The Church News headlines, "First Presidency Urges Sunday Home Evenings." Like previously unsuccessful efforts, this announcement limits its encouragement to monthly "Home Evening" on Fast Sunday.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
Today In Mormon History-fb
Several curious tidbits that happened on this day in Mormon History
125 years ago today - Monday, Feb 4, 1901
[John Henry Smith]
Salt Lake City
I had a long talk with Prest. L. Snow, George Q. Cannon, and Franklin S. Richards on passing a law that in the future Wives must be the complainants in cases of adultry. Bro. Richards was instructed to draw up such a law.
[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]
Salt Lake City
I had a long talk with Prest. L. Snow, George Q. Cannon, and Franklin S. Richards on passing a law that in the future Wives must be the complainants in cases of adultry. Bro. Richards was instructed to draw up such a law.
[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]
130 years ago today - Feb 4, 1896; Tuesday
[Charles W. Penrose]
.... I was blessed and set apart by Presidents W[ilford]. Woodruff Geo[rge] Q. Cannon and Apostle Brigham Young [Jr.] as an Assistant Historian for the Church, Bro[ther] Cannon being mouth. The spirit of revelation and prophecy, with discrimination and judgment, power to avoid bias and to select and write to the acceptance of God and the Church authorities etc etc were sealed by the authority of the Holy Priesthood in the name of Jesus Christ.
[Charles W. Penrose, Diary]
.... I was blessed and set apart by Presidents W[ilford]. Woodruff Geo[rge] Q. Cannon and Apostle Brigham Young [Jr.] as an Assistant Historian for the Church, Bro[ther] Cannon being mouth. The spirit of revelation and prophecy, with discrimination and judgment, power to avoid bias and to select and write to the acceptance of God and the Church authorities etc etc were sealed by the authority of the Holy Priesthood in the name of Jesus Christ.
[Charles W. Penrose, Diary]
175 years ago today - Feb 4, 1851
Incorporation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Brigham Young declares before the Territorial Legislature, "I have more wives than one. I have many and I am not ashamed to have it known. Some Deny in the States that we have more wives than one. I never Deny it. I am perfectly willing that the people at Washington Should know that I have more than one wife & they are pure before the Lord and are approved of in his sight. I have been commanded of God to persue this Course. . . ." This is more than a year before the Church officially admitted to practicing polygamy.
175 years ago today - Feb 4, 1851
The government of the provisional state of Deseret passes an ordinance that incorporates The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]
[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]
180 years ago today - Feb 4, 1846
[Heber C. Kimball]
wife #31. Presendia Huntington (Buell Smith Kimball), 1810-1892; 2 children, including Joseph Smith, 1851-1936, time only.
wife #32. Mary Ann Shefflin (Kimball Walton), 1815-1869; 1 child. Separated from HCK in 1850, time only.
[Hatch, Charles M. and Compton, Todd M. editors, 'A Widow's Tale: 1884-1896 Diary of Helen Mar Kimball Whitney' p. 37]
wife #31. Presendia Huntington (Buell Smith Kimball), 1810-1892; 2 children, including Joseph Smith, 1851-1936, time only.
wife #32. Mary Ann Shefflin (Kimball Walton), 1815-1869; 1 child. Separated from HCK in 1850, time only.
[Hatch, Charles M. and Compton, Todd M. editors, 'A Widow's Tale: 1884-1896 Diary of Helen Mar Kimball Whitney' p. 37]
180 years ago today - Feb 04, 1846
Those following Brigham exit Nauvoo for Winter Quarters, and in 1847 the Salt Lake Valley. By the time the Grand encampment is founded, 153 men had entered into polygamy, marrying 587 wives. Brigham accounts for 5-6% of plural marriages at this point.
[Dayne, More Wives Than One, p 35; Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
[Dayne, More Wives Than One, p 35; Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
180 years ago today - 1846. February 4
(Sam Brannan) : Encouraged by Brigham Young, Brannan loaded 238 Saints, mostly farmers and mechanics, and the Messenger press on board the Brooklyn. Sailing from New York around Cape Horn, the Brooklyn weathered two severe storms. Ten passengers died but two babies were born-one named "Atlantic," the other "Pacific."
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Feb 4, 1846
The first companies of Mormons leave Nauvoo and cross the Mississippi River. Thomas L. Kane recalls, "The people of Iowa have told me that from morning to night they passed westward like an endless procession. They did not seem greatly out of heart, they said; but at the top of every hill, before they disappeared they were to be seen looking back, like banished Moors, on their abandoned homes and far-seen temple and its glittering spires." The first companies had to ford the river until Feb 24 when it froze and they were able to cross over the ice. Brigham Young remains in Nauvoo until Feb 15.
185 years ago today - Feb 4, 1841
The Nauvoo Legion is organized by authorization of the city charter and city council ordinance of 3 Feb. The governor appoints Joseph Smith lieutenant-general of the Legion on 5 Feb. Under Smith's leadership, the Nauvoo Legion becomes the largest militia in the U.S.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
195 years ago today - Feb 4, 1831
Edward Partridge is ordained to the office of bishop without high priest ordination. Although he is traditionally regarded as presiding bishop over the entire church, LDS president John Taylor and church historian Orson Pratt explained that Partridge was the "General Bishop" over Missouri, while Newel K. Whitney (ordained in Dec 1831) was General Bishop over Ohio.
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
[Quinn, D. Michael, The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power, Appendix 7: Selected Chronology of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1830-47, http://amzn.to/origins-power]
70 years ago today - Fri Feb 3, 1956
[David O. McKay Office Journal]
First Presidency meeting: Plural Marriage: In this connection I explained that it was my understanding regarding plural marriage that the having of more than one wife is not a principle but a practice. The principle of the eternity of the marriage covenant revealed to the Prophet and all the blessings pertaining to that may be obtained by a man with one wife.
[McKay, David O., Office Journal]
First Presidency meeting: Plural Marriage: In this connection I explained that it was my understanding regarding plural marriage that the having of more than one wife is not a principle but a practice. The principle of the eternity of the marriage covenant revealed to the Prophet and all the blessings pertaining to that may be obtained by a man with one wife.
[McKay, David O., Office Journal]
100 years ago today - Feb 03, 1926
During two important meetings (on February 3 and 8), the Church Board of Education decides to continue expanding seminary programs throughout the Church and to turn its junior colleges over to state governments. Schools later converted to state colleges are Snow college (Ephraim), Weber College (Ogden), Dixie College (St. George), and Gila College (Thatcher, Arizona). When the state of Idaho chooses not to take Ricks College in Rexburg, the Church decides to keep it open.
110 years ago today - Feb 3, 1916
[First Presidency to Peter C. Larsen]
In answer yours 21th ult., namely, Is a lodge member allowed to go through the temple if he lives up to the requirements of the Church?
Church members who knowingly ally themselves with secret organizations against the advice and counsel of the Church should not be recommended to the temple, and we may add that such brethren also render themselves ineligible to hold presiding offices in the priesthood...
[First Presidency, Letter to Peter C. Larsen, 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]
In answer yours 21th ult., namely, Is a lodge member allowed to go through the temple if he lives up to the requirements of the Church?
Church members who knowingly ally themselves with secret organizations against the advice and counsel of the Church should not be recommended to the temple, and we may add that such brethren also render themselves ineligible to hold presiding offices in the priesthood...
[First Presidency, Letter to Peter C. Larsen, 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]
115 years ago today - Feb 3, 1911
In Salt Lake City Apostle John Henry Smith writes "The school board met and heard some reports from Supt. H. H. Cummings. Some wild ideas [regarding organic evolution and higher biblical criticism] are getting into Brigham Young University at Provo. Three of the Professors are belittling the Bible." At the General Church Board of Education meeting to discuss Cummings's reports, Cummings finds students themselves quite comfortable with the "new light" which the teachers had imparted. Nevertheless, board members are disturbed and appointed a committee to meet with the three professors to see if they would stop teaching these ideas-namely organic evolution and higher criticism.
135 years ago today - Feb 3, 1891
Rank-and-file Mormon writes: "Some say and have written that great things are to happen this year... Some even declare that Christ will come and the Millennial Reign be inaugerated. I think some of these things will not happen as stated, but God holds all these things in his hands and at the close of 91 we shall tell more than now."
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
165 years ago today - February 3rd, 1861
[John D. Lee]
Eving (sp. Evening) I attendd (sp. attended) Prayer meeting & instruct the Saints on the points of Doctrine refered (sp. referred) to by the true Latter-day Saints Herald & their Bombarding Pres. B. Young for saying that Adam is all the God that we have to do with & those that know no better, it is quite a stumbling Block & all Enimies (sp. Enemies) to the cause,
[A Mormon Chronicle--The Diaries of John D. Lee, Vol. I:293; Sunday, February 3rd, 1861, in Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
Eving (sp. Evening) I attendd (sp. attended) Prayer meeting & instruct the Saints on the points of Doctrine refered (sp. referred) to by the true Latter-day Saints Herald & their Bombarding Pres. B. Young for saying that Adam is all the God that we have to do with & those that know no better, it is quite a stumbling Block & all Enimies (sp. Enemies) to the cause,
[A Mormon Chronicle--The Diaries of John D. Lee, Vol. I:293; Sunday, February 3rd, 1861, in Quotations Dealing with the Relationship of Our First Earthly Parents to Our Heavenly Parents (1830-1978)]
170 years ago today - Feb 3, 1856
[Heber C. Kimball]
I believe men in their resurrected bodies eat or they would die. I believe they eat as well as men in their mortal bodies.
You have got to be subject to the priesthood & learn to obey your head or you will be damned. We have the Apostles here to lead us and if we are passive in ther hands we shall be saved. You should be vary careful of the Apostles while you have them with you. Speak well of them & treat them kindly & do them good or you will suffer. You expect to be saved But you have got to do right.
A Man asked me if I had not got women sealed to me that were rebellious to you. I told them it was none of their Business. He asked if that would take away any of my glory. I said No it will not. If your wives are rebellious against you let them go away if they want to. It will not take away my glory for my wives to leave me. If I do my Duty & do not have women that will obey me I will go to heaven & the Lord will give me all that I want. I would like to raise up a good Posterity on Earth if I could but I dont want to fight in order to do it. Many other remarks was made which I have not written.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I believe men in their resurrected bodies eat or they would die. I believe they eat as well as men in their mortal bodies.
You have got to be subject to the priesthood & learn to obey your head or you will be damned. We have the Apostles here to lead us and if we are passive in ther hands we shall be saved. You should be vary careful of the Apostles while you have them with you. Speak well of them & treat them kindly & do them good or you will suffer. You expect to be saved But you have got to do right.
A Man asked me if I had not got women sealed to me that were rebellious to you. I told them it was none of their Business. He asked if that would take away any of my glory. I said No it will not. If your wives are rebellious against you let them go away if they want to. It will not take away my glory for my wives to leave me. If I do my Duty & do not have women that will obey me I will go to heaven & the Lord will give me all that I want. I would like to raise up a good Posterity on Earth if I could but I dont want to fight in order to do it. Many other remarks was made which I have not written.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Feb 03, 1851
President Brigham Young takes the oath of office as governor of the territory of Utah.
180 years ago today - Feb 3, 1846
[Nauvoo Temple]
Last sealings of children to parents were administered. There were 71 children sealed to their parents, and 130 persons were adopted.
Individuals who had lent furniture, carpet, pictures and other furnishing to decorate the attic floor of the temple began to remove their belongings.
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
Last sealings of children to parents were administered. There were 71 children sealed to their parents, and 130 persons were adopted.
Individuals who had lent furniture, carpet, pictures and other furnishing to decorate the attic floor of the temple began to remove their belongings.
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
180 years ago today - Feb 3, 1846
[Heber C. Kimball marriage]
wife #21. Mary Houston, 1818-1896.
wife #22. Hulda Barnes, 1806-1898.
wife #23. Christeen Golden, 1822-1896; 4 children: Cornelia Christeen, Jonathan Golden, Elias Smith, Mary Margaret (Moffat) .
wife #24. Sophronia Melinda Harmon, 1824-1847.
wife #25. Theresa Arathusa Morley, 1826-1855. Separated from HCK Mar. 1852.
wife #26. Ruth L. Pierce (Cazier), 1818-after 1861?. Separated from HCK soon after marriage.
wife #27. Laura Pitkin, 1790-1866.
wife #28. Ruth Amelia Reese, 1817-1902; 3 children, none lived to maturity.
wife #29. Sarah Scott (Smith? Kimball), 1817-1878, time only.
wife #30. Sarah Stiles (Kimball Barney), 1793-1899.
[Hatch, Charles M. and Compton, Todd M. editors, 'A Widow's Tale: 1884-1896 Diary of Helen Mar Kimball Whitney' p. 37]
wife #21. Mary Houston, 1818-1896.
wife #22. Hulda Barnes, 1806-1898.
wife #23. Christeen Golden, 1822-1896; 4 children: Cornelia Christeen, Jonathan Golden, Elias Smith, Mary Margaret (Moffat) .
wife #24. Sophronia Melinda Harmon, 1824-1847.
wife #25. Theresa Arathusa Morley, 1826-1855. Separated from HCK Mar. 1852.
wife #26. Ruth L. Pierce (Cazier), 1818-after 1861?. Separated from HCK soon after marriage.
wife #27. Laura Pitkin, 1790-1866.
wife #28. Ruth Amelia Reese, 1817-1902; 3 children, none lived to maturity.
wife #29. Sarah Scott (Smith? Kimball), 1817-1878, time only.
wife #30. Sarah Stiles (Kimball Barney), 1793-1899.
[Hatch, Charles M. and Compton, Todd M. editors, 'A Widow's Tale: 1884-1896 Diary of Helen Mar Kimball Whitney' p. 37]
180 years ago today - Feb 3, 1846
Notwithstanding that Brigham Young had announced that "we would not attend to the administration of the ordinances," the Nauvoo temple is surrounded by a crowd of Mormons wanting to receive endowments. Young relents and "two hundred and ninety-five persons received ordinances." This includes sixty-two-year-old Alpheus Cutler, Council-of-Fifty member, who takes five new wives increasing his total to seven.
180 years ago today - Feb 3, 1846
Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Abigail Harback (1790-1849) (aged 55) previously married to John Calvin Hall (unknown if she was widowed, divorced, or separated)
Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Amy Cecilia Cooper (1804-1852) (aged 41) married to (non-Mormon?) Joseph Aldrich; separated later and he remarried
Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Julia Foster (1811-1891) (aged 36) widow of Mormon Jonathan Hampton, who died in Nauvoo in 1844. Stayed in Illinois when Brigham Young emigrated to Utah in 1847. Young sent for her in 1855, and she came with her children and managed the Lion House.
Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Mary Ann Turley (1827-1904) (aged 18) first marriage divorced 1851
Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Mary Ellen de la Montaigne (1803-1894) (aged 42) divorced from James Boyd Woodward divorced 1846-12-13 and re-married Woodward; both Woodward and de la Montaigne were adopted to Brigham Young at Nauvoo
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Amy Cecilia Cooper (1804-1852) (aged 41) married to (non-Mormon?) Joseph Aldrich; separated later and he remarried
Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Julia Foster (1811-1891) (aged 36) widow of Mormon Jonathan Hampton, who died in Nauvoo in 1844. Stayed in Illinois when Brigham Young emigrated to Utah in 1847. Young sent for her in 1855, and she came with her children and managed the Lion House.
Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Mary Ann Turley (1827-1904) (aged 18) first marriage divorced 1851
Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Mary Ellen de la Montaigne (1803-1894) (aged 42) divorced from James Boyd Woodward divorced 1846-12-13 and re-married Woodward; both Woodward and de la Montaigne were adopted to Brigham Young at Nauvoo
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
185 years ago today - Feb 3, 1841
The Nauvoo City Council passes "An ordinance organizing the Nauvoo Legion." The next day Joseph Smith is duly elected lieutenant-general of the Nauvoo Legion, and John C. Bennett, major-general. The Nauvoo Legion soon becomes the largest standing army in the United States.
165 years ago today - Feb 2, 1861
[Brigham Young]
He further observed this Government would spend $100,000 to cheat him out of $5.00. The Government had pursued a course like that, and the Government might suffer his line of wire to be cut down and grant him no redress or they might buy it of him. He could not depend upon them; He had been Governor here for some time, and the course the Government had pursued, had compelled him to come to this conclusion. He knew the reason why this Government was in trouble, they had killed Joseph Smith and then they would have to pay for it as the Jews did in killing Jesus. The President said the Freemasons had sanctioned the Killing of Joseph. He told them he could save the nation, but they ought did not believe it. Joseph Smith knew more about the Government than all the Presidents put together that Ever sat in chair of State. Jackson County was the place where the Garden of Eden was. The President further remarked, There is no union in the North or in the South. The nation must crumble to
nothing. They charged us with being rebels and rebels they will have in their Government. South Carolina has committed treason and if Prest. Buchanan had been a Smart man he would have hung up the first man who rebelled in South Carolina. -- Salt Lake City
[Brigham Young Office Journals, 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 further observed this Government would spend $100,000 to cheat him out of $5.00. The Government had pursued a course like that, and the Government might suffer his line of wire to be cut down and grant him no redress or they might buy it of him. He could not depend upon them; He had been Governor here for some time, and the course the Government had pursued, had compelled him to come to this conclusion. He knew the reason why this Government was in trouble, they had killed Joseph Smith and then they would have to pay for it as the Jews did in killing Jesus. The President said the Freemasons had sanctioned the Killing of Joseph. He told them he could save the nation, but they ought did not believe it. Joseph Smith knew more about the Government than all the Presidents put together that Ever sat in chair of State. Jackson County was the place where the Garden of Eden was. The President further remarked, There is no union in the North or in the South. The nation must crumble to
nothing. They charged us with being rebels and rebels they will have in their Government. South Carolina has committed treason and if Prest. Buchanan had been a Smart man he would have hung up the first man who rebelled in South Carolina. -- Salt Lake City
[Brigham Young Office Journals, in The Complete Discourses of Brigham Young, Ed. Richard S. Van Wagoner, Smith-Pettit Foundation, Salt Lake City (2009), http://bit.ly/BY-discourses]
170 years ago today - Feb 2, 1856
G[eorge]. A. S[mith].[:] The Mormon Cotton is exciting considerable notice & is equal to Georgia upland Cotton'-[They] report the Mormons favorable to Slavery' B. Y.[:] The Missionaries have gone over into Kansas, & voted in all the officers favorable for Slavery'-[N]ow they have to call on the voters to go up & fight.
[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]
[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]
175 years ago today - Feb 2, 1851 (Sunday)
The ship Ellen Maria sailed from Liverpool, England, with 378 Saints on board, under George D. Watt's direction. Apostle Orson Pratt and family also returned with that company. The ship arrived at New Orleans April 6th.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
175 years ago today - Feb 2, 1851
At the Bowery in Salt Lake City Brigham Young preaches: "I want to speak a little upon natural philosophy. We sow the grain. It dies, rots in the ground, and then it brings forth a hundred fold. The elements which surrounded us produce these effects. If we had a correct knowledge of the elements and knew how to control and separate them we could make bread as well out of the elements as Jesus did when he fed the multitude. The day will come when we can go on a journey without taking any food with them. [They] would have power to make it as they went along." Amasa Lyman follows him and preaches: "if a man was wise in eating and drinking and they would begin to learn wisdom in work and walking [they] would walk and not be weary, run and not faint for they would have wisdom enough to stop before they got weary." After the meeting the First Presidency and Twelve feasted on the first turkey killed in the Salt Lake Valley.
180 years ago today - Feb 2, 1846
Augusta Cobb (legal wife of Henry Cobb) is sealed to Brigham Young in the Nauvoo Temple. Brigham and Augusta had polygamously married in November, 1843.
[Marquardt Papers]
[Marquardt Papers]
180 years ago today - Feb 2, 1846
Zina Diantha Huntington Jacobs Smith, pregnant with the second son of Henry Jacobs, is resealed by proxy to the murdered Joseph Smith and in the same session is "sealed for time" to Brigham Young. Her legal husband, Henry B. Jacobs, stands by as an official witness to both ceremonies. After the ceremony she and her children live with Young and Zina bears him a daughter. Jacobs, years later, writes to her of his sadness over losing his wife and children.
180 years ago today - Feb 2nd [Feb 1846]
[Brigham Young]
we suspended the work in the Sealing department for the purpose of bringing up the record which were yet in the rear--The washings & anointings were continued with all Possible Speed in the other departments- at 10- o clock A. M. I met in council in Room No 1 with the 12 & the Trustees & some few others- the Topiac of our council- was to ascertain the feelings of the Brethren that were expecting to set out Westward .. that when a Family is called to go- that all things may be in the waggon within 4 hours ... They are calculating to intercept our way & whenever we start but we want to be 500 miles from here before they are aware of our move-& in order to have this circulated privately & effectually- ... before leaving I gave instructions to my Clerks not to stop until the record of the endowments are brought up so that= nothing may escape the Notice as for the want recording in a legible & intelegable- Then to let the work of sealings & anointings & if any one wants to be sealed
& we have the time to attend to it- let them make out the records themselves- & that will be their way---
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
we suspended the work in the Sealing department for the purpose of bringing up the record which were yet in the rear--The washings & anointings were continued with all Possible Speed in the other departments- at 10- o clock A. M. I met in council in Room No 1 with the 12 & the Trustees & some few others- the Topiac of our council- was to ascertain the feelings of the Brethren that were expecting to set out Westward .. that when a Family is called to go- that all things may be in the waggon within 4 hours ... They are calculating to intercept our way & whenever we start but we want to be 500 miles from here before they are aware of our move-& in order to have this circulated privately & effectually- ... before leaving I gave instructions to my Clerks not to stop until the record of the endowments are brought up so that= nothing may escape the Notice as for the want recording in a legible & intelegable- Then to let the work of sealings & anointings & if any one wants to be sealed
& we have the time to attend to it- let them make out the records themselves- & that will be their way---
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
185 years ago today - Feb 2, 1841
[Heber C. Kimball]
.... we went to the Stationary Hall in order to secure the Coppy Right to the Book Mormon. He said he should require 5 Coppies, and it would cost 3 Shillings.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
.... we went to the Stationary Hall in order to secure the Coppy Right to the Book Mormon. He said he should require 5 Coppies, and it would cost 3 Shillings.
[Kimball, Stanley B. ed, On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball]
190 years ago today - Feb 2, 1836
After returning from the Democratic Party convention, Oliver Cowdery writes against abolitionists.
[Mark Lyman Staker, Hearken, O Ye People: The Historical Setting of Joseph Smith's Ohio Revelations: A Selective Chronology of Significant Events in Ohio's LDS History]
[Mark Lyman Staker, Hearken, O Ye People: The Historical Setting of Joseph Smith's Ohio Revelations: A Selective Chronology of Significant Events in Ohio's LDS History]
50 years ago today - Feb 1, 1976
While speaking to a twelve-stake fireside at BYU about Mormonism and the arts, Apostle Boyd K. Packer says that some LDS musicians are "more temper than mental."
[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)]]
85 years ago today - Feb 1, 1941
There seems to be some misunderstanding of the instructions given concerning the issuance of temple recommends to wives of nonmembers of the Church. In the latest handbook, page 132, is found the following paragraph pertaining to this subject: Under no circumstances is a recommend to the temple to be issued to a wife whose husband is not a member of the Church. Experience has shown that the results of giving endowments to women whose husbands are not members of the Church have led to regrettable and unfortunate conditions. The question has arisen as to whether this restriction applies to women who are married to non-members but who have taken out their endowments before this rule was given. It should be understood that the rule applies specifically to those who are seeking their own endowments. Women who have previously been in the temple and who are worthy, though their husbands may be non-members, may still be granted the privilege to go through the temple.
[Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark Jr., and David O. McKay, circular letter, Feb. 1, 1941, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Heber J. Grant, J. Reuben Clark Jr., and David O. McKay, circular letter, Feb. 1, 1941, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
120 years ago today - Feb 1, 1906
The regular meeting of the First Presidency and Twelve Apostles was held this morning. President [Joseph F.] Smith informed the Council that the Church had advanced the money to print two pamphlets by his son, Joseph F[ielding]. Smith Jr., entitled (1) The Reorganized Church; (2) Blood Atonement and the Origin of Plural Marriage, and inquiry had been made as to whether or not the Church would purchase sufficient to furnish a copy free to each Stake President and counselors, each Bishop and counselors, and to every High Councilor and Alternate. It was decided to do this. ...
[Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[Journal History, 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 - Feb 1, 1901
The First Presidency decides to suspend their ten-year policy of allowing the sale of alcohol at the church's Saltair amusement park and resort.
[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)]]
135 years ago today - Feb 1, 1891
First Presidency Counselor George Q. Cannon preaches: "As you know, it is not our practice to prepare anything beforehand to say to the people. I never did it in my life. I have pondered in my heart the principles of the Gospel and of righteousness and have trusted to the Spirit of the Lord to suggest the things to be said. I know it is the proper way, . . ."
180 years ago today - Feb 1, 1846
President Brigham Young receives a revelation dealing with succession in the Church Presidency. Although never canonized, the revelation is one of a number of inspired written documents Brigham Young receives as the senior Apostle of the Church during the period between Joseph Smith's death and the beginning of his own tenure as President of the Church.
[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]
[LDS Daily, www.ldsdaily.com]
185 years ago today - Feb 1, 1841
The Nauvoo charter, which was passed the previous December, goes into effect. The first election for mayor and members of the city council takes place. John C. Bennett is elected mayor, with Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, Sidney Rigdon, and several other leading Church officials elected to the city council. It is said that Joseph received less than $25 total pay for two years service as city councilman.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
195 years ago today - Feb 1, 1831
We are not able to determine whether the elder Smith [Joseph Smith Sr.] was ever concerned in money digging transactions previous to his emigration from Vermont, or not, but it is a well authenticated fact that soon after his arrival here he evinced a firm belief in the existence of hidden treasures, and that this section of country abounded in them. --He also revived, or in other words propagated the vulgar, yet popular belief that these treasures were held in charge by some evil spirit, which was supposed to be either the DEVIL himself, or some one of his most trusty favorites. This opinion however, did not originate by any means with Smith, for we find that the vulgar and ignorant from time immemorial, both in Europe and America, have entertained the same preposterous opinion.
It may not be amiss in this place to mention that the mania of money digging soon began rapidly to diffuse itself through many parts of this country; men and women without distinction of age or sex became marvellous wise in the occult sciences, many dreamed, and others saw visions disclosing to them, deep in the bowels of the earth, rich and shining treasures, and to facilitate those mighty mining operations, (money was usually if not always sought after in the night time,) divers devices and implements were invented, and although the spirit was always able to retain his precious charge, these discomfited as well as deluded beings, would on a succeeding night return to their toil, not in the least doubting that success would eventually attend their labors.
Mineral rods and [crystal?] balls, (as they were called by the impostor who made use of them,) were supposed to be infallible guides to these sources of wealth--"peep stones" or pebbles, taken promiscuously from the brook or field, were placed in a hat or other situation excluded from the light, when some wizzard or witch (for these performances were not confined to either sex) applied their eyes, and nearly starting [staring?] their [eye] balls from their sockets, declared they saw all the wonders of nature, including of course, ample stores of silver and gold.
[Abner Cole, "Gold Bible, No. 3," Reflector, (Palmyra, NY), 1 February 1831, as quoted in A Topical Guide of Treasure-Seeking Rituals From the American Northeast during the 18th and 19th Centuries, Compiled by Joseph T. Antley (2010)]
It may not be amiss in this place to mention that the mania of money digging soon began rapidly to diffuse itself through many parts of this country; men and women without distinction of age or sex became marvellous wise in the occult sciences, many dreamed, and others saw visions disclosing to them, deep in the bowels of the earth, rich and shining treasures, and to facilitate those mighty mining operations, (money was usually if not always sought after in the night time,) divers devices and implements were invented, and although the spirit was always able to retain his precious charge, these discomfited as well as deluded beings, would on a succeeding night return to their toil, not in the least doubting that success would eventually attend their labors.
Mineral rods and [crystal?] balls, (as they were called by the impostor who made use of them,) were supposed to be infallible guides to these sources of wealth--"peep stones" or pebbles, taken promiscuously from the brook or field, were placed in a hat or other situation excluded from the light, when some wizzard or witch (for these performances were not confined to either sex) applied their eyes, and nearly starting [staring?] their [eye] balls from their sockets, declared they saw all the wonders of nature, including of course, ample stores of silver and gold.
[Abner Cole, "Gold Bible, No. 3," Reflector, (Palmyra, NY), 1 February 1831, as quoted in A Topical Guide of Treasure-Seeking Rituals From the American Northeast during the 18th and 19th Centuries, Compiled by Joseph T. Antley (2010)]
195 years ago today - 1831 February [1]
Joseph and Emma arrive in Kirtland, stay at the home of Newel K. Whitney for several weeks.
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
125 years ago today - Jan 31, 1901
[Brigham Young Jr.]
My health is not good probably if I observed the word of wisdom more stric[t]ly would feel stronger good thing for me to try experiment of coma [?] I do keep it very well, but take cup of tea occasionally. I am sure this weakens my heart.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
My health is not good probably if I observed the word of wisdom more stric[t]ly would feel stronger good thing for me to try experiment of coma [?] I do keep it very well, but take cup of tea occasionally. I am sure this weakens my heart.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
140 years ago today - Jan 31, 1886
The Saints living at what would later be known as Colonia Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, hold the first meeting in their newly erected chapel, the first built in Mexico. The Mexican colonies were setup so that polygamy could be practiced in a more tolerant political environment.
155 years ago today - Jan 31, 1871
[Former apostle Amasa M. Lyman]
"Held private seance at which we received some pleasant communications from Br Joseph Smith and a deceased wife of br Edholm after which I returned to br Williams. Received the folowing from Brother Joseph through Mrs Elizabeth Crouch[:]
Brother Lyman, I am most hapy to meet you here; I have been list[e]ning to you all the evening. It does my Soul good to hear you advance the principles that I would have taught had I been permitted to stay on Earth. But it is all right; the truth will spread outward. Humanity will be lifted up from their narrowmindedness; and many Souls will be elevated through your instrumentality.
Keep on in the good work; follow out your own councel. Give my kindest love to Brothers [Elias L. T.] Harison and [William S.] Godbe and accept the same yourself. Altho I have passed away from your midst stil I retain all the good feeling I had for my felow men. I heard you speak to night about ^the^ avenging of my blood. No! I answer it a thousand times no! I almost spoke through the medium and told you so but could not quite controll her. Farewell my Brethren and Sisters have courage, from your friend and brother Joseph Smith."
[Amasa M. Lyman diary]
"Held private seance at which we received some pleasant communications from Br Joseph Smith and a deceased wife of br Edholm after which I returned to br Williams. Received the folowing from Brother Joseph through Mrs Elizabeth Crouch[:]
Brother Lyman, I am most hapy to meet you here; I have been list[e]ning to you all the evening. It does my Soul good to hear you advance the principles that I would have taught had I been permitted to stay on Earth. But it is all right; the truth will spread outward. Humanity will be lifted up from their narrowmindedness; and many Souls will be elevated through your instrumentality.
Keep on in the good work; follow out your own councel. Give my kindest love to Brothers [Elias L. T.] Harison and [William S.] Godbe and accept the same yourself. Altho I have passed away from your midst stil I retain all the good feeling I had for my felow men. I heard you speak to night about ^the^ avenging of my blood. No! I answer it a thousand times no! I almost spoke through the medium and told you so but could not quite controll her. Farewell my Brethren and Sisters have courage, from your friend and brother Joseph Smith."
[Amasa M. Lyman diary]
165 years ago today - Jan 31, 1861
At the funeral of Charles Little, a child who had drowned the day before, Brigham Young says, "The question has often been asked how is it with little children? Will they grow or not after death? Joseph once said they would, and then he said they would not. He never had any revelation upon the subject, and I have no doctrine to give upon the subject. . . . Some have thought that it was ordained that children should die. But this is not true doctrine. It is not ordained of God that children should die, but it is the will of God that all children should live and grow up to manhood and fill up the measure of their days, . . ."
165 years ago today - Jan 31, 1861
[Brigham Young]
If I bury a Child that is two years old, I dont want him or her to Come to me in a tabernacle 80 or 100 years old or at any other age ownly the age it left me and that is the way I believe it will be. We shall see there spirits before we see there bodies. Whare shall we go to find them? In the spirit world. But whare is that? Right here on the Earth whare they lived & whare we live.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
If I bury a Child that is two years old, I dont want him or her to Come to me in a tabernacle 80 or 100 years old or at any other age ownly the age it left me and that is the way I believe it will be. We shall see there spirits before we see there bodies. Whare shall we go to find them? In the spirit world. But whare is that? Right here on the Earth whare they lived & whare we live.
[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 - Jan 31, 1856
At the Philosophical Juvenile Society in Salt Lake City "the children speak their pieces and read their compositions." Presiding Patriarch John Smith writes to his half-brother Joseph F. Smith and shares his annoyance that William Pierce had married John's sister, Jerusha Smith, without his permission. Brigham Young had appointed John guardian of the family after Mary Fielding died. In his letter John refers to the nineteenth-century Mormon practice of adoption, the sealing of members to church leaders "for eternity" He comments, "I know the Pierce family belongs in Brother Brigham's family, and he would like it first rate to get one of Father's [Hyrum Smith] daughters into his family and leave Father without any kingdom .... I do not believe that Bill married Jerusha because he loved her... it was the name more than anything else."
180 years ago today - Jan 31, 1846
[Hosea Stout]
Prest J. P. Harmon notified me that the Eleventh Quorum was going to have their endowment to day and wanted me and wife to attend[.] I went home and brought her down and after staying awhile went with John Scott to see Br A. Cutler about the dissension of the Police and wanted him to and have the matter laid in a proper manner before the Twelve[.] This was about noon. I think some thing is wrong in the minds of the Twelve in relation to this matter but how it appears to them I know not. But I feel that I have done my duty in protecting their lives from their enemies both from within and without which thing has brought down the indignation of the mob and also false brethren upon me & my life is threatened by both and diligently sought for as I walk in the streets but whether I live or die I am determined to sustain the Twelve and the Authorities of this kingdom although I feel that some very unexpected catastrophe is going to happen because of false brethren
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Prest J. P. Harmon notified me that the Eleventh Quorum was going to have their endowment to day and wanted me and wife to attend[.] I went home and brought her down and after staying awhile went with John Scott to see Br A. Cutler about the dissension of the Police and wanted him to and have the matter laid in a proper manner before the Twelve[.] This was about noon. I think some thing is wrong in the minds of the Twelve in relation to this matter but how it appears to them I know not. But I feel that I have done my duty in protecting their lives from their enemies both from within and without which thing has brought down the indignation of the mob and also false brethren upon me & my life is threatened by both and diligently sought for as I walk in the streets but whether I live or die I am determined to sustain the Twelve and the Authorities of this kingdom although I feel that some very unexpected catastrophe is going to happen because of false brethren
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Jan 31, 1846
Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Rhoda Richards (1784-1879) (aged 61) plural widow of Joseph Smith, Jr. sealed to Joseph Smith, Jr. for eternity and Young for time
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
180 years ago today - Jan 31, 1846
Brigham Young (aged 44) marriage to Mary Eliza Nelson (1812-1885) (aged 33) widow of John P. Greene sealed to John P. Greene for eternity and Young for time; divorced by 1850
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
180 years ago today - 31st [Jan 1846]
[Brigham Young]
.... at 11 in the morning I attended a Publick meeting in the 2nd story of the Temple- Elder O. Pratt & myself addressed the meeting- at the close of our remarks- one Moses A. Smith an Apostate from our Faith arose and claimed the liberty of defending or rather investigate what he called Strangism & after holding his claims to the Presidency forth to the assembly which was that Jo- gave him (Strang) the Keys & rights of Presidency over the church by a letter directed to him from Jo Smith previous to his Martyrdom & so on- all of which was a simple fabricating thing-- without the least shadow of evidence to sustain all his- position- Bro. O. Hyde & myself then arose gave Strangism an entire blowing up & also excluded W. A. Smith - & Samuel C. Shaw from, the church and- also an action was taken upon J. J. Strang & Aaron Smith- who had been cut off Previously- for attempting to palm of a deception- upon the church by his Pretended Revelation- all of which was Sanctioned by a hearty
Amen- The meeting closed at 3 O clock evening I Then walked up- into the atic story of the Temple- & took some refreshments after which I walked into the celestial Room where I in company with my wife remained- assisting to individual needs for attending to the adoption of persons into my Family- the alter having been placed into the celestial Room- the better to See it the convenance of all present-at candle light-the ordinances of adoption commenced & ended at 33 minets past 8 in the evening- during which time about 65 persons who were adopted to Elder H. C. Kimball A. Lyman, & to myself- 48 of that No were adopted into my family February 1st 1846
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
.... at 11 in the morning I attended a Publick meeting in the 2nd story of the Temple- Elder O. Pratt & myself addressed the meeting- at the close of our remarks- one Moses A. Smith an Apostate from our Faith arose and claimed the liberty of defending or rather investigate what he called Strangism & after holding his claims to the Presidency forth to the assembly which was that Jo- gave him (Strang) the Keys & rights of Presidency over the church by a letter directed to him from Jo Smith previous to his Martyrdom & so on- all of which was a simple fabricating thing-- without the least shadow of evidence to sustain all his- position- Bro. O. Hyde & myself then arose gave Strangism an entire blowing up & also excluded W. A. Smith - & Samuel C. Shaw from, the church and- also an action was taken upon J. J. Strang & Aaron Smith- who had been cut off Previously- for attempting to palm of a deception- upon the church by his Pretended Revelation- all of which was Sanctioned by a hearty
Amen- The meeting closed at 3 O clock evening I Then walked up- into the atic story of the Temple- & took some refreshments after which I walked into the celestial Room where I in company with my wife remained- assisting to individual needs for attending to the adoption of persons into my Family- the alter having been placed into the celestial Room- the better to See it the convenance of all present-at candle light-the ordinances of adoption commenced & ended at 33 minets past 8 in the evening- during which time about 65 persons who were adopted to Elder H. C. Kimball A. Lyman, & to myself- 48 of that No were adopted into my family February 1st 1846
[Brigham Young Journal # 4 in the handwriting of: William Clayton, Evan Greene, John D. Lee, Willard Richards. First person account kept by others. 'Lieut. Genl Brigham Young's Journal 1844']
205 years ago today - Jan 31, 1821
Zina Diantha Huntington (Young), later the third general president of the Relief Society, is born in Watertown, New York.
30 years ago today - Jan 30, 1996
The Utah Senate closes a bi-partisan caucus billed as a discussion of a state education fund. Those present include about twenty senators, state commissioner of higher education, state superintendent of public education, and attorneys from the governor's and attorney general's offices. No vote is taken to close the meeting nor are minutes kept, though both are required by Utah's Open Meeting Act. Behind the closed doors, LDS senators Howard Stephenson and Charles Stewart level charges that public schools are promoting homosexuality and undermining family values. The meeting had been arranged after ten students petitioned to use a classroom at East High School for a gay and lesbian support group "to increase awareness about homosexuality in high schools, to decrease homophobia, and to help gay, lesbian, and bisexual students feel safe and welcome in their school environment". The students did not request meeting announcements or advertising, "we feel doing so would attract unwanted
attention. We are extremely concerned for the safety and well-being of our members." The resulting controversy reaches national headlines when, with a four-to-three vote, the Salt Lake City school board bans all extracurricular clubs rather than allow the gay and lesbian support group.
attention. We are extremely concerned for the safety and well-being of our members." The resulting controversy reaches national headlines when, with a four-to-three vote, the Salt Lake City school board bans all extracurricular clubs rather than allow the gay and lesbian support group.
75 years ago today - Jan 30, 1951
[Spencer W. Kimball]
I reached the office at 9:30 to attend a special meeting of The Presidency and the Council of The Twelve, to consider the matter of the missionary work. Inasmuch as there has been great confusion and misunderstanding and opposition on the part of many of the draft boards, it seemed best that we discontinue calling missionaries of draft age for the time being. [As result, there is increase of missionary callings to young, married men who serve two or more years separated from their wives.]
[Spencer W. Kimball, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
I reached the office at 9:30 to attend a special meeting of The Presidency and the Council of The Twelve, to consider the matter of the missionary work. Inasmuch as there has been great confusion and misunderstanding and opposition on the part of many of the draft boards, it seemed best that we discontinue calling missionaries of draft age for the time being. [As result, there is increase of missionary callings to young, married men who serve two or more years separated from their wives.]
[Spencer W. Kimball, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
100 years ago today - Jan 30, 1926
President Heber J. Grant writes to a stake president regarding a letter he received from a "Brother Arthur Bradder making application for his Second Blessings. Second blessings are only given by the President of the Church upon recommendation of a member of the Council of the Twelve. At some time when one of the Apostles is in your stake, if he feels to properly recommend Brother Bradder, the matter will be taken under advisement." This signals a policy change which greatly curtails the performance of Second Anointings during Grant's administration making them extremely rare after 1930. According to Apostle George F. Richards, the policy change was a result of an incident in which a "brother had received his Second Blessings, [and] while speaking in a priesthood meeting in one of the Idaho stakes, told the brethren that they all should have their Second Blessings. Of course that was a serious infraction of the charge which he received when he had his Second Anointings; but I have
never learned of any serious consequences to follow, except the action on the part of the Authorities, discontinuing the administration of these blessings in the Church."
never learned of any serious consequences to follow, except the action on the part of the Authorities, discontinuing the administration of these blessings in the Church."
130 years ago today - Jan 30, 1896
The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve decide that women should not have their own prayer circles or participate with their husbands in prayer circle meetings.
[https://byustudies.byu.edu/PDFLibrary/19.1QuinnLatter-day-dd60c2d0-159f-4238-84c7-42658a35d6ce.pdf Latter-day Saint Prayer Circles, BYU Studies 19 no. 1 (1978) by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
[https://byustudies.byu.edu/PDFLibrary/19.1QuinnLatter-day-dd60c2d0-159f-4238-84c7-42658a35d6ce.pdf Latter-day Saint Prayer Circles, BYU Studies 19 no. 1 (1978) by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
130 years ago today - Jan 30, 1896; Thursday
Meeting in Temple of Pres[idency]. & Twelve at 11 a.m. Talked over general demonstration which is being made in honor of Aunt Zina [D. H. Young]'s birthday. Was appointed chairmain [sic] of Committee to investigate this furor concerning Aunt Zina's birthday. Pres[iden]t [George Q.] Cannon was afterward added who will be pres[ident]. of Com[mittee]. I believe that there is a religious and political significance in so general movement among the women of the church.
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]
[Brigham Young Jr., Diary]
135 years ago today - Jan 30, 1891
After some little discussion it was decided that it will be best for Z.C.M.I. and other corporations to cease paying tithing on their earnings but leave the stockholders to pay from their dividends. The custom, however, of deducting the tithing from the wages of employees was not discontinued. It was thought proper in some instances to induce eastern Gentiles of respectability to take stock with us in some of our large corporations. They would thus feel interested in protecting us in case of attack on our institutions. It was reported that there are many thieves working in Z.C.M.I. whose thefts have been discovered. Whether to make public examples of them or merely discharge them, was referred to the Board of Directors.
[Abraham H. Cannon (Author), Edward Leo Lyman (Editor), Candid Insights of a Mormon Apostle: The Diaries of Abraham H. Cannon, 1889-1895, Signature Books]
[Abraham H. Cannon (Author), Edward Leo Lyman (Editor), Candid Insights of a Mormon Apostle: The Diaries of Abraham H. Cannon, 1889-1895, Signature Books]
165 years ago today - Jan 30, 1861
Brigham Young's office journal records: "Pres. Joseph Young related a dream he had to his brother the President as follows. He saw the first Presidency dealing out land and sections of land to the Brethren. In his dream he frequently saw the President with a Compass and chain in his hand, and sometimes working with it. Br. Joseph remarked he was sure he had dreamed this dream as often as one hundred times. Some of the brethren remarked it looked as if our inheritances would be dealt out to us in Jackson County. The President also related a dream In his dream he saw the children singing and dancing unusually merry, and the people also dancing and merry making with extraordinary energy."
180 years ago today - Jan 30, 1846
John Taylor: Nauvoo Temple sealing for time to Lydia Dibble 30 January 1846.
[Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
[Cook, Lyndon W., The Revelations of the Prophet Joseph Smith: A Historical and Biographical Commentary of the Doctrine and Covenants, Seventy's Mission Bookstore, Provo UT, 1985, http://amzn.to/RevelationsofJosephSmith]
180 years ago today - Jan 30, 1846
[Nauvoo Temple]
Weather vane placed on the steeple of the temple. The weather vane was a "representation of an angel in his priestly robes with a book of Mormon in one hand and a trumpet in the other which [was] over laid with gold." [It also included the masonic symbols of a compass and square, which are also used in Mormon temple worship.]
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
Weather vane placed on the steeple of the temple. The weather vane was a "representation of an angel in his priestly robes with a book of Mormon in one hand and a trumpet in the other which [was] over laid with gold." [It also included the masonic symbols of a compass and square, which are also used in Mormon temple worship.]
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
180 years ago today - Jan 30, 1846
[Hosea Stout]
[Alpheus Cutler] informed me that a company was organized to steal our waggons as fast as we got them done to prevent us from moving west. I then gave him a full statement of the nature of the dissension in the "Old Police"[.] He had a better understanding of it than any man which I had before talked with and seemed to comprehend the Spirit by which they were actuated and informed me of evil plotting against me which I had not heard of and also that my life was threatened by some in very positive terms. I felt that he was my friend.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
[Alpheus Cutler] informed me that a company was organized to steal our waggons as fast as we got them done to prevent us from moving west. I then gave him a full statement of the nature of the dissension in the "Old Police"[.] He had a better understanding of it than any man which I had before talked with and seemed to comprehend the Spirit by which they were actuated and informed me of evil plotting against me which I had not heard of and also that my life was threatened by some in very positive terms. I felt that he was my friend.
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
180 years ago today - Jan 30, 1846
Revelation to Brigham Young, President of the Quorum of the Twelve, received at Nauvoo, Illinois, on 30 January 1846
yesterday [30 January] I had some conversation with Rubin [Reuben] Miller of Norway- [Ottawa, Illinois] he being considerably bewildered by Strang new- fangled Revelation- rendered him almost devoid of Reason although apparently honest in what he was doing - & said that the word of the Lord would- be decidedly satisfactorily to him- where upon I- said
thus saith the Lord unto Reuben Miller through Brigham Young- that [James J.] Strang is a wicked & corrupt man & that his revelations are as false as he is - therefore turn away from his folly- & never let it be said of Reuben Miller- that he ever was led away & entangled- by such nonsense
Thus saying I left him my time being to precious- to be spent in hearing and even talking about-such trash--
[Brigham Young Journal, 31 Jan. 1846, typed copy, original LDS archives, available at Marquardt, H. Michael, http://www.xmission.com/~research/central/revel2.htm]
yesterday [30 January] I had some conversation with Rubin [Reuben] Miller of Norway- [Ottawa, Illinois] he being considerably bewildered by Strang new- fangled Revelation- rendered him almost devoid of Reason although apparently honest in what he was doing - & said that the word of the Lord would- be decidedly satisfactorily to him- where upon I- said
thus saith the Lord unto Reuben Miller through Brigham Young- that [James J.] Strang is a wicked & corrupt man & that his revelations are as false as he is - therefore turn away from his folly- & never let it be said of Reuben Miller- that he ever was led away & entangled- by such nonsense
Thus saying I left him my time being to precious- to be spent in hearing and even talking about-such trash--
[Brigham Young Journal, 31 Jan. 1846, typed copy, original LDS archives, available at Marquardt, H. Michael, http://www.xmission.com/~research/central/revel2.htm]
185 years ago today - Jan 30, 1841
Joseph Smith is elected sole Trustee-in-rust for church, the legal entity for directing church finances until 1923. This enables Smith "to receive, acquire, manage or convey property, real, personal, or mixed, for the sole use and benefit of said church". Smith uses the office to combine corporate and personal affairs in an intricate manner never entirely unraveled after his death. Later Brigham Young, as Trustee-in-Trust does the same on an even larger scale requiring the Church to sue his estate after his death.
190 years ago today - Jan 30, 1836
[Joseph Smith]
In the evening went to the upper rooms of the Lord's House and set the different quorems in order. Instructed the Presidents of the Seventy concerning the order of their anointing and requested them to proceed and anoint the Seventy. Having set all the quorems in order, I returned to my house being weary with continual anxiety and labour in put[t]ing all the Authorities in and in striving to purify them for the Solemn Assembly according to the commandment of the Lord.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
In the evening went to the upper rooms of the Lord's House and set the different quorems in order. Instructed the Presidents of the Seventy concerning the order of their anointing and requested them to proceed and anoint the Seventy. Having set all the quorems in order, I returned to my house being weary with continual anxiety and labour in put[t]ing all the Authorities in and in striving to purify them for the Solemn Assembly according to the commandment of the Lord.
[Faulring, Scott (ed.), An American Prophet's Record: The Diaries and Journals of Joseph Smith: Joseph Smith Diary, 1835-36, http://amzn.to/jsdiaries]
195 years ago today - Jan 30, 1831
Sidney Rigdon preaches in Kirtland, Ohio that Joseph Smith, their latter-day oracle, is en route to Kirtland. During his sermon he challenges the world to "refute the divine pretensions of the Book of Mormon." In the audience is the father of Alexander Campbell, who writes to his son. Alexander Campbell, Ridgon's former mentor, writes to Rigdon taking up the challenge: "I, therefore, as in duty bound, accept the challenge, and shall hold myself in readiness, if the Lord permit, to meet you publicly, in any place, either in Mentor or Kirtland, or in any of the adjoining towns that may appear most eligible for the accommodation of the public. The sooner the investigation takes place the better for all concerned." When the letter is delivered to Rigdon he, after coming to the line "the infernal book of Mormon" throws the letter into the fire. Rigdon never meets Campbell in open debate.
50 years ago today - Jan. 29-30, 1976
[George H.] F[udge]: About this same time, in 1961, we were down to a point where we were so short of names [of the dead for proxy ordinances] that literally we were running backwards and forwards to the Salt Lake Temple almost on a daily basis taking the names for the next day. The alternatives were that we would have to do something drastic in providing names or we would have to close the temples or decrease the number of sessions they had. When that was placed before the Brethren, President [David O.] McKay said that the temples must not close. Therefore the Genealogical Society would be responsible for keeping those temples open and supplying names. We could not go out then with the whip and tell the Saints, "Do more and more research." The alternative was that we would begin with an extraction program ourselves. * So then really what we were doing is performing ordinances and these were being held [in abeyance in the spirit world] until a person proved himself worthy to accept
them. Now if that was a true concept, then why couldn't we go ahead and perform ordinances not necessarily in the same sequence as we had been doing for the living? This concept would enable us to take a christening record and not only perform the baptism and endowment, but also seal the child to his parents from that one record. In doing that[,] we would be sure that the child was sealed to his correct parents. We wouldn't have to worry about grouping them. In other words, if we sealed every child to his parents and assumed we had all the records of the whole world, in the end we would have sealed everyone in the world. Well, I took that concept to the Brethren. Elder [Theodore M.] Burton was then the managing director [of the Genealogical Department]. President [N. Eldon] Tanner had been made an apostle and was not a member of the First Presidency. In turn we went to Elder [How- ard W.] Hunter, who was the president of the [Genealogical] Society. Brother Burton was the managing
director, or the general manager at that time. Brother Hunter felt it was a good concept, so he went to the First Presidency with it. After some deliberation by the Brethren they decided that it was a correct concept and that we should pursue it. They sent us a written statement accordingly to approve us going ahead. ...
[George H. Fudge oral history, Jan. 29-30, 1976; pp. 15 17 19; excerpt in Buerger Papers, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
them. Now if that was a true concept, then why couldn't we go ahead and perform ordinances not necessarily in the same sequence as we had been doing for the living? This concept would enable us to take a christening record and not only perform the baptism and endowment, but also seal the child to his parents from that one record. In doing that[,] we would be sure that the child was sealed to his correct parents. We wouldn't have to worry about grouping them. In other words, if we sealed every child to his parents and assumed we had all the records of the whole world, in the end we would have sealed everyone in the world. Well, I took that concept to the Brethren. Elder [Theodore M.] Burton was then the managing director [of the Genealogical Department]. President [N. Eldon] Tanner had been made an apostle and was not a member of the First Presidency. In turn we went to Elder [How- ard W.] Hunter, who was the president of the [Genealogical] Society. Brother Burton was the managing
director, or the general manager at that time. Brother Hunter felt it was a good concept, so he went to the First Presidency with it. After some deliberation by the Brethren they decided that it was a correct concept and that we should pursue it. They sent us a written statement accordingly to approve us going ahead. ...
[George H. Fudge oral history, Jan. 29-30, 1976; pp. 15 17 19; excerpt in Buerger Papers, in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
125 years ago today - Tuesday, Jan 29, 1901
[Rudger Clawson]
Pres. Snow stated that a very serious charge had been made by The Salt Lake Tribune against the Presidency of the church to the effect that they had sold out or bargained away for a money consideration the United States senatorship to Thos. Kearns. The purpose of the meeting, therefore, was to consider the wisdom and propriety of starting a suit for libel against the publishers of that paper. By request of Pres. Snow, Elder C. W. Penrose read a number of excerpts from different issues of the Tribune covering the change.
In the opinion of the attorneys present there was good ground for a libel suit and this view was shared by all present. After some discussion it was unanimously decided that it would not be wisdom for President Snow to institute the suit, but that this should be done by Thos. Kearns, who was equally interested in the matter, and that Pres. Snow could bring suit later on, if deemed advisable.
Many, if not all of the brethren present, felt that if by this arrangement Thos. Kearns was vindicated before the courts and the public, the Presidency also would naturally share in said vindication. It is sufficient to say that there is not the least coloring of truth in the charge, but it is a malicious libel on the part of the Tribune. Pres. G. Q. Cannon was delegated to confer with Thos. Kearns relative to the matter.
[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]
Pres. Snow stated that a very serious charge had been made by The Salt Lake Tribune against the Presidency of the church to the effect that they had sold out or bargained away for a money consideration the United States senatorship to Thos. Kearns. The purpose of the meeting, therefore, was to consider the wisdom and propriety of starting a suit for libel against the publishers of that paper. By request of Pres. Snow, Elder C. W. Penrose read a number of excerpts from different issues of the Tribune covering the change.
In the opinion of the attorneys present there was good ground for a libel suit and this view was shared by all present. After some discussion it was unanimously decided that it would not be wisdom for President Snow to institute the suit, but that this should be done by Thos. Kearns, who was equally interested in the matter, and that Pres. Snow could bring suit later on, if deemed advisable.
Many, if not all of the brethren present, felt that if by this arrangement Thos. Kearns was vindicated before the courts and the public, the Presidency also would naturally share in said vindication. It is sufficient to say that there is not the least coloring of truth in the charge, but it is a malicious libel on the part of the Tribune. Pres. G. Q. Cannon was delegated to confer with Thos. Kearns relative to the matter.
[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]
135 years ago today - Thursday, Jan 29, 1891
[John Henry Smith]
Salt Lake City
We met in Council [Twelve Apostles] again today, Bro. A. H. Lund being with us. We fasted and partook of the sacrament after we had voted to forgive each other's trespasses.
[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]
Salt Lake City
We met in Council [Twelve Apostles] again today, Bro. A. H. Lund being with us. We fasted and partook of the sacrament after we had voted to forgive each other's trespasses.
[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]
135 years ago today - Jan 29, 1891
[Heber J. Grant]
[At apostles' meeting] President Lorenzo Snow. Said he was astonished to hear that Brother Joseph had ever imagined that he lacked confidence in him. When in the Saint George Temple the Lord had showed to him that Prest. Taylor should soon pass away and that Prest. Woodruff would be selected as the President of the Church and that Bro. Cannon would be his First and Brother
Smith his second Counselor. Had the most perfect confidence in brother Joseph and always had had. ...
After our meeting I had a very nice chat with Prest. Cannon and explained more fully that at the present time he had my perfect confidence and respect and that I loved him and was simply confessing my own sins at the time I spoke about my efforts to see that he did not get the position of Vice Prest. of Z.C.M.I. I expressed my great pleasure that he should be willing to be a Director of the Coop. Wagon and Machine Co. with me as the President. After our chat as we were starting away and shaking hands he leaned over and kissed me and I felt the tears of gratitude coming to my eyes as I returned the kiss. I hope and pray with all my hart that the day will never come again when I will lack confidence in any of my brethren.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
[At apostles' meeting] President Lorenzo Snow. Said he was astonished to hear that Brother Joseph had ever imagined that he lacked confidence in him. When in the Saint George Temple the Lord had showed to him that Prest. Taylor should soon pass away and that Prest. Woodruff would be selected as the President of the Church and that Bro. Cannon would be his First and Brother
Smith his second Counselor. Had the most perfect confidence in brother Joseph and always had had. ...
After our meeting I had a very nice chat with Prest. Cannon and explained more fully that at the present time he had my perfect confidence and respect and that I loved him and was simply confessing my own sins at the time I spoke about my efforts to see that he did not get the position of Vice Prest. of Z.C.M.I. I expressed my great pleasure that he should be willing to be a Director of the Coop. Wagon and Machine Co. with me as the President. After our chat as we were starting away and shaking hands he leaned over and kissed me and I felt the tears of gratitude coming to my eyes as I returned the kiss. I hope and pray with all my hart that the day will never come again when I will lack confidence in any of my brethren.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
150 years ago today - Jan 29, 1876
Apostle Charles C. Rich asks bishops of the Bear Lake Stake to follow Brigham Young's counsel by doing away with round dancing [waltzing] entirely. Four years later at stake priesthood meeting the following rules are accepted by unanimous vote: "We will not practice waltzes or any other round dances in our assemblies. . . ."Swinging with one arm around the lady's waist shall not be permitted in our assemblies."
190 years ago today - Jan 29, 1836
Administered and received ritual washing of feet with priesthood leaders in temple, Kirtland.
[Jessee, Dean, Esplin, Ronald and Bushman, Richard Lyman (editors), The Joseph Smith Papers: Journals, Vol. 1: 1832-1839, Chronology for the Years 1832-1839, http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Smith-Papers-Journals-1832-1839/dp/1570088497]
[Jessee, Dean, Esplin, Ronald and Bushman, Richard Lyman (editors), The Joseph Smith Papers: Journals, Vol. 1: 1832-1839, Chronology for the Years 1832-1839, http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Smith-Papers-Journals-1832-1839/dp/1570088497]
190 years ago today - Jan 29, 1836
Joseph Smith Senior gives six patriarchal blessings. Charles H. Smith is blessed: "Thou shalt stand on earth till thy Redeamer comes." Marietta Carter is blessed: "Thou shalt see thy Redeamer come in the clouds of heaven and be caught up to meet him and be ever with him." Joanna Carter is blessed: "Thou shalt see the end of this generation. Nancy Carter is blessed: "Thou shalt live to see the winding up of this generation."
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