Today In Mormon History-FB
Several curious tidbits that happened on this day in Mormon History
25 years ago today - Oct 17, 1999
Jerold Ottley, conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for twenty-five years, conducts his last broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word.
135 years ago today - Thurs. Oct. 17th, 1889
[Apostle Abraham H. Cannon]
"Pres. W., Father, H.J. Grant, John W. Taylor and myself dressed in our robes, and President Woodruff prayed to open and Father in the circle. This is my first meeting with a prayer circle, and I felt the solemnity of the occasion."
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
"Pres. W., Father, H.J. Grant, John W. Taylor and myself dressed in our robes, and President Woodruff prayed to open and Father in the circle. This is my first meeting with a prayer circle, and I felt the solemnity of the occasion."
[Abraham H. Cannon Journal Excerpts, http://www.amazon.com/Apostles-Record-Journals-Abraham-1889-1896/dp/B000MFD1K4]
165 years ago today - Oct 17, 1859
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
I received a letter from G.A.S [George A. Smith] in Deseret Alphabet. Informed me there would be a Council with the Presidency Twelve, & the presidency of the Seventies in order to fill up those Quorums.
A man was shot through the head on saturday night. He was found dead in the morning.
I met with the Twelve in the evening at the upper room of the Historians office. The evening was spent in speaking upon the subjects of the Twelve keeping Gentiles Boarders of Having them associateing with our families. Elders E. T. Benson & F. D. Richards Both were keeping Boarders. They both expressed there willingness to dismiss there Boarders as soon as they Could without temperal loss to themselves.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I received a letter from G.A.S [George A. Smith] in Deseret Alphabet. Informed me there would be a Council with the Presidency Twelve, & the presidency of the Seventies in order to fill up those Quorums.
A man was shot through the head on saturday night. He was found dead in the morning.
I met with the Twelve in the evening at the upper room of the Historians office. The evening was spent in speaking upon the subjects of the Twelve keeping Gentiles Boarders of Having them associateing with our families. Elders E. T. Benson & F. D. Richards Both were keeping Boarders. They both expressed there willingness to dismiss there Boarders as soon as they Could without temperal loss to themselves.
[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 - Oct 17, 1849
Frontier editorial "Dancing" observes: "Among the Saints, it is regarded not only as a civil recreation, but a religious exercise when conducted by the sanction and under the government of the Church."
[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 )]]
190 years ago today - Oct 17, 1834
En route to Michigan. While on board the steamer Monroe, a man called Ellmer claimed to know about -"Joe Smith-" and insisted, even in the Prophet's presence, that Joseph Smith was a liar and that he was dead.
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
[BYU Studies Journal, volume 46, no. 4: A Chronology of the Life of Joseph Smith, http://byustudies.byu.edu]
75 years ago today - Oct 16, 1949
[George Albert Smith]
[In a meeting with Lord Otani of Japan, head of a branch of the Buddhist Church in Japan with 60 million members:] I then presented to Lord and Lady Otani some tracts, a copy of The Book of Mormon, my own book, Sharing the Gospel with Others and a book What of the Mormons. They seemed very happy to receive these and made several favorable comments. They said we know that during and since the war there was and has been a great anti-Japanese feeling throughout the United States and other parts of the world, but in Utah this feeling has not existed, but there has been one of tolerance and charity and respect, and they are confident that this fine feeling and expression of brotherly love in Utah is a direct result of the influence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints upon the people of that state.
[George Albert Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
[In a meeting with Lord Otani of Japan, head of a branch of the Buddhist Church in Japan with 60 million members:] I then presented to Lord and Lady Otani some tracts, a copy of The Book of Mormon, my own book, Sharing the Gospel with Others and a book What of the Mormons. They seemed very happy to receive these and made several favorable comments. They said we know that during and since the war there was and has been a great anti-Japanese feeling throughout the United States and other parts of the world, but in Utah this feeling has not existed, but there has been one of tolerance and charity and respect, and they are confident that this fine feeling and expression of brotherly love in Utah is a direct result of the influence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints upon the people of that state.
[George Albert Smith Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
130 years ago today - Oct 16, 1894
[President Wilford Woodruff]
We had Meeting with several individuals among the rest Black Jane [Manning] wanted to know if I would not let her have her Endowments in the Temple. This I Could not do as it was against the Law of God. As Cain killed Abel All the seed of Cain would have to wait for Redemption untill all the seed that Abel would have had that may Come through other men Can be redeemed.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
We had Meeting with several individuals among the rest Black Jane [Manning] wanted to know if I would not let her have her Endowments in the Temple. This I Could not do as it was against the Law of God. As Cain killed Abel All the seed of Cain would have to wait for Redemption untill all the seed that Abel would have had that may Come through other men Can be redeemed.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
145 years ago today - Oct 16, 1879
[Rudger Clawson]
Attends trial in Georgia of the three men accused of Standing's [a Mormon missionary] murder, resulting in verdict of not guilty.
[Larsen, Stan (editor), A Ministry of Meetings:The Apostolic Diaries of Rudger Clawson, Significant Mormon Diaries Series No. 6, A Rudger Clawson Chronology, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
Attends trial in Georgia of the three men accused of Standing's [a Mormon missionary] murder, resulting in verdict of not guilty.
[Larsen, Stan (editor), A Ministry of Meetings:The Apostolic Diaries of Rudger Clawson, Significant Mormon Diaries Series No. 6, A Rudger Clawson Chronology, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
155 years ago today - 1869. October 16
(William S. Godbe) : Disfellowshipped for "irregular attendance" at the School of the Prophets. Godbe and Harrison continued to argue for "the right of, respectfully but freely, discussing all measures upon which we are called to act. And, if we are cut off from this Church for asserting this right, while our standing is dear to us, we will suffer it to be taken from us sooner than resign the liberties of thought and speech to which the gospel entitles us." They were excommunicated within the week for "apostasy."
President George Q. Cannon editorialized in the Deseret News, "We could conceive of a man honestly differing in opinion from the authorities of the church and yet not be apostate; but we could not conceive of a man publishing those differences of opinion, and seeking by arguments, sophistry and special pleading to enforce them upon the people to produce division and strife, and to place the acts and counsels of the church, if possible, in a wrong light, and not be apostate; for such conduct was apostasy as we understood the term."
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
President George Q. Cannon editorialized in the Deseret News, "We could conceive of a man honestly differing in opinion from the authorities of the church and yet not be apostate; but we could not conceive of a man publishing those differences of opinion, and seeking by arguments, sophistry and special pleading to enforce them upon the people to produce division and strife, and to place the acts and counsels of the church, if possible, in a wrong light, and not be apostate; for such conduct was apostasy as we understood the term."
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Oct 16, 1844
[Letter: William Smith to Brigham Young]
[Regarding George J. Adams:] the mantle of the Prophet is upon him in his Place Joseph told me last Spring that Adams was ap[p]ointed in the place of Paul as one of the two witnesses raised up to do a great work in Jerusalem not however as one of the 12 but as the 13 apostle
[Letter: William Smith to Brigham Young]
[Regarding George J. Adams:] the mantle of the Prophet is upon him in his Place Joseph told me last Spring that Adams was ap[p]ointed in the place of Paul as one of the two witnesses raised up to do a great work in Jerusalem not however as one of the 12 but as the 13 apostle
[Letter: William Smith to Brigham Young]
40 years ago today - Oct 15, 1984
Steven F. Christensen is killed by Mark Hofmann.
[Palmyra Magic Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/palmyra-magic-timeline/]
[Palmyra Magic Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/palmyra-magic-timeline/]
65 years ago today - Oct 15, 1959
Howard W. Hunter is ordained an Apostle, replacing Henry D. Moyle, who had been called to the First Presidency.
180 years ago today - Oct 15, 1844
[Wilford Woodruff]
"I visited Lowel and held a meeting with the Lowell branch, It was rather a squally time dificulties appear to be rising in this quarter - some dissatisfaction, after I closed I was followed by Elder Wm Smith" (... it was on this day that all the men in the branch resigned from their priesthood offices, with the exception of [African-American] Elder Walker Lewis.)'
[Wilford Woodruff Journal as quoted in LDS (or related) Documents on Walker Lewis, the Lowell, Mass. Branch of the Mormon Church and its missionaries and members, and the Priesthood Ban against Blacks, Compiled by Connell O'Donovan, http://people.ucsc.edu/~odonovan/Mormon_Chronology.html]
"I visited Lowel and held a meeting with the Lowell branch, It was rather a squally time dificulties appear to be rising in this quarter - some dissatisfaction, after I closed I was followed by Elder Wm Smith" (... it was on this day that all the men in the branch resigned from their priesthood offices, with the exception of [African-American] Elder Walker Lewis.)'
[Wilford Woodruff Journal as quoted in LDS (or related) Documents on Walker Lewis, the Lowell, Mass. Branch of the Mormon Church and its missionaries and members, and the Priesthood Ban against Blacks, Compiled by Connell O'Donovan, http://people.ucsc.edu/~odonovan/Mormon_Chronology.html]
180 years ago today - Oct 15, 1844
Signey Rigdon returns to Pittsburgh, PA; 500 secessionists follow him.
[Mormon Chronology, N. R. Tidd, http://www.exmormon.org/mhistory.html]
[Mormon Chronology, N. R. Tidd, http://www.exmormon.org/mhistory.html]
185 years ago today - Oct 15, 1839
Joseph heads a hundred men from Far West to defend Saints at Di-Ahman
[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]
185 years ago today - Mid-Oct. 1839
King Follett, the last prisoner in Missouri, is finally freed.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
30 years ago today - Oct 14, 1994-Friday
[Leonard Arrington]
What's happening to Janice Allred is terrible. [[Janice Merrill Allred (1947-) was given a sentence of church "probation" on October 13, 1994, and excommunicated on May 9, 1995, for her publications on a heav- enly Mother. See Vern Anderson, "LDS Church Leaders to Decide Discipline for Feminist Writer," Salt Lake Tribune, Oct. 11, 1994; Lindholm, Latter-day Dissent, 131-55. Her hus- band, David D. Allred, taught physics at BYU.]] Mother of nine, a life-long active member and temple-goer, she faced a disciplinary council Wednesday night. Her daughter was married in the temple, she has one returned missionary son and a second in the MTC [Missionary Training Center]. She is far more orthodox than half the men in our High Priests Group. Yet because she published an article expressing some speculations the Brethren didn't like, she is called on the carpet. She thinks the Holy Ghost might be a woman. Terrible thought! Kill her! Anyway, they put her on probation for two weeks, told her
not to talk to anybody about anything, told her not to take the Sacrament, etc. etc. I don't know what we can do to help her; we are indignant, even angry, we express our sympathy, but what else can we do? The search for truth is going down the cracks. Express an opinion that one apostle doesn't like and you are out; that is, if you publish it.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
What's happening to Janice Allred is terrible. [[Janice Merrill Allred (1947-) was given a sentence of church "probation" on October 13, 1994, and excommunicated on May 9, 1995, for her publications on a heav- enly Mother. See Vern Anderson, "LDS Church Leaders to Decide Discipline for Feminist Writer," Salt Lake Tribune, Oct. 11, 1994; Lindholm, Latter-day Dissent, 131-55. Her hus- band, David D. Allred, taught physics at BYU.]] Mother of nine, a life-long active member and temple-goer, she faced a disciplinary council Wednesday night. Her daughter was married in the temple, she has one returned missionary son and a second in the MTC [Missionary Training Center]. She is far more orthodox than half the men in our High Priests Group. Yet because she published an article expressing some speculations the Brethren didn't like, she is called on the carpet. She thinks the Holy Ghost might be a woman. Terrible thought! Kill her! Anyway, they put her on probation for two weeks, told her
not to talk to anybody about anything, told her not to take the Sacrament, etc. etc. I don't know what we can do to help her; we are indignant, even angry, we express our sympathy, but what else can we do? The search for truth is going down the cracks. Express an opinion that one apostle doesn't like and you are out; that is, if you publish it.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
50 years ago today - Oct 14, 1974
[Leonard J. Arrington]
Packer writes a four-page letter to the First Presidency about inappropriate material in Brigham Young's Letters to His Sons: (1) the use of tobacco and (2) conflict over Young's will. Hunter informs him that the letter should have come to him and was a breach of church protocol, but Packer becomes more outspoken in opposing publication of any uncomplimentary details about church history.
[Chronology, in Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, chronology by Joseph Geisner, and Lavina Fielding Anderson]
Packer writes a four-page letter to the First Presidency about inappropriate material in Brigham Young's Letters to His Sons: (1) the use of tobacco and (2) conflict over Young's will. Hunter informs him that the letter should have come to him and was a breach of church protocol, but Packer becomes more outspoken in opposing publication of any uncomplimentary details about church history.
[Chronology, in Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, chronology by Joseph Geisner, and Lavina Fielding Anderson]
75 years ago today - Oct 14, 1949
[Spencer W. Kimball]
Had interviews with Pres. Clark and Pres. Smith on various important matters. Pres. Clark said he had read my doctor's certificate and he urged me to take an hour off every day to rest and some days off every once in a while to keep caught up with my health conditions. He was very kind but quite insistent. Later on he told Camilla as he passed her in the hall, how important they felt it was that I should take care of myself and not have recurrences of my heart affection.
[Spencer W. Kimball Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
Had interviews with Pres. Clark and Pres. Smith on various important matters. Pres. Clark said he had read my doctor's certificate and he urged me to take an hour off every day to rest and some days off every once in a while to keep caught up with my health conditions. He was very kind but quite insistent. Later on he told Camilla as he passed her in the hall, how important they felt it was that I should take care of myself and not have recurrences of my heart affection.
[Spencer W. Kimball Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
115 years ago today - Oct 14, 1909
"The [First] Presidency read the article on the origin of man written by O.F. Whitney... As it will go out under our names the Presidency made a few changes." Published in Nov., the statement responds to the theory of organic evolution by affirming that Adam was the first man and progenitor of the human race. The statement does not deny the possibility of biological evolution preceding Adam. Its author believes in reincarnation.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
125 years ago today - Oct 14, 1899
Salt Lake County attorney declines to issue warrant for President Lorenzo Snow due to insufficient evidence of unlawful cohabitation.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
140 years ago today - Tuesday, Oct 14, 1884
[Law of Adoption - Apostle John Henry Smith]
Liverpool
I received a letter from Clarence Merrill yesterday asking me to permit his Father to be adopted into my Fathers family. I wrote to him, yes!
[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]
Liverpool
I received a letter from Clarence Merrill yesterday asking me to permit his Father to be adopted into my Fathers family. I wrote to him, yes!
[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]
175 years ago today - Oct 14, 1849 (Evening)
[Brigham Young]
When 8 or 12 went into England we took same course [as preceding missionaries] - we were there one year and sixteen days - we baptized about 8000 persons - it spread from one end to other of England ...
[Thomas Bullock Minutes, LJA; Thomas Bullock—LDS Church Reporter, 1844-56.C, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah.; GCM, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah..; Leonard J. Arrington Papers, Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan.. (A reference reading LJA 12-55-5, 10, means LJA Series 12, Box 55, Folder 5, page 10.) 9-12-5, 57-59 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]
When 8 or 12 went into England we took same course [as preceding missionaries] - we were there one year and sixteen days - we baptized about 8000 persons - it spread from one end to other of England ...
[Thomas Bullock Minutes, LJA; Thomas Bullock—LDS Church Reporter, 1844-56.C, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah.; GCM, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah..; Leonard J. Arrington Papers, Special Collections, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University, Logan.. (A reference reading LJA 12-55-5, 10, means LJA Series 12, Box 55, Folder 5, page 10.) 9-12-5, 57-59 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]
180 years ago today - Oct 14. [1844]
[Brigham Young]
Went away in company with Elders H. C. Kimball and P. P. Pratt the distance of two hundred miles and located another place of gathering for the saints of God in a short time, but Nauvoo will be the head stake for the Saints to come to and receive their endowment, their anointings, washings &c &c in the house of the Lord which he has commanded to be built unto his holy name; there will also be many more stakes or places of gathering for the Saints of God.
[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']
Went away in company with Elders H. C. Kimball and P. P. Pratt the distance of two hundred miles and located another place of gathering for the saints of God in a short time, but Nauvoo will be the head stake for the Saints to come to and receive their endowment, their anointings, washings &c &c in the house of the Lord which he has commanded to be built unto his holy name; there will also be many more stakes or places of gathering for the Saints of God.
[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']
180 years ago today - Oct 14, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
I spent the night at Br Phelps, And dreamed of being in the midst of rattle snakes. I had power to kill them. A few nights previous I saw a monster of a serpent. Tried to kill me but had no power.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I spent the night at Br Phelps, And dreamed of being in the midst of rattle snakes. I had power to kill them. A few nights previous I saw a monster of a serpent. Tried to kill me but had no power.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
190 years ago today - 1834 14 Oct.
Joseph Smith is defeated in his first attempt for elective office, coroner of Kirtland.
[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]
65 years ago today - Oct 13, 1959
Marie Osmond, later an entertainer, musician, and member of the famous Osmond family performing group, is born in Ogden, Utah.
145 years ago today - Oct 13, 1879
[J. L. Traughber]
"I personally heard him [David Whitmer] state, in January, 1877 [1876], in his own house in Richmond, Ray county, Mo., in most positive language, that he did truly see, in broad day-light, a bright and most beautiful being, an `angel from heaven,' who did hold in his hands the golden plates, which he turned over leaf by leaf, explaining the contents here and there." I have heard the same from the mouth of Father Whitmer, more than once; and every time I ever heard him tell the particulars of that glorious scene, he always told it just the same; and as far as I have ever heard, from reliable witnesses, he has always told the same story--"straight as a nail." Had Elder Smith stopped at the end of the above quoted sentence, I would have had no ground for bringing his name into this article; but he did not. He further adds: "He also described the size and general appearance of the plates, and he further said that he saw Joseph translate, by the aid of Urim and Thummim, time and again,
and he then produced a large pile of foolscap paper closely written in a very fair hand, which he declared was the manuscript written mainly by Oliver Cowdery and Martin Harris, as the translation was being read by the aid of the Urim and Thummim of the characters on the plates by Joseph Smith, which work of translation and transcription he frequently saw." I, too, have seen the "manuscripts" and examined them. I, too, have heard Father Whitmer say that he was present many times while Joseph was translating; but I never heard him say that the translation was made by aid of Urim and Thummim; but in every case, and his testimony is always the same, he declared that Joseph first offered prayer, then took a dark colored, opaque stone, called a "seer-stone," and placed it in the crown of his hat, then put his face into the hat, and read the translation as it appeared before him. This was the daily method of procedure, as I have often heard Father Whitmer declare; and, as it is
generally agreed to by parties who know the facts, that a considerable portion of the work of translation was performed in a room of his father's house, where he then resided, there can be no doubt but what Father David Whitmer is a competent witness of the manner of translating. I am aware of the fact that the "Urim and Thummim" story has long been foisted upon the world as the true account of the origin of the Book of Mormon; but the times demand, and, the interest of truth demands, that the truth should be told. We need not be afraid of truth; and I greatly doubt if anybody will be ultimately benefitted by the perpetuation of a falsehood, which was invented for the purpose of gaining prestige, in the minds of the people, for ambitious leaders. The proofs are clear and positive that the story of Urim and Thummim Translation does not date back, for its origin, further than 1833, or, between that date and 1835; for it is not found in any printed document of the Church of Christ up
to the latter part of the year 1833, or the year 1834. The "Book of Commandments" to the Church of Christ, published in Independence, Mo., in 1833, does not contain any allusion to Urim and Thummim; though the term was inserted in some of the revelations in their reprint in the "Book of Doctrine and Covenants" in 1835. Who originated the Urim and Thummim story, I do not know; but this I do know, that it is not found in the first printed book of revelations to the Church of Christ, and there is other testimony to show that it is not true. It is proper to notice what it is claimed the Urim and Thummim was. P[arley]. P. and O[rson]. Pratt both say it was an instrument composed of two clear or transparent stones set in the two rims of a bow. It is also confounded with the "Interpreters," which were shaped something like a pair of ordinary spectacles, though larger. .... The mode of procedure consisted in Joseph's placing the Seer Stone in the crown of a hat, then putting his face
into the hat, so as to entirely cover his face, resting his elbows upon his knees, and then dictating, word after word, while the scribe--Emma, John Whitmer, O. Cowdery, or some other, wrote it down." ...
J. L. TRAUGHBER, JR., MANDEVILLE, Mo., Oct. 13, 1879.
[J. L. Traughber to Editor, 13 October 1879, Saints' Herald 26 (15 November 1879): 341., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: J. L. Traughber To Saints' Herald]
"I personally heard him [David Whitmer] state, in January, 1877 [1876], in his own house in Richmond, Ray county, Mo., in most positive language, that he did truly see, in broad day-light, a bright and most beautiful being, an `angel from heaven,' who did hold in his hands the golden plates, which he turned over leaf by leaf, explaining the contents here and there." I have heard the same from the mouth of Father Whitmer, more than once; and every time I ever heard him tell the particulars of that glorious scene, he always told it just the same; and as far as I have ever heard, from reliable witnesses, he has always told the same story--"straight as a nail." Had Elder Smith stopped at the end of the above quoted sentence, I would have had no ground for bringing his name into this article; but he did not. He further adds: "He also described the size and general appearance of the plates, and he further said that he saw Joseph translate, by the aid of Urim and Thummim, time and again,
and he then produced a large pile of foolscap paper closely written in a very fair hand, which he declared was the manuscript written mainly by Oliver Cowdery and Martin Harris, as the translation was being read by the aid of the Urim and Thummim of the characters on the plates by Joseph Smith, which work of translation and transcription he frequently saw." I, too, have seen the "manuscripts" and examined them. I, too, have heard Father Whitmer say that he was present many times while Joseph was translating; but I never heard him say that the translation was made by aid of Urim and Thummim; but in every case, and his testimony is always the same, he declared that Joseph first offered prayer, then took a dark colored, opaque stone, called a "seer-stone," and placed it in the crown of his hat, then put his face into the hat, and read the translation as it appeared before him. This was the daily method of procedure, as I have often heard Father Whitmer declare; and, as it is
generally agreed to by parties who know the facts, that a considerable portion of the work of translation was performed in a room of his father's house, where he then resided, there can be no doubt but what Father David Whitmer is a competent witness of the manner of translating. I am aware of the fact that the "Urim and Thummim" story has long been foisted upon the world as the true account of the origin of the Book of Mormon; but the times demand, and, the interest of truth demands, that the truth should be told. We need not be afraid of truth; and I greatly doubt if anybody will be ultimately benefitted by the perpetuation of a falsehood, which was invented for the purpose of gaining prestige, in the minds of the people, for ambitious leaders. The proofs are clear and positive that the story of Urim and Thummim Translation does not date back, for its origin, further than 1833, or, between that date and 1835; for it is not found in any printed document of the Church of Christ up
to the latter part of the year 1833, or the year 1834. The "Book of Commandments" to the Church of Christ, published in Independence, Mo., in 1833, does not contain any allusion to Urim and Thummim; though the term was inserted in some of the revelations in their reprint in the "Book of Doctrine and Covenants" in 1835. Who originated the Urim and Thummim story, I do not know; but this I do know, that it is not found in the first printed book of revelations to the Church of Christ, and there is other testimony to show that it is not true. It is proper to notice what it is claimed the Urim and Thummim was. P[arley]. P. and O[rson]. Pratt both say it was an instrument composed of two clear or transparent stones set in the two rims of a bow. It is also confounded with the "Interpreters," which were shaped something like a pair of ordinary spectacles, though larger. .... The mode of procedure consisted in Joseph's placing the Seer Stone in the crown of a hat, then putting his face
into the hat, so as to entirely cover his face, resting his elbows upon his knees, and then dictating, word after word, while the scribe--Emma, John Whitmer, O. Cowdery, or some other, wrote it down." ...
J. L. TRAUGHBER, JR., MANDEVILLE, Mo., Oct. 13, 1879.
[J. L. Traughber to Editor, 13 October 1879, Saints' Herald 26 (15 November 1879): 341., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: J. L. Traughber To Saints' Herald]
145 years ago today - Oct 13, 1879
--In the Saints' Herald of April 15th, 1879, I notice an article from the pen of Elder T. W. Smith ... in which article the writer makes mention of the testimony of David Whitmer, as published in the Chicago Times, in 1875, and further says: "I personally heard him state, in January, 1877 [1876], in his own house in Richmond, Ray county, Mo., in most positive language, that he did truly see, in broad day-light, a bright and most beautiful being, an `angel from heaven,' who did hold in his hands the golden plates, which he turned over leaf by leaf, explaining the contents here and there." I have heard the same from the mouth of Father Whitmer, more than once; and every time I ever heard him tell the particulars of that glorious scene, he always told it just the same; and as far as I have ever heard, from reliable witnesses, he has always told the same story--"straight as a nail." Had Elder Smith stopped at the end of the above quoted sentence, I would have had no ground for
bringing his name into this article; but he did not. He further adds: "He also described the size and general appearance of the plates, and he further said that he saw Joseph translate, by the aid of Urim and Thummim, time and again, and he then produced a large pile of foolscap paper closely written in a very fair hand, which he declared was the manuscript written mainly by Oliver Cowdery and Martin Harris, as the translation was being read by the aid of the Urim and Thummim of the characters on the plates by Joseph Smith, which work of translation and transcription he frequently saw." I, too, have seen the "manuscripts" and examined them. I, too, have heard Father Whitmer say that he was present many times while Joseph was translating; but I never heard him say that the translation was made by aid of Urim and Thummim; but in every case, and his testimony is always the same, he declared that Joseph first offered prayer, then took a dark colored, opaque stone, called a
"seer-stone," and placed it in the crown of his hat, then put his face into the hat, and read the translation as it appeared before him. This was the daily method of procedure, as I have often heard Father Whitmer declare; and, as it is generally agreed to by parties who know the facts, that a considerable portion of the work of translation was performed in a room of his father's house, where he then resided, there can be no doubt but what Father David Whitmer is a competent witness of the manner of translating. I am aware of the fact that the "Urim and Thummim" story has long been foisted upon the world as the true account of the origin of the Book of Mormon; but the times demand, and, the interest of truth demands, that the truth should be told. We need not be afraid of truth; and I greatly doubt if anybody will be ultimately benefitted by the perpetuation of a falsehood, which was invented for the purpose of gaining prestige, in the minds of the people, for ambitious leaders.
The proofs are clear and positive that the story of Urim and Thummim Translation does not date back, for its origin, further than 1833, or, between that date and 1835; for it is not found in any printed document of the Church of Christ up to the latter part of the year 1833, or the year 1834. The "Book of Commandments" to the Church of Christ, published in Independence, Mo., in 1833, does not contain any allusion to Urim and Thummim; though the term was inserted in some of the revelations in their reprint in the "Book of Doctrine and Covenants" in 1835. Who originated the Urim and Thummim story, I do not know; but this I do know, that it is not found in the first printed book of revelations to the Church of Christ, and there is other testimony to show that it is not true. It is proper to notice what it is claimed the Urim and Thummim was. P[arley]. P. and O[rson]. Pratt both say it was an instrument composed of two clear or transparent stones set in the two rims of a bow. It
is also confounded with the "Interpreters," which were shaped something like a pair of ordinary spectacles, though larger. .... The mode of procedure consisted in Joseph's placing the Seer Stone in the crown of a hat, then putting his face into the hat, so as to entirely cover his face, resting his elbows upon his knees, and then dictating, word after word, while the scribe--Emma, John Whitmer, O. Cowdery, or some other, wrote it down." ...
J. L. TRAUGHBER, JR., MANDEVILLE, Mo., Oct. 13, 1879.
[J. L. Traughber to Editor, 13 October 1879, Saints' Herald 26 (15 November 1879): 341., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: J. L. Traughber To Saints' Herald]
bringing his name into this article; but he did not. He further adds: "He also described the size and general appearance of the plates, and he further said that he saw Joseph translate, by the aid of Urim and Thummim, time and again, and he then produced a large pile of foolscap paper closely written in a very fair hand, which he declared was the manuscript written mainly by Oliver Cowdery and Martin Harris, as the translation was being read by the aid of the Urim and Thummim of the characters on the plates by Joseph Smith, which work of translation and transcription he frequently saw." I, too, have seen the "manuscripts" and examined them. I, too, have heard Father Whitmer say that he was present many times while Joseph was translating; but I never heard him say that the translation was made by aid of Urim and Thummim; but in every case, and his testimony is always the same, he declared that Joseph first offered prayer, then took a dark colored, opaque stone, called a
"seer-stone," and placed it in the crown of his hat, then put his face into the hat, and read the translation as it appeared before him. This was the daily method of procedure, as I have often heard Father Whitmer declare; and, as it is generally agreed to by parties who know the facts, that a considerable portion of the work of translation was performed in a room of his father's house, where he then resided, there can be no doubt but what Father David Whitmer is a competent witness of the manner of translating. I am aware of the fact that the "Urim and Thummim" story has long been foisted upon the world as the true account of the origin of the Book of Mormon; but the times demand, and, the interest of truth demands, that the truth should be told. We need not be afraid of truth; and I greatly doubt if anybody will be ultimately benefitted by the perpetuation of a falsehood, which was invented for the purpose of gaining prestige, in the minds of the people, for ambitious leaders.
The proofs are clear and positive that the story of Urim and Thummim Translation does not date back, for its origin, further than 1833, or, between that date and 1835; for it is not found in any printed document of the Church of Christ up to the latter part of the year 1833, or the year 1834. The "Book of Commandments" to the Church of Christ, published in Independence, Mo., in 1833, does not contain any allusion to Urim and Thummim; though the term was inserted in some of the revelations in their reprint in the "Book of Doctrine and Covenants" in 1835. Who originated the Urim and Thummim story, I do not know; but this I do know, that it is not found in the first printed book of revelations to the Church of Christ, and there is other testimony to show that it is not true. It is proper to notice what it is claimed the Urim and Thummim was. P[arley]. P. and O[rson]. Pratt both say it was an instrument composed of two clear or transparent stones set in the two rims of a bow. It
is also confounded with the "Interpreters," which were shaped something like a pair of ordinary spectacles, though larger. .... The mode of procedure consisted in Joseph's placing the Seer Stone in the crown of a hat, then putting his face into the hat, so as to entirely cover his face, resting his elbows upon his knees, and then dictating, word after word, while the scribe--Emma, John Whitmer, O. Cowdery, or some other, wrote it down." ...
J. L. TRAUGHBER, JR., MANDEVILLE, Mo., Oct. 13, 1879.
[J. L. Traughber to Editor, 13 October 1879, Saints' Herald 26 (15 November 1879): 341., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: J. L. Traughber To Saints' Herald]
175 years ago today - Oct 13, 1849
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
.... I sent A Copy of the New York Herraid Weekly of Oct 13 to Orson Pratt, Orson Hyde, Allexander Badlam, & Joseph Russell. This Paper Contained An account of the Saints organizing themselves into An Independent Sovreign State called the state of Deseret And appointing their Govornor & other officers. Brigham Young was Elected Governor. This is certainly an important erie in the History of the Church & kingdom of God.
... they now find us organized into a State Government holding in our hands the Key of the North American Continant And that we will not die but live & rise up in the midst of all our oppressions ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
.... I sent A Copy of the New York Herraid Weekly of Oct 13 to Orson Pratt, Orson Hyde, Allexander Badlam, & Joseph Russell. This Paper Contained An account of the Saints organizing themselves into An Independent Sovreign State called the state of Deseret And appointing their Govornor & other officers. Brigham Young was Elected Governor. This is certainly an important erie in the History of the Church & kingdom of God.
... they now find us organized into a State Government holding in our hands the Key of the North American Continant And that we will not die but live & rise up in the midst of all our oppressions ...
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
90 years ago today - Oct 11, 1934
[President Heber J. Grant]
At ten o'clock attended the regular weekly Council meeting of the Presidency and Twelve. I blessed Brother Clark and ordained him an Apostle and set him apart as one of the Council of the Twelve Apostles. I then blessed Brother McKay and set him apart to be my second counselor, and ordained Alonzo A. Hinckley an Apostle and set him apart as a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles. I first gave an extended talk to Brother Hinckley as to his duties in coming into the Council of the Presidency and the Twelve. He replied, accepting all of the obligations.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
At ten o'clock attended the regular weekly Council meeting of the Presidency and Twelve. I blessed Brother Clark and ordained him an Apostle and set him apart as one of the Council of the Twelve Apostles. I then blessed Brother McKay and set him apart to be my second counselor, and ordained Alonzo A. Hinckley an Apostle and set him apart as a member of the Council of the Twelve Apostles. I first gave an extended talk to Brother Hinckley as to his duties in coming into the Council of the Presidency and the Twelve. He replied, accepting all of the obligations.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
175 years ago today - Oct 11, 1849
Henry Bigler writes in his diary, "It fills me with sorrow to think of leaving, for I am attached to this place and this people, for they are my brothers and sisters and my friends, and it was with considerable struggle with my feelings that I consented to go." Bigler has been called by Brigham Young to fulfill a mission to California and mine for gold.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
185 years ago today - Oct 11, 1839
[Brigham Young]
We travelled eight miles, and put up with Father Draper for the night. When we went into the house, Brother George A. Smith dropped on to the hearth a bottle containing some tonic bitters, which the brethren had prepared for us because of our sickness. At this Father Draper was very much astonished, and said "You are a pretty set of Apostles, to be carrying a bottle of whiskey with you." We explained to him what it was; this appeased his righteous soul, so that he consented to have us stay over the night.
...In the course of the evening Brother Kimball became very ill. The doctor said he could give him something that would help him, but the old man was so drunk he did not know what he did do, and he gave Brother Kimball a tablespoonful of morphine. His wife saw him pour it out, but dare not say a word, but believed it would kill Brother Kimball. A few minutes after he took it, he straightened up in his chair, and said he felt very strange, and thought he would lie down; and on his making a motion to go to bed, he fell his length upon the floor. I sprang to him, rolled him over on his back, and put a pillow under his head, and began to inquire what the doctor had given him. I learned he had given him morphine. Brother Kimball soon came to, and spoke faintly and said, "Don't be scared, for I shan't die." We got him on the bed, and I nursed him through the night. I changed his underclothing five times, and washed him previous to changing his clothes. I found him covered with
sweat, at first like thin honey. This gradually wore out towards morning, and he sweat naturally. He was scarcely able to speak, so as to be understood, through the night. ...
[Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).]
We travelled eight miles, and put up with Father Draper for the night. When we went into the house, Brother George A. Smith dropped on to the hearth a bottle containing some tonic bitters, which the brethren had prepared for us because of our sickness. At this Father Draper was very much astonished, and said "You are a pretty set of Apostles, to be carrying a bottle of whiskey with you." We explained to him what it was; this appeased his righteous soul, so that he consented to have us stay over the night.
...In the course of the evening Brother Kimball became very ill. The doctor said he could give him something that would help him, but the old man was so drunk he did not know what he did do, and he gave Brother Kimball a tablespoonful of morphine. His wife saw him pour it out, but dare not say a word, but believed it would kill Brother Kimball. A few minutes after he took it, he straightened up in his chair, and said he felt very strange, and thought he would lie down; and on his making a motion to go to bed, he fell his length upon the floor. I sprang to him, rolled him over on his back, and put a pillow under his head, and began to inquire what the doctor had given him. I learned he had given him morphine. Brother Kimball soon came to, and spoke faintly and said, "Don't be scared, for I shan't die." We got him on the bed, and I nursed him through the night. I changed his underclothing five times, and washed him previous to changing his clothes. I found him covered with
sweat, at first like thin honey. This gradually wore out towards morning, and he sweat naturally. He was scarcely able to speak, so as to be understood, through the night. ...
[Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1801-1844, ed. Elden Jay Watson (Salt Lake City: Smith Secretarial Service, 1968).]
90 years ago today - Oct 10, 1934
The First Presidency and newly appointed apostle Alonzo A. Hinckley agree that Heber J. Grant should ask Los Angeles stake president Leo J. Muir to "stop working for [Upton] Sinclair," the Socialist Party candidate for California governor. Grant publicly opposes Sinclair's election.
[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 )]]
95 years ago today - Oct 10, 1929
[George Albert Smith et al., Letter to Rudger Clawson and Members of the Council of Apostles]
The sub-committee of the Council of the Apostles appointed to read the manuscript written by Elder B. H. Roberts entitled, THE TRUTH, THE WAY, THE LIFE, makes the following report:
. ... The members of the committee regret to say that there are some objectionable doctrines advanced which are of a speculative nature and appear to be out of harmony with the revelations of the Lord and the fundamental teachings of the Church. Among the outstanding doctrines to which objection is made are: The doctrine that there were races on the earth before Adam; That Adam was a translated being who came to this earth subject to death, and therefore, did not bring death upon himself and his posterity through the fall; That Adam was placed on the earth when the earth was in a desolate condition and before any other life, belonging to the 'dispensation of Adam' was on the earth; That all life preceding Adam was swept off, even to the fishes of the sea, by some great cataclysm so that a new start had to be made; That Go the Father is is still discovering hidden laws and truth which he does not know, but which are eternal.
The members of the committee met with Brother Roberts on two or three occasions and discussed these matters with hm, making the request that he eliminate from his work these objectionable features, but this Brother Roberts has refused to do. At the last interview with hm, he informed the committee that if he could not adjust matters and therefore did not obtain the approval of the committee, he would, perhaps, at some future time publish the work on his own responsibility.
The committee, therefore, recommends to the Council of the Twelve that a report of it findings be laid before the First presidency, with the recommendation that in its present form, the manuscript be not published.
Very respectfully submitted, P.S. a list of objections is here attached. ...
[George Albert Smith et al., Letter to Rudger Clawson and Members of the Council of Apostles, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
The sub-committee of the Council of the Apostles appointed to read the manuscript written by Elder B. H. Roberts entitled, THE TRUTH, THE WAY, THE LIFE, makes the following report:
. ... The members of the committee regret to say that there are some objectionable doctrines advanced which are of a speculative nature and appear to be out of harmony with the revelations of the Lord and the fundamental teachings of the Church. Among the outstanding doctrines to which objection is made are: The doctrine that there were races on the earth before Adam; That Adam was a translated being who came to this earth subject to death, and therefore, did not bring death upon himself and his posterity through the fall; That Adam was placed on the earth when the earth was in a desolate condition and before any other life, belonging to the 'dispensation of Adam' was on the earth; That all life preceding Adam was swept off, even to the fishes of the sea, by some great cataclysm so that a new start had to be made; That Go the Father is is still discovering hidden laws and truth which he does not know, but which are eternal.
The members of the committee met with Brother Roberts on two or three occasions and discussed these matters with hm, making the request that he eliminate from his work these objectionable features, but this Brother Roberts has refused to do. At the last interview with hm, he informed the committee that if he could not adjust matters and therefore did not obtain the approval of the committee, he would, perhaps, at some future time publish the work on his own responsibility.
The committee, therefore, recommends to the Council of the Twelve that a report of it findings be laid before the First presidency, with the recommendation that in its present form, the manuscript be not published.
Very respectfully submitted, P.S. a list of objections is here attached. ...
[George Albert Smith et al., Letter to Rudger Clawson and Members of the Council of Apostles, 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]
125 years ago today - Oct 10, 1899
[J. Golden Kimball]
Was told by Apostle [Francis M.] Lyman that some women thought I was a tyrant because of my speech on Sunday and he replied that he knew of no man that was more completely run by his wife. This was not true, and was not appreciated, notwithstanding it was spoken by one of the Apostles. Lyman is jealous & hit me in a tender spot. His friendship I do not count on.
[J. Golden Kimball, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
Was told by Apostle [Francis M.] Lyman that some women thought I was a tyrant because of my speech on Sunday and he replied that he knew of no man that was more completely run by his wife. This was not true, and was not appreciated, notwithstanding it was spoken by one of the Apostles. Lyman is jealous & hit me in a tender spot. His friendship I do not count on.
[J. Golden Kimball, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
160 years ago today - Oct 10, 1864
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
The remainder of Zions Camp had a meeting for the first time since their travels to Mo. in 1834, when they went up to redeem Zion. We met in the Social Hall being over fifty of the original 205. It was the most interesting Party I ever attended. ... . President Young in his speech said that if that Company behaved vary well they should be the first Company Chosen to go back to Jackson County. We had a vary interesting time.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The remainder of Zions Camp had a meeting for the first time since their travels to Mo. in 1834, when they went up to redeem Zion. We met in the Social Hall being over fifty of the original 205. It was the most interesting Party I ever attended. ... . President Young in his speech said that if that Company behaved vary well they should be the first Company Chosen to go back to Jackson County. We had a vary interesting time.
[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 - Oct 10, 1844
Brigham Young marries Diana Chase, aged 17
[Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
[Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
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