[Leonard Arrington]
.... Writing good history requires brains, courage, access to archival sources, and appropriate intellectual training and formation. But it also depends on intuition, the daily inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and the inspiration that comes from Sacrament services and individual and collective devotional life. I have not yet come to feel the necessity of frequent attendance at the temple. I think I get as much inspiration watching birds, or looking at the mountains and the wilderness, as participating in the rituals there. The one regret I have is the failure of the Church authorities to recognize that by restricting the use of the archives they are concealing vast riches of inspiration and revelation.
[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
45 years ago today - Sep 18, 1979-Tuesday
[Leonard Arrington]
Moana Bennett telephoned this morning to say that she had been requested by Elder [Mark E.] Petersen to leave out all reference to the Expositor incident in [her Nauvoo pageant] "Because of Elizabeth." She wanted some alternative reason for the assassination of the Prophet [Joseph Smith] and his brother [Hyrum Smith]. So what could she portray? ... I told her I thought her play was very historic and that in the absence of mentioning the Expositor she'd have to adapt what happened in Missouri and Ohio or maybe fudge something like Tom Sharp's personal animosity against Joseph [Smith]. She said, "It surely is difficult to follow the Brethren, isn't it?"
Kathy [Stephens] says TV Channel 2's Extra [news program] had an interview with Sonia Johnson; ... She talked about the same things she always does: emphasized that the President [Spencer W. Kimball] wouldn't grant her or a group of her associates an interview. Mentioned a conversation with her bishop relating to that, and the interviewer reported that the bishop had denied such a conversation, and then five minutes later had said there was a conversation but he couldn't remember what was said. She stressed that the leaders didn't know how many women and men are feeling as she does, and insisted that there are a great many more than they realize. ... Also interviewed [general Relief Society president] Barbara Smith briefly on the subject. The interviewer pushed, rather rudely, to make her say whether the First Presidency's stand [against the Equal Rights Amendment] was based on opinion or revelation. She finally said, "I don't know, but it doesn't matter," and then
went on to say that whichever it was, it was their stand and it had been the result of careful, prayerful consideration and was "the" word to follow, because they are the First Presidency.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
Moana Bennett telephoned this morning to say that she had been requested by Elder [Mark E.] Petersen to leave out all reference to the Expositor incident in [her Nauvoo pageant] "Because of Elizabeth." She wanted some alternative reason for the assassination of the Prophet [Joseph Smith] and his brother [Hyrum Smith]. So what could she portray? ... I told her I thought her play was very historic and that in the absence of mentioning the Expositor she'd have to adapt what happened in Missouri and Ohio or maybe fudge something like Tom Sharp's personal animosity against Joseph [Smith]. She said, "It surely is difficult to follow the Brethren, isn't it?"
Kathy [Stephens] says TV Channel 2's Extra [news program] had an interview with Sonia Johnson; ... She talked about the same things she always does: emphasized that the President [Spencer W. Kimball] wouldn't grant her or a group of her associates an interview. Mentioned a conversation with her bishop relating to that, and the interviewer reported that the bishop had denied such a conversation, and then five minutes later had said there was a conversation but he couldn't remember what was said. She stressed that the leaders didn't know how many women and men are feeling as she does, and insisted that there are a great many more than they realize. ... Also interviewed [general Relief Society president] Barbara Smith briefly on the subject. The interviewer pushed, rather rudely, to make her say whether the First Presidency's stand [against the Equal Rights Amendment] was based on opinion or revelation. She finally said, "I don't know, but it doesn't matter," and then
went on to say that whichever it was, it was their stand and it had been the result of careful, prayerful consideration and was "the" word to follow, because they are the First Presidency.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
50 years ago today - Sep 18, 1974-Wednesday
[Leonard Arrington]
.... They told a number of stories about them such as the daughter of a stake president, who was showing very heavily with child, who came into their home, saw a carton of empty coke bottles on the floor. "You certainly don't drink coke, do you," she said. Another girl, a daughter of a bishop, only fifteen years old, who was pregnant, stayed with them. The Christensens asked her which she thought was worse, to smoke or to commit adultery. She thought and thought, was very serious, and thought and thought, and finally she said she thought it was worse to smoke.
We talked about the matter of telling the truth in Church history to young people. Sister [Marlene] Christensen felt strongly that we must be very careful with children ages three through seven but that young people in their teens ought to be told enough to recognize that Church officials have their faults and shortcomings and ought to be told, for example, that Brigham Young once chewed tobacco.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
.... They told a number of stories about them such as the daughter of a stake president, who was showing very heavily with child, who came into their home, saw a carton of empty coke bottles on the floor. "You certainly don't drink coke, do you," she said. Another girl, a daughter of a bishop, only fifteen years old, who was pregnant, stayed with them. The Christensens asked her which she thought was worse, to smoke or to commit adultery. She thought and thought, was very serious, and thought and thought, and finally she said she thought it was worse to smoke.
We talked about the matter of telling the truth in Church history to young people. Sister [Marlene] Christensen felt strongly that we must be very careful with children ages three through seven but that young people in their teens ought to be told enough to recognize that Church officials have their faults and shortcomings and ought to be told, for example, that Brigham Young once chewed tobacco.
[Confessions of a Mormon historian : the diaries of Leonard J. Arrington, 1971-1997, Gary James Bergera, editor, Signature Books, 2018]
75 years ago today - Sep 18, 1949
CHURCH NEWS reports that Ute Indian Albert Harris has been "recently chosen to represent his race and Church on the Roosevelt Stake High Council."
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
[On This Day in Mormon History, http://onthisdayinmormonhistory.blogspot.com]
130 years ago today - Sep 18, 1894
[Francis M. Lyman]
[Summit] I proclaimed against us entertaining our political faith as our religion as some are doing.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
[Summit] I proclaimed against us entertaining our political faith as our religion as some are doing.
[Excerpts of Apostle Francis M. Lyman Diaries, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
160 years ago today - Sep 18, 1864
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
.... I Caught a scorpean between my finger & the stone and he stung me in the middle Joint of my fore finger which gave me a shook through my whole system. It was a small one & I mashed him to peaces in lifting the stone. This alarmed me somewhat as the Sting of a scorpeon is Considered vary dangerous with us as some have died with it. I soon got some tobaco & bound on which took the poison out & I received no material injury from it.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
.... I Caught a scorpean between my finger & the stone and he stung me in the middle Joint of my fore finger which gave me a shook through my whole system. It was a small one & I mashed him to peaces in lifting the stone. This alarmed me somewhat as the Sting of a scorpeon is Considered vary dangerous with us as some have died with it. I soon got some tobaco & bound on which took the poison out & I received no material injury from it.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Sep 18, 1844
[Nauvoo Neighbor]
.... Reprinted Story: Extermination Order is a Good Idea -- The New York--Republic -- States that the extermination of the Church would be "...a work of Philanthropy."
- Reprinted Story: "The Mormon Tragedy Again" - Refusal to retract the Murder Verdict -- The Allen Telegram -- Discusses the Warsaw Signal's persistence in asking this paper to retract their statement that the death of Joseph Smith was murder.
- Announcement: "City Proceedings" - O.P. Rockwell's Arrest -- Editorial -- Describes the arrest of O.P. Rockwell for Assault, as well as another arrest...
[http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
.... Reprinted Story: Extermination Order is a Good Idea -- The New York--Republic -- States that the extermination of the Church would be "...a work of Philanthropy."
- Reprinted Story: "The Mormon Tragedy Again" - Refusal to retract the Murder Verdict -- The Allen Telegram -- Discusses the Warsaw Signal's persistence in asking this paper to retract their statement that the death of Joseph Smith was murder.
- Announcement: "City Proceedings" - O.P. Rockwell's Arrest -- Editorial -- Describes the arrest of O.P. Rockwell for Assault, as well as another arrest...
[http://boap.org/LDS/Nauvoo-Neighbor]
185 years ago today - Sep 18, 1839
[Heber C. Kimball]
Leaves for fifth mission, his second to England.
[Kimball, Stanley B. (editor), On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Chronology, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1987]
Leaves for fifth mission, his second to England.
[Kimball, Stanley B. (editor), On the Potter's Wheel: The Diaries of Heber C. Kimball, Chronology, Signature Books in association with Smith Research Associates, Salt Lake City, 1987]
60 years ago today - Sep 17, 1964
Arch Madsen, president of the church-owned KSL, relayed to the First Presidency an inquiry from a committee of broadcasters charged with selecting a new president of the National Association of Broadcasters. The committee wished to know if Benson, who was on their short list, would be available on a full-time basis to serve in that position. "After hearing all the facts pertaining to the matter," McKay dictated in his diary: "I indicated that so far as the Church is concerned, Brother Benson would be available for such an appointment." Hugh B. Brown concurred with McKay's decision, but added a strong qualifier, saying "if Brother Benson severed his relationship with [the John Birch Society] and accepted this position as a non-partisan assignment for the benefit of the Church primarily, he could do a lot of good; otherwise, he could do us a lot of harm." Benson was not offered the position.
[David O. McKay diary as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
[David O. McKay diary as referenced in Gregory A. Prince and Wm. Robert Write, David O. McKay and the Rise of Modern Mormonism. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press (2005)]
130 years ago today - Sep 17, 1894
[Apostle Heber J. Grant Diary]
I called on Apostle Franklin D. Richars this A.M. and explained a conversation that I had had Saturday with Bro. Chas Penrose in which I had been informed that hte Presidency of the Church had told him, Brother Franklin D. Richards, that there was no objections to any of the brethren doing any political work that they might think best. In other words that they had said that all were at perfect liberty to do what they pleased as to making speeches for either party. That the same word was afterwards given to Bro. Penrose. I told Bro. Franklin that I should not have made any talk at the theatre Saturday evening [in favor of Rawlins] had it not been for my conversation with Bro. Penrose and asked to know from him just waht the Presidency had said in the premises. I learned that they fel that all shold be free but that it would be wise for the members of the Apostles not to make any speeches. I was sorry this exception had been made seeing that I made a talk Saturday and I hope that the
First Presidency will not feel annoyed because I did so. ...
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
I called on Apostle Franklin D. Richars this A.M. and explained a conversation that I had had Saturday with Bro. Chas Penrose in which I had been informed that hte Presidency of the Church had told him, Brother Franklin D. Richards, that there was no objections to any of the brethren doing any political work that they might think best. In other words that they had said that all were at perfect liberty to do what they pleased as to making speeches for either party. That the same word was afterwards given to Bro. Penrose. I told Bro. Franklin that I should not have made any talk at the theatre Saturday evening [in favor of Rawlins] had it not been for my conversation with Bro. Penrose and asked to know from him just waht the Presidency had said in the premises. I learned that they fel that all shold be free but that it would be wise for the members of the Apostles not to make any speeches. I was sorry this exception had been made seeing that I made a talk Saturday and I hope that the
First Presidency will not feel annoyed because I did so. ...
[Diary of Heber J. Grant, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
135 years ago today - Sep 17, 1889
[President Wilford Woodruff]
Brother [George Q.] Cannon had an attack of the paralisis on the left side of his face which was vary painful to him. [Stroke]
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
Brother [George Q.] Cannon had an attack of the paralisis on the left side of his face which was vary painful to him. [Stroke]
[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 17, 1884
[Lorenzo Saunders Interview]
.... Q. Was you ever acquainted with young Joe Smith?
A. The first time I ever went to Sabbath School I went with young Joe Smith at the old Presbyterian Church.
Q. What kind of person was the old man Smith ?
A. Oh! he would go to Turky Shoots and get drunk; pretend to enchant their guns so that they could not kill the Turky. would blow in Q. How would he do that?
A. He would blow in the gun and feel around the lock then tell them it was charmed and they could not kill the turky.
Q. Did you ever see Joe's peep stone? A. Yes. It looked like a babies foot. The old man and Joe came into our barn <<their cooper shop>> one day when it was rainy; and I asked young Joe if he would not look and see if he could not see look something <<into futurity?>> Joe said he could not look into any holy thing. The old man had on the dirtyest and raggedest shirt I ever--saw all full of holes--and he <<said he>> cannot look into my shirt then.
...Q. How come you to go over to Smiths to eat sugar?
A. The Smiths were great sugar makers; they had a large bush and sugared off every day at their house and they wanted me to go over come over and eat sugar. They made seven thousand lbs. [pounds] one year and took the bounty in the County--of $50.00. They were pretty good fellows in their way, but they were shiftless and money diggers were in the money digging business.
Q. Did you ever see the Smiths dig yourself or [others?] for money?
A. I never saw them digging for money. I saw them dig in a hill, said to be for that purpose; that young Joe could look in his peep stone and see a man sitting in a gold chair. Old Joe said he was king i.e. the man in the chair; a king of one of the Nephites or Lamanites <<tribes>> who was shut in there in the time of one of their big battles. This digging was a mile from Smiths. Don't know as there was ever anything in the cave. The cave was on our place. This was in 1826. The cave had a door to it. We tore it off and sunk it in a pit of water where they got dirt to cover a cole [coal] pit. ...
Q. Did you ever hear Joe give an account of finding the plates?
A. Yes. He made the statement in gave the account in my father's house. He said he was in the woods at prayer and the angel touched him on the shoulders and he arose, and the angel told him where the plates were and he could take his oldest Brother with him in a year from that time and go and get them. But his oldest Brother died before the year was out. At the end of the time he went to the place to get the plates the angel asked where his Brother was. I told him he was dead. The angel told him there would be an other appointed. Joseph chose Samuel Lawrence. But he did not go.
Q. What kind of a woman was Joseph's wife?
A. Joseph's wife was a pretty woman; as pretty a woman as I ever saw. When she came to the Smiths she was very much disappointed and used to come to our house and sit down and cry. Said she was deceived and got into a hard place. Joe said in our house to my mother, the angel said he must get married him a wife and take her and go and and get the plates. Sam Lawrence took him over into Pennsylvania and introduced him to Emma Hale. I dont know as Joe had ever been in Pennsylvania before, but him and Sam Lawrence was had been deviling around--no telling where they had gone. Joe told Sam Lawrence that there was a silver mine over in Pennsylvania--told him if he would he might share in it with him; but behold he wanted an introduction to Emma Hale is the way it turned out. Sam Lawrence told me so.
After he was married and brought his wife home, the angel told him he must procure a black horse to go and get the plates. He come one night to get my Brothers black horse and went off and said he got the plates. He borrowed the horse. ...
[Lorenzo Saunders, Interviewed by William H. Kelley, 17 September 1884, 1-18, E. L. Kelley Papers, RLDS Church Library-Archives, Independence, Missouri., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Lorenzo Saunders Interview]
.... Q. Was you ever acquainted with young Joe Smith?
A. The first time I ever went to Sabbath School I went with young Joe Smith at the old Presbyterian Church.
Q. What kind of person was the old man Smith ?
A. Oh! he would go to Turky Shoots and get drunk; pretend to enchant their guns so that they could not kill the Turky. would blow in Q. How would he do that?
A. He would blow in the gun and feel around the lock then tell them it was charmed and they could not kill the turky.
Q. Did you ever see Joe's peep stone? A. Yes. It looked like a babies foot. The old man and Joe came into our barn <<their cooper shop>> one day when it was rainy; and I asked young Joe if he would not look and see if he could not see look something <<into futurity?>> Joe said he could not look into any holy thing. The old man had on the dirtyest and raggedest shirt I ever--saw all full of holes--and he <<said he>> cannot look into my shirt then.
...Q. How come you to go over to Smiths to eat sugar?
A. The Smiths were great sugar makers; they had a large bush and sugared off every day at their house and they wanted me to go over come over and eat sugar. They made seven thousand lbs. [pounds] one year and took the bounty in the County--of $50.00. They were pretty good fellows in their way, but they were shiftless and money diggers were in the money digging business.
Q. Did you ever see the Smiths dig yourself or [others?] for money?
A. I never saw them digging for money. I saw them dig in a hill, said to be for that purpose; that young Joe could look in his peep stone and see a man sitting in a gold chair. Old Joe said he was king i.e. the man in the chair; a king of one of the Nephites or Lamanites <<tribes>> who was shut in there in the time of one of their big battles. This digging was a mile from Smiths. Don't know as there was ever anything in the cave. The cave was on our place. This was in 1826. The cave had a door to it. We tore it off and sunk it in a pit of water where they got dirt to cover a cole [coal] pit. ...
Q. Did you ever hear Joe give an account of finding the plates?
A. Yes. He made the statement in gave the account in my father's house. He said he was in the woods at prayer and the angel touched him on the shoulders and he arose, and the angel told him where the plates were and he could take his oldest Brother with him in a year from that time and go and get them. But his oldest Brother died before the year was out. At the end of the time he went to the place to get the plates the angel asked where his Brother was. I told him he was dead. The angel told him there would be an other appointed. Joseph chose Samuel Lawrence. But he did not go.
Q. What kind of a woman was Joseph's wife?
A. Joseph's wife was a pretty woman; as pretty a woman as I ever saw. When she came to the Smiths she was very much disappointed and used to come to our house and sit down and cry. Said she was deceived and got into a hard place. Joe said in our house to my mother, the angel said he must get married him a wife and take her and go and and get the plates. Sam Lawrence took him over into Pennsylvania and introduced him to Emma Hale. I dont know as Joe had ever been in Pennsylvania before, but him and Sam Lawrence was had been deviling around--no telling where they had gone. Joe told Sam Lawrence that there was a silver mine over in Pennsylvania--told him if he would he might share in it with him; but behold he wanted an introduction to Emma Hale is the way it turned out. Sam Lawrence told me so.
After he was married and brought his wife home, the angel told him he must procure a black horse to go and get the plates. He come one night to get my Brothers black horse and went off and said he got the plates. He borrowed the horse. ...
[Lorenzo Saunders, Interviewed by William H. Kelley, 17 September 1884, 1-18, E. L. Kelley Papers, RLDS Church Library-Archives, Independence, Missouri., as cited in Dan Vogel, Early Mormon Documents: Lorenzo Saunders Interview]
170 years ago today - Sep 17, 1854
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
17th President Young preached this afternoon & spoke upon the Law of consecration & had an interesting conversation in our Prayer Circle. The subject of Elder Orson Pratt publishing the seer & the doctrin it contained was brought up in conversation. President Young said He ought not to have published the marriage cerimony. It was sacred & one of the last cerimonies attended to in the Endowments & ought not to have been given to the world.
Brother Pratt said that He thought it was no harm as the Plurality of wives & its doctrins was to be published to the world. He said He should not have done it if He had thought there had been the least harm in it.
President Young said He was satisfied that He intended no wrong in it. He said that the doctrin taught in the Seer that God had arived at that State whareby He could not advans any further in knowledge power & Glory was a fals doctrin & not true that there never will be a time to all Eternity when all the Gods of Eternity will scease advancing in power knowledge experience & Glory for if this was the case Eternity wood seease to be & the glory of God would come to an End. But all of celestial beings will continue to advance in knowledge & power worlds without end. Joseph would always be a head of us. We should never ketch up with him in all Eternity nor He with his leaders.
Brother Pratt Also thought that Adam was made of the dust of the Earth. Could not believe that Adam was our God or the Father of Jesus Christ. President Young said that He was that He came from another world & made this. Brought Eve with him partook of the fruits of the Earth begat Children & they were Earthly & had mortal bodies & if we were Faithful we should become Gods as He was. He told Brother Pratt to lay aside his Philosofioal reasoning & get Revelation from God to Govern him & Enlighten his mind more & it would be a great Blessing to him to lay aside his books & go into the canyons as some of the rest of us was doing & it would be better for him. He said his Phylosophy injured him in a measure.
Many good things wer said by President Young. That we should grow up in Revelation so that principle would govern evry act of our lives. He had never found any difficulty in leading this people since Josephs death.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
17th President Young preached this afternoon & spoke upon the Law of consecration & had an interesting conversation in our Prayer Circle. The subject of Elder Orson Pratt publishing the seer & the doctrin it contained was brought up in conversation. President Young said He ought not to have published the marriage cerimony. It was sacred & one of the last cerimonies attended to in the Endowments & ought not to have been given to the world.
Brother Pratt said that He thought it was no harm as the Plurality of wives & its doctrins was to be published to the world. He said He should not have done it if He had thought there had been the least harm in it.
President Young said He was satisfied that He intended no wrong in it. He said that the doctrin taught in the Seer that God had arived at that State whareby He could not advans any further in knowledge power & Glory was a fals doctrin & not true that there never will be a time to all Eternity when all the Gods of Eternity will scease advancing in power knowledge experience & Glory for if this was the case Eternity wood seease to be & the glory of God would come to an End. But all of celestial beings will continue to advance in knowledge & power worlds without end. Joseph would always be a head of us. We should never ketch up with him in all Eternity nor He with his leaders.
Brother Pratt Also thought that Adam was made of the dust of the Earth. Could not believe that Adam was our God or the Father of Jesus Christ. President Young said that He was that He came from another world & made this. Brought Eve with him partook of the fruits of the Earth begat Children & they were Earthly & had mortal bodies & if we were Faithful we should become Gods as He was. He told Brother Pratt to lay aside his Philosofioal reasoning & get Revelation from God to Govern him & Enlighten his mind more & it would be a great Blessing to him to lay aside his books & go into the canyons as some of the rest of us was doing & it would be better for him. He said his Phylosophy injured him in a measure.
Many good things wer said by President Young. That we should grow up in Revelation so that principle would govern evry act of our lives. He had never found any difficulty in leading this people since Josephs death.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
180 years ago today - Sep 17, 1844
[Apostle Wilford Woodruff]
17th Left Detroit in the morning. Sail well through the day and evening untill 12 oclk at night a strong wind arose. The Lake was rough. The boat rocked badly and in the midst of it opposite the Cleveland lighthouse at midnight the cry of fire, fire, fire, was rung through the boat by the watch on duty.
We immediately leaped from our beds in our night Cloths and each one Caught a bucket the best he Could. I Caught a bucket about half full of water and run as I was barefoot to the stern of the boat looking for the fire while some was runing up stares I leaped into the engine room And saw the fire in one Cornor of the stern of the boat. I run over the pile of Coal and dashed my water into the fire which was not larger than a half bushel measure. At the same time a bucket of water flung by Capt Davis struck the fire and it was instantly extinguished.
Their is nothing more terrible or alarming than the cry of fire on board of a ship or steem boat at Sea or on any water out of reach of Land. It is far more terrible than a storm or wreck, for when fire gets the Control under such circumstances all hope is lost, and persons will plunge into the deep to escape its fury. But in this case the fire was out and the alarm over in the term of a minute.
On my return to the cabin I found one woman flung into convulsions with alarm. Mrs Woodruff was holding her in her arms. She did not get over it untill the next day.
[Wilford Woodruff's Journal: 1833-1898 Typescript, Volumes 1-9, Edited by Scott G. Kenney, Signature Books 1993, http://amzn.to/newmormonstudies]
17th Left Detroit in the morning. Sail well through the day and evening untill 12 oclk at night a strong wind arose. The Lake was rough. The boat rocked badly and in the midst of it opposite the Cleveland lighthouse at midnight the cry of fire, fire, fire, was rung through the boat by the watch on duty.
We immediately leaped from our beds in our night Cloths and each one Caught a bucket the best he Could. I Caught a bucket about half full of water and run as I was barefoot to the stern of the boat looking for the fire while some was runing up stares I leaped into the engine room And saw the fire in one Cornor of the stern of the boat. I run over the pile of Coal and dashed my water into the fire which was not larger than a half bushel measure. At the same time a bucket of water flung by Capt Davis struck the fire and it was instantly extinguished.
Their is nothing more terrible or alarming than the cry of fire on board of a ship or steem boat at Sea or on any water out of reach of Land. It is far more terrible than a storm or wreck, for when fire gets the Control under such circumstances all hope is lost, and persons will plunge into the deep to escape its fury. But in this case the fire was out and the alarm over in the term of a minute.
On my return to the cabin I found one woman flung into convulsions with alarm. Mrs Woodruff was holding her in her arms. She did not get over it untill the next day.
[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 - Sep 16, 1974-Monday
[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]
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]
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]
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