Today In Mormon History

170 years ago today - Oct 8, 1854

In what Apostle Wilford describes as "the greatest sermon that ever was delivered to the Latter day Saints since they have been a people," Brigham Young announces: "I beleive [sic] in Sisters marrying brothers, and brothers haveing [sic] their sisters for Wives. Why? because we cannot do otherwise. There are none others for me to marry but my sisters. . . .Our spirits all brothers and sisters, and so are our bodies; and the opposite idea has resulted from the ignorant, and foolish traditions of the nations of the earth." Young's secretary George D. Walt has already married his own half-sister as a plural wife. Her letter to Young shows that he was initially "unfavorable" toward allowing them to marry, but this sermon reveals theological basis for Young's authorizing Watt's brother-sister marriage and the three children born of their union.

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

170 years ago today - Oct 8, 1854 (Afternoon, Conference)

[Brigham Young Sermon]

Attended conference, a very interesting conference, for at this meeting President Brigham Young said thus: That Adam and Eve were the names of the first man and woman of every earth that was ever organized and that Adam and Eve were the natural Father and Mother of every spirit that comes to this planet, or that receives tabernacles on this planet, consequently we are brothers and sisters, and that Adam was God, our Eternal Father. This as Brother Heber remarked, was letting the cat out of the bag, and it came to pass, I believed every word, for I remembered saying to the Brethren at a meeting of High Priests in Nauvoo, while I was speaking to them under the influence of the spirit, I remarked thus, that our Father Adam had many wives, and that Eve was only one of them, and that she was our mother, and that she was the mother of the inhabitants of this earth, and I believe that also, but behold yea there were some that did not believe these sayings of the Prophet Brigham, even our
beloved Brother Orson Pratt told me he did not believe it. He said he could prove by the scriptures it was not correct. I felt very sorry to hear Professor Orson Pratt say that. I feared lest he should apostatize, but I prayed for him that he might endure unto the end, for I knew verily it was possible that great men might fall. -- SLC Tabernacle

[The Teachings of President Brigham Young, Vol. 3, 1852-1854. Fred Collier, ed. Collier's Publishing, 1987. 373-374 as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]

180 years ago today - 1844 8 Oct.

Young uses two administrative techniques to circumvent the Nauvoo high council's "equal in authority" rights. First, 400 men are ordained today as seventies, which immediately transfers them from the jurisdiction of the high council into the Twelve's domain. Second, he appoints eighty-five of Nauvoo's high priests to be branch presidents outside Nauvoo, but does not require them to move. For the first time in Mormon history this puts a stake's high priests under the jurisdiction of the Twelve.

[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]

195 years ago today - Oct 8, 1829

Oliver Cowdery purchases a large Bible from Grandin's book store in Palmyra for $3.75. It will be used by Joseph Smith in his revision of the Bible.

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

200 years ago today - Oct 8, 1824

[Brigham Young]

October 8th, 1824, I married a young woman by the name of Miriam Works, daughter of Asa and Jerusha Works, in Aurelius, Cayuga County, New York, where I resided eighteen years, following the occupation of carpenter, joiner, painter, and glazier.

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

20 years ago today - Oct 7, 2004

Dieter F. Uchtdorf and David A. Bednar are ordained Apostles and join the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles after being sustained on October 2.

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

40 years ago today - Oct 7, 1984

Ronald E Poelman gives general conference talk stressing need of central headquarters to adapt its programs to cultural diversity of international church, rather than require diverse peoples to conform to Utah Mormon culture. He is required to return to empty Salt Lake Tabernacle to re-deliver censored version of his general conference talk for videotaping which includes pre-recorded track of audience coughs but deletes his endorsement of chltural diversity and decentralization. He is not allowed to speak in general conference again for more than four years.

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

40 years ago today - Oct 7, 1984

Ronald E. Poelman gives a general conference talk stressing the need of central headquarters to adapt its programs to the cultural diversity of the international church, rather than requiring diverse peoples to conform to the Utah Mormon culture. He is required to return to an empty Salt Lake Tabernacle to re-deliver a censored version of his general conference talk for videotaping which includes a pre-recorded track of audience coughs but deletes his endorsement of cultural diversity and decentralization. He is not allowed to speak in general conference again for more than four years.

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

115 years ago today - Oct 7, 1909; Thursday

Went to Circle Meeting at 6 P.M. Pres[iden]t. F[rancis]. M. Lyman spoke upon the subject of loyalty to him and the Circle remarking that four members of the circle had gotten into difficulties through their not following the counsel of the leaders of the Church. They were bro[ther]. [Joseph W.] M[usser]. J[ohn]. M. Tanner Louis A Kelsch and Eardley. He hoped that in the future that all the brethren of the circle would live as to retain his fullest confidence and would do nothing to bring themselves in to trouble and the Church in to disrepute.

[Thomas A. Clawson, Diary]

125 years ago today - Oct 7, 1899

An anti-Mormon filed a legal complaint against President Snow for unlawful cohabitation with Minnie J. Snow due to the birth of their child. Minnie was a plural wife of President Snow.

[Tungate, Mel, Mormon Polygamy, http://www.tungate.com/polygamy.htm]

130 years ago today - Oct 7, 1894

[Apostle Heber J. Grant]

At 10 A.M. attended conference. ... Prest. Wilford Woodruff who called on [Patriarch] John Smith as the next man to him in authority in the Church to keep the Word of Wisdom or step down and out of his office. He spoke 15 minutes and said among other things if a man could not keep the commandments of God and live that he had better keep them and die.

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

135 years ago today - Oct 7, 1889

[Heber J. Grant]

Among other things Prest. Woodruff said 'In the name of Israel's God there shall be no peace in the nation. There is no need to look for prosperity and peace because it will not come. God will reject all nations that will not obey His laws.'

[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]

135 years ago today - Oct 7, 1889

At priesthood leadership meeting, President Wilford Woodruff prophesies, "In the name of Israel's God there shall be no peace in the nation. There is no need to look for prosperity and peace because it will not come."

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

135 years ago today - Oct 7, 1889

[Apostle Brigham Young Jr.]

[[New apostles ordained, President Woodruff being mouth.]] Thank God our Quorum is complete once more and I believe with the right kind of timber. Our Conference closed in a blaze of light and there is more union among the Twelve than I have seen before since the death of Pres[iden]t Taylor."

[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

135 years ago today - Oct. 7th, 1889

[Apostle Abraham H. Cannon]

In conversation with Geo. Q., he "gave me very great joy to see how happy he was at my call to the Apostleship without any suggestion from him." "Pres. Woodruff spoke in regard to second annointing and said the Presidents of Stakes were to be judges of who were worthy to receive them, but it was an ordinance of the eternal world which belonged particularly to old men."

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

135 years ago today - Oct 7, 1889

[Apostle Abraham H. Cannon]

About 1 p.m. all were excused from the room except the pres[idents] of stakes, their counselors and the leading authorities, when political matters were discussed. Our danger of losing the election in this city was mentioned and it was proposed that those stakes who could spare young men to come to this city and acquire residence so as to be able to vote, do so, and that we here provide employment and pay for such. Our enemies intend to run in miners, railroad graders, and every available man to win the election, and it will require all our efforts to foil their plans. Bro. H[eber] J. Grant proposed to donate $1000.00 to employ men to help finish our temple. Uncle Angus [M. Cannon] agreed to do the same. ...

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

145 years ago today - Oct 7, 1879

The U.S. government grants the first patent to a Mormon, John M. Browning for the rifle. Two years after that invention is marketed as the Winchester Single Shot Rifle of 1885, Browning becomes a full-time missionary. Among later inventions of this "father of modern fire-arms," are the Winchester Repeating Rifle of 1886, the Winchester Lever Action Shotgun Model of 1887, the Winchester Pump-action Shotgun of 1890, the Winchester .22-caliber Single Shot Rifle of 1900, the Colt .45-caliber semiautomatic pistol (standard U.S. military side-arm since 1911), the .30-caliber machine gun used in World War I (for which Belgium knighted him). His Browning authomatic rifle (BAR) is later used in World War II.

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

155 years ago today - Oct 07, 1869

Pratt preaches that Joseph Smith taught Plural marriage in 1831 but said the time was not yet come to practice it

[Journal of Discourses, reported by David W. Evans (7 October 1869), Vol. 13 (London: Latter-day Saint's Book Depot, 1871), 192-93. as quoted in Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]

160 years ago today - Oct 7, 1864 (Afternoon, Conference)

[Brigham Young Sermon]

.... I have never particularly desired any man to testify publicly that I am a Prophet; nevertheless, if any man feels joy in doing this, he shall be blest in it. I have never said that I am not a Prophet; but, if I am not, one thing is certain, I have been very profitable to this people.

[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 10:339-340; Deseret News. Also Deseret Evening News, Deseret News Weekly, Deseret News Semi- Weekly, and Deseret News Extra, Salt Lake City as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]

175 years ago today - Oct 7, 1849

Brigham Young instructs his special counselor, Presiding Patriarch John Smith, to select men to go to California on "Gold Mission" for church. Among "Forty-Niners" who travel to California are about fifty gold-digging Mormon missionaries.

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

180 years ago today - Oct 7, 1844

Following the death of Joseph Smith, the Prophet's uncle, John Smith, is sustained as the Nauvoo Stake president, replacing William Marks, who refused to accept the leadership of the Twelve Apostles.

[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]

180 years ago today - Oct 7, 1844

African American Elder Joseph T. Ball becomes Boston Branch Pres.

[http://www.xtimeline.com/timeline/Chronology-Pertaining-to-Blacks-and-the-LDS-Church]

115 years ago today - Oct 6, 1909; Wednesday

[Apostle Anthony Ivins]

Concluding conference meetings. ... B. H. Roberts oc- cupied 55 minutes. His remarks seemed to me to be an unnecessary criticism of the policy of the Church. Such a talk might properly be made by the President of the Church but not by Bro Roberts. The fact that he apologized for what he had said, was sufficient evidence that he did not himself feel sure of his ground. ...

[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]

170 years ago today - Oct. 6th, 1854

Attended conference, a very interesting conference, for at this meeting President Brigham Young said thus, that Adam and Eve were the names of the first man and woman of every earth that was ever organized and that Adam and Eve were the natural father and mother of every spirit that comes to this planet, or that receives tabernacles on this planet, consequently we are brother and sisters, and that Adam was God, our Eternal Father. This as Brother Heber remarked, was letting the cat out of the bag, and it came to pass, I believed every word, for I remembered saying to the Brethren at a meeting of High Priests in Nauvoo, while I was speaking to them under the influence of the Spirit, I remarked thus, that our Father Adam had many wives, and that Eve was only one of them, and that she was our mother, and that she was the mother of the inhabitants of this earth, and I believe that also, but behold ye there were some that did not believe these sayings of the Prophet Brigham, even our
Beloved Brother Orson Pratt told me he did not believe it. He said he could prove by the scriptures it was not correct. I felt very sorry to hear Professor Orson Pratt say that. I feared least he should apostatize, but I prayed for him that he might endure unto the end, for I knew verily it was possible that great men might fall. I remembered Apostle John E. Page. I saw him take from his pocket a plug of tobacco and bite a mouthful and put it back. It surprised me. I said old chap you will apostatize, but still I really hoped he would not, but he is gone, and I am very sorry for the poor man.

[Journal of Joseph L. Robinson; Oct. 6th, 1854 as quoted in Paper, "Concepts Quotations Dealing With the Origin, Identity Position of Adam Eve"]

115 years ago today - Oct 6, 1909; Wednesday

180 years ago today - Oct 6, 1844

[Brigham Young Sermon]

.... The president of the priests has a right to the Urim and Thummim, which gives revelation. He has the right of receiving visits from angels. ...

If you don't know whose right it is to give revelations, I will tell you, It is I, There never has a man stood between Joseph and the Twelve, and unless we apostatize there never will. If Hyrum had lived he would not have stood between Joseph and the Twelve, but he would have stood for Joseph.----Did Joseph ordain any man to take his place? He did. Who was it? It was Hyrum, but, Hyrum fell a martyr before Joseph did. ...

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

170 years ago today - Oct 6, 1854

Orson Hyde preaches, "The world was peopled before the days of Adam, as much so as it was before the days of Noah."

170 years ago today - Oct 6, 1854

Orson Hyde preaches, "The world was peopled before the days of Adam, as much so as it was before the days of Noah."

115 years ago today - Oct 6, 1909; Wednesday

I attended fore and afternoon meeting of Conference and at 4 P.M. Met with the Twelve at Pres[ident]. [Francis M.] Lyman's office and heard what Pres[ident]. M[ilton]. H. Welling had to tell about his sister's relations with Bro[ther]. Israel Barlow Jr. a suspicious case indicating marriage with a married man. Adjourned until 10 A.M. tomorrow when Bro[ther] Barlow will meet with us. I got word to him through Br[other]. [Benjamin?] Goddard.

At the forenoon meeting Pres[ident]. B. H. Roberts was called upon and occupied 50 or 60 minutes for the most part devoted to a criticism of the present Church administration.

It should here be known that Pres[ident] B. H. Roberts was handled by the Council of the Twelve and Seventy some months ago for being out of harmony. He withstood us all and his case was presented to the First Presidency and there it has since rested and the argument made by him before the Conference is, I judge,

the argument he had prepared for his further hearing when it comes if at all.

At the last moments of Conference in the afternoon Pres[ident]. Jos[eph]. F. Smith denounced him and his talk in unmeasured terms without mentioning his name. Pres[ident]. Roberts went to the President when the benediction had been offered and just what was said I do not know i.e. what passed between them. I shook the President's hand and told him I thanked the Lord for those concluding remarks .I felt they were appropriate and needed.

[George F. Richards, Diary]

175 years ago today - Oct 6, 1849

The organization of the P. E. Fund Company was commenced.

[Richards, Franklin Dewey and Little, James A., Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel, Church Chronology, Ch.66, p.306, http://www.amazon.com/Compendium-Doctrines-Gospel-ebook/dp/B002LTY4Z0?ie=UTF8tag=mormonchronic-20link_code=btlcamp=213689creative=392969]

170 years ago today - Oct. 6th, 1854

115 years ago today - Oct 6, 1909; Wednesday

175 years ago today - Oct 6, 1849

115 years ago today - Oct 6, 1909; Wednesday

180 years ago today - Oct 6, 1844

175 years ago today - Oct 6, 1849

115 years ago today - Oct 6, 1909; Wednesday

180 years ago today - Oct 6, 1844

170 years ago today - Oct 6, 1854

Orson Hyde preaches, "The world was peopled before the days of Adam, as much so as it was before the days of Noah."

170 years ago today - Oct. 6th, 1854

115 years ago today - Oct 6, 1909; Wednesday

170 years ago today - Oct. 6th, 1854

175 years ago today - Oct 6, 1849

170 years ago today - Oct 6, 1854

Orson Hyde preaches, "The world was peopled before the days of Adam, as much so as it was before the days of Noah."

170 years ago today - Oct 6, 1854

Orson Hyde preaches, "The world was peopled before the days of Adam, as much so as it was before the days of Noah."

180 years ago today - Oct 6, 1844

175 years ago today - Oct 6, 1849

180 years ago today - Oct 6, 1844

45 years ago today - Oct 5, 1979

Apostle Gordon B. Hinckley, chair of Special Affairs Committee, instructs "all of Missouri and Illinois stake presidents and state[wide] ERA coordinators" about how to conduct LDS inti-ERA campaign, including: "Church building[s] may be used for ERA education."

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

45 years ago today - Oct 5, 1979

Hinckley, who chairs the church's Special Affairs Committee, authorizes stake presidents in Missouri and Illinois to hold anti-ERA planning meetings in church buildings. Women who are recruited to lobby or demonstrate are instructed not to identify themselves as LDS.

[Chronology, in Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, chronology by Joseph Geisner, and Lavina Fielding Anderson]

45 years ago today - Oct 5, 1979

50 years ago today - Oct 05, 1974

Naomi Maxfield Shumway is called as the sixth general president of the Primary, with Sara Broadbent Paulsen and Colleen Bushman Lemmon as counselors.

50 years ago today - Oct 05, 1974

Naomi Maxfield Shumway is called as the sixth general president of the Primary, with Sara Broadbent Paulsen and Colleen Bushman Lemmon as counselors.

110 years ago today - Oct 5, 1914; Monday

[Heber J. Grant]

Pres[iden]t Lyman spoke of Patriarchs performing marriages unlawfully--Pres[iden]t Smith said no man living had authority to d[o].

[Heber J. Grant, Diary]

110 years ago today - Oct 5, 1914; Monday

[Heber J. Grant]

Pres[iden]t Lyman spoke of Patriarchs performing marriages unlawfully--Pres[iden]t Smith said no man living had authority to d[o].

[Heber J. Grant, Diary]

115 years ago today - Oct 5, 1909

[Joseph F. Smith to John Hafen]

We have carefully read your [letter] complaining of unfair criticism of your illustrations of the hymn, 'Oh My Father,' and we fully appreciate all you say, on the subject of art in a general way. ... some of our brethren occupying the position of mission presidents were interesting themselves in publishing with a view to freely circulating this well known hymn in an illustrated form ... If the scheme had been carried out ... the scale of the work would naturally carry with it the idea, that this was being done on Church authority, and the agents would naturally emphasize this idea in their endeavors to make sales ... If you yourself desire to publish the work on your own responsibility; or if anybody else other than an officer of the Church desire to employ you to make the illustrations, or to accept those already made by you ... we offer no objection whatever. All that we object to is to have the Church connected with it either directly or indirectly.

[Joseph F. Smith, Letter to John Hafen, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]

115 years ago today - Oct 5, 1909

115 years ago today - Oct 5, 1909; Tuesday

[Apostle Anthony Ivins]

Special Priesthood Meeting. Prest. [John R.] Winder said persons who can reasonably reach the temple should not be married before reaching the temple. ... Prest. [Joseph F.] Smith: The people of the state should show to those who come up to the legislature that they meant what they said when they so earnestly prayed for laws which would restrict the liquor traffic. If he had votes enough he would see to it that every man who comes up to the legislature shall have the fear, or love of God in their hearts & who would pass laws by which the Sabbath Day may be kept holy. ...

[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]

115 years ago today - Oct 5, 1909; Tuesday

125 years ago today - Oct 5, 1899; Thursday

[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]

Another subject discussed was a grammatical change in the Articles of Faith, where it reads, "These ordinances are, first, faith, second, repentance, etc." Faith and repentance not being ordinances, hence the proposed correction. It was learned from President Cannon that this change had been made already in published cards containing said articles. ...

The question of bringing home the bodies of missionaries who die in their fields of labor, was next considered by the Council, and it was the sense of the meeting that this should invariably be done, wherever and whenever practicable, the expense to be borne in full or in part by the family of the deceased, if able to bear it. ...

[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]

125 years ago today - Thursday, Oct 5, 1899

[Apostle Rudger Clawson]

Continuation of the quarterly meeting of the Twelve at the temple. ... The tables were then spread with bread and wine, and the Lord's Supper was partaken of, Pres. Cannon being mouth in asking the blessing. We had a very enjoyable time together. ...

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

125 years ago today - Thursday, Oct 5, 1899

175 years ago today - Oct 5, 1849

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]

5th Dr Burnhisel spent the Afternoon with me & [we] walked through the city of Boston together. As He had lived with President Joseph Smith & his family for years was with him in prision the morning He was masacreed, our conversation turned upon the subject of his life & death. Among other remarks he informed me that Brother Joseph Addressed his remarks to him alone when He said "I am going as A Lamb to the Slaughter. Yet I shall die with a Concience void of offence towards god and man. I feel as Calm as A summers morning. (And the expression of his Countenance showed that he was so.) "He said it will yet be said of me that He was murdered in Cold blood." Other remarks were made concerning the Saints building up the kingdom of God & there reward for so doing.

[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 - Oct 5, 1849

50 years ago today - Oct 03, 1974

Barbara B. Smith is called as the tenth general president of the Relief Society, with Janath Russell Cannon and Marian Richards Boyer as counselors.

50 years ago today - Oct 3, 1974

Seventies quorums and stake mission leadership combined.

[Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://lds.net/forums/topic/10668-church-chronology-from-1800-2000-part-1/]

90 years ago today - Oct 3, 1934

[President Heber J. Grant]

Brother Charles A. Callis called on me this afternoon and handed me a letter. I had asked for the Council of the Twelve to send me a name of someone whom they would like to fill the vacancy in the quorum on account of the fact that I expected to use a member of the Twelve for my counselor, and each one sent me a name. David O. McKay sent me three so that I have thirteen names to pick from. Each one nominated a different man, all of them fine men. Several of the brethren wrote short notes referring to the splendid qualifications of their candidate, and Brother Callis wrote me a letter speaking very strongly in favor of his candidate. I concluded to make the letter part of my journal inasmuch as the young man who is his candidate happens to be my son-in-law. All of the letters I shall destroy.

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

95 years ago today - Oct 3, 1929

[President Heber J. Grant]

The Seven Presidents of Seventies met with us and each member of the council of the Twelve and of the First Presidency also five members of the First Council of Seventy (Brother Kimball being out of town) expressed themselves regarding Brother Roberts' sermon, and the consensus of opinion was that it would give the impression that Brother Roberts was criticising (sic) the administration of the Church since the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith. President Roberts insisted that he had no such intention, and said that any kind statement I wished him to make or would prepare for him to sign he would be glad to sign. I told him that all I wanted was his acknowledgment that he had no intention of making reelections, that that covered the whole ground as far as I was concerned.

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

100 years ago today - Oct 3, 1924

First general conference broadcast by radio. An estimated one million people hear the voice of President Heber J. Grant over KPFT (now KSL) radio. "To have the voice carried for thousands of miles," said President Grant in the opening session, "seems almost beyond comprehension."

110 years ago today - Oct 3, 1914

Presidents Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and Wilford Woodruff had all issued instructions to the Church or to the sisters of the Relief Society and the Church concerning their proper role in their ministrations to the sick. The practices mentioned in this letter of 1914 had begun in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints prior to April, 1842, and had continued in the Church down to the time of this circular letter of the First Presidency, and were to continue for a brief period thereafter.

Presidents Smith, Young and Woodruff had made it clear that the practices herein enumerated were in no sense to be considered either as a priesthood function nor as a substitute for the administration to the sick by the elders of the Church as enjoined in James 5:14-15 and Doctrine and Covenants 42:44.

This practice of sisters in the Church administering to the sick through faith, but not through any priesthood authority, was more or less standard Church procedure for many years. Since it is no longer a practice in the Church, perhaps some additional historical notes on the practice will not be out of place here.

On April 28, 1842, Joseph Smith records in his history (DHC 6:602-607) that he met with the members of the newly organized "Female Relief Society and gave a lecture on the Priesthood, showing how the sisters would come in possession of the privileges, blessings, and gifts of the Priesthood, and that the signs should follow them, such as healing the sick ... and that they might attain unto these blessings by a virtuous life, and diligence in keeping all the commandments."

According to the synopsis of his remarks on that occasion, as reported by Eliza R. Snow, the Prophet Joseph Smith quoted I Corinthians 12th and 13th chapters and Mark 16:15-18. His commentary on these scriptures to the ladies of the "Female Relief Society" were, in part, as follows:

"No matter who believeth, these signs, such as healing the sick, casting out devils, etc., should follow them that believe, whether male or female. He asked the Society if they could not see by this sweeping promise, that .... if the sisters should have faith to heal the sick, let all hold their tongues, and let everything roll on. ...

"Respecting females administering for the healing of the sick, he further remarked, there could be no evil in it, if God gave His sanction by healing; that there could be no more sin in any female laying hands on and praying for the sick than in wetting the face with water; it is no sin for anybody to administer that has faith, or if the sick have faith to be healed by their administrations." (DHC 4:602-604) Joseph Smith continued instructions by saying that "it was according to revelation that the sick should be nursed with herbs and mild food, and not by the hand of an enemy." (Doc. & Cov. 42:43)

This address of Joseph Smith to the Relief Society, including the instructions on administering to the sick was printed in the Woman's Exponent 13:44-55, 62 (August 15 and September 1, 1884); in the Utah Journal for April 14, 1888; the Deseret News for July 28, 1888; and was referred to in an editorial by Emmeline B. Wells in the Woman's Exponent for September 1, 1888.

It was also quoted, with comments, by Franklin D. Richards in a sermon in the Ogden Tabernacle, July 19, 1882.

President Brigham Young in addressing the women of the Church in the Salt Lake Tabernacle in 1869 said:

"Learn to take proper care of your children. If any of them are sick the cry now, instead of 'go fetch the Elders to lay hands on my child!' is, 'Run for a doctorÃÂ. '

"It is the privilege of a mother to have faith and to administer to her child; this she can do herself, as well as sending for the Elders to have the benefit of their faith."

On April 27, 1888, according to the minutes of the Relief Society, the First Presidency wrote a letter to Emmeline B. Wells, General Secretary and editor of the Woman's Exponent answering certain questions dealing with women's ministrations to the sick. Seemingly the general Presidency of the Relief Society at various times subsequently circularized these answers on the letterhead of the society and distributed them to Relief Society members. One such circular letter on Relief Society letterhead with the date line blank and carrying the postscript "Approved by the First Presidency" is reproduced below for comparison with the circular letter to the Stake Presidents and Bishops issued by the First Presidency October 3, 1914.

It is known from minutes of the Relief Society that in 1901 a copy of President Woodruff's letter of April 27, 1888, was submitted to President Lorenzo Snow and re-affirmed by him as President of the Church.

Again in 1910 a copy of President Woodruff's 1888 letter was submitted by the Relief Society General Board to President Joseph F. Smith and his counselors in the First Presidency with the request that it be circularized among Stake Presidents of the Church.

Earlier, in 1907, President Joseph F. Smith was asked the question: "Does a wife hold the priesthood with her husband and may she lay hands on the sick with him, with authority?"

President Smith's reply to this question, published in the Improvement Era (10:308, February, 1907) was as follows:

"A wife does not hold the priesthood with her husband, but she enjoys the benefits thereof with him; and if she is requested to lay hands on the sick with him, or with any other officer holding the Melchizedek Priesthood, she may do so with perfect propriety. It is no uncommon thing for a man and wife unitedly to administer to their children."

In a letter of Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, dated July 29, 1946, and addressed to the General Relief Society Presidency, Elder Smith wrote:

"While the authorities of the Church have ruled that it is permissible, under certain conditions and with the approval of the priesthood, for sisters to wash and anoint other sisters, yet they feel that it is far better for us to follow the plan the Lord has given us and send for the Elders of the Church to come and administer to the sick and afflicted." For additional background on this subject see also Improvement Era 58:558-559, 607 (August, 1955) and Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions 1:144-150 (1957).

Reproduced below are both the letter distributed by the Relief Society (seemingly over the period from 1888-1910) carrying the postscript "Approved by the First Presidency" and the circular letter sent out over the signature of President Joseph F. Smith and his counselors under a date of October 3, 1914, to the presidents of stakes and bishops of wards.

Office of The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Salt Lake City, Utah, October 3rd, 1914

To the Presidents of Stakes and Bishops of Wards:

Questions are frequently asked in regard to washing and anointing our sisters preparatory to their confinement. In a circular issued by the leading sisters of the Relief Society a number of questions on this matter have been answered and correct instructions given, but notwithstanding this having been done, we judge from the contents of letters received by us that there exists some uncertainty as to the proper persons to engage in this administration; we have therefore considered it necessary to answer some of these questions, and give such explanations as will place this matter in the right light. We quote some of these questions and give our answers:

1. Is it necessary for one or more sisters to be set apart to wash and anoint the sick?

2. Should it be done under the direction of the Relief Society?

Answer: Any good sister, full of faith in God and in the efficacy of prayer, may officiate. It is therefore not necessary for anyone to be set apart for this purpose, or that it should be done exclusively under the direction of the Relief Society.

3. Must the sister officiating be a member of the Relief Society?

Answer: It is conceded that most of our sisters, qualified to perform this service and gifted with the spirit of healing and the power to inspire faith in the sick, belong to the Relief Society, but if the sick should desire to have some good sister who is not a member of the Relief Society administer to her, that sister has the right to so administer.

4. Have the sisters the right to administer to sick children?

Answer: Yes; they have the same right to administer to sick children as to adults, and may anoint and lay hands upon them in faith.

5. Should the administering and anointing be sealed?

Answer: It is proper for sisters to lay on hands, using a few simple words, avoiding the terms employed in the temple, and instead of using the word "seal" use the word "confirm.

6. Have the sisters a right to seal the washing and anointing, using no authority, but doing it in the name of Jesus Christ, or should men holding the priesthood be called in?

Answer: The sisters have the privilege of laying their hands on the head of the person for whom they are officiating, and confirming and anointing in the spirit of invocation. The Lord has heard and answered the prayers of sisters in these administrations many times. It should, however, always be remembered that the command of the Lord is to call in the elders to administer to the sick, and when they can be called in, they should be asked to anoint the sick or seal the anointing.

7. Are sisters who have not received their endowments competent to wash and anoint sisters previous to confinement?

Answer: It must always be borne in mind that this administering to the sick by the sisters is in no sense a temple ordinance, and no one is allowed to use the words learned in the temple in washing and anointing the sick. Sisters who have had their endowments have received instructions and blessings which tend to give them stronger faith and especially qualify them to officiate in this sacred work; but there are good faithful sisters, who through circumstances have not received their endowments, and yet are full of faith and have had much success in ministering to the sick, who should not be forbidden to act, if desired to do so by our sisters.

In conclusion we have to say that in all sacred functions performed by our sisters there should be perfect harmony between them and the Bishop, who has the direction of all matters pertaining to the Church in his ward. Your brethren, JOSEPH F. SMITH, ANTHON H. LUND, CHARLES W. PENROSE, First Presidency.

The Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Salt Lake City, Utah —ANSWER TO QUESTIONS— The first question: "Is it necessary for one or more sisters to be set apart for that purpose? (Washing and anointing the sick, etc.) Or should it be done under the direction of the Presidency of the Relief Society, or could any good sister officiate?"

This seems to include three questions.

Firstly, our late President Sister Eliza R. Snow Smith said many times, "Any good sister who had received her endowments and was in good standing in the Church, might officiate in washing and anointing previous to confinement, if called upon, or requested to do so by the sister or sisters desiring the blessing" but should not offer her services.

Secondly, not necessarily under the direction of the Presidency of the Relief Society, although it is most likely whoever was called upon to render such services would be a member of the Relief Society in her own Ward. Some sisters are gifted in ministering and comforting with faith, and adaptability, who might not be chosen to preside or fill any official position in the Relief Society, then the sister herself who desires the blessing might have some choice as to whom she would prefer, and there are many little things [that] might be taken into consideration, all cases are not alike, all circumstances are not the same, wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit are things necessary in all such matters.

Thirdly, in reference to children in sickness, one could not always wait to consult the Presidency of the Relief Society; mothers, grandmothers, and often other relatives attend to a sick child, both in administering and in the washing with pure water and anointing with consecrated oil; but generally in neighborhoods, there are sisters who are specially adapted to minister to children, and who have in large degree the gift of healing under the influence of the Holy Spirit, who are possessed of greater humility and have cultivated the gift or whom the Lord has greatly blessed.

Second question: "Should the washing be sealed?" It is usual to do this in a few simple words, avoiding the terms used in the Temple, and instead of using the word "Seal" we would use the word "Confirm" in the spirit of invocation.

Third question: "Have the sisters a right to seal the washing and anointing, using no authority, but doing it in the name of Jesus Christ, or should men holding the Priesthood be called in?" The sisters have the privilege of laying their hands on the head of the one officiated for and confirming the anointing in the spirit of invocation, and in the name of Jesus Christ, not mentioning authority. Therefore it is not necessary to call in the Brethren. The Lord has heard and answered the prayers of the sisters in these ministrations many times.

In suggestions made in reference to washing and anointing the sisters are always advised to kneel and offer prayer previous to officiating in any sacred duty. Your sisters in the Gospel, ------------------------ General President ------------------------ General Secretary (On behalf of the Relief Society) Approved by the First Presidency of the Church.

[1914-October 3-Original circular letter. Church Historian's as quoted in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]

115 years ago today - Oct 3, 1909

At general conference, Apostle George Albert Smith stops speaking after three minutes as he begins to "tremble and perspire." Apostle Reed Smoot referred two weeks earlier to Smith's "mental trouble." Since Jan. Smith's diary has described the symptoms of his eventual collapse. At age thirty-nine he is the first general authority whose debilitating mental problems cannot be attributed to senility. Hospitalized for ten weeks at Gray's Sanitarium in Salt Lake City, Smith does not recover from this emotional breakdown until 1913. The problem re-emerges in the 1930s and in 1949-51.

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

135 years ago today - Oct 3, 1889

First Presidency & apostles meet 2:30 in prayer room at Gardo until 5:20. Bro[ther] W[illia]m McNeil, the janitor of the Logan [Utah] Temple, who was released from the penitentiary yesterday, having served for months for living with his wives, called & reported his circumstances. He has a sick wife & is in trouble about how he shall get along in his family affairs. It was decided that he may board & lodge at the temple, & receive his payfor his office while he has been absent. Also that Bro[ther] Samuel Roskelly shall be permitted to board & lodge at the temple.

[First Presidency Office Journal, 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]

175 years ago today - Oct 3, 1849

FRONTIER GUARDIAN observes that "Mr. Jonathan Browning is manufacturing some of the most splendid revolving rifles that we ever saw." He invents one of "the earliest known American repeating rifles" when he moves to Nauvoo in 1842. Establishes gunsmith shop in Ogden, Utah where he continues making his unpatented "six-shot repeater." His son John M. Browning is "the father of modern firearms."

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

175 years ago today - Oct 3, 1849

Frontier Guardian observes that "Mr. Jonathan Browning is manufacturing some of the most splendid revolving rifles that we ever saw." He ìnvents one of "the earliest known American repeating rifles" when he moves to Nauvoo in 1842. Establishes gunsmith Shop in Ogden, Utah where he continues making his unpatented "six-shot repeater." His son John M. Browning is "the father of modern firearms."

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

180 years ago today - Oct 03, 1844

Brigham Young marries Eliza Snow, age 40. Widow of Joseph Smith

Brigham Young marries Elizabeth Fairchild, age 16. He is 43 at this time.

[Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]

20 years ago today - Oct 2, 2004

[Quorum of the Twelve]

Dieter F. Uchtdorf and David A. Bednar added to Quorum.

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

25 years ago today - Oct 2, 1999-3

The last general conference in the Tabernacle on Temple Square — the site of general conferences since 1867 — was held. Future general conferences would be held in the new Conference Center.

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

35 years ago today - Fall 1989.

Paul Toscano's bishop tells him that he has received a telephone call from "someone at headquarters" informing him that he read his Sunstone paper, "A Plea to the Leadership of the Church: Choose Love Not Power," that the paper is "harsh and judgmental" but that Paul is not to be disciplined. Uncertain about the identity of the caller, the bishop gives Toscano the return phone number and the instructions, "You call back. I don't want to get into the middle of this." The caller is Elder John Carmark, area president, who eventually agrees to a lunch meeting with Paul. Paul describes the meeting as "amiable," even though "we didn't see eye to eye on a number of issues."

[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]

45 years ago today - Fall 1979.

Neal and Rebecca Chandler of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, respond to a request from the National Organization of Women to host a discussion group of Mormons with Sonia Johnson, known nationally as a Mormon equal rights activist. A few weeks later at stake conference, Elder James E. Faust outlines the church's stand against the Equal Rights Amendment. After the meeting he and two members of the stake presidency overhear Neal expressing distress about the church's "dissembling about organized lobbying campaigns in Virginia and Florida and Missouri." For the next several years, Chandler later discovered, each time his bishop, Peter Gail, proposed him for executive positions, he "was told that this was not a possibility and was admonished to stop raising it as though it were."

[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]

80 years ago today - Oct 2, 1944

Head of church's anti-polygamy surveillance testifies in court.

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

125 years ago today - Oct 2, 1899; Monday

[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]

Elder John W. Taylor, of the Council of the Apostles, called this morning, having just come from Canada. He had learned through correspondence with Canadian officials, that our people now settling permanently in that country, were entitled to three dollars a head for every adult male, two dollars for every adult female, and on dollar for every child, and it rested now with the First Presidency to decide whether this money should be accepted from the Canadian government. Brother Taylor had learned that they were offering five dollars a head for permanent settlers, and he recommended that the foregoing figures be not accepted until further investigation had been made.

[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]

130 years ago today - Oct 2, 1894

[Heber J. Grant]

Abraham H. Cannon ... referred to the promise that President Lorenzo Snow had made some time ago, to the effect that he believed the Lord would help us out of our present financial difficulties just this once more, but that he did not think that we would have any claim on him in the future if we got into financial troubles again. He, Bro Cannon, had felt to claim this promise made by Prest. Snow and he had faith that we would receive it. He expressed the belief that our present financial troubles would be followed by a time of great wealth. He had found with much regret a spirit among the people to find fault with and criticise the First Presidency and the Apostles. He had tried to overcome this feeling and spirit wherever he had met it. He felt that the leader of the people had the right to direct in all things whether spiritual or temporal.

[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]

135 years ago today - Oct 2, 1889

[First Presidency Office Journal]

By request of President Woodruff an article published in the Salt Lake Tribune on the Hans Jespersen case was read, after which President Woodruff said:

I have felt in this matter that as the Nation has proclaimed against us and prohibited us from keeping the commandments of God, to hold the Nation responsible for it. If these things are continued by us it will not be long before the leading brethren will all be in the penitentiary or in exile, and it will become very hard upon us as a people.

Elder L[orenzo]. Snow: If this is the feeling of the brethren will it not be proper to make it publicly known?

President Joseph F. Smith referred to the action taken by this Council last winter when this subject was fully discussed and considered and the brethren felt that they could not accept the proposition as presented at that time.

President George Q. Cannon, L[orenzo]. Snow and others of the brethren expressed their views in brief.

President Cannon was not in favor of plural marriages being performed in this Territory, but they might be attended to in Mexico or Canada, and thus save our brethren from jeopardy in attending to these matters. This, however, will not stop the prosecutions against us.

Elder John W. Taylor: This is something that I never expected to hear discussed in this light. I have understood it was policy for the brethren to take wives outside of the United States. You could not publish that you will not give your consent that plural marriages shall be consummated and at the same time have the marriages consummated in Canada or Mexico. I think it will be best policy to let the matter rest without saying anything about it, because if plural marriages are solemnized it will soon be known and we will be considered insincere. If we publish anything on this matter it will be impossible for us or the Elders to fully explain to the Saints, and much confusion will ensue. Related a circumstance which he had read in a small book belonging to his father and which was written by 513 him.

Elder F[rancis]. M. Lyman: The question as Iunderstand it, is the proprietyof performing any plural marriages, and not that of those who have wives abandoning them. To publish or speak of stopping those marriages I think will have a very bad effect and will not gain for us any better feelings from the outside. I think the course pursued by President Woodruff is a correct one, and it probably may be carried out more effectually. Of course we cannot repudiate this principle under any circumstances. What is done now in these affairs is done individually, each one takes that course which seems to him to be the best to pursue. I believe that President Woodruff will have the mind of the Lord in each case as it shall come before him. Of course he feels the responsibility resting upon him more than we can feel it, but I believe the Lord is with him. I feel that the Lord will define a policy in regard to these matters and President Woodruff will know it, and when he makes it known
to us we will all be ready to carry out the mind of the Lord as made known through His servant. I don't think we can publish anything on these matters. We now have the confidence of the people and we must maintain that confidence and the love of the Saints. I am not in favor of trading our principles for Statehood or anything else. ...

Yesterday sister Alice Hook mother of Geo[rge]. Teasdals's wife asks that her children and herself may be sealed to her husband who embraced the faith asked Baptism but was refused being an invalid some 4 years as deemed impudent The Presidency say Yes'-

1st Presidency'-L[orenzo] S[now], F[ranklin] D R[ichards], B[righam]. Y[oung]. [Jr.], F[rancis] M L[yman], J[ohn] H[enry] S[mith], H[eber] J. G[rant], & J[ohn]. W. T[aylor].'-met in upper room Gardo & spent a.m. deliberating over Jesperson's cases of Polygamy Adultery & Fornication cases as pub[lishe]d in this a.m. Tribune. & adopted suitable measures. ...

2 P.M. The above named met and considered names to fill vacancies in the Council of Apostles. Presidency recommended M[arriner]. W[ood]. Merrill Antone [H.] Lund & A[braham]. H. Cannon but as M[oses]. T[hatcher]. is absent the vote was not taken, though all present approved the nomination. Met with the Council clothed and prayed Handed to pres[iden]t. [Wilford] Woodruff names of brethren whom I though elijable to fill vacancy in Quorum Twelve viz. Antoine [H.] Lund Sanpete [Utah] A[braham]. H. Cannon, [Salt Lake] CityHeleman Pratt Mexico [City], R[ichard]. W. Young [Salt Lake] City.

[First Presidency Office Journal, 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]

15 years ago today - Fall 2009

"At Bonneville Communications, our ability to touch the hearts and minds of audiences makes us an essential resource for organizations with vital messages. For more than 30 years, our creative professionals have designed public service and direct response messages for national nonprofit organizations such as the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Boy Scouts of America, National Hospice Foundation, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and The Salvation Army. Our unique strength is the ability to touch the hearts and minds of our audiences, evoking first feeling, then thought and, finally, action. We call this uniquely powerful brand of creative "HeartSell"® - strategic emotional advertising that stimulates response. ... We are an advertising agency engaged in communications for quality life. Our people are driven by the belief that advertising can - and should - be a powerful, positive influence on the values and lives of people."

[Statement from Bonneville Communications']

30 years ago today - Oct 01, 1994

Patricia Peterson Pinegar is called as the ninth general president of the Primary, with Anne G. Wirthlin and Susan L. Warner as counselors.

35 years ago today - Oct 1, 1989

Eight men are honorably released from the recently established Second Quorum of the Seventy, cease to be general authorities, but do not have the "emeritus" status of those released from the First Quorum of the Seventy. This administrative difference continues to today.

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

50 years ago today - Oct 1, 1974-Tuesday

[Leonard Arrington]

.... In the discussion afterwards Wendell Ashton mentioned two or three things that were very interesting. The single most ticklish problem for the Church in terms of public communications, he said, is the problem of the Negro and the priesthood. He said it is his impression that we are getting tighter on the issue rather than more lenient. President [Harold B.] Lee in his statement on the issue had included the sentence, "We have always believed that at some time the Negro will be given the priesthood." He said President [Spencer W.] Kimball's suggestion and those of his associates is that this be modified to read, "Some day the Negro may be given the priesthood." He [Wendell Ashton] said President Lee, in giving him his call, which President Lee emphasized was a Church service call, said the advantage of having him was that he could make statements which could later be repudiated if necessary by the First Presidency. On the Negro issue they have insisted that he, Wendell Ashton,
make the statement. President Kimball has followed that same policy.

[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]

85 years ago today - Oct 1, 1939

[President Heber J. Grant]

She is living with her daughter, Bessie Badger Higgs. Bessie's husband married her contrary to the Manifesto, notwithstanding I had warned him time and time again when he was the Secretary of the European Mission, that it is all wrong to take another wife since the Manifesto, especially since John W. Taylor and Matthias Cowley had been deposed as apostles. I gave her husband my word that if the day ever came that a man could legitimately get another wife with the approval of the Church, I would tell him so. His brother-in-law, Ralph Badger, gave him a 'thrashing.'

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

110 years ago today - Oct 1, 1914; Thursday

[James E. Talmage]

Attended Council meeting of the First Presidency and Twelve in the Temple. This was Fast Day among us, and the meeting included the partaking of the Sacrament. The day is one we shall not soon forget.

[James E. Talmage, Diary]

110 years ago today - Oct 1, 1914; Thursday

[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]

.... Bro[ther]. Talmage had no appointment. Was engaged the greater part of Sunday writing on his work, "Jesus the Christ." ...

[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]

170 years ago today - Oct 1, 1854 (Evening)

[Brigham Young Sermon]

Orson Pratt had a discussion with President Young, who explains about Adam begetting Christ after he had received his exaltation & that all have got to become Adams upon some Earth or other.

... Christ is our Elder Brother, and God is the father of our spirits, as well as of the spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ; He is the God of the Savior, and He is our God, He is his Father and He is our Father, and we are brethren and are all one in Christ, if we are His servants; and we shall be exalted to the same power, glory, and exaltation with our Elder Brother. ...

[Historians Office Journal, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah; [Leonard J. Arrington Papers, Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan.. (A reference reading LJA 12-55-5, 10, means LJA Series 12, Box 55, Folder 5, page 10.) 12-55-7, 10; Brigham Young Collection, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]

180 years ago today - Oct 1, 1844

AN EPISTLE OF THE TWELVE 'To the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints-Greeting: Dear Brethren:...The Temple, as a great and glorious public work, immediately connected with the completion of our preparation, and ordinances, touching our salvation and exaltation, and that of our dead, necessarily claims our first, and most strict attention. And we rejoice to say for the encouragement of all, that its walls are now ready to receive the capitals, and the arches of the upper story windows; and in fact, seven of the capitals are already reared. The timbers are also being framed, and reared on the inside. In short it is progressing with a rapidity which is truly astonishing.

The gathering, next claims our attention as a work of salvation, to be accomplished in wisdom and prudence. Your Prophets and Apostles, have often told you, that the saints cannot gather together in large numbers, and be able to enjoy the comforts and necessaries of life...

If the saints will commence and follow out this plan, and lay out their cash for the raw material, and employ their friends and themselves at home, instead of sending away all our cash for manufactured goods, we can soon produce millions of wealth, and the poor will have no cause of complaint...

Let the saints now send in their young men who are strong to labor, together with money, provisions, clothing, tools, teams, and every necessary means, such as they know they will want when they arrive, for the purpose of forwarding this work.

Brethren, bring all your tithings into the storehouse and prove the Lord, and see if he will not pour out a blessing, that there will not be room enough to receive.

Yes, brethren, we verily know and bear testimony, that a cloud of blessing and of endowment, and of the keys of the fulness of the priesthood, and of things pertaining to eternal life, is hanging over us, and ready to burst upon us; ...

we wish to suppress all grogshops, gambling houses, and all other disorderly houses or proceedings in our city, and to tolerate no intemperance or vice in our midst. And so far at least as the members of the church are concerned, we would advise that balls, dances, and other vain and useless amusements be neither countenanced nor patronized;...

But it is not now a time for dancing or frolics but a time of mourning, and of humiliation and prayer.

... [Signed] BRIGHAM YOUNG. President.'

[1844-October 1-DHC 7:280-283; Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]

190 years ago today - Oct. 1-15, 1834

Joseph works on the Lord's house. He decides to stop printing the Evening and Morning Star, as it was intended as a Missouri paper, and in its place, the Latter-day Saint Messenger and Advocate will be published. In the first issue, Oliver Cowdery makes a list of seven Latter-day Saint articles of faith. This magazine will be published until September 1837.

[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]