Amy Baird is the president of Brigham Young University's "Student Service Association." In remarks on campus the next day, former U.S. president Ronald Reagan praises the students for electing the first female as the president of BYU's student body.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
50 years ago today - February 14, 1976
[Michael Quinn]
When [my wife] Jan picked me up in the evening, she brought the new issue of BYU Studies with my 47 page [LDS presidential] succession article in it. I literally have prayed that article into print, and feel such relief in seeing it. October 13 [At the conclusion of Quinn¿s session at the Western History Association¿s annual meeting:]
I plead[ed] guilty to ¿overproving¿ (as he [Larry Foster] criticized), but said that I was reacting to the simplistic generalizations and support that have characterized Mormon historiography in the main. I also acknowledged that I spoke first to a Mormon audience[,] because I felt that it was important for Mormons to see their history as process rather than as a series of discrete ¿deus ex machina¿ experiences. But I said that I also felt an obligation and desire to speak to the audience of non-Mormon scholars about a movement that I feel has had profound social-historical influence.
[From the diaries and memoirs of D. Michael Quinn, in 'On Writing Mormon History, 1972-95,' edited by Joseph Geisner, Signature Books, 2020]
When [my wife] Jan picked me up in the evening, she brought the new issue of BYU Studies with my 47 page [LDS presidential] succession article in it. I literally have prayed that article into print, and feel such relief in seeing it. October 13 [At the conclusion of Quinn¿s session at the Western History Association¿s annual meeting:]
I plead[ed] guilty to ¿overproving¿ (as he [Larry Foster] criticized), but said that I was reacting to the simplistic generalizations and support that have characterized Mormon historiography in the main. I also acknowledged that I spoke first to a Mormon audience[,] because I felt that it was important for Mormons to see their history as process rather than as a series of discrete ¿deus ex machina¿ experiences. But I said that I also felt an obligation and desire to speak to the audience of non-Mormon scholars about a movement that I feel has had profound social-historical influence.
[From the diaries and memoirs of D. Michael Quinn, in 'On Writing Mormon History, 1972-95,' edited by Joseph Geisner, Signature Books, 2020]
115 years ago today - Feb 14, 1911
To counter accusations that his teaching of evolution will destroy faith, embattled BYU professor William Chamberlin publishes "The Theory of Evolution as an Aid in Faith in God and Belief in the Resurrection" in the BYU campus paper WHITE AND BLUE. He is dismissed anyway
120 years ago today - Feb 14, 1906
Probable date of the first plural marriage performed without claiming authority from the current First Presidency. Second and third such marriages are on 13-14 June 1906. This is the early stage of what became the Mormon Fundamentalist movement.
[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)]]
125 years ago today - Feb 14, 1901
[William H. Smart]
Apostle Woodruff invited me in to see Pres. Lorenzo Snow. He received me at his desk in the most cordial and brotherly and even friendly manner. ... Be careful in reccommending saints for their second washings and annointings. I alone am responsible for this and not the bishops. They should be men who are living their religion not too young not to have been placed in circumstances to try their faith; past lives should have been without unredeemable sin. As a rule should be men active in the Lords service or else aged men who have been but who are now retired. He ask if I had received mine and when I answered 'no' he instructed his sec'y Geo. Gibbs to make me a reccommend to the temple for the same. Said they are helps and safeguards to the worthy, and that after receiving mine I should better understand who to reccommend. Here is another grave responsibility for my wife and I to carry. I felt almost overcome with emotion as I contemplated the mercy of God as shown in this in His
forgiveness of sins.
[William H. Smart, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Apostle Woodruff invited me in to see Pres. Lorenzo Snow. He received me at his desk in the most cordial and brotherly and even friendly manner. ... Be careful in reccommending saints for their second washings and annointings. I alone am responsible for this and not the bishops. They should be men who are living their religion not too young not to have been placed in circumstances to try their faith; past lives should have been without unredeemable sin. As a rule should be men active in the Lords service or else aged men who have been but who are now retired. He ask if I had received mine and when I answered 'no' he instructed his sec'y Geo. Gibbs to make me a reccommend to the temple for the same. Said they are helps and safeguards to the worthy, and that after receiving mine I should better understand who to reccommend. Here is another grave responsibility for my wife and I to carry. I felt almost overcome with emotion as I contemplated the mercy of God as shown in this in His
forgiveness of sins.
[William H. Smart, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
125 years ago today - Feb 14, 1901
At a meeting of the Twelve in the Salt Lake Temple "Bro. H[eber} J. Grant talked against vac[c]ination." At 11 a.m. the first presidency joins them and Heber J Grant "was selected to go to Japan on a Mission."
130 years ago today - Feb 14, 1896
[Apostle Brigham Young Jr.]
[In company of H. J. Grant] Our conversation during the entire day was of the most interesting character. He said I & [Francis M.] Lyman & Jno. H[enry] S[mith] have decided in our own minds that Jos[eph] F. S[mith] should be placed ahead of you in the Quorum. He thinks that, tho' a man may be ordained an apostle he takes rank when he comes into the Quorum. My answer was I am willing to be anything or stand anywhere, I never did think I was good enough to be an apostle. I brought my position--where he had place me--before father for I was sure some of the Twelve were dissatisfied about it. He said "It is just right as it is."
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[In company of H. J. Grant] Our conversation during the entire day was of the most interesting character. He said I & [Francis M.] Lyman & Jno. H[enry] S[mith] have decided in our own minds that Jos[eph] F. S[mith] should be placed ahead of you in the Quorum. He thinks that, tho' a man may be ordained an apostle he takes rank when he comes into the Quorum. My answer was I am willing to be anything or stand anywhere, I never did think I was good enough to be an apostle. I brought my position--where he had place me--before father for I was sure some of the Twelve were dissatisfied about it. He said "It is just right as it is."
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
140 years ago today - Feb 14, 1886
The Quorum of Twelve and First Presidency counselors meet "and we decided to get rid of the Church property." Church property was put into newly-formed corporations to avoid seizure by the federal government. First Counselor George Q. Cannon is arrested for polygamy in Nevada. He is injured when he tries to escape by jumping from the train transporting him back to Utah.
165 years ago today - Feb 14, 1861
[Wilford Woodruff]
14 We left Brother Snow & rode about 2 miles from Brigham City and met with some of the leaders of the welsh at the House of Brother Philips, who had been Cut off from the Church for apostacy & was drawing away some seventy five families from the faith more or less. Brother Philips was a Presiding Elder in wales & had great influence over that Body of people. After ariving in this Country He lost the spirit of the Lord found much fault with the authorities of the Church & for a long time had been in a Bad State of mind & was preparing to return to the States. They attended our meeting yesterday and got there minds stired up & wished to see us. We found six of the leaders of the welsh Saints Present.
Elder John Taylor ... exhorted them to go & be baptized for the remission of their sins & keep the Commandments of God. ...
We then went down to a pool of water & Elder Taylor Baptized seven persons 6 men & 1 woman....
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
14 We left Brother Snow & rode about 2 miles from Brigham City and met with some of the leaders of the welsh at the House of Brother Philips, who had been Cut off from the Church for apostacy & was drawing away some seventy five families from the faith more or less. Brother Philips was a Presiding Elder in wales & had great influence over that Body of people. After ariving in this Country He lost the spirit of the Lord found much fault with the authorities of the Church & for a long time had been in a Bad State of mind & was preparing to return to the States. They attended our meeting yesterday and got there minds stired up & wished to see us. We found six of the leaders of the welsh Saints Present.
Elder John Taylor ... exhorted them to go & be baptized for the remission of their sins & keep the Commandments of God. ...
We then went down to a pool of water & Elder Taylor Baptized seven persons 6 men & 1 woman....
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
195 years ago today - Feb 14, 1831
[A "Painesville correspondent informs us" that the missionaries in Kirtland] proclaimed that there had been no religion in the world for 1500 years,--that no one had been authorized to preach and teach for that period,--that Joseph Smith had now received a commission from God for that purpose, and that all such as did not submit to his authority would speedily be destroyed. The world (except the New Jerusalem) would come to an end in two or three years. The state of New York would (probably) be sunk: Smith (they affirmed) had seen God frequently and personally--Cowdery and his friends had frequent interviews with angels. ... Smith was continually receiving new revelations, and it would probably take him 1000 years to complete them--commissions and papers were exhibited, said to be signed by Christ himself!!! ... The converts are forming "common stock" families, as most pleasing in the sight of God. They pretend to give the "Holy Spirit" and under its operations they fall upon the
floor --see visions, &c. Indians followed Cowdery daily, and finally saw him enter the promised land, where he placed a pole in the ground, with a light on its top, to designate the site of the New Jerusalem.
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
floor --see visions, &c. Indians followed Cowdery daily, and finally saw him enter the promised land, where he placed a pole in the ground, with a light on its top, to designate the site of the New Jerusalem.
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
195 years ago today - Feb 14, 1831 (Monday)
A woman, who pretended to receive commandments, laws and other "curious matters," visited Joseph Smith, jun., who inquired of the Lord and received a revelation in which God said that none but Joseph would be appointed to receive revelations and commandments, as long as he lived and remained faithful. (Doc. and Cov., Sec. 43.)
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
40 years ago today - Feb 13, 1986
Conservative members of the Utah legislature in 1986 refused to allow the state to call this national holiday by Martin Luther King's name. The state of Utah uses the name "Human Rights Day" instead of Martin Luther King Day.
[For the difficult passage and renaming of Martin Luther King day in Utah, see Deseret News, 14 Oct. 1985, A-2,13 Feb. 1986, A-l; Salt Lake Tribune, 14 Feb. 1986, A-l, 28 Feb. 1986, A-5,18 Mar. 1986, B-l. For the Utah legislature's continued disrespect toward the national King holiday, see "Martin Luther King Holiday or Not, Utah Lawmakers Convene Today," Salt Lake Tribune, 18 Jan. 1993, B-l; also companion article "Utah's Mix of Church and State: Theocratic or Just Homogenized?" Salt Lake Tribune, 18 Jan. 1993, B-2. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
[For the difficult passage and renaming of Martin Luther King day in Utah, see Deseret News, 14 Oct. 1985, A-2,13 Feb. 1986, A-l; Salt Lake Tribune, 14 Feb. 1986, A-l, 28 Feb. 1986, A-5,18 Mar. 1986, B-l. For the Utah legislature's continued disrespect toward the national King holiday, see "Martin Luther King Holiday or Not, Utah Lawmakers Convene Today," Salt Lake Tribune, 18 Jan. 1993, B-l; also companion article "Utah's Mix of Church and State: Theocratic or Just Homogenized?" Salt Lake Tribune, 18 Jan. 1993, B-2. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
75 years ago today - Feb 13, 1951
At seven-thirty in meeting with the missionary committee. Because of the opposition raised by enemies and due to conditions which we cannot control we have agreed not to call missionaries of draft age. The leaders in Washington have gone into histerics and the army officials are in control. The war goes on in Korea and all young men under 26 and over 18 are subject to the draft, with threatening clouds indication that the boys 18 years of age will soon be called.
[Joseph Fielding Smith, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Joseph Fielding Smith, 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 - Feb 13, 1896
[J. Golden Kimball]
Bro[ther] Snow in a very kind manner explained the object of above meeting. said that Elder Roberts had made statements in public gatherings and had taken positions in political matters that the Apostles felt it their duty to investigate, that this was not to be considered a trial but a [illegible] of investigation. He said considerable in way of explanation, but manifested a very kind spirit. Apostle Brigham Young then read short synopsis from Herald of speeches delivered by B. H. Roberts during the political campaign of 1895 and commented upon them from his stand point. Also called attention to an interview with reporter of Herald, after the Priesthood meeting, held at October conference, and statements made by Elder Roberts. Also course taken at the convention regarding woman sufferage, &c. Bro[ther] Young spoke at some length. Apostle F[rancis]. M. Lyman, then spoke exceedingly plain, and I thought very severely, upon the influence used amongst the people against the Brethrern
of the Authorities in putting them to shame, and that Elder Roberts had done an almost irreparable injury. Called him to repentance. Elder Roberts then spoke upon each point brought against him and explaining why he said it, and the causes of his going into the political arena, and his fight in the convention and against woman suffrage. He was sorry that the bretheren took the view of his course that they did yet he had no regrets for what he had said and no apologies to make and if he continued he would justify his course. Each of the apostles and Seventies present spoke and each one present stated why they could not sustain Bro[ther] Roberts in the course persued and advised that he fall into line. Elder Roberts again spoke, but said he could not change his views, but would resign his place among the seventies if they desired, and fall back into the ranks. He thought he had climbed his little hill, and performed all there was for him to do in this direction. Apostle Lyman, Grant,
Seymour B. Young and others wept and cried like children, and begged and pled, but of no avail. Apostle Snow again spoke as I never heard him speak before. Apostle Lyman begged for more time to be given. It was so moved and voted for unanimously. The meeting was dismissed and Elder Roberts left at once. During the meeting he shed no tears, neither did he humble himself, but sat there like he was of stone. I have never witnessed, neither do I ever desire to again, the weighing of so great a man in the balances. For Roberts is a noble spirit, intel[l]igent, brave, vali[a]nt, and true, yet on this question he is in darkness. I pray God that his heart may be softened, and the time speedily come when he can see his mistake and continue his great work.
[J. Golden Kimball, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Bro[ther] Snow in a very kind manner explained the object of above meeting. said that Elder Roberts had made statements in public gatherings and had taken positions in political matters that the Apostles felt it their duty to investigate, that this was not to be considered a trial but a [illegible] of investigation. He said considerable in way of explanation, but manifested a very kind spirit. Apostle Brigham Young then read short synopsis from Herald of speeches delivered by B. H. Roberts during the political campaign of 1895 and commented upon them from his stand point. Also called attention to an interview with reporter of Herald, after the Priesthood meeting, held at October conference, and statements made by Elder Roberts. Also course taken at the convention regarding woman sufferage, &c. Bro[ther] Young spoke at some length. Apostle F[rancis]. M. Lyman, then spoke exceedingly plain, and I thought very severely, upon the influence used amongst the people against the Brethrern
of the Authorities in putting them to shame, and that Elder Roberts had done an almost irreparable injury. Called him to repentance. Elder Roberts then spoke upon each point brought against him and explaining why he said it, and the causes of his going into the political arena, and his fight in the convention and against woman suffrage. He was sorry that the bretheren took the view of his course that they did yet he had no regrets for what he had said and no apologies to make and if he continued he would justify his course. Each of the apostles and Seventies present spoke and each one present stated why they could not sustain Bro[ther] Roberts in the course persued and advised that he fall into line. Elder Roberts again spoke, but said he could not change his views, but would resign his place among the seventies if they desired, and fall back into the ranks. He thought he had climbed his little hill, and performed all there was for him to do in this direction. Apostle Lyman, Grant,
Seymour B. Young and others wept and cried like children, and begged and pled, but of no avail. Apostle Snow again spoke as I never heard him speak before. Apostle Lyman begged for more time to be given. It was so moved and voted for unanimously. The meeting was dismissed and Elder Roberts left at once. During the meeting he shed no tears, neither did he humble himself, but sat there like he was of stone. I have never witnessed, neither do I ever desire to again, the weighing of so great a man in the balances. For Roberts is a noble spirit, intel[l]igent, brave, vali[a]nt, and true, yet on this question he is in darkness. I pray God that his heart may be softened, and the time speedily come when he can see his mistake and continue his great work.
[J. Golden Kimball, 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 - Feb 13, 1896
Apostle Heber J. Grant writes in his diary: "attended a meeting of the apostles in the Temple. . . . The object of the meeting of the apostles and the Presidents of The Seventies was to learn from Brother B.H. Roberts as to his position on a number of matters of importance, and to ask him with reference to some of his public remarks which were felt were not in keeping with what should be said by a leading Church official. Our meeting lasted until 7:45 and was the most painful meeting of my life as Brother Roberts refused to harmonize with his brethren and seemed willing sooner than to bow to the wishes of his brethren to have his position taken away from him I was unable to speak when I first got on my feet on account of the emotions which chocked me in thinking of the position that Brother Roberts was in. Apostles Lyman, Young and others of the brethren were moved to tears. Brother Roberts was firm in his position and none of us seemed to be able in the slightest degree to move
him. He felt that he had acted in all fairness and honesty and had nothing what ever to take back. . . . I have felt more like death in the meeting today than at any funeral I have ever attended. feel that unless brother Roberts shall see the error of his way that his soul is lost and this is eternal death, which in comparison to simply passing to our eternal reward by passing from this life to the next is nothing." Roberts had balked at a rule requiring all general authorities to get permission from the First Presidency before engaging in political activities. Roberts, a democrat, felt that this allowed the First Presidency to favor one party over another by allowing Republican general authorities to run for office while forbidding democrats.
him. He felt that he had acted in all fairness and honesty and had nothing what ever to take back. . . . I have felt more like death in the meeting today than at any funeral I have ever attended. feel that unless brother Roberts shall see the error of his way that his soul is lost and this is eternal death, which in comparison to simply passing to our eternal reward by passing from this life to the next is nothing." Roberts had balked at a rule requiring all general authorities to get permission from the First Presidency before engaging in political activities. Roberts, a democrat, felt that this allowed the First Presidency to favor one party over another by allowing Republican general authorities to run for office while forbidding democrats.
155 years ago today - Feb 13, 1871
Federal Justice James B. McKean writes to President Ulysses S. Grant: "For near twenty years the Mormon leaders packed the Grand and Petit juries of the United States Courts with their tools and instruments. But within a few months past we have decided against this system . . . to recognize only the U.S. Attorney and the U.S. Marshal as the proper officers of our courts. One of the consequences is that we have already indicted for capital offenses ten or twelve Mormons-some of them bishops and other influential men in the Mormon establishment."
165 years ago today - Feb 13, 1861
.... Among the Number was Isaac Laney who bore a strong testimony of the work of the Lord. He spoke of his being Shot at Hawns Mill with some 17 Ball Holes in his body many of them apparently the most deadly shots as History declares yet he was preserved. He had a dream the night before it took place as follows:
+ He dreamed that a shower of serpents was all around him in the air rattle snakes & that many of them bit him all over his body but he was told that if he would not fall down but keep running that they would not hurt him. After he was bit a man Came to him & said Brother Laney do not decieve yourself about living. No man ever bit as you are Can ever live. But he said I shall live & not die.
Brother Laney testified that when he was shot this dream was fulfilled. When. the Balls peareed his body through & through it did not hurt him more than the scrach of a pin allthough He bled at the mouth like an ox with his throat Cut yet he kept running untill he was out of the reach of the mob. A man Came to him & said Brother Laney do not decieve yourself about living. No man was Ever Shot as you are who ever lived. But He said I shall live & not die & he did live by the power of God & is now Harty & well & he said I had another Dream two years ago which will be fulfilled as Follows:
"I dreamed I was at Camp Floyd after the Armey of the US had Camped there & I saw a large frame building with all the Clapboards off & I saw a huge serpent stretched across the building about 100 feet long with his head to the East. He looked terrible viscious & dangerous. He soon rose in the air & flew towards the East. While in the air he appeared to be 500 feet long with 75 feet of rattles. Soon he fell all to peaces every Joint in his body separated from his head to his tail. The interpetation is the U.S. Government & Army will all break to peaces as they are now doing.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
+ He dreamed that a shower of serpents was all around him in the air rattle snakes & that many of them bit him all over his body but he was told that if he would not fall down but keep running that they would not hurt him. After he was bit a man Came to him & said Brother Laney do not decieve yourself about living. No man ever bit as you are Can ever live. But he said I shall live & not die.
Brother Laney testified that when he was shot this dream was fulfilled. When. the Balls peareed his body through & through it did not hurt him more than the scrach of a pin allthough He bled at the mouth like an ox with his throat Cut yet he kept running untill he was out of the reach of the mob. A man Came to him & said Brother Laney do not decieve yourself about living. No man was Ever Shot as you are who ever lived. But He said I shall live & not die & he did live by the power of God & is now Harty & well & he said I had another Dream two years ago which will be fulfilled as Follows:
"I dreamed I was at Camp Floyd after the Armey of the US had Camped there & I saw a large frame building with all the Clapboards off & I saw a huge serpent stretched across the building about 100 feet long with his head to the East. He looked terrible viscious & dangerous. He soon rose in the air & flew towards the East. While in the air he appeared to be 500 feet long with 75 feet of rattles. Soon he fell all to peaces every Joint in his body separated from his head to his tail. The interpetation is the U.S. Government & Army will all break to peaces as they are now doing.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
45 years ago today - Feb 12, 1981-Thursday
[Leonard Arrington]
Final examination of Ronald Esplin for the Ph.D. in History at BYU. [[Esplin's dissertation was "The Emergence of Brigham Young and the Twelve to Mormon Leadership, 1830-1841."]] ...
Mormon historical literature in the past has been one-sided, either expressing an ideal point of view-we were always right; or an anti-Mormon point of view-you Mormons caused all your own problems. Yours is a straightforward account, trying to discover historical truth, whatever the outcome. To me the pleasure of the dissertation by the fact that you reconciled the traditional pro and anti accounts, pointing out the facts on which earlier accounts were based and why they made the conclusions they did, and then giving the straight dope, which in many instances was neither pro nor anti but somewhere in-between. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Final examination of Ronald Esplin for the Ph.D. in History at BYU. [[Esplin's dissertation was "The Emergence of Brigham Young and the Twelve to Mormon Leadership, 1830-1841."]] ...
Mormon historical literature in the past has been one-sided, either expressing an ideal point of view-we were always right; or an anti-Mormon point of view-you Mormons caused all your own problems. Yours is a straightforward account, trying to discover historical truth, whatever the outcome. To me the pleasure of the dissertation by the fact that you reconciled the traditional pro and anti accounts, pointing out the facts on which earlier accounts were based and why they made the conclusions they did, and then giving the straight dope, which in many instances was neither pro nor anti but somewhere in-between. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
115 years ago today - Feb 12, 1911
BYU professor Ralph V. Chamberlin's "Darwin Centennial Speech" ignites controversy. General authorities (as the school's trustees) fire him and professor Henry Peterson. BYU students protest the dismissals with petitions and demonstrations.
[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)]]
120 years ago today - Feb 12, 1906
The SALT LAKE TRIBUNE expose of the endowment ceremony: "Mysteries of the Endowment House". It is later published and distributed as a pamphlet "Mysteries of the endowment house and oath of vengeance of the Mormon church."
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