[Albert Chandler]
My recollection of Joseph Smith Jr. and of the first steps taken in regard to his Bible have never been printed. At the time of the printing of the Mormon Bible by Egbert B. Grandin of the Sentinel I was an apprentice in the book-bindery connected with the Sentinel office. I helped to collate and stitch the Gold Bible ...
Joseph Smith Jr., who read through the wonderful spectacles, pretended to give the scribe the exact reading of the plates, even to spelling, in which Smith was wofully deficient. Martin Harris was permitted to be in the room with the scribe, and would try the knowledge of Smith, as he told me, saying that Smith could not spell the word February, when his eyes were off the spectacles through which he pretended to work. This ignorance of Smith was proof positive to him that Smith was dependent on the spectacles for the contents of the Bible. Smith and the plates containing the original of the Mormon Bible were hid from view of the scribe and Martin Harris by a screen.
... He would call public meetings and address them himself. He was enthusiastic, and went so far as to say that God, through the Latter Day Saints, was to rule the world. I heard him make this statement, that there would never be another President of the United States elected ; that soon all temporal and spiritual power would be given over to the prophet Joseph Smith and the Latter Day Saints. ... he told me that he saw the devil, in all his hideousness, on the road, just before dark, near his farm, a little north of Palmyra. ...
[Albert Chandler to William Linn, 22 December 1898, William Linn, The Story of the Mormons (New York: Macmillan Co., 1902), 48-49., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Albert Chandler To William Linn]
170 years ago today - Dec 22, 1853
Formation of phonetic Deseret Alphabet, which LDS leaders try to make the standard written language of Mormon Utah. The formal announcement is on 19 Jan. 1854.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
180 years ago today - Dec 22, 1843 (Friday)
David Holman's house, near Ramus, Hancock Co., Ill, was burned by the mob.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
20 years ago today - Dec 21, 2003
A Jewish group says it is considering legal action in an effort to stop the Mormon Church from posthumously baptizing many Jews, especially Holocaust victims.
[Ian Urbina, "Again, Jews Fault Mormons Over Posthumous Baptisms", New York Times; A chronicle of the Mormon-Jewish controversy; The LDS Agreement: A JewishGen InfoFile, http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/ldsagree.html]
[Ian Urbina, "Again, Jews Fault Mormons Over Posthumous Baptisms", New York Times; A chronicle of the Mormon-Jewish controversy; The LDS Agreement: A JewishGen InfoFile, http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/ldsagree.html]
125 years ago today - Dec 21, 1898
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Understand that 500 000 Church Bonds have been sold to our people or [blank] or home people. Pres[ident]. [Lorenzo] Snow gave me private papers to read concerning our indebtedness and moral responsibility for debts. It is a mystery to me where these millions have gone to say nothing of the 6 or 700 000 dol in come we have every year which for years has vanished like the rest. God help us, and I know he will.
[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]
Understand that 500 000 Church Bonds have been sold to our people or [blank] or home people. Pres[ident]. [Lorenzo] Snow gave me private papers to read concerning our indebtedness and moral responsibility for debts. It is a mystery to me where these millions have gone to say nothing of the 6 or 700 000 dol in come we have every year which for years has vanished like the rest. God help us, and I know he will.
[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]
135 years ago today - Dec 21, 1888
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Had conversation with Bro[ther & Apostle] F. M. Lyman on his surrendering to the Marshall and pleading guilty to living with two women as his wives. I confess that my father always taught me to never, voluntarily surrender to the enemy. Pres[iden]t Taylor charged me upon three several occasions to keep out of "their" hands, meaning the Marshall and Courts, as he also charged all the Twelve.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Had conversation with Bro[ther & Apostle] F. M. Lyman on his surrendering to the Marshall and pleading guilty to living with two women as his wives. I confess that my father always taught me to never, voluntarily surrender to the enemy. Pres[iden]t Taylor charged me upon three several occasions to keep out of "their" hands, meaning the Marshall and Courts, as he also charged all the Twelve.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
140 years ago today - Dec 21, 1883; Friday
[Anthony Ivins]
This morning a great excitement was created by an uprising of the people on account of the Nickel money [a new version of the nickel] which has been put in circulation by the govt. A large number of people gathered in front of the national palace where they became boisterous in their demands that the nickel money be called in. Cavelry finally charged the crowd and dispersed it but not until much damage had been done by the breaking of [street] lamps windows &c. by the infuriated mob.
[Anderson, Elizabeth Oberdick, editor, Cowboy Apostle: The Diaries of Anthony W. Ivins: 1875-1932, Signature Books, Salt Lake City in association with the Smith-Pettit Foundation (2013) - http://bit.ly/AnthonyIvins]
This morning a great excitement was created by an uprising of the people on account of the Nickel money [a new version of the nickel] which has been put in circulation by the govt. A large number of people gathered in front of the national palace where they became boisterous in their demands that the nickel money be called in. Cavelry finally charged the crowd and dispersed it but not until much damage had been done by the breaking of [street] lamps windows &c. by the infuriated mob.
[Anderson, Elizabeth Oberdick, editor, Cowboy Apostle: The Diaries of Anthony W. Ivins: 1875-1932, Signature Books, Salt Lake City in association with the Smith-Pettit Foundation (2013) - http://bit.ly/AnthonyIvins]
165 years ago today - winter of 1858
Freemasonry made its first organized appearance in Utah during the winter of 1858 when twenty-three officers and men of Johnston's Army, sent to quell the reported "rebellion of Mormons," sought fraternal fellowship at their inhospitable outpost of Camp Floyd near Fairfield, called "Frogtown."
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Freemasonry in Utah, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Freemasonry in Utah, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
180 years ago today - Dec 21, 1843
The city council sends to the Congress of the United States a petition that explains the abuses suffered by the Saints in Missouri and the unwillingness of the state of Illinois to protect the Saints. They therefore ask Congress to make the City of Nauvoo an independent sovereign territory, free from the control of the state of Illinois, to be governed as the Congress governs any other territory. Joseph instructs the police force to clean the streets of carrion, to stop boys from fighting in the streets, to keep children from floating on ice, and to correct anything else out of order; he also offers to build the city jail.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
10 years ago today - Dec 20, 2013
District Judge Robert Shelby rules against the state and overturns Utah's same-sex marriage ban. Same-sex couples rush to county clerk offices to obtain marriage licenses. State files for an emergency stay on Shelby's ruling and is denied.
[Herald Extra, "LDS Church: No gay marriages in meetinghouses", http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/lds-church-no-gay-marriages-in-meetinghouses/article_9115817b-5e81-5e2f-b1e7-692843870e5d.html]
[Herald Extra, "LDS Church: No gay marriages in meetinghouses", http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/lds-church-no-gay-marriages-in-meetinghouses/article_9115817b-5e81-5e2f-b1e7-692843870e5d.html]
10 years ago today - 1 year ago - Dec 20, 2013
District Judge Robert Shelby rules against the state and overturns Utah's same-sex marriage ban. Same-sex couples rush to county clerk offices to obtain marriage licenses. State files for an emergency stay on Shelby's ruling and is denied.
[Herald Extra, "LDS Church: No gay marriages in meetinghouses", http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/lds-church-no-gay-marriages-in-meetinghouses/article_9115817b-5e81-5e2f-b1e7-692843870e5d.html]
[Herald Extra, "LDS Church: No gay marriages in meetinghouses", http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/lds-church-no-gay-marriages-in-meetinghouses/article_9115817b-5e81-5e2f-b1e7-692843870e5d.html]
60 years ago today - Dec 20, 1963
[U.S. Senator Frank Moss (D-Utah) to Hugh B. Brown] I read the account of Apostle Benson's speech in the Logan LDS Tabernacle in the December 15th issue of the Herald Journal. I won't comment on the contents of the speech except to say that it appears that he has not changed his position at all from that that he expressed in Los Angeles at the testimonial dinner for Robert Welch. On page 10 there is a picture of Reed Benson passing out copies of the speech of Ezra T. Benson, and on that same page the following paragraph in the article says: "Copies of Elder Benson's complete speech were available at the meeting or can be obtained by writing directly to him at the LDS Church Offices in Salt Lake City, the Apostle said." I don't know how we could be tied in more closely as a Church with the doctrines espoused by Ezra Taft Benson than by an announcement of this sort. I continue to be bombarded daily by questions and criticisms back here.
[Frank E. Moss to Hugh B. Brown, Moss Papers as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
[Frank E. Moss to Hugh B. Brown, Moss Papers as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
65 years ago today - Dec 20, 1958
First television broadcast of Mormon Tabernacle Choir takes place on KSL television.
[Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
[Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
105 years ago today - Dec 20, 1918
Special Fast for arrest of influenza epidemic
[1918-December 20-Deseret News, December 20, 1918; Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
[1918-December 20-Deseret News, December 20, 1918; Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
135 years ago today - Thursday, Dec 20, 1888
[John Henry Smith]
A communication [regarding amnesty] from some outside friends was read and, beginning with the youngest, each member of the twelve gave their views and we were a unite that we could not subscribe to the conditions prescribed [abandoning polygamy]. President Woodruff said all of the brethren had spoken right and had we accepted the proposition the Lord would have rejected us, as the Doctrine of celestial marriage had come to stay for all time. [Brigham Young Jr., Wilford Woodruff, Franklin D. Richards, & Heber J. Grant each record the same sentiment in their journals.]
[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]
A communication [regarding amnesty] from some outside friends was read and, beginning with the youngest, each member of the twelve gave their views and we were a unite that we could not subscribe to the conditions prescribed [abandoning polygamy]. President Woodruff said all of the brethren had spoken right and had we accepted the proposition the Lord would have rejected us, as the Doctrine of celestial marriage had come to stay for all time. [Brigham Young Jr., Wilford Woodruff, Franklin D. Richards, & Heber J. Grant each record the same sentiment in their journals.]
[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]
140 years ago today - Dec 20, 1883
[Wilford Woodruff]
20 I had an Interview with Elders Ray & Hawks and three Lamanite Elders who had Come to get their Endowment in the Temple. Their Names were Charoquis Erastus (Son in Law to the Chief Ivan Lot of the Maricopa tribe) Also Nephi Montano, & Peblo Flores. Charoquis Erastus is an Elder & a vary intelligent man. He speaks the English Spanish & several Indian tongue. He has visited New York Boston, Philadelphia, Washington & Salt Lake. He was the leading Scout under Crook in the late Apache war. He has a great desire for the Conversion of his tribe & the Pimos and wished to go and labor among them as a Missionary. The Mariacopes & Pimos number over 40,000 and all seem ready to receive the gospel. I ordained Charoquis Erastus a seventy I think the first Lamanite ordained to that office in the Church.
These Lamanites all received their Endowments. Were much pleased and deeply interested. There is also 40,000 of the Papagoes and all looking to the Latter Day Saints for Council.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
20 I had an Interview with Elders Ray & Hawks and three Lamanite Elders who had Come to get their Endowment in the Temple. Their Names were Charoquis Erastus (Son in Law to the Chief Ivan Lot of the Maricopa tribe) Also Nephi Montano, & Peblo Flores. Charoquis Erastus is an Elder & a vary intelligent man. He speaks the English Spanish & several Indian tongue. He has visited New York Boston, Philadelphia, Washington & Salt Lake. He was the leading Scout under Crook in the late Apache war. He has a great desire for the Conversion of his tribe & the Pimos and wished to go and labor among them as a Missionary. The Mariacopes & Pimos number over 40,000 and all seem ready to receive the gospel. I ordained Charoquis Erastus a seventy I think the first Lamanite ordained to that office in the Church.
These Lamanites all received their Endowments. Were much pleased and deeply interested. There is also 40,000 of the Papagoes and all looking to the Latter Day Saints for Council.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Dec 20, 1848
[Wilford Woodruff]
In the midst of this order of things, the Latter Day Saints discover vast quantities of Gold at the base of the mountains of Israel in the valley of the sacramento in upper Calafornia. And not ownly the people of the United States but of other nations ketch the sound of Gold Gold & tens of thousands are rushing forward evry way in their power to get to the gold country as A Horse would rush to Battle. But the Amount of Gold, silver, Coper &c discoverd in that Country indicates that the word of the Lord spoken by Isaiah will be fulfilled, when He says that "for Brass He will bring Gold "for Iron I will bring silver, for wood brass for stones Iron, &c. Truly this is an age big with Events.
Companies Are forming in all most all parts of the United States And ships in all our ports pre-pareing to take the people to the Bay of San Francisco which is ownly 20 miles from Capt Sutters Fort whare the Mormon gold digings commenced. And It seems As though all the world thought of at the present time was to obtain gold. Though the Cholera has commenced spreading in New York once more yet the gold panic is so much greater then the fear of the Cholery that it is hardy noticed.
Among the letters which I obtained yesterday was one from O Hyde who informed me that Olever Cowdery had come back to the Church had made satisfaction And was voted to come in by the door of Baptism. He was the first man baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in this last dispensation, under the Hands of Joseph Smith the Prophet but after being out of the Church Eleven years He had now returned again. And may the Lord bless him & Keep him steadfast unto the end.
The following is A Fac similae of the Alphabet used in conveying intelligence by the magnetic telegraph:
A.- B-... C... D-.. E. F.-. G--. H .... I.. J-.-.K-.- L- M-- N-. O[..] P----- Q..-. R.-. S... T- U..- V...- W.-- X.-.. Y.. Z--- - &- -- 1.--. 2..-.. 3...-. 4....- 5--- 6...... 7--.. 8-..... 9-.-- 0- [sic]. [One line of dots and dashes not decipherable.] <Remember the [law?] [-] of [-].>
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
In the midst of this order of things, the Latter Day Saints discover vast quantities of Gold at the base of the mountains of Israel in the valley of the sacramento in upper Calafornia. And not ownly the people of the United States but of other nations ketch the sound of Gold Gold & tens of thousands are rushing forward evry way in their power to get to the gold country as A Horse would rush to Battle. But the Amount of Gold, silver, Coper &c discoverd in that Country indicates that the word of the Lord spoken by Isaiah will be fulfilled, when He says that "for Brass He will bring Gold "for Iron I will bring silver, for wood brass for stones Iron, &c. Truly this is an age big with Events.
Companies Are forming in all most all parts of the United States And ships in all our ports pre-pareing to take the people to the Bay of San Francisco which is ownly 20 miles from Capt Sutters Fort whare the Mormon gold digings commenced. And It seems As though all the world thought of at the present time was to obtain gold. Though the Cholera has commenced spreading in New York once more yet the gold panic is so much greater then the fear of the Cholery that it is hardy noticed.
Among the letters which I obtained yesterday was one from O Hyde who informed me that Olever Cowdery had come back to the Church had made satisfaction And was voted to come in by the door of Baptism. He was the first man baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in this last dispensation, under the Hands of Joseph Smith the Prophet but after being out of the Church Eleven years He had now returned again. And may the Lord bless him & Keep him steadfast unto the end.
The following is A Fac similae of the Alphabet used in conveying intelligence by the magnetic telegraph:
A.- B-... C... D-.. E. F.-. G--. H .... I.. J-.-.K-.- L- M-- N-. O[..] P----- Q..-. R.-. S... T- U..- V...- W.-- X.-.. Y.. Z--- - &- -- 1.--. 2..-.. 3...-. 4....- 5--- 6...... 7--.. 8-..... 9-.-- 0- [sic]. [One line of dots and dashes not decipherable.] <Remember the [law?] [-] of [-].>
[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 - Dec 20, 1838
Emma Smith visits her husband, Joseph, in Liberty Jail, Missouri, and spends two days confined with him in the jail.
65 years ago today - Dec 17, 1958
President David O. McKay dedicates the Church College of Hawaii campus (later known as BYU—Hawaii), in Laie, Hawaii.
70 years ago today - Dec 17, 1953
[J. Reuben Clark]
[In conversation with Ernest McKay of Ogden at 8:45 a.m. regarding the bitterness in Ogden about the possibility of the Weber College reverting to the LDS Church:] Bro. McKay: It is a terrible situation. We are in such a terrible situation. I don't know what to say and what to do. There is so much bitterness developed and everything is running rampant. I wanted to talk to somebody and get some help.
Pres. Clark: He has had this under consideration and I am sure is doing all he can.
Bro. McKay: The thing I am concerned about is if he understands the bitterness.
Pres. Clark: He has been told about it.
Bro. McKay: That is the thing that alarms us. It is something terrible. It is going beyond control ...
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
[In conversation with Ernest McKay of Ogden at 8:45 a.m. regarding the bitterness in Ogden about the possibility of the Weber College reverting to the LDS Church:] Bro. McKay: It is a terrible situation. We are in such a terrible situation. I don't know what to say and what to do. There is so much bitterness developed and everything is running rampant. I wanted to talk to somebody and get some help.
Pres. Clark: He has had this under consideration and I am sure is doing all he can.
Bro. McKay: The thing I am concerned about is if he understands the bitterness.
Pres. Clark: He has been told about it.
Bro. McKay: That is the thing that alarms us. It is something terrible. It is going beyond control ...
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
85 years ago today - Dec 17, 1938
[Heber J. Grant]
Brother George F. Richards called at the office and showed us a sample of a temple apron, which President McKay and I approved. I very much like the appearance of it. It looks more expensive than the others and yet it is cheaper. It is worked on a machine instead of by hand.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
Brother George F. Richards called at the office and showed us a sample of a temple apron, which President McKay and I approved. I very much like the appearance of it. It looks more expensive than the others and yet it is cheaper. It is worked on a machine instead of by hand.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
110 years ago today - Dec 17, 1913
The death of Joseph Smith's last surviving plural wife, Mary E. Rollins Lightner. She helped save the still-unbound Book of Commandments from the printing office set afire by a mob in 1833. She witnessed the adoption of the 1835 D&C, which prohibited polygamy, and became a secret plural wife of Joseph Smith at Nauvoo while still living with her non-Mormon husband. She moved with her husband to Utah where she also witnessed polygamy's accepted practice in Mormon society, its "underground" survival despite federal raid, its official prohibition by the 1890 Manifesto, the renewal of authorized polygamy despite official denials, the Second Manifesto and disciplining of two apostles for post-Manifesto polygamy, the general disfavor of plural marriage by "modern" Latter-day Saints, and even the early stages of Fundamentalist polygamy.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
180 years ago today - Dec 16, 1843
The Nauvoo City Council hears Joseph Smith say: "I prophecy by virtue of the Holy Priesthood vested in me [and] in the name of Jesus Christ that if Congress will not hear our petition and grant us protection they shall be broken up as a government and God shall damn them. There shall nothing be left of them, not even a grease spot." Congress ignores the petition.
When this was reprinted in the HC (vol. 6, 116), 18 words were omitted in order to read: `While discussing the petition to Congress, I prophesied, by virtue of the holy Priesthood vested in me, and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that, if Congress will not hear our petition and grant us protection, they shall be broken up as a government.* * * *' Notice how the comma after the word `government' was changed to a period in order to make it appear as if the sentence was complete."
[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; Abanes, R., "One Nation Under Gods: A History of the Mormon Church," Four Walls Eight Windows: New York NY, 2002, p.467)]
When this was reprinted in the HC (vol. 6, 116), 18 words were omitted in order to read: `While discussing the petition to Congress, I prophesied, by virtue of the holy Priesthood vested in me, and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that, if Congress will not hear our petition and grant us protection, they shall be broken up as a government.* * * *' Notice how the comma after the word `government' was changed to a period in order to make it appear as if the sentence was complete."
[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; Abanes, R., "One Nation Under Gods: A History of the Mormon Church," Four Walls Eight Windows: New York NY, 2002, p.467)]
185 years ago today - Dec 16, 1838
Joseph Smith writes [from Libery Jail] in a letter: "Was it for committing adultery that we were assailed? We are aware that that false slander has gone abroad, for it has been reiterated in our ears. These are falsehoods also.
[Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2013 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]
[Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2013 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]
190 years ago today - Dec 16, 1833
Doctrine and Covenants 101. Inhabitants of Zion brought persecution on themselves by transgression, but the Lord will remember them. He will let his sword fall in their behalf. During millennium Satan will have no power. Those born during the millennium will not die, but be changed in the twinkling of an eye. Continue to gather, purchase lands in Zion. No other gathering place. Appeal to the courts, governor, and president. If they won't restore lands, the Lord will. Don't sell property in Zion.
[Kenney, Scott; Saints Without Halos, 'Doctrine and Covenants,' http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/s/_dc.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott; Saints Without Halos, 'Doctrine and Covenants,' http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/s/_dc.phtml]
35 years ago today - Dec 15, 1988
After more than a year of confinement to a wheelchair, the Twelve's president Howard W. Hunter walks into the council room of the Salt Lake temple. Apostles stand and clap their hands, which is apparently the first occasion of applause in the temple council room.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
50 years ago today - Dec 15, 1973
A First Presidency statement, in response to the Middle East oil embargo, urges energy conservation and authorizes local wards and branches to hold all auxiliary meetings on a single day of the week.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
125 years ago today - Thursday, Dec 15, 1898
Apostle Rudger Clawson wanted to know if the authorities approved of the teachings of a certain sister by the name of Hannah Sorensen, relating particulary to "diet" and "marital relations of the sexes." Stated that she was so radical in her views upon these subjects that harm was being done among young married women in the Box Elder Stake, who had studied in her classes. Some discussion ensued, and the general opinion seemed to be that Sister Sorensen was a "frank," or in other words, an extremist.
[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]
[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]
160 years ago today - Dec 15, 1863
[Wilford Woodruff]
I spent the day in the Legislature to day we met in Joint Session and Received the Acting Govornors Message which was vary good Considering a Gentile Govornor.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I spent the day in the Legislature to day we met in Joint Session and Received the Acting Govornors Message which was vary good Considering a Gentile Govornor.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Dec 15, 1858
In reply to man's request for divorce, "Pres. Young said that when a man married a wife he took her for better or worse, and had no right to ill use her, and if she shit in bed and laid in it until noon; he must bare it, until he gets power over her to learn her better." Young readily grants divorce to unhappy plural wives but requires husband to pay him $10 fee. Young issues 1,600 certificates of divorce for unhappy polygamous marriages. Civil divorces for monogamous marriages are even more common in pioneer Utah where courts require only statement of incompatibility.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
60 years ago today - Dec 14, 1963
As for the mission call to Europe, at a church farewell on 14 December Reed Benson complained that his father had been "`stabbed' in the back." The Twelve's president [Joseph Fielding Smith] was present to hear the younger Benson's remark that his father's mission call was a back-stab.
[Wilkinson diary, 14 Dec. 1963. From 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.]
[Wilkinson diary, 14 Dec. 1963. From 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.]
60 years ago today - Dec 14, 1963
"LOGAN, UTAH--Former Agriculture Secretary Ezra Taft Benson charged Friday night that the civil-rights movement in the South had been 'formatted almost entirely by the Communists.' Elder Benson, a member of the Council of the Twelve of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said in a public meeting here that the whole civil-rights movement was 'phony'.***"
[Deseret News, Dec. 14, 1963]
[Deseret News, Dec. 14, 1963]
70 years ago today - Dec 14, 1953
Brigham Young University produces its first television program, the BYU Christmas Hour. It was an annual remote broadcast run on KTVT until BYU had its own television studio.
[Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
[Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984]
95 years ago today - Dec 14, 1928
[Heber J. Grant]
John M. Knight called. He had been asked to speak at the funeral of [Mormon fundementalist] John Woolley. We told him that we did not wish him to do so.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
John M. Knight called. He had been asked to speak at the funeral of [Mormon fundementalist] John Woolley. We told him that we did not wish him to do so.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
100 years ago today - Dec 14, 1923
[George F. Richards]
Called on the First Presidency and attended to some business with them. I presented to them the corrected form of [the] Ceremony for time marriage [sealings] which received their approval.
[George F. Richards diary, Dec. 14, 1923, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
Called on the First Presidency and attended to some business with them. I presented to them the corrected form of [the] Ceremony for time marriage [sealings] which received their approval.
[George F. Richards diary, Dec. 14, 1923, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
180 years ago today - Dec 14, 1843
Joseph receives a letter from Governor Ford stating that he will not call out the state militia for the general protection of Nauvoo, except on rare and very specifically defined occasions. He tells Joseph not to worry about past offenses by the state of Missouri, and says, concerning any affidavits about their wrongs in Missouri given to him by the Mormons the previous August, "I have not yet read them and probably never will." Joseph records his personal anger at Ford's letter.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
60 years ago today - Dec 13, 1963
Lamar Peterson tells Jerald and Sandra Tanner of a 1832 hand written "strange account" first vision, they begin writing about it, pressure builds to release it. Joseph Fielding Smith tapes the removed pages pages back into Joseph Smith's journal and grants access to BYU's Paul Cheesman.
[Chronology of Mormon History, http://followtheprophets.com/chronology-of-mormon-history/]
[Chronology of Mormon History, http://followtheprophets.com/chronology-of-mormon-history/]
130 years ago today - Dec 13, 1893
[Franklin D. Richards]
Wires say that the bill enabling Utah to become a state passed the House of Rep[resentative]s about 4 pm today. On my arrival learned that Utah Statehood bill passed the House today with only two votes against it one Democrat and one Republican. This is glorious news.
[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]
Wires say that the bill enabling Utah to become a state passed the House of Rep[resentative]s about 4 pm today. On my arrival learned that Utah Statehood bill passed the House today with only two votes against it one Democrat and one Republican. This is glorious news.
[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]
140 years ago today - Dec 13, 1883
[Wilford Woodruff]
Emma was Anointed to W Woodruff & W Woodruff for her Father Samuel Smith and He was Adopted to W Woodruff.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Emma was Anointed to W Woodruff & W Woodruff for her Father Samuel Smith and He was Adopted to W Woodruff.
[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 - Dec 13, 1843
[Nauvoo Neighbor]
Special Edition Issue
- Ordinances: "An Extra Ordinance for the Extra Case of Joseph Smith and Others" -- Joseph Smith -- Anyone who comes to arrest Joseph Smith or other citizens involved in "Missouri Difficulties" will be arrested, and if found guilty, incarcerated for life. ...
- Note: "Dinner Party" - Christmas Day -- Editorial -- Joseph Smith plans a dinner party for Christmas Day. ...
- Ordinances: "An Ordinance for the Health and Conscience of Travelers--" -- Joseph Smith -- Gives Joseph Smith the power to sell "spirits" for the "health, comfort, and convenience of such travelers."
[http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
Special Edition Issue
- Ordinances: "An Extra Ordinance for the Extra Case of Joseph Smith and Others" -- Joseph Smith -- Anyone who comes to arrest Joseph Smith or other citizens involved in "Missouri Difficulties" will be arrested, and if found guilty, incarcerated for life. ...
- Note: "Dinner Party" - Christmas Day -- Editorial -- Joseph Smith plans a dinner party for Christmas Day. ...
- Ordinances: "An Ordinance for the Health and Conscience of Travelers--" -- Joseph Smith -- Gives Joseph Smith the power to sell "spirits" for the "health, comfort, and convenience of such travelers."
[http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
190 years ago today - Dec 13, 1833
The first issue of the Evening and Morning Star is printed by Oliver Cowdery.
[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]
[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]
20 years ago today - Dec 12, 2003
Less than a year after the Mormon church promised, again, to stop baptizing dead Jews into its faith, the Mormons have raised concerns by buying - at 10 cents a sheet - thousands of names of dead Russian Orthodox Church members
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has long collected names from government documents and other records worldwide. The names are then used in temple rituals, during which Mormon stand-ins are dunked in water to offer the dead salvation and entry to the Mormon religion.
Salt Lake City independent researcher Helen Radkey said she has found such notable non-Mormons as Adolph Hitler, Anne Frank, and even Roman Catholic popes and saints within the church's database ...
[Mark Thiessen, Associated Press, azcentral.com; A chronicle of the Mormon-Jewish controversy; The LDS Agreement: A JewishGen InfoFile, http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/ldsagree.html]
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has long collected names from government documents and other records worldwide. The names are then used in temple rituals, during which Mormon stand-ins are dunked in water to offer the dead salvation and entry to the Mormon religion.
Salt Lake City independent researcher Helen Radkey said she has found such notable non-Mormons as Adolph Hitler, Anne Frank, and even Roman Catholic popes and saints within the church's database ...
[Mark Thiessen, Associated Press, azcentral.com; A chronicle of the Mormon-Jewish controversy; The LDS Agreement: A JewishGen InfoFile, http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/ldsagree.html]
135 years ago today - Dec 12, 1888
Release of Rudger Clawson after serving three years and one month in prison, the longest any nineteenth-century Mormon is imprisoned for polygamy for unlawful cohabitation. On this same day, Idaho Legislature expels all Mormon legislators.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
135 years ago today - Dec 12, 1888
Elder [Apostle] Francis M. Lyman surrendered himself to the US Marshal [Frank] Dyer this morning appeared in the 3rd Dist[rict] Court & plead guilty to the last indictment found against him [Unlawful Cohabitation]. ...
[Francis M. Lyman reports to First Presidency.] He had also been out to the penitentiary & saw Bro[ther] Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon. He purposes devoting as much of his time as possible among the saints preaching to & counseling with them. ... [Lyman was placed under a $1,500 bond].
[First Presidency Office Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Francis M. Lyman reports to First Presidency.] He had also been out to the penitentiary & saw Bro[ther] Geo[rge]. Q. Cannon. He purposes devoting as much of his time as possible among the saints preaching to & counseling with them. ... [Lyman was placed under a $1,500 bond].
[First Presidency Office Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
180 years ago today - Dec 12, 1843
After prodding from Joseph Smith to embrace plural marriage, John Taylor is sealed to his first plural wife, Elizabeth Kaighan.
[Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2013 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]
[Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 3 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2013 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]
180 years ago today - Dec 12, 1843
Smith as Mayor of Nauvoo passes ordinance allowing him to sell alcohol from the bar in his house.
[Chronology of Mormon History, http://followtheprophets.com/chronology-of-mormon-history/]
[Chronology of Mormon History, http://followtheprophets.com/chronology-of-mormon-history/]
190 years ago today - Dec 12, 1833
A letter arrives stating that the Saints who had moved to Van Buren County will also be driven from there.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
30 years ago today - Dec 10, 1993-Thursday
[Leonard Arrington]
Ron Walker, who was at the Salt Lake Institute of Religion in 1976, said Bill Nelson orchestrated the movement to ban Story of the Latter-day Saints. He looked for people who would write what he wanted them to write.
Gary Bennett [who had reviewed Story of the Latter-day Saints even though he was] not trained in history. Why not Ron Walker? "Because he wouldn't write what I want him to write." [[Bennett was apparently asked by Nelson if he would write a review of the book for Ezra Taft Benson. See Apr. 13, 1981.]] Elder Mark [E.] Petersen [also] sought a reviewer who was not too well-trained or read in history.
Bill Nelson orchestrated the whole business. He didn't like liberals. When Gene England learned of the Committee to Control Members [Strengthening Church Members Committee] he went to Nelson. "Why?" [Nelson had said,] ["]I want to get rid of every liberal in the Church." He Nelson persuaded Elder [Boyd K.] Packer to vote against Tom Alex[ander] as [Charles] Redd professor because of his article on "The Reconstruction of Mormon Doctrine." [[Alexander's article was "The Reconstruction of Mormon Doctrine: From Joseph Smith to Progressive Theology," published in the July-August 1980 issue of Sunstone. Twelve years later, Alexander was appointed Charles Redd Professor.]] [Neal A.] Maxwell & [Dallin H.] Oaks later talked Packer into withdrawing his objection & Tom got the post.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Ron Walker, who was at the Salt Lake Institute of Religion in 1976, said Bill Nelson orchestrated the movement to ban Story of the Latter-day Saints. He looked for people who would write what he wanted them to write.
Gary Bennett [who had reviewed Story of the Latter-day Saints even though he was] not trained in history. Why not Ron Walker? "Because he wouldn't write what I want him to write." [[Bennett was apparently asked by Nelson if he would write a review of the book for Ezra Taft Benson. See Apr. 13, 1981.]] Elder Mark [E.] Petersen [also] sought a reviewer who was not too well-trained or read in history.
Bill Nelson orchestrated the whole business. He didn't like liberals. When Gene England learned of the Committee to Control Members [Strengthening Church Members Committee] he went to Nelson. "Why?" [Nelson had said,] ["]I want to get rid of every liberal in the Church." He Nelson persuaded Elder [Boyd K.] Packer to vote against Tom Alex[ander] as [Charles] Redd professor because of his article on "The Reconstruction of Mormon Doctrine." [[Alexander's article was "The Reconstruction of Mormon Doctrine: From Joseph Smith to Progressive Theology," published in the July-August 1980 issue of Sunstone. Twelve years later, Alexander was appointed Charles Redd Professor.]] [Neal A.] Maxwell & [Dallin H.] Oaks later talked Packer into withdrawing his objection & Tom got the post.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
125 years ago today - Dec 10, 1898 (Saturday)
The last number (No. 26, Vol. 57) of the Deseret Weekly was issued.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
165 years ago today - Dec 10, 1858
[Wilford Woodruff]
I feel to acknowledge the Hand of God in all these things. The Lord has sustained us through the war ["Utah War"] and is now Sustaining us through the Courts & is thwarting all the designs of our Enemies in all their wicked designs against the Latter Day Saints. The Lord has given President Young wisdom to out general all the United States with their Armies Judges & Courts So that they have had no power over him or this people for which I feel to praise the name of the Lord.
President Young wished the Twelve who went to Fillmore to inquire into ... into the Case of McBrides sons who Bishop Bronson was jealeous were laying plans to kill him.
We made an estimate of some of the expenses of the war of the United States against the mormons. We made including soldiers teamsters & waiters for 1858: 12,730 Men
Russel & Wardles Government freight amounted to $5,445,468
20,400 Government waggons cost of each outfit $1,500 $9,180,000.00
Paid for 3,200 teamsters 480 dollars each 1,536,000.00
Paid 4,600 soldiers $300 each 1,380.000.00
Sum total for the Above four items $17,540,468.00 [$484 million, infation adjusted]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I feel to acknowledge the Hand of God in all these things. The Lord has sustained us through the war ["Utah War"] and is now Sustaining us through the Courts & is thwarting all the designs of our Enemies in all their wicked designs against the Latter Day Saints. The Lord has given President Young wisdom to out general all the United States with their Armies Judges & Courts So that they have had no power over him or this people for which I feel to praise the name of the Lord.
President Young wished the Twelve who went to Fillmore to inquire into ... into the Case of McBrides sons who Bishop Bronson was jealeous were laying plans to kill him.
We made an estimate of some of the expenses of the war of the United States against the mormons. We made including soldiers teamsters & waiters for 1858: 12,730 Men
Russel & Wardles Government freight amounted to $5,445,468
20,400 Government waggons cost of each outfit $1,500 $9,180,000.00
Paid for 3,200 teamsters 480 dollars each 1,536,000.00
Paid 4,600 soldiers $300 each 1,380.000.00
Sum total for the Above four items $17,540,468.00 [$484 million, infation adjusted]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Dec 10, 1848
[Hosea Stout]
Also passed a law granting a bounty of one dollar each on wolf skins and for J. M. Grant to recieve them.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Also passed a law granting a bounty of one dollar each on wolf skins and for J. M. Grant to recieve them.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
175 years ago today - Dec 10, 1848
[Brigham Young]
[We need a] petition for a territorial government each year until the honest in heart had been gathered out of the nations and the armies of Israel had become very great, and then we will say 'We don't care whether you grant it [the territorial recognition] or not. Damn you, we are here and we ask no odds of you.' -- Salt Lake City
[John Pulsipher Journal, BYU; The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[We need a] petition for a territorial government each year until the honest in heart had been gathered out of the nations and the armies of Israel had become very great, and then we will say 'We don't care whether you grant it [the territorial recognition] or not. Damn you, we are here and we ask no odds of you.' -- Salt Lake City
[John Pulsipher Journal, BYU; 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 - Dec 10, 1843
[Anointed Quorum]
Sunday prayer meeting in the upper room of Joseph Smith's store; "Joseph not present," and "Brigham Young presided," apparently for the first time .
"B Young was called to the chair who addressed the meeting in a vary feeling manner & interesting to our minds, he reasoned clearly that we should follow our file leaders & our savior in all his law & commandments without asking any questions why they were so[--]He was followed by P. P. Pratt & others who expressed their minds freely[--]several sick were prayed for"
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power; Wilford Woodruff's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 2:331]
Sunday prayer meeting in the upper room of Joseph Smith's store; "Joseph not present," and "Brigham Young presided," apparently for the first time .
"B Young was called to the chair who addressed the meeting in a vary feeling manner & interesting to our minds, he reasoned clearly that we should follow our file leaders & our savior in all his law & commandments without asking any questions why they were so[--]He was followed by P. P. Pratt & others who expressed their minds freely[--]several sick were prayed for"
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power; Wilford Woodruff's Journal. 9 Vols. Scott G. Kenney, ed. Salt Lake City: Signature Books, 1983-85. 2:331]
190 years ago today - Dec 10, 1833.
Joseph Smith tells the saints that they should retain their lands in Missouri and seek legal redress against their enemies. If they should not obtain it, God will avenge them with `ten thousand of his Saints' and all their adversaries would be destroyed.
[History of Church, v1, p 455]
[History of Church, v1, p 455]
45 years ago today - Dec 09, 1978
Missionary couples Rendell N. and Rachel Mabey and Edwin and Janath Cannon, the first missionaries to Ghana, arrive in that country and soon baptize eighty-nine people who have been waiting for the missionaries, some of them for many years. Within a year, more than four hundred people are baptized.
70 years ago today - Dec 9, 1953
[J. Reuben Clark]
Proposed Statement of President McKay to State Legislators.
In the early 1930's the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints transferred to the State of Utah, Dixie College, Snow College, and Weber College. The deeds in each instance provided that in the event the particular college was not maintained as a Junior College by the State, it would revert to the Church.
If the Legislature now decides no longer to operate these three Colleges, the Church will again take title to them and operate them as a part of its educational system.
Drafted by Pres. Wilkinson.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
Proposed Statement of President McKay to State Legislators.
In the early 1930's the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints transferred to the State of Utah, Dixie College, Snow College, and Weber College. The deeds in each instance provided that in the event the particular college was not maintained as a Junior College by the State, it would revert to the Church.
If the Legislature now decides no longer to operate these three Colleges, the Church will again take title to them and operate them as a part of its educational system.
Drafted by Pres. Wilkinson.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
90 years ago today - Dec 9,1933
Church News article "Mormonism in The New Germany," enthusiastically emphasizes parallels "between the LDS Church and some of the ideas and policies of the National Socialists." First, Nazis have introduced "Fast Sunday." Second, "it is a very well known fact that Hitler observes a form of living which Mormons term the Word of Wisdom. Finally, due to the importance given to the racial question by Nazis and the almost necessity of proving that one's grandmother was not a Jewess, there no longer is resistance against genealogical research by German Mormons who now have received letters of encouragement complimenting them for their patriotism."
[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]
[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]
135 years ago today - Dec 9, 1888
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Pres[iden]t. [Wilford] Woodruff & members of the Council decided to advise the brethren who had resigned their standing in the wards in our northern stakes [Idaho] to remain as they are until after the Court trials in the spring. The Repub[lican]s. of Idaho want an opportunity to accuse the people of perjury in leaving the church to vote. And the pubs. Will prosecute our people for conspiracy if they return to their fellowship in the Church. Three hundred & fifty dollars was voted for the relief of brethren involved in litigation in Idaho. [It was illegal in Idaho for Mormons to vote.]
[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]
Pres[iden]t. [Wilford] Woodruff & members of the Council decided to advise the brethren who had resigned their standing in the wards in our northern stakes [Idaho] to remain as they are until after the Court trials in the spring. The Repub[lican]s. of Idaho want an opportunity to accuse the people of perjury in leaving the church to vote. And the pubs. Will prosecute our people for conspiracy if they return to their fellowship in the Church. Three hundred & fifty dollars was voted for the relief of brethren involved in litigation in Idaho. [It was illegal in Idaho for Mormons to vote.]
[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]
175 years ago today - Saturday, Dec 9, 1848
[John D. Lee, Council of Fifty]
The council of YTFIF [Fifty] again met at the House of H[eber] C. Kimballs, & took into consideration the propriety of Petition[ing] Congress for a Teritorial Government, Giving them to understand at the same time we wanted officers of our own nomination &, should they Send such men as Lilburn W. Boggs, Neal Gilliam [of] Benton County, [Austin] King, [Wiley] Williams & others, that we would send them Cross Lots to Hell, that dark & dreary Road where no traveler ever returns. Pres. B[righam] Young was nominated & voted to be the governor of Said Territory. ... The Territory should be called Desarett [Deseret] & bounded as follows: [blank]. [Ten men] … were appointed a commity to obtain the Names of all the inhabitants of the valley & all the region roundabout to [be] incorporated in the Pe[ti]tion. The subject of gathering up the catle & Hors[es] that were Scatered over the valley, exposed to the ravages of the wolves & Indian[s], was called up & voted that O[rrin] P. Rockwell, J[ohn] D. Lee & Geo[rge] D. Grant be the commity to manage or superintend the geathering of the catle; the above commity was nominated by Pres. B[righam] Y[oung] who observed, ["]If there is not fire and thunder in this commity we will try & put some in them.["] ...
[John D. Lee diary, 80-81, as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
The council of YTFIF [Fifty] again met at the House of H[eber] C. Kimballs, & took into consideration the propriety of Petition[ing] Congress for a Teritorial Government, Giving them to understand at the same time we wanted officers of our own nomination &, should they Send such men as Lilburn W. Boggs, Neal Gilliam [of] Benton County, [Austin] King, [Wiley] Williams & others, that we would send them Cross Lots to Hell, that dark & dreary Road where no traveler ever returns. Pres. B[righam] Young was nominated & voted to be the governor of Said Territory. ... The Territory should be called Desarett [Deseret] & bounded as follows: [blank]. [Ten men] … were appointed a commity to obtain the Names of all the inhabitants of the valley & all the region roundabout to [be] incorporated in the Pe[ti]tion. The subject of gathering up the catle & Hors[es] that were Scatered over the valley, exposed to the ravages of the wolves & Indian[s], was called up & voted that O[rrin] P. Rockwell, J[ohn] D. Lee & Geo[rge] D. Grant be the commity to manage or superintend the geathering of the catle; the above commity was nominated by Pres. B[righam] Y[oung] who observed, ["]If there is not fire and thunder in this commity we will try & put some in them.["] ...
[John D. Lee diary, 80-81, as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
15 years ago today - Dec 8, 2008
The inaugural volume of the much-anticipated Joseph Smith Papers, released today, brings to light a project that has been under way for many years. This landmark publishing venture begins with Joseph Smiths personal journal entries, covering the years 1832 to 1839.
[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php]
[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php]
80 years ago today - Dec 8, 1943
[George Albert Smith]
[Excommunicated apostle] Richard [R. Lyman] applied for [re-]Baptism.
[George Albert 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]
[Excommunicated apostle] Richard [R. Lyman] applied for [re-]Baptism.
[George Albert 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]
135 years ago today - Dec 8, 1888
Bro[ther] Parkinson reported the condition of things in the Oneida [Idaho] Stake ... prospective nonpayment of tithings by the brethren, who felt it to be necessary to withdraw from the church [so they could vote] & they believing they can now pay their tithes for fear of the results &c they needed some assistance. 200 allowed. The Idaho political situation was discussed. The feeling being that those who were out of the church should remain so. Pres[ident] Woodruff seemed quite clear that it would be better for no one to return to the church until after the cases in courts came up & were disposed of In cases of aged brethren returning thought it would be done privately.
[First Presidency Office Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[First Presidency Office Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
170 years ago today - Dec 8, 1853
[Hosea Stout]
This fore noon I arrived at home or what more properly might be said where once was my home.
Here, not 14 months since was concentrated all my earthly happiness. Here, the confiding Louisa, the dearest object of my heart, the solace in all my troubles and my inocent prattling children, was left, in the most perfect enjoyment of earthly bliss. To them I fled as a refuge from trouble & disappointment & how often I have rejoiced that I was thus blessed with that most essential ingredient for mans comfort, a true, faithful & confiding wife, and obedient lovely children There were here then, Here then was my own ocean of affection & love[.] I left them by the command of the Lord to preach the gospel in foreign lands & returned but not to them.
Louisa was no more, the scource of my happiness was beneath the cold sod while the very geniuse of desolation & loneliness seemed to brood over the scenes of by gone happiness.
What did I find? Even my brother had removed into the country & not the first vistage of former associations moved on the desolate place.
A family of English saints, total stranger to me resided here and could give no account of neither family or friends.
I gazed upon the sad wreck of all my hopes in silence while my heart sank within me & those around could not refrain from mingling their tears with mine for a few moments when we all hastily with drew from a place so full of sad reccollections as my HOME.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
This fore noon I arrived at home or what more properly might be said where once was my home.
Here, not 14 months since was concentrated all my earthly happiness. Here, the confiding Louisa, the dearest object of my heart, the solace in all my troubles and my inocent prattling children, was left, in the most perfect enjoyment of earthly bliss. To them I fled as a refuge from trouble & disappointment & how often I have rejoiced that I was thus blessed with that most essential ingredient for mans comfort, a true, faithful & confiding wife, and obedient lovely children There were here then, Here then was my own ocean of affection & love[.] I left them by the command of the Lord to preach the gospel in foreign lands & returned but not to them.
Louisa was no more, the scource of my happiness was beneath the cold sod while the very geniuse of desolation & loneliness seemed to brood over the scenes of by gone happiness.
What did I find? Even my brother had removed into the country & not the first vistage of former associations moved on the desolate place.
A family of English saints, total stranger to me resided here and could give no account of neither family or friends.
I gazed upon the sad wreck of all my hopes in silence while my heart sank within me & those around could not refrain from mingling their tears with mine for a few moments when we all hastily with drew from a place so full of sad reccollections as my HOME.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Dec 8, 1843
The Nauvoo City council passes a law stating that any officer bringing a writ against Joseph Smith based on a Missouri charge will be subject to life imprisonment, "which convict or convicts can only be pardoned by the Governor, with the consent of the Mayor of said city." (Joseph Smith himself is, of course, the mayor.) The Nauvoo Legion is also ordered to be ready to protect the rights of Nauvoo citizens. Affidavits are drawn up in protest of the recent kidnappings
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
55 years ago today - Dec 7, 1968
[Phone call, Ezra Taft Benson to First Presidency secretary Clare Middlemiss] "Clare, President McKay has told me on various occasions that there are two things he regretted in his presidency: (1) the untimely decision, which was later changed, to move the college at Rexburg to Idaho Falls; and (2) the issuing of the statement in the public press against the John Birch Society. Now, in order to alleviate that feeling about the John Birch Society, I wonder, since they are celebrating their 10th Anniversary tonight at a meeting and banquet in Indianapolis, Indiana, if President McKay would send a telegram similar to the following: "John Birch Society, c/o Mr. Robert Welch, Stauffer Inn, Indianapolis, Indiana—Congratulations upon reaching ten years of courageous and effective service in defense of our freedom and acquainting the American people with the insidious dangers of the atheistic communistic conspiracy. Best wishes for future success in the fight to preserve our God-given liberties." McKay was in a meeting, and counselor Alvin R. Dyer vetoed the request.
["Note by C.M. (Clare Middlemiss)", David O. McKay diary as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
["Note by C.M. (Clare Middlemiss)", David O. McKay diary as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
70 years ago today - Dec 07, 1953
The West German government grants the Church Koerperschaft des Oeffenlichen Rechts (Corporation under Public Law), giving it equal rights with the established churches in Germany. This is the first time in German history that a foreign church has been so honored.
130 years ago today - Dec 7, 1893
[Franklin D. Richards]
.... decided that white is the color for marked garments to be worn. also that baptism should be administered as directed in the B[ook]. of M[ormon]. & Doc[trine]. & Cov[enants]. and not in a Bath Tub where the person officiating cannot go down into the water with the candidate. [This is the first departure of the Utah temple garment from the contemporary "Union suit" which comes in various colors and upon which the Utah "street garment" is based.]
[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]
.... decided that white is the color for marked garments to be worn. also that baptism should be administered as directed in the B[ook]. of M[ormon]. & Doc[trine]. & Cov[enants]. and not in a Bath Tub where the person officiating cannot go down into the water with the candidate. [This is the first departure of the Utah temple garment from the contemporary "Union suit" which comes in various colors and upon which the Utah "street garment" is based.]
[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]
160 years ago today - Dec 7, 1863
[Wilford Woodruff]
Dec 7th 1863 I spent the fore part of the day in the office writing. Jason Luce killed a man in the street by the name of Samuel Burton from Origon. He cut his throat with a Bowe knife. He was immediately arested & imprisioned.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Dec 7th 1863 I spent the fore part of the day in the office writing. Jason Luce killed a man in the street by the name of Samuel Burton from Origon. He cut his throat with a Bowe knife. He was immediately arested & imprisioned.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Dec 7, 1853
[Hosea Stout]
I forgot to state that while at American Creek I had the satisfaction to witness the triumph of Mormonism over the traditions of our fathers for George A. sealed Arza Adams to an old maid aged 48 as withered and forbidding as 4 Doz. Years of celibacy might natturally be supposed to indicate. She joyfully took his hand and consented to be part of himself as number two. Thus entering into a respectible state of matrimony under auspicious circumstances when nothing except the privileges of Mormonism would have permitted
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
I forgot to state that while at American Creek I had the satisfaction to witness the triumph of Mormonism over the traditions of our fathers for George A. sealed Arza Adams to an old maid aged 48 as withered and forbidding as 4 Doz. Years of celibacy might natturally be supposed to indicate. She joyfully took his hand and consented to be part of himself as number two. Thus entering into a respectible state of matrimony under auspicious circumstances when nothing except the privileges of Mormonism would have permitted
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Dec 7, 1843
The citizens of Nauvoo meet to draw up petitions against the Missouri kidnappings of the two Avery men and others.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
125 years ago today - Dec 6, 1898 (Tuesday)
Twenty-four "ministers of the gospel," mostly residents of Salt Lake City, met and adopted an address, prepared by a committee of the so-called ministerial union, in which they "most earnestly" called upon the people of the United States to join them in a strong protest to Congress against the seating of Brigham H. Roberts, member elect from Utah.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
140 years ago today - Dec 6, 1883
Patriarchal Blessing of Rudger Clawson given by William J. Smith ... Thou shalt be filled with revelation and prophecy and have power to discern and detect wicked and false spirits wherever thou goest, and thou shalt have power over devils and demons and all diseases and the desolating sickness which shall come over the land and all destructive elements. The winds and the waves shall obey thy voice, and the tempests of the mighty deep shall be stayed at thy command. No enemy shall have power over thee - not even a hair of thy head shall fall by a foe. Thou shalt heal the sick, and cast out devils and raise the dead, if it be necessary, and the sun and the moon shall even be stayed at thy command for the furtherance of the work of God.
Thy faith shall increase and thou shalt have power to prevail with God like the brother of Jared, until thou shalt behold God face to face. Thou shalt have mighty faith in Jesus and gather thy thousands to Zion and feed them in the days of famine by the power of God. Thou shalt assist in gathering the Zion of God from all nations and live to see Israel gathered from the four corners of the earth. Thou shalt be gathered to the center stake, and assist in building that holy temple where a cloud by day shall rest and a pillar of fire by night. Thou shalt be a pillar in that temple, and perform a great work for thy progenitors, and assist in the redemption of thousands of thy friends and kindred that have died without a knowledge of the gospel. ...
I seal thee up against all plagues and pestilence that shall be sent forth to devastate the wicked, but thy feet shall stand in holy and sure places in these days of trouble and woe. ... I seal you up to eternal life, to a holy resurrection with thy full redemption, with thine inheritance, in a kingdom of glory that shall never fail thee. Even so. Amen.
[Patriarchal Blessings]
Thy faith shall increase and thou shalt have power to prevail with God like the brother of Jared, until thou shalt behold God face to face. Thou shalt have mighty faith in Jesus and gather thy thousands to Zion and feed them in the days of famine by the power of God. Thou shalt assist in gathering the Zion of God from all nations and live to see Israel gathered from the four corners of the earth. Thou shalt be gathered to the center stake, and assist in building that holy temple where a cloud by day shall rest and a pillar of fire by night. Thou shalt be a pillar in that temple, and perform a great work for thy progenitors, and assist in the redemption of thousands of thy friends and kindred that have died without a knowledge of the gospel. ...
I seal thee up against all plagues and pestilence that shall be sent forth to devastate the wicked, but thy feet shall stand in holy and sure places in these days of trouble and woe. ... I seal you up to eternal life, to a holy resurrection with thy full redemption, with thine inheritance, in a kingdom of glory that shall never fail thee. Even so. Amen.
[Patriarchal Blessings]
190 years ago today - Dec 6, 1833
Kirtland, Ohio. Joseph Smith and others prayed that the newly arrived printing press would be a means to bring -"about the restoration of the house of Israel.-",
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
55 years ago today - Dec 5, 1968
[David O. McKay]
Attention was called to a letter from President Reuel E. Christensen of the Manti Temple reporting that a bishop and stake president in one of the BYU Stakes had inquired if they could send colored people who are members of the Church in good standing residing in their wards to do baptismal work for the dead in the temple. I ruled that worthy negro baptized members of the Church should be permitted to do baptismal work for the dead if they desire to do so.
[David O. McKay diary, Dec. 5, 1968, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
Attention was called to a letter from President Reuel E. Christensen of the Manti Temple reporting that a bishop and stake president in one of the BYU Stakes had inquired if they could send colored people who are members of the Church in good standing residing in their wards to do baptismal work for the dead in the temple. I ruled that worthy negro baptized members of the Church should be permitted to do baptismal work for the dead if they desire to do so.
[David O. McKay diary, Dec. 5, 1968, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
90 years ago today - Dec 5, 1933
Prompted by Prohibition's vast unpopularity as well rampant organized crime--namely bootlegging--and the loss of potential tax revenue from alcohol, the 21st Amendment is passed, repealing Prohibition. Utah is the last state to ratify the amendment.
[Harward, Randy; Utah Brewing Timeline, Salt Lake City Weekly, Aug 24, 2011]
[Harward, Randy; Utah Brewing Timeline, Salt Lake City Weekly, Aug 24, 2011]
120 years ago today - Dec 05, 1903
Harper's Weekly, a U.S. national newspaper, defends Apostle Reed Smoot during the Senate hearings on his worthiness to be seated following his election to the U.S. Senate. Smoot's seating was opposed because it was rumored the church continued to secretly sanction polygamous marriages.
185 years ago today - Dec 5, 1838
Governor Boggs defends his Extermination Order in the state legislature.
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
190 years ago today - Dec 5, 1833
[David Stafford (neighbor of the Smiths)]
I have been acquainted with the family of Joseph Smith Sen. for several years ... It is well known, that the general employment of the Smith family was money digging and fortune-telling. They kept around them constantly, a gang of worthless fellows who dug for money nights, and were idle in the day time. ...
[Eber D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed (Painesville, Ohio: E. D. Howe, 1834), 249-50., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: David Stafford Statement]
I have been acquainted with the family of Joseph Smith Sen. for several years ... It is well known, that the general employment of the Smith family was money digging and fortune-telling. They kept around them constantly, a gang of worthless fellows who dug for money nights, and were idle in the day time. ...
[Eber D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed (Painesville, Ohio: E. D. Howe, 1834), 249-50., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: David Stafford Statement]
10 years ago today - 1 year ago - Dec 4, 2013
The court hears arguments from the same-sex couples and the state on the same-sex marriage issue.
[Herald Extra, "LDS Church: No gay marriages in meetinghouses", http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/lds-church-no-gay-marriages-in-meetinghouses/article_9115817b-5e81-5e2f-b1e7-692843870e5d.html]
[Herald Extra, "LDS Church: No gay marriages in meetinghouses", http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/lds-church-no-gay-marriages-in-meetinghouses/article_9115817b-5e81-5e2f-b1e7-692843870e5d.html]
115 years ago today - Friday, Dec 4, 1908
[John Henry Smith]
I went with John M. Cannon of Granite Stake to South Cottonwood Ward where we investigated the Bishopric of that ward. We are satisfied that they obeyed the Words of Wisdom.
[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]
I went with John M. Cannon of Granite Stake to South Cottonwood Ward where we investigated the Bishopric of that ward. We are satisfied that they obeyed the Words of Wisdom.
[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]
185 years ago today - Dec 4, 1838
[Wilford Woodruff]
Phebe is still vary feeble & low. ... I felt the power of the destroyer resting upon me in the fore part of the day.
In the evening Phebe for the first time during her sickness began to lay hold on faith for her recovery. Her faith was strong in God. We laid hold on faith together repented of all our sins & confessed them befor God & covenanted to keep his Commandments. I had some oil that was Consecrated for my anointing while in kirtland. I again Consecrated it before God for anointing the sick. I bowed myself down before the Lord & prayed with my companion & anointed her [with] oil in the name of the Lord. I laid my hands upon her in the name of JESUS CHRIST and rebuked the fever the destroyier the deadly malidy that was praying upon her system & thank God we both obtained a great blessing in so doing & according to her faith her fever left her & praised be the name of GOD for we will ever keep his commandments & trust in him. Praise the Lord O my soul for all of his wonderful acts.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Phebe is still vary feeble & low. ... I felt the power of the destroyer resting upon me in the fore part of the day.
In the evening Phebe for the first time during her sickness began to lay hold on faith for her recovery. Her faith was strong in God. We laid hold on faith together repented of all our sins & confessed them befor God & covenanted to keep his Commandments. I had some oil that was Consecrated for my anointing while in kirtland. I again Consecrated it before God for anointing the sick. I bowed myself down before the Lord & prayed with my companion & anointed her [with] oil in the name of the Lord. I laid my hands upon her in the name of JESUS CHRIST and rebuked the fever the destroyier the deadly malidy that was praying upon her system & thank God we both obtained a great blessing in so doing & according to her faith her fever left her & praised be the name of GOD for we will ever keep his commandments & trust in him. Praise the Lord O my soul for all of his wonderful acts.
[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 - Dec 4, 1833
[Joseph Smith]
[On] the 4th [of] Dec[ember 1833] [we] commenced distributing the type and commenced setting on the 6[th of December]. Being prepared to commence our Labours in the printing buisness I ask God in the name of Jesus to establish it for ever and cause that his word may speedily go forth [to] the Nations of the earth to the accomplishing of his great work in bringing about the restoration of the house of Israel.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1832-34, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
[On] the 4th [of] Dec[ember 1833] [we] commenced distributing the type and commenced setting on the 6[th of December]. Being prepared to commence our Labours in the printing buisness I ask God in the name of Jesus to establish it for ever and cause that his word may speedily go forth [to] the Nations of the earth to the accomplishing of his great work in bringing about the restoration of the house of Israel.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1832-34, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
190 years ago today - Dec 4, 1833
Palmyra, Dec. 4, 1833.
We, the undersigned, have been acquainted with the Smith family, for a number of years, while they resided near this place, and we have no hesitation in saying, that we consider them destitute of that moral character, which ought to entitle them to the confidence of any community. They were particularly famous for visionary projects, spent much of their time in digging for money which they pretended was hid in the earth; and to this day, large excavations may be seen in the earth, not far from their residence, where they used to spend their time in digging for hidden treasures. Joseph Smith, Senior, and his son Joseph, were in particular, considered entirely destitute of moral character, and addicted to vicious habits. ...
Geo. N. Williams,
Clark Robinson,
Lemael Durfee,
E. S. Townsend,
Henry P. Alger,
C. E. Thayer,
G. W. Anderson,
H. P. Thayer,
L. Williams,
Geo. W. Crosby,
Levi Thayer,
R. S. Williams,
P. Sexton,
M. Butterfield,
S. P. Seymour,
D. S. Jackways,
John Hurlbut,
H. Linnell,
Jas. Jenner,
S. Ackley,
Josiah Rice,
Jesse Townsend,
Rich'd. D. Clark,
Th. P. Baldwin,
John Sothington,
Durfey Chase,
Wells Anderson,
N. H. Beckwith,
Philo Durfee,
Giles. S. Ely,
R. W. Smith,
Pelatiah West,
Henry Jessup,
Linus North,
Thos. Rogers, 2d.
Wm. Parke,
Josiah Francis,
Amos Hollister,
G. A. Hathaway,
David G. Ely,
H. K. Jerome,
G. Beckwith,
Lewis Foster,
Hiram Payne,
P. Grandin,
L. Hurd,
Joel Thayer,
E. D. Robinson,
Asahel Millard,
A. Ensworth,
Isarel F. Chilson
[Eber D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed (Painesville, Ohio: E. D. Howe, 1834), 261-62., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Palmyra Residents Group Statement]
We, the undersigned, have been acquainted with the Smith family, for a number of years, while they resided near this place, and we have no hesitation in saying, that we consider them destitute of that moral character, which ought to entitle them to the confidence of any community. They were particularly famous for visionary projects, spent much of their time in digging for money which they pretended was hid in the earth; and to this day, large excavations may be seen in the earth, not far from their residence, where they used to spend their time in digging for hidden treasures. Joseph Smith, Senior, and his son Joseph, were in particular, considered entirely destitute of moral character, and addicted to vicious habits. ...
Geo. N. Williams,
Clark Robinson,
Lemael Durfee,
E. S. Townsend,
Henry P. Alger,
C. E. Thayer,
G. W. Anderson,
H. P. Thayer,
L. Williams,
Geo. W. Crosby,
Levi Thayer,
R. S. Williams,
P. Sexton,
M. Butterfield,
S. P. Seymour,
D. S. Jackways,
John Hurlbut,
H. Linnell,
Jas. Jenner,
S. Ackley,
Josiah Rice,
Jesse Townsend,
Rich'd. D. Clark,
Th. P. Baldwin,
John Sothington,
Durfey Chase,
Wells Anderson,
N. H. Beckwith,
Philo Durfee,
Giles. S. Ely,
R. W. Smith,
Pelatiah West,
Henry Jessup,
Linus North,
Thos. Rogers, 2d.
Wm. Parke,
Josiah Francis,
Amos Hollister,
G. A. Hathaway,
David G. Ely,
H. K. Jerome,
G. Beckwith,
Lewis Foster,
Hiram Payne,
P. Grandin,
L. Hurd,
Joel Thayer,
E. D. Robinson,
Asahel Millard,
A. Ensworth,
Isarel F. Chilson
[Eber D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed (Painesville, Ohio: E. D. Howe, 1834), 261-62., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Palmyra Residents Group Statement]
60 years ago today - Dec 3, 1963
Some rank-and-file Mormons threatened to picket Benson's farewell talk at the LDS tabernacle in Logan, Utah, because his remarks "will most likely be an attempt to again build up the John Birch Society." When stake leaders "became skittish" about letting him use the tabernacle for this talk, Benson said he would "hold the meeting in a tent, if need be."
["Group Decides Against Picketing Benson Talk," Ogden Standard-Examiner, 3 Dec. 1963, A-7; Dew, Ezra Taft Benson, 372-73. From 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.]
["Group Decides Against Picketing Benson Talk," Ogden Standard-Examiner, 3 Dec. 1963, A-7; Dew, Ezra Taft Benson, 372-73. From 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.]
80 years ago today - Dec 3, 1943
[J. Reuben Clark]
[Regarding Apostle Lyman's extra-marital relationship] I told Bro. Hardy I was still not satisfied that we knew all about the situation. I still could not wipe out the "new polygamy" idea.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
[Regarding Apostle Lyman's extra-marital relationship] I told Bro. Hardy I was still not satisfied that we knew all about the situation. I still could not wipe out the "new polygamy" idea.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
125 years ago today - Dec 03, 1898
The first issues of the Latter-day Saints' Southern Star, a weekly Church periodical, is published in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
135 years ago today - Dec 3, 1888
[Brigham Young Jr.]
Left home before daylight, repaired to the Gardo House. Met Bro[ther]. Jos[eph]. F. S[mith]. Our quorum meets at 10 a.m. A very unpleasant meeting this has been; but I was thankful to witness the brethren tone down when reprimanded by our president. How the adversary creeps in, through selfishness he seeks to mould the brethren to his will.
[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]
Left home before daylight, repaired to the Gardo House. Met Bro[ther]. Jos[eph]. F. S[mith]. Our quorum meets at 10 a.m. A very unpleasant meeting this has been; but I was thankful to witness the brethren tone down when reprimanded by our president. How the adversary creeps in, through selfishness he seeks to mould the brethren to his will.
[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]
175 years ago today - Dec 3, 1848
[Hosea Stout]
In a letter from George A. Smith we learn that on the 4th of July last the people of Nauvoo borrowed a cannon from Carthage to celebrate the day & that night it left & was only tracked to the river where no doubt it passed through the cerimonies of immersion & he thought it would be wending its way west in search of new adventures. ...
A Proclamation was read from [apostle] Lyman Wight & Bishop George Miller, Calling on all the people to geather to them on the Rio Colerado about 75 miles from Austin Texas. [Joseph Smith had charged Wight with finding an area for the saints to settle in Texas.] It is a long document & contains some foul insinuations against the Twelve. It breaths a dishonest, low, and mean, Spirit and was recieved as such by the saints both here & at the Bluffs
Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmore & W. E. Mc[.] Lelland were trying to raise up the kingdom again. also William Smith. But the "Sound of their grinding is low"They are all waiting for the Twelve & Presidncy to fall.
After the news was read the case of Lyman [Wight] was taken up and he & all who were with him were cut off from the church as the Saints at the Bluffs also done at the conference.
In the evening I went to the Council. ... The president [Brigham Young] explained the object of the exploring expidition now being raise. which was to look out a good place to locate a settlement on the gulf & California & a road from thence to this place.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
In a letter from George A. Smith we learn that on the 4th of July last the people of Nauvoo borrowed a cannon from Carthage to celebrate the day & that night it left & was only tracked to the river where no doubt it passed through the cerimonies of immersion & he thought it would be wending its way west in search of new adventures. ...
A Proclamation was read from [apostle] Lyman Wight & Bishop George Miller, Calling on all the people to geather to them on the Rio Colerado about 75 miles from Austin Texas. [Joseph Smith had charged Wight with finding an area for the saints to settle in Texas.] It is a long document & contains some foul insinuations against the Twelve. It breaths a dishonest, low, and mean, Spirit and was recieved as such by the saints both here & at the Bluffs
Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmore & W. E. Mc[.] Lelland were trying to raise up the kingdom again. also William Smith. But the "Sound of their grinding is low"They are all waiting for the Twelve & Presidncy to fall.
After the news was read the case of Lyman [Wight] was taken up and he & all who were with him were cut off from the church as the Saints at the Bluffs also done at the conference.
In the evening I went to the Council. ... The president [Brigham Young] explained the object of the exploring expidition now being raise. which was to look out a good place to locate a settlement on the gulf & California & a road from thence to this place.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Dec 3, 1843
[Anointed Quorum]
Sunday prayer circle meeting at noon in the upper "assembly room" of Joseph Smith's store where "all [were] present except Hyrum & his wife," and Emma Smith attended even though she "had been unwell during the night." Instead of ordinances, this was a political meeting: "The fore part of the day was taken up on the Appeal to the Green Mountain Boys. It was read by W. W. Phelps & [was] consecrated & dedicated unto God by the quorum."
[I believe this is the first time women participated in priesthood quorum decision making/ business.]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
Sunday prayer circle meeting at noon in the upper "assembly room" of Joseph Smith's store where "all [were] present except Hyrum & his wife," and Emma Smith attended even though she "had been unwell during the night." Instead of ordinances, this was a political meeting: "The fore part of the day was taken up on the Appeal to the Green Mountain Boys. It was read by W. W. Phelps & [was] consecrated & dedicated unto God by the quorum."
[I believe this is the first time women participated in priesthood quorum decision making/ business.]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
180 years ago today - Dec 2, 1843
[William Clayton]
A.M. at the Temple Office. Bro Cutler called me aside & gave me to understand that Cahoon was fully bent on having revenge on my head. It appears he is trying to excite the stone cutters against me & I know no cause except it be because I have opposed his dishonesty & told him of it. I now realise my situation more sensibly than I ever did in my life. I might have the privilege of being received into the quorum of anointing but Cahoon has got there and through private pique he is resolved to deprive me of that privilege. that added to Emmas determination to be revenged sink my mind & fills me with agony, but I yet believe that innocence will finally triumph & I shall be prospered. As to any accusation which may be brought against me by the stone cutters my conscience is at peace. I am at the defiance of all or any man & am willing to be proved I wrote a long letter to J. on the subject.
[The Nauvoo Diaries of William Clayton, 1842-1846, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
A.M. at the Temple Office. Bro Cutler called me aside & gave me to understand that Cahoon was fully bent on having revenge on my head. It appears he is trying to excite the stone cutters against me & I know no cause except it be because I have opposed his dishonesty & told him of it. I now realise my situation more sensibly than I ever did in my life. I might have the privilege of being received into the quorum of anointing but Cahoon has got there and through private pique he is resolved to deprive me of that privilege. that added to Emmas determination to be revenged sink my mind & fills me with agony, but I yet believe that innocence will finally triumph & I shall be prospered. As to any accusation which may be brought against me by the stone cutters my conscience is at peace. I am at the defiance of all or any man & am willing to be proved I wrote a long letter to J. on the subject.
[The Nauvoo Diaries of William Clayton, 1842-1846, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
180 years ago today - Dec 2, 1843
Brigham recorded his dream in which he, his legal wife, and the Prophet were traveling in a covered carriage: "Br Joseph Smith sat on the Back Seat with my wife [--] he whispered to hir [her--] Sead [said] it was wright [right] if she was a mind to [--] nothing more past [passed] betwen [sic] them." Then, in the dream, she disappears and is next seen as a corpse in a hearse.
During a meeting of Church President Wilford Woodruff with the apostles in the Salt Lake Temple on 25 June 1896, there was a discussion about "certain trials or tests to which Prests. B. Young and Jno. Taylor were put by Prest. Joseph the Prophet in Nauvoo, as the plurality & Eternity of the M. [Marriage] covenant was being revealed. Also what Emma was commanded to abstain from, and O. Hyde's trial also." Young's dream in December 1843 apparently referred to the Prophet's "test" of asking for Brigham's wife to become Joseph's.
[Brigham Young 1840-44 journal; Franklin D. Richards journal, 25 June 1896, LDS Church History Library; "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)]
During a meeting of Church President Wilford Woodruff with the apostles in the Salt Lake Temple on 25 June 1896, there was a discussion about "certain trials or tests to which Prests. B. Young and Jno. Taylor were put by Prest. Joseph the Prophet in Nauvoo, as the plurality & Eternity of the M. [Marriage] covenant was being revealed. Also what Emma was commanded to abstain from, and O. Hyde's trial also." Young's dream in December 1843 apparently referred to the Prophet's "test" of asking for Brigham's wife to become Joseph's.
[Brigham Young 1840-44 journal; Franklin D. Richards journal, 25 June 1896, LDS Church History Library; "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)]
180 years ago today - Dec 2, 1843
The first endowments for women and more for men are conducted. During this month, there are several hostile incidents: Missourians kidnap a Mormon on a four-year-old horse-stealing charge and take him across the state line. A Mormon living on the prairie is stabbed and robbed. A Mormon's house is burned near Ramus.
[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]
[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]
190 years ago today - Dec 2, 1833
[Peter Ingersoll]
"I picked up a small stone and was careless tossing it from one hand to the other. ' No, said the old man, it is of great worth; and upon this I gave it to him. ' He then put the stone which I had given him, into his hat, and stooping forward, he bowed and made sundry maneuvers, quite similar to those of a stool pigeon. At length he took down his hat, and being very much exhausted, said, in a faint voice, "if you knew what I had seen, you would believe."
[Peter Ingersoll affidavit, 2 December 183, as quoted in A Topical Guide of Treasure-Seeking Rituals From the American Northeast during the 18th and 19th Centuries, Compiled by Joseph T. Antley (2010)]
"I picked up a small stone and was careless tossing it from one hand to the other. ' No, said the old man, it is of great worth; and upon this I gave it to him. ' He then put the stone which I had given him, into his hat, and stooping forward, he bowed and made sundry maneuvers, quite similar to those of a stool pigeon. At length he took down his hat, and being very much exhausted, said, in a faint voice, "if you knew what I had seen, you would believe."
[Peter Ingersoll affidavit, 2 December 183, as quoted in A Topical Guide of Treasure-Seeking Rituals From the American Northeast during the 18th and 19th Centuries, Compiled by Joseph T. Antley (2010)]
45 years ago today - Dec 1, 1978-Friday
[Leonard Arrington]
I meant to record earlier that Senator Orrin Hatch told me on one occasion in general conference that he had studied under Kent Fielding at BYU and that as a part of the "enlightening" process under Dr. Fielding, he had read quite a number of anti-Mormon books. The end result of doing this was to realize the superficiality of most of these and to increase his testimony of the gospel. [[Hatch graduated from BYU in history in 1959 when R. Kent Fielding had been on the faculty already for seven years but had completed his PhD from the University of Indiana only two years earlier. His emphasis was LDS history.]]
Also wanted to record what Earl Olson had told me earlier, that there are two seerstones in the Joseph Fielding Smith safe which is in the vault of the First Presidency. Earl is not certain about these seerstones; he thinks one of them belonged to Hiram Page, and one of them may very well have belonged to the Prophet Joseph [Smith]. He says one is kind of a clear geode, and the other is a chocolate color with specks. I have a vague memory that he said that they were about the size of a hen's egg.
Somebody told me the other day that they had been reading some correspondence and that they found evidence of a disagreement between David O. McKay and Joseph Fielding Smith on an important matter of Church doctrine. This is the question of whether a person in the hereafter can advance from one kingdom to another. According to this source, David O. McKay said yes, a person may advance from one kingdom to another in the next world; Joseph Fielding Smith said no, he or she will be restricted to whatever kingdom they are assigned to.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
I meant to record earlier that Senator Orrin Hatch told me on one occasion in general conference that he had studied under Kent Fielding at BYU and that as a part of the "enlightening" process under Dr. Fielding, he had read quite a number of anti-Mormon books. The end result of doing this was to realize the superficiality of most of these and to increase his testimony of the gospel. [[Hatch graduated from BYU in history in 1959 when R. Kent Fielding had been on the faculty already for seven years but had completed his PhD from the University of Indiana only two years earlier. His emphasis was LDS history.]]
Also wanted to record what Earl Olson had told me earlier, that there are two seerstones in the Joseph Fielding Smith safe which is in the vault of the First Presidency. Earl is not certain about these seerstones; he thinks one of them belonged to Hiram Page, and one of them may very well have belonged to the Prophet Joseph [Smith]. He says one is kind of a clear geode, and the other is a chocolate color with specks. I have a vague memory that he said that they were about the size of a hen's egg.
Somebody told me the other day that they had been reading some correspondence and that they found evidence of a disagreement between David O. McKay and Joseph Fielding Smith on an important matter of Church doctrine. This is the question of whether a person in the hereafter can advance from one kingdom to another. According to this source, David O. McKay said yes, a person may advance from one kingdom to another in the next world; Joseph Fielding Smith said no, he or she will be restricted to whatever kingdom they are assigned to.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
70 years ago today - Dec 1, 1953
[J. Reuben Clark]
Yesterday (November 30, 1953): I got in touch with Brother Ivor Sharp and asked him to get in touch with Rosel Hyde, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, in order that I might talk to him regarding the establishing of an international short-wave station. ...
He said he assumed that as to any station which we might set up, we would be willing to devote part of the time to something beside proselyting, give cultural programs, and what not. I told him I thought we would, or course, be willing to do that.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
Yesterday (November 30, 1953): I got in touch with Brother Ivor Sharp and asked him to get in touch with Rosel Hyde, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, in order that I might talk to him regarding the establishing of an international short-wave station. ...
He said he assumed that as to any station which we might set up, we would be willing to devote part of the time to something beside proselyting, give cultural programs, and what not. I told him I thought we would, or course, be willing to do that.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
125 years ago today - Thursday, Dec 1, 1898
[John Henry Smith]
It was decided to Issue a half Million of bonds at 6 percent for Eleven years, and fifty thousand dollars to be placed as a sinking fund each year after the first year.
[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]
It was decided to Issue a half Million of bonds at 6 percent for Eleven years, and fifty thousand dollars to be placed as a sinking fund each year after the first year.
[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]
125 years ago today - Dec 1, 1898
The first Circular of Instructions on tithing settlement issued by the new First Presidency-Lorenzo Snow, George Q. Cannon and Joseph F. Smith. It was issued five months before Lorenzo Snow received the revelation on tithing.
[1898-December 1-Circular of Instructions, Church Historian's Library, Salt Lake City, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
[1898-December 1-Circular of Instructions, Church Historian's Library, Salt Lake City, in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
150 years ago today - Dec 1, 1873 (Monday)
Notwithstanding Geo. R. Maxwell's protest, Geo. Q. Cannon was permitted to take his seat in Congress.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
180 years ago today - Dec 1, 1843
Joseph Smith's manuscript diary makes first mention of the Nauvoo Mansion's bar room. Joseph Smith III later reminisced that his father set up a fully-stocked bar with Orrin Porter Rockwell as bartender.
[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]
[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]
185 years ago today - Dec 1, 1838
Joseph begins his stay in Liberty jail, which lasts almost six months. The jail is 22 feet square, with walls four feet thick. The food is filthy, and at one time the guards boast that they have fed the prisoners human flesh. At another point the prisoners are fed poison. However, some exciting things also occur during their prison stay. Parley P. Pratt writes poetry and a history of his life; Lyman Wight is blessed several times by Joseph and learns many things "yet unknown to the Church." George A. Smith is called to the apostleship; Brigham Young and others receive instructions about moving the Saints to Illinois; Joseph reveals several of the most important sections of the D&C.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
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