Major James H. Carleton writes to Army Headquarters: "Nearly all Mormons are foreigners. Among these are Welsh, English, Norwegians, Swedes, some Germans, and a few French. They are evidently of the lowest and most ignorant grade of the people in the several countries from whence they have come. Mixed in with these are a few low, unprincipled Americans. The most intelligent and crafty of these, commencing with Brigham Young, are the directors and rulers of the whole mess. . . their government is solely a hierarchy, and notwithstanding, in theory, they are assumed to be a population obedient to the laws of our common country, practically they score and deride, and set at defiance all laws that interfere with their safety or interest, save those promulgated by the great council of the church." Brigham Young's office journal records: " Br[other] W[illia]m Clayton read the Pony dispatch to the members of the Club. The first Presidency were present. This dispatch noticed considerable loss of life [in the Civil War], and confusion[.] [T]he Company took comfort in the reflection that their old enemies were getting fewer in number."
180 years ago today - Jul 31, 1846
The ship Brooklyn, with over two hundred Latter-day Saints aboard, arrives at Yerba Buena (San Francisco), California. These are the first Saints to set foot in California.
185 years ago today - Jul 31, 1841
[Brigham Young]
Met in council with the Twelve, when the following resolutions, among others, were unanimously passed:--
"That we sustain Joseph Smith as Trustee-in-Trust for the Church, and advise him to have all lands belonging to the Church deeded in his name as Trustee.
[Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).]
80 years ago today - Jul 30, 1946
[J. Reuben Clark]
Mark Petersen'Lunc'Told me of conversation yesterday with Pres. Smith in re News'etc. I asked Bro Petersen to get names of Communist group from in this area, if he could. ...
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
130 years ago today - Jul 30, 1896
[Brigham Young Jr.]
[M]et in Council in T[emple]. Question sprung by Pres[iden]t. [Wilford] Woodruff about Alonzo Hyde & John W. Young obtaining more money from Mrs Everend under false pretenses as her letter states. I felt that all men who go out from Zion do do business on their own account it must be understood, hereafter, that the church is not, nor the authorities are backing them. Pres[iden]t [George Q.] Cannon said Apostles have no right to enter into speculation to make money especially off the saints nor anywhere, but use their talent as directed for the good of Zion, not for personal agrandisement. ...
Met Bro[ther]. B[enjamin]. Cluff Jr., discussed employing gentile proffesor in B[righam]. Y[oung]. A[cademy]. Provo [Utah]. I opposed it; Presidency voted unanimously to employ him as Geology & civ[il] Eng[ineering]. were two most important studies, and we have no Latter day saint who can fill the position. I quoted from Deed of trust all beneficiaries of this reading must be children of L[atter]. D[ay]. S[aints]. and shall we employe gentiles to teach them. No matter. Bro[ther]. Jos[eph]. F. [Smith] said in consequence of Pres[iden]t. W[oodruff's]. Remarks I move that we employ this man, I did not vote. Bro[ther]. Jos[eph]. Moved to make the vote unanimous. I said I refrain from voting in principle, nothing against the man. Agreed with Bro[ther]. Cluff Jr. in his other recommendation and he went away satisfied. It is the first time I have failed to go with my leaders, I went my way sorrowfully. There is a growing disposition with the teachers to introduce into our 'Brigham Young Academy' the spirit of the world, the refined touches and whisperings of the 'Holy Spirit' are becoming less frequent and in my spirit I fear we are drifting further from God in that institution.
[Brigham Young Jr. 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 - Jul 30, 1886 (Friday)
The rock work on the Manti Temple was completed.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
80 years ago today - Jul 29, 1946
Joseph Fielding Smith of the Quorum of the Twelve writes to Belle S. Spafford, the Relief Society General President, and her counselors: "While the authorities of the Church have ruled that it is permissible, under certain conditions and with the approval of the priesthood, for sisters to wash and anoint other sisters, yet they feel that it is far better for us to follow the plan the Lord has given us and send for the Elders of the Church to come and administer to the sick and afflicted." This ends the practice of "washings and anointings" for women (usually preparatory to childbirth). A previous Relief Society President wrote of this ordinance, "this beautiful ordinance has always been with the Relief Society, and it is our earnest hope that we may continue to have that privilege, and up to the present time the Presidents of the Church have always allowed it to us.'
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
110 years ago today - Jul 29, 1916; Saturday
[Apostle Anthony Ivins]
Conference Yellowstone Stake. St. Anthony. Arrived 10-45. First speaker after arrival repeatedly refered to the Church as Mormondom. Two lady missionaries spoke. Viola Davis & Viola Howard. These girls made good remarks. Solo. I made brief remarks & Bro. [J. Golden] Kimball followed. Bro. & Sister Thomas & Sister [Elizabeth] Wilcox were there for R[elief] S[ociety].76 1111 1111 1111 111177 2. P.M. Second Counselor [Charles] Lloyd, Bro. Thomas, H. C. Larson. I talked on Mexico. Prest. Pond. Wed. p.m. holiday. Outside merchants close stores. 296-476 present. Crops poor. Worm on beet root. Relief S[ocie]ty.
[Anderson, Elizabeth Oberdick, editor, Cowboy Apostle: The Diaries of Anthony W. Ivins: 1875-1932, Signature Books, Salt Lake City in association with the Smith-Pettit Foundation (2013) - http://bit.ly/AnthonyIvins]
130 years ago today - Jul 29, 1896
The First Presidency today appropriated $300 for the Northern States Mission; $200 of which is to be expended in printing the Voice of Warning in cloth binding, 1600 copies, the stereo plates to be the property of the mission, and orders thereafter to be filled at five cents a copy, the balance of the appropriation,'$100 to be used by Elder Spencer for expenses in visiting the various Conferences.
[Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
55 years ago today - Jul 28, 1971
Wesley Walters and Fred Poffarl find Justice Neely's bill for trying the case of "Joseph Smith The Glass Looker Mar 20. 1826" in Bainbridge, New York 1826. It is among dead-storage documents in the basement of the county jail in Norwich, New York. Mormons had claimed the trial never took place. This find established that it had.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
165 years ago today - Jul 28, 1861 (Afternoon)
[Brigham Young]
When will the Saviour make his appearance in the midst of his people? When will the vail be taken away, that we may behold the glory of God? Can any of you answer these questions? Yes, readily, when I tell you. The redemption of Zion is the first step preparatory to the two last-named events. Just as soon as the Latter-day Saints are ready and prepared to return to Independence, Jackson County, in the State of Missouri, North America, just so soon will the voice of the Lord be heard, '"Arise now, Israel, and make your way to the centre Stake of Zion.'"... If we are not very careful, the earth will be cleansed from wickedness before we are prepared to take possession of it. ... When Joseph first revealed the land where the Saints should gather, a woman in Canada asked if we thought that Jackson County would be large enough to gather all the people that would want to go to Zion. I will answer the question really as it is. Zion will extend, eventually, all over this earth. There will be no nook or corner upon the earth but what will be in Zion. ... Millions will come and live in Zion when the laws of Zion reign predominant over creation; ... Will there be Methodists there? Yes; and they will have the privilege to worship a God without body, parts, and passions, just as they do now, if they choose to. ... ... the fight [of the Civil War] will continue until the earth is empty. Will it be over in six months or in three years? No; it will take years and years, and will never cease until the work is accomplished. There may be seasons that the fire will appear to be extinguished, and the first you know it will break out in another portion, and all is on fire again, and it will spread and continue until the land is emptied. Will they all be killed? No. I shall see the day when thousands will seek succour at the hands of this people. If you say, '"Husband, I shall leave you, if you take another wife,'" you had better leave now when you may stand a chance of getting another husband. ... Young men, prepare yourselves; for a greater responsibility will come upon you than you have ever dreamed of. Millions [of women] will seek to you for salvation. ...
[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 9:137-144, 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 - Tuesday, Jul 28, 1846.
Omaha Nation. About 9, the chief and some of the warriors of the Otoes came to the spring to see the Mormon chief. Wanted a beef. President Young shook hands with them and directed a beef to be given them and tears started in the Chief's eyes....
President Young asked Brother Martindale the cause of putting away his wife and taking another woman. Martindale said his trouble commenced from the time he began to investigate Mormonism. His wife began to oppose. She was not a believer and continued her opposition, etc., and spoke more than half an hour. President Young said however wrong Sister Martindale has been, it would not justify any man in taking another woman under color of the priesthood, and in opposition of the order the priesthood.
[Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
115 years ago today - Jul 27, 1911; Thursday
[Heber J. Grant]
I am going to try and get up to date with the several months I am behind and make an effort to stay up. There is nothing I dislike more than writing a record for my Journal. I like to work but do not like to sit down and write a record of what I have been doing no matter how brief it is.
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
155 years ago today - Jul 27, 1871
Brigham Young: "The Garden of Eden was where Jackson Co. is now in Mo. & when Adam was driven out, he crossed the river into what is now Daviess Co. The City of Enoch stood where the Gulf of Mexico is now, but these things are not written."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
175 years ago today - Jul 27, 1851
Brother [Heber C.] Kimball addressed the meeting a part of the day. Among other remarks He said Jesus Christ was the first Born of the Father & He was the candidate & Elected to redeem the world. Lucipher set up as a candidate to run against Jesus Christ But He was overcome & thrust down to Hell with all that followed him. And we will have no more division Henceforth & forever in Israel. We will have but one candidate for office but No opposition. All will be Elected & proven. If a person is qualifyed to fill a greater station than He holds He will have a chance. The Presidency & Twelve will fill in Eternity those stations Appointed them. So with all men. But I expect to remain on this Earth untill I am able to create a world of my own & people it. The lord Has given us rich portions of the Earth to inherit. We have been driven from time to time from th[ere?]. We now inherit a goodly land the best land on the Earth for vegitation & it will be good for fruit & the people of the Earth will yet Come to us for fruit.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Jul 26, 1896
At the funeral of Apostle Abraham H. Cannon, President Wilford Woodruff speaks upon the topic of "the plurality of wives and to the plurality of families that men possess in this Church. It is a subject I have left alone as a general thing in all my observations and instructions before the public. . . . We have had a plurality of wives and families. The principle was introduced to this people by the revelation of God through the Prophet Joseph Smith." Cannon had taken a secret post-manifesto plural wife, with Woodruff's permission, a few months before his death.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
130 years ago today - Sunday, Jul 26, 1896
It was stated by Moses Thatcher [Jr.] that he was adicted to the Morphine habbit and part of the time insane and that they must do something for him. S. Jepson, who had been more with Moses St. than any one else, endorsed the statement. It was finally agreed to get him if possible to go of his own free will to a sanatarium in California, if he refused to do so then to insist on sending him any way.
[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 - Jul 26, 1876
[Wilford Woodruff]
I went to the Endowment House & had 40 dead persons sealed to me. Joseph F Smith sealed 11, & D H Wells sealed 29 persons to me also 22 to other person Total 51. W Woodruff sealed 10 persons.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
80 years ago today - Jul 25, 1946
First counselor J. Reuben Clark speaks concerning embezzelment by a local bishop: "The Church could not use its funds for such a means as proposed to save any embarassment to the Church, and it could not and should not require the [local] brethren there to sacrifice unless their friendship for the [bishop's] family prompted them to do so on their own accord, and that he didn't worry about the resultant effect upon the Church if we did not attempt to cover up, but insisted upon justice."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
185 years ago today - Jul 25, 1841 (Sunday)
Wm. Yokum lost his leg by amputation, as the result of a wound received in the massacre at Haun's Mill.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
190 years ago today - (Mon) Jul 25, 1836
Joseph Smith and several leading Mormons (Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, Oliver Cowdery, etc.) leave Kirtland to seek buried treasure in Salem, MA
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
25 years ago today - Jul 24, 2001
On Pioneer Day, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rules Utah's ban on alcohol advertisements "irrational," saying it might be causing irreparable harm to local liquor, brewing and publishing companies.
[Harward, Randy; Utah Brewing Timeline, Salt Lake City Weekly, Aug 24, 2011]
180 years ago today - Jul 24, 1846
[Wilford Woodruff]
Met in council with the Twelve in a tent on a High prairie ridge. Eleven of the quorum of the Twelve were present. We put on our robes And offered up our prayers to God. Conversed upon principle. Decided in council that no man has a right to Attend to the ordinance of sealing except the President of the Church or those who are directed by him so to do And that the ordinance should be confined to Zion or her stakes. This was the last Council we were expecting to hold Altogether before O. Hyde, P. P. Pratt & J Taylor took there departure for England.
[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 - Jul 24, 1846
Oliver Cowdery writes to his sister referring to polygamy as a "folly and "abomination.
[Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2013 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]
45 years ago today - Jul 23, 1981-Thursday
[Leonard Arrington]
The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve announced this morning that Elder Gordon B. Hinckley has been made a member of the First Presidency [3rd counselor] and that Elder Neal Maxwell has been added to the Quorum of the Twelve in his place. Presumably Elder Hinckley will handle many of the assignments which President [N. Eldon] Tanner has been handling. Apparently they want to retain President Tanner's name as a member of the Presidency. [Hinckly would be referred to as the "acting president of the church" in the press.]
This move will surely be beneficial to our Historical endeavors, particularly because Elder Hinckley is familiar with what we are doing, and because he is positive. He has a positive, favorable view on what we are doing.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
45 years ago today - Jul 23, 1981
Elder Gordon B. Hinckley is called as third counselor in the First Presidency due to the physical weakness of Presidents Spencer W. Kimball, N. Eldon Tanner, and Marion G. Romney. Hinckley is referred to in the press as the "acting president of the church" because Kimball, Tanner, and Romney are largely out of the public eye.
[Neal A. Maxwell is called as an apostle to replace Gordon B. Hinckley]
[Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)]
125 years ago today - Jul 23, 1901
The question of a wife being sealed to a man who had committed suicide was discussed by the Presidency and other brethren. President Joseph F. Smith said that in his opinion people who commit suicide should be given the full benefit of doubt as to their sanity before the doors of the Temple should be closed against them. Those who take their own life wilfully of course are barred.
[Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
90 years ago today - Jul 22, 1936
First counselor J. Reuben Clark recommends that the Communist candidate for U.S. president be denied use of the Salt Lake Tabernacle for a speech. He also recommends to "confidentially" advise Utah's governor to have Mormon members of the American Legion armed with "picks and ax-handles" to attend the Communist Party's rally in Liberty Park.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
130 years ago today - Jul 22, 1896
Presidents George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith (President [Wilford Woodruff] being at home unwell) had an interview with Elder Marriner W[ood]. Merrill, President of the Logan Temple. Some complaint had been made in regard to the salaries of some of the Temple hands, who had been paid only half their salary during the two months vacation. It was shown that the hands did not work at all on Saturdays, but they were provided with dinner at the Temple, and that the work on Mondays was very light. Taking all things into consideration, the salaries were ample for services rendered. President Cannon said that if the brethren employed in the Recorder's office could obtain more remunerative labor they should be at liberty to make the change, and he believed that lady scribes could be obtained at an much less salary than that now paid. The conclusion was that the brethren had no good grounds of complaint.
[Journal History, 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 - Jul 21, 1911; Friday
[Charles W. Penrose]
Prof[essor] O[sborne]. J[ohn]. P[eter] Widtsoe came ... Had Talk with him on Man's Origin.
[Charles W. Penrose, Diary]
185 years ago today - Jul 21, 1841
The WARSAW SIGNAL in Warsaw, Illinois: "How MILITARY these people are becoming! Every thing they say or do seems to breathe the spirit of military tactics. Their PROPHET appears, on all great occasions, in his splendid regimental dress, signs his name Lieut. General, and more titles are to be found in the Nauvoo Legion, than any one book on military tactics can produce; and now comes a public journal, the name of which is composed of two military words. Truly FIGHTING must, be a part of the creed of these Saints!"
225 years ago today - Jul 21, 1801
Mary Fielding (Smith), later the wife of Hyrum Smith and mother of Joseph F. Smith, is born in Bedfordshire, England.
75 years ago today - Jul 20, 1951
Because the Korean War reduced the number of young elders being called as missionaries, the First Presidency issued a call for seventies to help fill the need. Many married men subsequently served full-time missions.
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
90 years ago today - Jul 20, 1936
Chief of Salt Lake City's detectives begins sending to the First Presidency reports of surveillance and infiltration of the Communist Party in Utah.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
115 years ago today - Jul 20, 1911
[Charles W. Penrose]
"Bro[ther] [David O.] McKay home with a broken leg. Bro[ther] [George F.] Gibbs read his a/c [account] of matters connected with plural marriage of Abra[ha]m H Cannon [who had just died] and Miss Hamlin which was not ordered published but to be filed and preserved."
[Charles W. Penrose 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]
10 years ago today - 2016 July 19
A day before the Russian government passes anti-terror laws restricting most religious proselyting, the LDS Church promises to comply with these laws and designates missionaries serving in Russia as "volunteers".
[Wikipedia, 21st Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_century_(Mormonism)]
150 years ago today - 1876. July 19
Joseph Fielding Smith: Born Joseph Fielding Smith, Jr., in Salt Lake City to Julina Lambson and future Church President Joseph F. Smith. He was the grand-nephew of Joseph Smith, grandson of Church Patriarch Hyrum Smith, nephew of Church Patriarch John Smith, brother of Apostle Hyrum Mack Smith, and father-in-law of Apostle Bruce R. McConkie.
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - Jul 19, 1836
A warrant for the arrest David W. Patten, Warren Parrish, and Wilford Woodruff is issued in Tennessee on the grounds that they have been "prophesying falsely, by saying that four persons who were baptized should receive the Holy Ghost in twenty-four hours, and that Christ should come the second time before this generation passed away." Charges dropped against Wilford since he wasn't present at the time. The other two are acquitted the next day.
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
90 years ago today - Jul 18, 1936
A Deseret News Church Section photograph of an LDS youth conference in Germany with Apostle Joseph F. Merrill in front of the Swastika banner of the Nazi Party. This is an intentional association of visual symbols, since the 7 Aug. 1937 issue also prints a photograph of church president Heber J. Grant seated in front of a Swastika banner at an LDS meeting in Frankfurt.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
125 years ago today - Thursday, Jul 18, 1901
Remarks, Pres. Lorenzo Snow. ... We were born in the other life, were born children to the Lord there. In the contemplation of what we shall be in the spirit world, we should be very happy. We should be careful to do right that our consciences may not trouble us. He felt to say "God bless you all."
[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]
180 years ago today - Saturday, Jul 18, 1846.
President Young said the captains [of the Mormon Battalion] must be fathers to their companies, and in their companies manage the whole affair by the power of the priesthood, and you will have power to preserve your lives and the lives of their companies and escape many difficulties. [He] would not be afraid to pledge his right hand that every man will return alive if they will go in the name of the Lord and pray every morning and evening in every tent. ... All the officers but three had been in the temple. Let no man be without his undergarment, and always wear a coat or vest. Keep neat and clean, teach them gentility, civility, no swearing. It must not be admitted. Insult no man. Have no conversation with the Missourians, Mexicans, or any class of people. Preach only where people want it, and then by wise men.
Impose not your principles on any people. Take your Bibles, Books of Mormon. Burn up cards. Let the officers regulate all the dances. If you come home and say the captains have managed all dancing and it will all be right to dance, etc. Card playing cannot be admitted. ... Don't lay out your money for bacon and provision on credit for your families. Elder Kimball ... God will lead you in paths and before the people, that you will get as great a name as any people since the days of Moses. Hold your tongues and mind your own business. If you are sick, you have the privilege of calling the elders and rebuking all manner of disease.
... President Young spoke ... You will have no fighting to do. Go about your business. We shall go in the Great Basin where [it] is the place to build temples. ...
[Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
55 years ago today - Jul 17, 1971
The announcement that Relief Society dues would be discontinued and all assets turned over to the appropriate Priesthood officers. Relief Society assets were turned over to the Church (estimated value at over two million dollars, equal to more then seven million 2012 dollars).
[Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
180 years ago today - Jul 17, 1846
[Hosea Stout]
There was a meeting at Taylors camp today at which there was a number of Bishops appointed to look to the families of the [Mormon Battalion] soldiers
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
195 years ago today - Jul 17, 1831
Revelation (west of Independence) for Oliver Cowdery, W. W. Phelps, Joseph Coe, and Ziba Peterson as they were about to commence a mission to Native Americans in Missouri, as recalled by W. W. Phelps in 1861: "For it is my will, that in time, ye should take unto you wives of the Lamanites and Nephites, that their posterity may become white, delightsome and Just, for even now their females are more virtuous than the gentiles." Since three of the four were already married, and the fourth--Ziba Peterson--would marry Rebecca Hooper within a month--this passage is sometimes used as an argument that plural marriage was envisioned as early as 1831.
Phelps recorded the revelation, apparently from memory,
Ezra Booth refers to this revelation in 1831. P Ezra Booth Letters (8-9)
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
180 years ago today - Thursday, Jul 16, 1846.
By O. Hyde, all present voted that E. T. Benson be ordained an apostle. At 5, the Quorum kneeled before the Lord in prayer, led by President Young, then arose and laid their hands on Ezra T. Benson, and ordained him an apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with all the keys and power and blessings pertaining to the apostleship in the Church and kingdom of God in these last days, and take the crown of him who has fallen from the Quorum of the Twelve (J. E. Page)...
Before council adjourned, papers were received from Captain Allen and the chiefs and braves of the Pottawattamie [Pottawatamie] nation, giving permission for the Mormons to stop on Indian lands.
[Willard Richards Journal]
180 years ago today - Jul 16, 1846
On 16 July 1846 some 543 men enlisted in the Mormon Battalion. From among these men Brigham Young selected the commissioned officers... Also accompanying the battalion were approximately thirty-three women, twenty of whom served as laundresses, and fifty-one children.
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Mormon Battalion, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
180 years ago today - 16 July 1846
[Brigham Young]
Mormon Battalion Speech: "Now, brethern you are going as soldiers at your country's call. You will travel in a foreign land, in an enemy's country; and if you will live your religion, [etc...] if you obey this counsel, attending to your prayers to the Lord, I promise you in the name of the Lord God of Israel that not one should of you shall fall by the hands of the enemy. You will pass over battlefields; battles will be fought in your front and in your rear, on your right hand and on your left, and your enemies shall flee before you. Your names shall be held in honorable remembrance to the latest generation."
[Discourses of Brigham Young]
180 years ago today - Wednesday, Jul 15, 1846.
[Brigham Young said] the remainder of the 12 to get the soldiers together and instruct them how to behave, etc., on their expedition, wear their temple garments, and prove themselves the best soldiers, and instruct the other brethren con [?] in carrying out the decisions of the council of yesterday. Lots were cast between O. Hyde, P. P. Pratt and J. Taylor, which two should go to England, and the lot fell on Brothers Hyde and Taylor to go. "Soldiers can tarry and go to work when they are disbanded, and the next temple should be built in the Rocky Mountains," and he wanted the Twelve and the old brethren to live in the mountains where the temple is to be, and where the brethren will have to come to get their endowments.
President Young said he would prophecy that the time would come when some one of the Twelve, or a high priest, would come up and say can't we have a temple at Vancouver Island, or at California, etc., etc., but it is wisdom to unite all our forces to build one house in the mountains.
[Willard Richards Journal]
185 years ago today - Jul 15, 1841
TIMES and SEASONS prints a "Dialogue on Mormonism" which presents LDS doctrine and claims in dialogue form. Speaking of the Book of Mormon peoples: "Mr. M. You will observe by this account Mr. R. that this people who landed here were Jews, this you know agrees with the idea, which many learned men have had, that the Indians are descendants of the Jews. Mr. R. I am aware that this idea is generally entertained among the learned."
195 years ago today - Mid-July 1831
Joseph's party arrives in Independence, Mo. There is a glorious reunion with missionaries there. Jackson County population at this time is less than 3,000, and land costs $1.25 per acre. Joseph records that the people are nearly a century behind the times; Parley Pratt notes that they are still living in skins and very primitive conditions. Because of the primitive land, Joseph wonders how Zion can ever be built in her glory in such a place, and receives D&C 57. The first Sunday after their arrival, W. W. Phelps preaches at the western boundary of the United States to a congregation made up of all races and peoples. Two are baptized.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology; History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 1:188-89.]
150 years ago today - Jul 14, 1876
Sidney Rigdon dies; now believed to have had Bipolar Affective Disorder, or Manic-Depressive Illness.
[Mormon Chronology, N. R. Tidd, http://www.exmormon.org/mhistory.html]
165 years ago today - Jul 14, 1861 (Afternoon)
[Brigham Young]
These [preexistent] intelligent beings that I now see, that I behold as we say with the natural eye, Br. Kimball would call it the natural eye, the eye of the spirit, very well, the eye that God has given me and the power of sight: How long is it since they were in chaos? all that pertains to man independent of the intelligence that dwells within his body, independent of that spirit of life, light and intelligence? I see the faces of these, my brethren and sisters. ...
Jesus Christ came here because his Father came here and he was begotten of the Father, and he was born of the virgin Mary as my mother bore me and as my father begot me and as you begot your children. What, is it possible that the Father of Heights, the Father of our spirits, could reduce himself and come forth like a man [Adam?]? Yes, he was once a man like you and I are and was once on an earth like this, passed through the ordeal you and I pass through. He had his father and his mother and he has been exalted through his faithfulness, and he is become Lord of all. He is the God pertaining to this earth. He is our father. He begot our spirits in the spirit world. ...
We will go and build up temples. We started a temple here. Shall we finish it? I don't know whether we shall or not before we go back to Jackson County, but it will be finished by and bye, and we will enter into this temple and receive the ordinances for the just.
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
205 years ago today - Jul 14, 1821-5 February 1822
The second payment on the Smiths' Farmington (Manchester) farm come due . Lucy says there were three payments, that the first was broken up into several installments and that her family had "made nearly all of the first payment" in one year but that "the second payment was now coming due and no means as yet of meeting it." She further states that Alvin left home to find work and raise "the second payment and the remainder of the first" and returned with "the necessary amount of money for all except the last payment".
[Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
110 years ago today - Jul 13, 1916
The formation of the Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a corporatiom sole, which was formed to have equal control of certain property owned by the Church. From 1890 until this date most Church property was held by the local leaders, which was subsequently transferred to the Presiding Bishop.
[Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
180 years ago today - Jul 13, 1846
This evening Elder O. Hyde who had moved over the river to the main camp there, came here to his camp and called a meeting and spoke at length to them on the law of adoption. The first sermon I ever heard publickly. He desired all who felt willing to do so to give him a pledge to come into his kingdom when the ordinance could be attended to but wished all to select the man whom they chose &c
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Jul 13, 1846
[Brigham Young]
"The business to be laid before you today is, the call upon us from the War department to furnish five hundred volunteers for the army of the West to march to California [Mormon Battalion]."
[Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1846- 1847. Elden J. Watson, ed. Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1971.:234-238, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
255 years ago today - Jul 12, 1771
Joseph Smith, Sr., is born at Topsfield, Mass.July 8, 1775Lucy Mack Smith is born at Gilsum, N. H.Jan. 24, 1796. Lucy Mack and Joseph Smith, Sr., are married.About 1797. The first son of Lucy and Joseph Smith, Sr., is born and dies shortly there after.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
125 years ago today - Jul 11, 1901
At meeting of First presidency and Twelve "[John Henry Smith] Had devoted considerable thought during the night to the question of selling beer at Saltair and wondered if we were not inclined to take rather an extreme view of the case-whether, if we cut off the privilege entirely, we were not to some extent invading the rights of the Latter-day Saints. The revelation on the Word of Wisdom speaks of barley for mild drinks [D&C 89:17]. It is a question that demands serious thought. Have we taken an extreme view of the word of God? Where can we strike the limit, where can we reach the spirit of the Word of Wisdom? (Apostle Heber J. Grant asked Apostle Smith if beer that is intoxicating is to be considered a mild drink. The revelation, he said, forbids the use of strong drink.) Apostle Smith continued and said that the German beer was very light and mild and would not intoxicate, though he conceded that the beer of the United States is of a very different character and will cause drunkenness. Apostle Brigham Young [Jr Spoke]. Topics treated[:] Said that he believed the temperance movement among our people a proper movement. If we give an inch, the people and the world will take advantage of it-and drunkenness is the crying evil of the age. The Word of Wisdom! "Who can cut it off and patch it on for me?" Each must be judge for himself. Many times water, he said, would distress him, while a little Danish beer would bring a feeling of comfort and ease. However, he believed in the Word of Wisdom as we teach it. As to the matter of selling liquor, said that he was simply disgusted with what he saw at Saltair on the occasion of the "old folks" excursion. He came across a lot of old men-members of the church-smoking old pipes and guzzling beer." First Presidency and apostles agree that Danish beer is not harmful or in violation of Word of Wisdom and release an official statement to the same affect. President Lorenzo Snow tells the Quorum of Apostles, "Some of the brethren are worrying about the matter, and feel that they ought to have other wives. Brethren do not worry; you will lose nothing.... Brethren, don't worry about these things, and if you don-t happen to secure the means you would like, don-t feel disappointed." In these remarks, President Snow referrs specifically to Heber J. Grant who concluds that these instructions to the entire Quorum repealed the private authorization to take a plural wife the Church president had given him in May; he "dropped the matter" and left within a few days for Japan."
165 years ago today - Jul 11, 1861
The President [Brigham Young] observed it would not do for the northern and Southern party to fight too much at once [IE civil war]. The Lord used wisdom to bring about his purposes, and they were frequently he waits until the wrath of man is ready, England is to have a hand in the struggle with the north and South, and England will be slow in her movements. -- Salt Lake City
[Brigham Young Office Journals, 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 - Jul 11, 1856
[Wilford Woodruff]
I called upon President Young. Read a peace of History on Book E-1 page 1681-2 concerning Hyram leading this Church & tracing the aaronic Priesthood. It was in detached sentences. President Young thought it was not essential to be inserted in the History & had better be omitted. He spoke of the peace of History published in the News Vol VI No 18 Concerning Josephs words [prophecy] upon South Carolinia. He wished it not published.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
65 years ago today - Jul 10, 1961
Dr. Romney presented to the Education Committee its revised recommendations. It was proposed to adopt a system of correlation that would permit the reorganization of Church curriculum based on age group levels, which would coordinate not only the curriculum, but activities and other programs of the several age groups. To accomplish the goal, it was recommended that "a general All-Church Coordinating Council (ACCC) should be formed," under whose direction three age group committees (children, youth, and adults) would coordinate the activities of the groups through the existing priesthood and Auxiliary organizations. This recommendation was approved. Elder Lee, subsequently, was appointed the chairman of the new All-Church Coordinating Council.
[Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
80 years ago today - Jul 10, 1946
President George Albert Smith writes in his diary: "Met in office with Council of Presidency & Twelve .... Jos Patriarch case considered. Bad situation. Am heartsick." President Smith is referring to Presiding Patriarch Joseph Fielding Smith [Not the Apostle of the same name] and to the recent discovery of his homosexual activities. Forty-seven-year-old Patriarch Smith is "released due to ill health" the following Oct.
85 years ago today - Jul 10, 1941
Regarding military service in WWII, the First Presidency says "The Church is and must be against war . . . but the Church membership are citizens or subjects of sovereignties over which the Church has no control.
[1941-July 10-Original circular letter, L.D.S. Church Archives, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
135 years ago today - Jul 9, 1891
John W. Taylor suggested that the church finances could be increased, by paying Church agents a percentage on all tithings remitted to the head office, instead of all received. Thus there would be an incentive to diligent effort in order to cash the products received at the different offices.
[Abraham H. Cannon (Author), Edward Leo Lyman (Editor), Candid Insights of a Mormon Apostle: The Diaries of Abraham H. Cannon, 1889-1895, Signature Books]
165 years ago today - Jul 9, 1861
The Prest [Brigham Young] joined and said he and Carrington were Vermonters, and that they were both for the Constitution, but each earnestly prayed for the success of both North & South. At the request of the President Br[other] Carrington read the extract from a newspaper Pres[ident] Young remarked to H.C. Kimball who had come in that Old Abe the President of the U.S. has it in his mind to pitch in to us when he had got through with the South. President Kimball observed that men that he had met with whether they had little or much of the Spirit of God were in favor of the South. Pres[ident] Young, as of [the] opinion the sympathy of the people for the South was in case they should be whipped, and the Northern party remain in power he thought they wanted the War to go that both parties might be used up...Br[other] H.C. Kimball told the vision that he saw on the night Joseph Smith obtained the plates. He described the Soldiers in the sky with their accoutrements on. He said Father Young was with him and he clapped his hands and rejoiced saying that it was a sign that the Coming of the Son of Man was nigh. Br[other] Heber said the whole world would be involved in this war. -- Salt Lake City
[Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
185 years ago today - Jul 9, 1841
Joseph Smith receives a revelation (later section 126 of D&C) at Brigham Young's house: "Dear and well-beloved brother Brigham Young, verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Brigham, it is no more required at your hand to leave your family as in times past, for your offering is acceptable to me; I have seen your labour and toil in journeyings for my name. I therefore command you to send my word abroad, and take special care of your family from this time, henceforth, and forever. Amen." However, Young is called to leave his family and go on a mission three years later.
130 years ago today - Jul 8, 1896; Wednesday
[Heber J. Grant]
At 10 am attended a meeting of the Apostles in the Temple. Pres[iden]t Lorenzo Snow offered the opening prayer, and he very earnestly supplicated the Lord in behalf of Apostle Moses Thatcher. John Henry Smith said that he did not look on him the same as a man who had become addicted to the use of liquor to the extent that he was not responsible for his actions. Bro[ther] Moses had been addicted to the use of morphine.
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
250 years ago today - 1776. July 8
Lucy Mack Smith: Born in Gilsum, New Hampshire. In 1796 she married Joseph Smith; they had eleven children: Alvin (1798-1823), Hyrum (1800-1844), Sophronia (1803-?), Joseph (1805-1844), Samuel Harrison (1808-1844), Ephraim (1810-1810), William (1811-1894), Catherine (1812-1900), Don Carlos (1816-1841), and Lucy (1824-1882). Their first child, an unnamed daughter, died shortly after birth in 1797.
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Jul 08, 1856
The Saints who make up the Martin handcart company arrive at Iowa City to outfit themselves for their journey west.
125 years ago today - Jul 7, 1901
Lorenzo Snow presides at the Salt Lake temple's monthly fast meeting, "and Sister Lillie T. Freeze sang in tongues."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
125 years ago today - Jul 7, 1901
[In Lewiston, Utah:] Apostle M[arriner]. W[ood]. Merrill was not present tho[ugh], he knew I would be there. He failed to come nor send word why he did not come. This is just as he has treated me ever since I rendered a decision in political case wherein he was in a clash with others of his brethren in the days of President [Wilford] Woodruff.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
130 years ago today - Jul 7, 1896; Tuesday
Brigham Young [Jr.] ... spoke of the Gardo House incident, when Moses Thatcher accused George Q. Cannon with dishonesty, and threatened a lawsuit. He referred to the fact that Moses had never been called to account for thus wrongfully accusing one of his brethren, and wondered if we had not done wrong in this and other similar cases, in not demanding from Bro[ther] Moses, that he make restitution. He thought it was mistaken sympathy to allow men to do wrong, and not taking prompt action to require them to make proper restitution.
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
100 years ago today - Jul 06, 1926
Neal A. Maxwell, later the Church commissioner of education and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, is born in Salt Lake City, Utah.
135 years ago today - Jul 6, 1891
[Heber J. Grant]
I have unbound faith in the success of the business and I should be delighted to see the benefits go to the Church. I feel sure that the profits will be at least twenty five percent and as the Church can get the money for not more than eight percent there will be a good margin of profit for them ... I shall be pleased and thankful when the Church has more funds than it has at the present [which was coping with a recession, as well as debt due to confiscated properties by the government].
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
135 years ago today - Jul 6, 1891 (Monday)
A Democratic convention, held in Salt Lake City, placed the first Democratic ticket for Salt Lake County officers in the field, after the division of the People's Party [controlled by the church] on party lines.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
155 years ago today - Jul 5, 1871
Presidt Young [in Soda Springs] got a telegraph [-] from presidt Wells that all right in the Celebration of the 4. Our Enemies were Defeated & we triumped.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Jul 5, 1861
Brigham Young's office journal records: "President Young mentioned that he enjoyed his dancing last evening it caused him to perspire, he said it rested his mind and did him good, and relieved him from his onerous every day duties."
170 years ago today - Jul 5, 1856
George A. Smith writes an obituary of Lucy Mack Smith for 'The Mormon', then being published in New York City, in which he praises Lucy and criticizes her book as inaccurate.
[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]
50 years ago today - Jul 4, 1976
Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs at the United States Bicentennial.
[Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)]
100 years ago today - Jul 04, 1926
Elder Melvin J. Ballard famously prophesies that the Church in Latin America will grow "as an oak grows slowly from an acorn."
120 years ago today - Jul 4, 1906
Zeal is a good thing but too big a stock of it sometimes runs us on to the snag.
[John Henry Smith, Letter to Heber J. Grant, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
40 years ago today - Jul 3, 1986-Thursday
[Leonard Arrington]
Harriet and I arose early and at 8:30 we were on our way to Susan and admiring a little dog. Elder Packer ... gushes: 'He sits, he heels, he rolls over. He never gives you any trouble,'" which Oaks thinks would make "The perfect historian!"
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
180 years ago today - Jul 3, 1846
[Wilford Woodruff]
At 10 oclock Br Pratt returned in company with Br Benson who had been nominated to fill the place [apostleship] And wear the Crown of John E Page.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
185 years ago today - Jul 3, 1841
At the Independence Day celebration the Nauvoo Legion comes out in parade and Joseph gives a patriotic speech, closing with the words, "I would ask no greater boon, than to lay down my life for my country."
[History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 4:382, in Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
30 years ago today - Jul 2, 1996
"Security leader and de facto second in command" of the Russian Republic publicly apologizes a week after calling Russia's Mormons "filth and scum." The LDS church has no more than 5,000 converts and 300 missionaries there. The apology occurs because LDS members (Republicans) of the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate ask the Democratic "Clinton administration to reconsider aid to Russia because of [Aleksandr] Lebed's stand."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
155 years ago today - Jul 2, 1871
The "Liberal Institute" is dedicated in Salt Lake City at the corner of Second South and Second East. This architectural landmark seats over 1000 and is constructed mostly by Godbeites and disaffected Mormons. Susan B. Anthony, who attended the dedication, writes that the reformers "sang their songs of freedom, poured out their rejoicings over the emancipation from the thrall of the Theocracy of Brigham, and told of the beatitudes of soul-to-soul communion with the All-Father." The Institute became a home for Methodists, Presbyterians, Jews, Swedish Lutherans and "Reorganite Mormons" as well as suffragettes, spiritualists (including mediums and their debunkers), and free thinkers.
170 years ago today - Jul 2, 1856
[Wilford Woodruff]
P[arley] P. Pratt asked Presidet Young what He should do with regard to tithing. Said he had been travelling & preaching a good deal & had not paid any tithing. Presidet Young Said the Law of tithing reached evry man. He should pay his tithing if he had to have five times as much from the tithing office in order to live & all that he had from the tithing office should be charged to him & he should Consecrate what he had to the Church. He said that he should consecrate what he had to the Church that his children when he was dead should not squander his property & go to Hell upon it.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
65 years ago today - Jul 1, 1961
CHURCH NEWS article, "Mission Presidents Get Uniform Plan For Teaching Gospel," introduces the new six-discussion proselytizing plan in which the discussions are to be memorized verbatim by the missionaries.
160 years ago today - Jul 1, 1866
Apostle Wilford Woodruff, as the officially appointed "Church Historian" recorded the following in his "Historian's Private Journal “Joseph Smith & Zina Huntington were sealed Oct. 27, 1841 by Dimick B. Huntington in Nauvoo”
[Wilford Woodruff, "Historian's Private Journal" (one volume, 1858-78), entries after 1 July 1866, LDS Church History Library, 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)]