The Nauvoo City council passes a law stating that any officer bringing a writ against Joseph Smith based on a Missouri charge will be subject to life imprisonment, "which convict or convicts can only be pardoned by the Governor, with the consent of the Mayor of said city." (Joseph Smith himself is, of course, the mayor.) The Nauvoo Legion is also ordered to be ready to protect the rights of Nauvoo citizens. Affidavits are drawn up in protest of the recent kidnappings
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
55 years ago today - Dec 7, 1968
[Phone call, Ezra Taft Benson to First Presidency secretary Clare Middlemiss] "Clare, President McKay has told me on various occasions that there are two things he regretted in his presidency: (1) the untimely decision, which was later changed, to move the college at Rexburg to Idaho Falls; and (2) the issuing of the statement in the public press against the John Birch Society. Now, in order to alleviate that feeling about the John Birch Society, I wonder, since they are celebrating their 10th Anniversary tonight at a meeting and banquet in Indianapolis, Indiana, if President McKay would send a telegram similar to the following: "John Birch Society, c/o Mr. Robert Welch, Stauffer Inn, Indianapolis, Indiana—Congratulations upon reaching ten years of courageous and effective service in defense of our freedom and acquainting the American people with the insidious dangers of the atheistic communistic conspiracy. Best wishes for future success in the fight to preserve our God-given liberties." McKay was in a meeting, and counselor Alvin R. Dyer vetoed the request.
["Note by C.M. (Clare Middlemiss)", David O. McKay diary as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
["Note by C.M. (Clare Middlemiss)", David O. McKay diary as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
70 years ago today - Dec 07, 1953
The West German government grants the Church Koerperschaft des Oeffenlichen Rechts (Corporation under Public Law), giving it equal rights with the established churches in Germany. This is the first time in German history that a foreign church has been so honored.
130 years ago today - Dec 7, 1893
[Franklin D. Richards]
.... decided that white is the color for marked garments to be worn. also that baptism should be administered as directed in the B[ook]. of M[ormon]. & Doc[trine]. & Cov[enants]. and not in a Bath Tub where the person officiating cannot go down into the water with the candidate. [This is the first departure of the Utah temple garment from the contemporary "Union suit" which comes in various colors and upon which the Utah "street garment" is based.]
[Franklin D. 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]
.... decided that white is the color for marked garments to be worn. also that baptism should be administered as directed in the B[ook]. of M[ormon]. & Doc[trine]. & Cov[enants]. and not in a Bath Tub where the person officiating cannot go down into the water with the candidate. [This is the first departure of the Utah temple garment from the contemporary "Union suit" which comes in various colors and upon which the Utah "street garment" is based.]
[Franklin D. 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]
160 years ago today - Dec 7, 1863
[Wilford Woodruff]
Dec 7th 1863 I spent the fore part of the day in the office writing. Jason Luce killed a man in the street by the name of Samuel Burton from Origon. He cut his throat with a Bowe knife. He was immediately arested & imprisioned.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Dec 7th 1863 I spent the fore part of the day in the office writing. Jason Luce killed a man in the street by the name of Samuel Burton from Origon. He cut his throat with a Bowe knife. He was immediately arested & imprisioned.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
170 years ago today - Dec 7, 1853
[Hosea Stout]
I forgot to state that while at American Creek I had the satisfaction to witness the triumph of Mormonism over the traditions of our fathers for George A. sealed Arza Adams to an old maid aged 48 as withered and forbidding as 4 Doz. Years of celibacy might natturally be supposed to indicate. She joyfully took his hand and consented to be part of himself as number two. Thus entering into a respectible state of matrimony under auspicious circumstances when nothing except the privileges of Mormonism would have permitted
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
I forgot to state that while at American Creek I had the satisfaction to witness the triumph of Mormonism over the traditions of our fathers for George A. sealed Arza Adams to an old maid aged 48 as withered and forbidding as 4 Doz. Years of celibacy might natturally be supposed to indicate. She joyfully took his hand and consented to be part of himself as number two. Thus entering into a respectible state of matrimony under auspicious circumstances when nothing except the privileges of Mormonism would have permitted
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Dec 7, 1843
The citizens of Nauvoo meet to draw up petitions against the Missouri kidnappings of the two Avery men and others.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
125 years ago today - Dec 6, 1898 (Tuesday)
Twenty-four "ministers of the gospel," mostly residents of Salt Lake City, met and adopted an address, prepared by a committee of the so-called ministerial union, in which they "most earnestly" called upon the people of the United States to join them in a strong protest to Congress against the seating of Brigham H. Roberts, member elect from Utah.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
140 years ago today - Dec 6, 1883
Patriarchal Blessing of Rudger Clawson given by William J. Smith ... Thou shalt be filled with revelation and prophecy and have power to discern and detect wicked and false spirits wherever thou goest, and thou shalt have power over devils and demons and all diseases and the desolating sickness which shall come over the land and all destructive elements. The winds and the waves shall obey thy voice, and the tempests of the mighty deep shall be stayed at thy command. No enemy shall have power over thee - not even a hair of thy head shall fall by a foe. Thou shalt heal the sick, and cast out devils and raise the dead, if it be necessary, and the sun and the moon shall even be stayed at thy command for the furtherance of the work of God.
Thy faith shall increase and thou shalt have power to prevail with God like the brother of Jared, until thou shalt behold God face to face. Thou shalt have mighty faith in Jesus and gather thy thousands to Zion and feed them in the days of famine by the power of God. Thou shalt assist in gathering the Zion of God from all nations and live to see Israel gathered from the four corners of the earth. Thou shalt be gathered to the center stake, and assist in building that holy temple where a cloud by day shall rest and a pillar of fire by night. Thou shalt be a pillar in that temple, and perform a great work for thy progenitors, and assist in the redemption of thousands of thy friends and kindred that have died without a knowledge of the gospel. ...
I seal thee up against all plagues and pestilence that shall be sent forth to devastate the wicked, but thy feet shall stand in holy and sure places in these days of trouble and woe. ... I seal you up to eternal life, to a holy resurrection with thy full redemption, with thine inheritance, in a kingdom of glory that shall never fail thee. Even so. Amen.
[Patriarchal Blessings]
Thy faith shall increase and thou shalt have power to prevail with God like the brother of Jared, until thou shalt behold God face to face. Thou shalt have mighty faith in Jesus and gather thy thousands to Zion and feed them in the days of famine by the power of God. Thou shalt assist in gathering the Zion of God from all nations and live to see Israel gathered from the four corners of the earth. Thou shalt be gathered to the center stake, and assist in building that holy temple where a cloud by day shall rest and a pillar of fire by night. Thou shalt be a pillar in that temple, and perform a great work for thy progenitors, and assist in the redemption of thousands of thy friends and kindred that have died without a knowledge of the gospel. ...
I seal thee up against all plagues and pestilence that shall be sent forth to devastate the wicked, but thy feet shall stand in holy and sure places in these days of trouble and woe. ... I seal you up to eternal life, to a holy resurrection with thy full redemption, with thine inheritance, in a kingdom of glory that shall never fail thee. Even so. Amen.
[Patriarchal Blessings]
190 years ago today - Dec 6, 1833
Kirtland, Ohio. Joseph Smith and others prayed that the newly arrived printing press would be a means to bring -"about the restoration of the house of Israel.-",
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
55 years ago today - Dec 5, 1968
[David O. McKay]
Attention was called to a letter from President Reuel E. Christensen of the Manti Temple reporting that a bishop and stake president in one of the BYU Stakes had inquired if they could send colored people who are members of the Church in good standing residing in their wards to do baptismal work for the dead in the temple. I ruled that worthy negro baptized members of the Church should be permitted to do baptismal work for the dead if they desire to do so.
[David O. McKay diary, Dec. 5, 1968, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
Attention was called to a letter from President Reuel E. Christensen of the Manti Temple reporting that a bishop and stake president in one of the BYU Stakes had inquired if they could send colored people who are members of the Church in good standing residing in their wards to do baptismal work for the dead in the temple. I ruled that worthy negro baptized members of the Church should be permitted to do baptismal work for the dead if they desire to do so.
[David O. McKay diary, Dec. 5, 1968, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
90 years ago today - Dec 5, 1933
Prompted by Prohibition's vast unpopularity as well rampant organized crime--namely bootlegging--and the loss of potential tax revenue from alcohol, the 21st Amendment is passed, repealing Prohibition. Utah is the last state to ratify the amendment.
[Harward, Randy; Utah Brewing Timeline, Salt Lake City Weekly, Aug 24, 2011]
[Harward, Randy; Utah Brewing Timeline, Salt Lake City Weekly, Aug 24, 2011]
120 years ago today - Dec 05, 1903
Harper's Weekly, a U.S. national newspaper, defends Apostle Reed Smoot during the Senate hearings on his worthiness to be seated following his election to the U.S. Senate. Smoot's seating was opposed because it was rumored the church continued to secretly sanction polygamous marriages.
185 years ago today - Dec 5, 1838
Governor Boggs defends his Extermination Order in the state legislature.
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
190 years ago today - Dec 5, 1833
[David Stafford (neighbor of the Smiths)]
I have been acquainted with the family of Joseph Smith Sen. for several years ... It is well known, that the general employment of the Smith family was money digging and fortune-telling. They kept around them constantly, a gang of worthless fellows who dug for money nights, and were idle in the day time. ...
[Eber D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed (Painesville, Ohio: E. D. Howe, 1834), 249-50., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: David Stafford Statement]
I have been acquainted with the family of Joseph Smith Sen. for several years ... It is well known, that the general employment of the Smith family was money digging and fortune-telling. They kept around them constantly, a gang of worthless fellows who dug for money nights, and were idle in the day time. ...
[Eber D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed (Painesville, Ohio: E. D. Howe, 1834), 249-50., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: David Stafford Statement]
10 years ago today - 1 year ago - Dec 4, 2013
The court hears arguments from the same-sex couples and the state on the same-sex marriage issue.
[Herald Extra, "LDS Church: No gay marriages in meetinghouses", http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/lds-church-no-gay-marriages-in-meetinghouses/article_9115817b-5e81-5e2f-b1e7-692843870e5d.html]
[Herald Extra, "LDS Church: No gay marriages in meetinghouses", http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/lds-church-no-gay-marriages-in-meetinghouses/article_9115817b-5e81-5e2f-b1e7-692843870e5d.html]
115 years ago today - Friday, Dec 4, 1908
[John Henry Smith]
I went with John M. Cannon of Granite Stake to South Cottonwood Ward where we investigated the Bishopric of that ward. We are satisfied that they obeyed the Words of Wisdom.
[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 with John M. Cannon of Granite Stake to South Cottonwood Ward where we investigated the Bishopric of that ward. We are satisfied that they obeyed the Words of Wisdom.
[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]
185 years ago today - Dec 4, 1838
[Wilford Woodruff]
Phebe is still vary feeble & low. ... I felt the power of the destroyer resting upon me in the fore part of the day.
In the evening Phebe for the first time during her sickness began to lay hold on faith for her recovery. Her faith was strong in God. We laid hold on faith together repented of all our sins & confessed them befor God & covenanted to keep his Commandments. I had some oil that was Consecrated for my anointing while in kirtland. I again Consecrated it before God for anointing the sick. I bowed myself down before the Lord & prayed with my companion & anointed her [with] oil in the name of the Lord. I laid my hands upon her in the name of JESUS CHRIST and rebuked the fever the destroyier the deadly malidy that was praying upon her system & thank God we both obtained a great blessing in so doing & according to her faith her fever left her & praised be the name of GOD for we will ever keep his commandments & trust in him. Praise the Lord O my soul for all of his wonderful acts.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Phebe is still vary feeble & low. ... I felt the power of the destroyer resting upon me in the fore part of the day.
In the evening Phebe for the first time during her sickness began to lay hold on faith for her recovery. Her faith was strong in God. We laid hold on faith together repented of all our sins & confessed them befor God & covenanted to keep his Commandments. I had some oil that was Consecrated for my anointing while in kirtland. I again Consecrated it before God for anointing the sick. I bowed myself down before the Lord & prayed with my companion & anointed her [with] oil in the name of the Lord. I laid my hands upon her in the name of JESUS CHRIST and rebuked the fever the destroyier the deadly malidy that was praying upon her system & thank God we both obtained a great blessing in so doing & according to her faith her fever left her & praised be the name of GOD for we will ever keep his commandments & trust in him. Praise the Lord O my soul for all of his wonderful acts.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - Dec 4, 1833
[Joseph Smith]
[On] the 4th [of] Dec[ember 1833] [we] commenced distributing the type and commenced setting on the 6[th of December]. Being prepared to commence our Labours in the printing buisness I ask God in the name of Jesus to establish it for ever and cause that his word may speedily go forth [to] the Nations of the earth to the accomplishing of his great work in bringing about the restoration of the house of Israel.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1832-34, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
[On] the 4th [of] Dec[ember 1833] [we] commenced distributing the type and commenced setting on the 6[th of December]. Being prepared to commence our Labours in the printing buisness I ask God in the name of Jesus to establish it for ever and cause that his word may speedily go forth [to] the Nations of the earth to the accomplishing of his great work in bringing about the restoration of the house of Israel.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1832-34, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
190 years ago today - Dec 4, 1833
Palmyra, Dec. 4, 1833.
We, the undersigned, have been acquainted with the Smith family, for a number of years, while they resided near this place, and we have no hesitation in saying, that we consider them destitute of that moral character, which ought to entitle them to the confidence of any community. They were particularly famous for visionary projects, spent much of their time in digging for money which they pretended was hid in the earth; and to this day, large excavations may be seen in the earth, not far from their residence, where they used to spend their time in digging for hidden treasures. Joseph Smith, Senior, and his son Joseph, were in particular, considered entirely destitute of moral character, and addicted to vicious habits. ...
Geo. N. Williams,
Clark Robinson,
Lemael Durfee,
E. S. Townsend,
Henry P. Alger,
C. E. Thayer,
G. W. Anderson,
H. P. Thayer,
L. Williams,
Geo. W. Crosby,
Levi Thayer,
R. S. Williams,
P. Sexton,
M. Butterfield,
S. P. Seymour,
D. S. Jackways,
John Hurlbut,
H. Linnell,
Jas. Jenner,
S. Ackley,
Josiah Rice,
Jesse Townsend,
Rich'd. D. Clark,
Th. P. Baldwin,
John Sothington,
Durfey Chase,
Wells Anderson,
N. H. Beckwith,
Philo Durfee,
Giles. S. Ely,
R. W. Smith,
Pelatiah West,
Henry Jessup,
Linus North,
Thos. Rogers, 2d.
Wm. Parke,
Josiah Francis,
Amos Hollister,
G. A. Hathaway,
David G. Ely,
H. K. Jerome,
G. Beckwith,
Lewis Foster,
Hiram Payne,
P. Grandin,
L. Hurd,
Joel Thayer,
E. D. Robinson,
Asahel Millard,
A. Ensworth,
Isarel F. Chilson
[Eber D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed (Painesville, Ohio: E. D. Howe, 1834), 261-62., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Palmyra Residents Group Statement]
We, the undersigned, have been acquainted with the Smith family, for a number of years, while they resided near this place, and we have no hesitation in saying, that we consider them destitute of that moral character, which ought to entitle them to the confidence of any community. They were particularly famous for visionary projects, spent much of their time in digging for money which they pretended was hid in the earth; and to this day, large excavations may be seen in the earth, not far from their residence, where they used to spend their time in digging for hidden treasures. Joseph Smith, Senior, and his son Joseph, were in particular, considered entirely destitute of moral character, and addicted to vicious habits. ...
Geo. N. Williams,
Clark Robinson,
Lemael Durfee,
E. S. Townsend,
Henry P. Alger,
C. E. Thayer,
G. W. Anderson,
H. P. Thayer,
L. Williams,
Geo. W. Crosby,
Levi Thayer,
R. S. Williams,
P. Sexton,
M. Butterfield,
S. P. Seymour,
D. S. Jackways,
John Hurlbut,
H. Linnell,
Jas. Jenner,
S. Ackley,
Josiah Rice,
Jesse Townsend,
Rich'd. D. Clark,
Th. P. Baldwin,
John Sothington,
Durfey Chase,
Wells Anderson,
N. H. Beckwith,
Philo Durfee,
Giles. S. Ely,
R. W. Smith,
Pelatiah West,
Henry Jessup,
Linus North,
Thos. Rogers, 2d.
Wm. Parke,
Josiah Francis,
Amos Hollister,
G. A. Hathaway,
David G. Ely,
H. K. Jerome,
G. Beckwith,
Lewis Foster,
Hiram Payne,
P. Grandin,
L. Hurd,
Joel Thayer,
E. D. Robinson,
Asahel Millard,
A. Ensworth,
Isarel F. Chilson
[Eber D. Howe, Mormonism Unvailed (Painesville, Ohio: E. D. Howe, 1834), 261-62., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Palmyra Residents Group Statement]
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