20 years ago today - Aug 10, 2001

Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, was officially renamed Brigham Young University-Idaho and became a four-year university.

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

165 years ago today - Aug 10, 1856

[Brigham Young]

I propose that each Ward form female relief societies and not buy so much gew gaws ribbons bonnets shawls and shoes and to relieve the men from those things. The sisters are ignorant of the kind and quality from these societies and relieve themselves from a gallon of tea or coffee a day and your flum a diddles. We cannot see your knee or your shirts unless we go to bed with you or pull up your skirts and that we don't want to do...

I foresee the government of the United States as laying a plan to rush in by societies of 10 or 50 to come six months previous to the sale and buy up the land when it comes into market and so wipe up our inheritances. I know their hearts all I want to know. I am not afraid of it...

Women why do you want to deceive us all the time? You cannot make us believe you have not shape and form like men ladies. Stop this running to the store and buying ribbons and fine things, it is virtually husband [-] I want to grind you into the grave so that you may have your liberty again. go away to hell as soon as you like.

[Thomas Bullock Minutes,in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]

175 years ago today - Aug 10, 1846

[Brigham Young]

... when we can he united in all things so that each will seek the interest and welfare of his brother, then the Lord will take up his abode with us.

[Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1846- 1847. Elden J. Watson, ed. Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1971.:305, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]

30 years ago today - Aug 9,1991

Salt Lake Tribune article, "Of LDS Women, 58% Admit Premarital Sex."

[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power, Appendix 5, Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1848-1996, http://amzn.to/extensions-power]

55 years ago today - Aug 9, 1966

In August 1966, Hugh B. Brown told two BYU professors that Benson had "a letter from President McKay endorsing his candidacy." Brown said "it would rip the Church apart" if Benson released the letter to the public as part of the presidential campaign.

Of this, Benson's biographer tells the following. As early as October 1965 Benson had asked the church president for permission to campaign as U.S. presidential candidate. McKay told him not to campaign actively but did not require him to decline the efforts of others to draft him as a presidential candidate. Benson decided to withhold knowledge of any of these discussions from his own quorum which learned of his possible presidential candidacy from the newspaper announcement in May 1966.

[Brown interview by Richard Wirthlin and Ray Hillam, 9 Aug. 1966,3, transcribed 11 Oct. 1966 "from Rough Draft Notes," folder 6, Hillam Papers, and box 34, Buerger Papers; Dew, Ezra Taft Benson, 383-84, 386, 392-93. 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.]

60 years ago today - Aug 9, 1961

Ernest Wilkinson observed that "President McKay for the moment is displeased with some things that Brother Benson has done."

[Wilkinson diary 9 Aug 1961. 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.]

80 years ago today - Aug 9, 1941

The leader of the National Reform Association tells the annual meeting of Christian Citizenship Institute that the LDS church president Heber J. Grant is "the most powerful political individual in America today" because "Grant patronizes president, makes bargains with great political parties, dictates the political policies of Utah and at least five surrounding state and wields effective political influence in at least five others." Grant tells the national press that the speaker should "purge himself of falsehood," and the entire exchange appears in the Church Section of the Deseret News on 29 Nov.

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]

90 years ago today - Aug 9, 1931

[Joseph Fielding Smith]

[Attended] Tabernacle in the afternoon. Dr. J[ames]. E. T[almage]. spoke not edifying but questionable.

[Joseph Fielding Smith, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]

90 years ago today - Aug 9, 1931

Talmage delivers the address "The Earth and Man" in the Tabernacle. Under a later journal entry dated November 21, 1931, Talmage referred back to the discourse:

In speaking at the Tabernacle on August 9 last I had not forgotten that in the pronouncement of the First Presidency mentioned under date of April 7 last it was advised and really required that the General Authorities of the Church refrain from discussing in public, that is preaching, the debatable subject of the existence of human kind upon the earth prior to the beginning of Adamic history as recorded in scripture; but, I had been present at a consultation in the course of which the First Presidency had commented somewhat favorably upon the suggestion that sometime, somewhere, something should be said by one or more of us to make plain that the Church does not refuse to recognize the discoveries and demonstrations of science, especially in relation to the subject at issue. President Anthony W. Ivins, of the First Presidency, presided at the Tabernacle meeting, and three members of the Council of the Twelve were present—Elders George F. Richards, Joseph Fielding Smith and Richard R. Lyman. Of course, Elder Smith, and in fact all of us, recognize that my address was in some important respects opposed to his published remarks, but the other brethren named, including President Ivins, expressed their tentative approval of what I had said. [Journal, MSS]

[Chronology of the Life and Work of James E. Talmage, J. Trevor Antley, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MJsHY83JZL_n6CjWq11y1trT_CVXMMXAx2uYOWAwn0c/edit#heading=h.2zfdaoa]

90 years ago today - Aug 9, 1931

Apostle James E. Talmage gives a talk in the Tabernacle on "The Earth and Man.: He says that plants and animals "lived and died, age after age, while the earth was yet unfit for human habitation. . . . Geologists and anthropologists say that if the beginning of Adamic history dates back but 6,000 years or less there must have been races of human sort upon the earth long before that time-without denying however, that Adamic history may be correct if it be regarded solely as the history of the Adamic race. . . . I do not regard Adam as related to-certainly not descended from-the Neanderthal, the Cro-Magnon the Peking or the Piltdown man." The talk is later published by the Church as a pamphlet. Apostle Joseph Fielding Smith later writes "False doctrine" on at least one copy of the pamphlet.

110 years ago today - Wednesday, Aug 9, 1911

[John Henry Smith]

"We received information to day that a Conspiricy existed to take pictures of the inside of the Temple."

[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]

115 years ago today - Aug 9, 1906

Letter read from Pres[iden]t. E[dward]. J. Wood, stating in effect that a few elderly Seventies belonging to the Seventies' quorum at Cardston [Alberta, Canada], break the Word of Wisdom by drinking liquor, using tobacco, they pay very little tithing, and fail to honor their calling; that the local presidents are anxious to fill up the quorum with younger men competent to become preachers of the Gospel, and they suggest making High Priests of these aged brethren. Pres[iden]t. Wood asked to be advised in regard to complying with this request. Pres[iden]t. [Francis M.] Lyman, speaking on this question, said that he had thought that all aged

Seventies, unworthy to be ordained High Priests might be put on a retired list, but with the understanding that they still be connected with their quorums, and labored with until they are accounted worthy to be ordained High Priests.

[Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]

165 years ago today - Aug 9, 1856

President Young said I knew while in England by Revelation that as we now are God wenoe wenee has been and as he is we shall be if faithful.

[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 - Saturday, Aug 9, 1851

[Council of Fifty]

Council met-L[arge] room. Heard "report" [of Uriah Brown's liquid] fire works [weapon].

[Historian's Office journal, as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]

175 years ago today - Aug 9, 1846

Brigham Young tells a general meeting that certain apostles are wrong in saying that marriage sealings will occur "in the wilderness." He insists that sealings cannot occur until another temple is built, though a week previously he secretly sealed three plural wives to Wilford Woodruff at the camp. Brigham Young writes to President James K. Polk, "We will go so far that our enemies will not choose to follow us and we will pick so unpromising a place that nobody will covet it."

100 years ago today - Aug 8, 1921

To rescue the church's Utah-Idaho Sugar Company, Heber J. Grant agrees to mortgage Social Hall, Vermont, and the Deseret News buildings. However, Counselor Anthony W. Ivins persuades Grant not to mortgage the Church Office Building. This is undoubtedly the origin of the rumor that Grant mortgages Salt Lake Temple Square, including the temple.

[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]

120 years ago today - Thursday, Aug 8, 1901

Pres. Jos. F. Smith reported his attendance at the Summit Stake Conference. Enjoyed the spirit of the conference. While there, saw and talked with Brother W. W. Cluff, who was brooding over the recent changes in that stake. Wanted to know why he was released. The answer came that Summit was greatly in need of a change—and this was shown in part by the fact that a bishop [Samuel F. Atwood] of one of the wards [Kamas], who professed disbelief in the visitation of the Father and Son to the Prophet Jos. Smith, was retained in office some 20 years.

[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 - Aug. 8th, 1901

[Brigham Young Jr.]

Had some strange experiences today. After meeting in the Temple, Pres. Snow held reception for Ken. news men at Beehive. I had Sis. Effie E. Hakes sealed to me (she's dead) Sis. Falkland acted for her. Some other experience was peculiar and the Lord interposed to spare me and mine. God is good, I acknowledge Him in everything.

[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

165 years ago today - Aug 8, 1856

Joseph Smith, father of the Prophet, came from Merrimac River, N.H., and first settled in Palmyra, but in 1819 removed to this place. He was a Methodist; but had formerly been a Universalist, and was quite an adept at Scriptural arguments. Credulity seems to have been a pretty large ingredient in his composition, as he was a great digger, always seeing "sights;" but never realizing his expectations, he was noted for his indolence, and for generally being in some difficulty with his neighbors. Joe's mother was a far different person from his father: she is described as a woman of strong uncultivated intellect, artful and cunning, and strongly imbued with an illy regulated religious enthusiasm, and much given to vague visions of riches and greatness. As is usually the case, she had much more to do with forming the character of the son than his father, though he had more of the atrocities of the latter, so far as his habits were concerned. Mrs. Smith seems to have been the head and front of the movement; she it was who first gave vague hints that a prophet was to arise from her humble household, and as arrangements progressed towards a consummation, she named those who had been fixed upon as instruments to assist them in getting out the new revelations--always selecting men who were noted for their credulity. In these affairs her husband assisted, and was her executive officer.

ALVAH [Alvin], the eldest son, was originally intended for the prophet, but alas for all human designs, "the spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak;" and one day, ALVAH being rather hungry, he indulged too freely in raw turnips, sickened and died; so the incipient prophet was lost to the world and to Mormonism. Joe Smith thereby became a great man, for it was immediately given out that the mantle of Alvah [Alvin] had fallen upon him, unworthy though he was--for rumor says he was as lazy as his father, rather intemperate in his habits, and possessed of less than ordinary intellect. He had previously professed religion at a camp meeting, and was quite an exhorter at evening meetings; but this did not last long. "Mormon Hill" had been long designated "as the place in which countless treasures were buried;" Joseph, the elder, had "spaded" up many a foot of the hill side to find them, and Joseph Jr., had on more than one occasion accompanied him. Taking all these circumstances together, how perfectly natural was it for the Smith family to be selected as the means of finding, and Mormon Hill as the repository of the long buried revelation, known as the "Gold Bible."

It has been generally believed that this celebrated book was written by Mr. Spaulding, of Ohio, but for this belief there is no foundation; the original production undoubtedly emanated jointly from the Smith family, and a schoolmaster of this village by the name of OLIVER COWDERY, who was intimately connected with the Smiths in all their movements...

The original design of the movers was undoubtedly to make money and to gain a certain notoriety, of which, as we have said, Mrs. Smith had often had visions, and they had no idea at this time of founding a sect. Joe Smith has himself said as much. As soon as the Bible had been discovered Joe commenced to prophesy and to name individuals who were, as he said, called of God, as chosen instruments to assist him in the translating, &c., of the revelation. The most noted of their assistants was MARTIN HARRIS, a respectable and honest farmer residing at Palmyra--much given to new creeds, and a monomaniac upon the subject of "spiritual manifestations." He mortgaged his farm to pay for the printing of the Gold Bible, but a contract signed by JOSEPH, and witnessed by COWDERY, secure to Harris and his heirs one half the proceeds of the sale of the Gold Bible, until he was reimbursed in the sum of $2500--the cost of printing. This, together with the fact that Harris had procured the services of a village jeweler to help him estimate the value of the plates, taking as a basis Joe Smith's description, leaves us in doubt as to whether he was altogether a dupe.

The Prophet's account of finding these plates was--that an angel appeared, and directed him where to dig; he was then compelled, against his will, to interpret them, and promulgate their contents to the world; that on the plates were the names of the ancient residents in this country, "engraved by Mormon the son of Nephi;" that in the box containing them was "a large pair of spectacles, the stone or glass set in them being opaque to all but the prophet;" that "these belonged to Mormon the engraver, and that the plates could not be read without them." Harris was the principal amanuensis, and having nearly a hundred pages of the manuscript translation in his house, his wife, who was an unbeliever, seized them, and either burned or secreted them--it was supposed the former--but for fear that she should confront them with the lost documents at some future day, the Smiths, Cowdery and Harris, agreed not to translate these again, but to let so much of the new revelation drop out, lest "the evil spirit should get up a story that the second translation did not agree with the first." . . .

Yours,

ASHES [anonymous author, probably relying on an 1851 account by Orsamus Turner]

["Mormonism in Its Infancy," Newark (New Jersey) Daily Advertiser, Circa August 1856, Charles Woodward Scrapbook, New York Public Library, New York, New York (Woodward 1880, 1:125)., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Manchester Resident Reminiscence]

180 years ago today - Aug 8, 1841

[Helen Mar Kimball]

A few days after their return to Nauvoo the Prophet's brother Don Carlos Smith died, and being an officer in the legion as well as a Freemason he was buried with Masonic and military rites. Those of the Masonic fraternity marched next to the family to the grave which was in a little grove at the foot of the hill southwest of the temple. My mother's baby being too sick for her to leave I went in her stead and marched with my father in the Masonic procession ...

[Whitney, Helen Mar, Jeni Broberg Holzapfel, and Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, A Woman's View: Helen Mar Whitney's Reminiscences of Early Church History, Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1997]