150 years ago today - Jan 11, 1864

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] I Called at the Court House and had another interview with Jason Luce who is sentenced to die tomorrow. ... He said [William] Hickman had advised him to do many things that made his flesh Crawl but he had not followed Hickmans advise in these things. He told the Jailors (which I did not Hear) that Hickman once asked him to go & knock an old man in the Head for no other purpose ownly to obtain an old mare that was not worth more than $30. And He feels that Wm. Hickman has betrayed him and done him much injury & he looks upon Hickman as a vary bad man. ....

I Called upon Governor Reed & asked him if he would Commute Jason Luce sentence to the Penetentiary for life as Hickman had held out this promise to Lute. Soon Hickman & Wilford Luce Came in for their answer & Mr Reed told them He Could do nothing in the premises that He Considered that He would be Commiting Crime to Change the sentence of Luce unless he had better ground than any thing He had seen.

So when I arived at the prision in the Evening I told Jason Luce there was no chance for him to live & I wished him to prepare to die. He then spent more than an hour giving us an account of what He had done & what he knew. He said in the Case of Drown & Arnold that Hickman was responsible for their death. He killed them with the help of one or two others. He said Wm. A Hickman robed Carpenter's store took the goods in his waggon & carried them to Huntingtons & from Huntingtons to his house over Jordon & then told Furguson if he would kill Carpenter He would Clear him that He Should not lie in Jail one day. Furguson killed Carpenter & was Hung for it & Hickman made him believe that he would be liberated up to the last minute. Luce said that Hickman Murdered [ ] for no other purpose ownly to obtain his gold watch & money & thinks he has the watch yet.

He said that Hickman was at the head of a Band of thieves. They have stolen as high as 100 Head of Cattle at a time from Camp Floyd & gone out onto the prairie & divided them & taken them to different parts of the Territory. Lute also said that Hickman had many men around him that Had to be fed & that men under him would go onto the range & drive up a Beef & kill & Eat it & sell the Hides or make them into Larretts or throw them away as the Case might be without any regard to whom might be the owners. Luce said that Hickman had been his ruin and the ruin of others and in all these things He had Carried his point by declairing that President Brigham Young had given him Council to do all these things (which is a Cursed lie). Luce made many other remarks which was reported by G. D. Watt.

[Note, Hickman was a bodyguard for Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, an associate of Porter Rockwell, a Danite and titled himself "Brigham Young's Destroying Angel."

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

180 years ago today - Jan 11, 1834

[Joseph Smith] Joseph and five others in Kirtland pray (1) that the Lord will protect their lives; (2) that the Lord will protect the lives of those in the United Order; (3) that Joseph will be given the victory over the threats against his life by apostate Doctor Philastus Hurlburt; (4) that the Kirtland bishop will get enough money to pay off the Church's debts; (5) that the printing press will be protected; and (6) that the Lord will deliver up Zion.

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

30 years ago today - Jan 10, 1984

At a BYU Devotional Apostle Bruce R. McConkie identifies "salvation by 'grace alone without works' as the 'second greatest heresy' of Christendom". He also refers to the first, or "father of all heresies" which is the "incomprehensible three-in-one spirit essence" of God. Local Christian leaders decry McConkie's "hodge podge of confused statements", his "lack of real understanding of church history", and his "lack of understanding for other groups." One labels McConkie's talk "offensive".

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

100 years ago today - Jan 10, 1914

[George F. Richards] [Francis M.] Lyman on [looking into] cases of recent supposed [plural] marriages.

[Source: George F. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]

115 years ago today - Jan 10, 1899

[Apostle Brigham Young Jr. Diary] Understand Presidency has appointed an Auditing Committee to thoroughly investigate the church indebtedness. I know this will be grievous to Pres[ident] Geo[rge] Q. Cannon.

[Source: Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

165 years ago today - Jan 10, 1849

[Utah Currency] The church had a supply of engraved Kirtland, Ohio, bank notes which bore the signatures of Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon, and decided to reissue these with the additional signatures of Young, Kimball, and Whitney. Thomas Bullock, clerk of Brigham Young, also put a private mark on the bills to authenticate those issued against gold dust. Some 135 of these bills in $1.00 and $3.00 denominations were placed in circulation on 10 January 1849, and 256, mostly of the $5.00 denomination, were in circulation before fall, bearing a face value of $1,33l.00.

[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: Utah Currency, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/c/COINS.html]

170 years ago today - Jan 10, 1844

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith ordained his uncle John Smith as a patriarch; he became the fourth patriarch of the Church on January 1, 1849.

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

110 years ago today - Jan 9, 1904

Emmeline B. Wells, editor of Woman's Exponent, writes: "Aunts Presendia [H. Kimball] & Zina [D. H. Young] used to interpret dreams for us but now there is no one to do it." This is one of the earliest comments about loss of spiritual gifts in Mormonism.

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

115 years ago today - Jan 9, 1899

[Franklin D. Richards] Pres[iden]t [Lorenzo] Snow is still heavy laden with the signing of over a thousand names to Bonds ...

[Source: Franklin D. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]

120 years ago today - Jan 9, 1894

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] This has been an important day ... The U.S. Government has had possession of the Real Esstate of the Church & nearly $500,000 dollars of our money & stocks for several years in the Courts for years & the Congress of the United States Passed a Bill to restore our personal Property & the supreme Court ordered the money to be turned over to the Presidency of the Church but it had to be turned over to the supreme Court of Utah Territory. To day the supreme Court here ordered the Receiver to turn over the Money to the Presidency of the Church amounting to ($438,174.39) which will help us to partly to Pay our debts. ...

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

120 years ago today - Jan 9, 1894

[Francis M. Lyman] The first Republican Legislature ever held in Utah convened at 2 P. M. yesterday and organized.

[Source: Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

130 years ago today - Jan 9, 1884

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] I sometimes feel almost like stopping the writing of a Journal as my grammar is so poor also my spelling that I dislike to leave any such a record as I have to make under the circumstances but I am of the opinion that it is almost a matter of duty that I keep a Journal and this is the main reason that I am willing to do so.

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

155 years ago today - Jan 9, 1859

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] ... while praying O Pratt Fainted & fell on the floor...

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

160 years ago today - Jan 9, 1854

[Hosea Stout Diary] This evening about dark a change took place in my fortune which will most likely effect my future life. I was married to Mrs Aseneth Gheen

[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]

170 years ago today - January 9, 1844. Tuesday.

[William Clayton Journal] ... Joseph sent for me to make out Maria Lawrence account.

[Maria was Joseph Smith's plural wife]

[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]

95 years ago today - Jan 8, 1919

[David O. McKay] Before leaving Ogden, I served a summon on Thomas J. Steed accused o of having entered into an alleged plural marriage with two young girls.

[Source: David O. McKay Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]

100 years ago today - Jan 8, 1914

The question as to who the Presiding Patriarch presided over, was answered by President Smith, as follows: That by virtue of the patriarchal office held by him he was the Presiding Patriarch over the whole Church.

[Source: Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]

170 years ago today - 1844: 8 January

[Patriarchal Blessings] Elisha Groves. (Given by Hyrum Smith.)

... [you will] be numbered with the called and chosen to stand in your lot in the appointed hour upon Mount Zion with the hundred and forty and four thousand. ...

[Source: Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

170 years ago today - Jan 8, 1844

Joseph Smith tells William Law that he is no longer his counselor.

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

180 years ago today - Jan 8, 1834

Enemies in Kirtland fire thirteen rounds from a cannon at 1:00 A.M. Work on temple continues.

[Source: Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book]

5 years ago today - 1/7/2009

[Same-Sex Marriage] Yes on 8 organizations sue in Federal Court to make donors names private and to prevent disclosure of final donation lists due February 2, 2009

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

30 years ago today - Jan 7, 1984

Premier Zhao Ziyang of the People's Republic of China visited the BYU-Hawaii campus and the adjacent Polynesian Cultural Center during the first visit of a Chinese premier to the United States since the People's Republic of China was formed in 1949.

[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]

45 years ago today - Jan 7, 1969

First Presidency secretary Joseph Anderson answers letter about "the Church's stand pertaining to birth control," with the concluding statement: "After all, however, the brethren recognize that this is a personal matter involving the individuals concerned, and concerning which they must make their own decision." First Presidency's official statement on Apr 14, 1969 omits any reference to their own feelings about birth control as "a personal matter," and states: "We believe that those who practice birth control will reap disappointment by and by," and repeating earlier letter's emphasis on "self control [as] dominant factor" marriage.

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

85 years ago today - Jan 7, 1929

[Apostle Richard R. Lyman] 9:00 a.m.

Quarterly meeting of the Council of the Twelve

Perhaps the most important matter discussed was my appeal for greater charity toward our church members who views are not strictly orthodox. I say if 100 of the most successful, most ambitious, most prosperous, most studious, and most successful church members in Santa Monica Ward are being pushed out of ward activity if not out of the church then there may be something wrong with the leadership somewhere: the bishop, the high council, the Stake Presidency, the Council of the Twelve, The First Presidency of the Church.

[Source: Apostle Richard R. Lyman Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]

105 years ago today - Jan 7, 1909

Joseph F. Smith, son of Hyrum Smith who led similar effort in 1842-43, instructs Twelve to investigate and suppress new plural marriages.

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

150 years ago today - Jan 7, 1864

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] [I received] a Cirtificate to the guard to visit Luce in prision who was awaiting his sentence to be shot. I found him vary Cheerful full of hope that his Sentence would be Commuted to confinement in the pententiary. He had no Idea of Dying. He said it would take a man of more nerve than he had to give himself up to be Executed & he should not do it. He did not say how he would avoid it.

[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 - Jan 7, 1844

William Law was dropped from membership in the Anointed Quorum: "I was present when William Law, Joseph Smith's counselor, was dropped from that quorum by each one present voting yes or no in his turn. He was the first member that was dropped who had received his endowments. One member hesitated to vote, which called forth earnest remarks from the Prophet Joseph. He showed clearly that it would be doing a serious wrong to retain him longer. After his explanation the vote was unanimous" (note). William Marks was not the uncertain voter, because "Marks absent" .

[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power]

180 years ago today - Jan 7, 1834

D. D. Barnard gave "An Introductory Address Delivered Before The Young Men's Association for Mutual Improvement" of the City of Albany, stating "The laws of nature were made to be obeyed, and not to be violated. The slightest disobedience, the most inconsiderable departure from them, is sure to be visited with an appropriate penalty; and, if it were not so, these laws would cease to be inflexible, which can never happen while the world stands." [cf D&C 130:20-21]

[Source: Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]

80 years ago today - Jan 6, 1934

Leah D. Widsoe's article "Priesthood and Womanhood" in Church Section includes following questions "5. If a boy of twelve years has this gift [of priesthood ordination] bestowed upon him while his sister has not, does it not tend to make him grow up with a feeling that he is literally a 'lord of creation,' while his sister belongs to 'the common herd?' 6. Does not this discrimination make men more arrogant in their attitude toward women? Do they not necessarily feel themselves the superior and dominant sex?" Perhaps unintentionally, the stridency of her questions outweighs article's effort to deny or down play gender discrimination in LDS church.

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

105 years ago today - Jan 6, 1909; Wednesday

Council meeting ... met in joint assembly to consider Bro[ther]. [B. H.] Roberts' attitude towards some of his brethren and the policy of the Church.

Pres[ident]. [Francis M.] Lyman in a kind fatherly manner, said that he felt that Bro[ther]. B. H. Roberts has offended one of his brethren by manifesting hard feelings against one of the Twelve; that he has been indiscreet in expressing his feelings to one outside of his own council and the Twelve, and by giving such publicity, has offended members of the Church; that he has given further offense by insinuating in his letter to Richard R. Lyman that the publicly proclaimed policy of the Church has been departed from in the manner of exercising Church influence. He said, "I think Bro[ther]. Roberts should humble himself, and walk right up to Pres[ident]. Joseph F. Smith, and say, `I have done wrong, and I want you to forgive me.'["]

Bro[ther]. Roberts refused to do it, saying he would write his reasons, and submit them to the Council.

[Source: David O. McKay, Diary]

105 years ago today - Jan 6, 1909

[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] "Met at 5 PM and discussed BH Roberts case. He refused to comply with the feelings of his associates."

[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]

165 years ago today - Jan 6, 1849

High council at Kanesville, Iowa, excommunicates two Mormons for counterfeiting coins. Investigations into Feb., but council takes no action against two members of theocratic Council of Fifty involved: John M. Bernhisel (who transports counterfeiting equipment to Iowa) and Theodore Turley (Mechanic who works with the dies and press). Apostles George A. Smith and Ezra T. Benson allude to their involvement in letter to First Presidency on 27 Mar. Turley is Brigham Young's father-in-law.

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

180 years ago today - Jan 06, 1834

The general public learns for the first time that Joseph Smith has bodyguards protecting him.

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

55 years ago today - Mon Jan 5, 1959

[David O. McKay Office Journal] Elder Mark E. Petersen and Elder Marion G. Romney called at my request. I asked them if they would together go over Elder Bruce R. McConkie's book, "Mormon Doctrine" and make a list of the corrections that should be made preparatory to his sending out an addendum to all members of the Church who have purchased his book.

[Source: McKay, David O., Office Journal]

105 years ago today - Jan 5, 1909; Tuesday

Bro[ther] [B. H.] R[oberts]. was asked to explain his "unquarranted and unjustifiable" attack upon Bro[ther]. [Reed] S[moot]., and to "retract and retrace" his words in this regard.

[Source: David O. McKay, Diary (conference notebook)]

110 years ago today - Tuesday, Jan 5, 1904

[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] At 2 p.m. I attended the quarterly conference of the Twelve Apostles in the temple. ... The principal topic of discussion was the present agitation in Congress over the Utah Senatorshipâ€"Reed Smoot's candidacy. The brethren were cautioned not to exercise the keys of sealing in plural marriage at present and to be wise and prudent in all their doings.

[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]

120 years ago today - Jan 5, 1894

[James E. Talmage] Met with Theological Class Committee and Presidency in lecture work. The subject of 'The Holy Ghost' formed the topic. Pres[ident]. [George Q.] Cannon in commenting on the ambiguity existing in our printed works concerning the nature or character of the Holy Ghost expressed his opinion that the Holy Ghost was in reality a person, in the image of the other members of the Godhead,'a man in form and figure: and that what we often speak of as the Holy Ghost is in reality but the power or influence of the Spirit. However the Presidency deemed it wise to say as little as possible on this or other disputed subjects.

[Source: James E. Talmage Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]

170 years ago today - Jan 5, 1844

[Joseph Smith] Joseph dreams of "2 serpents swallowing each other tail foremost." During the cold night some people had built a fire on the shore opposite Stake President William Marks's house. Marks swears before the city council that the fire was a warning against his life. It is charged that Joseph's statement about a "Judas" was a signal to the forty special policemen to take certain action against traitorist brothers. Thirty policemen swear that they were never given any special or private instructions. After many testimonies, Wilson Law says, "I am Joseph's friend: he has no better friend in the world: I am ready to lay down my life for him." Joseph records his own thoughts: "What can be the matter with these men? Is it that . . . hit pigeons always flutter, that drowning men catch at straws, or that Presidents Law and Marks are absolutely traitors to the Church, that my remarks should produce such an excitement in their minds. Can it be possible that the traitor whom Porter Rockwellreports to me as being in correspondence with my Missouri enemies, is one of my quorum?"

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

120 years ago today - Jan 4, 1894

... President [Lorenzo] Snow reported that the First Presidency and Twelve [Apostles], at a meeting held in the [Salt Lake] temple, Jan. 4th, 1894, decided as follows: "If, by mistake, a person is sealed in the temple before being endowed, it is not necessary for the sealing to be cancelled. All that is necessary is for the person to be endowed, unless the person, or the individual representing him or her, is dissatisfied."

[Source: Book of Temple Ordinances, Jan. 4, 1894; p. 17 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]

140 years ago today - Jan 4, 1874

[Patriarchal Blessings] [Patriarchal Blessing of Lydia Leonorah Hatch by Lorenzo Hill Hatch on January 4, 1874]

... Thou shalt live to see great distress, when the wicked shall be overthrown; for all that fight against God shall be destroyed. Thou shalt be exalted and reign with the first in the Great Millennium, even a thousand years. ...

[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]

170 years ago today - Jan 4, 1844

[Joseph Smith Diary] Thursday, January 4th 1844 At home. Another Tempest in a tea pot about nothing at all. W[illia]m Marks thought somebody had concluded he was the Brutus or doe head. ...

Took dinner in the North room. I was remarking to Bro[ther] Phelps what a kind, provident wife I had. That when I wanted a little bread and milk she would load the table with so many good things it would destroy my appetite. At this moment Emma came in and Bro[ther] Phelps in continuation of the conversation said, "You must do as [Napoleon] Bonaparte did [and] have a little table, just large enough for yourself and your order thereon." Mrs Smith replied, "Mr. Smith is a bigger man than Bonaparte. He can never eat without his friends." I remarked, "That is the wisest thing I ever heard you say."

[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]

45 years ago today - Jan 3, 1969

First Presidency announced that all non-English-speaking missionaries would receive two months' language training before entering the field.

[Source: Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://www.lds.net/forums/scripture-study-forum/12108-church-chronology-1800-2000-part-1-a.html#post214550]

160 years ago today - Jan 3, 1854 (Tuesday)

The ship Jesse Munn sailed from Liverpool, England, with 300 Scandinavian and 33 German Saints, under the direction of Christian Larsen. It arrived at New Orleans Feb. 10th, and the emigrants continued up the rivers to Kansas City, Mo., which this year was selected as the outfitting place for the Saints crossing the plains.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

160 years ago today - Jan 3, 1854

Brigham Young invites Elijah Abel, free black and ordained Seventy, to party with 98 other men in Social Hall. Some of these parties are male-only dances.

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

170 years ago today - Jan 3, 1844

[Joseph Smith] The city council holds a trial most of the day. William Law, Joseph's second counselor, said that some policemen told him Joseph had called Law a "Judas," and that "he must be taken care of." Law believes that Joseph has threatened his life. The policemen who told him this, and several others, testify throughout the day as to the source of this story. Law realizes that the policemen had only supposed that Law was the "Judas" of whom Joseph had spoken. Law promises to stand by Joseph to the death.

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

80 years ago today - Jan 2, 1934

[President Heber J. Grant Diary] My brother B.F. Grant [of the Deseret News] called with a page advertisement for beer and wanted to know whether or not he should accept it.

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

95 years ago today - Jan 2, 1919

The Patriarch requested that his position and duties as one of the General Authorities of the Church be more clearly defined, and asked for instructions as to the application of verses 91 and 124, Section 124 of the Doctrine and Covenants, relating to the order of the presiding officials of the Church, in which order the presiding patriarch of the Church is named before the First Presidency.

... Attention was called to the fact that in the arrangement of seats in the Council room the patriarch sits with the First Presidency, or between the First Presidency and the senior member of the Council of the Twelve. ...

After further discussion it was determined, on motion and by unanimous vote, that the Twelve Apostles take their places in the Council room according to the consistent order, the senior member occupying the first seat to the right of the First Presidency, and thus bring the seat reserved for the use of the patriarch next to that of the junior member of the Council.

[Source: Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]

105 years ago today - Saturday, Jan 2, 1909

[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] My home ... was quarentined for small Pox today, It being claimed that my son Winslow wife and child had been exposed to that dread disease. Fortunately I was away from home.

[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]

160 years ago today - Jan 2, 1854

[Brigham Young Sermon] The world have had very strange ideas concerning [music and dance]. They have supposed it was a very wicked thing for a Christian to dance or hear music. Many preachers of the day have said that fiddling and music came from Hell, but I say that there is no fiddling or music in Hell. There is not a fiddler in Hell, or any music of any kind. Music belongs in Heaven, to cheer God, angel, and man. If we could hear the music there is in Heaven, it would overwhelm mortal man.

[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]

165 years ago today - Jan 2, 1849

Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball of First Presidency and Presiding Bishop Newel K. Whitney sign first paper bills of "Valley Currency." Second issue three days later includes $1,331 worth of re-issued notes from failed Kirtland Safety Society Bank.

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

170 years ago today - 1844 2 Jan.

[Joseph Smith] An English court acquits the first Mormon missionaries to accidentally drown a convert during baptism by immersion.

[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]

170 years ago today - Jan 2, 1844

[Joseph Smith] Joseph writes a "strong" letter to John C. Calhoun. (He had written Calhoun on Nov. 4, 1843, and Calhoun had answered on Dec. 2, 1843, stating that the redress of the Saints "does not come within the jurisdiction of the Federal Government. ")

Joseph tells Calhoun, "If the Latter-day Saints are not restored to all their rights and paid for all their losses . . . God will come out of His hiding place, and vex this nation with a sore vexation: yea the consuming wrath of an offended God shall smoke through the nation. . . ."

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

170 years ago today - Jan 1, 1844

[Joseph Smith Diary] I was in my private room with my family and John Taylor &c.

[John Taylor is sealed to his second plural wife, Mary Cook.]]

[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]

50 years ago today - Jan 1,1964

[Utah] "Home Teaching" replaces traditional "ward teaching" program of monthly visits of priesthood men to church members. This begins new emphasis on family life which subtly (yet fundamentally) replaces previous priorities of God, Church and family with new ranking of family, church and God.

[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]

170 years ago today - Jan 1, 1844

William Law complained that Joseph Smith instructed the police to kill him [per Brigham Young].

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

150 years ago today - Jan 1, 1864

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] ... 1864 will be an Eventful year and so will all the following years untill the Coming of the savior. The Lord is watching over the interest of Zion and sustaining his kingdom upon the Earth and Preparing the way for the return of his Saints to Jackson County Mo to build up the waste places of Zion. Jackson County have been Entirely Cleared of its inhabitants during the year 1863 Which is one of the greatest miracles manifest in our day. And those who have driven the Saints out of Missouri & spoiled them are in there turn now driven out and spoiled and there is much distress throughout all the land whare the saints have been persecuted. And the judgments of God will Continue upon the whole Nation untill the Blood of the prophets is avenged.

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

80 years ago today - Jan 1, 1934

[Word of Wisdom] With Prohibition repealed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, this was the first day Utahns could legally imbibe--but only with 3.2 percent beer.

[Source: Harward, Randy; Utah Brewing Timeline, Salt Lake City Weekly, Aug 24, 2011]

20 years ago today - Jan 1, 1994

End of congregational hymn-singing and general meeting prior to individual Sunday School classes, as per First Presidency announcement on 25 Sept. 1993.

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

170 years ago today - Jan 1, 1844

Second Counselor William Law catches Joseph Smith and Maria Lawrence, a teenaged orphan who was living in the Smith household, in a "compromising situation." Unknown to Law, Maria Lawrence had been a secret plural wife of Joseph Smith for half a year.

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

75 years ago today - Dec 31, 1938

[President Heber J. Grant Diary] Joseph Fielding Smith called on me today and I handed him the letter that I dictated to him this morning. I told him of my remarks to his father at the time he, Joseph, was chosen to be an apostle, and that I was glad to welcome him into the quorum, and that I had had an impression that he would be an apostle, that I was disappointed when his brother Hyrum was chosen first. I haven't any doubt in my mind that he is the best scriptorian of the General Authorities of the Church.

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

120 years ago today - Dec 31, 1893

[Thomas A. Clawson Diary] "Prest. Geo. Q. Cannon then came to stand and desired to make a few remarks upon the Kingdom of God as he understood it from the Prophet Joseph Smith who had said to some of the members of the Church who were there assembled. "The Kingdom of God is a political organization and is composed both of members of the Church of Christ and those who are not members of the Church. The object of this Kingdom will be to uphold the rights and liberties of all denominations and to Sustain the Constitution of the Country."

[Source: Diary Excerpts of Thomas A. Clawson, Signature Books Library, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

120 years ago today - Dec 31, 1893

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] I feel thankful for the happy way that Gusta has been able to manager the affairs in my home and were it not for the longing to see my wife Lucy and the pleasure that we would all feel to have her I am thankful to be able to record that there has not seemed to be the great change in our home that most people have to endure when the wife dies. I do not know how to be thankful enough that I was the husband of more than one wife at the time that Lucy died.

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

150 years ago today - Dec 31, 1863

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] Thus Ends the year 1863. Joseph the Prophet said whoever lived to see 1860 would live to See the Commencement of the downfall of the United States. The Union was dissolved in 1860 & Civel war Commenced which has raged Ever since & the Land is beginning to be bathed in Blood & will Continue untill the words of the Prophet will be fulfilled. It is an important age of the world, and the Events of Each year are rapidly fullfilling the words of all Prophets since the world Began.

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

165 years ago today - Dec 31, 1848

[Hosea Stout Diary] Farewell 1848, for in thy reign I have escaped from the land of my nativity [United States] from oppression & misrule where I could not enjoy the liberty of conscience.

[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]

180 years ago today - Dec 31, 1833

Wilford Woodruff is baptized in an icy stream near Richland, New York. (He is twenty-six years and ten months old.)

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

40 years ago today - Dec 30, 1973

President Spencer W. Kimball was ordained and set apart as the 12th president of the Church, with Presidents N. Eldon Tanner and Marion G. Romney as counselors.

[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]

70 years ago today - Dec 30, 1943

[Spencer W. Kimball] I have just come from a long talk with Elder Harold B. Lee and he reminds me of some items which I want to record. ...

Brother Lee told me [regarding] Pres. Grant in California when he was so ill and when everyone thought he would not survive ... Pres. Grant remarked that ... he would live as long as the Lord wanted him to live and lead the church and that he was sure he (Heber J. Grant) would outlive Rudger (Clawson) and Reed (Smoot).

He stated many times at various times that he knew that he would be preserved till the time when the Lord wanted to make a change in the leadership of the Church.

[Source: Spencer W. Kimball Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]

80 years ago today - Dec 30, 1933

[President Heber J. Grant Diary] I had a talk with President Ivins and told him I was in favor of all of the General Authorities resigning as directors of the Utah Hotel, because I felt they would simply have to sell beer and it would be better for us to be out of it. He did not agree with me. We decided to call a directors meeting, however, for Tuesday to decide just what to do with regard to selling legalized beer.

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

170 years ago today - Dec 30, 1843

[Joseph Smith Diary] ... Mayor's court in office. Two Boys, Roswell and Evander White, brought up for stealing 6 hens and Rooster. Sentence—pay for the hens and 10 days each hard labor on the road. ...

[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]

35 years ago today - Dec 29,1978

[Utah] First Presidency allows women to pray in sacrament meetings again, rescind earlier ban from Jul 1967.

[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]

85 years ago today - Dec 29, 1928

[President Heber J. Grant Diary] President Hugh B. Brown called and told of meetings that were being held in which plural marriage is advocated, and that people say you cannot reach the highest glory without entering into it; that Kimball who was excommunicated from the Church was there and opened the meeting and told the Lord in his prayer that they were there in opposition to the Church and in opposition to the laws of the land, but they were there to do the will of the Lord, etc. We told him to cite all they could that were at such a meeting and make them pledge themselves to stop going or be tried for their fellowship.

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

115 years ago today - Thursday, Dec 29, 1898

[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] Salt Lake City

Prest. L. Snow got word last night that his first wife was dead.

[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]

120 years ago today - Dec 29, 1893

[Francis M. Lyman] [Regarding] the purchase of $30,000 worth of coal mines in coal creek canyon. This I also strenuously opposed til; Pres[ident] Woodruff announced it as the mind of the Lord that the purchase should be made. I then voted for it with the rest of the council. The next matter was the building of the Salt Lake and Los Angeles Railway to the Pacific Coast. I was in favor of building the road but opposed the use of Church funds for the purpose. I found myself off my base a little because I was not at a meeting of the council some weeks ago when it was concluded to make it a church enterprise. I found myself alone in my opposition and finally yielded to sustain the Presidency in using church funds or guaranteeing the bonds of the road as the spirit of the Lord shall prompt. It took us 7 ½ hours to agree to those things. My words were almost alone in opposition and it made me tremble lest I was wrong in my feelings. I never made so many objections to propositions of the Presidency. Pres[ident] Cannon particularly seemed annoyed by my persistent objections. I yielded ever point to the better judgement of my brethren when I had almost exhausted their patience, though I was not converted.

[Source: Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

170 years ago today - 1843 29 Dec.

[Joseph Smith] At the organization of the Nauvoo police (former Danites), Smith authorizes them to kill "if need be" and says his life is endangered by "a little dough-head" and "a Brutus."

[Forty policemen are sworn into office. William Law takes the comment as a personal threat.Joseph offers to pay twice the amount of any bribe offered to them for information about the briber.]

[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]

180 years ago today - 1833. December 29

[Non-Mormon] Wilford Woodruff attended a meeting in Richland, New York, where Zera Pulsipher proclaimed the restoration. "I thought it was what I had long been looking for. I could not feel it my duty to leeve the house without bearing witness to the truth before the people. I opened my eyes to see, my ears to hear, my heart to understand, and my doors to entertain him who had administered to us. Brother Pulsipher continued labouring with us for several days and on the 31th of December I with my Brotherâ€"Azmon Woodruff with two yong females which had been healed by the laying on of hands went forward in baptism."

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

15 years ago today - Dec 28, 1998

A major revision of the Church Handbook of Instructions is completed. It brings priesthood and auxiliary leader guides together for the first time, into a two volume handbook. Previously, it had been thirty seperate handbooks and publications.

[Source: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php]

75 years ago today - Dec 28, 1938

[Joseph Fielding Smith] I attended sessions of meetings held in the assembly hall for the Institute teachers ... In my opinion many of our teachers employed in the Church School System have absorbed too much of the paganism of the world, and have accepted too readily the views of uninspired educators without regard for the revealed word of Go... Surely the world is ripening for destruction and Satan has power and dominion over his own.

[Source: Joseph Fielding Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]

95 years ago today - Dec 28, 1918

Resumption of regular religious services following influenza epidemic-- ...a special fast day had been set for December 22, 1918, "for the arrest and speedy suppression by Divine Power of the desolating scourge that is passing over the earth."

This message one week later indicated that the influenza epidemic had passed its crest to the point that Church services could be resumed. ...

[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]

95 years ago today - Dec 28, 1918

A personal letter of the new President of the Church to a member of the Council of Twelve Apostles [Reed Smoot] who obviously had not been present at the meeting in the Salt Lake Temple when the President was sustained and set apart. ...

The loss of President Smith is a very great one, as I believe he lived in the hearts of the people more than any other President has done, except the Prophet Joseph. ... I certainly have a desire to be the same kind of a man as President Smith.

... We had a most splendid time at the reorganization of the Presidency, and a rich outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord, for which I was deeply grateful. If we can retain the same spirit that we then had, all will be well with Zion. ...

[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]

165 years ago today - Dec 28, 1848

[Brigham Young Sermon] At 10 o'clock a.m. a meeting was held at the stand in G.S.L. City, for the purpose of regulating the currency, at which a vote was taken authorizing Pres. Young to issue bills.

[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]

120 years ago today - Dec 27, 1893

[John M. Whitaker] At the Council meeting of the Seventies today in the Temple, a matter occurred that all present will never forget. The Council room of the Seventies is next to that of the Twelve Apostles, and just as I was finishing reading the Minutes, Apostle Francis M. Lyman president of the Twelve came in and sat down by me, and asked for the privilege, of speaking: He took the letter written to him by Brother [B. H.] Roberts wherein Brother Roberts held that the High Priests were not as high as the Seventy, and also spoke of Brother Roberts address at Loa, San Pete County [Utah] Conference of Seventies wherein Brother Roberts preached the doctrine that the Seventies hold a higher Priesthood than that of the High Priests.'-The same controversy that has been going on for weeks, and for nearly three hours Brother Lyman, preached opposite to this that the Position of the High Priests is the highest office a man can hold, and that the Seventyis World wide as a missionary, and under the directions of the Twelve Apostles, and what he Brother Lyman was saying is the word of the Lord and he asked that from this time forward Brother Roberts adhere to this doctrine. After Brother Lyman went back to the room of the Twelve, the First Council remained and discussed the matter until after 3 pm and although there was an excellent feeling, I don't believe this will settle the matter between President B. H. Roberts and President Francis M. Lyman, two strong characters, but that we will hear more from this marvelous and important matter. And unless there is a revelation, or a pronouncement from the First Presidency of the Church it will rage as it has been doing for months past and it is not a good thing. All over the Church people of different views are taking sides, and I have a ticket to a debate on this same subject in this City this coming Saturday night. I regret this wide publicity and division of sentiment on doctrines of the Church. And pray that wisdom may bring it to a speedy conclusion. It has also brought a division on the subject on church influence and this is affecting Both Democratic as well as Republican members of the Church, both taking sides as they see it. I hope to see it settled soon.

[Source: John M. Whitaker Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]

170 years ago today - 1843 27 Dec.

[Joseph Smith] The church's newspaper Nauvoo Neighbor advertises ale and beer from the Nauvoo Brewery.

[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 - Dec 27, 1838 (Thursday)

Anson Call was brutally whipped by a mob, near Elk Horn, Ray Co., Mo.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

180 years ago today - Dec 27, 1833

[Joseph Smith] The remains of the press in Independence are sold, and $300 of that money goes to lawyers for fees. [The press is used to print the Missouri Enquirer]

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

180 years ago today - Dec 27, 1833

Kirtland Justice of the Peace J. C. Dowen issues a writ against Doctor Hurlbut for threatening the life of Joseph Smith.

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

40 years ago today - Dec 26, 1973

[Harold B. Lee] Harold Bingham Lee was the eleventh president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was ordained president on 7 July 1972 and served until his death on 26 December 1973. This 538-day tenure is the shortest service by a Mormon Church president in history [up to that point], this despite the fact that when he assumed the office at age seventy-three he was the youngest president of the church in nearly forty years. His major contributions to the church, as the first managing director of its welfare program and later as the organizer of the church correlation program, were made when he was still serving as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

President Lee's impressive attainments resulted partly from his personal struggles. He had to overcome critics who were jealous of his "beyond his years" abilities; he learned to control a fiery temper and a quick, action-oriented disposition which early in his life offended some people. Especially in his later years, Lee was gentle in manner, compassionate, gracious, hospitable, and thoughtful of others. He was always a gentleman, impeccably dressed. At age seventy-four he served as though in the prime of life, with a rich, full voice and characteristic vigor. His sudden death on 26 December 1973 from cardiac and lung failure stunned the entire church.



[Source: Utah History Encyclopedia: Harold B. Lee, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/l/LEE%2CHAROLD.html]

165 years ago today - Dec 26, 1848

[Hosea Stout Diary] Tues & Wed Decr 26 & 27th 1848. Everything goes about as usual. I am mostly at home trying to do without coffee which goes very hard.

[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]

170 years ago today - Dec 25, 1843

[Joseph Smith Diary] A large party supped at my house and spent the evening /in a most cheerful and friendly manner/ in Music, Dancing, &c. During the festivities a man apparently drunk, with his hair long and falling over his shoulders come in and acted like a Missourian. I commanded the Capt[ain] of the police to put him out of doors. In the scuffle, I looked him full in the face and to my great surprize and Joy untold I discovered it was Orrin Porter Rockwell, just arrived from a years imprisonment in M[iss]o[uri].

[[Rockwell then eats and drinks and relates his Missouri experiences, after which Joseph blesses him, saying, "I prophesy, in the name of the Lord, that youâ€"Orrin Porter Rockwellâ€"so long as you shall remain loyal and true to thy faith, need fear no enemy. Cut not thy hair and no bullet or blade can harm thee!"]]

[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;Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]

170 years ago today - Dec 25, 1843

Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith was serenaded in the morning by Sister Lettice Rushton's family.

[Source: Joseph Smith Resource Center: Daily Events in the Life of Joseph Smith, http://josephsmith.net/josephsmith/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=e581001cfb340010VgnVCM1000001f5e340aRCRDlocale=0]

170 years ago today - Dec 25, 1843

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 25 CHRISTMAS DAY A large Party met at the Nauvoo Mansion & had A splendid dinner and supper and spent a long evening.

[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 - Dec 25, 1838

Don Carlos Smith and George A. Smith return to Missouri from missions in Kentucky and Tennessee, 1500 miles away. They are chased by a mob, and almost freeze to death, but arrive safely.

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

10 years ago today - Dec 24, 2003

Baptism controversy flares anew between Jews and Mormon church

For years, Jewish officials have blasted the conversions as an insulting desecration, but the controversy is flaring anew this week amid charges that the Mormons have broken a 1995 promise not to add Jewish Holocaust victims to their International Genealogical Index.

[...] all the critics agree that, as Jewish genealogist Gary Mokotoff puts it, the Mormons should take Jews off the list. Baptism is the second ugliest word in the English language to a Jew, Mokotoff said. The first is gassed. The third is raped. ...

[Source: A chronicle of the Mormon-Jewish controversy; The LDS Agreement: A JewishGen InfoFile, http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/ldsagree.html]

75 years ago today - Dec 24, 1938

Emmanuel A. Kissi, later a doctor, philanthropist, and Church leader in Ghana, is born Abomosu, Ghana.

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

130 years ago today - Dec 24, 1883

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 24 I went to the Temple in the morning. We had a day of Prayer and fasting. I met with 28 Men Holding the Melchesedek Priesthood and I organized them into the school of the Prophets, all of which had Entered into the school of the Patriarchal order of Marriage [polygamy] and all agreed to keep the word of wisdom. <I washed the feet of 24 men.> We broak bread and partook of the sacramet of Bread and wine. <The washing of feet was an introductory ordinance into the school of the prophets. I also gave the salutation to the brethren as they entered the school.> We had a vary interesting day. The spirit of the Lord rested upon us.

[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 - Dec 24, 1843

[Helen Mar Kimball] During the winter of 1843 [several months after her marriage to Joseph Smith] there were plenty of parties and balls, and many were held at the Mansion. The last one that I attended there that winter, was on Christmas Eve. Some of the young gentlemen got up a series of dancing parties, to be held at the Mansion once a week. ... I had to stay at home, as my father had been warned by the Prophet to keep his daughter away from there, because of the blacklegs and certain ones of questionable character who attended there. His wife Emma had become the ruling spirit, and money had become her God.

[Source: Whitney, Helen Mar, Jeni Broberg Holzapfel, and Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, A Woman's View: Helen Mar Whitney's Reminiscences of Early Church History, Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1997]

170 years ago today - 1843 24 Dec.

Apostle John E. Page preaches at Boston "that England, Ireland & Scotland would again become catholic....That the pope will unite all Europe to go & fight the Jews at Jerusalem....And the world will not come to an end before 1863."

[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]

110 years ago today - Dec 23, 1903 (Wednesday)

Elder Benjamin Cluff, jun., president of the Brigham Young University at Provo, resigned his position.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

115 years ago today - Friday, Dec 23, 1898

[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] Salt Lake City

Joseph Smith the Prophet would have been 93 years old today. Services were held by Bp. Kesler in his ward tonight. Bp. Kesler, Bathsheba W. Smith, Arowet Hale, Joseph F. Smith, and Samuel W. Richards were the speakers. Donnetta Smith read the story of the Martyrdom of Joseph & Hyrum given in the Doctrine & Covenants. The Ward Choir sang some nice selections.

There were 24 persons present who knew the Prophet and 23 persons who were related to him by blood or Mariage.

[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]

170 years ago today - 1843 23 Dec.

[Joseph Smith] Prayer circle meeting in "Assembly Room" or Mansion House ... Mary Fielding Smith performed the ordinances for these women under Emma Smith's supervision . Emma Smith supervises initiation of women into the Anointed Quorum, apparently her last meeting. She never enters the temple.

[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power]

175 years ago today - Dec 23, 1838

Joseph Smith spends his thirty-third birthday confined in Liberty Jail, Missouri.

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