[Anointed Quorum]
Evening met with the quorum. John E. Page & J[oseph]. C. Kingsbury were received[;] also Sara Ann Whitney, Hellen M. Kimball, Eliza R. Snow, [Mary] Page, [Mary Ann] Pratt, Olive G. Frost, Lucy [Decker] Seeley, Louisa Beaman.
[Note: some, possibly all of these women had been sealed to Joseph Smith, which would explain their early admission to the Quorum of Anointed under Brigham Young's leadership.]
[William Clayton, Diary, as quoted in Joseph Smith's Quorum of the Anointed 1842-1845 A Documentary History edited by Devery S. Anderson and Gary James Bergera]
185 years ago today - Jan 26, 1840
[Wilford Woodruff]
A worthy Sister wished to wash my feet. I gave her an oppertunity & she did so. I had the spirit of prophecy concerning her & delivered it unto her. <She should stand and soon would be the wife of an elder, have sons and daughters Her sons should be the priests of God and live in the millenium. She is of the blood of Ephraim and will remain until the coming of Christ and many additional things the spirit made manifest concerning her.>
[Note, angled brackets ("<>")indicate text written in cypher]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
A worthy Sister wished to wash my feet. I gave her an oppertunity & she did so. I had the spirit of prophecy concerning her & delivered it unto her. <She should stand and soon would be the wife of an elder, have sons and daughters Her sons should be the priests of God and live in the millenium. She is of the blood of Ephraim and will remain until the coming of Christ and many additional things the spirit made manifest concerning her.>
[Note, angled brackets ("<>")indicate text written in cypher]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
75 years ago today - Jan 25, 1950
First counselor J. Reuben Clark advises the Relief Society presidency not to oppose "the bill for equal rights for women" because "there will be some of the women who will think it is a fine thing." This day the U.S. Senate approves the proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. It fails to receive the vote of the U.S. House.
[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 )]]
85 years ago today - Jan 25, 1940
Minutes of the Council of the Twelve and of the First Presidency: Attention was called to a postscript on a letter from President Roscoc C. Cox of the Hawaiian Mission, calling attention to a recommendation he had received for ordination of two boys to the office of Deacon, the mother of these boys having some Negro blood in her veins.
President [J. Reuben] Clark explained that this matter has come up at various times in the past, that is the question of what should be done with those people who are faithful in the Church who are supposed to have some Negro blood in their veins.
President Clark said at his request the clerk of the Council had copied from the old records of the Council discussions that have been had in the past on this subject. He said that he was positive that it was impossible with reference to the Brazilians to tell those who have Negro blood and those who have not, and we are baptizing these people into the Church. The question also arises pertaining to the people in South Africa where we are doing missionary work, and in the Southern States, also in the islands of the Pacific.
President Clark suggested that this matter be referred to the Twelve who might appoint a sub-committee to go into the matter with great care and make some ruling or re-affirm whatever ruling has been made on this question in the past as to whether or not one drop of negro blood deprives a man of the right to receive the priesthood.
Brother [John A.] Widtsoe moved the adoption of President Clark's suggestion.
Motion seconded and unanimously approved.
[George Albert Smith Papers, Manuscripts Division, Marriott Library, University of Utah, Excerpts From Minutes of the Council of the Twelve and of the First Presidency, 1879-1947 as quoted at Marquardt, H. Michael, Mormon Central, http://www.xmission.com/~research/central/chorg2.htm]
President [J. Reuben] Clark explained that this matter has come up at various times in the past, that is the question of what should be done with those people who are faithful in the Church who are supposed to have some Negro blood in their veins.
President Clark said at his request the clerk of the Council had copied from the old records of the Council discussions that have been had in the past on this subject. He said that he was positive that it was impossible with reference to the Brazilians to tell those who have Negro blood and those who have not, and we are baptizing these people into the Church. The question also arises pertaining to the people in South Africa where we are doing missionary work, and in the Southern States, also in the islands of the Pacific.
President Clark suggested that this matter be referred to the Twelve who might appoint a sub-committee to go into the matter with great care and make some ruling or re-affirm whatever ruling has been made on this question in the past as to whether or not one drop of negro blood deprives a man of the right to receive the priesthood.
Brother [John A.] Widtsoe moved the adoption of President Clark's suggestion.
Motion seconded and unanimously approved.
[George Albert Smith Papers, Manuscripts Division, Marriott Library, University of Utah, Excerpts From Minutes of the Council of the Twelve and of the First Presidency, 1879-1947 as quoted at Marquardt, H. Michael, Mormon Central, http://www.xmission.com/~research/central/chorg2.htm]
125 years ago today - Jan 25, 1900
After this Temple was completed and Pres[iden]t Young was organizing the Endowments, he could see the anxiety on the countenance of President Young that everything should be done properly. Every part of this building was set apart and made holy.
[Temple Minute Book, St. George, Jan. 25, 1900 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Temple Minute Book, St. George, Jan. 25, 1900 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
125 years ago today - Jan 25, 1900
B. H. Roberts is excluded from taking his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 268 to 50 because he is a polygamist.
180 years ago today - Jan 25, 1845
[Heber C. Kimball revelation]
25 January the 25, 1845. In the Evning fore persons, females recieved thare Anointing [including?] Hellen Kimball. The same Evning I sat down in my hous in the presents of my wife and inquired of the Lord by the [divining] Rod as follows, If we should finish the Temple, it was verly yes, that my sins ware fore given and that I should over come, and get my Apointment of my inheritence while in the probation and that the Temple commity ware not Enimes to the Twelve Apostles.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
25 January the 25, 1845. In the Evning fore persons, females recieved thare Anointing [including?] Hellen Kimball. The same Evning I sat down in my hous in the presents of my wife and inquired of the Lord by the [divining] Rod as follows, If we should finish the Temple, it was verly yes, that my sins ware fore given and that I should over come, and get my Apointment of my inheritence while in the probation and that the Temple commity ware not Enimes to the Twelve Apostles.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
200 years ago today - Jan 25, 1825
Rev. George Lane presents a detailed account of the Palmyra-area revival's progress focusing on how youth were especially affected: "From Catharine I went to Ontario circuit, where the Lord had already begun a gracious work in Palmyra. . . . About this time it appeared to break out afresh. Monday evening, after the quarterly meeting, there were four converted, and on the following evening, at a prayer meeting at Dr. Chase's, there were seven. Among these was a young woman by the name of Lucy Stoddard." Lucy Stoddard's brother Calvin later marries Joseph Smith's sister Sophronia. Calvin joins the Baptists but is later cut off when he affiliates with Mormonism. Lane, according to Joseph Smith's brother William, was the one who suggested the text from James ("If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God") to Joseph Smith when Joseph was unsure of which church to join. Lane began his service in the Palmyra area the year before.
90 years ago today - Jan 24, 1935
[Joseph Fielding Smith]
When the plan of salvation was presented to the spirits of men, or intelligences spoken of by the Lord to Abraham, Lucifer, a spirit in authority, refused to accept the plan and projected one of his own into the discussion. When his plan was rejected he rebelled and drew away with him one third of the spirits, and these became fallen angels, or the devil and his servants, who are also spoken of as devils. ... These evil spirits became sons of Perdition. Cain, because of his rebellion against the light, became Perdition. All who receive the Gospel and enjoy the blessings of the Holy Ghost and to that extent that they 'know' the power of God, and then with the understanding that they are taking a course in opposition to Jesus Christ, and figuratively crucify him again so far as they are concerned, are left without forgiveness and they too become sons of Perdition. ... The Lord plainly told Cain that Satan, the devil who was cast out of heaven, desired to have him, yet if Cain would
do well he should be acceptable before the Lord. Cain loved darkness and rather than hearken to the voice of the Lord he chose to do the will of Satan knowing fully that by doing so he should have dominion over Satan and become the father of his lies. What Cain did he did with his full understanding and hence he became Perdition. This power seemed to please Cain and therefore he hearkened not to the Lord and refused to keep his commandments.
[Joseph Fielding Smith, Letter to Everett Woodie, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
When the plan of salvation was presented to the spirits of men, or intelligences spoken of by the Lord to Abraham, Lucifer, a spirit in authority, refused to accept the plan and projected one of his own into the discussion. When his plan was rejected he rebelled and drew away with him one third of the spirits, and these became fallen angels, or the devil and his servants, who are also spoken of as devils. ... These evil spirits became sons of Perdition. Cain, because of his rebellion against the light, became Perdition. All who receive the Gospel and enjoy the blessings of the Holy Ghost and to that extent that they 'know' the power of God, and then with the understanding that they are taking a course in opposition to Jesus Christ, and figuratively crucify him again so far as they are concerned, are left without forgiveness and they too become sons of Perdition. ... The Lord plainly told Cain that Satan, the devil who was cast out of heaven, desired to have him, yet if Cain would
do well he should be acceptable before the Lord. Cain loved darkness and rather than hearken to the voice of the Lord he chose to do the will of Satan knowing fully that by doing so he should have dominion over Satan and become the father of his lies. What Cain did he did with his full understanding and hence he became Perdition. This power seemed to please Cain and therefore he hearkened not to the Lord and refused to keep his commandments.
[Joseph Fielding Smith, Letter to Everett Woodie, 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 - Jan 24, 1935
[David O. McKay]
One reason why more urgent steps have not been taken to replenish quorums is the fact that we are now just passing through a transition period in regard to the ordaining of Seventies. As you no doubt understand, all worthy Priests, after having completed a two-year course, are now ordained Elders with a view to receiving two years training as such. At the conclusion of this training worthy Elders who are prepared will be called upon missions, and will be ordained Seventies. When this plan becomes operative you will readily see that Seventies quorums will be replenished by the young returning missionaries.
In the meantime, however, if you need Seventies to carry on your local missionary work, Elders who have already fulfilled missions, and who are fitted for this home service, may be properly recommended and ordained to the office of Seventy.
[David O. McKay, Letter to Peter A. Hard, 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]
One reason why more urgent steps have not been taken to replenish quorums is the fact that we are now just passing through a transition period in regard to the ordaining of Seventies. As you no doubt understand, all worthy Priests, after having completed a two-year course, are now ordained Elders with a view to receiving two years training as such. At the conclusion of this training worthy Elders who are prepared will be called upon missions, and will be ordained Seventies. When this plan becomes operative you will readily see that Seventies quorums will be replenished by the young returning missionaries.
In the meantime, however, if you need Seventies to carry on your local missionary work, Elders who have already fulfilled missions, and who are fitted for this home service, may be properly recommended and ordained to the office of Seventy.
[David O. McKay, Letter to Peter A. Hard, 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]
90 years ago today - Jan 24, 1935
[David O. McKay]
You ask whether a person having negro blood in his or hr veins might receive a blessing from a Patriarch. The answer is Yes. A Patriarch may pronounce upon anybody's head the blessing to which that person may be entitled. The privileges, as you know, thus far accorded to negroes are limit in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
[David O. McKay, Letter to Henry H. Hoff, 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]
You ask whether a person having negro blood in his or hr veins might receive a blessing from a Patriarch. The answer is Yes. A Patriarch may pronounce upon anybody's head the blessing to which that person may be entitled. The privileges, as you know, thus far accorded to negroes are limit in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
[David O. McKay, Letter to Henry H. Hoff, 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]
105 years ago today - Jan. 24, Mon. [1920]
[James E. Talmage]
We were engaged from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Book of Mormon hearing, with a noon intermission. Elder Anthony W. Ivins of the Council of the Twelve presented his views and suggestions, indicating that the Book of Mormon lands embraced mainly Yucatan and Mexico. There being none others who had expressed a desire to be heard by the committee, this meeting was regarded as the closing session of the present stage of the investigation.
[James E. Talmage Journal, Transcription reproduced by Trevor Antley, Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University]
We were engaged from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Book of Mormon hearing, with a noon intermission. Elder Anthony W. Ivins of the Council of the Twelve presented his views and suggestions, indicating that the Book of Mormon lands embraced mainly Yucatan and Mexico. There being none others who had expressed a desire to be heard by the committee, this meeting was regarded as the closing session of the present stage of the investigation.
[James E. Talmage Journal, Transcription reproduced by Trevor Antley, Special Collections, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University]
130 years ago today - Jan 24, 1895
First Presidency and apostles decide unanimously to ordain all bishops as well as set them apart. Woodruff writes "it had been the Custom in Cache valley by M Thatcher & others to ordain a High Priest then Set him apart for a Bishop. I decided that was wrong. No man had a right to officiate in any office of the Priesthood without being ordained to that office."
180 years ago today - Jan 24, 1845
[Patriarchal Blessing of James Newberry]
.... when you receive your annointing [sic] and endowment in the house of the lord whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever you lose on earth shall be loosed in heaven ... thou shalt have riches for inasmuch as thou art liberal God shall be liberal with the[e]...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
.... when you receive your annointing [sic] and endowment in the house of the lord whatsoever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever you lose on earth shall be loosed in heaven ... thou shalt have riches for inasmuch as thou art liberal God shall be liberal with the[e]...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Jan 24, 1845
[Heber C. Kimball]
24 Jan, 1845. N. K. Whitney, B. Young, and my self met at B. Young. Spent the after noon in washing and inointing [anointing] our bodies, and fore prair. The Lord was with us.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
24 Jan, 1845. N. K. Whitney, B. Young, and my self met at B. Young. Spent the after noon in washing and inointing [anointing] our bodies, and fore prair. The Lord was with us.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
180 years ago today - Jan 24, 1845
The Illinois legislature repeals the powerful Nauvoo Charter, disincorporating the city as well as the Nauvoo Legion. The vote is nearly two to one, making it clear that the Mormons have little political support in the state.
180 years ago today - Jan 24, 1845
[Brigham Young]
Frida 24th 1845 Brs H. C. Kimball and N. K. Whitney was at my house we washed and anointed and Praid had a good time. I inquired of the Lord whether we should stay here and finish the temple the ansure was we should
[Brigham Young Journal (1801-1877) Journal #2 July, 1837- Mar. 1845]
Frida 24th 1845 Brs H. C. Kimball and N. K. Whitney was at my house we washed and anointed and Praid had a good time. I inquired of the Lord whether we should stay here and finish the temple the ansure was we should
[Brigham Young Journal (1801-1877) Journal #2 July, 1837- Mar. 1845]
195 years ago today - Circa 24 January-February 1830
Joseph Smith receives a revelation directing Oliver Cowdery and Hiram Page to sell the Book of Mormon copyright in Canada. Page says that he, Cowdery, Joseph Knight, and Josiah Stowell made the trip to Kingston, Canada, but were unsuccessful in their mission. David Whitmer remembered that Joseph Jr. was at the Whitmer residence in Fayette when the group returned . According to another source, the men left "early in 1830" and "went over on ice" . Because Page said the revelation was received in Manchester, it was probably dictated during Smith's January 1830 visit.
[Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
[Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
50 years ago today - Jan 23, 1975-Thursday
[Leonard Arrington]
In the meeting with Elder [Howard W.] Hunter and Elder [Bruce R.] McConkie on Tuesday [January 21], I sought their reaction on the letter I had written asking for their opinion on the book [proposal] concerning the practice of plural marriage of the Latter-day Saints. They both said they supported the idea and said they would take it to the Quorum of the Twelve and try to obtain their support for the task. If given approval I would plan to publish the book under my name but have chapters written by various members of our staff, and I would indicate by a footnote notation on the first page of each chapter who it was written by. ... It would be aimed for members of the Church as well as for the general public.
The two brethren brought up the criticisms of our work made by Elder [Boyd K.] Packer. They asked me to make an oral statement justifying our work. I did so, and at their suggestion, I did so at some length. I explained the reasons why we had followed the policy we had and why we felt it desirable to include some things that Elder Packer had objected to. After I had completed this statement, both Elder Hunter and Elder McConkie said they accepted this statement; they felt I was justified; they supported what I had done. They suggested that I ask for an interview with Brother Packer and attempt to explain to him the same thing. They said he will try to indoctrinate me, but I should attempt to explain in as clear and logical and persuasive a manner as possible the point of view of historians on this and related matters. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
In the meeting with Elder [Howard W.] Hunter and Elder [Bruce R.] McConkie on Tuesday [January 21], I sought their reaction on the letter I had written asking for their opinion on the book [proposal] concerning the practice of plural marriage of the Latter-day Saints. They both said they supported the idea and said they would take it to the Quorum of the Twelve and try to obtain their support for the task. If given approval I would plan to publish the book under my name but have chapters written by various members of our staff, and I would indicate by a footnote notation on the first page of each chapter who it was written by. ... It would be aimed for members of the Church as well as for the general public.
The two brethren brought up the criticisms of our work made by Elder [Boyd K.] Packer. They asked me to make an oral statement justifying our work. I did so, and at their suggestion, I did so at some length. I explained the reasons why we had followed the policy we had and why we felt it desirable to include some things that Elder Packer had objected to. After I had completed this statement, both Elder Hunter and Elder McConkie said they accepted this statement; they felt I was justified; they supported what I had done. They suggested that I ask for an interview with Brother Packer and attempt to explain to him the same thing. They said he will try to indoctrinate me, but I should attempt to explain in as clear and logical and persuasive a manner as possible the point of view of historians on this and related matters. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
55 years ago today - Jan 23, 1970
The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles ordains Joseph Fielding Smith as church president. Some apostles considered by-passing this ninety-three-year-old apostle for the vigorous Harold B. Lee. Smith promised to make Lee his first counselor if he would support the automatic succession of the elderly apostle. Both keep their promises, and N. Eldon Tanner remains second counselor. Smith is the oldest man to become the LDS church president.
[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 )]]
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