Apostle Gordon B. Hinckley, chair of Special Affairs Committee, instructs "all of Missouri and Illinois stake presidents and state[wide] ERA coordinators" about how to conduct LDS inti-ERA campaign, including: "Church building[s] may be used for ERA education."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
Today In Mormon History-FB
Several curious tidbits that happened on this day in Mormon History
45 years ago today - Oct 5, 1979
Apostle Gordon B. Hinckley, chair of Special Affairs Committee, instructs "all of Missouri and Illinois stake presidents and state[wide] ERA coordinators" about how to conduct LDS inti-ERA campaign, including: "Church building[s] may be used for ERA education."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
45 years ago today - Oct 5, 1979
Hinckley, who chairs the church's Special Affairs Committee, authorizes stake presidents in Missouri and Illinois to hold anti-ERA planning meetings in church buildings. Women who are recruited to lobby or demonstrate are instructed not to identify themselves as LDS.
[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]
[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]
45 years ago today - Oct 5, 1979
Hinckley, who chairs the church's Special Affairs Committee, authorizes stake presidents in Missouri and Illinois to hold anti-ERA planning meetings in church buildings. Women who are recruited to lobby or demonstrate are instructed not to identify themselves as LDS.
[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]
[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]
50 years ago today - Oct 05, 1974
Naomi Maxfield Shumway is called as the sixth general president of the Primary, with Sara Broadbent Paulsen and Colleen Bushman Lemmon as counselors.
50 years ago today - Oct 05, 1974
Naomi Maxfield Shumway is called as the sixth general president of the Primary, with Sara Broadbent Paulsen and Colleen Bushman Lemmon as counselors.
110 years ago today - Oct 5, 1914; Monday
[Heber J. Grant]
Pres[iden]t Lyman spoke of Patriarchs performing marriages unlawfully--Pres[iden]t Smith said no man living had authority to d[o].
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
Pres[iden]t Lyman spoke of Patriarchs performing marriages unlawfully--Pres[iden]t Smith said no man living had authority to d[o].
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
110 years ago today - Oct 5, 1914; Monday
[Heber J. Grant]
Pres[iden]t Lyman spoke of Patriarchs performing marriages unlawfully--Pres[iden]t Smith said no man living had authority to d[o].
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
Pres[iden]t Lyman spoke of Patriarchs performing marriages unlawfully--Pres[iden]t Smith said no man living had authority to d[o].
[Heber J. Grant, Diary]
115 years ago today - Oct 5, 1909
[Joseph F. Smith to John Hafen]
We have carefully read your [letter] complaining of unfair criticism of your illustrations of the hymn, 'Oh My Father,' and we fully appreciate all you say, on the subject of art in a general way. ... some of our brethren occupying the position of mission presidents were interesting themselves in publishing with a view to freely circulating this well known hymn in an illustrated form ... If the scheme had been carried out ... the scale of the work would naturally carry with it the idea, that this was being done on Church authority, and the agents would naturally emphasize this idea in their endeavors to make sales ... If you yourself desire to publish the work on your own responsibility; or if anybody else other than an officer of the Church desire to employ you to make the illustrations, or to accept those already made by you ... we offer no objection whatever. All that we object to is to have the Church connected with it either directly or indirectly.
[Joseph F. Smith, Letter to John Hafen, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
We have carefully read your [letter] complaining of unfair criticism of your illustrations of the hymn, 'Oh My Father,' and we fully appreciate all you say, on the subject of art in a general way. ... some of our brethren occupying the position of mission presidents were interesting themselves in publishing with a view to freely circulating this well known hymn in an illustrated form ... If the scheme had been carried out ... the scale of the work would naturally carry with it the idea, that this was being done on Church authority, and the agents would naturally emphasize this idea in their endeavors to make sales ... If you yourself desire to publish the work on your own responsibility; or if anybody else other than an officer of the Church desire to employ you to make the illustrations, or to accept those already made by you ... we offer no objection whatever. All that we object to is to have the Church connected with it either directly or indirectly.
[Joseph F. Smith, Letter to John Hafen, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
115 years ago today - Oct 5, 1909
[Joseph F. Smith to John Hafen]
We have carefully read your [letter] complaining of unfair criticism of your illustrations of the hymn, 'Oh My Father,' and we fully appreciate all you say, on the subject of art in a general way. ... some of our brethren occupying the position of mission presidents were interesting themselves in publishing with a view to freely circulating this well known hymn in an illustrated form ... If the scheme had been carried out ... the scale of the work would naturally carry with it the idea, that this was being done on Church authority, and the agents would naturally emphasize this idea in their endeavors to make sales ... If you yourself desire to publish the work on your own responsibility; or if anybody else other than an officer of the Church desire to employ you to make the illustrations, or to accept those already made by you ... we offer no objection whatever. All that we object to is to have the Church connected with it either directly or indirectly.
[Joseph F. Smith, Letter to John Hafen, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
We have carefully read your [letter] complaining of unfair criticism of your illustrations of the hymn, 'Oh My Father,' and we fully appreciate all you say, on the subject of art in a general way. ... some of our brethren occupying the position of mission presidents were interesting themselves in publishing with a view to freely circulating this well known hymn in an illustrated form ... If the scheme had been carried out ... the scale of the work would naturally carry with it the idea, that this was being done on Church authority, and the agents would naturally emphasize this idea in their endeavors to make sales ... If you yourself desire to publish the work on your own responsibility; or if anybody else other than an officer of the Church desire to employ you to make the illustrations, or to accept those already made by you ... we offer no objection whatever. All that we object to is to have the Church connected with it either directly or indirectly.
[Joseph F. Smith, Letter to John Hafen, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
115 years ago today - Oct 5, 1909; Tuesday
[Apostle Anthony Ivins]
Special Priesthood Meeting. Prest. [John R.] Winder said persons who can reasonably reach the temple should not be married before reaching the temple. ... Prest. [Joseph F.] Smith: The people of the state should show to those who come up to the legislature that they meant what they said when they so earnestly prayed for laws which would restrict the liquor traffic. If he had votes enough he would see to it that every man who comes up to the legislature shall have the fear, or love of God in their hearts & who would pass laws by which the Sabbath Day may be kept holy. ...
[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]
Special Priesthood Meeting. Prest. [John R.] Winder said persons who can reasonably reach the temple should not be married before reaching the temple. ... Prest. [Joseph F.] Smith: The people of the state should show to those who come up to the legislature that they meant what they said when they so earnestly prayed for laws which would restrict the liquor traffic. If he had votes enough he would see to it that every man who comes up to the legislature shall have the fear, or love of God in their hearts & who would pass laws by which the Sabbath Day may be kept holy. ...
[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]
115 years ago today - Oct 5, 1909; Tuesday
[Apostle Anthony Ivins]
Special Priesthood Meeting. Prest. [John R.] Winder said persons who can reasonably reach the temple should not be married before reaching the temple. ... Prest. [Joseph F.] Smith: The people of the state should show to those who come up to the legislature that they meant what they said when they so earnestly prayed for laws which would restrict the liquor traffic. If he had votes enough he would see to it that every man who comes up to the legislature shall have the fear, or love of God in their hearts & who would pass laws by which the Sabbath Day may be kept holy. ...
[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]
Special Priesthood Meeting. Prest. [John R.] Winder said persons who can reasonably reach the temple should not be married before reaching the temple. ... Prest. [Joseph F.] Smith: The people of the state should show to those who come up to the legislature that they meant what they said when they so earnestly prayed for laws which would restrict the liquor traffic. If he had votes enough he would see to it that every man who comes up to the legislature shall have the fear, or love of God in their hearts & who would pass laws by which the Sabbath Day may be kept holy. ...
[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]
125 years ago today - Oct 5, 1899; Thursday
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
Another subject discussed was a grammatical change in the Articles of Faith, where it reads, "These ordinances are, first, faith, second, repentance, etc." Faith and repentance not being ordinances, hence the proposed correction. It was learned from President Cannon that this change had been made already in published cards containing said articles. ...
The question of bringing home the bodies of missionaries who die in their fields of labor, was next considered by the Council, and it was the sense of the meeting that this should invariably be done, wherever and whenever practicable, the expense to be borne in full or in part by the family of the deceased, if able to bear it. ...
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
Another subject discussed was a grammatical change in the Articles of Faith, where it reads, "These ordinances are, first, faith, second, repentance, etc." Faith and repentance not being ordinances, hence the proposed correction. It was learned from President Cannon that this change had been made already in published cards containing said articles. ...
The question of bringing home the bodies of missionaries who die in their fields of labor, was next considered by the Council, and it was the sense of the meeting that this should invariably be done, wherever and whenever practicable, the expense to be borne in full or in part by the family of the deceased, if able to bear it. ...
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
125 years ago today - Thursday, Oct 5, 1899
[Apostle Rudger Clawson]
Continuation of the quarterly meeting of the Twelve at the temple. ... The tables were then spread with bread and wine, and the Lord's Supper was partaken of, Pres. Cannon being mouth in asking the blessing. We had a very enjoyable time together. ...
[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]
Continuation of the quarterly meeting of the Twelve at the temple. ... The tables were then spread with bread and wine, and the Lord's Supper was partaken of, Pres. Cannon being mouth in asking the blessing. We had a very enjoyable time together. ...
[Stan Larson (editor), A Ministry of Meetings: The Apostolic diaries of Rudger Clawson, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1993, http://bit.ly/rudgerclawson]
125 years ago today - Thursday, Oct 5, 1899
[Apostle Rudger Clawson]
Continuation of the quarterly meeting of the Twelve at the temple. ... The tables were then spread with bread and wine, and the Lord's Supper was partaken of, Pres. Cannon being mouth in asking the blessing. We had a very enjoyable time together. ...
[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]
Continuation of the quarterly meeting of the Twelve at the temple. ... The tables were then spread with bread and wine, and the Lord's Supper was partaken of, Pres. Cannon being mouth in asking the blessing. We had a very enjoyable time together. ...
[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]
175 years ago today - Oct 5, 1849
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
5th Dr Burnhisel spent the Afternoon with me & [we] walked through the city of Boston together. As He had lived with President Joseph Smith & his family for years was with him in prision the morning He was masacreed, our conversation turned upon the subject of his life & death. Among other remarks he informed me that Brother Joseph Addressed his remarks to him alone when He said "I am going as A Lamb to the Slaughter. Yet I shall die with a Concience void of offence towards god and man. I feel as Calm as A summers morning. (And the expression of his Countenance showed that he was so.) "He said it will yet be said of me that He was murdered in Cold blood." Other remarks were made concerning the Saints building up the kingdom of God & there reward for so doing.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
5th Dr Burnhisel spent the Afternoon with me & [we] walked through the city of Boston together. As He had lived with President Joseph Smith & his family for years was with him in prision the morning He was masacreed, our conversation turned upon the subject of his life & death. Among other remarks he informed me that Brother Joseph Addressed his remarks to him alone when He said "I am going as A Lamb to the Slaughter. Yet I shall die with a Concience void of offence towards god and man. I feel as Calm as A summers morning. (And the expression of his Countenance showed that he was so.) "He said it will yet be said of me that He was murdered in Cold blood." Other remarks were made concerning the Saints building up the kingdom of God & there reward for so doing.
[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 5, 1849
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
5th Dr Burnhisel spent the Afternoon with me & [we] walked through the city of Boston together. As He had lived with President Joseph Smith & his family for years was with him in prision the morning He was masacreed, our conversation turned upon the subject of his life & death. Among other remarks he informed me that Brother Joseph Addressed his remarks to him alone when He said "I am going as A Lamb to the Slaughter. Yet I shall die with a Concience void of offence towards god and man. I feel as Calm as A summers morning. (And the expression of his Countenance showed that he was so.) "He said it will yet be said of me that He was murdered in Cold blood." Other remarks were made concerning the Saints building up the kingdom of God & there reward for so doing.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
5th Dr Burnhisel spent the Afternoon with me & [we] walked through the city of Boston together. As He had lived with President Joseph Smith & his family for years was with him in prision the morning He was masacreed, our conversation turned upon the subject of his life & death. Among other remarks he informed me that Brother Joseph Addressed his remarks to him alone when He said "I am going as A Lamb to the Slaughter. Yet I shall die with a Concience void of offence towards god and man. I feel as Calm as A summers morning. (And the expression of his Countenance showed that he was so.) "He said it will yet be said of me that He was murdered in Cold blood." Other remarks were made concerning the Saints building up the kingdom of God & there reward for so doing.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
50 years ago today - Oct 03, 1974
Barbara B. Smith is called as the tenth general president of the Relief Society, with Janath Russell Cannon and Marian Richards Boyer as counselors.
50 years ago today - Oct 3, 1974
Seventies quorums and stake mission leadership combined.
[Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://lds.net/forums/topic/10668-church-chronology-from-1800-2000-part-1/]
[Hemidakaota, "Church Chronology from 1800-2000," http://lds.net/forums/topic/10668-church-chronology-from-1800-2000-part-1/]
90 years ago today - Oct 3, 1934
[President Heber J. Grant]
Brother Charles A. Callis called on me this afternoon and handed me a letter. I had asked for the Council of the Twelve to send me a name of someone whom they would like to fill the vacancy in the quorum on account of the fact that I expected to use a member of the Twelve for my counselor, and each one sent me a name. David O. McKay sent me three so that I have thirteen names to pick from. Each one nominated a different man, all of them fine men. Several of the brethren wrote short notes referring to the splendid qualifications of their candidate, and Brother Callis wrote me a letter speaking very strongly in favor of his candidate. I concluded to make the letter part of my journal inasmuch as the young man who is his candidate happens to be my son-in-law. All of the letters I shall destroy.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Brother Charles A. Callis called on me this afternoon and handed me a letter. I had asked for the Council of the Twelve to send me a name of someone whom they would like to fill the vacancy in the quorum on account of the fact that I expected to use a member of the Twelve for my counselor, and each one sent me a name. David O. McKay sent me three so that I have thirteen names to pick from. Each one nominated a different man, all of them fine men. Several of the brethren wrote short notes referring to the splendid qualifications of their candidate, and Brother Callis wrote me a letter speaking very strongly in favor of his candidate. I concluded to make the letter part of my journal inasmuch as the young man who is his candidate happens to be my son-in-law. All of the letters I shall destroy.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
95 years ago today - Oct 3, 1929
[President Heber J. Grant]
The Seven Presidents of Seventies met with us and each member of the council of the Twelve and of the First Presidency also five members of the First Council of Seventy (Brother Kimball being out of town) expressed themselves regarding Brother Roberts' sermon, and the consensus of opinion was that it would give the impression that Brother Roberts was criticising (sic) the administration of the Church since the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith. President Roberts insisted that he had no such intention, and said that any kind statement I wished him to make or would prepare for him to sign he would be glad to sign. I told him that all I wanted was his acknowledgment that he had no intention of making reelections, that that covered the whole ground as far as I was concerned.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The Seven Presidents of Seventies met with us and each member of the council of the Twelve and of the First Presidency also five members of the First Council of Seventy (Brother Kimball being out of town) expressed themselves regarding Brother Roberts' sermon, and the consensus of opinion was that it would give the impression that Brother Roberts was criticising (sic) the administration of the Church since the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith. President Roberts insisted that he had no such intention, and said that any kind statement I wished him to make or would prepare for him to sign he would be glad to sign. I told him that all I wanted was his acknowledgment that he had no intention of making reelections, that that covered the whole ground as far as I was concerned.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
100 years ago today - Oct 3, 1924
First general conference broadcast by radio. An estimated one million people hear the voice of President Heber J. Grant over KPFT (now KSL) radio. "To have the voice carried for thousands of miles," said President Grant in the opening session, "seems almost beyond comprehension."
110 years ago today - Oct 3, 1914
Presidents Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and Wilford Woodruff had all issued instructions to the Church or to the sisters of the Relief Society and the Church concerning their proper role in their ministrations to the sick. The practices mentioned in this letter of 1914 had begun in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints prior to April, 1842, and had continued in the Church down to the time of this circular letter of the First Presidency, and were to continue for a brief period thereafter.
Presidents Smith, Young and Woodruff had made it clear that the practices herein enumerated were in no sense to be considered either as a priesthood function nor as a substitute for the administration to the sick by the elders of the Church as enjoined in James 5:14-15 and Doctrine and Covenants 42:44.
This practice of sisters in the Church administering to the sick through faith, but not through any priesthood authority, was more or less standard Church procedure for many years. Since it is no longer a practice in the Church, perhaps some additional historical notes on the practice will not be out of place here.
On April 28, 1842, Joseph Smith records in his history (DHC 6:602-607) that he met with the members of the newly organized "Female Relief Society and gave a lecture on the Priesthood, showing how the sisters would come in possession of the privileges, blessings, and gifts of the Priesthood, and that the signs should follow them, such as healing the sick ... and that they might attain unto these blessings by a virtuous life, and diligence in keeping all the commandments."
According to the synopsis of his remarks on that occasion, as reported by Eliza R. Snow, the Prophet Joseph Smith quoted I Corinthians 12th and 13th chapters and Mark 16:15-18. His commentary on these scriptures to the ladies of the "Female Relief Society" were, in part, as follows:
"No matter who believeth, these signs, such as healing the sick, casting out devils, etc., should follow them that believe, whether male or female. He asked the Society if they could not see by this sweeping promise, that .... if the sisters should have faith to heal the sick, let all hold their tongues, and let everything roll on. ...
"Respecting females administering for the healing of the sick, he further remarked, there could be no evil in it, if God gave His sanction by healing; that there could be no more sin in any female laying hands on and praying for the sick than in wetting the face with water; it is no sin for anybody to administer that has faith, or if the sick have faith to be healed by their administrations." (DHC 4:602-604) Joseph Smith continued instructions by saying that "it was according to revelation that the sick should be nursed with herbs and mild food, and not by the hand of an enemy." (Doc. & Cov. 42:43)
This address of Joseph Smith to the Relief Society, including the instructions on administering to the sick was printed in the Woman's Exponent 13:44-55, 62 (August 15 and September 1, 1884); in the Utah Journal for April 14, 1888; the Deseret News for July 28, 1888; and was referred to in an editorial by Emmeline B. Wells in the Woman's Exponent for September 1, 1888.
It was also quoted, with comments, by Franklin D. Richards in a sermon in the Ogden Tabernacle, July 19, 1882.
President Brigham Young in addressing the women of the Church in the Salt Lake Tabernacle in 1869 said:
"Learn to take proper care of your children. If any of them are sick the cry now, instead of 'go fetch the Elders to lay hands on my child!' is, 'Run for a doctorÃÂ. '
"It is the privilege of a mother to have faith and to administer to her child; this she can do herself, as well as sending for the Elders to have the benefit of their faith."
On April 27, 1888, according to the minutes of the Relief Society, the First Presidency wrote a letter to Emmeline B. Wells, General Secretary and editor of the Woman's Exponent answering certain questions dealing with women's ministrations to the sick. Seemingly the general Presidency of the Relief Society at various times subsequently circularized these answers on the letterhead of the society and distributed them to Relief Society members. One such circular letter on Relief Society letterhead with the date line blank and carrying the postscript "Approved by the First Presidency" is reproduced below for comparison with the circular letter to the Stake Presidents and Bishops issued by the First Presidency October 3, 1914.
It is known from minutes of the Relief Society that in 1901 a copy of President Woodruff's letter of April 27, 1888, was submitted to President Lorenzo Snow and re-affirmed by him as President of the Church.
Again in 1910 a copy of President Woodruff's 1888 letter was submitted by the Relief Society General Board to President Joseph F. Smith and his counselors in the First Presidency with the request that it be circularized among Stake Presidents of the Church.
Earlier, in 1907, President Joseph F. Smith was asked the question: "Does a wife hold the priesthood with her husband and may she lay hands on the sick with him, with authority?"
President Smith's reply to this question, published in the Improvement Era (10:308, February, 1907) was as follows:
"A wife does not hold the priesthood with her husband, but she enjoys the benefits thereof with him; and if she is requested to lay hands on the sick with him, or with any other officer holding the Melchizedek Priesthood, she may do so with perfect propriety. It is no uncommon thing for a man and wife unitedly to administer to their children."
In a letter of Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, dated July 29, 1946, and addressed to the General Relief Society Presidency, Elder Smith wrote:
"While the authorities of the Church have ruled that it is permissible, under certain conditions and with the approval of the priesthood, for sisters to wash and anoint other sisters, yet they feel that it is far better for us to follow the plan the Lord has given us and send for the Elders of the Church to come and administer to the sick and afflicted." For additional background on this subject see also Improvement Era 58:558-559, 607 (August, 1955) and Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions 1:144-150 (1957).
Reproduced below are both the letter distributed by the Relief Society (seemingly over the period from 1888-1910) carrying the postscript "Approved by the First Presidency" and the circular letter sent out over the signature of President Joseph F. Smith and his counselors under a date of October 3, 1914, to the presidents of stakes and bishops of wards.
Office of The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Salt Lake City, Utah, October 3rd, 1914
To the Presidents of Stakes and Bishops of Wards:
Questions are frequently asked in regard to washing and anointing our sisters preparatory to their confinement. In a circular issued by the leading sisters of the Relief Society a number of questions on this matter have been answered and correct instructions given, but notwithstanding this having been done, we judge from the contents of letters received by us that there exists some uncertainty as to the proper persons to engage in this administration; we have therefore considered it necessary to answer some of these questions, and give such explanations as will place this matter in the right light. We quote some of these questions and give our answers:
1. Is it necessary for one or more sisters to be set apart to wash and anoint the sick?
2. Should it be done under the direction of the Relief Society?
Answer: Any good sister, full of faith in God and in the efficacy of prayer, may officiate. It is therefore not necessary for anyone to be set apart for this purpose, or that it should be done exclusively under the direction of the Relief Society.
3. Must the sister officiating be a member of the Relief Society?
Answer: It is conceded that most of our sisters, qualified to perform this service and gifted with the spirit of healing and the power to inspire faith in the sick, belong to the Relief Society, but if the sick should desire to have some good sister who is not a member of the Relief Society administer to her, that sister has the right to so administer.
4. Have the sisters the right to administer to sick children?
Answer: Yes; they have the same right to administer to sick children as to adults, and may anoint and lay hands upon them in faith.
5. Should the administering and anointing be sealed?
Answer: It is proper for sisters to lay on hands, using a few simple words, avoiding the terms employed in the temple, and instead of using the word "seal" use the word "confirm.
6. Have the sisters a right to seal the washing and anointing, using no authority, but doing it in the name of Jesus Christ, or should men holding the priesthood be called in?
Answer: The sisters have the privilege of laying their hands on the head of the person for whom they are officiating, and confirming and anointing in the spirit of invocation. The Lord has heard and answered the prayers of sisters in these administrations many times. It should, however, always be remembered that the command of the Lord is to call in the elders to administer to the sick, and when they can be called in, they should be asked to anoint the sick or seal the anointing.
7. Are sisters who have not received their endowments competent to wash and anoint sisters previous to confinement?
Answer: It must always be borne in mind that this administering to the sick by the sisters is in no sense a temple ordinance, and no one is allowed to use the words learned in the temple in washing and anointing the sick. Sisters who have had their endowments have received instructions and blessings which tend to give them stronger faith and especially qualify them to officiate in this sacred work; but there are good faithful sisters, who through circumstances have not received their endowments, and yet are full of faith and have had much success in ministering to the sick, who should not be forbidden to act, if desired to do so by our sisters.
In conclusion we have to say that in all sacred functions performed by our sisters there should be perfect harmony between them and the Bishop, who has the direction of all matters pertaining to the Church in his ward. Your brethren, JOSEPH F. SMITH, ANTHON H. LUND, CHARLES W. PENROSE, First Presidency.
The Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Salt Lake City, Utah —ANSWER TO QUESTIONS— The first question: "Is it necessary for one or more sisters to be set apart for that purpose? (Washing and anointing the sick, etc.) Or should it be done under the direction of the Presidency of the Relief Society, or could any good sister officiate?"
This seems to include three questions.
Firstly, our late President Sister Eliza R. Snow Smith said many times, "Any good sister who had received her endowments and was in good standing in the Church, might officiate in washing and anointing previous to confinement, if called upon, or requested to do so by the sister or sisters desiring the blessing" but should not offer her services.
Secondly, not necessarily under the direction of the Presidency of the Relief Society, although it is most likely whoever was called upon to render such services would be a member of the Relief Society in her own Ward. Some sisters are gifted in ministering and comforting with faith, and adaptability, who might not be chosen to preside or fill any official position in the Relief Society, then the sister herself who desires the blessing might have some choice as to whom she would prefer, and there are many little things [that] might be taken into consideration, all cases are not alike, all circumstances are not the same, wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit are things necessary in all such matters.
Thirdly, in reference to children in sickness, one could not always wait to consult the Presidency of the Relief Society; mothers, grandmothers, and often other relatives attend to a sick child, both in administering and in the washing with pure water and anointing with consecrated oil; but generally in neighborhoods, there are sisters who are specially adapted to minister to children, and who have in large degree the gift of healing under the influence of the Holy Spirit, who are possessed of greater humility and have cultivated the gift or whom the Lord has greatly blessed.
Second question: "Should the washing be sealed?" It is usual to do this in a few simple words, avoiding the terms used in the Temple, and instead of using the word "Seal" we would use the word "Confirm" in the spirit of invocation.
Third question: "Have the sisters a right to seal the washing and anointing, using no authority, but doing it in the name of Jesus Christ, or should men holding the Priesthood be called in?" The sisters have the privilege of laying their hands on the head of the one officiated for and confirming the anointing in the spirit of invocation, and in the name of Jesus Christ, not mentioning authority. Therefore it is not necessary to call in the Brethren. The Lord has heard and answered the prayers of the sisters in these ministrations many times.
In suggestions made in reference to washing and anointing the sisters are always advised to kneel and offer prayer previous to officiating in any sacred duty. Your sisters in the Gospel, ------------------------ General President ------------------------ General Secretary (On behalf of the Relief Society) Approved by the First Presidency of the Church.
[1914-October 3-Original circular letter. Church Historian's as quoted in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
Presidents Smith, Young and Woodruff had made it clear that the practices herein enumerated were in no sense to be considered either as a priesthood function nor as a substitute for the administration to the sick by the elders of the Church as enjoined in James 5:14-15 and Doctrine and Covenants 42:44.
This practice of sisters in the Church administering to the sick through faith, but not through any priesthood authority, was more or less standard Church procedure for many years. Since it is no longer a practice in the Church, perhaps some additional historical notes on the practice will not be out of place here.
On April 28, 1842, Joseph Smith records in his history (DHC 6:602-607) that he met with the members of the newly organized "Female Relief Society and gave a lecture on the Priesthood, showing how the sisters would come in possession of the privileges, blessings, and gifts of the Priesthood, and that the signs should follow them, such as healing the sick ... and that they might attain unto these blessings by a virtuous life, and diligence in keeping all the commandments."
According to the synopsis of his remarks on that occasion, as reported by Eliza R. Snow, the Prophet Joseph Smith quoted I Corinthians 12th and 13th chapters and Mark 16:15-18. His commentary on these scriptures to the ladies of the "Female Relief Society" were, in part, as follows:
"No matter who believeth, these signs, such as healing the sick, casting out devils, etc., should follow them that believe, whether male or female. He asked the Society if they could not see by this sweeping promise, that .... if the sisters should have faith to heal the sick, let all hold their tongues, and let everything roll on. ...
"Respecting females administering for the healing of the sick, he further remarked, there could be no evil in it, if God gave His sanction by healing; that there could be no more sin in any female laying hands on and praying for the sick than in wetting the face with water; it is no sin for anybody to administer that has faith, or if the sick have faith to be healed by their administrations." (DHC 4:602-604) Joseph Smith continued instructions by saying that "it was according to revelation that the sick should be nursed with herbs and mild food, and not by the hand of an enemy." (Doc. & Cov. 42:43)
This address of Joseph Smith to the Relief Society, including the instructions on administering to the sick was printed in the Woman's Exponent 13:44-55, 62 (August 15 and September 1, 1884); in the Utah Journal for April 14, 1888; the Deseret News for July 28, 1888; and was referred to in an editorial by Emmeline B. Wells in the Woman's Exponent for September 1, 1888.
It was also quoted, with comments, by Franklin D. Richards in a sermon in the Ogden Tabernacle, July 19, 1882.
President Brigham Young in addressing the women of the Church in the Salt Lake Tabernacle in 1869 said:
"Learn to take proper care of your children. If any of them are sick the cry now, instead of 'go fetch the Elders to lay hands on my child!' is, 'Run for a doctorÃÂ. '
"It is the privilege of a mother to have faith and to administer to her child; this she can do herself, as well as sending for the Elders to have the benefit of their faith."
On April 27, 1888, according to the minutes of the Relief Society, the First Presidency wrote a letter to Emmeline B. Wells, General Secretary and editor of the Woman's Exponent answering certain questions dealing with women's ministrations to the sick. Seemingly the general Presidency of the Relief Society at various times subsequently circularized these answers on the letterhead of the society and distributed them to Relief Society members. One such circular letter on Relief Society letterhead with the date line blank and carrying the postscript "Approved by the First Presidency" is reproduced below for comparison with the circular letter to the Stake Presidents and Bishops issued by the First Presidency October 3, 1914.
It is known from minutes of the Relief Society that in 1901 a copy of President Woodruff's letter of April 27, 1888, was submitted to President Lorenzo Snow and re-affirmed by him as President of the Church.
Again in 1910 a copy of President Woodruff's 1888 letter was submitted by the Relief Society General Board to President Joseph F. Smith and his counselors in the First Presidency with the request that it be circularized among Stake Presidents of the Church.
Earlier, in 1907, President Joseph F. Smith was asked the question: "Does a wife hold the priesthood with her husband and may she lay hands on the sick with him, with authority?"
President Smith's reply to this question, published in the Improvement Era (10:308, February, 1907) was as follows:
"A wife does not hold the priesthood with her husband, but she enjoys the benefits thereof with him; and if she is requested to lay hands on the sick with him, or with any other officer holding the Melchizedek Priesthood, she may do so with perfect propriety. It is no uncommon thing for a man and wife unitedly to administer to their children."
In a letter of Elder Joseph Fielding Smith, dated July 29, 1946, and addressed to the General Relief Society Presidency, Elder Smith wrote:
"While the authorities of the Church have ruled that it is permissible, under certain conditions and with the approval of the priesthood, for sisters to wash and anoint other sisters, yet they feel that it is far better for us to follow the plan the Lord has given us and send for the Elders of the Church to come and administer to the sick and afflicted." For additional background on this subject see also Improvement Era 58:558-559, 607 (August, 1955) and Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions 1:144-150 (1957).
Reproduced below are both the letter distributed by the Relief Society (seemingly over the period from 1888-1910) carrying the postscript "Approved by the First Presidency" and the circular letter sent out over the signature of President Joseph F. Smith and his counselors under a date of October 3, 1914, to the presidents of stakes and bishops of wards.
Office of The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Salt Lake City, Utah, October 3rd, 1914
To the Presidents of Stakes and Bishops of Wards:
Questions are frequently asked in regard to washing and anointing our sisters preparatory to their confinement. In a circular issued by the leading sisters of the Relief Society a number of questions on this matter have been answered and correct instructions given, but notwithstanding this having been done, we judge from the contents of letters received by us that there exists some uncertainty as to the proper persons to engage in this administration; we have therefore considered it necessary to answer some of these questions, and give such explanations as will place this matter in the right light. We quote some of these questions and give our answers:
1. Is it necessary for one or more sisters to be set apart to wash and anoint the sick?
2. Should it be done under the direction of the Relief Society?
Answer: Any good sister, full of faith in God and in the efficacy of prayer, may officiate. It is therefore not necessary for anyone to be set apart for this purpose, or that it should be done exclusively under the direction of the Relief Society.
3. Must the sister officiating be a member of the Relief Society?
Answer: It is conceded that most of our sisters, qualified to perform this service and gifted with the spirit of healing and the power to inspire faith in the sick, belong to the Relief Society, but if the sick should desire to have some good sister who is not a member of the Relief Society administer to her, that sister has the right to so administer.
4. Have the sisters the right to administer to sick children?
Answer: Yes; they have the same right to administer to sick children as to adults, and may anoint and lay hands upon them in faith.
5. Should the administering and anointing be sealed?
Answer: It is proper for sisters to lay on hands, using a few simple words, avoiding the terms employed in the temple, and instead of using the word "seal" use the word "confirm.
6. Have the sisters a right to seal the washing and anointing, using no authority, but doing it in the name of Jesus Christ, or should men holding the priesthood be called in?
Answer: The sisters have the privilege of laying their hands on the head of the person for whom they are officiating, and confirming and anointing in the spirit of invocation. The Lord has heard and answered the prayers of sisters in these administrations many times. It should, however, always be remembered that the command of the Lord is to call in the elders to administer to the sick, and when they can be called in, they should be asked to anoint the sick or seal the anointing.
7. Are sisters who have not received their endowments competent to wash and anoint sisters previous to confinement?
Answer: It must always be borne in mind that this administering to the sick by the sisters is in no sense a temple ordinance, and no one is allowed to use the words learned in the temple in washing and anointing the sick. Sisters who have had their endowments have received instructions and blessings which tend to give them stronger faith and especially qualify them to officiate in this sacred work; but there are good faithful sisters, who through circumstances have not received their endowments, and yet are full of faith and have had much success in ministering to the sick, who should not be forbidden to act, if desired to do so by our sisters.
In conclusion we have to say that in all sacred functions performed by our sisters there should be perfect harmony between them and the Bishop, who has the direction of all matters pertaining to the Church in his ward. Your brethren, JOSEPH F. SMITH, ANTHON H. LUND, CHARLES W. PENROSE, First Presidency.
The Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Salt Lake City, Utah —ANSWER TO QUESTIONS— The first question: "Is it necessary for one or more sisters to be set apart for that purpose? (Washing and anointing the sick, etc.) Or should it be done under the direction of the Presidency of the Relief Society, or could any good sister officiate?"
This seems to include three questions.
Firstly, our late President Sister Eliza R. Snow Smith said many times, "Any good sister who had received her endowments and was in good standing in the Church, might officiate in washing and anointing previous to confinement, if called upon, or requested to do so by the sister or sisters desiring the blessing" but should not offer her services.
Secondly, not necessarily under the direction of the Presidency of the Relief Society, although it is most likely whoever was called upon to render such services would be a member of the Relief Society in her own Ward. Some sisters are gifted in ministering and comforting with faith, and adaptability, who might not be chosen to preside or fill any official position in the Relief Society, then the sister herself who desires the blessing might have some choice as to whom she would prefer, and there are many little things [that] might be taken into consideration, all cases are not alike, all circumstances are not the same, wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit are things necessary in all such matters.
Thirdly, in reference to children in sickness, one could not always wait to consult the Presidency of the Relief Society; mothers, grandmothers, and often other relatives attend to a sick child, both in administering and in the washing with pure water and anointing with consecrated oil; but generally in neighborhoods, there are sisters who are specially adapted to minister to children, and who have in large degree the gift of healing under the influence of the Holy Spirit, who are possessed of greater humility and have cultivated the gift or whom the Lord has greatly blessed.
Second question: "Should the washing be sealed?" It is usual to do this in a few simple words, avoiding the terms used in the Temple, and instead of using the word "Seal" we would use the word "Confirm" in the spirit of invocation.
Third question: "Have the sisters a right to seal the washing and anointing, using no authority, but doing it in the name of Jesus Christ, or should men holding the Priesthood be called in?" The sisters have the privilege of laying their hands on the head of the one officiated for and confirming the anointing in the spirit of invocation, and in the name of Jesus Christ, not mentioning authority. Therefore it is not necessary to call in the Brethren. The Lord has heard and answered the prayers of the sisters in these ministrations many times.
In suggestions made in reference to washing and anointing the sisters are always advised to kneel and offer prayer previous to officiating in any sacred duty. Your sisters in the Gospel, ------------------------ General President ------------------------ General Secretary (On behalf of the Relief Society) Approved by the First Presidency of the Church.
[1914-October 3-Original circular letter. Church Historian's as quoted in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
115 years ago today - Oct 3, 1909
At general conference, Apostle George Albert Smith stops speaking after three minutes as he begins to "tremble and perspire." Apostle Reed Smoot referred two weeks earlier to Smith's "mental trouble." Since Jan. Smith's diary has described the symptoms of his eventual collapse. At age thirty-nine he is the first general authority whose debilitating mental problems cannot be attributed to senility. Hospitalized for ten weeks at Gray's Sanitarium in Salt Lake City, Smith does not recover from this emotional breakdown until 1913. The problem re-emerges in the 1930s and in 1949-51.
[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 - Oct 3, 1889
First Presidency & apostles meet 2:30 in prayer room at Gardo until 5:20. Bro[ther] W[illia]m McNeil, the janitor of the Logan [Utah] Temple, who was released from the penitentiary yesterday, having served for months for living with his wives, called & reported his circumstances. He has a sick wife & is in trouble about how he shall get along in his family affairs. It was decided that he may board & lodge at the temple, & receive his payfor his office while he has been absent. Also that Bro[ther] Samuel Roskelly shall be permitted to board & lodge at the temple.
[First Presidency Office Journal, 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]
[First Presidency Office Journal, 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 - Oct 3, 1849
FRONTIER GUARDIAN observes that "Mr. Jonathan Browning is manufacturing some of the most splendid revolving rifles that we ever saw." He invents one of "the earliest known American repeating rifles" when he moves to Nauvoo in 1842. Establishes gunsmith shop in Ogden, Utah where he continues making his unpatented "six-shot repeater." His son John M. Browning is "the father of modern firearms."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
175 years ago today - Oct 3, 1849
Frontier Guardian observes that "Mr. Jonathan Browning is manufacturing some of the most splendid revolving rifles that we ever saw." He ìnvents one of "the earliest known American repeating rifles" when he moves to Nauvoo in 1842. Establishes gunsmith Shop in Ogden, Utah where he continues making his unpatented "six-shot repeater." His son John M. Browning is "the father of modern firearms."
[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 )]]
180 years ago today - Oct 03, 1844
Brigham Young marries Eliza Snow, age 40. Widow of Joseph Smith
Brigham Young marries Elizabeth Fairchild, age 16. He is 43 at this time.
[Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
Brigham Young marries Elizabeth Fairchild, age 16. He is 43 at this time.
[Exploring Mormonism: Polygamy Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/polygamy-timeline/]
20 years ago today - Oct 2, 2004
[Quorum of the Twelve]
Dieter F. Uchtdorf and David A. Bednar added to Quorum.
[Wikipedia, Chronology of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_the_Quorum_of_the_Twelve_Apostles_(LDS_Church)]
Dieter F. Uchtdorf and David A. Bednar added to Quorum.
[Wikipedia, Chronology of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (LDS Church), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_the_Quorum_of_the_Twelve_Apostles_(LDS_Church)]
25 years ago today - Oct 2, 1999-3
The last general conference in the Tabernacle on Temple Square — the site of general conferences since 1867 — was held. Future general conferences would be held in the new Conference Center.
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
35 years ago today - Fall 1989.
Paul Toscano's bishop tells him that he has received a telephone call from "someone at headquarters" informing him that he read his Sunstone paper, "A Plea to the Leadership of the Church: Choose Love Not Power," that the paper is "harsh and judgmental" but that Paul is not to be disciplined. Uncertain about the identity of the caller, the bishop gives Toscano the return phone number and the instructions, "You call back. I don't want to get into the middle of this." The caller is Elder John Carmark, area president, who eventually agrees to a lunch meeting with Paul. Paul describes the meeting as "amiable," even though "we didn't see eye to eye on a number of issues."
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
45 years ago today - Fall 1979.
Neal and Rebecca Chandler of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, respond to a request from the National Organization of Women to host a discussion group of Mormons with Sonia Johnson, known nationally as a Mormon equal rights activist. A few weeks later at stake conference, Elder James E. Faust outlines the church's stand against the Equal Rights Amendment. After the meeting he and two members of the stake presidency overhear Neal expressing distress about the church's "dissembling about organized lobbying campaigns in Virginia and Florida and Missouri." For the next several years, Chandler later discovered, each time his bishop, Peter Gail, proposed him for executive positions, he "was told that this was not a possibility and was admonished to stop raising it as though it were."
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, "The LDS Intellectual Community and Church Leadership: A Contemporary Chronology," Dialogue, Vol.26, No.1]
80 years ago today - Oct 2, 1944
Head of church's anti-polygamy surveillance testifies in court.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - Oct 2, 1899; Monday
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
Elder John W. Taylor, of the Council of the Apostles, called this morning, having just come from Canada. He had learned through correspondence with Canadian officials, that our people now settling permanently in that country, were entitled to three dollars a head for every adult male, two dollars for every adult female, and on dollar for every child, and it rested now with the First Presidency to decide whether this money should be accepted from the Canadian government. Brother Taylor had learned that they were offering five dollars a head for permanent settlers, and he recommended that the foregoing figures be not accepted until further investigation had been made.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
Elder John W. Taylor, of the Council of the Apostles, called this morning, having just come from Canada. He had learned through correspondence with Canadian officials, that our people now settling permanently in that country, were entitled to three dollars a head for every adult male, two dollars for every adult female, and on dollar for every child, and it rested now with the First Presidency to decide whether this money should be accepted from the Canadian government. Brother Taylor had learned that they were offering five dollars a head for permanent settlers, and he recommended that the foregoing figures be not accepted until further investigation had been made.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
130 years ago today - Oct 2, 1894
[Heber J. Grant]
Abraham H. Cannon ... referred to the promise that President Lorenzo Snow had made some time ago, to the effect that he believed the Lord would help us out of our present financial difficulties just this once more, but that he did not think that we would have any claim on him in the future if we got into financial troubles again. He, Bro Cannon, had felt to claim this promise made by Prest. Snow and he had faith that we would receive it. He expressed the belief that our present financial troubles would be followed by a time of great wealth. He had found with much regret a spirit among the people to find fault with and criticise the First Presidency and the Apostles. He had tried to overcome this feeling and spirit wherever he had met it. He felt that the leader of the people had the right to direct in all things whether spiritual or temporal.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
Abraham H. Cannon ... referred to the promise that President Lorenzo Snow had made some time ago, to the effect that he believed the Lord would help us out of our present financial difficulties just this once more, but that he did not think that we would have any claim on him in the future if we got into financial troubles again. He, Bro Cannon, had felt to claim this promise made by Prest. Snow and he had faith that we would receive it. He expressed the belief that our present financial troubles would be followed by a time of great wealth. He had found with much regret a spirit among the people to find fault with and criticise the First Presidency and the Apostles. He had tried to overcome this feeling and spirit wherever he had met it. He felt that the leader of the people had the right to direct in all things whether spiritual or temporal.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
135 years ago today - Oct 2, 1889
[First Presidency Office Journal]
By request of President Woodruff an article published in the Salt Lake Tribune on the Hans Jespersen case was read, after which President Woodruff said:
I have felt in this matter that as the Nation has proclaimed against us and prohibited us from keeping the commandments of God, to hold the Nation responsible for it. If these things are continued by us it will not be long before the leading brethren will all be in the penitentiary or in exile, and it will become very hard upon us as a people.
Elder L[orenzo]. Snow: If this is the feeling of the brethren will it not be proper to make it publicly known?
President Joseph F. Smith referred to the action taken by this Council last winter when this subject was fully discussed and considered and the brethren felt that they could not accept the proposition as presented at that time.
President George Q. Cannon, L[orenzo]. Snow and others of the brethren expressed their views in brief.
President Cannon was not in favor of plural marriages being performed in this Territory, but they might be attended to in Mexico or Canada, and thus save our brethren from jeopardy in attending to these matters. This, however, will not stop the prosecutions against us.
Elder John W. Taylor: This is something that I never expected to hear discussed in this light. I have understood it was policy for the brethren to take wives outside of the United States. You could not publish that you will not give your consent that plural marriages shall be consummated and at the same time have the marriages consummated in Canada or Mexico. I think it will be best policy to let the matter rest without saying anything about it, because if plural marriages are solemnized it will soon be known and we will be considered insincere. If we publish anything on this matter it will be impossible for us or the Elders to fully explain to the Saints, and much confusion will ensue. Related a circumstance which he had read in a small book belonging to his father and which was written by 513 him.
Elder F[rancis]. M. Lyman: The question as Iunderstand it, is the proprietyof performing any plural marriages, and not that of those who have wives abandoning them. To publish or speak of stopping those marriages I think will have a very bad effect and will not gain for us any better feelings from the outside. I think the course pursued by President Woodruff is a correct one, and it probably may be carried out more effectually. Of course we cannot repudiate this principle under any circumstances. What is done now in these affairs is done individually, each one takes that course which seems to him to be the best to pursue. I believe that President Woodruff will have the mind of the Lord in each case as it shall come before him. Of course he feels the responsibility resting upon him more than we can feel it, but I believe the Lord is with him. I feel that the Lord will define a policy in regard to these matters and President Woodruff will know it, and when he makes it known
to us we will all be ready to carry out the mind of the Lord as made known through His servant. I don't think we can publish anything on these matters. We now have the confidence of the people and we must maintain that confidence and the love of the Saints. I am not in favor of trading our principles for Statehood or anything else. ...
Yesterday sister Alice Hook mother of Geo[rge]. Teasdals's wife asks that her children and herself may be sealed to her husband who embraced the faith asked Baptism but was refused being an invalid some 4 years as deemed impudent The Presidency say Yes'-
1st Presidency'-L[orenzo] S[now], F[ranklin] D R[ichards], B[righam]. Y[oung]. [Jr.], F[rancis] M L[yman], J[ohn] H[enry] S[mith], H[eber] J. G[rant], & J[ohn]. W. T[aylor].'-met in upper room Gardo & spent a.m. deliberating over Jesperson's cases of Polygamy Adultery & Fornication cases as pub[lishe]d in this a.m. Tribune. & adopted suitable measures. ...
2 P.M. The above named met and considered names to fill vacancies in the Council of Apostles. Presidency recommended M[arriner]. W[ood]. Merrill Antone [H.] Lund & A[braham]. H. Cannon but as M[oses]. T[hatcher]. is absent the vote was not taken, though all present approved the nomination. Met with the Council clothed and prayed Handed to pres[iden]t. [Wilford] Woodruff names of brethren whom I though elijable to fill vacancy in Quorum Twelve viz. Antoine [H.] Lund Sanpete [Utah] A[braham]. H. Cannon, [Salt Lake] CityHeleman Pratt Mexico [City], R[ichard]. W. Young [Salt Lake] City.
[First Presidency Office Journal, 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]
By request of President Woodruff an article published in the Salt Lake Tribune on the Hans Jespersen case was read, after which President Woodruff said:
I have felt in this matter that as the Nation has proclaimed against us and prohibited us from keeping the commandments of God, to hold the Nation responsible for it. If these things are continued by us it will not be long before the leading brethren will all be in the penitentiary or in exile, and it will become very hard upon us as a people.
Elder L[orenzo]. Snow: If this is the feeling of the brethren will it not be proper to make it publicly known?
President Joseph F. Smith referred to the action taken by this Council last winter when this subject was fully discussed and considered and the brethren felt that they could not accept the proposition as presented at that time.
President George Q. Cannon, L[orenzo]. Snow and others of the brethren expressed their views in brief.
President Cannon was not in favor of plural marriages being performed in this Territory, but they might be attended to in Mexico or Canada, and thus save our brethren from jeopardy in attending to these matters. This, however, will not stop the prosecutions against us.
Elder John W. Taylor: This is something that I never expected to hear discussed in this light. I have understood it was policy for the brethren to take wives outside of the United States. You could not publish that you will not give your consent that plural marriages shall be consummated and at the same time have the marriages consummated in Canada or Mexico. I think it will be best policy to let the matter rest without saying anything about it, because if plural marriages are solemnized it will soon be known and we will be considered insincere. If we publish anything on this matter it will be impossible for us or the Elders to fully explain to the Saints, and much confusion will ensue. Related a circumstance which he had read in a small book belonging to his father and which was written by 513 him.
Elder F[rancis]. M. Lyman: The question as Iunderstand it, is the proprietyof performing any plural marriages, and not that of those who have wives abandoning them. To publish or speak of stopping those marriages I think will have a very bad effect and will not gain for us any better feelings from the outside. I think the course pursued by President Woodruff is a correct one, and it probably may be carried out more effectually. Of course we cannot repudiate this principle under any circumstances. What is done now in these affairs is done individually, each one takes that course which seems to him to be the best to pursue. I believe that President Woodruff will have the mind of the Lord in each case as it shall come before him. Of course he feels the responsibility resting upon him more than we can feel it, but I believe the Lord is with him. I feel that the Lord will define a policy in regard to these matters and President Woodruff will know it, and when he makes it known
to us we will all be ready to carry out the mind of the Lord as made known through His servant. I don't think we can publish anything on these matters. We now have the confidence of the people and we must maintain that confidence and the love of the Saints. I am not in favor of trading our principles for Statehood or anything else. ...
Yesterday sister Alice Hook mother of Geo[rge]. Teasdals's wife asks that her children and herself may be sealed to her husband who embraced the faith asked Baptism but was refused being an invalid some 4 years as deemed impudent The Presidency say Yes'-
1st Presidency'-L[orenzo] S[now], F[ranklin] D R[ichards], B[righam]. Y[oung]. [Jr.], F[rancis] M L[yman], J[ohn] H[enry] S[mith], H[eber] J. G[rant], & J[ohn]. W. T[aylor].'-met in upper room Gardo & spent a.m. deliberating over Jesperson's cases of Polygamy Adultery & Fornication cases as pub[lishe]d in this a.m. Tribune. & adopted suitable measures. ...
2 P.M. The above named met and considered names to fill vacancies in the Council of Apostles. Presidency recommended M[arriner]. W[ood]. Merrill Antone [H.] Lund & A[braham]. H. Cannon but as M[oses]. T[hatcher]. is absent the vote was not taken, though all present approved the nomination. Met with the Council clothed and prayed Handed to pres[iden]t. [Wilford] Woodruff names of brethren whom I though elijable to fill vacancy in Quorum Twelve viz. Antoine [H.] Lund Sanpete [Utah] A[braham]. H. Cannon, [Salt Lake] CityHeleman Pratt Mexico [City], R[ichard]. W. Young [Salt Lake] City.
[First Presidency Office Journal, 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]
15 years ago today - Fall 2009
"At Bonneville Communications, our ability to touch the hearts and minds of audiences makes us an essential resource for organizations with vital messages. For more than 30 years, our creative professionals have designed public service and direct response messages for national nonprofit organizations such as the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Boy Scouts of America, National Hospice Foundation, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and The Salvation Army. Our unique strength is the ability to touch the hearts and minds of our audiences, evoking first feeling, then thought and, finally, action. We call this uniquely powerful brand of creative "HeartSell"® - strategic emotional advertising that stimulates response. ... We are an advertising agency engaged in communications for quality life. Our people are driven by the belief that advertising can - and should - be a powerful, positive influence on the values and lives of people."
[Statement from Bonneville Communications']
[Statement from Bonneville Communications']
30 years ago today - Oct 01, 1994
Patricia Peterson Pinegar is called as the ninth general president of the Primary, with Anne G. Wirthlin and Susan L. Warner as counselors.
35 years ago today - Oct 1, 1989
Eight men are honorably released from the recently established Second Quorum of the Seventy, cease to be general authorities, but do not have the "emeritus" status of those released from the First Quorum of the Seventy. This administrative difference continues to today.
[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 )]]
50 years ago today - Oct 1, 1974-Tuesday
[Leonard Arrington]
.... In the discussion afterwards Wendell Ashton mentioned two or three things that were very interesting. The single most ticklish problem for the Church in terms of public communications, he said, is the problem of the Negro and the priesthood. He said it is his impression that we are getting tighter on the issue rather than more lenient. President [Harold B.] Lee in his statement on the issue had included the sentence, "We have always believed that at some time the Negro will be given the priesthood." He said President [Spencer W.] Kimball's suggestion and those of his associates is that this be modified to read, "Some day the Negro may be given the priesthood." He [Wendell Ashton] said President Lee, in giving him his call, which President Lee emphasized was a Church service call, said the advantage of having him was that he could make statements which could later be repudiated if necessary by the First Presidency. On the Negro issue they have insisted that he, Wendell Ashton,
make the statement. President Kimball has followed that same policy.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
.... In the discussion afterwards Wendell Ashton mentioned two or three things that were very interesting. The single most ticklish problem for the Church in terms of public communications, he said, is the problem of the Negro and the priesthood. He said it is his impression that we are getting tighter on the issue rather than more lenient. President [Harold B.] Lee in his statement on the issue had included the sentence, "We have always believed that at some time the Negro will be given the priesthood." He said President [Spencer W.] Kimball's suggestion and those of his associates is that this be modified to read, "Some day the Negro may be given the priesthood." He [Wendell Ashton] said President Lee, in giving him his call, which President Lee emphasized was a Church service call, said the advantage of having him was that he could make statements which could later be repudiated if necessary by the First Presidency. On the Negro issue they have insisted that he, Wendell Ashton,
make the statement. President Kimball has followed that same policy.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
85 years ago today - Oct 1, 1939
[President Heber J. Grant]
She is living with her daughter, Bessie Badger Higgs. Bessie's husband married her contrary to the Manifesto, notwithstanding I had warned him time and time again when he was the Secretary of the European Mission, that it is all wrong to take another wife since the Manifesto, especially since John W. Taylor and Matthias Cowley had been deposed as apostles. I gave her husband my word that if the day ever came that a man could legitimately get another wife with the approval of the Church, I would tell him so. His brother-in-law, Ralph Badger, gave him a 'thrashing.'
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
She is living with her daughter, Bessie Badger Higgs. Bessie's husband married her contrary to the Manifesto, notwithstanding I had warned him time and time again when he was the Secretary of the European Mission, that it is all wrong to take another wife since the Manifesto, especially since John W. Taylor and Matthias Cowley had been deposed as apostles. I gave her husband my word that if the day ever came that a man could legitimately get another wife with the approval of the Church, I would tell him so. His brother-in-law, Ralph Badger, gave him a 'thrashing.'
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
110 years ago today - Oct 1, 1914; Thursday
[James E. Talmage]
Attended Council meeting of the First Presidency and Twelve in the Temple. This was Fast Day among us, and the meeting included the partaking of the Sacrament. The day is one we shall not soon forget.
[James E. Talmage, Diary]
Attended Council meeting of the First Presidency and Twelve in the Temple. This was Fast Day among us, and the meeting included the partaking of the Sacrament. The day is one we shall not soon forget.
[James E. Talmage, Diary]
110 years ago today - Oct 1, 1914; Thursday
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
.... Bro[ther]. Talmage had no appointment. Was engaged the greater part of Sunday writing on his work, "Jesus the Christ." ...
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
.... Bro[ther]. Talmage had no appointment. Was engaged the greater part of Sunday writing on his work, "Jesus the Christ." ...
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
170 years ago today - Oct 1, 1854 (Evening)
[Brigham Young Sermon]
Orson Pratt had a discussion with President Young, who explains about Adam begetting Christ after he had received his exaltation & that all have got to become Adams upon some Earth or other.
... Christ is our Elder Brother, and God is the father of our spirits, as well as of the spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ; He is the God of the Savior, and He is our God, He is his Father and He is our Father, and we are brethren and are all one in Christ, if we are His servants; and we shall be exalted to the same power, glory, and exaltation with our Elder Brother. ...
[Historians Office Journal, 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.) 12-55-7, 10; Brigham Young Collection, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah 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]
Orson Pratt had a discussion with President Young, who explains about Adam begetting Christ after he had received his exaltation & that all have got to become Adams upon some Earth or other.
... Christ is our Elder Brother, and God is the father of our spirits, as well as of the spirit of our Lord Jesus Christ; He is the God of the Savior, and He is our God, He is his Father and He is our Father, and we are brethren and are all one in Christ, if we are His servants; and we shall be exalted to the same power, glory, and exaltation with our Elder Brother. ...
[Historians Office Journal, 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.) 12-55-7, 10; Brigham Young Collection, Archives, Church History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah 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 1, 1844
AN EPISTLE OF THE TWELVE 'To the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints-Greeting: Dear Brethren:...The Temple, as a great and glorious public work, immediately connected with the completion of our preparation, and ordinances, touching our salvation and exaltation, and that of our dead, necessarily claims our first, and most strict attention. And we rejoice to say for the encouragement of all, that its walls are now ready to receive the capitals, and the arches of the upper story windows; and in fact, seven of the capitals are already reared. The timbers are also being framed, and reared on the inside. In short it is progressing with a rapidity which is truly astonishing.
The gathering, next claims our attention as a work of salvation, to be accomplished in wisdom and prudence. Your Prophets and Apostles, have often told you, that the saints cannot gather together in large numbers, and be able to enjoy the comforts and necessaries of life...
If the saints will commence and follow out this plan, and lay out their cash for the raw material, and employ their friends and themselves at home, instead of sending away all our cash for manufactured goods, we can soon produce millions of wealth, and the poor will have no cause of complaint...
Let the saints now send in their young men who are strong to labor, together with money, provisions, clothing, tools, teams, and every necessary means, such as they know they will want when they arrive, for the purpose of forwarding this work.
Brethren, bring all your tithings into the storehouse and prove the Lord, and see if he will not pour out a blessing, that there will not be room enough to receive.
Yes, brethren, we verily know and bear testimony, that a cloud of blessing and of endowment, and of the keys of the fulness of the priesthood, and of things pertaining to eternal life, is hanging over us, and ready to burst upon us; ...
we wish to suppress all grogshops, gambling houses, and all other disorderly houses or proceedings in our city, and to tolerate no intemperance or vice in our midst. And so far at least as the members of the church are concerned, we would advise that balls, dances, and other vain and useless amusements be neither countenanced nor patronized;...
But it is not now a time for dancing or frolics but a time of mourning, and of humiliation and prayer.
... [Signed] BRIGHAM YOUNG. President.'
[1844-October 1-DHC 7:280-283; Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
The gathering, next claims our attention as a work of salvation, to be accomplished in wisdom and prudence. Your Prophets and Apostles, have often told you, that the saints cannot gather together in large numbers, and be able to enjoy the comforts and necessaries of life...
If the saints will commence and follow out this plan, and lay out their cash for the raw material, and employ their friends and themselves at home, instead of sending away all our cash for manufactured goods, we can soon produce millions of wealth, and the poor will have no cause of complaint...
Let the saints now send in their young men who are strong to labor, together with money, provisions, clothing, tools, teams, and every necessary means, such as they know they will want when they arrive, for the purpose of forwarding this work.
Brethren, bring all your tithings into the storehouse and prove the Lord, and see if he will not pour out a blessing, that there will not be room enough to receive.
Yes, brethren, we verily know and bear testimony, that a cloud of blessing and of endowment, and of the keys of the fulness of the priesthood, and of things pertaining to eternal life, is hanging over us, and ready to burst upon us; ...
we wish to suppress all grogshops, gambling houses, and all other disorderly houses or proceedings in our city, and to tolerate no intemperance or vice in our midst. And so far at least as the members of the church are concerned, we would advise that balls, dances, and other vain and useless amusements be neither countenanced nor patronized;...
But it is not now a time for dancing or frolics but a time of mourning, and of humiliation and prayer.
... [Signed] BRIGHAM YOUNG. President.'
[1844-October 1-DHC 7:280-283; Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
190 years ago today - Oct. 1-15, 1834
Joseph works on the Lord's house. He decides to stop printing the Evening and Morning Star, as it was intended as a Missouri paper, and in its place, the Latter-day Saint Messenger and Advocate will be published. In the first issue, Oliver Cowdery makes a list of seven Latter-day Saint articles of faith. This magazine will be published until September 1837.
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
[Conkling, Christopher J., Joseph Smith Chronology]
35 years ago today - Sep 30, 1989
The first General Authorities called to serve for five years are released.
35 years ago today - Sep 30, 1989
Elder Paul H. Dunn, age 65, of the Presidency of the First Quorum of Seventy is given emeritus status "in consideration of factors of age and health." He continues, however, to participate in money-making ventures including tours of major-league baseball parks throughout the United States. [Dunn had been exaggerating stories about himself in talks.]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
115 years ago today - Sep 30, 1909; Thursday
[Evolution]
Committee meeting for further consideration of the article on "The Origin of Man". Meeting was held at my office.
[James E. Talmage, Diary]
Committee meeting for further consideration of the article on "The Origin of Man". Meeting was held at my office.
[James E. Talmage, Diary]
125 years ago today - Sep 30, 1899
Reports that Apostle Franklin D. Richards "is losing his mind, [which] has been known for some time to his own family." First reported instance of mental instability in current general authority. He dies two months after this report.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
125 years ago today - Sep 30, 1899
There are reports that Apostle Franklin D. Richards "is losing his mind, [which] has been known for some time to his own family." First reported instance of mental instability in a current general authority. He dies two months after this report.
[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 )]]
180 years ago today - Sept 30. [1844]
[Brigham Young]
.... held a council along with my brethren the Twelve the conclusion of which was, that we were to use our influence to prevent the brethren & Sisters from attending the Ball which was in contemplation to be held at President Marks in the dining room of the mansion house on Wednesday evening.
[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']
.... held a council along with my brethren the Twelve the conclusion of which was, that we were to use our influence to prevent the brethren & Sisters from attending the Ball which was in contemplation to be held at President Marks in the dining room of the mansion house on Wednesday evening.
[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']
195 years ago today - Sep 30, 1829
In Abner Cole's Palmyra Reflector, he accuses the editor of the anti-Masonic Palmyra Freeman of plagiarizing the Book of Mormon by using the phrase "Beware of SECRET ASSOCIATIONS". Cole notes that "The 'Gold Bible' is fast gaining credit; the rapid spread of Islamism was no touch to it!"
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
45 years ago today - Sep 29, 1979
A new 2,400-page edition of the King James version of the Bible, with many special features, including a topical guide, a Bible dictionary, and a revolutionary footnote system, was published by the Church.
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
[Church News: Historical Chronology of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, http://www.ldschurchnewsarchive.com/articles/58765/Historical-chronology-of-The-Church-of-Jesus-Christ-of-Latter-day-Saints.html]
90 years ago today - Sep 29, 1934
[Joseph Fielding Smith to Sterling B. Talmage]
While scientists are not atheists and are lead to believe in some kind of a God, yet the tendency of the times is to destroy the Son of God and the plan of redemption. Hence we see the pulpits of many so-called Christian Churches filled with men who refuse to accept Christ as the Only Begotten Son of God and the Redeemer of the world. They deny his resurrection and hence the resurrection of any other creature. These are the things I content against.
[Joseph Fielding Smith, Letter to Sterling B. Talmage, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
While scientists are not atheists and are lead to believe in some kind of a God, yet the tendency of the times is to destroy the Son of God and the plan of redemption. Hence we see the pulpits of many so-called Christian Churches filled with men who refuse to accept Christ as the Only Begotten Son of God and the Redeemer of the world. They deny his resurrection and hence the resurrection of any other creature. These are the things I content against.
[Joseph Fielding Smith, Letter to Sterling B. Talmage, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
110 years ago today - Sep 29, 1914
Quorum of Twelve learns that mission president has "discovered that 15% of the [missionary] Elders in the Netherlands during the past two years, have been guilty of immoral practices, and that a much greater percentage of Elders have been exposed to these evils."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
110 years ago today - Sep 29, 1914
The Quorum of the Twelve learns that a mission president has "discovered that 15% of the [missionary] Elders in the Netherlands during the past two years, have been guilty of immoral practices, and that a much greater percentage of Elders has been exposed to these evils."
[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 )]]
110 years ago today - Sep 29, 1914; Tuesday
We took action in the case of Geo[rge]. W. Tolley of Gridley Cal[ifornia]. who took a plural wife within the past three years, Patriarch John Woolley performing the marriage according to his own confession. He was disfellowshipped.
[George F. Richards, Diary]
[George F. Richards, Diary]
115 years ago today - Sep 29, 1909
Attended a reunion in 19th ward in honor of the widow of W. W. Phelps, a veteran of Missouri persecution times. She spoke in tongues, interpreted by a daughter of Orson Hyde, Sis M. White.
[An Uncommon Common Pioneer: The Journals of James Henry Martineau 1828-1918, edited by Donald G. Godfrey XXX Rebecca S. Martineau-McCarty]
[An Uncommon Common Pioneer: The Journals of James Henry Martineau 1828-1918, edited by Donald G. Godfrey XXX Rebecca S. Martineau-McCarty]
120 years ago today - Sep 29, 1904; Thursday
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
A meeting of the First Presidency and Apostles was held this morning in the temple as usual.
An informal talk was had upon the subject of the sealing of couples in Arizona and Mexico outside of the temple. President [Joseph F.] Smith remarked that if we allow the idea to prevail that these marriages outside the temple are just as good as those performed in the temple, it would not be very long before our young people of these far-away places would be loath to come to the temple at all, in consequence of the great expense attending the journey, and this would be a blow to the sanctity of temple ordinances. The President then said he would not be averse to Apostles marrying unmarried people, where it may be inconvenient for them to come to a temple; but, he said, it must be distinctly understood that all such marriages are for time only, performed under the laws of the land and known among us as legal marriages, and the contracting parties should so understand it. They should be told that all such marriages have nothing whatever to do with sealing for eternity, and
that they must therefore look forward to the time when they must come to the temple and be properly sealed, and have their children sealed to them.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
A meeting of the First Presidency and Apostles was held this morning in the temple as usual.
An informal talk was had upon the subject of the sealing of couples in Arizona and Mexico outside of the temple. President [Joseph F.] Smith remarked that if we allow the idea to prevail that these marriages outside the temple are just as good as those performed in the temple, it would not be very long before our young people of these far-away places would be loath to come to the temple at all, in consequence of the great expense attending the journey, and this would be a blow to the sanctity of temple ordinances. The President then said he would not be averse to Apostles marrying unmarried people, where it may be inconvenient for them to come to a temple; but, he said, it must be distinctly understood that all such marriages are for time only, performed under the laws of the land and known among us as legal marriages, and the contracting parties should so understand it. They should be told that all such marriages have nothing whatever to do with sealing for eternity, and
that they must therefore look forward to the time when they must come to the temple and be properly sealed, and have their children sealed to them.
[First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve minutes]
135 years ago today - Sep 29, 1889
[President Wilford Woodruff]
Brigham Henry Roberts spoke one hour upon his imprisionment & 800 others and the Principle upon which they were imprisioned.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Brigham Henry Roberts spoke one hour upon his imprisionment & 800 others and the Principle upon which they were imprisioned.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
140 years ago today - Sep 29, 1884
[Apostle Heber J. Grant]
[After arriving in Salt Lake City] I had no faith when Bro Young and I left Salt Lake for Orderville that anything could be accomplished in uniting the people of that place and getting them to continue to labor in the United Order. I felt in my heart as though the First Presidency were asking us to do something which was almost an impossibility. I have been thankful that our labors were successful. I don't know but what I should say we accomplished our mission without any labor. My heart is full of gratitude to think our Heavenly Father prepared the saints to continue to work unitedly without any counsel on our part.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[After arriving in Salt Lake City] I had no faith when Bro Young and I left Salt Lake for Orderville that anything could be accomplished in uniting the people of that place and getting them to continue to labor in the United Order. I felt in my heart as though the First Presidency were asking us to do something which was almost an impossibility. I have been thankful that our labors were successful. I don't know but what I should say we accomplished our mission without any labor. My heart is full of gratitude to think our Heavenly Father prepared the saints to continue to work unitedly without any counsel on our part.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
145 years ago today - Sep 29, 1879
I will give what I can from my own knowledge and memory and from what I heard at the time. When Emma Hale eloped with Joseph Smith, the Hale family was greatly exasperated, and perhaps it would not have been safe for Smith to have shown himself at his father-in-law's house. Emma was, or had been, the idol, or favorite, of the family, and they all still felt a strong attachment for her. Permission to return and reconciliation were effected and accomplished by her and perhaps her sister, Mrs. Wasson, who lived near Bainbridge, New York. The persuasions for Smith to return all came from the other side, not from Mr. Isaac Hale or his family in Harmony, Pa. The statement of Mr. Hale, made under oath before Esquire Dimon, was strictly true. * *
Reuben Hale is but little older than myself, was living with his father at the time of Smith's money-digging, and wrote for Smith when he first began to translate, before [Martin] Harris came to Harmony. It is true that Alva Hale went with his team to Palmyra, N.Y., one hundred miles or more, and moved Smith and wife to Harmony. It was stated by Alva Hale, at the time, that the "Gold Bible" was in a barrel of beans in his wagon, and that he (Hale) slept in his wagon to guard that barrel of beans and its treasure. I remember hearing my older brother Joseph tell Alva that if he, Joseph Lewis [Emma's cousin], had been in your place (Alva Hale's) he would have known whether that barrel of beans contained any golden Bible or not, perfectly regardless of Smith's statement that it would be certain death for any one to see the plates. The Hales seemed, for a time, to be kept in awe by Smith's statements, but that awe did not last long. Alva Hale is over eighty and his
memory has failed much in a few years past. Some things he remembers distinctly, and some things I have been able to help him to recall; for example, I asked him if he remembered the letter he wrote to Smith and Emma when they eloped. He said no, and had no recollection of writing a letter to them. When told the contents of the letter, which was as follows--"My Creed! I believe in love-powder, in gun-powder and hell fire," he replied, I recollect it as plain as if but yesterday. I asked Alva, on one of our late visits, if he remembered weighing the gold Bible; but he did not. My brother Joseph tried to refresh his memory, but in vain. Joseph remembers hearing it stated by Alva that he (Hale) was permitted to weigh the gold Bible in a pillow case, and, according to our memory, it weighed thirteen pounds! There were many persons in Harmony who had from Joe Smith positive promise that they should see the plates and the spectacles, but all say that they never saw them. Alva Hale
says he never saw them. I presume he saw that old glass-box that Isaac Hale spoke of, said to contain the plates. Smith's excuse for using his spectacles and hat to translate with, instead of those spectacles, was that he must keep the spectacles concealed; but any and all persons were permitted to inspect the peep-stone; and that he could translate just as well with the stone.
My sister Mrs. E[lizabeth]. L. McKune, says: "I worked in the families of Joseph Smith and uncle Isaac Hale for about nine months, during which time Mrs. Emma Smith had a child which was still-born and much deformed. The dwellings of Mr. Hale and Joseph Smith, jr., were near each other. I saw Smith translating his book by the aid of the stone and hat. Reuben Hale, acted as scribe, writing down the words from Joseph Smith's mouth, but after a short time Martin Harris did the writing. I heard Smith tell his wife Emma that he was nearly equal to Jesus Christ, and was as good to her as her Savior. The time when Smith told the story of the bleeding ghost was after the close of the money-digging, after Smith was married and had moved back to Harmony, and had commenced the translation of his book, I think, either before or about the time that Mrs. Harris had abstracted the 130 pages of their manuscript. The date I cannot precisely recall. I have a distinct recollection
about that bleeding ghost." Your idea that the first start of the book was a money speculation, not a new church, is perfectly correct. Your general idea of Smith's plates is also correct. He had something which he would permit a select few to handle, as they were done up in a cloth, or in a box, but doubtless the plates were something prepared for the occasion. Among the first of Smith's scribes was one Martin Harris who operated in our immediate neighborhood. His residence was then, I, think, in Palmyra, N.Y. He was a man of some property, and his wife was very strongly opposed to his spending his time and money in Smith's speculation, and once, while Harris was writing for Smith, she came to Harmony township and got hold of some of the manuscript they were making and carried it off, or destroyed it, and caused them considerable trouble. I am able to get near the exact date of Smith's joining the Methodist Episcopal Church. My sister, Elizabeth L. McKune, says she was
working in the family of Michael B. Morse the latter part of the winter and spring, and soon after that Joseph Smith, Jr., joined the Church, and while she was working for Mr. Morse he made her a chest and when he painted it put the date, 1828, in red paint on the inside of the chest. She has said chest and date now in her possession. Also my brother Joseph Lewis, from circumstances and business transactions, is able to fix the date to be Harmony, Susquehanna county, Pa., June--1828. The day of the month I am not able to ascertain. We have another witness to Smith's joining the Church, in Elder Cadwell's reply to my statement in the Amboy Journal. Yours Truly, HIEL LEWIS.
[Hiel Lewis (cousin to Emma Smith) to [James T. Cobb?], 29 September 1879, Salt Lake City Daily Tribune 18 (17 October 1879): 2., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Hiel Lewis To [James T. Cobb?]]
Reuben Hale is but little older than myself, was living with his father at the time of Smith's money-digging, and wrote for Smith when he first began to translate, before [Martin] Harris came to Harmony. It is true that Alva Hale went with his team to Palmyra, N.Y., one hundred miles or more, and moved Smith and wife to Harmony. It was stated by Alva Hale, at the time, that the "Gold Bible" was in a barrel of beans in his wagon, and that he (Hale) slept in his wagon to guard that barrel of beans and its treasure. I remember hearing my older brother Joseph tell Alva that if he, Joseph Lewis [Emma's cousin], had been in your place (Alva Hale's) he would have known whether that barrel of beans contained any golden Bible or not, perfectly regardless of Smith's statement that it would be certain death for any one to see the plates. The Hales seemed, for a time, to be kept in awe by Smith's statements, but that awe did not last long. Alva Hale is over eighty and his
memory has failed much in a few years past. Some things he remembers distinctly, and some things I have been able to help him to recall; for example, I asked him if he remembered the letter he wrote to Smith and Emma when they eloped. He said no, and had no recollection of writing a letter to them. When told the contents of the letter, which was as follows--"My Creed! I believe in love-powder, in gun-powder and hell fire," he replied, I recollect it as plain as if but yesterday. I asked Alva, on one of our late visits, if he remembered weighing the gold Bible; but he did not. My brother Joseph tried to refresh his memory, but in vain. Joseph remembers hearing it stated by Alva that he (Hale) was permitted to weigh the gold Bible in a pillow case, and, according to our memory, it weighed thirteen pounds! There were many persons in Harmony who had from Joe Smith positive promise that they should see the plates and the spectacles, but all say that they never saw them. Alva Hale
says he never saw them. I presume he saw that old glass-box that Isaac Hale spoke of, said to contain the plates. Smith's excuse for using his spectacles and hat to translate with, instead of those spectacles, was that he must keep the spectacles concealed; but any and all persons were permitted to inspect the peep-stone; and that he could translate just as well with the stone.
My sister Mrs. E[lizabeth]. L. McKune, says: "I worked in the families of Joseph Smith and uncle Isaac Hale for about nine months, during which time Mrs. Emma Smith had a child which was still-born and much deformed. The dwellings of Mr. Hale and Joseph Smith, jr., were near each other. I saw Smith translating his book by the aid of the stone and hat. Reuben Hale, acted as scribe, writing down the words from Joseph Smith's mouth, but after a short time Martin Harris did the writing. I heard Smith tell his wife Emma that he was nearly equal to Jesus Christ, and was as good to her as her Savior. The time when Smith told the story of the bleeding ghost was after the close of the money-digging, after Smith was married and had moved back to Harmony, and had commenced the translation of his book, I think, either before or about the time that Mrs. Harris had abstracted the 130 pages of their manuscript. The date I cannot precisely recall. I have a distinct recollection
about that bleeding ghost." Your idea that the first start of the book was a money speculation, not a new church, is perfectly correct. Your general idea of Smith's plates is also correct. He had something which he would permit a select few to handle, as they were done up in a cloth, or in a box, but doubtless the plates were something prepared for the occasion. Among the first of Smith's scribes was one Martin Harris who operated in our immediate neighborhood. His residence was then, I, think, in Palmyra, N.Y. He was a man of some property, and his wife was very strongly opposed to his spending his time and money in Smith's speculation, and once, while Harris was writing for Smith, she came to Harmony township and got hold of some of the manuscript they were making and carried it off, or destroyed it, and caused them considerable trouble. I am able to get near the exact date of Smith's joining the Methodist Episcopal Church. My sister, Elizabeth L. McKune, says she was
working in the family of Michael B. Morse the latter part of the winter and spring, and soon after that Joseph Smith, Jr., joined the Church, and while she was working for Mr. Morse he made her a chest and when he painted it put the date, 1828, in red paint on the inside of the chest. She has said chest and date now in her possession. Also my brother Joseph Lewis, from circumstances and business transactions, is able to fix the date to be Harmony, Susquehanna county, Pa., June--1828. The day of the month I am not able to ascertain. We have another witness to Smith's joining the Church, in Elder Cadwell's reply to my statement in the Amboy Journal. Yours Truly, HIEL LEWIS.
[Hiel Lewis (cousin to Emma Smith) to [James T. Cobb?], 29 September 1879, Salt Lake City Daily Tribune 18 (17 October 1879): 2., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Hiel Lewis To [James T. Cobb?]]
180 years ago today - 1844 29 Sep.
Young vacates the First Quorum of the Seventy by ordaining its 63 members as presidents of local quorums. This removes a quorum specified in the 1835 revelation as "equal in authority" with the Twelve.
[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]
180 years ago today - Sep 29, 1844
Brigham Young in a Sunday service sermon endorsed the Sisters' penny subscription fund for procuring glass and nails for the Temple.
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
[Brown, Lisle (compiler), Chronology of the Construction, Destruction and Reconstruction of the Nauvoo Temple]
185 years ago today - Sep 29, 1839
[Joseph Smith Sermon]
....Explained concerning the coming of the Son of Man &c that all will be raised to meet him, but the righteous will remain with him in the cloud whilst all the proud and all that do wickedly will have to return to the earth and suffer his vengeance which he will take upon them this is the second death &c &c
... Yet many of the righteous shall fall a prey to disease to pestilence &c by reason of the weakness of the flesh and yet be saved in the Kingdom of God So that it is an unhallowed principle to say that such and such have transgressed because they have been preyed upon by disease or death for all flesh is subject to death and the Saviour has said--"Judge not" lest ye be judged."
[Joseph Smith Diary, by James Mulholland as quoted in The Words of Joseph Smith by Joseph Smith by Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook]
....Explained concerning the coming of the Son of Man &c that all will be raised to meet him, but the righteous will remain with him in the cloud whilst all the proud and all that do wickedly will have to return to the earth and suffer his vengeance which he will take upon them this is the second death &c &c
... Yet many of the righteous shall fall a prey to disease to pestilence &c by reason of the weakness of the flesh and yet be saved in the Kingdom of God So that it is an unhallowed principle to say that such and such have transgressed because they have been preyed upon by disease or death for all flesh is subject to death and the Saviour has said--"Judge not" lest ye be judged."
[Joseph Smith Diary, by James Mulholland as quoted in The Words of Joseph Smith by Joseph Smith by Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook]
200 years ago today - Sep 29, 1824
Joseph Smith, Sr. runs an add in the Wayne Sentinel for six weeks, announcing that he had exhumed Alvin's body, and that it was undisturbed. It also runs 6, 13, 20, 27 October and 3 November.
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
85 years ago today - Sep 28, 1939
Membership in the Salt Lake Tabernacle Choir was so important that Bishops and Stake Presidents are asked not to call members to additional Church duties unless such duties will not interfere with Choir duties. ". . . membership in the Tabernacle Choir will take precedence over any other assignment."
[1939-September 28-Original circular letter, L.D.S. in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
[1939-September 28-Original circular letter, L.D.S. in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
110 years ago today - Sep 28, 1914; Monday
[James E. Talmage]
Was called to an important interview at the office of the First Presidency at which Dr. Fred J. Pack, my successor to the Professorship of Geology at the University of Utah, was present. We listened to Dr. Pack's statement of his views concerning the evolution hypothesis.
[James E. Talmage, Diary]
Was called to an important interview at the office of the First Presidency at which Dr. Fred J. Pack, my successor to the Professorship of Geology at the University of Utah, was present. We listened to Dr. Pack's statement of his views concerning the evolution hypothesis.
[James E. Talmage, Diary]
125 years ago today - Thursday, Sep 28, 1899
[Apostle Rudger Clawson]
I made remarks with reference to the object of the meeting, urging the necessity of collecting in the means due Brigham Young Monument Fund. I read a letter from the First Presidency, similar to the one read at Logan. Hoped the brethren would be united in whatever action should be taken.
Elder Jos. W. McMurrin made brief remarks on the same line. Pres. Parkinson spoke briefly, dwelling upon the life and character of Brigham Young and the great blessings that had come down to us through his administration. Explained the status of the fund in the Oneida Stake by saying that the apportionment was $835.00, amount already paid $234.95, amount due $600.05. He then read the apportionment as it was made to the wards and which was again accepted by unanimous vote, and the bishops expressed their intention of getting the means in at once.
[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]
I made remarks with reference to the object of the meeting, urging the necessity of collecting in the means due Brigham Young Monument Fund. I read a letter from the First Presidency, similar to the one read at Logan. Hoped the brethren would be united in whatever action should be taken.
Elder Jos. W. McMurrin made brief remarks on the same line. Pres. Parkinson spoke briefly, dwelling upon the life and character of Brigham Young and the great blessings that had come down to us through his administration. Explained the status of the fund in the Oneida Stake by saying that the apportionment was $835.00, amount already paid $234.95, amount due $600.05. He then read the apportionment as it was made to the wards and which was again accepted by unanimous vote, and the bishops expressed their intention of getting the means in at once.
[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]
155 years ago today - Sep 28, 1869
DESERET NEWS advertises sale of BOOK OF MORMON "In Phonetics." Apostle Orson Pratt reports he translated it into the Deseret Alphabet in "four months of continuous labor."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
155 years ago today - Sep 28, 1869
Deseret News advertises the sale of the Book of Mormon "In Phonetics." Apostle Orson Pratt reports that he translated it into the Deseret Alphabet in "four months of continuous labor."
[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 )]]
180 years ago today - Sep 28, 1844
Brigham Young affirms to William [Smith, Joseph's only surviving brother] that the patriarchal right "rests upon your head" although he suggests "you can bestow it upon Uncle John or Uncle Asael."
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book]
[Anderson, Lavina Fielding, Editor, Lucy's Book: A Critical Edition of Lucy Mack Smith's Family Memoir, 2001, Signature Books, http://bit.ly/lucys-book]
180 years ago today - Sep 28, 1844
[Apostle Amasa Mason Lyman]
Amasa Mason Lyman: Sealed to Eliza Maria Partridge Smith [plural wife of Joseph Smith] for time 28 September 1844. Five children: Don Carlos, Platte Dealton, Carlie Eliza, Joseph Alvin, and Lucy Zina.
[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]
Amasa Mason Lyman: Sealed to Eliza Maria Partridge Smith [plural wife of Joseph Smith] for time 28 September 1844. Five children: Don Carlos, Platte Dealton, Carlie Eliza, Joseph Alvin, and Lucy Zina.
[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]
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