, namely, that "as man now is God once was, as God now is man may be." [President Snow] Testified to having received the Holy Ghost at the time of his conversion. It came as the rustling of silken garments and rested upon him and filled his whole being. Through the Holy Ghost he received a knowledge of the Father in Heaven and of Jesus, His son, and also that the Father and Son had spoken to Joseph Smith, the prophet. Admonished those present to live that they might be privileged to receive their second anointings....'
'At the close of the meal I was called upon to give an after-dinner speech. ... I referred to the imprisonment of President Snow in the "Pen" for conscience sake and related an incident that occurred while he was there, namely, the giving of the sacred shout by the brethren, led by President Snow, that which was probably never done in a prison before and which may never be done again. In conclusion, taking up a cup of warm water diluted with milk, I drank to the health, prosperity, and success of President L. W. Shurtliff, his counselors, the high council, the bishopric[s] of the wards, and all the authorities of the Weber Stake present.'
'At this juncture Pres. Snow arose and said that he felt that it would be appropriate and acceptable to the Lord to give the sacred shout upon this occasion, whereupon all arose, and led by Pres. Snow, raised their voices in a mighty shout of Hosanna to God and the Lamb. Apostle A. H. Lund followed with brief remarks.'
[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]
'[5th Ward] L. S[now]. Addressing the audience he said, "Where will you be in 50 years hence?" Many of you will be in Jackson County and at that time, if not before, you will be looking for Jesus to come for he will be very near. Trials will come to you, but for every trial, every sacrifice, every suffering you will receive four-fold in reward. No man can receive a fullness of glory unless he has suffered a portion of bitterness. Said that Patriarch Joseph Smith [Sr.] in blessing him many years ago made use of this expression: "You shall be great, just as great as you want to be, as great as God himself, and you will not wish to be any greater than that." This truth was revealed to him later by the Spirit of the Lord, namely, that "as man now is God once was, as God now is man may be." [President Snow] Testified to having received the Holy Ghost at the time of his conversion. It came as the rustling of silken garments and rested upon him and filled his whole being. Through the Holy Ghost he received a knowledge of the Father in Heaven and of Jesus, His son, and also that the Father and Son had spoken to Joseph Smith, the prophet. Admonished those present to live that they might be privileged to receive their second anointings....'
'At the close of the meal I was called upon to give an after-dinner speech. ... I referred to the imprisonment of President Snow in the "Pen" for conscience sake and related an incident that occurred while he was there, namely, the giving of the sacred shout by the brethren, led by President Snow, that which was probably never done in a prison before and which may never be done again. In conclusion, taking up a cup of warm water diluted with milk, I drank to the health, prosperity, and success of President L. W. Shurtliff, his counselors, the high council, the bishopric[s] of the wards, and all the authorities of the Weber Stake present.'
'At this juncture Pres. Snow arose and said that he felt that it would be appropriate and acceptable to the Lord to give the sacred shout upon this occasion, whereupon all arose, and led by Pres. Snow, raised their voices in a mighty shout of Hosanna to God and the Lamb. Apostle A. H. Lund followed with brief remarks.'
[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 - June 12th, 1881
[Abraham H. Cannon]
"After meeting, Bro. Bloesch, the president of the branch, expressed the desire to be rebaptized. He is guilty of having intercourse with another man's wife, but he asked forgiveness for this, and made everything right as near as possible. We therefore went down to the Bieler Canal, where I rebaptized Bro. Bloesch and baptized Elsie Bangeter, Bro. Alder confirming the former and I the latter."
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
"After meeting, Bro. Bloesch, the president of the branch, expressed the desire to be rebaptized. He is guilty of having intercourse with another man's wife, but he asked forgiveness for this, and made everything right as near as possible. We therefore went down to the Bieler Canal, where I rebaptized Bro. Bloesch and baptized Elsie Bangeter, Bro. Alder confirming the former and I the latter."
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
150 years ago today - Jun 12, 1871
15-year-old Sarah Minnie Ephramina Jensen becomes the 9th wife of 57-year-old Lorenzo Snow.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
160 years ago today - Jun 12, 1861
Brigham Young's office journal records: "Pres Young & his brother Phineas, had some conversation about the death of Stephen A. Douglass the President remarked he should be president in the lower world and Tom Benton should be his first counsellor. ..."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
190 years ago today - Jun 12, 1831
Official Church Historian John Whitmer, one of the "eight witnesses" to the Book of Mormon, begins keeping the history of the church in "The Book of John Whitmer, kept by commandment." After Whitmer's excommunication he continued his history: "He [Joseph Smith] from this time began to be lifted up in the pride of his eyes, and began to seek riches and the glory of the world, also sought to establish the ancient order of things, as he & his counsellors Rigdon & Hyrum Smith pleased to call it. Therefore they began to form themselves into a secret Society which they termed the Brother of Gideon, in the which Society they took oaths that they would support a brother wright or wrong even to the sheding of blood."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
195 years ago today - Jun 12, 1826
Lemuel Durfee's will identifies Joseph Smith Sr.'s Manchester property as belonging to Smith. Durfee became the Smith's landlord after the Smith's home was taken from them due to shading dealings by a land agent. Durfee saved the Smith's home by purchasing their property and renting it to them to recover his investment.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
30 years ago today - Jun 11, 1991
BYU students discover a bomb disguised as a book in the Harold B. Lee Library. It is similar to the bomb which damages an LDS chapel in Provo, Utah, earlier in the year.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
55 years ago today - Jun 11, 1966
Mark E. Littman and Joel Izatt of the Hansen Planetarium assist artists Sydney E. King and V. Russell Capson in their efforts to place the stars in the heavens on a mural on the rotunda ceiling above where the Christus will be placed in the North Visitors' Center on Temple Square. The stars are painted to appear as they would have on April 6, 1830, the day the Church was organized.
60 years ago today - Jun 11, 1961
President David O. McKay begins ordaining members of First Council of Seventy to office of high priest so that they can ordain high priests, bishops, and organize wards and stakes. This is done in spite of the Prophet Joseph Smith's pronouncement that it is "contrary to the order of heaven" for members of the Council of Seventy to be high priests.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
115 years ago today - Jun 11, 1906
A majority 7 to 5 of the Barlow committee makes a report to the U.S. Senate recommending that Apostle Reed Smoot was not entitled to his seat in the Senate. They found that he was one of a "self-perpetuating body of fifteen men, uniting in themselves authority in both Church and state," who "so exercise this authority as to encourage a belief in polygamy as a divine institution, and by both precept and example encourage among their followers the practice of polygamy and polygamous cohabitation;" that the Church authorities had "endeavored to suppress, and succeed in suppressing, a great deal of testimony by which the fact of plural marriages contracted by those who were high in the councils of the Church might have been established beyond the shadow of a doubt;" and that "aside from this it was shown by the testimony that a majority of those who give law to the Mormon Church are now, and have been for years, living in open, notorious and shameless polygamous cohabitation." Concerning President Woodruff's anti-polygamy manifesto of 1890, the majority of the committee reported that "this manifesto in no way declares the principle of polygamy to be wrong or abrogates it as a doctrine of the Mormon Church, but simply suspends the practice of polygamy to be resumed at some more convenient season, either with or without another revelation." They found that Apostle Smoot was responsible for the conduct of the organization to which he belonged; that he had countenanced and encouraged polygamy "by repeated acts and in a number of instances, as a member of the quorum of the twelve apostles;" and that he was "no more entitled to a seat in the Senate than he would be if he were associating in polygamous cohabitation with a plurality of wives." The full senate seats Smoot in spite of the committee's report.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - Jun 11, 1896; Thursday
At 11 am attended prayer circle in the temple. ... I brought up the question of our people joining the third or Populist party, and when the brethren who spoke on the matter expressed themselves that it was a mistake for the brethren to join the Populist party, yet they did not feel that it would be wise to make a public declaration to this effect as it might be considered an interference by the church in political matters.
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
140 years ago today - Jun 11, 1881
[Heber J. Grant]
Bro [Lysander] Gee told me that he had known Oliver Cowdery personally & that to his knowledge Cowdrey had committed adultry before he lost his faith'
It strengthens my faith to learn that even the leading men of the Church cannot commit sin & remain in the Church, unless they repent.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
Bro [Lysander] Gee told me that he had known Oliver Cowdery personally & that to his knowledge Cowdrey had committed adultry before he lost his faith'
It strengthens my faith to learn that even the leading men of the Church cannot commit sin & remain in the Church, unless they repent.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
145 years ago today - Jun 11, 1876
Br Brigham spoke on a variety of subjects. Said that those who made the greatest howl against Polygamy were whores and whoremongers and those filled with lust and of unclean hearts. Said as to the Mountain Meadow Massacre, if he had not been foiled by Judge Cradlebaugh and other federal officials, He would have hung every guilty person concerned in the bloody deed. Spoke of the building of temples showing that a man would gain riches faster working for the Lord and trusting in him, than all the men could make who were hunting after, and working in mines. Urged the Brethren to labor diligently on the Temple to have it completed by the 15th of next Sept. -- St. George, Utah
[Men in congregation are involved in the massaccre, and by arrangement several testify against John D. Lee.]
[Diary of Charles Lowell Walker. Andrew Karl Larson, ed. Logan: Utah State University Press, 1980. 427, 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]
[Men in congregation are involved in the massaccre, and by arrangement several testify against John D. Lee.]
[Diary of Charles Lowell Walker. Andrew Karl Larson, ed. Logan: Utah State University Press, 1980. 427, 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]
175 years ago today - Jun 11, 1846
After supper I, Henrietta and Lucy [Thomas Bullock's wives] robed ourselves, prayed, and had sacrament. I gave them much instruction in regard to their duty.
[Thomas Bullock journal, June 11, 1846, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Thomas Bullock journal, June 11, 1846, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
175 years ago today - Jun 11, 1846
William Smith goes to Voree where his apostolic ordination is accepted and where he is ordained Patriarch of the church. He plans to build a house for Lucy on a contributed lot. He writes again, saying God has confirmed James Strang's position [as Joseph Smith's successor] by revelation.
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book]
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book]
60 years ago today - Jun 10, 1961
[J. Reuben Clark]
Dictation'Ideas by J. R. C.
I recall a very sage remark made by Dr. Brimhall, formerly President of the Brigham Young University:
There are two occasions in a man's lifetime when it becometh a man to say little: One is at the beginning of his service when he is yet to prove himself, and the other is at the end of his service when he has made his record.
Memo by J R C on above: At the beginning a man has little but hope and aspiration and what ability and determination as he may bring to his service; the other is that at the end of his service when his record is made, it speaks for itself.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
Dictation'Ideas by J. R. C.
I recall a very sage remark made by Dr. Brimhall, formerly President of the Brigham Young University:
There are two occasions in a man's lifetime when it becometh a man to say little: One is at the beginning of his service when he is yet to prove himself, and the other is at the end of his service when he has made his record.
Memo by J R C on above: At the beginning a man has little but hope and aspiration and what ability and determination as he may bring to his service; the other is that at the end of his service when his record is made, it speaks for itself.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
130 years ago today - Jun 10, 1891 (Wednesday)
At a meeting of the Territorial Central Committee of the People's Party, resolutions were adopted dissolving the [church's] People's Party of Utah, leaving its members free to unite with the great national parties, according to individual preferences.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
155 years ago today - Jun 10, 1866 (Sunday)
The Indians made a raid on Round Valley, Millard Co., driving away three hundred head of cattle and horses, and killing James Ivie and Henry Wright.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
180 years ago today - Jun 10, 1841
Monmouth, Illinois. On a technicality, Judge Stephen A. Douglas ruled that that Joseph Smith's writ was illegal and discharged him from the arrest warrant.
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
15 years ago today - Jun 9, 2006
Tegucigalpa Honduras Temple: Ground was broken in a small ceremony on 12 September 2009 after a new site was selected. Previously ground had been broken on 9 June 2007 by Spencer V. Jones, excavation was halted because of opposition from Tegucigalpa city officials and citizens, who felt the temple would overshadow and block the view of the Catholic Our Lady of Suyapa Basilica on adjacent land. After negotioations failed to resolve the issue, the church announced on Wednesday, 28 January 2009, that out of respect for the city officials and citizens, the church would relocate the temple.
[Wikipedia, List of Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_temples_of_The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints#List_of_temples]
[Wikipedia, List of Temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_temples_of_The_Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints#List_of_temples]
25 years ago today - Jun 9, 1996
The Salt Lake Tribune reports that LDS headquarters has acknowledged it has been calling specific people (such as advertising executives) on short-term missions to assist in the campaign against leglization of same-sex marriages in Hawaii.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
110 years ago today - Jun 9, 1911
The Hotel Utah was built as a cooperative effort by the business and ecclesiastical leaders of the Salt Lake community to bring everyone together. It succeeded. Shares in the venture were sold and the hotel's prominent location on the corner of South Temple and Main Street, previously the site of the Bishop's Tithing Office and the Deseret News, was donated by the LDS Church. After two years of construction and a $2 million price tag, the Hotel opened 9 June 1911 "in a blaze of splendor" with a grand party for 500 of Utah's notables.
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Hotel Utah, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Hotel Utah, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
160 years ago today - Jun 9, 1861
President Brigham Young gave a very interesting historical sketch of his late visit to the extreme southern settlements of the Territory and interspersed his remarks with suitable instructions on the practicability of the brethren producing their own sugar, tobacco, wine, cotton cloth, etc., in the south. -- SLC Bowery
[Deseret News, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Deseret News, 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 - Jun 9, 1841
[A] trial is held to see if Illinois should send Joseph back to Missouri. The actions of the young prosecuting attorney are so outrageous that the judge is forced to silence him. By the time Joseph's attorney, Mr. Browning, finishes his sad tale of the Saints being driven from Missouri and walking on bloody bare feet across the snow to Illinois, Judge Douglas himself is in tears.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
185 years ago today - Jun 9, 1836
[After some sermons] Elder Patten arose bound the Law & Scealed the testimony & Prophesied upon the heads of some of the ungodly People who were Present. ... Elder Patten was filled with the Power of God. Numbers were healed of sickeness.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - June 1831 (on or before 19 June)
Section 53, 54, 55 & 56 are received about this time, relating to land, travels to Missouri and missionary work.
25 years ago today - Jun 8, 1996
A Salt Lake Tribune story that, contrary to the recommendation of her department and college, BYU has fired English professor Gail Houston for expressing feminist views off-campus. In support of this decision, the university spokesman notes that 5 percent of her student-evaluations complain that Houston's courses in English literature do not offer "gospel insights" and are not "spiritually uplifting," even though 95 percent of student evaluations rank her highly. In October the American Association of University Professors begins investigation of this action in terms of due process and academic freedom.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
50 years ago today - Jun 8, 1971
The Genesis Group is formed. It becomes an official church auxiliary dedicated to serving the needs of black members, who cannot hold the priesthood at this time.
[Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)]
[Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)]
70 years ago today - Jun 8, 1951
[Marion G. Romney]
... President Clark gave the main address and offered a prayer dedicating the people to the unfinished work but not dedicating the ranch, because there is still $317,000 owing on it. That was one reason it was not dedicated, and the other is that we don't dedicate production projects.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015, Appendix 2, The Diaries of Marion G. Romney, 1941-1961, Abridged]
... President Clark gave the main address and offered a prayer dedicating the people to the unfinished work but not dedicating the ranch, because there is still $317,000 owing on it. That was one reason it was not dedicated, and the other is that we don't dedicate production projects.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015, Appendix 2, The Diaries of Marion G. Romney, 1941-1961, Abridged]
80 years ago today - Jun 8,1941
First counselor J. Reuben Clark tells annual conference of youth and their leaders: "When I was a boy it was preached from the stand, and my father and mother repeated the principle to me time and time again. They said, 'Reuben, we had rather bury you than to have you become unchaste.' and that is the law of this Church." This doctrine continues in the church and is included in all editions of Bruce R. McConkie's great work Mormon Doctrine under the heading "Chastity."
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]
110 years ago today - Jun 8, 1911; Thursday
A letter was read ... from South Africa, that is, they were prevented by the Immigration Commissioner from landing, for the reason that they were Mormon missionaries and "undesirables."
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
120 years ago today - Jun 8, 1901
Susa Young Gates wrote to Elmina S. Taylor describing a meeting in which she interpreted tongues.
[Susa Young Gates, Letter to Elmina S. Taylor, 8 June 1901, in Dan Vogel and Scott C. Dunn, '"The Tongue of Angels": Glossolalia among Mormonism's Founders,' Journal of Mormon History Vol. 19, No. 2, 1993]
[Susa Young Gates, Letter to Elmina S. Taylor, 8 June 1901, in Dan Vogel and Scott C. Dunn, '"The Tongue of Angels": Glossolalia among Mormonism's Founders,' Journal of Mormon History Vol. 19, No. 2, 1993]
125 years ago today - Jun 8, 1896
Titles to the church's real estate that had been attached by the federal government is turned over to President Wilford Woodruff, bringing to an end the confiscation proceedings that started with the Edmunds-Tucker Act.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
155 years ago today - Jun 8, 1866
[Wilford Woodruff]
8th I performed one of the worst days work of my life to day. I Cleaned out a Privey vault 10 feet long 6 feet wide & 8 feet deep & with an Indian Boy dug another vault of the same size 10 rods from the privey & carried all the Contents of the Privey in Buckets by hand & Emptied into the new vault.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
8th I performed one of the worst days work of my life to day. I Cleaned out a Privey vault 10 feet long 6 feet wide & 8 feet deep & with an Indian Boy dug another vault of the same size 10 rods from the privey & carried all the Contents of the Privey in Buckets by hand & Emptied into the new vault.
[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 - Jun 8, 1851
While he was alive, Joseph Smith married the wife of Simeon Dagget Carter in Nauvoo. Lydia Kenyon Carter was listed as "Lydia Smith [--] wd of Joseph Smith (Prophet)," when she was sealed to James Goff on 8 June 1851. Born in 1799, she was 44-years-old (menopausal) when she became one of the Prophet's polygamous widows, after which Reynolds Cahoon sealed her as a polygamous wife to Heber C. Kimball on the same day the apostle sealed Cahoon to his first polygamous wife. The latter two had also married before the Prophet's death. Legally married to Simeon D. Carter since 1818, Lydia (mother of their three children) resided with him in Nauvoo and Utah --despite her marriages to Smith, Kimball, and Goff.
[Endowment House Record Book (1851-1854), Entry 65, for marriage of "Lydia Smith" (born on 11 December 1800) to James Goff on 8 June 1851 (Film 183,393--not available to the general public), LDS Family History Library, but with typescript available to the public in Quinn's Research Files, Beinecke Library; Lyndon W. Cook, The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1985), 74; Kenney, Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, 6: 305 (12 December 1866), referenced in "Evidence For The Sexual Side of Joseph Smith's Polygamy," Comments by D. Michael Quinn on Session #2A "Reconsidering Joseph Smith's Marital Practices," Mormon History Association's Annual Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 29 June 2012 (unabbreviated version, revised during July)]
[Endowment House Record Book (1851-1854), Entry 65, for marriage of "Lydia Smith" (born on 11 December 1800) to James Goff on 8 June 1851 (Film 183,393--not available to the general public), LDS Family History Library, but with typescript available to the public in Quinn's Research Files, Beinecke Library; Lyndon W. Cook, The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1985), 74; Kenney, Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, 6: 305 (12 December 1866), referenced in "Evidence For The Sexual Side of Joseph Smith's Polygamy," Comments by D. Michael Quinn on Session #2A "Reconsidering Joseph Smith's Marital Practices," Mormon History Association's Annual Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 29 June 2012 (unabbreviated version, revised during July)]
190 years ago today - June 8-9, 1831
Alexander Campbell [leader of Sidney Rigdon's former sect] spends the first weeks of June traveling through the region surrounding Kirtland, including these two days in Ravenna, Ohio, attacking Mormonism.
[Mark Lyman Staker, Hearken, O Ye People: The Historical Setting of Joseph Smith's Ohio Revelations: A Selective Chronology of Significant Events in Ohio's LDS History]
[Mark Lyman Staker, Hearken, O Ye People: The Historical Setting of Joseph Smith's Ohio Revelations: A Selective Chronology of Significant Events in Ohio's LDS History]
70 years ago today - Jun 7, 1951
[Spencer W. Kimball]
... I HAD A VERY GREAT HONOR BESTOWED UPON ME TODAY. THE BRETHREN HAD APPOINTED ME TO SERVE WITH ELDER JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH AND ELDER JOHN A. WIDTSOE in giving SECOND BLESSINGS IN THE TEMPLE. I WAS MUCH HONORED.
[[Spencer W. Kimball diary, June 7, 1951; typed excerpt in Quinn Papers; emphasis in original, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
... I HAD A VERY GREAT HONOR BESTOWED UPON ME TODAY. THE BRETHREN HAD APPOINTED ME TO SERVE WITH ELDER JOSEPH FIELDING SMITH AND ELDER JOHN A. WIDTSOE in giving SECOND BLESSINGS IN THE TEMPLE. I WAS MUCH HONORED.
[[Spencer W. Kimball diary, June 7, 1951; typed excerpt in Quinn Papers; emphasis in original, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
115 years ago today - Jun 7, 1906
The President [i.e., Theodore Roosevelt] told Senator [Reed] Smoot to-day, when the Senator read a postscript to a letter written him in President [Joseph F.] Smith's own handwriting expressing confidence and admiration and praying God's blessings upon him'President Roosevelt said: 'That is very kind of President Smith and I appreciate it, but you tell him for me, he must stop these polygamous marriages.'
[Carl A. Badger, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Carl A. Badger, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
165 years ago today - Jun 7, 1856
The LATTER DAY SAINTS MILLENIAL STAR published in London, says Mormon missionaries in South Africa avoid contact with the Kaffir and Fingoe populations because they had "too much of the blood of Cain in them, for the Gospel to have much effect on their dark spirits."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
175 years ago today - Jun 7, 1846
[Brigham Young]
"I can safely prophesy that we will not cross the mountains this season, and that is what many of the brethren wish, they would rather go to hell than be left behind.
I instructed the sisters to keep themselves and tents clean, and not to dictate those over them, it was their duty to raise all the children they could lawfully, and rear them up in the name of the Lord, watching over them and keeping them from playing with ungodly children, or from falling into danger, or exposing themselves to sickness; and when they have raised them up to deliver them over to their father's charge. Instead of meddling with their husband's business, they should be careful of his feelings, and seek his interest, and men should be kind and affectionate to their wives, not abusing or exposing them to hardships."
[Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1846- 1847. Elden J. Watson, ed. Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1971.:179-180]
"I can safely prophesy that we will not cross the mountains this season, and that is what many of the brethren wish, they would rather go to hell than be left behind.
I instructed the sisters to keep themselves and tents clean, and not to dictate those over them, it was their duty to raise all the children they could lawfully, and rear them up in the name of the Lord, watching over them and keeping them from playing with ungodly children, or from falling into danger, or exposing themselves to sickness; and when they have raised them up to deliver them over to their father's charge. Instead of meddling with their husband's business, they should be careful of his feelings, and seek his interest, and men should be kind and affectionate to their wives, not abusing or exposing them to hardships."
[Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1846- 1847. Elden J. Watson, ed. Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1971.:179-180]
180 years ago today - Jun 7, 1841
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith started very early for his court hearing in Monmouth, Illinois, a 75-mile journey, accompanied by Sheriff Thomas King, the arresting officer from Adams County,
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
190 years ago today - Jun 7, 1831
Doctrine and Covenants 52: Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, to the elders of the Church, at Kirtland, Ohio, June 7, 1831. HC 1: 175-179. A conference had been held at Kirtland, beginning on the 3rd, and closing on the 6th of June. At this conference the first distinctive ordinations to the office of high priest were made, and certain manifestations of false and deceiving spirits were discerned and rebuked.
[Doctrine and Covenants, http://amzn.to/DoctrineandCovenants]
[Doctrine and Covenants, http://amzn.to/DoctrineandCovenants]
190 years ago today - Jun 7, 1831 (6 June)
[D&C 52]
The revelation directed fourteen pairs of elders, including Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, to travel to Independence, Missouri. The missionaries were to "preach by the way" and to hold a conference upon their arrival. There was great interest in the Missouri mission since the New Jerusalem was to be identified. Joseph Smith and those traveling with him left Kirtland on 19 June 1831 and arrived in Independence in mid-July.
... The mission calls in verses 22 and 32 were later revoked.
[Cook, Lyndon, Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
The revelation directed fourteen pairs of elders, including Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, to travel to Independence, Missouri. The missionaries were to "preach by the way" and to hold a conference upon their arrival. There was great interest in the Missouri mission since the New Jerusalem was to be identified. Joseph Smith and those traveling with him left Kirtland on 19 June 1831 and arrived in Independence in mid-July.
... The mission calls in verses 22 and 32 were later revoked.
[Cook, Lyndon, Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
70 years ago today - Jun 6, 1951
[J. Reuben Clark]
[Regarding the effort to obtain 177 acres for a This is the Place Monument Park:] Preston Richards called to say that Jerry Jones was going to fight the 177 acres with every [sic] he had, and that the secretary of the Clerk of the House just told him he prepared a map he is going to put on every desk in the Legislature; Preston requested Pres. Clark to call Jerry in and talk with him and ask him to help get this bill through; he has always said he would not oppose the Church; he is a good Republican; he thought if Pres. Clark called him as Chairman of the Commission and member of the First Presidency he could get him to help them out. ...
[Conversations with Jerry Jones] Pres. Clark: I am wondering if'from what Brother Richards tells me about your feeling of wanting to do what more or less seemed to be the wise thing, I wonder if you could not help us on this Park business up here. ... We never can get it as cheaply again, and I am morally persuaded that ultimately we will have to have it ... I told him over and over again that I was not telling him what to do, nor was I attempting to bring upon him any Church influence, that the Church was not telling him what to do, but I told him that, furthermore, I had lived long enough to know that I do not know what I would do if I were in the other man's place, but that I was very certain that I would think very seriously before I went against something which the President of the Church desired. ...
I repeatedly expressed the hope that he could go along and help us to get this thing through. He wanted to know whether he would go against the Church if he were to get up and explain his views in the matter. I said that is a question he would have to determine for himself, that the Church does not undertake to control men's consciences, they are always their own free agents ...
I made it perfectly clear time and again that I was not trying to bring Church influence to bear on him, or tell him what to do, but that if I were in his place I would consider very carefully before I went contrary to the wishes of a President of the Church.
He said at one stage in the conversation, that he probably would have to pray about it and decide. ...
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
[Regarding the effort to obtain 177 acres for a This is the Place Monument Park:] Preston Richards called to say that Jerry Jones was going to fight the 177 acres with every [sic] he had, and that the secretary of the Clerk of the House just told him he prepared a map he is going to put on every desk in the Legislature; Preston requested Pres. Clark to call Jerry in and talk with him and ask him to help get this bill through; he has always said he would not oppose the Church; he is a good Republican; he thought if Pres. Clark called him as Chairman of the Commission and member of the First Presidency he could get him to help them out. ...
[Conversations with Jerry Jones] Pres. Clark: I am wondering if'from what Brother Richards tells me about your feeling of wanting to do what more or less seemed to be the wise thing, I wonder if you could not help us on this Park business up here. ... We never can get it as cheaply again, and I am morally persuaded that ultimately we will have to have it ... I told him over and over again that I was not telling him what to do, nor was I attempting to bring upon him any Church influence, that the Church was not telling him what to do, but I told him that, furthermore, I had lived long enough to know that I do not know what I would do if I were in the other man's place, but that I was very certain that I would think very seriously before I went against something which the President of the Church desired. ...
I repeatedly expressed the hope that he could go along and help us to get this thing through. He wanted to know whether he would go against the Church if he were to get up and explain his views in the matter. I said that is a question he would have to determine for himself, that the Church does not undertake to control men's consciences, they are always their own free agents ...
I made it perfectly clear time and again that I was not trying to bring Church influence to bear on him, or tell him what to do, but that if I were in his place I would consider very carefully before I went contrary to the wishes of a President of the Church.
He said at one stage in the conversation, that he probably would have to pray about it and decide. ...
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
115 years ago today - Jun 6, 1906
The "Burrows Committee" of the U.S. Senate, after extensive hearings, votes seven to five to recommend expulsion of Apostle and Senator Reed Smoot. In 1907 the full Senate does not follow the Committee's recommendation and seats Smoot. A crucial influence was that of President Roosevelt, who, after a private meeting with Smoot, threw his personal support behind the Utahn.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
120 years ago today - Thursday, Jun 6, 1901
Brother W. W. Cluff, former president, and Alma Eldredge, former counselor to W. W. C[luff]., had been using an influence against his successor in office, Brother Moses Taylor, which had somewhat divided the people, but matters were now steadily improving. The attitude of Brother Cluff when he said that the changes effected in the Summit Stake were not inspired of the Lord, and his efforts to defeat the action of the First Presidency and Twelve by trying to influence the saints not to vote for Moses Tylor, only confirmed the brethren in the view that the change was not only necessary, but imperative.
[Reed Smoot, as referenced by Rudger Clawson in 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]
[Reed Smoot, as referenced by Rudger Clawson in 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]
135 years ago today - Jun 6, 1886
[John S. Hawkins to John Taylor]
Three years ago I got ready by the council of Apostle George Teasdale to go to St. George, to attend to Temple work also to get my second anointings in connection with my wives. One of my wives Maria was taken sick which hindered me from going at that time, afterward my wife Eliza now seventy nine years old, became too feable to travel that distance. I have been in hiding Seventeen months past but I think I can go safely to the Logan Temple. I ask if I now with my wives can have the privilege of this great blessing. I therefore think and feel as if I ought not to neglect this matter any longer if the privelege is mine[.] I would also like my first wife Ann who is dead, [who] died three years and a half ago, to recieve the blessing through one of my living wives acting for her. Please endorse upon the recommends, if you will grant me this privilege and return [them] to me that I may know how to prepare. As I am not known by my right name here[,] please send the recommends to Brother Joseph E. Taylor with whom I am acquainted. I will see him and ask him to recieve them for me.
[John S. Hawkins to John Taylor, June 6, 1886, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
Three years ago I got ready by the council of Apostle George Teasdale to go to St. George, to attend to Temple work also to get my second anointings in connection with my wives. One of my wives Maria was taken sick which hindered me from going at that time, afterward my wife Eliza now seventy nine years old, became too feable to travel that distance. I have been in hiding Seventeen months past but I think I can go safely to the Logan Temple. I ask if I now with my wives can have the privilege of this great blessing. I therefore think and feel as if I ought not to neglect this matter any longer if the privelege is mine[.] I would also like my first wife Ann who is dead, [who] died three years and a half ago, to recieve the blessing through one of my living wives acting for her. Please endorse upon the recommends, if you will grant me this privilege and return [them] to me that I may know how to prepare. As I am not known by my right name here[,] please send the recommends to Brother Joseph E. Taylor with whom I am acquainted. I will see him and ask him to recieve them for me.
[John S. Hawkins to John Taylor, June 6, 1886, quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
175 years ago today - Jun 6, 1846
Louisa Barnes Pratt, traveling with "Camp of Israel" in Iowa, writes: "Last evening the ladies met to organize. Mrs. Isaac Chase was called to the chair. She was also appointed President by unanimous vote. Mrs. L[ouisa] B. Pratt, counsellor and scribe. Several resolutions were adopted: 1st Resolved: that when the brethren call on us to attend prayers, get engaged in conversation and forget what they called us for, that the sisters retire to some convenient place, pray by themselves and go about their business. 2nd. If the men wish to hold control over women, let them be on the alert. We believe in equal rights. Meeting adjourned, sine die."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
190 years ago today - 1831 June [6]
D&C 54: Colesville church to move from Leman Copley's land in Kirtland to Missouri under Newel Knight. According to Joseph Knight Sr, Copley was cut off for refusing to consecrate his property. The Colesville branch left Copley's property some time in June and moved about 90 miles southeast to Wellsville on the Ohio River.
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
190 years ago today - Jun 6, 1831
Jared Carter writes, "Brother Joseph notwithstanding he is not naturally talanted for a Speaker yet he was filled with the power of the holy Ghost." In 1833 Joseph Smith announces a revelation appointing Sidney Rigdon as his "spokesman."
45 years ago today - Jun 05, 1976
The Teton Dam in Idaho bursts, flooding Rexburg and surrounding areas. Ricks College President Henry B. Eyring turns the campus into a center of relief and refuge for the two thousand people who are rendered homeless by the flood. Some 386,000 free meals are served in the campus cafeteria.
45 years ago today - Jun 05, 1976
The First Presidency publishes an official statement to reiterate Church policy opposing abortion.
65 years ago today - Jun 5, 1956
[J. Reuben Clark]
[Following a meeting with University of Utah President A. Ray Olpin and Dr. Aziz A. Atiya concerning Coptic religion and manuscripts:] At the conclusion of the interview as they were leaving, President Olpin was kind enough to say that he was either astonished or marvelled or something at my research. I told him I did not get it by socializing.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
[Following a meeting with University of Utah President A. Ray Olpin and Dr. Aziz A. Atiya concerning Coptic religion and manuscripts:] At the conclusion of the interview as they were leaving, President Olpin was kind enough to say that he was either astonished or marvelled or something at my research. I told him I did not get it by socializing.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
175 years ago today - Jun 5, 1846
Little met with President James K. Polk on 5 June 1846 and urged him to aid migrating Mormon pioneers by employing them to fortify and defend the West. The president offered to aid the pioneers by permitting them to raise a battalion of five hundred men, who were to join Colonel Stephen W. Kearny, Commander of the Army of the West, and fight for the United States in the Mexican War. Little accepted this offer.
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Mormon Battalion, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Mormon Battalion, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
180 years ago today - Jun 5, 1841
Joseph Smith is arrested as a fugitive from Missouri Justice but not extradited. Judge Stephen A. Douglas dismisses the case on procedural grounds.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
45 years ago today - Jun 4, 1976
The announcement of the new bishopric position of the "Presiding Bishopric Area Supervisor." Later called the "area director of temporal affairs," this calling represents the decentralization of the Presiding Bishopric administration in the Presiding Bishopric International Offices (PBIO). Several areas, each with its own PBIO, are administered by a "zone administrator of temporal affairs." Although implemented outside the LDS population centers of the U.S. and Canada, these are the first intermediate offices in the twentieth century between the Presiding Bishopric and ward bishops.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
55 years ago today - Jun 4, 1966
[Delbert L. Stapley to Raymond W. Taylor]
This will acknowledge your letter of May 30 dealing with the reinstatement of the late [excommunicated apostle] John W. Taylor. Your statement in the fourth paragraph of your letter quite well covers the status of the women sealed to John W. Taylor after the [Wilford Woodruff] manifesto.
I think I advised you in a former letter that President [Joseph Fielding] Smith stated that he restored the Melchizedek Priesthood to your father, no office mentioned, and all other blessings received by him in the House of the Lord.
On May 26, the John W. Taylor case was reviewed by The First Presidency and the Twelve. In presenting your father's case, I asked if the restoration of his blessings pertained only to the first three wives, or did it also extend to the women who were sealed after the manifesto, and their children? President [David O.] McKay ruled that these later sealings are not recognized. It is a rule followed by the Genealogical Society that if marriages took place after the manifesto, that such marriages are not recognized nor will permission be given to seal such women to the man she or they were supposedly sealed to. Regardless of the sincere purpose of the women, they, as well as your father, were in violation of both the civil law and the law of the Church. It appears therefore that this decision must stand to be considered later at the Judgment Bar of the Lord.
I am appreciative of your expressed feeling toward me in your letter and trust this decision will not alter your opinion.
[Delbert L. Stapley, Letter to Raymond W. Taylor, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
This will acknowledge your letter of May 30 dealing with the reinstatement of the late [excommunicated apostle] John W. Taylor. Your statement in the fourth paragraph of your letter quite well covers the status of the women sealed to John W. Taylor after the [Wilford Woodruff] manifesto.
I think I advised you in a former letter that President [Joseph Fielding] Smith stated that he restored the Melchizedek Priesthood to your father, no office mentioned, and all other blessings received by him in the House of the Lord.
On May 26, the John W. Taylor case was reviewed by The First Presidency and the Twelve. In presenting your father's case, I asked if the restoration of his blessings pertained only to the first three wives, or did it also extend to the women who were sealed after the manifesto, and their children? President [David O.] McKay ruled that these later sealings are not recognized. It is a rule followed by the Genealogical Society that if marriages took place after the manifesto, that such marriages are not recognized nor will permission be given to seal such women to the man she or they were supposedly sealed to. Regardless of the sincere purpose of the women, they, as well as your father, were in violation of both the civil law and the law of the Church. It appears therefore that this decision must stand to be considered later at the Judgment Bar of the Lord.
I am appreciative of your expressed feeling toward me in your letter and trust this decision will not alter your opinion.
[Delbert L. Stapley, Letter to Raymond W. Taylor, 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]
125 years ago today - Jun 4, 1896
The First Presidency and Apostles met at 11 A.M. in the Temple. ... Elder Moses Thatcher was expected to attend the meeting of the Apostles in the Annex at 3 P.M., but word was brought that his health had again become so impaired that he would be unable to attend. The financial condition of Elder B. H. Roberts was considered, and also the propriety of his taking a mission to preach the Gospel. It was decided that the First Presidency should interview Brother Roberts with a view to his taking a mission to the Eastern States, accompanied by some male members of the Tabernacle Choir as singers. On motion of President Snow it was agreed that Elder Roberts should be permitted to draw in equitable tithes for the support of his family, not to exceed $2,000. The subject of the improvement of the 'Deseret News' was presented, and the necessity of the Church circulating the printed word, also the necessity of a strong Church paper as a guide to the small country papers which were numerous and needed a criterion. Attention was directed to an advertisement in 'Bikuben' for the sale of Temple clothing, and President Snow was requested to see that the matter was investigated, and that the sale of female Temple clothing should be in the hands of the Relief Societies. ...
[Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
125 years ago today - Jun 4, 1896
[Franklin D. Richards]
[Council] Voted that $2,000 a year be allowed Pres[iden]t BH Roberts for his family that he may go on a mission to the Eastern States, possibly the sweet singer Easton will go with him.
[Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Council] Voted that $2,000 a year be allowed Pres[iden]t BH Roberts for his family that he may go on a mission to the Eastern States, possibly the sweet singer Easton will go with him.
[Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
150 years ago today - Jun 4, 1871
[Wilford Woodruff]
President Young 41 Minuts. He gave good Council. "Do not Quarrel with any one. Tell your wives & Children what to do if they will not do that then let them do what they are a mind to." ... We Administered to Sister Richards while we were at Ogden Also to a girl afflicted with Evil spirits.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
President Young 41 Minuts. He gave good Council. "Do not Quarrel with any one. Tell your wives & Children what to do if they will not do that then let them do what they are a mind to." ... We Administered to Sister Richards while we were at Ogden Also to a girl afflicted with Evil spirits.
[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 - Jun 4, 1841
Joseph calls at the home of Governor Carlin in Quincy, Ill. The governor shows him great courtesy, and doesn't mention that Missouri has asked him to turn Joseph over to them. Within a few hours of Joseph's leaving the governor's mansion, Carlin sends a posse of law officers to capture him and turn him over to the Missouri authorities.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
190 years ago today - Jun 04, 1831
The Prophet Joseph Smith, during a four-day Church conference held at a schoolhouse on the hill above the Isaac Morley farmhouse in Kirtland, sees the Father and the Son and declares, "I now see God, and Jesus Christ at his right hand, let them kill me, I should not feel death as I am now"
[Levi W. Hancock, "The Life of Levi Ward Hancock," 33)]
[Levi W. Hancock, "The Life of Levi Ward Hancock," 33)]
190 years ago today - Jun 4, 1831
[General Coming]
"When he [Joseph Smith] arose in our midst he said that before the conference closed there were those present who should see the heavens open and bear record of the coming of the Son of Man, and that the man of sin should be revealed... Lyman Wight, while being ordained to the priesthood by Joseph Smith, prophesied (while Smith's hands were still upon his head) "that there were some in this congregation that should live until the Savior should descend from heaven, with a Shout, with all the holy angels with him." Harvey Whitlock stepped into the middle of the room with his arms crossed, bound by the power of Satan, and his mouth twisted unshapely. Hyrum Smith arose and declared that there was an evil spirit in the room. Joseph said, "Don't be too hasty," and Hyrum sat down. Shortly Hyrum rose the second time, saying, "I know my duty and will do it," and stepping to Harvey, commanded the evil spirits to leave him, but the spirits did not obey. Joseph then approached Harvey and asked him if he believed in God. Then we saw a change in Harvey. He also bore record of the opening of the heavens and of the coming of the Son of Man, precisely as Lyman Wight had done.
[Book of John Whitmer, Church Historian p.69–71; 4th Conference Events also josephsmithpapers.or, as quoted in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]
"When he [Joseph Smith] arose in our midst he said that before the conference closed there were those present who should see the heavens open and bear record of the coming of the Son of Man, and that the man of sin should be revealed... Lyman Wight, while being ordained to the priesthood by Joseph Smith, prophesied (while Smith's hands were still upon his head) "that there were some in this congregation that should live until the Savior should descend from heaven, with a Shout, with all the holy angels with him." Harvey Whitlock stepped into the middle of the room with his arms crossed, bound by the power of Satan, and his mouth twisted unshapely. Hyrum Smith arose and declared that there was an evil spirit in the room. Joseph said, "Don't be too hasty," and Hyrum sat down. Shortly Hyrum rose the second time, saying, "I know my duty and will do it," and stepping to Harvey, commanded the evil spirits to leave him, but the spirits did not obey. Joseph then approached Harvey and asked him if he believed in God. Then we saw a change in Harvey. He also bore record of the opening of the heavens and of the coming of the Son of Man, precisely as Lyman Wight had done.
[Book of John Whitmer, Church Historian p.69–71; 4th Conference Events also josephsmithpapers.or, as quoted in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]
50 years ago today - Jun 3, 1971
The Public Affairs Department established with five divisions: news and information; electronic media; visitor centers; hosting; and pageants.
[Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
[Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
110 years ago today - Jun 3, 1911
the first annual YMMIA inter-stake track meet is held at Wandamere park south of Salt Lake City. This is part of a trend of athletic and recreational programs replacing the cultural and educational emphasis on the ward and stake level.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - Jun 3, 1896
Idaho Mormons are still being rebaptized and restored to priesthood blessings eight years after the First Presidency allowed them to be excommunicated in order to vote.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
130 years ago today - Wednesday, Jun 3, 1891
[Apostle John Henry Smith]
F[ranklin]. S. Richards, C[harles]. W. Penrose, and W[illiam]. H. King are getting concerned about my labors in making converts to the Republican cause.
[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]
F[ranklin]. S. Richards, C[harles]. W. Penrose, and W[illiam]. H. King are getting concerned about my labors in making converts to the Republican cause.
[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]
135 years ago today - Mar 6, 1886
Two thousand Mormon women assembled in Salt Lake City to protest the recently enacted Edmunds Act, a federal law designed to bring an end to the Mormons' practice of polygamy.
[Matthew J. Grow, Kate Holbrook, Carol Cornwall Madsen, Jill Mulvay Derr, The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women's History, Chronology. https://churchhistorianspress.org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/events]
[Matthew J. Grow, Kate Holbrook, Carol Cornwall Madsen, Jill Mulvay Derr, The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women's History, Chronology. https://churchhistorianspress.org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/events]
145 years ago today - Jun 3, 1876
The Deseret News publishes the grand jury's audit of Salt Lake City Corporation's financial records, which show extensive transactions involving liquor. Municipal funds purchase liquor for Pioneer Day on 24 July and also for a party of Mormon Battalion veterans. The city rents Brigham Young's distillery for $2,000 annually from 1861 to 1867, after which the city government purchases its liquor directly from the Howard Distillery which is owned jointly by Brigham Young and his first counselor Daniel H. Wells. Young is also a member of the Salt Lake City Council (1872-77), and Wells is mayor from 1866 to 1876. The report observes: "After completion of the railroad, the city continued to buy liquor from Brigham Young at $4.00 per gallon, although they could have gotten better 'States' liquor at $1.25 per gallon."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
150 years ago today - Jun 3, 1871
Salt Lake Tabernacle service: "Pres D.H. Wells spoke 25 minutes following President Young's remarks. Not very good attention. Considerable moving about, passing out, and drowsiness."
Salt Lake Stake Deacons Quorum Minute Book records: "Bro [Samuel D.] Chambers said It was a source of happiness to him to be here, feels to be the least of all the saints of God, but blest to be one of the number. It is joy to him to fill all calls made upon him. Asks an interest in our faith and prayers, that he may receive an exaltation in the kingdom of God." Chambers, a former slave, had been a Mormon for 29 years at this time.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
Salt Lake Stake Deacons Quorum Minute Book records: "Bro [Samuel D.] Chambers said It was a source of happiness to him to be here, feels to be the least of all the saints of God, but blest to be one of the number. It is joy to him to fill all calls made upon him. Asks an interest in our faith and prayers, that he may receive an exaltation in the kingdom of God." Chambers, a former slave, had been a Mormon for 29 years at this time.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
155 years ago today - Jun 3, 1866
Brigham Young preaches, "We who are called Latter-day Saints are Gentiles by birth--we are nationally so."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
175 years ago today - Jun 03, 1846
Jesse Little, a representative of the Church, meets with U.S. President James K. Polk in Washington, D.C., to discuss plans for establishing the Mormon Battalion.
190 years ago today - Jun 3, 1831
Kirtland Conference where High Priesthood first ordained. Melchizedek priesthood not yet mentioned. Visions, seeing angels, and members acting like wild Indians reported.
[Exploring Mormonism: The Law of Consecration Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/the-law-of-consecration-timeline/]
[Exploring Mormonism: The Law of Consecration Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/the-law-of-consecration-timeline/]
190 years ago today - June 3-6, 1831
The fourth general conference of the Church is held in Kirtland, Ohio. Two thousand persons attend. The previous day Joseph prophesied that "the man of sin" would be revealed. After many evil manifestations of the spirit of Satan descending upon one member after another, Joseph rebukes Satan and many wonderful spiritual manifestations are experienced (including Joseph prophesying that John the Revelator is among the ten tribes and Lyman Wight seeing a vision of the Son sitting on the right hand of the Father). Elders are ordained as high priests for the first time in this dispensation.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology; History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 1:175-77.]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology; History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 1:175-77.]
10 years ago today - 2011 June 2
Mitt Romney announces his candidacy for the 2012 Republican nomination for President of the United States. Having been the runner-up in 2008, his Mormon faith is again the subject of media attention and political discussion.
[Wikipedia, 21st Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_century_(Mormonism)]
[Wikipedia, 21st Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_century_(Mormonism)]
40 years ago today - Jun 2, 1981-Tuesday
[Leonard Arrington]
I have been informed that President [Spencer W.] Kimball is not very alert and perceptive nowadays-not "with it" in all matters. That seems a little difficult to believe in view of his trip to Latin America to dedicate the grounds for the temples in Peru and Chile.49 Nevertheless, that is what I have been told. I have been told also that President [Ezra Taft] Benson is ailing. The most vigorous person in Church Administration-the real power in the administration-I am told is [eighty-year-old] Elder [Mark E.] Petersen whose health is remarkably good. He is vigorous mentally and physically.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
I have been informed that President [Spencer W.] Kimball is not very alert and perceptive nowadays-not "with it" in all matters. That seems a little difficult to believe in view of his trip to Latin America to dedicate the grounds for the temples in Peru and Chile.49 Nevertheless, that is what I have been told. I have been told also that President [Ezra Taft] Benson is ailing. The most vigorous person in Church Administration-the real power in the administration-I am told is [eighty-year-old] Elder [Mark E.] Petersen whose health is remarkably good. He is vigorous mentally and physically.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
50 years ago today - Jun 2, 1971
BYU Board of Trustees adopts a policy of not hiring mothers with small children and of replacing "where possible working mothers that are presently employed."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
95 years ago today - Jun 2, 1926
[Heber J. Grant]
I. A. Smoot called this morning before the Council meeting and begged me to call his uncle [Senator/Apostle] Reed Smoot on a mission to visit the stakes and get away from the grind in Washington. I told him I thought it was a waste of time to attempt to get Reed to quit working, that we have been trying to do that for years, without success.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
I. A. Smoot called this morning before the Council meeting and begged me to call his uncle [Senator/Apostle] Reed Smoot on a mission to visit the stakes and get away from the grind in Washington. I told him I thought it was a waste of time to attempt to get Reed to quit working, that we have been trying to do that for years, without success.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
110 years ago today - Jun 2, 1911
[First Presidency, Letter to Maud Heder]
[Regarding an earlier First Presidency] letter [which] was addressed to you for the purpose of satisfying you that your pretended marriage with exbishop Samuel J. Robinson of Colonia Dublan was illegal and unlawful for the reason that the party, whoever he was, that performed the marriage ceremony did so without authority, and therefore it was in fact as if no marriage ceremony had been performed at all. We stated this in substance in our former letter to you. ... Now, dear sister, we repeat for your own satisfaction that inasmuch as this pretended marriage ceremony, which was performed not behalf of yourself and ex-Bishop Robinson, was without authority, and besides, in direct opposition to the stand which the Church had taken in regard to plural marriages, it was as though no ceremony had been performed at all, and is therefore null and void, and you are entirely free to enter into legitimate marriage relations with whomever you may choose.
[First Presidency, Letter to Maud Heder, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Regarding an earlier First Presidency] letter [which] was addressed to you for the purpose of satisfying you that your pretended marriage with exbishop Samuel J. Robinson of Colonia Dublan was illegal and unlawful for the reason that the party, whoever he was, that performed the marriage ceremony did so without authority, and therefore it was in fact as if no marriage ceremony had been performed at all. We stated this in substance in our former letter to you. ... Now, dear sister, we repeat for your own satisfaction that inasmuch as this pretended marriage ceremony, which was performed not behalf of yourself and ex-Bishop Robinson, was without authority, and besides, in direct opposition to the stand which the Church had taken in regard to plural marriages, it was as though no ceremony had been performed at all, and is therefore null and void, and you are entirely free to enter into legitimate marriage relations with whomever you may choose.
[First Presidency, Letter to Maud Heder, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
115 years ago today - Jun 2, 1906
[George F. Richards]
[In Afton, Wyoming:] After afternoon meeting we called together the Stake Presidency High Counselors & Alternates, Presidency of High Priests and President of Seventies and catechised them as to their support of Pres[iden]t [Joseph F.] Smith and his action in relation to the practice of plural marriage as against some other sin authority. All voted in the affirmative.
[George F. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[In Afton, Wyoming:] After afternoon meeting we called together the Stake Presidency High Counselors & Alternates, Presidency of High Priests and President of Seventies and catechised them as to their support of Pres[iden]t [Joseph F.] Smith and his action in relation to the practice of plural marriage as against some other sin authority. All voted in the affirmative.
[George F. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
140 years ago today - Jun 2, 1881
Patriarchal Blessing of Susan E. Martineau given by Joel Hills Johnson ... Thy friends from behind the vail, some of them, shall visit thee in thy vision in the night time, and instruct thee in all things that appertain to thy exaltation and glory. ... Thine offspring shall become a great and a mighty people in the midst of the earth, clothed with the power of the holy priesthood, and mighty men of God with honor and renown shall spring from thee. ... I seal thee up unto eternal lives with thy companion and thy children, to come forth in the morning of the first ressurrection [resurrection] ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
140 years ago today - Jun 2, 1881
Patriarchal Blessing of Jesse N. Martineau given by Joel Hills Johnson ... many of the great men of the earth shall come to thee for counsel and for wisdom in the calamities that shall fall upon the earth. Thou shalt have power to escape the power of the Destroyer, and to cast Satan's yoke upon his own neck, and be free from the power of sin and death; and heavenly messengers shall visit thee and instruct thee in all thy duties of life and shall touch thee even as Jesus Christ touched the three Nephites, that thou mayest live long upon the earth and not taste death. ... I seal thee up unto eternal lives, for thy offspring shall become great and mighty upon the earth ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
160 years ago today - Jun 2, 1861 (Morning)
Prest. B. Y. preached one of the most interesting and exalted discourses that I ever heard, to a large and interesting audience. Reproved Bishop Warren of this [place] for selling gentile goods on commission to the brethren for wheat at a reduced price. Showed that their policy impoverished the people and bring them to wretchedness and misery. -- Parowan, Utah
[A Mormon Chronicle: The Diaries of John D. Lee. 1848-1876. Robert Glass Cleland and Juanita Brooks, eds. San Marino, California: Huntington Library Press, 2003 ed. 314, 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]
[A Mormon Chronicle: The Diaries of John D. Lee. 1848-1876. Robert Glass Cleland and Juanita Brooks, eds. San Marino, California: Huntington Library Press, 2003 ed. 314, 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]
175 years ago today - Jun 02, 1846
U.S. President James K. Polk's cabinet authorizes him to ask the Latter-day Saints to provide several hundred men in the war against Mexico.
130 years ago today - Jun 1, 1891
[Wilford Woodruff]
June 1 I went to the office. Attended several Meeting. The Brigham Young University was Organized with G Q. Cannon Chairman & Willard Young was Appointed President of Young University. I am suffering with a severe Cold.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
June 1 I went to the office. Attended several Meeting. The Brigham Young University was Organized with G Q. Cannon Chairman & Willard Young was Appointed President of Young University. I am suffering with a severe Cold.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
140 years ago today - Jun 1, 1881
[David Whitmer interview] ... "The translation was by Smith and THE MANNER AS FOLLOWS: "He had two small stones of a chocolate color, nearly egg shaped and perfectly smooth, but not transparent, called interpreters, which were given him with the plates. He did not use the plates in the translation, but would hold the interpreters to his eyes and cover his face with a hat, excluding all light, and before his eyes would appear what seemed to be parchment, on which would appear the characters of the plates in a line at the top, and immediately below would appear the translation in English, which Smith would read to his scribe, who wrote it down exactly as it fell from his lips. The scribe would then read the sentence written, and if any mistake had been made the characters would remain visible to Smith until corrected, when they faded from sight to be replaced by another line. The translation at my father's occupied about one month, that is from June 1 to July 1, 1829." ...
"When did you see the plates?"
"It was in the latter part of June, 1829. Joseph, Oliver Cowdery and myself were together, and the angel showed them to us. We not only saw the plates of the book of Mormon, but he also showed us the brass plates of the book of Ether and many others. They were shown to us in this way. Joseph and Oliver and I were
SITTING ON A LOG when we were overshadowed by a light more glorious than that of the sun. In the midst of this light but a few feet from us appeared a table upon which were many golden plates, also the sword of Laban and the directors. I saw them as plain as I see you now, and distinctly heard the voice of the Lord declaiming that the records of the plates of the Book of Mormon were translated by the gift and the power of God."
"Who else saw the plates at this time?"
"No one. Martin Harris, the other witness, saw them the same day and the eight witnesses, Christian Whitmer, Hiram Page, Jacob Whitmer, Joseph Smith, sr., Peter Whitmer, jr., Hyram Smith, Jno. [John] Whitmer and Samuel H. Smith saw them next day."
"Did you see the angel?"
"Yes; he stood before us. Our testimony as recorded in the Book of Mormon is absolutely true, just as it is written there."
"Can you describe the plates?"
"They appeared to be of gold, about six by nine inches in size, about as thick as parchment, a great many in number and bound together like the leaves of a book by massive rings passing through the back edges. The engraving upon them was very plain and of very curious appearance. Smith made facsimiles of some of the plates, and sent them by Martin Harris to Profs. Anson [Charles Anthon] and [Samuel L.] Mitchell, of New York city, for examination. They pronounced the characters reformed Egyptian, but were unable to read them." ...
In 1819, while the Smiths were digging a well near Palmyra, on the farm of Mr. Clark Chase, a stone of peculiar shape was unearthed. It resembled in form a child's foot, and was white, glossy, and opaque in appearance. Joe kept the stone and by its aid he claimed to see wonderful things. In a short time his reputation grew and with the stone to his eyes he claimed to be able to reveal "both things existing and things to come." This stone came to be known as the famous Peek stone and is truly called the "Acorn of the Mormon oak." ...
["Mormonism. Authentic Account of the Origin of This Sect from One of the Patriarchs. Discovery of the Plates, and the Translation of the Book of Mormon--Polygamy an Excres[c]ence," Kansas City Daily Journal, 5 June 1881. Reprinted in Deseret Evening News 14 (11 June 1881); Saints' Herald 28 (1 July 1881): 197-99; Millennial Star 43 (4 July 1881): 421-23, 437-39; and Kingston (Missouri) Times, 27 December 1887., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: David Whitmer Interview With Kansas City Journal]
"When did you see the plates?"
"It was in the latter part of June, 1829. Joseph, Oliver Cowdery and myself were together, and the angel showed them to us. We not only saw the plates of the book of Mormon, but he also showed us the brass plates of the book of Ether and many others. They were shown to us in this way. Joseph and Oliver and I were
SITTING ON A LOG when we were overshadowed by a light more glorious than that of the sun. In the midst of this light but a few feet from us appeared a table upon which were many golden plates, also the sword of Laban and the directors. I saw them as plain as I see you now, and distinctly heard the voice of the Lord declaiming that the records of the plates of the Book of Mormon were translated by the gift and the power of God."
"Who else saw the plates at this time?"
"No one. Martin Harris, the other witness, saw them the same day and the eight witnesses, Christian Whitmer, Hiram Page, Jacob Whitmer, Joseph Smith, sr., Peter Whitmer, jr., Hyram Smith, Jno. [John] Whitmer and Samuel H. Smith saw them next day."
"Did you see the angel?"
"Yes; he stood before us. Our testimony as recorded in the Book of Mormon is absolutely true, just as it is written there."
"Can you describe the plates?"
"They appeared to be of gold, about six by nine inches in size, about as thick as parchment, a great many in number and bound together like the leaves of a book by massive rings passing through the back edges. The engraving upon them was very plain and of very curious appearance. Smith made facsimiles of some of the plates, and sent them by Martin Harris to Profs. Anson [Charles Anthon] and [Samuel L.] Mitchell, of New York city, for examination. They pronounced the characters reformed Egyptian, but were unable to read them." ...
In 1819, while the Smiths were digging a well near Palmyra, on the farm of Mr. Clark Chase, a stone of peculiar shape was unearthed. It resembled in form a child's foot, and was white, glossy, and opaque in appearance. Joe kept the stone and by its aid he claimed to see wonderful things. In a short time his reputation grew and with the stone to his eyes he claimed to be able to reveal "both things existing and things to come." This stone came to be known as the famous Peek stone and is truly called the "Acorn of the Mormon oak." ...
["Mormonism. Authentic Account of the Origin of This Sect from One of the Patriarchs. Discovery of the Plates, and the Translation of the Book of Mormon--Polygamy an Excres[c]ence," Kansas City Daily Journal, 5 June 1881. Reprinted in Deseret Evening News 14 (11 June 1881); Saints' Herald 28 (1 July 1881): 197-99; Millennial Star 43 (4 July 1881): 421-23, 437-39; and Kingston (Missouri) Times, 27 December 1887., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: David Whitmer Interview With Kansas City Journal]
145 years ago today - Jun 1, 1876
[Brigham Young]
"Brother Franklin Woolley, one of your townsmen here, one that had a great deal to do with the Indians and was killed by them, if he had listened to my counsel and obeyed he would not have been dead now. But, no! He knew best. He knew just as well as I did what would be best for himself. Well, I wish the people would hearken to me. It is now about thirty-two years since the Prophet Joseph was martyred and I have led this people ever since, and I would like some one to mention if they can one circumstance where any one was ever injured when they followed my counsel, or where there was ever one accident in anything that I had charge of. If I could only have had direct charge of that hand-cart company, do you suppose any one would have lost their lives or been injured in the least? Why, no! Certainly not! The people seem to realize that I led them aright and that I am correct in my teachings. They say they know I am a prophet and teach them correct principles, But I only wish they realized it enough to obey me. If they would I would promise them health, wealth and lives eternal."
[Young Women's Journal. Salt Lake City, 1872-1914. 1:261-264, 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]
"Brother Franklin Woolley, one of your townsmen here, one that had a great deal to do with the Indians and was killed by them, if he had listened to my counsel and obeyed he would not have been dead now. But, no! He knew best. He knew just as well as I did what would be best for himself. Well, I wish the people would hearken to me. It is now about thirty-two years since the Prophet Joseph was martyred and I have led this people ever since, and I would like some one to mention if they can one circumstance where any one was ever injured when they followed my counsel, or where there was ever one accident in anything that I had charge of. If I could only have had direct charge of that hand-cart company, do you suppose any one would have lost their lives or been injured in the least? Why, no! Certainly not! The people seem to realize that I led them aright and that I am correct in my teachings. They say they know I am a prophet and teach them correct principles, But I only wish they realized it enough to obey me. If they would I would promise them health, wealth and lives eternal."
[Young Women's Journal. Salt Lake City, 1872-1914. 1:261-264, 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]
155 years ago today - Jun 1, 1866
Apostle Wilford Woodruff, as the officially appointed "Church Historian" recorded the following in his "Historian's Private Journal" "Joseph Smith & Louisa Beaman were sealed May 1841 by Joseph B. Noble-
[Wilford Woodruff, "Historian's Private Journal" (one volume, 1858-78), entries after 1 July 1866, LDS Church History Library, quoted in "Evidence For The Sexual Side of Joseph Smith's Polygamy," Comments by D. Michael Quinn on Session #2A "Reconsidering Joseph Smith's Marital Practices," Mormon History Association's Annual Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 29 June 2012 (unabbreviated version, revised during July)]
[Wilford Woodruff, "Historian's Private Journal" (one volume, 1858-78), entries after 1 July 1866, LDS Church History Library, quoted in "Evidence For The Sexual Side of Joseph Smith's Polygamy," Comments by D. Michael Quinn on Session #2A "Reconsidering Joseph Smith's Marital Practices," Mormon History Association's Annual Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 29 June 2012 (unabbreviated version, revised during July)]
170 years ago today - Jun 1, 1851
[Brigham Young]
There is a great excitement in the world about slavery, and the abolitionists are very fearful that we shall have the Negro or Indian as slaves here. We have a few that were prisoners that we have bought to save their lives. But what will the abolitionists do? If you owe them a dollar, they will jog you up. Neither will they liberate the slave by buying them and setting them free. The master of slaves will be damned if they abuse their slaves. Yet the seed of Ham will be servants until God takes the curse off from them. But they are not all the slaves that there is in the world. The whole world are slaves to sin and wickedness and passion. I have two Blacks, and they are as free as I am. Shall we lay a foundation for Negro slavery? No! God forbid! And I forbid.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 4:28-32, 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]
There is a great excitement in the world about slavery, and the abolitionists are very fearful that we shall have the Negro or Indian as slaves here. We have a few that were prisoners that we have bought to save their lives. But what will the abolitionists do? If you owe them a dollar, they will jog you up. Neither will they liberate the slave by buying them and setting them free. The master of slaves will be damned if they abuse their slaves. Yet the seed of Ham will be servants until God takes the curse off from them. But they are not all the slaves that there is in the world. The whole world are slaves to sin and wickedness and passion. I have two Blacks, and they are as free as I am. Shall we lay a foundation for Negro slavery? No! God forbid! And I forbid.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 4:28-32, 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 - Jun 1, 1841
Hyrum and William Law leave on a mission to the East. From Pittsburgh, they report that [First Presidency Counselor] John C. Bennett has abandoned his wife and child. Bennett takes poison in an apparent suicide attempt dramatizing his remorse but recovers and is allowed to retain his positions.
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book]
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book]
185 years ago today - Jun 1, 1836
Patriarchal Blessing of Amoranda Murdock given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... Thy seed shall be great before God. and some of them shall be filled with the Spirit at the age of twelve years and prophecy of all things. ... Thou shalt be an inhabitant of Zion, and have an inheritance there with thy husband. Thou shalt truly be his help-meet and participate with him in all the joys and sorrows incident to frail mortality, and when thou shall have passed through this chequered scene be wafted home to glory. These blessings I seal upon thee & I seal the[e] up to eternal life even so amen.
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:68, quoted in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:68, quoted in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
185 years ago today - Jun 1, 1836
[Brigham Young]
"... this day Brother Barkir and I cold on a methides priest by the name of Poore we bore testmoney of the book of Mormon he and a young man that was their Uterly rejected our testmony wee then shook of the dust of our feet as atestamony aganst them and when wee cam to Pure watter we whashed our feet and bore witness unto the Father ..."
[Brigham Young Journal, 1832 Apr. 9-1836, Sept. 9, typescript]
"... this day Brother Barkir and I cold on a methides priest by the name of Poore we bore testmoney of the book of Mormon he and a young man that was their Uterly rejected our testmony wee then shook of the dust of our feet as atestamony aganst them and when wee cam to Pure watter we whashed our feet and bore witness unto the Father ..."
[Brigham Young Journal, 1832 Apr. 9-1836, Sept. 9, typescript]
220 years ago today - 1801. June 1
(Brigham Young) : Born in Whitingham, Vermont, Brigham Young was cousin to Apostles Franklin D. Richards and Willard Richards. He was son-in-law of Albert Rockwood (First Council of Seventy), and brother-in-law to Lorenzo Snow, Amasa Lyman, Heber C. Kimball, and Church architect Truman Angell. He was Heber C. Kimball's uncle by marriage.
Soon after [his] birth, his family moved to Sherburne, New York. "When I was young," Brigham recalled, "I was kept within very strict bounds and was not allowed to walk more than half-an-hour on Sunday for exercise. … I had not a chance to dance when I was young, and never heard the enchanting tones of the violin until I was eleven years of age; and then I thought I was on the highway to hell, if I suffered myself to linger and listen to it."
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Soon after [his] birth, his family moved to Sherburne, New York. "When I was young," Brigham recalled, "I was kept within very strict bounds and was not allowed to walk more than half-an-hour on Sunday for exercise. … I had not a chance to dance when I was young, and never heard the enchanting tones of the violin until I was eleven years of age; and then I thought I was on the highway to hell, if I suffered myself to linger and listen to it."
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)