[Apostle John Henry Smith]
I read a letter today to Orson which establishes the fact that O. F. Whitney is mixed up with C. W. Stayner in the baby Resurrection Theory.
[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]
Today In Mormon History-fb
Several curious tidbits that happened on this day in Mormon History
130 years ago today - Jan 5, 1895
[Apostle Marriner W. Merrill]
Saturday. I am in the Temple today attending to Temple business and waiting to attend the Temple lecture, which will be given today by my son Joseph at 2 p. m. There were 76 students present. Had an excellent lecture on alchemy. [Merrill was the Logan temple president]
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Saturday. I am in the Temple today attending to Temple business and waiting to attend the Temple lecture, which will be given today by my son Joseph at 2 p. m. There were 76 students present. Had an excellent lecture on alchemy. [Merrill was the Logan temple president]
[Notes from the Miscellaneous Record Book, 1886-1906: Selected diary notes from the journal books of Marriner Wood Merrill, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
165 years ago today - Jan 5, 1860
[Brigham Young]
Angels are those beings who have been on an earth like this, and have passed through the same ordeals that we are now passing through. They have kept their first estate far enough to preserve themselves in the Priesthood. They did not so violate the law of the Priesthood and condemn themselves to the sin against the Holy Ghost as to be finally lost. They are not crowned with the celestial ones. They are persons who have lived upon an earth, but did not magnify the Priesthood in that high degree that many others have done who have become Gods, even the sons of God. Human beings that pertain to this world, who do not magnify or are not capable of magnifying their high calling in the Priesthood and receive crowns of glory, immortality, and eternal lives, will also, when they again receive their bodies, become angels and will receive a glory. They are single, without families or kingdoms to reign over. All the difference between men and angels is, men are passing through the same
ordeals that we are now passing through.
[Journal of Discourses 9:102 as quoted at WikiQuotes: Brigham Young, http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Brigham_Young]
Angels are those beings who have been on an earth like this, and have passed through the same ordeals that we are now passing through. They have kept their first estate far enough to preserve themselves in the Priesthood. They did not so violate the law of the Priesthood and condemn themselves to the sin against the Holy Ghost as to be finally lost. They are not crowned with the celestial ones. They are persons who have lived upon an earth, but did not magnify the Priesthood in that high degree that many others have done who have become Gods, even the sons of God. Human beings that pertain to this world, who do not magnify or are not capable of magnifying their high calling in the Priesthood and receive crowns of glory, immortality, and eternal lives, will also, when they again receive their bodies, become angels and will receive a glory. They are single, without families or kingdoms to reign over. All the difference between men and angels is, men are passing through the same
ordeals that we are now passing through.
[Journal of Discourses 9:102 as quoted at WikiQuotes: Brigham Young, http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Brigham_Young]
180 years ago today - Jan 5, 1845
[Brigham Young]
I went to the stand and addressed the saints on the necessity of having more order and putting down iniquity, and exhorted the brethren to rise up en masse, and put down the thieving, swearing, gambling, bogusmaking, retailing spirituous liquors, bad-houses, and all abominations practiced in our midst by our enemies, who, after they could not live among us any longer would go out to the world and publish that these things were practiced by us. I severely rebuked the civil authorities of the city for their want of energy in the discharge of their duty, and censured parents and guardians for not keeping their children from prowling round the streets at night; and remarked that if we did not as a people uproot such things, they would uproot us, and we would have to leave before we had done the things the Lord had commanded us to do. -- Nauvoo, Illinois
[History of the Church. 7 Vols. B. H. Roberts, ed. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, Co., 1902. 7:350 as 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]
I went to the stand and addressed the saints on the necessity of having more order and putting down iniquity, and exhorted the brethren to rise up en masse, and put down the thieving, swearing, gambling, bogusmaking, retailing spirituous liquors, bad-houses, and all abominations practiced in our midst by our enemies, who, after they could not live among us any longer would go out to the world and publish that these things were practiced by us. I severely rebuked the civil authorities of the city for their want of energy in the discharge of their duty, and censured parents and guardians for not keeping their children from prowling round the streets at night; and remarked that if we did not as a people uproot such things, they would uproot us, and we would have to leave before we had done the things the Lord had commanded us to do. -- Nauvoo, Illinois
[History of the Church. 7 Vols. B. H. Roberts, ed. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, Co., 1902. 7:350 as 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]
10 years ago today - Note:
This year's Relief Society/Priesthood manual covers the teachings of #EzraTaftBenson. In conjunction with this year's topic, I've assembled a lengthy chronology of the life of Ezra Taft Benson - a very dynamic and driven person who lived a fascinating life. I hope you'll consider subscribing via email, rss, or Facebook, and spend 3 to 5 minutes each day reading a bit more of Ezra Taft Benson's fascinating and varied life (http://lds-church-history.blogspot.com).
[note]
[note]
30 years ago today - Jan 4, 1995
For the second time in three years, the Associated Press names Steve Young, quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers football team, the most valuable playeri n the National Football League.
[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]
[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]
120 years ago today - Jan 4, 1905
[James Henry Martineau]
With Sister Mary Hyde White visited her Sister Zina Virginia Hyde Bull, widowed recently, who has cataract growing over her eyes and is losing her sight. She wished me to rebuke blindness and to bless her, which I did. Her sister Mary also blessed her in tongues, with the interpretation. I know Zina may be healed, through faith. She felt very happy. I enjoyed my visit very much, as I always do in visiting and blessing the sick.
[An Uncommon Common Pioneer: The Journals of James Henry Martineau 1828-1918, edited by Donald G. Godfrey XXX Rebecca S. Martineau-McCarty]
With Sister Mary Hyde White visited her Sister Zina Virginia Hyde Bull, widowed recently, who has cataract growing over her eyes and is losing her sight. She wished me to rebuke blindness and to bless her, which I did. Her sister Mary also blessed her in tongues, with the interpretation. I know Zina may be healed, through faith. She felt very happy. I enjoyed my visit very much, as I always do in visiting and blessing the sick.
[An Uncommon Common Pioneer: The Journals of James Henry Martineau 1828-1918, edited by Donald G. Godfrey XXX Rebecca S. Martineau-McCarty]
120 years ago today - Jan 04, 1905
In Salt Lake City, President Joseph F. Smith dedicates the Dr. Groves Latter-day Saint Hospital, the first in what would become an important health-care network in the Intermountain West.
145 years ago today - Jan 4, 1880
Apostle Orson Pratt preaches at Salt Lake Stake conference that "as a general rule it was the children who were attacked by diphtheria, and on investigation it would be found that the parents of such children had been taken [by death] were neglectful of the word of wisdom or some of the commandments of God."
[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 )]]
165 years ago today - Jan 4, 1860
[Patriarchal Blessing of Meridith Ames given by John Young]
.... In the own due time of the Lord, you shall have wives and children
[Patriarchal Blessings]
.... In the own due time of the Lord, you shall have wives and children
[Patriarchal Blessings]
165 years ago today - Jan 4, 1860
[Patriarchal Blessing of John Henry King given by John Young]
.... the spirit of the beloved disciple, John to rest upon you the visions of the heavens open before you ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
.... the spirit of the beloved disciple, John to rest upon you the visions of the heavens open before you ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
165 years ago today - Jan 4, 1860
[Patriarchal Blessing of Henry Johnstone Ames given by John Young]
.... Earn wives and children ... The Angel shall be with you ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
.... Earn wives and children ... The Angel shall be with you ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
180 years ago today - Jan 4, 1845
[Patriarchal Blessing of James Bean]
.... thou shalt baptize & lead many of the rich & the rulers to Zion with much riches & inasmuch as thou art a liberal man God shall deal liberally with thee, for thy children whom thou shalt baptize will heap riches upon thee ... The number of thy years shall be many according to the desire of thy heart, even to see Israel gathered from every part of the earth, to see the heavens unveiled & the Savior make his appearance; thou shalt have the ministering of Angels to help thee through thy ministry ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
.... thou shalt baptize & lead many of the rich & the rulers to Zion with much riches & inasmuch as thou art a liberal man God shall deal liberally with thee, for thy children whom thou shalt baptize will heap riches upon thee ... The number of thy years shall be many according to the desire of thy heart, even to see Israel gathered from every part of the earth, to see the heavens unveiled & the Savior make his appearance; thou shalt have the ministering of Angels to help thee through thy ministry ...
[Patriarchal Blessings]
105 years ago today - Jan 3, 1920
[Apostle George F. Richards]
Had a conversation with President Grant and elder Ballard on present conditions with respect to violations of Church rule on plural marriages.
[George F. 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]
Had a conversation with President Grant and elder Ballard on present conditions with respect to violations of Church rule on plural marriages.
[George F. 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]
130 years ago today - Jan 3, 1895
[Apostle Francis M. Lyman]
He [i.e., Wilford Woodruff] also told us he wished us at our regular meeting of our Quorum next Tuesday to give attention to a trouble existing between bro[ther] Moses Thatcher and bro[ther] Marriner W[ood]. Merrill, and gave us the correspondence in the case. Pres[ident] Cannon offered prayer. Pres[ident] Woodruff told us he never had misgivings about any can brought into the quorum of Apostles but one. That was bro[ther] [Albert] Carrington. At close of our meeting the Thatcher- Merrill correspondence was read in hearing of Pres[ident] [Lorenzo] Snow, [Brigham] Young [Jr.], [Francis M.] Lyman, [Heber J.] Grant and A[braham]. H. Cannon.
[Francis M. Lyman 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]
He [i.e., Wilford Woodruff] also told us he wished us at our regular meeting of our Quorum next Tuesday to give attention to a trouble existing between bro[ther] Moses Thatcher and bro[ther] Marriner W[ood]. Merrill, and gave us the correspondence in the case. Pres[ident] Cannon offered prayer. Pres[ident] Woodruff told us he never had misgivings about any can brought into the quorum of Apostles but one. That was bro[ther] [Albert] Carrington. At close of our meeting the Thatcher- Merrill correspondence was read in hearing of Pres[ident] [Lorenzo] Snow, [Brigham] Young [Jr.], [Francis M.] Lyman, [Heber J.] Grant and A[braham]. H. Cannon.
[Francis M. Lyman 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]
165 years ago today - Jan 3, 1860
[Brigham Young to Mrs Lewis]
G.S.L. City,
Jan. 3, 1860
Mrs David Lewis
3d Ward, City,
Dear Sister: -
I understand that you are frequently importuned to sell your negro man Jerry, but that he is industrious and faithful, and desires to remain in this Territory. Under these circumstances I should certainly deem it most advisable for you to keep him, but should you at any time conclude otherwise and determine to sell him, ordinary kindness would require that you should sell him to some kind, faithful member of the Church, that he may have a fair opportunity for doing all the good he desires to do <or> is capable of doing. I have been told that he is about forty years old, if so, it <is> not presumed that you will, in case of his sale, ask so high a price as you might expect for a younger person. If the price is sufficiently moderate, I may conclude to purchase him and set him at liberty.
Your Bro in the Gospel
BY
[Letter, Brigham Young to Mrs David Lewis (transcribed by Connell O'Donovan)]
G.S.L. City,
Jan. 3, 1860
Mrs David Lewis
3d Ward, City,
Dear Sister: -
I understand that you are frequently importuned to sell your negro man Jerry, but that he is industrious and faithful, and desires to remain in this Territory. Under these circumstances I should certainly deem it most advisable for you to keep him, but should you at any time conclude otherwise and determine to sell him, ordinary kindness would require that you should sell him to some kind, faithful member of the Church, that he may have a fair opportunity for doing all the good he desires to do <or> is capable of doing. I have been told that he is about forty years old, if so, it <is> not presumed that you will, in case of his sale, ask so high a price as you might expect for a younger person. If the price is sufficiently moderate, I may conclude to purchase him and set him at liberty.
Your Bro in the Gospel
BY
[Letter, Brigham Young to Mrs David Lewis (transcribed by Connell O'Donovan)]
40 years ago today - Jan 02, 1985
BYU's football team is voted number one in the United States for the 1984 season by every major poll and is named national champion, having finished the season with a perfect 13-0 record.
85 years ago today - Jan 2, 1940
[President Heber J. Grant]
James White, head of the Jewish people in Salt Lake, called with Rabbi Gordon and a gentleman from the East (I have forgotten his name.) They made a long appeal for the Church to advance several hundred thousand dollars and take some notes issued by the Jewish Relief people. Brother Clark and I assured them that we could not invest Church funds in anything of that kind. They suggested that we have the Beneficial Life Insurance company buy some of their notes. I had to smile when I thought of the idea of notes without security to raise funds for Jewish relief being passed by the Insurance Commissioner as legitimate assets. As they were going out Mr. White said he would have a talk with Orval Adams about it. I thought, I'll be perfectly willing to advance anything Orval would endorse. I did not tell them so however. There is no prejudice in the heart of hearts of the Latter-day Saints people against Jews. There never has been. We believe that they will eventually accept the Gospel.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
James White, head of the Jewish people in Salt Lake, called with Rabbi Gordon and a gentleman from the East (I have forgotten his name.) They made a long appeal for the Church to advance several hundred thousand dollars and take some notes issued by the Jewish Relief people. Brother Clark and I assured them that we could not invest Church funds in anything of that kind. They suggested that we have the Beneficial Life Insurance company buy some of their notes. I had to smile when I thought of the idea of notes without security to raise funds for Jewish relief being passed by the Insurance Commissioner as legitimate assets. As they were going out Mr. White said he would have a talk with Orval Adams about it. I thought, I'll be perfectly willing to advance anything Orval would endorse. I did not tell them so however. There is no prejudice in the heart of hearts of the Latter-day Saints people against Jews. There never has been. We believe that they will eventually accept the Gospel.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
155 years ago today - Jan 2, 1870
[Minutes of the Quorum of Twelve]
.... Emma told Jos[eph]. she could not stand the brethren spitting & smoking in the small room where [the] school /of p[r]ophets w/ was held in Kirtland. B. Y.[: C]oming home from Miss., /my/ Bre[thren]., Jos. said, I mean to have a patriarchal blessing from [my] father, [then he] got home [and his] father got [the] familytogether. Jos[eph] said [he] want[s] bro Jos. S. present. Jos. S. ordained father as patriarch. [F]irst Jos. S. thought of it, [and] Jos S said Now I will have my family together, [then he] set his father apart. Then he got revelation to appoint [a] patriarch over [the] whole church. Bro Joel Johnson said when patriarch Jos Sen. went to /give patriarchal/ blessings after they would have bread baked /& [a] glass of/ wine. Pres[iden]t. B. Y. said [it] wont do here. [P]eople get /would/ drink too much'-
[Minutes, 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]
.... Emma told Jos[eph]. she could not stand the brethren spitting & smoking in the small room where [the] school /of p[r]ophets w/ was held in Kirtland. B. Y.[: C]oming home from Miss., /my/ Bre[thren]., Jos. said, I mean to have a patriarchal blessing from [my] father, [then he] got home [and his] father got [the] familytogether. Jos[eph] said [he] want[s] bro Jos. S. present. Jos. S. ordained father as patriarch. [F]irst Jos. S. thought of it, [and] Jos S said Now I will have my family together, [then he] set his father apart. Then he got revelation to appoint [a] patriarch over [the] whole church. Bro Joel Johnson said when patriarch Jos Sen. went to /give patriarchal/ blessings after they would have bread baked /& [a] glass of/ wine. Pres[iden]t. B. Y. said [it] wont do here. [P]eople get /would/ drink too much'-
[Minutes, 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]
155 years ago today - Jan 2, 1870
Geo[rge]. A. S[mith].[:] Gentiles will now hardly pass hans [Haun's] mill. [F]ear comes on them. Jos[eph]. Johnson. [s]aid the people there were afraid Mormons [would] come by & bye & take possession of that, [so] /they/ wont build substantial buildings.
Geo. A. S.[mith:] 10 Acres /on throwed/ fenced out /of field at Independance/ several met death trying to cultivate it. ... People suffered at Jackson Co. terribly during the late [civil] war. ...
Emma told Jos[eph]. she could not stand the brethren spitting & smoking in the small room where [the] school /of p[r]ophets w/ was held in Kirtland.
B. Y.[:] ... Jos[eph]. said, I mean to have a patriarchal blessing from [my] father, [then he] got home [and his] father got [the] family together. Jos[eph] said [he] want[s] bro Jos. S. present. Jos. S. ordained father as patriarch. [F]irst Jos. S. thought of it, [and] Jos S said Now I will have my family together, [then he] set his father apart. Then he got revelation to appoint [a] patriarch over [the] whole church. Bro Joel Johnson said when patriarch Jos Sen. went to /give patriarchal/ blessings after they would have bread baked /& [a] glass of/ wine. Pres[iden]t. B. Y. said [it] wont do here. [P]eople get /would/ drink too much'
[Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Geo. A. S.[mith:] 10 Acres /on throwed/ fenced out /of field at Independance/ several met death trying to cultivate it. ... People suffered at Jackson Co. terribly during the late [civil] war. ...
Emma told Jos[eph]. she could not stand the brethren spitting & smoking in the small room where [the] school /of p[r]ophets w/ was held in Kirtland.
B. Y.[:] ... Jos[eph]. said, I mean to have a patriarchal blessing from [my] father, [then he] got home [and his] father got [the] family together. Jos[eph] said [he] want[s] bro Jos. S. present. Jos. S. ordained father as patriarch. [F]irst Jos. S. thought of it, [and] Jos S said Now I will have my family together, [then he] set his father apart. Then he got revelation to appoint [a] patriarch over [the] whole church. Bro Joel Johnson said when patriarch Jos Sen. went to /give patriarchal/ blessings after they would have bread baked /& [a] glass of/ wine. Pres[iden]t. B. Y. said [it] wont do here. [P]eople get /would/ drink too much'
[Minutes, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
155 years ago today - Jan 2, 1870
[Brigham Young]
I used to travel without purse or scrip, and many times I have walked till my feet were sore and the blood would run in my shoes and out of them, and fill my appointments'"go into houses, ask for something to eat, sing and talk to them, and when they would commence questioning, answer them.
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
I used to travel without purse or scrip, and many times I have walked till my feet were sore and the blood would run in my shoes and out of them, and fill my appointments'"go into houses, ask for something to eat, sing and talk to them, and when they would commence questioning, answer them.
[The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
195 years ago today - Jan 02, 1830
Abner Cole, editor of The Reflector, begins publishing pirated extracts from the Book of Mormon, which is in the process of being printed at the Grandin press building, the same building used by Cole to print his newspaper. This incident marks the first time Book of Mormon text appears in print.
45 years ago today - Jan 1, 1980-Tuesday
[Leonard Arrington]
Annual Comment on the History Division
... I begin by expressing sorrow that we have lost two valiant persons in the division, Bruce Blumell, who left September 1 to go to law school in Canada, and James Allen, who left September 1 to return full time to the History Department in BYU. Both left of their own volition, and both would have stayed if they had thought the future of the History Division was bright. In a way, they both were encouraged to go by pessimistic comments about our future made by Elder G. Homer Durham, managing director of the Historical Department. In addition to these two departures, Glen Leonard was transferred from our division to the Arts and Sites Division to be associate director and Jill Derr will leave the division December 31 to devote more time to her family and to work with the Relief Society and Deseret Book Co. on a history of LDS women. Both of those departures were (are) voluntary, but once again they would have stayed with us if they had thought their future with us was
bright. Neither was (will be) replaced. So we are gradually losing strength. Elder Durham has also told me privately that he does not expect to renew the employment of Carol Madsen, who works for us half time, in the 1981 budget. He expects to "cut her off" at the end of 1980. ...
Elder Durham keeps threatening to move us to BYU, as a special center sponsored by them. For some reason he thinks our work is "academic" and ought to be under university auspices. But the academic freedom at BYU is less than here, I'm sorry to say; Bob Thomas, academic vice president, has no backbone, nor does Ernest Olsen, director of BYU Press. ...
Persons tell us that Elders [Ezra Taft] Benson and [Mark E.] Petersen do not like what we are doing and that if and when President Benson becomes president of the Church we might all be relieved of our positions. It's almost as if the decisions of the bureaucrats were being made, not on the basis of what the Prophet wants, but on the basis of what the next Prophet wants. I refuse to believe that Elder Benson would fire us; I am convinced that we are doing what the Lord wants and that the Lord will not permit such a violent end to our work. I refuse to act on the basis of what might happen if Elder Benson became president. ... My appointment as historian is so disregarded that the First Presidency do not refer letters to me that deal with historical matters. I am not asked to read any manuscripts for historical accuracy, no talks on history are cleared through me. The Mormon Experience, the preparation and publication of which was approved by the First Presidency, could
not be mentioned or reviewed in the Ensign or Church News. Nor could Building the City of God. Building the City of God, The Story of the Latter-day Saints, and The Mormon Experience, among others, may not be cited as references in articles in Church manuals and the Ensign. Not a single general authority (except Elder Durham) has written to express appreciation for any of my articles or books, nor has any called me, nor has any called me into his office to discuss historical matters which have come up. But though I have reason to feel rejected, I feel completely confident that my work is approved by the Lord and that within ten years of my death I will be regarded as one of the "greats" in the field of Church history-by General Authorities as well as by others.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Annual Comment on the History Division
... I begin by expressing sorrow that we have lost two valiant persons in the division, Bruce Blumell, who left September 1 to go to law school in Canada, and James Allen, who left September 1 to return full time to the History Department in BYU. Both left of their own volition, and both would have stayed if they had thought the future of the History Division was bright. In a way, they both were encouraged to go by pessimistic comments about our future made by Elder G. Homer Durham, managing director of the Historical Department. In addition to these two departures, Glen Leonard was transferred from our division to the Arts and Sites Division to be associate director and Jill Derr will leave the division December 31 to devote more time to her family and to work with the Relief Society and Deseret Book Co. on a history of LDS women. Both of those departures were (are) voluntary, but once again they would have stayed with us if they had thought their future with us was
bright. Neither was (will be) replaced. So we are gradually losing strength. Elder Durham has also told me privately that he does not expect to renew the employment of Carol Madsen, who works for us half time, in the 1981 budget. He expects to "cut her off" at the end of 1980. ...
Elder Durham keeps threatening to move us to BYU, as a special center sponsored by them. For some reason he thinks our work is "academic" and ought to be under university auspices. But the academic freedom at BYU is less than here, I'm sorry to say; Bob Thomas, academic vice president, has no backbone, nor does Ernest Olsen, director of BYU Press. ...
Persons tell us that Elders [Ezra Taft] Benson and [Mark E.] Petersen do not like what we are doing and that if and when President Benson becomes president of the Church we might all be relieved of our positions. It's almost as if the decisions of the bureaucrats were being made, not on the basis of what the Prophet wants, but on the basis of what the next Prophet wants. I refuse to believe that Elder Benson would fire us; I am convinced that we are doing what the Lord wants and that the Lord will not permit such a violent end to our work. I refuse to act on the basis of what might happen if Elder Benson became president. ... My appointment as historian is so disregarded that the First Presidency do not refer letters to me that deal with historical matters. I am not asked to read any manuscripts for historical accuracy, no talks on history are cleared through me. The Mormon Experience, the preparation and publication of which was approved by the First Presidency, could
not be mentioned or reviewed in the Ensign or Church News. Nor could Building the City of God. Building the City of God, The Story of the Latter-day Saints, and The Mormon Experience, among others, may not be cited as references in articles in Church manuals and the Ensign. Not a single general authority (except Elder Durham) has written to express appreciation for any of my articles or books, nor has any called me, nor has any called me into his office to discuss historical matters which have come up. But though I have reason to feel rejected, I feel completely confident that my work is approved by the Lord and that within ten years of my death I will be regarded as one of the "greats" in the field of Church history-by General Authorities as well as by others.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
55 years ago today - Jan 1, 1970
LDS Church adopts "Computer Age Finance System," and computerizes records of membership as of May 1. These are functions of church-owned Management Systems Corporation (MSC).
85 years ago today - Jan 01, 1940
Amy Brown Lyman is called as the eighth general president of the Relief Society, with Marcia Knowlton Howells and Donna Durrant Sorensen as counselors.
90 years ago today - Jan 1, 1935
Joseph Fielding Smith: "I firmly believe that there will be some of that generation who were living when this revelation was given who shall be living when this temple is reared.... I have full confidence in the word of the Lord and that it shall not fail"
[Joseph Fielding Smith, The Way to Perfection, Jan. 1, 1935, p. 270; The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated (see 1832 September 22, D&C 84:1-5,31,32)]
[Joseph Fielding Smith, The Way to Perfection, Jan. 1, 1935, p. 270; The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated (see 1832 September 22, D&C 84:1-5,31,32)]
120 years ago today - Jan 1, 1905
The Dr. William H. Groves Latter-day Saints Hospital opened in Salt Lake City and was dedicated three days later, the first in the Church hospital system. In 1975 the Church divested itself of its hospitals and turned them over to a private organization.
[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]
[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]
120 years ago today - Sunday, Jan 1, 1905
[Apostle John Henry Smith]
.... I went over to Giudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. I found the following Telegram
Mexico City
from T. E. Pomeroy
West Lake [code name for Apostle Matthias F. Cowley] sent for. Cant reach Juarez before Tuesday perhaps Wednesday. ...
[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]
.... I went over to Giudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. I found the following Telegram
Mexico City
from T. E. Pomeroy
West Lake [code name for Apostle Matthias F. Cowley] sent for. Cant reach Juarez before Tuesday perhaps Wednesday. ...
[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]
125 years ago today - Jan 01, 1900
Martha LaVern Watts (Parmley), later the fifth general president of the Primary Association, is born in Murray, Utah.
135 years ago today - Jan 1, 1890
"For these reasons we have strong objections to the introduction of maps and their circulation among our people which profess to give the location of the Nephite cities and settlements"
There is a tendency, strongly manifested . . . among some of the brethren, to study the geography of the Book of Mormon. . . . We are greatly pleased to notice the . . . interest taken by the Saints in this holy book. . . . But valuable as is the Book of Mormon both in doctrine and history, yet it is possible to put this sacred volume to uses for which it was never intended, uses which are detrimental rather than advantageous to the cause of truth, and consequently to the work of the Lord. . . . The brethren who lecture on the lands of the Nephites or the geography of the Book of Mormon are not united in their conclusions. ... The First Presidency has often been asked to prepare some suggestive map illustrative of Nephite geography, but have never consented to do so. ...
[George Q. Cannon, "Editorial Thoughts: The Book of Mormon Geography," The Juvenile Instructor 25 no. 1 (1 January 1890)), 18-19]
There is a tendency, strongly manifested . . . among some of the brethren, to study the geography of the Book of Mormon. . . . We are greatly pleased to notice the . . . interest taken by the Saints in this holy book. . . . But valuable as is the Book of Mormon both in doctrine and history, yet it is possible to put this sacred volume to uses for which it was never intended, uses which are detrimental rather than advantageous to the cause of truth, and consequently to the work of the Lord. . . . The brethren who lecture on the lands of the Nephites or the geography of the Book of Mormon are not united in their conclusions. ... The First Presidency has often been asked to prepare some suggestive map illustrative of Nephite geography, but have never consented to do so. ...
[George Q. Cannon, "Editorial Thoughts: The Book of Mormon Geography," The Juvenile Instructor 25 no. 1 (1 January 1890)), 18-19]
155 years ago today - Jan 1, 1870
The Salt Lake Tribune began as the result of a movement to oppose the political and economic policies of the Mormon Church. William S. Godbe, Elias L.T. Harrison, Edward W. Tullidge, and William H. Shearman joined forces to publish the Mormon Tribune on 1 January 1870 after the Deseret News urged church members to boycott their Utah Magazine, founded two years earlier.
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
180 years ago today - Jan 1, 1845
[William Clayton]
.... The organization of the Kingdom of God on 11th March last is one important event. This organization was called the council of fifty or kingdom of God...
In this council was the plan arranged for supporting president Joseph Smith as a candidate for the presidency of the U.S. Prest. Joseph was the standing chairman of the council and myself the clerk. In this council was also devised the plan of establishing an immigration to Texas and plans laid for the exaltation of a standard and ensign of truths for the nations of the earth. In this council was the plan devised to restore the Ancients to the knowledge of the truth and the restoration of union and peace amongst ourselves. In this council was Prest. Joseph chosen as our prophet, Priest, & King by Hosannas. ...
I have received two companions, received two children and buried one. [...?] I have a good prospect of adding another crown to my family which is a source of great consolation to me. ...
[The Nauvoo Diaries of William Clayton, 1842-1846, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
.... The organization of the Kingdom of God on 11th March last is one important event. This organization was called the council of fifty or kingdom of God...
In this council was the plan arranged for supporting president Joseph Smith as a candidate for the presidency of the U.S. Prest. Joseph was the standing chairman of the council and myself the clerk. In this council was also devised the plan of establishing an immigration to Texas and plans laid for the exaltation of a standard and ensign of truths for the nations of the earth. In this council was the plan devised to restore the Ancients to the knowledge of the truth and the restoration of union and peace amongst ourselves. In this council was Prest. Joseph chosen as our prophet, Priest, & King by Hosannas. ...
I have received two companions, received two children and buried one. [...?] I have a good prospect of adding another crown to my family which is a source of great consolation to me. ...
[The Nauvoo Diaries of William Clayton, 1842-1846, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
180 years ago today - 1 January 1845, Wednesday
[William Clayton]
``I have a good prospect of adding another crown [wife] to my family,'' he could say as he looked forward to 1845.
Wednesday 1st ... Reflections
... I was admitted a member of the first quorum and a member of the council of fifty. I have received two companions, received two children and buried one.
[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 have a good prospect of adding another crown [wife] to my family,'' he could say as he looked forward to 1845.
Wednesday 1st ... Reflections
... I was admitted a member of the first quorum and a member of the council of fifty. I have received two companions, received two children and buried one.
[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]
180 years ago today - January 1, 1845. Wednesday.
[William Clayton]
....The organization of the Kingdom of God on 11th March last is one important event. This organization was called the Council of Fifty or Kingdom of God, and was titled by revelation as follows. "Verily thus saith the Lord, this is the name by which you shall be called, the Kingdom of God and his Laws, with the Keys and power thereof, and judgment in the hands of his servants, Ahman Christ." In this Council was the plan arranged for supporting President Joseph Smith as a candidate for the presidency of the U.S. President Joseph was the standing chairman of the Council and myself the Clerk. In this Council was also devised the plan of establishing an emigration to Texas, and plans laid for the exaltation of a standard and ensign of truth for the nations of the earth. In this Council was the plan devised to restore the Ancients to the Knowledge of the truth and the restoration of Union and peace amongst ourselves. In this Council was President Joseph chosen our Prophet, Priest and
King by Hosannas. In this Council was the principles of eternal truth rolled forth to the heavens without reserve and the hearts of the servants of God made to rejoice exceedingly. I was admitted a member of the first quorum and a member of the council of fifty. I have received two companions, received two children and buried one.
[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]
....The organization of the Kingdom of God on 11th March last is one important event. This organization was called the Council of Fifty or Kingdom of God, and was titled by revelation as follows. "Verily thus saith the Lord, this is the name by which you shall be called, the Kingdom of God and his Laws, with the Keys and power thereof, and judgment in the hands of his servants, Ahman Christ." In this Council was the plan arranged for supporting President Joseph Smith as a candidate for the presidency of the U.S. President Joseph was the standing chairman of the Council and myself the Clerk. In this Council was also devised the plan of establishing an emigration to Texas, and plans laid for the exaltation of a standard and ensign of truth for the nations of the earth. In this Council was the plan devised to restore the Ancients to the Knowledge of the truth and the restoration of Union and peace amongst ourselves. In this Council was President Joseph chosen our Prophet, Priest and
King by Hosannas. In this Council was the principles of eternal truth rolled forth to the heavens without reserve and the hearts of the servants of God made to rejoice exceedingly. I was admitted a member of the first quorum and a member of the council of fifty. I have received two companions, received two children and buried one.
[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]
185 years ago today - Jan 1, 1840 (Wednesday)
While visiting with brother Joseph in Philadelphia, a very large church was opened for him to preach in, and about three thousand people assembled to hear him. ... brother Joseph arose like a lion about to roar; and being full of the Holy Ghost, spoke in great power, bearing testimony of the visions he had seen, the ministering of angels which he had enjoyed; and how he had found the plates of the Book of Mormon, and translated them by the gift and power of God. He commenced by saying, "If nobody else had the courage to testify of so glorious a message from Heaven, and of the finding of so glorious a record, he felt to do it, in justice to the people, and leave the event with God." The entire congregation was astounded; electrified, as it were, and overwhelmed with the sense of the truth and power by which he spoke, and the wonders which he related. A lasting impression was made; many souls were gathered into the fold. And I bear witness, that he, by his faithful and powerful
testimony, cleared his garments of their blood.
[The Woodland Institute, http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
testimony, cleared his garments of their blood.
[The Woodland Institute, http://www.woodlandinstitute.com]
25 years ago today - Dec 31, 1999
Jerold Ottley retires from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir after a long and distinguished career as director. He is replaced by Craig Jessop, who had been an assistant director since June 5, 1995.
50 years ago today - Dec 31, 1974-Tuesday
[Leonard Arrington]
Boyd Packer repeated very strongly his concerns to Earl [Olsen] and said that we must find some way of preventing the printing of these things from occurring in the future and said that unless we can come to some agreement on it we would have to change the management. I asked Earl what that meantwhether it meant getting a new Church Historian or getting a new Assistant Managing Director or just what. Earl said he was not sure, but he thought he meant that he would seek to have another advisor rather than Brother Hunter or perhaps another Acting Managing Director rather than Brother Anderson. I said to Earl, "Does that mean that Brother Packer himself wants to be our advisor?" Earl said he thought that was the case.
Earl said something about clearing things through correlation. I said that would be the worst thing that could happen. How can they possibly judge us on what is good history and what is bad history. Earl said that we may be forced to it. I said I thought the Twelve [Apostles] would outvote Brother Packer if he made such a suggestion.
At any rate, it seems clear that Brother Packer is making some kind of crusade out of it and will not be satisfied to leave it in the hands of Elder Hunter and Elder McConkie. Earl said as a minimum we ought to bring it up with our advisors at our next meeting and get their counsel of what if anything we should do. Earl says Brother Packer expects some kind of an answer and we need to raise this with the advisors.
Maureen [Beecher] brought Gene England in yesterday and he wanted to talk with me at considerable length about the reasons for withdrawing Maureen's piece from Dialogue. I told him that in my judgment it would not be wise to make an appeal on this. That I wanted to leave it on an ad hoc basis and not force a situation which would establish some kind of a rule that I would have to follow in the future. Gene is looking for a job here. The University of Utah will not hire any committed Mormon in English. BYU would be willing to create a special slot to employ him but Neal Maxwell does not want to go to the board with a special slot bearing his name on account of his former Dialogue association. ...
Jim Allen and Doug Alder returned late in the afternoon yesterday from the American History Association convention in Chicago. They reported a very successful meeting of [session sponsored by] the Mormon History Association. ... There were some all-night meetings of LDS, RLDS, and non-LDS which included Jim and Doug and also Jan Shipps, Paul Edwards, Bob Flanders, Larry Foster, Larry Hunt and some others I don't recall. These were productive, interesting, and inspiring, according to Jim and Doug. ...
I expect to start on a biography of Brigham Young before the end of the year. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Boyd Packer repeated very strongly his concerns to Earl [Olsen] and said that we must find some way of preventing the printing of these things from occurring in the future and said that unless we can come to some agreement on it we would have to change the management. I asked Earl what that meantwhether it meant getting a new Church Historian or getting a new Assistant Managing Director or just what. Earl said he was not sure, but he thought he meant that he would seek to have another advisor rather than Brother Hunter or perhaps another Acting Managing Director rather than Brother Anderson. I said to Earl, "Does that mean that Brother Packer himself wants to be our advisor?" Earl said he thought that was the case.
Earl said something about clearing things through correlation. I said that would be the worst thing that could happen. How can they possibly judge us on what is good history and what is bad history. Earl said that we may be forced to it. I said I thought the Twelve [Apostles] would outvote Brother Packer if he made such a suggestion.
At any rate, it seems clear that Brother Packer is making some kind of crusade out of it and will not be satisfied to leave it in the hands of Elder Hunter and Elder McConkie. Earl said as a minimum we ought to bring it up with our advisors at our next meeting and get their counsel of what if anything we should do. Earl says Brother Packer expects some kind of an answer and we need to raise this with the advisors.
Maureen [Beecher] brought Gene England in yesterday and he wanted to talk with me at considerable length about the reasons for withdrawing Maureen's piece from Dialogue. I told him that in my judgment it would not be wise to make an appeal on this. That I wanted to leave it on an ad hoc basis and not force a situation which would establish some kind of a rule that I would have to follow in the future. Gene is looking for a job here. The University of Utah will not hire any committed Mormon in English. BYU would be willing to create a special slot to employ him but Neal Maxwell does not want to go to the board with a special slot bearing his name on account of his former Dialogue association. ...
Jim Allen and Doug Alder returned late in the afternoon yesterday from the American History Association convention in Chicago. They reported a very successful meeting of [session sponsored by] the Mormon History Association. ... There were some all-night meetings of LDS, RLDS, and non-LDS which included Jim and Doug and also Jan Shipps, Paul Edwards, Bob Flanders, Larry Foster, Larry Hunt and some others I don't recall. These were productive, interesting, and inspiring, according to Jim and Doug. ...
I expect to start on a biography of Brigham Young before the end of the year. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
70 years ago today - Dec 31, 1954
[David O. McKay diary, Dec. 31, 1954] Held a consultation with Elder Richard L. Evans of the Council of the Twelve. We considered the method of presenting the Temple ceremony, having in mind the audience sitting in the same room instead of going to three different rooms.
[Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
70 years ago today - Dec 31, 1954
[David O. McKay]
Held a consultation with Elder Richard L. Evans of the Council of the Twelve. We considered the method of presenting the Temple ceremony, having in mind the audience sitting in the same room instead of going to three different rooms.
[David O. McKay diary, Dec. 31, 1954, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
Held a consultation with Elder Richard L. Evans of the Council of the Twelve. We considered the method of presenting the Temple ceremony, having in mind the audience sitting in the same room instead of going to three different rooms.
[David O. McKay diary, Dec. 31, 1954, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
130 years ago today - Dec 31, 1894
[Apostle Heber J. Grant]
Had a chat this morning with Gusta and she says that she fears in case we were to get a large amount of money that it would do the children no good. She would prefer to live as we do rather than to have anything happen that would not be for the best. I am glad that she feels this way.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Had a chat this morning with Gusta and she says that she fears in case we were to get a large amount of money that it would do the children no good. She would prefer to live as we do rather than to have anything happen that would not be for the best. I am glad that she feels this way.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
160 years ago today - Dec 31, 1864
"In the fall of [sic, should be spring of 1832], while Joseph was yet at my father's [John Johnson], a mob of forty or fifty came to his house, a few entered his room in the middle of the night, and Carnot Mason dragged Joseph out of bed by the hair of his head; he was then seized by as many as could get hold of him, and taken about forty rods from the house, stretched on a board, and tantalized in the most insulting and brutal manner; they tore off the few night clothes that he had on, for the purpose of emasculating him, and had Dr. Dennison there to perform the operation; but when the Dr. saw the Prophet stripped and stretched on the plank, his heart failed him, and he refused to operate."
["History of Luke Johnson", Millennial Star 26 (December 31, 1864); Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
["History of Luke Johnson", Millennial Star 26 (December 31, 1864); Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
165 years ago today - Dec 31, 1859
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
31 Dec 1859 This is the last day of the Year and we are approaching 1860, a year which has been looked for with much interest since I was a Boy. In my own mind I do not suppose that it will be much different From the years which will follow. We are standing in the midst of a Generation which is full of interesting Events. We are approaching Revolutions & Changes which will shake kingdoms, Thrones & Republics, from the [Earth?] to circumference and lay them in the dust and open the way for the Esstablishment of the kingdom of God and of more freedom and liberty than now Exists upon Earth. The signs of the times show that 1860 may be the Commencement of the desolution of the American Union and of Bloody European wars. But the Lord will guide the destiny of the world in such a manner that his will will be done and the Prophets Fulfilled.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
31 Dec 1859 This is the last day of the Year and we are approaching 1860, a year which has been looked for with much interest since I was a Boy. In my own mind I do not suppose that it will be much different From the years which will follow. We are standing in the midst of a Generation which is full of interesting Events. We are approaching Revolutions & Changes which will shake kingdoms, Thrones & Republics, from the [Earth?] to circumference and lay them in the dust and open the way for the Esstablishment of the kingdom of God and of more freedom and liberty than now Exists upon Earth. The signs of the times show that 1860 may be the Commencement of the desolution of the American Union and of Bloody European wars. But the Lord will guide the destiny of the world in such a manner that his will will be done and the Prophets Fulfilled.
[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 - Before Dec 31, 1844
Martin Harris joins the Shakers and a becomes a follower of Anne Lee.
[Mormon Chronology, N. R. Tidd, http://www.exmormon.org/mhistory.html]
[Mormon Chronology, N. R. Tidd, http://www.exmormon.org/mhistory.html]
180 years ago today - Dec 31, 1844
[Brigham Young]
He also spoke of the relation we held to our Father in Heaven and to our Mother, the Queen. If we are faithful we will come in their presence and learn of our first estate. He also spoke of the children of Promise, what they were, that they were very scarce, there is not two or three at present but we should know more about it when the temple was completed. ... Hence, he said a man who cannot preside over a wife and children, much more over a quorum. Therefore, it was our indispensible duty to set ourselves in order that we might become as saviors unto the children of men, for we were placed in high and responsible positions. ... If we were faithful it would be but a short time before we could come up in the same places that the Twelve are and so on until we were very great men, so therefore, we must treasure up knowledge while it is a good time. He also said that in order for a man to save his dead friends he would have to go through the same ordinances to save himself. Hence, it
was a great thing to come up in such a responsible place. In the work for the dead the man would act as proxy for the male friends and his wife for the females, by so doing they became a king and queen. He concluded that we had done well in building a house to meet in and God would bless us. -- Nauvoo, Illinois
[Joseph G. Hovey Autobiography as 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]
He also spoke of the relation we held to our Father in Heaven and to our Mother, the Queen. If we are faithful we will come in their presence and learn of our first estate. He also spoke of the children of Promise, what they were, that they were very scarce, there is not two or three at present but we should know more about it when the temple was completed. ... Hence, he said a man who cannot preside over a wife and children, much more over a quorum. Therefore, it was our indispensible duty to set ourselves in order that we might become as saviors unto the children of men, for we were placed in high and responsible positions. ... If we were faithful it would be but a short time before we could come up in the same places that the Twelve are and so on until we were very great men, so therefore, we must treasure up knowledge while it is a good time. He also said that in order for a man to save his dead friends he would have to go through the same ordinances to save himself. Hence, it
was a great thing to come up in such a responsible place. In the work for the dead the man would act as proxy for the male friends and his wife for the females, by so doing they became a king and queen. He concluded that we had done well in building a house to meet in and God would bless us. -- Nauvoo, Illinois
[Joseph G. Hovey Autobiography as 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]
125 years ago today - Saturday, Dec 30, 1899
[Apostle Rudger Clawson]
2 p.m. Continuation of the meeting of the brethren on Friday. The principal topic of discussion was the attitude of the brethren when arrested and found guilty of unlawful cohabitation. Would it be proper for them to promise to obey the law—or rather express their intention to do so?
President Snow said, he did not see how we could very well do otherwise, in order to satisfy the honorable people of the nation, who are willing to send their sons into battle for the defense of our country, and when they fall in battle it is looked upon as an honor. They are willing to make this sacrifice for their country. They look upon the United States as the greatest nation on the earth and feel that its laws are supreme—and that when it comes to a question of law, the Latter-day Saints should bow. It is necessary sometimes for the saints to make sacrifices for the good of their fellowmen, that the honorable ones of the earth perchance may be saved. This is one of those times. There are, he said, about 300 plural wives among the saints who are bearing children, as against the body of the church—say 350,000—who are not in polygamy. These 300 women for the good of the nation and of the church should be willing for a time to refrain from having children. They would
lose nothing
by it, for the Lord would reward them abundantly.
Though no formal vote was taken the brethren generally seemed to endorse the views of President Snow. Meeting adjourned sine die.
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
2 p.m. Continuation of the meeting of the brethren on Friday. The principal topic of discussion was the attitude of the brethren when arrested and found guilty of unlawful cohabitation. Would it be proper for them to promise to obey the law—or rather express their intention to do so?
President Snow said, he did not see how we could very well do otherwise, in order to satisfy the honorable people of the nation, who are willing to send their sons into battle for the defense of our country, and when they fall in battle it is looked upon as an honor. They are willing to make this sacrifice for their country. They look upon the United States as the greatest nation on the earth and feel that its laws are supreme—and that when it comes to a question of law, the Latter-day Saints should bow. It is necessary sometimes for the saints to make sacrifices for the good of their fellowmen, that the honorable ones of the earth perchance may be saved. This is one of those times. There are, he said, about 300 plural wives among the saints who are bearing children, as against the body of the church—say 350,000—who are not in polygamy. These 300 women for the good of the nation and of the church should be willing for a time to refrain from having children. They would
lose nothing
by it, for the Lord would reward them abundantly.
Though no formal vote was taken the brethren generally seemed to endorse the views of President Snow. Meeting adjourned sine die.
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
125 years ago today - Dec 30, 1899; Saturday
[Apostle Brigham Young Jr.]
Meeting of Pres[idency]. & 12 Bishoprick. Question shall we when bro[ugh]t. to the or before the Court promise to obey the law. Unanimous decision that we must acknowledge its suprem[ac]y. Brethren must not have children born to them by their wives here in this state. ...
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]
Meeting of Pres[idency]. & 12 Bishoprick. Question shall we when bro[ugh]t. to the or before the Court promise to obey the law. Unanimous decision that we must acknowledge its suprem[ac]y. Brethren must not have children born to them by their wives here in this state. ...
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]
125 years ago today - Dec 30, 1899
[Abraham Owen Woodruff]
Pres[iden]t. [Lorenzo] Snow gave me about the most complete sitting down I ever got in my life because he misunderstood me.
[Abraham Owen Woodruff 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]
Pres[iden]t. [Lorenzo] Snow gave me about the most complete sitting down I ever got in my life because he misunderstood me.
[Abraham Owen Woodruff 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]
170 years ago today - Dec 30, 1854
Colonel Steptoe, who had been offered the governorship of Utah by Pres. Pierce but declined, along with leading officials and business men of SLC signed a petition and sent it to Washington recommending Pres. Pierce reappoint Brigham Young as Governor of Utah Territory.
[Hale, Van, Mormon Miscellaneous, Utah War Chronology, http://www.mormonmiscellaneous.com/utahwar/id2.html]
[Hale, Van, Mormon Miscellaneous, Utah War Chronology, http://www.mormonmiscellaneous.com/utahwar/id2.html]
180 years ago today - Dec 30, 1844
[Wilford Woodruff]
I was in dreams nearly all of last night. Saw A large fire, A field of green corn, repaird old tubs to hold water, ground grain for the Saints Among other things I had an interview with the Patriarch Hyrum Smith who was martered. He wished me to get a plain gold ring made of fine gold set a stone in it & put some of his hair in it & wear it, & also some of Joseph Hair. ...
[Wilford Woodruff Dreams and Visions, Saints Without Halos, Scott Kenney (http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/n/dreams_ww.phtml)]
I was in dreams nearly all of last night. Saw A large fire, A field of green corn, repaird old tubs to hold water, ground grain for the Saints Among other things I had an interview with the Patriarch Hyrum Smith who was martered. He wished me to get a plain gold ring made of fine gold set a stone in it & put some of his hair in it & wear it, & also some of Joseph Hair. ...
[Wilford Woodruff Dreams and Visions, Saints Without Halos, Scott Kenney (http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/n/dreams_ww.phtml)]
180 years ago today - Dec 30, 1844
[Wilford Woodruff]
A dream on the night of the 30th Dec 1844 (WWJ 2:492): Behold and lo in a dream I was in Council with the Martered Prophet & Patriarch & the quorum of the Twelve Apostles in America. I thought we had all got to be ordained for some purpose. I was called upon by Br Young & another person to assist in administering the ordinances. In the midst of the Council, Sidney Rigdon Came in & was objected to by Hyrum Smith.
I awoke & again fell asleep & dreamed of being in council with the Twelve & others. I made an address to them. John E. Page arose to address the meeting but was stoped by some female & was followed by Elder Willard Snow
I have recorded this dream yet I Pay but little attention to dreams that I have on ship board for I am nearly all the while in some dream while asleep on board of the ship.
[Wilford Woodruff Dreams and Visions, Saints Without Halos, Scott Kenney (http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/n/dreams_ww.phtml)]
A dream on the night of the 30th Dec 1844 (WWJ 2:492): Behold and lo in a dream I was in Council with the Martered Prophet & Patriarch & the quorum of the Twelve Apostles in America. I thought we had all got to be ordained for some purpose. I was called upon by Br Young & another person to assist in administering the ordinances. In the midst of the Council, Sidney Rigdon Came in & was objected to by Hyrum Smith.
I awoke & again fell asleep & dreamed of being in council with the Twelve & others. I made an address to them. John E. Page arose to address the meeting but was stoped by some female & was followed by Elder Willard Snow
I have recorded this dream yet I Pay but little attention to dreams that I have on ship board for I am nearly all the while in some dream while asleep on board of the ship.
[Wilford Woodruff Dreams and Visions, Saints Without Halos, Scott Kenney (http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/n/dreams_ww.phtml)]
180 years ago today - About Dec 30, 1844
[Wilford Woodruff]
.... Joseph Smith visited me a great deal after his death, and taught me many important principles. The last time he visited me was going on my last mission to preside in England. My companions were Brother Leonard W. Hardy, Brother Milton Holmes, Brother Dan Jones, and another brother, and my wife and two other women. ...
We had been traveling three days and nights in a heavy gale, and were being driven backwards. Finally I asked my companions to come into the cabin with me, and I told them to pray that the Lord would change the wind. I had no fears of being lost; but I did not like the idea of being driven back to New York, as I wanted to go on my journey. We all offered the same prayer, both men and women; and when we got through we stepped on to the deck and in less than a minute it was as though a man had taken a sword and cut that gale through, and you might have thrown a muslin handkerchief out and it would not have moved it.
... Joseph and Hyrum visited me, and the Prophet laid before me a great many things. Among other things, he told me to get the Spirit of God; that all of us needed it. He also told me what the Twelve Apostles would be called to go through on the earth before the coming of the Son of Man, and what the reward of their labors would be; but all that was taken from me, for some reason. Nevertheless I know it was most glorious, although much would be required at our hands.
Joseph Smith continued visiting myself and others up to a certain time, and then it stopped. The last time I saw him was in heaven. In the night vision I saw him at the door of the temple in heaven. He came and spoke to me. He said he could not stop to talk with me because he was in a hurry. The next man I met was Father Smith; he could not talk with me because he was in a hurry. I met half a dozen brethren who had held high positions on earth, and none of them could could stop to talk with me because they were in a hurry. I was much astonished.
By and by I saw the Prophet again, and I got the privilege to ask him a question, "Now," said I, "I want to know why you are in a hurry. I have been in a hurry all through my life; but I expected my hurry would be over when I got into the kingdom of heaven, if I ever did."
Joseph said:
I will tell you, Brother Woodruff. Every dispensation that has had the Priesthood on the earth and has gone into the celestial kingdom, has had a certain amount of work to do to prepare to go to the earth with the Savior when He goes to reign on the earth. Each dispensation has had ample time to do this work. We have not. We are the last dispensation, and so much work has to be done, and we need to be in a hurry in order to accomplish it.
Of couse, that was satisfactory to me, but it was new doctrine to me.
[Wilford Woodruff Dreams and Visions, Saints Without Halos, Scott Kenney (http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/n/dreams_ww.phtml)]
.... Joseph Smith visited me a great deal after his death, and taught me many important principles. The last time he visited me was going on my last mission to preside in England. My companions were Brother Leonard W. Hardy, Brother Milton Holmes, Brother Dan Jones, and another brother, and my wife and two other women. ...
We had been traveling three days and nights in a heavy gale, and were being driven backwards. Finally I asked my companions to come into the cabin with me, and I told them to pray that the Lord would change the wind. I had no fears of being lost; but I did not like the idea of being driven back to New York, as I wanted to go on my journey. We all offered the same prayer, both men and women; and when we got through we stepped on to the deck and in less than a minute it was as though a man had taken a sword and cut that gale through, and you might have thrown a muslin handkerchief out and it would not have moved it.
... Joseph and Hyrum visited me, and the Prophet laid before me a great many things. Among other things, he told me to get the Spirit of God; that all of us needed it. He also told me what the Twelve Apostles would be called to go through on the earth before the coming of the Son of Man, and what the reward of their labors would be; but all that was taken from me, for some reason. Nevertheless I know it was most glorious, although much would be required at our hands.
Joseph Smith continued visiting myself and others up to a certain time, and then it stopped. The last time I saw him was in heaven. In the night vision I saw him at the door of the temple in heaven. He came and spoke to me. He said he could not stop to talk with me because he was in a hurry. The next man I met was Father Smith; he could not talk with me because he was in a hurry. I met half a dozen brethren who had held high positions on earth, and none of them could could stop to talk with me because they were in a hurry. I was much astonished.
By and by I saw the Prophet again, and I got the privilege to ask him a question, "Now," said I, "I want to know why you are in a hurry. I have been in a hurry all through my life; but I expected my hurry would be over when I got into the kingdom of heaven, if I ever did."
Joseph said:
I will tell you, Brother Woodruff. Every dispensation that has had the Priesthood on the earth and has gone into the celestial kingdom, has had a certain amount of work to do to prepare to go to the earth with the Savior when He goes to reign on the earth. Each dispensation has had ample time to do this work. We have not. We are the last dispensation, and so much work has to be done, and we need to be in a hurry in order to accomplish it.
Of couse, that was satisfactory to me, but it was new doctrine to me.
[Wilford Woodruff Dreams and Visions, Saints Without Halos, Scott Kenney (http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/n/dreams_ww.phtml)]
195 years ago today - Dec 30, 1829
Ethan Smith offers opening prayers and heads a committee at the three-day Antimasonic State Convention of Massachusetts. The committee was appointed "to inquire how far Free Masonry and French Illuminism [the Illuminati] are connected." Their report finds a '"two-fold ... horrid scheme" to destroy Christian government and religion "... they soon began to boast among themselves of the power of secret societies ... and Speculative Masonry ... as a most fit cover for [Illuminism's] occult operations."' Ethan Smith feels Voltaire's goal was to destroy Christianity through philosophy.
A Mr. Bowman suggests "secret and selfish combinations, with the spirit and principles of Masonry, had existed in all ages."(Moses 5:31, 35; Alma 37:30-31; Ether 8:19, 22; 14:8, 10; 9:1; 13:18; 2 Ne. 9:9; 26:22; Hel. 3:23; 3 Ne. 4:29; Morm. 8:27; D&C 42:64)
[Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]
A Mr. Bowman suggests "secret and selfish combinations, with the spirit and principles of Masonry, had existed in all ages."(Moses 5:31, 35; Alma 37:30-31; Ether 8:19, 22; 14:8, 10; 9:1; 13:18; 2 Ne. 9:9; 26:22; Hel. 3:23; 3 Ne. 4:29; Morm. 8:27; D&C 42:64)
[Grunder, Rick, Mormon Parallels: A Bibliographic Source]
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