[Leonard Arrington]
Had a minute's chat with T. Edgar Lyon this morning. ... Ed said she was not any very good model of Latter-day Saint womanhood. He said that he knew from close family connections that her first husband, who divorced her, was appalled at her treatment of the first two children, Leah Widtsoe being one of them. She was so anxious to get the children out of the house so she could do something worthwhile, from her standpoint, that she had them outside even at night playing in their nightgowns. He said that after she married Jacob Gates, she was so oblivious to housework that he had to do all the house cleaning, the dishes, cooking, the meals and everything else that a housewife or mother usually does. She went blindly on with her editing, her writing, her interviews and her contacts with important people.
Ed thought that poor Jacob Gates deserves a gold star in Heaven for keeping the family together.
... It will be remembered that Sterling was given that big interview by President McKay in which President McKay made the statement that the failure to give the priesthood was not a doctrine but a practice .... It will be remembered that President McKay came to the rescue of Sterling McMurrin when Sterling was about to be excommunicated from the Church. President McKay saved him. ...
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Today In Mormon History-FB
Several curious tidbits that happened on this day in Mormon History
85 years ago today - Sep 16, 1939
[President Heber J. Grant]
I had a chat with Brother B.S. Hinckley and John A. Widtsoe regarding some matters arranged to be published by the Council of the Twelve, in which it states that the Twelve have the right to nominate the successor to the President of the Church in case of his death. I told them that the Twelve had no such right, and that that would have to be eliminated when the long manuscript of several hundred pages is to be printed. Wilford Woodruff wrote me a letter from St. George to the effect that the day would never come when the President of the Twelve would not succeed to the Presidency of the Church unless he, the President of the Twelve, received a revelation naming somebody else. I asked that that letter be filed among Church papers, handing it to Brother Anthon H. Lund just after the death of President Joseph F. Smith. There was also a statement that Brother Woodruff had announced that the Presidency should be reorganized at once when a President died. If there were ever any such
statement made I never heard of it, but I do know that at the death of Brother Woodruff, at the first meeting of the Twelve after his death, on the suggestion of Francis M. Lyman the Presidency was reorganized at once. President Snow requested each of the brethren to express themselves and they all expressed themselves as desiring that the Presidency be organized immediately, and then Brother Snow told us that when he got the telegram telling of the death of Brother Woodruff he dressed himself in his temple robes and went into the celestial room in the temple (He was sleeping in the temple at the time), offered up the signs of the Preisthood (sic), and prayed to the Lord telling him that as He knew, he, Brother Snow, had often prayed that he might be called home to his final reward, in his advanced years, before Brother Woodruff passed on, and now that this burden had come to him he asked the Lord to direct him what to do; and the Lord told him to organize the First Presidency at
once, and he was wondering how this could be done, seeing there had been several years before John Taylor had succeeded President Young, and several years elapsed after the death of Brother Taylor before Brother Woodruff succeeded him. And it was very gratifying to him to have all of the brethren express the opinion that the Presidency should be organized at once. All of the brethren expressed themselves as having known that Brother Snow was absolutely entitled to be the President of the Church. Today there is no man living, except myself, who was at this meeting, as when the Presidency was organized Brother Lorenzo Snow chose Rudger Clawson as an apostle, and he is now the President of the Twelve.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I had a chat with Brother B.S. Hinckley and John A. Widtsoe regarding some matters arranged to be published by the Council of the Twelve, in which it states that the Twelve have the right to nominate the successor to the President of the Church in case of his death. I told them that the Twelve had no such right, and that that would have to be eliminated when the long manuscript of several hundred pages is to be printed. Wilford Woodruff wrote me a letter from St. George to the effect that the day would never come when the President of the Twelve would not succeed to the Presidency of the Church unless he, the President of the Twelve, received a revelation naming somebody else. I asked that that letter be filed among Church papers, handing it to Brother Anthon H. Lund just after the death of President Joseph F. Smith. There was also a statement that Brother Woodruff had announced that the Presidency should be reorganized at once when a President died. If there were ever any such
statement made I never heard of it, but I do know that at the death of Brother Woodruff, at the first meeting of the Twelve after his death, on the suggestion of Francis M. Lyman the Presidency was reorganized at once. President Snow requested each of the brethren to express themselves and they all expressed themselves as desiring that the Presidency be organized immediately, and then Brother Snow told us that when he got the telegram telling of the death of Brother Woodruff he dressed himself in his temple robes and went into the celestial room in the temple (He was sleeping in the temple at the time), offered up the signs of the Preisthood (sic), and prayed to the Lord telling him that as He knew, he, Brother Snow, had often prayed that he might be called home to his final reward, in his advanced years, before Brother Woodruff passed on, and now that this burden had come to him he asked the Lord to direct him what to do; and the Lord told him to organize the First Presidency at
once, and he was wondering how this could be done, seeing there had been several years before John Taylor had succeeded President Young, and several years elapsed after the death of Brother Taylor before Brother Woodruff succeeded him. And it was very gratifying to him to have all of the brethren express the opinion that the Presidency should be organized at once. All of the brethren expressed themselves as having known that Brother Snow was absolutely entitled to be the President of the Church. Today there is no man living, except myself, who was at this meeting, as when the Presidency was organized Brother Lorenzo Snow chose Rudger Clawson as an apostle, and he is now the President of the Twelve.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
85 years ago today - Sep 16, 1939
[President Heber J. Grant]
.... we went to the Paris store, where there was an exhibition of television. I was one of the speakers, speaking about a couple of minutes.... I intdnded (sic), in my remarks, to make reference to Philo Farnsworth's work for television, but learning from Mr. Dreyfous they were not going to mention any names of the men connected with the invention, I decided not to refer to Mr. Farnsworth. I did, however, refer to Harvey Fletcher in my brief talk, as one of the greatest scientists, so acknowledged, working in the laboratory of the great Bell Telephone System.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
.... we went to the Paris store, where there was an exhibition of television. I was one of the speakers, speaking about a couple of minutes.... I intdnded (sic), in my remarks, to make reference to Philo Farnsworth's work for television, but learning from Mr. Dreyfous they were not going to mention any names of the men connected with the invention, I decided not to refer to Mr. Farnsworth. I did, however, refer to Harvey Fletcher in my brief talk, as one of the greatest scientists, so acknowledged, working in the laboratory of the great Bell Telephone System.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
85 years ago today - Sep 16, 1939
At Salt Lake City's first exhibition of television, Heber J. Grant writes that since "they were not going to mention any names of the men connected with the invention, I decided not to refer to Mr. [Philo] Farnsworth. I did, however, refer to Harvy Fletcher in my brief talk as one of the greatest scientists, so acknowledged, working in the laboratory of the great Bell Telephone System." Farnsworth and Fletcher are the first Mormon inventors to receive national recognition since Jonathan Browning. A member of YM-MIA general board at LDS headquarters, Farnsworth develops television, while Fletcher invents stereophonic sound.
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
[The Mormon Hierarchy - Extensions of Power by D. Michael Quinn, [New Mormon History database ( http://bit.ly/NMHdatabase )]]
125 years ago today - Saturday, Sep 16, 1899
[Apostle John Henry Smith]
Salt Lake City
I returned home and I spent the entire day trying to secure the Pardon of Frank Farr from the Penitentiary.
The Pardoning board took matter under advisement.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
Salt Lake City
I returned home and I spent the entire day trying to secure the Pardon of Frank Farr from the Penitentiary.
The Pardoning board took matter under advisement.
[Jean Bickmore White (editor), Church, State, and Politics: The Diaries of John Henry Smith, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1990, http://bit.ly/johnhenrysmith]
180 years ago today - Sep 16, 1844
At six a.m. Pres. Brigham Young, accompanied by Elder Heber C. Kimball, Gen. Charles C. Rich, Jonathan Dunham and other officers of the [Nauvoo] Legion, went to the ground secured for the arsenal, near the Temple in Nauvoo. They uncovered their heads and lifted their hands to heaven and Pres. Young dedicated the ground, by prayer, to the God of the armies of Israel. He took the spade and broke the ground for the cellar. -- Nauvoo, Illinois
[Journal History of the Church, Selected Collections from the Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints DVD 2 (2002) 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]
[Journal History of the Church, Selected Collections from the Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints DVD 2 (2002) 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]
195 years ago today - Sep 16, 1829
In Abner Cole's Palmyra Reflector, he writes, "The Book of Mormon is expected to be ready for delivery in the course of one year - Great and marvellous things will "come to pass" about those days."
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
[Wikipedia: Chronology of Mormonism, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronology_of_Mormonism]
75 years ago today - Sep 15, 1949
[J. Reuben Clark]
[A carpet for the First Presidency's room, costing $3,800, had been ordered without authorization by the Committee on Expenditures, and purchased through ZCMI. Emily Smith Stewart [daughter of George Albert Smith] asked to look at it for approval, was shown it by the ZCMI man who handled all purchases for the Church on a 1% commission basis. The next day] Mrs. Stewart said her father wanted her to have a part of the commission on the carpet [but it was decided by ZCMI that the full commission, about $36, would go to their representative as usual.]
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
[A carpet for the First Presidency's room, costing $3,800, had been ordered without authorization by the Committee on Expenditures, and purchased through ZCMI. Emily Smith Stewart [daughter of George Albert Smith] asked to look at it for approval, was shown it by the ZCMI man who handled all purchases for the Church on a 1% commission basis. The next day] Mrs. Stewart said her father wanted her to have a part of the commission on the carpet [but it was decided by ZCMI that the full commission, about $36, would go to their representative as usual.]
[The Diaries of J. Reuben Clark, 1933-1961, Abridged, Digital Edition, Salt Lake City, Utah 2015]
90 years ago today - Sep 15, 1934
[President Heber J. Grant]
[At Chicago] I called on a Mr. Roderick Grant at the Associated Press. I was introduced to him by a Chicago Northwestern official. I tried to get him to insert the statement by the Presidency about the book 'Holy Murder' as a press dispatch. I gave him a copy of the document but I doubt that he will put it in.
["Holy Hurder" was a book about Porter Rockwell written by Charles Kelly & Hoffman Birney]
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[At Chicago] I called on a Mr. Roderick Grant at the Associated Press. I was introduced to him by a Chicago Northwestern official. I tried to get him to insert the statement by the Presidency about the book 'Holy Murder' as a press dispatch. I gave him a copy of the document but I doubt that he will put it in.
["Holy Hurder" was a book about Porter Rockwell written by Charles Kelly & Hoffman Birney]
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
130 years ago today - Sep 15, 1894 (Saturday)
The Democratic convention, held in Salt Lake City, nominated Joseph L. Rawlins for Congress.
[Heber J. Grant is called to speak, and endorses Rawlins].
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Heber J. Grant is called to speak, and endorses Rawlins].
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
140 years ago today - Sep 15, 1884
Eliza R. Snow writes in EXPONENT, and LDS women's journal, of women blessing one another through laying on of hands and washing and anointing: "Any and all sisters who honor their holy endowments, not only have the right, but should feel it a duty, whenever called upon to administer to our sisters in these ordinances, which God had graciously committed to His daughters as well as to His sons; and we testify that when administered and received in faith and humility they are accompanied with all mighty power. . . . thousands can testify that God has sanctioned the administration of these ordinances [of healing the sick] by our sisters with the manifestation of His healing influence."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
140 years ago today - Sep 15, 1884 (Monday)
Wm. C.A. Smoot, jun., missionary in Germany, was arrested in Kiel, for baptising a woman. He was held a prisoner until Oct. 7th, when he was acquitted, but nevertheless banished from the city.
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
[Jenson, Andrew, Church Chronology]
160 years ago today - Sep 15, 1864 - Thursday
[George Q. Cannon]
Heard Mrs. Wood in the evening burlesque Opera singing in a farce called Jenny Lind. She did her part excellently.
[The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
Heard Mrs. Wood in the evening burlesque Opera singing in a farce called Jenny Lind. She did her part excellently.
[The Journal of George Q. Cannon, Church Historian's Press, https://churchhistorianspress.org/george-q-cannon]
170 years ago today - Sep 15, 1854
[Hosea Stout]
Friday 15 Sept 1854. To day the 2 indians Longhair & Antelope were executed, according to the sentence of the Court on the first instant.
They were hung some two miles below the Jordain bridge on the other side of the river. There was not a very large company of spectators present from the fact that the place of their execution was kept secret untill the procession started with the two Indians. Col Steptoe & a company of the U. S. Dragoons by request of the Marshal were present.
Nothing of importance took place on the occasion more than is common[.] This is the first execution ever had in the Territory of Utah
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
Friday 15 Sept 1854. To day the 2 indians Longhair & Antelope were executed, according to the sentence of the Court on the first instant.
They were hung some two miles below the Jordain bridge on the other side of the river. There was not a very large company of spectators present from the fact that the place of their execution was kept secret untill the procession started with the two Indians. Col Steptoe & a company of the U. S. Dragoons by request of the Marshal were present.
Nothing of importance took place on the occasion more than is common[.] This is the first execution ever had in the Territory of Utah
[Diaries of Hosea Stout]
195 years ago today - Sep 15, 1829
Prophet George Rapp of the Rappites or New Harmonists, predicts (14 miles south of Harmony, PA) that the three and one half years of the Sun Woman would end and Christ would begin his reign on earth.
[Brooke, John L. The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1994. p.282]
[Brooke, John L. The Refiner's Fire: The Making of Mormon Cosmology, 1644-1844. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1994. p.282]
200 years ago today - Sep 15, 1824
WAYNE SENTINAL (Palmyra, N.Y.) reports "A reformation is going on in this town to a great extent. The love of God has been shed abroad in the hearts of many, and the outpouring of the Spirit seems to have taken a strong hold. About twenty-five have recently obtained a hope in the Lord, and joined the Methodist Church, and many more are desirous of becoming members."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
80 years ago today - Sep 13, 1944
A Family Home Evening Committee, formed under the direction of the General Board of the Relief Society, reported to the First Presidency that a "Family Hour," or "Family Get-Together" be adopted, in which the objective would for families to be united in teaching the Gospel and strengthening testimonies of family members. They also recommend that the Priesthood quorums and Auxiliaries support the program, with a major encouragement coming from the First Presidency itself.
[Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
[Correlation Timeline, Compiled by Lisle Brown]
80 years ago today - Sep 13, 1944
[Because of the war]
The attendance at the Conference (115th Semiannual) because of increasing difficulty in transportation, both by automobile and by railroad train, will be limited.
[1944-September 13-Original circular letter, L.D.S. as quoted in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
The attendance at the Conference (115th Semiannual) because of increasing difficulty in transportation, both by automobile and by railroad train, will be limited.
[1944-September 13-Original circular letter, L.D.S. as quoted in Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
130 years ago today - Sep 13, 1894
[Heber J. Grant]
At two attended meeting of the Presidency and Apostles in the Temple. .../I stated that I felt that the Presiding Patriarch of the Church should be told to keep the Word of Wisdom in regard to using tobacco or resign his office. There was no action taken on my suggestion. Nearly all of the brethren who spoke felt that there should be a reformation in the life of our Presiding Patriarch. Some agreed with me that he should resign if he did not reform.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
At two attended meeting of the Presidency and Apostles in the Temple. .../I stated that I felt that the Presiding Patriarch of the Church should be told to keep the Word of Wisdom in regard to using tobacco or resign his office. There was no action taken on my suggestion. Nearly all of the brethren who spoke felt that there should be a reformation in the life of our Presiding Patriarch. Some agreed with me that he should resign if he did not reform.
[The Diaries of Heber J. Grant, 1880-1945, Abridged, Digital Edition Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015]
140 years ago today - Sep 13, 1884
Our Bishops and Presidents of Stakes cannot be too particular in giving [temple] recommends to parties, so that those who are unworthy may not have the privileges and blessings which are to be had in the house of the Lord. It is desirable that all recommends for sea[l]ings, adoptions and other anointings shall first be sent to the City for my signature as has been heretofore set forth in instructions given on those points.
[John Taylor to John D. T. McAllister and David H. Cannon, Sept. 13, 1884 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[John Taylor to John D. T. McAllister and David H. Cannon, Sept. 13, 1884 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
185 years ago today - 13-Sep 14, 1839
[Lucy Mack Smith]
Joseph Jr. visits William Smith at Plymouth. His sister Lucy is healed at the sound of his voice downstairs.
[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]
Joseph Jr. visits William Smith at Plymouth. His sister Lucy is healed at the sound of his voice downstairs.
[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]
50 years ago today - Sep 12, 1974
Elder Gordon B. Hinckley offers an invocation at the U.S. Congress.
55 years ago today - Sep 12, 1969
President [N. Eldon] Tanner said that President [O. Leslie] Stone of the Salt Lake Temple had called to his attention the large number of marriages in the Temple and the problems involved in requiring members of families who wish to witness the marriages to remove their street shoes and wear white shoes. President Stone mentions the confusion that often develops, that shoes become misplaced and in some cases people take shoes that are not their own, etc. He wonders if this custom could not be changed and permit those who come to witness the ceremony to wear their street shoes. The brethren felt that we should continue the present rule that street shoes should not be worn.
[David O. McKay diary, Sept. 12, 1969 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[David O. McKay diary, Sept. 12, 1969 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
120 years ago today - Sep 12, 1904
You have seen the scheme of [Idaho Senator Fred T.] Dubois. He wants to disfrancise all the Mormons, and hopes to buil[d] up an anti-mormon party in Idaho that will carry him back to the Senate. He is one of the most cunning and unscrupulous men found. Pres[ident]. [Joseph F.] Smith said that when he was at Washington [D.C.] Dubois had just been brought out of a brothel, and could hardly talk to make himself understood until he got over the effects of his revelry, and yet the temperance women and the virtuous school marms hold him up as a defender of the purity of the home! ... There are hundred of apostates who would like to empty themselves of venom, and it will go before the nation as evidence [that the church was still sanctioning plural marriages]. Pres[ident]. Smith's position before the committee [that plural marriages had ceased] has made a good impression. Pres[ident]. [Theodore] Roosevelt said he honored him for taking it and if it can be proved that what he said about
the Church is true he will be our friend, but if he should find that the Church has broken its promises, he will be against us. ...
[Note: plural marriages continued by at least two apostles after the April 1904 2nd Manifesto. They would be removed from the quorum of Twelve.]
[Anthon H. Lund, Letter to Heber J. Grant, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
the Church is true he will be our friend, but if he should find that the Church has broken its promises, he will be against us. ...
[Note: plural marriages continued by at least two apostles after the April 1904 2nd Manifesto. They would be removed from the quorum of Twelve.]
[Anthon H. Lund, Letter to Heber J. Grant, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1910-1951, Privately Published, Salt Lake City, Utah 2010]
130 years ago today - Sep 12, 1894
Pres[iden]t [Lorenzo] Snow informed me he had not been able to obtain information why women were required to vail their faces when at prayer in the Temple.
[Samuel W. Richards diary, Sept. 12, 1894 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
[Samuel W. Richards diary, Sept. 12, 1894 as quoted in Anderson, Devery; The Development of LDS Temple Worship, 1846-2000: A Documentary History, http://amzn.to/TempleWorship]
140 years ago today - Sep 12, 1884
[Eliza R. Snow to brances of the Relief Society]
.... "Should members of the Relief Society go to the Bishops for counsel?"
The Relief Society is designed to be a self-governing organization: to relieve the Bishops as well as to relieve the poor, to deal with its members, correct abuses, etc. If difficulties arise between members of a branch which they cannot settle between the members themselves, aided by the teachers, instead of troubling the Bishop, the matter should be referred to their president and her counselors. If the branch board cannot decide satisfactorily, an appeal to the stake board is next in order; if that fails to settle the question, the next step brings it before the general board, from which the only resort is to the Priesthood; but, if possible, we should relieve the Bishops instead of adding to their multitudinous labors.
"Is it necessary for sisters to be set apart to officiate in the sacred ordinances of washing anointing, and laying on of hands in administering to the sick?"
It certainly is not. Any and all sisters who honor their holy endowments, not only have the right, but should feel it a duty, whenever called upon to administer to our sisters in these ordinances, which God has graciously committed to His daughters as well as to His sons; and we testify that when administered and received in faith and humility they are accompanied with all mighty power.
Inasmuch as God our Eather [Father] has revealed these sacred ordinances and committed them to His Saints, it is not only our privilege but our imperative duty to apply them for the relief of human suffering. We think we may safely say thousands can testify that God has sanctioned the administration of these ordinances by our sisters with the manifestations of His healing influence. ...
E. R. Snow Smith.
Salt Lake City, September 12th., 1884.
[4.14 Eliza R. Snow, "To the Branches of the Relief Society," September 12, 1884, as quoted in Matthew J. Grow, Jill Derr, Carol Madsen, and Kate Holbrook, editors, The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women's History, The Church Historian's Press, 2016, https://churchhistorianspress.org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/]
.... "Should members of the Relief Society go to the Bishops for counsel?"
The Relief Society is designed to be a self-governing organization: to relieve the Bishops as well as to relieve the poor, to deal with its members, correct abuses, etc. If difficulties arise between members of a branch which they cannot settle between the members themselves, aided by the teachers, instead of troubling the Bishop, the matter should be referred to their president and her counselors. If the branch board cannot decide satisfactorily, an appeal to the stake board is next in order; if that fails to settle the question, the next step brings it before the general board, from which the only resort is to the Priesthood; but, if possible, we should relieve the Bishops instead of adding to their multitudinous labors.
"Is it necessary for sisters to be set apart to officiate in the sacred ordinances of washing anointing, and laying on of hands in administering to the sick?"
It certainly is not. Any and all sisters who honor their holy endowments, not only have the right, but should feel it a duty, whenever called upon to administer to our sisters in these ordinances, which God has graciously committed to His daughters as well as to His sons; and we testify that when administered and received in faith and humility they are accompanied with all mighty power.
Inasmuch as God our Eather [Father] has revealed these sacred ordinances and committed them to His Saints, it is not only our privilege but our imperative duty to apply them for the relief of human suffering. We think we may safely say thousands can testify that God has sanctioned the administration of these ordinances by our sisters with the manifestations of His healing influence. ...
E. R. Snow Smith.
Salt Lake City, September 12th., 1884.
[4.14 Eliza R. Snow, "To the Branches of the Relief Society," September 12, 1884, as quoted in Matthew J. Grow, Jill Derr, Carol Madsen, and Kate Holbrook, editors, The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women's History, The Church Historian's Press, 2016, https://churchhistorianspress.org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/]
140 years ago today - Sep 12, 1884
[Eliza R. Snow to brances of the Relief Society]
.... "Should members of the Relief Society go to the Bishops for counsel?"
The Relief Society is designed to be a self-governing organization: to relieve the Bishops as well as to relieve the poor, to deal with its members, correct abuses, etc. If difficulties arise between members of a branch which they cannot settle between the members themselves, aided by the teachers, instead of troubling the Bishop, the matter should be referred to their president and her counselors. If the branch board cannot decide satisfactorily, an appeal to the stake board is next in order; if that fails to settle the question, the next step brings it before the general board, from which the only resort is to the Priesthood; but, if possible, we should relieve the Bishops instead of adding to their multitudinous labors.
"Is it necessary for sisters to be set apart to officiate in the sacred ordinances of washing anointing, and laying on of hands in administering to the sick?"
It certainly is not. Any and all sisters who honor their holy endowments, not only have the right, but should feel it a duty, whenever called upon to administer to our sisters in these ordinances, which God has graciously committed to His daughters as well as to His sons; and we testify that when administered and received in faith and humility they are accompanied with all mighty power.
Inasmuch as God our Eather [Father] has revealed these sacred ordinances and committed them to His Saints, it is not only our privilege but our imperative duty to apply them for the relief of human suffering. We think we may safely say thousands can testify that God has sanctioned the administration of these ordinances by our sisters with the manifestations of His healing influence. ...
E. R. Snow Smith.
Salt Lake City, September 12th., 1884.
[4.14 Eliza R. Snow, "To the Branches of the Relief Society," September 12, 1884, as quoted in Matthew J. Grow, Jill Derr, Carol Madsen, and Kate Holbrook, editors, The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women's History, The Church Historian's Press, 2016, https://churchhistorianspress.org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/]
.... "Should members of the Relief Society go to the Bishops for counsel?"
The Relief Society is designed to be a self-governing organization: to relieve the Bishops as well as to relieve the poor, to deal with its members, correct abuses, etc. If difficulties arise between members of a branch which they cannot settle between the members themselves, aided by the teachers, instead of troubling the Bishop, the matter should be referred to their president and her counselors. If the branch board cannot decide satisfactorily, an appeal to the stake board is next in order; if that fails to settle the question, the next step brings it before the general board, from which the only resort is to the Priesthood; but, if possible, we should relieve the Bishops instead of adding to their multitudinous labors.
"Is it necessary for sisters to be set apart to officiate in the sacred ordinances of washing anointing, and laying on of hands in administering to the sick?"
It certainly is not. Any and all sisters who honor their holy endowments, not only have the right, but should feel it a duty, whenever called upon to administer to our sisters in these ordinances, which God has graciously committed to His daughters as well as to His sons; and we testify that when administered and received in faith and humility they are accompanied with all mighty power.
Inasmuch as God our Eather [Father] has revealed these sacred ordinances and committed them to His Saints, it is not only our privilege but our imperative duty to apply them for the relief of human suffering. We think we may safely say thousands can testify that God has sanctioned the administration of these ordinances by our sisters with the manifestations of His healing influence. ...
E. R. Snow Smith.
Salt Lake City, September 12th., 1884.
[4.14 Eliza R. Snow, "To the Branches of the Relief Society," September 12, 1884, as quoted in Matthew J. Grow, Jill Derr, Carol Madsen, and Kate Holbrook, editors, The First Fifty Years of Relief Society: Key Documents in Latter-day Saint Women's History, The Church Historian's Press, 2016, https://churchhistorianspress.org/the-first-fifty-years-of-relief-society/]
175 years ago today - Sep 12, 1849
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
Sister Baldwin was attacked at our house this morning with sum thing like the Cholera. We laid Hands upon her & rebuked the desease & she was healed almost instantly. Got up dressed herself eat breakfast & went in to Boston.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Sister Baldwin was attacked at our house this morning with sum thing like the Cholera. We laid Hands upon her & rebuked the desease & she was healed almost instantly. Got up dressed herself eat breakfast & went in to Boston.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
20 years ago today - Sep 11, 2004
[Joseph Smith Papers project]
The Deseret News reports that "[t]he first volumes of the comprehensive compilation of Smith's writings is scheduled for 2005."
[Joseph Smith Papers Timeline: History of the Joseph Smith Papers Project, MormonWasp Blog (defunct)]
The Deseret News reports that "[t]he first volumes of the comprehensive compilation of Smith's writings is scheduled for 2005."
[Joseph Smith Papers Timeline: History of the Joseph Smith Papers Project, MormonWasp Blog (defunct)]
25 years ago today - Sep 11, 1999
Gordon B. Hinckley, President of the LDS Church, dedicates a new monument to the victims of the 1857 massacre. He says, "[The past] cannot be changed. It is time to leave the entire matter to God."
[Exploring Mormonism: Mountain Meadows Massacre Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/mountain-meadows-massacre-timeline/]
[Exploring Mormonism: Mountain Meadows Massacre Timeline, http://www.exploringmormonism.com/mountain-meadows-massacre-timeline/]
85 years ago today - Sep 11, 1939
[President Heber J. Grant Diary]
The First Presidency were together awhile and I told them I thought maybe I ought to go away for a week or two and have a rest and call on the Twentieth Century-Fox Film people and make sure they were not going to use anything from the book written by Vardis Fisher. I asked Brother John A. Widtsoe to mark a lot of passages that I ought to read in the book, which he did. I requested Brother Harold B. Lee to call on Parker P. Robison and inquire about our Segolite Soap business. ...
Tonight I read a number of passages in the book 'Children of God' which Brother Widtsoe has marked for me. I am thoroughly disgusted with what a dirty, miserable, contemptible book it is. There ought to be a law that such a book would not be permitted to go through the mail.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
The First Presidency were together awhile and I told them I thought maybe I ought to go away for a week or two and have a rest and call on the Twentieth Century-Fox Film people and make sure they were not going to use anything from the book written by Vardis Fisher. I asked Brother John A. Widtsoe to mark a lot of passages that I ought to read in the book, which he did. I requested Brother Harold B. Lee to call on Parker P. Robison and inquire about our Segolite Soap business. ...
Tonight I read a number of passages in the book 'Children of God' which Brother Widtsoe has marked for me. I am thoroughly disgusted with what a dirty, miserable, contemptible book it is. There ought to be a law that such a book would not be permitted to go through the mail.
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
140 years ago today - Sep 11, 1884
Harvey Fletcher, later an internationally recognized research scientist and the "father of the stereophonic sound," is born in Provo, Utah.
140 years ago today - Sep 11, 1884
A letter from former Mormon and Godbeite Henry Lawrence appears in the DESERET NEWS explaining the Liberal party's reason for opposing raising property taxes to build a new public school in Salt Lake City's Eighth Latter-day Saint Ward (until 1890 school districts in the city coincided with Mormon church ward boundaries).
"[First] Utah schools are not free from sectarian biases and influences, not withstanding the statements of the Church party to the contrary.
[Second] a large proportion of the present Territorial school fund is derived from a tax on the property of non-Mormons, who educate their children outside of the district schools. Members of the Liberal Party, and non-Mormons in general, send their children to private schools, not public ones.
[Third] When the time shall come that the school teachers are selected with more regard for their ability for teaching than for their allegiance to a certain creed, then, no doubt, the Liberals will not only send their children to the district schools, but contribute freely for their support."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
"[First] Utah schools are not free from sectarian biases and influences, not withstanding the statements of the Church party to the contrary.
[Second] a large proportion of the present Territorial school fund is derived from a tax on the property of non-Mormons, who educate their children outside of the district schools. Members of the Liberal Party, and non-Mormons in general, send their children to private schools, not public ones.
[Third] When the time shall come that the school teachers are selected with more regard for their ability for teaching than for their allegiance to a certain creed, then, no doubt, the Liberals will not only send their children to the district schools, but contribute freely for their support."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
145 years ago today - Sep 11, 1879
.... The Hale family was greatly exasperated [by Joseph and Emma's "elopement"], 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, and the permission to return and reconciliation was effected and accomplished by her and perhaps her sister, Mrs. [Elizabeth] Wasson, who lived near Bainbridge, N.Y. The permission for Smith to return all came from the other side, not from Mr. Isaac Hale or his family in Harmony, Pa. ...
[Hiel Lewis]
[Wilhelm Ritter von Wymetal, Joseph Smith, the Prophet, His Family and His Friends (Salt Lake City: Tribune Printing and Publishing Co., 1886), 75., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Hiel Lewis To James T. Cobb]
[Hiel Lewis]
[Wilhelm Ritter von Wymetal, Joseph Smith, the Prophet, His Family and His Friends (Salt Lake City: Tribune Printing and Publishing Co., 1886), 75., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Hiel Lewis To James T. Cobb]
165 years ago today - Sep 11, 1859
In the evening Pres[ident]. D[aniel]. H. Wells, Orson Hyde, Jno. [John] Taylor, Erastus Snow, Geo[rge]. A. Smith, W[ilford]. Woodruff of the Quorum of the Twelve met at the office and conversed upon the bringing the red men to the truth, the degeneracy of the nations when they lose the Spirit of the Lord. Pres[ident]. B[righam]. Young observed the great differences that now exist among the nations arises from a cause similar to Jacob's plan to make the sheep speckled & ring tailed by peeling hazel rods, recorded in the Book of Genesis.
[President's Office Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
[President's Office Journal, as quoted in Minutes of the Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1835-1951, Electronic Edition, 2015]
180 years ago today - Sep 11, 1844
[Nauvoo Neighbor]
Story: "A Warning to Tobacco Chewers" -- Editorial -- Humorous account of a tobacco chewer falling asleep with it in his mouth, swallowing it, and dying. It states, "When will men give up the use of this licentious and poisonous weed?"
... - Story: "Trial of Elder Rigdon" -- Editorial -- Describes Elder Rigdon's trial for unchristian like conduct, by his alleged desire to divide the church with false prophecy. Announces his disfellowshipment, along with others....
[http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
Story: "A Warning to Tobacco Chewers" -- Editorial -- Humorous account of a tobacco chewer falling asleep with it in his mouth, swallowing it, and dying. It states, "When will men give up the use of this licentious and poisonous weed?"
... - Story: "Trial of Elder Rigdon" -- Editorial -- Describes Elder Rigdon's trial for unchristian like conduct, by his alleged desire to divide the church with false prophecy. Announces his disfellowshipment, along with others....
[http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
100 years ago today - Sep 10, 1924
Boyd K. Packer, later a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, is born in Brigham City, Utah.
180 years ago today - Sep 10, 1844
[Heber C. Kimball marriage]
wife #3. Ann Alice Gheen, 1827-1879; 5 children: Samuel, Daniel, Andrew, Alice, Sarah (Seckels).
[Hatch, Charles M. and Compton, Todd M. editors, 'A Widow's Tale: 1884-1896 Diary of Helen Mar Kimball Whitney' p. 37]
wife #3. Ann Alice Gheen, 1827-1879; 5 children: Samuel, Daniel, Andrew, Alice, Sarah (Seckels).
[Hatch, Charles M. and Compton, Todd M. editors, 'A Widow's Tale: 1884-1896 Diary of Helen Mar Kimball Whitney' p. 37]
180 years ago today - Sep 10, 1844
ONE HUNDRED YEARS HENCE. 1945.
God, through his servants the prophets, has given all men a clue to the future. In view of this, we were cogitating upon our bed the other night, what would be the state of the world a hundred years hence. In quick succession the events and periods which have filled up nearly six thousand years passed before our mind's eyes, together with the accompanying, " Thus saith the Lord, I will destroy the earth with a flood, after one hundred and twenty years. There shall be seven years of plenty and seven years of famine in Egypt. Israel shall be held captive in Babylon till the land enjoys her Sabbath's seventy years;" and then came Daniel's numbers; and the exact time when the Saviour should be was born, his crucifixion, and second coming.
While thus looking over the "has beens," we fell into a deep sleep, and the angel of our presence came to the bedside and gently said, "Arise" Now, it mattereth not whether we were in the body or out of it; asleep or awake ; on earth or in heaven ; or upon the water or in the air; the sum of the matter is like this:—Our guide, for such we shall call the angel or being that conveyed us, soon brought us in sight of a beautiful city.
As we were nearing the place, a "pillar of fire," seemingly over the most splendid building, lit the city and country for a great distance around, and as we came by, The Temple Of The Lord In Zion, in letters of a pure language, and sparkling like diamonds, disclosed where we were. Our guide went round the city in order to give ns s chance to "count the towers;" and, as it was nearly sunrise, he conducted us into one, that we might have a fair chance to view the glory of Zion by daylight. We seemed to be swallowed up in sublimity. The "pillar of fire" as the sun rose majestically mellowing into a "white cloud," as a shade for the city from heat. The dwellings, so brilliant by night, had the appearance of "precious stones," and the streets glittered like gold, and we marvelled. "Marvel not," said our guide, " this is the fulfilment of the words of Isaiah:—' For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also
make thine officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.' "
Now the eyes of our understanding began to be quickened, and we learned that we were one hundred years ahead of "common life," and we glorified. The "veil" that hides our view from the glory of the upper deep had been taken away, and all things appeared to us as to the Lord. The great earthquake mentioned by John, and other prophets before him, had levelled the mountains over the whole earth:—the "sea" had rolled back as it was in the beginning, the crooked was mode straight, and the rough places plain. The earth yielded her "increase," and the knowledge of God exalted man to the society of resurrected beings. The melody and prayers of the morning in Zion, showed that the "Lord was there," and truly Lo ; for, after breakfast the chariot of Jesus Christ was made ready for a pleasure ride; and the chariots of his "hundred and forty-four thousand" glittered in the retinue of " earth's greatest and best," so gloriously, that the show exhibited the splendour of gods, whose
Father's name they bore on the front of their crowns)
Our curiosity excited us to inquire, what day they celebrated? To which the guide replied, "This is the Feast-day of the Lord to Joseph And Hyrum Smith, for being martyred for the truth, held yearly on the 7th day of the fourth month, throughout all the tribes of Israel!"
Flesh and blood cannot comprehend the greatness of the scene; the worthy of the earth, with Adam at their head; the martyrs of the different dispensations, with Abel at their head; and honourable men from other worlds composed an assemblage of majesty, dignity, and divinity so much above the little pageantry of man in his self-made greatness, that we almost forgot that mortals ever enjoyed anything more than misery, in all the pomp and circumstance of maris power over man ! This was a feast-day for truth! This was the reward of integrity —This was the triumph of " kings and priests" unto God, and was a holiday of eternity! Who could be happier than he that was among the holy throng ? No one; and away we rode out of Zion among her stakes.
At the first city out, we found the Bame spirit—All Were One. While there, the following news, by post, came from the east. It was read from one of the papers just published that morning.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS HENCE.
"In digging for the foundation of our new Temple in the 124th city of Joseph, near where it is supposed the city of New York once stood, a large square stone was taken from the ruins of some building, which, by a seam in it, indicated more than mere stone. The seam being opened, disclosed a lead box about six by eight inches square. This box was soon found to contain several daily papers of its time, together with some coin of the old government of the United States. It will be recollected that all the inhabitants of this city, which were spared from calamity, were 'slung out when the earth was turned upside down,' some forty or fifty years ago for their wickedness.."
The account of "fires" in one of these papers was truly lamentable, destroying, as the paper said, more than twenty-Five millions worth of property in about three months. Each contained a large number of murders, suicides, riots, robberies, and hints of war expected, with columns of divisions among the sectarian churches about "slavery, Onderdonking, and the right way." The Archer of Paradise remarked, as these horrors of "old tiroes" were being read, that "all that was transacted in the last days of Babylon, before Satan was bound." Joseph Smith said, "Lord, we will put those papers and coin in the repository of relics and curiosities of Satan's kingdom of the old world which was agreed to by all, after exhibiting the coin. The Silver coin contained the words "United States of America," and "half dollar," round the image of an eagle on one side, and a woman sitting upon the word "Liberty," and holding up a night cap, between thirteen stars over " 1845," on the other.
The only idea that could be gathered from all this was, that the government had fallen from the splendour of an eagle to the pleasure of women, and was holding up the night cap, as a token that the only liberty enjoyed then, was star-light liberty, because their deeds were evil.
Another coin had the appearance of gold, with "fire dollars" upon it, but upon close examination it was found to be nothing but fine brass.
While this was going on, the Lord said, "beware of the leven of old.—Let us enjoy our day."
In a moment this band of brethren were off, and what could equal the view? No veil, no voice; the heavens were in their glory, and the angels were ascending and descending. The earth was in its beauty; the wolves and sheep; the calves and lions; the behemoth and the buffalo; the child and the serpent, enjoyed life without fear, and all men were one.
As we were passing to another city, amid all this perfection of the reign of Jesus before his ancients gloriously, we discovered the fragment of a hewn stone, of a lightish blue colour, with an abbreviated word " Mo," and the figures "1838" upon it. To which the "Lion of the Lord" exclaimed, "The wicked are turned into hell, and forgotten, but the righteous reign with God in glory," and it seemed as if the echo came from a redeemed world—"glory."
At about two, after five hours' ride among the cities and stakes of Zion, we returned to the capital, to partake of the feast, of the martyrs.
The preparation was perfect. A table through the grove of Zion, for more than three hundred thousand saints, where Jesus Christ sat at the head of the fathers and mothers, sons and daughters of Israel, was a sight which the world, even Babylon in its best days, never witnessed. Says Jesus, as every eye turned upon him,
"Our Father, and thine, Bless me and mine. Amen."
After the feast (the sentiments, words of wisdom, and other touching matters were to be published in Zo-ma-rah, or Pure News, and are omitted) we stepped into the News Room, and the first article in the Pure News, which attracted our attention, was, the Minutes of the General Conference, held in Zion, on the 14th day of the first month, A. D., 1945, when it was motioned by Joseph Smith, and seconded by John the Revelator, " That/forty-eight new cities be laid out and built, this year, in accordance with the prophets which have said, 'who can number Israel? who can count the dust of Jacob? Let him fill the earth with cities.
'Carried unanimously."
Twelve of these cities to be laid out beyond eighteen degrees north, for the tribes of Reuben, Judah and Levi. Twelve on the east, at the same distance, for the tribes of Joseph, Benjamin, and Dan. Twelve on the south, at the same distance, for the tribes of Simeon, Issacher, and Zebulon; and twelve on the west, at the same distance, for the tribes of Gad, Asher, and Napthali.
The paper contained a notice for the half yearly conference, as follows:
"The general half yearly conference will be held at Jerusalem, on the 14th day of the seventh month, alternately with the yearly conference in Zion.
" It is proposed that the high way cast up between the two cities of our God, be decorated with fruit and shade trees between the cities and Villages, (which are only eighty furlongs apart), for the accommodation of wayfaring men of Israel. Gabriel has brought from paradise some seeds of fruit and grain which were originally in the Garden of Eden, and will greatly add to the comfort and convenience of man."
While we were engaged in reading, a strain of music from some of the "sweet singers of Israel," came so mellowly over our sensations for a moment, that we hardly knew whether the angels or saints of the millenium, were chanting a vesper to their Saviour. We were so delighted with the performance as we saw the "musical chariot" pass, filled with young men and maidens, all in white robes, that we only remember the following verses -—
"Death and Satan being banish'd; And the ' veil' for ever vanish'd; All the earth's again replenished, And in beauty appears: So we'll sing hallelujah's; While we worship our Saviour, And fill the world with cities Through the "great thousand years.'"
Our eye next caught a map showing the earth as it was and is. We were delighted with the earth as it is. Four rivers headed a little south of Zion, for Zion, is situated in "the side of the north." The first river is called "Passon," and runs west. The second is called "Giau," and runs south. The third is called "Haudakal," and runs north; and the fourth is called "The Fraters," and runs east. These four rivers divide the earth into four quarters, as it were in the days of Adam, and with their tributaries give an uninterrupted water communication over the face of the world, for in the beginning the earth was not called "finished" till it was "very good," for every thing.
By the paper we were reading, we learned that rain was expected in the beginning of the seventh month, according to the law of the Lord, for the promise is, "it shall rain moderately in the first and seventh month, that the ploughman may overtake the reaper."
Contemplating the greatness of the earth in its glory, with Jesus Christ for her king, president, and lawgiver, with such wise counsellors as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Peter, and Joseph, we were imperceptibly led to exclaim, "Great is the wisdom, great is the glory, and great is the power of man with his Maker"—when on a sudden our guide came in and said, "you must drink wine with the Lord in his kingdom and then return." This we did, and many things which we saw are not lawful to utter, and can only be known as we learned them, by the assistance of a guardian angel.
When we were ready to return, our guide observed, "perhaps you would like to look through the urim and thummim of God, upon the abominations of the world in the day of its sin." "Yes," was our reply, and he handed us the "holy instrument." One look, and the soul sickened. Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man what folly, corruptions, and abominations are wrought among men to gratify the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the cunning of the devil. But they shall come. We returned, and awoke, perfectly enamoured with the beauty and glory of Zion to be, as well us the splendour and harmony of the "feast of the martyrs;" determining in our mind, at some future day to give a sketch of the Temple wherein Jesus sat and reigned with the righteous, when there was "not a Canaanite in the land," nor anything to hurt or destroy in all the holy mountain—when the earth should be full of the knowledge of God as the waters cover
the sea. In short, the heavenly reality of one hundred years hence.
["ONE HUNDRED YEARS HENCE. 1945" authored by John Taylor, Parley P. Pratt or W. W. Phelps -- as reprinted in the Millennial Star (originally in the Nauvoo Neighbor).]
God, through his servants the prophets, has given all men a clue to the future. In view of this, we were cogitating upon our bed the other night, what would be the state of the world a hundred years hence. In quick succession the events and periods which have filled up nearly six thousand years passed before our mind's eyes, together with the accompanying, " Thus saith the Lord, I will destroy the earth with a flood, after one hundred and twenty years. There shall be seven years of plenty and seven years of famine in Egypt. Israel shall be held captive in Babylon till the land enjoys her Sabbath's seventy years;" and then came Daniel's numbers; and the exact time when the Saviour should be was born, his crucifixion, and second coming.
While thus looking over the "has beens," we fell into a deep sleep, and the angel of our presence came to the bedside and gently said, "Arise" Now, it mattereth not whether we were in the body or out of it; asleep or awake ; on earth or in heaven ; or upon the water or in the air; the sum of the matter is like this:—Our guide, for such we shall call the angel or being that conveyed us, soon brought us in sight of a beautiful city.
As we were nearing the place, a "pillar of fire," seemingly over the most splendid building, lit the city and country for a great distance around, and as we came by, The Temple Of The Lord In Zion, in letters of a pure language, and sparkling like diamonds, disclosed where we were. Our guide went round the city in order to give ns s chance to "count the towers;" and, as it was nearly sunrise, he conducted us into one, that we might have a fair chance to view the glory of Zion by daylight. We seemed to be swallowed up in sublimity. The "pillar of fire" as the sun rose majestically mellowing into a "white cloud," as a shade for the city from heat. The dwellings, so brilliant by night, had the appearance of "precious stones," and the streets glittered like gold, and we marvelled. "Marvel not," said our guide, " this is the fulfilment of the words of Isaiah:—' For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron: I will also
make thine officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness.' "
Now the eyes of our understanding began to be quickened, and we learned that we were one hundred years ahead of "common life," and we glorified. The "veil" that hides our view from the glory of the upper deep had been taken away, and all things appeared to us as to the Lord. The great earthquake mentioned by John, and other prophets before him, had levelled the mountains over the whole earth:—the "sea" had rolled back as it was in the beginning, the crooked was mode straight, and the rough places plain. The earth yielded her "increase," and the knowledge of God exalted man to the society of resurrected beings. The melody and prayers of the morning in Zion, showed that the "Lord was there," and truly Lo ; for, after breakfast the chariot of Jesus Christ was made ready for a pleasure ride; and the chariots of his "hundred and forty-four thousand" glittered in the retinue of " earth's greatest and best," so gloriously, that the show exhibited the splendour of gods, whose
Father's name they bore on the front of their crowns)
Our curiosity excited us to inquire, what day they celebrated? To which the guide replied, "This is the Feast-day of the Lord to Joseph And Hyrum Smith, for being martyred for the truth, held yearly on the 7th day of the fourth month, throughout all the tribes of Israel!"
Flesh and blood cannot comprehend the greatness of the scene; the worthy of the earth, with Adam at their head; the martyrs of the different dispensations, with Abel at their head; and honourable men from other worlds composed an assemblage of majesty, dignity, and divinity so much above the little pageantry of man in his self-made greatness, that we almost forgot that mortals ever enjoyed anything more than misery, in all the pomp and circumstance of maris power over man ! This was a feast-day for truth! This was the reward of integrity —This was the triumph of " kings and priests" unto God, and was a holiday of eternity! Who could be happier than he that was among the holy throng ? No one; and away we rode out of Zion among her stakes.
At the first city out, we found the Bame spirit—All Were One. While there, the following news, by post, came from the east. It was read from one of the papers just published that morning.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS HENCE.
"In digging for the foundation of our new Temple in the 124th city of Joseph, near where it is supposed the city of New York once stood, a large square stone was taken from the ruins of some building, which, by a seam in it, indicated more than mere stone. The seam being opened, disclosed a lead box about six by eight inches square. This box was soon found to contain several daily papers of its time, together with some coin of the old government of the United States. It will be recollected that all the inhabitants of this city, which were spared from calamity, were 'slung out when the earth was turned upside down,' some forty or fifty years ago for their wickedness.."
The account of "fires" in one of these papers was truly lamentable, destroying, as the paper said, more than twenty-Five millions worth of property in about three months. Each contained a large number of murders, suicides, riots, robberies, and hints of war expected, with columns of divisions among the sectarian churches about "slavery, Onderdonking, and the right way." The Archer of Paradise remarked, as these horrors of "old tiroes" were being read, that "all that was transacted in the last days of Babylon, before Satan was bound." Joseph Smith said, "Lord, we will put those papers and coin in the repository of relics and curiosities of Satan's kingdom of the old world which was agreed to by all, after exhibiting the coin. The Silver coin contained the words "United States of America," and "half dollar," round the image of an eagle on one side, and a woman sitting upon the word "Liberty," and holding up a night cap, between thirteen stars over " 1845," on the other.
The only idea that could be gathered from all this was, that the government had fallen from the splendour of an eagle to the pleasure of women, and was holding up the night cap, as a token that the only liberty enjoyed then, was star-light liberty, because their deeds were evil.
Another coin had the appearance of gold, with "fire dollars" upon it, but upon close examination it was found to be nothing but fine brass.
While this was going on, the Lord said, "beware of the leven of old.—Let us enjoy our day."
In a moment this band of brethren were off, and what could equal the view? No veil, no voice; the heavens were in their glory, and the angels were ascending and descending. The earth was in its beauty; the wolves and sheep; the calves and lions; the behemoth and the buffalo; the child and the serpent, enjoyed life without fear, and all men were one.
As we were passing to another city, amid all this perfection of the reign of Jesus before his ancients gloriously, we discovered the fragment of a hewn stone, of a lightish blue colour, with an abbreviated word " Mo," and the figures "1838" upon it. To which the "Lion of the Lord" exclaimed, "The wicked are turned into hell, and forgotten, but the righteous reign with God in glory," and it seemed as if the echo came from a redeemed world—"glory."
At about two, after five hours' ride among the cities and stakes of Zion, we returned to the capital, to partake of the feast, of the martyrs.
The preparation was perfect. A table through the grove of Zion, for more than three hundred thousand saints, where Jesus Christ sat at the head of the fathers and mothers, sons and daughters of Israel, was a sight which the world, even Babylon in its best days, never witnessed. Says Jesus, as every eye turned upon him,
"Our Father, and thine, Bless me and mine. Amen."
After the feast (the sentiments, words of wisdom, and other touching matters were to be published in Zo-ma-rah, or Pure News, and are omitted) we stepped into the News Room, and the first article in the Pure News, which attracted our attention, was, the Minutes of the General Conference, held in Zion, on the 14th day of the first month, A. D., 1945, when it was motioned by Joseph Smith, and seconded by John the Revelator, " That/forty-eight new cities be laid out and built, this year, in accordance with the prophets which have said, 'who can number Israel? who can count the dust of Jacob? Let him fill the earth with cities.
'Carried unanimously."
Twelve of these cities to be laid out beyond eighteen degrees north, for the tribes of Reuben, Judah and Levi. Twelve on the east, at the same distance, for the tribes of Joseph, Benjamin, and Dan. Twelve on the south, at the same distance, for the tribes of Simeon, Issacher, and Zebulon; and twelve on the west, at the same distance, for the tribes of Gad, Asher, and Napthali.
The paper contained a notice for the half yearly conference, as follows:
"The general half yearly conference will be held at Jerusalem, on the 14th day of the seventh month, alternately with the yearly conference in Zion.
" It is proposed that the high way cast up between the two cities of our God, be decorated with fruit and shade trees between the cities and Villages, (which are only eighty furlongs apart), for the accommodation of wayfaring men of Israel. Gabriel has brought from paradise some seeds of fruit and grain which were originally in the Garden of Eden, and will greatly add to the comfort and convenience of man."
While we were engaged in reading, a strain of music from some of the "sweet singers of Israel," came so mellowly over our sensations for a moment, that we hardly knew whether the angels or saints of the millenium, were chanting a vesper to their Saviour. We were so delighted with the performance as we saw the "musical chariot" pass, filled with young men and maidens, all in white robes, that we only remember the following verses -—
"Death and Satan being banish'd; And the ' veil' for ever vanish'd; All the earth's again replenished, And in beauty appears: So we'll sing hallelujah's; While we worship our Saviour, And fill the world with cities Through the "great thousand years.'"
Our eye next caught a map showing the earth as it was and is. We were delighted with the earth as it is. Four rivers headed a little south of Zion, for Zion, is situated in "the side of the north." The first river is called "Passon," and runs west. The second is called "Giau," and runs south. The third is called "Haudakal," and runs north; and the fourth is called "The Fraters," and runs east. These four rivers divide the earth into four quarters, as it were in the days of Adam, and with their tributaries give an uninterrupted water communication over the face of the world, for in the beginning the earth was not called "finished" till it was "very good," for every thing.
By the paper we were reading, we learned that rain was expected in the beginning of the seventh month, according to the law of the Lord, for the promise is, "it shall rain moderately in the first and seventh month, that the ploughman may overtake the reaper."
Contemplating the greatness of the earth in its glory, with Jesus Christ for her king, president, and lawgiver, with such wise counsellors as Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Peter, and Joseph, we were imperceptibly led to exclaim, "Great is the wisdom, great is the glory, and great is the power of man with his Maker"—when on a sudden our guide came in and said, "you must drink wine with the Lord in his kingdom and then return." This we did, and many things which we saw are not lawful to utter, and can only be known as we learned them, by the assistance of a guardian angel.
When we were ready to return, our guide observed, "perhaps you would like to look through the urim and thummim of God, upon the abominations of the world in the day of its sin." "Yes," was our reply, and he handed us the "holy instrument." One look, and the soul sickened. Eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man what folly, corruptions, and abominations are wrought among men to gratify the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the cunning of the devil. But they shall come. We returned, and awoke, perfectly enamoured with the beauty and glory of Zion to be, as well us the splendour and harmony of the "feast of the martyrs;" determining in our mind, at some future day to give a sketch of the Temple wherein Jesus sat and reigned with the righteous, when there was "not a Canaanite in the land," nor anything to hurt or destroy in all the holy mountain—when the earth should be full of the knowledge of God as the waters cover
the sea. In short, the heavenly reality of one hundred years hence.
["ONE HUNDRED YEARS HENCE. 1945" authored by John Taylor, Parley P. Pratt or W. W. Phelps -- as reprinted in the Millennial Star (originally in the Nauvoo Neighbor).]
180 years ago today - 1844 10 Sept.
The Nauvoo high council releases William Marks as stake president because he favors Rigdon's claim.
[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 10, 1844
Brigham Young (aged 43) marriage to Clarissa Ross (1814-1857) (aged 30) first marriage 4 children; mother of Maria Young Dougall and Willard Young
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
[Wikipedia, List of Brigham Young's Wives, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Brigham_Young%27s_wives]
190 years ago today - Sep 10, 1834
The high council in Clay County meets. ... First elders for Kirtland endowment are nominated. Zion's Camp members are to apply for discharges from Lyman Wight and missionary certificates from Edward Partridge.
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
[Kenney, Scott, Saints Without Halos, "Mormon History 1830-1844," http://web.archive.org/web/20120805163534/saintswithouthalos.com/dirs/d_c.phtml]
10 years ago today - Sept 9 2014
Church sends letter to all Priesthood leaders, directing doubting members to a series of essays published in the Gospel Topics section of LDS.org
[Chronology of Mormon History (Mormon Stories), http://www.mormonstories.org/truth-claims/chronology-of-mormon-history/]
[Chronology of Mormon History (Mormon Stories), http://www.mormonstories.org/truth-claims/chronology-of-mormon-history/]
40 years ago today - Sep 9, 1984
CHURCH NEWS article on the "Salamander Letter" explains that the letter's "white salamander" was only Martin Harris's use of "language and symbolism." "If you look the word up in the Oxford Dictionary it has many uses and meanings not known to the modern world, not just the amphibian we think of today. By the time of Martin Harris, the word also meant angel. It also referred to brave soldiers who would run into the heat of battle. The bravest soldiers in the French Revolution were known as salamanders." It is later revealed that the letter was forged by Mark Hofmann
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
80 years ago today - Sep 9, 1944
CHURCH SECTION article "Primary Boys Make Quilts."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
80 years ago today - Sep 9, 1944
A Deseret News Church Section article "Primary Boys Make Quilts."
[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 )]]
80 years ago today - Sep 9, 1944
[First Presidency message]
Since the Church is worldwide with many thousands of our members citizens of the enemy countries-members who deeply love their homeland, and who individually are no more responsible for this terrible holocaust than we have been-we feel it is essential that the Church as such should make its observance of "V-Day" of a character that would not grieve or wound the feelings of those whose mother country is one of the enemy states.
[Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
Since the Church is worldwide with many thousands of our members citizens of the enemy countries-members who deeply love their homeland, and who individually are no more responsible for this terrible holocaust than we have been-we feel it is essential that the Church as such should make its observance of "V-Day" of a character that would not grieve or wound the feelings of those whose mother country is one of the enemy states.
[Clark, James R., Messages of the First Presidency (6 volumes)]
100 years ago today - Sep 09, 1924
Russell M. Nelson, later a heart surgeon and a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, is born in Salt Lake City, Utah.
135 years ago today - Sep 9, 1889
First Counselor George Q. Cannon writes "President Woodruff, in reply, said . . . I feel that it is not proper for any marriages of this kind to be performed in this territory at the present time . . . He intimated, however, that such marriages might be solemnized in Mexico or Canada . . . I made no reply; for I was not fully prepared to endorse these remarks, and therefore thought it better to say nothing. . . . This is the first time that I have heard President Woodruff express himself so plainly upon this subject, and therefore I was not prepared to fully acquiesce in his expressions; for, to me, it is an exceedingly grave question, and it is the first time that anything of this kind has ever been uttered to my knowledge, by one holding the keys" Woodruff had previously made public statements that no more plural marriages were to be performed. This is the first time Cannon had heard him express it privately.
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
175 years ago today - Sep 9, 1849 (Afternoon)
[Brigham Young Sermon]
Brigham Young presented to the congregation in Great Salt Lake City the subject of a Perpetual Fund to gather the poor. -- SLC Bowery
[Journal History of the Church, Selected Collections from the Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints DVD 2 (2002) 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]
Brigham Young presented to the congregation in Great Salt Lake City the subject of a Perpetual Fund to gather the poor. -- SLC Bowery
[Journal History of the Church, Selected Collections from the Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints DVD 2 (2002) 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]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)