The First Presidency issues a statement in response to "extensive publicity recently given to false accusations of so-called secret Church committees and files." The statement cites Doctrine and Covenants 123:1-5, which enjoins "the propriety of all the saints gathering up . . . the names of all persons that have had a hand in their oppressions" during the Missouri period and then continues: "In order to assist their members who have questions, these local leaders often request information from General Authorities. . . . The Strengthening Church Members committee was appointed by the First Presidency to help fulfill this need and to comply with the cited section of the Doctrine and Covenants. This committee serves as a resource to priesthood leaders throughout the world who may desire assistance on a wide variety of topics. It is a General Authority committee, currently comprised of Elder James E. Faust and Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. They work through established priesthood channels, and neither impose nor direct Church disciplinary action." The statement counsels members with "questions concerning Church doctrine, policies, or procedures" to "discuss those concerns confidentially with their local leaders."
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
130 years ago today - Aug 13, 1892
[Francis M. Lyman]
[Afton conference, President Joseph F. Smith] counseled the Saints in the upper valleys to refrain entirely from round dances, He made a political talk advising division on party lines giving every man liberty to aline himself with his choice of parties.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Afton conference, President Joseph F. Smith] counseled the Saints in the upper valleys to refrain entirely from round dances, He made a political talk advising division on party lines giving every man liberty to aline himself with his choice of parties.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Aug 13, 1887
[Franklin D. Richards]
... One hundred Thousand dollars placed at disposal of the confidential committee in interest of statehood question.
[Franklin D. Richards, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
... One hundred Thousand dollars placed at disposal of the confidential committee in interest of statehood question.
[Franklin D. Richards, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
160 years ago today - Aug 13, 1862
Deseret News editorializes: "The number of votes cast at the annual election in this county, was unusually small-but little interest having been taken in that matter." Apathy of Mormon voters continues until the LDS church disbands its political party in 1891.
[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 )]]
170 years ago today - Aug 13, 1852 • Friday
[George Q. Cannon]
... the brethren proceeded to bless me, Bro. Hawkins being mouth. They blessed me with all the desires of my heart in righteousness and that I should be greatly blessed in regard to the translation of the Book of Mormon that I should have the spirit of prophecy and know the mind of the spirit at all times that I should have no doubt in regard to the things that I ought <to> write; ... I should be blessed from day to day while I should remain upon these lands for the Lord is well pleased with me and with the course I have taken—They also in the name of Jesus and by the power and authority of the Holy Priesthood invested in them sealed upon <me> all the blessings and promises formerly placed upon me. We afterwards blessed [... various people.] I never enjoyed a more steady flow of the spirit and of prophecy and it seemed as though I could almost fly I felt so light and filled.
[The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
... the brethren proceeded to bless me, Bro. Hawkins being mouth. They blessed me with all the desires of my heart in righteousness and that I should be greatly blessed in regard to the translation of the Book of Mormon that I should have the spirit of prophecy and know the mind of the spirit at all times that I should have no doubt in regard to the things that I ought <to> write; ... I should be blessed from day to day while I should remain upon these lands for the Lord is well pleased with me and with the course I have taken—They also in the name of Jesus and by the power and authority of the Holy Priesthood invested in them sealed upon <me> all the blessings and promises formerly placed upon me. We afterwards blessed [... various people.] I never enjoyed a more steady flow of the spirit and of prophecy and it seemed as though I could almost fly I felt so light and filled.
[The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
180 years ago today - Aug 13, 1842
Joseph Smith's wife, Emma Smith, eluded detection by the sheriff while taking a carriage to visit her husband, who was in hiding.
[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]
135 years ago today - Aug 12, 1887
The following Motion was made by Moses Thatcher and voted by the whole Council to Appropriate Annually in Cash the following sums to the following Persons: Wilford Woodruff as Presidet $5,000, L Snow $3,000 Erastus Snow $3,000 F. D. Richards $3,000, G. Q. Cannon $3,000, B. Young $3,000, Joseph F. Smith $3,000, D. H. Wells $3,000, M Thatcher $2,000, G Teasdale $2,000, F M Lyman $2,000 John Henry Smith $2,000 John W Taylor $2,000.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Aug 12, 1887 • Friday
[George Q. Cannon]
.. in our Council to-day Bro. Moses Thatcher made a motion that Brother Woodruff be permitted to draw to the extent of $5000./ per annum; Bro. L. Snow, E. Snow, F. D. Richards, myself, Jos. F. Smith, and Brigham Young, $3000/ each, in Cash. This caused considerable discussion. Bro. Jos. F. Smith informed the brethren that he and I had been drawing at the rate of $3600/ per year, at the instance of President Taylor, and thought that as our whole time was occupied as it was, and with our large families, it was as little as we should have. The brethren talked very freely, some of them insisting on making it $3600/ per year for all whose names are above mentioned, and this vote would have carried if I had not protested against it. I told them that I thought $3000/ was enough, under the circumstances, and it would have a good effect to be known that we were not drawing large sums from the Church. For myself, if I had the means, it would be a source of great gratification to me to be able to sustain myself without drawing a cent, and to bestow my services gratuitiously upon the Church; but as I was not in this position, I was compelled, very reluctantly, to draw something for the support of my family. The feeling manifested by the brethren was very good, and it was gratifying to hear the kind expressions concerning the older members of the Twelve.
[The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
.. in our Council to-day Bro. Moses Thatcher made a motion that Brother Woodruff be permitted to draw to the extent of $5000./ per annum; Bro. L. Snow, E. Snow, F. D. Richards, myself, Jos. F. Smith, and Brigham Young, $3000/ each, in Cash. This caused considerable discussion. Bro. Jos. F. Smith informed the brethren that he and I had been drawing at the rate of $3600/ per year, at the instance of President Taylor, and thought that as our whole time was occupied as it was, and with our large families, it was as little as we should have. The brethren talked very freely, some of them insisting on making it $3600/ per year for all whose names are above mentioned, and this vote would have carried if I had not protested against it. I told them that I thought $3000/ was enough, under the circumstances, and it would have a good effect to be known that we were not drawing large sums from the Church. For myself, if I had the means, it would be a source of great gratification to me to be able to sustain myself without drawing a cent, and to bestow my services gratuitiously upon the Church; but as I was not in this position, I was compelled, very reluctantly, to draw something for the support of my family. The feeling manifested by the brethren was very good, and it was gratifying to hear the kind expressions concerning the older members of the Twelve.
[The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
135 years ago today - Aug 12, 1887
The Twelve permits the former Presidency to complete its arrangements for pro-Mormon coverage from "the leading papers in New York, & other cities" by paying various newspaper editors $75,000 cash in advance, plus added $70,000 after Utah gains statehood. Heber J. Grant records: "Prest. Cannon stated that the parties with whom they were negotiating could secure the press of the country, that is the leading papers in New York, & other Cities, to write articles in favor of our admission into the Union for the sum of $74,000 Cash and an additional $70,000 after we were admitted. He stated that these figures were only about one third the amount originally asked & that the papers considered their figures very light, indeed the reduction was brought about by the influence of the parties with whom the brethren were negotiating. These parties are not members of the Democratic party and in as much as John W. Young had obtained the influence of the Democratic administration in favor of Utah's admission into the Union and the brethren generally felt that if we got influential aid from the other side that success would be almost sure to crown our labors. The general feeling was that we go ahead and do all in our power to get into the union."
135 years ago today - Aug 12, 1887
It was moved by Moses Thatcher that in view of the demands that must necessarily be made upon the time of the brethren in the management of public matters, that each as here named be authorized to draw on the funds of the church as follows: President Wilford Woodruff $5,000.00 Lorenzo Snow $3,000.00 Erastus Snow $3,000.00 Franklin D. Richards $3,000.00 George Q. Cannon $3,000.00 Joseph F. Smith $3,000.00 Brigham Young $3,000.00 Daniel H. Wells $3,000.00 Moses Thatcher (as now) $2,000.00 Francis M. Lyman $2,000.00 John Henry Smith $2,000.00 George Teasdale $2,000.00 Heber J. Grant $2,000.00 John W. Taylor $2,000.00 John W. Young $2,000.00 This change to take effect September 1, 1887, and the amounts indicated to be paid in cash.
... Joseph F. Smith said he thought the sin of adultery was equal to the shedding of innocent blood and that all who commit these acts are guilty of an unpardonable sin. Daniel H. Wells gave his view of the unpardonable sin. Francis M. Lyman said he never heard of a crime that came near to the crime of [former First Presidency member] Albert Carrington'Reuben, Judah, and any and all cases of our day do not begin to come up to Albert Carringtons. It is without a parallel; it is enough to permit him to live. John W. Taylor stated that in a 'Book of Keys' that he copied for his father wherein Moses interceded with the Lord to bring Israel back into his presence, the Lord told him he could not do it then but the time would come when every soul would be brought into the presence of God and crowned with eternal life. Brother Taylor spoke feelingly upon the case and its enormity but that he felt he ought to consent to the baptism of Albert Carrington. ...
[Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
... Joseph F. Smith said he thought the sin of adultery was equal to the shedding of innocent blood and that all who commit these acts are guilty of an unpardonable sin. Daniel H. Wells gave his view of the unpardonable sin. Francis M. Lyman said he never heard of a crime that came near to the crime of [former First Presidency member] Albert Carrington'Reuben, Judah, and any and all cases of our day do not begin to come up to Albert Carringtons. It is without a parallel; it is enough to permit him to live. John W. Taylor stated that in a 'Book of Keys' that he copied for his father wherein Moses interceded with the Lord to bring Israel back into his presence, the Lord told him he could not do it then but the time would come when every soul would be brought into the presence of God and crowned with eternal life. Brother Taylor spoke feelingly upon the case and its enormity but that he felt he ought to consent to the baptism of Albert Carrington. ...
[Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
175 years ago today - Aug 12, 1847. Thursday.
[William Clayton]
...The soldiers are getting dissatisfied at being kept here so long from their families and yesterday several of them left the camp secretly to go to Winter Quarters and this morning others are gone, but it is probable that President Young knows nothing of it yet although about a dozen are allready gone and others are preparing to follow them.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
...The soldiers are getting dissatisfied at being kept here so long from their families and yesterday several of them left the camp secretly to go to Winter Quarters and this morning others are gone, but it is probable that President Young knows nothing of it yet although about a dozen are allready gone and others are preparing to follow them.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
55 years ago today - Aug 11, 1967
At a meeting in the Tustin Ward Chapel of Santa Ana, California, Hugh Nibley states that the papyrus text for the Book of Abraham and the Book of Joseph were not destroyed in the Chicago fire but are still in existence. The first official announcement of the papyri's existence occurs over three months later.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
95 years ago today - Aug 11, 1927
Heber J. Grant says, "There was no other people in the world that has as kindly a feeling toward the Jews as do the Latter-day Saints, as we believe in the final destiny of the Jew." This repeats a similar statement to the general conference of Apr. 1921. Among the Jewish candidates elected by primarily Mormon voters during this period of national anti-Semitism are Simon Bamberger (Utah's governor, 1917-1921), Louis Marcus (Salt Lake City mayor, 1931-35), and Herbert M. Schiller (district judge, 1933-39).
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
130 years ago today - Aug 11, 1892
[Franklin D. Richards]
With Pres[iden]t WW, GQC, SB Young & Fjeltstead to consider condition of the brethren, Saints, in Idaho & heard letters from Joseph F. Smith, W[illia]m Budge & Thomas Ricks on the political situation. Pres[iden]t [Brigham] Young [Jr.] & Fjelsted were sent to Idaho to counsel the brethren in favor of Republicanism.
[Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
With Pres[iden]t WW, GQC, SB Young & Fjeltstead to consider condition of the brethren, Saints, in Idaho & heard letters from Joseph F. Smith, W[illia]m Budge & Thomas Ricks on the political situation. Pres[iden]t [Brigham] Young [Jr.] & Fjelsted were sent to Idaho to counsel the brethren in favor of Republicanism.
[Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
145 years ago today - Aug 11, 1877 (Priesthood Meeting)
[Brigham Young]
... suggested that in all organized Stakes priesthood meetings be held on the first Saturday in each month. -- SLC Tabernacle
[Journal History of the Church, Selected Collections from the Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints DVD 2 (2002), in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
... suggested that in all organized Stakes priesthood meetings be held on the first Saturday in each month. -- SLC Tabernacle
[Journal History of the Church, Selected Collections from the Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints DVD 2 (2002), in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
165 years ago today - Aug 11, 1857
[Wilford Woodruff]
I Called into the Presidents Office in the morning & Presidents Heber C. Kimball was teaching doctrin. He said that wom[e/a?]n told him that He had no right to controll a woman because He was not a woman. He said that He Contained the principle of both the men and the women for both male & female proceded from him. He said many thought that the seat of life or the soul or mind of man was in the heart others in the brain. But whareever the seed of life was located there was the seat of life & the foundation of the soul. Many other remarks were made.
He said any man that was a prophet of God He was born a Natural Prophet. It was through a linage of Prophets. There fathers & mothers were Prophets & Prophetesses by birth through the Seed of Abraham. This was the case With Joseph Brigham & himself. [Their?] Fathers were prophets.
He then Chastized Thomas Ellerback in a vary sharp manner for insulting him & trying to take a Course to bring a Collission between him & Daniel H. Wells.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I Called into the Presidents Office in the morning & Presidents Heber C. Kimball was teaching doctrin. He said that wom[e/a?]n told him that He had no right to controll a woman because He was not a woman. He said that He Contained the principle of both the men and the women for both male & female proceded from him. He said many thought that the seat of life or the soul or mind of man was in the heart others in the brain. But whareever the seed of life was located there was the seat of life & the foundation of the soul. Many other remarks were made.
He said any man that was a prophet of God He was born a Natural Prophet. It was through a linage of Prophets. There fathers & mothers were Prophets & Prophetesses by birth through the Seed of Abraham. This was the case With Joseph Brigham & himself. [Their?] Fathers were prophets.
He then Chastized Thomas Ellerback in a vary sharp manner for insulting him & trying to take a Course to bring a Collission between him & Daniel H. Wells.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Aug 11, 1842
The Nauvoo Lodge is suspended. Bodley Lodge No. 1, had cited irregularities asked Grand Master Jonas to susped the dispensation of the Nauvoo Lodge
[Homer, Michael, 'Similarity of Priesthood in Masonry':The Relationship Between Freemasonry and Mormonism, Dialogue, Vol. 27, No. 3]
[Homer, Michael, 'Similarity of Priesthood in Masonry':The Relationship Between Freemasonry and Mormonism, Dialogue, Vol. 27, No. 3]
185 years ago today - Aug 11, 1837
Patriarchal Blessing of Chandler Rogers [by] Joseph Smith, Sr. ... Thou shalt do many miracles in the name of the Lord Jesus ... If thou art faithful thou shalt receive the ministration of angels; thy life shall be lengthened but, thy years shall be many, no power shall take thy life if thou wilt put thy trust in God. ... I seal thee up against the Destroyer. Satan shall not have power over thee. ... This is thy blessing, it is given thee on condition of keeping the commandments and the Word of Wisdom I seal thee up to eternal life. Amen.
[Patriarchal Blessings]
[Patriarchal Blessings]
185 years ago today - Aug 11, 1837
Patriarchal Blessing of Amanda Rogers given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ...
At a blessing meeting held in the Lord's House in Kirtland ... God will reveal himself to thee, things now hid from thine eyes shall be unfolded to thee, so that thou shalt see them. Thou shalt see blessings that are not now conceived of in thy heart. Thou shalt behold the great judgments poured out upon the earth, thy heart will be troubled, thou shalt say let me lay down in the grave a little season rather than live to see the vials all poured out, rather than suffer the great afflictions, but thou must be patient, thou must come up to thy Redeemer through affliction; thou must wash thy robes in the blood of the Lamb. I bless thee with the blessing of a father to make thee equal to thy brethren. ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
At a blessing meeting held in the Lord's House in Kirtland ... God will reveal himself to thee, things now hid from thine eyes shall be unfolded to thee, so that thou shalt see them. Thou shalt see blessings that are not now conceived of in thy heart. Thou shalt behold the great judgments poured out upon the earth, thy heart will be troubled, thou shalt say let me lay down in the grave a little season rather than live to see the vials all poured out, rather than suffer the great afflictions, but thou must be patient, thou must come up to thy Redeemer through affliction; thou must wash thy robes in the blood of the Lamb. I bless thee with the blessing of a father to make thee equal to thy brethren. ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
15 years ago today - Aug 10, 2007 - 6 October 2007
[First Presidency Change]
Gordon B. Hinckley Thomas S. Monson, Death of James E. Faust
[Wikipedia, First Presidency (LDS Church), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Presidency_(LDS_Church)#Chronology_of_the_First_Presidency]
Gordon B. Hinckley Thomas S. Monson, Death of James E. Faust
[Wikipedia, First Presidency (LDS Church), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Presidency_(LDS_Church)#Chronology_of_the_First_Presidency]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)