First Presidency and apostles consider request for excommunication by George C. Williams who "feels to condemn the Church for allowing Isaac Haight, who is said to have been one of the leaders in the Mountain Meadows Massacre to remain [actually, be rebaptized] in the Church after his participation in that terrible crime. In that massacre Williams is said to have lost fourteen relatives." Apostle George Teasdale records: "Today Pres[ident] Geo[rge] Q. Cannon very humbly apologized to bro[ther] George Goddard in bro[ther] Reynolds office for the joke he perpetrated upon him last evening in the 14th ward Assembly hall."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
Today In Mormon History-fb
Several curious tidbits that happened on this day in Mormon History
130 years ago today - May 2, 1895
The First Presidency and apostles consider a request for excommunication by G. C. Williams who "feels to condemn the Church for allowing Isaac Haight, who is said to have been one of the leaders in the Mountain Meadows Massacre to remain [actually, be rebaptized] in the Church after his participation in that terrible crime. In that massacre Williams is said to have lost fourteen relatives."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
130 years ago today - May 2, 1895
[Francis M. Lyman]
Today Pres[ident] Geo[rge] Q. Cannon very humbly apologized to bro[ther] George Goddard in bro[ther] Reynolds office for the joke he perpetrated upon him last evening in the 14th ward Assembly hall.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Today Pres[ident] Geo[rge] Q. Cannon very humbly apologized to bro[ther] George Goddard in bro[ther] Reynolds office for the joke he perpetrated upon him last evening in the 14th ward Assembly hall.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
140 years ago today - May 2, 1885
Young single adults to go through temple
Temple Recommends Young person not going to be married to receive endowments. about the age of 21.
[Diary Excerpts of J.D.T. McAllister, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Temple Recommends Young person not going to be married to receive endowments. about the age of 21.
[Diary Excerpts of J.D.T. McAllister, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - May 2, 1835 (Saturday)
After conference was opened and the Twelve took their seats, he stated that it would be the duty of the Twelve to appoint the oldest one of their number to preside in their councils, beginning at the oldest and so on until the youngest has presided and then beginning at the oldest again. &c. ...
The President [Joseph Smith] then stated that the Twelve will have no right to go into Zion or any of its stakes and there undertake to regulate the affairs thereof where there is a standing High Council. But it is their duty to go abroad and regulate all matters relative to the different branches of the Church. ... No standing High Council has authority to go into the churches abroad and regulate the matters thereof, for this belongs to the Twelve. No High Council will ever be established only in Zion or one of its stakes.
... If the first Seventy are all occupied and there is a call for more laborers, it will be the duty of the seven presidents of the first Seventy to call and ordain other Seventy and send them forth to labor in the vineyard until, if need be, they set a part apart seven times seventy, even until there shall be one hundred & forty and four thousand. ... The Twelve and the Seventy have particularly to depend upon their ministry for their support and that of their families, and they have a right by virtue of their offices to call upon the Church to assist them.
President J. Smith Junr. arose with the list in his hand and made some vary appropriate remarks relative to the deliverance of Zion and so much of the authority being present, he moved that we never give up the struggle for Zion even until death, or until Zion is redeemed. The vote was unanimous and with apparent deep feeling.
[Source: Oliver Cowdery Record in the Kirtland Council Minute Book, LDS -Kirtland Council Minute Book, 112-13, 115]
The President [Joseph Smith] then stated that the Twelve will have no right to go into Zion or any of its stakes and there undertake to regulate the affairs thereof where there is a standing High Council. But it is their duty to go abroad and regulate all matters relative to the different branches of the Church. ... No standing High Council has authority to go into the churches abroad and regulate the matters thereof, for this belongs to the Twelve. No High Council will ever be established only in Zion or one of its stakes.
... If the first Seventy are all occupied and there is a call for more laborers, it will be the duty of the seven presidents of the first Seventy to call and ordain other Seventy and send them forth to labor in the vineyard until, if need be, they set a part apart seven times seventy, even until there shall be one hundred & forty and four thousand. ... The Twelve and the Seventy have particularly to depend upon their ministry for their support and that of their families, and they have a right by virtue of their offices to call upon the Church to assist them.
President J. Smith Junr. arose with the list in his hand and made some vary appropriate remarks relative to the deliverance of Zion and so much of the authority being present, he moved that we never give up the struggle for Zion even until death, or until Zion is redeemed. The vote was unanimous and with apparent deep feeling.
[Source: Oliver Cowdery Record in the Kirtland Council Minute Book, LDS -Kirtland Council Minute Book, 112-13, 115]
190 years ago today - 1835 May 2
Conference in Kirtland - Joseph Smith instructed the Twelve that they had "no right to go into Zion or any of its Stakes and there undertake to regulate the affairs thereof where there is a standing High Council.-
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
[https://docs.google.com/document/d/10ttN3vOzf2UcVhruCrvDf9pF27T0o0PP0Xj1X98tKBc/edit?fbclid=IwAR3HXLgL-X-M_c5LT2W-_F7AYqsqqaQ0yIhfNuyeFsX85irSPuEO6_Q993A]
40 years ago today - May 1, 1985
The DESERET NEWS publishes the content of a revelation found in Ron Lafferty's pocket the day he was arrested: "Thus sayeth the Lord unto my servants the prophets. It is my will and commandment that ye remove the following individuals in order that my work might go forward, for they have truly become obstacles in my path and I will not allow my work to be stopped. First thy brother's wife Brenda and her baby, then Chloe Low, and then Richard Stowe. And it is my will that they be removed in rapid succession and that an example be made of them in order that others might see the fate of those who fight against the true saints of God." Ron Lafferty, with his brother Dan, murdered Brenda Lafferty and her baby but were arrested before they could fulfil the remaining parts of the revelation.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
75 years ago today - May 1, 1950
[J. Reuben Clark]
Mark E. Petersen'enjoyed themselves on Friday night.
Pres. Clark brought to his attention the article in the Saturday paper, front page, colored child with white child, asked who was responsible for it. He thought it was the city editor; the committee furnished the picture. Pres. Clark thought the News people should be instructed that there should be no pictures with colored people; they are trying to break down the color line, and we will have enough trouble as it is. Pres. Clark said he would not do anything to hurt the negro, but is very concerned about this growth of negro tolerance, and he did not want anything done to lead his grandchild to marry a negro.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
Mark E. Petersen'enjoyed themselves on Friday night.
Pres. Clark brought to his attention the article in the Saturday paper, front page, colored child with white child, asked who was responsible for it. He thought it was the city editor; the committee furnished the picture. Pres. Clark thought the News people should be instructed that there should be no pictures with colored people; they are trying to break down the color line, and we will have enough trouble as it is. Pres. Clark said he would not do anything to hurt the negro, but is very concerned about this growth of negro tolerance, and he did not want anything done to lead his grandchild to marry a negro.
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
90 years ago today - May 1, 1935
[Heber J. Grant]
Abraham Lincoln has been referred to by some as the ugliest man that ever lived. The story goes that on one occasion he met my father-in-law, Daniel H. Well, and said to him, 'Wells, prepare to die. I have sworn that if I ever met a man uglier man than myself, I would shoot him.' Daniel H. Wells is reported to have said, 'Shoot, Abe,'if I am uglier than you, I want to die.'
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Robert K. Cutler, 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]
Abraham Lincoln has been referred to by some as the ugliest man that ever lived. The story goes that on one occasion he met my father-in-law, Daniel H. Well, and said to him, 'Wells, prepare to die. I have sworn that if I ever met a man uglier man than myself, I would shoot him.' Daniel H. Wells is reported to have said, 'Shoot, Abe,'if I am uglier than you, I want to die.'
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Robert K. Cutler, 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]
120 years ago today - May 1, 1905
Jean Hunter Mulholland, LDS and "first woman ever summoned for jury service" in Salt Lake County, is dismissed by the judge because the "commissioners thought the name was masculine." Utah's women apparently do not serve on juries until after the ratification of the women's suffrage amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
120 years ago today - May 1, 1905 (Monday)
Elders Frederick Jacob Sorensen and Oluf Jensen were brutally treated by a mob in Tennessee.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
125 years ago today - May 1, 1900 (Tuesday)
An explosion in Mine No. 4 at Winter Quarters, near Scofield, Utah, killed about two hundred miners, including many members of the Church.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
140 years ago today - May 1, 1885
First Counselor in the First Presidency George Q. Cannon editorializes in "The Juvenile Instructor," and warns against the "Vain and delusive hope" that the "people of god" would renounce plural marriage. "To comply with the request of our enemies," he adamantly argues, "would be to give up all hope of ever entering into the glory of God, the Father, and Jesus Christ, the Son." Cannon denounces the "costly bargain" which the Saints were asked to make: "So intimately interwoven is this precious doctrine with the exaltation of men and women in the great hereafter that it cannot be given up without giving up at the same time all hope of immortal glory."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
160 years ago today - May 1, 1865
<[Brigham Young] said that> P[arley] P Prat[t's] <blood was spilt for [-] adultery.>
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
160 years ago today - May 1, 1865 (Missionary Meeting)
[Brigham Young]
"Don't touch the women. I told one woman in England that kick keep out of bed. It is the greatest temptation of man that of women. It is the greatest temptation to women to enjoy the embraces of women. Joseph said to Oliver, let that woman alone. When Joseph commenced to receive revelation he got the [-] or marrow of the doctrine now called celestial marriage, and Joseph told Oliver to let it alone. And he felt he could do it, but is was his [Oliver's] ruin'-[paragraph blacked out] Leave women and liquor alone. If women came after you, let them alone."
[General Church Minutes quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
"Don't touch the women. I told one woman in England that kick keep out of bed. It is the greatest temptation of man that of women. It is the greatest temptation to women to enjoy the embraces of women. Joseph said to Oliver, let that woman alone. When Joseph commenced to receive revelation he got the [-] or marrow of the doctrine now called celestial marriage, and Joseph told Oliver to let it alone. And he felt he could do it, but is was his [Oliver's] ruin'-[paragraph blacked out] Leave women and liquor alone. If women came after you, let them alone."
[General Church Minutes quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
180 years ago today - May 1, 1845. Thursday.
[William Clayton]
....President Young told me that he had learned that the Rigdonites are intending to have me taken up and prosecuted for polygamy...
[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]
....President Young told me that he had learned that the Rigdonites are intending to have me taken up and prosecuted for polygamy...
[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]
180 years ago today - May 1, 1845
The TIMES AND SEASONS denies that Latter-day Saints engage in polygamy. It also asks, concerning the concept of sending missionaries to Africa: "Have the common propensities of the heathen to do evil been lessened by the labors of the clergy, in as great a proportion as drunkedness and debauchery had increased by civilized intercourse under the board of foreign mission?"
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
195 years ago today - May 1, 1830
Smith fails to make the final payment of $86 to Isaac Hale for his land in Harmony.
[Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
[Vogel, Dan, Early Mormon Documents, Appendix B: Chronology, 1771-1831, http://amzn.to/T5nY8w]
90 years ago today - Apr 30, 1935
[Heber J. Grant]
.... you say 'It has always seemed hypocrisy to me for our church and leaders to preach the Word of Wisdom and then at the same time use our Church money invested in business which sells these very articles which it prohibits.' You refer particularly to the Z.C.M.I. and the Hotel Utah.
I think I am perfectly safe in saying that 90% of all the guests of the Utah Hotel are non- members of the Church. If the hotel did not serve the things that are served in other hotels it never could exist; people would naturally go where they could get the things they are accustomed to having. ...
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to O. N. Anderson, 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]
.... you say 'It has always seemed hypocrisy to me for our church and leaders to preach the Word of Wisdom and then at the same time use our Church money invested in business which sells these very articles which it prohibits.' You refer particularly to the Z.C.M.I. and the Hotel Utah.
I think I am perfectly safe in saying that 90% of all the guests of the Utah Hotel are non- members of the Church. If the hotel did not serve the things that are served in other hotels it never could exist; people would naturally go where they could get the things they are accustomed to having. ...
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to O. N. Anderson, 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]
90 years ago today - Apr 30, 1935
[Heber J. Grant]
I am absolutely opposed to any campaign which has for its purpose the promotion of 'moderate' use of alcoholic liquors. ... As I have stood at the graves of some of my near and dear friends who drank liquor to excess, I have pledged myself to fight to the day of my death the use of liquor. These men to whom I refer started with 'moderate drinking.' They made a wreck of their lives and died in middle age; some of them were naturally stronger physically than I was. I attribute my good health today, being in my 79th year, to abstinence from such things. To my mind, the suggestion of a campaign to educate people to drink liquor in moderation is a most vicious and dangerous proposal. ...
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Mary E. Hudson, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
I am absolutely opposed to any campaign which has for its purpose the promotion of 'moderate' use of alcoholic liquors. ... As I have stood at the graves of some of my near and dear friends who drank liquor to excess, I have pledged myself to fight to the day of my death the use of liquor. These men to whom I refer started with 'moderate drinking.' They made a wreck of their lives and died in middle age; some of them were naturally stronger physically than I was. I attribute my good health today, being in my 79th year, to abstinence from such things. To my mind, the suggestion of a campaign to educate people to drink liquor in moderation is a most vicious and dangerous proposal. ...
[Heber J. Grant, Letter to Mary E. Hudson, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
125 years ago today - Apr 30, 1900
"A number of young ladies with a guitar" serenade L. John Nuttall who is awakened from his sleep and goes to the window to listen. They sing "O My Father" and other songs. Nuttall had served as personal secretary to Presidents Brigham Young, John Taylor and Wilford Woodruff.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
140 years ago today - Apr 30, 1885
Mass Meeting to send grievances to U.S. President
notified all the Bishops of St. George stake that a mass meeting will be held in St. George Tabernacle for the purpose of representating our griviences as a People to the President of the U.S. and the Nation, asking to be treated like other citizens
[Diary Excerpts of J.D.T. McAllister, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
notified all the Bishops of St. George stake that a mass meeting will be held in St. George Tabernacle for the purpose of representating our griviences as a People to the President of the U.S. and the Nation, asking to be treated like other citizens
[Diary Excerpts of J.D.T. McAllister, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Apr 30, 1845
[Nauvoo Neighbor]
Letter: Letter from Pittsburg about Sidney Rigdon -- Signed, "S. S." -- Letter written by a non-Mormon in Pennsylvania, which describes the fires and calamities that have taken place in the state ever since Sidney Rigdon showed up claiming to be the true prophet.
- Letter: Letter from Pittsburg about Sidney Rigdon (2) -- Signed, "Fred. Von Holstein" -- Describes the calamities in Pennsylvania, and Rigdon's supposed leadership of the Church.
[http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
Letter: Letter from Pittsburg about Sidney Rigdon -- Signed, "S. S." -- Letter written by a non-Mormon in Pennsylvania, which describes the fires and calamities that have taken place in the state ever since Sidney Rigdon showed up claiming to be the true prophet.
- Letter: Letter from Pittsburg about Sidney Rigdon (2) -- Signed, "Fred. Von Holstein" -- Describes the calamities in Pennsylvania, and Rigdon's supposed leadership of the Church.
[http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
180 years ago today - Apr 30, 1845
Brigham Young (aged 43) marriage to Emmeline Free (1826-1875) (aged 18) her first marriage, 10 children
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
190 years ago today - Apr 30, 1835
[Patriarchal Blessing of Jonathan H. Hale given by Joseph Smith, Sr.]
.... Thou shalt see the heavens open and view the glories of the upper world. ... Thou shalt speak forth marvelous things, and mountains shall flee before thee, rivers of water shall be turned out of their courses, and waters shall be divide at thy word, if necessary. Prison walls shall fall at thy command and nothing sahll [shall] hinder thee from filling thy mission; for thou shalt speak the words of God in power. Thou shalt have power to remain in the flesh and stand when the Lord unveils His face ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
.... Thou shalt see the heavens open and view the glories of the upper world. ... Thou shalt speak forth marvelous things, and mountains shall flee before thee, rivers of water shall be turned out of their courses, and waters shall be divide at thy word, if necessary. Prison walls shall fall at thy command and nothing sahll [shall] hinder thee from filling thy mission; for thou shalt speak the words of God in power. Thou shalt have power to remain in the flesh and stand when the Lord unveils His face ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
60 years ago today - Apr 29,1965
BYU President Ernest L. Wilkinson makes first reference in his diary to receiving reports from student "spy ring" he has authorized and which becomes national scandal within ten months.
[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]
[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]
65 years ago today - Apr 29, 1960
At funeral, first counselor J. Reuben Clark criticizes quartet for leaving out verse concerning Mother in Heaven during their singing of "O My Father."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
75 years ago today - Apr 29, 1950
[Spencer W. Kimball]
How grateful I am that the Lord has so nearly completely healed my vocal cords. While it is a bit husky yet, I was miraculously healed within hours after I was administered to by Elders Lee and Moyle and Pres. Clark. How very grateful I am!
[Spencer W. Kimball 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]
How grateful I am that the Lord has so nearly completely healed my vocal cords. While it is a bit husky yet, I was miraculously healed within hours after I was administered to by Elders Lee and Moyle and Pres. Clark. How very grateful I am!
[Spencer W. Kimball 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]
135 years ago today - Apr 29, 1890
[Brigham Young Jr.]
I notice that insignificant items of appeal from High Councils are brot. before the Presidency, and they are expected to see everybody no matter tho' the business is too small for a teachers investigation. All of the brethren seem to be investing in Banks and other money making institutions I am out and feel inclined to remain so. Our Quorum represents firms whose employees are at swords points and [?] brethren too. Let me stand aloof tho' I remain poor, or comparatively . ... Bro[ther] Jno. H. Smith said last U. O. [United Order] resembled communism too much, though present system of Cooperations would unite the people, perhaps better, I could not agree with him but said nothing. There is too much time given, to Cooperations, stocks, bonds, politics etc [ie. gentile politics, presum.] by leaders to please me. We are in all kinds of business interests, even the members of the Twelve represent businesses which are jealous of each other and almost ready to fight each other.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I notice that insignificant items of appeal from High Councils are brot. before the Presidency, and they are expected to see everybody no matter tho' the business is too small for a teachers investigation. All of the brethren seem to be investing in Banks and other money making institutions I am out and feel inclined to remain so. Our Quorum represents firms whose employees are at swords points and [?] brethren too. Let me stand aloof tho' I remain poor, or comparatively . ... Bro[ther] Jno. H. Smith said last U. O. [United Order] resembled communism too much, though present system of Cooperations would unite the people, perhaps better, I could not agree with him but said nothing. There is too much time given, to Cooperations, stocks, bonds, politics etc [ie. gentile politics, presum.] by leaders to please me. We are in all kinds of business interests, even the members of the Twelve represent businesses which are jealous of each other and almost ready to fight each other.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
30 years ago today - Apr 28, 1995
The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints and the American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors have reached an agreement over the issue of the posthumous baptisms of Jewish Holocaust victims by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ...
"From the very beginning these discussions were conducted in a positive and friendly manner," Michel said. "They concluded in today's agreement between the Church and the American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors," he added.
In a statement issue today, the Church agreed, among other actions to be taken, to remove from the next issue of its International Genealogical Index the names of all known Jewish Holocaust victims who are not ancestors of living members of the Church. The American Gathering agreed to communicate with and inform major Jewish organizations as to its agreement with the Church. Four other major Jewish organizations have also approved this agreement....
[A chronicle of the Mormon-Jewish controversy; The LDS Agreement: A JewishGen InfoFile, http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/ldsagree.html]
"From the very beginning these discussions were conducted in a positive and friendly manner," Michel said. "They concluded in today's agreement between the Church and the American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors," he added.
In a statement issue today, the Church agreed, among other actions to be taken, to remove from the next issue of its International Genealogical Index the names of all known Jewish Holocaust victims who are not ancestors of living members of the Church. The American Gathering agreed to communicate with and inform major Jewish organizations as to its agreement with the Church. Four other major Jewish organizations have also approved this agreement....
[A chronicle of the Mormon-Jewish controversy; The LDS Agreement: A JewishGen InfoFile, http://www.jewishgen.org/infofiles/ldsagree.html]
40 years ago today - Apr 28 1985
LDS Church News publishes text of Hoffman's Salamander Letter, while supporting its authenticity.
[Chronology of Mormon History (Mormon Stories), http://www.mormonstories.org/truth-claims/chronology-of-mormon-history/]
[Chronology of Mormon History (Mormon Stories), http://www.mormonstories.org/truth-claims/chronology-of-mormon-history/]
65 years ago today - Apr 28, 1960
The 100th General Assembly of the Southern Presbyterian Church (PCUS) passed a resolution declaring that sexual relations in the context of marriage but without the intent to conceive children were not sinful.
[Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline]
[Cline, Austin, History of American Religion: Timeline]
135 years ago today - Apr 28, 1890
[Telegram:] 'The house committee on territories this morning by strict party vote, ordered a favorable report on disfranchisement bill. No decision by Supreme Court.' ... The question of establishing a L.D.S. University with Elder Willard Young as president of thereof was talked over. Dr [James E.] Talmage told said it would suit him entirely to be at the head of a the scientific course department of such an establishment and be released from the duties of principal. Very busy in business meeting. I listened trying to store my mind with general information. Zion is growing and the multitude of business cares are piling up on the presidency. Their business must be systamatized or be neglected for no men can endure the strain and confusion now resting upon the First Presidency.
[First Presidency Office Journal, 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]
[First Presidency Office Journal, 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]
140 years ago today - April 28th, 1885
[Abraham H. Cannon Authority Abraham H. Cannon]
He (Frank) is arrested for unlawful cohabitation. And out on bail of $1500. "Frank is down from Ogden again and associating with whores."
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
He (Frank) is arrested for unlawful cohabitation. And out on bail of $1500. "Frank is down from Ogden again and associating with whores."
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
145 years ago today - Apr 28, 1880
[Joseph F. Smith]
The subject of the jurisdiction was taken up, Bro[ther] [Orson] Pratt having read a report or an address to the presiding authorities in the church. Some holding that the bishop's court can only disfellowship, but not excommunicate members from the church, others that bishops could cut off any member or officer for transgression. Pending the discussion the council adjourned. Bro[ther]. E[rastus]. Snow threw out an insult to me and M[oses]. Thatcher, but we let it pass.
[Joseph F. Smith 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]
The subject of the jurisdiction was taken up, Bro[ther] [Orson] Pratt having read a report or an address to the presiding authorities in the church. Some holding that the bishop's court can only disfellowship, but not excommunicate members from the church, others that bishops could cut off any member or officer for transgression. Pending the discussion the council adjourned. Bro[ther]. E[rastus]. Snow threw out an insult to me and M[oses]. Thatcher, but we let it pass.
[Joseph F. Smith 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]
185 years ago today - Apr 28, 1840
[Patriarchal Blessing of Mark Anthony Coombs given by Joseph Smith, Sr.]
.... as thou art a man of faith thy prayers shall prevail with the heavens until like Enoch and the brother of Jared thou shalt behold within the vail [veil], and not many days hence thou shalt receive the ministration of the hosts of heaven and thy joy shall be full. ...
And the spirit says thou shalt go unto the Lamanites and speak unto them the words of life and thousands shall believe thy words. Thou shalt be brought to stand before mighty chiefs and they shall speak unto thee in their language and thou shalt ask the Father and he will give unto thee wisdom to speak and understand their language and they shall believe ... thou shalt pray unto God and he will open thy eyes to behold the hidden treasures of the earth, of which thou shalt take and minister ... even if thou shalt go into prisons and bonds thou shalt be delivered by the power of God and thou shalt be a conqueror ...
Thou shalt cross the seas and stand in the palaces of Kings and the great men of the earth, and so great shall be thy power of speech that they shall humble in thy presence for the power of God shall be manifested through thee, unto the convincing them of the truth. ... I say unto thee that there are no blessings in heaven or on earth too great for thee, for there is not a drop of Gentile blood in thy veins...
Thou shalt live to see the winding up scene and thou shalt preach the Gospel as long as there is a wicked man on earth to hear... I now seal thee up unto eternal life and say unto thee thou shalt appear with the Lamb on Mount Zion in the end of thy days with the hundred forty and four thousand having your Father's name written in your forehead and singing the song of Moses & the Lamb. amen.
[Patriarchal Blessings]
.... as thou art a man of faith thy prayers shall prevail with the heavens until like Enoch and the brother of Jared thou shalt behold within the vail [veil], and not many days hence thou shalt receive the ministration of the hosts of heaven and thy joy shall be full. ...
And the spirit says thou shalt go unto the Lamanites and speak unto them the words of life and thousands shall believe thy words. Thou shalt be brought to stand before mighty chiefs and they shall speak unto thee in their language and thou shalt ask the Father and he will give unto thee wisdom to speak and understand their language and they shall believe ... thou shalt pray unto God and he will open thy eyes to behold the hidden treasures of the earth, of which thou shalt take and minister ... even if thou shalt go into prisons and bonds thou shalt be delivered by the power of God and thou shalt be a conqueror ...
Thou shalt cross the seas and stand in the palaces of Kings and the great men of the earth, and so great shall be thy power of speech that they shall humble in thy presence for the power of God shall be manifested through thee, unto the convincing them of the truth. ... I say unto thee that there are no blessings in heaven or on earth too great for thee, for there is not a drop of Gentile blood in thy veins...
Thou shalt live to see the winding up scene and thou shalt preach the Gospel as long as there is a wicked man on earth to hear... I now seal thee up unto eternal life and say unto thee thou shalt appear with the Lamb on Mount Zion in the end of thy days with the hundred forty and four thousand having your Father's name written in your forehead and singing the song of Moses & the Lamb. amen.
[Patriarchal Blessings]
190 years ago today - Apr 28, 1835
[Quorum of Twelve minutes]
Elder Mc Lellin then read the commandment given concerning the choosing of the twelve before the Council. Motioned and carried that we each forgive one another every wrong that has existed among us; and that from hence forth each one of the twelve love his brother as himself in temporal as well as in spiritual things, always enquiring into each others welfare.
[Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Minutes of Meetings and Other Documents--Excerpts, 1835-1896, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Elder Mc Lellin then read the commandment given concerning the choosing of the twelve before the Council. Motioned and carried that we each forgive one another every wrong that has existed among us; and that from hence forth each one of the twelve love his brother as himself in temporal as well as in spiritual things, always enquiring into each others welfare.
[Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: Minutes of Meetings and Other Documents--Excerpts, 1835-1896, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - April 28-30, 1835
Doctrine and Covenants 107:1-58. Kirtland, Ohio.
Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthoods; presidency of the High Priesthood (Melchizedek) can officiate in all offices ; high priests and elders concerned with spiritual affairs ; bishopric presidency of Aaronic ; bishop's "priesthood" lineal ; Aaronic priesthood ministering angels ; church presidency ; Quorum of the Twelve equal to quorum of the church presidency ; seventy missionaries ; quorum of seventy equals Quorum of the Twelve ; Twelve presiding high council ; Twelve direct the seventy ; standing high councils equal traveling high council ; Twelve ordain evangalists [patriarchs] ; lineal priesthood ; Enoch ; Adam's blessing in Adam-ondi-Ahman ; Adam Michael.
...Not printed in the Book of Commandments.
1835 Doctrine and Covenants 3 heading: ON PRIESTHOOD.
[Kenney, Scott; Saints Without Halos, 'Doctrine and Covenants,' http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/s/_dc.phtml]
Melchizedek and Aaronic Priesthoods; presidency of the High Priesthood (Melchizedek) can officiate in all offices ; high priests and elders concerned with spiritual affairs ; bishopric presidency of Aaronic ; bishop's "priesthood" lineal ; Aaronic priesthood ministering angels ; church presidency ; Quorum of the Twelve equal to quorum of the church presidency ; seventy missionaries ; quorum of seventy equals Quorum of the Twelve ; Twelve presiding high council ; Twelve direct the seventy ; standing high councils equal traveling high council ; Twelve ordain evangalists [patriarchs] ; lineal priesthood ; Enoch ; Adam's blessing in Adam-ondi-Ahman ; Adam Michael.
...Not printed in the Book of Commandments.
1835 Doctrine and Covenants 3 heading: ON PRIESTHOOD.
[Kenney, Scott; Saints Without Halos, 'Doctrine and Covenants,' http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/s/_dc.phtml]
60 years ago today - Apr 27, 1965
BYU President Ernest Wilkinson wrote to Apostle Benson's son Mark for "any specific information that will be helpful to me respecting [professor] Richard Poll and his associates . . ."
[Ernest L. Wilkinson to Mark Benson, 27 Apr. 1965, Wilkinson Papers. 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.]
[Ernest L. Wilkinson to Mark Benson, 27 Apr. 1965, Wilkinson Papers. 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.]
70 years ago today - Apr 27, 1955
The First Presidency and Church Board of Education send out a letter stating that Ricks College would return to its status as a junior college after having been a four-year school since the 1949-50 school year.
110 years ago today - Apr 27, 1915
This communication was prepared by Brother Edward H. Anderson, he having brought to the attention of the Presidency the "Home Evening" gathering, said by him to have been quite successful in the Granite Stake.
Dear Brethren and Sisters:
...we advise and urge the inauguration of a "Home Evening" throughout the Church, at which time fathers and mothers may gather their boys and girls about them in the home and teach them the word of the Lord. ...This "Home Evening" should be devoted to prayer, singing hymns, songs, instrumental music, scripture-reading, family topics and specific instruction on the principles of the gospel, and on the ethical problems of life, as well as the duties and obligations of children to parents, the home, the Church, society and the nation. For the smaller children appropriate recitations, songs, stories and games may be introduced. Light refreshments of such a nature as may be largely prepared in the home might be served.
Formality and stiffness should be studiously avoided, and all the family participate in the exercises. ...
We request that the Presidents of Stakes and Bishops throughout the Church set aside at least one evening each month for this purpose, and that upon such evenings no other Church duties shall be required of the people. ...
[1915-April 27-Original letter. Church Historian's Library, as quoted in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
Dear Brethren and Sisters:
...we advise and urge the inauguration of a "Home Evening" throughout the Church, at which time fathers and mothers may gather their boys and girls about them in the home and teach them the word of the Lord. ...This "Home Evening" should be devoted to prayer, singing hymns, songs, instrumental music, scripture-reading, family topics and specific instruction on the principles of the gospel, and on the ethical problems of life, as well as the duties and obligations of children to parents, the home, the Church, society and the nation. For the smaller children appropriate recitations, songs, stories and games may be introduced. Light refreshments of such a nature as may be largely prepared in the home might be served.
Formality and stiffness should be studiously avoided, and all the family participate in the exercises. ...
We request that the Presidents of Stakes and Bishops throughout the Church set aside at least one evening each month for this purpose, and that upon such evenings no other Church duties shall be required of the people. ...
[1915-April 27-Original letter. Church Historian's Library, as quoted in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
125 years ago today - Apr 27, 1900
President [Lorenzo] Snow was at the office, President [Joseph F.] Smith also. President Snow authorized the surrender to Elder Heber J. Grant of an I.O.U. given by him in 1893 for $2,000. as a donation for the Salt Lake Temple. At that time special donations were called for the purpose of completing the Temple. Elder Grant donated $3,000. for himself and family; and the year after paid $1,000 of that amount but soon after the financial panic came and he lost all the means he had and was left greatly in debt. On the 16th of March last he paid another $500. on his note and then President Snow voluntarily told Elder Grant that as his circumstances were not in the best shape he would surrender the I.O.U.
President Canute Peterson of Sanpete [Utah] wrote some little time ago to the effect that the board of trustees of the Sanpete Stake Academy intended to change the name of their school with a view of doing away with the idea that the patronage of the school is supposed to be confined to Sanpete county or Stake, and in the hope of getting leading men of other stakes interested in it. He stated that the board would like the permission of naming the school The Lorenzo Snow Academy. President Snow took the matter under advisement feeling disinclined to have his name used at all, but on the urgent request of other brethren to day had the following written to President Peterson: In answer to yours asking President Snow's permission that your Academy be called after his name, namely 'The Lorenzo Snow Academy,' I am directed to say that while the President does not like to decline the honor you thus desire to confer upon him, he does not feel that he can permit his name, as
suggested, to be given to it, but is willing that it be called 'The Snow Academy,' and thus divide the honor between his deceased friend and brother, Erastus, and himself and hopes this will meet your mind and that of your board, Yours &c, George F. Gibbs, Sec[retar]y.
[Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
President Canute Peterson of Sanpete [Utah] wrote some little time ago to the effect that the board of trustees of the Sanpete Stake Academy intended to change the name of their school with a view of doing away with the idea that the patronage of the school is supposed to be confined to Sanpete county or Stake, and in the hope of getting leading men of other stakes interested in it. He stated that the board would like the permission of naming the school The Lorenzo Snow Academy. President Snow took the matter under advisement feeling disinclined to have his name used at all, but on the urgent request of other brethren to day had the following written to President Peterson: In answer to yours asking President Snow's permission that your Academy be called after his name, namely 'The Lorenzo Snow Academy,' I am directed to say that while the President does not like to decline the honor you thus desire to confer upon him, he does not feel that he can permit his name, as
suggested, to be given to it, but is willing that it be called 'The Snow Academy,' and thus divide the honor between his deceased friend and brother, Erastus, and himself and hopes this will meet your mind and that of your board, Yours &c, George F. Gibbs, Sec[retar]y.
[Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
140 years ago today - Apr 27, 1885 (Tuesday)
[Future apostle] Abraham H. Cannon, of Salt Lake City, was arrested on a charge of u.c. [Unlawful Cohabitation, I.E. living with a polygamous wife], and placed under $1,500 bonds.
The jury returned a verdict of guilty against [Stake] Pres. Angus M. Cannon, for u.c.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
The jury returned a verdict of guilty against [Stake] Pres. Angus M. Cannon, for u.c.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
150 years ago today - Apr 27, 1875
Missionary and future apostle John Henry Smith records in his journal: "Chester Call had been perpetrating a fearfull outrage upon a 12 year old daughter of Bro. Scott. The letter was shown to Bro. Call, and he owned to the fact that he had put his hand under her clothes and fingered her privates. The brethren decided that Bro. Call should stop away from meeting on Sunday which he did. On Monday Bros. Lyman and MacFarland went and saw the parents of the child, who told substantially the same story as bro. Call with the exception that the child said he put his finger up her three times. . . . Bro. Call did not try to go any farther in this affair. He went away from the House and was gone three days and returned to Bro. Scotts and asked them to forgive him and they said they would." Chester Call is sent "home as soon as possible."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
155 years ago today - Apr 27, 1870
An abandoned child was left at the door of Mrs -- The first circumstance of the kind known in Salt Lake City.
[Richards, Franklin Dewey and Little, James A., Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel, Church Chronology, Ch.66, p.306, http://www.amazon.com/Compendium-Doctrines-Gospel-ebook/dp/B002LTY4Z0?ie=UTF8tag=mormonchronic-20link_code=btlcamp=213689creative=392969]
[Richards, Franklin Dewey and Little, James A., Compendium of the Doctrines of the Gospel, Church Chronology, Ch.66, p.306, http://www.amazon.com/Compendium-Doctrines-Gospel-ebook/dp/B002LTY4Z0?ie=UTF8tag=mormonchronic-20link_code=btlcamp=213689creative=392969]
170 years ago today - Apr 27, 1855
Lieutenant in Colonel E. J. Steptoe's command in Salt Lake City writes to friend about his romance and near seduction of one of the wives of Brigham Young's son Joseph (who is on a mission): "Mary [Ayers] Young and I had to give up. Brigham sent me word that if I took her away he would have me killed before I could get out of the Territory. He is a man of his word and little matters of this sort are concluded, I had better not do it, although I went back to the city purposely to get her. We wrote each other affectionate notes."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
170 years ago today - Apr 27, 1855
Lieutenant in Colonel E.J. Steptoe's command at Salt Lake City writes friend about his romance and near seduction of wife of Brigham Young's son Joseph (who is on mission): "Mary [Ayers] Young I had to give up. Brigham sent me word-that if I took her away he would have me killed before I could get out of the Territory. He is a man of his word in little matters of this sort and I concluded I had better not do it, although I went back to the city purposely to get her. We wrote each other affectionate notes."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
180 years ago today - Apr 27, 1845
Orson Hyde gives a speech in which Nancy Rigdon [who rejected a proposal by Joseph Smith] is described as: "poor miserable girl out of the very slough of prostitution"
[Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
[Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
180 years ago today - Apr 27, 1845
Old Father Cowles [former high councilman] one of Laws apostates was there, a company of boys assembled to whistle him out of Town but I prevented them. I came home and in the evening went to police,on my way was informed that the old man had been whistled out immediately after meeting. I met police & came home before dark.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Apr 27, 1845
Orson Hyde refers to Negroes as the cursed lineage of Canaan and says that the curse of servility which they bore was for actions in the Preexistence. He also expressed the fear that the curse of Cain would come on him and his posterity if he did not repent his apostasy.
["Speech Delivered Before the High Priests Quorum in Nauvoo", MS in Utah State Historical Society referenced in Crapo, Richley, Chronology Pertaining to Blacks and the LDS Priesthood]
["Speech Delivered Before the High Priests Quorum in Nauvoo", MS in Utah State Historical Society referenced in Crapo, Richley, Chronology Pertaining to Blacks and the LDS Priesthood]
50 years ago today - Apr 26, 1975-Saturday
[Leonard Arrington]
Reminiscences In retrospect, considering my subsequent career, it was an advantage to me that I did not grow up in a Mormon village, but at the same time grew up in a loyal Mormon family. I had a foot in the dominant Anglo Saxon culture of the nation, or at least the region, and at the same time another foot in the subculture of Mormonism. This gave me the opportunity of understanding each and of feeling perfectly free when in either. And it made it easier for me to keep my religion in one pocket, so to speak, and my livelihood in another. I have never felt that I was an alien in either society. While many Mormon youth had attended only LDS meetings as they grew up, I recall many occasions when I attended other churches in Twin Falls and elsewhere. At no time did my parents seek to dissuade me from attending other churches, nor express other than confidence that I would remain loyal to Mormonism. ...
Within our little Mormon congregation of perhaps twenty families in the early 1920s I recall interesting patterns. We used a goblet for the water of the sacrament, rather than little individual cups, and I recall my mother instructing me to drink from the area behind the handle, since most people drank from the front. This was to avoid contamination. I recall persons arising during testimony meeting to make confession of their sins. This practice was later discouraged, but there was plenty of it when I was very young. The women all had their hair uncut-it was supposed to be sinful and unbiblical for women to cut their hair, and usually tied up in a bun at the back of the head. Women were not supposed to wear a hat in church, and women with hats were asked to remove them before partaking of the Sacrament. Men blessing the Sacrament were mature men, and they usually kneeled on the floor and raised one knee and a hand as they said the blessing prayer. The men were mostly
farmers, working in the open sun all day during the summer, and I recall many of them put olive oil on their faces on Sunday as a kind of skin ointment. There was a certain odor penetrating the churchhouse for this reason. The Sacrament meeting talks were all delivered without preparation and without notes or a paper. ... I particularly enjoyed stake quarterly conference when General Authorities came. Their talks, it seemed to me, were exciting and energetically delivered. And loudly as well. Many of our local people were local farmers, very humble, not well educated, so they were not articulate, did not enunciate clearly nor speak with confidence. My favorites among visiting brethren-well, they all were favorites. I remember that brilliant orator B. H. Roberts, although he talked a long, long time. Another brilliant orator was Orson F. Whitney, tall, magisterial, an old fashioned orator of great power. Rulon S. Wells spoke a little too rapidly, but with great enthusiasm. Richard
R. Lyman was everybody's favorite-a big smile, a big voice, a big man-and he gave a popular talk on courtship in which he said he did not kiss his wife until he was engaged, and recommended we all do the same. In fact, I am not sure but what he recommended not kissing her until we were married. Another popular figure was J. Golden Kimball, tall beanpole of a man with a high pitched voice. Everybody laughed just to see him, and everybody kept on the edge of their seats waiting for a hell or damn. He had a strong testimony and I'm sure kept more persons in the faith than any of the others who were more careful and more intellectual. Melvin J. Ballard was a great speaker and was regarded as particularly spiritual because of his vision of the Savior, and the other spiritual experiences he related. [[Ballard related his vision as a dream, prefacing it with, "I found myself one evening in the dreams of the night." Hinckley, Sermons, 156.]] He was a handsome man. I recall David O. McKay
coming when I was just a young child. So tall, so handsome, such a big infectious smile, and such interest in young people. He asked all those under ten, as I recall, to come to the stand. There he had us sit on the floor around him. And he stood there and told us stories, rather neglecting the audience of adults in front of him. We liked him-he was interested in us. "For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven."
Another I remember was Reed Smoot. This was about 1930. Tall, powerful, commanding, august and solemn. A friend of mine, Freddie Babbell, asked me which I thought would be greatest-to be an apostle or a senator. I replied to be a senator, and Freddie chided me, indicating why it was so much greater to be an apostle. Clearly, on that answer, my foot was more firmly rooted in the dominant culture than in the subculture of Mormonism. There were of course others I saw, such as Heber J. Grant, James E. Talmage, John A. Widtsoe, and others, but my memory of them is primarily of a later period in my life, rather than early childhood. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Reminiscences In retrospect, considering my subsequent career, it was an advantage to me that I did not grow up in a Mormon village, but at the same time grew up in a loyal Mormon family. I had a foot in the dominant Anglo Saxon culture of the nation, or at least the region, and at the same time another foot in the subculture of Mormonism. This gave me the opportunity of understanding each and of feeling perfectly free when in either. And it made it easier for me to keep my religion in one pocket, so to speak, and my livelihood in another. I have never felt that I was an alien in either society. While many Mormon youth had attended only LDS meetings as they grew up, I recall many occasions when I attended other churches in Twin Falls and elsewhere. At no time did my parents seek to dissuade me from attending other churches, nor express other than confidence that I would remain loyal to Mormonism. ...
Within our little Mormon congregation of perhaps twenty families in the early 1920s I recall interesting patterns. We used a goblet for the water of the sacrament, rather than little individual cups, and I recall my mother instructing me to drink from the area behind the handle, since most people drank from the front. This was to avoid contamination. I recall persons arising during testimony meeting to make confession of their sins. This practice was later discouraged, but there was plenty of it when I was very young. The women all had their hair uncut-it was supposed to be sinful and unbiblical for women to cut their hair, and usually tied up in a bun at the back of the head. Women were not supposed to wear a hat in church, and women with hats were asked to remove them before partaking of the Sacrament. Men blessing the Sacrament were mature men, and they usually kneeled on the floor and raised one knee and a hand as they said the blessing prayer. The men were mostly
farmers, working in the open sun all day during the summer, and I recall many of them put olive oil on their faces on Sunday as a kind of skin ointment. There was a certain odor penetrating the churchhouse for this reason. The Sacrament meeting talks were all delivered without preparation and without notes or a paper. ... I particularly enjoyed stake quarterly conference when General Authorities came. Their talks, it seemed to me, were exciting and energetically delivered. And loudly as well. Many of our local people were local farmers, very humble, not well educated, so they were not articulate, did not enunciate clearly nor speak with confidence. My favorites among visiting brethren-well, they all were favorites. I remember that brilliant orator B. H. Roberts, although he talked a long, long time. Another brilliant orator was Orson F. Whitney, tall, magisterial, an old fashioned orator of great power. Rulon S. Wells spoke a little too rapidly, but with great enthusiasm. Richard
R. Lyman was everybody's favorite-a big smile, a big voice, a big man-and he gave a popular talk on courtship in which he said he did not kiss his wife until he was engaged, and recommended we all do the same. In fact, I am not sure but what he recommended not kissing her until we were married. Another popular figure was J. Golden Kimball, tall beanpole of a man with a high pitched voice. Everybody laughed just to see him, and everybody kept on the edge of their seats waiting for a hell or damn. He had a strong testimony and I'm sure kept more persons in the faith than any of the others who were more careful and more intellectual. Melvin J. Ballard was a great speaker and was regarded as particularly spiritual because of his vision of the Savior, and the other spiritual experiences he related. [[Ballard related his vision as a dream, prefacing it with, "I found myself one evening in the dreams of the night." Hinckley, Sermons, 156.]] He was a handsome man. I recall David O. McKay
coming when I was just a young child. So tall, so handsome, such a big infectious smile, and such interest in young people. He asked all those under ten, as I recall, to come to the stand. There he had us sit on the floor around him. And he stood there and told us stories, rather neglecting the audience of adults in front of him. We liked him-he was interested in us. "For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven."
Another I remember was Reed Smoot. This was about 1930. Tall, powerful, commanding, august and solemn. A friend of mine, Freddie Babbell, asked me which I thought would be greatest-to be an apostle or a senator. I replied to be a senator, and Freddie chided me, indicating why it was so much greater to be an apostle. Clearly, on that answer, my foot was more firmly rooted in the dominant culture than in the subculture of Mormonism. There were of course others I saw, such as Heber J. Grant, James E. Talmage, John A. Widtsoe, and others, but my memory of them is primarily of a later period in my life, rather than early childhood. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
60 years ago today - Apr 26, 1965
Covert surveillance occurs by BYU-Birch student in the form of either correspondence, classroom questioning, or private meetings to extract "pro-Communist" views from their professors.
[Whittaker and McClellan, "The Collection: Description," 2, register of Hillam Papers; Stephen Hays Russell to Ernest L. Wilkinson, 26 Apr. 1965. 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.]
[Whittaker and McClellan, "The Collection: Description," 2, register of Hillam Papers; Stephen Hays Russell to Ernest L. Wilkinson, 26 Apr. 1965. 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.]
125 years ago today - Apr 26, 1900 (Thursday)
The Supreme Court of Utah sustained the order of the Board of Education of Salt Lake City, to exclude unvaccinated children.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
130 years ago today - Apr 26, 1895
[Wilford Woodruff]
I had an interview with Judge Powers & Patt Lannan. They wanted to get the promise of the Tabernacle for A United States Political Convention for the Nomination of A President. We agreed to Give the use of the Tabernacle for that purpose.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I had an interview with Judge Powers & Patt Lannan. They wanted to get the promise of the Tabernacle for A United States Political Convention for the Nomination of A President. We agreed to Give the use of the Tabernacle for that purpose.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
140 years ago today - Apr 26, 1885
[J.D.T. McAllister Diary]
Vision of future events in St. George
This night had a Vision, the top parts of the houses in the first St. George ward and as far as I could see were demolished. my own Ann E. place altered. trees cut down one with the side walk--strangers building large places. Some large ones already.
[Diary Excerpts of J.D.T. McAllister, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Vision of future events in St. George
This night had a Vision, the top parts of the houses in the first St. George ward and as far as I could see were demolished. my own Ann E. place altered. trees cut down one with the side walk--strangers building large places. Some large ones already.
[Diary Excerpts of J.D.T. McAllister, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - Apr 26, 1835
Thomas B. Marsh and Orson Pratt are ordained apostles and members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Marsh, erroneously thought to be the eldest, is ordained the president of the quorum.
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
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