[Wilford Woodruff]
Brigham Young jr & Myself wrote out a part of the Ceremony of the Endowment. ...
I spent the Evening with President Young. He told me their was No Necessity of dressing in the Temple Clothing while giving the second Anointing any more than in administering the first Anointing or Ordaining. He also said that we should use the Bible in the garden & Bible & Book of Mormon in the Telestial room and add the Covenants to it in the Terrestial Room.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
145 years ago today - Jan 15, 1877
Brigham Young begins dictating from memory the first written version of the endowment ceremony. He adds a Protestant minister as a new character in the endowment drama which does not have set dialogue at this time.
[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 - Friday, Jan 15, 1847.
All the Twelve, as the evening previous, assembled at 1 p.m. at Brother E. T. Benson's, and John D. Lee read the piece the President had written called, "The Word and Will of the Lord." [D&C 136] Approved and decided to place it before the high council. [At] 4 ½ [4:30], adjourned to tomorrow evening, 6, at Brother Benson's. Heard the "Word and Will of God" read. Conversed in the principles of adoption by request of Brother Perkins and the Levitical Priesthood. No son of Levi has yet been found in these last days to minister at the altar. Brother Perkins said it had been reported across the river that no one could go west unless they were adopted into the families of one of the Twelve. False.
[Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
[Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
180 years ago today - Jan 15, 1842
Martha Brotherton, a young Nauvoo woman, was allegedly approached by Brigham Young in Joseph Smith's private office. "Were it lawful and right," Brotherton reported Young as saying, "could [you] accept of me for your husband and companion? . . . Brother Joseph has had a revelation from God that it is lawful and right for a man to have two wives; for as it was in the days of Abraham, so it shall be in these last days . . . if you will accept of me, I will take you straight to the celestial kingdom." Brigham then left the room and returned ten minutes later with the Prophet. "Just go ahead, and do as Brigham wants you to," Brotherton reported Smith as saying. "I know that this is lawful and right . . . I have the keys of the kingdom, and whatever I bind on earth is bound in heaven, and whatever I loose on earth is loosed in heaven." Martha noted she begged for time to consider, then left for Saint Louis, where she published her story in the 15 July 1842 St. Louis Bulletin.
[ St. Louis Bulletin, 15 July 1842; in Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm]
[ St. Louis Bulletin, 15 July 1842; in Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm]
180 years ago today - Jan 15, 1842
Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith commenced reading the first American stereotype edition of the Book of Mormon to make a few corrections for the second stereotype edition that had escaped notice in the first printing.
[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]
185 years ago today - 1837 mid-Jan.
Oliver Cowdery became Vice President of the defunct Bank of Monroe in Monroe, MI. Oliver may have traveled personally to Monroe to sign banknotes there. The went out of business at the end of Mar. Grandison Newell had bought up a considerable amount of notes then in circulation and presented them at the bank's Kirtland office, demanding that they be redeemed with specie. The bank probably ran out of its original stock of silver and gold coins well before the end of January. Later charges made against Oliver for "counterfeiting" may have been related to his signing and issuing banknotes which had no monetary value.
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Oliver Cowdery Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/Cdychrn1.htm]
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Oliver Cowdery Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/Cdychrn1.htm]
45 years ago today - Jan 14, 1977
Apostle Boyd K. Packer, in a talk at Brigham Young University, preaches: "We've always counseled in the Church for our Mexican members to marry Mexicans, our Japanese members to marry Japanese, our Caucasians to marry Caucasians, our Polynesian members to marry Polynesians. The counsel has been wise. . . . Plan, young people, to marry into your own race."
50 years ago today - Jan 14, 1972
The First Presidency organizes the church's historical department and for the first time appoints a professional historian, Leonard J. Arrington, as church historian, to which he is sustained by church conferences from 1972 to 1977. Church archives had been open for unrestricted research by scholars of all religious backgrounds since the appointment in 1970 of Arrington's predecessor, Apostle Howard W. Hunter. Arrington continues as Church Historian until 1980, during which time the First Presidency encourages research and publication. From 1972 to 1980, the historical department has a Church History Division, Church Historian Leonard J. Arrington and his staff of trained historians publish articles and books of interpretive history which seek to provide a balanced view of Mormonism's controversial past. In 1980 the First Presidency eliminates the Church History Division and transfers former Church Historian and his staff to Brigham Young University. Open access to the archives gradually declines from 1980 to 1986, when the historical department begins to claim the right of ex post facto censorship of previous research. By 1986 the historical department has created a "public access" computer catalog which omits previously available manuscripts now judged too sensitive for research "patrons." Only the staff of the historical department has access to the uncensored catalog of manuscripts. Procedurally, archival research is further impeded by requiring approval from the historical department committee or even from the committee of apostles for research access to previously unrestricted manuscripts. By 1990, researchers having signed form since 1986 are required to obtain pre-publication approval from the church's Correlation Committee. Efforts at pre-publication censorship prove counterproductive and are officially abandoned in 1992, yet researchers at LDS archives continue to be a small fraction of their numbers during the years in which people of all backgrounds knew they were welcome there.
[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)]]
65 years ago today - Mon Jan 14, 1957
[David O. McKay]
7:15 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.--Met with Mr. Gus Backman at his request . . . . Mr. Backman told me confidentially about the attitude of some of our non- Mormon friends here in the city who are rather jealous, apparently, about the fact that nearly all of our civic matters in the city and in the state and in the nation are now controlled by members of the Church--our city government particularly under the police force, our state government, the Governor and a majority of the legislature, and nationally, all of our senators and representatives are members of the Church. Some who are not sympathetic with us are spreading the rumor that we are trying to push Mormonism down their throats, that the Chief of Police is a little too energetic in enforcing the law in clubs and other places. I told Brother Backman that certainly he would not wish us to tell the police to ease up on enforcement of law. Brother Backman said, "No, you could not do that." I asked Brother Backman to use his influence to assure them that the Mormons are not going to try to force our religion on anyone, but we are just simply wanting to obey the law and do our duty. I felt that perhaps we can influence some of our Gentile friends to satisfy some of those who are jealous and assure them that we are not going to take advantage of our position.
[McKay, David O., Office Journal]
7:15 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.--Met with Mr. Gus Backman at his request . . . . Mr. Backman told me confidentially about the attitude of some of our non- Mormon friends here in the city who are rather jealous, apparently, about the fact that nearly all of our civic matters in the city and in the state and in the nation are now controlled by members of the Church--our city government particularly under the police force, our state government, the Governor and a majority of the legislature, and nationally, all of our senators and representatives are members of the Church. Some who are not sympathetic with us are spreading the rumor that we are trying to push Mormonism down their throats, that the Chief of Police is a little too energetic in enforcing the law in clubs and other places. I told Brother Backman that certainly he would not wish us to tell the police to ease up on enforcement of law. Brother Backman said, "No, you could not do that." I asked Brother Backman to use his influence to assure them that the Mormons are not going to try to force our religion on anyone, but we are just simply wanting to obey the law and do our duty. I felt that perhaps we can influence some of our Gentile friends to satisfy some of those who are jealous and assure them that we are not going to take advantage of our position.
[McKay, David O., Office Journal]
135 years ago today - Jan 14, 1887 (Friday)
Ex. Gov. Eli H. Murray was admitted to the bar of the Territorial Supreme Court, as an attorney, while Lieut. Richard W. Young, a prominent lawyer of extensive practice in the East, was refused admittance because he was a "Mormon."
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
145 years ago today - Jan 14, 1877
Two weeks after the dedication of the lower portion of the St. George Temple, Brigham Young "requested Brigham [Young] Jr. & W[ilford] Woodruff to write out the Ceremony of the Endowments from Beginning to End."
165 years ago today - Jan 14, 1857
Thomas D. Brown begins "his duties in the Presìdent's Office, astonished at the number of applications for permission to take [plural] wives." A month later hardpressed Brigham Young recìtes "each [sealing] ceremony requiring about 600 words, which in several instances were spoken in 1 min 48 seconds!"
[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)]]
165 years ago today - Jan 14, 1857
The Utah legislature reorganizes the territorial militia by reactivating what was called the Nauvoo Legion. Daniel Wells is named commander-in-chief of the Legion.
[Linder, Douglas, The Mountain Meadows Massacre Trials, http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTRIALS/mountainmeadows/leechrono.html]
[Linder, Douglas, The Mountain Meadows Massacre Trials, http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTRIALS/mountainmeadows/leechrono.html]
175 years ago today - Thursday, Jan 14, 1847.
[Willard Richards]
President Young proposed [the formation of emigration companies with various leaders] ...
President Young commenced to give the word and will of God concerning the emigration of the Saints and those who journey with them. At 3 ½ [3:30], A. Lyman came in.... President Young continued to write the word and will of the Lord. Adjourned from 10 to 1 p.m. tomorrow, this place. President Young retired to the Octagon and finished writing the word and will of the Lord, and the Dr. [Richards] copied, closing about 1 next morning, about which time George D. Grant and Edmund Ellsworth, police, came in, and after reading the piece, President went home.
[Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
President Young proposed [the formation of emigration companies with various leaders] ...
President Young commenced to give the word and will of God concerning the emigration of the Saints and those who journey with them. At 3 ½ [3:30], A. Lyman came in.... President Young continued to write the word and will of the Lord. Adjourned from 10 to 1 p.m. tomorrow, this place. President Young retired to the Octagon and finished writing the word and will of the Lord, and the Dr. [Richards] copied, closing about 1 next morning, about which time George D. Grant and Edmund Ellsworth, police, came in, and after reading the piece, President went home.
[Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
175 years ago today - Jan 14, 1847
[Brigham Young]
I commenced to give the word and will of God concerning the emigration of the saints and those who journey with them. At 4 1/2 p.m. council adjourned. At seven, the Twelve met at Elder Benson's. I continued to dictate the Word and Will of the Lord. Council adjourned at ten p.m., when I retired with Dr. Richards to the octagon and finished writing the same which is here inserted: Winter Quarters, Camp of Israel, January 14th 1847. The Word and Will of the Lord concerning the Camp of Israel in their journeyings to the West: ... [D&C 136: How the Camp of Israel is to be organized for the westward journey. ..."If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing ..."]
[Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1847- 1850. William S. Harwell, ed. Collier's Publishing, 1997.:11-14, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
I commenced to give the word and will of God concerning the emigration of the saints and those who journey with them. At 4 1/2 p.m. council adjourned. At seven, the Twelve met at Elder Benson's. I continued to dictate the Word and Will of the Lord. Council adjourned at ten p.m., when I retired with Dr. Richards to the octagon and finished writing the same which is here inserted: Winter Quarters, Camp of Israel, January 14th 1847. The Word and Will of the Lord concerning the Camp of Israel in their journeyings to the West: ... [D&C 136: How the Camp of Israel is to be organized for the westward journey. ..."If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing ..."]
[Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1847- 1850. William S. Harwell, ed. Collier's Publishing, 1997.:11-14, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
220 years ago today - Jan 14, 1802
William Cowdery Jr. (father of Oliver Cowdery) was likely part of the "Rod Scrape" or "Wood Scrape" incident. After spending the winter with William Cowdery, a seer named Winchell joined Nathaniel Wood's "New Israelite" movement.
When searching for treasure, "Winchell held up his rod, got some motion from it, and told them the money was in an iron chest and covered with a large stone ... there was a 'divinity' guarding the treasure, and that if there was any lack of faith in any one ... this divinity would put the money forever beyond their reach.
However Winchell added a new dimension to the use of the rod when he taught Nathaniel Wood how to use it to receive revelations." Each of Wood's "Fraternity of Rodsmen" also had "a rod, which was used whenever they desired any information" including determining Israelite lineage through their rods.
Wood believed the gathering of Israel would occur not in Jerusalem, but in America and they planned to build a "New Jerusalem." They followed a religious dietary code, realized a need for angelic ministry, believed in an angelic tongue, looked for a restoration of primitive Christianity exercised spiritual gifts, and Wood received a revelation through his rod directing the building of a temple.
Oliver Cowdery's father was not only a likely participant in this movement, but lived with the man who introduced the concept of using a rod to receive revelations to the New Israelites.
Before Oliver met Joseph Smith, he had been receiving revelations through a rod.
[Clair Barrus, "Sprout, Rod, Thing of Nature: Naming the Gift of Aaron," Mormon Chronicles, http://mormon-chronicles.blogspot.com/2011/05/sprout-rod-thing-of-nature-naming-gift.html]
When searching for treasure, "Winchell held up his rod, got some motion from it, and told them the money was in an iron chest and covered with a large stone ... there was a 'divinity' guarding the treasure, and that if there was any lack of faith in any one ... this divinity would put the money forever beyond their reach.
However Winchell added a new dimension to the use of the rod when he taught Nathaniel Wood how to use it to receive revelations." Each of Wood's "Fraternity of Rodsmen" also had "a rod, which was used whenever they desired any information" including determining Israelite lineage through their rods.
Wood believed the gathering of Israel would occur not in Jerusalem, but in America and they planned to build a "New Jerusalem." They followed a religious dietary code, realized a need for angelic ministry, believed in an angelic tongue, looked for a restoration of primitive Christianity exercised spiritual gifts, and Wood received a revelation through his rod directing the building of a temple.
Oliver Cowdery's father was not only a likely participant in this movement, but lived with the man who introduced the concept of using a rod to receive revelations to the New Israelites.
Before Oliver met Joseph Smith, he had been receiving revelations through a rod.
[Clair Barrus, "Sprout, Rod, Thing of Nature: Naming the Gift of Aaron," Mormon Chronicles, http://mormon-chronicles.blogspot.com/2011/05/sprout-rod-thing-of-nature-naming-gift.html]
75 years ago today - Jan 13, 1947
[First Presidency]
Your letter of December 31, 1946 has been received, in which you inquire regarding the situation of a couple whom you describe. As a medical man you know more about tests for colored blood than we know, and if you do not know of any tests that can be made to detect the colored blood, we would assume there has been none yet discovered. People in the South have this problem to meet all the time in a practical way, and we assume that as a practical matter the people there would be able to determine whether or not the sister in question has colored blood. Normally the dark skin and kinky hair would indicate but one thing. As you probably know, the races are badly mixed in Brazil, and no color line is drawn around the mass of the people. The result is, as the reports declare, that a great part of the population of Brazil is colored. The rule of the Church as heretofore followed has been set forth by the early Church leaders. You will find a discussion thereof in Brother Joseph Fielding Smith's book, 'The Way to Perfection,' chapter 16.
[First Presidency, Letter to Francis W. Brown, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Your letter of December 31, 1946 has been received, in which you inquire regarding the situation of a couple whom you describe. As a medical man you know more about tests for colored blood than we know, and if you do not know of any tests that can be made to detect the colored blood, we would assume there has been none yet discovered. People in the South have this problem to meet all the time in a practical way, and we assume that as a practical matter the people there would be able to determine whether or not the sister in question has colored blood. Normally the dark skin and kinky hair would indicate but one thing. As you probably know, the races are badly mixed in Brazil, and no color line is drawn around the mass of the people. The result is, as the reports declare, that a great part of the population of Brazil is colored. The rule of the Church as heretofore followed has been set forth by the early Church leaders. You will find a discussion thereof in Brother Joseph Fielding Smith's book, 'The Way to Perfection,' chapter 16.
[First Presidency, Letter to Francis W. Brown, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
110 years ago today - Jan 13, 1912
I, the undersigned, Judson Tolman, so by these presents confess and acknowledge in all sincereity [sic] and humility that since the forepart of the year 1904, I have had married to me two women, by Bishop Dan[iel] Muir. That I have at different times and places married 18 couples as follows: ... 1905 or 1906'Bishop Dan[iel] Muir; in 1907, James A. Eldredge and Samuel Howard; in 1908, Alpha J. Higgs, Henry S. Tanner with two women, Charles Woldenden, Israel Barlow Jr., a Brother Evans, Joseph W. Musser; 1909, a Brother Jeffs to two women, Doctor [Donald A.] McGregor, a Brother Simmons, a Brother Gamble, a Brother Merrill, a Brother Wells; and a Brother Christensen in 1910. All of whom were recommended to me by Brothers [Matthias F.] Cowley, Henry S. Tanner or Nathan Clark. When I was investigated on the question of marrying these parties I deliberately lied to the Council of the Twelve Apostles and thus deceived them. ...
['Statement of Judson Tolman,' in Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
['Statement of Judson Tolman,' in Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
110 years ago today - Jan 13, 1912
[First Presidency]
Dear Brother, This is in answer to yours of the 9th inst., containing the following questions: (1) What authority have we as Latter-day Saints, in either modern or ancient revelation, or in sermons of our brethren, for the statement that the negroes are those who were neutral in heaven at the time of the great conflict or war? (2) Is it a fact that a Negro cannot receive the priesthood, and if so, what is the reason? Answer to question 1: So far as we know, there is no revelation, ancient or modern, neither is there any authoritative statement by any of the authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in support of that which many of our elders have advanced as doctrine, in effect that the negroes are those who were neutral in heaven at the time of the great conflict or war, which resulted in the casting out of Lucifer and those who were led by him, said to number about one-third of the hosts of heaven. Answer to question 2: You are referred to the Pearl of Great Price, Book of Abraham, Chapter 1, verses 26 and 27, going to show that the seed of Ham was cursed as pertaining to the priesthood; and that by reason of this curse they have no right to it.
While there is no written revelation going to show why the negroes are ineligible to hold the priesthood, the Prophet Joseph Smith is said to have explained it in this way, that by killing his brother, Abel, Cain deprived him of posterity, and this without doubt was the intent of Satan in tempting Cain to take his brother's life. And the Prophet Joseph is said to have added that the seed of Cain, however worthy, will not be eligible to bear the priesthood until after Abel shall have had posterity, and that means until after Abel's posterity shall have obtained earthly tabernacles, otherwise the children of the slayer would have advantages over those of the slain.
[First Presidency, Letter to Milton H. Knudson, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Dear Brother, This is in answer to yours of the 9th inst., containing the following questions: (1) What authority have we as Latter-day Saints, in either modern or ancient revelation, or in sermons of our brethren, for the statement that the negroes are those who were neutral in heaven at the time of the great conflict or war? (2) Is it a fact that a Negro cannot receive the priesthood, and if so, what is the reason? Answer to question 1: So far as we know, there is no revelation, ancient or modern, neither is there any authoritative statement by any of the authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in support of that which many of our elders have advanced as doctrine, in effect that the negroes are those who were neutral in heaven at the time of the great conflict or war, which resulted in the casting out of Lucifer and those who were led by him, said to number about one-third of the hosts of heaven. Answer to question 2: You are referred to the Pearl of Great Price, Book of Abraham, Chapter 1, verses 26 and 27, going to show that the seed of Ham was cursed as pertaining to the priesthood; and that by reason of this curse they have no right to it.
While there is no written revelation going to show why the negroes are ineligible to hold the priesthood, the Prophet Joseph Smith is said to have explained it in this way, that by killing his brother, Abel, Cain deprived him of posterity, and this without doubt was the intent of Satan in tempting Cain to take his brother's life. And the Prophet Joseph is said to have added that the seed of Cain, however worthy, will not be eligible to bear the priesthood until after Abel shall have had posterity, and that means until after Abel's posterity shall have obtained earthly tabernacles, otherwise the children of the slayer would have advantages over those of the slain.
[First Presidency, Letter to Milton H. Knudson, 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 - Jan 13, 1892
Pres. Snow read a poem by himself on the sentiment of God and Man. As we are now, so once was he. A beautiful collection of Thoughts.
[Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
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