[Heber J. Grant]
I concluded that it would not be wise for me to attend the meeting in the Tabernacle in honor of President Hoover, for fear I would have to go out, which would create comment, and I could not very well explain, so I decided to visit my daughter Rachel Taylor and listen to the President's talk, by radio, and then go to my office, as I understood President Hoover was going to pay me a visit, which he did'he and his wife. My wife Gusta was with me when they called. There accompanied him secret service men, Reed Smoot and wife and some others. I assured the President that I felt highly honored that he should take the time to call at my office. I was very favorably impressed indeed with his talk, in fact I have been favorably impressed with all his talks that I have heard during this campaign. I certainly hope that he will be reelected.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
170 years ago today - Nov 7, 1852
[Hosea Stout]
In the evening [apostle] G[eorge]. A. Smith delivered an address Specially for the missionaries, in which discourse he delivered the following prophecy which however in only an extract of what he said viz:Speaking of the Missionary elders present.
"Every people to whom they preach, their words shall (kindle [crossed out]) tingle in their ears, every language they shall engage to learn, they shall learn it, and shall learn it quicker than any one who has learned it hitherto. – and they shall, many of them, be called to stand before the kings and princes of the earth, and shall bear that testimony to them which will bring to pass the saying that kings shall be their nursing fathers and Queens their nursing mothers,In the name of Israels God – amen.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
In the evening [apostle] G[eorge]. A. Smith delivered an address Specially for the missionaries, in which discourse he delivered the following prophecy which however in only an extract of what he said viz:Speaking of the Missionary elders present.
"Every people to whom they preach, their words shall (kindle [crossed out]) tingle in their ears, every language they shall engage to learn, they shall learn it, and shall learn it quicker than any one who has learned it hitherto. – and they shall, many of them, be called to stand before the kings and princes of the earth, and shall bear that testimony to them which will bring to pass the saying that kings shall be their nursing fathers and Queens their nursing mothers,In the name of Israels God – amen.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
185 years ago today - Nov 7, 1837
The First Presidency ordains Isaac Morley a stake patriarch in Missouri. Although the president of the Quorum of Twelve is present, he is not invited to join in the ordination since apostles in the 1830s are not authorized to function in stakes or to ordain stake patriarchs. [Morley had been temporarily incarcerated for treason, arson and murder.]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
185 years ago today - Nov 7, 1837
Far West "general assembly" elects Joseph president of the whole church and Sidney as a counselor. Counselor Frederick G. Williams is rejected and Hyrum is voted in. Opposition to David Whitmer, W. W. Phelps, and John Whitmer, but ultimately they are elected. A high council is elected, as are members of the Quorum of the Twelve (including the Johnsons and John F. Boynton who had been rejected in Kirtland), bishopric, patriarch, keeper of the Lord's storehouse, presidents of seventies.
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
190 years ago today - Nov 7, 1832
"the Lord had told prisoner that a golden Bible was in a certain hill; that Smith, the prisoner, went in the night, and brought the Bible, (as Smith said;) witness saw a corner of it; it resembled a stone of a greenish caste; should judge it to have been about one foot square and six inches thick; he would not let it be seen by any one; the Lord had commanded him not; it was unknown to Smith, that witness saw a corner of the Bible, so called by Smith; told the witness the leaves were of gold; there were written characters on the leaves . . . "
[Josiah Stowell Testimony, in "Mormonism," New England Christian Herald 4, no. 6 (Nov 7, 1832); Mormonr (mormonr.org/sources)]
[Josiah Stowell Testimony, in "Mormonism," New England Christian Herald 4, no. 6 (Nov 7, 1832); Mormonr (mormonr.org/sources)]
190 years ago today - Nov 7, 1832
Joseph Smith writes letter scolding Edward for use of leases. Becomes D&C 51. Apostate who leaves can retain property. Edward Partidge said to be struck dead if he is not successful.
[Exploring Mormonism: Kirtland Safety Society Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/kirltand-safety-society-timeline-note-this-was-built-back-in-january-2013/]
[Exploring Mormonism: Kirtland Safety Society Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/kirltand-safety-society-timeline-note-this-was-built-back-in-january-2013/]
10 years ago today - 2012-11-06
Mitt Romney, a Mormon, lost to Barack Obama in the general election.
[Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]
[Mormon Women's History Timeline, http://www1.chapman.edu/~remy/MoFem/mormonwomen.html]
180 years ago today - Nov 6, 1842
Martin Harris: Rebaptized 6 November 1842.
[Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
[Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
185 years ago today - Nov 6, 1837
Oliver Cowdery: Allowed by leading quorums 6 Nov. 1837 to resolve difficulty with Joseph Smith Jr. over polygamy without involving the church council
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 6, Biographical Sketches of General Officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
190 years ago today - Nov 6, 1832
William E. McLellin dates the Fanny Alger "Transaction" to this date in a letter to Joseph Smith III, written 70 years later about his conversation with Emma about Fanny Alger
"Your father [written to Joseph Smith III] committed an act with a Miss Hill—a hired girl. Emma saw him, and spoke to him. He desisted, but Mrs. Smith refused to be satisfied. He called in Dr. Williams, O. Cowdery, and S. Rigdon to reconcile Emma. But she told them just as the circumstances took place. He found he was caught. He confessed humbly, and begged forgiveness. Emma and all forgave him."
An author pseudo named "Historicus" also writes that it occurred on this day
She [Emma Smith] discovered that Joseph had been celesitalizing with this maiden, Fanny, who acknowledged the truth, but Joseph denied it in toto and stigmatized the statement of the girl as a base fabrication. Emma, of course, believed the girl, as she was very well aware that no confidence could be placed in her husband, and she became terrible worked up about it. She was like a mad woman, and acted so violently that Oliver Cowdery and some of the elders were called in to minister to her and 'cast the devil out of sister Emma."
[Letter to Joseph Smith, III, July 1872, Community of Christ Archives, reprint in Stan Larson and Samuel J. Passey, eds., The William E. McLellin Papers, 1854-1880; in Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
"Your father [written to Joseph Smith III] committed an act with a Miss Hill—a hired girl. Emma saw him, and spoke to him. He desisted, but Mrs. Smith refused to be satisfied. He called in Dr. Williams, O. Cowdery, and S. Rigdon to reconcile Emma. But she told them just as the circumstances took place. He found he was caught. He confessed humbly, and begged forgiveness. Emma and all forgave him."
An author pseudo named "Historicus" also writes that it occurred on this day
She [Emma Smith] discovered that Joseph had been celesitalizing with this maiden, Fanny, who acknowledged the truth, but Joseph denied it in toto and stigmatized the statement of the girl as a base fabrication. Emma, of course, believed the girl, as she was very well aware that no confidence could be placed in her husband, and she became terrible worked up about it. She was like a mad woman, and acted so violently that Oliver Cowdery and some of the elders were called in to minister to her and 'cast the devil out of sister Emma."
[Letter to Joseph Smith, III, July 1872, Community of Christ Archives, reprint in Stan Larson and Samuel J. Passey, eds., The William E. McLellin Papers, 1854-1880; in Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
190 years ago today - Nov 6, 1832
Emma gives birth to Joseph III. [Joseph Smith III] was born in a house put up for his father on Isaac Morley's farm. His mother had hard labor and the blood went to her head which became black. The prophet became frightened and sent to Willoughby for Dr. Card, and told the messenger to run his horse. The doctor came and bled her and delivered the son.
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
120 years ago today - Wednesday, Nov 5, 1902
[Rudger Clawson]
During the day I took what to me is a very important step, namely, the closing up of all my accounts at the stores. I shall now make a very strong effort to pay as I go. The evil of running accounts is quite apparent to me, but I presume it will be difficult to overcome the habit of years. It is so easy to say "charge it," and withal so pleasant, that the day of reckoning, which will come with unerring certainty, is lost sight of. In order to carry out the resolution herein referred to, I was under the necessity of borrowing $80.00.
[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]
During the day I took what to me is a very important step, namely, the closing up of all my accounts at the stores. I shall now make a very strong effort to pay as I go. The evil of running accounts is quite apparent to me, but I presume it will be difficult to overcome the habit of years. It is so easy to say "charge it," and withal so pleasant, that the day of reckoning, which will come with unerring certainty, is lost sight of. In order to carry out the resolution herein referred to, I was under the necessity of borrowing $80.00.
[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]
120 years ago today - Wednesday, Nov 5, 1902
[John Henry Smith]
Salt Lake City
The Country has gone Republican. Utah, Idaho and Montana are said to be all right.
[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
The Country has gone Republican. Utah, Idaho and Montana are said to be all right.
[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 - Nov 5, 1887
[Wilford Woodruff]
The Court finally decided to appoint a Receiver And the Government sews [sues] me & the Twelve for abot $3,000,000 dollars. I dont think they will get that much.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The Court finally decided to appoint a Receiver And the Government sews [sues] me & the Twelve for abot $3,000,000 dollars. I dont think they will get that much.
[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 - Nov 5, 1842 - Saturday
[Joseph Smith] had a very pleasant visit from some of the Indians who were accompanied by a negro interpreter. They expressed great friendship with the Mormon people, and said they were their friends. After considerable conversation and partaking of victuals they departed evidently highly gratified with their visit.—
[Joseph Smith, Journal, Dec. 1841–Dec. 1842 in "The Book of the Law of the Lord," Record Book, 1841–1845]
[Joseph Smith, Journal, Dec. 1841–Dec. 1842 in "The Book of the Law of the Lord," Record Book, 1841–1845]
50 years ago today - Nov 4, 1972
New 28-story Church Office Building opened.
[Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://lds.net/forums/topic/10668-church-chronology-from-1800-2000-part-1/]
[Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://lds.net/forums/topic/10668-church-chronology-from-1800-2000-part-1/]
60 years ago today - Nov 4, 1962
After giving a "political" talk to a multi-stake meeting of BYU students in November 1962, religion professor Glenn L. Pearson told one of his students that Elder Benson's support of the Birch Society was a mission from God. Then, described by BYU's president as "the most untactful person I have heard," Pearson said that [Hugh B.] Brown was "a Judas in the First Presidency." The student concluded that a church court should excommunicate Counselor Brown.
[Wilkinson diary, 4 Nov. 1962; conversation reported to Michael Quinn by the student in November 1962, during which time Quinn was also enrolled in Pearson's missionary preparation course. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
[Wilkinson diary, 4 Nov. 1962; conversation reported to Michael Quinn by the student in November 1962, during which time Quinn was also enrolled in Pearson's missionary preparation course. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
170 years ago today - Nov 4, 1852. Thursday.
[William Clayton]
The doctrine of Baneemyism appear to have a many advocates here. The system has Charles B. Thompson as its leader. They are bitterly opposed to President Young and call him the beast. They say Joseph lived and died a Prophet of God, and that all the Revelations which came through him to the day of his martyrdom are true, and binding upon this generation. They preach much against the plurality doctrine, and teach that it is got up by the Twelve to gratify their lusts. How will they get along with the Revelation of July 12, 1843[?] I saw [Libeus] T. Coons, Joseph W. Coolidge, Luke Johnson, Dustin Amy and others of the old Saints, but could find none who were willing to offer the least assistance for our mission. There is a great difference between the Spirit of the Saints here, and those at Salt Lake City.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
The doctrine of Baneemyism appear to have a many advocates here. The system has Charles B. Thompson as its leader. They are bitterly opposed to President Young and call him the beast. They say Joseph lived and died a Prophet of God, and that all the Revelations which came through him to the day of his martyrdom are true, and binding upon this generation. They preach much against the plurality doctrine, and teach that it is got up by the Twelve to gratify their lusts. How will they get along with the Revelation of July 12, 1843[?] I saw [Libeus] T. Coons, Joseph W. Coolidge, Luke Johnson, Dustin Amy and others of the old Saints, but could find none who were willing to offer the least assistance for our mission. There is a great difference between the Spirit of the Saints here, and those at Salt Lake City.
[George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
15 years ago today - Nov 3, 2007
A thundering four-color press at a sprawling printing facility located in west Salt Lake City has been running hundreds of thousands of pages per hour, 24 hours a day, six days a week preparing the 2008 curriculum of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php]
[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, United Kingdom, "On This Day," https://www.lds.org.uk/show_oda.php]
75 years ago today - Nov 3, 1947
In your letter to me of October 28, 1947, you say that you and some of your fellow students have been 'perturbed' about the question of why the negro race cannot hold the priesthood.
In reply I send you the following thoughts that I expressed to a friend on the same subject:
Stated briefly your problem is simply this'
Since, as Paul states, the Lord 'hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth,' why is there shown in the Church of Christ discrimination against the colored race?
This is a perplexing problem, particularly in the light of the present trend of civilization to grant equality to all men irrespective of race, creed, or color. The answer as I have sought it cannot be found in abstract reasoning, for in this case Reason to the soul is 'dim as the borrowed rays of moon and starts to lonely , weary, wandering travelers.'
I know of no scriptural basis for denying the Priesthood to Negroes other than one verse in the Book of Abraham (1:26); however, I believe, as you suggest, that the real reason dates back to our Pre-existent life.
This means that the true answer to your question (and it is the only one that has given me any satisfaction) has its foundations in faith'(1) Faith in a God of Justice (2) Faith in the existence of an eternal plan of salvation for all God's children. Faith in a God of Justice Essential ...
I emphasize Justice as an attribute of Deity, because it is the Lord, who, though He made 'of one blood all nations.' also 'determined the bounds of their habitation.' In other words the seeming discrimination by the Church toward the Negro is not something which originated with man, but goes back into the Beginning with God.
It was the Lord who said that Pharaoh, the first Governor of Egypt, though 'a righteous man,' blessed with the blessings of the earth, with the blessings of wisdom'**** 'could not have the right of the Priesthood.' ...
For, as we have already noted, it is a given fact in revelation that Abraham was chosen before he was born. Songs of expectant parents come from all parts of the earth, and each little spirit is attracted to the spiritual and moral parentage for which the spirit had prepared itself.
When, therefore, the Creator said to Abraham, and to others of his attainment, 'you I will make my rulers,' there could exist no feeling of envy or of jealousy among the million other spirits, for those who were good and great were but receiving their just reward, just as do members of a graduation class who have successfully completed their prescribed courses of study. The thousands of other students who have not yet attained that honor still have the privilege to seek it, or they may if they choose, remain in satisfaction down in the grades. ...
George Washington Carver was one of the noblest souls that ever came to earth. He held a close kinship with his Heavenly Father, and rendered a service to his fellow men such as few have ever excelled. For every righteous endeavor, for every good deed performed in his useful life, George Washington Carver will be rewarded, and so will every other man, red white, black, or yellow; for God is no respecter of persons.
Sometime in God's eternal plan, the Negro will be given the right to hold the Priesthood. In the meantime, those of that race who receive the testimony of the Restored Gospel may have their families ties protected and other blessings made secure, for in the justice and mercy of the Lord they will possess all the blessings to which they are entitled in the eternal plan of Salvation and Exaltation.
Nephi 26:33, to which you refer, does not contradict what I have said above, because the Negro is entitled to come unto the Lord by baptism, confirmation, and to receive of the assistance of the Church in living righteously.
[David O. McKay, Letter to 'Dear Brother', 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]
In reply I send you the following thoughts that I expressed to a friend on the same subject:
Stated briefly your problem is simply this'
Since, as Paul states, the Lord 'hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth,' why is there shown in the Church of Christ discrimination against the colored race?
This is a perplexing problem, particularly in the light of the present trend of civilization to grant equality to all men irrespective of race, creed, or color. The answer as I have sought it cannot be found in abstract reasoning, for in this case Reason to the soul is 'dim as the borrowed rays of moon and starts to lonely , weary, wandering travelers.'
I know of no scriptural basis for denying the Priesthood to Negroes other than one verse in the Book of Abraham (1:26); however, I believe, as you suggest, that the real reason dates back to our Pre-existent life.
This means that the true answer to your question (and it is the only one that has given me any satisfaction) has its foundations in faith'(1) Faith in a God of Justice (2) Faith in the existence of an eternal plan of salvation for all God's children. Faith in a God of Justice Essential ...
I emphasize Justice as an attribute of Deity, because it is the Lord, who, though He made 'of one blood all nations.' also 'determined the bounds of their habitation.' In other words the seeming discrimination by the Church toward the Negro is not something which originated with man, but goes back into the Beginning with God.
It was the Lord who said that Pharaoh, the first Governor of Egypt, though 'a righteous man,' blessed with the blessings of the earth, with the blessings of wisdom'**** 'could not have the right of the Priesthood.' ...
For, as we have already noted, it is a given fact in revelation that Abraham was chosen before he was born. Songs of expectant parents come from all parts of the earth, and each little spirit is attracted to the spiritual and moral parentage for which the spirit had prepared itself.
When, therefore, the Creator said to Abraham, and to others of his attainment, 'you I will make my rulers,' there could exist no feeling of envy or of jealousy among the million other spirits, for those who were good and great were but receiving their just reward, just as do members of a graduation class who have successfully completed their prescribed courses of study. The thousands of other students who have not yet attained that honor still have the privilege to seek it, or they may if they choose, remain in satisfaction down in the grades. ...
George Washington Carver was one of the noblest souls that ever came to earth. He held a close kinship with his Heavenly Father, and rendered a service to his fellow men such as few have ever excelled. For every righteous endeavor, for every good deed performed in his useful life, George Washington Carver will be rewarded, and so will every other man, red white, black, or yellow; for God is no respecter of persons.
Sometime in God's eternal plan, the Negro will be given the right to hold the Priesthood. In the meantime, those of that race who receive the testimony of the Restored Gospel may have their families ties protected and other blessings made secure, for in the justice and mercy of the Lord they will possess all the blessings to which they are entitled in the eternal plan of Salvation and Exaltation.
Nephi 26:33, to which you refer, does not contradict what I have said above, because the Negro is entitled to come unto the Lord by baptism, confirmation, and to receive of the assistance of the Church in living righteously.
[David O. McKay, Letter to 'Dear Brother', 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]
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