145 years ago today - May 14, 1875

"after urging," Elizabeth Ann Whitney spoke in tongues with fluid ease for some five minutes. Eliza R. Snow affirmed that it was the "pure tongue of Adam."

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

150 years ago today - May 14th 1870

[Paris Idaho School of the Prophets]

... Elder Wixom asked a question with regard to the word of wisdom its observance and obligations. ...

Prest. Rich said none of us fully kept the word of wisdom. He did not feel over strenuous in the matter every man ought to know before the Lord what he should do in these things. If he did not who should. Although in some very rare instances it might be wise to use a little of the articles mentioned in the word of wisdom still this should not be taken as a pretext for indiscriminate use. ...

[Paris ward - Bear Lake Stake - School of the Prophets minutes 1869-72, typescript by Michael Nielsen]

155 years ago today - May 14, 1865

... She wished us to pray that she might spedily die as she Could not live. Presidet Young dedicated her to God for her death & burial. In about 12 hours she died.

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

160 years ago today - May 14, 1860 (Morning)

A. Carrington read'-an extract relating to Joseph Smith, son of the Prophet being accepted as President of the '"True Church of Latter Day Saints'" a new organization [RLDS / Community of Christ]. The President [Brigham Young] observed it will do good, it will attract the Spirit of the nation to observe its doings, and thus be the means of diverting the attention of the Nation instead of watching us; he further remarked it would have been well if the Apostates that had left us had known of the existence of this new organization, they might have liked to have joined.

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

160 years ago today - May 14, 1860 (Evening)

The President remarked one race of men have oppressed another, but finally the best blood will rule.

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

175 years ago today - May 14, 1845

The capstone was placed on the Nauvoo Temple

[Homer, Michael W., Joseph’s Temples: The Dynamic Relationship between Freemasonry and Mormonism, Chronology]

175 years ago today - May 14, 1845

[Nauvoo Neighbor]

- Announcement: "Fasting and Prayer" ...

- Story: Nauvoo Vigilance Committee -- Editorial -- Describes and encourages actions by vigilant citizens of Nauvoo.

... - Story: "Spiritual Wife System in the Right Quarter" - Millerism -- Editorial -- Describes several published allegations about the kissing practices of Millerism.

- Letter: William Smith's Letter to the Nauvoo Church" -- William Smith -- Denies the "Spiritual Wife System," and seeks to find favor with the Nauvoo Saints.

...

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

175 years ago today - May 14, 1845

The Twelve appoint the next Thursday (third week of the month) "as a day of public FASTING AND PRAYER to Almighty God." In Aug, it was the second Thursday, and Thursday remained fast-day for Utah Mormons until the 1890's.

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

180 years ago today - May 14, 1840

[Wilford Woodruff]

... preached but amid much disturdance & as the meeting was about breaking up the congregation was besmeared with rotten eggs.

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

190 years ago today - 1830 May 14

Wayne Sentinel: -The Book of Mormon- on sale now!

[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]

25 years ago today - May 13, 1995

Gordon B. Hinckley presides at "ground-breaking" ceremony for temple to be constructed by remodeling nearly ninety-year-old Uintah Stake Tabernacle in Vernal, Utah. This is first time new temple is to be created from pre-existing building which had other uses.

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

55 years ago today - May 13, 1965

First Presidency approves the posthumous rebaptism and restoration of blessings for former apostle John W. Taylor who was excommunicated in 1911. His son Samuel Taylor had requested this two days previously.

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

120 years ago today - Sunday, May 13, 1900

R[eed]. S[moot]. Expressed a desire to magnify the office of an apostle. The great evil existing in the world and to some extent among our people of restricting and limiting by unlawful means the number of children in our families; warned the saints against the practice.

R. S[moot]. Related a vision he had while on a mission to England, which was fulfilled and which he related to a railroad conductor to prove the existence of a God. ...

[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]

125 years ago today - May 13, 1895 (Monday)

The Intermountain Woman Suffrage convention convened in Salt Lake City; Susan B. Anthony presided.

[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

135 years ago today - May 13, 1885

A delegation, appointed by a mass meeting held in the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City on May 2, met with U.S. President Grover Cleveland in the White House in Washington, D.C. They presented to the president a "Statement of Grievances and Protest" concerning injustices brought about because of the Edmunds law.

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

175 years ago today - May 13, 1845

[Patriarchal Blessing of Truman O. Angell]

... Thou shalt live to see the winding up scene of this generation according to the desire of thy heart; and all things accomplished which the Prophets hath spoken concerning the latter day Glory; and the Temple built which is to be done before all this generation pass away. Thou shalt be one of the laborers in that Temple to accomplish the curious workmanship for the woodwork of the same ...

[Patriarchal Blessings]

175 years ago today - May 13, 1845

[Heber C. Kimball]

B. Young dremp of seeing a vessel blown on to dry land. I dremp of saving some persons from being drowned.

[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]

50 years ago today - May 12, 1970

After days of student protests at University of Utah against the Ohio National Guard's killing of students at Kent State, a bomb destroys the offices of the Utah National Guard.

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]

135 years ago today - May 12, 1885

[Heber J. Grant]

Prest Taylor offered prayer Prest John Taylor spoke very warmly regarding the failure of the City officials to hunt up cases against men that were known to be guilty of sexual sins and who were very active in hunting up cases of polygamy against our brethren. I can't remember when I have ever seen him worked up more than he was while talking on this subject. He talked with much force against those of our City Officials who for fear of losing a little means allowed our enemies that were known to be guilty of crime, to go free.

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

145 years ago today - May 12, 1875

THE DESERET NEWS reports that Judge David B. Lowe has set aside a previous court order that Brigham Young pay $9,500 accumulated alimony to Ann Eliza Webb Young. The court reasoned that alimony could not be awarded unless a valid marriage existed. Since Young had alleged that the marriage was illegal and the allegation was not denied, it had to be considered true, and the order was set aside.

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

150 years ago today - May 12, 1870

Former Apostle Amasa M. Lyman is excommunicated for associating himself with the Godbeite movement. Three years previously he had been dropped from the Council of Twelve for teaching that a person could work out their own salvation independent of Christ's atonement.

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

160 years ago today - May 12, 1860

B[isho]p Allen Taylor related an immoral affair to the President and requested counsel of him, he [Brigham Young] replied '"I would cut him off the Church.'" The President observed in many cases women are much to blame; but the man must always realize he is the Lord of the woman; and in the end is responsible for his actions and not the woman.

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

175 years ago today - May 12, 1845

[Heber C. Kimball]

... Told my family that I had got to hide up with my Brethren to keepe way from rits, as thare is sevreal out for us. Went to Edwards Hunters in company with B. Young and W. Richards with the history of the Church and hid up in this upper room. Went to rest at 12 Oclock--thare was two of the Hodg family taken up fore roberry [robbery], killed one man and wounded one.

[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]

180 years ago today - May 12, 1840

[Wilford Woodruff]

It seemed as though some would worship me while they cried out here is a man of Zion the man of God that we have so long looked for. Who is worthy to receieve him into our house? I told them to worship God for I was ownly a servant of God.

I spent the night at William Hills. I Baptized 3 & confirmed 22 in all. Distance 8 mi.

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

185 years ago today - May 12, 1835

[Heber C. Kimball]

... my feet were so blistered I could not wear my boots, nor proceed without.

[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]

25 years ago today - May 11, 1995

Representatives of the LDS church in Denver withdraw their application for institutional "oberserver status" in the Colorado Council of Churches, the first step to membership in the World Council of Churches. The announcement of the application caused a firestorm of complaints and letters demanding rejection due to the Mormon theology of sexually cohabiting Heavenly Father who progresses by allowing mortals to become gods. The application is withdrawn to avoid bruising the confirmation process.

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]

60 years ago today - May 11, 1960

[Marion G. Romney]

President [J. Reuben] Clark called me into his office and talked to me from 12:45 until 1:20 p.m. about my assignment to Mexico to check the excavations and artifacts which [Thomas Stewart] Ferguson and his co-workers are discovering.

[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]

120 years ago today - May 11, 1900

[George Teasdale]

Now with regard to your full blessings[,] you will have to see Bro. [Anthony W.] Ivins [president of the Colonia Juarez Stake] and get your recommends to the blessings of the House of the Lord for your full blessings [2nd Anointing]. They will have to be endorsed by Pres[iden]t [Lorenzo] Snow, which I shall be pleased to get for you[,] and that will all be O.K. for you all to get your blessings. Anything I can do for you at any time I shall be happy to do.

[George Teasdale to Joseph C. Bently, May 11, 1900 in Joseph T. Bentley, Life and Letters of Joseph C. Bentley: A Biography (Provo: By the Author, 1977), 108, quoted at Exploring Mormonism: Bishop's Interview Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/bishops-interview-timeline/]

135 years ago today - May 11, 1885

[Heber J. Grant]

Today is the first day that I have devoted to soliciting for insurance since I became a member of the Quorum of Apostles.

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

165 years ago today - May 11, 1855 (Friday)

A treaty of peace was concluded with the Ute Indians.

[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

175 years ago today - May 11, 1845

[Brigham Young]

I say in the name of Israel's God there will never be a lack, there will be no cry for food - no cry for clothes - the Lord will provide for us even if it is to open the bowels of the earth and bring out the gold and silver

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

120 years ago today - 120 years ago - May 10, 1900

[Journal History of the church]

... The Hymn 'Come Holy Ghost Our Hearts Inspire,' was sung. President Cannon called attention to the impropriety of such a hymn being in our hymn book; the point he made was, the Holy Ghost being invoked, which is purely sectarian doctrine. This led to the subject before referred to in the meeting some time since, of a committee that was appointed to revise the Hymn Book taking upon themselves the authority to change some of the wording which, in the estimation of some of the members of the Council, amounted to nothing more than mutilations. The question now arose as to what the history of the Church should consist of, whether it should be written, taking as a basis the history of the Prophet Joseph [Smith] and what has been compiled since, or whether the history of Joseph the Prophet should be re-edited, and what has been compiled since should be regarded what is now referred to as the history of the Church; if so, President Cannon was of the opinion that the history of the Church would be a very crude and unsatisfactory affair. (work) President Snow said it was clear to his mind that something ought to be done in this direction, and for that reason he put this committee to work, and he thought too that the history of the Prophet Joseph should be published just as he wrote with the exception of grammatical errors; however there may be some things that it would not be wisdom to publish in his history...

And on motion of Elder Anthon H. Lund, Brother Brigham H. Roberts was appointed to edit the proposed history of the Church, commencing with the history of the Prophet Joseph Smith, under the supervision of the committee and First Presidency. ...

[Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]

175 years ago today - 175 years ago - May 10, 1845 • Saturday

[Council of Fifty]

Young proposed "dissolving the council for the time being untill something of importance shall arise to call the council together," and the council adjourned sine die. Young's stated reason for the proposal was the approach of summer, the "hurrying time of the year," but he may also have been concerned about confidentiality. He spoke of "vessels in the council which are leaky" and counseled members against sharing information from the council with anyone, including their wives. In his journal William Clayton provided as a reason for adjournment "the conduct of D. D. Yearsly [David D. Yearsley] of whom there is strong suspicious of treachery."

[Joseph Smith Papers: Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844-January 1846]

25 years ago today - May 10, 1995

Presiding Bishopric letter informs local LDS leaders to use toll-free telephone number to report cases of child abuse involving Mormons: "This will enable the caller to consult with social services, legal and other specialists who can assist in answering questions and in formulating steps that should be taken."

Feminist Janice Merrill Allred is excommunicated for her speaking and publishing about the LDS doctrine of Mother in Heaven.

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

90 years ago today - May 10, 1930

[Heber J. Grant]

Brother Charles H. Hyde, former president of the Netherland Mission, called, in regard to a woman who is visiting Utah. She is from Australia and her husband does not belong to the Church. We agreed to let her having (Sic) the privilege of viewing the interior of the temple without going through for her endowments.

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

105 years ago today - May 10, 1915; Monday

[James E. Talmage]

The usual publication containing reports of the addressed [sic] delivered at the Annual Conference of the Church was issued from the press today, this issue comprising proceedings of the Eighty-fifth Annual Conference held last month. The publication has been delayed owing to a consultation regarding my own brief address. ... It will be observed that part of the paragraph relating to the significance of the title "The Son of Man" is omitted from the official publication... By way of explanation it should be said that this conception of the title "The Son of Man" has been incorporated in my forthcoming book "Jesus the Christ", and that it was submitted to and approved by President Joseph F. Smith. Further, the President of the Church heartily approves the doctrine as set forth in the conference address, and personally desired it publication in full. President Charles W. Penrose, however, is of the opinion that the wide spread publication of this doctrine would cause difficulty to the elders in the field, who he thinks would be confronted with the charge that we as a people worship a Man. Under the circumstances it was deemed advisable to omit a few sentences form the official report. ...

[James E. Talmage, Diary]

115 years ago today - May 10, 1905

Incorporation of Beneficial Life Insurance Company, church's first successful life insurance enterprise.

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

120 years ago today - Thursday, May 10, 1900

The clerk read a letter from Platte D. Lyman in which he stated that he had received a letter from the president [Arnold H. Schulthess] of the German Mission, saying the elders were having trouble in Hamburg, being persecuted by the authorities, who had made an effort to get possession of church records. They, however, failed as the records had been removed to Berlin....

[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]

135 years ago today - May 10th 1885

[Abraham H. Cannon Authority Abraham H. Cannon]

went out to "the Penn" to visit "our imprisoned brethren." "They are all feeling quite well and as happy as possible under the circumstances. They have a few privileges not granted to other prisoners, such as having their own beds, receiving milk, etc."

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

120 years ago today - May 9, 1900; Wednesday

[Brigham Young Jr.]

Went to Z.C.M.I tried to get pair of shoes on credit but they would not let me have them until I paid bill thirty or forty dol[lars] account of several mo[nths]. standing which I owed them. I was vexed because I have been in financial trouble lately, but will soon pay them. Had my hair cut[;] quite an event for me because of its slow growth.

[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]

135 years ago today - May 9, 1885

First Counselor George Q. Cannon is sentenced to six months in prison and fined $300 for polygamy. Before sentencing the judge reminds Cannon that he has discretion in sentencing and says, "I would love to know that you could conform to the law." Cannon replies "I cannot state what I will do in the future." He is given the maximum allowed sentence.

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

70 years ago today - May 8, 1950

[J. Reuben Clark]

Glen Pearson Division of Religion Brigham Young University'wanted to talk to Pres. Clark about replacing an apostate with an apostate at the Logan Institute. Pres. Clark asked him to write a letter with a statement they would be willing to stand by and then he will read it and see what should be done, and will call him in in case it would seem he would need something else.

[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]

125 years ago today - May 8, 1895

After sixty-six days of deliberation, delegates to Utah's constitutional convention sign the new Utah State Constitution, paving the way for statehood after more than forty years of waiting.

[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]

150 years ago today - May 8, 1870

Brigham Young is sealed for eternity to Lydia Farnsworth Mayhew, who had nine children by her Mormon husband, Elijah Mayhew. Young is not sealed to her "for time" and she continues to life with her husband Elijah until her death in 1896.

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

155 years ago today - May 8, 1865

[Wilford Woodruff]

President Young said He wanted all the Saints to burn up every Copy they have of the History of Joseph Smith by his mother Lucy Smith for it is Not True. Much of its fals. I spent the night at Thomas Kingtons.

[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 - May 8, 1845

Brigham Young instructs that church publications be copyrighted in his name as church president.

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

175 years ago today - May 8, 1845

Brigham Young requested the British Saints to "furnish a bell for the Temple," which should be large enough (he suggested about 2,000 lbs.), to be "heard night and day." There is no further information on the bell; when it was delivered to Nauvoo or when it was hung in the tower, but each session of the Endowment was announced with the ringing of the bell when the temple was used for ordinance work during the winter of 1845-1846.

[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]

35 years ago today - May 7, 1985

Ron Lafferty is found guilty of murdering his sister-in-law and her baby and is sentenced to death. He awaits execution for the two murders, while his brother Dan, who was sentenced to life, serves his time with the main population at Utah State Prison. The murders were in response to a "revelation" that Ron received. Two members of Dan's jury later claimed Dan had manipulated them by "psycho-sexual seduction."

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

75 years ago today - May 7, 1945

Germany surrenders.

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

95 years ago today - May 07, 1925

John Scopes was arrested for teaching evolution in his Dayton, Tennessee, high school biology class.

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

135 years ago today - May 7, 1885

The U.S. Court in Salt Lake is running in full blast aresting Every Man they Can find who has more than one wife. All leading Men who do not want to get arested has to hide [-].

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

150 years ago today - May 7, 1870 (Morning, Conference)

[Brigham Young Sermon]

It is no matter with regard to the monogamy of father Adam and mother Eve, they were just enough to start the work of populating the earth. If man had lived as he ought to have lived, the earth would have been peopled quite soon enough, and to its utmost capacity, but there is enough upon it now; and if men will hearken to, obey the truth, and will cease their adulterous practices and whoredoms, cease their wickedness with the sex, and repent of their sins, we will fling up at once and will have but one wife; and if there are two or three women left with-out husbands, we will give them to the best man we can find. The reason the Lord requires His people to practice the principle of celestial marriage is to save those who are willing to be saved;

[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 - May 7, 1860

Pres[iden]t B[righam] Young was led to remark from a passing circumstance, that a little Necromancy existed amongst us, and alluded to the deaths of cattle and hogs which had taken place; this necromancy also existed in Nauvoo. All these things shew that Hell is boiling. The President also alluded to Landerson [Samderson] the Astrologer getting away an animal from a person that would leap from the belly to the mouth up and down, when got away it appeared something like a bladder and being exposed to the air soon melted away. -- Salt Lake City

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

170 years ago today - May 07, 1850

Louisa Barnes Pratt, wife of missionary Addison Pratt, is called and set apart to go to the islands of the sea with her husband to help proclaim the gospel. Louisa's calling represents an important step toward the calling of single sisters in the Church as full-time missionaries, which did not take place until 1898.

170 years ago today - May 7, 1850

Brigham Young, pessimistic about converting the Indians, tells colonists in Utah Valley that the "older Indians would never enter into the New and Everlasting Covenant but that they would die and be damned

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

175 years ago today - May 7, 1845

[Patriarchal Blessing of Robert Campbell]

... thou shalt ... live till your satisfied with life, even to see the winding up scene of this generation stand on the earth with the Savior and reign with him a thousand years being clothed with all the power of the Priesthood. I seal these blessings upon thy head if thy faith does not fail and I seal you up to eternal life because thou art of the house and lineage of Joseph and of the blood of Ephraim even so Amen.

[Patriarchal Blessings]

185 years ago today - May 7, 1835

[Brigham Young]

tended a meting 2 miles west of Laonia - P. Pratt preachd

[Brigham Young Journal, 1832 Apr. 9-1836, Sept. 9, typescript]

105 years ago today - 100 years - May 6, 1915; Thursday

Attended committee meeting at 8:15 a.m. in the Temple. At 9:30 a.m. the Presidency and Twelve sat to hear another reading of the matter prepared for the book [Jesus the Christ]. Two chapters were read and passed. Then attended regular Council meeting of the First Presidency and Twelve.

[James E. Talmage, Diary]

125 years ago today - 120 years - May 6, 1895 (Monday)

The constitutional convention adopted the [Utah State] constitution as a whole. The delegates were banqueted in the evening.

[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

165 years ago today - 160 years - May 6, 1855

[Wilford Woodruff]

I attended the Prayer-Circle where I had some interesting teaching from President Young in social conversation which was not reported. The following is a key to some of the principles he advanced. ... .Adam & Eve had lived upon another Earth. Were immortal when they came here. Adam assisted in forming this Earth & agreed to fall when He came Here & He fell that man might be & the opposite principle to good the devel, the serpent, the Evil was plased upon the Earth that man might know the good from the Evil for without an Experience in these things man Could not know the one from the other.

As soon as the devil was on Earth He sowed the seeds of Death in evry thing. So as soon as they began to eat of the fruit of the Earth they received into their system the seeds of mortality & of Death. So their Children wer mortal & subject to death sorrow pain & wo. Then when they partook of life, Joy, ease, & Happiness they would know how to prize it.

Father Adam would never scease his labours to redeem his posterity & exhalt them to all the glory they were Capable of receiving. He did not doubt but that Father Adam knew in the beginning how many of his posterity would receive a Celestial glory & who they were & also a Terrestrial & a Telestial. Yet man had his agency to act chuse & refuse good or evil as seemed him good & he would be rewarded according to his works.

O. Pratt asks will Adam or any God continue to make worlds people them taste of Death to redeem them? Answer. I have no doubt but it is his privilege but whether He will do it is a question in my mind. How then can his seed increase to all Eternity? Through the increase of his posterity. Many other remarks were made by the President.

[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 - May 6, 1845 • Tuesday

In light of the upcoming trial in Carthage, Illinois, of five men accused of the murders of JS and Hyrum Smith, and of the rumored plans of anti-Mormon opponents, [Brigham Young] proposed the council consider "the course best for us to pursue the next four weeks, in regard to the court and the Carthaginians." William Clayton summarized in his journal the threat: "It appears their determination is to get up an excitement at the Court & they are already trying it by reporting that the Saints are going en masse to Carthage at the Court and if the Court does not execute the law on the murderers that we intend to destroy the Court and Citizens of the county. From reports which the brethren have brought who have been at Carthage the mob are laying deep plans to bring us into collision with the State so as to bring about our expulsion or extermination forthwith."

[Joseph Smith Papers: Council of Fifty, Minutes, March 1844-January 1846]

35 years ago today - May 5,1985

[Utah]

LDS Astronaut Don Lind administers sacrament in zero gravity Skylab 3.

[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]

55 years ago today - May 5, 1965

A Birch Society student-spy complained to President McKay that BYU Professor Poll was "the most vocal leader of this opposition" to "Bro. Skousen and Elder Benson."

[D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]

115 years ago today - May 5, 1905

Deseret News advertises the LDS Bureau of Information's publication of 'The Great Temple' also endorsed in this month's 'Improvement Era.' Photos of the Council Room of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve show two of the room's spittoons for chewing tobacco.

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]

150 years ago today - May 5, 1870

[Orson Pratt]

"... God promised in the year 1832 that we should, before the generation then living had passed away, return and build up the City of Zion in Jackson County.... We believe in these promises as much as we believe in any promise ever uttered by the mouth of Jehovah. The Latter-day Saints just as much expect to receive a fulfillment of that promise during the generation that was in existence in 1832 as they expect that the sun will rise and set to-morrow. Why? Because God cannot lie. He will fulfil all His promises. He has spoken, it must come to pass. This is our faith…" (D&C 84:1-5,31,32)

[Apostle Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, vol. 13, p. 362 http://journalofdiscourses.com/13/45, as quoted in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]

150 years ago today - May 5, 1870 (Morning, Conference)

[Brigham Young]

Last Sabbath this front gallery [of the Sale Lake Tabernacle], the gentleman's gallery, was very full. After meeting was dismissed I took a walk through it, and to see the floor that had been occupied by those professing to be gentlemen, and I do not know but brethren, you might have supposed that cattle had been there rolling and standing around, for here and there were great quids of tobacco, and places one or two feet square smeared with tobacco juice. I want to say to the doorkeepers that when you see gentlemen who cannot omit chewing and spitting while in this house, request them to leave; and if such persons refuse to leave, and continue their spitting, just take them and lead them out carefully and kindly. [Later, dozens of tobacco spittoons are installed.]

[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 13:343-345 as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van W]

165 years ago today - May 5, 1855

Inauguration of first Thursday of each month as day of fasting and prayer, with "testimony meeting" during day.

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]

165 years ago today - May 5, 1855

May 5th I met with the Presidency & 12 in the House of the Lord built upon the Temple Block & we dedicated it before the Lord. Brother E. T. Benson opened by prayer & after the usual cerimonies H C Kimball proceded to dedicate the House by prayer. He named in his prayer evry room from top to bottom evry wall & material Adobies sand clay stone Lime from the foundation to the top. Prayed that the spirit of God might enter into it that it might be clean sweet & Holy & that no unclean thing might enter into it so that Holy men women God & Angels might visit it.

President Young said He would name it the House of God & when the Temple is built He would call it the Temple of our God.

After we closed several missionaries received their endowments.

[Note: This was a two-story adobe Endowment House in Salt Lake which remained in use until 1889, when it was torn down.]

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

180 years ago today - May 5, 1840

[Wilford Woodruff]

I preached at Crowcutt & walked to the Bower & Baptizd 5. One was a preacher. I also confirmed them & spent the night with Edmund Waters. <The devil was come.>

[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 - May 4, 1965

[Correspondence recorded in McKay diary]

... I had known of cases in the past where these contacts at the veil have been made so literally [as an embrace] and with such insistence by some brethren that it had become offensive and humiliating to some of the sister patrons being introduced. I stated that I had been instructed by President George F. Richards, when he was supervising the temples, to make sure that the brethren who assist at the veil do not offend the sisters in this way and that rather than do so they should not insist on making contact with them except perhaps with the hand on the back for fear that it would be embarrassing to them. ...

RESPONSE: President McKay stated that the highest degree of decorum and respect should be exercised by the brethren working at the veil, particularly in relation to the sisters who are being introduced and that any person who, even in his mind, fails to have pure thoughts and who is not circumspect and wholesome in every way should not be invited to assist at the veil. President McKay felt that the brethren who receive the sisters at this point should be carefully selected for their wholesomeness and unquestioned character. It is the responsibility of the temple presidency to see that the highest type of men are selected for this service. The substance of it all is that no person should be embarrassed or humiliated through the insistence of some to make certain of these [being] literal and actual [contacts]. I agreed to give direction, as necessary, by letter to President Ursenbach. * Some times women come into the washing and anointing rooms wearing wigs which are often unnoticed or are not easily detected. I reported that some had asked about anointing the heads of such women where the ceremony says "I pour this oil upon your head." SOLUTION: President McKay felt that we should not anoint a wig, but where they are being worn, the sister[']s head should be anointed as near the hairline as possible * perhaps near the temple.

[ElRay L. Christiansen to David O. McKay, May 4, 1965, in David O. McKay diary, May 4, 1965; emphasis in original as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]

105 years ago today - May 4, 1915; Tuesday

[James E. Talmage]

At a meeting of the First Presidency and Twelve in the Temple, I read three chapters of the book [Jesus The Christ]. At each of the meetings thus far held for this purpose all members of the First Presidency and all the Twelve who were not absent from the City on appointed duties, were present. We have now read nine of the forty-three chapters.

[James E. Talmage, Diary]

140 years ago today - May 4, 1880

[Franklin D. Richards]

At 10 went to council at the Endowment House Several important points were discussed relating to salaries & wages for Church Employees'-tendencies to overdraw lack of checks & ballances & several accounts were determined upon mode of settlement. 395 On my motion the vote of yesterday fixing the raise of allowance of apostles to commence at April 1880 and fixed commence with this year, and everybody pay their own debts except not the case of elders W[ilford]. Woodruff and C[harles]. C. Rich who had their endebtedness allowed on account of building their houses.

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

145 years ago today - May 04, 1875

Hyrum W. Mikesell baptizes Shoshone Chief Pocatello in Salt Lake City, Utah. The chief is ordained an elder and prophesies that many of his people will soon join the Church. By the end of the year, nearly all his people join, as had hundreds of other Native Americans from other western tribes.

185 years ago today - May 4, 1835

[Patriarchal Blessing of Seymour Brunson given by Joseph Smith, Sr.]

... thou shalt yet proclaim the gospel to those who have not heard * even those who do not understand thy language, neither dost thou understand their's.

[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]

185 years ago today - May 4, 1835

[Patriarchal Blessing of Isaac Morley given by Joseph Smith, Sr.]

... Thou shalt live to see the heavens open and see thy God in the flesh. ... And if thou wilt desire it, thou shalt have thy desire,- thou shalt live to see the Son of Man come in the clouds of heaven, and the winding up scene of this generation. ... and this thou shalt have, if thou art faithful, even the society of thy family; and they shall grow up upon the Land of Zion to possess it from generation to generation forever, and they shall never be blotted out; even so. Amen.

[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]

185 years ago today - May 4, 1835

[Patriarchal Blessing of Edward Partridge given by Joseph Smith, Sr.]

... Thou art one of the horns of Joseph that are to push the people together from the ends of the earth. ... thou shalt also live to see the heavens opened, for thou hast desired this thing, and shalt see the Son of man in the flesh. ... Thou shall live to see the redemption of Zion and rejoice upon the goodly land; thou shalt inherit it and thy seed after thee to the latest generations while the earth remains. ...

[Patriarchal Blessings]

185 years ago today - May 4, 1835

[Patriarchal Blessing of Calvin Beebe given by Joseph Smith, Sr.]

... Thou hast asked thy God to let thee tarry till the Son of Man comes: and if thou art faithful, and keep all the commandments of the Lord thou shalt have thy desire.

... thine eyes shall see the redemption of Zion, and thou shalt possess it, and thy children after thee, and they shall rise up and claim their inheritance in it. ... no fiery furnace can harm thee, neither prisons nor tortures annoy thee. ... And it is thy privilege to be caught up in a chariot of fire, and not sleep in the dust. * And because of the afflictions that thou hast received with thy friends, in being driven from your homes, the Lord will have mercy upon thee, and grant unto thee the desires of thy heart. The day of thy rejoicing will soon come; for the days of thine afflictions and mornings are soon to close. Thou mayest rejoice from henceforth; for thy name is written in the Lamb's book of life, and shall never be blotted out, except for transgression. Thy wife shall also be blessed with thee, and have a part with thee in all these blessings, according to her station; even so. Amen.

Given in Kirtland, May 4, 1835, and recorded in this book Dec. 21, 1835. Oliver Cowdery, Clerk & Recorder.

[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:26 as quoted 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]

195 years ago today - May 4, 1825

Sidney Rigdon writes the preface for Alexander Campbells pamphlet giving details of Campbell's debate with Reverend W. L. McCalla, former attorney and Presbyterian minister of Auga, Kentucky. Campbell argued against infant baptism and that baptism was for the forgiveness of personal sin rather than for the absolution of "original sin."

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

35 years ago today - May 3, 1985

Church Public Communications director Jerry Cahill is informed by Gordon B. Hinckley that the First Presidency's vault does contain letter written by Joseph Smith which talks about "money digging." Cahill had, five days previously had publicly denied any such letter was in the Church's archives or in the First Presidency's vault. The letter, which is later discovered to be a forgery by Mark Hofmann, was secretly sold to the church for $10,000 and locked away in the First Presidency's vault.

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

25 years ago today - May 3, 1995

An agreement between the LDS church and the American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors "over the issue of posthumous baptisms of Jewish Holocaust victims." The First Presidency agrees to "remove from the next issue of the International Genealogical Index [public-access record only] names of all known postumously baptized Jewish holocaust victims," and "to discontinue any further baptisms of deceased Jews, including all lists of Jewish Holocaust victims who are known Jews, except if they were direct ancestors of living members of the Church."

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]

40 years ago today - May 3 1980

Deseret News prints photo of LDS leaders scrutinizing Mark Hoffman's (forged) document in Church's board room.

[Chronology of Mormon History (Mormon Stories), http://www.mormonstories.org/truth-claims/chronology-of-mormon-history/]

45 years ago today - May 3, 1975

Citing accelerated growth of the Church worldwide, the First Presidency announced the creation of an area supervisory program and the assignment of six Assistants to the Twelve to oversee Church activities while residing outside the United States and Canada. The number of these foreign areas was increased to eight later in the year.

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

140 years ago today - May 3, 1880

2 P.M. Council at E[ndowment]. H[ouse]. Moved to defer action on the Revelation till next October. Some heavy indebtednesses were canceled to D[aniel]. H. Wells, Brigham Young [Jr.], O[rson]. Pratt, and it was discussed & concluded that from & after April 1st those of the Twelve who have been receiving $1,500.00 a year have $2,000, a year. The question of over running salaries was brought up. Several of the brethren had overdrawn their allowance and among them myself [Franklin D. Richards]. Brother [Daniel H.] Wells moved and it was seconded and carried unanimously that my account be squared up to date and my allowance be raised from $1,500 to $2,00 per year. I objected to the forgiving of my debt, but not to the other, and made a motion that the allowance of each of the Twelve who are now drawing $1,500 be allowed $2,000 per year, which was carried, and their overdrawing be remitted. I also moved that John Smith be allowed $1,200.

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

155 years ago today - May 3, 1865

The RLDS Quorum of Twelve discusses whether or not Blacks should be ordained to the priesthood. They reach an impasse and send the question to RLDS President Joseph Smith III. Joseph III receives a revelation allowing blacks to be baptized. The LDS church follows suit 122 years later.

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

185 years ago today - 1835: 3 May

[Patriarchal Blessing of Lorenzo Barnes given by Joseph Smith, Sen.]

"... thou shalt stand when wickedness is swept of[f] from the Earth even with thy brethren the hundred & forty & four thousand sealed out of out of [sic] the Twelve Tribes of Israel.?

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

185 years ago today - May 3, 1835

[Brigham Young, first mission of the Twelve]

in the evening we met at the house of President Joseph Smith Jr at two oclock in the morning of the 4 wee the 12 started on our mishon to the east acompened by two other Brotherin

[Brigham Young Journal, 1832 Apr. 9-1836, Sept. 9, typescript]

125 years ago today - May 2, 1895

First Presidency and apostles consider request for excommunication by George C. Williams who "feels to condemn the Church for allowing Isaac Haight, who is said to have been one of the leaders in the Mountain Meadows Massacre to remain [actually, be rebaptized] in the Church after his participation in that terrible crime. In that massacre Williams is said to have lost fourteen relatives." Apostle George Teasdale records: "Today Pres[ident] Geo[rge] Q. Cannon very humbly apologized to bro[ther] George Goddard in bro[ther] Reynolds office for the joke he perpetrated upon him last evening in the 14th ward Assembly hall."

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

125 years ago today - May 2, 1895

[Francis M. Lyman]

Today Pres[ident] Geo[rge] Q. Cannon very humbly apologized to bro[ther] George Goddard in bro[ther] Reynolds office for the joke he perpetrated upon him last evening in the 14th ward Assembly hall.

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

135 years ago today - May 2, 1885

Young single adults to go through temple

Temple Recommends Young person not going to be married to receive endowments. about the age of 21.

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

185 years ago today - May 2, 1835 (Saturday)

After conference was opened and the Twelve took their seats, he stated that it would be the duty of the Twelve to appoint the oldest one of their number to preside in their councils, beginning at the oldest and so on until the youngest has presided and then beginning at the oldest again. &c. ...

The President [Joseph Smith] then stated that the Twelve will have no right to go into Zion or any of its stakes and there undertake to regulate the affairs thereof where there is a standing High Council. But it is their duty to go abroad and regulate all matters relative to the different branches of the Church. ... No standing High Council has authority to go into the churches abroad and regulate the matters thereof, for this belongs to the Twelve. No High Council will ever be established only in Zion or one of its stakes.

... If the first Seventy are all occupied and there is a call for more laborers, it will be the duty of the seven presidents of the first Seventy to call and ordain other Seventy and send them forth to labor in the vineyard until, if need be, they set a part apart seven times seventy, even until there shall be one hundred & forty and four thousand. ... The Twelve and the Seventy have particularly to depend upon their ministry for their support and that of their families, and they have a right by virtue of their offices to call upon the Church to assist them.

President J. Smith Junr. arose with the list in his hand and made some vary appropriate remarks relative to the deliverance of Zion and so much of the authority being present, he moved that we never give up the struggle for Zion even until death, or until Zion is redeemed. The vote was unanimous and with apparent deep feeling.

[Source: Oliver Cowdery Record in the Kirtland Council Minute Book, LDS -Kirtland Council Minute Book, 112-13, 115]

35 years ago today - May 1, 1985

The DESERET NEWS publishes the content of a revelation found in Ron Lafferty's pocket the day he was arrested: "Thus sayeth the Lord unto my servants the prophets. It is my will and commandment that ye remove the following individuals in order that my work might go forward, for they have truly become obstacles in my path and I will not allow my work to be stopped. First thy brother's wife Brenda and her baby, then Chloe Low, and then Richard Stowe. And it is my will that they be removed in rapid succession and that an example be made of them in order that others might see the fate of those who fight against the true saints of God" Ron Lafferty, with his brother Dan, murdered Brenda Lafferty and her baby but were arrested before they could fulfil the remaining parts of the revelation.

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

85 years ago today - May 1, 1935

[Heber J. Grant]

Abraham Lincoln has been referred to by some as the ugliest man that ever lived. The story goes that on one occasion he met my father-in-law, Daniel H. Well, and said to him, 'Wells, prepare to die. I have sworn that if I ever met a man uglier man than myself, I would shoot him.' Daniel H. Wells is reported to have said, 'Shoot, Abe,'if I am uglier than you, I want to die.'

[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Robert K. Cutler, 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 - May 1, 1905 (Monday)

Elders Frederick Jacob Sorensen and Oluf Jensen were brutally treated by a mob in Tennessee.

[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

120 years ago today - May 1, 1900 (Tuesday)

An explosion in Mine No. 4 at Winter Quarters, near Scofield, Utah, killed about two hundred miners, including many members of the Church.

[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

135 years ago today - May 1, 1885

First Counselor in the First Presidency George Q. Cannon editorializes in "The Juvenile Instructor," and warns against the "Vain and delusive hope" that the "people of god" would renounce plural marriage. "To comply with the request of our enemies," he adamantly argues, "would be to give up all hope of ever entering into the glory of God, the Father, and Jesus Christ, the Son." Cannon denounces the "costly bargain" which the Saints were asked to make: "So intimately interwoven is this precious doctrine with the exaltation of men and women in the great hereafter that it cannot be given up without giving up at the same time all hope of immortal glory."

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

155 years ago today - May 1, 1865

<[Brigham Young] said that> P[arley] P Prat[t's] <blood was spilt for [-] adultery.>

[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 - May 1, 1865 (Missionary Meeting)

[Brigham Young]

"Don't touch the women. I told one woman in England that kick keep out of bed. It is the greatest temptation of man that of women. It is the greatest temptation to women to enjoy the embraces of women. Joseph said to Oliver, let that woman alone. When Joseph commenced to receive revelation he got the [-] or marrow of the doctrine now called celestial marriage, and Joseph told Oliver to let it alone. And he felt he could do it, but is was his [Oliver's] ruin'-[paragraph blacked out] Leave women and liquor alone. If women came after you, let them alone."

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

175 years ago today - May 1, 1845. Thursday.

[William Clayton]

...President Young told me that he had learned that the Rigdonites are intending to have me taken up and prosecuted for polygamy...

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

175 years ago today - May 1, 1845

The TIMES AND SEASONS denies that Latter-day Saints engage in polygamy. It also asks, concerning the concept of sending missionaries to Africa: "Have the common propensities of the heathen to do evil been lessened by the labors of the clergy, in as great a proportion as drunkedness and debauchery had increased by civilized intercourse under the board of foreign mission?"

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

190 years ago today - May 1, 1830

Smith fails to make the final payment of $86 to Isaac Hale for his land in Harmony.

[Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]