The First Presidency wrote to Benson: "Europe brewed her own mess of bitter pottage; America did not brew it. This does not mean that we should not have full sympathy for the sufferings endured by the people in Europe, nor that we should not do our utmost to alleviate them, but it does mean, as it seems to us, that we should not approach this problem from the point of view that it is our responsibility, except beyond the broad lines of human and Church brotherhood."
[Source: Gary James Bergera, "Ezra Taft Benson's 1946 Mission to Europe" Journal of Mormon History 34:2 (Spring 2008)]
130 years ago today - Thursday, July 15th, 1886
[Abraham H. Cannon]
Bro. [Lorenzo] Snow said I would live to see the time when brothers and sisters would marry each other in this church. All our horror at such a union was due entirely to prejudice, and the offspring of such unions would be as healthy and pure as any other. These were the decided views of Pres. Young when alive, for Bro. S[now]. talked to him freely on this matter. Bro. S[now]. believes that Jesus will appear as a man among this people and dwell with them a time before he comes in His glory. The Gentiles will hear of it and they will reject him, as the Jews did anciently, but they will have no power over him at all.
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
Bro. [Lorenzo] Snow said I would live to see the time when brothers and sisters would marry each other in this church. All our horror at such a union was due entirely to prejudice, and the offspring of such unions would be as healthy and pure as any other. These were the decided views of Pres. Young when alive, for Bro. S[now]. talked to him freely on this matter. Bro. S[now]. believes that Jesus will appear as a man among this people and dwell with them a time before he comes in His glory. The Gentiles will hear of it and they will reject him, as the Jews did anciently, but they will have no power over him at all.
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
150 years ago today - Jul 15, 1866
[Brigham Young]
The English language has been the choice of heaven through which God has revealed himself. It should be studied and its orthography reformed as we have done in the Deseret alphabet, which renders the orthography simple and easy.
[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
The English language has been the choice of heaven through which God has revealed himself. It should be studied and its orthography reformed as we have done in the Deseret alphabet, which renders the orthography simple and easy.
[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
155 years ago today - Jul 15, 1861
Brigham Young's office journal records: "A Mr. Benjamins representing himself an Ethnological Tourist, and a jew by birth, called upon the President he stated he was in search of the lost tribes, he sated that Br. [Alexander] Neibaur had represented the Mormon people to him, as being of the tribe of Joseph, particularly through his son Ephraim. The President said he would have written down some particulars respecting this people and hand it to him to aid him in his researches."
170 years ago today - Wednesday, Jul 15, 1846.
[Brigham Young said] the remainder of the 12 to get the soldiers together and instruct them how to behave, etc., on their expedition, wear their temple garments, and prove themselves the best soldiers, and instruct the other brethren con [?] in carrying out the decisions of the council of yesterday. Lots were cast between O. Hyde, P. P. Pratt and J. Taylor, which two should go to England, and the lot fell on Brothers Hyde and Taylor to go. "Soldiers can tarry and go to work when they are disbanded, and the next temple should be built in the Rocky Mountains," and he wanted the Twelve and the old brethren to live in the mountains where the temple is to be, and where the brethren will have to come to get their endowments.
President Young said he would prophecy that the time would come when some one of the Twelve, or a high priest, would come up and say can't we have a temple at Vancouver Island, or at California, etc., etc., but it is wisdom to unite all our forces to build one house in the mountains.
[Source: Willard Richards Journal]
President Young said he would prophecy that the time would come when some one of the Twelve, or a high priest, would come up and say can't we have a temple at Vancouver Island, or at California, etc., etc., but it is wisdom to unite all our forces to build one house in the mountains.
[Source: Willard Richards Journal]
175 years ago today - Jul 15, 1841
TIMES and SEASONS prints a "Dialogue on Mormonism" which presents LDS doctrine and claims in dialogue form. Speaking of the Book of Mormon peoples: "Mr. M. You will observe by this account Mr. R. that this people who landed here were Jews, this you know agrees with the idea, which many learned men have had, that the Indians are descendants of the Jews. Mr. R. I am aware that this idea is generally entertained among the learned."
185 years ago today - Mid-July 1831
Joseph's party arrives in Independence, Mo. There is a glorious reunion with missionaries there. Jackson County population at this time is less than 3,000, and land costs $1.25 per acre. Joseph records that the people are nearly a century behind the times; Parley Pratt notes that they are still living in skins and very primitive conditions. Because of the primitive land, Joseph wonders how Zion can ever be built in her glory in such a place, and receives D&C 57. The first Sunday after their arrival, W. W. Phelps preaches at the western boundary of the United States to a congregation made up of all races and peoples. Two are baptized.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology; History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 1:188-89.]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology; History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 1:188-89.]
140 years ago today - Jul 14, 1876
Sidney Rigdon dies; now believed to have had Bipolar Affective Disorder, or Manic-Depressive Illness.
[Source: Mormon Chronology, N. R. Tidd, http://www.exmormon.org/mhistory.html]
[Source: Mormon Chronology, N. R. Tidd, http://www.exmormon.org/mhistory.html]
155 years ago today - Jul 14, 1861 (Afternoon)
[Brigham Young]
These [preexistent] intelligent beings that I now see, that I behold as we say with the natural eye, Br. Kimball would call it the natural eye, the eye of the spirit, very well, the eye that God has given me and the power of sight: How long is it since they were in chaos? all that pertains to man independent of the intelligence that dwells within his body, independent of that spirit of life, light and intelligence? I see the faces of these, my brethren and sisters. ...
Jesus Christ came here because his Father came here and he was begotten of the Father, and he was born of the virgin Mary as my mother bore me and as my father begot me and as you begot your children. What, is it possible that the Father of Heights, the Father of our spirits, could reduce himself and come forth like a man [Adam?]? Yes, he was once a man like you and I are and was once on an earth like this, passed through the ordeal you and I pass through. He had his father and his mother and he has been exalted through his faithfulness, and he is become Lord of all. He is the God pertaining to this earth. He is our father. He begot our spirits in the spirit world. ...
We will go and build up temples. We started a temple here. Shall we finish it? I don't know whether we shall or not before we go back to Jackson County, but it will be finished by and bye, and we will enter into this temple and receive the ordinances for the just.
[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
These [preexistent] intelligent beings that I now see, that I behold as we say with the natural eye, Br. Kimball would call it the natural eye, the eye of the spirit, very well, the eye that God has given me and the power of sight: How long is it since they were in chaos? all that pertains to man independent of the intelligence that dwells within his body, independent of that spirit of life, light and intelligence? I see the faces of these, my brethren and sisters. ...
Jesus Christ came here because his Father came here and he was begotten of the Father, and he was born of the virgin Mary as my mother bore me and as my father begot me and as you begot your children. What, is it possible that the Father of Heights, the Father of our spirits, could reduce himself and come forth like a man [Adam?]? Yes, he was once a man like you and I are and was once on an earth like this, passed through the ordeal you and I pass through. He had his father and his mother and he has been exalted through his faithfulness, and he is become Lord of all. He is the God pertaining to this earth. He is our father. He begot our spirits in the spirit world. ...
We will go and build up temples. We started a temple here. Shall we finish it? I don't know whether we shall or not before we go back to Jackson County, but it will be finished by and bye, and we will enter into this temple and receive the ordinances for the just.
[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
195 years ago today - Jul 14, 1821-5 February 1822
The second payment on the Smiths' Farmington (Manchester) farm come due . Lucy says there were three payments, that the first was broken up into several installments and that her family had "made nearly all of the first payment" in one year but that "the second payment was now coming due and no means as yet of meeting it." She further states that Alvin left home to find work and raise "the second payment and the remainder of the first" and returned with "the necessary amount of money for all except the last payment".
[Source: Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
[Source: Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
100 years ago today - Jul 13, 1916
The formation of the Corporation of the Presiding Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a corporatiom sole, which was formed to have equal control of certain property owned by the Church. From 1890 until this date most Church property was held by the local leaders, which was subsequently transferred to the Presiding Bishop.
[Source: Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
[Source: Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
110 years ago today - Jul 13, 1906
$400. was paid to Brother Lee Greene Richards for one painting of the Prophet Joseph Smith; also a painting of Hyrum Smith, and a painting of Lucy Smith. These pictures are to be hung over the mantel of the cottage at the Joseph Smith monument.
[Source: Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Source: Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
160 years ago today - Jul 13, 1856
Council Sunday /Evening/ July 13. 1856 Pres[iden]t. B[righam]. Young related a dream which he had in England:' 'I was travelling and came to an old Apple orchard, I found but few apples, but they were large and fine. I travelled through it, and all round it, but I found very few apples but there were but few and they were very large and fine. I continued travelling until it appeared to be a very great forest having all kinds of timber in it; and as I continued walking I came to a very large mountain, and as I walked to the foot of it, it appeared as though there was a very plain road beat nearly all round it. I went round and discovered a number of men trying to turn it over: they had dug under it a great ditch on one side, to undermine it, and had commenced on the other side. It appeared as though they were brethren, and I said. brethren stop a minute; they all stopped when I told them to: each cut out a square hole as though he was cutting out a block of ice, and when they had all done it, I told them to get a pry and put into each hole. I had a very strong lever, and I told them, `Now wait until I count one, two three, and when I say the word all of you heave at once, and it will be turned over.' When I gave the word signal we all heaved at once, and over it went. It then appeared as though we had opened a very large cave, in which was a great quantity of potatoes, beets, turnips and other good things which had been stored there by the ancient Nephites against a day of famine. I looked up and saw many people coming from every direction, but more especially from the North; when I commenced distributing the potatoes and turnips to all of them as fast as they came. Some persons said you will not have enough to go round; but although I saw the people coming from every direction, thicker and faster. I said there will be enough, and continued dealing them out as hard as I could for it appeared as though I could not decrease the bulk any although every person carried away as many as they could.' (reported by Tho[ma]s Bullock)
[Source: Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Source: Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
160 years ago today - Jul 13, 1856
[Wilford Woodruff]
[Brigham Young said] The scene of this Earth would not be wound up untill the last spirit had come & taken a body on the Earth & inasmuch as the Gentiles do not wish Child[ren] but use evry exhertion to stop having progeny I pray God they may be prospered in their desires untill their seed is dryed up & that those spirits who have not taken bodies may come through the linage of the Saints.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Brigham Young said] The scene of this Earth would not be wound up untill the last spirit had come & taken a body on the Earth & inasmuch as the Gentiles do not wish Child[ren] but use evry exhertion to stop having progeny I pray God they may be prospered in their desires untill their seed is dryed up & that those spirits who have not taken bodies may come through the linage of the Saints.
[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 13, 1851
[Brigham Young]
"[W]hy should we not know our own talents and abilities as well as others? If we do not their is something lacking. Concerning singing their are some men who know sound and others do not and those who do not know sound ought not to sing. We should act upon what we do know and let the rest go."
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 4:47, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
"[W]hy should we not know our own talents and abilities as well as others? If we do not their is something lacking. Concerning singing their are some men who know sound and others do not and those who do not know sound ought not to sing. We should act upon what we do know and let the rest go."
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 4:47, 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 13, 1846
This evening Elder O. Hyde who had moved over the river to the main camp there, came here to his camp and called a meeting and spoke at length to them on the law of adoption. The first sermon I ever heard publickly. He desired all who felt willing to do so to give him a pledge to come into his kingdom when the ordinance could be attended to but wished all to select the man whom they chose &c
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
170 years ago today - Jul 13, 1846
Seventies president Levi W. Hancock enlists as the first actively serving general authority to participate in a U.S. war. Young promises the battalion on 18 Jul that "you will have no fighting to do," which proves true. A sick detachment would siphon off nearly 275 Mormons to Pueblo, Colorado, where they would be discharged and arrive in Salt Lake Valley on 29 Jul 1847. The rest would march along the Mexican border to San Diego where most would be discharged in Los Angeles on 16 Jul 1847.
[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]
[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 - Jul 13, 1846
[Brigham Young]
"The business to be laid before you today is, the call upon us from the War department to furnish five hundred volunteers for the army of the West to march to California [Mormon Battalion]."
[Source: Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1846- 1847. Elden J. Watson, ed. Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1971.:234-238, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
"The business to be laid before you today is, the call upon us from the War department to furnish five hundred volunteers for the army of the West to march to California [Mormon Battalion]."
[Source: Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1846- 1847. Elden J. Watson, ed. Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1971.:234-238, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
245 years ago today - Jul 12, 1771
Joseph Smith, Sr., is born at Topsfield, Mass.July 8, 1775Lucy Mack Smith is born at Gilsum, N. H.Jan. 24, 1796Lucy Mack and Joseph Smith, Sr., are married.About 1797The first son of Lucy and Joseph Smith, Sr., is born and dies shortly thereafter.Feb. 11, 1798/99?Alvin Smith is born at Tunbridge, Vt.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
115 years ago today - Jul 11, 1901
At meeting of First presidency and Twelve "[John Henry Smith] Had devoted considerable thought during the night to the question of selling beer at Saltair and wondered if we were not inclined to take rather an extreme view of the case-whether, if we cut off the privilege entirely, we were not to some extent invading the rights of the Latter-day Saints. The revelation on the Word of Wisdom speaks of barley for mild drinks [D&C 89:17]. It is a question that demands serious thought. Have we taken an extreme view of the word of God? Where can we strike the limit, where can we reach the spirit of the Word of Wisdom? (Apostle Heber J. Grant asked Apostle Smith if beer that is intoxicating is to be considered a mild drink. The revelation, he said, forbids the use of strong drink.) Apostle Smith continued and said that the German beer was very light and mild and would not intoxicate, though he conceded that the beer of the United States is of a very different character and will cause drunkenness. Apostle Brigham Young [Jr Spoke]. Topics treated[:] Said that he believed the temperance movement among our people a proper movement. If we give an inch, the people and the world will take advantage of it-and drunkenness is the crying evil of the age. The Word of Wisdom! "Who can cut it off and patch it on for me?" Each must be judge for himself. Many times water, he said, would distress him, while a little Danish beer would bring a feeling of comfort and ease. However, he believed in the Word of Wisdom as we teach it. As to the matter of selling liquor, said that he was simply disgusted with what he saw at Saltair on the occasion of the "old folks" excursion. He came across a lot of old men-members of the church-smoking old pipes and guzzling beer." First Presidency and apostles agree that Danish beer is not harmful or in violation of Word of Wisdom and release an official statement to the same affect. President Lorenzo Snow tells the Quorum of Apostles, "Some of the brethren are worrying about the matter, and feel that they ought to have other wives. Brethren do not worry; you will lose nothing.... Brethren, don't worry about these things, and if you don-t happen to secure the means you would like, don-t feel disappointed." In these remarks, President Snow referrs specifically to Heber J. Grant who concluds that these instructions to the entire Quorum repealed the private authorization to take a plural wife the Church president had given him in May; he "dropped the matter" and left within a few days for Japan."
155 years ago today - Jul 11, 1861
The President [Brigham Young] observed it would not do for the northern and Southern party to fight too much at once [IE civil war]. The Lord used wisdom to bring about his purposes, and they were frequently he waits until the wrath of man is ready, England is to have a hand in the struggle with the north and South, and England will be slow in her movements. -- Salt Lake City
[Source: Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Source: Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
160 years ago today - Jul 11, 1856
[Wilford Woodruff]
I called upon President Young. Read a peace of History on Book E-1 page 1681-2 concerning Hyram leading this Church & tracing the aaronic Priesthood. It was in detached sentences. President Young thought it was not essential to be inserted in the History & had better be omitted. He spoke of the peace of History published in the News Vol VI No 18 Concerning Josephs words [prophecy] upon South Carolinia. He wished it not published.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I called upon President Young. Read a peace of History on Book E-1 page 1681-2 concerning Hyram leading this Church & tracing the aaronic Priesthood. It was in detached sentences. President Young thought it was not essential to be inserted in the History & had better be omitted. He spoke of the peace of History published in the News Vol VI No 18 Concerning Josephs words [prophecy] upon South Carolinia. He wished it not published.
[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 11, 1851
Franklin D. Richards compiles and publishes the PEARL OF GREAT PRICE in London, England.
165 years ago today - Jul 11, 1851 (Friday)
Apostle Orson Hyde and traveling companions, en route for G.S.L. Valley, were attacked by about three hundred Pawnee Indians, near Loupe Fork, and robbed of several thousand dollars' worth of property.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
180 years ago today - Jul 11, 1836
The Specie Act is issued By Andrew Jackson, leading to the panic of 1837. This negatively affects the Kirtland Safety Society banking venture by the church.
[Source: Exploring Mormonism: Kirtland Safety Society Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/kirltand-safety-society-timeline-note-this-was-built-back-in-january-2013/]
[Source: Exploring Mormonism: Kirtland Safety Society Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/kirltand-safety-society-timeline-note-this-was-built-back-in-january-2013/]
55 years ago today - Jul 10, 1961
Dr. Romney presented to the Education Committee its revised recommendations. It was proposed to adopt a system of correlation that would permit the reorganization of Church curriculum based on age group levels, which would coordinate not only the curriculum, but activities and other programs of the several age groups. To accomplish the goal, it was recommended that "a general All-Church Coordinating Council (ACCC) should be formed," under whose direction three age group committees (children, youth, and adults) would coordinate the activities of the groups through the existing priesthood and Auxiliary organizations. This recommendation was approved. Elder Lee, subsequently, was appointed the chairman of the new All-Church Coordinating Council.
[Source: Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
[Source: Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
70 years ago today - Jul 10, 1946
President George Albert Smith writes in his diary: "Met in office with Council of Presidency & Twelve .... Jos Patriarch case considered. Bad situation. Am heartsick." President Smith is referring to Presiding Patriarch Joseph Fielding Smith [Not the Apostle of the same name] and to the recent discovery of his homosexual activities. Forty-seven-year-old Patriarch Smith is "released due to ill health" the following Oct.
75 years ago today - Jul 10, 1941
Regarding military service in WWII, the First Presidency says "The Church is and must be against war . . . but the Church membership are citizens or subjects of sovereignties over which the Church has no control.
[Source: 1941-July 10-Original circular letter, L.D.S. Church Archives, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
[Source: 1941-July 10-Original circular letter, L.D.S. Church Archives, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
115 years ago today - Wednesday, Jul 10, 1901
[Rudger Clawson]
Continuation of the quarterly conference of the Twelve. ...
Apostle Reed Smoot was the first speaker. Topics treated. Reported that the reorganization of the Summit Stake was now complete with the exception of two wards. Conditions in that stake have been very bad. Almost a total disregard of the word of wisdom. There is a tendency among the young people of that stake, also the Utah Stake, and perhaps with other stakes, to commit themselves before marriage, and this is a matter, he felt, that should have the special attention of the Twelve....
One of the greatest evils prevailing in Cardston today is whiskey drinking, and Apostle Jno. W. Taylor is making an effort to get prohibition laws for that district of country. Recommended that the elders be withdrawn from Butte and Anaconda, Montana, as there is a total lack of interest in the gospel and no spirit of investigation on the part of the people in those places.
Apostle Anthon H. Lund. ... Spoke of the evil of marriage outside of the temple, in cases where the parties had been previously sealed over the altar. In referring to certain conditions that exist among us said that at times it seems that a wave of immorality sweeps over Zion. In a certain ward in San Pete Stake sometime ago, the bishop informed him that out of 12 marriages during a period of six months 7 were forced. ...
Apostle Heber J. Grant. Topics treated. ... Spoke strongly against the selling of liquor at Saltair, and so long as it is done, felt, he said, that we were responsible in a great measure for the wave of immorality sweeping over Zion. ...
Apostle Geo. Teasdale. Topics treated. Felt aggrieved in his mind that we have to talk sometimes as we do. Pres. Snow is our file leader, and we do not always know the ins and outs of every question, or the motives that prompt him, but this we do know that as a quorum we were opposed to the selling of liquor at Saltair; but there is an evil practiced at Saltair almost if not as great as liquor, and that is the indiscriminate association of the sexes in bathing....
[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]
Continuation of the quarterly conference of the Twelve. ...
Apostle Reed Smoot was the first speaker. Topics treated. Reported that the reorganization of the Summit Stake was now complete with the exception of two wards. Conditions in that stake have been very bad. Almost a total disregard of the word of wisdom. There is a tendency among the young people of that stake, also the Utah Stake, and perhaps with other stakes, to commit themselves before marriage, and this is a matter, he felt, that should have the special attention of the Twelve....
One of the greatest evils prevailing in Cardston today is whiskey drinking, and Apostle Jno. W. Taylor is making an effort to get prohibition laws for that district of country. Recommended that the elders be withdrawn from Butte and Anaconda, Montana, as there is a total lack of interest in the gospel and no spirit of investigation on the part of the people in those places.
Apostle Anthon H. Lund. ... Spoke of the evil of marriage outside of the temple, in cases where the parties had been previously sealed over the altar. In referring to certain conditions that exist among us said that at times it seems that a wave of immorality sweeps over Zion. In a certain ward in San Pete Stake sometime ago, the bishop informed him that out of 12 marriages during a period of six months 7 were forced. ...
Apostle Heber J. Grant. Topics treated. ... Spoke strongly against the selling of liquor at Saltair, and so long as it is done, felt, he said, that we were responsible in a great measure for the wave of immorality sweeping over Zion. ...
Apostle Geo. Teasdale. Topics treated. Felt aggrieved in his mind that we have to talk sometimes as we do. Pres. Snow is our file leader, and we do not always know the ins and outs of every question, or the motives that prompt him, but this we do know that as a quorum we were opposed to the selling of liquor at Saltair; but there is an evil practiced at Saltair almost if not as great as liquor, and that is the indiscriminate association of the sexes in bathing....
[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 - Jul 10, 1896
[Brigham Young Jr.]
President Woodruff told me I had hurt his feelings in some remarks I had made but when I explained that I was not the one only present when a newspaper article was referred to as publishing about his converting women in an early day. I was perfectly innocent and he felt all right about the matter.
[Source: Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
President Woodruff told me I had hurt his feelings in some remarks I had made but when I explained that I was not the one only present when a newspaper article was referred to as publishing about his converting women in an early day. I was perfectly innocent and he felt all right about the matter.
[Source: Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - Jul 10, 1861
To day the first teligraph pole was errected in this city, connecting the East and the pacific states
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[Source: Diaries of Hosea Stout]
65 years ago today - Jul 9, 1951
[J. Reuben Clark]
Asked Bro. Wonnacott if the LDS Hospital had its own blood bank; he said that they did ... they screen the donors very thoroughly; they use no colored blood; Dr. Madsen is no longer with them; the girl who had been with the Hospital for 25 years is directing the Bank; Pres. Clark referred to his conversation with Dr. Madsen. Mr. Wonnacott confirmed Pres. Clark's understanding of what he thought he got from Dr. Madsen, that there were ways of tracing family relationships through blood; he did not remember that the question of negro blood was discussed. Bro. Wonnnacott reiterated that they never give negro blood to a white patient; that now they claim it does not make a bit of difference from whom the blood comes; the blood changes over a certain period of time.
[Source: The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
Asked Bro. Wonnacott if the LDS Hospital had its own blood bank; he said that they did ... they screen the donors very thoroughly; they use no colored blood; Dr. Madsen is no longer with them; the girl who had been with the Hospital for 25 years is directing the Bank; Pres. Clark referred to his conversation with Dr. Madsen. Mr. Wonnacott confirmed Pres. Clark's understanding of what he thought he got from Dr. Madsen, that there were ways of tracing family relationships through blood; he did not remember that the question of negro blood was discussed. Bro. Wonnnacott reiterated that they never give negro blood to a white patient; that now they claim it does not make a bit of difference from whom the blood comes; the blood changes over a certain period of time.
[Source: The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
70 years ago today - Jul 9, 1946
[Joseph Fielding Smith]
From 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. I was in session with President McKay and his committee assigning missionaries to the various missions. We had a very long list of them. We are reaching the point where we will have to restrict the sending of young women into the field because there are too many who desire to go, more than really needful.
[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]
From 8 a.m. until 11 a.m. I was in session with President McKay and his committee assigning missionaries to the various missions. We had a very long list of them. We are reaching the point where we will have to restrict the sending of young women into the field because there are too many who desire to go, more than really needful.
[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]
115 years ago today - Tuesday, Jul 9, 1901
Some discussion was indulged in regarding [church-owned] Saltair, with reference particularly to the selling of beer at that resort. It was moved and carried that it be the sense of the meeting that the brethren of the Twelve are opposed to the selling of beer at Saltair..
[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]
[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 - Jul 09, 1896
William Jennings Bryan delivered his famous Cross of Gold speech.
[Source: Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline]
[Source: Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline]
120 years ago today - Jul 9, 1896
The Apostles appoint Franklin D. Richards and Brigham Young Jr. as a committee of two to visit fellow apostle Moses Thatcher "and ascertain from him what he had made his mind up to do." Later that day Richards and Young report that "they found him [Thatcher] dressed to go out to the Lake. He received them kindly but said he had undergone no change of sentiment as to the address. Both brethren were impressed with his cold, cunning spirit." Thatcher is unable to accept the recent "political manifesto" which requires all church leaders to get permission from the "proper authorities" before seeking political office. Thatcher felt that this was a means for the "proper authorities" to favor the Republican party over the Democrats. The Apostles "finally agreed to say to Bro. Moses he could meet us on the 22nd to answer to the charge of apostacy."
120 years ago today - Jul 9, 1896
The following letter was addressed to Elder Abram Hatch, President of the Wasatch [Utah] Stake, which explains itself: 'You ask the question, Are members of the A.O.U.W. [i.e., The Ancient Order of United Workmen], who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints entitled to recommends to the Temple for marriages and Temple work'? [']In reply, we would say that we are not in favor of our Brethren joining organizations of any kind outside of our Church. But we are more especially impressed with the wrongfulness of their joining organizations which interfere with the rights of their fellow citizens in regard to labor. ... It would not do, however, to refuse a young man who wanted to be married in the Temple a recommend because of his being a member of that organization. ... (Signed by Presidents Woodruff, Cannon and Smith).
[Source: Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Source: Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
125 years ago today - Jul 9, 1891
John W. Taylor suggested that the church finances could be increased, by paying Church agents a percentage on all tithings remitted to the head office, instead of all received. Thus there would be an incentive to diligent effort in order to cash the products received at the different offices.
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon (Author), Edward Leo Lyman (Editor), Candid Insights of a Mormon Apostle: The Diaries of Abraham H. Cannon, 1889-1895, Signature Books]
[Source: Abraham H. Cannon (Author), Edward Leo Lyman (Editor), Candid Insights of a Mormon Apostle: The Diaries of Abraham H. Cannon, 1889-1895, Signature Books]
155 years ago today - Jul 9, 1861
The Prest [Brigham Young] joined and said he and Carrington were Vermonters, and that they were both for the Constitution, but each earnestly prayed for the success of both North & South. At the request of the President Br[other] Carrington read the extract from a newspaper Pres[ident] Young remarked to H.C. Kimball who had come in that Old Abe the President of the U.S. has it in his mind to pitch in to us when he had got through with the South. President Kimball observed that men that he had met with whether they had little or much of the Spirit of God were in favor of the South. Pres[ident] Young, as of [the] opinion the sympathy of the people for the South was in case they should be whipped, and the Northern party remain in power he thought they wanted the War to go that both parties might be used up...Br[other] H.C. Kimball told the vision that he saw on the night Joseph Smith obtained the plates. He described the Soldiers in the sky with their accoutrements on. He said Father Young was with him and he clapped his hands and rejoiced saying that it was a sign that the Coming of the Son of Man was nigh. Br[other] Heber said the whole world would be involved in this war. -- Salt Lake City
[Source: Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Source: Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
175 years ago today - Jul 9, 1841
Joseph Smith receives a revelation (later section 126 of D&C) at Brigham Young's house: "Dear and well-beloved brother Brigham Young, verily thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Brigham, it is no more required at your hand to leave your family as in times past, for your offering is acceptable to me; I have seen your labour and toil in journeyings for my name. I therefore command you to send my word abroad, and take special care of your family from this time, henceforth, and forever. Amen." However, Young is called to leave his family and go on a mission three years later.
120 years ago today - Jul 8, 1896; Wednesday
[Heber J. Grant]
At 10 am attended a meeting of the Apostles in the Temple. Pres[iden]t Lorenzo Snow offered the opening prayer, and he very earnestly supplicated the Lord in behalf of Apostle Moses Thatcher. John Henry Smith said that he did not look on him the same as a man who had become addicted to the use of liquor to the extent that he was not responsible for his actions. Bro[ther] Moses had been addicted to the use of morphine.
[Source: Heber J. Grant, Diary]
At 10 am attended a meeting of the Apostles in the Temple. Pres[iden]t Lorenzo Snow offered the opening prayer, and he very earnestly supplicated the Lord in behalf of Apostle Moses Thatcher. John Henry Smith said that he did not look on him the same as a man who had become addicted to the use of liquor to the extent that he was not responsible for his actions. Bro[ther] Moses had been addicted to the use of morphine.
[Source: Heber J. Grant, Diary]
240 years ago today - 1776. July 8
Lucy Mack Smith: Born in Gilsum, New Hampshire. In 1796 she married Joseph Smith; they had eleven children: Alvin (1798-1823), Hyrum (1800-1844), Sophronia (1803-?), Joseph (1805-1844), Samuel Harrison (1808-1844), Ephraim (1810-1810), William (1811-1894), Catherine (1812-1900), Don Carlos (1816-1841), and Lucy (1824-1882). Their first child, an unnamed daughter, died shortly after birth in 1797.
[Source: Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
20 years ago today - Jul 7, 1996
The Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges recertifies BYU's accreditation for ten years, despite the committee's acknowledgement of faculty complaints that academic freedom is severely limited on this LDS campus.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
75 years ago today - Jul 7, 1941
[Heber J. Grant]
Owen Woodruff was also married while living at our home. His life has been a failure, because of his listening to some of the people that insist that after the manifesto plural marriage was right and ought to be practiced. Unless I am mistaken he has been associating with a woman as a plural wife, but I have not the evidence perfect enough to excommunicate them both from the Church.
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
Owen Woodruff was also married while living at our home. His life has been a failure, because of his listening to some of the people that insist that after the manifesto plural marriage was right and ought to be practiced. Unless I am mistaken he has been associating with a woman as a plural wife, but I have not the evidence perfect enough to excommunicate them both from the Church.
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
110 years ago today - Jul 7, 1906
Ex-Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii is baptized. Although she is the first monarch to convert to Mormonism, she also joins other churches in her last years.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
115 years ago today - Jul 7, 1901
Lorenzo Snow presides at the Salt Lake temple's monthly fast meeting, "and Sister Lillie T. Freeze sang in tongues."
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
115 years ago today - Jul 7, 1901
[In Lewiston, Utah:] Apostle M[arriner]. W[ood]. Merrill was not present tho[ugh], he knew I would be there. He failed to come nor send word why he did not come. This is just as he has treated me ever since I rendered a decision in political case wherein he was in a clash with others of his brethren in the days of President [Wilford] Woodruff.
[Source: Brigham Young Jr., Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Source: Brigham Young Jr., Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
120 years ago today - Jul 7, 1896; Tuesday
Brigham Young [Jr.] ... spoke of the Gardo House incident, when Moses Thatcher accused George Q. Cannon with dishonesty, and threatened a lawsuit. He referred to the fact that Moses had never been called to account for thus wrongfully accusing one of his brethren, and wondered if we had not done wrong in this and other similar cases, in not demanding from Bro[ther] Moses, that he make restitution. He thought it was mistaken sympathy to allow men to do wrong, and not taking prompt action to require them to make proper restitution.
[Source: Heber J. Grant, Diary]
[Source: Heber J. Grant, Diary]
120 years ago today - Jul 7, 1896
[John W. Taylor speaking:] There is a report of Brother Abraham H. Cannon having taken another wife, which none of us believe.
[Source: Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Source: Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
125 years ago today - Jul 7, 1891
PRESIDENT LORENZO SNOW expressed his pleasure in seeing all of the brethren present who were in the country. ... Had been pleased with the prayer of brother Thatcher supplicating the Lord that we should become united. He had desired the union of his brethren more than any other thing. Said that we should be greatly blessed of the Lord and that great power would be given us prior to the time that the Lord and Master should come in His power and in great glory.
The political condition at the present time was to his mind a very important and a very serious matter and he felt that we should get the spirit of the Lord to aid in directing matters aright at this state of affairs so that we will not fall into the hands of our enemies....
There were some who were finding a great amount of fault with brother Jno. Hy. [John Henry] Smith on account of the part he is at the present time taken in political matters. He had not felt well pleased at first at the action of brother Smith in going in to the field to talk politics, but after reflecting on the subject he had arrived at the conclusion that it was done with the approval of the Presidency and so he felt all right about it....
FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS, said ... He had never had nay [many] manifestations form the Lord that Statehood was coming to us at an early date. ...
HEBER J. GRANT said that he ... Did not wish to make any political speeches but he was placed in an awkward position when he refused to do so as he had been on hand to work for the People's Party and his Democratic friends could not understand what was the reason he did not come out and work for them. Bros. Thatcher and Grant at this junction had a little argument on the tariff question and Prest. Snow called us to order and said that [he] felt it was not profitable for the brethren to argue in our meetings. ...
JNO. W. TAYLOR said ... when he called at the houses of the saints they asked him if he would take tea or coffee and he said neither, but told them he wanted milk. ... Spoke of the circumstance in the history of the Prophet Joseph where he had promised to vote for a certain man, and just before the election his brother Hyrum had got up and told the people that the Lord had revealed to him that the saints should vote for the candidates on the other ticket. The Prophet got up and said that he had never heard his brother Hyrum say the Lord had revealed anything to him unless He had and that while He (Joseph) should vote for the man he had promised to, that he supposed the saints would follow the counsel of the Lord to them through Bro. Hyrum. Bro. Jno. W. felt that this very circumstance had hastened the death of the Prophet. ...
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
The political condition at the present time was to his mind a very important and a very serious matter and he felt that we should get the spirit of the Lord to aid in directing matters aright at this state of affairs so that we will not fall into the hands of our enemies....
There were some who were finding a great amount of fault with brother Jno. Hy. [John Henry] Smith on account of the part he is at the present time taken in political matters. He had not felt well pleased at first at the action of brother Smith in going in to the field to talk politics, but after reflecting on the subject he had arrived at the conclusion that it was done with the approval of the Presidency and so he felt all right about it....
FRANKLIN D. RICHARDS, said ... He had never had nay [many] manifestations form the Lord that Statehood was coming to us at an early date. ...
HEBER J. GRANT said that he ... Did not wish to make any political speeches but he was placed in an awkward position when he refused to do so as he had been on hand to work for the People's Party and his Democratic friends could not understand what was the reason he did not come out and work for them. Bros. Thatcher and Grant at this junction had a little argument on the tariff question and Prest. Snow called us to order and said that [he] felt it was not profitable for the brethren to argue in our meetings. ...
JNO. W. TAYLOR said ... when he called at the houses of the saints they asked him if he would take tea or coffee and he said neither, but told them he wanted milk. ... Spoke of the circumstance in the history of the Prophet Joseph where he had promised to vote for a certain man, and just before the election his brother Hyrum had got up and told the people that the Lord had revealed to him that the saints should vote for the candidates on the other ticket. The Prophet got up and said that he had never heard his brother Hyrum say the Lord had revealed anything to him unless He had and that while He (Joseph) should vote for the man he had promised to, that he supposed the saints would follow the counsel of the Lord to them through Bro. Hyrum. Bro. Jno. W. felt that this very circumstance had hastened the death of the Prophet. ...
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
155 years ago today - Jul 7, 1861
Heber C. Kimball, in a sermon recalling past persecutions of the Saints, preaches: "After all these hardships and trials we started for this country, and what did the Government then require of us? Five hundred men were called to go and take part in the Mexican war, and that too at a time when we were all living in our waggons: many were sick, and some were dying;" This perpetuates the myth that the Mormon Battalion was a favor that the Church did for the government when in reality it was a favor that the government did for the Mormons at Church leaders' request.
155 years ago today - Jul 7, 1861 (Afternoon)
[Brigham Young]
We talk about fellowshipping and disfellowshipping men for certain acts. Suppose we were to adopt the constitution of our Union for the constitution of the kingdom of God which we ought to thing a great deal of. My interest is in it at any rate, and nowhere else. I believe it is written in the constitution of the United States defining the crime called treason, giving aid and succor to our enemies, those we were speaking of today, according to our constitution it would make them treasoners, to give aid and comfort to persons who are seeking to destroy this kingdom. What do the southern States that have seceded in such case, the confederate States, suppose they find a man that is giving aid and comfort to the federal government, do you know any of them what they are doing with them, don't they tie a string round their necks, and hang them out. They are now beginning to look to those who are giving aid and comfort to draw the seceding states, they begin to look after them. What are they doing with them not merely bleeding of them, not in the nose only, but they tap they tap them where they will bleed effectually, and they take all the blood they call bad blood, rebels blood on both sides. Suppose this affray was to come to an end in the course of a year or two, and. the southern States should receive the benefit of br. Kimball's prayer and be enabled to whip the Northern, party and the southern States be the loyal government then, and the northern that old creature we used to think very odious, that we used to leek upon as a set of old Tories not fit to live. The loyal party is always the one that whips the disloyal ones, and the rebels are the ones that get whipped.
So it is in every case, it would be with ourselves if we were to get soundly flogged and thereby be brought into subjection, they would say we are Tories, and disloyal to the government. They have you very well know published the statement that the people called Latter-day Saints are not loyal to the Government. Now what is to be done with those that are disloyal to that kingdom you and I are in? I said this morning bleed them a little, You may put your own definition upon this saying, I put mine on it to suite myself, perhaps we shall do nothing more than turn them out of the synagogue, And then there is some things to he reckoned on here that is not taken into account with other Christians, that is I will say with the reformers. ...
Now this wont prove that I am a prophet when we see this come to pass. It won't prove anything less than this that I have guessed some things that are coming to pass. You will see them rise up state against State. Is this going to be so? It is. The South has risen up against the North which calls upon the north to defend themselves. Men will rise and contend against the South by and by, and it will be State against State. The South will be divided. ... by and by you will see man against man; and he that will not take up his sword against this neighbor, must needs flee to Zion. You will see this all come. to pass. ... And when the president of the United States sent his minions here, it was with all the power I could muster to keep from taking the sword, and not leaving a man of them to tell the tale. with all the power I could muster, I could hardly hold myself in subjection until the Lord Almighty should give the Lord, and he would have needed to hint it slightly, to have whispered it, and I would have wasted them away, and not left a grease spot... One of the best men there is in all the American Army I will venture to say, along a thousand he cannot be excelled in veracity and truth, I speak of Vanvlete that was here. When I introduced him to my family it seemed as though his head touched the floor. '"O presi- dent Young it seems very hard, that you have so many beautiful women, and I cannot have one of them,'" No sir you never would leave this city alive if you dared to infringe upon this family, but a dozen would drop before he would. ... Adam's ale is the prettiest stuff to drink, and if you want anything very strong take a little good sour butter milk. I really feel my weakness. The Sisters while I was South would pour out a strong cup of tea and coffee...
[Source: The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
We talk about fellowshipping and disfellowshipping men for certain acts. Suppose we were to adopt the constitution of our Union for the constitution of the kingdom of God which we ought to thing a great deal of. My interest is in it at any rate, and nowhere else. I believe it is written in the constitution of the United States defining the crime called treason, giving aid and succor to our enemies, those we were speaking of today, according to our constitution it would make them treasoners, to give aid and comfort to persons who are seeking to destroy this kingdom. What do the southern States that have seceded in such case, the confederate States, suppose they find a man that is giving aid and comfort to the federal government, do you know any of them what they are doing with them, don't they tie a string round their necks, and hang them out. They are now beginning to look to those who are giving aid and comfort to draw the seceding states, they begin to look after them. What are they doing with them not merely bleeding of them, not in the nose only, but they tap they tap them where they will bleed effectually, and they take all the blood they call bad blood, rebels blood on both sides. Suppose this affray was to come to an end in the course of a year or two, and. the southern States should receive the benefit of br. Kimball's prayer and be enabled to whip the Northern, party and the southern States be the loyal government then, and the northern that old creature we used to think very odious, that we used to leek upon as a set of old Tories not fit to live. The loyal party is always the one that whips the disloyal ones, and the rebels are the ones that get whipped.
So it is in every case, it would be with ourselves if we were to get soundly flogged and thereby be brought into subjection, they would say we are Tories, and disloyal to the government. They have you very well know published the statement that the people called Latter-day Saints are not loyal to the Government. Now what is to be done with those that are disloyal to that kingdom you and I are in? I said this morning bleed them a little, You may put your own definition upon this saying, I put mine on it to suite myself, perhaps we shall do nothing more than turn them out of the synagogue, And then there is some things to he reckoned on here that is not taken into account with other Christians, that is I will say with the reformers. ...
Now this wont prove that I am a prophet when we see this come to pass. It won't prove anything less than this that I have guessed some things that are coming to pass. You will see them rise up state against State. Is this going to be so? It is. The South has risen up against the North which calls upon the north to defend themselves. Men will rise and contend against the South by and by, and it will be State against State. The South will be divided. ... by and by you will see man against man; and he that will not take up his sword against this neighbor, must needs flee to Zion. You will see this all come. to pass. ... And when the president of the United States sent his minions here, it was with all the power I could muster to keep from taking the sword, and not leaving a man of them to tell the tale. with all the power I could muster, I could hardly hold myself in subjection until the Lord Almighty should give the Lord, and he would have needed to hint it slightly, to have whispered it, and I would have wasted them away, and not left a grease spot... One of the best men there is in all the American Army I will venture to say, along a thousand he cannot be excelled in veracity and truth, I speak of Vanvlete that was here. When I introduced him to my family it seemed as though his head touched the floor. '"O presi- dent Young it seems very hard, that you have so many beautiful women, and I cannot have one of them,'" No sir you never would leave this city alive if you dared to infringe upon this family, but a dozen would drop before he would. ... Adam's ale is the prettiest stuff to drink, and if you want anything very strong take a little good sour butter milk. I really feel my weakness. The Sisters while I was South would pour out a strong cup of tea and coffee...
[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 7, 1836
Patriarchal Blessing of Israel Calkins given by Joseph Smith, Sr. ... Thine eyes shall see the Lord in the Flesh and thou shalt go forth in the power of Jesus Christ and none shall be able to stand before thee or harm thee, and thou shalt bring in many If thou art faithful and desirest it, thy days shall be one hundred and twenty years. Thou shalt have power to be translated. Thou shalt be delivered from pain and from prison, have understanding and be a man of counsel and have an inheritance in Zion
[Source: Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:98, in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
[Source: Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:98, in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]
30 years ago today - Jul 6, 1986
An announcement of the "Improved missionary discussions [which] put aside the specific dialogue of the past. Missionaries will now use their own words and follow an outline to share the gospel." This ends twenty-five years of requiring LDS missionaries to memorize and speak word-for-word dialogue when teaching non-Mormons.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
50 years ago today - Jul 6, 1966
[David O. McKay, Hugh B. Brown, N. Eldon Tanner, and Joseph Fielding Smith]
From time to time we receive requests from couples who desire to be married by civil ceremony before traveling from their home to the temple to have the sealing solemnized. For your guidance we are pleased to tell you that the ruling is that where couples are married by civil ceremony they should normally not be recommended to the temple until after a year or very near that period of time has elapsed since the civil ceremony was solemnized. Occasionally we receive requests for exceptions to this ruling, the reason given being that the parents of one or both of the contracting parties are non-members and are desirous of witnessing the civil ceremony. In such cases we have, as a general rule, granted permission. It should be understood, however, that this permission must be obtained in each instance from the First Presidency before authorization may be given. Where parents of the couple to be married are members of the Church but not active or qualified to receive temple recommends, we have not felt to grant exceptions to the general rule that the marriage should be performed in the temple in the first instance.
[Source: David O. McKay, Hugh B. Brown, N. Eldon Tanner, and Joseph Fielding Smith, circular letter, July 6, 1966, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
From time to time we receive requests from couples who desire to be married by civil ceremony before traveling from their home to the temple to have the sealing solemnized. For your guidance we are pleased to tell you that the ruling is that where couples are married by civil ceremony they should normally not be recommended to the temple until after a year or very near that period of time has elapsed since the civil ceremony was solemnized. Occasionally we receive requests for exceptions to this ruling, the reason given being that the parents of one or both of the contracting parties are non-members and are desirous of witnessing the civil ceremony. In such cases we have, as a general rule, granted permission. It should be understood, however, that this permission must be obtained in each instance from the First Presidency before authorization may be given. Where parents of the couple to be married are members of the Church but not active or qualified to receive temple recommends, we have not felt to grant exceptions to the general rule that the marriage should be performed in the temple in the first instance.
[Source: David O. McKay, Hugh B. Brown, N. Eldon Tanner, and Joseph Fielding Smith, circular letter, July 6, 1966, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
50 years ago today - Jul 6, 1966
[David O. McKay]
... a single living woman may be sealed while living to a deceased man, a friend but not a husband; ... the Church does not permit the sealing for eternity only of a single living woman and a married living man. In other words, in the case submitted[,] if Sister W---- wishes to be sealed to the man she mentions after he passes away, or if he wishes to have her sealed to him after she passes away, this may be done inasmuch as both parties have expressed their desire in life to be so sealed, this expression having been made in the presence and with the approval of the man's living wife.
[Source: David O. McKay diary, July 6, 1966; hyphens added to obscure the woman's identity, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
... a single living woman may be sealed while living to a deceased man, a friend but not a husband; ... the Church does not permit the sealing for eternity only of a single living woman and a married living man. In other words, in the case submitted[,] if Sister W---- wishes to be sealed to the man she mentions after he passes away, or if he wishes to have her sealed to him after she passes away, this may be done inasmuch as both parties have expressed their desire in life to be so sealed, this expression having been made in the presence and with the approval of the man's living wife.
[Source: David O. McKay diary, July 6, 1966; hyphens added to obscure the woman's identity, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
90 years ago today - Jul 06, 1926
Neal A. Maxwell, later the Church commissioner of education and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, is born in Salt Lake City, Utah.
125 years ago today - Jul 6, 1891
[Heber J. Grant]
I have unbound faith in the success of the business and I should be delighted to see the benefits go to the Church. I feel sure that the profits will be at least twenty five percent and as the Church can get the money for not more than eight percent there will be a good margin of profit for them ... I shall be pleased and thankful when the Church has more funds than it has at the present [which was coping with a recession, as well as debt due to confiscated properties by the government].
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
I have unbound faith in the success of the business and I should be delighted to see the benefits go to the Church. I feel sure that the profits will be at least twenty five percent and as the Church can get the money for not more than eight percent there will be a good margin of profit for them ... I shall be pleased and thankful when the Church has more funds than it has at the present [which was coping with a recession, as well as debt due to confiscated properties by the government].
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
125 years ago today - Jul 6, 1891 (Monday)
A Democratic convention, held in Salt Lake City, placed the first Democratic ticket for Salt Lake County officers in the field, after the division of the People's Party [controlled by the church] on party lines.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
140 years ago today - Jul 6, 1876
Concerning the Custer Massacre a few days before, the Deseret News editorializes that it is doubtful if possession of the Black Hills country by whites can be justified. If it cannot, "the Indians [rather than Custer's men] must consequently have the sympathy of every just man in the area of the civilized world." Such pro-Indian sentiments contribute to the hostility of the U.s. army and the federal government toward Mormons.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
150 years ago today - Jul 6, 1866
Patriarchal Blessing of Mary Hubbard given by Charles W. Hyde ... It is your privilege to behold the coming of Messiah when Zion shall be redeemed in peace. You shall feed the three Nephites. They shall give you key words that shall be a rejoicing to you forever, and thousands shall call you blessed of the Father for thy integrity. Therefore, go thy way, for you shall have Eternal life with thy Father-'s household forever and ever, Amen
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
[Source: Patriarchal Blessings]
165 years ago today - Jul 6, 1851
[Brigham Young, same speech as above]
I am in [-] you will be in all, be content to begin with and [-] would be a little paradise, a little millennium, if they [-] to abolish slavery it would be throat cutting to themselves the whites and damnation to the blacks, the abolitionists are ignorant and they have got to learn wisdom.
[Source: Thomas Bullock Minutes, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
I am in [-] you will be in all, be content to begin with and [-] would be a little paradise, a little millennium, if they [-] to abolish slavery it would be throat cutting to themselves the whites and damnation to the blacks, the abolitionists are ignorant and they have got to learn wisdom.
[Source: Thomas Bullock Minutes, in 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 - Jul 6, 1851
The Blacks cannot take the curse off themselves until God takes it off. Make all men saints and they will treat each other well. So the Lamanites are cursed. But are there not blessings for them? Yes, the same as there are for the Saints, for Joseph, Brigham, and Jesus Christ, and all faithful men and women in their time and season. So be contented.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 4:44-47, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 4:44-47, 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 6, 1846
[Wilford Woodruff]
6th It was A warm day. We continued our journey And camped at night at the same place whare I camped in the grass with Br Parley. An Indian Chief And some squaes camped near us. The Indian said He was going to meet with mormons & smoke the pipe of peace.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
6th It was A warm day. We continued our journey And camped at night at the same place whare I camped in the grass with Br Parley. An Indian Chief And some squaes camped near us. The Indian said He was going to meet with mormons & smoke the pipe of peace.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
55 years ago today - Jul 5, 1961
[Marion G. Romney]
After we had set the last group apart, Brother Lee and I left the office about 4:30 and called on President Clark on our way home. ... We suggested that perhaps Hugh Nibley could write his biography, but he didn't seem to be enthusiastic about that. He said that Hugh Nibley didn't know anything about large areas of his life. He thought that maybe Jack Cannon could do as well as anybody, but didn't seem to be enthusiastic about our going forward. [Biographies were later written by Frank W. Fox and D. Michael Quinn]
[Source: The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015, Appendix 2, The Diaries of Marion G. Romney, 1941-1961, Abridged]
After we had set the last group apart, Brother Lee and I left the office about 4:30 and called on President Clark on our way home. ... We suggested that perhaps Hugh Nibley could write his biography, but he didn't seem to be enthusiastic about that. He said that Hugh Nibley didn't know anything about large areas of his life. He thought that maybe Jack Cannon could do as well as anybody, but didn't seem to be enthusiastic about our going forward. [Biographies were later written by Frank W. Fox and D. Michael Quinn]
[Source: The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015, Appendix 2, The Diaries of Marion G. Romney, 1941-1961, Abridged]
110 years ago today - Jul 5, 1906
The First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Presiding Patriarch beginconsistently using "water and not wine" in their own sacrament. Joseph F. Smith personally stopped drinking wine at the temple meeting sacrament in Dec. 1902. When this first came up for discussion by the apostes on 7 Jan. 1903, Hyrum M. Smith criticized this practice. However, most apostles in 1903 preferred to continue using wine in the temple.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
145 years ago today - Jul 5, 1871
Presidt Young [in Soda Springs] got a telegraph [-] from presidt Wells that all right in the Celebration of the 4. Our Enemies were Defeated & we triumped.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[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 - Jul 5, 1861
Brigham Young's office journal records: "President Young mentioned that he enjoyed his dancing last evening it caused him to perspire, he said it rested his mind and did him good, and relieved him from his onerous every day duties."
160 years ago today - Jul 5, 1856
George A. Smith writes an obituary of Lucy Mack Smith for 'The Mormon', then being published in New York City, in which he praises Lucy and criticizes her book as inaccurate.
[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]
[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]
40 years ago today - Jul 4, 1976
Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs at the United States Bicentennial.
[Source: Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)]
[Source: Wikipedia, 20th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century_(Mormonism)]
90 years ago today - Jul 04, 1926
Elder Melvin J. Ballard famously prophesies that the Church in Latin America will grow "as an oak grows slowly from an acorn."
145 years ago today - Jul 4, 1871 (Tuesday)
Notwithstanding Act.-Gov. Black's proclamation against the assembling of the Territorial militia, the day was celebrated in good style in Salt Lake City.
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
190 years ago today - Jul 4, 1826
On the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Charles A. Boardman regarding the English colonists preached, "the Spirit of the living God, poured out on England, which raised up these men, to free her from the shackles of papal superstition and misrule; to proclaim liberty to her captives; and to lay in the new world the foundations of a free and mighty nation." ... "And I see almost as clearly, in their preservation, the preparation that God was making for the independence of these States, as I see, in the preservation of Israel in the land of Canaan, the preparation which God was making for the coming of the Son of Man."
Regarding America, "[God] selecting a little band of his own followers, and leading them forth with a father's tenderness to the possession of this goodly land; defending them with his own omnipotence as the apple of his eye; by them establishing a church on the gates of which He was written Salvation, ... making the place of their refuge the lot of his inheritance, saying by a thousand tokens of mercy, 'This is my rest forever; here will I dwell; for I have desired it!'" [see 1 Nephi 13, 2 Nephi 10, Ether 2:7-12 and D&C 101:80]
[Source: Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]
Regarding America, "[God] selecting a little band of his own followers, and leading them forth with a father's tenderness to the possession of this goodly land; defending them with his own omnipotence as the apple of his eye; by them establishing a church on the gates of which He was written Salvation, ... making the place of their refuge the lot of his inheritance, saying by a thousand tokens of mercy, 'This is my rest forever; here will I dwell; for I have desired it!'" [see 1 Nephi 13, 2 Nephi 10, Ether 2:7-12 and D&C 101:80]
[Source: Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]
35 years ago today - Jul 3,1981
After nearly eleven years of losing advertising revenues, Deseret News begins publishing ads for R-rated movies.
[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]
[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]
80 years ago today - Jul 3, 1936
First Presidency statement against Communism and Communist Party (which is legal in United States at this time and has candidates in Utah elections).
110 years ago today - Jul 3, 1906
It was moved by Elder Charles W. Penrose and seconded by a number of the brethren and unanimously carried that Brothers John W. Taylor and Matthias F. Cowley withdraw themselves from laboring in the ministry and confine themselves to the caring of their families and attending to their personal affairs as lay members of the church. They had resigned from the council because they were out of harmony with the council on the question of plural marriage. Consequently they were no longer engaged in any sense as members of the council.
[Source: Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Source: Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
115 years ago today - Jul 3, 1901
[Andrew Jenson]
I was sent over to the President's Office by Bro[ther]. [Anthon H.] Lund after Vol[ume]s. 3-6 of the 'Times and Seasons,' which Bro[ther]. Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon borrowed of the Historians Office several months ago. Instead of giving me the books he [i.e., James Jack] insulted me. 'Old Jack' is one of the most unobliging and offensive men I ever met. It has been a wonder for many years why such a man is kept around the President's Office. If I had the power, I would discharge every clerk around the President's Office except Geo[rge]. Reynolds. The latter is a worker and a good man; most of the others seem to draw their sal[a]ries for loafing and for insulting visitors. Sure it is that many good Saints have gone away fromt he President's Office with bleeding hearts because of the insults and offensive language used by the clerks.
[Source: Andrew Jenson 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]
I was sent over to the President's Office by Bro[ther]. [Anthon H.] Lund after Vol[ume]s. 3-6 of the 'Times and Seasons,' which Bro[ther]. Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon borrowed of the Historians Office several months ago. Instead of giving me the books he [i.e., James Jack] insulted me. 'Old Jack' is one of the most unobliging and offensive men I ever met. It has been a wonder for many years why such a man is kept around the President's Office. If I had the power, I would discharge every clerk around the President's Office except Geo[rge]. Reynolds. The latter is a worker and a good man; most of the others seem to draw their sal[a]ries for loafing and for insulting visitors. Sure it is that many good Saints have gone away fromt he President's Office with bleeding hearts because of the insults and offensive language used by the clerks.
[Source: Andrew Jenson 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]
135 years ago today - Sunday, Jul 3, 1881
[John Henry Smith]
10 a.m. went to meeting. Bro. B. Bennett of Frisco bore his testimony and Edward Partridge and J. V. Robison [spoke], the latter on the celestial law of marriage, showing that the man who had one wife sealed to him by the Holy Spirit of promise had only gone part of the way.
I presented the general authorities and Br. E. Partridge the local. After which Bro. F[rancis]. M. Lyman spoke on the Celestial law of marriage laying down the rule that no man could get all of the blessings without keeping the whole law.
[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]
10 a.m. went to meeting. Bro. B. Bennett of Frisco bore his testimony and Edward Partridge and J. V. Robison [spoke], the latter on the celestial law of marriage, showing that the man who had one wife sealed to him by the Holy Spirit of promise had only gone part of the way.
I presented the general authorities and Br. E. Partridge the local. After which Bro. F[rancis]. M. Lyman spoke on the Celestial law of marriage laying down the rule that no man could get all of the blessings without keeping the whole law.
[Source: Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
170 years ago today - Jul 3, 1846
[Wilford Woodruff]
At 10 oclock Br Pratt returned in company with Br Benson who had been nominated to fill the place [apostleship] And wear the Crown of John E Page.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
At 10 oclock Br Pratt returned in company with Br Benson who had been nominated to fill the place [apostleship] And wear the Crown of John E Page.
[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 3, 1841
At the Independence Day celebration the Nauvoo Legion comes out in parade and Joseph gives a patriotic speech, closing with the words, "I would ask no greater boon, than to lay down my life for my country."
[Source: History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 4:382, in Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (7 volumes) 4:382, in Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
20 years ago today - Jul 2, 1996
"Security leader and de facto second in command" of the Russian Republic publicly apologizes a week after calling Russia's Mormons "filth and scum." The LDS church has no more than 5,000 converts and 300 missionaries there. The apology occurs because LDS members (Republicans) of the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate ask the Democratic "Clinton administration to reconsider aid to Russia because of [Aleksandr] Lebed's stand."
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
25 years ago today - Jul 2, 1991
"[R]itualist child abuse" memo surfaces from Bishop Pace. Interviews conducted in 1989-1990 could have influenced temple ritual modifications.
[Source: Exploring Mormonism: Bishop's Interview Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/bishops-interview-timeline/]
[Source: Exploring Mormonism: Bishop's Interview Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/bishops-interview-timeline/]
120 years ago today - Jul 2, 1896
Brother Isaac Smith [counselor in the Cache Stake presidency] stated that when the vote was taken to release Elders Aaron Farr and Seth Langton from the High Council, because of their voting against the [political] Declaration, two others of that Council had voted against their release. He wished to know whether they should be released also. Presidents Cannon and [Joseph F.] Smith and Elder F[rancis]. M. Lyman who was present, concurred in the advice that they should not be dealt with in that manner, in view of the feelings entertained by many people in the Cache Valley Stake.
[Source: Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Source: Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
135 years ago today - Jul 2, 1881
To J.D.T. McAllister St. George The lamentable news having reached this City this morning that an attempt has been made upon the life of President Garfield by an assassin and that he is now lying dangerously wounded. exciating as we do the horrible crime of assassination we suggest to the latter day Saints That out of respect to the nations chief magistrate and in accordance with our perfits Sympathy in his behalf, all preperations made by them for celebrating the nationall birthday July fourth through the Territory of Utah be suspended and the demonstration usually had on that day be dispensed with. John Taylor Geo. Q Cannon Joseph F. Smith
[Source: Telegram from First Presidency to J. D. T. McAllister recorded in Diary Excerpts of J.D.T. McAllister, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Source: Telegram from First Presidency to J. D. T. McAllister recorded in Diary Excerpts of J.D.T. McAllister, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Jul 2, 1881
Deseret News reports Apostle Erastus Snow's sermon of 3 Aug. 1880: "Our people are already settling in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, and are stretching into Old Mexico... He [God] wishes us to occupy the land, because the time is coming when He proposes to give it to us, and give us the rule over it. I suppose you voted at the general election yesterday; it is a part of your duty, because by voting at the polls we establish our rule and government in the land."
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
145 years ago today - Jul 2, 1871
The "Liberal Institute" is dedicated in Salt Lake City at the corner of Second South and Second East. This architectural landmark seats over 1000 and is constructed mostly by Godbeites and disaffected Mormons. Susan B. Anthony, who attended the dedication, writes that the reformers "sang their songs of freedom, poured out their rejoicings over the emancipation from the thrall of the Theocracy of Brigham, and told of the beatitudes of soul-to-soul communion with the All-Father." The Institute became a home for Methodists, Presbyterians, Jews, Swedish Lutherans and "Reorganite Mormons" as well as suffragettes, spiritualists (including mediums and their debunkers), and free thinkers.
160 years ago today - Jul 2, 1856
[Wilford Woodruff]
P[arley] P. Pratt asked Presidet Young what He should do with regard to tithing. Said he had been travelling & preaching a good deal & had not paid any tithing. Presidet Young Said the Law of tithing reached evry man. He should pay his tithing if he had to have five times as much from the tithing office in order to live & all that he had from the tithing office should be charged to him & he should Consecrate what he had to the Church. He said that he should consecrate what he had to the Church that his children when he was dead should not squander his property & go to Hell upon it.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
P[arley] P. Pratt asked Presidet Young what He should do with regard to tithing. Said he had been travelling & preaching a good deal & had not paid any tithing. Presidet Young Said the Law of tithing reached evry man. He should pay his tithing if he had to have five times as much from the tithing office in order to live & all that he had from the tithing office should be charged to him & he should Consecrate what he had to the Church. He said that he should consecrate what he had to the Church that his children when he was dead should not squander his property & go to Hell upon it.
[Source: Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
45 years ago today - 45 years ago - Jul 01, 1971
Henry B. Eyring is appointed tenth president of Ricks College.
55 years ago today - 55 years ago - Jul 1, 1961
CHURCH NEWS article, "Mission Presidents Get Uniform Plan For Teaching Gospel," introduces the new six-discussion proselytizing plan in which the discussions are to be memorized verbatim by the missionaries.
150 years ago today - 150 years ago - Jul 1, 1866
Apostle Wilford Woodruff, as the officially appointed "Church Historian" recorded the following in his "Historian's Private Journal "Joseph Smith & Zina Huntington were sealed Oct. 27, 1841 by Dimick B. Huntington in Nauvoo"
[Source: Wilford Woodruff, "Historian's Private Journal" (one volume, 1858-78), entries after 1 July 1866, LDS Church History Library, in "Evidence For The Sexual Side of Joseph Smith's Polygamy," Comments by D. Michael Quinn on Session #2A "Reconsidering Joseph Smith's Marital Practices," Mormon History Association's Annual Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 29 June 2012 (unabbreviated version, revised during July)]
[Source: Wilford Woodruff, "Historian's Private Journal" (one volume, 1858-78), entries after 1 July 1866, LDS Church History Library, in "Evidence For The Sexual Side of Joseph Smith's Polygamy," Comments by D. Michael Quinn on Session #2A "Reconsidering Joseph Smith's Marital Practices," Mormon History Association's Annual Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 29 June 2012 (unabbreviated version, revised during July)]
150 years ago today - 150 years ago - Jul 1, 1866
Following the regular Sunday prayer circle of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve, Brigham Young "arose from his knees and took off his apron with an intention apparently of undressing. Of a sudden he stopped and exclaimed, "Hold On, should I do as I feel it? I always feel well to do as the spirit constrains me. It is in my mind to ordain Elder Joseph F. Smith to the apostleship. And to be one of my counsellors." And then called on each one of us for an expression of our feelings and we individually responded and it met our hardy approval, and we then offered up the signs of the priesthood after which Elder Joseph F. Smith, knelt upon the alter and taking off his cap we laid our hands upon him, brother Brigham being mouth and we repeated after him in the usual form. We said, "Brother Joseph F. Smith, we lay our hands upon your head in the name of Jesus Christ and by the virtue of the holy priesthood to ordain you to be an apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and be a special witness to the nations of the earth and seal upon your head all the authority and power, and keys of this holy apostleship and ordain you to be a counsellor unto the first Presidency of the church and the kingdom of God upon the earth. These blessings we seal upon your head in the name of Jesus Christ by the authority of the Holy Priesthood. Amen." After the ordination, Brother Brigham said that this is the first time that any person has been ordained in this manner.-" Joseph F. Smith, although ordained an apostle, is not admitted to the Quorum until more than a year later when Amasa M. Lyman is removed. After the ordination Young "suggested to us that it would be wisdom for us to keep the fact of this ordination to ourselves." Knowledge of the secret ordination is kept even from Heber C. Kimball, Young's first counselor and Joseph F. Smith's father-in-law.
155 years ago today - 155 years ago - Jul 1, 1861
Brigham Young's office journal records: "President [Young] & H[eber] C Kimball talked of old times, especially their being mysteriously supplied with money in their early Career in the church. he also noticed Joseph Smith-s feelings after he had prophecied Joseph would frequently ask his brethren how they felt about the prophecies he had made asked if they thought they would come true, when his brethren remarked they knew he Spoke by the Spirit of God that comforted him."
170 years ago today - 170 years ago - Wednesday, Jul 1, 1846.
[Willard Richards]
Captain James Allen of the U S. Army and two others, first regiment of dragoons, Fort Leavenworth, when Captain Allen read his authority from Colonel S. W. Kearney of the Army of the West, dated June 19, 1846, for him to proceed to the Mormon Camp and enlist from 3 to 500 men to go to California by way of Santa Fe. Each company to enlist of from 73 to 109. Captain, first and second lieutenant, four laundresses to each company....
At 12 noon, President Young addressed the assembly, wished them to make a distinction between this action of the government, and our former oppressors. Is it prudent for us to enlist to defend the country, the U. S., if so all are ready to go. ... Let the Mormons be the first men to set their feet on that soil. Captain Allen has assumed the responsibility of saying that we may go to Grand Island and stay till they can go on [Mormons did not have permission to be on Indian lands].... It is the first offer we have ever had to benefit us one whit, and proposed that the 500 men be raised, that he would see all their families brought forward as far as his reach, and feed them when he had to eat.
... Voted that Presidents Young and Kimball go to Mt. Pisgah to raise volunteers. President Young said he would start in the morning. President Young said the companies must be organized, see who can go to the island and who must remain. After raising the troops, the Twelve to go on with their families [to the Great Basin].
[Source: Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
Captain James Allen of the U S. Army and two others, first regiment of dragoons, Fort Leavenworth, when Captain Allen read his authority from Colonel S. W. Kearney of the Army of the West, dated June 19, 1846, for him to proceed to the Mormon Camp and enlist from 3 to 500 men to go to California by way of Santa Fe. Each company to enlist of from 73 to 109. Captain, first and second lieutenant, four laundresses to each company....
At 12 noon, President Young addressed the assembly, wished them to make a distinction between this action of the government, and our former oppressors. Is it prudent for us to enlist to defend the country, the U. S., if so all are ready to go. ... Let the Mormons be the first men to set their feet on that soil. Captain Allen has assumed the responsibility of saying that we may go to Grand Island and stay till they can go on [Mormons did not have permission to be on Indian lands].... It is the first offer we have ever had to benefit us one whit, and proposed that the 500 men be raised, that he would see all their families brought forward as far as his reach, and feed them when he had to eat.
... Voted that Presidents Young and Kimball go to Mt. Pisgah to raise volunteers. President Young said he would start in the morning. President Young said the companies must be organized, see who can go to the island and who must remain. After raising the troops, the Twelve to go on with their families [to the Great Basin].
[Source: Apostle Willard Richards Journal]
175 years ago today - Jul 1, 1841
[Helen Mar Kimball]
On the 1st day of July my father with President Young and Brother John Taylor arrived home from their mission; ... Joseph would have them go home with him to dinner and William hastened home to tell us the same; we thought this almost an unkindness for it seemed so long a time to us who were waiting and watching with impatience to see him ... My mother felt the presence of others at such a time almost an intrusion but Brother Joseph seemed unwilling to part with my father; and from that time kept the Twelve in council early and late, and she sometimes felt nearly jealous of him but never dreamed that he was during those times revealing to them the principles of celestial marriage and that her trials and sacrifices which she had flattered herself were nearly over, had scarcely begun, and they little realized the meaning of his words when he said "he was rolling off the kingdom from his own shoulders onto the shoulders of the Twelve."
[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]
On the 1st day of July my father with President Young and Brother John Taylor arrived home from their mission; ... Joseph would have them go home with him to dinner and William hastened home to tell us the same; we thought this almost an unkindness for it seemed so long a time to us who were waiting and watching with impatience to see him ... My mother felt the presence of others at such a time almost an intrusion but Brother Joseph seemed unwilling to part with my father; and from that time kept the Twelve in council early and late, and she sometimes felt nearly jealous of him but never dreamed that he was during those times revealing to them the principles of celestial marriage and that her trials and sacrifices which she had flattered herself were nearly over, had scarcely begun, and they little realized the meaning of his words when he said "he was rolling off the kingdom from his own shoulders onto the shoulders of the Twelve."
[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]
175 years ago today - Jul 1, 1841
Brigham Young, Heber Kimball, and John Taylor reach Nauvoo from their missions to England. Joseph meets with them until late at night, explaining the law of plural marriage.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
185 years ago today - 1831 Early summer
Lucy proceeds to Pontiac, where she predicts within three years a Presbyterian minister will lose 1/3 of his congregation to the Mormons, which takes places when Jared Carter visits Pontiac in 1833. Remaining in Pontiac four weeks, Lucy converts David Dort and wife.
[Source: Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Source: Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
185 years ago today - Jul 1, 1831
Joseph Smith calls "Negroes" of lineage of Ham,
[Source: http://www.xtimeline.com/timeline/Chronology-Pertaining-to-Blacks-and-the-LDS-Church]
[Source: http://www.xtimeline.com/timeline/Chronology-Pertaining-to-Blacks-and-the-LDS-Church]
200 years ago today - Summer 1816
Frost falls in the summer, killing the crops, and the Smiths decide to leave Vermont altogether. Joseph, Sr., goes ahead to find new land in New York and then sends for his family. After many problems they make it to Palmyra, Ontario County (now Wayne), N. Y. Palmyra has nearly three thousand people, and Joseph, Sr., works as barrel maker and bricklayer with his sons. Joseph, Jr., works in Martin Harris's fields for fifty cents per day. Lucy Mack Smith paints oilcloth coverings and makes maple syrup, root beer, gingerbread cakes, and boiled eggs to sell.The Smiths move a couple of miles south of Palmyra to a hundred-acre farm in Manchester.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
25 years ago today - Jun 30, 1991
The 'Arizona Republic' begins a three-part series on LDS church finances and claims that the church receives $4.3 billion in tithing annually. LDS headquarters announces that this estimate is "grossly overstated."
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
55 years ago today - Jun 30, 1961
An LDS missionary records in his journal Harold B. Lee's answer (given in the temple) to the question, "If the "second endowment" existed and "if so, what connection does it have with the Holy Spirit of Promise, and who receives it and why and how," Lee's answer: "You don't have to worry. You've received all the ordinances necessary for exaltation....It is a special blessing given by the President of the Church to men who have been called. It is not necessary to receive it, however. You have all the endowment you need to be exalted."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
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