About this time Smith reportedly informed Pratt about the principle of polygamy. [Benjamin] Winchester later recalled that Smith was engaged in an illicit affair with a female member, while staying in Philadelphia.
[Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
190 years ago today - Jan 13, 1835
[Wilford Woodruff]
Leaves Missouri for his first full-time mission, preaching the gospel in Arkansas and Tennessee.
[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff, Salt Lake City, Utah]
Leaves Missouri for his first full-time mission, preaching the gospel in Arkansas and Tennessee.
[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff, Salt Lake City, Utah]
195 years ago today - Jan 13, 1830
In Abner Cole's weekly Palmyra Reflector, he continues to print Chapter 1 of the First Book of Nephi from the Book of Mormon.
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
195 years ago today - 1830 Jan 13
Palmyra Reflector defiantly continues printing 1 Nephi before the Book of Mormon is published.
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
75 years ago today - Jan 12, 1950
[George Albert Smith] left SLC to stay at Laguna Beach "to rest my nerves" and returned on Feb 27, 1950 - worked on Church matters while there
[Journals of George Albert Smith]
[Journals of George Albert Smith]
130 years ago today - Saturday, Jan 12, 1895
[John Henry Smith]
H. J. Grant is inclined to believe that he and his brother B. F. Grant has made a rich find of gold in San Louis Valley, Colo.
[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]
H. J. Grant is inclined to believe that he and his brother B. F. Grant has made a rich find of gold in San Louis Valley, Colo.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
130 years ago today - Jan 12, 1895
Benjamin Johnson states that Joseph "put off" polgyamy and waited until an "angel with a drawn sword" came to him.
[Benjamin F. Johnson, My Life's Review, Mesa, Arizona: 21^st Century Printing, 1992, reprint, 95-96; see also Zina Huntington quoted in "Joseph, the Prophet, His Life and Mission as Viewed by Intimate Acquaintances," Salt Lake Herald Church and Farm Supplement, January 12, 1895, 212 as quoted at Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
[Benjamin F. Johnson, My Life's Review, Mesa, Arizona: 21^st Century Printing, 1992, reprint, 95-96; see also Zina Huntington quoted in "Joseph, the Prophet, His Life and Mission as Viewed by Intimate Acquaintances," Salt Lake Herald Church and Farm Supplement, January 12, 1895, 212 as quoted at Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
130 years ago today - Jan 12, 1895
Benjamin Johnson states that Joseph "put off" polgyamy and waited until an "angel with a drawn sword" came to him.
[Benjamin F. Johnson, My Life's Review, Mesa, Arizona: 21^st Century Printing, 1992, reprint, 95-96; see also Zina Huntington quoted in "Joseph, the Prophet, His Life and Mission as Viewed by Intimate Acquaintances," Salt Lake Herald Church and Farm Supplement, January 12, 1895, 212 as quoted at Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
[Benjamin F. Johnson, My Life's Review, Mesa, Arizona: 21^st Century Printing, 1992, reprint, 95-96; see also Zina Huntington quoted in "Joseph, the Prophet, His Life and Mission as Viewed by Intimate Acquaintances," Salt Lake Herald Church and Farm Supplement, January 12, 1895, 212 as quoted at Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
140 years ago today - Jan 12, 1885
[Martha Pane Thomas]
"... the Millerites were preparing a place for the Savior to come and meet with them, on a certain day [March 10, 1844], in that month in Illinois. They were making great preparations by cleaning a certain piece of ground and spreading carpets, etc. Brother Joseph was speaking on the "Resurrection" and the "Second Coming of the Son of God." "You can go and tell Brother Miller he won't come on that day nor the next, nor the next year. In the name of Jesus Christ I prophesy he won't come in forty years." In a [that] moment I desired to live forty years more, and he has not come; I am just as anxious to live to see the next saying of the Prophet fulfilled concerning his coming, as I was the first. He was enquiring of the Lord concerning his second coming; the answer was, "If you live to be (I think it was eighty) years old you will see the face of the Son of God." I am in my seventy-eighth year. I want to live to see that saying fulfilled. But it matters not. If I am faithful I will
see him when he does come. Another saying of the Prophet, which I heard for myself, for I write nothing only what I can testify to."
[Autobiography of Martha Pane Jones Thomas, Lehi, Utah County, January 12, 188, as quoted in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]
"... the Millerites were preparing a place for the Savior to come and meet with them, on a certain day [March 10, 1844], in that month in Illinois. They were making great preparations by cleaning a certain piece of ground and spreading carpets, etc. Brother Joseph was speaking on the "Resurrection" and the "Second Coming of the Son of God." "You can go and tell Brother Miller he won't come on that day nor the next, nor the next year. In the name of Jesus Christ I prophesy he won't come in forty years." In a [that] moment I desired to live forty years more, and he has not come; I am just as anxious to live to see the next saying of the Prophet fulfilled concerning his coming, as I was the first. He was enquiring of the Lord concerning his second coming; the answer was, "If you live to be (I think it was eighty) years old you will see the face of the Son of God." I am in my seventy-eighth year. I want to live to see that saying fulfilled. But it matters not. If I am faithful I will
see him when he does come. Another saying of the Prophet, which I heard for myself, for I write nothing only what I can testify to."
[Autobiography of Martha Pane Jones Thomas, Lehi, Utah County, January 12, 188, as quoted in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]
160 years ago today - January 12, 1865
[Heber C. Kimball Revelations]
[probably originally in memorandum book] In the evening of January 12, 1865 I was told by the Lord that I should not be removed from their places. That Daniel H. Wells, Albert Carrington, Jos. A. Young and others were among that number. In the name of the Lord I predict that this will come true.
["H. C. Kimball Memorandum" book, On the Potters Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Stanley B. Kimball, editor, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[probably originally in memorandum book] In the evening of January 12, 1865 I was told by the Lord that I should not be removed from their places. That Daniel H. Wells, Albert Carrington, Jos. A. Young and others were among that number. In the name of the Lord I predict that this will come true.
["H. C. Kimball Memorandum" book, On the Potters Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Stanley B. Kimball, editor, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Jan 12, 1845. Sunday.
[William Clayton]
At the Council Hall. Elder H. C. Kimball preached. He used many figures to illustrate his ideas amongst the rest when speaking of the unwillingness of the saints to abide the laws of exaltation. He said that the church was like a swarm of Bees, who when they want to increase the king and queen go and seek a new location and when they have found it they come back to the hive and persuade the young folks out but as soon as they begin to fly the old women and young women run with their old tin Kettles and pans and cow Bells, ti[n]kling to drown the voice of the king and throw them into a confusion and prevent their enlargement. Just so with the saints when any seem disposed to enlarge their kingdom and godhead the old women and young women run with their old kettles and pans and cow Bells to drown the sound of the leaders and throw the saints into confusion and keep them shut up in their old traditions. After he got through, O[rson] Pratt added an idea on the extent and magnitude of
the planetary system and the beautiful adaptation to the enlargement of the saints. It was a very interesting meeting.
...Evening met with the first quorum at Parleys. Joseph Young and his wife were annointed with the second ordinance. D[iantha, his new 16-year-old bride] was at my house when I got home and tarried with us all night.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
At the Council Hall. Elder H. C. Kimball preached. He used many figures to illustrate his ideas amongst the rest when speaking of the unwillingness of the saints to abide the laws of exaltation. He said that the church was like a swarm of Bees, who when they want to increase the king and queen go and seek a new location and when they have found it they come back to the hive and persuade the young folks out but as soon as they begin to fly the old women and young women run with their old tin Kettles and pans and cow Bells, ti[n]kling to drown the voice of the king and throw them into a confusion and prevent their enlargement. Just so with the saints when any seem disposed to enlarge their kingdom and godhead the old women and young women run with their old kettles and pans and cow Bells to drown the sound of the leaders and throw the saints into confusion and keep them shut up in their old traditions. After he got through, O[rson] Pratt added an idea on the extent and magnitude of
the planetary system and the beautiful adaptation to the enlargement of the saints. It was a very interesting meeting.
...Evening met with the first quorum at Parleys. Joseph Young and his wife were annointed with the second ordinance. D[iantha, his new 16-year-old bride] was at my house when I got home and tarried with us all night.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
15 years ago today - 1/11-27/2010
[Same-Sex Marriage]
Perry v. Schwarzenegger opening arguments presented in Federal Courthouse in San Francisco. Although the trial was not broadcast, several livebloggers covered the case and official court transcripts were released daily. Court testimony revealed Mormons were heavily involved in the campaign providing both volunteers and money. Additionally, testimony confirmed that Gary Lawrence and Mark Jansson are LDS.
[Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
Perry v. Schwarzenegger opening arguments presented in Federal Courthouse in San Francisco. Although the trial was not broadcast, several livebloggers covered the case and official court transcripts were released daily. Court testimony revealed Mormons were heavily involved in the campaign providing both volunteers and money. Additionally, testimony confirmed that Gary Lawrence and Mark Jansson are LDS.
[Mormons for Marriage: A Prop 8 Timeline, http://mormonsformarriage.com/?page_id=68]
20 years ago today - Jan 11, 2005
First-ever global leadership training meeting is transmitted by satellite in 56 languages to more than 97 percent of the Church's priesthood leaders.
[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]
50 years ago today - Jan 11 1975
Church News publishes article decrying Equal Rights Amendment as "not only imperfect, but dangerous," presenting it as a moral issue, not a political one.
[Mark E. Petersen, Equal Rights Amendment; Chronology of Mormon History (Mormon Stories), http://www.mormonstories.org/truth-claims/chronology-of-mormon-history/]
[Mark E. Petersen, Equal Rights Amendment; Chronology of Mormon History (Mormon Stories), http://www.mormonstories.org/truth-claims/chronology-of-mormon-history/]
125 years ago today - Jan 11, 1900
[First Presidency & Quorum of Twelve Minutes]
.... President Cannon ... believed that greater power and gifts would be given to the Apostles, and that this would increase until they should met face to face with the Savior himself. He felt that the day was not far distant when the Savior would meet with His Apostles and instruct them; and that they should prepare for the great events which were coming upon the earth. He knew the Savior was near to us, and that the day would come when the Apostles would be greatly honored of him; and that judgment would be given to the Twelve, as it was given to His Apostles who were with Him in Jerusalem. President Cannon said too, referring to the enemies of Zion, that the predictions concerning them and the wicked generally would be brought about; the Lord would literally burn them up; and the Saints would go on from victory to victory until we should finally triumph. In closing, President Cannon, addressed himself to President Snow. ... President Cannon held that no one Apostle should
undertake to give counsel affecting the interests or well-being of the community; but on the contrary such counsel should be the combined wisdom of as many of the Apostles as could be got together, with the President at their head. This was a critical time, and we needed all the light we could get, and the only safe way to get it, in his opinion, was through the presiding head.
... Before dispersing and immediately following the prayer Elder John Henry Smith asked President Snow if he thought it was wise for the brethren to speak from the public stand on the principle of plural marriage. President Snow answered that the subject should be let alone and that there was too much being said about it already.
This suggested to President Snow the following: Without reference to anyone present, he said, that there were brethren who still seemed to have the idea that it was possible under his administration to obtain a plural wife and have her sealed to him. He authorized and requested the brethren present to correct this impression wherever they find it. He said emphatically that it could not be done.
President Cannon moved that this be accepted as the mind and will of the Lord. Seconded by Brother Lyman and carried unanimously. ...
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
.... President Cannon ... believed that greater power and gifts would be given to the Apostles, and that this would increase until they should met face to face with the Savior himself. He felt that the day was not far distant when the Savior would meet with His Apostles and instruct them; and that they should prepare for the great events which were coming upon the earth. He knew the Savior was near to us, and that the day would come when the Apostles would be greatly honored of him; and that judgment would be given to the Twelve, as it was given to His Apostles who were with Him in Jerusalem. President Cannon said too, referring to the enemies of Zion, that the predictions concerning them and the wicked generally would be brought about; the Lord would literally burn them up; and the Saints would go on from victory to victory until we should finally triumph. In closing, President Cannon, addressed himself to President Snow. ... President Cannon held that no one Apostle should
undertake to give counsel affecting the interests or well-being of the community; but on the contrary such counsel should be the combined wisdom of as many of the Apostles as could be got together, with the President at their head. This was a critical time, and we needed all the light we could get, and the only safe way to get it, in his opinion, was through the presiding head.
... Before dispersing and immediately following the prayer Elder John Henry Smith asked President Snow if he thought it was wise for the brethren to speak from the public stand on the principle of plural marriage. President Snow answered that the subject should be let alone and that there was too much being said about it already.
This suggested to President Snow the following: Without reference to anyone present, he said, that there were brethren who still seemed to have the idea that it was possible under his administration to obtain a plural wife and have her sealed to him. He authorized and requested the brethren present to correct this impression wherever they find it. He said emphatically that it could not be done.
President Cannon moved that this be accepted as the mind and will of the Lord. Seconded by Brother Lyman and carried unanimously. ...
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
125 years ago today - Thursday, Jan 11, 1900
[Apostle Rudger Clawson]
.... The tables were then set for the sacrament, and Pres. B. Young, Jr, was mouth in blessing the bread and wine, after which the brethren partook freely of the same. Before the brethren withdrew from the table, Pres. Cannon by request made brief remarks. Said he felt it was a great honor to be associated with the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. Felt that we ought to be devoted to the work of the Lord. Said that we were at the threshold of great events and that the time was not far distant, when the Savior would make himself known to us—would converse with and instruct us concerning our duties. ...
[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]
.... The tables were then set for the sacrament, and Pres. B. Young, Jr, was mouth in blessing the bread and wine, after which the brethren partook freely of the same. Before the brethren withdrew from the table, Pres. Cannon by request made brief remarks. Said he felt it was a great honor to be associated with the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. Felt that we ought to be devoted to the work of the Lord. Said that we were at the threshold of great events and that the time was not far distant, when the Savior would make himself known to us—would converse with and instruct us concerning our duties. ...
[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 - Jan 11, 1900
[Apostle Brigham Young Jr.]
Met in Temple at 10. Spoke for 20 m[inutes]. conversation general. One assertion I made while talking That "when the saints received U[nited]. O[rder]. and lived it then will God restore to us the law of celestial marriage." Presidency came at 11 o clock after much talking arranging Con[ference]. & business.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]
Met in Temple at 10. Spoke for 20 m[inutes]. conversation general. One assertion I made while talking That "when the saints received U[nited]. O[rder]. and lived it then will God restore to us the law of celestial marriage." Presidency came at 11 o clock after much talking arranging Con[ference]. & business.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]
125 years ago today - Jan 11, 1900
[Apostle Abraham Owen Woodruff]
.... We partook of the bread and wine, emblems of our Master's body and blood. After the Lord's supper Pres[iden]t. [Lorenzo] Snow said: so far as I am concerned no plural marriages can be entered into anywhere: in Mexico or elsewhere. John Henry Smith made a speach [sic] in absolute discouragement of the practice anywhere. Pres[iden]t. [George Q.] Cannon moved we accept Pres[iden]t. Snow's words as the "word of the Lord". It was seconded and again without any chance to express our feelings and judgment were forced to sustain a motion that some of us were opposed to or be out of harmony with our brethren. I felt forced to sustain this motion and that is why I did it, knowing that if it were not right the responsibility would not rest on me. I absolutely know that a number of the brethren, among them John W. Taylor, Geo[rge]. Teasdale and M[atthias]. F. Cowley entertained feelings in harmony with my own. I owe my exist[e]nce to the princip[le] of Polygamy and I have some intense
feelings regarding the sustaining of that principle. I am indebted to that principle for my life and any time my Father wants my life to defend that principle (and those who practice it in righteousness) God being my helper it is at his command.
Pres[iden]t. Brigham Young [Jr.] came to my desk at the close and said, "Bro[ther]. Woodruff I want to tell you that the time is not far distant when the question of Polygamy will be changed and practiced again." I said I will hold you responsible for that remark Bro[ther]. Young. He answered: "You may!" Apostle M[arriner]. W[ood]. Merrill in yesterday's meeting prophesied that "the time will never come in the church when polygamist children will not be born." I pray God to give me light on this matter as I feel almost sick about it. I want to and intend to be loyal to my Chief.
[Abraham Owen Woodruff, Diary]
.... We partook of the bread and wine, emblems of our Master's body and blood. After the Lord's supper Pres[iden]t. [Lorenzo] Snow said: so far as I am concerned no plural marriages can be entered into anywhere: in Mexico or elsewhere. John Henry Smith made a speach [sic] in absolute discouragement of the practice anywhere. Pres[iden]t. [George Q.] Cannon moved we accept Pres[iden]t. Snow's words as the "word of the Lord". It was seconded and again without any chance to express our feelings and judgment were forced to sustain a motion that some of us were opposed to or be out of harmony with our brethren. I felt forced to sustain this motion and that is why I did it, knowing that if it were not right the responsibility would not rest on me. I absolutely know that a number of the brethren, among them John W. Taylor, Geo[rge]. Teasdale and M[atthias]. F. Cowley entertained feelings in harmony with my own. I owe my exist[e]nce to the princip[le] of Polygamy and I have some intense
feelings regarding the sustaining of that principle. I am indebted to that principle for my life and any time my Father wants my life to defend that principle (and those who practice it in righteousness) God being my helper it is at his command.
Pres[iden]t. Brigham Young [Jr.] came to my desk at the close and said, "Bro[ther]. Woodruff I want to tell you that the time is not far distant when the question of Polygamy will be changed and practiced again." I said I will hold you responsible for that remark Bro[ther]. Young. He answered: "You may!" Apostle M[arriner]. W[ood]. Merrill in yesterday's meeting prophesied that "the time will never come in the church when polygamist children will not be born." I pray God to give me light on this matter as I feel almost sick about it. I want to and intend to be loyal to my Chief.
[Abraham Owen Woodruff, Diary]
130 years ago today - Jan 11, 1895
[Apostle Heber J. Grant]
Called at the President's office and had a chat with Pres[iden]ts Woodruff and Smith at the request of the brethren I told them of our meeting in the Temple yesterday and of the statement of Bro[ther] Thatcher that he had not made the remarks which had been attributed to him in the Paris Post and that he was going to write and have them make a correction.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Called at the President's office and had a chat with Pres[iden]ts Woodruff and Smith at the request of the brethren I told them of our meeting in the Temple yesterday and of the statement of Bro[ther] Thatcher that he had not made the remarks which had been attributed to him in the Paris Post and that he was going to write and have them make a correction.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
145 years ago today - Jan 11, 1880
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
I find quite a large Number of fine Children among the Saints in Arizona named Wilford. But I am not the father of any of them but am what may be Called the God Father of some of them if blessing them would make me so. And to day I was Called upon to Bless a son of Lot and Allice Ann Richards Smith and He was named Wilford Woodruff Smith.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I find quite a large Number of fine Children among the Saints in Arizona named Wilford. But I am not the father of any of them but am what may be Called the God Father of some of them if blessing them would make me so. And to day I was Called upon to Bless a son of Lot and Allice Ann Richards Smith and He was named Wilford Woodruff Smith.
[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 - Jan 11 1845
Quorum of 12 reemphasized -the duty of all saints to tithe themselves one-tenth of all they possess when they enter into the new and everlasting covenant: and then one-tenth of their interest, or income, yearly afterwards.
[Chronology of Mormon History (Mormon Stories), http://www.mormonstories.org/truth-claims/chronology-of-mormon-history/]
[Chronology of Mormon History (Mormon Stories), http://www.mormonstories.org/truth-claims/chronology-of-mormon-history/]
45 years ago today - Jan 10, 1980
N. Eldon Tanner, chair of the LDS Personnel Committee, writes all leaders "in Wasatch Front Stakes" to invite members to serve as unpaid volunteers at headquarters. The follow-up letter on 16 Apr. 1981 comments: "Their work has resulted in significant savings to the Church" and asks for more volunteers "with managerial, technical, or clerical skills."
[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 )]]
120 years ago today - Jan 10, 1905
[Lewis Anderson to Lars Christensen]
It affords us much pleasure to hand you herewith a recommend for yourself and wife to the Manti Temple to receive your Second Anointing. We feel that your devotion and service to the Church merits this special favor, and we are sure that you will appreciate it. However, should there be any reason why you cannot avail yourself of this blessing, kindly return the recommend to me. You may visit the Temple for this purpose at any time, but it would not be well to delay it very long. You will, of course, understand that this should not be made a matter of conversation.
[Lewis Anderson to Lars M. C. Christensen, Jan. 10, 1905, copy in Buerger Papers as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
It affords us much pleasure to hand you herewith a recommend for yourself and wife to the Manti Temple to receive your Second Anointing. We feel that your devotion and service to the Church merits this special favor, and we are sure that you will appreciate it. However, should there be any reason why you cannot avail yourself of this blessing, kindly return the recommend to me. You may visit the Temple for this purpose at any time, but it would not be well to delay it very long. You will, of course, understand that this should not be made a matter of conversation.
[Lewis Anderson to Lars M. C. Christensen, Jan. 10, 1905, copy in Buerger Papers as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
125 years ago today - Jan 10, 1900; Wednesday
[Continuation of apostles' quarterly meeting, John Henry Smith speaking:] Endorsed all that had been said by Brother [Marriner Wood] Merrill regarding plural marriage. President Brigham Young [Jr.] said that he did not believe to exceed 10 per cent of the people had ever accepted and practiced the principle of plural marriage. This principle had come to President Joseph Smith with a drawn sword commanding him to practice it and he felt that when President Wilford Woodruff received the revelation of the Manifesto stopping the practice of plural marriage, it was on account of the necessity of preserving the 90 per cent who had failed to receive the principle.
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
130 years ago today - Jan 10, 1895
[Francis M. Lyman]
[Council] Pres[ident] Snow made a few remarks upon the case of Bro[ther]s Merrill and Thatcher. The later was late coming in ... At 1:15 commenced the case by bro[ther] A. H. Cannon reading the papers in the case. Bro[ther] Moses was reported in the Paris Idaho Post as saying that "Over in Cash Valley a prominent man an Apostle, got on the stand and said the Presidency of the Church wanted the people to vote a certain way. He was tried for it and had to confess his wrong. The eyes of all Israel were on that case" Bro[ther] Merrill felt it was a thrust at him. Bro[ther] Moses denied saying it. We then concluded he should write and publish a denial of it. All agreed to it but bro[ther]s Moses, Taylor and Cannon. The Latter two took strong ground against it and claimed the Presidency were prejudiced against bro[ther] Moses and were pursuant him. This gave bro[ther] Moses much encouragement. He stood up and lectured us, and told how Pres[ident] Young was jealous of Orson Pratt. Said
the Lord knew it would not answer for him to have a strong body. All the brethren spoke upon the subject. Bro[ther] Moses made counter charges against bro[ther] Merrill for the way he brought the case and manifested much bitterness. Bro[ther] Moses concluded to write what was desired. He adjourned till 11 A.M. next Thursday.
[The next day, Heber J. Grant records:]
Called at the President's office and had a chat with Pres[iden]ts Woodruff and Smith at the request of the brethren I told them of our meeting in the Temple yesterday and of the statement of Bro[ther] Thatcher that he had not made the remarks which had been attributed to him in the Paris Post and that he was going to write and have them make a correction.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Council] Pres[ident] Snow made a few remarks upon the case of Bro[ther]s Merrill and Thatcher. The later was late coming in ... At 1:15 commenced the case by bro[ther] A. H. Cannon reading the papers in the case. Bro[ther] Moses was reported in the Paris Idaho Post as saying that "Over in Cash Valley a prominent man an Apostle, got on the stand and said the Presidency of the Church wanted the people to vote a certain way. He was tried for it and had to confess his wrong. The eyes of all Israel were on that case" Bro[ther] Merrill felt it was a thrust at him. Bro[ther] Moses denied saying it. We then concluded he should write and publish a denial of it. All agreed to it but bro[ther]s Moses, Taylor and Cannon. The Latter two took strong ground against it and claimed the Presidency were prejudiced against bro[ther] Moses and were pursuant him. This gave bro[ther] Moses much encouragement. He stood up and lectured us, and told how Pres[ident] Young was jealous of Orson Pratt. Said
the Lord knew it would not answer for him to have a strong body. All the brethren spoke upon the subject. Bro[ther] Moses made counter charges against bro[ther] Merrill for the way he brought the case and manifested much bitterness. Bro[ther] Moses concluded to write what was desired. He adjourned till 11 A.M. next Thursday.
[The next day, Heber J. Grant records:]
Called at the President's office and had a chat with Pres[iden]ts Woodruff and Smith at the request of the brethren I told them of our meeting in the Temple yesterday and of the statement of Bro[ther] Thatcher that he had not made the remarks which had been attributed to him in the Paris Post and that he was going to write and have them make a correction.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Jan 10, 1890
[President Wilford Woodruff]
.... We also Met with the Brethren & Architect and discussed the Subject of Heating the [Salt Lake] Temple whether with Hot water or with Steam. ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
.... We also Met with the Brethren & Architect and discussed the Subject of Heating the [Salt Lake] Temple whether with Hot water or with Steam. ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
145 years ago today - Jan 10, 1880
[Patriarchal Blessing of Martha Cox]
.... You will become a prophetess, and the glory of the Highest will rest abundantly upon you. You will go with your husband to the Center State of Zion, for there will be your inheritance. You will have prepared for you a mansion that will be very great, and in that you will see the Lamb of God, and, will talk with him face to face, and a part of His glory will rest abundantly upon you. Your children will witness and receive a part of that glory. And strangers from a far country will visit you and your posterity, and they will eat and drink with you and will tell you many things. They will hand you a roll of your dead, and in that will be the name of your dead & theirs. You will go with your husband and children into the Temple of the Lord, and there you will accomplish a great and mighty work for your dead for they are crying for help to day to redeem them out of their prison, for the Gospel of the Lamb of God has been preached to them. ...
You will witness the return of the ten tribes from the North. You will see John the beloved disciple of Jesus, and you will receive a word f comfort from him. And his glory will be round about you, and when your eyes behold him, you will know him by name. ... You will wait patiently for the coming of the Son of Man and will see Him and His Saints with Him for you will be caught up to meet them and return with them to that great feast the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. You will sit down at the table with your family and partake of its rich bounties. There you will see the Lamb of God in His Glory and you will receive a part of His likeness. And I bless you in your body that it may become strong to accomplish this work with an eye single to His Glory. I seal you up to eternal life, and upon your head a crown of Glory that will never fade away, in the name of Jesus, Amen.
[Patriarchal Blessing of Martha Cox by William G. Perkins]
.... You will become a prophetess, and the glory of the Highest will rest abundantly upon you. You will go with your husband to the Center State of Zion, for there will be your inheritance. You will have prepared for you a mansion that will be very great, and in that you will see the Lamb of God, and, will talk with him face to face, and a part of His glory will rest abundantly upon you. Your children will witness and receive a part of that glory. And strangers from a far country will visit you and your posterity, and they will eat and drink with you and will tell you many things. They will hand you a roll of your dead, and in that will be the name of your dead & theirs. You will go with your husband and children into the Temple of the Lord, and there you will accomplish a great and mighty work for your dead for they are crying for help to day to redeem them out of their prison, for the Gospel of the Lamb of God has been preached to them. ...
You will witness the return of the ten tribes from the North. You will see John the beloved disciple of Jesus, and you will receive a word f comfort from him. And his glory will be round about you, and when your eyes behold him, you will know him by name. ... You will wait patiently for the coming of the Son of Man and will see Him and His Saints with Him for you will be caught up to meet them and return with them to that great feast the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. You will sit down at the table with your family and partake of its rich bounties. There you will see the Lamb of God in His Glory and you will receive a part of His likeness. And I bless you in your body that it may become strong to accomplish this work with an eye single to His Glory. I seal you up to eternal life, and upon your head a crown of Glory that will never fade away, in the name of Jesus, Amen.
[Patriarchal Blessing of Martha Cox by William G. Perkins]
155 years ago today - Jan 10, 1870
This is a great day in Utah. Some Twelve or Fifteen thousand of the Inhabitants of the City of salt Lake & surrounding Country of Men women & children assembled around the Rail Road Depo to Celibrate the Building of the Utah Central Rail Road & to see the last rail laid & the last spike driven By President Brigham Young. This rail Road was Built By the Hard labouring Men of the Latter Day Saints from Ogden to Salt Lake City about 40 Miles distant. There were preset in the Assembly the Bands of Music from the City, Camp Duglass Band & many others. There were present on the Stand the first Presidency the Twelve Apostles, The officers of the Union & Central Pacific Rail Road & of the Utah Central Rail Road with Many invited guest including the officers of Camp Duglass.
The last spike was driven By President Young. A large steel Mallet was used on the occasion made By Mr James Lawson. It was Elegantly Cha[-]ed on the top. There was Engraved a Beehive surmounted By the inscription Holiness to the Lord. Underneath the Beehive were the letters U.C.R.R. ...
Just Before the Ceremony of laying the last rail Commenced, the sun, which during the whole day, had Been Completely Concealed By Clouds burst forth with unclouded Brilliancy as if determined to Enhance the general Joy By his genial rays. After the performance of the Ceremony which took place about 9 minuts past 2 oclok a salute of 37 guns /was given/ one for Each mile of the road when Capt Croxall's Brass Band burst forth with their Enlivening strains after which the following Prayer was offered By Elder Wilford Woodruff:
O, God ... We dedicate this Rail Road unto thee, the Lord our God. We pray that thy Blessings may rest upon it...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The last spike was driven By President Young. A large steel Mallet was used on the occasion made By Mr James Lawson. It was Elegantly Cha[-]ed on the top. There was Engraved a Beehive surmounted By the inscription Holiness to the Lord. Underneath the Beehive were the letters U.C.R.R. ...
Just Before the Ceremony of laying the last rail Commenced, the sun, which during the whole day, had Been Completely Concealed By Clouds burst forth with unclouded Brilliancy as if determined to Enhance the general Joy By his genial rays. After the performance of the Ceremony which took place about 9 minuts past 2 oclok a salute of 37 guns /was given/ one for Each mile of the road when Capt Croxall's Brass Band burst forth with their Enlivening strains after which the following Prayer was offered By Elder Wilford Woodruff:
O, God ... We dedicate this Rail Road unto thee, the Lord our God. We pray that thy Blessings may rest upon it...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
85 years ago today - Jan 9, 1940
[Heber J. Grant]
I had a miserable night's rest last night. I didn't get to sleep until after twelve o'clock and then slept only a short time. I got up and then went back to bed, but couldn't go to sleep. I felt ashamed of myself that I would allow such a thing as the book 'The Children of God' [by Vardis Fisher] to keep me awake. ...
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
I had a miserable night's rest last night. I didn't get to sleep until after twelve o'clock and then slept only a short time. I got up and then went back to bed, but couldn't go to sleep. I felt ashamed of myself that I would allow such a thing as the book 'The Children of God' [by Vardis Fisher] to keep me awake. ...
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
125 years ago today - Jan 9, 1900
[Quarterly meeting of Apostles] Elder Marriner W. Merrill ... stated that although we had been prevented from practicing plural marriage because of the laws of our country, nevertheless this principle was true and had come from God; expressed a desire to be true to the Church, and true to his family; said he would desire to be true to the Church, and true to his family; said he would sooner rot in prison than to go back on anyone of his family. He said there was quite a feeling among some of the Saints that the Church had gone back on the principle of plural marriage; said this was not true and that the day would never come that the Church would repudiate this principle. The Lord, however had allowed it to be temporarily suspended to preserve the liberties of the Saints.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
125 years ago today - Tuesday, Jan 9, 1900
Apostle M. W. Merrill ... In speaking of the principle of plural marriage, said it had come to stay in some form or another. ...
[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]
130 years ago today - Jan 9, 1895
[Apostle] Marriner W. Merrill Expressed his regrets because of the little differences which existed between him and [Apostle] Moses [Thatcher]. He had no feelings against brother Moses not in the least.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
145 years ago today - Jan 9,1880
Apostle Orson Pratt writes to his children that city of New Jerusalem will be constructed by Apr 1950.
[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]
155 years ago today - Jan 9, 1870
[Wilford Woodruff]
Now in our day God has revealed unto us the Patriarchal order of Marriage & has said if we do not obey it we shall be damned. Congress has said if [we] do obey it we shall be damned. Now which shall we obey God or Congress? For it is God & Congress for it. The assembly shouted in By acclimation we will obey God.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Now in our day God has revealed unto us the Patriarchal order of Marriage & has said if we do not obey it we shall be damned. Congress has said if [we] do obey it we shall be damned. Now which shall we obey God or Congress? For it is God & Congress for it. The assembly shouted in By acclimation we will obey God.
[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 - Jan 9, 1860
President Young Conversed upon the Subject of Slavery in the Territory ...
President Young said if men Could live above the Earth they would not be so sick. He said if he was to build a House in that Country to live in again He would build it on arches so that air Could have a Free Circulation under it. He said He had herd of a house built in that way in New Orleans whare all were healthy who lived in it.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
President Young said if men Could live above the Earth they would not be so sick. He said if he was to build a House in that Country to live in again He would build it on arches so that air Could have a Free Circulation under it. He said He had herd of a house built in that way in New Orleans whare all were healthy who lived in it.
[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 - Jan 9, 1845
Thirty-year-old William Clayton writes of his fifth wife, Diantha Farr, on their the day of their wedding which occurred at Diantha's parent's house, "The question was asked of everyone present, did they freely give her up, and they all signified their willingness by saying they had no objections. There was Present Winslow Farr her father and his wife. . . .She [Diantha] was born in the town of Charleston Orleans County State of Vermont on the twelfth of Oct 1828 making her 16 years old last Oct."
45 years ago today - Jan 8, 1980-Tuesday
[Leonard Arrington]
Visiting my office this afternoon for an hour or two was Anselm Spring ... He asked me very specifically whether we had in the archives record of the apostles seeing Jesus. I told him about the experience of [apostles] Melvin J. Ballard and Charles Callis and told him there were likely others which I hadn't read. I told him that General Authorities were very hesitant about telling sacred experiences. He was very concerned about this; said that it was his understanding that every apostle would be given a sure knowledge of Jesus as the Lord and Savior, and presumably this meant seeing Jesus. And if every apostle sees Jesus, we ought to have an account of it. He read to me a number of scriptures which indicate that the apostles have the right to see Jesus and to touch him, and that they have an obligation to proclaim this. There was no hesitancy on the part of Paul, Peter, and other early apostles in telling about their sacred experiences. We should proclaim it to all the world and
not hide it under a bushel.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Visiting my office this afternoon for an hour or two was Anselm Spring ... He asked me very specifically whether we had in the archives record of the apostles seeing Jesus. I told him about the experience of [apostles] Melvin J. Ballard and Charles Callis and told him there were likely others which I hadn't read. I told him that General Authorities were very hesitant about telling sacred experiences. He was very concerned about this; said that it was his understanding that every apostle would be given a sure knowledge of Jesus as the Lord and Savior, and presumably this meant seeing Jesus. And if every apostle sees Jesus, we ought to have an account of it. He read to me a number of scriptures which indicate that the apostles have the right to see Jesus and to touch him, and that they have an obligation to proclaim this. There was no hesitancy on the part of Paul, Peter, and other early apostles in telling about their sacred experiences. We should proclaim it to all the world and
not hide it under a bushel.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
60 years ago today - Jan 8, 1965
Secretary to the First Presidency Joseph L. Anderson writes in answer to a question by a Mormon "regarding the drinking of Sanka Coffee": "I am directed to tell you that the drinking of a beverage made from the coffee bean, from which all caffeine and deleterious drugs have been removed, is not regarded as a violation of the Word of Wisdom."
65 years ago today - Jan 7-8,1960
First Presidency decides that Bruce R. McConkie's Mormon Doctrine "must not be re-published, as it is full of errors and misstatements, and it is most unfortunate that it has received such wide circulation." They are exasperated that McConkie and his publisher released the book without pre-publication publicity or notifying First Presidency. Even his father-in-law, senior apostle, Joseph Fielding Smith, "did not know anything about it until it was published." This is McConkie's way to avoid repetition of Presidency's stopping his pre-announced Sound Doctrine three years earlier. Committee of two apostles (Mark E. Petersen and Marion G. Romney) report that McConkie's Mormon Doctrine contains 1,067 doctrinal errors. For example, page 493 said: "Those who falsely and erroneously suppose that God is progressing in knowledge and gaining new truths cannot exercise sufficient faith in him to gain salvation until they divest themselves of their false beliefs." However, McConkie is
affirming doctrine of omniscience officially condemned by previous First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1865. In announcing their decision to the Twelve on 28 Jan 1960, First Presidency says there should be no revised edition of Mormon Doctrine. Presidency reverses initial decision on 7 Jan. "that the book should be officially repudiated."
[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]
affirming doctrine of omniscience officially condemned by previous First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1865. In announcing their decision to the Twelve on 28 Jan 1960, First Presidency says there should be no revised edition of Mormon Doctrine. Presidency reverses initial decision on 7 Jan. "that the book should be officially repudiated."
[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]
70 years ago today - Jan 8, 1955
The Church announces that LDS Boy Scouts can earn the Duty to God Award, similar to other religious groups' awards. This award recognizes faith and activity for young boys in the Church.
[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]
[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]
85 years ago today - Jan 8, 1940
[Heber J. Grant]
I received an anonymous letter tonight from California telling of a woman, a grand-daughter of Brigham Young, reviewing the book 'The Children of God' [by Vardis Fisher] in the Wilshire Ward meeting house. I felt outraged that the brethren would hold a meeting and have a review for this miserable, lying book. It is a novel, of course; therefore, one cannot sue the publishers, but I thank the Lord that the description of the early Pioneers is a falsehood pure and simple. The author is guilty of saying some good things, of course, which helps to sell his book.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
I received an anonymous letter tonight from California telling of a woman, a grand-daughter of Brigham Young, reviewing the book 'The Children of God' [by Vardis Fisher] in the Wilshire Ward meeting house. I felt outraged that the brethren would hold a meeting and have a review for this miserable, lying book. It is a novel, of course; therefore, one cannot sue the publishers, but I thank the Lord that the description of the early Pioneers is a falsehood pure and simple. The author is guilty of saying some good things, of course, which helps to sell his book.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
125 years ago today - Jan 8, 1900
Snow issues his Manifesto
the Church has positively abandoned the practice of polygamy, or the solemnization of plural marriages, in this and every other State; and no member or officer thereof has any authority whatever to perform such plural marriages or enter into such relations. Nor does the Church advise or encourage unlawful cohabitation on the part of any of its members.
If, therefore, any member disobeys the law, either as to polygamy or unlawful cohabitation, he must bear his own burden, or in other words be answerable to the tribunals of the land for his own action pertaining thereto.
In 1911, the 1st Presidency put this on equal footing with the 1890 and 1904 Manifestos. ( Quinn, LDS p 70-71 )
[Tungate, Mel, Mormon Polygamy, http://www.tungate.com/polygamy.htm]
the Church has positively abandoned the practice of polygamy, or the solemnization of plural marriages, in this and every other State; and no member or officer thereof has any authority whatever to perform such plural marriages or enter into such relations. Nor does the Church advise or encourage unlawful cohabitation on the part of any of its members.
If, therefore, any member disobeys the law, either as to polygamy or unlawful cohabitation, he must bear his own burden, or in other words be answerable to the tribunals of the land for his own action pertaining thereto.
In 1911, the 1st Presidency put this on equal footing with the 1890 and 1904 Manifestos. ( Quinn, LDS p 70-71 )
[Tungate, Mel, Mormon Polygamy, http://www.tungate.com/polygamy.htm]
125 years ago today - Jan 8, 1900
Snow issues his Manifesto:
"The Church has positively abandoned the practice of polygamy, or the solemnization of plural marriages, in this and every other State; and no member or officer thereof has any authority whatever to perform such plural marriages or enter into such relations. Nor does the Church advise or encourage unlawful cohabitation on the part of any of its members."
"If, therefore, any member disobeys the law, either as to polygamy or unlawful cohabitation, he must bear his own burden, or in other words be answerable to the tribunals of the land for his own action pertaining thereto."
In 1911, the 1st Presidency put this on equal footing with the 1890 and 1904 Manifestos.
[Quinn, LDS p 70-71; Tungate, Mel, Mormon Polygamy, http://www.tungate.com/polygamy.htm]
"The Church has positively abandoned the practice of polygamy, or the solemnization of plural marriages, in this and every other State; and no member or officer thereof has any authority whatever to perform such plural marriages or enter into such relations. Nor does the Church advise or encourage unlawful cohabitation on the part of any of its members."
"If, therefore, any member disobeys the law, either as to polygamy or unlawful cohabitation, he must bear his own burden, or in other words be answerable to the tribunals of the land for his own action pertaining thereto."
In 1911, the 1st Presidency put this on equal footing with the 1890 and 1904 Manifestos.
[Quinn, LDS p 70-71; Tungate, Mel, Mormon Polygamy, http://www.tungate.com/polygamy.htm]
125 years ago today - Jan 8, 1900
A committee ... representing the Brigham Young Trust Company, waited upon the First Presidency, regarding a proposition made by that company to sell to the Church forty-five feet of land, on which the President's Office now stands, at $250 a foot front. President Snow, as trustee-in-Trust, decided to buy this property, and give his note at six per cent, with the understanding that he was to have all the time the Church might need in which to pay for it. This was agreeable to the committee. The Brigham Young Trust Company had also proposed to sell to the Church the Lion House property, at $300 a foot front, (this property running back further than the other), and the committee now desired to know whether the Church would buy it or not. This question was taken under advisement, the answer to be given later.
[Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
145 years ago today - Jan 8, 1880
LDS political newspaper, the Salt Lake Herald, reports George Q. Cannon's interview with the pro-Mormon Omaha newspaper, the Herald, in part: "Polygamous marriages have ceased entirely so far as I know." In fact, in the Endowment House alone, 107 men married polygamously in 1879 and 136 in 1880, most were performed by general authorities.
[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 )]]
145 years ago today - Jan 8, 1880
LDS political newspaper "Salt Lake Herald" reports George Q. Cannon's interview with pro-Mormon Omaha "Herald," in part "Polygamous marriages have ceased entirely so far as I know." In fact, in Endowment House alone, 107 men married polygamously in 1879 and 136 in 1880, most performed by general authorities.
160 years ago today - Jan 8, 1865
Brigham Young; Remarks delivered in the Tabernacle, Salt Lake City; January 8, 1865.
No mortal man has ever seen God in His glory at any time and lived. We may have seen the Lord and angels many times, and did not know it. I will be satisfied with seeing and associating with His children whom I now behold, for there is not a son or daughter of Adam and Eve before me today but what is the offspring of that God we worship. He is our Heavenly Father; He is also our God, and the Maker and upholder of all things in heaven and on earth.
[J. D. 11:41 -- Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthy Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
No mortal man has ever seen God in His glory at any time and lived. We may have seen the Lord and angels many times, and did not know it. I will be satisfied with seeing and associating with His children whom I now behold, for there is not a son or daughter of Adam and Eve before me today but what is the offspring of that God we worship. He is our Heavenly Father; He is also our God, and the Maker and upholder of all things in heaven and on earth.
[J. D. 11:41 -- Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthy Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
165 years ago today - Jan 8, 1860
Pres. Young, D.H. Wells and A. Carrington discussed Orson Pratt sermon about worshipping attributes and not persons. The President said [if] that is the case then my attributes that we worship, and not floating attributes. Pres. Young also discussed the gradation of intelligences from the most intelligent to the zoophites. -- Salt Lake City [Brigham Young Office Journals, Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan.; Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah.; New Mormon Studies CD-ROM]
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[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 - Jan 8, 1845
Meeting of the Richards and Young families am President Brigham Young said, in substance:
... It is but a little more than that time when Father Smith, the Goddards, Richards, Youngs and Kimballs were all in one family - as it were. We are all relations. It is only three generations back that Brother Joseph Smith's family were related to this family. ... I will first set in order before these relations the true order of the Kingdom of God and how the families hereafter will be organized; you have heard Joseph say that the people did not know him; he had his eyes on the relation to blood-relations. Some have supposed that he meant spirit, but it was the blood-relation. This is it that he referred to. His descent from Joseph that was sold in to Egypt was direct, and the blood was pure in him. That is why the Lord chose him and we are pure when this blood - strain from Ephraim comes down pure. The decrees of the Almighty will be exalted - that blood which was in him was pure and he had the sole right and lawful power, as he was the legal heir to the blood that has
been on the earth and has come down through a pure lineage. The union of various ancestors kept that blood pure. There is a great deal the people do not understand, and many of the Latter-day Saints have to learn all about it. In all the Kingdoms of the World you will find that there will be only one King, and all will be governed as one family, every man will preside over his own family. We will have to work out some of the impurities. There is a great deal that I have to say and the brethren will have patience. Mother Smith is here - she is our Mother, we hold her in a three-fold bond, for we hold her by blood, by the spirit, and by the Gospel. We are connected together. The human family will find out who are the saviors of the Earth. The world knew nothing of the office of saviors upon Mount Zion. If Joseph Smith is not the man on whom the Keys of the Kingdom rest, I would not give the ashes of a rye straw for our Salvation. If I teach my family correct principles and show them
the way of Salvation I am in a sense their savior. There is the same blood of Ephraim running in the veins of this family - and I know who has the blood and the Priesthood to carry the keys to the world. The decree of the Almighty is so pure that it would seem like blunders in the eyes of the world; but the keys will rest upon the Prophet and there is no power on earth or in hell to take it from him. This is a subject relating to the baptism for the dead. We will tell you when the temple is finished how to redeem your dead. I want to tell you now don't be scared, don't be frightened, at what I tell you. The Church does not understand the doctrine that Joseph taught - yet it is plain as the sun at noonday - the order of redeeming our relatives originated in the Kingdom of Heaven. If our progenitors had kept their records as the Jews anciently did they would be able to tell exactly where they came from -- and see where they run down in one straight line. We have hundreds ready to be
baptized for the dead. Nauvoo, Illinois
... If our Grand Father Goddard is permitted to rule as King and Priest over his posterity, and the posterity are raised up as kings and priests to rule over their posterity, our Grand-Fathers Goddard would call together a numerous host. I will show you the order of the Kingdom as regards my own family; one of my sons is placed here, another there, another there, and so on. Yet I should be their ruler, savior, dictator, and governor. They would have an innumerable posterity but all would join in harmony with my counsel; I should console, comfort, and advise them all. You and your children will rise up and administer unto your children, and you will rule over your posterity, and they may get up in tens, hundreds, thousands, and millions. Yet all will finally join with Adam who will be the King of all; Seth comes next; Seth rules under his father and over all; so this process will never end. This is the order of the Kingdom of Heaven, that men should rise up as Kings and
Priests of God. We must have posterity to rule over. ...
I'll tell you about old Israel; do you know what the curse was upon Israel for? It was for mixing their seed with the Gentile races about them. I have received a promise that is to remain with me, and the same will be upon you and upon your children. I would tell you children that inasmuch as you have received this promise, and then if you mix your blood with others I will curse you, and in relation to the Priesthood, you would be cursed, or condemned. For your children, in such mixed unions, would be high-minded and stiff necked. The nations have wandered in darkness for centuries. If they had not mixed their blood, the Priesthood would never have been taken from them. ... that is what Joseph meant the Lord had regard to: and He made promises to the seed of Abraham which He would have fulfilled if it had not been mixed with the Gentiles. Ephraim is the character who has the pure blood of promise in him. ... Those who have the right will redeem the nations of the Earth.
The people who had the right to the Priesthood lost it, and the Lord has brought it forth in this our day. We shall redeem our friends and all the house of Esau will be saved by proxy, by the Priesthood. ... Suppose a man and woman want to redeem their friends; perhaps they have lived without the Gospel; the man would be baptized for his father and the woman for her mother; and if the husband has the power of the Priesthood they are jointly baptized he for the father she for the mother--he is then washed for the father, she for the mother--he holding the Priesthood redeems the father and mother of the woman. Again for his father and mother--she receives the anointing for the woman, and he for the man. Then they stand as proxy to be sealed up to all eternity and then they will go through the ordinances in the same way. Then they are sealed up in the same way for others--we shall have Father Smith with his grey locks. Joseph, Hyrum, Samuel, all will stand in their order, and we shall
be priests and rulers to all eternity. Let my walk and my life speak for myself. The joy of the Lord is a great deal more than any one realizes unless he has partaken thereof. I have now given you text enough for weeks.
[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)]
... It is but a little more than that time when Father Smith, the Goddards, Richards, Youngs and Kimballs were all in one family - as it were. We are all relations. It is only three generations back that Brother Joseph Smith's family were related to this family. ... I will first set in order before these relations the true order of the Kingdom of God and how the families hereafter will be organized; you have heard Joseph say that the people did not know him; he had his eyes on the relation to blood-relations. Some have supposed that he meant spirit, but it was the blood-relation. This is it that he referred to. His descent from Joseph that was sold in to Egypt was direct, and the blood was pure in him. That is why the Lord chose him and we are pure when this blood - strain from Ephraim comes down pure. The decrees of the Almighty will be exalted - that blood which was in him was pure and he had the sole right and lawful power, as he was the legal heir to the blood that has
been on the earth and has come down through a pure lineage. The union of various ancestors kept that blood pure. There is a great deal the people do not understand, and many of the Latter-day Saints have to learn all about it. In all the Kingdoms of the World you will find that there will be only one King, and all will be governed as one family, every man will preside over his own family. We will have to work out some of the impurities. There is a great deal that I have to say and the brethren will have patience. Mother Smith is here - she is our Mother, we hold her in a three-fold bond, for we hold her by blood, by the spirit, and by the Gospel. We are connected together. The human family will find out who are the saviors of the Earth. The world knew nothing of the office of saviors upon Mount Zion. If Joseph Smith is not the man on whom the Keys of the Kingdom rest, I would not give the ashes of a rye straw for our Salvation. If I teach my family correct principles and show them
the way of Salvation I am in a sense their savior. There is the same blood of Ephraim running in the veins of this family - and I know who has the blood and the Priesthood to carry the keys to the world. The decree of the Almighty is so pure that it would seem like blunders in the eyes of the world; but the keys will rest upon the Prophet and there is no power on earth or in hell to take it from him. This is a subject relating to the baptism for the dead. We will tell you when the temple is finished how to redeem your dead. I want to tell you now don't be scared, don't be frightened, at what I tell you. The Church does not understand the doctrine that Joseph taught - yet it is plain as the sun at noonday - the order of redeeming our relatives originated in the Kingdom of Heaven. If our progenitors had kept their records as the Jews anciently did they would be able to tell exactly where they came from -- and see where they run down in one straight line. We have hundreds ready to be
baptized for the dead. Nauvoo, Illinois
... If our Grand Father Goddard is permitted to rule as King and Priest over his posterity, and the posterity are raised up as kings and priests to rule over their posterity, our Grand-Fathers Goddard would call together a numerous host. I will show you the order of the Kingdom as regards my own family; one of my sons is placed here, another there, another there, and so on. Yet I should be their ruler, savior, dictator, and governor. They would have an innumerable posterity but all would join in harmony with my counsel; I should console, comfort, and advise them all. You and your children will rise up and administer unto your children, and you will rule over your posterity, and they may get up in tens, hundreds, thousands, and millions. Yet all will finally join with Adam who will be the King of all; Seth comes next; Seth rules under his father and over all; so this process will never end. This is the order of the Kingdom of Heaven, that men should rise up as Kings and
Priests of God. We must have posterity to rule over. ...
I'll tell you about old Israel; do you know what the curse was upon Israel for? It was for mixing their seed with the Gentile races about them. I have received a promise that is to remain with me, and the same will be upon you and upon your children. I would tell you children that inasmuch as you have received this promise, and then if you mix your blood with others I will curse you, and in relation to the Priesthood, you would be cursed, or condemned. For your children, in such mixed unions, would be high-minded and stiff necked. The nations have wandered in darkness for centuries. If they had not mixed their blood, the Priesthood would never have been taken from them. ... that is what Joseph meant the Lord had regard to: and He made promises to the seed of Abraham which He would have fulfilled if it had not been mixed with the Gentiles. Ephraim is the character who has the pure blood of promise in him. ... Those who have the right will redeem the nations of the Earth.
The people who had the right to the Priesthood lost it, and the Lord has brought it forth in this our day. We shall redeem our friends and all the house of Esau will be saved by proxy, by the Priesthood. ... Suppose a man and woman want to redeem their friends; perhaps they have lived without the Gospel; the man would be baptized for his father and the woman for her mother; and if the husband has the power of the Priesthood they are jointly baptized he for the father she for the mother--he is then washed for the father, she for the mother--he holding the Priesthood redeems the father and mother of the woman. Again for his father and mother--she receives the anointing for the woman, and he for the man. Then they stand as proxy to be sealed up to all eternity and then they will go through the ordinances in the same way. Then they are sealed up in the same way for others--we shall have Father Smith with his grey locks. Joseph, Hyrum, Samuel, all will stand in their order, and we shall
be priests and rulers to all eternity. Let my walk and my life speak for myself. The joy of the Lord is a great deal more than any one realizes unless he has partaken thereof. I have now given you text enough for weeks.
[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)]
220 years ago today - Jan 8, 1805
Orson Hyde was born 8 January 1805 in Connecticut.
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Orson Hyde, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Orson Hyde, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
25 years ago today - Jan 7, 2000
BYUTV, a television station broadcasting twenty-four hours a day seven days a week, begins broadcasting nationally, allowing people across the United States and southern Canada to pick up the station as part of the DISH Network satellite system.
[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]
[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]
65 years ago today - Jan 7, 1960
(7th-8th) First Presidency decides that Bruce R. McConkie's book, Mormon Doctrine, "must not be re-published, as it is full of errors and misstatements, and it is most unfortunate that it has received such wide circulation." They are exasperated that McConkie and his publisher released the book without pre-publication publicity or notifying the First Presidency. Even his father-in-law, senior apostle Joseph Fielding Smith, "did not know anything about it until it was published." This is McConkie's way to avoid repetition of Presidency's stopping his pre-announced book, Sound Doctrine, three years earlier. A committee of two apostles (Mark E. Peterson and Marion G. Romney) reports that McConkie's Mormon Doctrine contains 1,067 doctrinal errors. For example, page 493 said: "Those who falsely and erroneously suppose that God is progressing in knowledge and gaining new truths cannot exercise sufficient faith in him to gain salvation until they divest themselves of their false beliefs."
However, McConkie is affirming doctrine of omniscience officially condemned by previous First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1865. In announcing their decision to the Twelve on 28 Jan. 1960, the First Presidency says there should be no revised edition of Mormon Doctrine. The Presidency reverses its initial decision on 7 Jan. "that the book should be [officially] repudiated." By 28 Jan. the Presidency decides against requiring McConkie to make a public apology because "it might lessen his influence" as a general authority. In 1966, a year after his father-in-law becomes assistant counselor to the First Presidency, McConkie publishes the second edition of Mormon Doctrine. It corrects only a few of the first edition's "errors" cited by the First Presidency and apostles in 1960. The book becomes a bestseller among Latter-day Saints. McConkie becomes a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles to fill the vacancy which his father-in-law's death creates in 1972.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
However, McConkie is affirming doctrine of omniscience officially condemned by previous First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1865. In announcing their decision to the Twelve on 28 Jan. 1960, the First Presidency says there should be no revised edition of Mormon Doctrine. The Presidency reverses its initial decision on 7 Jan. "that the book should be [officially] repudiated." By 28 Jan. the Presidency decides against requiring McConkie to make a public apology because "it might lessen his influence" as a general authority. In 1966, a year after his father-in-law becomes assistant counselor to the First Presidency, McConkie publishes the second edition of Mormon Doctrine. It corrects only a few of the first edition's "errors" cited by the First Presidency and apostles in 1960. The book becomes a bestseller among Latter-day Saints. McConkie becomes a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles to fill the vacancy which his father-in-law's death creates in 1972.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
75 years ago today - Jan 7, 1950
At the funeral of man who died six weeks after his appointment as stake president, Apostle Joseph Fielding Smith tells Apostle Harold B. Lee: "If you have called a man to a position in this Church and he dies the next day, that position will have a bearing on what he will be called to do when he leaves this earth." Lee will eventually serve barely seventeen months as LDS president.
[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 )]]
115 years ago today - Jan 7, 1910
[George F. Richards]
Bro[ther] Israel Barlow Jr. was before us on trial or rather we were investigating his case wherein he is supposed to have formed improper marital relations with Sister Belva Welling. He persistently refused to answer our questions which we considered pertinent and possible to answer. It was decided by unanimous vote that he be disfellowship[p]ed which is construed to mean a deprivation of all the positions until Feb[ruary]. when he is cited to appear and show cause if any why he should not be cut off the church (excommunicated) for contempt. Pres[ident]. [Francis M.] Lyman wrote out the decision and submitted it to me which I indorsed the same evening. This is an action we felt reluctant to take but it seemed necessary and right.
[George F. Richards, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Bro[ther] Israel Barlow Jr. was before us on trial or rather we were investigating his case wherein he is supposed to have formed improper marital relations with Sister Belva Welling. He persistently refused to answer our questions which we considered pertinent and possible to answer. It was decided by unanimous vote that he be disfellowship[p]ed which is construed to mean a deprivation of all the positions until Feb[ruary]. when he is cited to appear and show cause if any why he should not be cut off the church (excommunicated) for contempt. Pres[ident]. [Francis M.] Lyman wrote out the decision and submitted it to me which I indorsed the same evening. This is an action we felt reluctant to take but it seemed necessary and right.
[George F. Richards, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
165 years ago today - Jan 7, 1860
[Francis M. Lyman]
Francis finally succeeded in breaking his smoking habit, and from then on he held the Word of Wisdom as "a great principle of liberty, an essential for strong bodies and minds, a thing indispensable to the work men are sent on earth to do."
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Francis M. Lyman, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
Francis finally succeeded in breaking his smoking habit, and from then on he held the Word of Wisdom as "a great principle of liberty, an essential for strong bodies and minds, a thing indispensable to the work men are sent on earth to do."
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Francis M. Lyman, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
180 years ago today - Tuesday, January 7th, 1845
[Apostle John Taylor]
Attended to various business in forenoon.
In evening attended the Mechanic's Association meeting.
['The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee]
Attended to various business in forenoon.
In evening attended the Mechanic's Association meeting.
['The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee]
185 years ago today - Jan 7, 1840
At the beginning of a proselytizing meeting in Massachusetts "three sons of sectarian deacons" throw sulpher on a hot stove. After opening doors and windows to air out the building Brigham Young and George A. Smith continue their meeting.
220 years ago today - Jan 7, 1805
David Whitmer, later one of the Three Witnesses of the Book of Mormon, is born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]
[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]
75 years ago today - Jan 6, 1950
[Henry D. Moyle]
8 am. conference with Pres. McKay & Joseph Wirthlin on purchase of large acreage in Florida.
[The church has continued to acquire land in Flordia, recently purchasing a large tract of land (2% of Flordia). Much of this land is timber and ranch land].
[Henry D. Moyle 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]
8 am. conference with Pres. McKay & Joseph Wirthlin on purchase of large acreage in Florida.
[The church has continued to acquire land in Flordia, recently purchasing a large tract of land (2% of Flordia). Much of this land is timber and ranch land].
[Henry D. Moyle 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]
75 years ago today - Jan 6, 1950
[George F. Richards]
.... I went to the Temple by appointment, and administered Second blessings to three of the general authorities and their wives, Elders Eldred G. Smith,12 Milton R. Hunter and B[isho]p Thorp[e] B. Isaacson. Bro[ther] T[horpe] B. Isaacson stood as proxy for Samuel F. Ball who is dead & Betsy Hollings Richards for Adena Christena Anderson Ball.
[George F. Richards diary, Jan. 6, 1950 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
.... I went to the Temple by appointment, and administered Second blessings to three of the general authorities and their wives, Elders Eldred G. Smith,12 Milton R. Hunter and B[isho]p Thorp[e] B. Isaacson. Bro[ther] T[horpe] B. Isaacson stood as proxy for Samuel F. Ball who is dead & Betsy Hollings Richards for Adena Christena Anderson Ball.
[George F. Richards diary, Jan. 6, 1950 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
140 years ago today - Jan 6, 1885
[Wilford Woodruff]
I went into the Temple and had Sylvester Low & Hugh Roberts & Mary Owen Roberts Adopted into my family.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I went into the Temple and had Sylvester Low & Hugh Roberts & Mary Owen Roberts Adopted into my family.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - Jan 6, 1870
[Wilford Woodruff]
A Bill is Before Congress to deprive the Latter Day Saints of keeping the Commandments of God. The Lord has Revealed the Law on the Patriarchal order of Marriage & the Lord says we shall be damned if we do not obey it & Congress says we shall be damned if we do. So it is the Lord & Congress for it. I would rather obey the Lord than Congress.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
A Bill is Before Congress to deprive the Latter Day Saints of keeping the Commandments of God. The Lord has Revealed the Law on the Patriarchal order of Marriage & the Lord says we shall be damned if we do not obey it & Congress says we shall be damned if we do. So it is the Lord & Congress for it. I would rather obey the Lord than Congress.
[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 - Jan 6, 1845
[Brigham Young]
The great strength in the High Priests quorum, an almighty strength. The Seventies were frightened when he proposed to them to build a little one story hall that would cost a few hundred dollars, but the High Priests can build a large hall without difficulty'- In favor of having such a hall built and are willing to do something for it themselves, and not merely look on and see their brethren built it'- Now if you will go and finish off the upper story of the temple you will have a place in which you can receive your washing and anointings and endowments. Would it not cost less to do this, than to build a hall from the start? (Yes, Yes, from all parts of the congregation.) Well then, go to work and finish off the upper room, and then you can get your endowment, and your priesthood. -- Nauvoo, Illinois
[High Priest Minutes as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
The great strength in the High Priests quorum, an almighty strength. The Seventies were frightened when he proposed to them to build a little one story hall that would cost a few hundred dollars, but the High Priests can build a large hall without difficulty'- In favor of having such a hall built and are willing to do something for it themselves, and not merely look on and see their brethren built it'- Now if you will go and finish off the upper story of the temple you will have a place in which you can receive your washing and anointings and endowments. Would it not cost less to do this, than to build a hall from the start? (Yes, Yes, from all parts of the congregation.) Well then, go to work and finish off the upper room, and then you can get your endowment, and your priesthood. -- Nauvoo, Illinois
[High Priest Minutes as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
125 years ago today - Friday, Jan 5, 1900
[Apostle John Henry Smith]
I read a letter today to Orson which establishes the fact that O. F. Whitney is mixed up with C. W. Stayner in the baby Resurrection Theory.
[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 read a letter today to Orson which establishes the fact that O. F. Whitney is mixed up with C. W. Stayner in the baby Resurrection Theory.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
130 years ago today - Jan 5, 1895
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill]
Saturday. I am in the Temple today attending to Temple business and waiting to attend the Temple lecture, which will be given today by my son Joseph at 2 p. m. There were 76 students present. Had an excellent lecture on alchemy. [Merrill was the Logan temple president]
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Saturday. I am in the Temple today attending to Temple business and waiting to attend the Temple lecture, which will be given today by my son Joseph at 2 p. m. There were 76 students present. Had an excellent lecture on alchemy. [Merrill was the Logan temple president]
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Jan 5, 1860
[Brigham Young]
Angels are those beings who have been on an earth like this, and have passed through the same ordeals that we are now passing through. They have kept their first estate far enough to preserve themselves in the Priesthood. They did not so violate the law of the Priesthood and condemn themselves to the sin against the Holy Ghost as to be finally lost. They are not crowned with the celestial ones. They are persons who have lived upon an earth, but did not magnify the Priesthood in that high degree that many others have done who have become Gods, even the sons of God. Human beings that pertain to this world, who do not magnify or are not capable of magnifying their high calling in the Priesthood and receive crowns of glory, immortality, and eternal lives, will also, when they again receive their bodies, become angels and will receive a glory. They are single, without families or kingdoms to reign over. All the difference between men and angels is, men are passing through the same
ordeals that we are now passing through.
[Journal of Discourses 9:102 as quoted at WikiQuotes: Brigham Young, http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Brigham_Young]
Angels are those beings who have been on an earth like this, and have passed through the same ordeals that we are now passing through. They have kept their first estate far enough to preserve themselves in the Priesthood. They did not so violate the law of the Priesthood and condemn themselves to the sin against the Holy Ghost as to be finally lost. They are not crowned with the celestial ones. They are persons who have lived upon an earth, but did not magnify the Priesthood in that high degree that many others have done who have become Gods, even the sons of God. Human beings that pertain to this world, who do not magnify or are not capable of magnifying their high calling in the Priesthood and receive crowns of glory, immortality, and eternal lives, will also, when they again receive their bodies, become angels and will receive a glory. They are single, without families or kingdoms to reign over. All the difference between men and angels is, men are passing through the same
ordeals that we are now passing through.
[Journal of Discourses 9:102 as quoted at WikiQuotes: Brigham Young, http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Brigham_Young]
180 years ago today - Jan 5, 1845
[Brigham Young]
I went to the stand and addressed the saints on the necessity of having more order and putting down iniquity, and exhorted the brethren to rise up en masse, and put down the thieving, swearing, gambling, bogusmaking, retailing spirituous liquors, bad-houses, and all abominations practiced in our midst by our enemies, who, after they could not live among us any longer would go out to the world and publish that these things were practiced by us. I severely rebuked the civil authorities of the city for their want of energy in the discharge of their duty, and censured parents and guardians for not keeping their children from prowling round the streets at night; and remarked that if we did not as a people uproot such things, they would uproot us, and we would have to leave before we had done the things the Lord had commanded us to do. -- Nauvoo, Illinois
[History of the Church. 7 Vols. B. H. Roberts, ed. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, Co., 1902. 7:350 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]
I went to the stand and addressed the saints on the necessity of having more order and putting down iniquity, and exhorted the brethren to rise up en masse, and put down the thieving, swearing, gambling, bogusmaking, retailing spirituous liquors, bad-houses, and all abominations practiced in our midst by our enemies, who, after they could not live among us any longer would go out to the world and publish that these things were practiced by us. I severely rebuked the civil authorities of the city for their want of energy in the discharge of their duty, and censured parents and guardians for not keeping their children from prowling round the streets at night; and remarked that if we did not as a people uproot such things, they would uproot us, and we would have to leave before we had done the things the Lord had commanded us to do. -- Nauvoo, Illinois
[History of the Church. 7 Vols. B. H. Roberts, ed. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, Co., 1902. 7:350 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]
10 years ago today - Note:
This year's Relief Society/Priesthood manual covers the teachings of #EzraTaftBenson. In conjunction with this year's topic, I've assembled a lengthy chronology of the life of Ezra Taft Benson - a very dynamic and driven person who lived a fascinating life. I hope you'll consider subscribing via email, rss, or Facebook, and spend 3 to 5 minutes each day reading a bit more of Ezra Taft Benson's fascinating and varied life (http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com).
[note]
[note]
30 years ago today - Jan 4, 1995
For the second time in three years, the Associated Press names Steve Young, quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers football team, the most valuable playeri n the National Football League.
[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]
[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]
120 years ago today - Jan 4, 1905
[James Henry Martineau]
With Sister Mary Hyde White visited her Sister Zina Virginia Hyde Bull, widowed recently, who has cataract growing over her eyes and is losing her sight. She wished me to rebuke blindness and to bless her, which I did. Her sister Mary also blessed her in tongues, with the interpretation. I know Zina may be healed, through faith. She felt very happy. I enjoyed my visit very much, as I always do in visiting and blessing the sick.
[An Uncommon Common Pioneer: The Journals of James Henry Martineau 1828-1918, edited by Donald G. Godfrey XXX Rebecca S. Martineau-McCarty]
With Sister Mary Hyde White visited her Sister Zina Virginia Hyde Bull, widowed recently, who has cataract growing over her eyes and is losing her sight. She wished me to rebuke blindness and to bless her, which I did. Her sister Mary also blessed her in tongues, with the interpretation. I know Zina may be healed, through faith. She felt very happy. I enjoyed my visit very much, as I always do in visiting and blessing the sick.
[An Uncommon Common Pioneer: The Journals of James Henry Martineau 1828-1918, edited by Donald G. Godfrey XXX Rebecca S. Martineau-McCarty]
120 years ago today - Jan 04, 1905
In Salt Lake City, President Joseph F. Smith dedicates the Dr. Groves Latter-day Saint Hospital, the first in what would become an important health-care network in the Intermountain West.
145 years ago today - Jan 4, 1880
Apostle Orson Pratt preaches at Salt Lake Stake conference that "as a general rule it was the children who were attacked by diphtheria, and on investigation it would be found that the parents of such children had been taken [by death] were neglectful of the word of wisdom or some of the commandments of God."
[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 )]]
165 years ago today - Jan 4, 1860
[Patriarchal Blessing of Meridith Ames given by John Young]
.... In the own due time of the Lord, you shall have wives and children
[Patriarchal Blessings]
.... In the own due time of the Lord, you shall have wives and children
[Patriarchal Blessings]
165 years ago today - Jan 4, 1860
[Patriarchal Blessing of John Henry King given by John Young]
.... the spirit of the beloved disciple, John to rest upon you the visions of the heavens open before you ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
.... the spirit of the beloved disciple, John to rest upon you the visions of the heavens open before you ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
165 years ago today - Jan 4, 1860
[Patriarchal Blessing of Henry Johnstone Ames given by John Young]
.... Earn wives and children ... The Angel shall be with you ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
.... Earn wives and children ... The Angel shall be with you ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Jan 4, 1845
[Patriarchal Blessing of James Bean]
.... thou shalt baptize & lead many of the rich & the rulers to Zion with much riches & inasmuch as thou art a liberal man God shall deal liberally with thee, for thy children whom thou shalt baptize will heap riches upon thee ... The number of thy years shall be many according to the desire of thy heart, even to see Israel gathered from every part of the earth, to see the heavens unveiled & the Savior make his appearance; thou shalt have the ministering of Angels to help thee through thy ministry ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
.... thou shalt baptize & lead many of the rich & the rulers to Zion with much riches & inasmuch as thou art a liberal man God shall deal liberally with thee, for thy children whom thou shalt baptize will heap riches upon thee ... The number of thy years shall be many according to the desire of thy heart, even to see Israel gathered from every part of the earth, to see the heavens unveiled & the Savior make his appearance; thou shalt have the ministering of Angels to help thee through thy ministry ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
105 years ago today - Jan 3, 1920
[Apostle George F. Richards]
Had a conversation with President Grant and elder Ballard on present conditions with respect to violations of Church rule on plural marriages.
[George F. 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]
Had a conversation with President Grant and elder Ballard on present conditions with respect to violations of Church rule on plural marriages.
[George F. 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]
130 years ago today - Jan 3, 1895
[Apostle Francis M. Lyman]
He [i.e., Wilford Woodruff] also told us he wished us at our regular meeting of our Quorum next Tuesday to give attention to a trouble existing between bro[ther] Moses Thatcher and bro[ther] Marriner W[ood]. Merrill, and gave us the correspondence in the case. Pres[ident] Cannon offered prayer. Pres[ident] Woodruff told us he never had misgivings about any can brought into the quorum of Apostles but one. That was bro[ther] [Albert] Carrington. At close of our meeting the Thatcher- Merrill correspondence was read in hearing of Pres[ident] [Lorenzo] Snow, [Brigham] Young [Jr.], [Francis M.] Lyman, [Heber J.] Grant and A[braham]. H. Cannon.
[Francis M. Lyman Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
He [i.e., Wilford Woodruff] also told us he wished us at our regular meeting of our Quorum next Tuesday to give attention to a trouble existing between bro[ther] Moses Thatcher and bro[ther] Marriner W[ood]. Merrill, and gave us the correspondence in the case. Pres[ident] Cannon offered prayer. Pres[ident] Woodruff told us he never had misgivings about any can brought into the quorum of Apostles but one. That was bro[ther] [Albert] Carrington. At close of our meeting the Thatcher- Merrill correspondence was read in hearing of Pres[ident] [Lorenzo] Snow, [Brigham] Young [Jr.], [Francis M.] Lyman, [Heber J.] Grant and A[braham]. H. Cannon.
[Francis M. Lyman Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
165 years ago today - Jan 3, 1860
[Brigham Young to Mrs Lewis]
G.S.L. City,
Jan. 3, 1860
Mrs David Lewis
3d Ward, City,
Dear Sister: -
I understand that you are frequently importuned to sell your negro man Jerry, but that he is industrious and faithful, and desires to remain in this Territory. Under these circumstances I should certainly deem it most advisable for you to keep him, but should you at any time conclude otherwise and determine to sell him, ordinary kindness would require that you should sell him to some kind, faithful member of the Church, that he may have a fair opportunity for doing all the good he desires to do <or> is capable of doing. I have been told that he is about forty years old, if so, it <is> not presumed that you will, in case of his sale, ask so high a price as you might expect for a younger person. If the price is sufficiently moderate, I may conclude to purchase him and set him at liberty.
Your Bro in the Gospel
BY
[Letter, Brigham Young to Mrs David Lewis (transcribed by Connell O'Donovan)]
G.S.L. City,
Jan. 3, 1860
Mrs David Lewis
3d Ward, City,
Dear Sister: -
I understand that you are frequently importuned to sell your negro man Jerry, but that he is industrious and faithful, and desires to remain in this Territory. Under these circumstances I should certainly deem it most advisable for you to keep him, but should you at any time conclude otherwise and determine to sell him, ordinary kindness would require that you should sell him to some kind, faithful member of the Church, that he may have a fair opportunity for doing all the good he desires to do <or> is capable of doing. I have been told that he is about forty years old, if so, it <is> not presumed that you will, in case of his sale, ask so high a price as you might expect for a younger person. If the price is sufficiently moderate, I may conclude to purchase him and set him at liberty.
Your Bro in the Gospel
BY
[Letter, Brigham Young to Mrs David Lewis (transcribed by Connell O'Donovan)]
40 years ago today - Jan 02, 1985
BYU's football team is voted number one in the United States for the 1984 season by every major poll and is named national champion, having finished the season with a perfect 13-0 record.
85 years ago today - Jan 2, 1940
[President Heber J. Grant]
James White, head of the Jewish people in Salt Lake, called with Rabbi Gordon and a gentleman from the East (I have forgotten his name.) They made a long appeal for the Church to advance several hundred thousand dollars and take some notes issued by the Jewish Relief people. Brother Clark and I assured them that we could not invest Church funds in anything of that kind. They suggested that we have the Beneficial Life Insurance company buy some of their notes. I had to smile when I thought of the idea of notes without security to raise funds for Jewish relief being passed by the Insurance Commissioner as legitimate assets. As they were going out Mr. White said he would have a talk with Orval Adams about it. I thought, I'll be perfectly willing to advance anything Orval would endorse. I did not tell them so however. There is no prejudice in the heart of hearts of the Latter-day Saints people against Jews. There never has been. We believe that they will eventually accept the Gospel.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
James White, head of the Jewish people in Salt Lake, called with Rabbi Gordon and a gentleman from the East (I have forgotten his name.) They made a long appeal for the Church to advance several hundred thousand dollars and take some notes issued by the Jewish Relief people. Brother Clark and I assured them that we could not invest Church funds in anything of that kind. They suggested that we have the Beneficial Life Insurance company buy some of their notes. I had to smile when I thought of the idea of notes without security to raise funds for Jewish relief being passed by the Insurance Commissioner as legitimate assets. As they were going out Mr. White said he would have a talk with Orval Adams about it. I thought, I'll be perfectly willing to advance anything Orval would endorse. I did not tell them so however. There is no prejudice in the heart of hearts of the Latter-day Saints people against Jews. There never has been. We believe that they will eventually accept the Gospel.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - Jan 2, 1870
[Minutes of the Quorum of Twelve]
.... Emma told Jos[eph]. she could not stand the brethren spitting & smoking in the small room where [the] school /of p[r]ophets w/ was held in Kirtland. B. Y.[: C]oming home from Miss., /my/ Bre[thren]., Jos. said, I mean to have a patriarchal blessing from [my] father, [then he] got home [and his] father got [the] familytogether. Jos[eph] said [he] want[s] bro Jos. S. present. Jos. S. ordained father as patriarch. [F]irst Jos. S. thought of it, [and] Jos S said Now I will have my family together, [then he] set his father apart. Then he got revelation to appoint [a] patriarch over [the] whole church. Bro Joel Johnson said when patriarch Jos Sen. went to /give patriarchal/ blessings after they would have bread baked /& [a] glass of/ wine. Pres[iden]t. B. Y. said [it] wont do here. [P]eople get /would/ drink too much'-
[Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
.... Emma told Jos[eph]. she could not stand the brethren spitting & smoking in the small room where [the] school /of p[r]ophets w/ was held in Kirtland. B. Y.[: C]oming home from Miss., /my/ Bre[thren]., Jos. said, I mean to have a patriarchal blessing from [my] father, [then he] got home [and his] father got [the] familytogether. Jos[eph] said [he] want[s] bro Jos. S. present. Jos. S. ordained father as patriarch. [F]irst Jos. S. thought of it, [and] Jos S said Now I will have my family together, [then he] set his father apart. Then he got revelation to appoint [a] patriarch over [the] whole church. Bro Joel Johnson said when patriarch Jos Sen. went to /give patriarchal/ blessings after they would have bread baked /& [a] glass of/ wine. Pres[iden]t. B. Y. said [it] wont do here. [P]eople get /would/ drink too much'-
[Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
155 years ago today - Jan 2, 1870
Geo[rge]. A. S[mith].[:] Gentiles will now hardly pass hans [Haun's] mill. [F]ear comes on them. Jos[eph]. Johnson. [s]aid the people there were afraid Mormons [would] come by & bye & take possession of that, [so] /they/ wont build substantial buildings.
Geo. A. S.[mith:] 10 Acres /on throwed/ fenced out /of field at Independance/ several met death trying to cultivate it. ... People suffered at Jackson Co. terribly during the late [civil] war. ...
Emma told Jos[eph]. she could not stand the brethren spitting & smoking in the small room where [the] school /of p[r]ophets w/ was held in Kirtland.
B. Y.[:] ... Jos[eph]. said, I mean to have a patriarchal blessing from [my] father, [then he] got home [and his] father got [the] family together. Jos[eph] said [he] want[s] bro Jos. S. present. Jos. S. ordained father as patriarch. [F]irst Jos. S. thought of it, [and] Jos S said Now I will have my family together, [then he] set his father apart. Then he got revelation to appoint [a] patriarch over [the] whole church. Bro Joel Johnson said when patriarch Jos Sen. went to /give patriarchal/ blessings after they would have bread baked /& [a] glass of/ wine. Pres[iden]t. B. Y. said [it] wont do here. [P]eople get /would/ drink too much'
[Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Geo. A. S.[mith:] 10 Acres /on throwed/ fenced out /of field at Independance/ several met death trying to cultivate it. ... People suffered at Jackson Co. terribly during the late [civil] war. ...
Emma told Jos[eph]. she could not stand the brethren spitting & smoking in the small room where [the] school /of p[r]ophets w/ was held in Kirtland.
B. Y.[:] ... Jos[eph]. said, I mean to have a patriarchal blessing from [my] father, [then he] got home [and his] father got [the] family together. Jos[eph] said [he] want[s] bro Jos. S. present. Jos. S. ordained father as patriarch. [F]irst Jos. S. thought of it, [and] Jos S said Now I will have my family together, [then he] set his father apart. Then he got revelation to appoint [a] patriarch over [the] whole church. Bro Joel Johnson said when patriarch Jos Sen. went to /give patriarchal/ blessings after they would have bread baked /& [a] glass of/ wine. Pres[iden]t. B. Y. said [it] wont do here. [P]eople get /would/ drink too much'
[Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
155 years ago today - Jan 2, 1870
[Brigham Young]
I used to travel without purse or scrip, and many times I have walked till my feet were sore and the blood would run in my shoes and out of them, and fill my appointments'"go into houses, ask for something to eat, sing and talk to them, and when they would commence questioning, answer them.
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
I used to travel without purse or scrip, and many times I have walked till my feet were sore and the blood would run in my shoes and out of them, and fill my appointments'"go into houses, ask for something to eat, sing and talk to them, and when they would commence questioning, answer them.
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
195 years ago today - Jan 02, 1830
Abner Cole, editor of The Reflector, begins publishing pirated extracts from the Book of Mormon, which is in the process of being printed at the Grandin press building, the same building used by Cole to print his newspaper. This incident marks the first time Book of Mormon text appears in print.
45 years ago today - Jan 1, 1980-Tuesday
[Leonard Arrington]
Annual Comment on the History Division
... I begin by expressing sorrow that we have lost two valiant persons in the division, Bruce Blumell, who left September 1 to go to law school in Canada, and James Allen, who left September 1 to return full time to the History Department in BYU. Both left of their own volition, and both would have stayed if they had thought the future of the History Division was bright. In a way, they both were encouraged to go by pessimistic comments about our future made by Elder G. Homer Durham, managing director of the Historical Department. In addition to these two departures, Glen Leonard was transferred from our division to the Arts and Sites Division to be associate director and Jill Derr will leave the division December 31 to devote more time to her family and to work with the Relief Society and Deseret Book Co. on a history of LDS women. Both of those departures were (are) voluntary, but once again they would have stayed with us if they had thought their future with us was
bright. Neither was (will be) replaced. So we are gradually losing strength. Elder Durham has also told me privately that he does not expect to renew the employment of Carol Madsen, who works for us half time, in the 1981 budget. He expects to "cut her off" at the end of 1980. ...
Elder Durham keeps threatening to move us to BYU, as a special center sponsored by them. For some reason he thinks our work is "academic" and ought to be under university auspices. But the academic freedom at BYU is less than here, I'm sorry to say; Bob Thomas, academic vice president, has no backbone, nor does Ernest Olsen, director of BYU Press. ...
Persons tell us that Elders [Ezra Taft] Benson and [Mark E.] Petersen do not like what we are doing and that if and when President Benson becomes president of the Church we might all be relieved of our positions. It's almost as if the decisions of the bureaucrats were being made, not on the basis of what the Prophet wants, but on the basis of what the next Prophet wants. I refuse to believe that Elder Benson would fire us; I am convinced that we are doing what the Lord wants and that the Lord will not permit such a violent end to our work. I refuse to act on the basis of what might happen if Elder Benson became president. ... My appointment as historian is so disregarded that the First Presidency do not refer letters to me that deal with historical matters. I am not asked to read any manuscripts for historical accuracy, no talks on history are cleared through me. The Mormon Experience, the preparation and publication of which was approved by the First Presidency, could
not be mentioned or reviewed in the Ensign or Church News. Nor could Building the City of God. Building the City of God, The Story of the Latter-day Saints, and The Mormon Experience, among others, may not be cited as references in articles in Church manuals and the Ensign. Not a single general authority (except Elder Durham) has written to express appreciation for any of my articles or books, nor has any called me, nor has any called me into his office to discuss historical matters which have come up. But though I have reason to feel rejected, I feel completely confident that my work is approved by the Lord and that within ten years of my death I will be regarded as one of the "greats" in the field of Church history-by General Authorities as well as by others.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Annual Comment on the History Division
... I begin by expressing sorrow that we have lost two valiant persons in the division, Bruce Blumell, who left September 1 to go to law school in Canada, and James Allen, who left September 1 to return full time to the History Department in BYU. Both left of their own volition, and both would have stayed if they had thought the future of the History Division was bright. In a way, they both were encouraged to go by pessimistic comments about our future made by Elder G. Homer Durham, managing director of the Historical Department. In addition to these two departures, Glen Leonard was transferred from our division to the Arts and Sites Division to be associate director and Jill Derr will leave the division December 31 to devote more time to her family and to work with the Relief Society and Deseret Book Co. on a history of LDS women. Both of those departures were (are) voluntary, but once again they would have stayed with us if they had thought their future with us was
bright. Neither was (will be) replaced. So we are gradually losing strength. Elder Durham has also told me privately that he does not expect to renew the employment of Carol Madsen, who works for us half time, in the 1981 budget. He expects to "cut her off" at the end of 1980. ...
Elder Durham keeps threatening to move us to BYU, as a special center sponsored by them. For some reason he thinks our work is "academic" and ought to be under university auspices. But the academic freedom at BYU is less than here, I'm sorry to say; Bob Thomas, academic vice president, has no backbone, nor does Ernest Olsen, director of BYU Press. ...
Persons tell us that Elders [Ezra Taft] Benson and [Mark E.] Petersen do not like what we are doing and that if and when President Benson becomes president of the Church we might all be relieved of our positions. It's almost as if the decisions of the bureaucrats were being made, not on the basis of what the Prophet wants, but on the basis of what the next Prophet wants. I refuse to believe that Elder Benson would fire us; I am convinced that we are doing what the Lord wants and that the Lord will not permit such a violent end to our work. I refuse to act on the basis of what might happen if Elder Benson became president. ... My appointment as historian is so disregarded that the First Presidency do not refer letters to me that deal with historical matters. I am not asked to read any manuscripts for historical accuracy, no talks on history are cleared through me. The Mormon Experience, the preparation and publication of which was approved by the First Presidency, could
not be mentioned or reviewed in the Ensign or Church News. Nor could Building the City of God. Building the City of God, The Story of the Latter-day Saints, and The Mormon Experience, among others, may not be cited as references in articles in Church manuals and the Ensign. Not a single general authority (except Elder Durham) has written to express appreciation for any of my articles or books, nor has any called me, nor has any called me into his office to discuss historical matters which have come up. But though I have reason to feel rejected, I feel completely confident that my work is approved by the Lord and that within ten years of my death I will be regarded as one of the "greats" in the field of Church history-by General Authorities as well as by others.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
55 years ago today - Jan 1, 1970
LDS Church adopts "Computer Age Finance System," and computerizes records of membership as of May 1. These are functions of church-owned Management Systems Corporation (MSC).
85 years ago today - Jan 01, 1940
Amy Brown Lyman is called as the eighth general president of the Relief Society, with Marcia Knowlton Howells and Donna Durrant Sorensen as counselors.
90 years ago today - Jan 1, 1935
Joseph Fielding Smith: "I firmly believe that there will be some of that generation who were living when this revelation was given who shall be living when this temple is reared.... I have full confidence in the word of the Lord and that it shall not fail"
[Joseph Fielding Smith, The Way to Perfection, Jan. 1, 1935, p. 270; The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated (see 1832 September 22, D&C 84:1-5,31,32)]
[Joseph Fielding Smith, The Way to Perfection, Jan. 1, 1935, p. 270; The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated (see 1832 September 22, D&C 84:1-5,31,32)]
120 years ago today - Jan 1, 1905
The Dr. William H. Groves Latter-day Saints Hospital opened in Salt Lake City and was dedicated three days later, the first in the Church hospital system. In 1975 the Church divested itself of its hospitals and turned them over to a private organization.
[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]
[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]
120 years ago today - Sunday, Jan 1, 1905
[Apostle John Henry Smith]
.... I went over to Giudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. I found the following Telegram
Mexico City
from T. E. Pomeroy
West Lake [code name for Apostle Matthias F. Cowley] sent for. Cant reach Juarez before Tuesday perhaps Wednesday. ...
[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 over to Giudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. I found the following Telegram
Mexico City
from T. E. Pomeroy
West Lake [code name for Apostle Matthias F. Cowley] sent for. Cant reach Juarez before Tuesday perhaps Wednesday. ...
[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 - Jan 01, 1900
Martha LaVern Watts (Parmley), later the fifth general president of the Primary Association, is born in Murray, Utah.
135 years ago today - Jan 1, 1890
"For these reasons we have strong objections to the introduction of maps and their circulation among our people which profess to give the location of the Nephite cities and settlements"
There is a tendency, strongly manifested . . . among some of the brethren, to study the geography of the Book of Mormon. . . . We are greatly pleased to notice the . . . interest taken by the Saints in this holy book. . . . But valuable as is the Book of Mormon both in doctrine and history, yet it is possible to put this sacred volume to uses for which it was never intended, uses which are detrimental rather than advantageous to the cause of truth, and consequently to the work of the Lord. . . . The brethren who lecture on the lands of the Nephites or the geography of the Book of Mormon are not united in their conclusions. ... The First Presidency has often been asked to prepare some suggestive map illustrative of Nephite geography, but have never consented to do so. ...
[George Q. Cannon, "Editorial Thoughts: The Book of Mormon Geography," The Juvenile Instructor 25 no. 1 (1 January 1890)), 18-19]
There is a tendency, strongly manifested . . . among some of the brethren, to study the geography of the Book of Mormon. . . . We are greatly pleased to notice the . . . interest taken by the Saints in this holy book. . . . But valuable as is the Book of Mormon both in doctrine and history, yet it is possible to put this sacred volume to uses for which it was never intended, uses which are detrimental rather than advantageous to the cause of truth, and consequently to the work of the Lord. . . . The brethren who lecture on the lands of the Nephites or the geography of the Book of Mormon are not united in their conclusions. ... The First Presidency has often been asked to prepare some suggestive map illustrative of Nephite geography, but have never consented to do so. ...
[George Q. Cannon, "Editorial Thoughts: The Book of Mormon Geography," The Juvenile Instructor 25 no. 1 (1 January 1890)), 18-19]
155 years ago today - Jan 1, 1870
The Salt Lake Tribune began as the result of a movement to oppose the political and economic policies of the Mormon Church. William S. Godbe, Elias L.T. Harrison, Edward W. Tullidge, and William H. Shearman joined forces to publish the Mormon Tribune on 1 January 1870 after the Deseret News urged church members to boycott their Utah Magazine, founded two years earlier.
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
180 years ago today - Jan 1, 1845
[William Clayton]
.... The organization of the Kingdom of God on 11th March last is one important event. This organization was called the council of fifty or kingdom of God...
In this council was the plan arranged for supporting president Joseph Smith as a candidate for the presidency of the U.S. Prest. Joseph was the standing chairman of the council and myself the clerk. In this council was also devised the plan of establishing an immigration to Texas and plans laid for the exaltation of a standard and ensign of truths for the nations of the earth. In this council was the plan devised to restore the Ancients to the knowledge of the truth and the restoration of union and peace amongst ourselves. In this council was Prest. Joseph chosen as our prophet, Priest, & King by Hosannas. ...
I have received two companions, received two children and buried one. [...?] I have a good prospect of adding another crown to my family which is a source of great consolation to me. ...
[The Nauvoo Diaries of William Clayton, 1842-1846, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
.... The organization of the Kingdom of God on 11th March last is one important event. This organization was called the council of fifty or kingdom of God...
In this council was the plan arranged for supporting president Joseph Smith as a candidate for the presidency of the U.S. Prest. Joseph was the standing chairman of the council and myself the clerk. In this council was also devised the plan of establishing an immigration to Texas and plans laid for the exaltation of a standard and ensign of truths for the nations of the earth. In this council was the plan devised to restore the Ancients to the knowledge of the truth and the restoration of union and peace amongst ourselves. In this council was Prest. Joseph chosen as our prophet, Priest, & King by Hosannas. ...
I have received two companions, received two children and buried one. [...?] I have a good prospect of adding another crown to my family which is a source of great consolation to me. ...
[The Nauvoo Diaries of William Clayton, 1842-1846, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
180 years ago today - 1 January 1845, Wednesday
[William Clayton]
``I have a good prospect of adding another crown [wife] to my family,'' he could say as he looked forward to 1845.
Wednesday 1st ... Reflections
... I was admitted a member of the first quorum and a member of the council of fifty. I have received two companions, received two children and buried one.
[Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries]
``I have a good prospect of adding another crown [wife] to my family,'' he could say as he looked forward to 1845.
Wednesday 1st ... Reflections
... I was admitted a member of the first quorum and a member of the council of fifty. I have received two companions, received two children and buried one.
[Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries]
180 years ago today - January 1, 1845. Wednesday.
[William Clayton]
....The organization of the Kingdom of God on 11th March last is one important event. This organization was called the Council of Fifty or Kingdom of God, and was titled by revelation as follows. "Verily thus saith the Lord, this is the name by which you shall be called, the Kingdom of God and his Laws, with the Keys and power thereof, and judgment in the hands of his servants, Ahman Christ." In this Council was the plan arranged for supporting President Joseph Smith as a candidate for the presidency of the U.S. President Joseph was the standing chairman of the Council and myself the Clerk. In this Council was also devised the plan of establishing an emigration to Texas, and plans laid for the exaltation of a standard and ensign of truth for the nations of the earth. In this Council was the plan devised to restore the Ancients to the Knowledge of the truth and the restoration of Union and peace amongst ourselves. In this Council was President Joseph chosen our Prophet, Priest and
King by Hosannas. In this Council was the principles of eternal truth rolled forth to the heavens without reserve and the hearts of the servants of God made to rejoice exceedingly. I was admitted a member of the first quorum and a member of the council of fifty. I have received two companions, received two children and buried one.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
....The organization of the Kingdom of God on 11th March last is one important event. This organization was called the Council of Fifty or Kingdom of God, and was titled by revelation as follows. "Verily thus saith the Lord, this is the name by which you shall be called, the Kingdom of God and his Laws, with the Keys and power thereof, and judgment in the hands of his servants, Ahman Christ." In this Council was the plan arranged for supporting President Joseph Smith as a candidate for the presidency of the U.S. President Joseph was the standing chairman of the Council and myself the Clerk. In this Council was also devised the plan of establishing an emigration to Texas, and plans laid for the exaltation of a standard and ensign of truth for the nations of the earth. In this Council was the plan devised to restore the Ancients to the Knowledge of the truth and the restoration of Union and peace amongst ourselves. In this Council was President Joseph chosen our Prophet, Priest and
King by Hosannas. In this Council was the principles of eternal truth rolled forth to the heavens without reserve and the hearts of the servants of God made to rejoice exceedingly. I was admitted a member of the first quorum and a member of the council of fifty. I have received two companions, received two children and buried one.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://amzn.to/william-clayton]
185 years ago today - Jan 1, 1840 (Wednesday)
While visiting with brother Joseph in Philadelphia, a very large church was opened for him to preach in, and about three thousand people assembled to hear him. ... brother Joseph arose like a lion about to roar; and being full of the Holy Ghost, spoke in great power, bearing testimony of the visions he had seen, the ministering of angels which he had enjoyed; and how he had found the plates of the Book of Mormon, and translated them by the gift and power of God. He commenced by saying, "If nobody else had the courage to testify of so glorious a message from Heaven, and of the finding of so glorious a record, he felt to do it, in justice to the people, and leave the event with God." The entire congregation was astounded; electrified, as it were, and overwhelmed with the sense of the truth and power by which he spoke, and the wonders which he related. A lasting impression was made; many souls were gathered into the fold. And I bear witness, that he, by his faithful and powerful
testimony, cleared his garments of their blood.
[The Woodland Institute, http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
testimony, cleared his garments of their blood.
[The Woodland Institute, http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
25 years ago today - Dec 31, 1999
Jerold Ottley retires from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir after a long and distinguished career as director. He is replaced by Craig Jessop, who had been an assistant director since June 5, 1995.
50 years ago today - Dec 31, 1974-Tuesday
[Leonard Arrington]
Boyd Packer repeated very strongly his concerns to Earl [Olsen] and said that we must find some way of preventing the printing of these things from occurring in the future and said that unless we can come to some agreement on it we would have to change the management. I asked Earl what that meantwhether it meant getting a new Church Historian or getting a new Assistant Managing Director or just what. Earl said he was not sure, but he thought he meant that he would seek to have another advisor rather than Brother Hunter or perhaps another Acting Managing Director rather than Brother Anderson. I said to Earl, "Does that mean that Brother Packer himself wants to be our advisor?" Earl said he thought that was the case.
Earl said something about clearing things through correlation. I said that would be the worst thing that could happen. How can they possibly judge us on what is good history and what is bad history. Earl said that we may be forced to it. I said I thought the Twelve [Apostles] would outvote Brother Packer if he made such a suggestion.
At any rate, it seems clear that Brother Packer is making some kind of crusade out of it and will not be satisfied to leave it in the hands of Elder Hunter and Elder McConkie. Earl said as a minimum we ought to bring it up with our advisors at our next meeting and get their counsel of what if anything we should do. Earl says Brother Packer expects some kind of an answer and we need to raise this with the advisors.
Maureen [Beecher] brought Gene England in yesterday and he wanted to talk with me at considerable length about the reasons for withdrawing Maureen's piece from Dialogue. I told him that in my judgment it would not be wise to make an appeal on this. That I wanted to leave it on an ad hoc basis and not force a situation which would establish some kind of a rule that I would have to follow in the future. Gene is looking for a job here. The University of Utah will not hire any committed Mormon in English. BYU would be willing to create a special slot to employ him but Neal Maxwell does not want to go to the board with a special slot bearing his name on account of his former Dialogue association. ...
Jim Allen and Doug Alder returned late in the afternoon yesterday from the American History Association convention in Chicago. They reported a very successful meeting of [session sponsored by] the Mormon History Association. ... There were some all-night meetings of LDS, RLDS, and non-LDS which included Jim and Doug and also Jan Shipps, Paul Edwards, Bob Flanders, Larry Foster, Larry Hunt and some others I don't recall. These were productive, interesting, and inspiring, according to Jim and Doug. ...
I expect to start on a biography of Brigham Young before the end of the year. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Boyd Packer repeated very strongly his concerns to Earl [Olsen] and said that we must find some way of preventing the printing of these things from occurring in the future and said that unless we can come to some agreement on it we would have to change the management. I asked Earl what that meantwhether it meant getting a new Church Historian or getting a new Assistant Managing Director or just what. Earl said he was not sure, but he thought he meant that he would seek to have another advisor rather than Brother Hunter or perhaps another Acting Managing Director rather than Brother Anderson. I said to Earl, "Does that mean that Brother Packer himself wants to be our advisor?" Earl said he thought that was the case.
Earl said something about clearing things through correlation. I said that would be the worst thing that could happen. How can they possibly judge us on what is good history and what is bad history. Earl said that we may be forced to it. I said I thought the Twelve [Apostles] would outvote Brother Packer if he made such a suggestion.
At any rate, it seems clear that Brother Packer is making some kind of crusade out of it and will not be satisfied to leave it in the hands of Elder Hunter and Elder McConkie. Earl said as a minimum we ought to bring it up with our advisors at our next meeting and get their counsel of what if anything we should do. Earl says Brother Packer expects some kind of an answer and we need to raise this with the advisors.
Maureen [Beecher] brought Gene England in yesterday and he wanted to talk with me at considerable length about the reasons for withdrawing Maureen's piece from Dialogue. I told him that in my judgment it would not be wise to make an appeal on this. That I wanted to leave it on an ad hoc basis and not force a situation which would establish some kind of a rule that I would have to follow in the future. Gene is looking for a job here. The University of Utah will not hire any committed Mormon in English. BYU would be willing to create a special slot to employ him but Neal Maxwell does not want to go to the board with a special slot bearing his name on account of his former Dialogue association. ...
Jim Allen and Doug Alder returned late in the afternoon yesterday from the American History Association convention in Chicago. They reported a very successful meeting of [session sponsored by] the Mormon History Association. ... There were some all-night meetings of LDS, RLDS, and non-LDS which included Jim and Doug and also Jan Shipps, Paul Edwards, Bob Flanders, Larry Foster, Larry Hunt and some others I don't recall. These were productive, interesting, and inspiring, according to Jim and Doug. ...
I expect to start on a biography of Brigham Young before the end of the year. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
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