More History?

Want more LDS history? Check out Mormon-Church-History, a comprehensive chronology of church history. It is a tour through church history, covering a little bit each day through the the history of the church. About a dozen chronological entries are posted daily, gradually covering the entire history of the Mormon church over the next several years. More info can be found here: http://mormon-church-history.blogspot.com/2008/12/welcome-to-mormon-church-history.html

70 years ago today - Nov 22, 1943

[George Albert Smith] Stopped at [recently excommunicated apostle] R[ichard] R L[yman] home and talked to Amy and Richards. She is crushed. He seems in a dream.

[Source: George Albert Smith, Diary]

95 years ago today - Nov 22, 1918

Heber J. Grant presides at the graveside services held for President Joseph F. Smith. Because of a nationwide influenza epidemic, no public funerals were allowed during this time.

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

95 years ago today - Nov 22, 1918

[Thomas A. Clawson Diary] "At 10 A.M. today in a Special Meeting in the Temple of the Council of the Twelve and Presiding Patriarch the First Presidency was reorganized with Heber J. Grant President and Anthon H. Lund and Chas. W. Penrose as his Counselors. Anthon H Lund was set apart as President of the Twelve and Rudger Clawson as Acting Prest of the Twelve Apostles. This is perfectly satisfactory to me and I am quite sure that no matter how energetic and forceful Heber may have been in some of his political views and in his likes and dislikes the Lord will modify and mellow him down and prepare him for the great responsibilities he is called upon to assume."

[Source: Diary Excerpts of Thomas A. Clawson, Signature Books Library, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

130 years ago today - Nov 22, 1883

[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary] Answd. Miss Winters' letter--Hope some day to make her my wife, although we are comparative strangers today.

[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

140 years ago today - Nov 22, 1873

[Orson Pratt Sermon] Our first parents were not mortal when they were placed on this earth, but they were as immortal as those who are resurrected in the presence of God. Death came into the world by their transgression, they produced mortality; hence this will be a complete restoration, of which I am speaking.

[Source: J. D. 16:324- Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthy Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]

170 years ago today - Nov 22, 1843

[Anointed Quorum] Prayer circle meeting at Joseph Smith's old house; second anointing for Brigham and Mary Ann Young. Later statements by Young, Heber C. Kimball, and George A. Smith in Statement of Heber C. Kimball and George A. Smith, 4 Jan. 1857, added to JS-F entry of 14 Jan. 1844 and Elden Jay Watson, ed., Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844 [Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968]. claim Young's second anointing was on 14 Jan. 1844, which indicates that this ceremony was performed again on Young's behalf the day before the other apostles began receiving the second anointing .

[Source: Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Signature Books, 1994, Appendex: Meetings and Initiations of the Anointed Quorum, 1842-45, http://amzn.to/origins-power]

15 years ago today - Nov 21, 1998

President Boyd K. Packer and Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Relief Society General President Mary Ellen Smoot make presentations at the Second World Conference on Families in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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

35 years ago today - Nov 21, 1978

Edwin and Janath Cannon and Rendell and Rachel Mabey, the first official representatives of the International Mission in West Africa, witness the fruits of their labors with the baptism of twenty-one Nigerians. Within the year, some seventeen hundred Nigerians and Ghanaians are baptized.

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

75 years ago today - Nov 21, 1938

[President Heber J. Grant Diary] I told of John W. Taylor's prophesying on me when I was called to go to Japan. Told of the Miraculous blessings of the Lord that I should make $46,000. in four months.

[Source: Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

100 years ago today - Nov 21, 1913 (Friday)

Rafael Lopez, a Mexican desperado, killed J.W. Grant (chief of police at Bingham, Utah,) Otto Wittbeck and Nephi S. Jensen (both of Salt Lake City), who were endeavoring to capture the desperado, near Saratoga Springs, nine miles west of Lehi, Utah Co., Utah, for having murdered Juan Waldes, another Mexican (of Bingham) the same day.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

170 years ago today - November 21, 1843. Tuesday.

[William Clayton Journal] I learned from H[yrum] that E[mma Smith] had power to prevent my being admitted to Joseph's Lodge for the present for which I feel somewhat sorry but yet believe that innocence will finally triumph.

[The Lodge may be the Nauvoo Masonic Lodge, or possibly the Quorum of Anointed]

[Source: 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]

170 years ago today - Nov 21, 1843

[Joseph Smith Diary] Gave ... instructions to write a proclamation to the Kings /&c./ of the Earth.

... The Ohio River will be froze up in a few days (prophecy).

[Source: Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1843-44, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]

5 years ago today - Nov 20, 2008

The California Supreme Court accepted three lawsuits seeking to nullify Proposition 8, but refused to allow couples to resume marrying until it ruled.

[Source: Prop 8 Timeline, NBC San Diego, http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/politics/Proposition-8-Timeline-History-California--138796454.html]

150 years ago today - Nov 20, 1863 (Friday)

The first number of the Union Vidette, a bitter anti-Mormon newspaper, was issued at Camp Douglas, Utah.

[Source: Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]

150 years ago today - Nov 20, 1863

[Apostle Wilford Woodruff Journal] At midnight I was Called up to go down to the farm & visit my daughter Susan who thought her youngest Child was dying. I took Mrs Woodruff down to see the Child. We laid hands upon & rebuked the desease & the Child began to amend.

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

175 years ago today - Nov 20, 1838

[Wilford Woodruff Journal] while sitting by the fireside Sister Lydia Luce a faithful Saint & full of faith related a dream that she had on the night of the 19th. The dream was of consequence & full of meaning. It was as follows:

She saw the moon in the North of a silver Colour. She saw a small sun in the south & while looking at the strange appearance of the heavens there appeared a ring of Blood in the west & there soon appeared several other rings of Blood of a larger size all encircling each other being a ring in a ring & there soon appeared a ladder of fire in the heavens & it fell to the earth & broke in two pieces. One part of the ladder had an Iron plate fassened to the end of it with sumthing fassened to it & I Willford Woodruff went & picked it up & read it & behold it contained the XV Chapter of Isaiah. Read the chapter for yourselves & learn wisdom.

[Source: 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 - Nov 20, 1823

The possible date of Alvin Smith's autopsy.

[Source: Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]

95 years ago today - Nov 19, 1918

President Joseph F. Smith died six days after his 80th birthday. Because of an epidemic of influenza, no public funeral was held for the Church president.

[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]

95 years ago today - Nov 19, 1918

President [Heber J.] Grant came into the Beehive house yesterday afternoon to inquire as to father’s [i.e., Joseph F. Smith’s] condition and I suggested that he go in and speak to him, but he said he did not want to disturb him. I said, you had better wait and see him, as it may be your last chance to speak to him. Father being awake, I told him Bro[ther]. Grant was there, and he directed me to tell Bro[ther]. Grant he wanted to see him, and when Bro[ther]. Grant entered the room he took him by the hand and said, “The Lord bless you, my boy, the Lord bless you, you have got a great responsibility. Always remember this is the Lord’s work, and not man’s. The Lord is greater than any man. He knows who[m] He want to lead His Church, and never makes any mistakes. The Lord bless you.” This was the last message that President Smith delivered to anyone. BEQUEST of property made to the church this date by the Estate of President Joseph F. Smith:â€"Joseph Fielding Smith this day, March 10, 1921, delivered to President Heber J. Grant as Trustee in Trust of the church the properties described in following communication, which is self explanatory. (Copy) March Tenth Ninteen hundred Twenty-one President Heber J. Grant, Trustee-in-Trust of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Dear President Grant: President Joseph F. Smith left an undistributed estate in the hands of five sons Executors, which estate was appraised by the State of Utah and District Court Appraisers at a little over $82,000.00. The Government Estate and State Inheritance taxes, costs of administration, etc., have cost in the neighborhood of $55,000.00, leaving a comparatively small balance in the Estate; but what there is, the Executors feel (and this feeling in concurred in by all members of the family) should be turned over to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, without reservation as to it use; but with thehope that it might be devoted to temple work or temple building. The residue of the Estate of President Smith is as follows: ...

[Source: David A. Smith, Typed Statement; Bequest, March 10, 1921]