The polygamist [Hans] Jespersen, who is now in prison, and was married in the Endowment House just before it was demolished, threatens to tell who performed the ceremony unless something is done for him immediately. The person [Franklin D. Richards] is liable, if discovered, to two years' imprisonment and a $1,000.00 fine, for officiating in a plural marriage. It was decided that F[rancis] M. Lyman and James Jack visit him and others of the 18 brethren now imprisoned, tomorrow, and assure them that no pains shall be spared to effect their release. They will be advised to sign a dispatch to the U.S. Att[orne]y. Gen[era]'l in Washington [D.C.], promising hereafter to obey the law. Jespersen is to be counseled to telegraph to Utah Pros[ecuting] Att[orne]y [Charles S.] Varian, who is now in Washington, making a similar promise. Thus the effort will be made to immediately relieve these brethren, who are now confined in their cells for 22 out of 24 hrs., and are not by themselves, but mixed up with the "toughs." Warden [Oscar] Vandercook will be asked to authenticate the prisoners' messages. [Abraham H. Cannon (Author), Edward Leo Lyman (Editor), Candid Insights of a Mormon Apostle: The Diaries of Abraham H. Cannon, 1889-1895, Signature Books]
Today In Mormon History-fb
Several curious tidbits that happened on this day in Mormon History
30 years ago today - Apr 10, 1996
Mormon investors announce they are purchasing Southern Virginia College (SVC), four months after it loses accreditation as a two-year school and one month before its closing, to turn it into a Mormon school without official sponsorship by LDS headquarters. The likely success of this unprecedented idea is indicated by its announcement in the Church News and choice of David Ferrel as the college's new president. He is a senior employee of recently appointed general authority Richard B. Wirthlin who formally endorses the school. Having arranged for LDS congressmen to pressure the accrediting association to reconsider its decision, the newly installed Mormon trustees announce that SVC will be a four-year college with a starting freshman class of 400 students who meet the same standards of conduct and entrance requirements as at BYU. [The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
70 years ago today - Apr 10, 1956
[J. Reuben Clark] [During a telephone conversation with Utah Governor J. Bracken Lee:] Gov. Lee: I said to them [non-members] you are never going to have any success in Utah unless you let the leaders of the Church give you some advice. You better make it a point to talk with the Church officials to find out if they are going along with it or not. [The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
75 years ago today - Apr 10, 1951
[Letter on behalf of the First Presidency] "... The hearts of the Brethren bleed with sorrow over the lot of yourself and millions of others [black people] who find themselves in the same situation but for which neither the Brethren nor the Church is in any way responsible... I am happy to tell you that from the very beginning the Brethren have said that ultimately the restraint under which you now rest will be removed, and that, as President Woodruff expressed it, 'The day will come when all that race will be redeemed and possess all the blessings which we now have.' ... Under this principle there is no injustice whatsoever involved in this deprivation as to the holding of the priesthood by the negroes.' ... there is nothing the Brethren can do about removing the restraints until the Lord speaks again. Your place was determined by the Lord himself, and the only underlying principle of which we are aware is that which the Lord himself announced. The point I should like to leave with you is briefly that the Lord assigned you your place for reasons which He himself had, and a part of which, at least, he has given to us." [Joseph Anderson, Letter to Herbert A. Ford, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
120 years ago today - Apr 10, 1906
[George F. Richards] "Pres[iden]t Lyman and John Henry Smith especially were emphatic in the denunciation of the actions of those brethren who had been teaching and practicing plural marriage since the issuance of the manifesto [illegible] and in sustaining Pres[iden]ts [Wilford] Woodruff, [Lorenzo] Snow & [Joseph F.] Smith in the attitude they have taken on that question. We by motion [e]ndorsed Pres[iden]t Lymans views." [George F. Richards, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
75 years ago today - Apr 9, 1951
Conference sustains David O. McKay as church president with Stephen L. Richards and J. Reuben Clark as counselors. This demotion of Clark from first counselor stuns many Mormons, including the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. For the first time in its history, the Twelve "ordains" the church president and then sets apart McKay and his counselors. McKay is also the first church president who graduated from college (University of Utah). [The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
120 years ago today - Apr 9, 1906
.... At the conclusion of the meeting, the Presidency and Apostles repaired to the Temple, where we received valuable instructions from President Joseph F. Smith, after which the new members were ordained and set apart as members of the Quorum by President Joseph F. Smith as follows: George F. Richards, Orson F. Whitney, David O. McKay. All the members of the Twelve were present except George Teasdale, Heber J. Grant, and Reed Smoot. We had regular a Pentacost and brethren wept in one another's embrace. At 5:00 P.M. we and our wives met at President [John R.] Winder's home at 49 West Temple Street where we partook of a bountiful repast, after which President Smith dedicated the home of President Winder. Had talks, singing and music and a wonderful evening. [George F. Richards, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
120 years ago today - Apr 09, 1906
Apostles Taylor and Cowley resignations made public. David O McKay was one of the new apostles appointed, and was the first apostle in over 60 years who was not connected by polygamy. [Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
120 years ago today - Apr 9, 1906
.... Nineteen years ago this coming summer, Apostle John W. Taylor predicted to me that I would be an Apostle. We were travelling together south and were on the train about opposite Murray. I little dreamed, nor did he, that I would succeed him in the Quorum. He was always very good to me. ' For several years I had paid little or no attention to religion, and though naturally of a spiritual temperament, and possessed of deep veneration, for the Supreme Being had become careless and indifferent, like many others, and had contracted a distaste for sacred things. This was due largely to the company I kept, but most of all to ignorance of the true meaning and import of religion. I had, for some reason, despite the best of teachings, come to regard meetings and sacred gatherings more as laces of punishment than of instruction. I carried this aversion to such an extent that if I picked up a book and saw the word 'God' or 'angel' or anything about heaven religion in it, I would at once lay it down, as of no interest. All this time I never doubted God's existence or that I was one of his children and would often, though not regularly, pray. to Him It was reported that I was an infidel, but this was not true; I was only reckless and disobedient. [Orson F. Whitney, Diary and Autobiography, pp. 35-36, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
120 years ago today - Apr 9, 1906
Our Dear Brother George F. Richards: In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by virtue of the Melchizedek Priesthood conferred upon us, we lay our hands upon your head and ordain you an Apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and say unto you, receive ye the spirit, the witness and testimony of this Apostleship, to the end that you may have power to testify of the redemption and salvation that comes through Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, and that the Prophet Joseph Smith was chosen and ordained of God to accomplish the mission given to him, to establish the gospel of salvation anew to the world, never more to be taken from the earth. ... [Ordination Blessing of George F. Richards, in 'Record of Conference Addresses Delivered by George F. Richards in the Salt Lake Tabernacle', as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
95 years ago today - Apr 7, 1931
[George F. Richards] "I was all forenoon with the Presidency & other General Authorities receiving decision of Presidency in the case of B. H. R[oberts]. vs. J[oseph]. F[ielding]. S[mith]. Jr. Free discussion ensured and decision approved. The subject of Pre-Adamites not to be discussed in public by the brethren either for or against the theory, as the Church has not declared itself and its attitude on the question." [George F. Richards, Diary, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
155 years ago today - Apr 9, 1871
Apostle Orson Pratt: "... a temple will be reared on the spot [Jackson County] that has been selected, [by the finger of the Lord] and the corner-stone of which has been laid, in the generation when this revelation was given; we just as much expect this as we expect the sun to rise in the morning and set in the evening.... But says the objector, "thirty-nine years have passed away." What of that? The generation has not passed away; all the people that were living thirty-nine years ago have not passed away; but before they do pass away this will be fulfilled." (1832 September 22, D&C 84:1-5,31,32) [Journal of Discourses, vol. 14, p. 275 http://journalofdiscourses.com/14/38, as quoted in The Last Days and December 1890 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ, y George D. Speer Sr., privately circulated]
130 years ago today - Apr 7, 1896
President Joseph F. Smith addressed the Assembly which filled the body of the hall. He dwelt on the importance of every officer of the Church being united in spirit and in harmony with the First Presidency and the Twelve. He thought it would be much better for such officers as were unable to be in harmony to ask to be released from their official positions, than to continue in office while entertaining feelings of hostility to those whom God had placed to lead and direct the Church. He expressed regret that he could not speak with that freedom which he desired in consequence of the feeling that there were some present in whom his confidence was not very strong... President Cannon ... gave some counsel on the subject of recommendations for second annointings. Worthy old people should be selected as a rule, and Bishops should select faithful persons and confer with their Stake Presidents before recommending them for that blessing. ... [Journal History, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
75 years ago today - Sun Apr 8, 1951
[David O. McKay Office Journal] 4:30 p.m.--Special council meeting was held in the Salt Lake Temple. Presented to the Twelve the names of my counselors--Elder Stephen L. Richards as First Counselor, and Pres. J. Reuben Clark, Jr. as Second Counselor. [McKay, David O., Office Journal]
120 years ago today - Apr 8, 1906
[J. Golden Kimball] Apostles Jno. [John] W Taylor and Mat[t]hias F Cowley resigned from the Apostleship. It is a political move to protect the Church of L[atter]. D[ay]. S[aints]., as the Church is on trial before Congress. Bro[ther] Taylor & Cowley are the rams caught in the thicket and are offered as a sacrifice. [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]
125 years ago today - Apr 8, 1901; Monday
Meeting of Presidency, Apostles & Church Officers. Prest. [Lorenzo] Snow said that persons who are recom- mended for second anointings should be those who have made an exceptional record, that they are persons who will never apostatize. Prests. of Stakes assume a great responsibility when they recommend persons for second anointings. ... Conference Report, Apr. 1901, 57-58. Now I [Lorenzo Snow] wish to say a word in regard to going back to Jackson County [Missouri]. The time is nearer than many of us suppose. I want to impress upon the minds of all that they cannot go back to Jackson Co. unless the[y] obey the law of tithing. Jos[eph] Smith had a book in which all of the names of tithe payers was recorded which was called the Book of the law of the Lord. This church as a church will never go back to Jackson Co. till the people learn to observe the law of the Lord. I fear that some of the bishops do not fully believe in the law of tithing. Excellent counsel. Heber [J. Grant] sang ["]The Holy City.["] Should Masquerade balls be permitted among the Saints? We do not approve of such parties but they should be controlled by kindness & persuasion & not by coer[c]ion. Bro. Jos[eph]. F. Smith said no man receives a fullness of the Melchisedec Priesthood till he has recd his second anointings. Men recommended for this sacred ordinance should be men of God whose faith & integrity are unquestioned. Heber J. Grant spoke. Referred to his singing as an example that a person can accomplish anything which he undertakes to do. ...Apostle John W. Taylor said when the Apostles or Priests. of 70 visited the stakes don't put 2 in 1 bed but give them a clean bad & good house keeper. He killed 143 bed bugs in one bed at one time. [Anderson, Elizabeth Oberdick, editor, Cowboy Apostle: The Diaries of Anthony W. Ivins: 1875-1932, Signature Books, Salt Lake City in association with the Smith-Pettit Foundation (2013) - http://bit.ly/AnthonyIvins]
145 years ago today - Friday, Apr 8, 1881
At 10 rode with Prest. [John] Taylor to the Council of 50-George Reynolds admitted a member. G[eorge] Q. C[annon] gave charge &c. etc. Prest Taylor occupied morning with a Discourse upon the nature & objects of the Council[.] Adj[ourned] till 2.p.m. 2 p.m. John R. Winder & John T. Ca[i]ne were admitted to membership & received charge obligation & pass word from the Secretary Geo Q. Cannon. Prest. J[oseph] F. Smith justified the course of the last Legislature [as] also did Prest L[orenzo] Snow[,] Prest of Legislative Council[.] Adjournd til May 18-10 a.m. to consider certain points. [Franklin D. Richards journal, as quoted in Jedediah S. Rogers (editor), The Council of Fifty: A Documentary History, Signature Books (2014)]
165 years ago today - Apr 7, 1861
In the afternoon Presidet Brigham Young Spoke to the people in the spirit & power of God upon Principle. He spoke upon the subject of the Patriarchal Marriage. He said if a man took more than one wife upon the principle of passion instead of principle it will prove a Curse instead of a Blessing. If a woman is sealed to a good man she should be satisfied & attend to her own business & let her husband alone & not be watching him all the time. Women are sealed to men to bring forth Children & not to gratify passion & much was said upon this subjet. ... Before leaving the Circle room Presidet Young said I want to say a few words to Brother Orson Hyde. At the opening of this general Conference I was there one minute before the time, & Brother Hyde had opened the Conference had prayers & singing & I must say I was mortified. I am the president of the whole Church & it is my place to preside at a general Conference. Did you ever know me [to] step foreward in the days of Joseph & take his place & open a General Conference without he directed me to do it? Or did you ever know me interfere with the rights of any man? No you have not. I should have waited an hour after the time before I should have opened the Conference but Brother Hyde opened it before the time & he has served me the same several times and I dont want to see it any more. Elder Orson Hyde said it never Entered my heart that I was doing wrong. ... Presidet Young said Now I will ask all of you how would you feel if you had a work to do which God & the heavens held you responsible for & just as you was about to step forth to do it another man should rise up & take it out of your hands Before the people as though you was not qualifyed to Do it or was neglecting your duty. You would not like it. ... [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 - Apr 7, 1851
Brigham Young is sustained "prophet, seer, and revelator," first time since 1836. He presents himself this way at conferences until 1859 and again, 1872 to his death. [The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
185 years ago today - Apr 6, 1841
In celebration of the twelfth anniversary of the Church, 16 companies of the Nauvoo Legion march in review before a huge crowd. Sidney Rigdon then gives a speech before those who have gathered to watch the parade. The southeast cornerstone of the temple, representing the First Presidency, is laid with great ceremony. (The basement of the temple was dug and walled before this time in readiness for the cornerstone.) The high priests then lay a second cornerstone; the high council lays the third cornerstone; and the bishops lay the fourth cornerstone. [Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
195 years ago today - Apr 07, 1831
Martin Harris sells part of his farm and pays E. B. Grandin for the cost of printing the Book of Mormon.
165 years ago today - Apr 6, 1861
Brigham Young tells conference it is necessary "to grease the wheels" (bribe federal officials). "To show how minutely corruption prevails where justice should exist," Young gives example where it was necessary to pay $1,300 bribe "to get our claims paid for expenditures in quelling Indian disturbances in 1853." This is the first announcement of the First Presidency's policy to bribe federal officials when necessary. Historian Wallace D. Farnham once described the frequent graft in nineteenth-century federal government as the "weakened spring of government" in America. [The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
170 years ago today - Apr 6, 1856
[George A. Smith] The inaccurate "Milk Strippings" story is first preached in General Conference. [Journal of Discourses, http://jod.mrm.org]
180 years ago today - Apr 6, 1846
At a Strangite high council meeting, Jehiel Savage testifies against the conduct of the Twelve at Nauvoo: "There was an institution called Aunt Peggy, by means of which one Carl was whip[p]ed &...one Peck was annointed [with human excrement]." [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]
185 years ago today - April 6, 7, 8, 9, 1841. Tuesday-Friday.
.... The names of the official characters [as presented in General Conference] are as follows Joseph Smith first president Sidney Rigdon and Wm. Law councillor. Brother Law was appointed councillor at this conference in the stead of Hyrum Smith who was appointed a Prophet Seer and Revelator according to a revelation given January 19, 1841. Brother Law was objected to by our quorum but honourably elected after investigation. On account of the ill health of Sidney Rigdon John C. Bennett was appointed in his stead until Brother Rigdons health improved. ... [George D. Smith, An Intimate Chronicle; The Journals of William Clayton, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1995, http://bit.ly/WilliamClayton]
185 years ago today - Apr 6, 1841
Cornerstones laid for Nauvoo Temple; among other books and items, a Bible is laid but only after the Apocryphia is added to it (torn from one of the member's family Bible) to make it complete [Samuel Miles]. Sidney Rigdon officiates at the ceremony and gives a hour long speech. This is practically Rigdon's last official act in the Church until the spring of 1844. [Broadhurst, Dale R., Mormon Chronology, http://olivercowdery.com/history/morchrn2.htm]
60 years ago today - Apr 5, 1966
[Mark E. Anderson to David O. McKay, 5 Apr. 1966, MS 3744, LDS archives. From D. Michael Quinn, Ezra Taft Benson and Mormon Political Conflicts, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 26:2 (Summer 1992), also in Quinn, The Mormon Hierarchy: Extensions of Power Salt Lake City (Signature Books, 1994), Chapter 3.]
85 years ago today - Apr 5, 1941
After the Priesthood meeting I had a little talk with Harold B. Lee and told him we had decided that he should fill the vacancy in the quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He was overwhelmed and shed tears. I feel sure that we shall be very happy with his work.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
120 years ago today - Apr 5, 1906
[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 - Apr 5, 1901
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
130 years ago today - Apr 5, 1896
[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 - Apr 5, 1896
[Regarding the political manifesto] "I was spoken to privately by Pres[iden]t Woodruff that he wanted me to carry it to M. Thatcher if he chooses to sign it. All seemed anxious that I should have a partner I wanted Pres[iden]t L. Snow." Thatcher was not up when they arrived and kept the document by permission and sent it to the office without his signature. "He could not coincide with the whole doctrine but hoped when he got better in health he might see it." Young notes that he has had the principles before him for two years; "I was full of sorrow so were all the Brethren." Document was read and accepted unanimously by the Conference.
[Diary of Apostle Brigham Young Jr., http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
145 years ago today - Apr 5, 1881
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
150 years ago today - Apr 5, 1876
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
185 years ago today - Apr 5, 1841
Though Mormon history and press indicate Beaman was not baptized until May 11, 1843, she had migrated with Mormons to Nauvoo in 1839 or 1840. She has been called the "first plural wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith" [although he had at least one earlier relationship]. After Smith's death, Beaman remarried, becoming the ninth wife of Brigham Young. They had five children together, all of whom predeceased Beaman, who died young at age 35. Listed as a Smith plural wife by Joseph F. Smith, who noted 1869 affidavit of Beaman's brother-in-law Joseph B. Noble, stating he officiated at the wedding, William Clayton said Smith told him in February 1843 that Beaman was one of his plural wives. This would have been prior to her baptism.
[Wikipedia: List of the Wives of Joseph Smith, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_the_wives_of_Joseph_Smith]
45 years ago today - Apr 4, 1981
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
75 years ago today - 1951. April 4
As church president, he also was president of many church-controlled corporations: Beneficial Life Insurance Company, Utah Hotel Company, Utah Home Fire Insurance Company, Utah-Idaho Sugar Company, Utah First National Bank, Zion's Savings Bank and Trust, ZCMI, and Zions Securities Corporation. He was president of the Church Board of Education, which controlled LDS educational institutions, and was also editor of the church's official magazines. He expedited welfare shipments to Latter-day Saints in Europe at the end of World War II, supervised the reconciliation of 1,200 Latter-day Saints in Mexico who had formed a schismatic group, and expanded programs to help American Indians. A person of compassion, he worked especially in the interests of the youth of the church, the troubled, the poor, and the underprivileged.
[Van Wagoner, Richard and Walker, Steven C., A Book of Mormons, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies;Utah History Encyclopedia: George Albert Smith, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
95 years ago today - Apr 4, 1931
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database (http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase)]]
115 years ago today - Apr 4, 1911
Spent the day in Quarterly Meeting with the Apostles. Presented to the Council my proposition that a portion of our time in these meetings be devoted to the reading and discussion of leading questions of the day, religious, scientific, political, philosophical, &c. [including evolution], with a view to a common understanding and unanimity of view concerning the same. The brethren were pleased with the suggestion and it was adopted unanimously.
[Orson F. Whitney, Diary, 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 - Thursday, Apr 4, 1901
Apostle M. F. Cowley called attention to the labors of the Seven Presidents of Seventies. Said they had been very faithful and through their labors he was satisfied that the tithing of the church had been greatly increased. Inasmuch as some of them were in straightened circumstances, notably Brother B. H. Roberts (the latter was now acting as a life insurance agent), he felt that the compensation of the Seven Presidents of Seventies should be increased.
President Snow said that nothing could be done in the matter at present. We have not arrived at a point where we can say to the general authorities of the church: "Give up all your financial affairs, devote your whole time to the work, and the church will provide fully for you; but that time is coming."
[President Snow:] Said that there are many bishops in the church, who are not capable and efficient in their official calling, many of them not being naturally endowed with the qualifications for the bishopric. In all such cases they should be released and others planted in their stead. ...
The sacrament was then administered, Pres. J. F. Smith being month in pronouncing the blessing upon the bread and wine. ...
[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]
130 years ago today - Apr 4, 1896 (Saturday)
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
145 years ago today - Apr 4, 1881
Report of Logen Temple was Given. Donations from Cache Stake was $143,433, Bear Lake $38,134.64 Box Elder $36,733.49, Trustee in trust $78,705.19, from other sources $660, Total $297,666.32. Sanpete [Manti] Temple Reported as having Received $250,235.40. Total in the two Temples $547,901.72.
[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 - Apr 4, 1851
[Utah History Encyclopedia: Deseret, http://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/]
185 years ago today - Apr 4, 1841
the letter was read by the clerk the Brethren was still of the opinion that the Trustees ought to hold the Keys and furthermore it was agreed to let the subject rest at present where it was.
[Kirtland Elder's Quorum Record, http://ogdenkraut.com/?page_id=414]
195 years ago today - Apr 4, 1831
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]