170 years ago today - Jan 17, 1844

[Nauvoo Neighbor] -- Editorial -- Elder Lorenzo Snow (through Sir Henry Wheatley) gave Queen Victoria two copies of the Book of Mormon, donated by Brigham Young.

- Poetry: "Queen Victoria" -- Lorenzo Snow -- Poem he wrote after giving Queen Victoria 2 copies of the Book of Mormon)

[Source: http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]

170 years ago today - Jan 17, 1844

Elizabeth Ann Whitney, wife of Bishop Newel K. Whitney gives birth to the first child, a girl whom Joseph Smith named Mary, born "heir to the Holy Priesthood and in the New and Everlasting Covenant in this dispensation."

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

100 years ago today - Jan 16, 1914; Friday

John Woolley [[leader of fundementalist movement]] stated to Bro[ther]. [Francis M.] Lyman & me that Bro[ther]. [Matthias F.] Cowley [[released from apostleship for continuing to perform plural marriages]] did say to him in a conversation which took place on the S[outh]. E[ast]. Corner of the Temple Block, that "if any good man comes to you don't turn him down." That was the only thing Cowley said to him on the subject. He would not have assumed to solemnize a marriage had it not been for that remark. He thought Pres[ident]. [Joseph F.] Smith had authorized Cowley to speak. Could not remember just when this conversation took place, but it was before he solemnized marriages.

[Source: Anthony W. Ivins, Diary, entry dated February 1914]

120 years ago today - Jan 16, 1894

Presidency and apostles vote for church to pay $25,000 to Brigham Young Trust Company to act as intermediary in making "a loan" to repay that amount of monies which Bishop Leonard G. Hardy has embezzled from Salt Lake County.

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

130 years ago today - Jan 16, 1884

[George Albert Smith Patriarchal Blessing] ... the light of the Lord shall dwell within you, and every organ of you mind shall be filled with the inspiration of the Lord, for thou wast called and chosen of the Lord from before the foundation of the earth was laid to come forth in this dispensation to assist in building up the Zion of God upon the earth, ... thy voice shall be as the voice of a trumpet in declaring the words of the Lord to the nobles of the earth... And thou shalt have power over the elements, and the winds and the waves of the sea shall obey thy voice, and no miracle shall be too great for thee to do, when it shall be necessary for the salvation of man, ... and thou shalt behold the Lord when he shall come in the clouds of heaven, .... And thou shalt become a mighty prophet in the midst of the sons of Zion. And the angels of the Lord shall administer unto you, and the choice blessings of the heavens shall rest upon you.

And thy posterity shall become great upon the earth ... and thy sons shall become mighty men before the Lord, filled with the wisdom of the heavens, and many of them shall become prophets and apostles ...

And thou shalt be wrapt in the visions of the heavens ... for thou shalt become a mighty apostle in the church and kingdom of God upon the earth, for none of thy father's family shall have more power with God than thou shalt have, for none shall excel thee ... and thou shalt remain upon the earth until thou art satisfied with life, and shall be numbered with the Lord's annointed and shall become a king and a priest unto the most High, for thou art of the pure blood of Jacob, and have a right to all the blessings of the house of Joseph, and shall receive an everlasting inheritance when the Ancient of Days shall come ...[Patriarchal Blessing of George Albert Smith by Zebedee Coltrin on January 16, 1884]

[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]

170 years ago today - Jan 16, 1844

An "Ordinance concerning the sale of Spirituous Liquors" is passed by the Nauvoo City Council. It states: "Be it ordained by the City Council of the city of Nauvoo. that the Mayor of this city is hereby authorized to sell said liquors in such quantities as he may deem expedient." The ordinance is signed by "Joseph Smith, Mayor."

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

170 years ago today - Jan 16, 1844

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] 16th I had a pig in the sullar & I believe the devil got into him. He leaped out of the pen destroyed one Jar of Butter one Jar of lard scattered ashes all over the sullar & kapered about over the Corn. I gave him a dismissal from the sullar and never saw him afterwards.

[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 - Jan 16, 1839

Lyman R Sherman: In a letter 16 Jan. 1839 First Presidency called Lyman R Sherman to replace the apostatized Orson Hyde in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, but Lyman R Sherman died before being ordained an apostle

[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]

175 years ago today - Jan 16, 1839

Joseph Smith, in Liberty jail, writes a letter to "Brothers H. C. Kimball and B. Young," including the post-script: "Appoint the oldest of those of the twelve who were first appointed to be the President of your Quorum." Joseph (who may have thought the balding Kimball was older than Young) does not name the president of the Quorum. But because Brigham Young is thirteen days older than Heber, and because the senior Apostle Lyman E. Johnson had left the church, Young becomes the president of the Quorum of the Twelve and the Prophet's successor as president of the church.

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

20 years ago today - Jan 15, 1994

CHURCH NEWS article "Suicide Rates Increasing: Church Members Not Immune."

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

45 years ago today - Jan 15, 1969

BYU president Ernest L. Wilkinson forwards three clippings from the UNIVERSE to his assistant, Stephen R. Covey, with a memo reading, "I wish you would take the time to prepare a careful answer to the letter published Jan 6, and we will find some way of getting it in the Universe under some student's name."

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

55 years ago today - Jan 15, 1959

BYU Studies begins publishing faith-promoting works of LDS scholarship, including articles, essays, and poetry on a variety of subjects.

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

85 years ago today - Jan 15, 1929

[Joseph Fielding Smith] Met with the committee reading B. H. Roberts' ms at 8:15. We met with some difficulties in theories advanced by the author. [The theory was of humans ("pre-Adamites") living on the earth before Adam and Eve]

[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]

90 years ago today - Jan 15, 1924

[James E. Talmage] In the evening I went to Farmington and sat with the high council in an advisory capacity, in the case of Lorin C. Woolley. The man himself was not present, and according to statements made before the council his absence was premeditated and deliberate. This act of contempt would have warranted the imposition of a penalty of disfellowshipment or excommunication, according to the rule and custom of the Church; but it was deemed advisable to hear the witnesses. There were three called, and each gave strong testimony, agreeing in every particular of importance, though no one of them had known that either of the others would be a witness, nor had they been together in connection with this case. Lorin C. Woolley, according tot he evidence presented, has persistently given out and declared that President Heber J. Grant and others of the General Authorities (including myself, according to one witness) have violated the rule of the Church against plural marriage and have taken wives during the recent past. After a patient hearing, conducted in the form prescribed, Lorin C. Woolley was excommunicated from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I remained for some time after the meeting answering questions asked by members of the high council, and returned home by night train.

[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]

120 years ago today - Jan 15, 1894

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] Last night in a dream I was shown distinctly that the people of Utah Territory were politically Democratic & that if their honest vote could be had it would so appear & that they had been counted out dishonestly by the Republican Commission.

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

130 years ago today - Jan 15, 1884

[Patriarchal Blessings] [Patriarchal Blessing of Lucy M. Smith by Zebedee Coltrin on January 15, 1884]

... thou shalt behold the Lord when he shall come to His temple ... and the angels of the Lord shall administer unto you for thou shall be a mighty prophetess in the midst of the daughters of Zion and thou shall be wrapped in the visions of the heavens and shall be clothed with salvation as with the garment and shall remain upon the earth until thou are satisfied with life ... and the desires of thy heart shall be granted unto thee ...

[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]

170 years ago today - Jan 15, 1844

[Brigham Young] --15-- The Twelve having invited the brethren to cut and haul wood for President Joseph Smith, the citizens to the number of 200, with 40 teams, turned out and cut 200 loads and drew 100 to his house. I wrote a short epistle to President Morley and the Saints in Morley Settlement.

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

40 years ago today - Jan 14, 1974

Stake names changed to reflect headquarters city and state or country.

[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]

50 years ago today - Jan 14, 1964

... President [Hugh B.] Brown raised the question as an illustration as to what the situation would be where a woman was married to three husbands and there were three children each having different fathers. If they were all sealed to one man would the responsibility for [genealogy] research be through the blood line or through the sealing line. I said that if they are sealed for time and eternity, they will follow the sealing. I said that the same ruling should apply in all cases, legitimate or otherwise, that the person in question should act as though the adopted father was his real father.

[Source: David O. McKay diary, Jan. 14, 1964, as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]

50 years ago today - Jan 14, 1964

Church subsidiary Wasatch Radio & Television Company purchases KIRO-TV and KIRO-AM/FM in Seattle (Gordon B. Hinckley named as a director). Its broadcasting interests now include three properties: KSL, KIRO, and WRUL.

[Source: Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]

55 years ago today - Jan 14, 1959

The Board of Trustees approves the establishment of the College of Religious Instruction (later Religious Education) at BYU, with David H. Yarn as the first dean.

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

115 years ago today - Jan 14, 1899

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] My financial affairs have almost worried the life out of me [he is not sleeping past 2]

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

130 years ago today - Monday, Jan. 14th, 1884

[Abraham H. Cannon Journal] "The Territorial legislature, composed entirely of monogamists, convened today."

[Source: Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]

170 years ago today - Jan 14, 1844

[Anointed Quorum] Sunday evening prayer circle meeting in the upper room of Joseph Smith's store, but he "did not go." Wilford Woodruff said it was a meeting "with the quorum of the Twelve. Conversed upon a variety of subjects building the Temple, the endowment &c." (ww) ... and Statement of Heber C. Kimball and George A. Smith, 4 Jan. 1857, added to JS-F entry of 14 Jan. 1844 state that Brigham and Mary Ann Young received the second anointing on this date. If true, this was a repetition of the ceremony the couple originally received on 22 Nov. 1843. Someone besides Joseph Smith performed this repeated second anointing for Brigham and Mary Young .

[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]

20 years ago today - Jan 13, 1994

Emanuel Tov, Hebrew University professor and editor-in-chief of the Dead Sea Scrolls publication projects, invites BYU Professor Donald W. Parry to join the international team of editors working on publication of the scrolls.

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

40 years ago today - Jan 13, 1974

Three missionaries in Pennsylvania are killed in head-on collision after car repeatedly bumps rear of their car and finally forces them into path on oncoming car.

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

115 years ago today - Jan 13, 1899

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] ... Today is one of the most eventful in my life from a financial standpoint and my deep gratitude to God is far beyond my power of expression and I hope I shall show my gratitude by more faithfulness in the future than I ever have been in the past.

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

170 years ago today - Jan 13, 1844

The Nauvoo City Council meets and "treated upon the Subject or granting licence for retailing liquors."

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

130 years ago today - Jan 13, 1884; Sunday

[Anthony Ivins Journal] Arose early this A.M. with the inten- tion of going to Amecameca but just as we were starting bro. [M.] Candanosa came in and told us that one of his children, a little boy about 6 years old, was very sick. He wished us to go and adminis- ter to it which we did. Found the child very low. Returned to our room and held meeting with a few of the brethren and sisters who came in. In the evening bro. Candanosa came in and told us that his child was still very low. I felt quite unwell, took some pills and composition tea before going to bed.

[Source: Anderson, Elizabeth Oberdick, editor, Cowboy Apostle: The Diaries of Anthony W. Ivins: 1875-1932, Signature Books, Salt Lake City in association with the Smith-Pettit Foundation (2013)]

120 years ago today - Jan 13, 1894

[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill Diary] Saturday. I left Franklin at 10:30 a. m., taking President George C. Parkinson with me, for Thatcher Ward, Gentile Valley, to dedicate their Meeting House and Bishop Lewis Pond's dwelling house.

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

70 years ago today - Jan 12, 1944

[David O. McKay] Special meeting with ... special missionaries. Advised them not to be too active during the next month'to await developments concerning the agents of the law and excommunicants for violations of the marriage laws.

[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]

90 years ago today - Jan 12, 1924

[James E. Talmage] Had interviews with several people relating to alleged plural marriage propaganda; and as result a citation was prepared whereby Lorin C. Woolley, a member of the Centerville First Ward, South Davis Stake, is to be called to attend a high council meeting in the near future for trial.

[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]

95 years ago today - Jan 12, 1919

[David O. McKay] I called on Thos. J. Steed 2742 Adams Ave., relative to his having entered into an alleged plural marriage.

Several important things he admitted; viz.,

(1) That he has entered into such a marriage.

(2) That the one performing ceremony claimed authority to do so.

(3) That it was hinted to him that there is a 'union' or 'secret organization' attempting to perpetuate such marriages; but he says 'To hell with such a union'.

(4) That perhaps the best way to learn more about this would be to attend the funerals of men and women how [who] have recently entered into alleged plural marriages.

[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]

105 years ago today - Jan 12, 1909

[Apostle George Albert Smith Journal] "Was present in Temple when Father baptized F.M. Lyman for his father [excommunicated apostle Amasa Lyman] and Pres Jos F. Smith restored his rights etc in the Priesthood [including his apostleship].

[Source: Journals of George Albert Smith]

130 years ago today - Jan 12, 1884

[J.D.T. McAllister Diary] Certain Women not to be sealed to Joseph Smith

read a letter from Prest. Taylor approving our action in the E.G. Defriez matter. also that sister Maria Iverson Moss could be Sealed to some good man. Such cases should not be Sealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith.

[Source: Diary Excerpts of J.D.T. McAllister, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

150 years ago today - Jan 12, 1864

Wilford Woodruff "Called at the prision & was with the prisioner [convicted murderer Jason Luce] until a few moments before his Execution. . . ."he had a vary hard time to part with his wife Children & Friends. He felt to Confess all of his [crimes] and ask the forgiveness of God & all men for all his Crimes. He had worn his garments up to tithing an hour before his death. I advised him to take it off which he did. . . . he then walked to his place of Execution. There was a large number outside the wall & some one hundred in the Court House . . . Jason Luce sat in a Chair with his feet maniceled. He addressed the people a few moments Renounced Wm. A. Hickman as his betrayer bid the People good by. Sherif Burton drew the Black Cap over his face & at the given signal 5 Balls was shot through or near his heart & his spirit left his body without a groan or hardly a movemet of his body." Luce had killed a man by slitting his throat with a Bowie knife on Dec. 7, 1863. The execution occurred 36 days after the crime was committed.

Having been publicly accused of using improper language, First Counselor Heber C. Kimball writes in his memorandum book: "I was told by the Lord that I should not be removed from my place as first counselor to President Young, and those who had oppressed me when it was in their power to do me good, shall be removed from their places. That [second counselor] Daniel H. Wells, [future apostle] Albert Carrington, [future apostle and son of Brigham] Jos. A. Young and others were among that number."

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

10 years ago today - Jan 11, 2004

Deseret Morning News

By Gary Mokotoff

Posthumous baptism is a terrible insult to Jews

What could be more inappropriate than baptizing a Holocaust victim; a person who died for only one reason he was a Jew ...

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

30 years ago today - Jan 11, 1984

Elder Mark E. Petersen dies.

[Source: Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)]

140 years ago today - Jan 11, 1874

[Brigham Young Sermon] ... He said, Brother Joseph was anxious to get the Temple finished in Kirtland; when they came to prepare the inscription stone of the Kirtland Temple, it was found, after the inscription was cut on the stone, no one seemed at hand to gild the letters out of doors. Brother Young said he would do it, and did it. The inscription cut on the stone was: '"This building was erected by the Church of Christ. 1834.'" One day President Joseph Smith and himself were looking at the stone after it was done. President Joseph said '"Brother Brigham if you were to indite the inscription for that stone, what would it be?'" President Young replied he would use much the same words, but would make in the inscription: '"This building was erected by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.'" This was all that was said and that time about the matter; but the first time he (Brother Brigham) afterwards noticed any public record naming the Church, he read it under the name of '"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.'" -- St. George, Utah

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

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]