At a special early-morning "Adults only" fireside in the Seattle East Stake Apostle Mark E. Petersen states that oral sex in an "abomination." Peterson also tells the congregation, "I've been married to my wife for 44 years, and never once have seen her body uncovered".
[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
85 years ago today - May 25, 1940
CHURCH SECTION prints Mrs. Horace Eaton's 1881 account that the prophet's mother Lucy Mack Smith performed various forms of divination, including palmistry. Apostle David O. McKay writes to N. B. Lundwall: "Regarding your proposed new book on "Temples of the Most High", I suggest that you confine your statistics to those which have already been approved by the General Authorities for publicity. Even some already published by the Arizona Temple, by Brother Frank T. Pomeroy, are now withheld from the general public. No statistics should be given out by any of the Temples until the items are first submitted to the First Presidency."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
110 years ago today - May 25, 1915; Saturday
[James E. Talmage]
This evening's issue of the Deseret News contained the official announcement on reverse side of this sheet. This is the outcome of a report which I recently made to the First Presidency
and Twelve, copy of which follows:
Salt Lake City, Utah.
May 11, 1915.
President Joseph F. Smith and Counselors,
City.
Dear Brethren:
I have received an inquiry from the Presiding Bishop's Office relative to the correct or approved spelling of the proper name by which the Higher Priesthood is distinctively designated. Numerous questions relating to the same subject have come to me from unofficial sources. I venture to suggest, inasmuch as uniformity in the matter is greatly to be desired, that a ruling be made as to the approved spelling of the name to be used in our Church literature.
I submit for your consideration the following facts:
In the Old Testament MELCHIZEDEK, and in the New Testament MELCHISEDEC appear.
In literature other than scriptural both the foregoing forms are used with a decided preponderance in favor of the first.
Funk and Wagnalls "Standard Encyclopedia", the Encyclopedia Britannica, Smith's Bible Dictionary, and the Standard Bible Dictionary all give preference to MELCHIZEDEK.
The Century Dictionary adopts the same spelling but gives as an alternative form the New Testament spelling MELCHISEDEC.
The only work of recognized authority examined by me which gives the New Testament form first place is the New Standard Dictionary; and this specifies the more common MELCHIZEDEK as correct.
The Book of Mormon spelling is the same as that in the Old Testament, MELCHIZEDEK.
The Doctrine and Covenants introduces a spelling found nowhere else except in the writings of some of our own people, namely, MELCHISEDEK. Another variant form used only by some of our own writers is MELCHIZEDEC.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the spelling almost universally used by Theologians and writers in general outside of our Church is MELCHIZEDEK; and this is the form given in both the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon.
I respectfully recommend that this last spelling be adopted as the approved form of the name to be used in the publications of the Church.
It is interesting to note that nowhere outside the Doctrine and Covenants, and the writings of our own people is the name used as an adjective. We so use it in speaking of the MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD. The New Standard Dictionary gives MELCHISEDICIAN and MELCHIZEDEKIAN. as the adjective forms derived from the proper nouns MELCHISEDEC and MELCHIZEDEK. I do not think a departure from our usage in this particular is advisable.
Should you deem it wise to make a ruling as to an approved form of spelling, I respectfully suggest that notice thereof be sent to each of our Church publications, at home and abroad, and, if deemed advisable, that a brief article on the subject be published.
Respectfully your brother in the Gospel,
(Signed)
[James E. Talmage, Diary]
This evening's issue of the Deseret News contained the official announcement on reverse side of this sheet. This is the outcome of a report which I recently made to the First Presidency
and Twelve, copy of which follows:
Salt Lake City, Utah.
May 11, 1915.
President Joseph F. Smith and Counselors,
City.
Dear Brethren:
I have received an inquiry from the Presiding Bishop's Office relative to the correct or approved spelling of the proper name by which the Higher Priesthood is distinctively designated. Numerous questions relating to the same subject have come to me from unofficial sources. I venture to suggest, inasmuch as uniformity in the matter is greatly to be desired, that a ruling be made as to the approved spelling of the name to be used in our Church literature.
I submit for your consideration the following facts:
In the Old Testament MELCHIZEDEK, and in the New Testament MELCHISEDEC appear.
In literature other than scriptural both the foregoing forms are used with a decided preponderance in favor of the first.
Funk and Wagnalls "Standard Encyclopedia", the Encyclopedia Britannica, Smith's Bible Dictionary, and the Standard Bible Dictionary all give preference to MELCHIZEDEK.
The Century Dictionary adopts the same spelling but gives as an alternative form the New Testament spelling MELCHISEDEC.
The only work of recognized authority examined by me which gives the New Testament form first place is the New Standard Dictionary; and this specifies the more common MELCHIZEDEK as correct.
The Book of Mormon spelling is the same as that in the Old Testament, MELCHIZEDEK.
The Doctrine and Covenants introduces a spelling found nowhere else except in the writings of some of our own people, namely, MELCHISEDEK. Another variant form used only by some of our own writers is MELCHIZEDEC.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the spelling almost universally used by Theologians and writers in general outside of our Church is MELCHIZEDEK; and this is the form given in both the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon.
I respectfully recommend that this last spelling be adopted as the approved form of the name to be used in the publications of the Church.
It is interesting to note that nowhere outside the Doctrine and Covenants, and the writings of our own people is the name used as an adjective. We so use it in speaking of the MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD. The New Standard Dictionary gives MELCHISEDICIAN and MELCHIZEDEKIAN. as the adjective forms derived from the proper nouns MELCHISEDEC and MELCHIZEDEK. I do not think a departure from our usage in this particular is advisable.
Should you deem it wise to make a ruling as to an approved form of spelling, I respectfully suggest that notice thereof be sent to each of our Church publications, at home and abroad, and, if deemed advisable, that a brief article on the subject be published.
Respectfully your brother in the Gospel,
(Signed)
[James E. Talmage, Diary]
140 years ago today - May 25, 1885 (Monday)
Elders Wiley G. Cragun and Franklin A. Fraughton were mobbed in South Carolina; Fraughton received forty lashes with a whip and Cragun was shot in the chin.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
165 years ago today - May 25, 1860
The [Pony] Express arived From Calafornia Bringing a report that Indians have Commenced war upon the whites & have killed sixty men somewhare about the sink of the Carson. They have broaken up the mail Stations on the middle route From Camp Floyd to Carson & have killed some of the men one of the Streep[an/er?] Boys who lived in the 14 ward. The Mail Carriers & Mail is said to have been destroyed. The Express Boy was also shot at who brought word.
The Eastern Express also arived this Morning 5 days From St Joseph's & News 6 days From washington.
President Young got a letter From Capt Hooper saying that the Bills to organize Five New Territories was rejected in the House. The Homestead Bill was killed in the senate. Abram Lincoln of Illinois was nominated By the republican Convention For President & Hannibal Hamblin of Maine For Vice President. The ship Tapscott was Chartered by the Saints in Liverpool to bring 700 Saints to New York. Asa Calkings will Come with them.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The Eastern Express also arived this Morning 5 days From St Joseph's & News 6 days From washington.
President Young got a letter From Capt Hooper saying that the Bills to organize Five New Territories was rejected in the House. The Homestead Bill was killed in the senate. Abram Lincoln of Illinois was nominated By the republican Convention For President & Hannibal Hamblin of Maine For Vice President. The ship Tapscott was Chartered by the Saints in Liverpool to bring 700 Saints to New York. Asa Calkings will Come with them.
[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 - May 25, 1855
The grasshoppers are doing very much damage to the crops yet there are much wheat which looks well and bids fair for a good crop[.] The people seem to be in good spirits fighting grasshoppers and planting & sowing where the crops are eaten up.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
80 years ago today - May 24, 1945
[Joseph Fielding Smith]
The regular council meeting of the First Presidency and the Apostles was held in the Temple with President Smith presiding. For several years we have held these meetings without the presence of President Grant, only occasionally, and during the past two years scarcely at all.
[Joseph Fielding 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 regular council meeting of the First Presidency and the Apostles was held in the Temple with President Smith presiding. For several years we have held these meetings without the presence of President Grant, only occasionally, and during the past two years scarcely at all.
[Joseph Fielding 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]
130 years ago today - May 24, 1895
[Apostle Francis M. Lyman]
I was told that my talk on statehood would hurt the cause. Riley Huntsman said "it was that same old church influence being used"
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I was told that my talk on statehood would hurt the cause. Riley Huntsman said "it was that same old church influence being used"
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - May 24, 1870
[Wilford Woodruff]
24 I went to the farm & spent the day fighting grass hoppers & choreing.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
24 I went to the farm & spent the day fighting grass hoppers & choreing.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Saturday, May 24th, 1845
[John Taylor]
.... we repaired to the Temple with great secrecy for the purpose of laying the [capstone] corner stone, there were but few that knew about it; the band playing on the walls and the people hearing it, hurried up. About six o'clock A.M., the brethren being assembled, we proceeded to lay the stone; at quarter past six the stone was laid; after which Bro. Young prayed, his voice being heard distinctly, by the congregation below; and the congregation shouted Hossanna, Hossanna, Hossanna to God and the Lamb, Amen, Amen, and Amen. ...
['The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee]
.... we repaired to the Temple with great secrecy for the purpose of laying the [capstone] corner stone, there were but few that knew about it; the band playing on the walls and the people hearing it, hurried up. About six o'clock A.M., the brethren being assembled, we proceeded to lay the stone; at quarter past six the stone was laid; after which Bro. Young prayed, his voice being heard distinctly, by the congregation below; and the congregation shouted Hossanna, Hossanna, Hossanna to God and the Lamb, Amen, Amen, and Amen. ...
['The John Taylor Nauvoo journal, January 1845-September 1845,' BYU Studies 23:3 (1983) edited by Dean C. Jessee]
180 years ago today - May24, 1845
Sister Young came in & brought a bottle of wine from Sister Clark The president [Brigham Young] gave a toast.- and all responded.-
Wm [William] Smith asked the views of the council about his patriarchal office.- Prest Young said it was his right.-
Wm Smith received his patriarchal blessing by Prest Young.- [Apostle William Smith becomes Patriarch to the Church, even though the previous day, the Twelve had discussed his "improper course" and as "the greatest danger". He is the first Presiding Patriarch ordained by apostolic authority, rather than by patriarchal ordination within the Smith family.]
[Minutes of Quorum of Twelve Apostles, May 24, 1845 [Willard Richards]]
Wm [William] Smith asked the views of the council about his patriarchal office.- Prest Young said it was his right.-
Wm Smith received his patriarchal blessing by Prest Young.- [Apostle William Smith becomes Patriarch to the Church, even though the previous day, the Twelve had discussed his "improper course" and as "the greatest danger". He is the first Presiding Patriarch ordained by apostolic authority, rather than by patriarchal ordination within the Smith family.]
[Minutes of Quorum of Twelve Apostles, May 24, 1845 [Willard Richards]]
50 years ago today - May 23, 1975-Friday
[Leonard Arrington]
This morning we met from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. with the advisors to the department from the Twelve-Elders [Delbert L.] Stapley and [Howard W.] Hunter. ...
(1) There is no response yet on our letters regarding studies of plural marriage and Indian history. ...
(3) The Quorum of Twelve had discussed our proposal on doing biographical studies of Brigham Young. The general sentiment there, according to Brother Stapley and Brother Hunter, was favorable. One or two members cautioned about putting in matters that might reflect unfavorably on the Church. Brother Hunter and Brother Stapley were not able to obtain any minutes giving the final conclusion on the matter and so they have withheld their approval pending receipt of approval from the First Presidency. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
This morning we met from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. with the advisors to the department from the Twelve-Elders [Delbert L.] Stapley and [Howard W.] Hunter. ...
(1) There is no response yet on our letters regarding studies of plural marriage and Indian history. ...
(3) The Quorum of Twelve had discussed our proposal on doing biographical studies of Brigham Young. The general sentiment there, according to Brother Stapley and Brother Hunter, was favorable. One or two members cautioned about putting in matters that might reflect unfavorably on the Church. Brother Hunter and Brother Stapley were not able to obtain any minutes giving the final conclusion on the matter and so they have withheld their approval pending receipt of approval from the First Presidency. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
55 years ago today - May 23, 1970
A Church News article about Yoshiko Nakamura, the Relief Society president in Hiroshima where her only child was burned to death by the atomic blast in 1945 and her husband later died of radiation sickness. She comments: "I have no resentment for America now."
[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 )]]
115 years ago today - Monday, May 23, 1910
[John Henry Smith]
We had a most excelent time Watching the [Halley's] Commet and seeing the Eclipse of the moon and eat[ing] Cake, Cream and strawberry[s].
[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]
We had a most excelent time Watching the [Halley's] Commet and seeing the Eclipse of the moon and eat[ing] Cake, Cream and strawberry[s].
[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]
120 years ago today - May 23, 1905 (Tuesday)
Elder Junius F. Wells in behalf of the Church purchased the Mack farm, in Sharon, Windsor Co., Vermont, where the Prophet Joseph Smith was born.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
140 years ago today - May 23, 1885 (Saturday)
Elder August Valentine, who labored as a missionary on Bornholm, Denmark, was arrested for preaching the gospel. He was brought to Copenhagen, and there imprisoned for five days, after which he was banished from the country.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
150 years ago today - May 23, 1875
[Wilford Woodruff]
We dined at Bishop Hess 6 of us 4 Bishops & 2 Apostles. We Counted up to see how many living Children we 6 men had and we found that we had 147 living Children making it equally divided 24 1/2 each.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
We dined at Bishop Hess 6 of us 4 Bishops & 2 Apostles. We Counted up to see how many living Children we 6 men had and we found that we had 147 living Children making it equally divided 24 1/2 each.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - May 23, 1860
DESERET NEWS editorial: "Murder after murder has been committed with impunity within the precincts of Great Sale Lake City, till such occurrences no not seemingly attract much attention, particularly when the murdered have had the reputation of being thieves and murderers or of associating with such characters from day to day . . ."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
165 years ago today - May 23, 1860
Deseret News editorial: "Murder after murder has been committed with impunity within the precincts of Great Salt Lake City, till such occurrences do not seemingly attract much attention, particularly when the murdered have had the reputation of being thieves and murderers or of associating with such characters from day to day..."
[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 )]]
170 years ago today - May 23, 1855
[Samuel Richards]
"I attended the High Priests Quorum meeting at which Elder Curtis E. Bolton was tried for taking a woman and getting her pregnant which Bro. Brigham had allowed him to adopt into his family as a daughter. She had been heretofore his wife but during his late mission, she had been married to two other men, and had a child by one of the men who was a California Emigrant. . . . He was disfellowshipped from the Quorum, subject to the revision of Prest. Young when he returned from his southern expedition."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
"I attended the High Priests Quorum meeting at which Elder Curtis E. Bolton was tried for taking a woman and getting her pregnant which Bro. Brigham had allowed him to adopt into his family as a daughter. She had been heretofore his wife but during his late mission, she had been married to two other men, and had a child by one of the men who was a California Emigrant. . . . He was disfellowshipped from the Quorum, subject to the revision of Prest. Young when he returned from his southern expedition."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
170 years ago today - May 23, 1855
[James Henry Martineau]
Zilpha, wife of Elder G. A. Smith spoke in tongues with great power: also Job P. Hall: and Prest J. C. L. Smith sang in tongues. Prest Smith gave the interpretation of Sister Zilpha's tongue, which was to encourage the missionaries; and warned and reproved the sisters for their non-compliance with the law of celestial marriage, and predicted many things that should come upon them, and the trials shortly to come upon the saints.
[An Uncommon Common Pioneer: The Journals of James Henry Martineau 1828-1918, edited by Donald G. Godfrey XXX Rebecca S. Martineau-McCarty]
Zilpha, wife of Elder G. A. Smith spoke in tongues with great power: also Job P. Hall: and Prest J. C. L. Smith sang in tongues. Prest Smith gave the interpretation of Sister Zilpha's tongue, which was to encourage the missionaries; and warned and reproved the sisters for their non-compliance with the law of celestial marriage, and predicted many things that should come upon them, and the trials shortly to come upon the saints.
[An Uncommon Common Pioneer: The Journals of James Henry Martineau 1828-1918, edited by Donald G. Godfrey XXX Rebecca S. Martineau-McCarty]
180 years ago today - May 23, 1845, Friday
Wm. Smith is coming out in opposition to the Twelve and in favor of [George J.] Adams. The latter has organized a church at Augusta, Iowa Territory with young Joseph Smith [III] for President, Wm. Smith for Patriarch, Jared Carter for President of the stake and himself for spokesman to Joseph. Wm. says he has sealed some women to men and he considers he is not accountable to Brigham nor the Twelve nor any one else. There is more danger from William than from any other source, and I fear his course will bring us much trouble.
...I presented to them a proposition to write a short history of the building of the Temple from its commencement, together with other matters and deposite the history in the corner stone, about to be laid tomorrow. They acquiesced with the plan. ...
all the stone on the outside of the wall was laid, except, the south-east corner stone. This progress was a great rejoicing to the Saints.
The Rigdonites have prophecied that the walls would never be built, but through the blessing of God we have lived to see the predicition come to naught.
[Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries]
...I presented to them a proposition to write a short history of the building of the Temple from its commencement, together with other matters and deposite the history in the corner stone, about to be laid tomorrow. They acquiesced with the plan. ...
all the stone on the outside of the wall was laid, except, the south-east corner stone. This progress was a great rejoicing to the Saints.
The Rigdonites have prophecied that the walls would never be built, but through the blessing of God we have lived to see the predicition come to naught.
[Fillerup, Robert C., compiler; William Clayton Nauvoo Diaries and Personal Writings, A chronological compilation of the personal writings of William Clayton while he was a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois. http://www.boap.org/LDS/Early-Saints/clayton-diaries]
200 years ago today - May 23, 1825
The Lewiston convention publishes "Revelations of Freemasonry" to suppliment William Morgan's expose', focusing on higher order Masonry (America)
[Homer, Michael, 'Similarity of Priesthood in Masonry':The Relationship Between Freemasonry and Mormonism, Dialogue, Vol. 27, No. 3]
[Homer, Michael, 'Similarity of Priesthood in Masonry':The Relationship Between Freemasonry and Mormonism, Dialogue, Vol. 27, No. 3]
50 years ago today - May 22, 1975
Association of Catholic Communications gives "Gabriel" award to LDS church for "Homefront" public-service advertising which soon receives this award almost yearly.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
95 years ago today - May 22, 1930
[Heber J. Grant]
Brother B. H. Roberts called, and we discussed the contents of his new book, telling him of the feeling of the brethren of the Twelve that they could not approve of some parts of it. He was determined not to make any change and finally requested that we drop the matter for the time being, as he was leaving for California to attend a stake conference and did not feel like discussing the matter. I feel very sorry to think that Brother Roberts is determined to put in the book some things that I think are problematical and cannot be demonstrated. Inasmuch as the Church has furnished him a stenographer while he was in New York and since he returned, to compile this book, I think that before it is published we must come to an understanding as to what shall go into it, and we object emphatically to his putting anything in it that the Presidency and Apostles cannot approve.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Brother B. H. Roberts called, and we discussed the contents of his new book, telling him of the feeling of the brethren of the Twelve that they could not approve of some parts of it. He was determined not to make any change and finally requested that we drop the matter for the time being, as he was leaving for California to attend a stake conference and did not feel like discussing the matter. I feel very sorry to think that Brother Roberts is determined to put in the book some things that I think are problematical and cannot be demonstrated. Inasmuch as the Church has furnished him a stenographer while he was in New York and since he returned, to compile this book, I think that before it is published we must come to an understanding as to what shall go into it, and we object emphatically to his putting anything in it that the Presidency and Apostles cannot approve.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
100 years ago today - May 22,1925
Deseret News editorializes in favor of new Utah law which legalizes horse racing and pari-mutual betting. Legislature has appointed Brigham F. Grant as chair of Racing Commission. He is manager of Deseret News and brother of church president, Heber J. Grant.
[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]
125 years ago today - May 22, 1900
Have thought much about laying before the Quorum my view on U[nited]. O[rder]. that, on some points and for reasons that, it should begin among this Quorum.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
180 years ago today - May 22, 1845
Brigham Young (aged 43) marriage to Mary Elizabeth Rollins (1818-1910) (aged 26) married to non-Mormon Adam Lightner and plural widow of Joseph Smith, Jr. sealed to Joseph Smith, Jr. for eternity and Young for time; remained living with Lightner
[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 - May 22, 1835
[Heber C. Kimball]
"I told him [a baptist preacher] if he did not repent of his sins, and be baptized for the remission of them, he would be damned; which made him mad."
"We then passed on until we came to a pure stream of water, and there cleansed our feet bearing testimony against him, as the Lord commanded."
[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]
"I told him [a baptist preacher] if he did not repent of his sins, and be baptized for the remission of them, he would be damned; which made him mad."
"We then passed on until we came to a pure stream of water, and there cleansed our feet bearing testimony against him, as the Lord commanded."
[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]
35 years ago today - May 21, 1990
U.S. Supreme Court rules that direct donations to LDS missionaries are not deductible under U.S. tax laws. Therefore, First Presidency advises church members to make their donations directly to church, while earmarking funds for individual missionaries.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
50 years ago today - May 21, 1975
[Ezra Taft Benson]
"I had this bad habit—I guess you call it bad," he explained, "of laying things on the line economically just as hard and cold as I could based on the facts, so they'd register with people, and not giving them a lot of soft soap, try and build up good will immediately."
[Ezra Taft Benson, Oral History, Interviewed by Maclyn Burg, May 21, 1975, 23-24, Dwight D. Eisenhower Library, Abilene, Kansas.; Gary James Bergera, '"Rising above Principle": Ezra Taft Benson as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, 1953-61, Part 1', Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought (Fall 2008, v 41)]
"I had this bad habit—I guess you call it bad," he explained, "of laying things on the line economically just as hard and cold as I could based on the facts, so they'd register with people, and not giving them a lot of soft soap, try and build up good will immediately."
[Ezra Taft Benson, Oral History, Interviewed by Maclyn Burg, May 21, 1975, 23-24, Dwight D. Eisenhower Library, Abilene, Kansas.; Gary James Bergera, '"Rising above Principle": Ezra Taft Benson as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, 1953-61, Part 1', Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought (Fall 2008, v 41)]
60 years ago today - May 21, 1965
Priesthood blessings are restored to excommunicated apostle John W. Taylor. His son Raymond Taylor stands proxy as Apostle Joseph Fielding Smith performs the ordinance. His other son Samuel W. Taylor writes: "it is an error to say that my father "apostatized." He never did. He accepted the role of scapegoat for the welfare of the Church, as his reinstatement certifies. And as further evidence, my mother, his third wife, continued to receive her share of his salary as an apostle each month for the remainder of her life. I took the check to the Farmers and Merchants Bank in Provo, with strict orders to deliver it to Brother Olson and nobody else." On the question of reinstatement of Taylor's three post-manifesto plural marriages the decision was "if the Lord should judge Brother Taylor in being justified in his last three marriages, he can adjust it in the realms beyond the grave."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
80 years ago today - May 21, 1945
[Spencer W. Kimball]
[Regarding the reorganization of the First Presidency:] I was impressed especially by the humble, sweet, soul-searching expressions of the Counselors J. Reuben Clark Jr. and David O. McKay who had been in actual leadership of the Church so long and now voluntarily took their places in order of seniority in the Twelve. To see great men weep and shed tears as they evidence love and devotion to their brethren and a Cause is stirring. All spoke including the Patriarch. ...
Pres. Grant had never been to a meeting in the temple since I had been among the authorities.
[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]
[Regarding the reorganization of the First Presidency:] I was impressed especially by the humble, sweet, soul-searching expressions of the Counselors J. Reuben Clark Jr. and David O. McKay who had been in actual leadership of the Church so long and now voluntarily took their places in order of seniority in the Twelve. To see great men weep and shed tears as they evidence love and devotion to their brethren and a Cause is stirring. All spoke including the Patriarch. ...
Pres. Grant had never been to a meeting in the temple since I had been among the authorities.
[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]
80 years ago today - May 21, 1945
Conference sustains George Albert Smith as church president with J. Reuben Clark and David O. McKay as counselors. He is "set apart" (not ordained) by Apostle George F. Richards, who is also a patriarch. Smith is the only unmarried man to become an LDS church president and the only one who has no marital companion during his entire presidency. He remains an unmarried widower the last fourteen years of his life.
[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 )]]
125 years ago today - May 21, 1900; Monday
[Angus M. Cannon]
I spoke to Bro[ther]. [Charles W.] Penrose about an article he wrote for the [Improvement] Era, calling the woman of Endor a witch. I told him Pres[ident]. John Taylor told me in spring of 1855, that the Prophet Joseph [Smith], said that woman was a prophetess of God, who dwelt in seclusion because of the edict of Sam[ue]l. against any one possessing a fermiliar [sic] spirit. Parley P. Pratt, when I mentioned the same thing to him, in fall of 1856, he said she was one of Samuels wives.
[Angus M. Cannon, Diary]
I spoke to Bro[ther]. [Charles W.] Penrose about an article he wrote for the [Improvement] Era, calling the woman of Endor a witch. I told him Pres[ident]. John Taylor told me in spring of 1855, that the Prophet Joseph [Smith], said that woman was a prophetess of God, who dwelt in seclusion because of the edict of Sam[ue]l. against any one possessing a fermiliar [sic] spirit. Parley P. Pratt, when I mentioned the same thing to him, in fall of 1856, he said she was one of Samuels wives.
[Angus M. Cannon, Diary]
140 years ago today - May 21, 1885 (Thursday)
Elder John P. Ibsen, while preaching the gospel in a private house on Bornholm, Denmark, was arrested and brought to Ronne, where he was tried and imprisoned three days for preaching. Soon afterwards he was sent as a prisoner to Copenhagen.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
165 years ago today - May 21, 1860
Brigham Young's office journal comments on a letter sent by the Church to President Buchanan: "This was an interesting letter, it commented upon the prostitution which had always attended monogamy, both in the days of the Romans and in all modern nations; also remarking that the Nations who practiced polygamy were to a far greater extent free from Harlots."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
170 years ago today - May 21, 1855
[Wilford Woodruff]
I got an Indian boy of Brother James Bosnel. He was about a doz years of age. His name was Moroni Eliga Bosnel.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I got an Indian boy of Brother James Bosnel. He was about a doz years of age. His name was Moroni Eliga Bosnel.
[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 - May 21, 1855
[Brigham Young]
The Seventies are Apostles, differing a little from the Twelve Apostles in their calling. When the Kingdom is organized more fully upon the earth, a Seventy will not be chosen as a Bishop's counselor, a Bishop, or even as a President of a stake.... ... D.B. Huntington at a meeting of the natives last evening cut off your old Indian chief because he would not work, and appointed a young man as chief in his place, that would work and Kenosha has had to come to it at last. Bro. Kenosha said that we chiefs should work, and when they ceased to work, they ceased to be a chief, as Bro. D. said that our chiefs did work.
[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]
The Seventies are Apostles, differing a little from the Twelve Apostles in their calling. When the Kingdom is organized more fully upon the earth, a Seventy will not be chosen as a Bishop's counselor, a Bishop, or even as a President of a stake.... ... D.B. Huntington at a meeting of the natives last evening cut off your old Indian chief because he would not work, and appointed a young man as chief in his place, that would work and Kenosha has had to come to it at last. Bro. Kenosha said that we chiefs should work, and when they ceased to work, they ceased to be a chief, as Bro. D. said that our chiefs did work.
[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 21, 1845
Trial begins in Carthage, Illinois of five men charged with the murder of Joseph Smith. All are acquitted.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
45 years ago today - May 20, 1980-Tuesday
[Leonard Arrington]
.... Gary thinks officers of the Church, particularly General Authorities, need to know something about the history of the position of the patriarch and his activities and functions. Gary several times has emphasized that he has absolutely no interest in having the position of patriarch or succeeding his father. He knows he never will. He has had a divorce, for one thing. But his interest is on the same order, I suppose, as that of a son or daughter who wants to see his/her father's history written.
Received a telephone call this afternoon from John Ullman, a member of the Church in Southern California who talked with me after my address at USC in April. He wants me to send him a copy of the study we do on Adam- God doctrine when it is made available. He is worried about it because of a pamphlet distributed during the LA area conference on Adam-God which quotes from my Charles C. Rich book and from Elder [Mark E.] Petersen's book on Adam-God.70 Brother Ullman's address is 4505 Temple City Boulevard, Temple City, CA, 91780.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
.... Gary thinks officers of the Church, particularly General Authorities, need to know something about the history of the position of the patriarch and his activities and functions. Gary several times has emphasized that he has absolutely no interest in having the position of patriarch or succeeding his father. He knows he never will. He has had a divorce, for one thing. But his interest is on the same order, I suppose, as that of a son or daughter who wants to see his/her father's history written.
Received a telephone call this afternoon from John Ullman, a member of the Church in Southern California who talked with me after my address at USC in April. He wants me to send him a copy of the study we do on Adam- God doctrine when it is made available. He is worried about it because of a pamphlet distributed during the LA area conference on Adam-God which quotes from my Charles C. Rich book and from Elder [Mark E.] Petersen's book on Adam-God.70 Brother Ullman's address is 4505 Temple City Boulevard, Temple City, CA, 91780.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
85 years ago today - May 20, 1940
[J. Reuben Clark]
Pres McKay: 830 a.m. Talked about the war: found him so pro-ally he is ready to go to war, almost,'probably no so much pro-ally as anti-Hitler. ...
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
Pres McKay: 830 a.m. Talked about the war: found him so pro-ally he is ready to go to war, almost,'probably no so much pro-ally as anti-Hitler. ...
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
135 years ago today - Tuesday, May 20, 1890
[Apostle John Henry Smith]
The morning papers announce that the Supreme Court has decided to confiscate our Church property, Fuller, Lamar & Field Dissenting.
[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]
The morning papers announce that the Supreme Court has decided to confiscate our Church property, Fuller, Lamar & Field Dissenting.
[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]
140 years ago today - May 20, 1885
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
20 I receivd 2 letter from Sarah & Mary & wrote 3 Letters to Sarah Newton & Mary. I looked over my sealing record & found I had sealed 1,095 Couple up to Jan 1885. W Woodruff had sealed to him of his dead relatives {336}.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
20 I receivd 2 letter from Sarah & Mary & wrote 3 Letters to Sarah Newton & Mary. I looked over my sealing record & found I had sealed 1,095 Couple up to Jan 1885. W Woodruff had sealed to him of his dead relatives {336}.
[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 - May 20, 1855
"Elder E[zra] T. Benson exhibited part of an ancient sword which had been dug up about 10 ft. under ground while excavating for a well, which called forth a few remarks from him."
60 years ago today - May 19, 1965
By authorization of First Presidency, ex-apostle John W. Taylor is baptized into LDS church. On May 21 Apostle Joseph Fielding Smith performs proxy ordinance of restoring all priesthood blessings to the deceased apostle.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
110 years ago today - May 19, 1915
President Charles W. Penrose of the First Presidency dedicates the cornerstone of the new Church Office Building (later known as the Church Administration Building) at 45 East South Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.
125 years ago today - May 19, 1900; Saturday
.... Mr. John W. Rigdon, son of the late Sidney Rigdon, called and met President Snow this morning in the Beehive House, and afterwards met Presidents Cannon and Smith in the office. The President reported that he had a very pleasant conversation with Mr. Rigdon who talked freely to him. During the conversation Mr. Rigdon admitted that he once had doubts concerning the authenticity of the Book of Mormon; but after talking with his father on his deathbed those doubts were removed partially, and his investigations and reflections since then had tended fully to confirm in his mind the truthfulness of his father's dying testimony. He, in talking with his father during his last hours said, "Father, you are now an old man, and I want you to tell me if you still believe the Book of Mormon to be what it represents to be, and if Joseph Smith always maintained that it was true and a genuine record?" His father answered in the most solemn manner that it was a true and genuine record, and that
Joseph Smith always maintained its genuineness, and that he translated it by the gift and power of God from the gold plates shown to him by the angel. Mr. Rigdon said that for the last six years he had believed the Book of Mormon to be what it represents to be, but he said he was sorry to say his wife and children not only disbelieve it, but regard the Mormons as enemies, that they spoke very harshly of them, and they would sometimes talk against his own father, but which however, they had ceased to do in his presence. He said his father died an unhappy man, but in hopes and assurance of a glorious resurrection.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
Joseph Smith always maintained its genuineness, and that he translated it by the gift and power of God from the gold plates shown to him by the angel. Mr. Rigdon said that for the last six years he had believed the Book of Mormon to be what it represents to be, but he said he was sorry to say his wife and children not only disbelieve it, but regard the Mormons as enemies, that they spoke very harshly of them, and they would sometimes talk against his own father, but which however, they had ceased to do in his presence. He said his father died an unhappy man, but in hopes and assurance of a glorious resurrection.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
135 years ago today - May 19, 1890
[Wilford Woodruff]
The Supreme Court of the United States Decided to day Against the Church of Jesus Christ of latter Day Saints. They Decided to Escheat all the Church Property Real & Personal. This is turning the Last that will seal the Condemnation of this Nation.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The Supreme Court of the United States Decided to day Against the Church of Jesus Christ of latter Day Saints. They Decided to Escheat all the Church Property Real & Personal. This is turning the Last that will seal the Condemnation of this Nation.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - May 19, 1890
U.S. Supreme Court upholds the Edmunds-Tucker Act and confiscation of LDS properties ruling that the LDS church had engaged in illegal activities; committee of U.S. Senate recommends disfranchisement bill.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
165 years ago today - May 19, 1860
Brigham Young remarks "while talking over the untimely deaths of Brewer & Johnson, [two men found shot to death two days previously in Salt Lake City] that he was much gratified that the time had come when mormons could not be insulted mobbed and destroyed as they once were." Wilford Woodruff referred to Brewer and Johnson as "both Desperate wicked men."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
175 years ago today - May 19, 1850
[Brigham Young]
President Young explained the law of property tithing. He said, suppose a man owes a hundred thousand dollars when he comes into the church. He pays 10,000 which is his property tithing in full. Then suppose that a man takes his family and effects to come on to the church and trades and exchanges on the way and clears 20,000 dollars besides paying his expenses. He then owes 2,000 dollars tithing which is all the property tithing due etc. -- Salt Lake City
[Brigham Young Office Journals, 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]
President Young explained the law of property tithing. He said, suppose a man owes a hundred thousand dollars when he comes into the church. He pays 10,000 which is his property tithing in full. Then suppose that a man takes his family and effects to come on to the church and trades and exchanges on the way and clears 20,000 dollars besides paying his expenses. He then owes 2,000 dollars tithing which is all the property tithing due etc. -- Salt Lake City
[Brigham Young Office Journals, 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 19, 1845
The trial of five men accused of the murder of Joseph Smith begins in Carthage, Illinois. Judge Richard M. Young begins by empanelling a 23-man Grand Jury which contains nine Mormons including the foreman Daniel Spencer. He then empanels two "petit juries" of 24 men each. The first contains ten Mormons and the second eleven. Upon defense motion the juries are discharged and new juries chosen from men present at the trial. Since Mormon leaders instructed them to keep away from the trial there are only four Mormons among the 96 potential jurors and no Mormons on the final twelve-man jury.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
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