Today in Mormon History - Nov 10

President Gordon B. Hinckley breaks ground for the Cochabamba Bolivia Temple. (1)
-- 15 years ago today - Nov 10, 1996

Hiram, Ohio. Joseph Smith received Doctrine & Covenants 69, a revelation appointing John Whitmer to accompany Oliver Cowdery to Missouri for the printing of the compiled commandments and revelations. (2)
-- 180 years ago today - Nov 10, 1831

Responsibility of Bishops and Stake Presidents for Temple Recommends-- Salt Lake City, Utah.

See general note preceding under date of October 31, 1891.

A LETTER to the Presidents of Stakes and Bishops of Wards. Office of the FIRST PRESIDENCY,

DEAR BRETHREN: It has been decided that it is no longer necessary for those going to the Temple to attend to ordinances therein to send their recommends to President Woodruff, to be by him endorsed. The signatures of the Bishop and Stake President will be all that is required.

This being the decision, Bishops of Wards and Presidents of Stakes will see the increased necessity for care, so that no unworthy person will be recommended for ordinances in the Temples. Your brethren, WILFORD WOODRUFF, GEORGE Q. CANNON, JOSEPH F. SMITH, First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. {1891-November 10-Circular letter, Church Historian's Library,} (3)
-- 120 years ago today - Nov 10, 1891

1 - The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com
2 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu
3 - Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)

120 years ago today - Nov 10, 1891

[General] Responsibility of Bishops and Stake Presidents for Temple Recommends-- Salt Lake City, Utah.

See general note preceding under date of October 31, 1891.

A LETTER to the Presidents of Stakes and Bishops of Wards. Office of the FIRST PRESIDENCY,

DEAR BRETHREN: It has been decided that it is no longer necessary for those going to the Temple to attend to ordinances therein to send their recommends to President Woodruff, to be by him endorsed. The signatures of the Bishop and Stake President will be all that is required.

This being the decision, Bishops of Wards and Presidents of Stakes will see the increased necessity for care, so that no unworthy person will be recommended for ordinances in the Temples. Your brethren, WILFORD WOODRUFF, GEORGE Q. CANNON, JOSEPH F. SMITH, First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. {1891-November 10-Circular letter, Church Historian's Library,}

[Source: Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]

180 years ago today - Nov 10, 1831

Hiram, Ohio. Joseph Smith received Doctrine & Covenants 69, a revelation appointing John Whitmer to accompany Oliver Cowdery to Missouri for the printing of the compiled commandments and revelations.

[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]

15 years ago today - Nov 10, 1996

[General] President Gordon B. Hinckley breaks ground for the Cochabamba Bolivia Temple.

[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]

Today in Mormon History - Nov 09

Tom Brokaw, of NBC Nightly News, interviews President Hinckley in advance of the winter Olympics. (1)
-- 10 years ago today - Nov 9, 2001

Hiram, Ohio. Joseph Smith spent much of his time reviewing and arranging the commandments and revelations in preparation for Oliver Cowdery to take them to the printing press in Independence, Missouri. (2)
-- 180 years ago today - Nov 9, 1831

The St. George Utah Temple is announced. Simultaneously, the dedication and groundbreaking ceremonies are held by Brigham Young. (3)
-- 140 years ago today - Nov 9, 1871

1 - Sherry Baker: Mormon Media History Timeline: 1827-2007, http://byustudies.byu.edu/showTitle.aspx?title=7984
2 - BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu
3 - Wikipedia, 19th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century_(Mormonism)

140 years ago today - Nov 9, 1871

[General] The St. George Utah Temple is announced. Simultaneously, the dedication and groundbreaking ceremonies are held by Brigham Young.

[Source: Wikipedia, 19th Century (Mormonism), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_century_(Mormonism)]

180 years ago today - Nov 9, 1831

Hiram, Ohio. Joseph Smith spent much of his time reviewing and arranging the commandments and revelations in preparation for Oliver Cowdery to take them to the printing press in Independence, Missouri.

[Source: BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]

10 years ago today - Nov 9, 2001

[General] Tom Brokaw, of NBC Nightly News, interviews President Hinckley in advance of the winter Olympics.

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

Today in Mormon History - Nov 08

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 8 Sunday I spent the day at home. Had my family together. (1)
-- 120 years ago today - Nov 8, 1891

President Hinckley spoke to gatherings of Church members and missionaries in Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Brazil, and broke ground for temples in Bolivia and Brazil. (2)
-- 15 years ago today - Nov 8, 1996-16

[Joseph Smith] The first temple baptismal font is dedicated. The first ordinance is a baptism for the dead, with Young as officiator and Reuben McBride as proxy. The second ordinance is a baptism for health which heals Samuel Rolfe within the week. Four temples would eventually perform 22,403 baptisms for health from 1877 through 1893. (3)
-- 170 years ago today - Nov 8, 1841

1 - Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
2 - Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html
3 - Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power

170 years ago today - Nov 8, 1841

[Joseph Smith] The first temple baptismal font is dedicated. The first ordinance is a baptism for the dead, with Young as officiator and Reuben McBride as proxy. The second ordinance is a baptism for health which heals Samuel Rolfe within the week. Four temples would eventually perform 22,403 baptisms for health from 1877 through 1893.

[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]

15 years ago today - Nov 8, 1996-16

[General] President Hinckley spoke to gatherings of Church members and missionaries in Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Brazil, and broke ground for temples in Bolivia and Brazil.

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

120 years ago today - Nov 8, 1891

[President Wilford Woodruff Journal] 8 Sunday I spent the day at home. Had my family together.

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

Today in Mormon History - Nov 07

Local citizens elect Mary Woolley Chamberlain mayor of Kanab, with an all-female town council, the first such political event in U.S. history. (1)
-- 100 years ago today - Nov 07, 1911

The First Presidency, three apostles, four presidents of Seventy, and 59 others signed a petition to Kirtland's justice of the peace to "depart forthwith out of Kirtland." (2)
-- 175 years ago today - (Mon) Nov 7, 1836

Joseph Smith publicly preaches that "if we would not accuse him he would not accuse us. John C. Bennett subsequently teaches that adultery is acceptable if kept secret. (3)
-- 170 years ago today - Nov 7, 1841

1 - The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com
2 - Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm
3 - Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 2 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2011 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)

170 years ago today - Nov 7, 1841

[Polygamy] Joseph Smith publicly preaches that "if we would not accuse him he would not accuse us. John C. Bennett subsequently teaches that adultery is acceptable if kept secret.

[Source: Hales, Brian C., Joseph Smith's Polygamy: History and Theology, 2 vols., Salt Lake City: Greg Kofford Books, 2011 (www.JosephSmithsPolygamy.com)]

175 years ago today - (Mon) Nov 7, 1836

[General] The First Presidency, three apostles, four presidents of Seventy, and 59 others signed a petition to Kirtland's justice of the peace to "depart forthwith out of Kirtland."

[Source: Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]

100 years ago today - Nov 07, 1911

[General] Local citizens elect Mary Woolley Chamberlain mayor of Kanab, with an all-female town council, the first such political event in U.S. history.

[Source: The Woodland Institute 'On This Day Historical Database,' http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]

Today in Mormon History - Nov 06

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] Got an early interview with Pres[iden]t GQ Cannon about the prospect for the other Senator to Congress Thinks HP Henderson is the choice of supposed candidates Judge Henderson called at my office had a very pleasant expression of his views concerning his views of the office and its duties to his constituents. Soon FSR & CWP called & reviewed the situation then went to the Presidents office FSR & CWP called about 4 pm & evolved matters of their consideration. CWP to call on HP Henderson. At 5:35 CCR HP Henderson & CW Penrose were here in consultation till train time when CC & I returned to Ogden. (1)
-- 115 years ago today - Nov 6, 1896

[Abraham H. Cannon Journal] They are on the way east by train, in the evening they passed by some mts. "They were high masses of rock piled up in regular order as though a mason's plumb bob had set them in position, yet none but the great Master Mason had laid the plummet for the construction of these mighty works of nature." (2)
-- 125 years ago today - Sat. Nov. 6th, 1886

It has been decided that it is no longer necessary for those going to the Temples to attend to ordinances therein to send their recommends to President Woodruff to be by him endorsed. The signatures of the Bishop and Stake President will be all that is required. This decision applies to all ordinances attended to in the House of the Lord, except Second Anointings, which last named will still require the approval of the President of the Church before they can be administered. This being the decision, Bishops of Wards and Presidents of Stakes will see the increased necessity for care, so that no unworthy person will be recommended for ordinances in the Temples. [Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon, and Joseph F. Smith, circular letter, Nov. 6, 1891, in MFP, 3:228] (3)
-- 120 years ago today - Nov 6, 1891

1 - Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies
2 - Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4
3 - Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship

120 years ago today - Nov 6, 1891

It has been decided that it is no longer necessary for those going to the Temples to attend to ordinances therein to send their recommends to President Woodruff to be by him endorsed. The signatures of the Bishop and Stake President will be all that is required. This decision applies to all ordinances attended to in the House of the Lord, except Second Anointings, which last named will still require the approval of the President of the Church before they can be administered. This being the decision, Bishops of Wards and Presidents of Stakes will see the increased necessity for care, so that no unworthy person will be recommended for ordinances in the Temples. [Wilford Woodruff, George Q. Cannon, and Joseph F. Smith, circular letter, Nov. 6, 1891, in MFP, 3:228]

[Source: Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]

125 years ago today - Sat. Nov. 6th, 1886

[Abraham H. Cannon Journal] They are on the way east by train, in the evening they passed by some mts. "They were high masses of rock piled up in regular order as though a mason's plumb bob had set them in position, yet none but the great Master Mason had laid the plummet for the construction of these mighty works of nature."

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

115 years ago today - Nov 6, 1896

[Apostle Franklin D. Richards Diary] Got an early interview with Pres[iden]t GQ Cannon about the prospect for the other Senator to Congress Thinks HP Henderson is the choice of supposed candidates Judge Henderson called at my office had a very pleasant expression of his views concerning his views of the office and its duties to his constituents. Soon FSR & CWP called & reviewed the situation then went to the Presidents office FSR & CWP called about 4 pm & evolved matters of their consideration. CWP to call on HP Henderson. At 5:35 CCR HP Henderson & CW Penrose were here in consultation till train time when CC & I returned to Ogden.

[Source: Diary Excerpts of Franklin D. Richards, 1887-1897, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]