135 years ago today - Aug 4, 1879 (Monday)

Geo. Q. Cannon, Albert Carrington and Brigham Young, executors of the estate of Pres. Brigham Young, executors of the estate of Pres. Brigham Young, were confined in the Utah Penitentiary, for alleged contempt of court.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

155 years ago today - Aug 4, 1859

President Young ... Said if there was a man that had a spark of fire in him either the Twelve or any body Els he wished they would blow it into a flame that others might keep it lest the fire go out. He was followed by H.C.K. John Young, Joseph Young, Elijah Everet several other Brethren & 2 women also spoke & the meeting dismissed.

[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 - August 4, 1844. Sunday.

[William Clayton ] ... [Sidney Rigdon] related a vision which the Lord had shown him concerning the situation of the Church and said there must be a Guardian appointed to build the Church up to Joseph as he has begun it. ... Brother Marks had notified the public that next Thursday there would be a meeting to choose a Guardian inasmuch as Mr. Rigdon was in a hurry to go home again. I do not feel satisfied with this move because it is universally understood that the Twelve have been sent for and are expected here every day and it seems a plot laid for the saints to take advantage of their situation.

[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]

15 years ago today - August 3. 1999

[Mountain Meadows] A back hoe’s claw exposes the skeletal remains of men, women, and children massacred in 1857.

[Source: Exploring Mormonism: Mountain Meadows Massacre Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/mountain-meadows-massacre-timeline/]

80 years ago today - Aug 3, 1934

[First Presidency Letter] Letter indicating a decision by the First Presidency that changed the Church program for girls ages 12-16. Prior to this time, they had been the joint responsibility of the Primary Association and the Y.W.M.I.A. organization. Henceforth, they were to be the responsibility of the Y.W.M.I.A., thus placing both boys and girls of this age group under the same direction.

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

115 years ago today - Thursday, Aug 3, 1899

[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] A letter from Geo. D. Pyper, Sec. Sunday School Union, was read by the clerk. He reported that the Sunday School board was contemplating the propriety of publishing some cards with the Lord's Prayer printed on them. A question, however, had arisen as to whether Joseph Smith's version or the Bible version should be adopted. The difference in the two versions, he said, was this. In the Bible version it says, "Lead us not into temptation" [Matthew 6:13]; in Joseph's version, "Suffer us not to be led into temptation." After some discussion, it was decided to leave the matter open until the First Presidency should all be present with the Twelve to take action.

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

140 years ago today - Aug 3, 1874 (Monday)

An attempt was made by the "Liberal Party" to get possession of the polls of election in Salt Lake City. U.S. Marshal Maxwell and a horde of armed assistants rendered aid. Mayor Daniel H. Wells was mobbed, and considerable rioting done at the City Hall, but the plot proved a failure.

At the general election, Geo. Q. Cannon was re-elected Utah's delegate to Congress. He received 22,260 votes, and Robert N. Baskin, the Liberal candidate, 4,513.

[Governor George L. Woods, a Liberal sympathizer and foe of Mormonism, refuses to issue an election certificate. When Wood's successor, moderate Samuel B. Axtell, issues the certificate to Cannon in early 1875, Baskin immediately protests, charging that Cannon is not an American citizen (he was born in England), is a polygamist, and regards his obligation to the Mormon hierarchy as superior to his allegiance to national law. To support his charges, Baskin obtains the testimony of several prominent anti-polygamy Mormon women, including Heber C. Kimball's granddaughter, Bella Kimball, Emmeline Smith, and Sarah Pratt. In Sarah's deposition she affirms that Cannon had violated the 1862 Morrill Anti-bigamy Law.]

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

35 years ago today - 35 years - Aug. 2, 7, 1979

[Alfonso G.] P[ia]: It was during the same period too, in the early '60s * '62, '63, right in there * that the question of dividing the initiatory ordinances from the endowment took place, which was very controversial. It came about as a result of recommendations made that tied into computerization. * It was done in Salt Lake and it was done in Los Angeles initially. * I'm inclined to believe that the first separation of the initiatory work was done in the Los Angeles Temple. Well, to my knowledge, in the early stages as the Church commenced doing records tabulation work, it was played down and wasn't made public. As it became broader and broader, I think in the late '60s in reports you would start to see so many endowments performed, so many names submitted by [the] membership, and so many others, but undefined. I believe the reports came out with an "others" category. I'm not sure what the ratio is now, but I understand that well over half the work comes in through records tabulation.

[Source: Alfonso G. Pia oral history, Aug. 2; 7, 1979; pp. 13-14; excerpt in Buerger Papers as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]

135 years ago today - 135 years - Aug 2, 1879

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] Petone wanted me to go with him. He Painted himself up with white Clay and striped his limbs like an Antelope then Put on a shirt striped like an Antelope then put on an artificial Antelope's Head & horns on his head. He was then ready for a hunt. He started out on a run both of us mounted on good horses.

... we Came in sight of a Buck Antelope Petone immediately dismounted & went of on a trot on all fours, pretending to Eat grass & with his Antelope head & horns walked up within 100 yards of his game & shot him dead in his tracks. ...

One of the Antelope He killed this forenoon he wounded and would not waste a second Ball But run onto him with his horse & larrietted him & Cut his throat. We arived in Camp about 12 oclok having run our horses some 20 miles and Brought in on one horse 3 venison. I was vary weary when I arived in Camp I got some Dinner & spent the Afternoon mostly in Camp. Petone was out again in the afternoon. They killed 5 old ones & 2 young ones.

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

155 years ago today - 155 years - Aug 2, 1859

Seventy-three-year-old Elizabeth Watson wanders away from a handcart company and is not found despite day-long search. The camp moves on without her, only to be amazed on Aug 15 when she meets them at a trading post west of Independence Rock.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]

165 years ago today - 165 years - Aug 2, 1849

At a special conference in the Bowery on Temple Square, Hosea Stout and two companions are called to go to China. They arrived in Hong Kong in Apr 1853. They become ill from the oppressive heat and the unusual food. Their message falls on deaf ears. There is no response other than ridicule. In four months they return home.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]

170 years ago today - 170 years - Aug 2, 1844

[Patriarchal Blessing of Joseph C. Kingsbury] ... The weakest of thy sons shall be like David of old. Thy daughters also shall be honorable amongst the Saints. I seal this blessing also upon their heads throughout all their generations. Thy name shall be had in honorable remembrance to the end of time.

... thousands shall obey the Gospel through thy teachings and no power shall stay thine hand, no enemies shall prevail against thee for the angels of the Lord shall chase them away. Kings and Rulers and great men of the earth shall tremble at thy word. Thou shalt bring thy tens of thousands to Zion and thy Companion shall be there and shall spread a table for she shall have an abundance of the good things of the earth and thou shalt sit at the head of the table and bless the food with all thy believing children that thou has gathered out from among the nations in the name of the Lord.

Thou shalt live to see the Temple which the Lord hath said shall be built in this generation. ... I seal thee up to eternal life, Amen.

[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]

170 years ago today - 170 years - Aug 2, 1844 (Friday)

A political meeting of the citizens of Hancock County, Ill., was held near the Temple at Nauvoo. Great excitement prevailed throughout the county. The mob party was determined to elect officers who would screen the murderers of Joseph and Hyrum Smith and exterminate the "Mormons."

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

10 years ago today - Aug 1, 2004

Mexico became the first nation, outside the United States, to reach one million members of the Church.

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

35 years ago today - Aug 01, 1979

[U.S. Religious History] Linda Joy Holtzman became the rabbi for the Conservative Beth Israel congregation in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. She was thus the female rabbi to lead a Jewish congregation in the USA.

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

100 years ago today - Aug 1, 1914; Saturday

Told Pres[iden]t. [Joseph F.] Smith I would like to sell the Church $5.000 theatre stock. He did not care to purchase. I am sorry and disapp[oin]t[e]d.

[Source: Heber J. Grant, Diary]

125 years ago today - Aug 1, 1889

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] I visited the [Logan] Temple in the Afternoon & made arangments to attend to some Adoptions in the Temple.

] 2d [Aug] Brother Wm. H Thompson & family were adopted into his Fathers family and his Father & family were adopted into the family of Wilford Woodruff. These adoptions are to be recorded into Wilford Woodruff family Record. George Q Cannon arived to day and Attended to Adoptions.

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

135 years ago today - Aug 1, 1879

[John Nuttle Diary] The court & attorneys for Pltff [plaintiff] appears very vindictive against Prest. Taylor & the Executors it is not Known what course may be pursued in the event of extreme Measures. Prest. Taylor feels that he will rather go to prison than submit to the base demands made upon him by these persons for in his position he feels himself amensable to the people and to God for his Trusts & not to them.

[Source: Diary Excerpts of L. John Nuttall, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

145 years ago today - Aug 1, 1869

Joseph Smith's widow Emma writes to her son Joseph Smith III, "I do not like to have my children's feelings abused, but I do like that Brigham shows to all, both Saint and sinner that there is not the least particle of friendship existing between him and myself."

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]

180 years ago today - Aug 1, 1834

[Orson Pratt Journal] The high council gave their sanction for me to travel eastward towards Kirtland, preaching by the way. I accordingly united in the ministry with my brother, Wm. [William] D. Pratt, and in a few days left, traveling on the north side of the Missouri River. Overexertion in traveling brought on the fever and ague, which continued to afflict me at intervals for months. Sometimes I lay down upon the wet prairies, many miles from any house, being unable to travel. ... At Terre Haute I preached a few times, and baptized George W. Harris and his wife [Lucinda Morgan Harris, widow of Masonic marter William Morgan (1826), probably became a wife of Joseph Smith (1838)]

[Source: http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/OPratt.html]

180 years ago today - Aug 1, 1834

Kirtland, Ohio. Joseph Smith arrived in Kirtland from Missouri "after a tedious journey from the midst of enemies, mobs, cholera, and excessively hot weather."

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

180 years ago today - Aug 1, 1834

... (About this time) Truman O. Angell relates Carpenter Rolph’s conversation with Joseph Smith, in which Smith states that he and his counselors saw the temple in vision, “to a minutia”

[Source: Exploring Mormonism: Kirtland Safety Society Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/kirltand-safety-society-timeline-note-this-was-built-back-in-january-2013/]

10 years ago today - Jul 31, 2004

[Quorum of the Twelve] David B. Haight dies.

[Source: Wikipedia, Chronology of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_the_Quorum_of_the_Twelve_Apostles_(LDS_Church)]

60 years ago today - Jul 31, 1954

CHURCH NEWS publishes Counselor J. Reuben Clark's talk to all LDS seminary and institute teachers in which he declares that "even the President of the Church has not always spoken under the direction of the Holy Ghost."

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]

150 years ago today - Jul 31, 1864

[Brigham Young Sermon] The stranger who is ignorant of our history inquires:'"'"Have you the gift of tongues in your Church?'" Yes, and were I to permit it now, hundreds of the Elders and the sisters would rise up in this congregation and speak in new tongues, and interpret as well as the learned of the age; but I do not permit it. Does the gift of prophesy exist with us? This fact is so evident and plain that it appears to us almost a loss of time to talk about it. The present state of affairs and the present unhappy state of our once happy country, I have preached and prophesied of for the last thirty years; and so have thousands of others prophesied before the people of this land that the Almighty would come out in his wrath and vex the nation for persecuting the Priesthood of the Son of God; the fulfilment is too evident to attempt to prove.

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

180 years ago today - Jul 31, 1834

Samuel Brown's license is withdrawn for encouraging brethern to speak in tongues.

[Source: Tidd, N. R., "Mormon Chronology, Rev 01 Volume 01" http://bit.ly/tiddchron]

20 years ago today - Jul 30, 1994

Hundreds celebrate the naming of Melissa Coray Peak in eastern California. The peak is named after a Mormon Battalion soldier's wife who had accompanied the battalion on its two-thousand-mile trek.

100 years ago today - Jul 30, 1914; Thursday

Letter read from Mr. P[urley]. A. Baker, president of the Anti-Saloon League of America, to Bro[ther]. Grant, suggesting that Bro[ther]. Grant take charge of the work of the League in Utah. Bro[ther]. Grant said he submitted this letter to the council for consideration of this question.

It was the sense of the Council that it would be an unwise thing for Bro[ther]. Grant to head the temperance cause locally, that it would be better for him to suggest some other person to do this in Utah, and he himself be free to co-operate with such a representative.

[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]

120 years ago today - Jul 30, 1894

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] Mrs Anie May Abbott & Husband Called upon us and Exhibited her Peculiar strength & Power in lifting several Men while she [was] a small woman weighing 90 lbs. The gift Came upon her in Childhood.

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

125 years ago today - Jul 30, 1889

L. John Nuttall writes in his diary: "We have information that the U.S. Dist. Arty., Marshall, and Courts purpose arresting the Presidency, Twelve, Presidents of Stakes, Bishops, and leading men generally, and if they do not acknowledge to having put away their plural wives, they will be considered as living in unlawful cohabitation and be punished accordingly."

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]

170 years ago today - Jul 30, 1844

[Patriarchal Blessing of Elizabeth Stout by John Smith] ... to have faith to preserve the lives of thy children, until they are old. Thy name shall be had in honorable remembrance to the end of time. Thou shalt have a numerous offspring; the weakest of thy sons shall be like David, yea, to chase a thousand, and two of them shall put ten thousand to flight. ... thou shalt be able to spread a table, to feed thousands; shall have Men servants, and Maid servants to wait on thy Table. Thou shalt live to see the winding up scene of this generation, if thou desire it, shal see the accomplishment of all that the Prophets spoke concerning the latter-day glory, and be fully satisfied ...

[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]

170 years ago today - Jul 30, 1844

[Patriarchal Blessing of Allen Stout by John Smith ] ... Thou shalt live to see the destruction of this ungodly generation. ... Thou shalt have an inheritance in the land of Zion, and shall be able to gather thy thousands and bring them home with thee; and shall be able to feed multitudes of them at thy table. Thou shalt have the privilege of redeeming thy dead and bring them up in the resurrection and reign over them with thy companion and children to all eternity; do all things which you desire and see the winding up scene....

[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]

170 years ago today - Jul 30, 1844

Samuel H. Smith dies from what is reported as "bilious fever," but which his daughter and brother later described as poisoning by Hosea Stout, ordered by Willard Richards. Stout had given "white powder" medicine to Samuel daily until his death. Later Council of Fifty member and physician John M. Bernhisel tells William Smith that anti-Mormons had somehow poisoned his brother. On news of his death, bishop George Miller and Alexander Badlam try to persuade Willard Richards, John Taylor, and George A. Smith to allow the Council of Fifty to organize a First Presidency. Before his death Joseph Smith had named his brother Samuel as his successor in case Joseph and Hyrum were suddenly taken. Apostle William Smith is now the only survivor of Joseph Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith's five sons.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]

55 years ago today - Wed Jul 29, 1959

[David O. McKay Office Journal] President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., called to report that he is better. He says that he is able to walk around a little. State that he is taking "pills, pills, pills," then added: "Do you remember what Sister Richards said about President Stephen L Richards? That he is one of the pill-ers of the Church? (laughter) Well," concluded President Clark, "I am two pill-ers!" (Laughter).

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

85 years ago today - Jul 29, 1929

[Joseph Fielding Smith] Wrote to Elder Guy C. Wilson correcting false doctrine taught to Seminary teaches, in relation to the atonement.

[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]

165 years ago today - Jul 29, 1849

[Brigham Young Sermon] In a public meeting President Young reproved those persons who were lounging around and wasting their time in trading and speculation while their families were in wretchedness, and their corn and wheat were dropping onto the ground, and requested them to go to work. [Salt Lake City - Brigham Young, the man and his work 135-136]

[Source: Elden J. Watson, ed. Brigham Young Addresses, 1801-1877: A Chronological Compilation of Known Addresses of the Prophet Brigham Young, 6 vols. (Salt Lake City: Privately published, 1971)]

20 years ago today - Jul 28, 1994

The First Presidency announces the sending of a relief package worth $760,000 to Rwanda, including emergency supplies and funds to deliver the supplies.

40 years ago today - Jul 28, 1974

NEW YORK TIMES reports lawsuit by NAACP against LDS church. Since church's Boy Scout program gives troop and post leadership to only boy-leaders in LDS Aaronic Priesthood, this discriminates against African-American Boy Scouts, who are denied preisthood ordination by LDS policy. LDS Scout policy changes within months, and lingering discrimination question becomes moot in four years. This evening Judiciary Committee of U.S. House of Representatives votes to approve first of three articles of impeachment against President Richard M. Nixon. Only Mormon on committee, Democrat Wayne Owens of Utah, votes for all three. As final act of Watergate break-in scandal, Nixon resigns within days rather than wait for certain impeachment by entire house and conviction-expulsion by Senate. Mormon D. Todd Christofferson is clerk for Watergate trial judge John J. Sirica throughout Watergate proceedings, and becomes general authority in 1993.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]

140 years ago today - Jul 28, 1874

[Patriarchal Blessing of Jacob Hamblin given by David Tyler on July 28, 1874] ... Satan has laid many plans to destroy thee, but thy guardian Angiles [Angels] have delivered thee out of his power; they will continue to deliver thee until the fullness of thy work is accomplished upon the earth and if thou dost desire it, with all thy heart thou shalt live to behold thy redeemer in the flesh.

...Thou shalt lead thy thousands in the redemption of Zion and behold her waste places built up never more to be thrown down. Thy influence with the Lamanites shall increase until thy word shall be unto them as the word of God. Those Nephites who have remained upon the earth shall minister unto thee.

... Thou shalt be one of the hundred and forty-four thousand who ascends to the God head. ...

[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]

170 years ago today - Jul 28, 1844

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] Elder B. Young expressed his feelings to me upon a variety of subjects. Among others wished me to keep an account of things as he should look to me for his Journal some day. ...

[Lyman Wight] informed me that Joseph told him while they were in Joal [Jail] that he should not live to see forty years but told him not to reveal it untill he was dead.

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

105 years ago today - 105 years (in 1 days) - Jul 27, 1909; Tuesday

I have read an article in the [Salt Lake] Tribune today stating that Elder Alpha J. Higgs has left the country with a plural wife whom he has taken lately. It goes on to state that there are others in the church who have taken wives lately, and that there is being an investigation of the matter by the First Presidency with the view to finding out the facts in the case and then there will be some of them excommunicated from the church.

I have heard from reliable sources that there is really an investigation going on, to find out who has been taking plural wives contrary to the "manifesto" and the rulings of the church. The quorum of the Apostles are at work on the matter and there seems to be very strong sentiment expressed among them that they intend to take the office from every man who has done so. And there is a statement afloat that they will be cut off the church.

Now, there is something in that course of procedure that I cannot understand clearly. Though I do not sit in judgment on the Authorities of the church for what they are doing in the matter, but I cannot understand why such drastic measures should be employed by them in dealing with the case. If the principle was ever true, it is still true, and there are many who are placed in jeopardy by the investigation, because they have been in that order of marriage for years without infrinting on the "Manifesto" further than to continue living with their plural wives. It looks to me that it is as great a sin to continue living with those wives as it is to take others later, where it has been done with a desire to serve the Lord. Still, I shall not sit in judgment on my leaders, but will wait the results of their labors.

[Source: James D. Cummings, Diary]

115 years ago today - 115 years (in 1 days) - Jul 27, 1899; Thursday

The President [Snow] now directed the attention of the Council to the position the Church should take in the prosecutions against polygamists that were now going on and were likely to continue. The subject was considered at great length, and it was the general sense of the meeting that each case must stand on its own merits

and be regarded as a personal matter. Such was the substance of the testimony of the First Presidency and those Apostles who appeared before the Master in Chauncery, in August 1891. It was decided, however, in order to show that polygamy was not on the increase, to get the Presidents of Stakes to collect statistics, giving the number of polygamists when the Manifesto was issued, and the number existing now.

A communication was read, signed by John Henry Smith and Matthias F. Cowley, a committee appointed some time ago to ascertain how cheaply the Book of Mormon and other Church works could be printed. On motion, the communication was received, to be acted upon hereafter. ...

[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]

115 years ago today - 115 years (in 1 days) - Thursday, Jul 27, 1899

[Apostle Rudger Clawson Diary] In view of the charge of adultery brought by our enemies against Apostle H. J. Grant, and the possibility of the Presidency and Twelve being called in as witnesses, there was some discussion as to what attitude it would be best for the brethren to assume. It was finally decided that the matter be left to each one to answer according to the whisperings of the Spirit of the time.

[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]

115 years ago today - 115 years (in 1 days) - Jul 27, 1899

[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill Diary] and 28.--Thursday and Friday. Richmond. I am looking after the haying; have three mowers running; got done hauling hay at the mill yesterday; had only 20 loads there this year. I go to South Farm this evening and to Logan tomorrow. Got done cutting on Hobson Twenty today and on Fox Twenty yesterday and on Lewis Twenty today. All the machines are cutting in the Big Field this afternoon.

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

120 years ago today - 120 years (in 1 days) - Jul 27, 1894

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 27 Spent the day in the office. Had an interview with Mrs Abbot & her Husband. She had a gift from Childhood of a power like Electricity. She weighed about 90 lbs. She Could lift several Men at the same time. She Could place a Child on the floor & no man was strong Enough to lift it up. She Exhibited her Strength at Saltair for one week.

[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 - 120 years (in 1 days) - Friday, Jul 27, 1894

[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] Ogden

Sarah and I went to Ogden. Lorin Farr is 74 years old. Some 91 persons met at his residence and chatted and feasted. We had a very nice time.

[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]

130 years ago today - 130 years (in 1 days) - Sunday, Jul 27, 1884

[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] Steamer Wyoming and Cork, Ireland

Weather fine. I bid goodbye for the present to my wife and son and friends and I went ashore. I at once took train for Cork and upon arrival I stopped at the Imperial Hotel. I hired a jaunting car and drove to Blarney Castle and put my hand on the celebrated Blarney stone but did not kiss it as travelers usually do.

[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]

165 years ago today - 165 years (in 1 days) - Jul 27, 1849

[Hosea Stout Diary] Frid & Sat 27 & 28th. At home & trading for coffee &c of the emegrants.

[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]

10 years ago today - Jul 26, 2004

Associated Press article about DNA research into the origins of Native Americans. Conclusion that Native Americans migrated from Mongolia/Siberia and not from Jerusalem leads apologetic Mormon scholars to contradict long-standing teaching and even scriptural references that Lamanites are the "principal ancestors" of Native American peoples and suggest that entire Book of Mormon concerns only a small, localized population that eventually died out. Former LDS bishop and geneticist Simon Southerton is featured in article. He says, "given the state of DNA research and increasing lay awareness of it, church leaders ought just to own up to the problems that continued literal teachings about the Book of Mormon present for American Indians and Polynesians. . . They should come out and say, 'There's no evidence to support your Israelite ancestry;' I don't have any problem with anyone believing what's in the Book of Mormon. Just don't make it look like science is backing it all up." The article is printed in many newspapers across the United States and around the world.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]

75 years ago today - Jul 26, 1939

[President Heber J. Grant Diary] Sister Bennion, wife of Major Howard Bennion, called and had a lot of questions to ask about Joseph Smith's practice of polygamy, Brigham Young, and other things. I had a pleasant visit with her and told her all I knew was that the Prophet or Brigham Young never did anything but what was right so far as marrying people was concerned. Told of my own mother's experience, etc., etc. I told her that when people started to finding fault, they were on the wrong track.

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

150 years ago today - Jul 26, 1864

First foundation stones laid for the Salt Lake Tabernacle.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]

180 years ago today - Jul 26, 1834

[Helen Mar Kimball] It was Sunday when the news came to Kirtland of the death of the brethren [of Zion's Camp] from cholera, and the Saints were quietly dispersing from afternoon meeting. ... . The scene that followed no pen can describe; the shrieks and cries of the bereaved were heartrending, and made a vivid and lasting impression upon my mind. ...

At this time the brethren were laboring night and day building the house of the Lord. Elder Rigdon, when addressing the brethren upon the importance of building this house, spake to the effect that we should use every effort to accomplish this building by the time appointed; if we did, the Lord would accept it at our hands, and on it depends the salvation of the Church, and also of the world.

[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]

75 years ago today - Jul 25, 1939

[President Heber J. Grant Diary] I went directly to the hospital having been told by my son-in-law, who met us at the depot, that Brother McKay had just telephoned to him that Brother Melvin J. Ballard was in a dying condition and he doubted that he would be alive when I reached the hospital. I went directly to the hospital. President Clark was there and we called in Brother Ballard's room. His wife and children were there and they asked us to dedicate Brother Ballard to the Lord feeling that he ought to be relived (sic) of his pain. I do not think he recognized us. His eyes glared, and I felt that I just could not utter a prayer dedicating him to the Lord. He is the first man that I nominated to be an apostle, and I asked Brother Clark to comply with the request of his family. I was impressed by his putting a good, strong if in his prayer, if his time had come that he might go quickly, otherwise that he might be healed. I remained there about three-quarters for an hour expecting him to pass away. Then I excused myself and went hom (sic) for breakfast.

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

80 years ago today - Jul 25, 1934

[President Heber J. Grant Diary] Glen Smith, a son of the late Apostle John Henry Smith, called, and I had a long talk with him telling of the reasons that led to the dropping of John W. Taylor and Matthias Cowley from the Quorum of the Apostles and entered into detail regarding my interviews with Cowley. When he left he expressed pleasure at my explanation of things and said he felt first-class about the status of things, for which I was grateful.

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

115 years ago today - Tuesday, Jul 25, 1899

[Apostle John Henry Smith Diary] One Owens has made an accusation against Heber J. Grant for Adultry for living with his Wife Emily Wells.

[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]

115 years ago today - Jul 25, 1899

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] At St Chas saw paper that chg of adultery made against me. At Bloomington teleg Dougall-to me & to Budge--Keep from appearing in public.

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

170 years ago today - Jul 25, 1844

Illinois Governor Thomas Ford writes to the people of Hancock county: "Try your 'Mormon' neighbors again, and if you cannot dwell together in amity, you may at least refrain from injuring each other. . . . Besides, if you are the aggressors, I am determined that all the power of the state shall be used to prevent your success. I can never agree that a set of infatuated and infuriated men shall barbarously attack a peaceful people who have submitted to all the demands of the law, and when they had full power to do so, refrained from inflicting vengeance upon their enemies. You may count on my most determined opposition-upon the opposition of the law, and upon that of every peaceful, law-abiding citizen of the country. . . . I have been informed that the 'Mormons' about Lima and Macedonia have been warned to leave the settlements. They have a right to remain and enjoy their property. As long as they are good citizens they shall not be molested, and the sooner those misguided persons withdraw their warning and retrace their steps, the better it will be for them."

Since it is an election year, feeling is that Ford is only trying to win Mormon votes for the Democratic party.

175 years ago today - Jul 25, 1839

Trial of Thomas B. Marsh's wife for withholding cream strippings from her partner.

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

30 years ago today - Jul 24, 1984

Two Mormon Fundamentalists, brothers Ron and Dan Lafferty, ritualistically murder their sister-in-law Brenda and her fifteen-month-old daughter Erica in response to a "Thus saith the Lord" revelation: "It is my will and commandment that ye remove the following individuals in order that my work might go forward. For they have truly become obstacles in my path and I will not allow my work to be stopped. First thy brother's wife Brenda and her baby, . . ."

[In 2003 Jon Krakauer authored "Under the Banner of Heaven," an account of the murder and the Mormon background of the Laffertys.]

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]

115 years ago today - Jul 24, 1899; Monday

[Anthony Ivins Journal] Apostle [Brigham] Young [Jr.] made interesting remini[s]cent remarks. Said in vision a messenger took him into the air and showed him the entire continent. He saw the country North & East desolate & devoid of all inhabitants, while the country South was populous & prosperous. The Presidency called the people together and said--Brethren we want volu pioneers to go out and build up the waste places there are none to oppose us.

[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) - http://bit.ly/AnthonyIvins]

120 years ago today - Jul 24, 1894

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] July 24, 1894 47 years ago this day I brought Prest Brigham Young into this valley in my Carriage. Nearly all of that Company to day are in the spirit world. I spent this day at home vary quiet.

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

140 years ago today - Jul 24, 1874

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] This is the Anniversary of the Entrance of the Pioneers into this vally on the 24 day of July 1847, Being 27 years ago. The Inhabitants of this City have been laboring for several weeks to adorn the great Tabernacle to prepare a Great Jubilee of the Sabbath school Children of 4 Counties Salt Lake, Utah, & Davis & Webber. From 8,000 to 10,000 Children Assembled in the Tabernacle & the rest of the room was occupied by adults. It was judged that there were 14,000 people in the Tabernacle. Most of the time was occupied with songs & Music. Short speeches were made By President B Young G A Smith & G Q. Cannon. The whole Tabernacle was decorated with Evergreens & taking it altogether it was the grandest view & scene of my life. A day long to be remembered.

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

150 years ago today - Jul 24, 1864

[Brigham Young Sermon] I have know where gold is'-if gold discovered here we would be ruined. God would have given this people riches, but would have ruined us'

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

185 years ago today - Jul 24, 1829

The WAYNE SENTINEL opines that the "gap in the history of the world, as far as it relates to [the Indians], . . . can never be closed up." The same newspaper quotes Thomas Jefferson as saying that the Indian's origin and ancient history was "consigned to the receptacle of things forever lost upon earth."

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]

20 years ago today - Jul 23, 1994

CHURCH NEWS story "Members Help Defeat Lottery Initiative" tells how two general authorities coordinate political campaign in Oklahoma where Mormons "make up less than 1 percent of the state's population." LDS Public Affairs officials and their Protestant allies achieve overwhelming defeat of proposal even though "public opinion polls show 75 percent for the initiative" before this Mormon-directed campaign.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]

75 years ago today - Jul 23, 1939

Ben E. Roberts, the son of B. H. Roberts, acknowledges the existence of "A Parallel" in a letter to Mormon attorney and author Ariel L. Crowley. "A Parallel," which was originally eighteen typed pages, presents similarities between Ethan Smith's VIEW OF THE HEBREWS and the Book of Mormon and is arranged in parallel columns. It was presented to Apostle Richard R. Lyman in 1927 and had circulated in the Mormon underground. Copies of the document are passed out in 1946 at the Timpanogos Club of Salt Lake City on in 1946. It is subsequently published in the Rocky Mountain Mason in 1956. VIEW OF THE HEBREWS was published in New York shortly before the Book of Mormon.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]

80 years ago today - Jul 23, 1934

President Ivins reported that Sister Nancy A.C. Williams ... is the wife of ... a grandson of Frederick G. Williams, one of the First Presidency of the Church at the time the Kirtland Temple was erected. She states to President Ivins that they have the papers and have been advised by an attorney that they could recover title to the Kirtland Temple in view of the fact that Frederick G. Williams had deeded the property to the Church for the temple site with the provision that if it were not used for temple purposes they could recover the property at any time. The Presidency requested that the Presiding Bishopric inquire into this situation.

[Source: First Presidency, Meeting with Presiding Bishopric, 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]

90 years ago today - Jul 23, 1924

[President Heber J. Grant Diary] Met Mr. G.A. Marr, attorney in my office this morning shortly after 7 o'clock, and talked with him until after 9. He wrote me a letter some time ago saying he could not understand how in the world I could sustain Guy C. Wilson as president of the L.D.S. Shcool [sic] of Music and L.D.S. High School and Business College, when I knew that he was living in violation of the law, having two families in Salt Lake City. I explained to him that Guy Wilson went to Mexico in good faith to live there, married two wives there, expecting to spend his time in Mexico, that when the rebellion came and he was driven out, that my predecessor saw fit to employ him as president of the L.D.S. University and that I did not feel like discharging him, as he had spent his life preparing himself to teach. I felt that men who had entered into plural marriage in Mexico, by and with the consent of President Diaz and prior to the dropping of John W. Taylor and Matthias F. Cowley as members of the Council of the Twelve, so far as the Church was concerned, ought not to be condemned. He stated that he could not agree with me, but he saw my standpoint, and seemed to feel better than prior to writing his letter.

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

105 years ago today - Jul 23, 1909

[Anthony W. Ivins] [A]t 10 A.M., met with my quorum and continued investigating ... question of plural marriages. Ja[me]s. G. Duffin, Hyrum Grant, Patriarch [Judson] Tolman. [July 21-23, 1909] Investigation new case of plural marriage.

[Source: Anthony W. Ivins 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]

125 years ago today - Jul 23, 1889

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] At the Nephi conference nearly all of the remarks of Bro[ther] Morgan and myself were on the necessity of the Saints being united in all things whether political or spiritual.

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

More History?

Want more LDS history? Check out Mormon-Church-History, a comprehensive chronology of church history. It is a tour through church history, covering a little bit each day through the the history of the church. About a dozen chronological entries are posted daily, gradually covering the entire history of the Mormon church over the next several years. More info can be found here: http://mormon-church-history.blogspot.com/2008/12/welcome-to-mormon-church-history.html

75 years ago today - Jul 22, 1939

[President Heber J. Grant Diary] Bishop D.G. Hunt of the Catholic Church called and apologized for some unfavorable things published in the Catholic paper regarding our people. He said he would be willing to publish a refutation of them. I told him I thought perhaps it would be best to just let them alone.

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

115 years ago today - Jul 22, 1899; Saturday

[Anthony Ivins Journal] ... stood on the Temple lot at Independence Missouri. Referred to the law suit bet[ween] the Josephites & Hedrikites for its possession. Said the time would come when the judgments of God would sweep every incumbrance from that land & when we go back to build a city & temple there will be none that will oppose them.

[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) - http://bit.ly/AnthonyIvins]

125 years ago today - Jul 22, 1889

[Patriarchal Blessing of Elisabeth Ruth Dowdle by O. N. Liljenquist on July 22, 1889] I say ... that you may live even until the coming of the Son of Man. ... For you shall see great changes, you shall see te plagues go forth upon the earth, and the great destruction of a great portion of the human race, pass off from this existence due to these plagues, but if you will listen to the still small voice, it shall not hurt thee, you shall have power to rebuke the destroyer. He shall pass your door by, you will have power to sanctify your house and habitation, and exercise a sanctifying influence in many habitations. ...

[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]

130 years ago today - Jul 22, 1884

In Tullahoma, Tennessee, Missionary J. Golden Kimball asks a couple named Sharp for lodging and finds himself in the middle of a marital storm. Mr. Sharp seems to have been running around with a girl of nineteen, and after J. Golden's arrival Mrs. Sharp ventures the opinion that Mormonism would suit Mr. Sharp just fine.

140 years ago today - Jul 22, 1874

[Brigham Young Sermon] It is my last will and testimony to my brethren that in choosing [leaders] for the Legislative Assembly, never choose a lawyer, and to preserve purity and good government, let the jury laws be so made that the persons be from among good honest farmers and machinists, men who labor for a living, to judge the cases; then you will have a good government. -- Salt Lake City

[Source: Leonard J. Arrington Papers, Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan.. (A reference reading LJA 12-55-5, 10, means LJA Series 12, Box 55, Folder 5, page 10.) 9-13-2 as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]

170 years ago today - Jul 22, 1844

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] I lade my hands upon my Father Aphek head (And according to the authority of the Priesthood and Apostleship confered upon me by the Revelations of Jesus Christ under the hands of the Twelve Apostles, President B. Young being mouth upon the cornor stone of the house of the Lord in far west in the land of Zion,) I ordained My father Aphek Woodruff unto the office of an high Priest and Patriarch after the order of Melchezedeck. I sealed him up unto eternal life. I placed upon his head the seals of the covenant. [One and a half lines crossed out and illegible.]

[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 - Jul 22, 1839

Joseph records that "the sick were administered unto with great success, but many remain sick, and new cases are occurring daily." On this day he walks through the sick, healing almost everyone he touches. Wilford Woodruff borrows a silk bandana from Joseph and wipes it on the faces of sick twins, who are immediately healed.

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

10 years ago today - Jul 21, 2004

Elder Neal A. Maxwell dies.

[Source: Wikipedia, 21st Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_century_(Mormonism)]

60 years ago today - Jul 21, 1954

The First Presidency announced the establishment of the Church College of Hawaii. The college commenced operation Sept. 26, 1955.

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

70 years ago today - Jul 21, 1944

U.S. Armed forces begin invasion of Guam. Paul H. Dunn later tells of his experience in the landing: "We jump in the water, the water's chest high. You gotta hold your rifle over your head. If the muzzle drops in the water-that's salt water-it would blow up when you fire. Did you ever try to run in water up to your chest, loaded down? You don't move very fast. And the enemy starts to pick you up. You're pushing with the butt of your rifle the dead bodies and wounded bodies of your friends and associates you've been training with. The coral is so sharp it cuts the boots off your feet and your feet are starting to bleed like mincemeat, and you're trying to get ashore. I was one of the first ashore that morning. And I dug my first foxhole with my fingernails and I crawled in it. And just as I crawled into that mucky hole an ambu gun opens up that shoots about 700 rounds a minute and it went down my right arm and took off my identification bracelet. And I rolled over and started to talk to Heavenly Father. And he answered me. And I have never been the same since." The division history says of the landing, "Fortunately little fire was received, as the enemy was occupied by the Marines now half a mile inland." Two soldiers who were on Dunn's landing craft affirm it was caught on a coral reef during the landing and did not land until the next day. One of them recalls a casualty that happened in connection with the landing: "One died shortly after we landed at Guam. It was an accident. He had laid his gun down on a jeep; it fell off [and discharged]."

75 years ago today - Jul 21, 1939

First Presidency agrees to send no more missionaries to Germany due to danger of "having them thrown into concentration camps, with all the horrors that that entails."

110 years ago today - Jul 21, 1904; Thursday

It was the sense of the meeting, at the suggestion of President [Joseph F.] Smith, that Brother [Charles W.] Penrose's picture be hung on the walls of the temple, and that Brother John Hafen be employed to paint it. ....

[Source: First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]

125 years ago today - Jul 21, 1889

First Counselor in the First Presidency George Q. Cannon preaches: " We are commanded to be subject to the direction of the Holy Spirit when we arise to speak; for if we speak as we should do, it is not we who speak, but it is the Spirit of God which speaks through us. On this account, the Elders of the Church do not, at least as a rule, prepare themselves before hand with either written or memorized sermons, for if they were to do so, they would depart from the order of heaven, and would prove utter failures."

165 years ago today - Jul 21, 1849

Addison Pratt, departing missionary, receives endowment given on Ensign Peak, "the place being consecrated for the purpose."

170 years ago today - Jul 21, 1844 (Sunday)

Addison Pratt baptized four white men and four natives on the island of Tubuai. These natives, whose names were Nabota and his wife Telii, Pauma and Hamoe, were the first of the Polynesian race to embrace the fulness of the gospel.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

105 years ago today - Jul 20, 1909

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] Had a talk with B.H. Roberts and Ida Dusenbury regarding plural marriages that are being performed at the present time and I learned that Brother Cowley was supposed to be quoted as saying that these marriages could be performed today as well as they ever could, and that it was all right to perform them. These reports had come to Brother Roberts and Sister Dusenbury, and I am hoping that they are not true, because if Brother Cowley is saying anything of this kind, it is an outrage, and I would naturally think that after having been dropped from the Quorum of the Twelve, that he would not pressure to make any such remarks. I understand he is a very sick man or I would investigate the case at once.

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

110 years ago today - Jul 20, 1904

DESERET NEWS reports that a young man being sent home early from his mission has attempted suicide by taking carbolic acid and slitting his throat and wrists with a razor.

170 years ago today - Jul 20, 1844

Nearly a month after the assisination of Joseph Smith, dissident 1st counselor William Law writes in a letter: "While the wicked slay the wicked I believe I can see the hand of a blasphemed God stretched out in judgment, the cries of innocence and virtue have ascended up before the throne of God, and he has taken sudden vengeance."

50 years ago today - Jul 19, 1964

Norman Vincent Peale writes in the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER: "I will defy anyone, however callous, to come unmoved out of the Mormon exhibit. They show a marvelous motion picture done by top-flight actors that depicts the journey of the human soul from birth to immortality. So glorious is it that the viewer comes out with tears in his eyes, but walking on air." He is speaking of the Church's exhibit at the 1964 New York World's Fair.

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]

120 years ago today - Jul 19, 1894

[Francis M. Lyman] It was unanimously decided that we should all use all our influence to have all our people work to secure statehood ...

After meeting Pres[ident] [George Q.] Cannon laid before Pres[ident] Jos[eph] F. Smith, John Henry [Smith] and me the condition of Cannon, Grant & Co[mpany]. Every dollar we invested is swept away and we are left pennyless. Bro[ther] Jos[eph] F. and I put in $25,000 each Pres[ident] Cannon $100,000; bro[ther] [Heber J.] Grant $95,000; John Henry $25,000. It may require even more than our capital to square our obligations. That puts every member of Cannon, Grant & Co[mpany]. flat on their backs financially.

[Source: Francis M. 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]

125 years ago today - Friday Jul 19, 1889

[John Nuttle Diary] Elders John Morgan & Wm Spry called and represented the condition of affairs on the Southern States. There is considerable ill feeling manifest against our Elders in some of the States, notably Mississippi. Pres' Woodruff gave positive instructions to these brethren that where there are such feelings shown the Elders should be permitted and directed to withdraw themselves and wash their feet against the people. It is not necessary and the Lord does not require our Elders to jeopardize their lives in such places. Where Elders are withdrawn they can be sent to more favorable sections, and as some 30 or 35 Elders will be released this coming fall it will not be necessary to fill up their places with new Elders. The labors of the Elders will be taken from the Gentiles and given to the House of Israel.

[Source: Diary Excerpts of L. John Nuttall, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

125 years ago today - Jul 19, 1889

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] Mother called this morning and we had a long talk. I learned that it was the opinion of a great many of the latterday saints that I was filled with pride and that there was nothing in this lie that I cared about so much as I did about making money. It was the opinion of some that the Lord should remove me out of my place as I was so worldly minded and so full of pride. I had no respect for the poor among the people. I regret that any of the saints should have any such an opinion of my as I do not have the feelings that are charged to my account. I have made many thousands of dollars since I was married but I have invested largely in businesses that have not paid, and the reason for the investments was that I desired to aid in establishing enterprises that I considered would be in the interests of the people

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

130 years ago today - Jul 19, 1884

Joseph Fielding Smith is baptized in City Creek in Salt Lake City, the fourth of four future Presidents to be baptized in this location. (He is eight years old.)

140 years ago today - Jul 19, 1874

[Brigham Young Sermon] When the earth was framed and brought into existence and man was placed upon it, it was near the throne of our Father in heaven. And when man fell'"though that was designed in the economy, there was nothing about it mysterious or unknown to the Gods, they understood it all, it was all planned'"but when man fell, the earth fell into space, and took up its abode in this planetary system, and the sun became our light. When the Lord said'"'"Let there be light,'" there was light, for the earth was brought near the sun that it might reflect upon it so as to give us light by day, and the moon to give us light by night. This is the glory the earth came from, and when it is glorified it will return again unto the presence of the Father, and it will dwell there...

We shall go on from one step to another, reaching forth into the eternities until we become like the Gods, and shall be able to frame for ourselves, by the behest and command of the Almighty. All those who are counted worthy to be exalted and to become Gods, even the sons of God, will go forth and have earths and worlds like those who framed this and millions on millions of others...

When the spirit leaves them they are lifeless; and when the mother feels life come to her infant it is the spirit entering the body preparatory to the immortal existence. But suppose an accident occurs and the spirit has to leave this body prematurely, what then? All that the physician says is'"'"It is a still birth,'" and that is all they know about it: but whether the spirit remains in the body a minute, an hour, a day, a year, or lives there until the body has reached a good old age, it is certain that the time will come when they will be separated, and the body will return to mother earth, there to sleep upon that mother's bosom.

[Source: Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 17:139-145; Deseret News. Also Deseret Evening News, Deseret News Weekly, Deseret News Semi- Weekly, and Deseret News Extra, Salt Lake City as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]

40 years ago today - Jul 18, 1974

AFRICA TODAY reports that BYU singing group "Brigham Young University Sounds" toured South Africa. The usual name of the group, "Sounds of Freedom" was changed for this trip. The white apartheid government of South Africa thought the word "freedom" might be too politically charged, since it is normally associated with the struggle for black majority rule. The group performed with the South African Defense Forces Band and proceeds from the concerts benefitted the South African Border Relief Fund and the Rhodesian Terrorist Victims' Relief Fund. According to AFRICA NEWS, "Both funds were set up by whites to support military efforts against African [black] guerrilla movements seeking majority rule."

[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com, based on Michael Quinn's Mormon Hierarchy vols 1 & 2]

65 years ago today - Jul 18, 1949

[Joseph Fielding Smith] I was in session with Elders Harold B. Lee, Marion G. Romney and Bishop Legrand Richards. The first two brethren and I are the members of the publication committee. Bishop Richards has written a book on Gospel principles which he desires to have published for the benefit of missionaries. Each member of the committee went over the manuscript separately and then made a report on the findings. This report contained many suggestions and corrections in the doctrine of this treatise. It took us four hours to consider these matters with the Bishop, some of our conclusions not pleasing him, some of which he felt were vital to his story. In most instances, after considerable discussion we convince[d] him, but in others he was not convinced, but in our united judgment he was in error.

[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]

120 years ago today - Jul 18, 1894

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] We had a visitation by Cyrus H Wheelock who was Approaching Death by a Cancer on the Tongue & in the mouth. He was the Last Man that left Joseph & Hyrum Smith in Carthage Jail before their Martrdom. We laid hands upon him & Blessed him.

[Wheelock had smuggled guns to Joseph Smith in Carthage Jail]

[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 - Jul 18, 1849

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] I Attended A Prysbeterian meeting. The priest sprinkled A Child & Called it baptism. It was an abomination in the sight of God.

[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 - Jul 18, 1844

[Orson Hyde sermon] ... A word about Br Joseph being killed. Some have thought he could not be killed. But the Lord never said so neither did Joseph say so. ... But as I am in the midst of the Prophetic Editors like Saul I ketch some of the spirit of Prophecy, & so I will prophecy that instead of the work dying it will be like the mustard stock that was ripe that a man undertook to throw out of his garding and scattered seed all over it and next year it was nothing but mustard. It will be so by shedding the blood of the prophets. It will make 10 saints whare their is one now.

... The prophet Joseph may appear in this day to his brethren.

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