5 years ago today - 11/6/2008

[Same-Sex Marriage] Protesters march up to and around the Los Angeles temple.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports: Now that California voters have outlawed same-sex marriage, an LDS Church leader called Wednesday for members to heal rifts caused by the emotional campaign by treating each other with "civility, with respect and with love." "We hope that everyone would treat [each other] that way no matter which side of this issue they were on," said Elder L. Whitney Clayton, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Presidency of the Seventy. In a statement, the LDS Church said it does not object to domestic partnership or civil union legislation "as long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the traditional family or the constitutional rights of churches." Clayton said he had no firsthand knowledge of such hostility [chastisement by church leaders], and advised members hurt or confused by the church's involvement to seek counsel with their bishop to understand the doctrinal basis for the church's position. He also said any action regarding members who spoke out against the measure would be left to local church leaders' discretion.

[Source: Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]

20 years ago today - Nov 06, 1993

Elder M. Russell Ballard, a descendant of Joseph Smith Sr., presides at a Latter-day Saint worship service held in the Kirtland Temple (owned by the RLDS Church) in connection with an area priesthood leadership training meeting and mission presidents' seminar. The meeting is believed to be the first Latter-day Saint service held in the temple in 140 years.

[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]

115 years ago today - Nov 6, 1898

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] If I was glad last evening that I did not speak in the Theater this AM I feel to thank the Lord that I did not do so, BH Roberts' reply to Gov. Wells in this morning's Herald disgusts me almost if not quite as much as the Governor's speech did. Politics is a good thing to have nothing to do with.

[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

175 years ago today - Nov 6, 1838 (Tuesday)

John B. Clark delivered an insulting speech to the brethren at Far West, in which he advised the Saints to scatter abroad and never again organize with Bishops, presidents, etc. Of the leaders of the Church, who had been imprisoned, he said their fate was fixed, their die cast, and their doom sealed, and that they would never be seen by their friends again.

The brethren were compelled to sign deeds of trust for paying the expense of the mob. About sixty men were retained as prisoners, and the remainder of the Saints ordered to leave the State, according to the exterminating order of Gov. Boggs.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

5 years ago today - 11/5/2008

[Same-Sex Marriage] Proposition 8 opponents file the first lawsuits questioning the legality of the proposition's passge.

[Source: Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]

170 years ago today - Nov 5, 1843

[Joseph Smith Diary] [Joseph] Was taken suddenly sick at the dinner table. Went to the door and vomited /all [his] dinner/. [His] jaws [were] dislocated and raised fresh blood. Every symptom of poison. [several lines left blank]

Prayer Meeting eve at the Hall over the store. <Joseph did not dress [in robes of the priesthood, as customary], nor Emma>

[Source: Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]

170 years ago today - 1843 5 Nov.

Joseph Smith becomes violently ill at dinner and assumes that his wife Emma has poisoned him due to her opposition to polygamy. At the prayer circle meeting that evening Joseph Smith accuses her, and Brigham Young regards her shocked silence as proof of her guilt.

[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]

175 years ago today - Nov 5, 1838

[Joseph Smith] Joseph and the other prisoners are kept under a small guard. Parley P. Pratt escapes; but fearing reprisals against Joseph and the others, he decides to return voluntarily. General Clark arrives in Far West to arrest 56 additional prisoners.

[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]

180 years ago today - Nov 5, 1833

[Joseph Smith] Early in the morning A. S. Gilbert, Isaac Morley, and John Corrill are taken to prison and shot at on the way. Rumors spread that Lt. Gov. Boggs is behind the mob. Rumors also spread that the three prisoners will be shot, and 100 Saints gather to protect them. Before a full-scale war breaks out, however, the Saints decide to surrender their arms if the Missourians also promise to disarm. The Mormons later discover that the leaders of these harassers seem to be Lt. Gov. Boggs, the Rev. Isaac McCoy, Judge S. D. Lucas, and almost every other local government official. In the evening of November 5 and 6 about 150 women and children flee to the prairie with only six men to protect them.

[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]

5 years ago today - Nov 4, 2008

California voters adopted the constitutional amendment outlawing same-sex marriage, overturning the state Supreme Court decision just months earlier giving gay couples the right to wed.

[Source: Prop 8 Timeline, NBC San Diego, http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/politics/Proposition-8-Timeline-History-California--138796454.html]

105 years ago today - Nov 4, 1908; Wednesday

John Henry Smith representing the Republicans signified to me and the rest of the Republican Apostles that he expected of each of us $25.00 to help defray the expenses of the campaign. I gave him that am[oun]'t.

[Source: George F. Richards, Diary]

120 years ago today - Nov 4, 1893

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] Politics are all the rage at present The people with one terrible stroke are trying to break off the shackles and yoke which Liberalism has for the last four years fastened upon Ogden and Salt Lake City. In Ogden the Liberals have hauled down their colors & closed headquarters & now the struggle is with them and the citizens of SL City. The Territory is between Democrats and Republicans.

[Source: Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

175 years ago today - Nov 4, 1838

[Joseph Smith] General Clark arrives in Far West with 1600 men and 500 more on the way. (Six thousand men had thus visited Far West within a week, when it only had 500 men to defend it.) Clark forbids anyone to leave the city, and the starving Saints are forced to live on parched corn. Joseph and the other prisoners arrive in Independence. One lady asks which of the prisoners is the one the Saints worship as Lord and Savior. When Joseph replies that he is nothing but a man sent by Jesus Christ to preach the gospel, he is able to preach a sermon to the lady and the others, thus fulfilling his own prophecy of a few months previous that an elder would preach a sermon in Jackson County before the close of 1838.

[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]

180 years ago today - 1833 4 Nov.

[Joseph Smith] In compliance with the Aug revelation, Mormons engage in their first war-like confrontation in the so-called "Battle of Blue River," near Independence, Missouri. Led by Book of Mormon witness David Whitmer, the Mormons kill two mobbers. Of the one Mormon death during battle, the official History of the Church calls Andrew Barber "the first direct martyr to the cause," despite the previous murder of missionary Brackenbury.

[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]

1813, 200 years ago this year.

John C. Waller, husband of Joseph Smith Sen.'s sister Priscilla was the Senior Warden of the Federal Lodge in Randolph in 1804. A John Smith was Senior Warden in 1813, possibly Joseph Smith Senior's brother (although he may have moved by then).

[Source: Brooke, John L. The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1994.]

170 years ago today - Nov 3, 1843

Knowleton F. Hanks becomes the first Mormon missionary to be buried at sea.

[Source: Wikipedia, 19th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century_(Mormonism)]

175 years ago today - Nov 3, 1838

[Joseph Smith] Joseph prophesies to Parley P. Pratt: "The word of the Lord came to me last night that our lives should be given us, and that whatsoever we may suffer during this captivity, not one of our lives should be taken." (Parley Parker Pratt, Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt 192.)

[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]

5 years ago today - 11/2/2008

[Same-Sex Marriage] Bishops across California close Sacrament Meetings with special prayers; many invoke their own priesthood authority in blessing voters and the upcoming election day activities.

[Source: Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]

110 years ago today - Monday, Nov 2, 1903

[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] Also held a meeting with Pres. [William H.] Smart and Counselor Jos. R. Murdock and Bp. Wm. Daybell and a number of the brethren from Charleston for the purpose of organizing a prayer circle for that ward. Present 15. I made brief remarks in reference to the purpose and character of a prayer circle and presented the name of Bp. Wm. Daybell as president and Ernest Bate as secretary. Sustained. The brethren then robed, and I explained the signs and tokens [of the temple endowment ceremony] and took them through, after which prayer was offered at the altar by Bp. Daybell.

[Source: Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]

170 years ago today - Nov 2, 1843

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith and some of the brethren agreed to write to five of the leading candidates for the presidency of the United States, to inquire -"what their course of action would be in relation to the cruelty and oppression that we have suffered from the State of Missouri, if they were elected.-",

[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]

170 years ago today - Nov 02, 1843

Brigham Young reported the marriage of his sister to Joseph Smith in the Journal of Discourse: "I recollect a sister conversing with Joseph Smith on this subject [of plural marriage]. Joseph said, 'Sister, you talk very foolishly, you do not know what you will want.' He then said to me [B.Y.]: 'Here, brother Brigham you seal this lady to me.' I sealed her to him. This was my own sister according to the flesh." (Journal of Discourses, vol. 16, pg. 166-167). Marriage - Joseph to Fanny Young Murray, age 56, already married . Fanny was already married to a living husband, Roswell Murray. SOURCE: FamilySearch.net record for Joseph Smith Jr.

[Source: Joseph Smith Polygamy Timeline, http://www.i4m.com/think/polygamy/JS_Polygamy_Timeline.htm]

170 years ago today - Nov 2, 1843

On September 23, 1843, Augusta Cobb left her husband Henry Cobb with child Brigham Cobb (born May 19, 1843) joining members of the Twelve on their way to Nauvoo. She marries Brigham Young on November 2, 1843 in Nauvoo, while she was still legally married to Henry Cobb, becoming the fourth of some 55 recognized wives of Young.

[Source: Marquardt Papers]

170 years ago today - Nov 2, 1843

Brigham Young (aged 42) marriage to Harriet Elizabeth Cook (1824-1898) (aged 19) first marriage 1 child

[Source: Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]

175 years ago today - Nov 2, 1838

[Joseph Smith] Sampson Avard is captured and begins to testify that Daniteism is an order from the Church. Joseph and the other prisoners are taken into town to bid a quick goodbye to their wives and children. The Saints are ordered to surrender all arms and sign away all possessions. Hyrum, who is very sick, is forced to march with the other prisoners. General S. D. Lucas writes the details of the conquest to Gov. Boggs. Prisoners are then put in covered wagons for a 60-mile journey to Independence, where they are to be sentenced.

[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]

180 years ago today - Nov 2, 1833

Mob fires on Whitmer settlement. Mormons return fire, wounding one. The next day, November 2d, all the Independence Mormons, numbering about thirty families, left town and gathered together for protection. The same day people made another attack on the Big Blue settlement, when they unroofed another house. They also attacked another settlement about six miles from Independence.

[Source: Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]

95 years ago today - Nov 1, 1918

Thus saith the Lord, I am well pleased with the records which are kept of the receipts and disbursements of the tithing and fast and freewill offerings and properties of my church. And I say unto you, that the time is now in accord with my word given to my servant Joseph Smith, Jr., in 1838, when the tithing and other funds and the properties of my church shall be disposed of and appropriated for the work of the ministry, and the building up and beautifying and the lengthening and strengthening of the stakes of Zion. The presidency of my church, the council of the twelveâ€"and not at any time less than a majorityâ€"shall be a quorum and the presiding bishopric of my church shall be a council for this purpose. And they shall be agreed in their decisions, and shall hearken unto my voice in all things. And the duties of the presiding bishopric, shall be in accordance with the promptings of my Spirit, and subject to the presidency of the church. â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€" This above statement, or revelation, in the handwriting of President Joseph F. Smith was found in his pocket at the time of his death. The original copy was placed in the hands of President Heber J. Grant by Elder Joseph Fielding Smith.

[Source: Joseph F. Smith, Revelation]

120 years ago today - Nov 1, 1893

[John M. Whitaker] The growing difference between President B. H. Roberts and the First Presidency represented by President F[rancis]. M. Lyman, as to which is greater the High Priest or the Seventy, Brother Roberts holding that the Seventy is an Apostle in authority, as held by Joseph Young First President of the Seventies when organized, is assuming a rather dangerous condition in their correspondence, Brother Lyman claiming opposite views, Brother Roberts says he will hold that his views are correct until the First Presidency settles the matter. Then there is another great question that has been brewing ever since statehood between Brother Roberts and Moses Thatcher, on the one hand and F[rancis]. M. Lyman and John Henry Smith on the other, on the question of Church and State, and the First Presidency having stated that all members of the Church have the perfect freedom to vote as they please on all political matters, and Brother Roberts and Thatcher are taking exceptions to what they call church influence, and some of the brethren interfering with the agency of members of the Church, while F[rancis]. M. Lyman, John Henry Smith and John Morgan are going around trying to get Democrats to become Republicians, or getting Democrats to vote for certain Republicans, and this has created a very bitter controversy increasing the differences already existing, and the Brethren are writing in the Press and saying many unkind things against the general Authorities interfering with members, and this is called church influence, and all this is boding no good for the church.

[Source: John M. Whitaker, Diary]

170 years ago today - Nov 1, 1843

[Joseph Smith] This is the last known occasion in which Emma Smith performs the washing and anointing for women receiving the endowment ceremony in the Anointed Quorum.

[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]

175 years ago today - Nov 1, 1838

[Missouri War] Joseph Smith advises Mormon troops at Far West and Diahman to surrender. Mormon War ends.

[Source: LeSueur, Stephen C., The 1838 Mormon War in Missouri, Appendix: Chronology of Events in Missouri, 1838-1839]

175 years ago today - Nov 01, 1838

Near midnight, General Samuel Lucas holds a hastily organized court martial and orders General Alexander Doniphan to execute Joseph Smith and the other Mormon prisoners. Because Joseph Smith and the other Mormon leaders are not members of the state militia, Doniphan refuses and threatens to charge Lucas with murder if they are killed. Lucas reconsiders and then lifts the death sentence.

[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]

180 years ago today - Nov 1, 1833

[Joseph Smith] On this Friday night, a mob moves to attack the Colesville Branch, which is located on the prairie about 13 miles west of Independence. Two advance spies contact Parley P. Pratt and hit him on the head with their guns, drawing blood. The other Saints are aroused and capture these two, keeping them for the night. This causes the rest of the mob to postpone their attack. Violence breaks out against the Saints' homes in Independence. The home of A. S. Gilbert is destroyed. The Gilbert and Whitney store is destroyed; goods are thrown everywhere. Other houses are attacked and windows are broken, with Saints whipped and driven into the wilderness.

[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]

190 years ago today - Nov 1, 1823

Alvin Smith, Joseph Smith's older brother, comes into the house in great pain. He is taken sick and dies 18 days later after an "emetic" administered by a local doctor substituting for the family doctor lodges in his digestive tract. This complicates things for Joseph as he claimed he had been instructed by an angel to bring Alvin to the Hill Cumorah to receive the plates.

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]

95 years ago today - Oct 31, 1918

[D and C] Doctrine and Covenants 138: A vision, given to President Joseph F. Smith in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 3, 1918. In his opening address at the eighty-ninth Semiannual General Conference of the Church, on October 4, 1918, President Smith declared that he had received several divine communications during the previous months. One of these, concerning the Savior's visit to the spirits of the dead while his body was in the tomb, he had received the previous day. It was written immediately following the close of the conference; on October 31, 1918, it was submitted to the counselors in the First Presidency, the Council of the Twelve, and the Patriarch, and it was unanimously accepted by them.

[Source: Doctrine and Covenants, http://amzn.to/DoctrineandCovenants]

120 years ago today - Oct 31, 1893

[Francis M. Lyman] Had much talk [on the train] with Pres[iden]ts [George Q.] Cannon and [Joseph F.] Smith upon seniority in the Apostleship. They do dot agree upon the subject. Bro[ther] C[annon] holds that seniority rests with Apostles who have not been of the Twelve as well as the Twelve. Bro[ther]

S[mith] does not.

[Lorenzo Snow later decides an apostle must be a member of the Quorum of Twelve to have seniority, resulting in Joseph F. Smith becoming the next president of the church rather than John W. Young.]

[Source: Francis M. Lyman, Diary]

175 years ago today - Oct 31, 1838

[Joseph Smith] Far West is surrounded by 2,000 troops, which are soon reinforced by 1500 more troops. The Saints are outnumbered by approximately five to one. However, neither side is eager to begin the battle, and the day is spent in a standoff, with each side trying to decide what to do. In the evening, Col. Hinkle goes out with a flag of truce to meet with the Missourians. Joseph, Sidney Rigdon, Parley P. Pratt, Lyman Wight, and George W. Robinson then go out to meet the flag and are taken prisoner. General Lucas marches them in front of the leering, screaming soldiers, who abuse them greatly. They are forced to sleep on the ground during a rainstorm while the guards mock them, asking Joseph to show them angels and miracles.

[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]

180 years ago today - Oct 31, 1833 (Thursday)

a mob attacked a branch of the Church, west of the Big Blue, in Jackson County, Mo., destroyed ten houses, and beat several of the brethren in a most brutal manner.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

35 years ago today - Oct 30, 1978

First Presidency announces emeritus status for general authorities due to age, physical infirmity, or other reasons. Members of First Quorum of Seventy are first general authorities to receive this retirement.

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]

80 years ago today - Oct 30, 1933

[President Heber J. Grant Diary] Serge F. Ballif ... is very very anxious regarding Owen [Woodruff]'s course and so am I. He is connected with the publishing of a paper that is almost Communistic in its nature.

[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

170 years ago today - Oct 30, 1843

Brigham Young's diary states: "Monday evening Baptized Sisters Cuoub [Auga Adams Cobb] & Hari[e]tt Cook." Two days later Joseph Smith marries these two women to Young. Auga Adams Cobb married Henry Cobb of Boston, Mass., in 1822. She left him five of her seven children to join with the Mormons. Her husband divorced her in 1847- four years after she married Brigham Young.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

175 years ago today - 1838 30 Oct.

[Joseph Smith] Militia attack the Haun's Mill settlement and murder seventeen men and boys. Thomas McBride, the oldest victim, is "cut to pieces with a corn cutter...literally mangled from head to foot." Sardius Smith, one of the youngest victims, begs for his life from a militiaman who put "his rifle near the boy's head, and literally blowed off the upper part of it." Although her son Sardius and husband are dead, Amanda Barnes Smith is preoccupied with one of her surviving sons, because "the entire hip joint of my wounded boy [Alma] had been shot away." She reports obtaining "a vision" from God about the way to care for the injury and tells her son that "the Lord will make you another hip." She would later write: "It is now nearly forty years ago, but Alma has never been the least crippled during his life."

[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]

175 years ago today - Oct 30, 1838

[Joseph Smith] Haun's Mill Massacre. At about four P.M. approximately 240 men ride up to the small community of Haun's Mill (which has fewer than 15 buildings) and open fire on a flag of truce. Many of the Saints gather in the blacksmith's shop; guns are stuck through the cracks in the logs and fired until most in the building are dead. A few escape across the river into the hills. By the end of the massacre, 1600 rounds of ammunition have been fired at 40 people; 18 or 19 have been killed, and about 15 wounded. Among those killed are boys under 10 and men over 75 years old.As soon as Governor Boggs's exterminating order is received, General Atchison withdraws from the army at Richmond, Mo. At evening a state militia force of about 2,000 approaches and surrounds the city of Far West. They are led by General Lucas. The Saints spend the night building up fortifications and preparing for a massive battle in the morning.

[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]

60 years ago today - Oct 29, 1953

President McKay mentioned another matter which he said is one of great importance, and that is the new method of presenting the Endowment in our Temple that will be constructed in Europe. There will be no change in the endowment ceremonies but instead of having the members move from one room to another, we will bring the rooms to the people.20 He explained that that involves a great deal of study and preparation, and it will all have to be done here, undoubtedly in this [Salt Lake] temple before we introduce it there. The First Presidency feel that a committee should be appointed, who will be recommended by the Temple Committee, and will meet later, and probably Brother [Richard L.] Evans, assisted by Brother Gordon B. Hinckley, and some other specialists could be studying the modern use of the radio and television, and Brother Evans could render excellent service in that connection, and it would perhaps be well to have him here to partake of the spirit of this Council.

[Source: Minutes, meeting of the First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve, Oct. 1, 1953, included in David O. McKay diary, Oct. 29, 1953; as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]

90 years ago today - Oct 29, 1923

I spent the day at the Temple. Jos[eph] F. Smith Jr. & Stephen L. Richards spent two hrs. with me in the Temple going over the Temple ordinances, considering proposed changes.

[Source: George F. Richards diary, Oct. 29, 1923 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]

115 years ago today - Oct 29, 1898; Saturday

Bro[ther] [Heber J.] Grant told me how Rudger Clawson was called to the Apostleship. The Apostles

handed in names to fill vacancy. The Presidency considered these names. It is thought that his name was not mentioned by the Apostles. Pres[ident] [Lorenzo] Snow suggested Bro[ther] Clawsons name and said it was the will of the Lord and all united in accepting him. I can readily see that if the Prophet of the Lord suggests a man to fill any vacancy, it is the will of the Lord, yet I am in doubt that a direct revelation was given.

[Source: J. Golden Kimball, Diary]

125 years ago today - Monday, Oct 29, 1888

[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] It was learned our brethren were withdrawing from the church in Idaho in order to vote. After consideration it was concluded we could do nothing and they better go on and vote.

[Source: Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]

5 years ago today - 10/28/2008

[Same-Sex Marriage] A surge of donations from Texas, New Mexico, Idaho and Illinois begins flooding into protectmarriage.com's bank accounts following a $1,000,000 donation by Mormon Alan Ashton (who contributed a sum to match Bruce Bastian's $1,000,000 earlier donation to the No on 8 side). [Ashton and Bastian both made their millions together at Word Perfect corp.]

Some videos published at mormonsformarriage.com and YouTube are taken down at the request of the video authors who had been asked by their bishop to remove them from the web.

[Source: Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]

120 years ago today - Oct 28, 1893

Bertha Stone (Reeder), later the fifth general president of the Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association (predecessor to the Young Women organization), is born in Ogden, Utah.

[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]

120 years ago today - Oct 28, 1893

[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill Diary] Went to Franklin in the forenoon and attended a meeting in Richmond at 2 p. m.; Brigham Young, F. M. Lyman, and President Orson Smith of Logan were present. I was adjudged in the wrong for sustaining the counsel of the First Presidency of the Church in an address to the Saints last March.

[Source: Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

180 years ago today - Oct 28, 1833

[Joseph Smith Diary] ... [We] had a good meeting. One of the sisters got the gift of toungues which made the Saints rejoice. May God incre[a]se the gifts among them for his Son's sake.

[Source: Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1832-34, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]

1913, 100 years ago this year.

[Joseph F. Smith] YWMIA adopts the Campfire Girls summer program; 1914, replaced with year-round Beehive Girls program.

[Source: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith, Salt Lake City, Utah]

175 years ago today - Oct 27, 1838

[Joseph Smith] A funeral is held for David Patten. Joseph testifies, "There lies a man that has done just as he said he wouldâ€"he has laid down his life for his friends." Governor Boggs's exterminating order is issued. Hearing the many rumors of the destruction and insurrection of the Saints, Boggs orders that "the Mormons must be treated as enemies and must be exterminated or driven from the state, if necessary for the public good. Their outrages are beyond all description."

[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]

175 years ago today - Oct 27, 1838

Governor Boggs issues an executive order, also known as the "Extermination Order", revoked in 1976 by then Missouri Governor Christopher S. Bond.

[Source: Wikipedia, 19th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century_(Mormonism)]

10 years ago today - Oct 26, 2003

Spencer LeVan Kimball, retired University of Chicago law professor and former executive director of the American Bar Association, dies in Salt Lake City at age 85. According to Illinois Bar Association Obituary: "A veteran of service as a Navy lieutenant during World War II and a Rhodes Scholar, Mr. Kimball graduated from the University of Utah Law School and became its dean at age 35. He later was a law professor and legal research director at the University of Michigan and dean of the University of Wisconsin. Mr. Kimball was director of the Wisconsin Statutes Revision Project, a model for insurance codes, and a founder of an international insurance law association." Spencer LeVan Kimball's disbelief in Mormonism is discussed in the official biography of his father Spencer W. Kimball.

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]

35 years ago today - Oct 26, 1978

The Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, previously the Language Training Mission constructed in 1976, began training all missionaries.

[Source: Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]

80 years ago today - Oct 26, 1933

At temple council meeting his counselors and Twelve persuade Heber J. Grant not to distribute his Apr. and Oct. conference talks against repeal of national Prohibition. On Nov. 7 Utah's voters elect anti-Prohibition candidates who time their convention on Dec. 5 to make Utah the final state necessary to end Prohibition.

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]

120 years ago today - Oct 26, 1893

[Patriarchal Blessings] [Patriarchal Blessing of James E. Talmage given by William J. Smith on October 26, 1893]

... And the Lord shall be with thee in dreams and visions in different languages and the interpretation of the same. Thou shalt have the spirit of revelation, and prophecy and discernment; your eye shall be like the eye of the eagle to see near by and afar off, with power to discern every false spirit under the whole heavens, that thou may'st not be deceived thereby: that thou may'st have power over devils and demons and that cruel and wicked monster that fell before the throne of God, that thou may'st escape his grasp. ... and thou shalt have power to perform any miracle that was ever wrought by man upon the earth, for the salvation and deliverance of Israel. .... Thou shalt live to see Israel gathered from the four quarters of the earth, to assist in the redemption of Zion, and be gathered to the center Stake ... Thou shalt have the ministering of angels to stand by thee, and protect thee from all evil....

[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]

165 years ago today - Oct 26, 1848

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] I read an account of the Temple of Nauvoo being burnt on the 9th Oct by our enemies.

In reading the papers of yesterday I learned that All Europe was filled with Riot war distress And calamities of Almost evry kind Also that the Cholery had made its Appearance in London Glasgow Edinburgh & others places in that Country. Truly the wrath of God is resting upon the gentile world. $1,000,000 worth of fishing boats were destroyed on the Coasts of Scotland in one storm & 150 fishermen loss there lives. Also $1,000,000 worth of American shipping lost in one storm on our coast.

[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

170 years ago today - Oct 26, 1843

Joseph Smith performs a marriage ceremony between [Joseph's plural wife] Maria Lawrence and John M. Bernhisel, ostensibly to shield the Prophet from suspicion.

[Source: Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2013 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]

5 years ago today - October 25

[Proposition 8] Media reporting that due to criticism, the LDS church pulls the plug on out of state phone banks.

[Source: Latter-Day Army: Details of Mormons and Prop 8, http://www.stopthemormons.com/?p=486]

110 years ago today - Oct 25, 1903

Issue of the New York Times: "The imprisonment of Jacob Cochrane [sic] checked the spread of his dogma, but as the time of his release drew near his disciples grew rampant and received a new command to take "spiritual wives"... There were a few divorces, some marriages, and several elopements of spiritual partners, and finally emigration to Salt Lake City. Cochrane returned to his legal wife, broken in health and spirit, a "back number." One of Brigham Young's first "plurals," Augusta Adams Cobb (1802-1886) was a former Cochranite, or was influenced by the teachings of that sect, prior to her 1843 elopement with Brigham. Other prominent early Mormons who were possibly influenced by Cochranism include Mary Bailey (1808-1841) who married Elder Samuel H. Smith, and (even more likely) Agnes Moultin (1811-1876) who married Samuel's brother, Elder Don Carlos Smith. [http://www.truthandgrace.com/1828polygamy.htm]

[Source: Brooke, John L. The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1994. p.282]

120 years ago today - Oct 25, 1893

U.S. President Grover Cleveland signs congressional resolution for return of church's confiscated monies and personal property. Utah Supreme Court returns these properties to church authorities on Jan. 10, 1894.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

160 years ago today - Oct 25, 1853

[Deseret] Paiute people attacked U.S. Army Captain John W. Gunnison and his party of 37 soldiers and railroad surveyors near Sevier Lake, Utah. Gunnison and seven other men were killed.

[Source: Legends of America, Old West Timeline, http://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-TimeLine2.html]

165 years ago today - Oct 25, 1848

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] ... arived in Boston ... got Blocked up by the great Procession marching through the City in celebration of the introduction of the water from the long pond into the City of Boston. The Procession was two hours and 30 minutes ...The night was passed with fire works & illuminations. While beholding these things going on the words of the Lord came with wait upon my mind which says "Broad is the road that leads to death & thousands flock together there while wisdom shows A narrow path with here And there A traveller."

[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

175 years ago today - Oct 25, 1838

Apostle David W. Patten is killed while leading Danites against the Missouri militia in the "Battle of Crooked River." Apostle Parley P. Pratt kills a militiaman, and wounds another who (while unconscious on the ground) is mutilated by enraged Danites.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

5 years ago today - 10/24/2008

[Same-Sex Marriage] The Salt Lake Tribune reports: Latter-day Saints are free to disagree with their church on the issue without facing any sanction, said L. Whitney Clayton of the LDS Quorum of the Seventy. "We love them and bear them no ill will." Still, he emphasized that most Mormons in California support the church's efforts on behalf of the initiative.

[Source: Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]

25 years ago today - Oct 24, 1988

President Thomas S. Monson of the First Presidency meets with officials of the German Democratic Republic (DDR) and asks for permission for the Church to send missionaries to the DDR and to call DDR citizens to serve missions to other countries. Government officials later grant his requests.

[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]

130 years ago today - 1883. October 24

(Hugh B. Brown) : Born in Granger, Utah, the fifth of fourteen children. He married Zina Young Card, a granddaughter of Brigham Young, in 1908. They were the parents of eight children, including a son, Hugh Card Brown, RAF pilot lost over the North Sea during World War II.

[Source: Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

175 years ago today - 1838. October 24

John D. Lee later wrote, "I admit up to this time that I frankly believed what the Prophet and his apostles had said on the subject. I had considered that I was bullet proof, that no Gentile ball could ever harm me, or any Saint, and I had believed that a Danite could not be killed by Gentile hands. I thought that one Danite could chase a thousand Gentiles, and two could put ten thousand to flight. Alas! my dreams of security were over. One of our mighty men had fallen, and that by Gentile hands!"

[Source: Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

175 years ago today - Oct 24, 1838

Thomas B. Marsh, formerly president of the Twelve, goes to Richmond to swear out an affidavit against Joseph Smith. He accuses Joseph of secretly backing the Danites in their many works of destruction, saying that Joseph claimed "he would be a second Mohammed to this generation, and that he would make it one gore of blood from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic ocean; that like Mohammed, whose motto in treating for peace was, 'the Alcoran or the Sword.' So should it be eventually with us, 'Joseph Smith or the sword.' " Orson Hyde, sick with fever, also signs the affidavit stating that he believes most of Marsh's accusations to be true.

[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]

175 years ago today - (Wed) Oct 24, 1838

Apostles Orson Hyde and Thomas B. Marsh left Far West, meet with Gentiles, and sign affidavits saying that Joseph Smith was plotting to take over the state of Missouri, and eventually the U.S. Other Mormons leaving or being forced out of the Church included: John Corrill, Reed Beck, John Clemeson, William W. Phelps, Sampson Avard and George M. Hinkle [Allen Joseph Stout].

[Source: Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]

175 years ago today - Oct 24, 1838

David Wyman Patten: Authorized to lead body of Caldwell County militia to rescue kidnaped Mormons in Ray County, Missouri, 24 October 1838.

[Source: Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]

50 years ago today - Oct 23, 1963

Apostle Joseph Fielding Smith, president of Twelve, writes: "I am glad to report to you that it will be some time before we hear anything from Brother [Ezra Taft] Benson, who is now on his way to Great Britain."

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

105 years ago today - Oct 23, 1908; Friday

I spent about two hours with Pres[ident]. Francis M. Lyman at his home considering church history, most of which is not found in the regular history of the Church. I read a controversy had between B[isho]p. C[harles]. W. Nibley & B. H. Roberts over the latter's attitude toward Elder Reed Smoot's candidacy to succeed himself as U.S. Senator. Read a letter from Pres[ident]. Wilford Woodruff addressed to Elder H[eber]. J. Grant on Succession to the Presidency to the Church also minutes of a meeting of the First Presidency and the Twelve held in Pres[ident] Lorenzo Snows day in 1890 [sic; 1900] where the question of right of seniority between Jos[eph]. F. Smith and Brigham Young Jr. was decided. I also read a sermon in Millenial Star preached by Amasa Lyman in Scotland many years ago which lead to his excommunication from the Church. In this sermon Apostle Amasa Lyman denied the efficacy of the blood of the Savior to atone for sins repented of holding that repentance alone was necessary i.e. turning away from sin.

[Source: George F. Richards, Diary]

170 years ago today - Oct 23, 1843

[Joseph Smith Diary] Monday, October 23rd 3 The following named deceased persons were sealed to me on 26th of October [1843]. [See list on manuscript page 145.] [several lines left blank]

4 Hyrum began to act in his office as Temple committee. [several lines left blank]

It is reported that O[liver] H. Olney was married last Thursday eve[ning] to Miss Wheeler by Joseph Hacock. Cloudy, east wind.

[Source: Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]

170 years ago today - Oct 23, 1843

[Brigham Young] I visited the Prophet Joseph, who was glad to see us. We paid him every cent of the means we had collected for the temple and Nauvoo House. He taught us many principles illustrating the doctrine of celestial marriage concerning which God had given him a revelation, July 12th [1843] [D&C 132].

[Source: Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).]

175 years ago today - 1838 23 Oct.

[Joseph Smith] Albert P. Rockwood writes, "the Mob disperse by hundreds on the approach of the Danites (Brethren)."

[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]

175 years ago today - Oct 23, 1838

[Rev. Samuel Bogart to Major General David R. Atchison:] The Mormons have burnt Gallatin and Mill Port, and have ravaged Daviess county ... and they have threatened to burn Buncombe and Elk Horn and have been seen near and on the line between Ray and Caldwell." Bogart will patrol the line between Ray and Caldwell counties. [Atchison immediately replies:] You are hereby ordered to range the line between Caldwell and Ray counties with your company of volunteers, and prevent, if possible, any invasion of Ray county by persons in arms whatever ... [and] inquire into the state of things in Daviess county ...

[Source: Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]

More History?

Want more Mormon history? Check out LDS-Church-History, a topical approach to the history of the church. Topics from the past have included: - The Life of Lorenzo Snow - Speaking in Tongues - Rebaptism, - Word of Wisdom - Dreams in LDS history - The life of George Albert Smith - The history of Z.C.M.I. - Tithing More info can be found here: http://bit.ly/ldshst

10 years ago today - Oct 22, 2003

[U.S. Religious History] On the news program Crossfire, Jerry Falwell explained that God was responsible for the election and re-election of President Clinton. The reason: "I think that we needed Bill Clinton, because we turned our backs on the Lord and we needed a bad President to get our attention again. To pray for a good President. That's what I believe."

[Source: Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline]

110 years ago today - Thursday, Oct 22, 1903

[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] ... The clerk read a letter from a Mr. [Allen C.] Sothern of Independence, Mo., in which he made a tender to the church of 25 acres of the original temple lot of 65 acres at Independence at a thousand dollars an acre. Pres. [Joseph F.] Smith reported that Pres. [James G.] Duffin of the S.W. States Mission had been instructed to proceed to Independence at once and negotiate for said property being authorized to offer not to exceed $20,000, but to get it for $16,000, if possible.

Pres. Smith explained that during the lifetime of President Woodruff a guaranty had been given to Joseph Banigan for $1,500,000. The honor and prestige of the church was behind said guaranty, but that during the Presidency of Lorenzo Snow, under the providence of the Lord in a miraculous manner, the said guaranty was released by the payment of what would be considered a trifling sum of money. At this point Pres. Smith exhibited the paper much to the gratification of all present.

[Source: Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]

140 years ago today - Oct 22, 1873 (Wednesday)

The steamship Idaho sailed from Liverpool, England, with 522 Saints, in charge of John I. Hart. The company arrived at New York, Nov. 4th, and at Salt Lake City, Nov. 14th.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

175 years ago today - Oct 22, 1838

[Missouri War] Mormon troops return to Far West after driving nearly all non-Mormons from Daviess.

[Source: LeSueur, Stephen C., The 1838 Mormon War in Missouri, Appendix: Chronology of Events in Missouri, 1838-1839]

190 years ago today - Oct 22, 1823

The WAYNE SENTINAL in Palmyra, New York publishes an account of a vision "seen and received by Asa Wild, of Amsterdam, (N. Y.)" In the vision "the Great Jehovah" appeared and "He also told me, that every denomination of professing christians had become extremely corrupt; . . .He told me further, that he had raised up, and was now raising up, that class of persons signified by the angel mentioned by the Revelator XIV. 6, 7, which flew in the midst of heaven; having the everlasting gospel to preach, that these persons are of an inferior [social] class, and small learning; that they were rejected by every denomination as a body; but soon, God will open their way, by miracles, judgments, &c. that they will have higher authority, greater power, superior inspiration, and a greater degree of holiness than was ever experienced before . . ."

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]

40 years ago today - Oct 21, 1973

First Presidency letter urges 78,800 Mormons in Washington state to vote against referendum to allow nineteen-year-olds to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

80 years ago today - Oct 21, 1933

[President Heber J. Grant Diary] I called at the office of Preston Richards and had a visit with an architect who is working out a plan of architecture along Mayan lines. His theory is that the Mayas were the fore-runners of the builders of the pyramids of Egypt. If his theories are correct we had any number of inhabitants upon this continent before Adam.

[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

115 years ago today - Oct 21, 1898; Friday

Chat with Geo[rge] A[lbert] Smith during my second visit and he told me he would do all he could to aid me in making Mr McCune a Senator, I was pleased to get this assurance from him. I feel thankful for the 500 given by McCune to aid the [Mutual Improvement] League.

[Source: Heber J. Grant, Diary]

165 years ago today - Oct 21, 1848

Oliver Cowdery travels to meet Church (heading for West) at Council Bluffs, Iowa and granted request to be re-baptized.

[Source: Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology"]

180 years ago today - (Mon) Oct 21, 1833

Kirtland Township Overseer of the Poor, Roswell D. Cottrill, began serving a writ of "warning out of town" upon 49 Mormon families in Kirtland. The process was not completed until Dec. 20. Among the first names on his list were Joseph Smith, Jr., Hyrum Smith, and Sidney Rigdon

[Source: Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]

105 years ago today - Oct 20, 1908; Tuesday

... They had requested me to perform the ceremony but the First Presidency had recently ruled that the Twelve should not solemnize marriages outside the temples I had to excuse myself.

[Source: George F. Richards, Diary]

110 years ago today - Oct 20, 1903

Death of Green Flake, African-American slave who drove Brigham Young into the Salt Lake Valley on Jul 24, 1847. Green was owned by Mormon James M. Flake who lent him along with a wagon and two mules to the Church for the 1847 trek west. Upon the death of James M. Flake in 1850 his widow moved to California, a free state, but before leaving gave her "Negro slave Green Flake" to the Church as tithing. Green worked two years for Brigham Young and for Heber C. Kimball, and was then granted his freedom. After his wife's death he moved to Idaho. He returned to Salt Lake in 1897 to attend the 50th anniversary "jubilee" celebration of the arrival of the pioneers, where he received a certificate honoring him as a surviving member of the Brigham Young pioneer company. He is one of three slaves listed on the plaque on the Brigham Young monument in downtown Salt Lake City under the category of "Colored Servants."

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]

120 years ago today - Oct 20, 1893

[Minutes, Quorum of Twelve] At 11-30 L[orenzo]. S[now]. F[ranklin] D R[ichards], F[rancis] M L[yman], J[ohn]. H[enry].

S[mith]. Geo[rge]. T[easdale]. A[braham] H Cannon-met the 3 Presidency at their office.

A telegram states that 5 persons therein named are reported up to the Attorney General with necessary proof offered of violation of Edmunds Tucker act & warning us to keep clear of any violation thereof. Decided to try & head off prosecutions even at heavy cost for varied & most important reasons of public importance.

[Source: Franklin D. Richards, Diary; James E. Talmage, Diary]

170 years ago today - Oct 20, 1843

- William Clayton writes: "Joseph gave us much instruction, showing the advantages of the E[verlasting] C[ovenant]. He said there was two seals in the Priesthood. The first was that which was placed upon a man and woman when they made the covenant and the other was the seal which alloted to them their particular mansion. After his discourse B. F. Johnson and his wife were united in an everlasting covenant."

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]

120 years ago today - Oct 20, 1893

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] At 1130 LS, FDR, FML, JHS, AH Cannon met the 3 Presidency at their office. A telegram states that 5 persons therein named are reported up to the Attorney General with necessary proof offered of violation of Edmunds Tucker act & warning us to keep clear of any violation thereof. Decided to try and head off prosecutions even at heavy cost for varied & not important reasons of public importance(?).

[Source: Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

5 years ago today - 10/20/2008

[Same-Sex Marriage] Yes on 8 sends out letters to several businesses that had donated to the No on 8 campaign, explaining that unless those businesses donated a similar amount to the Yes on 8 campaign, the ProtectMarriage.com website would have to assume that "it would be a clear indication that you are in opposition to traditional marriage.... The names of any companies and organizations that choose not to donate in like manner to ProtectMarriage.com but have given to Equality California will be published. It is only fair for Proposition 8 supporters to know which companies and organizations oppose traditional marriage." The letter is signed by Ron Prentice (Yes on 8 Campaign Chair), Mark A. Jansson (Executive Committee Member, also LDS), Edward Dolejsi (Catholic) and Andrew Pugno (General Counsel for PM)

[Source: Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]

15 years ago today - 10/19/1998

BYU Prof Lynn Wardle writes memo to Elder Marlin K. Jensen (Chair, SGM Committee), David E. Sorensen, Loren C. Dunn, Lance B. Wickman (Office of Legal Services), and Richard B. Wirthlin regarding "A Proposal to Amend the U.S. Constitution to Prohibit Same-Sex Marriage" Wardle writes that hed attended a "strategic consultation" about same-sex marriage in which a bunch of anti-same-sex organizations were involved. "We heard very informative reports about the current situation in Hawaii (from Friz Rohlfing), Alaska (from Kevin Clarkson), Vermont (from Tom McCormick), and California (from Andy Pugno), and a summary of the pending lawuit[sic] in New York (from Bill Duncan). There were repeated expressions of appreciation from these persons for the leadership, support and efforts of the LDS Church in responding to the threat of same-sex marriage in those states." Wardle opposed the idea of a national amendment, but was not particularly well-received: "I was listened to politely, but little support (only from Andy Pugno) was expressed for my position." "If there is any bad news in November in Alaska (where things look very favorable at present, thanks largely to the Church's financial support) or Hawaii (where the matter was described as being very close),... or if same-sex marriage is legalized in any other state, some of our allies who oppose same-sex marriage may immediately call for a U.S. constitutional amendment to prohibit same-sex marriage. I thought that you should be aware of that and begin thinking about how the affected agencies and representatives of the Church might respond to that kind of a proposal."

[Source: Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]

170 years ago today - Oct 19, 1843. Thursday.

[William Clayton Journal] ... After we had got on the road he [Joseph Smith] began to tell me that E[mma] was turned quite friendly and kind. She had been anointed and he also had been a[nointed] K[ing]. He said that it was her advice that I should keep [Clayton's pregnant, plural wife] M[argaret] at home and it was also his council. Says he just keep her at home and brook it and if they raise trouble about it and bring you before me [as a case of adultry] I will give you an awful scourging and probably cut you off from the church and then I will baptise you and set you ahead as good as ever.

[Source: George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]

25 years ago today - Oct 18, 1988

At request of Counselor Gordon B. Hinckley, President Ezra Taft Benson appoints committee of three apostle-lawyers (Howard W. Hunter, James E. Faust, and Dallin H. Oaks) to formally investigate the publicly announced claims that as an apostle Hinckley allegedly had long-term homosexual affair with younger man. Circulated internationally by Protestant evangelicals through anti-Mormon video and book GODMAKERS II, these allegations are repudiated by apostolic committee as "pure fabrication" after "an extensive probe." Hinckley puts formal end to this investigation on May 6, 1993 when he reads statement to Presidency and Twelve. While he is counselor, temple council decides against making any kind of public denial. As church president Hinckley's authorized biography devotes three pages to this mater in 1996 but does not state whether he asked temple council to rescind its previous vote on matter.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

50 years ago today - Oct 18, 1963

Robert McKay, David O. McKay's son as well as his secretary, writes to a U.S. Congressman concerning Apostle Ezra Taft Benson's assignment to Europe: "We shall all be relieved when Elder Benson ceases to resist counsel and returns to a concentration on those affairs befitting his office. It is my feeling that there will be an immediate and noticeable curtailment of his Birch Society activities." A week later, U.S. under-secretary of state W. Averill Harriman asks First Presidency First Counselor Hugh B. Brown how long Benson would be on this European mission. Brown replies: "If I had my way, he'd never come back."

[Source: http://www.advent-adam.com/jakestand.html (cached, based on http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies)]

165 years ago today - Oct 18, 1848

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] ... the visions of my mind have been open at times to see clearly my duty to my God to my wife and Children, to the Saints And world at large. I have also seen of late the Awful Certain judgments of God which like a gathering Storm are ready to burst upon the whole gentile world esspe-cially this Nations, who have herd the Sound of the gospel, rejected it with all the testimony of the servents of God, Have stoned And killed the Prophets are drunk with the Blood of marters And Saints And At last have driven the entire Church & kingdom of God with the Priesthood And Keys of eternal life & salvation out of their midst into the wilderness & the mountains of Israel. And by so doing have turned the last key which seals their Condemnation which lingereth not And their damnation which slum-bereth not. Therefore they cannot escape. Not ownly the Holy Ghost but that portion of the spirit of God that enlighteneth evry man that cometh into the world, like A faithful embassador has finished his work And is rapidly taking its flight from Gentile America And Wo , Wo , Wo is their DOOM.

The following verses I penned to my wife at Norwark Ct Oct 18 1848:

When Shall I hear from my dear wife

From those poor suffering Pilgraims too

Whose prayers shield me from that strife

Which daily flow from sin and wo?

It learns me how to prize their worth

When I am from them far away.

Earthly honors could not Call me forth

Or make me leave them for so long A day.

But O A message I am Call to bear

For Him who gave and holds my life.

In many A Sacrafize I'm Call to share

Often to leave my sons, my Daughters, and my wife.

O my Father Shield them with thy power

Behold their earnest Prayers which mount on high

Let Heavens watchers guard their silent Bower

Answer their prayers and note their evry sigh.

Their faith thou hast ever seen

Their sufferings Thou alone dost Know.

None but Thee can tell what all their trials have been

Since they were wandering pilgraims here below.

O my Father guard them through all time to come

Let their days and years be lengthend out.

O call them not to leave my earthy home

But make A Heaven of my humble Cot.

May they fulfill all their visit here

As did their LORD then rise to reign

Inthroned in glory beyound the reach of fear

Or sickness sorrow death or pain.

O! God forgive the past. Keep me from future Ill.

Let light, wisdom, truth and virtue fill my heart.

Prepare me for that glory which doth the Heavens fill.

From the most holy anointed vows may I never part.

O give me power to honor those noble treasures given

As the first pillars to build my Kingdom on.

Help me to firmly stand with them in Heaven

That I may prove A true and faithful son.

Then I will reign with my Dear wife and children to

With Joseph and Hiram and all of Abrams seed

I'll shout Hosannah to God and the Lamb with all who go

From their graves with the redeemed of our DEAD.

[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

175 years ago today - Oct 18, 1838

Apostle David W. Patten, known by his Danite title "Captain Fearnought," descends on Gallatin, Missouri with a large contingent of Mormons and, after plundering the small village, burns most of it to the ground. Then the marauders pillage the Daviess County countryside, depositing their spoils, which they term "consecrated property," in the bishop's storehouse at Diahman.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]