40 years ago today - May 5,1985

[Utah]

LDS Astronaut Don Lind administers sacrament in zero gravity Skylab 3.

[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]

60 years ago today - May 5, 1965

A Birch Society student-spy complained to President McKay that BYU Professor Poll was "the most vocal leader of this opposition" to "Bro. Skousen and Elder Benson."

[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.]

120 years ago today - May 5, 1905

DESERET NEWS advertises LDS Bureau of Information's publication of THE GREAT TEMPLE also endorsed in this month's IMPROVEMENT ERA. Photos of Council Room of First Presidency and Quorum of Twelve show two of room's spittoons for chewing tobacco.

[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

120 years ago today - May 5, 1905

Deseret News advertises the LDS Bureau of Information's publication of 'The Great Temple' also endorsed in this month's 'Improvement Era.' Photos of the Council Room of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve show two of the room's spittoons for chewing tobacco.

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

155 years ago today - May 5, 1870

[Orson Pratt]

"... God promised in the year 1832 that we should, before the generation then living had passed away, return and build up the City of Zion in Jackson County.... We believe in these promises as much as we believe in any promise ever uttered by the mouth of Jehovah. The Latter-day Saints just as much expect to receive a fulfillment of that promise during the generation that was in existence in 1832 as they expect that the sun will rise and set to-morrow. Why? Because God cannot lie. He will fulfil all His promises. He has spoken, it must come to pass. This is our faith…" (D&C 84:1-5,31,32)

[Apostle Orson Pratt, Journal of Discourses, vol. 13, p. 362 http://journalofdiscourses.com/13/45, as quoted in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]

155 years ago today - May 5, 1870

Orson Pratt - "God promised in the year 1832 that we should, before the generation then living had passed away, return and build up the City of Zion in Jackson County."

[Journal of Discourses, vol. 13, p. 362 quote at the Instutite for Religious Research]

155 years ago today - May 5, 1870 (Morning, Conference)

[Brigham Young]

Last Sabbath this front gallery [of the Sale Lake Tabernacle], the gentleman's gallery, was very full. After meeting was dismissed I took a walk through it, and to see the floor that had been occupied by those professing to be gentlemen, and I do not know but brethren, you might have supposed that cattle had been there rolling and standing around, for here and there were great quids of tobacco, and places one or two feet square smeared with tobacco juice. I want to say to the doorkeepers that when you see gentlemen who cannot omit chewing and spitting while in this house, request them to leave; and if such persons refuse to leave, and continue their spitting, just take them and lead them out carefully and kindly. [Later, dozens of tobacco spittoons are installed.]

[Journal of Discourses. Liverpool, England, 1853-86. 13:343-345 as quoted in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van W]

170 years ago today - May 5, 1855

May 5th I met with the Presidency & 12 in the House of the Lord built upon the Temple Block & we dedicated it before the Lord. Brother E. T. Benson opened by prayer & after the usual cerimonies H C Kimball proceded to dedicate the House by prayer. He named in his prayer evry room from top to bottom evry wall & material Adobies sand clay stone Lime from the foundation to the top. Prayed that the spirit of God might enter into it that it might be clean sweet & Holy & that no unclean thing might enter into it so that Holy men women God & Angels might visit it.

President Young said He would name it the House of God & when the Temple is built He would call it the Temple of our God.

After we closed several missionaries received their endowments.

[Note: This was a two-story adobe Endowment House in Salt Lake which remained in use until 1889, when it was torn down.]

[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 5, 1855

Inauguration of first Thursday of each month as day of fasting and prayer, with "testimony meeting" during day.

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

185 years ago today - May 5, 1840

[Wilford Woodruff]

I preached at Crowcutt & walked to the Bower & Baptizd 5. One was a preacher. I also confirmed them & spent the night with Edmund Waters. <The devil was come.>

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

60 years ago today - May 4, 1965

[Correspondence recorded in McKay diary]

.... I had known of cases in the past where these contacts at the veil have been made so literally [as an embrace] and with such insistence by some brethren that it had become offensive and humiliating to some of the sister patrons being introduced. I stated that I had been instructed by President George F. Richards, when he was supervising the temples, to make sure that the brethren who assist at the veil do not offend the sisters in this way and that rather than do so they should not insist on making contact with them except perhaps with the hand on the back for fear that it would be embarrassing to them. ...

RESPONSE: President McKay stated that the highest degree of decorum and respect should be exercised by the brethren working at the veil, particularly in relation to the sisters who are being introduced and that any person who, even in his mind, fails to have pure thoughts and who is not circumspect and wholesome in every way should not be invited to assist at the veil. President McKay felt that the brethren who receive the sisters at this point should be carefully selected for their wholesomeness and unquestioned character. It is the responsibility of the temple presidency to see that the highest type of men are selected for this service. The substance of it all is that no person should be embarrassed or humiliated through the insistence of some to make certain of these [being] literal and actual [contacts]. I agreed to give direction, as necessary, by letter to President Ursenbach. * Some times women come into the washing and anointing rooms wearing wigs which are often
unnoticed or are not easily detected. I reported that some had asked about anointing the heads of such women where the ceremony says "I pour this oil upon your head." SOLUTION: President McKay felt that we should not anoint a wig, but where they are being worn, the sister[']s head should be anointed as near the hairline as possible * perhaps near the temple.

[ElRay L. Christiansen to David O. McKay, May 4, 1965, in David O. McKay diary, May 4, 1965; emphasis in original as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]

110 years ago today - May 4, 1915; Tuesday

[James E. Talmage]

At a meeting of the First Presidency and Twelve in the Temple, I read three chapters of the book [Jesus The Christ]. At each of the meetings thus far held for this purpose all members of the First Presidency and all the Twelve who were not absent from the City on appointed duties, were present. We have now read nine of the forty-three chapters.

[James E. Talmage, Diary]

145 years ago today - May 4, 1880

[Franklin D. Richards]

At 10 went to council at the Endowment House Several important points were discussed relating to salaries & wages for Church Employees'-tendencies to overdraw lack of checks & ballances & several accounts were determined upon mode of settlement. 395 On my motion the vote of yesterday fixing the raise of allowance of apostles to commence at April 1880 and fixed commence with this year, and everybody pay their own debts except not the case of elders W[ilford]. Woodruff and C[harles]. C. Rich who had their endebtedness allowed on account of building their houses.

[Franklin D. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]

150 years ago today - May 04, 1875

Hyrum W. Mikesell baptizes Shoshone Chief Pocatello in Salt Lake City, Utah. The chief is ordained an elder and prophesies that many of his people will soon join the Church. By the end of the year, nearly all his people join, as had hundreds of other Native Americans from other western tribes.

160 years ago today - May 4, 1865

RLDS President Joseph Smith III presents a revelation to the RLDS Quorum of Twelve: "It is expedient in me that you ordain priests unto me, of every race who receive the teachings of my law." The LDS church follows suit 113 years later.

[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

190 years ago today - May 4, 1835

[Patriarchal Blessing of Seymour Brunson given by Joseph Smith, Sr.]

.... thou shalt yet proclaim the gospel to those who have not heard * even those who do not understand thy language, neither dost thou understand their's.

[Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]

190 years ago today - May 4, 1835

[Patriarchal Blessing of Isaac Morley given by Joseph Smith, Sr.]

.... Thou shalt live to see the heavens open and see thy God in the flesh. ... And if thou wilt desire it, thou shalt have thy desire,- thou shalt live to see the Son of Man come in the clouds of heaven, and the winding up scene of this generation. ... and this thou shalt have, if thou art faithful, even the society of thy family; and they shall grow up upon the Land of Zion to possess it from generation to generation forever, and they shall never be blotted out; even so. Amen.

[Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]

190 years ago today - May 4, 1835

[Patriarchal Blessing of Edward Partridge given by Joseph Smith, Sr.]

.... Thou art one of the horns of Joseph that are to push the people together from the ends of the earth. ... thou shalt also live to see the heavens opened, for thou hast desired this thing, and shalt see the Son of man in the flesh. ... Thou shall live to see the redemption of Zion and rejoice upon the goodly land; thou shalt inherit it and thy seed after thee to the latest generations while the earth remains. ...

[Patriarchal Blessings]

190 years ago today - May 4, 1835

[Patriarchal Blessing of Calvin Beebe given by Joseph Smith, Sr.]

.... Thou hast asked thy God to let thee tarry till the Son of Man comes: and if thou art faithful, and keep all the commandments of the Lord thou shalt have thy desire.

... thine eyes shall see the redemption of Zion, and thou shalt possess it, and thy children after thee, and they shall rise up and claim their inheritance in it. ... no fiery furnace can harm thee, neither prisons nor tortures annoy thee. ... And it is thy privilege to be caught up in a chariot of fire, and not sleep in the dust. * And because of the afflictions that thou hast received with thy friends, in being driven from your homes, the Lord will have mercy upon thee, and grant unto thee the desires of thy heart. The day of thy rejoicing will soon come; for the days of thine afflictions and mornings are soon to close. Thou mayest rejoice from henceforth; for thy name is written in the Lamb's book of life, and shall never be blotted out, except for transgression. Thy wife shall also be blessed with thee, and have a part with thee in all these blessings, according to her station; even so. Amen.

Given in Kirtland, May 4, 1835, and recorded in this book Dec. 21, 1835. Oliver Cowdery, Clerk & Recorder.

[Patriarchal Blessing Book 1:26 as quoted in Early Patriarchal Blessings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Joseph Smith Sr. (Author), H. Michael Marquardt (Editor), http://amzn.to/rCBHVe]

200 years ago today - May 4, 1825

Sidney Rigdon writes the preface for Alexander Campbells pamphlet giving details of Campbell's debate with Reverend W. L. McCalla, former attorney and Presbyterian minister of Auga, Kentucky. Campbell argued against infant baptism and that baptism was for the forgiveness of personal sin rather than for the absolution of "original sin."

[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

30 years ago today - May 3, 1995

An agreement between the LDS church and the American Gathering of Jewish Holocaust Survivors "over the issue of posthumous baptisms of Jewish Holocaust victims." The First Presidency agrees to "remove from the next issue of the International Genealogical Index [public-access record only] names of all known postumously baptized Jewish holocaust victims," and "to discontinue any further baptisms of deceased Jews, including all lists of Jewish Holocaust victims who are known Jews, except if they were direct ancestors of living members of the Church."

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

40 years ago today - May 3, 1985

Church Public Communications director Jerry Cahill is informed by Gordon B. Hinckley that the First Presidency's vault does contain letter written by Joseph Smith which talks about "money digging." Cahill had, five days previously had publicly denied any such letter was in the Church's archives or in the First Presidency's vault. The letter, which is later discovered to be a forgery by Mark Hofmann, was secretly sold to the church for $10,000 and locked away in the First Presidency's vault.

[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

45 years ago today - May 3 1980

Deseret News prints photo of LDS leaders scrutinizing Mark Hoffman's (forged) document in Church's board room.

[Chronology of Mormon History (Mormon Stories), http://www.mormonstories.org/truth-claims/chronology-of-mormon-history/]

50 years ago today - May 3, 1975

Citing accelerated growth of the Church worldwide, the First Presidency announced the creation of an area supervisory program and the assignment of six Assistants to the Twelve to oversee Church activities while residing outside the United States and Canada. The number of these foreign areas was increased to eight later in the year.

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

145 years ago today - May 3, 1880

2 P.M. Council at E[ndowment]. H[ouse]. Moved to defer action on the Revelation till next October. Some heavy indebtednesses were canceled to D[aniel]. H. Wells, Brigham Young [Jr.], O[rson]. Pratt, and it was discussed & concluded that from & after April 1st those of the Twelve who have been receiving $1,500.00 a year have $2,000, a year. The question of over running salaries was brought up. Several of the brethren had overdrawn their allowance and among them myself [Franklin D. Richards]. Brother [Daniel H.] Wells moved and it was seconded and carried unanimously that my account be squared up to date and my allowance be raised from $1,500 to $2,00 per year. I objected to the forgiving of my debt, but not to the other, and made a motion that the allowance of each of the Twelve who are now drawing $1,500 be allowed $2,000 per year, which was carried, and their overdrawing be remitted. I also moved that John Smith be allowed $1,200.

[Franklin D. Richards Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]

160 years ago today - May 3, 1865

The RLDS Quorum of Twelve discusses whether or not Blacks should be ordained to the priesthood. They reach an impasse and send the question to RLDS President Joseph Smith III. Joseph III receives a revelation allowing blacks to be baptized. The LDS church follows suit 122 years later.

[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]

190 years ago today - 1835: 3 May

[Patriarchal Blessing of Lorenzo Barnes given by Joseph Smith, Sen.]

"... thou shalt stand when wickedness is swept of[f] from the Earth even with thy brethren the hundred & forty & four thousand sealed out of out of [sic] the Twelve Tribes of Israel.?

[Selected LDS Patriarchal Blessings, New Mormon Studies CD ROM, Signature Book, 2009, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]

190 years ago today - May 3, 1835

[Brigham Young, first mission of the Twelve]

in the evening we met at the house of President Joseph Smith Jr at two oclock in the morning of the 4 wee the 12 started on our mishon to the east acompened by two other Brotherin

[Brigham Young Journal, 1832 Apr. 9-1836, Sept. 9, typescript]

130 years ago today - May 2, 1895

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]

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 )]]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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 )]]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]