95 years ago today - Jan. 14, Fri. [1920]

[James E. Talmage] In addition to other committee work I attended an afternoon session of the Book of Mormon committee, at which preliminary arrangements were made for hearing some of the proponents of different views on Book of Mormon geography. Many varied and conflicting views concerning the location of Book of Mormon lands have been advocated amongst our people; and not a few maps have been put out. With all precautions taken to make plain the fact that these maps have been intended as suggestive presentations only, we find some people accepting one map and others another as authoritative. The matter was brought before the council through the receipt of a communication from Elder Joel Ricks of Logan, who several years ago published a map, of which over 6000 have been disposed of. Brother Ricks and several other good brethren have voiced a sort of complaint that they have had no opportunity to present their views, with the fullness they desire, before the Church authorities. The entire matter was referred to the Book of Mormon committee; and today appointments were made for the beginning of the series of hearings.

[Source: James E. Talmage Journal, Transcription reproduced by Trevor Antley, Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University]

115 years ago today - Sunday, Jan 14, 1900

[Joseph F. Smith] "The judgments of God upon the nations. The hand of the Lord as seen in the Spanish-American war and the English-Boer war."

[Source: Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]

130 years ago today - Jan 14, 1885

[Interview of David Whitmer] 1 [Q]--Do you know that the plates seen with the Angel (on the table) were real metal, did you touch them? Ans We did not touch nor handle the plates. 2 Q--Was the table literal wood? or was the whole a vision such as often occurs in dreams &c? Ans--The table had the appearence of literal wood as shown in the vision, in the glory of God. 3 Q--Did you see the Urim and Thummim, what was it? Ans--I saw the "Interpreters" in the holy [vision] [.] They looked like whitish stones p[ut in the] rim of a bow, looked like spectacles only much larger. ... [p. 1] ... 9. Q. Who was the Angel that showed the plates to you and Cowdery, and have these plates been seen since? Ans--I do not know as no name was given. I have never seen the plates since. ... [p. 1, back] ... 13. Q.--Were you present when Joseph Smith received the revelation commanding him and Oliver Cowdery to ordain each other to the Melchisedek Priesthood, if so, where was it and how? Ans--No I was not--neither did I ever hear of such a thing as an angel ordaining them until I got into Ohio about the year 1834--or later. 14. Q. Can you tell why that Joseph and Oliver were ordained to the lesser Priesthood by the hand of an Angel but in receiving the Higher they ordained each other? Ans--I moved Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to my fathers house in Fayette[,] Seneca County[,] New York, from Harmony, Penn. in the year 1829, on our way I conversed freely with them [p. 2] upon this great work they were bringing about, and Oliver stated to me in Josephs presence that they had baptized each other seeking by that to fulfill the command--And after our arrival at fathers sometime in June 1829. Joseph ordained Oliver Cowdery to be an Elder, and Oliver ordained Joseph to be an Elder in the Church of Christ. <<and during that year Joseph both baptized and ordained me an elder in the church of Christ.>> Also, during this year the translation of the Book of Mormon was finished, And we preached preached, baptized and ordained some as Elders, And upon the Sixth day of April 1830, six Elders together with some fifty or sixty (as near as I recollect) of the members met together to effect an organization. I never heard that an Angel had ordained Joseph and Oliver to the Aaronic priesthood until the year 1834[,] 5. or 6--in Ohio. my information from Joseph and Oliver upon this matter being as I have stated, and that they were commanded so to do by revealment through Joseph. I do not believe that John the Baptist ever ordained Joseph and Oliver as stated and believed by some. I regard that as an error, a misconception. [p. 2, back] ... 19. [Q] Were the plates from which the Book of Mormon was translated in Joseph Smiths possession while translating and seen and handled by several different persons, if not, where were they? Ans--I do not know. 20. Q. Did Joseph use his "peep stone" to finish up the translation? if so why? Ans--He used a stone called a "Seers stone," the "Interpreters" having been taken away from him because of transgression. 21. Q. Had you seen the plates at anytime before the Angel showed them to you? Ans--No. [p. 3, back] ... 25. Q. Were you present during any of the time of translation, if so, state how it was done. Ans--The "Interpreters" were taken from Joseph after he allowed Martin Harris to carry away the 116 pages of Ms [manuscript]--of the Book of Mormon as a punishment, but he was allowed to go on and translate by the use of a "Seers stone" which he had, and which he placed in a hat into which he buried his face, stating to me and others that the original Character[s] appeared upon parchment and under it the translation in english, which [enabled him] to read it readily. While Brother Whitmer was too feeble to write much, being unable to write the answers to the foregoing 25 questions in person--Yet it was with his consent and in his presence that I wrote them and corrected them, as they appear here. Jan. 21--1885.



[s] Z H. Gurley

[Source: "Copy--Questions asked of David Whitmer at his home in Richmond[,] Ray County[,] Mo--Jan 14--1885. relating to Book of Mormon, and the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of L.D.S. by Elder Z[enas] H. Gurley," Zenas Gurley Collection, LDS Church Archives, Salt Lake City, Utah., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: David Whitmer Interview With Zenas H. Gurley]

130 years ago today - Jan 14, 1885

[Wilford Woodruff] We are living in Perilous times. No man who obeys the Patriarchal Law of Marriage is safe. I am informed that officers are after me. I spent the day in the 17 ward. ... I Called at my house in the Evening with G Teasdale & got some things and spent the night in the 17 ward.

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

155 years ago today - Jan 14, 1860

[Brigham Young] The Pres. said no doubt they have applied to Joseph Smith, son of the Prophet, to take his place as his right and Joseph will answer them as he did on a further occasion to a like request that if the Lord wanted him no doubt he would reveal himself as he did to [his] father (the Prophet). -- Salt Lake City

[Source: Brigham Young Office Journals, Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan.; Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah.; New Mormon Studies CD-ROM as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]

170 years ago today - Jan 14, 1845

[Patriarchal Blessing of Jesse N. Smith] ... I pray my Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus to preserve thy life and health, even unto the coming of the Saviour ... Angels shall be thy constant companions and thou shalt often converse with them; they shall defend thee from all dangers, heal thy sickness and beat back the power of the destroyer. ... And if thou wilt seek after knowledge, and be sober-minded, thou shalt be like Mormon of old, and shalt be a mighty man in the ministry and a mighty warrior. Thou shalt handle the sword of Laban with such power as to put ten thousand of thine enemies to flight with the help of thy brother. Thy name shall be terrible among thine enemies. ... Thou shalt live to see Israel gathered from the four corners of the earth, to see all the enemies of the Lord swept from off the face of the earth, and cleansed from wickedness, and the Saviour stand upon it; and thou shalt stand in His presence. ...

[Source: Typescript, Michael Marquardt papers]

80 years ago today - Jan 13, 1935

[President Heber J. Grant] Brother [John] Nicholson felt so outraged on account of being in the penitentiary, althought (sic) a poor man, he decided to mortgage his home and pay the fine rather than spend thirty days there. He remarked he would rather be shot than to go back to the penitentiary. Brother Francis M. Lyman rather enjoyed his rest in the penitentiary. He took it as a big joke. Over his cell was a sign: 'Teeth extracted with pleasure and pain.'

[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

125 years ago today - Jan 13, 1890 (Monday)

Idaho's admission as a State and the test oath were argued in the U.S. Senate Committee on Territories. The argument was continued the following day, when "Mormons" were heard.

John W. Stewart, of Vermont, introduced a bill in the House of Representatives to disfranchise all "Mormons."

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

145 years ago today - Jan 13, 1870

General mass meeting of the ladies of Salt Lake City, to protest against the passage of the Cullom bill.

[Source: Richards, Franklin Dewey and Little, James A., Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel, Church Chronology, Ch.66, p.306, http://www.amazon.com/Compendium-Doctrines-Gospel-ebook/dp/B002LTY4Z0?ie=UTF8tag=mormonchronic-20link_code=btlcamp=213689creative=392969]

175 years ago today - (Mon) Jan 13, 1840

About this time Smith reportedly informed Pratt about the principle of polygamy. [Benjamin] Winchester later recalled that Smith was engaged in an illicit affair with a female member, while staying in Philadelphia.

[Source: Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]

185 years ago today - Jan 13, 1830

In Abner Cole's weekly Palmyra Reflector, he continues to print Chapter 1 of the First Book of Nephi from the Book of Mormon.

[Source: Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]

65 years ago today - Jan 12, 1950

[George Albert Smith] left SLC to stay at Laguna Beach "to rest my nerves" and returned on Feb 27, 1950 - worked on Church matters while there

[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]

120 years ago today - Jan 12, 1895

Benjamin Johnson states that Joseph "put off" polgyamy and waited until an "angel with a drawn sword" came to him.

[Source: Benjamin F. Johnson, My Life's Review, Mesa, Arizona: 21^st Century Printing, 1992, reprint, 95-96; see also Zina Huntington quoted in "Joseph, the Prophet, His Life and Mission as Viewed by Intimate Acquaintances," Salt Lake Herald Church and Farm Supplement, January 12, 1895, 212 as quoted at Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]

120 years ago today - Saturday, Jan 12, 1895

[John Henry Smith] H. J. Grant is inclined to believe that he and his brother B. F. Grant has made a rich find of gold in San Louis Valley, Colo.

[Source: Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]

150 years ago today - Jan 12, 1865

[Heber C. Kimball] In the evening of January 12, 1865 I was told by the Lord that I should not be removed from their places [his position in the first presidency]. That Daniel H. Wells [of the 1st presidency], Albert Carrington [future apostle], Jos. A. Young [future apostle] and others were among that number. In the name of the Lord I predict that this will come true.

[Source: "H. C. Kimball Memorandum" book, On the Potters Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Stanley B. Kimball, editor, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

170 years ago today - Jan 12, 1845. Sunday.

[William Clayton] At the Council Hall. Elder H. C. Kimball preached. He used many figures to illustrate his ideas amongst the rest when speaking of the unwillingness of the saints to abide the laws of exaltation. He said that the church was like a swarm of Bees, who when they want to increase the king and queen go and seek a new location and when they have found it they come back to the hive and persuade the young folks out but as soon as they begin to fly the old women and young women run with their old tin Kettles and pans and cow Bells, ti[n]kling to drown the voice of the king and throw them into a confusion and prevent their enlargement. Just so with the saints when any seem disposed to enlarge their kingdom and godhead the old women and young women run with their old kettles and pans and cow Bells to drown the sound of the leaders and throw the saints into confusion and keep them shut up in their old traditions. After he got through, O[rson] Pratt added an idea on the extent and magnitude of the planetary system and the beautiful adaptation to the enlargement of the saints. It was a very interesting meeting.

...Evening met with the first quorum at Parleys. Joseph Young and his wife were annointed with the second ordinance. D[iantha, his new 16-year-old bride] was at my house when I got home and tarried with us all night.

[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]

115 years ago today - 115 years ago - Jan 11, 1900

[First Presidency & Quorum of Twelve Minutes] ... President Cannon ... believed that greater power and gifts would be given to the Apostles, and that this would increase until they should met face to face with the Savior himself. He felt that the day was not far distant when the Savior would meet with His Apostles and instruct them; and that they should prepare for the great events which were coming upon the earth. He knew the Savior was near to us, and that the day would come when the Apostles would be greatly honored of him; and that judgment would be given to the Twelve, as it was given to His Apostles who were with Him in Jerusalem. President Cannon said too, referring to the enemies of Zion, that the predictions concerning them and the wicked generally would be brought about; the Lord would literally burn them up; and the Saints would go on from victory to victory until we should finally triumph. In closing, President Cannon, addressed himself to President Snow. ... President Cannon held that no one Apostle should undertake to give counsel affecting the interests or well-being of the community; but on the contrary such counsel should be the combined wisdom of as many of the Apostles as could be got together, with the President at their head. This was a critical time, and we needed all the light we could get, and the only safe way to get it, in his opinion, was through the presiding head.

... Before dispersing and immediately following the prayer Elder John Henry Smith asked President Snow if he thought it was wise for the brethren to speak from the public stand on the principle of plural marriage. President Snow answered that the subject should be let alone and that there was too much being said about it already.

This suggested to President Snow the following: Without reference to anyone present, he said, that there were brethren who still seemed to have the idea that it was possible under his administration to obtain a plural wife and have her sealed to him. He authorized and requested the brethren present to correct this impression wherever they find it. He said emphatically that it could not be done.

President Cannon moved that this be accepted as the mind and will of the Lord. Seconded by Brother Lyman and carried unanimously. ...

[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]

115 years ago today - 115 years ago - Thursday, Jan 11, 1900

[Apostle Rudger Clawson] ... The tables were then set for the sacrament, and Pres. B. Young, Jr, was mouth in blessing the bread and wine, after which the brethren partook freely of the same. Before the brethren withdrew from the table, Pres. Cannon by request made brief remarks. Said he felt it was a great honor to be associated with the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. Felt that we ought to be devoted to the work of the Lord. Said that we were at the threshold of great events and that the time was not far distant, when the Savior would make himself known to us—would converse with and instruct us concerning our duties. ...

[Source: Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]

115 years ago today - 115 years ago - Jan 11, 1900

[Apostle Brigham Young Jr.] Met in Temple at 10. Spoke for 20 m[inutes]. conversation general. One assertion I made while talking That "when the saints received U[nited]. O[rder]. and lived it then will God restore to us the law of celestial marriage." Presidency came at 11 o clock after much talking arranging Con[ference]. & business.

[Source: Brigham Young Jr., Diary]

115 years ago today - 115 years ago - Jan 11, 1900

[Apostle Abraham Owen Woodruff] ... We partook of the bread and wine, emblems of our Master's body and blood. After the Lord's supper Pres[iden]t. [Lorenzo] Snow said: so far as I am concerned no plural marriages can be entered into anywhere: in Mexico or elsewhere. John Henry Smith made a speach [sic] in absolute discouragement of the practice anywhere. Pres[iden]t. [George Q.] Cannon moved we accept Pres[iden]t. Snow's words as the "word of the Lord". It was seconded and again without any chance to express our feelings and judgment were forced to sustain a motion that some of us were opposed to or be out of harmony with our brethren. I felt forced to sustain this motion and that is why I did it, knowing that if it were not right the responsibility would not rest on me. I absolutely know that a number of the brethren, among them John W. Taylor, Geo[rge]. Teasdale and M[atthias]. F. Cowley entertained feelings in harmony with my own. I owe my exist[e]nce to the princip[le] of Polygamy and I have some intense feelings regarding the sustaining of that principle. I am indebted to that principle for my life and any time my Father wants my life to defend that principle (and those who practice it in righteousness) God being my helper it is at his command.

Pres[iden]t. Brigham Young [Jr.] came to my desk at the close and said, "Bro[ther]. Woodruff I want to tell you that the time is not far distant when the question of Polygamy will be changed and practiced again." I said I will hold you responsible for that remark Bro[ther]. Young. He answered: "You may!" Apostle M[arriner]. W[ood]. Merrill in yesterday's meeting prophesied that "the time will never come in the church when polygamist children will not be born." I pray God to give me light on this matter as I feel almost sick about it. I want to and intend to be loyal to my Chief.

[Source: Abraham Owen Woodruff, Diary]