[David O. McKay Office Journal]
at Presidency meeting: Discussed the picture slides of archaeological artifacts presented by Thomas Ferguson, and his appeal that the church help his organization--New World Archaeological Foundation--by contributing $15,000 for this year and $30,000 per year for the next four years. The brethren decided to make the $15,000 contibution this year, but to give no further commitment. The brethren did not want to obligate the Church to finance the enterprise. It was also the feeling that such contribution should be made through someone else and that the Church should not be shown in the transaction.
[Source: McKay, David O., Office Journal]
70 years ago today - Apr 14, 1948
Joseph Anderson, secretary to the First Presidency writes to historian Dale Morgan: "An experience running over several years has persuaded us of the unwisdom of giving access to our manuscript records to people writing books, because that same experience has shown that people writing such books are rarely qualified to appraise accurately what they read, and too frequently, whether conscious or unconsciously, they misrepresent what they find. Such manuscripts will therefore not be available for general inspection or use."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
95 years ago today - Apr 14, 1923
Apostle George F. Richards discusses the garment design with the First Presidency. They consider such changes as removing the collar, using buttons, and allowing women to use elbow-length sleeves and shorter legs presumably to coordinate with women's fashions, which had changed considerably by the 1920s. Three days later the entire council and Presidency approved the new design
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
120 years ago today - Apr 14, 1898
The First Presidency and apostles consider the "alleged belief of some Elders in the doctrine of reincarnation... the conclusion reached was that every Elder's right to believe what seemed right to him should be respected and that no action should be taken against him while he refrained from teaching his views to others and respected and upheld the authority vested in the Presiding Priesthood." This refers to local bishop Orson F. Whitney who becomes a member of the Twelve in 1906.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
125 years ago today - Apr 14, 1893
[Heber J. Grant]
[At the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple] President Woodruff said this matter of the Manifesto caused him to say in his soul that wonderful are the ways of the Lord. The putting forth of that proclamation was on e of the strangest acts of his life. He knew the feelings of the people on that subject. His own feelings were the same. Although plead with be honorable outsiders for a long time to settle this conflict with the nation, yet he could net feel that the Presidency had nay right to give up that precious principle. But he had been much comforted by a vision in which was shown him the future of this people, if this step were taken. The Lord had imparted the spirit of the Manifesto to his counselors, to the Twelve, and to thousands of the people. Now it is in the hands of God, and he will take care of it. He will hold this nation responsible.
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
[At the dedication of the Salt Lake Temple] President Woodruff said this matter of the Manifesto caused him to say in his soul that wonderful are the ways of the Lord. The putting forth of that proclamation was on e of the strangest acts of his life. He knew the feelings of the people on that subject. His own feelings were the same. Although plead with be honorable outsiders for a long time to settle this conflict with the nation, yet he could net feel that the Presidency had nay right to give up that precious principle. But he had been much comforted by a vision in which was shown him the future of this people, if this step were taken. The Lord had imparted the spirit of the Manifesto to his counselors, to the Twelve, and to thousands of the people. Now it is in the hands of God, and he will take care of it. He will hold this nation responsible.
[Source: The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
125 years ago today - Friday, Apr 14, 1893
[John Henry Smith]
Salt Lake City [dedication continued]
Prest. Geo. Q. Cannon said that over thirty thousand saints had attended these Services. Prest. W. Woodruff said that in a vission 50 years ago he saw the dedication of this Temple. Prest. Jos. F. Smith called upon the people to say by vote whether the Lord had accepted the offering of the saints and it was unanimous.
About 20 sisters were set apart to go to the world's fair at Chica Co.
[Source: 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]
Salt Lake City [dedication continued]
Prest. Geo. Q. Cannon said that over thirty thousand saints had attended these Services. Prest. W. Woodruff said that in a vission 50 years ago he saw the dedication of this Temple. Prest. Jos. F. Smith called upon the people to say by vote whether the Lord had accepted the offering of the saints and it was unanimous.
About 20 sisters were set apart to go to the world's fair at Chica Co.
[Source: 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 - Apr 14, 1888
[Marriner W. Merrill]
In reference to the scriptural saying, "The last shall be first and the first shall be last," it means that the Gospel was first introduced to the Jews in the days of the Savior. And in the latter days or last Dispensation the Gospel has been introduced to the Gentiles first and lastly to the Jews. Hence the saying, and it has no reference to a man's wives or family.
[Source: Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
In reference to the scriptural saying, "The last shall be first and the first shall be last," it means that the Gospel was first introduced to the Jews in the days of the Savior. And in the latter days or last Dispensation the Gospel has been introduced to the Gentiles first and lastly to the Jews. Hence the saying, and it has no reference to a man's wives or family.
[Source: Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Apr 14, 1883
Revelation to John Taylor at Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, on 14 April 1883
A Revelation given through President John Taylor, on Saturday, April 14th, 1883, in answer to the question: "Show unto us Thy will o Lord, concerning the organization of the Seventies.["]
What ye have written is my will and is acceptable unto me; and furthermore,
Thus saith the Lord unto the First Presidency, unto the Twelve, unto the Seventies, and unto all my holy Priesthood, let not your hearts he troubled, neither be ye concerned about the management and organization of my Church and Priesthood and the accomplishment of my work.
Fear me and observe my laws, and I will reveal unto you, from time to time, through the channels that I have appointed, everything that shall be necessary for the future development and perfection of my Church, for the adjustment and rolling forth of my Kingdom, and for the building up and establishment of my Zion. For ye are my Priesthood, and I am your God Even so, Amen
[Source: Manuscript in John Taylor Papers, LDS archives, typed copy; Marquardt, H. Michael, http://www.xmission.com/~research/central/revel2.htm]
A Revelation given through President John Taylor, on Saturday, April 14th, 1883, in answer to the question: "Show unto us Thy will o Lord, concerning the organization of the Seventies.["]
What ye have written is my will and is acceptable unto me; and furthermore,
Thus saith the Lord unto the First Presidency, unto the Twelve, unto the Seventies, and unto all my holy Priesthood, let not your hearts he troubled, neither be ye concerned about the management and organization of my Church and Priesthood and the accomplishment of my work.
Fear me and observe my laws, and I will reveal unto you, from time to time, through the channels that I have appointed, everything that shall be necessary for the future development and perfection of my Church, for the adjustment and rolling forth of my Kingdom, and for the building up and establishment of my Zion. For ye are my Priesthood, and I am your God Even so, Amen
[Source: Manuscript in John Taylor Papers, LDS archives, typed copy; Marquardt, H. Michael, http://www.xmission.com/~research/central/revel2.htm]
170 years ago today - Apr 14, 1848
Augusta Adams Cobb Young (Brigham Young's 2nd plural wife) wrote out what she called her "Last Will and Testament" (She did not die until 1886,) a request to cancel her sealing for eternity (but not for time) to Brigham Young so she could be sealed by proxy to either Jesus Christ (her first priority) or Joseph Smith. She ended her request, "I do this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by virtue of the Holy Priesthood vested in me, because I consider it necessary to my salvation, exaltation, calling and Election." The "will" was witnessed and signed by Heber C. Kimball and Willard Richards (First Presidency).
Brigham Young rejected her several requests to be sealed to Jesus Christ but did cancel their sealing for eternity and stood as proxy as Joseph Smith for her sealing on April 14, 1848.
[Source: Letter, O'Donovan, Connell, "Augusta Adams Cobb Young: Priesthood Holder," Journal of Mormon History Vol. 38, No. 2, Spring 2012]
Brigham Young rejected her several requests to be sealed to Jesus Christ but did cancel their sealing for eternity and stood as proxy as Joseph Smith for her sealing on April 14, 1848.
[Source: Letter, O'Donovan, Connell, "Augusta Adams Cobb Young: Priesthood Holder," Journal of Mormon History Vol. 38, No. 2, Spring 2012]
50 years ago today - Apr 13, 1968
Eight African-American athletes from the University of Texas at El Paso refuse to compete in a track meet with BYU because Mormons "think they are cursed and belong to the devil." George S. Tanner, after forty-one years of teaching in the LDS institutes of religion, remarks: "The sad part of it is that their charges are not far from the truth."
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
65 years ago today - Apr 13, 1953
"For the Benson machine," Time magazine reported, "prayer is the basic fuel." "He spends as much time on his knees as he does on his feet," one associate observed. Benson also removed all ash trays from his and adjacent offices--or converted them into containers for paper clips and other small objects--and by his example discouraged smoking in departmental meetings. Benson's daily work schedule as secretary did not differ much from his routine as an apostle and earlier.
[Source: "Apostle at Work,†Time, April 13, 1953, 26; and "Secretary Benson Rearranges Things.â€; Gary James Bergera, '"Rising above Principle": Ezra Taft Benson as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, 1953-61, Part 1', Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought (Fall 2008, v 41)]
[Source: "Apostle at Work,†Time, April 13, 1953, 26; and "Secretary Benson Rearranges Things.â€; Gary James Bergera, '"Rising above Principle": Ezra Taft Benson as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, 1953-61, Part 1', Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought (Fall 2008, v 41)]
85 years ago today - Apr 13, 1933
Attended Council meetings as usual. In the Council of the First Presidency and the Twelve, Elder Joshua Reuben Clark Jr. was ordained a High Priest and set apart as Second Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church, all the brethren laying on hands and President Heber J. Grant begin voice in the ordinance.
[Source: James E. Talmage, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Source: James E. Talmage, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
120 years ago today - Apr 13, 1898
Apostle Matthias F. Cowley performs the first marriage commissioned by First Counselor George Q Cannon. Cowley marries Ben E. Rich, president of the Southern States Mission, to a plural wife. Cowley later explained to the Twelve, "President Cannon told me personally to attend to these matters. There was no laying on of hands, but he gave the authority personally. The commission at this time was to marry Brother Rich, but later I was told by him that I could attend to suitable cases."
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - Apr 13, 1893
At a session of the temple dedication, "Pres Woodruff said there would never be an hour when these apostles will be divided from now till the coming of the Son of Man." Apostle Francis M. Lyman and Mary Ann Burnham Freeze separately record seeing a bright light pass over the head of second counselor Joseph F. Smith as he speaks. Apostle Lyman also hears a heavenly choir.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
125 years ago today - Thursday, Apr 13, 1893
[John Henry Smith]
Salt Lake City [dedication continued]
Prest. George Q. Cannon said these services had been under the influence of the spirit of the Lord. Prest. W. Woodruff said the ancient Prophets from Adam down has looked for this day. ...
Prest. W. Woodruff said that on a certain occassion a gentleman had threatened the church with utter overthrow if the Presidency continued their course. Three days after this gentleman* was dead. *Ex. U.S. Marshall Dyer.
[Source: 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]
Salt Lake City [dedication continued]
Prest. George Q. Cannon said these services had been under the influence of the spirit of the Lord. Prest. W. Woodruff said the ancient Prophets from Adam down has looked for this day. ...
Prest. W. Woodruff said that on a certain occassion a gentleman had threatened the church with utter overthrow if the Presidency continued their course. Three days after this gentleman* was dead. *Ex. U.S. Marshall Dyer.
[Source: 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]
135 years ago today - Apr 13, 1883
John Taylor dictates a revelation on organizing the Seventies, and the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve accept it on 14 Apr. The church authorities publish the revelation as a pamphlet in Salt Lake City in 1883 and by its 14 Apr. 1884 reprint in the follwoing editions of the Doctrine and Covenants: Swedish in 1888; German in 1893, 1903 and 1920; Danish in 1900. The 1883 revelation is never canonized by a conference vote or by inclusion in the English language editions of the Doctrine and Covenants. Taylor defines the First Quorum of the Seventy as presidents of subordinate local quorums rather than as an independent quorum.
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[Source: The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
180 years ago today - Apr 13, 1838
Five charges are brought against David Whitmer. He withdraws fellowship from the Church before they can cut him off. Elders Luke S. Johnson and Lyman E. Johnson are also cut off.
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Source: Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
180 years ago today - Apr 13, 1838
Brigham Young, testifies that Phineas Young came to Br. [John P] Green's a few mornings since, with his head cut, the blood running out of his ears, also his stomach was injured, and Phineas [Young] said Lyman E. Johnson had fought him; which was proved in court afterwards. -- Far West, Missouri
[Source: Far West Record 175, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
[Source: Far West Record 175, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
35 years ago today - Apr 12, 1983
SEVENTH EAST PRESS, an off-campus newspaper ceases publication. It had been banned from distribution on the BYU campus due to publishing an interview with Sterling McMurrin in which McMurrin says he doesn't believe in either the First Vision or in the Gold Plates. The SEVENTH EAST PRESS often published articles concerning controversial aspects of Mormon history and doctrine.
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[Source: On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
45 years ago today - Apr 12, 1973
The first Sperry Symposium is held at BYU in honor of Sydney B. Sperry, former professor and dean of Religious Education. The annual symposium focuses on one of the standard works or on LDS Church history and doctrine.
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